Nikolai
“Get someone to contact King Ciro. Tell him to help out Mozog and Poziarne.” I told Mikhail who gave me a sharp nod.
Next, I immediately contacted Max. ‘Are you okay?’
‘A bit shaken up.’ His voice didn’t sound good.
‘How bad is it?’
‘Motherfucker blew up Volkov Corps.’ Fucking hell. It is in the heart of the city. ‘Most of the city is burning. Thank God I was not in my house and in my club- it’s in the outskirts.’ His house was fifteen minutes away from the office. He would died on the spot if he were there. For a second I felt like the Gods and Goddess are looking over my family, making sure that all of us were safe. ‘We felt the effects here too. Thought that it was an earthquake or something first. Got myself fucking shot in the stomach. But I’m better now. The city, not so much.’
‘The entire island is under attack.’ I informed him.
‘I know. I already had a word with Andrei, he filled me up on everything. How is Avalyn?’ He asked.
‘Safe.’ I replied. But she’s still passed out. So not as good. ‘Can you lead half of the Neos army to Wintercrown and Red Moon?’
‘I’m already half way home.’
‘Then it will be best if you just return to Soare-Luna. Don’t go near Alvar and Imporia. It’s not safe. Stay where you are, the Neos army will soon be on it’s way there, headed by Mikhail. Move forward with them and stay in touch with Mikhail.’
‘Fine. Don’t get yourself killed.’
‘You too.’ He replied and then I cut the link.
I spotted two anchored cargo ships about fifty meters away. The sharks started slowing as we neared them. The water was growing shallow and this was as far as they could go.
“Just to the ships, buddy.” I patted the shark. She increased her speed and swam to the biggest ship in front of us.
She was just against the ship so I pounded the metal. “Is anyone there?”
In under a minute, a head appeared on the top. The vampire was shocked to see us on top of a shark. “K-King Nikolai?”
“Yes.” I replied.
He immediately shouted something to his crew. The next thing I know, a ladder was thrown from down from the side.
“Everyone, on the ship.” I announced, my voice loud enough for everyone to hear.
The guy on top of the ship understood and threw many more ladders down. The entire Neos Army began climbing up the ship.
“Thank you so much.” I patted the shark one last time before I picked up Ava and gently placed her over my shoulder.
I got on the ladder and caught a hold of the side rope with one hand and my other hand was holding Ava. “Pull us up.” And they did. I normally would have simply climbed up myself but I had precious cargo on me.
While they pulled us up, I mindlinked Andrei. “Status?”
‘The people are in the pack house, the main gates are shut, so are the main doors and the window shutters.’ It will be difficult to break in now. ‘Twenty dead, thirty injured. We have only forty people who can fight and all of us are on the terrace with guns. We are out of bullets but they don’t know it yet. They are standing out of range and planning something from the looks of it. They will soon figure it out and then attack. We don’t have more than twenty minutes.’
‘How many?’
‘A thousand.’ His voice was gruff with emotions. ‘We are wildly outnumbered but I vow to do my best.’ My brother was willing to lay down his life.
‘Shut up.’ I growled. ‘You’re not fucking dying. We will be there in fifteen minutes. Just hang on, alright? You have to lead half of the Neos army to Wintercrown and Red Moon. We have a war to win. No need to become a damn martyr.’
He remained silent, taking it in. ‘Yes, Alpha.’ His voice laced with gratitude and respect.
‘Once the war begins and everyone is busy, send Symon to the Estate and tell him to be quick. I need to get Ava to safety. We will be heading home.’
‘Yes, Alpha.’ He replied.
When I reached the top, the man whom I had first seen gently took Ava and placed her on a seat nearby. And I then easily jumped inside. That’s when I realised that it took about three people to pull us up.
“No one came to take the goods, King Nikolai. So as per King Ciro’s orders we have been waiting for someone to come since an hour. We hope everything is okay.” He said with a bow.
“Rise.” I said and he stood straight, “are you the captain?”
“Yes, King Nikolai.” He nodded.
“Very well.” I said. “First, I want dry clothes for my mate. In the meantime, make sure that all of my people are on the ships. I will address them in five minutes.”
“As you command.” He bowed. “River will help you with the clothes and a towel.”
A young man stood straighter, “please allow me, King Nikolai.”
I picked up Ava in my arms and followed River to a small room near the cabin. He handed me a couple of towels and clothes. Another man’s clothes.
“Thank you,” I said dismissively and he left with another bow.
I took off my wet t-shirt that clung to Ava’s shivering body. I dried her with the towel, rubbing thoroughly to warm her up a little. And then gritting my teeth as I began putting another man’s t-shirt over her head and her arms through the sleeves. My wolf wasn’t a fan of her smelling like another man but he understood. Her staying dry and warm is more important. I put on a pair of shorts on her as well.
Her long hair was still wet so I rested her on my chest and rubbed the towel on her head and then on the tips of her hair. I’ve always admired her long hair but it’s a pain in the ass to dry it. I hope she doesn’t fall sick because of this again. Her cheeks looked a little pale and I knew she needed more rest.
There was no bed here but I spotted a couch so I laid her on it. “I’ll be back soon, Ava.” I caressed her cheek. “Rest as much as you want, okay? I’ll take care of everything. I love you.” I kissed her parted lips before I stood up straight.
I left the room and beckoned a couple of Neos soldiers. There was no reason to not trust Ciro’s men but I didn’t really trust anyone with Avalyn. But the Neos were wired differently. They didn’t do anything without my order. So it was different.
“You two.” I pointed and they immediately came up to me and bowed before they stood in attention.
“Guard this door with your life. No one enters except me.” I ordered.
“As you command, King Nikolai.” They bowed and then stood in front of the door, their backs to it and their hands on the hilt of their swords.
With an an appreciative nod, I left to go to elevated area of the ship.
The Neos army was so in tuned with each other and disciplined that exactly half of them were on this ship and the other half were on the other ship, along with Mikhail. All of them stood in attention, awaiting their next order.