Chapter 7

--DG, I love you. I'm coming. Hold on. --

DG woke to Cain's voice in her mind and found her self on an old rickety bed in a small room. There was an oil lamp in one corner so she wasn't completely in the dark. DG stood and walked to the door. Locked. She tried to open the lock with her magick. It wasn't working. Something was wrong, she couldn't access her magick. It must be a side affect of what ever they used to knock me out, she thought. She heard the door unlock and she ran and curled up in the corner furthest from the door and tried to make herself as small as possible. A LongCoat entered and stood in front of her.

"The boss wants to see you, Princess. I wouldn't keep him waitin' if I was you." The LongCoat was gruff and roughly pulled her to her feet as he dragged her out of the room. She struggled against his hold on her arm looking around to try and discover where she was. The cabin looked old but it looked as thought it had recently seen some repairs. He threw her into a small living room toward another man and then she heard the voice she feared.

"Hello, Princess. Recognize where you are? " Adrian Zero laughed and took hold of her arm. He pushed her toward the front window. "Go on, take a look."

She looked out the window and saw the one thing that caused fear to shoot through her heart. The Tin Suit. That thing standing in the front of the cabin and the sound of water lapping at the shore, could only mean one thing, Cain's house.

"You!! Why are you doing this?" DG asked quietly. She didn't want to make him angry. She had seen the look in his eyes. He was more twisted now than the first time she had seen him 4 weeks ago.

"Because I want to see the pain in your precious Tin Man's eyes when he sees you tied up and at my mercy. I want to watch his heart, mind and spirit break when he watches me kill you in front of him. And then I want to watch him die."

"Why do you hate him so much?" She knew tears were starting to form in her eyes as he spoke of Wyatt Cain with such hatred.

"Oh, I think I've said quite enough." Zero stood, pulled DG away from the window and threw her at another LongCoat. "Tie her up and put her on the couch I want Cain to have a good view of her when he gets here."

DG struggled and screamed, "No, please, let me go! Please!!"

"Give her another dose and shut her up!" Zero yelled.

The LongCoat pushed DG backward toward an old couch that had been placed in the cabin and tied her roughly then leered at her as he bent down. Fear flashed in her eyes as she heard a tearing sound. He stood up with a strip of fabric that he had torn from the bottom of her dress and gagged her with it. Then he pushed her down on couch and withdrew a dart gun and shot her leaving her where she fell. As she drifted to unconsciousness she desperately thought, Oh, Wyatt, please hurry.

Cain and Jeb rode as hard and as fast as they could on back and side roads. It only took a few hours to get to his former home from Central Palace, but they were still running out of light and therefore out of time.

Cain's nerves were frayed and his rage was palpable. As he rode he used the time to get himself under control. Cain knew that if he went in there angry that DG would pay the price for his mistakes. Twice he had fought Zero and twice he had been beaten, not this time.

He knew he couldn't survive losing another woman that he loved. Not to mention the fact that DG was apparently his Soulmate. He didn't even want to think of what would happen to them if the Soulbond was broken before it was completed. Once they were within a few miles of the cabin they slowed their pace and rode close together to try and plan out what to do.

"Dad, we know that DG has used the bond to send you a message, maybe you could try to contact her? She could tell us how many men there are and their locations."

"I thought of that and I have tried but I know if she received it. I don't think I can do it while riding we are going to have to find a quiet place so I can concentrate. Jeb, you seem to be accepting this rather quickly."

"Well, the way I see it there isn't much I can do about it. I think I knew that you had feelings for her, when you were so insistent to go after her and The Seeker. It doesn't mean that you didn't love Mom. It just means that you are ready for a new part of your life. Right? Hey, how about over there?" Jeb pointed to a thick grouping of trees in the woods near the cabin. They dismounted their horses and headed over to check it out. It was quiet, secluded and protected; it was perfect.

"Yeah, I this will do. Ok, you are going to have to keep watch and cover me."

"Of course. Good luck."

Cain pulled a thin blanket out of his saddlebag. He placed it on the ground and sat on it as he tried to clear all the randomness out of his mind. He closed his eyes and concentrated on DG. He thought of how she looks, and how she smells. He thought of how he feels when they kiss and when he just holds her in his arms. Then in the back of his mind he felt it, a tiny spark of another consciousness. He concentrated on it; on bringing it to the forefront of his mind. Then in his minds eye he could see her, DG, his love, his Princess, his Soulmate. --DG!--

--DG!-- DG was startled back to awareness by hearing Cain's voice and feeling his comforting presence in her mind. --Cain? Am I going crazy?--

--No, Darlin', you aren't going crazy it's really me.--

--You can hear me? How is this possible?--

--I'll explain later, right now I need you to look around for me. How many men are there? Where are they? How are you?--

DG sat up as best she could and looked around as discretely as she could. Trying not to be noticed, she looked at all the men around.

--There are two out by the lake, there are two in the living room with me, and there are three out on the porch with Zero. I think that's it.--

--That's good work, DG. Now, how are you?--

--I'm scared but ok. Wyatt, I can't use my magick. Whatever they used to knock me out is blocking it. And when it started to ware off they used it again. I won't be able to use my magick to help you.--

--That's ok, DG, just concentrate on not attracting Zero's attention. Jeb and I will be there soon.--

--You and Jeb? That's all you brought? There are at least 7 guys in here!--

--The note he left was for me and Jeb to come alone; I wasn't going to risk him killing you.--

Jeb turned to check on Cain. The look of concern and concentration on his father's face made Jeb a little nervous. But rather than interrupt he turned back toward the direction of the clearing. Hurry up, Dad, he thought to himself.

DG worried about Cain and Jeb going up against 7 to 2 odds but knew there was nothing she could do about it now. --Ok, I'll be here waiting. Just be careful and be quiet.--

Cain smiled, --Hey, it's me.--

--I know; that's what I'm afraid of.--

Cain broke the connection and immediately passed out from the strain. Jeb got his canteen and threw the water on his father's face. Cain sputtered. "What the… What did you do that for?"

"Well, it's nearly dark; we really don't have time for you to pass out. We have to go." Jeb said while helping Cain to his feet.

"Gods, I hope that gets easier. DG said that she has seen 8 people and that includes Zero. They don't know what direction we will be coming from so we might be able to get the jump on them. You go to the back and I'll go in the front. If Zero wants me then that's what he'll get. No holding back. Don't shoot unless you have to." Cain warned his son.

"Yes, sir. Good luck." Jeb embraced his father quickly before he ran out of the woods toward the back of the house. Cain tied the horses then left for the house.