Jaden's Price

by Lynn Hagen

Jaden was there! If he and Johnny could somehow get outside, they would be saved. Hilton’s heart pounded. He wanted to see his mate, and hear the man telling Hilton how he was the most protected man in the universe. That might not be true because of the circumstances Hilton and Johnny were in, but the promise made him feel special, as if Jaden truly cared for him.

  “Time for negotiations.” Mr. Ezra left the room.

  Hilton ran toward the window. Jaden and Panahasi stood on the street below. “This is about to get real ugly.”

  * * * *

  Ezra wasn’t impressed when he went downstairs. From the whispered rumors, he’d thought Jaden would be as tall as the buildings, but while he was tall and broad, he was just an ordinary man.

  Still, Jaden was a very powerful being.

  And Ezra wanted that power.

  He stood just inside the door. As long as he didn’t step foot outside, the dark spell would keep him safe. As for his men, Ezra had sent over a dozen men outside to protect the entrance. These demons, hellhounds, and shifters were cannon fodder, easily replaced.

  “Are you ready for negotiations?” Ezra tapped his walking cane on the floor. “Or shall I send the bunny down in pieces?”

  “I will drop you where you stand,” Jaden said with barely controlled anger as he stepped closer, “and then I will walk over your cold corpse to get to Hilton. Try me, and you will fail.”

  Ezra smirked. “You do not have the upper hand here, Jaden. I do.”

  Jaden balled his fists at his sides. The building shook, and a few windows blew inward. The ground rumbled as Jaden narrowed his eyes. “Hand. Him. Over.”

  “Negotiations first,” Ezra reminded him.

  Jaden transformed. His skin was purplish-blue. Long black claws slid free, as well as lengthy, lethal fangs. Leathery wings shot outward. The whites of his eyes filled with red, spidery veins.

  Not much scared Ezra, but the sight of Jaden’s creature worried him.

  “We’re about to find out how much pain you can take.” Jaden walked forward. As he moved, the ground cracked and pushed upward as if an animal were trying to escape from underground. But those weren’t small creatures coming out of their burrows. Ezra gasped as corpses pushed their way to freedom. They wobbled on their feet, then got their bearings and stood still, as if waiting for Jaden’s command.

  A thick fog began to envelop the streets. The wind picked up, and trash and debris swirled like mini tornadoes around the building.

  Ezra ordered more men outside. When they wouldn’t go, he used mind torture to force them through the door. “Fight for me, damn it!”

  As Jaden moved forward, so did his army of the dead. His long black hair blew behind him and his leathery wings arched as if he were ready for battle.

  And then Panahasi shifted into almost the same creature, advancing forward with Jaden.

  Ezra had made a grave error in challenging Jaden, but he wasn’t going to back down now. He saw the power Jaden held, and Ezra wanted it.

  The building shook again. More glass shattered, and cracks ran along the walls and ceilings. So far, the spell was holding, but Ezra wasn’t sure how much more stress the building could take.

  He heard thumping behind him and turned to see his captives racing down the steps.

  “Jaden!” Hilton shouted past Ezra.

  Jaden threw his head back and released an ear-shattering howl. Ezra backhanded Hilton, stopping him from escaping. Hilton’s little human friend kicked Ezra before Ezra shoved the man into the wall with such force he was knocked unconscious.

  The building rumbled. Plaster dropped in large chunks, and the walls moaned and creaked. Ezra’s men engaged the army of dead, but many of them fell quickly. They were no match for the corpses.

  Jaden stopped a few feet from Ezra. The power he emanated gripped Ezra and squeezed him tightly. Ezra had never felt anything like it before. Jaden started moving his hands, swishing them around in a circular pattern and Ezra felt the spell weakening.

  “All I want—”

  “I don’t care what you want,” Jaden said in a low and lethal tone.

  Ezra looked past Jaden. He saw Panahasi. Was the guy…? Fuck, he was. The demon leader went around and touched the fallen men. The demons and shifters rose, turned, and fought alongside the corpses.

  Ezra started to run back upstairs, but when he turned around, Hilton was standing right behind him. “You fucked with the wrong bunny.” Hilton helped his friend to his feet, then they shoved Ezra, making him stumble backward.

  He was now outside.

  Hilton and his friend raced past Ezra, and Hilton fell into Jaden’s arms. Jaden placed a kiss on Hilton’s head before he gently pushed the man aside.

  Then Jaden turned to Ezra.

  Ezra felt as if his insides were boiling. He screamed as he dropped to his knees. His bones snapped and his skin peeled away, then Jaden snapped his fingers.

  Ezra exploded.

  Chapter Eight

  “You’re my hero, Kitten.” Hilton kissed Jaden all over his face, practically crawling up his body. With a mere thought, Jaden had them back in Hilton’s bedroom. He liked having Hilton in his arms. He liked it a lot. More than he ever thought he would. The warmth made him feel weightless.

  “I told you, I am not a furball.” Jaden checked Hilton over from head to toe, and his mate blushed profusely as Jaden stripped him down.

  “I’m fine.” Hilton tried to bat his hands away.

  Jaden cupped Hilton’s face. His cheek was bruised from where Ezra had slapped him. Jaden forced his anger down.

  “It doesn’t really hurt.” Hilton pulled back. “I hardly felt it. The guy smacked like a little girl.”

  Jaden admired Hilton’s bravery. “But hard enough that he left a mark on your beautiful face.”

  Hilton stepped toward the bed and swayed. He gripped the dresser while touching his hand to his temple. “Hard enough I have a migraine.” He looked over his shoulder at Jaden. “What were we talking about?”

  Jaden felt, more than saw, that the cancer was growing. It was no longer the size of a kernel, but a grape.

  Hilton blinked a few times. “I must be worn out. My vision is blurry.”

  Jaden helped Hilton into bed. He stretched out next to his mate as Hilton curled up against him, and Jaden wrapped his arm around his little bunny.

  “As soon as I get some rest, we’re having sex,” Hilton exclaimed with confidence. “I think I’m addicted to it now.”

  Jaden kissed him on the temple. “I knew you would be, but for now, rest.”

  Hilton yawned. “It’s better than carrots.”

  Whatever differences he had with his brother, Jaden would have to go to Panahasi for help. There was no other way to save Hilton. Claiming him hadn’t worked and Jaden couldn’t stand the thought of losing his mate.

  * * * *

  Hilton woke, feeling better than he had before falling asleep. His headache was gone and there was heat at his back. He turned over to find Jaden awake, watching him. “Don’t you sleep?”

  “Not tired.” The sadness that had surrounded Jaden had returned as he looked at Hilton with such longing.

  “What were you thinking about just now?”

  “You.” Jaden placed a hand on Hilton’s ass and pulled him close, kissing him on his neck. “Always you.”

  Hilton’s body reacted to his mate’s touch. His cock hardened, his heart beat faster, and he fell deeper in love with Jaden as Jaden rolled Hilton under him.

  “How did I get naked?” Hilton had no idea where they were. This wasn’t his bedroom. Was it Jaden’s? Did Death have a house? Hilton needed to stop thinking of Jaden that way. He might be a grim reaper, but he was also a man.

  And damn if he wasn’t proving that right now.

  “Mmm.” Jaden kissed along Hilton’s chest, licking and sucking at his nipples. Hilton hissed as he writhed under Jaden. “I might’ve had something to do with that.”

  “Then do something about it,” H
ilton begged, spreading his legs in invitation. His cock was so hard it throbbed, pre-cum pooling on his belly.

  Jaden kissed his way down Hilton’s chest, lavishing his nipples before trailing kisses to his belly. Hilton shivered as Jaden’s long hair brushed his skin. The silkiness made an explosion of goose bumps rise.

  Hilton was not going to last. Not when Jaden’s warm lips wrapped around his cock. He’d be surprised if he had five minutes in him at the most. Hilton’s toes curled as he thrust his hips, crying out Jaden’s name.

  He came so hard that he felt dizzy.

  Jaden crawled up next to him and kissed Hilton along his jaw. He might’ve just come, but Hilton’s body responded to his mate’s touch. He slid his arms around Jaden’s neck, their lips pressed languidly together as Jaden’s hands skimmed every inch of Hilton.

  Then Jaden rolled to his back, taking Hilton with him. Hilton straddled Jaden’s waist, staring down into dark, sensual eyes. God, could he love Jaden any more than he did right now? Hilton didn’t think so. His heart expanded as he drew circles over Jaden’s chest.

  “Ride me, my sweet little mate.”

  Hilton’s face heated.

  Jaden held out his hand and a bottle of lube appeared in it.

  “That’s still a neat trick,” Hilton said.

  “You ain’t seen nothing yet.” Jaden winked at him. He lathered his cock, then Hilton’s hole. When Jaden grabbed the base, Hilton’s brows shot up.

  “No stretching?”

  “I can take the pain away before you even feel it,” Jaden said.

  Trusting his mate, Hilton rose slightly, then slowly impaled himself, amazed Jaden had told the truth. He felt pressure and pleasure, but just a tiny bit of sting. When Hilton fully seated himself, Jaden tucked his arms behind his head.

  “The show is all yours.”

  Hilton’s blush deepened as he began to bounce on Jaden’s cock. He was slow and hesitant at first, then quickened his pace, his fingers curling hard against Jaden’s chest.

  Jaden didn’t stay idle for long. He gripped Hilton’s hips with both hands and thrust upward, hissing and moaning as Hilton bounced downward. Of all the positions they’d tried, so far Hilton liked this one the most.

  Jaden moved faster, his expression a mask of pure pleasure. Jaden was already a stunning man, but in the throes of passion, he was downright breathtaking.

  Hilton faltered, his climax tearing through him. He cried out Jaden’s name a second time as Jaden sank his fangs deep into Hilton’s neck.

  Hilton was boneless by the time they collapsed. He lay on Jaden’s sweaty chest, his mate’s arm around him as he slowly closed his eyes. If only life could be this perfect all the time.

  * * * *

  “Dr. McNeal thinks I should talk to you,” Dr. Sheehan said as he walked up to Hilton’s desk.

  “About what?” Hilton turned to face the doctor. He’d been so busy thinking about the night before with Jaden that he hadn’t even heard Dr. Sheehan approach.

  “Why don’t we go into my office?” Dr. Sheehan looked around. “No one is out here. We have time to sit and visit.”

  With a shrug, Hilton picked up his container of carrots and grabbed his tea. He glanced toward the door to make sure no one was heading inside and squinted at the bright light streaming in through the windows.

  Today would’ve been a perfect day to hang out with Jaden. Did Death have picnics? Hilton wanted to find out. Maybe after work he would throw some things together and call for Jaden. They could go to the gazebo across from the diner and have dinner.

  All Hilton needed was food. And the diner was close. He’d just have to run home and grab a blanket.

  Hilton sat in the chair across from Dr. Sheehan’s desk. He nibbled on a carrot as he waited for the doc to start talking.

  “How are you feeling, Hilton?” he asked.

  “Fine, you?” Hilton set his container on the credenza that held a few plants.

  Dr. Sheehan smiled. “I’m fine. But what I wanted to talk to you about is…well, your mental health.”

  Hilton frowned as he settled back in his seat. “I don’t understand.”

  The doctor cleared his throat. “You’ve been seen holding a conversation with…no one. Are you seeing imaginary people, or are they real in your head?”

  Hilton burst out laughing. He held his side as tears trickled down his cheeks. Dr. McNeal must’ve seen Hilton talking with Jaden. He could just imagine how crazy that had looked. “The guy was real.”

  “Now I’m the one who doesn’t understand.”

  Hilton had opened his mouth to tell Dr. Sheehan about Jaden when his headache returned. It hurt so badly that Hilton cried out. The room began to spin and nausea overwhelmed him. He tried to cover his mouth with his hand, but something was off with his coordination.

  “Hilton?”

  Hilton’s thoughts scattered, and when he tried to talk, he couldn’t. He slid from his chair and hit the floor.

  Dr. Sheehan cursed as he jumped up from his chair and ran around his desk. He dropped to one knee and used the penlight from his pocket to check Hilton’s eyes.

  “You’re having a seizure.”

  Hilton barely heard the man as panic set in. His thoughts were jumbled, but he felt his body contorting. What in the hell was wrong with him?

  * * * *

  Hilton woke in a hospital bed. He didn’t remember how he’d gotten there.

  “Just relax.” Dr. Sheehan placed a hand on his shoulder.

  “What happened?” Hilton felt so tired and weak.

  “You had what is called a grand mal seizure. Which perplexes me. You’re not human, Hilton, so you shouldn’t have had one. I want to get some images of your head.”

  Hilton’s arms and legs twitched. Dr. Sheehan watched intently, then looked up at Hilton. “Since you’re not human, I’m not sure what to think, or if you’re symptoms will be the same as a human. So far you have some of the symptoms. That’s how I knew what was happening to you.”

  “I wasn’t talking to myself,” Hilton whispered. He had no idea what the doctor was talking about. A seizure? That was impossible. Preternatural beings didn’t suffer human ailments. They just didn’t. None that Hilton had heard of anyway.

  “I’m sorry?”

  “The conversation,” Hilton clarified. “I was talking with my mate.”

  “He’s invisible?”

  “He can be, sometimes. His name is Jaden.”

  “The Jaden?” Dr. Sheehan looked even more worried. “As in Death?”

  “You know him?” Why did everyone always jump to that conclusion? There were thousands, if not millions of men named Jaden. Why did everyone assume Hilton was talking about Death?

  “He came to the Den a few years ago to collect a soul. I wasn’t there personally, but I heard about it.” Dr. Sheehan shook his head. “No matter who he is, I think you should call him. You need your mate right now. We’ll know more once I get a CAT scan of your brain. But since we don’t have the equipment for that here, I’m sending you to Pride Pack Valley Memorial Hospital. Dr. Samuel will be the one helping you there.”

  “Dr. Samuel?”

  “He’s a lion shifter and a damn good doctor.” Dr. Sheehan patted Hilton on his hand. “I’ll be there, too.”

  Hilton closed his eyes. He was so tired. All he wanted to do was sleep, yet as he lay there, sleep eluded him.

  “I’m going to make the call.” Dr. Sheehan pressed something into Hilton’s hand. When he looked down, he saw a Call button. “Press that if you need me while I’m gone.”

  When Dr. Sheehan left the room, Hilton whispered, “Jaden.”

  * * * *

  Jaden moved through the demon realm. He was on his way to Remtin when his mate whispered his name. Jaden had a strong feeling he knew why Hilton had called for him.

  His heart pounded harder as he flew to his mate. When he appeared in the small room, Jaden remained invisible as he stared at Hilton lying in the bed, a sheet coverin
g him, looking so pale that his skin nearly matched the bedding.

  No matter his differences with Panahasi, Jaden needed to go see him. Jaden would not reap Hilton’s soul. He couldn’t lose his little bunny. Not when Hilton had made Jaden fall in love. Not when Jaden’s entire day brightened from a simple laugh, a sigh, a smile, or an invitation to lunch.

  Jaden’s heart had finally started beating and he would do whatever he had to in order to save Hilton.

  He wanted to go to his mate, but Jaden forced himself to leave and appear just outside the demon warriors’ apartment building. Instead of summoning his brother, Jaden stood there for a long moment and tried to sort through emotions he’d never had to deal with before.

  Love and worry were at the forefront. Artists wrote and sung about love, and wars had started over that strong emotion, but Jaden had never understood what was so special about it until Hilton. And he also now understood why wars were waged over it.

  Jaden would have—and almost had—ended this world to get his mate back from Ezra.

  “You’re troubled.”

  Jaden turned to see Panahasi standing behind him. His brother appeared perplexed as he stared at Jaden, as if wondering why Jaden stood outside the building, staring off into space.

  He opened his mouth, then snapped it shut. Saying something to piss Panahasi off would be counterproductive. Jaden just didn’t know how to ask for help.

  “Is it the bunny?”

  Jaden ground his teeth. “His name is Hilton. Only I get to call him Bunny.”

  Wow, there went another emotion he wasn’t used to.

  Jealousy.

  Panahasi grinned. “Love looks good on you.”

  “And you’re full of shit.” He might need a favor, but Jaden was who he was.

  Panahasi shrugged. “If you say so. Now tell me why you are here.”

  Jaden blew out a breath and ran a hand through his hair. They were four simple words, but they were trapped in his throat. Just say it. I need your help.

  “We should talk somewhere else.” Panahasi looked around. “I know why you came to see me, Jaden.”