Chapter Twenty-Four:

I stare out the window in my office. The garden was directly below and I could see Luca playing in the grass as Rose watched him closely.

I couldn't help but smile to myself. He was such a sweet boy.

I felt myself frown as thoughts of everything that was going on crosses my mind. Who ever these people are taking children..they had already tried to take Luca once. They would try again. I'd have to speak to Astor. He wouldn't like it but for Luca's own protection he needed to be sent somewhere safe..some where no one here could reach him or find him for that matter.

Then with my brother. My heart ached at the thought of what he had done to Selene. My friend..He had betrayed me. I needed to figure out a way to get word to the rest of my unit and have them come here. For their safety. If they were still loyal to me that is. I needed to know what was going on in my kingdom. Something had changed drastically for my brother to lash out this way...I had never known him to be this way. Then again I never knew how cruel my father was until recently. I shiver.

Then there was the matter of Drago. I didn't trust Raph. From the stories I had heard of Drago and his descendents they all ended up out of control. I needed to know if he really was a descendent..if it was true then I wouldn't be the last dragon-borne. Which was a bad thing...the Order would do anything to secure Dragon-Bornes in this world and they didn't care what they had to do.

I knew that sending Jade and Gemini away was foolish but they were the only ones that I trusted. The only ones that would be able to get this done and bring me back results.

All of this was piling up and I didn't know what to make of any of it. It seemed to be one thing after another.

Goddess I needed help. I jump at the light knock on my door. I turn in time to see Astor step inside. I let out a small growl as I realize that I had locked that door when I had come up here with the twins. Which meant that Raph had to have picked the lock before he came in.

Astor gives me an amused look and smiles

"You seem frustrated. Anything that you want to talk about?" I turn and look back out the window down at Luca and Rose. I could feel Astor coming closer and then his arms encircled me from behind. Comfort swept over my body like blanket. I let out a sigh and lean into him.

"It isn't safe for Luca here. Not with everything going on." Astor sighs and grunts at me. Was he agreeing with me or was he trying not to argue with me?

"Yes. I know. That is why Luca and Rose will be going to The Mage Tower. Where he will be safe and no one can reach him there." I relax. I was relieved that he already had a solution. Luca would be safe with the mages. I didn't have to worry if they had him. They were very overprotective of the young and women. I suppress a chuckle.

Mages were more women than men. But they did have men there. Some were even high ranked. But there wasn't alot of them.

"Little Dragon..I hate to be the one to bring up such a painful topic..but the matter of Selene and your brother." I frown and move out of his arms so that I can look at him.

"I know. I will be looking into it." Astor runs his fingers through his hair as if he is nervous to say what's on his mind. Not that I couldn't easily slip inside his mind and find out but I didnt want to do that.

"You should inform The Council of you being my mate. Then tell them what you sent Selene to do. And what happened after." My heart accelerates at his words. To get The Council involved? But why? They didn't step in when this war started and they aren't helping with these missing children. Goddess knows if they actually care if that beast is let lose.

"They stopped caring about what goes on a long time ago. They aren't going to care now. I will deal with my brother." Astor looks almost pained and confused at the same time.

"But can you kill your brother if he has lost himself?" I inhale a deep breath as Shade trys to push through to the surface. She wasn't happy about his question. Niko was the only family that we had left...

"If that is what I have to do then I will do it. But I won't give up on him. If he can be saved I will try." Astor smiles softly at me and places a hand on my cheek.

"You are so good..almost to pure for this world." I snort and roll my eyes. Yeah I don't think so. He was saying that because I was his mate and he didn't think that I had any flaws. He was wrong though.

My flaws..My mistakes...My outbursts..They were all locked away and hidden. I feared what he would think if he actually knew about any of them.

"Where are Gemini and Jade?" The question startled me a little and I give him a nervous smile.

"I sent them to the Temple to see if there were any changes with the kidnappings and who is taking these children.

"That was a good idea. Let me know when they are back and we will hear the report together." I force a smile and nod. I hated lying to him but I didn't have a choice. I could t tell him what I was doing.

He trusted Raph and I didn't want him to know that I was questioning that. Not until I had figured out what was going on..Then I would tell him.

"I have training with some newly turned Wolves. I won't be back for a while." I gasp half surprised when he leans down and kisses me softly. But the kiss didn't last nearly long enough. He pulls away with a smirk on his face.

"I'll see you tonight." I nod lost for words. I watch him leave and then turn to look outside again. But Rose and Luca weren't there anymore.

When had my life become so...complicated?