“Take Gerrod again this time.” Margetta’s voice had a special ring of authority, something he knew to be manufactured. She used her voice to control her subjects.
“Yes, Mistress.” All three vampires responded in unison.
One of the powerful male vampires, just shy of mastyr status, headed in Gerrod’s direction. He moved slowly and bore bruises up and down his legs and across his abdomen.
Stone smiled. The ruling mastyrs had fought back and apparently Margetta didn’t do anything to protect her minions. Typical.
Gerrod’s head hung down and it seemed to Stone that though he appeared unconscious, his thigh muscles flexed.
Stone needed more information about the shield. Aralynn, Can I cross the space and still be invisible?
Let me explore this new creation of mine. He knew she’d focused her thoughts inward. After a moment, she released his wrist. Yes. Absolutely. It won’t dissipate until I want it to. The distances within the cavern are not an issue. Though I have the sense any farther and the lack of close proximity would become a problem. So what’s the plan? I’d like to have a sense of where you might need me.
I’ll go to Gerrod first, Stone said. I think I can help him in a way that will appear as though he’s the one battling the vampire when the captor draws close.
Got it. I’m going to rise to the ceiling and remain above you, out of the way but ready. Just call me into action at will.
Good. He glanced at her. He could see her easily, though a soft violet mist surrounded them both.
As the vampires drew close to Gerrod, his fists raised protectively, Stone sped in Gerrod’s direction. He opened a path to the heavily muscled ruling vampire of Merhaine Realm. Gerrod, keep your eyes down. Try not to look surprised.
Stone? Is that you?
Yes. Stone saw how careful Gerrod was being. But then control was this mastyr’s forte. Take a moment and let both Quinlan and Ethan know that I’m here. The wolf, Aralynn, is helping me to sustain this level of invisibility.
Gerrod’s even, formal cadence entered his mind. Margetta is here, Stone. This is a trap. You should escape while you can.
Not gonna happen. Not on my watch. Let the other men know that a rescue is at hand, then return to path with me.
If that’s what you want.
It is. He waited until he saw that Ethan’s shoulders tensed and Quinlan eyes shifted slightly to the side as Gerrod pathed with the two mastyrs. But other than these reactions, Stone doubted anyone watching, including Margetta, would have a clue what was going on.
Seeing that one of the Invictus wraiths now pulled a hot branding iron from the coals, and the male vampires advanced on Gerrod, Stone pathed. When the wraith gets close, I’m going to engage. Use your feet to hold off the vampires as I see you’ve been doing. I have to make this look like you’re the only one battling.
Understood.
The deep bruising on Gerrod’s sides told Stone the mastyr probably had broken ribs.
As the smiling, evil wraith descended toward her prey, Gerrod’s deep voice sounded through Stone’s mind. Ready when you are. Let’s take these bastards down.
Stone levitated swiftly and positioned himself next to Gerrod.
He let the mastyr feel the pressure of his hand on his shoulder. The advancing vampire held his body low to catch Gerrod’s legs if he started to kick. The wraith with the iron moved around her mate’s shoulder. Lift your leg to kick at her.
The moment Gerrod grunted heavily and swung the lower half of his body in the wraith’s direction, Stone launched at the wraith, caught her on her stomach and flew her backward to land on the hard cave floor. The branding iron clattered away. The other wraiths shrieked.
The vampire minion caught one of Gerrod’s legs. Stone grabbed the vampire’s wrist and twisted hard. The bone cracked. The vampire fell sideways screaming in pain.
“The rest of you punish Mastyr Gerrod.” Margetta’s voice filled the space, but her words told Stone his ruse had worked. She didn’t know he was there.
Stone watched as the two remaining vampires moved in from either side. He shifted pathing frequencies. Aralynn, can you get the manacle keys and release the others while Gerrod and I engage the two vampires?
Will do.
From high in the ceiling, he felt her move toward the rack to the left of the mastyrs that held the keys.
Stone once more took up his place next to Gerrod. I’m beside you again. Aralynn is going to release the other two while we’re engaged. So, I need you to battle viciously and make a lot of noise. Can you do that?