Lost Ones (The Extinct Race Series Book 3) (12 page)

Chapter 21

Losing Sucks

For three days Aldrich sat in his office and felt the loss of his sons. The call-ins that he required his sons to make everyday started to become fewer. He also felt them die. When Aldrich sent the men out, he had twenty teams of three men each. Out of the sixty men he sent out he felt twenty of them die.

He decided then it was time to call the boys home and call in reinforcements, human reinforcements. There was only one way his sons could die, well more than one but twenty dying within one week meant that there were survivors and they were fighting back. Or the ones that saved Marcus were hunting them. Either way in Aldrich’s mind if it was a fight they wanted he was going to give it to them.

“Sam! Get in here!” Aldrich yelled out to the incompetent son that he put in Deirdra’s position.

The boy came running in and then tripped over his feet as he came through the door falling on his face. He looked up into his father’s eyes. “Yes sir?”

“Call the boys home and bring me the silver phone. Leave me be until the boys return.”

“Yes sir!” Sam got up and ran back out the door. He grabbed the silver phone and ran back into the office. He handed him the phone and then went back out to make the calls.

Sam dialed the farthest team first and got no answer. He managed to get the other teams on the line and called them home. Most of them gave him trouble and didn’t want to come back so Sam had to tell them what was happening.

In the office Aldrich dialed his secret number. “How long will it take you and your team to get to Germany and ready?” He waited for a response “Alright I will meet you there in two weeks. I have other men to call now.” He listened to the other man on the line. “Oh did you really think you were the only one? Nope I will have three other teams meet us there in two weeks. I will send you the coordinates. I and my sons will be there.” Aldrich hung up the phone and then made two more calls.

In two weeks time he would be in his home land with his sons and the meanest, vilest men in the world at his beck and call. In his travels he had come across a couple mercenary teams and told them he might need to call on them one day. He also gave them a retainer to make sure that they would show up when he called.

One team was the best at concealment, the other at weapons, and the last was great at both. Aldrich was going to get his Pearl, willingly or not, he was going to get one or kill all of them.

Now he had plans to make and wait for his sons to come home. In two weeks he would get his revenge, but first he was going to send some of his sons to that pesky lawyer’s office.

Aldrich had someone keeping tabs on the home that Marcus owned and it had a new owner for a while, who had sold the home. When Aldrich had found out he sent three of his sons to go visit this man, but they were never heard from again after they visited him. There would be no talking this time until the lawyer was brought back to him. After he got the information he wanted the lawyer will be dead.

Aldrich was positive that no one would stop him in his quest to become King. As he thought this over he went to his hidden closet and pulled out his book. It was a leather bound black book that his father had found when he was maybe twelve years old. The book talked to him. It told him how powerful Blood Dragons were and how they were meant to be the ones ruling the kingdom of Dragons.

His mate had found his secret book once. When Aldrich tried to share it with her she had refused and turned her back on him. A week later she told him she was pregnant. The book had told him it would be a boy. When the baby was born and it was a girl, Aldrich knew they book wasn’t wrong, it was his mate. She paid the ultimate price for that mistake.

After he had his moment with his book he summoned one of his new women. He had caught her while she was out on a hike. She was a young pretty thing and she already had his child growing inside her belly. She was also a screamer and tried to fight him, but Aldrich loved that.

When he was done with her he went out his secret door. The fresh are cleared his mind and drew the blood lust out of him. The woman had caused him to have to heal himself and he made her pay for that. But the son that was growing inside of her he needed and so he did not kill her like he wanted to.

Ada was horrified when she realized what the teams were going out to do, she was there when they had decided to make the teams, but she hadn’t fully understood it. Now that she was sitting in the playroom among all the kids it hit her hard. There were all her blood and the ones they were going to kill were also her blood. Ada had gone to Leon about it, but he understood what Kaiden and Zoe were doing. He tried to convince her of that fact too.

Ada stayed to herself for three days, she didn’t let Leon touch her and she barley spoke to him. She felt responsible for all this death and it hung heavy on her shoulders. She wandered the house like a ghost while others slept. She held the babies close and showed them extra love.

Iraina found Ada on the third day and took her out to the mound of flowers and ash.

“Ada this is not your doing. It is not your fault that he hunts us and tries to capture a Pearl. There is nothing you can do to stop him.” Iraina pleaded

“But it is my fault. I left him alone with that man.” Ada began to cry

“You have heard our pasts but let me remind you. I was an arrogant Queen. I was nothing like Zoe and my mate surely was nothing like Kaiden. I can understand now why you were a wanderer. I look back now at my Sect and shudder and what I have done. We sat in our thrones and commanded the rest. We were rich and had everything we wanted. My mate, though I loved him dearly, was not a good man either. He made other Dragons do thing like make half-bloods with humans, by force or willingly, he didn’t care he just wanted the numbers. When I became pregnant he got angry when we learned it was a girl. Just like Aldrich did, but my mate only sent me away. He made Gosha stay and made Alexi go with me. But he had told Alexi in private that I was to live if something went wrong. Halina did not matter to him.” Iraina had never shared this story and it killed her even more to share it now. Alexi and Gosha knew the truth, but they all changed.

“That is horrible.” Ada grumbled

“Yes it is. We have told everyone that Alexi saved me, but it was not the truth. She also had to leave her baby behind with Gosha to come with me. I went into labor as soon as the attack happened. We were far enough away that we couldn’t feel them, but close enough that I still felt my Sect. So I knew when it happened and I felt the first death. But in my months away Alexi and my relationship grew and it changed me. I saw her as a person then as I never did before. What Kaiden and Zoe have chosen to do by making a hunting party is the right choice Ada. I know they are your blood, but you have not met them and they are evil men. Think about the babies, do you want him to come here and take them or worse, kill them?” Iraina asked

“NO! That would be too much for me to bear. I love those kids.” Ada admitted

“Good that is the right feeling to have. Your brother is not your brother anymore. Evil has found him and I do not know if we could save him. Think about the babies and love them. If you continue this way, you are letting Aldrich win. Be the brave sister that wanted to go back, but knew you couldn’t. Love your mate and stop defending the little boy who is no longer a little boy, but is now the man who responsible for this mound we are sitting on.”

“I am sorry for how I have acted, truly it is not me. I love I don’t fight and all I have done here is fight. I need to make amends with Vivi too. She is right and I am wrong. Thank you for sharing the truth with me and I am glad you are a changed woman. I quite like you now and don’t think I would have if I met you then.” Ada admitted

“Ha! I wouldn’t like me either. These kids we have here, they are the best of us and all we can do is help to guide them in the right way. They have all had rough and horrible childhoods. We do not want that for our grandchildren.”

The ladies hugged and Iraina went to find Marcus. She felt she needed to confess to him too. Ada went back into the house and ran to Leon’s arms. When she was done she apologized and found the closest baby to scoop up and love on.

Chapter 22

Getting the Girl

After they ate they loaded the cart back up and headed out of the cave. Quinn had nothing that he wanted to bring, but the clothes on his back. They made the five hour hike back to the jet just as the sun dipped below and night blossomed.

Once back on the jet Kevin informed them that the flight to their next stop was going to take seven to eight hours so sleep was going to be a necessity again. Only this time Kevin decided to let them all sleep and he was going to stay on the jet at the next stop. Afghanistan was not a safe place and leaving the jet unattended was not a wise decision. There was a lot of fighting going on in Afghanistan so the team was going to have to be extra careful.

Like with Oliver, Kaiden showed Quinn the shower and gave him a change of clothing. Kaiden also showed Quinn how to use a razor, as Quinn had quite a beard going on. When he came out of the bathroom the girls all gasped at him.

“Wow you are hot!” Tia blurted

“Hey?” John snapped

“Oh baby you are hotter, but I mean come on he had a beard coving up half his face. Look at him now.”

“He does clean up very nice.” Justine winked at Quinn because his face was beat red with embarrassment.

“You think my soul mate will approve?” Quinn asked

“Oh honey I think she will come running. The Pull you feel to us, well it will be ten times stronger with her.” Emery told him

“Really, it’s that strong?”

“Oh yes it is and it’s pretty hard to deny too. Just ask Oliver, he tried to deny Finley at first, then she went off on him for it and then he sealed his fate by kissing her.” Emery laughed

“Why the hell would you fight it man? Look at her she is drop dead gorgeous!” Quinn looked at him in total confusion.

“Man, like I told you I thought I was really cursed until today. I mean she is the most beautiful creature I have ever laid eyes on and I didn’t want to taint that. I thought maybe she would be better if I wasn’t really involved. That was the hardest thing I ever had to do too. Although I like the reaction she had. Fights are going to be great with her.” Oliver laughed and kissed Finley hard on the mouth.

“So can someone tell me everything?” Quinn asked

“Actually we would like to wait to get your girl. She might not know anything like yourself and well we would say it all at once, and then have you guys swear your fealty.” Kaiden answered

“Why do we need to do that?” Oliver asked

“Our home and land is protected by a magical border. No one can get within the border unless fealty is sworn to Zoe and me at the same time. If a human, who is not trusted by us they will get confused when they come in contact with the border, but they can see beyond. Basically they can drive right through the land but the border won’t let them stay within. If a human who means us harm in anyway comes around the border they will see inside but won’t be able to cross it. Another Dragon, they won’t see anything at all and it will make them turn around. We have taken measures to insure any survivors coming to us don’t get to close.” Kaiden replied

“So within the border it is safe from humans and this bad guy?” Quinn asked

“Yes, but objects can get through. We haven’t figured out a spell to stop those yet. Actually a big reason we have come is because he recently sent a missile. He killed fifteen of his own children and we lost a few men and women too. There is a mound where they were all killed now and we let the flowers that grow in the ashes grow. It is our memorial to them.” Zoe replied

“Sound beautiful and horrible at the same time.” Oliver said

The rest of the flight was spent in quiet conversation or sleep. Quinn sat in silence and wonder until sleep pulled him under. He awoke hours later to the jet descending in altitude. His ears popped like crazy and all he wanted to do was get back on the ground, to feel the earth under his feet once again and find his woman.

“So you mentioned I am an Earth Dragon right? So my soul mate would surround herself in the mountains, like I did right?” Quinn asked

“She is indeed in the mountains according to this dot. We are going to follow it until you feel her and then you will lead the way to her. You will feel her Pull long before we do.” Kaiden responded

“Sounds good” Quinn smirked as he helped load the cart back up with the supplies.

Once again they were in for a long hike. The good thing was that it was early morning and the sun was still not up. They all decided to not sleep and get the show on the road so that they could get home quicker. In and out is how they all wanted to be. Once the supplies were ready and the team was ready to head out, Kevin locked himself inside the jet. He planned on sleeping as much as he could before the flight home.

The team headed southeast towards the mountain range. Kevin had to land the jet on flat terrain and there were lots of mountains in Afghanistan so that led them to a long hike. They all knew the dangers of the area. It was well known that there was lots of civil unrest in the country for years. So they were all on the lookout. Quinn was very anxious and walked with a smile plastered to his face.

Two hours into walking Justine could not take it anymore and had to stop to eat. “Hey Quinn, food time, I can’t walk another step without some protein in me.”

“Sorry just anxious, I have never been so nervous in my life.”

“No worries there, we have all felt the same way.” Justine laughed as she plopped down on a rock and grabbed some fruit out of the cart.

The team stopped and ate for an hour telling Quinn and Oliver about life back in Ireland. Both men seemed generally excited about getting there and settling in. Zoe and the girls decided to keep the fact that Quinn and his mate would have a suite. Zoe loved to see the surprise on people’s faces when she showed them around the house and then told them the suite was theirs. This would be the last time she was able to do that so she really wanted to keep it a surprise.

They had cleaned up their eating area and headed back out. After another two hours Quinn picked up his speed without saying anything. They all followed and an hour later they understood why. But when Quinn took to climbing they all got surprised.

“Quinn stop! We need to come up with a plan. We all feel her, but we don’t want to walk into a trap like we did with you.” Zoe raised her voice to get his attention.

“But…”

“We will follow you, but not carrying this cart up a mountain again. How far do you think she is?” Kaiden asked

“Ten miles up at the most….How do I know that?” Quinn asked

“Comes with the terrain man, let’s hide this cart and then we will follow you up. We just want to make sure we have plenty of water.” Gabe told him

“Ok, toss me up two?”

Gabe tossed him two water bottles and then handed everyone else two bottles also. He hid the cart between two rocks and then placed a flat boulder on top hiding the cart. Quinn led the way with Oliver behind him then Finley and her parents. John went after with Kaiden and then Zoe. Tia followed Zoe and Justine followed her with Gabe bringing up the rear. They hiked in single file up the terrain. At times they went up, then flat and then down, then back up again. The hike was taxing for Oliver and Finley, but that is because they have not gone through the training yet.

After an hour of hiking Quinn found a cave and walked right in. A second later there was a high pitch scream and Quinn cam flying out of the cave backwards into Oliver. Zoe ran forward and passed a worried looking Oliver who was holding Quinn. Justine ran after Zoe.

“Honey we are not going to hurt you. We just want to talk to you.” Zoe told the cave in a calm voice.

“GO AWAY!” a very freighted voice yelled out.

“My name is Zoe and I have a group of people here. We came to get you and take you home.”

“THIS IS MY HOME….GO AWAY!”

“Do you know what you are and what we are?” Justine asked

“Yes I know what I am. I know that was my soul mate that I pushed out but I am not leaving this cave!”

“Then I will stay with you here.” Quinn said

“You can’t they will kill you too.”

“My name is Quinn, what is your name?”

“Morgan”

“Morgan can we come in and talk to you? Since you know you are a Dragon then you must know what is happening?” Zoe asked.

“Only you three, I know there are more of you, but no more than three will fit in here.”

Quinn, Zoe and Justine all entered the cave. Justine could see right away as the cave was pitch black and a very disheveled girl was sitting in the very back of the cave.

“Oh honey what happened to you?” Justine asked rushing over to Morgan and crouching down beside her.

“They killed my parents. We were out getting food and those damn men with their guns shot them down.” Tears were running down her face. “My dad shoved me down and then fell on top of me. We stayed that way for hours and then he just turned to ash. I know that is what happens, but I happened on me. When it got dark I climbed out and came back here. I haven’t left since.” She sobbed.

“Oh honey I am so sorry. How long ago did this happen?” Zoe knelt down and asked her.

“Eight months ago.” She hiccupped

“How do you eat? I am very glad you are alive, but how?” Quinn asked

“Oh umm, my parents thought it was a miracle, but I can make food grow. Anything that grows in the earth I can make it grow in here or anywhere, as long as there is dirt.” Morgan shyly admitted.

“You are amazing Morgan.” Quinn said in awe.

“Will you hold me?” Morgan asked Quinn

“Forever” Quinn replied as he scooped her up into his arms. She cried into his shoulder for a long time while Quinn rubbed her back and held her close to him. Justine and Zoe let them have their moment. After twenty minutes Zoe felt it was time to ask the big question.

“Morgan, will you come with us? It is safe where we live. It is protected by a magical border and no one can get it but us.” Zoe asked

“If I leave they will find me”

“No one will hurt you while I am around.” Quinn insisted

“They have guns and they are everywhere, all over the mountain.” Morgan was panicked again.

“What if I cover you and carry you out? No one will harm you in anyway while you are with me. I promise you that. I have been alone my whole life. I just found out what I am yesterday and they tell me that I have a soul mate, someone who will love me no matter what. No one has ever loved me and I need you. I would love to go to Ireland with these guys. It actually sounds like a lot of fun and there are two other Earth couples there. We won’t be the only ones. They have beds, like real beds that are soft. I have only ever slept on straw.”

“Me too, my parents told me about them though. After their sect was destroyed they came here and had me. For eighteen years we have lived in this very cave. I kept us alive during the winters and we hunted in the spring and summer.”

“So you want to come and sleep in a bed? Get cleaned up and some real clothes on?” Justine asked. Justine was the only one who could really see Morgan. The girl had very long brown hair, but her hair was also caked in dirt. She had yellow eyes with hazel swirls and green flecks. Pouty full lips and a small cute nose and her big eyes were perfect on her heart shaped face. Justine could tell the girl was small. Quinn was going to tower over her small frame.

“I don’t want to look, I don’t want to see outside until we are safe or I won’t go.” Morgan cringed into Quinn.

“I have a coat we can put over her head and Quinn I think you can handle her weight. Once we are on the jet we will get her all cleaned up.” Justine said

“You can see her? I can see a little, but really only what the opening allows. I just followed you guys and guessed where she was.” Quinn said amazed once again.

“Well I am an Onyx Dragon, we excel at night. She is a beautiful girl with lots of dirt accompanying her.” Justine smiled

“This feeling I have well honestly she could be a ox and I wouldn’t care.” Quinn answered as he took the coat Justine handed him and gave it to Morgan. He felt the material cross over his chest, when she held on a little tighter and gave him a nod. He stood and walked out of the cave.