Marked by Rebecca Zanetti Page A

missed his friend when he’d been sent away. Frustration clenched Zane’s hands into fists.
    “Simone and I have a history . . . one I don’t want to discuss right now.” Nick shoved a small pine tree out of his way. “As for Russia, let’s just say the witches have a problem with our land holdings there.”
    Zane slowed to a lope and then a walk. He’d already surmised Nick and Simone had once been lovers. But the land dispute didn’t make sense. “Russia? They did ask for the territory during demands yesterday.”
    “I’m sure,” Nick said, stopping to twist his torso.
    Zane leaned back against a white pine, wondering how well he really knew Nick. “What’s in Russia?”
    “Russians?” Nick rolled on his feet. “Witches and their issues are irrelevant to us right now. Focus.”
    Zane scratched his jaw. “Is there an us ?”
    Nick stilled. “What are you asking me?”
    Zane eyed the dark face of someone he’d once considered a friend. But years of hard labor often destroyed a man, especially when demons designed the labor. They hadn’t talked in too much time, and even now, Nick might be desperately loyal to Suri. Demons lived for subterfuge. “Are you broken?” Zane asked.
    Fire flashed through Nick’s gray eyes. Muscles rippled along his arms and broad chest. “No. Are you?”
    “No.” Zane’s shoulders settled into place.
    “Well then.” Nick studied him. “I wonder where this leaves us.”
    Everything in Zane wanted to trust his old friend, but he’d learned young that trust could be bought. “Can you get into the main control room?” Zane asked.
    Nick jerked his head, blinking. “Yes. Why?”
    “Suri and Kalin. I need to know the plan.”
    “I already know the plan. Tomorrow Suri is going to double-cross Kalin and take out the Realm forces in order to kill Janet Kayrs.” Nick rocked back on his heels. “The strategy is nearly perfect, actually.”
    So Suri had given up on Zane’s killing Janie? “How do you know?” Zane settled his stance, realization dawning. He had no allies.
    The smile Nick flashed could only be termed malevolent. “Because I came up with the plan.”

Chapter 6
    The Realm helicopters spread out in a defensive formation, all unmarked, all fully armed on the way to the underground cavern. Far below, the ocean rioted, flinging up whitecaps like a child throwing a tantrum. Rough weather issued an ominous warning against the second day of peace talks.
    Janie sat back in her seat, her mind spinning. Instinct raised the hair on the back of her neck, foretelling a monumental day about to occur.
    Why or how, she didn’t know.
    As always, the mantle of destiny weighed down her shoulders, and as always, she shrugged through the heaviness with a smile for those around her.
    A smart-assed smile Zane had apparently seen right through.
    She didn’t feel the smart-aleck persona, and she never had. Fighting to find the lightness in their situation wore on her, and sometimes she just wanted to escape.
    Her father sat next to her, his gaze out the window, tension vibrating from his tough body.
    Uncles Dage and Max sat in the front of the helicopter fully armed and prepared to wage war. Well, continue waging war.
    Could peace actually be accomplished? If so, how could she make it happen? There must be some truth to all the prophecies, so there had to be something she could do to end the war. To end the bloodshed.
    Leaving the Arias volume in the cavern the previous day had actually hurt deep inside. As if she’d left a part of her, one aspect she needed for survival. To breathe and live.
    What in the world was she meant to do?
    Could the book actually help her meet destiny? Finally?
    A wisp of sound echoed, and water whooshed through the early morning. Gray and fast, a spinning missile barely missed her side of the helicopter.
    Fear flushed down her body like pricking needles. Janie’s scream caught in her throat.
    Dage yanked the controls to the right, and the helicopter