by Tl Reeve
“Sure,” Cian replied. “I know you don’t want to talk about the case.”
“Not yet,” he said. “I still can’t get the anguish in her parents’ eyes out of my mind. Or their howl of sorrow. They’re good people. I think she was Rodney’s mate as well. The kid looked like shit when I got there.”
“Shit,” his lover dropped his napkin on his plate, his food barely touched. “I’ll go talk to him and Shelby tomorrow, see how they’re doing and if they need anything.”
“Thank you,” Zane whispered. “I wish I could put this shit together. Get the fucker who is terrorizing our town.”
“You will,” he answered. “It’ll take time, but you will.” Cian stood and reached out to Zane. “Come on. Let me take care of you.”
Zane allowed his lover to lead him up the stairs to their room. Once inside, his mate started removing his clothes. With each button he loosened, his lover placed a kiss on the exposed flesh. His heart gave a heavy thud with each brush of Cian’s fingers against his chest, then down his stomach to the waist of his pants. Anticipation rushed through him. His hands clenched at his sides as he let his mate take care of him.
“Relax,” Cian murmured. In an easy motion, he unbuttoned Zane’s pants then cupped his ass.
He groaned, flexing his hips. His cock throbbed to life, engorging with blood. “I’m not thinking about relaxing right now, mate.”
“Well, you should be.” Cian went to his knees tugging Zane’s pants off the rest of the way.
“Later, after I’ve had my fill of your ass,” he snarled. “Until then... since you’re down there.” He fisted his mate’s hair and pushed his face toward his groin.
Cian groaned and inhaled. He mouthed the straining material covering Zane’s cock before he pulled the boxer-briefs down. His erection slapped his lower belly, and Cian licked his lips. “I meant to bathe you then suck your dick.”
“You’re overdressed,” Zane muttered.
“Not a problem.” He opened his pants then pushed them over his hips, exposing his erection to Zane’s perusal.
“Fuck,” Zane grunted.
“We will,” his mate teased. “But, if we stay like this the rest of the night, well, we’re going to have a serious case of blue balls, and I’m going to have a crick in my neck.” He grinned.
Zane released his grip then pulled his lover to his feet and smacked his ass. “Lead the way. You’d better be ready for shower sex.”
“Last one in is a rotten egg.”
His mate hurried into their bathroom, and seconds later the sound of running water broke through the silence. Instead of the cascade of water starting like he expected, their large Jacuzzi tub began to fill. The whirl of the jets beckoned him. He strolled over to the tub where Cian had climbed in and began stroking his dick.
“Eager?” he asked, slipping into the water before letting out a pleasure-filled groan. The water massaged his muscles, releasing the tension-filled knots.
“Always,” his mate said then slid toward him. Cian buried his face in Zane’s neck, nuzzling him before pressing wet open-mouth kisses up the column of his throat. “You always taste so fucking good.”
“My cock tastes better,” he murmured.
“I know it does,” Cian replied. “But I think you need a dirty fuck instead.”
“Mmm...” He wrapped his fist around his lover’s cock and squeezed. “You might be right. Turn around and get your ass on my dick.” He jerked Cian’s cock, once then twice before letting go. Zane grabbed the lube from the shower tray and opened it. He squeezed a liberal amount into his hand then began to stroke his dick, coating it.
A cocky grin filled his mate’s face as he turned away from Zane. He wiggled his ass, then ground against Zane’s groin. Fucker. He smacked his mate’s hip. “Don’t even think about it. I’m in the mood to fuck, not play mushy games. I want it hard and fast. I want you howling when you come. I want you to remember every time you sit the hell down tomorrow, I rutted inside you and drained your balls. Got it?”
“Oh, yeah,” his mate answered.
“Good.” Zane lined up his tip with Cian’s ass and pulled him down. He pressed into his lover, gritting his teeth as heat engulfed his crest and the muscle of his lover’s ass rippled opening up to him. “That’s it. Take it.” His mate moaned his name while his fist worked his cock.
“Shit,” he snarled. “Always so fucking hard to hold back with you.”
Zane smacked his hip again and growled. “Who said you should be holding back? Does it embarrass you to blow your load before I get my dick worked into your ass? Because I find it hot as fuck and makes me want to come, too.” He slipped past the band of tight muscles, and he gripped Cian’s hips tighter. His balls drew up, and he had to take several deep breaths to keep from spilling his load.
Fuck.
After what seemed like an eternity, his mate began to move. The ride was slow and deep. His lover teased his tip before lowering himself, grinding on his crotch, then lifting off once more. Their steady rhythm built by the minute, churning the ball of lust expanding in his gut, until both of their moans of pleasure echoed in the room.
Zane sat forward, changing the angle of penetration, taking him even deeper into his lover’s ass, until he didn’t know where he stopped, and Cian began. His lover shuddered and lost pace with each thrust of his hips. He pushed Cian’s hand out of the way and took over, matching him, stroke for stroke.
“Zane,” he grunted.
“Right there with you,” he snapped. “Do it.”
“Don’t have to tell me twice.” He rocked against Zane; each shift of his body grew more intense until even he held on by a thread. “Fuck, fuck, fuck,” he muttered. A long low groan passed his lips as he sat down, and Zane sank into him, balls deep. Cian’s cock twitched then pulsed as jets of his seed shot from his tip, covering his hand.
“So damn hot. Now it’s my turn.” Letting go of his lover’s length, he then pushed up onto his knees changing their position and giving him the ability to move. Zane gripped his hips and set himself on a brutal pace.
Their hips slapped together. His balls tapped Cian’s taint, and his mate shuddered. Zane nipped his lover’s back, and when the pressure became too great, he pulled Cian upright, so his back touched Zane’s chest, and he found the mark he’d left so many years ago. He bit down when the tingle in the pit of his stomach expanded, and his release shot through him.
Cian howled, bucking against him as Zane let go and filled him. He moaned against his lover’s neck. He needed this. Needed the release. Needed to feel alive after dealing with death and those affected by it. Zane didn’t know how long he sat in that position. He didn’t want to let go just yet, and he suspected his mate didn’t, either.
Finally, when he could think clearly, Zane slipped from Cian and started the shower. His body felt heavy with fatigue, like he hadn’t slept properly in weeks. Still, he didn’t tell his mate about his day. When they were finished cleaning up, they went downstairs to clean up the kitchen. By the time he returned to their room, he could barely keep his eyes open, but he owed Cian an explanation.
“They’re alive when he cuts them open and pulls out their entrails. They see it happening, and they are powerless to stop it,” he whispered. “He leaves these, I don’t know what to call them, dry husks of their organs neatly placed around their bodies as well. I have never in all my life seen anything like what we’ve been experiencing. And, worst of all, I don’t even know how to stop it.”
“Jesus,” Cian whispered. His breath fanned out over Zane’s chest. “I can’t imagine how frightened they must be.”
“Neither can I. Nor do I want any of my wolves to ever experience what these potential mates are having to deal with. Or what our witches are living in fear of. I can tell you this, whoever is doing it, is pure evil. The magic surrounding the sites is so black, you can smell it before you step foot into the scene. And the magic only appears to be getting stronger.”
�
�Not good,” his mate said glancing up at him. Worry filled his eyes, and Zane knew who he was thinking about.
“Blake is still with her. She might not like it, but I won’t have her alone, either,” he assured Cian. “Once we get her to realize we’re not going anywhere and this is permanent, she’ll be here with us, and we can protect her.”
“And if she stays stubborn, then what?”
Zane didn’t want to think about it. “Well, we have to hope your animal magnetism wins her over.”
Jamie pushed the door open, stepping out as a blast of cool air washed over her face and neck. The temperature had dropped over the last couple of days, getting colder and colder. Several customers had already started predicting that the first snowstorm of the season would hit later in the week. She couldn't wait to see what Salem would look like under a blanket of snow. She finished buttoning up her jacket and wrapped her scarf around her neck, before making her way toward her apartment. Her client list was getting shorter as those who would be leaving for the coming winter were making the last of their arrangements and soon, she’d have to find a second job to make ends meet.
“James!”
She cringed as Ava's voice echoed around the almost dead main street. She couldn't continue to avoid the woman, although she had made a damn good try for the last two days. Every time Ava had approached her in work, Jamie had simply told her she was busy and walked away.
“I know you heard me!” Ava yelled.
“The whole damn town heard you,” Jamie muttered, as she turned to face Ava.
“Can we talk?” Ava stated as she stopped in front of Jamie. “Maybe go someplace? I'll drive us.”
The offer to have Ava drive them was more than tempting, especially since the breeze strengthened, causing her to shiver. “Yeah. I guess.”
“Thank you.” Ava appeared relieved which surprised Jamie.
She followed Ava toward her car and realized wasn't really fair to be mad at Ava because her older brother was a jackass. “Sorry.”
“Huh?” Ava glanced over her shoulder.
“I’m an asshole?”
Ava laughed. “I’m used to it.”
“Yeah, well...” Jamie frowned. “It’s not fair for me to be a jerk to you because of your brother and Cian.”
“When isn’t Zane an asshole?” Ava opened the door for her, and Jaime got in. When Ava joined her, she started the car and turned the heat on full blast. “Where to?” The cool air brushed over her hands and cheeks as it slowly warmed.
“My apartment is fine. I can hide your body in the back lot if I need to,” Jamie joked in an attempt to wash away the tension she could feel building inside of the car. “Maybe then your brother will leave me alone.”
Ava snorted. “He might want you more then.” She grinned. “Besides, I don't think the gray jumpsuits the state provides would look good on you.” Ava put the car in gear and drove out of the parking lot. “Please keep that in mind before you smack me on the back of the head with a blunt object.”
“Head wounds can be very messy. I'd find something more devious and get you when you least expect it.”
Ava's laughter filled the car. “I heard you had a run-in with Zane and Cian the other day.”
“Sure did.” Jamie didn't pussy foot around, she wanted to cut through the bullshit and get to what Ava had been dying to speak to her about. “Did they ask you to come talk to me?”
Ava chortled. “No.” The car turned into her apartment complex a few minutes later. “Neither of them would ever ask me to intercede.” Ava parked the car, then turn it off. “That's not their way.”
“I have my doubts.” Jamie opened the car door and hopped out. She didn't even bother to look over her shoulder as she made her way up the stairs to her third floor apartment. Ava was hot on her heels.
“If they wouldn't ask you to intercede as you put it. Why are you here?” Jamie unlocked the front door and stepped into her tiny apartment.
“Because you're my friend, and I know things that you don't.” Jamie knew exactly where this conversation was going. Another perfect night, right down the drain. “Cian told me he told you about wolves, witches, and the Trinity. I thought if you had questions, I could answer them for you.”
Jamie turned and tossed her jacket and scarf on the dinette chair. “I'd have to believe any of that is true, to have questions, now wouldn't I?”
Ava pursed her lips so hard, Jamie could see the white around her lips. “It's true. The birthmark.” She wrapped her hand around Jamie's wrist. “I saw it within a week of when you started working at Freedom Travel. I knew exactly what it meant.”
“Let go of my wrist.” Jamie tried to break the hold Ava had on her wrist.
“I knew exactly who your mates are.”
“I said let go of my wrist.” Jamie continued to struggle to get free.
“You really don't know, do you?” Wonder, shock, and sorrow filled Ava's tone.
“I'll tell you what I do know. You, your brother, and his lover Cian all have pretty fucking amazing imaginations. What you're all talking about is myths, folklore. None of it’s true, and quiet honestly the joke is getting old. I don’t find any of this amusing!”
“It's not a joke. I swear.” Ava released her wrist, and Jamie rubbed the ache away. “I'm a wolf. A shifter, like Zane and Cian and half the other people in this town. The other half of the town are witches or warlocks. The wolves protect the covens. It's been that way since the witch trails.”
“Like I informed Cian, that's not possible—”
“It is possible. I know this is all very unnerving and frightening. But listen to me. You know me, James. We're friends. What possible reasoning could I have for lying, for spinning this tale?”
“Because you're a compulsive liar?” Jamie ignored the hurt expression flashing across Ava's face. How did they expect her to believe this bullshit? “So is your brother and his lover as far as I can tell.”
“James.” Ava's eyes flickered, changing as a dark ring of black framed the amber yellow of Ava's iris's. How the fuck? It's not possible, her mind had to be playing tricks on her. Jamie kept her gaze locked on Ava's eyes as they switched back.
She took a step backwards. “No fucking way.”
“Myths and folklore are usually based on truth, James.” Ava voiced fill with determination. “Bridget Bishop was, in fact, a witch, a very powerful witch who was the head of her coven. She died because of jealously, hate, and the ignorance from those around her who didn’t understand her or her power.”
“I know who Bridget Bishop was. I don't need a freaking history lesson.” A feeling of overwhelming dread washed over her as something wavered deep in her memory, something she couldn't focus on or see clearly yet.
“I know you know who she is. But it isn't a coincidence your last name is also Bishop—”
“As I already explained, my last name was given to me by the priest who found me. In a church,” Jamie sneered.
“I disagree. It's who you really are. You are of the Bishop family. You have the birthmark of a powerful house. You are a witch, Jamie. You can say no and deny it all you want, but all of us know the truth.
“You’re insane.” Jamie didn't even bother to hold back her anger. This was out of control and bordered on ridiculous.
“And, you’re a descendant of Bridget Bishop.”
“How exactly do you plan to prove that?” Jamie's voice rose as fear raced down her spine. She wanted to continue to rail against her friend, but she hesitated. Something inside her stilled, the words floating through her mind. She didn't understand it, nor could she explain it. Instead, she asked Ava to leave.
“I have proof,” Ava stated, and Jamie looked at her in shock.
“Just how the hell do you prove it?”
“Do you feel an electric current race through your body when you touch Zane or Cian? Does your birthmark ache and then pulse when you're around them?”
“How?” Jamie licked at her bottom lip. �
��How did you know?” Jamie hadn't told a soul about the fact that her wrist ached or pulsed. “I haven't told anyone.”
She shook her head and laughed. “You don't have to tell anyone. We know it from the times we’re babies. We hear the stories from our Elders, our parents, and our history books.”
Jamie crossed her arms and stared at her friend. She wasn't lying. She believed everything she had told Jamie. It was the gospel truth for Ava, and it scared the shit out of Jamie because her friend spoke with such conviction.
“Why did your brother put Blake on me?” Jamie changed the subject. She needed time to process everything Ava just told her.
“He's the Alpha and your mate. He's concerned about you.”
Now she lies. Jamie realized Ava wasn't telling her the entire story. She could sense it and see it in the way Ava wouldn't meet her gaze. “You're going to lie now?”
“It wasn't a total lie.” Ava rolled her eyes.
“It's also not the whole truth, either. I have the right to know.”
“Yes, you do.” Ava let out a deep sigh. “He's worried something might happen before the Trinity can be completed. For a wolf to lose one of their mates.” Ava shook her head. “It changes them, and not in a good way.”
“Would you be more open to telling me if I told you I feel like I'm being watched? It’s not Blake, either. It's something or someone else. It creeps me the hell out.”
“Zane will kill me,” Ava whispered.
“Risk it. You risked coming here to get me to understand about wolves, witches, and the Trinity. Why stop now?”
“Do you believe me?” Jamie didn't miss the hopeful look in Ava's eyes.
“Let's just say you all have moved down from bat-shit crazy to slightly out of your mind.”
Ava laughed. “I'll take it.”
“Tell me.”
“Someone...” Ava’s voice trembled. “Someone is killing witches.”
