Dead After Dark (Companion #6.5)(108)

Vyan nodded then faced Trey. “Do not place great value on seeing me again, Belador.” He turned to Sen. “Release me from this invisible tent. I wish to breathe untainted air.”

Sen arched an annoyed eyebrow at the warrior then turned to Shiva and Macha. “I will rescript the minds of all civilians in this area to remember nothing more than a bad thunderstorm and return the park to its original state before leaving if you require nothing further of me.”

Shiva and Macha nodded their assent.

The canopy cleared, as did the heavens. Clouds drifted lazily past a full moon. The park lights blinked on. Trey held himself in check when he wanted to go to Sasha and comfort his little kick-butt warrior. She’d saved everyone by exposing the Celtic witch Moran. But first he had to try to fix one more thing.

He approached Macha. “I wish to ask you something.”

“You should be on your knees thanking me, Belador, not asking for more,” Macha snapped at him. “You’re fortunate not to have unleashed a legion of Kujoo soldiers or to have condemned the Belador tribe to a future beneath Mount Meru.”

“I’m sorry for the risk I placed us all under, but I did so only with the belief that my actions were honorable.” He lowered his head in respect, but he needed to ask about Rowan.

“That is the only reason I am not sanctioning you. As for Rowan, I have no authority over the magician Ekkbar.”

“I have removed the magician’s hold on the witch,” Shiva interjected.

Relieved, Trey turned to Shiva. “Thank you.” Shiva nodded, then placed his palms together in prayer and vanished.

Macha returned to the swan and settled on its back. She placed her palms flat, fingertips touching, and disappeared.

“Go in peace, Beladors.” Brina’s hologram disintegrated.

Trey dragged a hand through his wet hair and turned to Sasha, who ran to him. He bundled her into his arms and hugged her, taking a deep breath of joy. She’d survived. His gaze swept the terrain. No Vyan. No Sen.

Lucien and the three Beladors strolled up to him. Trey pulled Sasha to his side, loathe to let her out of his reach.

“I’ve got to work tonight, so I’m bugging out.” Evalle’s toned arms were covered in soft skin again. Her boots no more threat than a swift kick to the family jewels of the wrong man.

“Thanks, Evalle,” Trey said then turned to the whole group. “I couldn’t have done this without all of you.”

“True,” Tzader agreed. “Remember that next time you step into deep sh—uh, pardon me, Sasha. Deep trouble.” He grinned.

“I dare say, you’re going to be a hurting pup as soon as we pull apart the link,” Quinn added. “I plan to spend the rest of this evening in the lap of luxury, or the lap of a luxurious woman willing to soothe the aches I anticipate as soon as we unlink. Shall we?” Quinn said to Tzader and Evalle.

The trio walked away, dispersing into the darkness. Trey groaned with the release of the linking, his body feeling like a Mack truck had run over him—twice. But he’d begin to heal soon and could make it home unassisted.

“Vyan tricked me,” Sasha said quickly. “I thought it was you calling me telepathically, saying you were dying. But now I realize that couldn’t have happened.”

Trey cupped her head to his chest. “Don’t worry about it, baby. I’m just glad you’re safe.”

“Thank you, Trey,” Rowan said and hugged them both before stepping away.

Trey took in Rowan’s skin and eyes that were robust, healthy.

“Thanks for watching over the women,” Trey told Lucien whose answer was a frown. He chuckled at the touchy guy.

“I’ve got things to do.” Clearly bored, Lucian walked away before Trey could extend his hand to shake.

Trey wouldn’t hold it against him after all that Lucien had done to help with Rowan. He’d find out what Lucien was, but not now.

Rowan ran a couple of steps to catch Lucien’s arm. He stopped and glared down at her. She smiled back, saying, “My offer is always open. Come back if you ever need to or want to. You’ll be welcomed as a friend.”

He studied her for a brief moment, then cupped her chin and kissed her just long enough to draw an earthy sigh from Rowan.

“I’ll keep that in mind, witch.” Lucien turned and sauntered away.

Rowan spun around, a smile in place. “I saw Trey’s truck earlier. I’ll meet you two there.” She walked away.

“Where does this leave us?” Sasha asked Trey, stepping in front of him with a look of challenge in her eyes and hands on her hips.

He had to tell her the truth so she would understand why they couldn’t be together. And that meant all the truth.

“Sasha, you mean more to me than you’ll ever know, but—”

“I understand why you don’t trust what you can’t hear in someone’s mind.” Sasha took his hand in hers. “Believe me, in your shoes I’d never trust another living soul. But you’re not me and I need you to trust me. I don’t know how to make telepathy work, but I believe we can make us work.”

He wanted to, more than she could imagine. “That’s not the only problem or I would just accept what you said.”

“No, I couldn’t live with you always wondering,” Sasha rushed on. “And I know you’re thinking that you’ll disappoint me when you question something I say. Shoot, I’ll question you sometimes, too, but that doesn’t mean I don’t trust you. Besides, you can hear me if you listen real close.”