Wild and Free (The Three #3)(72)

“That cannot be argued. But it’s still true,” Gregor told him.

Jesus.

“There’s more you need to know,” Gregor kept going. “such as the dreams.” Abel’s body got tight at that, but Gregor didn’t stop. “And added abilities. For instance, today we were outnumbered, my guess, ten to one, and the reason we weren’t bested swiftly is not only because you wisely trained your brothers to handle themselves against the additional speed and strength they’d be facing. Nor was it because Lucien and Callum are both experienced and exceptionally skilled. But because you, as Lucien is, as Callum is, are uncommonly gifted in battle.”

Abel said nothing.

Gregor did, guessing, “You trained your brothers because you knew this day would come.”

“Dreams,” Abel grunted as the door opened and Lucien, followed by Callum, came through.

They said nothing, but Abel tilted his chin up to them as he caught their eyes.

They moved into the room, Lucien looking his way even as he went to an armchair and sat his ass in it, Callum dipping his chin as he moved toward the couch but didn’t sit. Instead, he leaned against it.

As they settled in, Gregor asked, “Does Delilah dream?”

“Yeah,” Abel answered.

“Yours are premonitory,” Gregor noted.

“Dreamed today. Not the outcome, but dreamed it happened, felt we were gonna lose. Didn’t dream about us getting help,” Abel told him.

Gregor nodded and Abel had to give it to the guy. His expression shared he got that having that dream really wasn’t all fun and games and living with sensing it might come real was worse.

Then he prompted, “Delilah’s dreams?”

“Said she never dreamed anything that happened, but they’ve been frequent since we got together and they f*ck her up.”

“Fuck her up how?” Lucien asked sharply.

“Get hold of her. Know one was good from the noises she was making, real good,” he said and knew Lucien got him from the vampire’s lip twitch. “Another, not so good, took hold. I couldn’t wake her. She eventually woke, but it was her comin’ out of it, not me making her do it.”

Lucien’s lips quit twitching as his mouth got tight.

“Does she recall them?” Gregor asked.

“No,” Abel answered and looked to Lucien. “Leah?”

“The same,” he said on a curt nod. “Be vigilant, Abel. Leah’s dreams took such hold, they nearly killed her.”

“Fuck,” Abel hissed and turned his gaze to Callum. “Sonia?”

“She had dreams, but they were only the good kind,” Callum told him.

“Lucky you,” Abel muttered.

“Don’t allow Delilah to sleep without you close,” Lucien advised, and Abel turned his attention back to him. “My connection with her was the only thing that could keep Leah safe from her dreams.”

“And you know that’ll work for Delilah, if this same shit is happening to her?” Abel asked.

Lucien shook his head.

“With certainty, no. But I would strongly advise taking that precaution.”

And Abel would strongly accept that precaution and not let Delilah sleep without him around.

“There’s more to share,” Gregor butted in, “and more to learn, most especially about you and your history.”

“How crucial is that to know at this juncture?” Abel asked.

“Not more crucial than us learning what we all need to know, that being how our enemy was able to find you and Delilah before we did,” Gregor returned.

“Yeah,” Abel snarled. “That’s somethin’ I’d like to know too.”

“We have people working on it,” Gregor assured him.

“Like you had people keeping us safe today?” Abel asked derisively.

“I lost a good man I respected today too, Abel,” Gregor reminded him quietly.

Abel clenched his teeth. His blow was low. He knew it and he had to cool it.

Gregor took a sip from his whiskey, giving Abel a moment to pull his shit together. Abel had to give that to him too. It was a cool thing to do.

Once he sensed Abel had sorted his shit, he went on.

“One of the many reasons I wished for Callum and Lucien to be here is that, unfortunately, I don’t have more time right now as I have a great deal to do. Today’s attack means things have escalated and I’m concerned how that escalation may be taking shape, not only here but elsewhere. The wraiths have information and I need to brief with them. I also need to contact The Vampire Council so they can make the world’s governments aware of today’s activities, giving them the information they need to continue with their own preparations.”

“The world’s governments?” Abel asked.

“Very few humans know of the existence of immortals,” Callum explained, and Abel turned his attention to him. “But select trusted officials high up in every nation’s government are aware. They’ve also been made aware that the enemy is uniting, planning, and we, all of us, must be prepared for attack. Not like today. On humans.”

“This just keeps getting better,” Abel muttered.

“It’s a lot to take in, we know,” Lucien said in a low, conciliatory voice. “But even so, you need to take it in, you need to prepare your mate and your family, and you need to move on from that to where we all need to be to fight this.”