Francine’s comment conjured up a vision of Haven and her feelings for him. Yes, certain things were more powerful than Yvette was. Once this was over, she’d tell Haven that she loved him, whether that meant exposing her heart and making herself vulnerable or not. If he didn’t love her back, it would hurt. But if he did, then she had everything to gain.
They hiked in silence, careful where they stepped so as not to create any noise as they approached. The moon rose, lending more light to their path even though they could have easily done without it. A vampire’s night vision was as good as a human’s vision during daylight. Everything was sharp and clear. Yvette concentrated on the mission ahead, on the importance of what they had to do: not only to destroy the witch who could upset the power balance in their fragile world, but more importantly to save the man who had come to mean everything to her. And to preserve the family he had fought so valiantly to keep.
She understood his fears now, because as she hiked up the mountain to their destination, she walked in Haven’s shoes. For years, he’d looked for the sister he’d lost and protected the brother he loved. Yvette realized now that family didn’t have to mean giving the man you loved a child. Family was everything: a brother, a sister, friends, trusted colleagues. She already had a family, and she’d fought for it too, protected them when she had to just like they’d protected her. Even saved her life. Zane had done that months earlier. And now they were all by her side to save what was dearest to her.
“I love him,” she whispered.
Next to her, Zane turned his head and locked eyes with her. “I know.” And, hell, if that wasn’t a kind smile playing around his mouth.
As they reached the small wooden cabin, they already knew it was empty. Yvette switched on her earpiece, making sure she was connected to the rest of the team. One by one, her colleagues checked in announcing themselves by name. The only one who wasn’t going to join their fight was Samson. He’d stayed back with Delilah, torn between his duty as their leader and his love for his wife and child and the need to protect them.
For the first time since finding out that Delilah was pregnant, Yvette felt true joy for the couple. Her feelings of envy had dissipated. She would have a talk with Maya, letting her know that she didn’t want to continue with the futile attempts at forcing a pregnancy, when it truly didn’t matter anymore. It never really had. Because all she’d ever wanted was somebody who loved her. And if Haven was that somebody, it would be enough. She wouldn’t have to give him a child to make him love her. She alone would be enough.
When Gabriel’s pace slowed and then came to a stop, Yvette stepped right next to him and followed his gaze into the distance. In the middle of a small clearing past the protective canopy of the trees that sheltered her and her colleagues from view, moonlight flooded onto a large flat stone long and wide enough for a person to lie down on. On three sides, the area was surrounded by trees in which her colleagues were now hidden. But on one side, behind the large stone altar, a formation of rocks formed a near vertical wall, making it impossible to approach from behind.
The stone altar held several items: lit candles, a dagger, and a caldron. Behind it, the witch stood looking up at the sky as if waiting for the moon to move into the position she needed. Surrounding the altar stood the siblings. They weren’t tied up. Noticing them shift ever so slightly, Yvette realized that while they were most likely bound by some ward or spell not to escape, they could move their arms and legs.
Yvette pushed down her worry about Haven and his brother and sister, not wanting to destroy her concentration. She had to fight and needed a clear mind.
Francine followed the witch’s gaze to the starry sky. “It’s time,” she whispered. “So close, I can almost feel it.”
In her earpiece, Yvette heard her colleagues confirm that they were in position; Gabriel had brought three-dozen vampires and human bodyguards. There would be no escape for the witch tonight.
The chanting broke the silence of the night, forcing the sounds of the forest into the background. Strange words in an ancient language whispered through the air, stirring up the wind to blow out the candles. Only moonlight shone onto the scene now. Her arms stretching high toward the stars, the witch raised her voice, repeating the same chant louder now. A gust of wind blew across the altar, rattling the caldron and the dagger lying next to it.
“Now, Francine,” Gabriel urged.
A look of pain and horror crossed Francine’s features before she stepped into the clearing, pointing her hands toward the ground beneath her. “I command the earth,” she mumbled and raised her arms. Her lips trembled with words that didn’t carry to Yvette’s sensitive ears.