Captivating The Bear

Chapter 5

“You’re leaving us?” It was Finglas who finally broke the silence.

Ged looked around the hotel room at the faces of his friends. He had known this wouldn’t be easy, but the depth of the shock and hurt on their faces stunned him. It also caused an answering tug of pain deep in his own chest. For ten years, this group of people had been his family. Now he was facing the prospect of severing his ties with them. For a long time he had believed that nothing could match the misery of leaving Callistoya. Turned out he was wrong. It also turned out he wasn’t that great at the whole “not doing emotions” thing.

Powering through the tightening in his throat, he forced himself to continue. “Guys, this is something I have to do.”

“Why?” Sarange had tears in her eyes as she placed a hand on his arm. “Explain it to us, Ged, so we know how to help you.”

Ged glanced at the clock, judging Lidi would be finishing up in the shower and joining them soon. Khan and Diablo had followed him up to Khan’s suite after they finished their grisly duty in the storage room, leaving Rick to dispose of the bodies of the intruders. Although Ged knew Lidi would be keen to get going straightaway, Sarange was right. She was one of his best friends, and he owed her, and the others, an explanation. Could he finally tell them his story? It felt like the time had come at last.

“I am the rightful king of a land called Callistoya.” There. He’d said those words out loud at long last. And the rush of pride that came with them was all the confirmation he needed. Going back and fighting for his throne was the right thing to do. Getting past the obstacles was going to be a different matter. “It’s a unique place. Imagine a medieval enclave high in the mountains in the center of a Siberian wasteland. A land that time forgot. Except it doesn’t exist on any human map. It won’t show up on a satellite image. It’s only visible and accessible to shifters.”

Torque frowned. “I’m struggling with the concept of a monarchy. We’re shifters. That means we’re immortal.”

“Like you, I’m immortal and so were my ancestors,” Ged said. “But we’re not invincible. We can be killed by silver, fire or beheading. There are even some illnesses to which we don’t have immunity, and that can be fatal. The Callistoya of my childhood was an enchanting place. In recent times, it has become a troubled land, plagued by constant battles. My father reigned for many centuries before he was murdered. I believe my stepbrother, Vasily, was his killer. I was in the palace on the night of my father’s death, but I remember nothing of what happened. I woke up two days later, here in the mortal realm. I had been badly beaten and I believe a spell had also been cast on me.”

Diablo shook his head. “I can’t believe we never knew about this side of your life.”

“I kept it well hidden. For good reasons.” The memories crowded in on him, and Ged looked at the clock again. What was keeping Lidi? “Other people were killed as well as my father, including my fiancée. She was found strangled and stabbed. In my bed.”

“But you didn’t do it,” Hollie spoke without hesitation.

Ged smiled gratefully at her. “No, I didn’t do it. But ever since then, Vasily has used her death as part of a campaign against me.” He closed his eyes briefly, picturing Alyona’s face the last time he had seen her. She had been laughing, making plans for their wedding, teasing him about keeping her dress secret until their big day...no. Even after all this time, it was too raw, too painful. He couldn’t talk about that part of it. “I should have gone back immediately, raised an army, fought Vasily, sought justice for my father and for Alyona...but the grief and pain were too great. When I did make the attempt a few weeks later, I couldn’t physically cross the border. There was some sort of magical barrier in place. Now after meeting Lidi and hearing what has been happening there, I know I have a duty to go back and put things right. I have to find a way across that barrier.” He felt the tension in every part of his body. “I have to defeat Vasily.”

“So this isn’t forever?” The hopeful expression on Khan’s face caused the constriction in Ged’s chest to tighten further. These people were all his friends, but the bond between him and Khan...well, that had always been special.

“I can’t say how long I will be gone. It could be for some time.” He had to do this, no matter how much it hurt. “And I can’t promise it won’t be permanent.”

“I can see how important this is to you, and I don’t want to sound selfish, but what about Beast?” Torque asked.

And there it was. The all-important question. Ged had a duty to his country, but he also had a responsibility to the entity he had created. Because of him, Beast was one of the most popular rock bands on the planet. He had brought this group of incredibly talented people together. It was his vision and hard work that had taken them to the top and kept them there. Now he was telling them he was walking away. Could he do that? And if he did, what would it mean for Beast and for them as individuals?

He had an answer, but he hadn’t discussed it with anyone. Not even the person it affected most. And he didn’t have time for lengthy conversations...

“There is someone who has been at my right hand over the last year, someone who can take my place.”

Ged looked directly at Hollie as he spoke. Her introduction into their friendship group had been unconventional. An undercover FBI agent who had been investigating a series of arson attacks, she had fallen in love with Torque, a dragon shifter. Hollie’s commitment to the man she loved had been absolute, and she had taken his bite to become a dragon shifter herself. Now they had their twin dragon babies to complete their family. While theirs was hardly a classic love story, it was definitely one that proved the theory of opposites attracting.

During her time with the band, Hollie had become Ged’s unofficial assistant, to the point where he often wondered what he used to do without her. She was a fast learner, picking up every part of the job and anticipating his needs, often before he even knew them himself. He knew she enjoyed the work, but was she ready for this? And could she fit it into her new dragon-mom lifestyle?

The question was reflected back at him as Hollie returned his gaze. She was silent for long moments before she responded. “Do you think I can do it?”

“I know you can.”

Her laugh was shaky. “I don’t suppose I’ll be able to call or email you if there’s a problem?”

Ged shook his head. “Technology hasn’t reached Callistoya.” The clock was drawing his attention again. Lidi was taking a hell of a long time. He laughed. “Think letters written in longhand and delivered by a messenger on horseback.”

Hollie looked around the assembled group. “What do you say? There are two more concerts before Christmas. Will you give me a tryout as your Ged substitute until then?”

Torque slid his arm around her waist. “We’ll support you all the way. And I can take on more of the baby chores over the next few weeks.”

There were nods and murmurs of agreement. Khan came forward to give Hollie a high five and Dev wrapped her in a hug. Ged exhaled long and slow. That was part one over with. The next part was even harder. “Good. Because I have a plan that involves your help. I need you to be at the royal palace in Callistoya on Christmas Eve.”

Sarange raised her brows. “Is this a royal invitation?”

“Believe me, it is not going to be that grand. Or that easy.” He nodded in the direction of the children. Karina, Khan and Sarange’s toddler daughter, was playing with her toys on the rug while the babies slept in cribs nearby. “And those of you with kids should probably excuse yourselves from this one. Outsiders are not welcome in my homeland. The battle will be a bloody one.”

Sarange’s expression conveyed her werewolf stubbornness. “Your people have never encountered us.” She swept a hand around the room. “Two wolves, a tiger, a snow leopard, a panther and two dragons. You wanted an army? You’ve got one right here in this room. We don’t need to excuse ourselves. Our children are in no danger of being left without their parents...because Beast doesn’t fight to lose.”

Khan placed a hand on Ged’s shoulder. “She’s right. You’ve always been there for us.”

Torque nodded. “It’s our turn to repay you.”

“Thank you.” Ged managed to get the words out despite the choking sensation in his throat. He had a long journey ahead of him. He didn’t want to start it by breaking down in tears. “Now I really do need to find out what’s keeping Lidi.”

After a group hug that tested his emotions—the ones he’d sworn he didn’t have—to their limit, he left Khan’s suite and made his way along the corridor toward his own room. A feeling of disquiet assailed him when he saw there was no security guard outside the door. His instructions had been simple. The guy was to escort Lidi to Khan’s room. Surely nothing could have gone wrong with such a simple plan?

He almost laughed out loud. Rule one of shifter living: if something can go wrong, it will.

When he entered his own room, it was empty. The feeling of unease became a squirming worm of certainty gnawing at his gut. Something had gone wrong with his plan.

Luckily when he called Rick, the other man answered his call immediately. “Everything is under control. There is no trace of the intruders. The police are downstairs. They’re bemused, but—”

Ged cut across him. “Find the guy who was guarding my room half an hour ago.”

“Dave?” Rick sounded surprised. “He’s right here.”

“Ask him why he left his post without permission.” The impulse to smash something was becoming overwhelming. He could hear the murmur of voices as Rick relayed his message to the other guy.

“Boss?” Rick’s bewilderment was even more evident. “Dave says he stayed outside your room until Lidi came out. He offered to take her to Khan’s room, but she said she knew where it was. She refused to let him escort her.”

Ged muttered a curse as he swiped the screen to end the call. What the hell were you thinking of, Lidi?

But he already knew the answer. She had gone because he had told her he couldn’t help her. Now she was out there all alone, with no money, no transport and no one to turn to next time Vasily’s men caught up with her.

It was like déjà vu. In another time and place, he had failed the woman he was responsible for. Alyona had died and now Lidi was facing the same fate. Because I didn’t protect her.

Feelings of hopelessness and unworthiness crowded in on him, crushing his chest until he couldn’t breathe. He was immobilized by fear, his usual decisiveness deserting him. Gradually, he forced his limbs into action.

Do something.

He was the guy who rescued shifters from danger. Since Alyona’s death and his exile from Callistoya, it had been his way of giving something back. His personal mission. For Alyona and for his missing brother, Andrei. During the years of his exile, Ged had built up a worldwide network of contacts, shifter and human.

Focused now, he moved with increased purpose. If anyone could find Lidi, he could. All he had to do was get to her in time.

* * *

The prospect of retracing her steps across thousands of miles made Lidi’s heart sink, but she had no choice. At least she was able to slip out of the hotel without anyone noticing her. Although the lobby was swarming with police officers, they were too busy concentrating on the ruined furnishings and the traumatized employees to pay attention to anything else. The scene was chaotic and, even though Lidi couldn’t understand exactly what was being said, there was clearly some confusion around exactly what had taken place.

Once she stepped outside, she could barely move for the hordes of people. The elegant promenade had become a battleground as reporters and photographers vied for the best story and camera shot. Keeping her head down, Lidi pushed her way through, emerging close to the beach. Feeling slightly disoriented, she followed a route that led her away from the town toward the harbor. Anything to get past the crowds.

Cannes harbor was huge, with a range of vessels moored within its confining walls. Lidi guessed some of the larger, gleaming yachts must belong to the celebrities who were staying in the same hotel as Beast. With their helicopters and satellite systems, they resembled floating palaces. Nearby, the tiny, colorful fishing craft were dwarfed by them. She followed the line of the water’s edge before sitting on the harbor wall, planning her next move.

After a while, one boat drew her attention away from her thoughts. Long, low and colorful with loud pop music blaring from its decks, it didn’t fit in with either the billionaires’ yachts or the working vessels. Intrigued, Lidi got to her feet and moved closer so she could read the painted sign on its side. Although it was rough and ready, it had been translated into several languages, including English.

Party Boat! Cruise with Us from Cannes to Genoa.

The Mediterranean climate was mild, but the middle of winter seemed a strange time to offer cruise parties. Then again, what did she know about such things? If there was a cruise happening, it interested her for one important reason. The Italian port of Genoa was a long way from home, but if she could get there, she would be heading in the right direction.

Lidi studied the boat, considering her options for how to get on board and remain hidden for the duration of the journey. As she did, a man sprang down from the deck. Landing neatly on the quayside next to her, he gestured to the vessel with a grin.

“N’est-elle pas belle?”

Although she didn’t speak French, Lidi understood enough to know that he was inviting her to admire the boat.

“Beautiful,” she agreed, speaking English. It wasn’t necessarily the first word that occurred to her as she looked at the garish craft, but politeness prevented her from telling the truth.

“Ah, you are English? American?” He switched languages easily.

“Russian.” It was the language that was closest to her mother tongue and it was easier than trying to explain where she actually came from.

Since she was trying to figure out a way to stow away on the boat, she didn’t really want to get into a conversation. But it seemed the man had other ideas. It was impossible to judge his age. With skin that was tanned almost mahogany and dreadlocks tied back in a ponytail, he was dressed in jeans and a sweater that were both faded almost to the point of extinction.

“Ah. So, you say ‘preevyet.’ Yes?”

“Preevyet.” Lidi returned the greeting with a smile. Despite the urgency of her predicament, it was impossible not to like him. And by talking to him, she might be able to find out more about his journey. “Are you going to Genoa today?”

“Tonight. This is not usually the season, but it’s a private party.”

Having spoken to him, she felt bad about her plans to trick her way on board. Not bad enough to abandon the scheme, of course. Getting to Genoa would take a big chunk out of her journey. She decided on a risky strategy.

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