SENTINELS OF VARNUSE 1: When The Walls Come Tumbling Down # 26 (Last Episode)

# 26.

Josep was furious when he gotten word that Vayne was going his separate way. He hated losing anyone who he had under his car for so long. Especially when that someone was as important as Vayne. Josep watched as Lucas packed their supplies including anything medical, which they might need for the journey to the High City. Consort Brayden and the babes were doing well since the ordeal of the birthing day. He was currently secured away with his family until it was time to go.

“He’s going after Simian again, isn’t he?” Lucas didn’t look around as he worked, but Josep knew who he was talking to.

“Yes.” Josep said. “He should have waited until we could send people with him instead of going off half-cocked and unprepared.”

“Who’s Simian?” King Quinlan asked as he entered the room. Josep looked over and smiled when he saw the king was bouncing as if he had a child in his arms. They called it the new born dance. And if anything was sure the king and his consort would be doing it for a long time, seeing as they had two babes to contend with.

“Where’s your family? Don’t tell me you’re hiding from them already?” Josep joked not exactly ignoring the question about Simian, but Josep needed time to work out how to explain. For the most part Simian was a well-kept secret that only three of the children of Varnuse knew about.

Quinlan smiled, “They’re in the back bedroom with Thayer, Fane, and Javier getting reacquainted as a family.”

“That’s good, family is important.” Josep said absently.

**~*~**

Brayden still couldn’t believe ‘Uncle’ Fane was his father’s mate. And as much as his brother, Javier seemed to accept it, Brayden found he couldn’t be as forgiving. He had suffered years of isolation at the hands of this man—a man who was supposed to love him no matter what.

He sat and warily watched on as Fane fussed over his father. The best part was his father had finally woken up two days ago. Brayden couldn’t deny the love he saw between the two men, because it seemed to be exactly the same way he looked at Quinlan anytime they were within sight of each other.

He just didn’t like it. Not when his head was so easily thrown back into the past and all the pain he’d lived through.

“Brayden, come sit by me.” His father patted the side of the bed.

Brayden nodded and walked over and sat. His hand automatically going out to caress the top of his daughter’s head. Petra had been a surprise, but was no less loved than her brother Xavier. Both children lay on the bed between their grandfathers. Smiling, he realised his children were the future; he wondered what their lives would be like. And what Killian and Larkin would make of their new siblings. He smiled as he thought of Quin’s sons. Brayden wasn’t ashamed that he missed them both terribly. He only worried they’d be upset with him for being gone so long and for taking their daddy away.

“Son,” Brayden flinched as Fane reached for him.

“Don’t,” Brayden said as he brought his hand back into his lap.

“Brayden?” Brayden leaned into his brother’s embrace as Javier wrapped an arm around him. “He’s not the bad guy here.”

“Then who is. I saw Ormand where they had us locked up. More than once he told me Fane was a part of their sect.”

“That’s a lie.” Fane choked out. “I would never betray Thayer like that. I love my mate, and my children.”

His father reached out and clasped Brayden’s hand. “Please, for my sake can you try?”

“Okay, I’ll try. I can’t promise any more than that.” Brayden agreed.

“Thank you.” Fane said

Brayden looked up at the knock at the door. Andrej walked in and greeted them all. “I’ve done some research into the birth of females of the old ones. Sadly to say there hasn’t been any female births recorded in the history of the old ones.” Andrej stated apologetically. “I’m afraid we’ll be watching on with everyone else to see where her path lies in life.”

Brayden gazed down at his beautiful children. How would life turn out for an unknown entity? How many enemies would come at her? Luckily she had three older brothers who would look out for her He hoped her life would be a hell of a lot easier than his own had been. Brayden wanted to promise his children—all four of them—he’d be there for them always, but the past few months had proven this was one promise that could easily be broken.

**~*~**

Quinlan made his way back to the bedroom his family was all in. it was time to start getting them ready. Their belongings had already been gathered together, and now it was just a matter of getting his loved ones and making the journey home.

Leaning against the doorframe he watched at the heartbroken look on his husband’s face. “What is wrong my love?” He came and knelt on the floor beside him. Wanting to take away whatever hurt his husband might bear.

“I want to go home. I want to go and get Killian and Larkin and take our family home.” He whispered as he leaned into his Quinlan, Quinlan couldn’t help wrapping his arms around him in return. “Please Quin, can we go and get our boys?”

Quinlan kissed Brayden’s temple. “Of course, my love. The boys will be ecstatic to meet there new brother and sister.”

Quinlan turned toward the door and said to Josep who had followed. “I’m still waiting on an answer. You still haven’t explained who Simian is?”

Sighing, Josep rubbed his hands roughly over his face. “Simian is special. Simian is—actually even we—the children of Varnuse, aren’t quite sure what Simian is. He came to us five years ago when he was in his teens, he’s twenty three now. Simian disappeared six months ago. It has recently come to light Simian is also Vayne’s fated mate—Vayne hid it well.”

“And now he’s gone after this Simian, his mate?” Quinlan asked.

“Yes, Arron overheard Ormand tell Vayne he was the one who had gotten rid of Simian. He also heard Vayne threaten to kill Ormand.”

Quinlan growled at the madness of the whole thing. They should be banding together instead of breaking up into smaller groups. “Should we be worried?”

“Yes,” Thayer shuddered, “If he takes Ormand’s life, Tondran will seek vengeance. He may say he doesn’t care whether or not his son lives, but if Ormand dies then there’ll be hell to pay.”

“We need to get home,” Quinlan stated matter of factly. “We also need to send people to back up Vayne. But if they are going to bring the fight to us then I want it to be on our grounds where we have the best advantage.”

“You better send someone good at tracking. If they can find him…” Josep paused and appeared to be caught up in his own thoughts before he continued. “Vayne is a master of being unseen. If he wants to stay hidden there’s no hope in hell anyone we send will find him. No matter how hard they search. There’s only one person I can think of who might have a chance in tracking him down.”

“And just who is that?” Quinlan asked.

“Arron… Simian’s other mate. The only problem with that situation is Vayne and Arron rarely see eye to eye on anything.”

Lucas snorted. “More like they hate each other.”

“Exactly!” Josep agreed.

“So what do we do?” Quinlan asked.

“We wait. Arron will follow Vayne regardless of what anyone tells him. They’ll come back to us once they find Simian, or find his body.”

Quinlan stood up. “Then we go home.” He looked around the room at all his troupe who had seemed to gather in the bedroom with them. “We go home and prepare for any new old ones who will come to us for protection.”

“Why do you think they’ll come to us?” Lucas asked.

“Because, home is where the sentinels are. Home is where they’ll find their mates.”

**~*~**

Quinlan hated the way they’d left and hadn’t confronted Tondran for his part in all of this. He’d wanted to call all his sentinels in and wipe Tondran and his followers off the face of the world. They didn’t deserve to live after what they’d done to his husband and his family. Quinlan had finally gotten the Children of Varnuse to agree to make a hit on Tondran and his inner circle. But when they got back to the compound, it had been cleaned out. Not a single living soul was there to be found. The only thing they did find was Ormand’s body with the symbol for revenge carved into his chest. Quinlan shivered and wondered if it was Vayne or Arron who had done it, as both men had since disappeared without a trace.

“Do you think Vayne did this? Or Arron?” Quinlan asked as he tore down the drapes and tossed them atop the lifeless body.

Lucas shrugged, “If they did, then I hope they found out what they needed to know about Simian before they killed him.”

“I just hope they find Simian.” Josep added.

Standing Quinlan looked around the trashed room, “Where do you think Tondran has gone?”

“We stole back the old ones. My best guess is Tondran wants Brayden back, and will do anything to get him—Tondran doesn’t like to lose.” Quinlan watched as Lucas ran a hand through his hair then walked over to lean against Josep’s side. “I’d say he’s probably out recruiting more warriors to launch his attack on the High City.”

“Then I say we break camp and head home.” Quinlan thought it was a bit early to be travelling with his new born children, but he also needed to get home so that his other sons were also kept safe. Larkin and Killian would be worried about him having been gone so long, and whether or not he’d rescued Brayden.

“You seemed so far away,” Josep laid a gentle hand on Quinlan’s shoulder.

Quinlan smiled sadly, “I’m missing my sons, Killian and Larkin. They’ll have grown so much since I’ve been gone.”

“How old are they?” Lucas asked.

“Larkin is almost five-years-old and Killian is just about to turn three.”

Lucas smiled. “And by the look on your face I can tell that you are missing them a great deal.”

“To be honest before Brayden came back to me I didn’t have much interaction with my children at all—well not as much as I would’ve liked. Since Brayden and I married they’ve been with us every day,” Quinlan replied honestly.

“Then we should hurry and return home to our sons.” They turned at the sound of Brayden’s voice. “I’ve had enough of this damn compound to last me several lifetimes.”

“As have I, love.” Quinlan held out his hand and pulled Brayden to his side. “Let’s head home so our family can be whole.”

SENTINELS OF VARNUSE 1: When The Walls Come Tumbling Down #25

#25.

Tondran hated the fact his two prisoners had been spirited away from right under his nose. Which could only mean one thing. There was a traitor among the people who were meant to be loyal to him. This was not how he planned for things to go. He was determined to find out just who had helped the abominations escape, and once he found them he was going to make them pay—slowly.

“Father, does it even really matter if they are gone? They were never part of the plan anyway.” Ormand asked.

Tondran stared at the stupidity that was his son. “If he we want to control them all, we need to control each and every faction. If we let them escape it will give them all a hope that it may be possible for them t0 win. I don’t want that to happen. They will bow down before me as they were always meant to do. In the end the whole of Panthea will.”

“But why?” Ormand complained, “Can’t you just go to the High City and storm the castle or something. It’s not like they can win against us. Our might is to powerful.”

Tondran back-handed his son across the face, causing Ormand to cry out in surprise and pain. “We’ll take the castle when the time is right. Before I take my seat on the throne as high king I want to rule all the factions of the old ones. They’ll make me strong enough so that no one would ever think about coming up against me.”

“Yes, Father. I see your wisdom now.” Ormand wiped at the blood that trickled down his chin from his split lip.

“If you had done as commanded we’d already be in control of one faction, but you failed me in your duty.”

“Fane kept him away from me. How was I supposed to mate him if I couldn’t get near him?” Ormand demanded and stepped back as Tondran took a step closer.

“You should have found a way.”

“Even when I did get near him all he talked about was Quinlan. He never thought about being with anyone else—ever!”

“You should have forced your will onto him. His wants are of little consequence to mine.” Shaking his head Tondran once more took a menacing step towards his son. “That little cat and the Kitt it carries will be mine, or they’ll both be dead.”

“Yes, Father.”

Tondran shoved his son away from him. “Now get the hell out of my sight. Go and do something useful like tracking down the traitor who helped those two to escape.”

Ormand nodded once and hastily left the room. His son knew better than to stay when Tondran was angry at him. Tondran smiled, he liked how he could easily make his son cower before him. When it was finally his turn to rule, he would have the whole world cowering before him. Fear was the best form of loyalty that he knew.

**~*~**

Vayne had stopped outside of the meeting chamber when he heard Tondran and Ormand talking. So they knew about the other factions of old ones. This was not a good thing. He needed to warn Josep and Lucas, they’d have to get the Kings and Brayden to safety before either Tondran or Ormand discovered where they were hiding.

As he walked through the compound he gave word to all members the children of Varnuse to get ready as they were going to be leaving. Vayne didn’t want anyone to be left behind. Once before in his life that had happened and he had sworn it would never happen again. He knew in his heart that one day he would find Simian again, and when he did they would never be parted. He had to stay happy knowing that in the three years since they’d been apart Simian was still alive, because if he wasn’t then Vayne would have died right along with him. That alone gave him the courage to go on.

Vayne sensed he was being followed as he entered the compounds tavern. Ormand wasn’t the brightest being in existence, and Vayne knew it wouldn’t take long for Ormand to come to him. For some strange reason every time they were in the same room Ormand tried to seduce him. He never failed to try, even after never once having succeeded. Vayne wondered how long it would be before he gave up this time.

“Hello, Vayne,” Ormand slid onto the stool beside him.

“Ormand,” Vayne nodded in his direction. “Is there something I can do for you?”

Ormand chuckled, his hand sliding over to rest on Vayne’s thigh. “There’s something we can do for each other, if you know what I mean.”

Vayne gritted his teeth as he gently but firmly removed Ormand’s hand. “No, I don’t think that’s going to happen.” He gestured between them both, “Us… we aren’t doing anything together. You’re so not my type.”

“Pray tell, what is your type?” Ormand hissed.

Vayne shrugged, “Whatever my type is, you can be certain that it isn’t you.”

Ormand stood up and almost unbalanced his seat. “One of these days you will give me what I want.”

“Not going to happen. Go find someone else who’s willing to play, because it will never be me.”

Ormand looked at him coldly. “I know your secrets, Vayne. I know what it is, or rather who it is that you seek. And I can tell you now that you will never find it.”

Vayne reached out and grabbed hold of Ormand’s hand and squeezed roughly, speaking low he said. “If I find out you had anything at all to do with his disappearance then I will make you pay. I’ll cause you a hurt so bad you will beg me for deaths release.”

Ormand winced as Vayne squeezed his hand harder. “You’ll never find Simian. I have made sure of that.”

“Then you’ve signed your own death warrant. I’ll kill you. Maybe not today, but from now on you better sleep with one eye open.”

Ormand laughed, “My father would never allow you to kill me.”

“Your father,” Vayne ground out, “has already given me the go ahead to end your life if you fail him again. Who do you think he likes more… his snivelling excuse for a son, or the second in command of his warriors? I believe you need to think long and hard before you try seducing me again.”

Ormand turned and fled the tavern. Vayne sipped his drink as he thought about just what he was going to do with Ormand, because he knew that Ormand was going to pay but first he needed to find out what he knew about Simian.

Draining his cup, Vayne stood up, he still needed to get word to Josep about what he’d overheard. He also needed to let his friend know he wouldn’t be going with them—Vayne had a lost mate to find.

SENTINELS OF VARNUSE 1: When The Walls Come Tumbling Down # 24

#24.

“You filthy mongrel… good-for-nothing, louse of a husband.”

Quinlan stared in amazement as Brayden ranted at him. His knees buckled as he watch another wave of pain rolled through his husband’s delicate body with enough force so his back bowed off the bed. A feral scream tore from Brayden’s throat. As soon as the pain appeared to lessen Brayden burst into tears and held out his arms toward him. Quinlan didn’t even hesitate as he ran across the room and wrapped his husband tenderly in his arms.

“I am so proud of you my love.” Quinlan peppered his face in kisses. He couldn’t believe Brayden was in the throes of labour. For some insane reason Quin felt jilted, like he’d missed watching their child grown within his husband’s body.

Brayden’s back bowed in pain again and he glared at Quinlan through his tears and obvious discomfort. “You’re never sticking that thing inside me ever again. Do you hear me? We are never having sex again.”

Quinlan bit back the smile that was trying to force its way onto his lips. But somehow he didn’t think that Brayden would appreciate it.

“I can’t do this, Quin. I don’t know how to get the baby out. What if it gets stuck inside me forever?” fear laced his words and Quinlan didn’t know how to reassure his lover that he was strong enough.

Brayden moaned as another set of gentle hands touched him and seemed surprised to see Lord Dalziel, his other father standing there.

“You need to calm yourself as much as possible. Take deep breaths and slow your heartbeat. If you’re too stressed out, then the babe will be just as uneasy.” Fane’s voice was trying for smooth and soothing, and Quin appreciated what the man was doing.

Brayden narrowed his eyes and snapped. “What would you know about it?”

Fane smiled, “I was there for the birth of both of my children. I remember vividly what Thayer went through to bring each of you into the world.”

“How?” Brayden asked.

Quinlan hoped like hell whatever needed to happen was simple and reasonably easy. He hated seeing Brayden in any kind of pain.

“Well, once you’re calmed down enough to proceed an incision will be made. The cut will run from your navel to your pubic bone to bring the babe into the world to take its very first breath as a member of our race.” Fane stroked Brayden’s arm, “Now I need you to relax so we can get my first grandson born. Once the babe is free of your body you’ll be able to shift and heal yourself.”

Brayden paled even further then he already was. “Not going to happen. I’ve never shifted before. I don’t know how.”

“I’ll help you.” Javier said softly. Quin waited unto Javier came to his brother’s side and offered his support.

Quinlan could only watch as Brayden grimaced as yet another wave of discomfort engulfed his small frame.

“Oh Gods… Quinlan, I need this baby out of me now… please, I’m begging you—it’s killing me.” Quinlan’s heart wrenched at the words escaping his husband’s lips.

“Fane, what do we need to do?”

To Quinlan it was as if a switch inside Fane seemed to flick. His demeanour changed and turned him into a force to be reckoned with. “Lay him out on the table, we need sterilisation strips to cleanse the skin where the incisions needs to be made.” He ran his finger along the spot he meant.

Quinlan held tight to Brayden as the sterilisation strips were rubbed over the taut skin of his husband’s lower abdomen. “Baby, soon we’ll be looking into the face of our gorgeous son.”

Brayden’s eyes widened, “Quin, where are the boys? Are they safe? Tell me they are safe?”

“They’re safe, love. I promise you they are very safe.” He leant across and kissed Brayden on his forehead. “Come on now, are you ready to bring our child into the world?”

**~*~**

Brayden couldn’t believe Quinlan was finally here with him. And now he was into too much pain to rejoice. Oh God, here came another wave of agony. He gritted his teeth as the sharp ache stabbed through him. Something wasn’t right. Damn it felt like his insides were being torn apart. He needed this over—now!

“I fucking hate you right now. You did this to me,” Brayden ground out as yet another wave of what felt like torture hit him. “You’re so not my favourite person anymore.”

“I love you, Bray.”

Brayden didn’t believe a word he was hearing. “Bullshit! You caused all this.” He wanted to shut up desperately but his mouth just wouldn’t stop. “You impregnated me. You filled me up. They took me because of that. This is all your fault.” He heard the room gasp as tears filled Quinlan’s eyes and he let go of his hand and stepped away. Brayden wanted to take the words back, but didn’t know how. “I’m sorry.” Just didn’t seem to cut it.

“Javier, could you please stay with Brayden. My being here is obviously causing him distress.” Quinlan had a single tears run its course down his cheek as he turned and walked from the room and Brayden felt like shit for hurting his husband.

Brayden’s wanted to call him back. He needed Quinlan here with him. But he couldn’t bring himself to do it. Quinlan had chosen to leave him again and that fucking hurt like. Hell, now his heart was breaking right along with his body.

“He’s searched for you since the day you disappeared.” Javier said softly. “You wouldn’t believe what he’s been like. I don’t think he slept at all for the first three days while he organised the search party to track you down.”

Tears leaked out of Brayden’s eyes as he listened to his brother defend his husband.

“He loves you so much.”

“I need to give him a mild sedative now. Not enough to knock him out, just enough to calm him.” Lucas held up the needle for them both to see.

“I need my husband.” Brayden demanded, “QUIN!” Brayden screamed his husband’s name as the needle moved closer toward him—God he hated needles.

**~*~**

Quinlan’s head snapped up from where he sat on the floor outside of Brayden’s room. When Brayden screamed his name in terror it had him off the floor and back through the door before his name had even faded from the room.

“Quin, don’t let them stick me with that.” He pointed a shaking finger at the huge needle.

“Lucas?” Quinlan asked as he walked back over to stand beside the table.

Lucas chuckled, “It is just a mild sedative so he doesn’t move too much during the birthing.”

Brayden grabbed Quinlan’s hands and held tight when he felt a sting of the needle as it entered his skin just above his pubes. Relaxing as the pain slowly ebbed out of him.

“Look at me, Bray. Keep your eyes on me.”

“Okay,” Brayden tried to smile bravely but Quinlan saw his lower lip quivered. Then Brayden frowned. Out of the corner of his vision Quinlan saw Lucas make the incision and then help free the baby. All the while Brayden appeared to feel nothing.

They both looked toward the end of the table as they heard a baby cry. “Sire’s may I introduce to you your very beautiful son.” Lucas held up the swaddled babe. A weird look come over Brayden’s face.

“Bray,” Quinlan asked as Brayden let out a loud moan.

“Oh, the fates be blessed.” Lucas handed over Xavier to Quinlan as he ducked back behind the shield. Standing back up he smiled. “May I also present your equally as beautiful daughter.”

With grey spots filling his vision Quinlan hurriedly handed Xavier to Brayden for safe keeping, then toppled to the floor as he promptly fainted.

SENTINELS OF VARNUSE 1: When The Walls Come Tumbling Down #23

#23.

Brayden sat in the huge tub of heated water and groaned in pure bliss, for a while there he thought he’d never be clean again. He didn’t understand half of what was happening. To be honest he was just glad he and his father were finally free—well kind of. Brayden wished his guardians would hurry up and take him back to Quinlan. His heart ached with how much he missed his husband and children. A small cough came from the doorway interrupting his wayward thoughts.

“Yes?” Brayden asked with a smile when he saw that it was Greer. The young man was another prisoner who had been rescued from the compound at the same time as he and his father.

“I just wanted to know if you needed anything. I’m not sure what I’m meant to be doing here. No one will give me any orders.”

The pain in the young man’s voice touched deep inside Brayden, “You could help me wash my hair. I was waiting for the lady to come back, but since you are offering.” He closed his eyes as Greer knelt beside the tub and upended a jug of warm water over his head. “Tell me about yourself, Greer.”

“Not much to tell really. My parents were killed by Tondran and his men and he took me as a servant. I was told to hide by my father… so I did. I got the feeling Tondran wanted me specifically and killed my parents so that he could take me.”

“Why would he want to take you?” Brayden groaned happily as Greer’s fingers worked their magic on his scalp.

Greer combed his fingers through the tangles in Brayden’s hair. “I don’t know. O once heard him tell his son I was someone special, but then he just gave me to the guards to use as a servant.”

“What is your family name?” Another jug of warmed water was poured slowly over Brayden’s head to rinse the soap out. “How old are you?

“Chisolmn, my name is Greer Chisolmn. I’ m fourteen. I’m nobody special.” They were silent for a while as Greer finished washing his hair.

Brayden liked listening to the musical tones of the young man’s voice. “What are you going to do now that you are free?”

Greer moved to the side of the tub and blushed. “I wish to go with you. I’d like to train to be a sentinel.”

“Why a sentinel?” Brayden stared into the depths of the young man’s tawny eyes.

“Because then I wouldn’t be afraid anymore. I’d be strong enough to take care of my family.”

Confusion rolled through Brayden in a slow wave. “Do you have a family? Is there someone we need to contact?”

Greer shook his head. “In the future, I’ll have a husband and children of my own. My mother told me that from the time I was but a small child. My mother would never have lied to me.”

“No she wouldn’t have.” Brayden smiled as he slowly washed the rest of his body, grinning he grabbed Greer’s hand and placed it on his stomach. Greer’s eyes widened as he felt the baby kick. “This is my son, Xavier.”

“Xavier, is a strong and beautiful name.”

“Yes, it is.” Brayden smiled at the look of wonder in Greer’s eyes.

**~*~**

Quinlan paced the length of the room he was in. What the hell was taking so long? They knew Brayden and Thayer had been rescued from the prison at least three weeks ago. For some reason the men who’d rescued them had cut off all communication. Now no one was exactly sure where Brayden had been taken. The children of Varnuse had a small but very efficient network, and Quinlan hated having to wait for word to reach them.

“Calm down, you’re only going to twist yourself inside out if you keep this up.” Ingrid stated.

Quinlan glared at his best friend and bodyguard. “This is my husband. I want Brayden here—in my arms. You know as well as I do that according to the histories of our people Bray is almost at full term.” Quinlan’s glare softened. “I miss him. I want him back.”

“I know,” Ingrid got up and embraced him. “We all miss him. We’ll get him back. At least we know he’s now safe.”

“King Quinlan,” they turned as Fane spoke softly behind them. “Do you think Thayer is truly alive?”

“Yes, I do. Bray so much as told us in his note. You will have your husband back soon.”

“Oh,” Fane’s face crumpled. “He’ll never be able to forgive me. How could he possibly still want me after I left him for all those years?”

Quinlan watched as Javier reached for his father, his strange cat like eyes focusing on Fane’s face. “You didn’t know. If you had, you would have rescued him.”

“But…” Tears clogged Fane’s voice.

“All the evidence led us all to believe Thayer was dead.” Talon added. “Thayer will understand.”

“King Thayer,” Quinlan corrected. “If Thayer is still alive, then he’s rightfully still the king of our people.”

Fane shook his head. “You’re king now.”

Quinlan smiled, “We’ll let the cards fall where they may. When they have been returned to us we’ll talk about what is to come and how it will affect our people.”

“King Quinlan,” Josep raced into the room. “I’ve had word from Lucas. We need to hurry, Consort Brayden has begun his child-birthing early.”

As one everyone in the room stood and prepared to leave. It would seem none were willing to be left behind.

“Is there any news of Thayer?” Fane called desperately at Josep’s back.

Josep dropped back to beside Fane as they moved silently through the streets in the early hours of the morning. Hoping the fates were with them and the compound guards would not stop their progress.

“All I know is King Thayer is still unconscious. He never really recovered from his last beating. In the beginning he drifted in and out, but for the last three weeks he hasn’t woken.”

Fane cried out softly and slapped his hand over his own mouth to stop it echoing in the darkness. “Is he… will he…?”

“Maybe with you by his side, your touch might be the very thing he needs to bring him back to us all.” Josep suggested soothingly.

As they entered the dwelling where Brayden was being cared for, Quinlan’s feet moved faster as he heard the sounds of distress he recognised were coming from his mate. Holy Fuck! The first thing Quinlan saw as he burst through the door was his very naked husband grinding his teeth and glaring at him.

“It’s about fucking time you got your sorry miserable arse here.” Brayden snarled.

SENTINELS OF VARNUSE 1: When The Walls Come Tumbling Down #22

# 22.

Quinlan handed the note Josep had given him to Fane, who seemed to be just as overcome with both a mixture of grief and happiness as Quinlan himself was. He was glad Talon and Javier were tending to the man because right now his thoughts were focused on his own war waging inside of him. Grabbing Josep’s arm he walked over to Ingrid and the others. Quinlan looked into the sea green eyes of Josep and asked, “Is he truly safe?”

“He is… or at least he was when I left him. I’ve left men that I trust completely to keep watch over them both.”

Ingrid stood beside him and Quinlan smiled when she spoke. “Tell the rest of you men to come into the open. If what you’re telling us is true than they have nothing to fear.”

Josep cupped his hands to his mouth, let out a whistle making the perfect echo of the Nightjar’s call, it wasn’t long before the three other men in question walked out of the darkness.

“My men are Conner, Vayne & Andrej. They come with me only as protection. Once I’ve established the note is truly from Consort Brayden, and you will cause me no harm they’ll head back and help our friends look after your kin.”

Ingrid tapped Quinlan’s hand and he got the message. His royal bodyguard believed them, nodding he spoke. “We’ll not harm you. I want my husband back and you are the one who knows his exact whereabouts. Will you and your men help us rescue him?”

“Yes, that’s the reason I’ve come, but we do have conditions.” Josep sounded nervous. “When all is said and done, then me and my men—all of my men will be returning to the High City of Panthea with you. We have all sworn to protect and serve the old ones. All three known to us, and the others who will come to us for protection.”

“Others?” Quinlan asked. He couldn’t even begin to fathom there were more shifters out there among them. How had he not known this?

Josep smiled and nodded, “We were once the children of Varnuse. We studied the ancient ways of how life was before everything changed and our histories were forgotten. There’s more than just the shifters of this family line. There are five in total: cat, which is in the Caldwell lineage. There are also wolves belonging to the Wharden lineage. Avian shifters who were born into to the Aarondyte lineage. Sea creatures belonging to the Waterford lineage. The fifth is a rare lineage who can take the form of anything.”

“And which lineage do they come from?” Quinlan asked. All of this was news to him. Once home he was going to make sure he was brought up to date on everything. Right now he’d have to settle for the crash course on the species he never knew about.

“I do not know,” Josep answered, “we never did work out just who they belong to. Al we do know is they exist. I can’t even tell you how many they even number.”

Talon stepped forward. “Is there a way of finding out?”

Josep shrugged, “Through study.”

Quinlan groaned in frustration. “So you’re basically telling me we need to find these other lines of old ones and bring them in under our protection.”

“Yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying. Once we’ve rescued your kin, and return them safely home you’ll need to search out the others who’ll eventually need your protection. It was once said long ago the sentinels of the high city would be the ones to mate and protect the old ones. So for every sentinel you have, I can guarantee there’s an equal number of old ones out there in hiding and waiting to be found.”

“Shit!” Quinlan scrubbed a hand over his face I have twenty-four…”

Fane interrupted, “Twenty-five… I was a sentinel when Thayer was king.”

Josep, Vayne and Andrej all nodded. “Five sentinels for each sect of old ones.”

“So that means there’s still two more of my kin out there somewhere.” Javier looked in shock.

“I wonder who your mate is.” Talon asked sadly. When Quinlan turned and stared at him he continued. “It can’t be me because I’m not a sentinel. I’m just a palace guard.”

“No! Talon you’re my mate. We’ve bonded, it cannot be anyone else” Javier grabbed his arm, pleading with his strange eyes. “I only want you.”

“Then I guess that throws out your theory,” Quinlan turned to Josep.

“No, my theory holds true. King Thayer belongs to the last generation of old ones. So that means that you have twenty-four sentinel plus Talon who is apparently meant to be one.”

“But I’m the king and no longer a sentinel. So your theory is still wrong.” This was all making Quinlan’s head spin. And right now they didn’t have time to debate this. He had a mate to rescue.

Andrej coughed and said, “That’s because you’ll recruit yet another sentinel who will mate with your son… I think.”

Fury rushed through Quinlan at the man’s words. “No one will be touching my son.”

This brought a snicker from some of his own men. And Quinlan knew he was being an arse, but just the thought of someone laying claim to one of his children was ludicrous.

“King Quinlan, we need to get you hidden before Tondran finds this place.” Ingid urged.

Quinlan shook his head. “I hide from no one.”

**~*~**

“Master Brayden.” Brayden came awake to someone shaking his shoulder. His mind was fuzzy and it took him a moment to realise Lucas was talking to him. “Wake up Brayden. Tondran and Ormand are back in the compound. Vayne just got back with a message from Josep. King Quinlan and his men are getting ready to come and rescue you, but for now it would be wiser if we spirit you away from here.”

Brayden pushed himself into a sitting position. His stomach ached at the thought of Quinlan coming here. Josep had been gone for just on two weeks. More than once it had crossed his mind the man had been killed, but Lucas’s words gave him new hope.

“Where are you taking me?” he reached for his father’s unconscious body. “I can’t leave my father behind.”

“Your father is also one of ours to protect. The children of Varnuse will hide you well until we can take you to your rightful home.” He smiled, “Now come. We need to be away before Tondran decides to follow through on the execution of King Thayer.”

They were the exact words needed to get Brayden moving. His distended stomach no longer fit in his clothes so he welcomed the robe one of the men held out to cover his nakedness. “Thank-you.”

The young man smiled and bowed in his direction while he took a careful hold of Brayden’s arm to steady him. Brayden watched as another man gently picked up his father, and led them from the room. He wasn’t going to look back on what had been his home for the past few months. Leaving behind the confines of this cell was the first step in the rest of his life. A life he so desperately wanted to share with Quinlan.

As they stole along the corridor a thought struck him. “Lucas, who are the children of Varnuse?”

SENTINELS OF VARNUSE 1: When The Walls Come Tumbling Down #21

#21.

Dawn was fast approaching and Brayden feared what was coming their way. He knew Tondran was a man with an evil so pure in his heart that he would allow nothing and no one stand in his way to get what he wanted. It had taken him since the day he’d first been kidnapped to this very moment to work out why Tondran seemed so familiar to him.

“Father?” Brayden patted his father’s face gently. “Father, I need to ask you something important.”

His father’s eyes slowly opened as he blinked up at him. Brayden could tell his father was filled with sorrow and pain. “Father, is Tondran, Ormand’s father?”

“Yes,” His father rasped out. “Ormand is Tondran’s son.”

Brayden nodded. His thoughts scrambled as he tried to make sense of everything—it seems the apple truly didn’t fall far from the tree. Now so many of the things Ormand had done to him throughout the years was beginning to make some kind of sense. “Father, did…” his words trailed off as the cell door opened and their guard Josep stepped in.

“It would seem fate is smiling down upon you today. Tondran has been called away and he has postponed the king’s death until his return. I’ll let nothing happen to you between now and then.” He bowed in Brayden’s direction.

“Do you know when he’ll be back?” Brayden asked. He tried to put as much bravery into his words as possible, even though his insides quaked. He needed to know exactly how much time he had to figure out a plan of escape for both him and his father.

“At this stage Tondran’s return is undetermined.” A smile appeared on Josep’s face. “It seems there’s a small group of people in town asking questions about you. Tondran has personally gone out to see if it’s true. Once he knows for sure he will be back.”

“Quin!” Brayden blurted out. Both excitement and fear flooded him as he thought of his husband being so close. How he’d missed the man.

Josep nodded, “It seems you were right all along—your husband really did come for you. Not that it matters much because from what I’ve heard in the tunnels word is he’s greatly outnumbered.”

“Tondran is setting a trap, isn’t he?” Brayden gently stroked his father’s arm. He needed some sort of touch stone to keep him sane. Brayden knew he needed to get word to Quin, but how? “Quinlan needs to be warned.”

“Yes, at least that’s what I’ve heard. And yes, the King needs to know what he’s walking into.” Josep walked over and knelt beside Brayden and his father as he spoke. Handing him a piece of paper and a pen he continued. “I may not succeed in getting to him, but I need you to write something on here for King Quinlan so he knows I’ve come to him in regards to you. If I could take the two of you out of here with me I would, but this place is still too well guarded. I’m leaving someone I trust to keep you safe while I’m gone. His name is Lucas… he’s my… he’ll look after you, I promise.”

Brayden grabbed the paper and pen and hastily scribbled a note to his husband. He poured out all his love and fear in those few short paragraphs, and then he wrote the one thing to let Quinlan know it was from him. Folding the paper he handed it back to Josep.

“Go in peace. May the fates keep you safe upon your journey.” Brayden squeezed Josep’s hand and watched him leave. Hopefully Quinlan wouldn’t kill the man on sight—hopefully his husband would take the time listen to what Josep had to say.

**~*~**

“I’m telling you they know we’re coming,” Talon threw his hands in the air as he ranted. “Somehow they know where we are. We have to get out of here—not leave, just move somewhere else. Somewhere they won’t expect us to be.”

Quinlan was frustrated as hell at this turn of events. He was so close to getting Brayden back, and this little set back was beginning to piss him off. Quinlan knew Brayden was somewhere in this town. For the pure fact his double heart beat was almost now completely in sync. He’d never even truly noticed he’d had two heart beats until after Brayden was taken from him. Strangely he liked knowing the out of sync beat meant something had happened to Brayden. The truth was it was like his early warning signal, and if he reacted fast enough he could stop events from happening before Brayden was forced from the castle again.

“Where do you think we should go? I agree to move as long as you all remember one thing. I’m not going home until my husband is once more safe in my arms. I won’t leave here without Brayden.” Quinlan growled at the eleven men and one woman that surrounded him. They all needed to know his thoughts because no one was going to change his mind.

“No one expects you to Quin,” Ingrid clamped a hand on his shoulder. “None of us want to leave without the return of our loved ones.”

The movement of her fingers against his collar bone were subtle but Quin knew exactly what she was saying. Someone was watching them. The sentinels with them also had their eyes glued to Ingrid’s fingers and the message they told. With very little movement everyone went on alert. Hands slowly reaching for weapons as they listened for what was out there.

**~*~**

Josep stood further back in the shadows and watched the group of people standing just a few feet away from him. He knew somewhere else in the dark he had three other people watching this group, and they all were in the same situation he was in—under Tondran’s thumb, with no means of escape. That was until Brayden had come into their lives. Each of these three men present here, and the few who remained on alert helping Lucas keep Brayden safe had sworn on their lives to serve the old ones. Since King Thayer had been captured they had been activated, and now it was their now sworn duty to help this group rescue the two men being held captive.

Taking a deep breath he stepped out of the shadows and spoke.

“I have a message for King Quinlan,” he held his hands out in front of him and slowly turned showing he wore no weapons. “Consort Brayden has written a note, so you can see I tell no lies.” He took a step towards them. “The note is in my breast pocket. If one of you could come and get it I would be grateful. I don’t wish to make any sudden moves that might cause me to end up dead.”

**~*~**

Quinlan strode over and relieved the man of his note, opening it he began to read.

My love, if you are reading this now you know I’m still alive and that the babe is okay. I cannot say the same for my Father. He’s been beaten to within an inch of his life. The man that gives you this note is called Josep MacLean… he’s a good man who has been kind to me. He’s come to tell you of a trap being set for you my love. It turns out Tondran who is the father of Ormand, has decided he’s going to be my new mate. Father says you cannot allow this to happen. If you die then I do as well. So stay safe my love, because I need you still. Both the babe and I need you in our lives.

I felt Xavier kick again today. I know our son is also fighting to get back to you. I hate it here. I want to come home to you and our sons. Please let Josep help you. I think when we leave this place we may have a few more people going with us than who you came with.

I love you so much… your husband… Bray.

With that one mention of his unborn son’s name relief flooded him when Quinlan knew for certain Josep was telling the truth.

“Take me to my husband.”