“We need to move quickly,” Peri continued. “Mona is going to learn of your escape soon enough and she will not let it go unanswered. She knows that we are in these mountains and she will use anything she can to take us out.

“Well, let‘s quit wasting time here trying to kill each other and get a move on.” Elle surprised them all with her sudden candor.

Sorin smiled at his mate. “Feeling feisty?”

She returned his smiled innocently and kissed his cheek. “I’m as eager as the rest to get back.”

Sorin’s eyebrows rose in surprise and his response in her ear was anything but innocent.

Peri shook her head as she turned to lead them. “I’m highly disappointed Elle, what happened to your prudish behavior?”

Elle laughed. “It took a back seat when I was given a mate so hot that he could cook bacon on his abs.”

Jen reached over for a high five from Elle as she grinned. “Good one fairy.”

Elle nodded. “I know, right?”

Peri picked up the pace hoping to make them keep their talking to a minimum as they traveled. The males were on edge and it wasn’t going to take much to cause another fight like the one that had just erupted.

“Are you alright?” Sally asked Costin for the hundredth time since Fane had attacked him. She felt his warm breath on her neck as he kept stride next to her.

“I’m fine Sally mine, quit worrying about me.” He winked at her and she smiled because it still gave her flutters and made her want to throw herself into his arms.

“Feel free to,” he told her as he saw the thoughts in her mind.

Sally rolled her eyes at him, but took comfort in his returned playfulness. He wasn’t any less possessive or protective, but his demeanor had almost returned to normal.

“Dec,” Jen spoke tentatively to her mate. He was angry, she didn’t really think it was at her, but she knew she hadn’t helped.

“Jennifer,” he responded, not unkindly.

“We good?”

“I will be better once I can look you over thoroughly, and once Cynthia examines you and lets me know our little girl is alright.”

“I’m fine babe, promise.” She tried to reassure him, but she knew he was telling the truth; he wouldn’t be all right until he had looked her over himself.

“I love you, Jennifer,” his voice suddenly sounded urgent in her mind.

“I love you to. I’m glad your back.”

“You missed my bossy, brooding, possessive ways?” He teased.

“Wouldn’t have you any other way, babe.”

“I’ll remember you said that,” he warned with a smile, knowing she would get the reference.

She laughed out loud, as they jogged through the quietforest.

“Tombstone.” She confirmed with a smile at him and the slight upturn of his lips sent a thrill through her. He was safe, he was with her and now she could focus on saving the world, saving their baby, and anything else that needed saving.

“Feeling ambitious?” Decebel asked with a smirk.

She smiled wickedly at him, “Oh babe, you have no idea.”

Chapter 10

“For centuries we have managed to stay out of the affairs of humans and other supernatural races. I do not feel that it is in our best interest to get involved in the tribulations of others. Unfortunately, what I feel does not matter to those outside of my own race. I should have known it was only a matter of time before trouble should show up at our door. However, I could have never imagined that the trouble would include not one race or two, but all of the supernaturals save ours. Just goes to show that my imagination is very bland. ~ Thalion, Prince of the Elves

“Are you sure this is what you want to do?” Lilly asked as they stood before a clearing in the vast forest.

Cypher was staring intently into the clearing and Lilly knew he must be seeing something she was not.

Cyn made a motion with her hand and suddenly there was ripple in the air. Out of nowhere, a seam appeared and, like a curtain, the space in front of them parted and she could see through it to the other side. It did not match the forest around them and for that reason she knew that she was looking into the realm of the elves.

Cypher looked down at her and the answer was evident in his eyes.

“Okay, okay,” she groaned, “we don’t really have a choice do we?”

“We cannot walk away from a dangerous situation hoping that someone else will step forward and deal with it. We might not be the first ones to discover the draheim in the human realm, but we are the only ones willing to fix it.”

“For someone who was willing to make a deal with the devil, you sure are turning out to be noble and selfless.” Lilly told him with a wink.

“I am not so noble as to give up the woman who was kidnapped to be my mate.” Though the words came out softly, Lilly felt the possessiveness behind them and tried to deny the warm feeling it gave her. She was wanted. After being discarded so many years ago, someone wanted her and she didn’t know how to respond.

Cyn’s throat clearing drew their attention back to the open Veil.

“Ready?” She asked them.

In response, Cypher walked towards the Veil without hesitation and stepped through it. Cyn motioned for Lilly to go next, and then followed closely behind.

Lilly’s mouth dropped open as she turned in slow circle.

“Have we just walked into a Disney movie?” She asked, in awe of the scenery around her.