The alternative was worse than reality.
But the loss of so many still shredded my soul. People continued to die around me. I thought I’d lost everything at Vicksburg. Then Savannah. Then I came back to Ada to have my uncle try to tear away what was left only to have it stripped from me in the end anyway.
Xerxes always won. Death always won.
“Take me home, please,” I said, looking up at Garrett and then over at Travis.
They nodded, and we moved away from the crowd.
Chapter 37
XERXES
A knock at the Oval Office door pulled me out of the plans strewn over the desk. “Come in.”
A man, a Djinn, walked in a few steps and stood, waiting to be given permission to speak.
“Yes?” I turned the page on a book of maps detailing the layout of the five major cities in the Washington Republic.
“The standing army in New York has surrendered. The commanders await your orders. Should they execute or assimilate the soldiers?” He bowed his head and clasped his hands together in front of him. Silent again, but beneath the surface, he hungered to feed. A trained killer. One of many I’d taught to go out into the world and perpetuate the story that the Djinn were ruthless, psychopathic killers. Everyone feared them, and no one engaged them.
The truth humans would never know was that Djinn lived and cared for their people just like any other race. So much so that they had lived in complete servitude to me for thousands of years to prevent the deaths of more of their people. Even most supernaturals believed the lies I’d perpetuated. Very few were still alive that remembered the Djinn free from my hand.
“Tell them to line them up, and I want you to kill four men out of every five.” Not only would it cripple the morale of the Republic army, it would keep the chance of a rebellion very low. Ordinary citizens were easy to control. Trained soldiers who hated supernatural beings were not.
The Djinn sucked in a quick breath, but I saw a split second glint of pleasure dance across his face. “Yes, General,” he answered, his voice calm; I could hear his heart pounding with excitement in his chest. Adrenaline poured out of him, flooding the room with the sweet scent of his bloodlust.
According to my latest update from Manda, the SECR central government officials went into seclusion the second word of my victory in Washington spread. I had hoped to take down both capitals, one after the other, but for now, I would settle for commanding the WR and secretly controlling the SECR until they relaxed their guard and I was able to get all the heads of government together and take them out all at once. Once they were dead, I didn’t need that troublesome bitch any longer. The rest of her race responded to threats of being boxed. Manda only responded to me killing her people in front of her.
It grew tiresome, and she would be more trouble than she was worth once I had complete control of the SECR. And when that happened, I would enjoy killing her very slowly after I killed the rest of her family and court in front of her.
I scribbled the order on a piece of paper and signed it. “Here.”
He stepped forward and took the paper. Folding it carefully, he bowed and flashed from the room.
“Cal,” I called out.
“Yes, General, sir,” another Djinn stepped into the room from the small office adjacent to the Oval.
“Take me to the palace.”
The Djinn nodded and stepped forward. He held out his palm, and I laid my hand in his. A moment later, the world folded around me, and we stepped out of the vortex on the other side of the world. The air was warmer, and the noise of the city was gone, replaced by the quiet breeze blowing through the palace halls.
“Remain at the door.”
“Yes, General, sir.”
I pushed open the doors to my suite and breathed in the rich scent of incense. “Where are my girls?”
The harem door flew open, and my three lovelies ran across the room, dropping to the floor at my feet in a prostrate position, hands above them, palms on the floor, and their foreheads pressed to the carpet.
“Ah, it has been too long.” I stripped off my shirt and tossed it onto the satin-covered bed. “Come to me.” A sigh slipped from my chest as their hands slid up my legs and removed the rest of my clothing. Lily’s mouth settled over my hard dick, and I fisted her hair, fucking her sweet mouth until she gagged. Pulling back a short few moments gave her a breath of air before I went at it again, thrusting until I came down her throat. She swallowed every drop and licked me clean.
“Excellent warm up, Lily.” I pointed to the bed, and all three women jumped onto the low-lying mattress. It was time to celebrate my victory with three willing women in my bed who knew everything I liked.
Chapter 38
CHARLIE
I walked through the streets of Sanctuary next to my mates. The pixies had insisted on keeping Karly and Isis for at least a couple of hours while Travis and Garrett promised to get me situated in their home. After seeing the smiles on the babies’ faces, I’d been able to leave them… just for a few hours. The pixies had assured me they would bring the babies to us later that evening, along with all the equipment we would need to care for them.
A few hours to just be with Travis and Garrett were all I could think about right now. I wanted to be safely wrapped in their arms without fear of what was going to come jumping through the window next. At least for a few moments.
They said Sanctuary was safe. They’d reminded me about the barriers on the houses that snapped in and out of place each time a window or door was open, preventing Djinn from teleporting in and out. I knew several of the vampire Protectors that guarded the town, among the other very powerful residents.
Rose had gathered a veritable army of supernaturals, all to protect one small group of almost-human women. The ultimate prize that Xerxes still hadn’t succeeded in taking back.
A deep, dark place in my consciousness liked that I would be a part of a group that kept Xerxes from something he desperately wanted. He should be made to feel frustration, pain, and loss, among many other emotions.
We turned a corner onto a street of small ranch-style homes. Green lawns and toys littered many front lawns, evidence of more children on the street. It would be nice for Isis and Karly to have playmates.
“This is ours.” Travis pointed to the tan and red brick house on the left.
It was nice and clean. The lawn was trimmed.
I followed them up the porch steps and through the front door. The living room had a couch and a TV. There was no kitchen table in the dining area, only a couple of barstools shoved up against the bar in the kitchen. We walked through the galley kitchen, and I released a small sigh of relief—at least the sink was clear of dirty dishes.
“The bedrooms are through the living room. I’m in the master right now,” Travis said. “But we’ll set up the rooms however you want them.”
“Shouldn’t we all share a room?” I asked, puzzled by why he’d brought up sleeping arrangements.
“We weren’t sure if you would want your own space,” Garrett answered.
Some Lycan females demanded space to themselves, only sleeping with their mates when they chose. I was not one of those.
“I don’t want you anywhere except in bed with me,” I said.
Both men beamed, their mouths curving into smiles, and Garrett swooped me up first, pressing his lips against mine. It was gentle but insistent. I surrendered to the kiss, letting my body melt into his. Travis came up behind me, sandwiching me between them.
Garrett’s tongue plunged into my mouth, tasting every inch. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled even closer. Travis’ teeth grazed the back of my neck, and a shiver ran down my spine. My sex throbbed between my legs, and I wanted nothing more than their cocks inside me. Breathing turned to panting, and I moaned as Travis’ hands fondled my breasts, rolling the erect nipples between his thumb and forefingers.
More. I hadn’t realized how desperately I wanted them until I was stand
ing at the foot of a bed with their hands and mouths all over me. Our clothes disappeared with a few tugs, and I wrapped my fingers around Garrett. He was ready for me, and I was ready for him. Travis’ cock pressed against my backside, and I shivered, excitement warming my body. My skin tingled, and I panted for air between Garrett’s kisses.
Travis’ hands grabbed my hips and twisted me to face him. I transferred my arms to his neck and sighed as his mouth covered mine, taking over where Garrett had left me already breathless; Travis was determined to steal away what little air I managed to gasp for.
One of his hands dropped between our bodies and slid down my stomach, stopping with his fingers positioned over my throbbing mound. One digit delved deeper, finding the swollen clitoris and circling it ever so subtly.
Fire erupted within me, and I saw white. My orgasm writhed through my body and I dug my fingers into Travis’ shoulders, letting my head drop backward.
Garrett palmed my neck and kissed my mouth, turning my head over my shoulder.
“Please,” I begged. I needed to feel them. At least one, if not both.
“This is all about you, love,” Travis growled in my ear and nipped at the earlobe. “Only you.”
“B-but, I-I—” The words faded to a gasp. Travis sunk fingers inside me, while continuing to play with my clit using his thumb.
Garrett kissed and nibbled and kissed more. He bit my shoulder just hard enough to feel his teeth before continuing with his caresses down my back.
“To the shower first.” Travis murmured. “Let us wash the horrors of the day away while we worship your body, Charlie.”
Gods, that sounded perfect.
They half-carried me between them through their bedroom and into the large en suite bathroom. Before I could take a deep breath, my clothes were gone and all three of us were beneath a spray of heavenly, scalding hot water. The smoke, grass, and dirt washed down the drain. Garrett and Travis massaged soapy washcloths over every inch of my skin. Once I was clean, they switched from the cloths to trailing their mouths along the lines and curves of my breasts, my stomach, and up and down my arms.
Nerve endings fired under their attentions, and my legs threatened to give way. Hotness poured over my skin, but the true heat was between my legs. I needed to feel them inside me. My mind knew I was safe, but I needed to feel it.
“Move her to the bed,” Garrett said, his voice raw and needy. The sound made the throb between my legs intensify.
“Damn, love, you are just melting under our touch.” Travis slipped his hand between my legs and slid a finger between my slick folds. Too fast. I whimpered at the emptiness when he withdrew his finger.
A moment later, I was spread across the big bed, and Garrett’s head was between my thighs. Travis’ mouth attended to my pebbled nipples while he held my wandering hands tight above my head, giving me no ability to touch or caress them in return.
I raised my head and kissed along Travis’ shoulder; the soapy freshness of his scent filled my lungs.
Garrett’s mouth fell to my sex, and every muscle inside me tensed then relaxed as his tongue licked my clitoris and then plunged deep inside, mimicking the act I so desperately wanted them to follow through with.
I tried to ask again, but Travis’ mouth fell to my nipples, cruelly bringing them back to painfully erect peaks. All ability to form coherent speech left my brain. Garrett had me at his mercy. They both did.
My eyes closed as I drifted into the place where orgasms lived. Garrett pulled away and replaced his tongue with his cock, driving home with one smooth movement. I sailed in the moment with him, flying higher with each drive until we shattered together with a shout.
Before I could come down from the ethereal place of bliss, they swapped places and Travis thrust, filling me again with a hard, needy cock. I clamped down as he pumped in and out, pushing me higher again, back into the space where only bliss existed. I came hard around him, and he shouted through his release as his body stiffened against mine.
Their seed filled me with soothing warmth. I turned on my side and pulled one of Travis’ pillows against my chest and snuggled into the downy softness. Moving wasn’t high on my list, and I hoped they would let me sleep, wrapped in the scent of our lovemaking.
“I love you, Charlotte. Sleep well,” Garrett’s voice crooned from above my head.
“We’ll be back to check on you later, love.” This time it was Travis’ slightly deeper bass voice.
“I love you both,” I murmured, burying my face in Travis’ pillow.
Sweet release was mine.
Chapter 39
TRAVIS
She was here. In our house. My brother and I stood, watching her fall into a peaceful sleep. The tightness that had been present in my chest since her very first phone call released. We’d been ready to stay. To lead her pack with her.
“It’s good to have her home,” Garrett murmured.
I couldn’t have spoken truer words.
“Yes, it is. Come on. Let’s give her some time to sleep.” He followed me out of the bedroom and closed the door softly behind him.
“Rose texted,” he said. “The pixies have baby stuff.”
My heart climbed into my throat. Babies. What are we going to do with two babies?
Garrett chuckled and patted me on the back. “Breathe, big guy. They’re just little people. How hard can it be?”
“Which room do we put them in?”
“Mine,” he said, sauntering down the hall as if this didn’t faze him in the least.
I shook my head and followed him. We worked for a solid hour, moving his furniture to the garage, vacuuming the floors, scrubbing the windows. It was disgusting the layers of dirt that accumulated on something that probably hadn’t been cleaned since we moved in.
Sweat beaded on my brow after everything was finished, and my t-shirt was damp down the length of my spine. I needed another shower and a few minutes to play a game. We’d salvaged an old game system, and Garrett’s genius had gotten it running again. The Bateman gals had enchanted the TV so we could use it without the government tracking its location. Our living room was a very popular one on the block.
“What are they going to sleep in?” I asked, staring at the now-clean and very empty bedroom.
“Pixies are bringing it over. They should be here any minute.”
“We don’t need to help?”
“Did you not hear me say pixie? Have you never seen them move things?”
“I guess not,” I growled, obviously missing something.
He threw up his hands in surrender. “Hey, you’re the one who’s lived here longer.”
A small rap at the door signaled their arrival. I hurried through the hallway to the front and pulled open the door. Bella, with her sky blue hair, stood on the porch holding Isis in her arms, the bigger toddler… at least I was pretty sure the bigger one was Isis.
“Hey, big guy. Take her for me. Garrett said the nursery was clear. We’ve got furniture to set up.” She handed me the little girl, and I grabbed her under the arms, pulling her tight to my chest. She squirmed a little, and I rearranged her legs so they hung free instead of squashed up against me.
“Don’t squeeze her so hard,” Bella said before turning around and directing a train of… Shit… The furniture was floating. Of course. Garrett had known they would use pixie dust. No wonder he wasn’t worried about helping.
“Move out of the way, hon.” She poked my arm with one finger. “We’ve got a lot to do.”
Several pixies followed her through, herding a baby crib and a miniature bed.
“Wait,” Garrett said, joining me in the living room to watch the procession. “Won’t she crawl out of that bed?”
“Probably,” one of the pixies said, giggling as she and the bed floated down the hallway.
“Probably?” I hissed, “How’s that going to work?”
“It’s called training, hon,” another pixie answered, following the bed down the hallway with
Karly in her arms.
I hurried after her, careful not to jostle Isis. The toddler in my arms giggled and pointed to items floating through the house above our heads toward the empty room… well, it had been empty. There was a crib, a bed, a rocking chair, a dresser, and something I had no idea what to call with diapers stacked on the shelves. Another corner held a small bookshelf and books. A basket of brightly colored blocks and toys sat next to it.
“Where did those come from?” I asked.
Bella turned and smiled. “I asked Miles for a few things from his library. Come on over here and let me tell you how everything works.”
“Where did you get everything?”
“Storage. These aren’t the first babies in town, you know,” she answered. “Here’s the changing station. Karly sleeps in the crib, but you’ll have to train Isis to stay in her big girl bed. We bathed them for you already, too. So don’t worry about that tonight.”
The instructions went on and on. Things I’d never heard of. Schedules we needed to maintain. Foods they could and/or shouldn’t eat.
I glanced at Garrett, and his eyes had the same glazed, overwhelmed expression I imagined in mine. One of the pixies handed him Karly, and then each of them kissed both of the little girls before they wished us good luck and left us standing in the middle of the room.
When the front door closed and the house was silent except for Garrett and my nervous heartbeats, I eyed him and frowned. “What the hell was that?”
“Hey!” he scowled. “Language, dude.”
My eyebrows shot up, and for the first time in years, I felt heat creep into my cheeks.
“Sorry.” I wasn’t sure who I was apologizing to… him or the girls.
“Toys!” Isis squealed, pointing to the bucket filled with a variety of items. “Down. Down.” She wriggled until I gave in. Once her feet hit the ground, she took off toward the bucket, sitting down and immediately dumping its contents all over the floor.
Sanctuary, Texas Complete Series Box Set Page 91
