Chapter 14

"Bryony, duck!" Tyler called.

By the sound of his voice, she did as he instructed. A knife embedded itself in the chair she had been sitting in seconds before. Her instinct came in and she kicked the chair. It hit her attacker and took her off her feet.

"Get up and draw your knife," Tyler said. "Use whatever means necessary to keep yourself alive. I won't be responsible for your death."

She knew better than to argue so she did as he requested. The blade gleamed in the dim light of the computer room. As her opponent stood, she was ready for an attack. Growing up with an older brother, she had learned to defend herself when the time came. Now it was time to do that once again.

The woman attacked her and her first instinct was to kick out. Her foot connected with soft flesh of the woman's abdomen. She tumbled back once again, hitting her head on the doorjamb.

"Don't get too cocky. Keep your cool and you'll know what to do.'

Tyler's advice was right. She knew she had to defend herself until she was able to get to the guys in the other room.

She grabbed something else to use as a weapon in her other hand and stood at the ready. Had she thought she was going to be in a battle? No. Was it exhilarating? Yes, but she couldn't do it on a daily basis. She wasn't a fighter and would never be. She loved her books too much and her gentle personalty didn't beget a rough and tumble fighter.

She watched the movements of the woman and found she had a hitch in her step. It must have been from an old injury but it was there and she was going to use that.

Before the woman even got back to her, Bryony was using her height and weight against the other woman. She was getting ready to use the knife to immobilize her for good when she was thrown back against the wall. Her head smacked the concrete hard and she was seeing stars. She knew it was bad when her ears started ringing.

"Brad was right. You can't do anything," the woman said in her thick Asian accent. Bryony swore she heard her laugh. "Well, I guess my fun's over."

"Wrong. You have to deal with me."

Bryony knew that voice. Forcing her eyes open, she watched Austin lift his hands and send thousands of volts of electricity into the poor woman. She jolted and gasped before falling dead on the floor. The smell of burnt flesh and hair filled the room before a gentle breeze blew through. The power in the room went out and before she fell into darkness, Bryony swore Austin's eyes were silver.

Austin walked over to her and lifted her into his arms. She needed Paycen and fast. He was certain she had a concussion because the concrete wall was unforgiving.

He watched as she snuggled into his shoulder. Some of his heat went into her as he held her close. Turning on his heel, he walked back into the main room as the guys were moving around the room collecting unconscious men.

"Paycen," he said.

The red head moved instantly, taking the woman from his leader. He placed her on the couch and leaned over her. He placed his hand on her forehead.

"Slight concussion that I can heal but the hyper-extended shoulder will have to heal on its own," he replied. He didn't wait for an answer as he tapped into his power and began healing the woman.

Austin stood vigil as the group started cleaning up and preparing to dispose of the bodies that had accumulated on the floor. The river was a great place to dump mercenary bodies, especially those who were on New York's most wanted list.

No one was going to ask any questions. Some looked like they had drowned. Others were scorched. The rest had been shot or asphyxiated. And since they were on good terms with NYPD, no one would look at them.

Tyler stepped out of Austin's room and joined the group. He looked to Petey. "I added a new subroutine to your system. It'll hold until you get it up and running again."

The younger man nodded. "Thanks, Ty."

He then turned to his best friend. "You have to get her to New Orleans. She won't be able to heal comfortably here with Brad, his godfather and Jacq on the loose."

"The palace is on lock down. Aiden went into labor three hours ago," Austin replied as he watched Paycen closely. He didn't need to because his Healer was one of the best there were but he couldn't help it.

"If this pregnancy is anything like Dylan's, delivery will be easier. I figure we should hear more information in the next hour or so."

There was a knock at the door. Everyone stiffened as Emery went to answer it. It shouldn't have mattered since the door had been kicked in but it did. When the man returned, he was flanked by Lin and Col. They knew Jacq was behind this because they had come with an army.

"I see we've come too late," Lin said as he looked around. He snapped his fingers and the men and women with him started to help with what was left. Mainly blood and innards, but they were better equipped to deal with it.

Col smiled wolfishly. "I see you've claimed her."

Austin tensed instinctively. Emery stepped in the middle of it before things got worse than they already were. "Col, with all due respect, we just got out of a battle and we don't need another. Please leave the woman alone."

"What are you going to do about Jacq?" Lin asked.

Austin rubbed his face with both hands then sank down on the coffee table that was miraculously intact. "I don't know. I know he's the one who ousted us but I can't do anything without the okay from our higher ups. Aiden's gone into labor and Clint's not available."

"Then go to a different source," Col suggested.

"We're still waiting on that," Emery replied. "It takes Mikey a little bit of time to get things done. Not everyone fully trusts us."

"Are you going to get an execution order for all of them?" Lin asked.

Only three people could sign an execution order. With one of them out of commission, it came down to Mikey and the Hunter's Association. Everyone was linked to the Association to help govern people to keep the humans safe.

An order was issued depending on the violating party. Any member of the Silver Court had to be issued by Aiden, the Golden Court had Mikey hand out theirs, and the Hunter's Association took care of the rest. Execution orders were only used in dire times, or if the governing body felt the person was a danger to others.

"I don't know. I want one, but if it doesn't come down the line, I won't have a choice."

Lin smiled. "All right. You'll have access to my people."

Austin smiled tentatively. "Thanks."

They fell into a weird silence as some people milled about and some finished cleaning up. Paycen worked slowly and steadily, the effects evident on his face as sweat rolled down his face.

Austin sat quietly as his thoughts overcame him. His fingers rubbed gentle circles in Bryony's hair. He was plotting how to get back at people, but mostly he needed to get to New Orleans. He had many things to do, but without permission he was at a standstill.

Emery rubbed his hands together then snapped them. . "Aussie." Everyone looked at him. "Mikey's given the okay. He says do what you have to do."

Austin stood. "Carter, get Bryony to New Orleans. Tell them I said I'll explain everything when I get there. Paycen, you're with me."

"The rest of us go without saying," Petey said.

"Lysander, Alex, and Deca will go with you," Col said. Austin nodded. "All right. We'll talk to you once everything is done."

The group split up to take care of business. Austin watched as Carter disappeared with Bryony. She looked tiny compared to Carter, and the man wasn't even the largest on their team.

This was for her and he wouldn't let anyone stop him. They had attacked her, and Austin was going to make sure no one messed with her again. If they did, they'd realize who she belonged to.