Amber Flame (The Flame Series Book 4) (30 page)

Fergus returned to his team quickly and once more focused on the dreamglide. The energy in Sydon’s war room had ramped up. “On my mark,” Sydon called out in a strong voice, “Engage Amber Flame Rising.”

Fergus contacted Warren telepathically to let him know that Sydon had just given the order. Warren would let the rest of the alphas know.

For his own compound, he delivered a brisk series of commands and watched as one group of wolves either transformed into their wolf shapes and ran into the forest or levitated to take up hidden places high in the trees in order to intercept Sydon’s forces. He sent a second group to the east of the pack’s property specifically to wait for the rogue wolves who would try to enter the compound through a side window in order to gain access to the secret passageway.

He had a third of the wolves positioned to guard the entrance, while the remainder filled the large front foyer to engage the enemy as needed.

All that remained was for Fergus to get his team of ten to Sydon’s bunker. He took to the skies, and Ryan and the rest levitated with him, rising at least a quarter mile up to avoid being seen by any of Sydon’s rogue wolves. Their job was treacherous and the last thing Fergus wanted was for Sydon to know ahead of time what he’d be facing.

Fergus focused on his dreamglide, which still hovered above the relief map. Sydon and his wolves remained clustered in the larger war room, listening to squad reports as they came in.

In real-time, Fergus heard several shots as he passed over the heart of Savage, yet still a mile away from Sydon’s bunker. More shots followed.

When he looked down and could see some of the different pack wolves battling Sydon’s forces, it was hard to pass by. His wolf battle instincts wanted to engage then and there. But he had to get Mary out of the compound, and it was time to run Sydon to earth for good. His fae senses warned him that once Sydon got the first reports back from his army, he’d realize his plan had been compromised and Mary would be in serious trouble again.

He told his wolves to hold steady as they passed over yet another compound and heard more shots being fired. When a couple of minor explosions went off, one to the east and the other in the north, he flew faster. The whole territory was now in full engagement as Sydon’s plan unfolded.

By the time he’d reached the Naked Wolf, however, the border patrol had cleared the streets as well as the clubs in the surrounding area. A line of cars intent on leaving the territory was grid-locked all the way to Defiance Bridge. The Savage Border Patrol had done a quick and excellent job securing the street since the immediate area around the Naked Wolf was now free of its normal traffic.

He held his team hovered over the strip club, reminding each member of his team to avoid the bomb on the stairs of the southwest public entrance.

He continued with group telepathy.
I’ll use the dreamglide to find the best point of entrance for us. Be ready to battle. This is it.

He felt a profound warring spirit bind his wolves together. They were a unified force in the best sense.

Within the dreamglide he saw Sydon listen intently to reports coming in from all over the territory. He was frowning hard and finally said, “Why aren’t the wolves going berserk and tearing at each other, pack-to-pack?”

When Sydon glanced at Sandrine, Fergus took it as his cue to get his dreamglide the hell out of there. He swung the dream-world vehicle north and flew swiftly in the direction of Sydon’s office. Once there, he checked on Mary, then contacted her.
We’re right outside, Mary. Can you move at all?

The sound of her voice reassured him even though she lay inert on the purple velvet.
Sandrine be-spelled me. Can’t move a muscle yet, but I’m doing better. Ready when you are.

Won’t be long now. I’m taking my dreamglide out of here.

Facing south, he saw a second door that opened onto the east side of Sydon’s bunker. Passing through, he found a long conference room and a large door with an ‘exit’ sign above it.

Moving in a quick burst of energy, he passed through the door, which led to a wide flight of exterior cement stairs. When Fergus flew his dreamglide up, he realized the stairs led to street level and he could see himself and his team hovering high in the air. Mary had been right. Sydon had built his HQ directly below the Naked Wolf.

He addressed his team in real-time, letting them know the layout and that he’d guide them in using the dreamglide.

Ready?
he asked, meeting each man’s gaze.

The question was rhetorical, though a lot of dipped chins and snarls followed. Each wolf drew his Glock as well.

With his wolves in position, he piloted the dreamglide back into the still empty conference room. In real-time, he directed his troops to follow behind him.

He landed on the sidewalk, then levitated quietly down the cement stairs. He opened the door, and the man behind him came forward and held it open for the rest.

Fergus moved inside, still holding his dreamglide tight. He moved it into the suite of offices and took a look, but Sydon’s staff was still in the war room.

He reminded his wolves of the biggest danger.
Remember, the southwest door leading out of the strategy room is armed with a bomb that will level this building and several others around it if detonated. Avoid that door.

His wolves offered huffing grunts in response, a unique sound mind-to-mind.

Fergus moved into the offices with the wolves. Each now had his Glock in one hand, short sword in the other.

Fergus carried only his Glock in case he needed to grab Mary. He went through the north door first and found her still safe on the sofa. He put his hand on her shoulder. “Mary, can you hear me? Can you wake up?”

She mumbled in her twilight state, then switched to telepathy.
It’s a combo of the drug and a spell. Sorry.

No worries. But I’ve got to help my team secure the bunker.

Go for it, wolf.

He heard shouting and gunfire as his troops engaged with Sydon and his team in what had to be the war room.

Ryan contacted Fergus telepathically.
Half the wolves present seem to be coming out of their stupor. Harley’s here. He’s shaking his head and rubbing his eyes.

Is the room contained?

No. Oh, shit. I was looking at Sydon, and suddenly he vanished. I think he might be headed your way.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

FERGUS COULD SENSE the wolf, but he couldn’t see him. As he waited for Sydon to appear, he could feel his rage, but for whatever reason, the wolf-warlock wasn’t moving fast.

Ryan’s voice hit Fergus’s mind again.
How the hell did he make himself disappear?

Sydon is part warlock now. He probably used a spell, but I’ve got this.

Shit. Okay, we’ll secure the war room.

Fergus extended his fae senses. He could feel that Sydon was headed toward him though he’d barely moved beyond the doorway of the war room. What was he waiting for?

He tapped Ryan’s telepathy again.
Where’s Sandrine? Do you see her?

No. She’s gone as well.

Fergus accessed his dreamglide and sped quickly to Ryan’s location. Sandrine wasn’t there, but he sensed her and followed his instincts.

When he found her, a new wave of adrenaline hit his system.
Holy shit, Ryan. I’m looking at the witch now. She’s near the bomb and she’s just activated the timer. Fuck, we’ve only got five minutes. Get our men out of the bunker now. And any of the wolves affected by Sandrine’s spell! Make sure the area near the Naked Wolf is clear as well.

I’m on it!
Ryan started shouting orders
.

Fergus returned his focus to his real-time self. Sydon had suddenly shifted to high gear and was closing in on him fast. Because he sensed Sydon was armed only with his half-sword, he holstered his Glock, then unsheathed his sword.

He contacted Ryan once more.
Sydon’s coming for me now.

Take him down, Fergus. And don’t worry. I’m getting everyone out as we speak.

With only his sword in hand, Fergus moved away from Mary’s couch. Sydon’s choice to use his blade instead of his gun was a good thing. Mary could easily get hurt or even killed in an exchange of gunfire.

Without warning, Sydon let go of the invisibility spell. He was only twenty feet away, lips snarling, half-sword held in a tight fist.

“You did this?” Sydon shouted. “You and your woman? You figured out our attack plan?” His face turned a reddish hue. “How? I had every contingency covered.”

Well beyond Sydon’s shoulder, Fergus watched Ryan swiftly usher the Gordion team and what was left of Sydon’s staff, through the door that led into the large conference room.

Fergus shifted his full attention back to the wolf and shared a small portion of the truth. “A ghost sent Mary to Savage. But does it really matter? It’s just you and me now, Sydon.” He lowered his shoulders, bent his knees, then growled heavily. “As it should have been from the beginning.”

Sydon’s nose elongated wolf-style and he pulled his lips back. Fergus could feel his intention and wasn’t surprised when Sydon disappeared again, no doubt assuming it would give him the advantage.

But Fergus wasn’t just a wolf anymore and used his dreamglide like a visual tracking device. He could see Sydon easily and met the downward slice of his unseen sword as though he was watching it in real-time.

“What the fuck?” Sydon shouted as their swords clanged together. But the wolf still didn’t show himself.

“You’re not the only half-breed in the room,” Fergus said. “I’m looking at you through the dreamglide.”

“You can build a fucking dreamglide?” Sydon shuffled backward several feet, eyes wide.

“Surprise. But did you know your witch activated the bomb?”

Sydon smiled. “So she did. By my estimation, I’ve got four minutes to put you in the ground.”

Fergus countered his taunt. “I thought maybe the two of you were planning to die here together. I think it’s a very romantic idea. In fact, I intend to help you both toward that end. Right now.”

“Like hell.” Sydon growled and came at Fergus again, whipping his sword through the air at waist-level. Fergus pivoted and with his own sword caught Sydon’s blade hard so that Sydon leaped backward several feet.

Sydon then struck out again, creating a series of thrusts and swipes that had Fergus’s feet hopping. He moved in tandem with what he could see easily through his dreamglide.

Sydon was a better swordsman than he was a fighter, however, and each attack came faster.

The whole time he battled with the wolf, Fergus felt the click of the bomb’s timer like a heartbeat pounding inside his head.

Three minutes and counting.

Fergus’s sword arm vibrated with each strike of steel against steel. Finally, he saw his opportunity, whirled and sliced swiftly across Sydon’s abdomen. He could feel his blade catch flesh, thank God. He had to get Mary out of the bunker.

Sydon levitated backward several feet and looked down at his bleeding abdomen. “You bastard.”

Sandrine suddenly called out, “Sydon, my love, I can smell your blood. Did the wolf hurt you?”

Through the dreamglide, Fergus watched the also-invisible witch fly quickly through the several adjoining rooms toward Sydon. She was still wearing a long red velvet gown.

As Sandrine caught up with Sydon, she pulled something from her pouch, dabbing it on the wound.

How fucking tender.

Fergus was breathing hard as he checked his internal clock. Two-and-a-half minutes til detonation.

Fear gripped him. If Sandrine got involved, he wasn’t sure what he could do. Mary was still incapacitated on the couch because of the spell, as well as the amber flame drug. But he’d never be able to get Mary out in time if they kept stalling.

He called out, “Couldn’t fight this battle on your own, is that it Sydon? Didn’t have the balls, the power or anything else, did you?”

He shifted his sword from hand to hand, moving it back and forth, getting ready. “And you, Sandrine, you’re about as worthless as they come, using your power to take the lives of others. But here’s what I know about you. You’re an insect, nothing more, something I could crush easily beneath my boot.”

Sydon gripped Sandrine’s arm. “Don’t let him get to you.”

“That’s right, Sandrine. Don’t let me get to you. But I know why you hooked up with a wolf. You couldn’t make it on your own in Elegance, could you?” He could feel the bomb ticking away. Two minutes to go.

The witch’s face twisted up, taking a demon’s shape. Her coal-black eyes flashed fire. She jerked her arm away from Sydon, reached into her pouch, then flew like lightning at Fergus.

“Sandrine, don’t!” Sydon shouted.

He knew she carried a spell in her hand. But the witch had made one fatal mistake since she clearly didn’t know Fergus could see her through the dreamglide.

When she was four feet away, he flipped in the air and with years of practice, brought his sword down on the back of Sandrine’s neck. He felt the connection with blood and bone, then felt nothing but empty space. He’d severed her head.

At the exact same moment, his fae senses warned him of the sudden, overwhelming rage now flowing from Sydon.

He turned to face him, sword upright. Through the dreamglide, he watched Sydon come down fast through the air, sword high.

Fergus barely had time to counter the swift strike, but he pivoted just enough to catch Sydon’s blade with the edge of his sword. The vibration rang up his arm.

The battle was on. He met each strike with a counter strike, the sounds of metal-on-metal filling the air.

Sydon flew at Fergus, pivoting at the last second, blade coming in from Fergus’s left. But unlike Sydon, Fergus had battled for years. He leaped in a levitating move straight up, then flipped in the air to come down in front of him. His blade struck Sydon deep in his abdomen. Sydon fell backward onto the floor, screaming.

The spell lost its power and Sydon was now visible. He held his hand to his gut, blood pouring through his fingers. The cut was deep. Though Sydon might yet survive, Fergus had to get Mary out of the bunker.