Lost Ones (The Extinct Race Series Book 3) Read online

  Quinn stood from his seat and just stared once again at the girl who was meant for him. Morgan walked quickly to his side and melted into him. Justine took her seat and closed Gabe’s mouth from its “O” position. Zoe walked back to Kaiden and he smiled up at her pride beaming in his eyes. Zoe didn’t sit down though and Kaiden stood taking her hand in his.

  Chapter 24

  Everything Burns

  Mr. Steinman sat in his office finishing up the current case he was working on. His partners had already left for the evening and he sat alone. This case was proving to be a hard one. He was representing a father of three children who wanted to sue his soon to be ex-wife for full custody. The only problem was the mother of the kids was a better parent for the kids. She worked from home as an author and did fairly well for herself. She had come into money before they were married. Since then she had created a career she loves and is always home for the kids. She attended all the PTA meetings and even volunteered on field trips with the kids.

  The Father was also a good parent, but his career had him away at least a week a month, sometimes more. He didn’t go to any school functions for the kids and was going to hire a nanny. That fact gave Mr. Steinman a guilty feeling, but if his ex was anything like this mother, he would have left them with her. His ex liked to do nothing but spend his money. She never worked a day in her life and hated to go to the kid’s school functions. She resented their children for ruining her body and taking away her nights out on fancy restaurants.

  His ex was a piece of work and then some. These days he heard she spent her time in the business bars trying to find a new sugar daddy. She hasn’t called and asked about the kids since he left her. Mr. Steinman was just hoping she hurried up and found a new man and then he wouldn’t have to pay the outrageous amount of alimony anymore.

  He stopped his pondering and went back to the case. The wife was going to win and the father knew that, but he was spiteful. He was pissed that his wife decided to end the marriage and that was the only reason he wanted to take the kids from her. Mr. Steinman was going to have to call this Dad in the morning and inform him that he was going to drop the case and he would have to find new representation. He could not fight for the father when he knew the kids would get more love and attention from their mother.

  Mr. Steinman closed the file and started to pack up his briefcase when he smelled the smoke. He ran to the window to see if it was the neighboring window. When he got to the window he noticed a black SUV parked in the ally and a man standing there. He thought it unusual but didn’t see any smoke coming out of the neighboring building. He walked to the front of the office and looked out that window. Right as he ducked his head to look a flaming bottle smashed through the window that was next to him. He jumped back in surprise and got out of the way of the flames licking the floor.

  The fire spread fast. He had just stood back up when he heard another crash and flames erupt in his partner’s office. Mr. Steinman ran to his office, grabbed his things and ran down the hall towards the front door. As he rounded the corner he saw a man at the door. He stopped dead in his tracks and ducked behind the wall. He chanced a peek around the wall and the man was looking right at him smiling. The man had red flecks in his eyes.

  Mr. Steinman sucked in a breath and ran back to his office bolting his door closed. He never told his partners, but with the money Kaiden had given him he had a secret passage installed for just this scenario. He knew he would eventually get caught and have to make a quick escape. There was a tight staircase built into the closet and it lead to a tunnel underground that led to a parking garage about two buildings down. There was also a panic button in the tunnel that was connected to his house. He had told the nanny that if the light and beeping ever went off to get the kids in the car and drive to the location he put into her GPS.

  Mr. Steinman ran down the hall hitting the button that triggered the alarm. He hoped she was quick and they were not already at the house. He had his own SUV in the parking garage. He had custom windows and door panels installed that were bullet proof. He also had suitcases and money hidden in the trunk area. He would just have to drive very calmly out of the area so the half-bloods did not give chase.

  He got to his SUV and climbed inside. He grabbed the cell phone that had Kaiden’s home number inside. It was the phone that he talked to Kaiden with weeks ago, since then he got a new one in case he was ever caught face to face. He didn’t want them to have the numbers. After saving that young girl and the fight with the men after he had also moved all his money into accounts no one but him could touch. The account he kept local only had enough money to pay the monthly bills and food.

  He called the nanny first to make sure she was out of the house. She assured him she was and that no one else was at the home when she left. She told the kids that they were going on a secret vacation. Mr. Steinman was relieved to hear his kids were safe. He started the truck and eased out of the garage. The windows were tinted so no one could see who was inside, so he drove right past the front of his building. Four men were standing there waiting with smiles on their faces.

  He then drove past the ally and noticed two more men watching where he would normally come out of the office. His car was parked right behind the SUV in the alley. They must have been watching him for some time to know his habits. He sucked in a breath as he noticed the guns pointed at the door he should come out of. He drove carefully by and none of the men noticed him. Once he got down the street he turned on the GPS and hit the button for the location he had picked to get the kids.

  He arrived an hour later relieved to see his children waiting by the pond. It was a dark night but the park was well lit. He parked next to the nanny’s car and got out.

  “Joyce I want you to take this bag and disappear for a while. Go see your kids for an extended vacation. I need to leave the country with the kids for a while and I don’t know when I will be back.”

  “Oh? Mr. Steinman is something bad happening? Why do you need to leave?” Joyce fluttered about.

  “The less you know the better. I don’t know if my home is being watched but there is enough money in here for you to get to the airport and go. Buy a whole new wardrobe and spoil yourself. You are a great woman and you deserve it.”

  “Daddy!” his kids yelled as they ran to him.

  “Hey rug rats, how do you guys feel about taking a vacation and meeting some friends of mine? I know they have a huge house and lots of kids are there.”

  “What about school Daddy?” his daughter asked. She has always been the responsible child.

  “I will have to call the school and tell them about our trip. Don’t worry, I will handle it.” He reassured his kids. “For now hope in the truck we have a long drive ahead of us before we get on a plane.”

  “OK!” his daughter and son said at the same time and ran to the back door of the SUV and climbed in.

  “Joyce I will phone you at your daughters and make sure you got there safely. I need to leave in a rush. Stay there until I call you and tell you it is safe to come back. Your monthly pay will be put right into your account so you need not worry about money.”

  “I will be there waiting by the phone. You be safe Mr. Steinman. I love you guys and don’t want to lose you.” Joyce started to cry. Mr. Steinman wrapped her in a hug and then assured her he would be fine. He walked her to her car and watched as she drove off. He then got back into the SUV and drove out of the park. Kaiden had mentioned going to Wyoming after he had located Justine’s papers. So he plotted the course to Wyoming and headed that direction. He would call Kaiden once he arrived there.

  Chapter 25

  Ireland Bound

  “We told Quinn that we would wait to tell him everything until we found you too. We weren’t sure if you were going to know or not. So I will start at the beginning. Not mine but ours as a race. Thousands of years ago there was a Dragon names Marsali. She was not human like us, she was all Dragon. She didn’t have love in her life nor family. Her
race killed each other in greed and hate for one another and she was the last of her kind. She had magic though, and every time a Dragon died their magic went to a living Dragon. Well because she was the last she had it all. She roamed the earth for a while and then settled on the mountain we call home. There was a group of humans she watched and eventually turned with her magic. She created a spell that also created us. But what she did not tell anyone at the time was that she put fail-safes into this spell.” Zoe explained

  “I am a twin, which has never happened within our race. I and my brother and father are descendents of her line. My brother and I have magic now that was lost when she created the spell.” Zoe told them about the rest of the fail-safes and then told them about Aldrich.

  “You see he has been hunting us all down. We are the last born of each race. We are the last hope to continue our race and this is why the fail-safes have come into play. Morgan I am sure your parents told you some things about this. But we have found that most do not, they just knew their Sect was killed and they went into hiding. Kaiden and I are young and honestly we do not know how to be King and Queen. So we have created a family instead and it works for us. Yes we make the ultimate decision, which is just something ingrained in us, but we also talk it over with our family too.”

  “Ireland is our birthplace and it is our true home. It is the home Marsali protected for us. We have Share and Tell at dinner and that is when you will get to know us fully. We have all had bad pasts and each of us find comfort in speaking about it. But for now do any of you have questions?” Zoe asked

  “How do we change into our Dragon?” Quinn asked and Morgan went beat red.

  “You do it man!” John laughed

  “Huh? Do what?” Quinn asked

  “You make love to your soul mate and when you feel the urge to bite, you bite. Soon after you will be running outside naked and you will shift.” Emery replied and then Quinn went beat red too.

  “You are not required to do that right away though. In face Alex and Donny the last ones we found still have not done the deed.” Zoe reassured them.

  “Yeah I think I am done with questions for a while. We got what four or five hours until we are there?” Quinn asked and Zoe nodded to him. “Alright then I think I will cuddle with this beautiful creature and try and take a nap.”

  “Before you do we need you three to do something, otherwise we cannot land.” Kaiden said

  “Oh right, the fealty thing. What do we say?” Quinn asked

  Emery stood and urged the three new ones up and whispered what to say and do. They took a knee and swore their lives to Kaiden and Zoe. Zoe saw the magic swirl around them like she always did, but this time she wasn’t the only one. All eyes were bugged out at them.

  When it was all over no one said anything and they all took their seats. Everyone cuddled into their mate and fell fast asleep. When they woke, they would all be home.

  The Hunting party spent the week killing half-bloods. Vivi had been shot six times and had healed herself each time. They all kept with the plan and trapped them half-bloods and then let them out one at a time to fight to the death. Ava had taken a hard hit that cracked her skull three days ago, but she had killed the man before she passed out. It took Christian and Vivi to heal her, she had a massive brain bleed that was causing her brain to swell and they had to put her skull back together too. Carmine was beside himself and didn’t want anymore one on one fighting after that.

  Ava was completely healed and hadn’t fought in two days. All the Half-blood seemed to be in Europe, so the flights were not long at all. The last flight was the longest and they had all gotten a good nap in. Now they were tracking six half-bloods who appeared to have hooked up to party together. Vivi recognized them of course and these ones were even worse than the others. They were the oldest of her brothers. These one have taken joy in killing and kill humans all the time. They looked to be out hunting tonight.

  “These ones we are not fighting one on one. I prefer to just take them down quick. They are looking for victims tonight, young pretty ones to rape and then kill. You guys good with just killing?” Vivi looked to Etana and Ava.

  “I agree they are already causing me pain. They have four girls picked out.” Christian winced

  “No innocent die tonight. Vivi lead them behind that building it is dark and vacant.” Etana spoke between gritted teeth.

  “Got it, you go I go. Keep him safe.” She pointed to Christian.

  “Christian get up on the roof the escape ladders are right there. Just get up high enough you don’t get shot.” Charles demanded

  “Got it, I know I won’t be any help in this fight. Vivi you better join me as soon as you lead them into the trap. You might be needed with that bow.” Christian told her

  “I will my saint. You just get safe first. I will run as soon as you are half way up.” She kissed him quick and watched as he ran to the fire escape ladder.

  They were fifty feet from the line the half-bloods were in at the club. Vivi saw the route she needed to take like it was second nature. The rest of the team went into the alley right under Christian. Vivi was going to have to run down the alley to her right and then cut out on the street and run right past her brothers. She would then cut into another alley from the street leading them right into the team.

  She walked down the alley and built up her nerve. She thought about the one tied up in Seamus’s care and the twenty they had already taken care of. Ava and Carmine always burnt the bodies with Dragon fire afterwards and Charles and Colby buried the evidence of the fire. There was never anything left. Vivi walked to the street and stayed in the shadows walking towards the club.

  She was within twenty feet and then she noticed one go for his phone. She couldn’t hear the conversation from the phone, but as he put it away he spoke softly to the other five and they lifted the rope to leave the line. Vivi needed to act quickly and then tell the others what she heard. She ran.

  The half-bloods were walking her way but on the other side of the street. She ran faster and then broke out into the light so they could see her. Vivi got within five feet and then they noticed her. A hot rang out and everyone in line screamed and fell to the floor. Vivi kept running it had missed her. The half-bloods gave chase and shot some more, but they all missed her. She ducked into the alley and didn’t see anyone, she felt them though. Vivi slowed to allow the half-bloods to see her. She grabbed her bow from her back and cocked an arrow as the first two entered the mouth of the alley.

  Vivi let all six enter the alley before she let the arrow fly. It hit one in the neck and he fell. Vivi then turned and ran again, hearing knives whiz past her as she took the corner that would lead to the fire escape. She grabbed the ladder and climbed as fast as she could to the top.

  Etana threw knives from the darkness hitting two men in the arms and one in the gut. They all stayed hidden until the five ones alive made it right in the middle. Then Colby and Makayla erupted from their spots and jumped two men. Charles did the same and Etana took another. Vivi’s arrows hit their mark on the last one not fighting and he crumpled to the ground with an arrow stuck in the top of his head.

  Etana took her whip and snapped the neck of the man Charles was fighting and stabbing her knife in the neck of the man she had in her grasp. Colby snapped the neck of the man he had once he got a good hold on him. A shot rang out and Makayla screamed then fell to the floor. Colby went white as a sheet and then red with rage. They all stood back as the half-blood who shot Makayla smiled and aimed his gun at Colby. He shot. Vivi screamed in horror as she and Christian bolted for the ladders. They didn’t see what Colby did.

  Colby took a shot in the side of his face. He grunted with pain and then tore at the half-blood. He ripped the gun out of his hand and kicked him in the stomach. The half-blood flew across the alley and slammed into the brick wall. The half-blood crumpled to the ground and Colby was right there on top of him when he landed. Colby punched the man in the face with everything insid
e of him. The half-blood’s face went to the back of his skull. Colby kept punching until he was screaming and crying. When Charles and Etana pulled him off the half-blood looked like pulp. There was not one bone in his body that was not shattered.

  Vivi and Christian were working on Makayla. The bullet had missed her heart, but got a lung and went out the back leaving a massive hole. She should be dead. Christian and Vivi worked on her while Carmine and Ava gathered the bodies. They had to work fast because they could all hear sirens in the distance. They were in the UK and guns were forbidden, so the shots would bring lots of attention.

  Carmine made a fire and had to let it burn, they had to leave. Charles and Etana grabbed a passed out Colby. Carmine and Ava carried Makayla while Vivi and Christian worked. They stayed in the shadows all the way back to the jet. They also used their speed. Christian had used so much energy healing Makayla that he passed out a hundred feet from the jet. Seamus ran out to help them and carried Christian into the jet.

  “Home NOW!” Vivi yelled “He called them all home, these ones were leaving. We won’t have any left to hunt and I need his parents to help me heal them. I don’t have anything left to heal Colby.” Vivi cried into her hands.

  “Seamus fly fast and low, let me know when we are near the border and you will have to drop me Etana and the half-blood in the water. Tell Piper and Aidan to meet us in the forest. Call home and get the boy’s parents to be at the landing strip. He was shot in the face but he is alive. How is Makayla?” Charles asked

  “Alive, but I need help still. I have enough to keep her lung up and heart beating. Christian closed the hole but it took all he had and she is not closed completely the muscle and tendons are not in place.” Vivi sobbed

  “Hold on peeps we will be there shortly we are so close.”

  “Hurry Seamus.”