Page 54 of Blood Red Rage

The SUV slowed as the marina came into view. Boats bobbed gently in their slips, lights glittering on dark water. It was too peaceful, too clean. We parked and moved fast, to the slip number we had but there was no boat, an empty space greeted us. I went still, Draugr swore under his breath.

“There are cameras,” Draugr states inclining his head to one, “let’s go see if there is anything worthwhile.”

We found the marina office, cameras, logs, receipts. I stood over the desk as Draugr pulled footage. The screen flickered and then we saw what we were looking for. “There.” I state. The boat, leaving at nightfall. And then… My blood went cold. I leaned closer.

“No,” Draugr snaps softly in surprise.

The figure on the screen turned just enough for his face to catch the light. Our uncle… Ceasar. He was supposed to be in France, but instead he is here in my city ordering the shooting. The world narrowed, I felt the berserker stir, claws scraping inside my ribs.

“He’s closer than we thought,” Draugr states.

“He wanted me to know,” I replied. “He wanted me angry.”

Draugr glanced at me. “He succeeded.”

We were back in the SUV within minutes, tires screaming as Draugr accelerated. Draugr dialled Roman as we pulled onto the road, the call connected instantly.

“What did you find,” Roman asked.

“Ceasar,” I reveal.

Silence, then Lucien’s voice cut in. “Say that again.”

“He’s here,” I repeated. “Ordered the hit himself.”

Volken swore in a language that hadn’t been spoken for centuries. Roman’s voice turned ice-cold. “Location?”

“Marina, but he’s already gone.” There is a pause and then Roman, controlled and lethal. “Then he’s asking for death. This is a challenge.”

Lucien laughed, sharp and dangerous. “Good. I was getting bored.”

“We move,” Roman said. “All of us.”

“Yes,” I agreed. “Soon.”

The call stayed open as Draugr pushed the SUV harder, the city rushing toward us. The others talking about our next move when my phone buzzed. Bryn. Everything else dropped away.

I answered instantly. “Bryn?”

Her voice was hesitant. Soft. “Hey. I… I don’t know if I should be telling you this.”

My chest tightened. “Are you hurt?”

“No. No,” she said quickly. “I’m fine. It’s just… after what the women told me, I thought maybe I shouldn’t keep it from you.”

The bond flared, my heart picking up the beat, I knew.

“Oh,” she breathed. “Um. My period started.” The world went razor-sharp. Heat surged through my veins like wildfire. My grip tightened on the phone, my senses stretch, pleased, possessive, hungry. I closed my eyes for half a second, dragging control back by force.

“Stay in the room,” I said, voice low and absolute. “Lock the fucking door, do not leave.”

“Viking…”

“I’m coming home.” I ended the call and turned on Draugr to see his mouth quirking.

“Speed up.”

He shot me an amused look. “You sure? I thought we could drive around for a bit.”