Fortress

Chapter 9

Mina

Three large men stood on the other side of the door and I instinctively took a step back. The first one smiled before stepping forward with his hand extended.

“I’m Jared we spoke on the phone a few nights back, it’s nice to finally put a face to the woman I haven’t stopped hearing about for the past ten years,” Jared said calmly. His hazel eyes were warm and his hair was shorter than Rome’s but his facial features were more boyish. I shook his hand firmly before letting it go. Jared motioned to the other two men as he spoke in that liquid voice again.

“These two are Iris and June”, Iris smiled but did not extend his hand he stood taller than Rome and his hair was in two long braids.

“Hello Mina,” he said in a voice almost too deep to pick up. I looked at June as a familiar smile spread across his lips. He wore his hair the same way as Rome and his blue eyes were almost identical it hadn’t accrued to me that these men could have been real brothers but looking at June now it was all I could think of.

“Mina, I’m so happy to meet you and I’m sorry it’s under these circumstances. Rome and I are first cousins” June said and surprised me by stepping forward to wrap his arms around me and gave a tight squeeze. Rome made a sound under his breath and June quickly let me go taking serval steps back.

“Sorry,” he said and shook his head.

“Ah yes, Rome and I fought inside of Helios together we come from the same clan, Iris and June broke in with the remainder of our clan to free us” Jared explained. I nodded before looking up at Rome who was still focused on June.

“We should all get going,” Jared said while pushing June away from us further.

Rome picked up our bags and refused to give me my own as we followed Jared to a black SUV.

Iris sat in the front with Jared and June sat in the back while Rome and I occupied the middle row. My eyes began to water as I thought about where we were going.

“We don’t have to go through with this,” Rome said quietly as he took my hand in his.

“I want to,” I said looking out the window. I needed to know for myself that it was my best friend. The ride remained silent and I tried to prepare myself for what would come next but nothing could prepare me for the scene when we arrived. Police cars littered the small street and officers soon approached the SUV. Jared spoke to the man in such a low voice I couldn’t pick up anything he was saying. The officer nodded before motioning for him to drive forward. My eyes shot to the numerous black body bags laid out on the side of the road and my hand flew to my mouth. These were people I encountered every day people I worked side by side with. People with families and friends, I could hardly breathe now. Rome wrapped an arm around my shoulder and pulled me into his side. Jared pulled over in front of the semi-truck and got out along with Iris. I took a few deep breaths before looking up at Rome, he nodded and then opened the door for us to step out. The wind blew harshly against my cheek as I followed Rome closely to the back of the truck, June followed close behind us. Jared motioned to a body bag that was separated from the others and I struggled to make my legs go any further. My heart couldn’t take this I knew I couldn’t take this but I forced myself forward anyway. Jared knelt down and unzipped the bag and as soon as I saw the get black hair I knew it was Aniyah. Jared stopped the zipper just below her chin and a sob broke through my clenched teeth. Rome caught me as my legs gave out and I held onto him tightly.

“I’m so sorry!” I screamed while watching my best friend lay so still on the cold ground. She was innocent they all were innocent I thought as I looked at the other bags. I was supposed to be here amongst them. This was my fate and I knew it I looked up at Rome as another sob shook my body. I was the sole survivor and it was only because of him.

“This isn’t their normal MO they don’t kill in big numbers like this. They haven’t since they took Rome and me.” Jared said as he zipped the bag back up. Somehow losing sight of my dead best friend hurt even more.

“What changed?” June asked from behind us.

“Rome contacted the Elliotts with a timeframe of his return, and they in return contacted Helios not knowing what to expect from Rome. Helios planned to capture you no doubt but failed. This must have angered whoever was in charge of your extraction.” Jared explained.

“Helios has been laying low, sure they slip here and there and we are able to track them down but this is completely different. This is personal” Jared continued before pulling his phone out. My eyes landed back on Aniyah’s body bag and I thought hard about if she had any living family. When we met we were both in a bad situation I was living out of my car and working nights at a club waitressing. Aniyah was the head bartender and told me about this live-in-job she changed my luck within a week of meeting her. She was out here on her own much like myself she didn’t have anyone we just had each other. I closed my eyes and allowed my tears to fall freely.

No one deserved an end like this. I burned my face in Rome's side as sob after sob poured out of me.

Rome

My mate's cries made me feel powerless as I stood there holding her up.

“I’ll be back,” I told Jared as I escorted Mina back to our car. June was right on my heels the entire way there. I helped Mina into the car and saw the tiredness on her face. I kissed her forehead and gave her a tight hug.

“She didn't have any family what's going to happen now?” she asked weakly.

“We'll take care of this don't worry. I'll be back in a few minutes don't go anywhere.” I said and she nodded her eyes watering again. I shut the door and turned to face June but he was speaking before I could get anything out.

“I'm sorry about the hug I wasn't thinking. I will stand guard” he said in a serious tone. I nodded and walked away. It had been years since I had seen my brothers but I knew none of them had found their mate. The move June did back at the motel almost cost him his life but he was making up for that now. The sense to protect Mina now bordered on insanity, I knew my brothers were no threat but until my mate bond was completed I would see everyone as a threat to her. Jared was wrapping up things with the police as I approached. Jared possessed a gift none of us could imagine he could control minds.

“We'll head east to drop you two off then try to figure out where to go from here. Once you are settled I’ll be able to get you in the field if that’s what you want.” I nodded at his words.

“By settled you mean complete the mate bond” I stated.

“Yes you’ll be no help to us if you are distracted and an unmated vampire is the biggest danger to us” he said calmly. I nodded because I knew he was right, I was barely keeping it together as it was.

“Mina isn't aware of any family members her friend may have had,” I said while looking back toward the car.

“We will handle it. This isn't your fault Rome, you protected your mate and that's all you could do” Jared stated but I couldn't help but feel as though I did cause this. This would weigh heavy on my mind for as long as Helios continued its operations. We had to stop them and I planned to do just that.