“I’ll return,” Tristan promised.
He nodded, watching as they shot back to the ground.
Daniel turned back to the room and froze. Something was written on the wall in blood, behind where the vampire had been nailed. Moving closer to it, he squinted, struggling to put the words together.
Got yah.
He frowned. Clearly if they had gotten to this room and found the vampire they knew that the angels were involved. What the hell was that supposed to mean?
Reaching out, he touched the wall. It was a mistake. He could feel the fire on the other side of the wall. The heat and power of the flames crashed through him like waves.
He gasped, and every hair on his body stood on end. He forgot the weird message. He forgot his purpose. Instead, he coaxed the flames to tear through the wall. They obeyed, reaching to touch his palm, to sweep over and through him.
His entire body heated. He groaned, feeling his eyes roll back into his head. It felt so good to taste it again, so good to give himself to the magic.
A warning rang somewhere in the back of his head. Fire mages weren’t immune to flames. They could handle a lot of fire, but even they had a limit.
Which is exactly how he died not so long ago.
But the warning drifted away like smoke, and everything grew bright and beautiful. There was no pain, no worries. Nothing but the fire.
He swore it spoke his name. Shouted his name. But the flames couldn’t speak.
His eyes closed, and he felt himself being carried away into euphoria. Into heaven.
And then, the fire was gone. His eyes snapped open. He was in the air. Far from the house. His legs dangling over the sky. The ground far below.
He swore.
Tristan spoke from above him. “Calm brother.”
But the fire! He could still feel it. Taste it. He needed more and he needed it now!
He struck out at the gargoyle who carried him. But the massive stone creature didn’t flinch. Tristan continued to fly him above the castle, in lazy circles.
“Put me down!” he roared.
“Not until you’ve gained control of yourself once more.”
“I’m in control,” he grated out, but Tristan ignored him.
Minutes ticked by. At last, he took a breath that shook his entire body, and then Tristan began to slowly fly them lower. He looked across the estate grounds, to where Surcy, Mark, and the vampire waited. Before his eyes, he saw the most unexpected thing possible. As Surcy and Mark stared at Daniel’s approach, the vampire stood behind Surcy, and a dagger flashed in his hands.
Daniel shouted.
But Surcy and Mark simple frowned.
And then, the blade went through the side of her neck.
Her eyes widened, then rolled back into her head. As the vampire removed the blade, and raised it above his head to strike again, Daniel reached him. Knocking him to the ground, with a roar, he balled his hand into a fist and flames roared to life.
“Don’t!” Surcy shouted!
He hesitated. The vampire’s dark eyes were filled with fear. More than anything in this world, he wanted to wipe the life from them for hurting his Surcy.
“I’m fine.” Surcy touched his arm. “I’m an angel. That hurt, but I’m fine.”
“It still doesn’t change the fact that we were tricked by this traitor!”
Mark grabbed the man by the throat. “He might have tried to kill Surcy, but I wasn’t wrong. This is the god we’re looking for.”
An evil god? Shit. Now what the hell are we supposed to do?
We can’t kill him, but we also can’t put another monster into power.
“Put your fire away,” Mark told him calmly. “And help me with him.”
The instant Daniel's flames vanished, the vampire tried to make a break for it. Mark and Daniel grabbed him and pinned him to the ground.
I hope my brothers have a plan, because we can’t just hold him forever.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Tristan picked up their angel and cradled her in his arms. His brothers had pinned down the treasonous vampire, but Tristan cared nothing for the fate of the man who hurt his angel. His brothers would handle it. He had eyes for only Surcy.
“I’m okay,” she sputtered, pressing her hand to her injured neck.
She’ll live, but her pain is obvious.
“No, you’re not.” But I thank the eternal stones that you weren’t taken from us again. Leaning down, he pressed his forehead against hers.
It was not a gesture she would understand. She never would. But it was what gargoyles did to their mates. It was a way of showing this woman that she was his world, his forever, without ever having to speak the words.
She reached up and touched his cheek, wincing from the movement. “Even your skin feels like stone when you’re in this form.”
He smiled. “Of course it does.”
“But your eyes remain the same.”
“That is the human part of me. My eyes dull when I am in my stone-form for too long.”
Her gaze met and held his. “I like them. I’ve never seen eyes like yours before.”
She likes them? I’m glad she no longer fears me.
“Uh guys,” Mark said. “I hate to break up the moment, but what do we do with him?”
Surcy looked away from Tristan, and the spell was broken. “What’s your name vampire?”
Why should any of us care?
Reluctantly, Tristan looked at the man held against the ground by his brothers. He was thin with a mop of auburn hair and dark eyes. He was as pale as most vampires, and even as a prisoner, he held himself with the typical arrogance of his kind.
In other words, he is nothing special. Could this really be the God of Night?
"Want to answer, asshole?" Daniel asked, pulling the vampire's arm up behind his back for leverage.
“Jasper,” the vampire growled.
“And why did you attack me after we saved you?” Surcy asked, her question an angry accusation.
For a moment, something unexpected flashed across the vampire’s face.
He didn’t want to attack her.
“Because, you’re my enemy. You all are.”
“We saved your useless life!” Daniel shouted, wrenching his prisoner’s arm harder.
Tristan watched the vampire and knew. “What did the angels threaten you with?”
The man took too long to answer. “Nothing.”
His brothers both began to talk at once, but Tristan continued watching the vampire and the vampire continued watching him.
“If you tell the truth, we could help.”
The man’s head moved side to side for a second before he stopped. “I don’t need any help.”
“Well then, we should stop wasting time and kill you, so that we may move on with our night.” Tristan shifted Surcy to one arm and drew his blade off his back.
The vampire tensed. “Wait.”
He waited.
“The angels have surrounded my home. The second we try to leave, they’ll kill us. They said they would let me live if I could kill her.”
“Coward!” Daniel growled.
Mark sighed, but didn’t release his grip on the vampire. “Do you have any idea what we went through to find you? Do you have any idea how important you are?”
That got the vampire's attention. “What do you mean?”
But Mark simply shook his head. “I’ll explain all that later. Surcy, can you teleport us out of here?”
She’s badly injured.
“Perhaps to town, but not further than that.”
Mark nodded. “Do it. And then we’ll decide what to do from there.”
And so she did.
They spent two tense nights in a hotel in the town, hoping the angels wouldn’t attack them when their guard was down. Fortunately, the cowards didn’t show themselves. Surcy slept and ate most of the time, insisting she was fine, but they made her wait before she teleported them again.
Mark used the time to explain everything to the vampire, who seemed all too excited to be named a god. The vampire irritated Tristan more than he wanted the others to know, even if he had acted out of fear for his life.
On the third morning, as he sat at breakfast with Jasper and Surcy, something else began to bother him. His brothers were out, checking the area one last time.
“I still can’t believe you’re an angel,” Jasper told Surcy, smiling too brightly. “I thought all angels were uptight. You’re an unexpected joy.”
Surcy returned his smile. “And I can’t believe vampires are actually real. I thought that was all Halloween fun and whatnot.”
They both laughed.
“Well, I do hope that you’ll come and visit me at this ‘sanctuary.’ It may be safe, but it sounds a bit dull. I could use a beautiful woman to brighten my day.”
She took a sip of her orange juice. “I’m sure we’ll come by again sometime.”
He reached out and patted her hand. “That would be nice.”
Tristan’s gaze clung to where the man still touched Surcy. He was surprised by the strange feeling blossoming within his chest. Could this be jealousy? The emotion was unexpected. And confusing.
“So tell me,” Jasper continued, completely ignoring Tristan. “What sort of relationship do you have with these three crude fellows?”
Tell him you belong to us.
Surcy’s smile fled. “I’m—uh—it’s confusing.”
The way the vampire smirked made Tristan’s hand curl into a fist. “So that means you’re available?”
Tristan reached across the table and plucked the man’s hand from Surcy’s. “She is not available.”
Surcy gave a nervous laugh. “We should get ready. The others will be back soon.”
Does she wish for this vampire’s attention?
The notion bothered Tristan more than he could say. The Surcy who loved them would have shot down Jasper in an instant, but this was not the same Surcy. For some reason, her interaction with the vampire left him feeling agitated.
One day will she seek comfort in the arms of other men?
Anger uncoiled within him. I will never allow it.
“I didn’t mean to upset anyone,” the vampire replied smoothly. “It’s just that none of you seem to be sharing a bed.”
“What we do in our beds is none of your business,” Tristan snapped.
The vampire patted his lips with his napkin. “Unless, of course, I want to invite the young angel to my bed.”
Tristan punched him so hard the man tumbled from his chair and hit the ground, unmoving.
“What the hell?” Surcy rose and reached for the vampire.
Tristan caught her hand. “I’m a gargoyle. But I don’t have a heart of stone. If you touch other males, I will kill them.”
Her eyes widened. “Tristan...”
He leaned closer. “That isn’t a threat. That’s a promise.”
“I—I’m not ready for any of that.”
He released her hand. “Well, when you are, you know where to find me.”
Turning, he strode from the room. Gargoyles were not accustomed to jealousy. Anger? Yes. But not jealousy.
When his brothers returned, no one mentioned the new bruise on the vampire’s face, but Surcy continued to glance at Tristan whenever she thought he wasn’t looking. He didn’t let her know he saw her. He didn’t say a word as they prepared to return home.
All he could think of was whether or not they had made a mistake with their plan. Getting Surcy to help with their cause might change her mind about angels and demons. But would it make her love them again?
They were demons. She was an angel. But at the end of it all, if they couldn’t remind her that they were men and she was a woman, what good would any of it do?
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Surcy had felt strange ever since they’d dropped the vampire at the sanctuary. She’d been shocked by Tristan’s jealousy. Shocked and intrigued. Maybe more than intrigued.
It was the dumbest thing in the world, but seeing how Tristan had reacted to another man flirting with her had made her see him differently. He wasn’t just a massive demon with a dangerous quality, or a silent gargoyle with far too keen eyes. He was... an attractive man.
She took another sip of her juice, as she sat on the kitchen counter. As far as she knew, the demons had gone to bed. So why am I still awake? Just sitting around. Feeling wired.
The past few days spun through her mind. Daniel’s kiss. Tristan’s jealousy. Mark's kindness. She wanted to explore her connection to them, but she couldn’t think of a way to do it that didn’t leave her feeling vulnerable and exposed.
It isn’t like opportunities to touch hot men drop out of the sky.
Finishing her drink and rinsing her glass out, she left it by the sink and headed for bed. Halfway down the hallway, a door opened. She froze and took a step back as Tristan came out into the hall, nearly running into her.
He was hot from the shower and he wore a small white towel wrapped around his waist. Too small.
Her jaw dropped. Crap.
The sexy demon turned and stared at her. His entire body stiffened as he stood up straighter. “Surcy.”
She nodded at him, unable to find the words, unable to look away
“Can I help you with something?" he asked.
Her gaze slid over him. His body was extraordinary. It was no wonder he was chiseled from stone, because that’s exactly how he seemed. Massive. His long, dark hair was still damp, slicked back from his face. His mismatched eyes met hers with unconcealed arousal.
This man made her want things she shouldn’t want.
He encroached on her space, and within seconds had her pressed against the hallway wall. His arms caged her on either side of her head.
She licked her lips and looked down at the towel he wore. It was barely hanging on him. Tucked loosely. The slightest tug would have it falling to the ground.
“Surcy...”
Her gaze moved up to his dangerous face. The beauty and threat within the chiseled lines made her want to look away. For once, she didn’t.
“What do you want?” he asked.
Taking a deep breath. Deciding to be bold. She looked down at where his obvious arousal was poorly hidden and reached out.
He was trembling. His entire body radiating need like nothing she’d ever felt before.
When she grasped the towel, her eyes locked with his, and she tugged it until she felt it fall to the floor. Unable to stop herself, she looked down.
He did not disappoint. He was long and thick. Beautifully made and absolutely enticing.
Reaching out her hand, she drew one finger along his length.
A groan tore from his lips.
She couldn’t believe she was doing this. She couldn’t believe she closed her hand around his length and stroked him slowly.
He swore, the sound thick with need, and then his lips crushed hers.
His kiss was powerful, a force of nature, his lips strong and experienced. Her thoughts spun away, leaving behind desire and nothing else.
She wrapped one arm around his neck, drawing him closer while she continued to stroke his length. Her inner-muscles clenched as she grew hot with desire.
When their tongues began to battle, she stroked him fast. His hips bucked. He broke their kiss, his breathing coming in and out rapidly.
She knew he was on the edge. She was tempted to fall to her knees and take him in her mouth, to feel him explode within her lips.
An even more tempting vision came to her. If she slid her shorts off and wrapped her legs around him, she had no doubt this gargoyle would ease the aching that consumed her.
“Damn it!”
He pulled back from her, running a frustrated hand through his long hair. His eyes filled with need and regret.
She moved towards him but he stepped back.
“Why are you stopping?”
He closed his beautiful eyes. “
I have never wanted a woman more. But you aren’t ready for this.”
Anger rose within her. “I’m fine.”
“No, you aren’t. I won’t take advantage of you.”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “Maybe I want to be taken advantage of.”
His hot gaze raked her. “I’m sorry.”
When he turned to go, her entire body seemed to shake with frustration. Her gaze remained locked on his perfect ass. She wanted to sink her fingers into it as he exploded inside of her.
But he’s too much of a gentleman.
What she needed was someone to ease this fire within her. Someone who wouldn’t care about her current state of mind.
Tristan slipped into his room and closed the door, leaving her alone with her thoughts.
And then it hit her. She knew exactly what to do.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Daniel sat at the edge of his bed. A lighter in his hands. It was silver and well-made. Mark kept it hidden in a box on the mantel, and thought Daniel didn't know about it. Daniel had always known.
It wouldn’t hurt to use it, just for a moment.
He just wanted to touch the flames and let the euphoria of the fire move through him. It was so damned tempting. How could he not?
Taking a deep breath, he told himself that he’d only light it for a second.
And then someone turned his door handle. Looking up, he saw Surcy slip into his room. She locked the door behind her and turned back to him.
Her long black hair flowed loosely about her shoulder in waves that made him ache to run his fingers through them. Her face looked flushed, her eyes wild. The pink tanktop and shorts she wore sent his blood rushing downward. Her nipples stood out beneath the thin material, just aching to be touched.
When she moved toward him, her long bare legs enticing, he sat mesmerized. She closed her hand around his lighter and took it from his hand. “That seems like trouble.”
He cleared his throat, not wanting her to see the effect she had on him. “My father always said that playing with fire is a good way to get burnt.”
Her gaze ran over him, and suddenly she was far too aware of the fact that he wore nothing but boxers. “But sometimes it’s worth it, right?”
Mates of the Realms: The Complete Collection: A Paranormal Reverse Harem Box Set Page 44
