Ryder turned to see Alec standing in the door, grinning at the two of them.
“Got room for one more?” Alec asked.
Sharen nodded. “Better hurry, I’m already ready.”
Kade's twin pulled his tie loose before he started working on the buttons on his suit. In moments, he was naked. Alec joined them in the big open shower and kissed her softly on the lips.
Then, Ryder picked her up.
Instantly, her legs wrapped around his back. She sighed, slipping her arms around his neck. For a second all Ryder could do was stare at the flawless lines of her face. He loved her high cheekbones and her stunning green eyes, but most of all he loved the way her expression relaxed when both of them touched her like this.
Our wife is the most beautiful creature I’ve ever seen.
Alec moved behind her. “I’ve got the best damned timing in the world.”
They touched her together, running their hands along every inch of her flesh. Alec cupped her breasts while Ryder trailed kisses down her throat. Her hot breath came out in pants, and her nails dug more deeply into the flesh of his shoulder.
Ryder rubbed his hard length in her wet folds, loving the way she shuddered with each stroke. He gritted his teeth, desperate to keep control as he carefully maneuvered his tip inside her. Then, he pressed deeper, further and further as her tight body held him in a grip that made every nerve in his body scream with need.
When he reached his hilt, he took deep breaths, waiting for his brother. But he didn’t have to wait long. He felt her body tense as Alec entered her from behind. She gasped and her head rolled back.
They thrust in and out of her in a rhythm they’d perfected long ago, taking their time to draw out her desire. As she began to bounce on top of them, chanting the word yes, yes over and over again, Ryder's careful control crumbled away.
His demon side roared to life. He took her harder and faster. His grip tightened on her hips. When her inner-muscles squeezed him, and her nails dugs deeper into his back, she came, screaming his name.
He snapped, coming so hard it made his vision swim. God, this woman was incredible!
As he continued to thrust, loving the way her body drained him of every drop of his seed, he had to use every ounce of strength he had not to collapse to his knees.
Alec came behind her with a groan, and as he thrust harder, her body held Ryder tighter. He bit down on a string of curses, loving the pleasurable pain these moments brought. When his brother finished, they continued holding her beneath the spraying water, which had grown cold some time ago.
“Better?” he whispered into her hair.
She nodded.
Slowly, they eased her back onto her feet.
They showered again, quickly, and she went back into the bedroom to change. As Alec finished drying off, Ryder caught his arm.
“What is it?” his brother’s dark eyes narrowed, zeroing in on him.
Leaning closer, he kept his voice low. “She was possessed today.”
Alec’s expression froze. “She was what?”
“Her trip through the portal went wrong. A witch had to perform an exorcism.”
“Fuck!” Alec spun around and punched his fist through the wall, sending plaster raining down. “This has to stop! She has to stop!”
Sometimes I forget that even though Alec and Kade are different in so many ways, they both have the same damn temper.
Must be a twin thing.
Ryder grasped his shoulder. “Enough. Don’t let her hear you. She’s been through enough.”
“And how much longer before one of these trips of hers ends in her death, huh? How much longer are we going to sit by helpless, letting her risk her life?” Red bled into his pupils as the demon within him roared to life.
“Stop it! Now! Do you have any idea how close you are to losing control? Do you want to ruin everything by bringing every angel in the area straight to us?” Ryder’s own anger flared to life.
The red faded from Alec’s eyes. “Sorry. I just... I love her.”
Ryder smiled, a smile that hurt. “I know. Me too.”
After a second, Alec leaned against the wall, closing his eyes. “Does Kade know?”
Ryder took a deep breath, adjusting the towel around his waist. “He helped get the demon out and then killed it. They’re sort of pissed at each other right now.”
Alec laughed, shaking his head. “What else is new?”
A comfortable silence stretched between them for a long moment.
“Seriously though,” Alec asked, opening his eyes and holding his gaze. “How long can we keep this up?”
Ryder shook his head. “For as long as she needs us to.”
The worst thing is that she’s right.
Ryder’s thoughts moved to his time spent in the demon-realm. It had been... awful. He’d felt himself changing day after day and he hadn’t known how to stop it.
He was used to a world of beauty. On earth, he had always been the person who valued each and every day. He’d awaken in the mornings to watch the sun rise over the ocean, sometimes already lying on his surf board. He’d listen to the waves and feel the kiss of the sun’s rays on his skin.
His world had been filled with peace and appreciation for all that the world had to offer. But after his death... he’d gone to a place devoid of life.
He shuddered, not wanting to remember the dark pits where light couldn’t reach. How long had he stumbled around a foreign place completely blind? How quickly had he learned that he’d need to kill to survive?
Too fast.
And without beauty, without life, Ryder had felt himself fading away.
Until Sharen.
“Alec?”
His brother raised a brow. “Yes.”
“Would you abandon the Rebellion if Sharen did?”
Alec was silent for too long. “I don’t know. But I would abandon it if I knew it would keep her safe.”
Ryder nodded. “When I think about leaving other people like us in that place...”
“I know,” Alec said.
And yet, we aren’t the ones risking our lives.
He knew the exact same thought had entered his brother’s mind, because he turned and headed for the bedroom. His shoulders were slumped, and he walked slower, as if the weight of the world rested on his back.
But it doesn’t, I’m here. I’m always here.
When Ryder entered the room, he found Sharen in bed, fast asleep. He and Alec dried off some more, then climbed in next to her. But even though Alec fell asleep quickly, sleep eluded Ryder.
A few hours later, he still lay awake when he heard a soft sound in the living room. He watched as Kade came to stand in the doorway of the bedroom. His brother stared at Sharen for the longest time, then turned and went out to the living room.
Ryder wanted to go out and tell him not to sleep on the couch. That Sharen wasn’t really mad at him, just the situation, but he knew it was pointless.
Some things just take time.
Just like saving the demons.
And figuring out how the hell we’re going to help the Rebellion while keeping our wife safe.
That question kept Ryder awake long past the sunrise... which he didn’t watch. He simply lay awake letting the question roll through his mind.
Becoming a demon had changed him. In fact, he couldn’t remember the last time he watched the sunrise. But then, in his old life he never lay awake watching a woman sleep, falling more in love with her with each moment that passed.
How is it that even when I feel like I’ve lost myself, I don’t regret it because I found her?
Despite everything, he finally fell asleep, with a smile on his face.
Chapter Six
Sharen left the house early and started her morning jog. It was the only thing she could do to try to calm down. The events from the day before were driving her crazy. And what was worse, she had been prepared to unleash her frustrations on Kade when she woke up, but he was alrea
dy gone.
Normally, they’d yell. Maybe she’d throw things. And then they’d calm down, both of them refusing to admit that they felt a little better.
But I should know better than to think I knew what Kade would do.
When he disappeared, it usually meant that he couldn’t handle whatever feelings he was having and needed time to sort through them. She hated when he left, but she also knew he needed the space.
Kade might be a demon, but he had inner demons he couldn’t conquer. His fear of losing her drove him crazy, but she couldn’t stop what she was doing because of his past. She had to be true to herself.
And I have to let him deal with that fact in whatever way he needs.
So, she went jogging, pushing herself harder and harder until the little sounds around her were silenced by the wind rushing around her. Until the shadows that chased her lessened. Until she stopped picturing the dead demons lying beside her. And until she stopped feeling him possess her body.
At last, out of breath, she collapsed onto a park bench and stared out at her favorite park.
Will I ever stop obsessing over my mistakes?
“Anyone sitting here?”
She jumped at the sound of the man’s voice. She looked up to see a man not much older than herself, with long blond hair and pale green eyes. Something about him made her feel uneasy.
“No.”
He sat down beside her.
She started to rise, but his voice stopped her.
“Don’t leave on account of me.”
She froze. “I’m not.”
“Come now, Sharen, let’s at least be honest with each other.”
Ice ran through her veins, and her gaze swung to him. “Who are you? What do you want?”
He smiled, flashing bright rows of teeth. “I’m a Hunter. Like you once were.”
Her gaze moved over the people in the park. A woman jogged. A couple walked a dog. Am I already surrounded?
“Calm down, it’s just me. I'm here for a little chat.”
A need to run or fight washed over her. Every muscle in her body tensed.
“Running would be a very big mistake, Sharen, because then I’d have to tell the others where you are. If that happens, you and your demons will have to pick up and run again. Do you want that?”
She didn’t answer him. Instead, she countered. “Why are you here?”
He patted the seat next to him.
Reluctantly, she eased back down, poised at the edge of the bench.
“My name is Alderon. Perhaps you’ve heard of me.”
Her breath quickened. Alderon was the name of a half-fae warrior who was in charge of the Guardians within the demon-realms. His job was to ensure as few demons as possible were able to reach the higher realms and cross over to Earth. And from what she knew of him, he was a very dangerous man.
“I thought you stayed in the demon-realms.”
He smirked. “Even the Great Alderon needs a vacation every now and then.”
Her lips curled. “And this is how you spend your vacations?”
Leaning further back on the bench, he looked out at the park as if he truly was just relaxing for the day. “Do you know what makes me such a good Hunter?”
She gritted her teeth together. “You're annoyingly relentless?”
He laughed. “I heard you were funny. I’m glad the rumors were true. But no, Sharen, it isn’t that I’m annoyingly relentless. Obsessive might be a better adjective to describe me. Yet, it’s not just that. You see, I have the unique ability to track others. And when The Department of Universal Protection asked me to find you, I easily agreed.”
Sweat trailed down her back, and she wiped her palms on her pants. “And yet, you’ve implied that you’re here alone.”
He glanced at her, his pale eyes eerie. “Yes. I did come alone. And I haven’t told anyone I found you yet.”
“Why?”
“Because,” he stretched out the word. “I’m also a man with a strong moral compass, and something about this feels wrong. One of our best Hunters simply ran off with three demons? There must be more to the story than that.”
She stared, unwilling to tell him anything of her life story.
He nodded, as if he expected her silence. “Something also feels rotten about all this. I checked your file. It was wiped clean. But when I did some digging, they had a strangely long, detailed history of your life.”
Her heart raced. Because they’ve been controlling my life for God knows how long.
“And,” he continued. “I can’t say I’ve ever heard a story of someone with as miserable a life as you’ve had.”
“So, what are you saying?”
All amusement fled from his expression. “I’m saying that I need to know what’s going on here before I decide what to do with you.”
What the hell am I supposed to say to that?
“I don’t know everything myself.”
He sat up straighter. “Then tell me this. Why has nearly every person in your life been on The Department’s payroll?”
Her stomach turned. She’d suspected it. Vanessa, her ex-friend within the organization, had practically told her. But to realize how much of her life The Department controlled was terrifying.
“You want to know?” she asked, her anger rising. “You really want to know?”
“That’s what I came here for.”
She stood, her hands curling into fists. “They controlled every aspect of my life. They orchestrated every terrible moment. And I have no idea why the hell they did it.”
He studied her. “Your parent’s deaths. Your adoption to that god awful family. Your rape. Your—“
“Yes!” A string of curses exploded from her lips. “Is that what you wanted to hear?”
He rose, his demeanor strangely quiet. “And you have no idea why?”
Her jaw tensed. “No.”
Except that I’m not human.
“Then, I’m going to find out why.”
She stared at him. “Are you joking?”
“Not even a little.”
“Why?” she frowned at him. This had to be a trap of some kind.
He shrugged. “Like I said. It’s important to me that I’m working for the good guys, and I can’t logically wrap my brain around what I’ve been seeing since I looked into your case.”
Shoving his hands into his jean pockets, he turned to go.
“Wait!” Her brain scrambled to make sense of this man. “So you aren’t telling them where I am?”
He looked back at her and smiled. “Not yet. But if that changes, and I decide to, I will give you a 24 hour head start. Deal?”
She wasn’t sure she could trust him, but she didn't have a choice. "Deal."
Turning away from him, she took a long and confusing way back home, constantly checking over her shoulder. She was certain no one followed her, but when she took the elevator up to their penthouse suit, she didn’t feel relieved. She felt... afraid.
If they catch us, we’re dead.
And yet, I can’t just abandon everything I’ve done here.
Even though her stomach twisted, an idea formed in her mind. If I tell my demons, they’ll make us go.
So, I won’t tell them.
She thought of Alderon. Did she really trust him with all their lives?
Closing her eyes, she ran over the scene in the park. I—I do trust him. Even though it’s probably foolish.
The elevator doors opened and she headed toward her home. She tried to walk with confidence, but she couldn’t ignore the little voice in the back of her head whispering, but what if you’re wrong?
Chapter Seven
Kade stood before the Demon of Sacrifice, his heart aching. This was the last place he wanted to come. But he would do anything for the woman he loved.
Even this.
The demon sat on a throne of bones, her grey eyes cold and cruel. More bones littered the ground at her feet, skeletons of the men who had bowed before her
in the past, men who knelt at the very spot he stood now.
At her sides, eight demon guards wore armor made of bones, ready at her slightest signal to end the lives of anyone she chose. Kade hated that there wasn’t one inch of beauty or happiness in this place. The guards, the bones, and the woman all radiated death and sadness. He wouldn’t condemn his worst enemy to a place like this.
And certainly not her.
This far beneath the ground, a chill hung over everything. It settled on his flesh and then sunk deep to move through his veins. Demons were rarely cold, but in that moment, the chill seemed to squeeze his very heart.
“It has been a long time,” the Demon of Sacrifice said, crossing her legs.
Her movement caused her long black skirts to float around her body like living things. It was beautiful. And horrifying. The demon was becoming more a creature of fantasy and magic each time he saw her, which meant she was losing her humanity. Eventually, she would have nothing left.
Trying his best to conceal his disturbing thoughts, he moved forward and knelt before her. “It has been.”
“Have you told them about me yet?” she asked, never one to mince words.
Kade looked up at the familiar lines of her face. “No. But I want to.”
She shook her head full of long dark hair, the same color as his own. “I told you, they can never know.”
His chest ached at the secret he’d kept all these years. His brothers deserved to know the truth, and yet, it wasn’t his secret to tell.
“Why are you here?” she asked, her tone gentling.
He took a deep breath. “I need to see the King of Hell.”
Her eyes widened, but she said nothing for a long time. “Why? Why would you ever take such a risk when you’ve finally made it to Earth?”
The words wouldn’t form on his tongue.
“It’s for love,” she said, sounding surprised, perhaps awed.
He nodded, and for an instant, all he could see was Sharen, her face bruised, and the scars on her body. She couldn’t keep going on the way she was, saving one demon at a time. Regardless of the risk to him, he had to stop it, and this was the only way he knew how to.
The Demon of Sacrifice slid off her throne to kneel before him. “Are you certain this is what you want?”
Mates of the Realms: The Complete Collection: A Paranormal Reverse Harem Box Set Page 15
