"Based on what we've seen from Dragos already, we have to assume the mine has some kind of selfdestruct mechanism in place. If we can't find the nerve center of the lair, we're going to have to detonate the place ourselves."
Brock grunted. "Which is why I'm packing enough C-4 to blow a meteor-size crater into the side of that mountain. Gotta tell you, I'll be glad to unload this shit."
Tegan gave him a wry nod, then set about giving instructions for the raid on the mine. The warriors had already discussed the plan of attack in Boston; now it was just a matter of carrying out the mission.
"Too bad Andreas Reichen isn't here to add some fire to this party," Chase added, referring to the most recent addition to the Order's ranks, the former Darkhaven leader from Germany. "Little bit of pyrokinesis would go a long way tonight."
"Yeah, it would," Tegan replied. "But his talent is still too raw. Until he gets it under control, we're better to keep him working diplomatic relations for the Order."
"Diplomatic relations." Brock chuckled, a deep, amused rumble in his chest. "God knows not a one of us standing here now is suited for that kind of work."
"Damn straight," Tegan agreed, smiling with cold menace. "So, let's stop the yammering and go kick some ass."
As the group broke and prepared to move out, Brock lagged behind the others and gave Kade a questioning look. "What's going on with you? I've gone on too many patrols with you not to notice that you've got something heavy weighing on your mind, my man."
"Nah." Kade shook his head. "It's nothing. I'm good. Let's roll." Brock's dark eyes narrowed. He took a sideways step and blocked Kade's path, keeping his voice too low for the others to hear. "Now, see, that's the kind of lame-ass thing you say to someone who hasn't watched your back as often as you've watched theirs. So, let me ask it again. What the f**k happened since you got here?"
Kade stared at his comrade and friend--the warrior who was as close as a brother to him. Closer, even, than his own identical twin. The twin Kade no longer knew, and had lost as his kin a long time ago. It shamed him to think of Seth now, let alone try to explain what he'd discovered about him in the time that he'd been back in Alaska.
He would have to tell the Order all of it at some point--he knew that. He would have to tell Alex about Seth eventually, as well. But there were other things weighing just as heavily on him, not the least of which being the fact that in the midst of all the madness and strife since he'd left Boston, he had somehow dropped his guard and let himself fall in love.
"The woman," he said lamely. "Alexandra Maguire ..."
"You mean the Breedmate," Brock corrected, having no doubt heard something about her from one of Kade's calls into the compound. "Did something happen to the female?"
"Yeah, you could say that." Kade exhaled a short breath, wry and hedging. "Alex has become important to me. Really important."
As Brock stared at him, the other warriors were getting on their sleds and juicing up their engines. The roar of machinery rumbled all around them, everyone waiting to get moving. Brock gaped a minute longer, then let out a whoop of laughter. "Naah! Oh, hell no. Not you, too?" Kade grinned, gave him a helpless shrug. "I love her, man. And she says she loves me, believe it or not."
"Un-fucking-believable," Brock said, still chuckling and shaking his head. "This is becoming a goddamn epidemic lately."
"Then you'd better watch your step, too."
"Shit," he replied, letting the word hiss out of him on a slow exhalation. "Now who am I going to hang with after patrols--Harvard? Thanks a lot, man. I'll bet Hunter over there would be a barrel of laughs, too."
From across the way, Tegan tipped up the visor on his helmet and shot them a summoning look.
"Let's do this."
Brock waved his acknowledgment, then turned back to Kade. "Ball-busting aside, man, I look forward to meeting your woman. But first, let's go kick some Dragos ass." Kade chuckled as he walked over to his snowmachine and prepared to ride out with his brethren, but his light mood was mostly a mask for the unpleasant reality that was settling heavier and heavier on his shoulders. Because assuming he survived the raid on the mine tonight, he would have the unpleasant task of dealing with Seth soon afterward.
He meant to start a life together with Alex, if she would have him, but he couldn't do that without taking care of the business he should have addressed before he ever left Alaska in the first place. Seth was sliding toward Bloodlust, if he wasn't there already. His madness had to be stopped. And Kade was the only one who could do it.
Chapter Twenty-three
Kade had only been gone a couple of hours, but the waiting was driving Alex crazy. Sleep was out of the question, even though she hadn't been getting much of it lately. She had already fed Luna breakfast and taken a shower, and if she walked around her tiny house looking for one more thing to dust or scrub or straighten, she was going to scream.
Maybe she could invite Jenna over.
Better yet, maybe she could go to her house instead. God knew, she could use the distraction of some company while her heart was caught in a vise, waiting for word from Kade, letting her know that he was all right.
Ordinarily, she might have just hopped on her snowmachine and rode over unannounced, but this was the one time of the year that Jenna appreciated her privacy--demanded it, even. The November anniversary of Mitch and Libby's deaths had always been a struggle for her friend, and it hurt Alex to think that Jenna preferred to suffer it out alone rather than lean on her for support during the difficult time. It also bothered Alex that she hadn't heard a word from Jenna since she had seen her last. Going more than a day or two without at least a phone call or quick drop-in was unusual for Jenna, no matter what time of the year it was.