Reborn

by Nancy Corrigan

  “No, we did not ask for it, but we won’t fail. We have our Teulu to help us if we struggle.” Rhys’s meddling was proof of that support. As much as it had irritated her when he’d cornered her to talk about Trevor, she was glad he had done so. Rhys’s leading question had nudged her in the right direction.

  Arawn dipped his head in acknowledgment. “Tell me about the progress you have made. Any word on the location of the redcaps tied to Harley?”

  He would be privy to everything their hounds and horses saw, but she answered anyway, knowing he would want her thoughts on the situation. That was one thing about Arawn she’d always respected. He cared about their opinions. He didn’t always agree and occasionally overruled them, but he listened.

  “Yes, there’s been an increase of crime in a city about two hours south of the estate. Based on the victims’ profiles—all tall, black-haired Caucasians—we believe it might be Craig. I’m confident we’ll find him soon. I only hope we can do so before he kills someone.”

  “The redcap hasn’t murdered anyone yet?”

  “Not in this city. This particular redcap enjoys taunting the authorities. Trevor has amassed a lot of data on him.”

  “Trevor? That’s the other human living with you, the friend of Tegan’s mate?”

  She noticed her father avoided using Ian’s name, but at least animosity didn’t twist his voice when Arawn spoke of him. Sometimes baby steps were needed to accept the truth. She was glad Arawn was willing to take them.

  “Trevor has been a tremendous help, not only with Craig but also in our everyday lives.” Hers especially.

  “How so?”

  She told Arawn about the gym Trevor planned to build and why, about how he’d given them lessons on computers and modern-day technology, and about the meals he’d always had waiting for them when they returned from hunting. Trevor enjoyed cooking, something she’d been shocked and happy to learn. It was soothing, he’d told her when she’d asked him about it.

  Now that we’re together, maybe he’ll let me help him.

  “It’s good to hear positive things about Trevor. Rhys had mentioned that Calan was considering asking him to join the Hunt.”

  She stepped closer to Arawn. Excitement thrummed in her veins. “Trevor is worthy. Let me invite him.”

  Arawn studied her. A considering expression slid over his face. “This human is important to you, isn’t he?”

  “Trevor will be a benefit to the Teulu. I vouch for his integrity.” Not exactly an answer to her father’s question, but she wanted to be able to tell Trevor he’d been accepted into the Teulu because he’d been judged worthy, not because he was her lover.

  “You don’t fear he’ll fail my test?”

  Only two humans had been asked to ride over their long history—Bjorn, Tegan’s ex-lover, and Ian. Well, technically, Ian was a demigod, but he’d been born into a mortal body. That distinction forced him to experience the same restrictions every other human-turned-Huntsman faced, including suffering Arawn’s wrath.

  Ian had been accepted into the Teulu but had later been cast out once Arawn had learned of his parentage. Bjorn never made it that far. He’d failed Arawn’s test and had gone on to commit suicide. The track record of those invited to ride wasn’t encouraging, but it was the only chance Rowan had of keeping Trevor with her.

  “Not even a little doubt. Trevor is a good man.”

  Arawn held her gaze for several long heartbeats as if guessing there was more to her interest than she let on. He didn’t ask her what, though. He nodded. “So be it. You may have the honor of inviting him, but Calan will share the first half of the mark with him. It is painful, and I don’t want you to feel guilt over causing Trevor’s suffering. That is not a memory I want you to have.”

  Oh yes, Arawn suspected Trevor was more than a fellow rider to her. She’d delivered her share of pain to her siblings during their years in training. When they’d fought in mock battles, it had been to the death. What better encouragement to improve their skills than facing the ultimate failure?

  “As you wish.” She wouldn’t argue. Calan and Harley were in Washington State following up on a lead about a young woman with skills she shouldn’t have. Harley suspected the female was another one of Dar’s bastard children. It would only take Calan and Harley a few days before they returned, before Rowan could secure her future.

  Arawn opened a cabinet behind the desk and removed a decanter of liquor. He poured a glass, and the sweet scent of ambrosia saturated the room. She’d planned not to try to convince him to stop drinking, but she couldn’t stand by and watch him feed his addiction.

  He swirled the contents of the glass.

  “Are you finding the answers you seek staring into that booze?”

  He raised his gaze to hers. “You are dismissed, daughter. Go find Minerva, and remember what I said about Lucas.”

  The hard press of his mouth and the tight lines around his eyes warned her not to push him. Doing so would cause a fight. He never backed down when he got that look on his face. Since she didn’t want him to change his mind about joining Trevor to their Teulu, she inclined her head and made her way to the door.

  At the opening, she glanced over her shoulder. “You might have won this round, Father, but we will not give up on you.”

  He dipped his head, then turned away. It was the best she’d get for the day. She left him to his suffering. Maybe she’d have better luck with his mate.

  Chapter Eleven

  “You are damn lucky my mate loves me.”

  Trevor glanced at Ian. The annoyance in Ian’s voice matched his pinched brows, but he laced his boots and made his way to the bathroom to pop in a pair of brown contacts to hide his hazel-and-brown dual-ringed eyes. Although his eye color wasn’t an odd combo, they didn’t want Allie to spot him lurking in the shadows. The oversized sweatshirt and baggy jeans would add to the disguise. It wasn’t the best getup, but it was all they could come up with in the time since Trevor had asked for Ian to shadow them.

  “Tegan’s not questioning you?” That had been Trevor’s main concern when he’d decided to come to Ian for help. No way did Trevor want to cause any issues between Ian and Tegan, but he couldn’t bring himself to break Calan’s rule.

  Ian tugged on a black skullcap, hiding his wavy brown hair. “Why would she? I told her the truth.”

  Trevor rubbed his achy eyes. After he and Rowan had made it back to the house, it had been late afternoon. He’d grabbed a couple of hours’ sleep. If the headache he’d woken up with was any indication, it hadn’t been enough. “Allie doesn’t want them to know she’s meeting her birth mother. That’s why she came to me.”

  “I didn’t mention anything about her mom. I told Tegan I was going out with you and Allie and that she didn’t want anyone to know where she was going. Tegan didn’t ask more. She said for me to reach for her if I need her. That was it.”

  “I’d say your mate not only loves you but trusts you. I’m jealous.” And he was. If he’d gotten together with Rowan sooner, they’d be well on their way to building the kind of bond Ian and Tegan shared. Instead, Trevor had acted like a stubborn ass by ignoring the pull to Rowan. He’d felt it the moment they’d met. Then she went on to lust after Ian, and Trevor had dismissed his response, figuring he had imagined the connection.

  Trevor slammed a door on that memory. He wouldn’t hold it against Ian or Rowan. Ian’s incubus side had been to blame. With Tegan in the picture, Ian would never have to worry about arousing the women in a room by simply walking into it.

  Ian shoved a pair of sunglasses in the pocket of his sweatshirt, then studied Trevor. “What’s going on with you and Rowan?”

  “We’re involved.” That was as far as he was taking his explanation. Ian didn’t need the intimate details.

  “I thought you were waiting until you were a Huntsman to sleep with her?”

  Trevor ran a hand through his hair. “Yeah, well, plans change. I couldn’t stay away from her.”
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br />   “It was her sweet and charming personality that wore down your resistance, wasn’t it?”

  The joking tone should’ve eased the sting of the comment. It didn’t. Trevor got up in Ian’s face. “Rowan is sweet. Fucking amazing, actually. She cares. After everything she’s been through, she cares.”

  “Noted.” Ian gave a half smile and shook his head. “You know, I remember putting you in your place a couple of months ago when you were talking shit about Tegan.”

  “I called her a curvy little sex demon. That’s hardly ‘talking shit’ about her.”

  “And neither is saying Rowan has a sweet and charming personality.” Ian gave him a pointed look. “You’re protective of Rowan. You know what that means, don’t you?”

  “Yep.” Trevor grabbed his keys and motioned Ian to the door. “Means Rowan is mine.”

  Ian stopped him from opening the door with a hand splayed on the wood. “I’m not trying to stick my nose in your business, but Rowan is still in love with—”

  “Then don’t. Rowan and I will work out our issues together. If I need advice, I’ll ask.”

  Ian held his gaze another long minute, then nodded. “I’m happy for you.”

  “Thanks.” He opened the door. A sappy talk about love wasn’t high on his to-do list for the night…or ever. He’d save his softer comments for Rowan. She was the only one who needed to hear about his emotions anyway.

  “I’ll follow you and Allie to the bar, then grab a table in the back. Make sure you stay somewhere visible.”

  “If she lets me sit with her, I will.” Trevor motioned Ian forward. “Go on, get out of here. We’re leaving in ten.”

  The moment Rowan stepped into the dimly lit interior of the Haven, she was transported back to a time in her life where sex had been an addiction and an escape. Cinnamon, clover, and that sweet smell of cotton candy permeated the place. She had never been able to put a name to the last scent until she had walked among the modern-day humans. All the scents affected her, though. Combined with the smell of sex and booze, the carnal needs she hadn’t given life to since before her imprisonment stirred.

  She stood just inside the doorway, aroused. Hungry. Desperate. Her body wanted what only a sex demon could give her—mindless release, that state where nothing else mattered beyond reaching ecstasy. Her heart wanted no part of it.

  Tegan had warned her about the dangers of exposing herself to the sex demons. It was unavoidable. Minerva’s small home had been empty. Rowan had no choice but to risk the temptation of the Haven. Even knowing how the proximity of the demons would affect her, she swayed, shocked by the immediate response. She felt ready to combust. An orgasm at the hands of the incubuses would be the only thing that would ease her.

  Well, it wasn’t happening. No way. She wouldn’t disrespect Trevor.

  She conjured his face, remembered how his scent left her aroused and comforted, and recalled his voice.

  “If we do this, get together, I won’t share you.” His words echoed in her head, strengthening her. She stepped forward.

  An incubus slipped his arm around her from behind, stopping her. Cinnamon. Clove. The scents filled her lungs on her deep inhale. Her muscles relaxed. She leaned into his chest, unable to stop the reaction.

  “Welcome home, Rowan. It’s been too long since I’ve held you.”

  Zachariah, Lucas’s eldest son. Nobody knew who his mother was or his age, but anyone who spent time in the Haven had met him. Had probably fucked him too. He was powerful enough to make even the celibate spread their legs for him…if he was in the mood to conquer them. As old as he was, he didn’t need to feed off the life force of his lovers as frequently as the younger demons.

  She yanked her memories of Trevor more tightly around her. “I’m off the market, Zachariah. Release me, or my lover, who will become a Huntsman in a couple of days, will make sure you regret touching me.”

  He dropped his arms. “Time spent in the fairy prison must have changed the Huntsmen. For a group that avoided romantic involvements a millennium ago, you’re certainly embracing them now.”

  “Time has changed us.” She glanced over her shoulder. Black hair, gray eyes, and a body made to be worshiped. Except for the modernized clothes he wore, he looked exactly as he had the last time she saw him. “Has it changed you?”

  He swept his gaze over her. Hunger flared in his expression, and his lips parted. His response couldn’t have been because of her outfit but for the power she could feed him. She’d made sure she dressed demurely for her visit to the Haven. No makeup, khaki pants, a loose sweater that didn’t draw attention to any of her curves, and a simple pair of sneakers. She couldn’t dress down anymore unless she was going to wear sweats and a T-shirt, but the ones she owned clung to her body.

  “I’m not trying to convince you to sleep with me, am I?”

  “No, but you can try looking at my face and not my crotch.”

  He grinned and met her gaze. “Of course. Now, tell me why you’re here if it’s not for sex.”

  “I’m looking for Minerva.”

  “Really?” His eyes widened. “I thought you avoided her whenever you could.”

  “I do, but I need answers from her.”

  “About?”

  “The best way to give oral sex.” She said the first thing that came to her head. No way was she sharing her real reason for being here.

  Her sarcastic response wasn’t lost on Zachariah. He chuckled. “Didn’t I train you properly when you were in my bed?”

  “Can’t remember. I’ve been trying to block out the shitty parts of my life and enjoy the present.”

  “Ouch. That stings, Hunter.” The amused smirk he wore didn’t match his words.

  “I can see it bothers you, but you’ll have to go cry about it on your own time. I need to find Minerva.”

  “Well, you’ve found me, instead.”

  Lucas’s words drifted over her as if they had a physical force. He spun her into his embrace. Her gaze flew to his before she could stop it. The moment his brown eyes locked onto hers, she knew she was in trouble. Her body relaxed more, and her skin tingled. He pulled her closer.

  “I’ve been waiting for you, Rowan.”

  She squeezed her eyes shut. “And I’ve been avoiding you.”

  “Why is that, Hunter? Don’t you want what I can give you?”

  He trailed his fingertips across her cheek, and sparks skipped down her spine. She focused on Trevor’s image, held front and center in her mind. The lust Lucas’s touch stirred abated. She breathed a sigh. “If I did, I wouldn’t be avoiding you.”

  “Have you suddenly let go of your grief? The last I heard, you were still mourning your dead mate.”

  “Rowan has a new lover, father. A human who Arawn will be inviting to join the Hunt.” Zachariah stepped behind her and slipped his arms around her waist. He tugged her from Lucas and held her tightly against his chest. No erection pressed into her back, simply hard muscles. “She claims to be off the market.”

  “No human can ease your pain, Rowan. Only I can. You know this as well as I.” Lucas pressed his lips to her ear. “When you’re tired of mourning your mate’s death, come to me. I can make you forget him. My angelic powers aren’t gone, just hidden. You can unleash them. You’ll free me from my living hell, and I, in turn, will free you.”

  Zachariah stepped backward, pulling her with him. “Rowan needs to go now, Father. She has a duty to fulfill.”

  “Remember my offer, Rowan.”

  Zachariah held her tightly against him until Lucas joined a group of females at the bar. He released her, and she breathed a sigh. “Thank you for that.”

  “You’re welcome. My father is stubborn and has gotten it into his head that you are the answer to his problems.”

  “Do you agree?”

  “I can’t say, but I know I like you and don’t want to see you regret stopping to talk to me tonight. Out of all the female Hunters I’ve been with, you were the only one that made my
curse fun.” He rested a hand between her shoulder blades. “Come on. Let me take you to Minerva. That way, the other demons won’t harass you.”

  “Thank you.” She glanced at him as they walked. “What do you mean by curse?”

  “Do you think I enjoy what I must do to survive? I don’t. It’s demeaning.”

  She’d never really thought of it that way. “I’m sorry.”

  He ushered her down the hallway to the private booths. “There’s nothing I can do about it. I was born an incubus. It’s not as if I had a choice, any more than you did.”

  “No, I suppose not, but I am proud to be Arawn’s child.”

  “I feel the same about Lucas.” He pointed to the heavy burgundy-and-gold drapes blocking off the booth at the end of the corridor. “Minerva is in that one. I will wait here until you are done talking to her, then I will escort you out.”

  “I appreciate your offer, but it isn’t necessary.”

  “Yes, it is. I can’t allow you to suffer the effects of the Haven’s influence if it is not something you wish to indulge in, nor will I allow my father to corner you again. I read your body language. He wasn’t the male you wanted holding you.”

  She didn’t know what to say. Zachariah’s reasoning was noble. She’d never viewed him that way. Actually, she’d never really given him much thought beyond what they’d done between the sheets. Respect for any of the demons wasn’t the smartest emotion to have, not when Lucas’s offer to save her from memories of Kai hung over her head.

  Instead of responding, she dipped her chin, then hurried down the hall. The sooner she got out of the Haven, the better. She lifted one of the heavy curtains and slipped into the booth.

  The delicious smell of bacon greeted her. She let the fabric fall behind her.