The battle between the two Atrika finally came to a close. Bai’s great head swung around and fixed on Theo, who had his arm around Sarafina’s waist.

Bai snarled and stalked toward them. Theo stiffened and drew power, just as she did.

“Peace, Bai, let her have her fun.” Stefan smiled slowly, holding a hand to his head where he’d hit it against the table she’d catapulted him into. He fixed his gaze on her and smiled a cold little smile. “Soon she’ll be all yours. I can’t think of a more fitting punishment.”

Stefan snapped his fingers. “Allez! Somebody get me out of here.”

An Atrika daaeman reached out, touched his shoulder, and they all winked out, even Bai, leaving only Stefan’s hapless warlock bodyguards and the limo driver behind.

The room went silent, but for the occasional whimper or groan of pain.

Sarafina surveyed the wreckage, thinking it looked a lot like a battlefield after a war.

Theo turned her to face him. “What does Bai want you for?”

Fear welled up inside her, then settled like a cold, hard rock in the center of her stomach. “He wants me to bear his children.”

Theo said nothing in response, but his grip on her shoulders grew a little stronger.

Adam approached them, helping Claire who’d twisted her knee in the fight. “What did you say?”

Sarafina shook her head and pulled gently away from Theo’s grip. “Apparently, there’s a shortage of Atrika females, and they’re having trouble kidnapping daaeman females, of the other breeds. Aeamon women are considered the next best alternative. Bai saw me in Chicago and took a liking to me.” She snorted. “Says he can tell I’m fertile and that I’m strong enough to bear good stock.” Her voice sounded thin and bitter.

Thomas had come to stand near them, accompanied by Isabelle. Isabelle was pressing a wet cloth to a gash on Thomas’s head. Her expression was one of horror.

She was welcome to join the club.

“I am telling you right now that will never happen.” Theo growled. “Not while I’m drawing breath.”

She shivered and hugged herself. The thought of Bai killing Theo over her was too much for her emotions to hold.

“Someone give me a body count!” Thomas yelled abruptly, startling her.

“The limo driver’s dead,” Jack called back, then paused a beat. “Two dead Coven witches. A bunch of minor injuries. A few more serious. Lots of acid burns. Marcus probably broke his leg. James and Kelly are out cold.”