My Champion

  "What on earth happened?" she demanded, kneeling down beside the healer.

  Tarragon tore his eyes from his patient to look up at her furious. "I'm assuming one of the Founding Family members got a gouge or two in during the brawl. I need supplies." He blinked. "You have access to Level One, don't you?" She nodded. "Can you run down and get some bandages and supplies?"

  "Of course."

  Tarragon turned to Emeric. "I need you. Can you apply pressure?"

  Emeric shook his head. "No, I'm sorry, I'm assigned to her."

  Tarragon looked at him. "I will lose this patient if I don't get some help."

  She laid a hand on Emeric's shoulder. "Apply pressure, that is an order. I will be right back."

  Before he could answer, she dashed away. She flew down the transport tunnel and hurriedly walked through Level One to Broderick's laboratory. She was halfway down the hallway when she felt an overwhelming sense of dread.

  She looked around and didn't see anything. She took a few uneasy steps and thought she heard steps behind her. She turned again and there was nothing.

  Not taking any chances, she reached for her walkie-talkie. Just as she pressed the button, pain exploded at her back of her head. She saw stars and then darkness.

  *****

  When her eyes opened, she groaned; her head was killing her. She looked around, trying to identify where she was. The overwhelmingly strong astringent smell almost choked her. When she put her hands on the floor to stand up, they became soaked in liquid. She looked around, fear taking over.

  Broderick's lab had been completely destroyed. In the back of the room, where the cabinets lined the wall, smoke billowed up from behind the long lab table.

  She smelled her hands and knew she was covered in chemicals. It wouldn't be long before she too would end up like this room.

  She went to the door, tried the doorknob, but it would not budge. She threw her shoulder against it and nothing. It was almost like it had been locked from the outside. She was looking out the window for help when a face appeared in the pane. She jumped back, startled.

  The face was twisted in anger, eyes red. Was this the feral that they were looking for? Her eyes narrowed.

  "Marcus?" she asked. He snarled, an evil smile on his lips.

  "Marcus, what are you doing here?" she demanded.

  "You are not my boss, not anymore. I came here to get even. I heard your little conversation with Law outside your office. I figured I would have ample opportunity to get even here. Then they found me and gave me a bigger purpose. They said they would make me a prince, and I believe them."

  "Believe who? What in the hell you talking about? Get me out of here."

  "No, you need to die. You need to be destroyed along with the lab. Enjoy your death," he sneered and then walked away.

  She pounded on the steel door. "Marcus! Marcus!"

  She reached for her belt but both her cell phone and her walkie-talkie were gone. She inhaled again and began to choke; the smoke was quickly filling the room. She leaned against the door and slumped down.

  "Declan, where are you?"

  *****

  Declan was racing around with Adriel, making sure that those who were injured had received treatment and that the frightened families were settled. Everyone was concerned. Old wounds had been ripped open by the prejudices shown by the Founding Families. Surprisingly, his brother was at his side every step of the way. He took his cue from Declan and cajoled and joked with not only the wolves but also the other vampires.

  He watched as the people around him slowly begin to relax and accept his brother. He had probably made more progress in the past thirty minutes with him than he had the past thirty years on his own. They made their way back over to where Magnus and Adriel stood comparing notes.

  The fair began to kick off once again, mostly to keep the children calm and to lighten the atmosphere. The music resumed, and the games handlers were calling out about prizes once again.

  "Well?" Magnus asked.

  Adriel sighed, looking exhausted "Tarragon and Emeric are working on a wolf. It looks like he was gouged, just like Declan was. Might have been Andre. The wolf did not see who did it. I am not sure we have enough evidence to track the assailant down."

  Declan nodded, then turned to Adriel.

  "Emeric?" he asked.

  "Yes," Adriel replied looking confused at Declan's urgent tone. Behind them, Law began cursing.

  "Who's with Kari?" Declan asked.

  Magnus paled.

  "Where is Kari?" Declan demanded.

  Everyone began to look around.

  "Kari!" Declan yelled.

  "Fire," Meryn said simply, her eyes slightly unfocused.

  Everyone was still calling out for his mate and speaking at once, but Declan had locked in on Meryn. No one was paying her any attention except for him and Ryuu. Ryuu stood behind Meryn, his eyes concerned.

  "Denka?" he asked.

  "Fire," she repeated.

  This time, Grant and Etain spun and looked at Declan. Adriel turned slowly, a look of horror on his face. His unit brothers knew what his nightmare had showed him.

  "Kari," he whispered. "Where is she?" he asked

  "Broderick's lab," Meryn answered, still looking dazed.

  Law grabbed him by the arm, and they ran together. Using his magic, Law got them down to Level One, and they raced down the hallway.

  At the end of the hall, they reached the door, only to see tendrils of smoke escaping tiny cracks. The lab had been made impenetrable and sealed. He tried the door, but the handle wouldn't even turn.

  "I need somebody with access!" he screamed.

  "Right behind you," Magnus put his hand on the biometric lock, and still it wouldn't turn.

  "Hold on," Law ordered.

  He closed his eyes and his hand began to glow. After a few seconds, Declan heard the tumblers turn and the door was unlocked. He tried the door again, but nothing happened.

  Roaring, he felt his body completely expand. Bones began to crack as he grew taller and wider. His face began to form a muzzle. His teeth began to thicken and lengthen. His mane, which had been at his shoulders earlier, was now to his waist. A light gold fur covered his arms and his hands became black claws.

  He dug the claws into the steel door and pulled, ripping it off the hinges. The people behind him cleared the way, and he threw the door down the hallway. Slumped to one side, Kari's small, pale body lay motionless on the floor.

  Declan reached into the smoke, pulling her out. Around him, everyone began to cough. Law began to chant low, and soon, a bright light appeared, chasing away the smoke and putting out the flames.

  "Kari!" Declan roared his frustration and fear.

  Hands reached for her and he swiped his claws at them.

  "Declan, you need to let us help her. She is not breathing," Magnus ordered.

  He hissed and shook his head. They were trying to take his mate away. He snarled at everyone until he smelled something familiar. An arm was thrust under his nose. Pride. He looked up. His older brother stood over him, his eyes turned yellow and his hair billowing around him.

  Though not in third form, Rex had also expanded with his own fear. He gently pulled Kari away from Declan, and Declan let him. This was family, this was his blood, and his blood would not hurt his mate.

  Immediately, Rex began CPR. He breathed into her mouth and began chest compressions. Anytime, someone tried to get near, Declan swiped at them. After a few moments, Kari began to cough. Relief flooded his body. He pulled her into his arms, muttering her name over and over and over again.

  She blinked up at him. "I am okay; I knew you would come."

  She ran a hand over his muzzle, taking in every whisker. Her eyes were dancing with laughter. "I am not saying I could deal with this every day, but it is not so bad," she teased.

  Relief and gratitude chased away the change. Declan felt his body shrinking back to normal again. He wrapped her in his arms and pulled her bod
y between his legs and kept her caged there. "I'm never letting you out of my sight."

  "What happened?" Magnus demanded

  She gasped and turned to the Prince. "It was Marcus."

  "Marcus!" Law exclaimed behind them.

  She turned to her brother. "Yes, he is feral. He said something about serving a bigger purpose and that they would make him a prince. I am not sure what he was promised, but he came here after me. He is insane."

  "I'll deal with him after I deal with Emeric," Law pr