Ada's Protective Mate Read online

  “What is she thinking, Nico?” Nate was very curious. The brownie had been surprising him in many ways.

  “I am unaware at present. Ada has blocked her mind, though this will not last long. I can penetrate the strongest blocks, and hers are far from strong. We are here.”

  CHAPTER THREE

  Nate leaned forward, one hand planted on Ada’s shoulder to keep her from leaping out of the car and charging off. He may be all for jumping in feet first without checking what dangers awaited, but his mate would not. And in this situation, instincts were telling him to hang back and be cautious for once. An instinct that grated, werewolves charged into the fray, but he didn’t want anything happening to Ada so he took a moment to look around.

  There was a lot of commotion outside the building with a fire truck and police cars in attendance and humans milling about behind the barricades firemen were setting up. Ada radiated fear, anger, and determination, her jaw clenched tightly, and she even attempted to jerk out of his firm grip. Nate kept his hand on her shoulder and cut her a look that had the brownie glaring at him even more.

  “Want me to park?” Samuel asked.

  “Please do.” Nico peered out the front window. “Remain here, I shall listen to some thoughts and discover what is happening.”

  “I think that is obvious, vampire. The warlock broke in—”

  “Quite possibly, cara, but it is best to be prepared.” Nico glanced over to the backseat. “And not run in where danger may still lurk.” The vamp always subtly made his point.

  “Read a few thoughts then come back,” Nate ordered.

  With a smile and nod, Nico, ever elegant and regal, stepped out of the car and moved effortlessly through the crowd using his vampire ways to part the sea of human gawkers.

  Vampires were hypnotic, ethereal creatures, lulling others into false moods for entertainment or deadly intent. They could turn to vapor, the very air, and move with astounding speed. Agile, cunning, and deadly, they were often mistaken for lazy creatures without depth. A deadly misconception.

  Nico and Nate were a potent combination. Both ambitious and ready to conquer whatever came their way, whether it be business or pleasure, they were in sync, companions and brothers in arms. Where Nico breezed in and charmed, Nate rushed around fired up on adrenaline. He would laugh at Nico when the vamp was full of himself, which was often, and Nico knew how to handle Nate’s aggression.

  From his position, Nate could see Nico move through the crowd, but he couldn’t see what it was that had brought out emergency services. There was a lot of tension in the car, and Nate had to wonder what was really going on here. There was a faction who was systematically working their way to destroying Galdorcwide secrecy and exposing creature kind to humans. They called themselves Revmiras after the great revolutionary war, the pioneers and patriots with vision. He called them dickheads. Revmirases were of the notion that in the twenty-first century, creatures should be free to mingle and expose themselves, and they were here to begin the next revolution. They felt that humans should not be ruling the world, that creatures were stronger and smarter, and as such, it should be their kind in control.

  That would be a disaster. Humans far outnumbered creatures, they had weapons of mass destruction, and ignorance and fear of the unknown might push them into attacking. Creatures were faster, stronger, more skilled at fighting, and they also had weapons and magic. It was better to remain secret to the majority of humans and avoid what would ultimately be a war, for he had no doubt the humans would not take the knowledge of creatures’ existence well.

  They hadn’t hundreds of years ago, back in the times when creatures and magic weren’t myth, but real and humans and creatures lived together. Eventually there were clashes fueled by envy, bitterness, injustice, discrimination and power, humans and creatures diverse natures not blending, resulting in fighting that had wiped out so many on both sides.

  There would not be a repeat if the Galdorcwide High Council, royals, politicians and most creatures could help it. Acceptance from a small portion of humans was not worth the backlash from the majority. Revmiras were idealistic perhaps, at worst, scheming and cunning. They must know their mission was not a revolution but could turn into a bloodbath, the likes of which no creature or human would want.

  Nate felt that some members of the Revmiras were duped into joining the “revolution.” The group had a charismatic leader who promised the freedom of no longer having to hide the fact they were creatures. They were also promised the destruction of the overly rigid structure of Galdorcwide’s High Council and the sometimes harsh punishments. Unfortunately, they wouldn’t see until they were in too deep that the Revmiras were actually all about taking power. They wanted Galdorcwide’s High Council, royals, and sentinels gone, then they’d move in and devastate both the creature and human worlds.

  And admittedly, creatures tended to think they were superior. They were faster, stronger, most were immortal and never became ill. It was inevitable that a creature would seek to take power if Galdorcwide rulers were overthrown.

  He had to wonder if this attack on the imp was some type of ruse by the Revmiras’. It didn’t feel right, not fitting with their methods and usual practices of infiltrating human and creature businesses to cause trouble. Lately though, there was a distinct change in the Revmiras approach. Such as one of his brothers in arms, one of his best friends, attacking the sentinels and joining the Revmiras.

  As a sentinel, one selected by the High Council of Galdorcwide and given particular rights and duties, he’d seen a lot. But Nate was still shocked, and admittedly, hurt by Myles Byrnes’s disloyalty and betrayal. Now he was suspicious of nearly everything and everyone, and this situation was just damn wrong.

  Nate turned to Ada and taking hold of her shoulders, hauled her close. “What is this about? Why would a warlock go after the imp?”

  “That is not your business.” Ada snapped. “The agreement was to drive me here, nothing more—”

  “You see that crowd out there? The firemen and police? We’re creatures, we have rules—”

  “And I am a lawyer, werewolf, as well as a friend to the woman who may have been attacked.” Ada locked gazes with him, determination and defiance in her eyes. “I am well aware of the rules and ways we must abide when outside Galdorcwide, and am in the best position to approach the police for information. Now, let me go, dog.”

  “Why would a warlock draw so much attention?” He demanded roughly.

  “Because, you hard-headed Neanderthal, Remi rejected him and like most men, the bastard’s ego is—”

  He wanted those plump red lips and to stop the chill coming out of them. Sweeping Ada up against him, one hand planted firmly on the back of her neck, the other locking around her waist, Nate covered her mouth with his. He growled with the first taste of his mate.

  Despite the chill, she was spewing a moment ago, her mouth was warm, and her plump lips softened beneath his onslaught. She tasted of cherries and brandy, an unusual and heady combination that went straight to his heart and groin, inflaming both. He thrust his tongue deep, lips demanding. He growled again at the feel of her hands on his chest that may have been going to push him away but instead, curled into his shirt, gripping him and pulling Nate closer as long nails scraped.

  Her mouth, so soft, met his demands kiss for kiss, driving his need higher and with a quick move, Nate pinned her back against the seat and took her lips like he wanted to take her.

  He nibbled and kissed, their tongues tangling, tasting and teasing, playing as he wiped out any thoughts she may have of pushing him away. There was a struggle inside the brownie, her hands tearing at his shirt as they clenched and unclenched, a nail cut him, and Nate hissed, loving the passion that was rising through the ice. He sensed desperation to hold onto anger and distance. He lightened the kiss, becoming a little coaxing, teasing, while smoothing a hand down her slender back.

  The struggle ended abruptly, Ada melting, and her hands feverously stro
king his chest. The tight hold he had over himself was shredded with a kiss that could easily have blown the back of his head off and make him come in his pants.

  Dragging his mouth from hers, the hand on her back now a wolf paw, he kissed his way across her cheek to her ear. He breathed in her scent and growled low as he closed his other hand over her breast, feeling Ada draw in a sharp breath and a tremor shake her beautiful body. He would go insane if he didn’t get this woman very soon.

  “Mine.”

  With that said, he returned to those soft, plump ruby red lips that were now swollen and plundered them, taking and stating his full intent and claim. Against the palm of his hand he felt her hard nipple, and giving a wolfish grin, he gave her one last quick kiss then turned and got out of the car.

  “Stay. Make sure she does, vampire, or it will be your heart I tear out if anything happens to her.” Nate closed the car door and released a deep breath. It didn’t help to cool him down.

  He strode through the crowd determined to have the imp matter resolved and dealt with quickly so he could take his brownie home and claim her fully. Hopefully she’d be receptive to that now.

  Nico raised his fair brows. “I shall have to wipe quite a number of minds.” The vampire’s eyes dropped to the very large swell in the front of Nate’s jeans, a smile curving his sensual lips briefly. “Unfortunately, we did not arrive in time. The imp is gone, her apartment a mess and partly burned.”

  “Blood wrath!” Nate scowled. “What have the police said?”

  “Witnesses heard screams and breaking furniture. They believe a man carried a woman out via the fire escape and down to a parked car behind the building. We must wait until the police and humans have finished their initial investigations, then send in a creature to identify who may have taken the imp.”

  “Do you believe a warlock could overpower an imp? To be honest, I’m not sure what to think. Only Revmira dickheads draw attention to themselves like this.”

  Nico inclined his head. “I do not believe the Revmiras have a hand in this abduction, fratello. If they were to plot and call attention to themselves, they would choose to take someone close to the High Council, royals, and sentinels. We did not know the imp before today, and she has no connection to any of those I mentioned—”

  “My mate’s beloved friend.” Nate, frustrated, ran a hand through his hair, hating to be at a disadvantage.

  He worked hard to stay a step ahead, prided himself on reading creatures and humans, knowing business, and taking the lead. Here and now, he was left trailing behind, and instinct was saying there were more shocks just waiting around the corner. Ones he wouldn’t be liking. With the shock of Myles Byrnes joining the Revmiras and a few attacks on the sentinels, himself and Nico included, Nate was out of sorts, edgy and just waiting to dig his claws into something, or someone.

  “No one knows this but us. Not even your mate, fratello. You are heated from the first mate contact and taking her upset into yourself. Think for a moment, and you will agree with me. I also heard the chaotic thoughts of your brownie. A warlock has been pestering the imp of late, and Ada wonders why the witch spell she sent her friend to obtain did not work on the creature.”

  “So somehow this warlock is unaffected by spells and overpowered an imp.” Nate scowled over these unlikely events.

  “Si, curious, is it not.”

  Witches and warlocks were not immortal like other creatures, nor as powerful or magical as imps, fairies, and immortal sorcerers. They had longevity, living for a few hundred years and could cast spells with the aid of objects, words and whatever trace of magic was around them. So how had a warlock, a less magical creature, managed to fight off a witch spell then overpower Remika Alberts, a magical imp?

  A werewolf’s instincts were like precognition to others. They tingled and buzzed, gave insight into situations, heightened his senses and the older he got, the more experienced and skilled. The small flashes or visions he received in certain situations became clearer and more defined. Nate relied on and trusted his instincts, all werewolves did, and right now, he had alarms going off loudly.

  “Very.”

  “To retrieve the imp, the warlock must be investigated,” Nico stated calmly. “Your brownie is getting out of the car.”

  “I’m aware. Come, there is nothing we can do here until the humans are gone.” Turning, Nate strode back to the car and caught Ada’s arm as she went to evade him. “We were too late—”

  “Dead?” Ada trembled, any small amount of color she had in her pale cheeks drained away.

  “Not that we know, cara. The police believe she was abducted.” Nico used his voice to sooth.

  “Ada.” Nate caught her to him and held close, sniffing her sultry scent, a foreign part of him aching for the fear and pain he saw in her beautiful eyes and wanted to pledge himself to eradicating whatever caused her pain. “We will look for the imp and warlock, and when I find him…” He didn’t have to say the rest; it was clear what he would do.

  Nico sighed with dramatic flair. “As always, my services are promised without consultation.”

  She looked from one to the other, but in the short time he’d known her, there was no snappy, sharp response and no challenge or flash of ice and independence. Instead, the brownie sagged against him and lowered her head as waves of pain rolled off her.

  “R-Remi…I should have dealt with the warlock myself…why didn’t I?” She trembled against him. “She’s all I have. I don’t want to lose her—don’t want her hurt.”

  Nate growled, hating to see his strong brownie in so much pain and defeated. For this, the warlock was going to suffer tortures he never dreamed possible.

  “You’ve got me and Nico, honey. We’ll hunt the imp.” His voice was gruff with suppressed anger and pain for Ada.

  “Comfort. Hold her close and provide comfort.” Nico, much more highly attuned to others needs and emotions, instructed harshly in Nate’s mind. “No one wounds our brownie.”

  Nico’s eyes blazed with retribution and reaching out a hand, he captured Ada’s chin and met her eyes. Instantly she was mesmerized, the pain receding and she went limp, Nate wrapping his arms around her. They would hunt down the warlock and retrieve his brownie’s imp friend, if she were still alive.

  Gradually she was overcoming the initial shock of Remi’s abduction. Ada refused to even consider the possibility her friend may be dead. She didn’t believe Remi would easily give up, and it was logical to assume that as she wasn’t killed at the apartment, the warlock wanted her alive. Ada paced the large, elegant, and tastefully decorated library in the vampire building where the land dispute meeting had been held earlier today and tried to steady her shaking hands.

  Was it such a short time ago that she came here annoyed at the disruption to her day and being dragged into a Galdorcwide mess? It felt a lot longer, considering everything that was happening since and Remi’s disappearance. This brought her to why the werewolf and vampire would assist in helping to find Remi. They didn’t know the imp, wouldn’t feel any particular allegiance or affection toward her, the only reason Ada could think that would even make them consider offering aid.

  They were planning to assist her. Suspicion rose sharply. Why? Because of the land dispute? She frowned, still a little dazed from the vampire mesmerizing. No, that was ridiculous; werewolves couldn’t care less about such inconsequential squabbles, and vampires thought they were above anything as trivial as that. Then why?

  Of course, werewolves did tend to think creatures, especially females and nonwarriors, to be defenseless and in need of sheltering and protection, which could explain why the assistance was given. But then, they also jumped three-quarters of these women and seduced them, so how protective could they actually be? Ada thought critically.

  Her hands shook at recalling what happened between her and Nate in the back of the car, and then when discovering Remi had been abducted. She had let her defenses down in front of the wolf and bloodsucker which was r
emarkably foolish, despite the situation. She had to stay focused, on track and remember exactly who they were, and what they may start demanding from her.

  Ada continued to pace, not sure what to think. For quite a long time she had believed creatures to be difficult, their natures extreme and primal and each particular kind of creature had so many traits that were less than pleasant. But were these beliefs based on truth, or comments thrown about?

  She remembered from when she was young how creatures said vamps were callous and shallow, that they didn’t give a shit about taking advantage. That werewolves could be loyal and protective, but they did it to get the spoils of war and wanted to be the leaders. These sort of comments were said about all the different paranormal kinds.

  Ada began to wonder if she had been clouded by bad experiences and clung to those types of comments to keep her distance.

  No, she couldn’t have been so…blinded by what happened, could she?

  There was no time to dwell on that particular thought, not when there were so many others crowding her mind already. The incident in the back of the car was one she was finding impossible to forget, though she was trying very hard to push it to the furthermost recesses of her mind.

  Think of Remi.

  Nothing like that will happen again, she told herself firmly, a little exasperated that she kept coming back to what she now referred to as the moment of weakness incident. No matter how good the werewolf looked and felt, she couldn’t go there. The hard muscles and contours of his body pressed against her, beneath her hands, but she would not do something as foolish as going to bed with him. It was ludicrous to even think about! Then again, he certainly would be energetic and wild… No! Look at what happened to Remi with all her flirting and finding men attractive. She was attacked and abducted!