Sara’s relief that Falcon was close and was searching for the children was enormous. She could breathe again, yet, inexplicably, she wanted to cry.
Shea knelt beside her, took her hand, and looked into her eyes. “It’s a natural reaction, Sara,” she said softly. “It’s all right now, everything is going to be all right.” Unashamedly she used her voice as a tool to soothe the other woman. “You are not alone; we really can help.”
“Falcon says the vampire is ancient and very powerful,” Sara said in warning. She was struggling to appear calm and to control the trembling of her body. It was humiliating to be so weak in front of strangers.
Jacques swung his head around alertly, his eyes black and glittering, his entire demeanor changed. All at once he looked menacing. “Is she able to travel, Shea?”
Shea was straightening slowly, a wary look on her beautiful face. A flutter of nerves in Sara’s stomach blossomed into full-scale fear. “He’s here, isn’t he? The ghoul?” She bit her lip and made a supreme effort to get to her feet. “If he’s close to us, then so are the children. He can’t have handed them off to the vampire.” To her horror, she only managed to get a knee under her before blackness began swirling alarmingly close.
“The ghoul is making his way quickly to his master,” Jacques corrected. “The vampire probably has summoned the ghoul to him. The undead is sending his warning, a challenge to any who dare to interfere with his plans.”
Shea slipped her arm around Sara to keep her from falling. “Do not try to move yet, Sara. You are not ready to stand.” The woman turned to her lifemate. “We can move her, Jacques. I think it best to hurry.”
They know something I don’t. Sara rubbed her pounding head, frustrated that she was unable to see or hear the things heralding danger. Something is wrong.
At once she could feel Falcon’s reassurance, his strong arms, warmth flooding her, though he was many miles away. The vampire is locked within his lair, but he is sending his minions across the land searching for you. The male wishes to take you to safety.
Do you really want me to go with him? I feel so helpless, Falcon. I don’t think I could fight my way out of a paper bag.
Yes. Sara, it is best. I will be with you every moment.
The sky was becoming dark, not because the sun was setting but because the winds had picked up, whirling faster and faster, gathering dust, dirt, and debris together, drawing it into a towering mass. Swarms of insects assembled, masses of them, the noise of their wings rivaling the wind. The children will be so afraid Sara reached out for assurance.
Falcon wanted to gather her close, hold her to him, shelter her from the battles that would surely take place. He sent her warmth, love. I will find them, Sara, You must stay alert so I can guard you while we are apart.
For some reason, Falcon’s words humbled her. She wanted to be at his side. She needed to be at his side.
Jacques Dubrinsky leaned down to Sara. “I understand how you feel. I dislike to be away from Shea. She is a researcher, very important to our people.” He looked at his lifemate as he gathered Sara easily into his arms. His expression was tender, mixed with pride and respect. “She is very single-minded, focused on what she is doing. I find it somewhat uncomfortable.” He grinned ruefully, sharing his confession candidly.
“Wait!” Sara knew she sounded panic-stricken. “There’s a backpack in the truck, I can’t leave it. I can’t.” Falcon’s diary was in the wooden box. She carried it everywhere with her. She was not about to leave it.
Shea hesitated as if she might argue, but obligingly rummaged around in the wreckage until she triumphantly came up with the backpack. Sara had her arms outstretched and Shea handed it to her.
Jacques lifted an eyebrow. “Are you ready now? Close your eyes if traveling swiftly bothers you.”
Before she could protest, he was whisking her through space, moving so fast that everything around her blurred into streaks. Sara was happy to be away from the wreckage of her truck, from the fierce wind and the swarms of insects blackening the sky. She should have been afraid, but there was something reassuring about Jacques and Shea Dubrinsky. Solid. Reliable.