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Walking around the picturesque village of Chrissó was a nice way to spend the afternoon. The narrow cobblestone streets lined with neoclassical architecture provided a romantic setting. Today, he actually felt like just a normal couple, a normal couple out sightseeing. He’d shucked off the role of Protector for a few hours to be a boyfriend. They held hands, talked, laughed. It had been a relaxing day.
The rest of the team was somewhere around the city, but he didn’t care. He was enjoying it just being the two of them. They strolled to the village square to grab coffee at a little café they passed earlier.
Willow had removed her shades and leaned back in her chair to soak up the sun. He enjoyed watching her live life without the weight of Killian on her shoulders.
“It’s so beautiful here.” She sighed and looked over at him. Before he could respond, the waitress delivered their cappuccinos.
“I think you’re very beautiful.” It may have sounded cheesy and she’d probably tell him so, but he meant it with his whole heart.
She gave him a radiant smile before she leaned across the table and kissed him.
It was the perfect day he mused right before his eyes landed on a familiar face. He blinked twice, hoping his eyes were deceiving him, but no, there she was in the flesh. Katana. They hadn’t even gotten to enjoy their coffee. His head whipped around the square and he saw some of her punks coming in from the other side.
‘WE’RE IN TROUBLE. GET YOUR ASSES HERE NOW. WE’RE IN THE VILLAGE SQUARE. KATANA’S HERE.’ He sent the message telepathically to the group. The square was packed with locals, tourists, families, but he knew Katana didn’t care. They were all collateral damage to her. He took one last look at Willow’s serene face and wished they had more time, wished she had more time to enjoy what had been a perfect day. “Get under the table.”
The minute the words were out of his mouth she froze, the coffee mug poised at her lips. Her eyes registered her panic. She did her best to control her fear but her hand shook when she returned the cup back to the saucer, sloshing some of the hot liquid onto the table. “What’s wrong?” Her eyes darted around the square trying to locate the threat. It only took seconds for her eyes to find Katana.
When she looked back at him he remained calm. “The team will be here in a matter of seconds...” Right after he said the words Phaedra and Max appeared in the open seats at the table.
So much for keeping a low profile and trying to keep our magic under wraps.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a few of the startled onlookers gawking at their newly arrived tablemates.
“Where is she?” Phaedra asked while scanning the crowd.
“Your three o’clock. I’m pretty sure she knows we’ve spotted her. Where are the others?”
“They should be searching the perimeter.” Her eyes found Katana as she answered Eli’s question.
“Get under the table, Willow.”
“But, I can help.” She pleaded.
Now was not the time for this. She needed to listen to him. “Remember what I said about others not learning about your fae ability right now?” He reminded her, hoping she would listen.
The defiant look didn’t leave her face, but she gave him a silent nod and reluctantly slipped underneath the table.
“Do your best to save any innocents. I wouldn’t put it past her to use any of these people as shields or ways to distract us. I’m going to stay here.” He peeked beneath the table. “Did you bring your dagger with you?” She slipped it from her purse. “Have it ready, just in case.”
When he sat back up Phaedra looked at him. “It would be much safer if you teleported Willow back to the villa. You can’t teleport within the walls, but you should be able to appear on the front lawn. Take her and go and we’ll meet up with you once we deal with them.”
Max nodded in agreement.
“Okay. Be safe.” He reached beneath the table. “Give me your hand.” Willow put her hand in his and they disappeared. When they reappeared they stood at the end of the driveway leading to the villa. Arsenio’s car skidded to a halt mere inches from hitting them. Eli wrapped his body around Willow and put himself between her and the vehicle.
“We nearly killed you.” Arsenio pulled his huge frame from the passenger seat. “What’s happened? Why didn’t you come back with the car and driver?”
He uncurled his body from around hers and looked at Arsenio. “The vampires showed up. They were ready to ambush us in the square. Phaedra and the others are still there, dealing with them.”
Arsenio’s face took on a menacing look. For once, his facial expression matched his intimidating stature. “I’ll grab others. We’ll provide back up for your friends. Get inside.” Arsenio moved with a speed he wasn’t aware the man was capable of and opened the door before he went back to the car, the whole time speaking Greek into his phone.
As they entered the front door he looked back over his shoulder at Arsenio’s car speeding down the road.
Inside, they didn’t stop until they reached the sanctity of the suite that had been assigned to them. After he shut the door, she collapsed onto the bed. “I wasn’t stupid enough to think that Killian didn’t know where to look for the book. I just thought we’d have time.” She said to her lap. “I could have fought, you know.” This time she looked at him when she said that statement.
“I know, babe.” He walked over and sunk to his knees before her, resting his arms on either side of her on the bed. “I know you’re more than capable.” He was in no way trying to patronize her or condescend to her. He sighed. “We try not to use our magic in front of humans unless we absolutely have to. There were a lot of humans out there today that would have witnessed our magic and it isn’t going to help at all if any of them get caught in the crossfire or worse.” He let what he said sink in.
Recognition crossed her face. “You’re referring to the anti-supernatural groups that Samson spoke about?”
“Yeah, and it doesn’t help that after what Ulrik told me last night, there may be an anti-hybrid group within the supernatural community that I have to worry about too.” He pushed up from his leaning position and cupped her face with both hands. “Babe, being part fae makes you a hybrid... and if anything ever happen to you because some idiot gets it in their head they don’t like that... I’m not sure what I’d do.”
She reached up and rubbed the back of his hand.
“When I ask you to stay out of the fight, I’m not trying to be a jerk. I know you can handle yourself. It’s just... I want you safe.” It was hard not to relive how close she’d come to death in his mind. He pressed his forehead against hers and shut his eyes.
“Okay.”
The fear in his gut unknotted itself, but it wasn’t completely gone. He knew Phaedra could more than take care of herself, but he worried about her and everyone else as well. They were his family.
For the next thirty minutes, they sat together on the couch in the living room, waiting for the rest of the Protectors to return. When the front door opened, they both stood up. Anxious looks marked their faces as they waited for people to enter the room. The first one inside was Mathilda. Willow ran to her and wrapped her in a hug. One by one, they each entered the living room. Once he’d seen each of their faces and that they were unharmed, he breathed a sigh of relief. They’d all made it back alive. Lysander, Hadrian, Arsenio, Ulrik and some of the witches from Hadrian’s coven he hadn’t met yet entered behind them.
“I don’t think we can wait another twenty-four hours before going to the ruins.” He addressed Hadrian.
“You’re right, but with the Pythian Games tomorrow everyone will be expecting Willow. If she’s not there it will draw suspicion. She must preside over the Opening Ceremony.”
Eli knew he was right, but it didn’t mean he liked it. Hadrian continued talking before he could process this information.
“The other problem becomes that the first day of games are scheduled to take place at the theatre and stadium which is near the ruins. The space will not be completely empty like it would have been if we waited until the games are over.” Hadrian shared a look with Lysander.
Eli was about to protest when Hadrian put his hands up. “I know we cannot wait. I only tell you this so you are aware of the dangers with so many eyes watching us. If Katana and her gang show up, they will have more people to harm in trying to take what they came for.”
There was never going to be an easy way to this. He was thankful he hadn’t deluded himself. Yes, they would have preferred for them to hold off, but five days at this point was impossible. Katana would surely have the book by then. They couldn’t wait. “What do we need to do to be ready to search the Temple once she finishes her duties at the games?” He asked Hadrian, but his gaze swung to Lysander to gauge his reaction to all of this. Lysander’s face was a blank mask.
Hadrian let out a sigh, that reminded Eli how old he was despite his appearance. “I will make the preparations.” He left the room with Lysander, Arsenio and the other members of his coven on his heels.
Ulrik approached. “I’m sorry to hear about what happened, but very glad all of you are okay. If I’m not intruding, I’d like to accompany you tomorrow, to be of service if needed, my friend.”
Their talk last night killed most of his suspicions about Ulrik’s intents and motives and right now they could use all the help they could get. He’d only seen a few vampires with Katana in the square, but that didn’t mean there weren’t more. “We’d be glad to have you.”
Ulrik smiled at him and patted him on the shoulder.
“You heard the man, everyone. We first have to get through the Opening Ceremony and then we’ll slip away to head to the Temple. Get some rest. We have an early start and I’m sure it’s going to be a long day tomorrow. We’ll need to be on guard from any more attacks from Katana.” He pulled Phaedra aside for a quick powwow. “What happened in the square?”
“Nothing really. We fought, no casualties on either side. Once Arsenio and his people showed up, she retreated. Ulrik and Arsenio split up the humans afterwards and Ulrik used his powers of persuasion to make them forget and Arsenio cast a spell over the rest to erase their memory of what they saw.”
“Glad you’re okay.”
“You expected a different outcome?” She scowled at him, which made a small smile appear.
“Nope. Knew I’d see you back here.”
He watched her walk away. Max grabbed her hand and they headed off to their bungalow. Eli checked on Morgana, Mathilda and Zoriana before he allowed himself to seek out Willow. He found her in the bedroom. She lay on her stomach facing away from him. Before he could say anything, she spoke.
“I don’t want anyone getting hurt because of me.” The sound was kind of muffled because her face was half buried in her pillow.
He came closer. “What?”
She sat up and faced him, still clutching the pillow she’d just been laying on. “I don’t want anyone getting hurt because of me.” She looked at her lap with a forlorn expression. He sat on the bed next to her.
“Each of us is prepared to die for you if that’s what it takes. It’s what we signed up for.”
“Why would you sign up to risk your life for some stranger?” Her fingers plucked at the feathers fighting their way out of the goose down pillow in her arms.
“Willow, you’re not a stranger.” He pulled her into his arms.
“I was when you started out.” When her eyes searched his face looking for an answer for why he’d risk everything for a woman he didn’t know, his heart went out to her. After her mother’s death, there had been no one in her life that cared for her on that level. The idea that someone would willingly put their life on the line for someone else’s was hard for her to accept.
“You could ask the same of Secret Service agents that put their life on the line for people like the President on a daily basis. It’s part of the job.” He lifted her chin so she was looking at him. “But you’re more than a job to any of us. I hope you know that.”
She didn’t say anything. Tears spiked her lashes. He knew it weighed heavily on her shoulders, the thought that one of their lives could be taken so hers would be spared. It was a weighty responsibility and it spoke a lot about her character that she didn’t take it lightly. He wanted to comfort her, and tell her she didn’t need to feel that way, but doing so would be asking her to change who she was and he wouldn’t do that. It made him fall in love with her even more. He kissed her brow. “Let’s get some sleep. We have a long day ahead of us.”
When she crawled beneath the covers he hoped the dark thoughts that plagued her wouldn’t turn into nightmares. He pulled her close; glad she didn’t resist him. The idealistic hope that tomorrow would pass without an incident was a fleeting thought. He knew better. Something was surely not going to go according to plan his gut told him.