Mist smiled and the expression would have frightened Katy if she didn’t know the other woman was on her side.
As one, they turned to face the far end of the hallway, clearly hearing something Katy could not.
“Get behind me and stay there,” Mist ordered.
Katy wasn’t going to argue. She had no idea what was going on and was still trying to process the fact that Ryker knew who she was. All this time, he knew, and Katy wasn’t sure whether she should be relieved or furious with him for stringing her along. But she’d been lying to him, too. If he knew, why didn’t he speak to her earlier? Why not confront her with the truth? What was he trying to achieve? Surely seducing the twin sister of the woman he’d already agreed to marry hadn’t been part of his plan.
Before she could put any kind of logical thought process together, four strangers sauntered around the corner, walked confidently and with purpose toward them.
“You are not welcome here.” Fury did not yell or seem to be surprised. He didn’t raise his voice at all. Did he know these people?
The tallest one, clearly the leader of the group, responded with a grin. “An oversight, I’m sure. Your king would not introduce the first contract breeder without inviting the other clans.”
Contract breeder? What the hell was that supposed to mean? Katy stiffened. She knew an insult when she heard one.
Mist actually growled, the sound making Katy tense. And maybe just a little scared. “You’re an ass, Erik. Take your Guardians and get out.”
The man in the center had hair so blond it appeared white. His suit looked expensive, and he was far too handsome. But then, so were the three men surrounding him. They looked like Nordic myths, fairies or elves or something she might see in a fantasy movie. No one had that coloring in real life. Compared to Mist and Fury’s dark hair and eyes, they looked like aliens.
Erik, the leader, ignored both Mist and Fury and looked straight at Katy. “Ms. Toure, I presume.”
Mist swung her blades in a threatening arc. “Do not come any closer.”
Erik tsked at her. “That won’t be necessary.” He looked back over his shoulder. “Gentlemen?”
The two closest to Erik stepped forward and raised what looked like a cross between a harpoon and a crossbow, took aim, and fired. A net of floating silver shot from each of their weapons to cover and entangle Katy’s two protectors.
Mist screamed in pure feminine rage, not pain. Katy knew the difference. Mist wasn’t hurt, but she was really, really angry. Spitting mad. “How dare you use Elven magic against us! That is an act of war.”
Erik placed a hand on top of one of the crossbow-style weapons and pushed it down. The other man lowered his weapon as well, and Katy realized she’d been holding her breath in anticipation of being shot as well. Adrenaline raced through her system.
“Ms. Toure, you are in no danger from me. I give you my word.”
“Don’t listen to him. He’s an ass,” Fury ground out between frustrated struggles against the net holding him prisoner. The netting was so fine it looked like spiderwebs covered with fresh dew. It should have been easy for either Mist or Fury to break.
Both struggled. Katy lifted her head to the men who stood before her, her eyes wide. “What do you want?”
“Simply to speak with you. You will not be harmed.”
Katy looked at Fury, who growled, to Mist, who glared at Erik but clearly spoke to her. “Don’t be afraid. Ryker will kill him if he touches you.”
Erik chuckled at Mist’s words. “He is welcome to try.” He turned his gaze from Mist back to Katy. “However, that will not be necessary. Ms. Toure, please, I assure you, I simply need to discuss your recent bargain. You will not be harmed.”
He looked at Mist and raised a brow as if chastising a small child. “And this would not have been necessary had your king been reasonable regarding my request to meet the lady.”
“She is no concern of yours.” Fury pressed so hard against the net Katy could see blood welling up on his cheeks in a pattern that matched the net’s. The fine thread was literally cutting through his flesh.
Katy tried not to show them how much she was afraid and hid her trembling hands behind her back, her shoulders straight. With both Mist and Fury out of commission, she didn’t have much choice. She was no match for four huge blond men, each at least a head taller than she and probably twice her weight. She could try to run, but she hadn’t taken running seriously since middle school when she would run from boys shoving worms in her face.
“You won’t hurt them?” she asked.
“Mist and Fury will remain unharmed. Please.” Erik held out his hand, and Katy stepped forward but kept her hands behind her.
“I am perfectly capable of walking. Don’t touch me,” she said in her most regal, you-can’t-scare-me voice, walking sedately as if she were out for a casual stroll around the gardens. She may not be a real queen, but she could pretend for a few minutes.
“As you wish. Follow me please.” Erik turned on his heel and walked back the way they had come. Behind her, Mist shouted Erik's name as Fury bellowed in rage. The three Guardians with Erik fell in around her like a circle of protection. Erik walked for a few minutes then turned and walked down a stone stairway to what felt like private tunnels or underground passages. Katy had no idea as she had never explored this part of Ryker’s estate.
She’d been too busy in Ryker’s bed to look around.