Chapter Fifteen

It took us over an hour to reached Marcelino’s building and, once again, I was cringing in the elevator, hoping it wouldn’t fall. Rodney placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder, but it really didn’t help. At least this time when it stopped and we exited the elevator, I didn’t have to lean against the wall to get my nerves under control. I heard whispering between Rodney and Jacoby before laughing and figured they were thinking along the same lines I had when I first came here.

We didn’t bother to knock when we reached the doors, just threw them open and entered the large, circular room. The room was once again filled with the wealthy appearing Shifters, though this time there were a few female humans among them. My eyes darkened, it didn’t take a genius to know they were here for Ryker’s challenge, though the man and Laborc were oddly absent. Did we beat them here? I hoped so. I didn’t want it to have already ended and that was why I couldn’t feel Laborc through our link. Before I could dwell on it, the doors to the chambers were thrust open and my world crumbled.

Ryker dragged Laborc into his father’s throne, unaware of the three visitors. Huffing slightly, he tossed Laborc’s body to the ground just inside the doors.

“Father, I’ve brought Laborc for the Challenge of Succession.”

Ryker turned around at a feminine voice yelling; “Get away from him.”

A small, white tiger launched itself at him. When it reached him it raked a very sharp claw across his chest, causing him to leap away from Laborc in challenge of the threat. Bringing a hand up to his chest and feeling the blood flowing down from five claw marks, rage filled Ryker. He raised his head to stare at the tiger now kneeling beside Laborc. It didn’t even register in his enraged mind that the tiger was female when it Shifted to human form.

Ryker charged at her when she gently lifted Laborc’s unconscious form off the ground and against her chest as she said: “It’s ok, Laborc. I have you now.”

Fury filled Jacoby when Ryker charged at Lynn’s back. Shifting, Jacoby was between the two in an instant and wrapping his right claw around Ryker’s throat, before lifting him off the ground.

“How dare you try to attack my sister…let alone in front of me.”

Jacoby heard Marcelino rising from his chair, but didn’t care. Ryker would be lucky if he didn’t decide to kill him right here and now for what he had tried to do to Lynn as well as for what he had done to Laborc. Tightening his paw about Ryker’s throat, Jacoby continued to effortlessly hold the man two feet off the ground. Rodney was correct when he stated these panthers were nothing compared to them.

“Laborc is mated to my twin sister,” Jacoby snarled in Ryker’s face as the man started turning blue. “Thus making him the Patriarch of the Eastern Community as much as I myself am.”

Jacoby turned slightly so he could stare down Marcelino who was now nearly upon him. “Your mate and sons have injured Laborc possibly irrevocable. And as such my retribution over your harming my brother will not be painless or swift. I will give you until tomorrow to come up with and plead your case before me. If I do not like what I hear, I will kill your family if not do more than that. Your sons and mate better be present as well.”

Releasing Ryker finally, Jacoby leaned down to sneer at Marcelino. “Don’t worry, my Communities guards are already here and awaiting my order to attack.”

Jacoby turned then and stated walking towards Lynn and Rodney, who were trying to carry Laborc without harming him worse. After a couple steps, Jacoby turned back to Marcelino. “If Laborc dies from what they did to him, there is no where they or you can hide from my wrath.” Without another word, he finished the short distance between him and Lynn. Shifting, he took the burden of Laborc’s weight off Lynn and carried him out of the chambers with Rodney.

I lay beside Laborc on the bed in our room quietly. I remained in my tiger form as a precaution, since whatever Ryker had been forcing on Laborc was starting to wear off and though he was unconscious, Laborc had started thrashing around violently. At least his wounds weren’t as severe as I first thought; I just hoped he would awaken shortly and realize he was no longer in Ryker’s hands.

Laborc needed to awaken before the morning as well; I had a feeling his family was still going to try forcing the challenge between him and Ryker. I shifted further back across the bed when Laborc started trashing again. I felt so bad for the guy, he had already thrown up several buckets full of nasty green liquid and I didn’t think he was finished yet. When he calmed, I curled back up to his side, offering him comfort the best way I could.

Rodney and Jacoby were out in the den making plans, but I just couldn’t bring myself to leave Laborc’s side and join them. When Amara and her guards had captured and beat the hell out of Laborc, I had laid by his side like now and when he awoke, he had thanked me for keeping the darkness at bay. I desperately wanted to do that again and spent most of my time lying beside him.

I raised my head at a knock on the door and watched Jacoby enter the room followed shortly by a little old lady. Rising to a sitting position, I watched the lady shuffle over to Laborc’s side of the bed, as Jacoby walked over to mine.

“Lynn, this is Laborc’s grandmother, Allison.” He gave the little old lady a stern look. “She’s not supposed to be up and moving yet, but it seems she is where Laborc gets his stubborn streak from.”

I smiled at his tone and look. Jacoby always disliked people who didn’t do as he wanted. Turning my gaze away from him, I stared over at Allison. She appeared small and frail, but it was clear underneath it all, she was still a strong and powerful woman despite her illness. After she had kissed Laborc’s forehead, her gaze rose to mine. Allison smiled brightly at me, before leaning across the bed and squeezing my left hand.

“It is good to finally meet you, my dear. My grandson had spoken so highly of you while he was taking care of me.” Her smile waned as she turned back to Laborc. Sighing deeply, she stated: “I had never believed Ryker would ever stoop so low.” She shook her head as she reached down and moved the dark bangs away from Laborc’s eyes.

After a moment, Allison nodded and turned back to me. “It’s time I repay the favor and help him now. As soon as you shoo your brother away, we can get to work on Laborc.”

I laughed as Jacoby’s stern look grew. Yes, I could see myself liking this woman quite easily. Turning, I looked slyly up at Jacoby, who began scowling down at me. After a few moments, he shook his head before turning and leaving the room. It was quite clear he was unhappy, but I still didn’t care. I knew he or Rodney would be right outside in case Allison tried anything and I also knew it wasn’t needed. Grandmother Allison only had love and sadness wafting from her; she wouldn’t do anything to harm Laborc or me. I smiled at her again as I rose to my feet and began helping her with Laborc.