Sapphire Angel by Khloe Wren Page A

is he still breathing?"
    "He said he has information and wants to help. He could save us a lot of wasted time if he can lead us straight to them."
    Darcy remembered the sorrow and pain she’d seen on Karl’s face the night she’d been hurt. Could he be on their side? She stepped toward him and focused her mind on his.
    "You will tell the truth. Are you truly helping us?"
    "Yes, I am helping you."
    "Why?"
    "Didn’t know before, what happened. Now I do, I won’t stand by and allow it."
    "What have you done so far to help?"
    "I gave each captive vampire a full bag of blood a few minutes ago. Sharon’s vampire told me they would be able to break out in five minutes. We must hurry; the Guardians are with the brides, abusing them for their own pleasure."
    Darcy stepped back into Angelo’s hard body.
    Emotion threatened to overtake her mind. The mention of her mother’s mate, of the abuse already happening had her heart bleeding. She took a deep breath and pushed down all the emotions, refusing to let them rise.
    "Where are the unclaimed?"
    "Still in the workroom."
    She nodded her head and turned to the bulk of the vampires.
    "Okay, we need the first group back here pronto. I will lead a smaller group down to the workroom to rescue the six unclaimed. Everyone else needs to follow Karl to where the claimed brides are being held. We’ll head up there as soon as we’ve rescued the unclaimed."
    It only took moments for the other vampires to be found and for them to return. Supernatural speed was a glorious thing indeed.
    "Orlando, you need to come with us now. Let’s go."
    Darcy headed down the hallway toward the workroom. Angelo and Orlando flanked her on either side, while a dozen others followed behind. They reached their destination quickly and Orlando flew forward to swiftly kill the sole Noble guarding the door. Using the dead man’s thumb, Angelo unlocked the door. The second it opened, Darcy dashed inside. All six remaining women were standing at their machines with puzzled frowns on their faces.
    "As promised I’ve come back for you all. Quickly, follow me. We need to help rescue the others."
    She spun to leave but Fiona’s shocked gaze caught her. With a grin she stood back to let Orlando and her have a moment.
    Orlando stepped forward hesitantly as if he couldn’t quite believe his Bride was finally within his grasp. Fiona was also creeping forward. She was staring into his eyes with her mouth hanging loose. When they reached each other, Orlando pulled her into him for a bone crushing embrace. His body shuddered as he closed his eyes tight and breathed in her scent. Darcy watched in glee as Fiona’s hands slowly worked their way up and down his back. They pulled apart and Orlando gripped Fiona’s face as he bent to lay a heat filled kiss on her lips.
    As she turned away to give them a moment of privacy she noticed Nikki had also found her vampire. She didn’t know the vampire’s name, but he held her to him reverently. With her cradled against him, he had his face buried in her hair.
    Angelo spoke up, breaking the intimate moments.
    "I am sorry to interrupt but we must get moving. We have more to save tonight. But ladies, when this is over, know we have a secure place for each of you to stay in. Where you will all be safe."
    Darcy ushered the still unclaimed brides from the room. Fiona, Nikki and the vampires followed them into the hallway. They returned to where they’d started. As they reached a fork in the hallways, they heard a massive explosion and watched as a metal door flew in front of them. From the doorway, ragged dirty men appeared. The first man looked up at them and Darcy gasped when she saw his eyes, so much like her mother’s.
    "Barret?"
    The man frowned in confusion.
    "Who are you?"
    "I’m Darcy. Sharon’s Darcy. We’re here to rescue you all."
    As the other vampires came through the door and were greeted by the rest of the team, Barret moved toward her with tears in his eyes. He reached