Free Wicked Dreams [The Wicked] (Siren Publishing Ménage and More) by Copper Cole Page B

that’s settled then,” Eli said.
    Kota watched her walk away, a look of longing in his eyes. “I won’t force her to stay away. When the fight comes, we will need numbers. She’s an excellent fighter, and she’s strong. We must all stay together. If we get separated, we risk losing.”
    Kota followed behind Talia. Genevieve rested her head against Eli’s chest. She worried about him and Kota, but surprisingly she feared losing Talia as well. She didn’t know her, but somewhere deep inside of her, Genevieve felt connected to Talia, connected in a way she couldn’t explain to anyone else.
    “He’s right, love, we need the numbers. She’s strong and will be of great use to us.”
    “Eli, she isn’t something we can just use as we please. She’s a person, a shifter, with feelings and weaknesses. If he loses her, he’ll go to a dark place I don’t think he’ll come out of.”
    “Then we protect them both.” Genevieve looked at her mate in shock. “What? I don’t like the guy, but I can relate.” He placed his strong hands on either side of her face, and looked deep into her eyes. “If I lost you I would cease to exist.”
    Wrapping her arms around his waist, she breathed him in. In a few short hours the Fallen would be in the compound, and she had little time to wallow in what could or couldn’t happen.
    “Okay, we need to prepare the compound. Lock the Generals away in different safe rooms. I know the Fallen don’t care what happens to the Generals tonight, but we have to protect them all the same.” She stopped talking when Eli placed his lips against hers.
    When he pulled away, he spoke in a whisper. “It’s about you, Genevieve. The Fallen only want you. They will stop at nothing to make sure you die.” His words sent a shiver up her spine. “I’m sorry if this scares you, but as much as we need to protect the Generals, I have to protect you.”
    He kissed her again, and then they walked toward the main house. Halfway there an explosion rocked the entire compound. Genevieve lost her balance and fell against the wall. Eli shielded her body with his as debris fell from the ceiling.
    “No! It’s not time yet. They can’t be here!”
    “We have to find Kota and Talia.”
    Her ears rang from the explosion, and she felt confused. Genevieve sprang to her feet, looking at Eli with pleading eyes. “The shifters, Eli, we have to find the shifters.”
    “It will weaken you too much to dematerialize us both. Go, Genevieve, sense them out and go to them. I’ll find you as soon as I can.” He kissed her forehead, and then her lips, before he took off down the long corridor.
    Genevieve couldn’t let him go alone. She couldn’t stomach the thought of him fighting without her by his side. She knew they needed to find the shifters. If the four of them fought together then they were unstoppable. She dematerialized and reappeared in front of Eli. He looked at her strangely just before she grabbed his arms, making them both vanish. She reached out with her mind until she sensed Kota. When she materialized again she immediately felt the effects. Kota and Talia stood unscathed in one of the bedrooms at the far end of the main house.
    “What’s happening?” Talia asked.
    “The Fallen,” Kota answered. He moved to Genevieve when she swayed.
    “She needs your blood. I told her it would take too much out of her if she transferred both of us.”
    As Kota offered his wrist to Genevieve, she heard Talia’s thoughts. Quickly blocking Eli and Kota out so they wouldn’t be privy to the information, she listened closely. She had no idea why she felt the need to block them, but it felt right. “Take my blood, Seer. This is the only way to find me should something happen.”
    Genevieve walked past Kota and gently took Talia’s wrist. She lowered her fangs, and struck quickly. Talia’s blood tasted heady like Kota’s, but with a sweet tang. She drank deeply but avoided taking enough to weaken Talia. When she