“Why I’m here, Rannock,” Rathbone murmured, stepping over the threshold. “You kept your end of the bargain, I’ll keep mine.”
Blocking the bastard’s path to Cate, Rannock flexed his hands. “Could’ve taken it out sooner, Rathbone. The second you knew I had the—”
“And touch your mate without your permission?” Rathbone raised a brow. “I’ve never lacked courage, dragon, but one thing I don’t have is a death wish.”
Temper frothing, Rannock’s eyes started to glow. Orange-bronze shimmer washed over the male standing within striking distance.
Rathbone shifted, but held his ground, refusing to back down.
He drew a deep breath, clinging to control, ’cause… shite. The bastard had a point. Rannock might’ve suspected Cate was his mate, but he hadn’t known for sure until he saw and touched her for the first time. No one could’ve guessed the depth of his connection to her. Not even Rathbone when he inserted the pod inside her head. And yet…
Rannock wanted to hold a grudge. He played nice instead, needing the Shadow Walker to keep his word—for Cate to be safe—before he rearranged the arsehole’s face. “I’ll grant you that.”
Rathbone’s mouth twitched. “Big of you.”
His eyes narrowed. “Take it out.”
“Of course.” The Shadow Walker looked past him to where Cate stood.
Rannock sensed her stiffen behind him. Refusing to take his eyes off the target, he held out his hand, palm up, without looking at her. “Settle, Bellmia. I willnae allow any harm tae come tae you.”
“I know,” she said, sounding confident when he knew she wasn’t.
His mate was more than uncertain. She was tense, unsure of Rathbone, aware of Rannock’s need to do violence. His mate—so bloody smart. She read him well, tuning into his moods, understanding his nature, accepting his needs. No matter how violent his tendencies.
Holding steady, he kept his hand out and waited, inviting her to come to him, refusing to rush her.
Her boot soles twisted against the carpet. A slight hesitation in her steps, then…
Light footfalls tapped across the floor as she approached his back. Her scent reached him. Awareness of her, always close to his surface, bloomed. Warm sensation prickled down his spine as she settled against him. Using his body as cover, Cate set her hands against his back and pressed her forehead between his shoulder blades.
He widened his stance, shielding her completely.
She nestled in, seeking his warmth, taking solace in the closeness, drawing on his strength. He gave it without thought. Reaching out with his mind, he linked in, then sank into the flow. Looping the current connecting him to her, he sent a wave of soothing energy to her, calming her, steadying himself, allowing her to hide behind him as long as she wanted.
The stalemate between him and Rathbone stretched.
Dying embers in the fireplace popped.
Cate drew a long breath, then let go, slipping out from behind him. Her small hand slid into his much larger one. Dark blue eyes met his. “I don’t like the idea of him touching me, Ran.”
He murmured in understanding.
Rathbone made a rough sound. “Won’t take long, Cate. Thirty seconds, tops.”
Her brow furrowed. “You shouldn’t have put it inside my head in the first place.”
“Desperate measures—”
“Makes a woman want to beat the shit out of Shadow Walkers.”
With a huff, Rannock wound his arm around her.
Rathbone chuckled.
Cate scowled. “Seriously, Rathbone. No matter what my dad did, you messing with me is screwed up. I don’t care how powerful you are, or how pissed off it makes you. I’m saying this for the next girl unfortunate enough to cross your path—please stop doing this kind of crap.”
“Your objection is noted.”
“I want it on the record.”
Rathbone’s gaze left her and landed on him. “She’s fierce.”
“Believe it,” Rannock said with a nod.
“Lucky male.”
“Believe that too.”
Rolling her eyes, Cate threw a perturbed look at Rathbone. “I haven’t heard you promise.”
Pale eyes sparkling with amusement, the Shadow Walker tipped his chin. “You’ve my word, Cate.”
“Good,” she whispered, fingers twitching against Rannock’s.
He squeezed her hand. “Ready?”
“No.”
A chuckle escaped him. Completely inappropriate, but hell, he couldn’t help it. The blunt edge of her honesty always surprised—and never failed to amuse him.
He gave her another squeeze. “Bellmia—”
“All right.” A death grip on his hand, she glanced up at him. He nodded. She nodded back. “But you keep a hold of me the whole time.”
“I will.”
“The whole time, Ran.”
“I willnae let you go, lass.”
“Okay,” she said, glancing at Rathbone. “Let’s get it over with.”
Flexing his hands, Rathbone pressed his chin to his chest. He rolled his neck, then his shoulders. His irises went from pale blue to shimmering gold. He tipped his chin.
Releasing her hand, Rannock turned her to face him, away from Rathbone, and drew her deeper into his arms. “Forehead pressed to my chest, Cate. Keep your chin tipped down. Stay as still as you can, aye?”
Her lashes flickered as she shut her eyes and nestled in, pressing her forehead to the center of his chest. “Don’t let go.”
“Got you,” he said, hands flat against her spine, one between her shoulder blades, the other pressed to her lower back.
Gaze aglow, Rathbone stepped behind her. Electricity sparked in the air. Blue light radiated, pulsing through the room. He raised his hands.
Rannock tightened his hold. “Breathe, lass.”
She inhaled long and slow.
Moving closer, the Shadow Walker made contact.
Cate flinched.
Murmuring reassurances, Rannock held her steady as Rathbone’s hands settled on her. Middle fingers pressed to her temples, he placed his thumbs at the base of her skull. Cate tightened her grip on Rannock. His stomach clenched as powerful magic surged around her, then prickled through him. Static crawled across his skin, making Cate’s short blond hair stand on end.
“Ouch,” she said through clenched teeth.
Feeling her discomfort, Rannock growled.
“Hold tight,” Rathbone muttered, circling his thumbs. “Almost there.”
Lightning spun into a web around the Shadow Walker. A blue ball formed, creating a barrier between him and the rest of the room. Rathbone murmured in a foreign language, evoking the power of an ancient tongue. Cate started to shiver. A pod the size of a small seed flew from the base of her skull. Glowing bright, the implant hovered in midair a moment.
The electrified ball contracted around the explosive.
Letting go of Cate, Rathbone turned his hand.
Contained inside the orb, the pod settled in the center of the Shadow Walker’s palm. A pop sounded. Bright light exploded inside the sphere. Rathbone breathed out. The glow in his gaze faded as he looked at Rannock. “Done.”
“You sure?”
He nodded.
“You’ve left nothing behind?”