Rise to Embrace [Rise of the Changelings, Book 3] (Siren Publishing Epic Romance, ManLove) by Lynn Hagen Page A

away. The other soldiers did the same. “Watch your back, Freedman,” the man said in a low voice. “I’ll be coming for you.”
    When they were out of sight, Freedman released the man he had been holding. “Get the fuck out of here, Baker.”
    “Animal lover,” Baker snapped before taking off into the woods.
    Dorian was on his feet in seconds, running to Benito. Freedman had bent down by Omar, checking him, but Dorian was so fucking terrified at the moment that no one else mattered. He heard someone running behind and gave a second to look back. Corrigan was hot on his heels. Dorian dropped down at Benito’s side, rolling him over.
    “Careful,” Corrigan warned. “We don’t know where he was shot.”
    Dorian’s eyes scanned the man’s body, but didn’t see any blood. What the fuck?
    “Well I’ll be damned,” Corrigan said as Benito opened his eyes. “He missed, didn’t he?”
    Benito nodded. “I had to go down. Someone had to stay behind and warn the alpha of what was happening in case they took Dorian.”
    Dorian was so damn relieved he smacked Benito on the back of his head. “Don’t you ever scare me like that again!”
    Benito grinned. “I knew you cared about me.”
    All three turned when Miguel came walking toward them, Peanut secured in his arms. “I take it the Death Squad is no longer a threat.”
    “Oh, they’re a threat all right,” Corrigan said as he backed up to allow Benito to stand. “Freedman killed Middleton. They won’t stop until they see all of us dead now.”
    “How is that any different than before?” Miguel asked just as explosions sounded all around them. Dorian shrank back and then glanced toward the detention center.
    “They must be in the tunnel.” He got to his feet and took off.
    “Dorian, wait!” Corrigan shouted. Dorian didn’t wait. He needed Rick. He needed to feel his mate’s arms wrapped around him and to feel safe once more. The adrenaline was wearing off, and the ramifications of having a gun pressed to his head hit Dorian hard.
    He stumbled, but kept running. Not only was he running to his mate, but Dorian was outrunning the overwhelming feeling of total helplessness. Middleton had ordered Trisha and Peanut out of the van.
    He had just stood there.
    Trisha had looked at him for help.
    He had just stood there.
    Middleton had taken Peanut from Trisha’s arms.
    And he had just stood there.
    Dorian felt like a fake, a fraud. He had shot a vampire. He had killed a Death Squad member. He had shot the Mãos da Morte . And Dorian had shoved a gun into Silvia’s gut when she attacked Rick.
    But he had done nothing when it counted the most.
    Would he have stood by if Middleton shot Trisha?
    Would he have stood by if Middleton had taken Peanut away?
    Dorian fell to his knees and vomited. He was shaking so badly that he collapsed on the ground.
    Fuck!
    He knew deep down in his heart, that no matter what anyone said, Dorian would always think of himself as a coward from this day on.
     

Chapter Ten

 
    Deluca had set the explosions off prematurely. He had to. They needed a diversion. Nobody in the van was answering him, and they were running through the prison, trying to escape the guards.
    Rick had the men in the control room at gunpoint. The cell doors had been opened. Chaos was everywhere as most of the prisoners were running to where Mason and Howard were pointing, jumping through the escape.
    But he hadn’t found Willow.
    She wasn’t anywhere to be seen. Brooke and Deluca had checked every cell. Deluca knew the children had been kept separate from their parents, but to see the appalling conditions they were living in was something he would never forget.
    Changelings were shifting, attacking the guards as they fought to get to their children. Deluca knew before long this place was going to be ass-deep in military personnel. They weren’t getting out fast enough, and in that chaotic moment, Deluca knew not everyone was going to be saved. Some were going