Wicked Burn (Realm Enforcers #3)(76)

Bear turned his full focus on Nick. “You hurt my sister or that boy, and I’ll do things to you not even a mind-attacking demon could imagine.”

Nick’s smile widened. “Could be a girl, you know.”

Bear paled. “Jesus. A demon, dragon, witch hybrid female. God help us all.”

Nick lost the smile. “Yeah.”

Bear cleared his throat. “So. Where should I take you two?”

“Nowhere. Go get us a boat.” Nick rubbed his chin.

Bear shook his head. “Boats can’t get close enough because the ocean is still way too wild from the storm. Rocks. And before you ask about helicopters, there’s nowhere to land.”

“Then find a dragon whose true nature is that of a dragon to come get us,” Simone hissed. “Get Flynn. Wait a minute. Call Flynn.”

“No phone.” Bear shrugged. “I’m gonna shift into a dragon, so you might as well tell me where to go.”

Nick shook his head. “Just to land so we can grab transport somewhere safe.”

Simone glared at them both. “You’re forgetting my trial starts tomorrow. I have to show up, or I’ll have a bounty on my head for the rest of my life.”

Nick growled low. “If you’re found guilty?”

“Then we’ll deal with the situation at that time.” She rubbed her belly. “I can’t have this child be a wanted person from birth. We have to somehow win at trial.” She leaned in and pressed a kiss to Nick’s chin. “It’s our best chance for a normal life for him or her. I have to face the Nine.” She stepped back, trusting he’d make the right decision and not fight her.

“Absolutely not,” Bear snapped. “Stay away from those crazy witches and go somewhere safe.”

Simone ignored him and focused on Nick.

Nick lowered his chin. “I agree it’s the smart thing to do, but if things go badly, you have to promise to let me get you out of there. No matter what it takes.”

She nodded, her hands still over her abdomen. “I promise.” Her lips trembled, but she tried to force a smile for her brother. “Promise me this won’t hurt you too badly.”

He rolled his eyes. “It won’t. Geez. I can shift a few times every century or so without losing my spleen.”

God, she hoped he was telling the truth. “Any chance you can keep the ride smooth this time?” she asked.

Bear sighed. “Nothing else is going smooth, so why start with the ride?”





Chapter 29


Nick shook sand out of his boots and stomped up the beach in Port-Donegal, balancing easily while moving over the rocky terrain. His stomach still lurched a little from Bear’s flight across the ocean, and from the green tinge of Simone’s skin, she was also still trying to keep from hurling. Bear had dropped them off and turned right back around for Fire Island to back up Flynn. “You all right?” Nick asked.

Simone nodded and struggled against the wind. “Aye, but I wish we could’ve talked Bear into staying here.”

“Maybe he’ll rest with Flynn. I’m sure Flynn will take good care of him.”

“I hope so.” She led the way up the rocks to a peaceful-looking cottage overlooking the ocean. “You have no’ been here.”

“No.” Even with his impressive intel, he had no records of the cottage. There was no way a dragon could fly over the landmass to Dublin without being spotted, so Simone had asked Bear to drop them off in Donegal, where she could arrange for a flight home. “I’m taking it that this place is more than a nice vacation cottage?” Nick asked.

She smiled and reached the front stoop. Cheerful yellow paint covered the slightly warped front door. Wide windows made up the front, surrounded by heavy stone walls that rose to what appeared to be a dark blue metal roof. Interesting. She placed her hand in the middle of the door, several clicks echoed, and then it slid inward.

Nick took a deep breath and followed her inside a quaint gathering room with a sofa, chairs, end tables, and a lovely stone fireplace. Quiet filled the space, but he could sense signatures of energy. “Who’s here?” he asked, his voice dropping to a whisper.

“I am.” Adam Dunne moved around the wall from what was apparently a kitchen, a large ham sandwich in his hand. “Where the hell have you been?”

Simone opened her mouth and then closed it again. “Long story. What in the world are you doing here?”

Adam blew out, tension vibrating from him. “I had Zane drop me a few miles south before he headed back to his Dublin safe zone. I’ve been trying to locate Victoria Monzelle by hitting each and every local safe house, but the Guard has her locked down somewhere and good. They moved her from the Liffey penthouse right after you visited her the other morning, apparently.”

Nick winced. “Is Kellach fit to be tied?” The woman was Kell’s sister-in-law, and his mate had to be going crazy, which would lead Kellach to war, probably.

“Aye. He and Alexandra are checking all of the known houses from Dublin to the south of Ireland, while I came north. So far, we haven’t found Tori. You’d think an American with purple streaks in her hair would be easy to spot.” Lines cut into the sides of Adam’s mouth.

Simone scrubbed both hands down her face. “The good news is that Tori won’t go on trial until mine is over.” Even so, concern darkened Simone’s already dark eyes. “Since her sister is mated to a Coven Nine Enforcer, surely they’ll just have her sign a nondisclosure agreement and let her go.”