Kendrick gave him a nod, his face drawn. “I’m sorry I brought him here,” Kendrick said. “Truly.”
“It’s done,” Dylan answered. The words were final. No recriminations to be made.
“You had treasure in the vault,” Kendrick went on after a brief silence. “I saw the place, but it was empty. Lachlan cleaned you out.”
Dylan nodded, his brows together. “I had taken some of it previously,” he said. “But the rest, no. Either it’s buried down there or Lachlan moved it somewhere.” He sighed. “We’ll find it. Another task in the ongoing task of taking care of Shifters.”
“About that,” Kendrick began. “I told you I was finished working for you. I don’t take that back. I need to settle my Shifters, and I’ve found a good place. But I’m happy to help you find the others who still might cause trouble. Not all my Shifters have come back to me.”
Dylan didn’t change expression, but Addie thought she saw relief in his eyes. “I will help you set up your new home—make sure the humans don’t get word of it,” Dylan said. “No matter what my rep, I’m not rushing to put more Shifters in Collars. You might want to wear fake ones, to keep out of trouble, but it’s your choice.”
“Done,” Kendrick said.
They studied each other, two alphas telling themselves it was better to come together than fight.
Dylan stuck out a hand. Kendrick took it. The two locked grips, fingers tight, then they mutually pulled each other into an embrace. They held each other in acknowledgment, no competition. They’d be partners, equals.
Kendrick and Dylan released at the same time. “For now, let’s get everyone the hell home,” Kendrick said. “Before nosy humans find out something’s going down out here. I’m glad this Shiftertown is so remote.”
“Which is why Lachlan chose it,” Dylan said. “At least we stopped him before he hurt too many.”
Kendrick nodded again, his look going somber. He took the sword from Addie, who’d been carrying it for him as he struggled to walk, and silently turned away.
Addie knew what he was going to do, and she followed, not liking the bleak expression on his face. Kendrick’s stride grew stronger as he approached the bodies laid out on the grass, watched over by Seamus and Spike.
He gazed at each dead Shifter in great sorrow. They were strangers to Addie, but Kendrick had known these men for years, had led them, loved them. Kendrick kept Addie by his side while he said a prayer to the Goddess and sent each of them to dust.
Kendrick lingered for a while as the dust faded on the wind, his head bowed. This task as Guardian was so difficult for him, Addie saw, and tonight he’d had to perform it too many times.
Addie touched his hand. Kendrick snapped his eyes open and gazed down at her, then he scooped her up to him for a long kiss.
His mouth was plenty strong, his arm holding her steady. He seemed to draw strength from her as well as comfort.
Addie rested her hands on his chest and rose into the kiss, her heart swelling with love. Kendrick pulled her up to him, groaning a little in his throat, his heart beating quick and hard. Whatever Zander had done to heal him had taken away his injuries, leaving him as stalwart as ever.
That strength let him kiss her hard, his mouth opening hers. Their tongues tangled, the kiss fierce, promising that when they were alone, wrapped around each other, he’d be fiercer still. Addie remembered his words, spoken in his harsh voice: I want you every way I can have you, and I don’t want it gentle.
She shivered, holding him, letting him know she wanted him as much as he wanted her.
Kendrick at last eased from the kiss, cupping Addie’s face in his hands. “The power lies not in one,” he said softly.