Relief rushed through her so fast she now realized she hadn’t been breathing easily. But what he said also confused her. Glancing up to Talon, she noted he didn’t look angry that she had intervened. “How can Lazarus heal him?”
“Vampire blood has healing properties,” he said softly.
Before she could issue another blow to Bayne’s head to gather more information, a firm hand yanked her to her feet. Then she found herself staring up at a tall, buff werewolf who was the definition of GQ, as mummers came from the crowd.
The arrogant twinkle she’d spotted in Thor’s gaze looked weak compared to what she discovered in this man’s chocolate brown eyes. His whole demeanor screamed power. He gripped her chin, turning her head from side to side, examining her with his cocoa-colored hair falling over his brow. “I don’t know you who you are.”
It seemed more like a statement than a question, but she didn’t get a chance to answer anyway, since Briggs interjected, “Nexi Jones.” Stepping in next to her, Briggs laid a reassuring hand on her arm. “Nexi, meet the Patriarch of the Wolves, Valor.”
Not quite prepared to talk yet, she inclined her head at the introduction.
Valor studied her a moment before he turned to Talon. “Is this the new one I’ve been hearing about?” At Talon’s nod, Valor said to Nexi, “You’re strong willed, I see. Are you Kyden’s mate?”
Her mouth parted, but again, nothing came out.
“She will be,” Talon stated.
Nexi did not want to cry in front of his crowd, nor did she want to break down in front of this incredibly powerful stranger. However, the determination in Talon’s voice, and the meaning of his words, sent tears streaming down her cheeks.
Shocking her, fatherly warmth touched Valor’s expression, making her feel oddly protected, then he wiped the tears off her cheeks in a gentle move seeming so contradictory to his tough nature. It also seemed to surprise Briggs, since his eyebrows rose.
Valor lowered his hand from her chin, stepping away from her. “We’ll deal with this wolf, Bayne. Then I’ll do what I can to help you.”
“The Otherworld thanks you.” Talon sighed, cupping Valor’s shoulder. “I thank you.” At Valor’s soft nod, Talon turned to leave the area and his eyes met Nexi’s, appearing almost grateful.
Not exactly the reaction she expected, since she still thought he’d be mad about the whole kicking Bayne out of his arms incident. Perhaps, though, right now none of it mattered, and that she understood. What she didn’t understand was why he seemed so grateful to her. What in the heck had she done?
Her attention shifted to Valor as he pointed to Bayne on the ground. “Thor, this member of your pack has betrayed us, make an example of him.”
Briggs took Nexi’s hand and pulled her off to the side of the crowd. She turned to him and whispered, “What was that all about?”
“Valor appears to like you.” Briggs tilted his head, his amber eyes in line with hers. “He doesn’t offer his help to many, and normally stays clear of dealing with Otherworld business. This is a great honor, giving you his help.”
“I’m grateful for it.” The more powerful supernaturals searching for Kyden, the better.
She looked at the commotion in front of her, as Thor knelt beside the wolf, and said, “You’ve disgraced your pack and endangered not only humans, but also your family. Your poor mother is heartbroken over what you’ve done, and the other young wolves have cast out your little sisters because of your treachery. Nothing will forgive what you’ve started here, and you’re lucky I show mercy to your family by not destroying them. Not all alphas would be so generous.”
“Calder,” Bayne shouted in a desperate plea. “Brother. Do something.”
That name Nexi recognized, and she remembered Kyden mentioned it the night they discovered Lazarus’s plan. Calder had been the werewolf from the Texas pack whom Briggs had found.
She looked to Calder as he stood near the corner of the cathedral, and his eyelids were lowered, head bowed. “I told you we had to leave,” Calder implored. “That you had to stop this, but you didn’t listen and now…there’s nothing I can do for you, brother.”
Thor shifted into a golden-brown wolf with deep silver eyes. He growled loudly and it rumbled through the Council’s Hall to send vibrations under Nexi’s feet. As if on cue, the other wolves shifted, including Bayne.
Nexi’s gasped as she caught sight of Valor. She’d thought Foley had been a big wolf, but nope, Valor’s wolf-form stole her breath. His cinnamon-colored fur had black-frosted tips and he was almost twice the size of Thor, closer in size to a pony than to a wolf.
His eyes stayed trained on hers, penetrating all her defenses. Being watched by him, she’d never felt so exposed, as if he could read her mind and discover all there was to know about her. The strangest part was she didn’t mind him doing it. It didn’t feel intrusive. He wasn’t judging or prying, he was simply curious about her.
Thor’s deep growl forced her attention to the battle. He stalked Bayne, circling him as Bayne scrambled back. The other wolves growled low, making every hair on her arms rise, almost as if they were encouraging Thor.
A second later, Bayne lay dead on the ground. Talon stepped forward, slammed his sword into the wolf’s side, and Bayne vanished.
In the same moment, Thor shifted and called, “Let this be an example to those who have shamed us and what will happen to anyone who joins those who betray us.”
The other wolves howled in response.
A soft choking noise came through the midst of the loud growls. Nexi looked to the corner again and found Calder’s face streaked with tears. Her heart reached for him, as she couldn’t imagine how hard that must’ve been to watch the death of his brother.
Troubling her more, no one went to Calder and offered him comfort. He’d done so much to help them, regardless that he’d left his pack. He hadn’t killed any mortals. He told them of Lazarus’s plan, and who knew what could’ve happened if he hadn’t. Tonight, he’d come to help, and that made him a friend.
Leaving Briggs’ side, she approached Calder, and once in front of him, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders. “I’m sorry you lost him.”
Calder held her tight, sobbing into her neck. “It’s Bayne who did this to himself.” His voice wavered. “It was what he deserved, but…”
“He was still your brother.”
Deep emotions raced through her as his sadness draped over her body. Every ounce of his pain was shared in his embrace, and it wrenched her guts. She’d been here before. She had lived the pain he experienced, more than once.
When she leaned away, she caught Valor’s gaze, and deciphering his look was impossible. Apparently, he was like Kyden, unreadable if he wanted to be. But for a short moment his expression softened. It appeared that he liked that she had comforted one of his wolves.
“Where do we start?” Finn called.
Another hand tightened around her arm, and Talon pulled her away from Calder. “There’s no reason to believe they have left Salt Lake City, but we’ll search in New York, too.” To Zia, he asked, “Will you assign areas?”
She nodded. “Of course.”
Talon looked down to Nexi, tugging her forward. “Come with me.”
On their way through the Council’s Hall, Haven ran toward Nexi, obviously sensing the emotions rushing through her. Nexi yanked herself out of Talon’s grip, then collided with Haven and hugged her.
Calder’s pain reminded Nexi of her own heartbreak, both past and present. She wouldn’t end up like Calder, mourning the loss of Kyden. She’d lost enough. She wouldn’t stand by and allow it to happen again. If that meant she had to face Lazarus, then so be it. And she had no doubt he’d find her if she was free from the Otherworld, just as he had before—with the blood connection.
Her chances of defeating Lazarus were not favorable, but the truth was, no one else would die around her. She’d not sit around waiting for everyone else to deal with him. The time to take a stand had come and she intended to show Kyden she cared for him as much as he did her.
“What are you going to do?” Haven whispered.
Nexi stepped back and watched Haven’s face pale with worry. “I know it’s only been a short time since I came here and met you, but my life is better because you’re in it.” She kissed Haven’s cheek and whispered in her ear, “I love you. So, so much.”
“You’re scaring me.” Tears welled in Haven’s eyes. “Why are you saying goodbye?”
Nexi didn’t have the heart to tell her and luckily, Talon broke the silence as he snatched up her hand and led her away. Haven’s cries followed her, and she heard Finn consoling her. As she matched Talon’s stride, a pull from behind her had her glancing over her shoulder.
Zia’s expression mirrored Haven’s with palpable concern. She mouthed the words, “Be safe.” No doubt, from her mind reading abilities, Zia would know of Nexi’s plan. It surprised her that Zia didn’t intend to stop her. Maybe she understood. Zia had lost loved ones, too.