Emerge: The Captive: (Book 3)(89)

As they broke through the trees and rushed the clearing, Sasha waved and shouted to draw Aide’s attention.

“They’re closing in.” Jayesh watched over his shoulder.

“Yes! He’s seen us,” Sasha said. “He’ll get here first.”

Jayesh stood with his back to her, putting himself between Sasha and those who would take her. “Get ready!” he shouted over the roar of the helicopter blades.

As soon as Aide landed in the clearing, they ran.

“I’m not ready,” Sasha cried over the sound of the blades. “Please, come with me, Jayesh. I can’t leave you like this.” She clutched his hand in an iron grip.

“It’s time, angel. Go back to your life, and live a good one.” He pulled her close, dropping a kiss on her forehead.

“You don’t need to do this, Jay.” She tugged him back toward the waiting helicopter. Aide stood crouched in the doorway, ready to pull her inside. “You don’t need to go back to that life.”

“People count on me. I have to go.”

She saw his team breaking through the trees behind him.

“They’re going to hurt you.”

“Nothing will hurt me more than seeing them take you. Go!” He shoved her hard, but she held on to him, refusing to let go.

“Please, Sasha, you have to go.”

Imogen’s protective marks lit Sasha’s body on fire as the patterns moved to break her hold on Jayesh. Sasha stumbled back.

“Get her out of here!” Jayesh turned to face his pursuers.

“No!” Sasha took a step toward him. But Aide pulled her back into the chopper. “Protect him!” Sasha screamed as her uncle flung her into the co-pilot’s seat.

“Time to go.” Aide took the pilot seat and lifted them into the air.

Sasha pressed her face against the window and watched as the leopard and every predator within her reach came to stand between Jayesh and his pursuers. Monkeys, mountain lions, panthers and even a tiger guarded him. She called the yak, the deer and even the elephants to stand with him. It was the only thing she could do for him now.

~~~

Sasha walked across the rocky shores of S?o Miguel in the Azores, the sound of clashing weapons carried on the warm breeze.

Less than twenty-four hours ago, she was shooting a sniper rifle with Jayesh, all thoughts of home far from her mind.

She watched as Allie and Aidan sparred along the rocky jetty reaching into the sea. They seemed so young to her now after everything she’d been through. It suddenly occurred to her that her relationship with her brother might never be the same as it was before. He’d always treated her like a little sister that needed protecting. But she felt so much older now, like decades stood between them rather than weeks.

“Sasha!” Allie cried. Throwing down her practice sai, she charged up the jetty, hopping along the rocky path like she’d spent her life training on such terrain.

She’s changed. Allie moved more confidently, but she carried a heavy burden on her shoulders. Sasha wasn’t the only one who’d gone through something. She’s stronger than when I left.

Aidan raced past Allie and slammed into Sasha first.

“I missed you,” he whispered, holding her close. He held her at arm’s length, studying her carefully. “Senate internship, my ass.” He shook his head. “Tell me where you’ve been. I’ve been so worried.”

Sasha smiled, and thinking of Jayesh she said, “I hope never to speak of such things with you, brother.”

~~~





CHAPTER

THIRTY-TWO





Sasha: Fall


Kelleys Island, Ohio


“My niece is seventeen.” Liam slammed the bar bill on the table in front of the Immortal Sasha had come to meet. “Get out of my bar.”

“Liam, I can take care of myself.” Sasha sighed.

“Out. Of. My. Bar.” His blue eyes sparkled with rage. “Jack is not the sort you should be hanging around with, Sasha.”

“You didn’t tell me Liam was your uncle.” Jack leaned toward her. “We’re just talking, sir. I’m not here to make trouble.” Jack held his hands up in surrender. “She just has a few questions for me.”

“Imogen’s on her way to pick you up, Sasha. I suggest you make it quick.” Liam stalked back behind the bar.

“That is one big Viking,” Jack said nervously.

“Your report?” Sasha asked.

“Right. I don’t really know what else to tell you. Jayesh just … doesn’t want to be found. I’ve done all I can do. The man is a ghost.”

“Keep digging. He came back from Africa more than a month ago. There has to be some kind of trail.”

“I told you, he left for Indonesia within days of returning to the States. He’s gone, Sasha.”

“He wouldn’t do that unless something went wrong.” She shook her head stubbornly. Jay had promised he would come find her when he returned from Africa. There was no way he wouldn’t keep that promise.

“I do have something for you.” Jack pulled an envelope from his coat pocket. “I found this in my car about a week ago. I don’t know how it got there, but it’s addressed to you.”