Free Claiming Valeria by Rebecca Rivard Page B

no fucking way Baltimore can take us. They’re
nowhere near our size. They were smaller than us to begin with, and they’ve
been killing each other off for years.”
    The tightness in Tiago’s shoulders eased. Chico was right. For
the first time since he’d burst into Dion’s quarters behind the other warriors and
seen Cleia, Adric and a group of sun fae standing over his unconscious brother,
he felt better. They’d get Dion back. And if the earth shifters attacked, they’d
send them back to Baltimore with their mangy tails tucked between their legs. Hell,
everyone knew it was easier to defend territory than take it.
    “Damn straight.” He reached for his doorknob. “See you in the
morning.”
    “Tee?” Chico’s expression was a mixture of excitement and fear.
Although they’d been training for years, neither of them had made warrior
yet—and they’d never been in a real battle. “You afraid?”
    “A little,” he admitted. “But I’m ready.” His animal bumped against
his skin in agreement. He was a young, unmated male. He’d willingly die to protect
the clan, especially the children.
    Their eyes met, both their animals to the fore. Tiago knew his
eyes had changed to a feral silver, while Chico’s glowed a spooky green.
    “Me too,” was the reply.
    Their arms came around each other in a tight hug. They half-nuzzled,
half-butted each other in the way of male animals before breaking apart and entering
their separate rooms.

CHAPTER SIX
    “Mama, Mama!” Merry pelted down the hall to Valeria.
“Guess what? We’re all going to a party.”
    “ Sim ?” Valeria scooped her up for a kiss. “That’s nice, querida .”
    She glanced at Sabela, who was following close behind, having
offered to pick up Merry from the creche. “A party?” she mouthed as she set her
daughter back down.
    The base was on lockdown. Only a few heavily guarded men had
gone out fishing. The whole clan was readying itself for war—with the sun fae, the
Baltimore fada, or both. Valeria had dropped Merry at the creche and spent the morning
helping the healers inventory medical supplies.
    Rock Run had been awash with rumors.
    Dion’s dead .
    No, he got away from the sun fae.
    No, he had the shit beaten out of him by Cleia’s guards.
    Finally Justino and Ed had returned with the information that
Dion was safe in Cleia’s apartment. Justino had scaled the four floors to the queen’s
balcony and seen with his own eyes that the alpha, although bound tight in a
fishing net, was unhurt. Justino had hung around as long as he dared, hoping to
speak with him, but Cleia hadn’t left his side. In fact, she’d fussed over him—giving
him food and water, releasing him from the net. Since it appeared Dion was safe
for the time being, Justino and Ed had returned to base to report what they’d learned.
    Sabela’s grin was almost as big as Merry’s. “Dion sent a message
to Luis. He’s fine. He promised to stay with the sun fae for a couple of days, but
he’s fine.”
    “Thank the Goddess.” Valeria’s shoulders sagged with relief. And yet… “Why? Why does he have to stay?”
    She could think of only one reason the alpha would’ve agreed
to remain with the sun fae—and it wasn’t good. Surely he hadn’t fallen prey to Cleia’s
glamour?
    Sabela shrugged. “ Who knows? But he swore an oath
to stay with the sun fae until midsummer day. Cleia wants him to attend the ritual.”
    Valeria’s brows lifted. The midsummer ritual was
normally for sun fae only. “But why?”
    “Who knows?” Sabela said again. “But he’ll be safe
enough. Queen Cleia has promised.”
    Valeria nodded. Neither the fae nor the fada found
it easy to lie, and reneging on a promise was even worse. If Cleia went back on
her word, she’d be left weak and ill for days, an easy target for any rival fae
clan. And she’d be a target for the Rock Run assassins for the rest of her days.
    Merry was chanting, “We’re going to a party. We’re
going to a