He’d only left her because Olivia had laid down the law that the spa evening was a female-only event and he wasn’t invited. It was a good thing my mate was fast, because his glare could have slain a dozen Sons in that moment. He took his duties seriously.
“Your mother said they’d be awake within a few hours.” I studied the faces of the sleeping Hunters. In a few hours we would either be planning our trip home, or in the battle of our lives against the strongest vampires on the planet.
“Lyric’s blood worked, then?” Avianna asked.
“We won’t know for certain until they wake up, but it looks like it,” Benedict answered. “I’m not sure you should be down here, Avi. There’s no telling what these guys will be like once they awaken. You, too, Katya.”
Katya scoffed. “But Olivia would be safe?”
Benedict opened his mouth but caught on to my subtle head shake and clamped his lips shut.
“Of course not,” I rushed. “None of us want any females present when they come to, but Benedict knows my first instinct would be to protect Olivia, even though my job title should put Avianna first on that list.”
Olivia shot me a grateful look. “The princess’s life comes first at all times,” she said to her sister.
“Of course!” Katya beamed a smile at Avianna. “I still can’t believe you came all the way here.”
Pink crept up Avi’s cheeks. “Of course, I did. I’d do anything for our people.”
“Speaking of anything for our people,” Katya said with a sly smile. “I’ve seen the way a few nobles have been looking at you. Have you considered stripping off those gloves—”
Avianna stiffened.
“So, it’s a good thing you guys flew the jet over,” I interrupted. “I just realized what a pain in the ass it would have been to fly these hulking giants back commercial.”
“Right?” Olivia added, gently tugging Avi with her as she stepped closer to me. “Could you imagine trying to explain getting through security to them?”
We all let out a good laugh.
“So are we just going to hang here until they wake up?” Benedict asked.
“That’s the plan,” Hawke answered, his gaze flickering toward Avianna. “I’ll be with you, of course.”
“I hardly think that’s necessary.” Olivia’s gaze whipped toward Hawke and her eyes narrowed.
“Ransom already told me how…well trained the Sorokin guards are.” Hawke arched an eyebrow. “But I’m her personal guard for this little forced field trip, so forgive me if I don’t trust anyone other than the royal household to protect her, my lady.” His smile was a step past sarcastic.
The sound of a radio call echoed in the cavern, and a second later, one of the Sorokin guards appeared in the doorway. His gaze flickered between Hawke and Benedict before settling on me.
“There’s a call for you upstairs,” he said. “It’s the king.”
Alek was calling the Sorokin house instead of our cells directly?
“You’re sure it’s the king?” I asked, sliding my cell phone from my back pocket as Benedict and Hawke did the same. There were no missed calls. There were no service bars, either.
The guard nodded and adjusted the rifle on his shoulder. “That’s what Lawrence, the duke’s talem just relayed.”
“Shit, I’ve got nothing,” I muttered. “You guys?”
“Zero service.” Hawke swore under his breath.
“He’s telling the truth,” Benedict added, nodding toward the Sorokin guard.
The guard had the balls to look insulted.
“Which one of us does he need?” I asked. Someone needed to stay here with the Hunters, and getting Hawke away from Avianna would require Alek himself to show up.
“All of you,” the guard stated. “Lawrence mentioned another attack.”
My stomach hit the floor and my blood boiled. How much shit could possibly go down while we’d been sent out of town on this mission?
“Damn it,” Benedict growled.
Hawke tensed up.
“He’s waiting,” the guard urged, shifting his weight.
“Wouldn’t be the first time he’s had to wait on us,” Hawke muttered.
“Look, we’ll be fine down here with the guards,” Olivia said to me, then glanced at Hawke. “There are three of them out there. Go. We’ll wait with the Hunters in case they awaken.”
“Honestly, they’d probably be more soothed by a sniff at me than any of you,” Avi teased.
“She’s right,” I told Hawke, whose jaw was locked tight. “There’s no mistaking royal blood.”
“Fine. Let’s go.” He stormed out of the crypt, pushing his way past the Sorokin guard without so much as an apology.
“We’ll be right back,” Benedict said to Avi and Katya as the females walked us out.
I pulled Olivia in for a kiss that was nowhere near long enough, deep enough, hard enough, any of it, but it would have to do. “Don’t get into any trouble while I’m gone.”
“Ha. Ha.” She rolled her eyes.
“I’ll fill you in once we’re back,” I promised in a whisper, nipping at her earlobe.
“You’d better.” She shoved at my chest, a playful smile lifting her perfect lips.