But Ronan wasn’t concerned about a small contingent of vampires. Even with Marcus guarding Ethan, he and Aiden could wipe out the army amassed in the woods. No, his main concern was drawing out all of Heller’s forces. They couldn’t afford to be preoccupied with small numbers constantly harrying them, while the European Ministry rallied more and more clans to their side to destroy the Variks.
No, what Ronan needed was a way to draw them all out. He had to convince Heller and Mara that they had to come out of hiding to face the Variks. Let them believe that they could win in a swift skirmish by simply outnumbering the Variks. It would certainly please the European Ministry, making both Mara and Heller appear competent.
And what better way to accomplish that than to hand over a traitor and the ultimate leverage over Aiden?
Placing his hand on Ethan’s shoulder, he gently pulled the vampire backward. “I need you to go into the house and lock the doors. Find Aiden and Marcus.”
“What? What’s going on?”
“There are at least a dozen vampires in the woods. They mean to attack the house.” Ronan turned his eyes on the raven who was watching him, head cocked as if he knew Ronan understood what he’d been trying to tell him. “Go to Bel. We got your warning.”
The raven cawed at him once and then leaped off the railing, wings spread as he swooped up into the air. Damn smart bird.
“What are you going to do?” Ethan demanded.
“I’m going out there to meet them. To hand myself over.”
“What? Are you crazy?” Ethan pulled out of Ronan’s grasp but surprised him by grabbing his hand with both of his. “I can’t let you do that. We have to go inside and plan something. Or-or you have to let me go with you.”
“No, I need you safe because you’re going to be the key to saving me.”
Ethan’s mouth bobbed open and closed a couple of times, but no sound came out as his eyes darted from Ronan to the woods and back again. “I-I can’t. I have no idea how to use my gift. I definitely can’t control it.”
“Wrong gift,” Ronan said with a smirk and tapped Ethan’s forehead. “I need your brain. You hacked the Ministry’s database, right? Can you hack my cell phone? Use it to find me?”
“Yeah,” Ethan replied softly and then repeated with more confidence. “Yeah, I can. Are you sure? Aiden is gonna be pissed.”
“True, but he’ll be pissed at me. I’d rather him be pissed than dead. Now go into the house. Lock the door and warn the others.”
Ethan hesitated another second and then released him, running toward the door. Ronan watched him as he slipped inside. Ethan met his gaze through the kitchen window, seeming to hesitate again. Ronan didn’t breathe again until he heard the lock slide into place. He smiled reassuringly at the young man. His plan was stupid and dangerous, but it wasn’t just about keeping Aiden safe. He wanted to protect the entire Varik clan. They were too important to Aiden to allow anything to happen to them.
Plus, Ronan found that he genuinely liked them with their snarky comments, strange quirks, and unwavering loyalty. And love. They all loved so deeply. That love would get Aiden through this if his idea failed miserably.
Stepping into the snow, he smiled to himself as he crossed the yard toward the woods. He wished he’d grabbed a knife or a sword. A nice blade would make quick work of these vampires, not that he wanted to kill them all off right away. Just enough to make them wary of him. But he could handle getting a little bloody with his bare hands. It has been years since he’d enjoyed a nice fight. He’d remind them why the Ministry had been happy to give him a wide berth for so long. No one fucked with a thousand-year-old vampire without paying the price.
Chapter Sixteen
When Aiden got Ronan back, he was going to strangle him.
Assuming he got him back.
No. He couldn’t think like that. Ronan was smart and he was strong. He would stay alive. He wouldn’t risk anything that would rip them apart after it had taken them so long to find each other.
Unless it meant keeping Aiden safe.
“Fuck!” Aiden shouted randomly, his hands clenched so tight into fists, they were shaking.
Bel reached over and covered one of Aiden’s hands in his own and squeezed. “We’ll get there in time. He’s fine. He’s a damn idiot, but he’s fine.”
Aiden turned his hand and grabbed Bel’s, clutching it tightly. It had been years since he’d held the hand of any of his children, but right now, it was surprisingly calming. Well, maybe not calming. It was helping to keep the worst of the panic at bay.