When she stopped, no one said anything so she just continued. "It's been a long day and after our visit from Sincaro’s lackey, we have much to discuss. We will get you all back to the Serbia mansion and give you time to clean up and eat." She turned to Vasile and indicated for him to take over.

"We will meet in the library at" —he looked down at his watch— "nine-thirty."

With rumbles of agreement, Peri, Alston, and Cyn began to flash the tired wolves and warlock home.

Once they were all safe and sound, Peri flashed to the Coldspring pack headquarters in search of her fellow high fae. Peri flashed directly in front of the Alpha's home and stood still, trying to get a read on Nissa's mind or essence. When she felt nothing, she marched up to the door and knocked. She decided against flashing inside because she wasn’t as familiar with these wolves as she was the Romania ones. She didn't know how they'd react to her sudden appearance.

The door was opened a minute later by a very tired looking Alpha.

"Jeff Stone." Peri nodded curtly. "Why do you look as though the vampires kicked your ass?"

The Alpha's eyes narrowed. Okay, so he's a little sensitive on the matter.

"There were more than we anticipated," he said through gritted teeth. "But we managed to get them all, and saved four children. Nissa has been returning them to their homes. Two of them were older, perhaps eleven or twelve. She said it would be a little more work to alter their memories."

So that's what had been taking her so long, Peri thought. "Did you suffer any losses?" Peri asked him.

Jeff shook his head. "A few minor injuries, nothing more."

"Take a day to rest before you follow any more leads. Most of your wolves are younger and the magic left by the vampires will affect them more quickly."

He nodded. Peri could see that there was something bothering the Alpha. She debated whether or not she should ask. She really wanted to see her mate, but damn those puppy dog eyes. "Is there something else?"

Jeff looked at her for several moments before deciding to answer. "They've been taking dormants for centuries," he said, his voice hoarse with emotion. Peri knew where he was going with his statement. Vasile and the others hadn't had time to consider what that meant, especially since all of them except Drake were mated.

"Yes," she answered unnecessarily.

"How many mates?" He paused, the emotion catching in his throat.

Peri waited, allowing the man a moment, knowing how hard it was for a dominant male to show any emotion. Jeff Stone was hurting and not just for himself but for his wolves as well.

"How many of my wolves have lost their true mates because of the vampires? How many will we lose to the darkness?"

Peri didn't have an answer. What could she say? He was right. There would be males and possibly females that would never have a true mate if theirs had been one of the dormants taken and bled dry. The guilt came rushing back as Peri remembered so very, very long ago when she'd foolishly thought Sincaro to be destroyed. She had not pursued his body after striking him down, and because of that he lived. And because he lived, hundreds, upon hundreds, have and would continue to suffer.

"I'm sorry, Alpha." Peri bowed her head to him. "I truly am."

Jeff didn’t say anything. He simply gave her one last look and then slowly closed the door. Peri was gone before it was shut completely.

Peri stood outside of the Serbia mansion attempting to get her emotions under control. She couldn't imagine what it would be like to wonder if your mate had been one of the ones taken. How would it feel to wonder if the fight against the darkness was futile? What would it feel like to struggle in vain because your mate was already gone?

"Peri," Cyn’s voice snapped her out of the near panic attack.

"Perizada," Lucian’s voice came just after her friend’s.

"I'm fine, wolf. I'll be there soon."

"There is still hope. Jeff and his unmated males were taken by surprise. They will be alright." Lucian’s voice caressed her tired soul. More than anything she just needed to be in his arms, but that wasn't going to happen, not yet. "I'll be waiting."

Peri wanted to scream. Lucian meant his statement to be a reassurance to her, but what Peri heard was, 'I'll be waiting like I always am.’ It wasn't his fault she felt that way. It was her own insecurity. And that made her laugh out loud. Who would have thought that Perizada, high fae and all around know-it-all, had insecurities? "Will wonders never cease?"

"Peri?" Cyn's voice beckoned again.

Peri turned to face the warrior. "Sorry, my mind was elsewhere."

Cyn nodded in understanding.

Peri cleared her throat. "Is everything okay? And I ask that already knowing that nothing is okay, but you get what I mean."

"I spoke with Thalion today," Cyn began. "He asked me to tell you that he will be taking warriors to the land called Canada. He and his people will deal with the vampires there. He requested that I be allowed to assist so that I can help with any dormants or survivors they might find."

"He's going to take enough elves to handle all the covens in Canada?" Peri asked, attempting to express her disbelief without making the elf prince sound like an idiot. Does he know how many covens are in that land?

Cyn nodded. "He wants to help."

"No, he wants to protect his interests." Peri raised a brow at her comrade.

The warrior shrugged. "Maybe, but at least he's helping."

Peri couldn't argue with that. The elves were worse than the fae about leaving their own realm to assist other supernatural races, which meant that they just didn't. Not until Cyn had convinced Thalion to help on a previous occasion. Perhaps, it was going to become a habit.

"Frankly, I don't care if he is simply hoping that if he kills enough vampires you'll finally let him in your pants. Just try and hold out until they're all dead, just in case."

Cyn's face didn't even twitch. "I will do my best."

Peri snorted as the other fae flashed and left her standing there alone. She looked up at the mansion in front of her. One more meeting and then she could spend the night letting someone else be strong.

Chapter 13

"There are times when death comes as a relief. Not only for the one dying but for those who love them. It relieves pain, consoles fear, and gives closure. But then there are times when death is more destructive than the most furious storm. It tears through the heart, shreds all hope, and devours the soul of the one left behind." ~ Jeff Stone