Destined (Darkin World Book 2)

Chapter Twelve

"You don't wish for the soul-bond broken, do you?"

Wolf was drawing on the strength of the packs to lend to Breqlynn. His own was depleted. They'd sewn her up two hours before, after the first time she'd lost consciousness. The black tendrils had spread, tracing an uneven pattern down her side, around her ribcage, across her upper stomach, and most worrisome, toward her heart. She'd become completely unresponsive about twenty minutes ago.

Aeddon was late, and Keilynn was growing worried. Their father wouldn't pick up his phone. Hence the question. The redhead was trying to distract herself.

"No, I don't want it broken," Wolfrick quietly admitted.

"But, what about the other shifters? How will you explain all of this to them? You are their king, after all."

What about them, indeed? None would be happy to learn Wolf was drawing on their links to him to keep a witch from dying - especially if that witch were a Darkin.

A knock sounded on the door, breaking off their conversation. Keilynn rose to answer it. Wolf remained beside Breqlynn, conserving his strength.

"Gideon," the short woman greeted. It lacked any emotion. She was likely wondering, as was Wolf, how much of their conversation had been overheard.

"Come in," Wolfrick ordered. He wouldn't let another know how drained he was.

If his king's less-than-friendly reception cowed Gideon, he didn't show it. "We felt you draw on our link. Amanda and Julian are worried as to why you'd need to do so. Are there any reassurances I can give them?"

"Breqlynn's been cursed, so isn't able to heal. She's become weaker now the wound reopened." Wolf couldn't lie about how dire the situation was. "Her father's bringing the ingredients needed for the counter-curse. He's late." The last was growled as his wolf tried to come to the fore.

Gideon gave a single nod of understanding. "We'd all like to help in some way. As we are your Kingsmen, our loyalties extend to your mate."

Out of the corner of his eye, Wolfrick saw Keilynn look sharply at him. "I'm not sure there is much to do, other than let me feed our strength into Breqlynn until her father arrives."

Keilynn's eyes rolled in a manner reminiscent of Breq's. "Men," she muttered, then addressed Gideon. "Once my sister is healed, she'll be hungry. If you could prepare some food for her?"

"Yes, Jonathan likes to cook. I'll have him get started on that. I'm sure Julian will want to help."

"I'll need you and Amanda to go to Breqlynn's house and pick up a few things: clothes, her laptop, and a few other necessities," the redhead fired. "Her wards are still intact, but I'll modify them to accept you. We don't need to cause my sister any more distress."

Wolf and Gideon shared a quick look. Neither of the Darkin sisters knew of Gideon's ability to take down wards.

"Then, I'll need someone to go to the train station," Keilynn continued, "and see if the express from Sheridan, Wyoming has arrived. If it has, was Aeddon on board? We need to find him."

"Sin Bae would be happy to do so. The lynx has been prowling about downstairs, making the others nervous." Gideon gave a humorless smile.

"Could you have Julian bring up something for your king and me to eat as well?" Keilynn was diplomatic, Wolf thought. She'd see he had something to keep his strength up without letting on that he was exhausted.

"I'll see that it's done before Amanda and I leave." There was a look of admiration in Gideon's light blue eyes. The little redhead was a general in disguise.