by Kym Grosso
As he gave a final thrust, she heard him groan in release. The weight of his body collapsed onto hers, and she settled onto the bed. Her heart open and vulnerable to her mate, the last shivers of her climax fluttered through Gabriella.
Her mind raced as exhaustion claimed her. This incredible man was hers. A lifetime she’d waited to be home, to belong to not just a place but to a person who loved her. Love. It was an emotion that had evaded her for so long she hadn’t remembered what it was like to care for someone…until now.
She didn’t know if there would be a future but if she died tomorrow, her life was complete. Quintus. I love you. The words drifted in her mind as sleep claimed her.
Chapter Thirteen
Love. He’d heard the word as if she’d said it aloud. Quintus pressed his lips to Gabriella’s head, inhaling the fragrance of her hair. His sweet little wolf had opened her heart, and he knew how incredibly scary that had to be for her. Unable to trust anyone for years, she’d surrendered her body and soul to him.
With her tight in his embrace, he recalled the horrific scene in Luca’s yard. With a heavy heart, he called for his brother. Viktor. In the silence that followed, he bit back his sorrow, failing to sense his brother’s presence. Death came for humans and supernaturals alike. But Quintus had kept his circle small, his heart protected. Now ironically, Mao had killed Viktor.
He prayed it wasn’t true. If she’d taken him to Hell, it’d be unlikely he’d sense him. The obsession to find his brother would have to wait. Killing Lilitu had to be his utmost priority. With Gabriella in danger, he had to find a way to protect her. Lilitu had proven a worthy adversary, breaking through the wards at his home and again at Luca’s, finding them in the catacombs. Her dark magick grew stronger and her death was the only option.
Quintus heard a rumble, and gently removed himself from Gabriella. Taking care to cover her with the blanket, he kissed her forehead. He padded quietly across the room to the closet and opened it, retrieving a bathrobe. As he dressed, he silently sighed, stealing one last glance at his sleeping angel before he exited the room.
He closed the door behind him, and stopped cold, sniffing the air. What the hell? Quintus rushed down the hallway and caught sight of Hunter standing over the stove.
“What are you doing?” The vampire pulled his robe tight and tied the belt.
“What does it look like I’m doing? I’m hungry. I’m horny. Figure I have a better chance with food.” The wolf turned to Quintus, giving him a roll of his eyes and then focused back on stirring the concoction in his pot. “Y’all seriously don’t keep much in this secret dungeon, but I found all the frozen and dry stuff.”
“What are you making?” Quintus lowered his voice, already recognizing the delicious scent of the mystery meal.
“Jambalaya. Found some andouille and crawfish in the freezer. It’s not fresh. But beggars…y’all get me.”
“Fuck, wolf…” Quintus inhaled deeply and shook his head. “It smells amazing.”
“You must have been a foodie in a previous life.”
“No. Just a dumb young boy.”
“Hardly a boy by the looks of ya.”
“Yeah maybe. Even as an adult, I wasn’t ready to grow up.” Quintus stretched his neck from side to side, easing the tension from his muscles.
“None of us are,” Hunter agreed.
“I hardly remember now.”
“Nor do I.” The Alpha spun around, waving his wooden spoon and tilted his head. “It’s something how the time passes.”
“Yet all that matters is right now. The present.”
“Gabriella?”
“Things went to hell today, si?” Quintus failed to hide the anger in his voice.
“I haven’t had a whole helluva lot of experience with this shit. I mean out in Wyoming, I’m dealing with the occasional black magick fuck up. Usually a witch or some other supe trying to get their way. But this Lilitu bitch is a whole new level of fucking crazy. And Jiangshi? Yeah, they’re not usually something I’m used to dealing with. To be fair, I’m pretty sure most wolves aren’t. Pretty sure Tristan would have mentioned it in his holiday card. He’s pretty detailed.”
Quintus raised a silent eyebrow at the Alpha.
“Yeah. Okay. Sorry. Just fucking with ya. Tris doesn’t do a card.” He turned around and shrugged. He gave a wave of the spoon before setting it back into his epicurean delight. “But he does call me. The asshole likes to mess around. Once told me a mermaid showed up in his bar and I bought it for five seconds before I questioned the lack of an ocean in Philly. Or a mermaid. He got a good laugh. He’s a dick like that.”
“Your point?” Quintus shook his head. There was a reason he tired of wolves and their constant nonsense.
“Relax, Quint. Go with it. I think we’re bonding here.”
“What the fuck is your point?”
“You vamps need to learn how to relax. Ya know that don’t you? Thousands of years here and you’d think you could have some fun. Indulge me.”
“Fine. Just give me some food. Let’s go. Plate up.”
“How can you be hungry? You just fucking fed! You’re like the three little piglets except you’re one big piglet, eating all the human food too.”
“None of your business, dog.”
“Hold on there with the d word, ya pointy-toothed ancient.” Hunter swung around holding his arms up, the spoon in one hand. A sly smile crept onto his face.
“Sorry.” Quintus nodded with a sigh. “I just…there’s something about human food. The day I turned, I swore I wouldn’t lose that shred of me that made me human. I know full well that all I need is blood to survive…physically. But having a meal. The taste buds keep a memory. And today, this also will be a memory.”
In a moment of weakness, Quintus’ voice went soft, his thoughts drawn back to Viktor. “My brother. He…he was kind of a purist. We argued often. Every now and then I’d get him to try something human. It was as if he’d forgotten. I’d have to remind him of the flavor, spend hours convincing him to go to a restaurant. And when we’d finally go to one, he’d order the bloodiest piece of steak he could get.”
“I’m really sorry, Quint. Maybe he’s still alive. We could contact Absinthe. Find that weasel, Thorn,” he offered.
“I don’t feel him.” Quintus’ lips formed a tight smile. “I should feel him. For thousands of years, no matter how far he was, I always felt him. But there’s nothing.”
“What do you know about Hell?” the Alpha asked, his voice serious.
“That I don’t want to go. I know that anything or anyone I’ve ever met who has been there is never the same. Demons. Succubus. The various demonic creatures that inhabit the underworld, they torture the pure souls who are trapped for any period of time. I’ve had the unfortunate experience of rescuing a friend or two over the centuries, but I was in and out. The ones who go for any amount of time…they change. I knew this guy…he was a genuinely nice vamp. Walt. Got mixed up with a succubus who convinced him to go.”
“Lured was probably more like it,” Hunter interjected.
“Yeah, well. You know how it is. It’s not like anyone usually goes knocking on Hell’s door without a reason. “
“Hot piece of ass.”
“Hot as in going up in flames. Lucifer’s plaything.” Quintus shook his head. “Walt thought he’d get a favor from her. His heart was in the right place. His only living niece had died. Couldn’t turn her because well…she was a kid.”
“It’s been done.”
“Yeah, I know it has but it’s not safe. Turning a kid…they don’t grow up into normal adults. It’s just not something you should do. There aren’t many rules but it’s one of the few words of wisdom I pass on to new vampires. Anyway, the point is, he wanted her back. His sister was distraught.”
“Necromancy.”
“It’s never a good thing. I guess he could have gone in search of black magick. But instead he hooked up with Jasmine. Sexy little succubus conv
inced him to seek out the help of her friends. She looked innocent enough with her big blue eyes.” He sighed. “Long story short. I knew he wasn’t coming back but that bitch caught me on the wrong day and I went back in for him. We’re lucky we got out. Poor slob was never the same.”
“And his niece?”
“Oh they brought her back all right but naturally she was possessed. The exorcism killed her in the end. But she wasn’t technically alive anyway. His sister killed herself.”
“I heard Leo was under,” Hunter commented.
“Yeah but they were in and out. Got lucky and killed the demon fast.”
“Not everyone comes out right in the head.” Hunter’s voice was a monotone as he spoke, his eyes staring as if in a trance.
“You sound like you’ve had a trip.”
“I’m just saying. If he’s there…we can try to get him out.”
“You volunteering?” Quintus asked, surprised at the Alpha’s statement.
“Maybe I am.”
“I’ll contact Thorn. If Viktor is there, I can’t leave him. But I can’t go look until this thing with Gabriella is settled. Lilitu breaks wards. If she got to my house in New York and over at Kade’s, she’s packing some demon strength black magick. As safe as this place is, I don’t trust staying here for too long. We can’t risk it.”
“Yeah, about that. I’m thinking we should hit the bayou.”
“How’s that?”
“I’ve got a place. You know this is my home.” Hunter nodded.
“So you’re thinking the bayou is safer? I don’t know.” Quintus shrugged and shook his head.
“Only Logan knows where my place is. A while back, when Ilsbeth was flying her broom high, I got her to whip me up a spell.”
“Jesus, that woman gets around.”
“Hey, now.” Hunter spun to face him, raising an eyebrow. “I may have used her but not ‘used used’ her. No fucking way. Ya see where that got Dimitri. Not me. I’ve always known that Ilsbeth was one dangerous bitch. Don’t get me wrong. I see why D got him some of that. She’s a tempting one, all right. Beautiful. At least she used to be until she lost her mojo. But fuck if she won’t throw a hex at your ass as fast as you can say broomstick.”
“Your place. Tell me more,” Quintus redirected. He of all people knew how Ilsbeth could throw a conversation off topic.
“It’s basically invisible. I mean it’s not infallible. A wolf will know I’m there if they bump into the damn thing. Out in the swamp, everyone’s got their own place. The rest of the supes can’t find it though.”
“Lilitu might, but right now we’re buying time.”
“We’ve got the bone. Sam’s looking at it too,” Hunter said.
“You’ve got the other half, right?” Quintus asked.
“Yeah, but I’m not witch.”
“I’ve been thinking about this. It’s like I said, I don’t think this is just black magick. And Mao showing up. She wanted that bone. It’s all tied somehow. No, all this reeks of hell and demons.”
“Lilitu isn’t the only witch in that coven who has a stake to get the first bone back. They’ll come at Sam and us.”
“Lilitu sought a demon’s help. She’s got way too much power.”
“Unless any demon buds owe you any favors, I don’t think we’ve got a shot at stopping her.” Hunter opened the cabinet and set bowls on the counter.
“Even half-demons aren’t to be trusted. And Thorn? I’m going to tear the head off that asshole the next time I see him. He puts on a good show, but his hell game is strong. He’s up to his eyeballs in this. He got my brother…” Killed. Quintus couldn’t bring himself to say the word aloud, and continued. “I know a guy.”
Hunter laughed and sank a ladle into the pan. “A good story always starts with, ‘I’ve got a guy.’ All right. All right. Let’s hear it.”
“Goes by the name of Kellan,” Quintus began.
“Demon?”
“Fae.”
“Jesus, Quint? A fairy? They’re more dangerous than some of the fucking demons I’ve met.”
“I know, but I’m done with the witches. Samantha means well, but she’s fairly new.”
“She’s a high priestess.”
“Technically, yes. But she’s no Ilsbeth. No matter how strong her magick is, she doesn’t have enough experience. What happened today…the baby.” Quintus sighed. If Gabriella hadn’t taken the blow, the child would have been dead.
“I’ve got to admit. That whole scene was a little out of control.” Hunter set a bowl in front of Quintus and turned back to the stove. “Witches. Demons. They’ve got the market cornered on poison.”
Quintus noted how the Alpha favored his right arm, his eyes narrowing on a white cloth peeking out from underneath Hunter’s buttoned shirt. His fist curled into a ball. “What’s going on with your hand?”
“Nah, it’s nothing.” Hunter continued his task.
“Uh huh. You sure?” Quintus suspected he’d been hiding the serious nature of the injury.
“Yeah, yeah. Hurt myself here in the kitchen is all. Knife slipped.”
“You had the scratch before you started cooking, remember?” Quintus paused and lifted his spoon. “As I was trying to get Mao away from Viktor, I noticed you were close to Lilitu. You wouldn’t have happened to get in the way of that athame she was carrying, would you?”
“Look, it’s nothing. I’ll be fine. I’ve run miles a whole helluva lot worse hurt than this. I told you. Just a scratch.” Hunter turned to Quintus, averting his gaze as he set a second dish onto the table. “I’ll be good after I eat.”
“Let me see it.” As Quintus spoke the words, he knew the Alpha wouldn’t like being spoken to like a five-year-old child.
“Fuck you. Eat your Jambalaya,” he grumbled.
“Nice. Yeah, okay, don’t show me. But I’m going to kick your ass from here to New York if it gets worse, do you hear me? Gabriella, she went numb. Ya hear me asshole? Numb? Couldn’t move.” Quintus slid a spoonful of the food into his mouth and closed his eyes. “Mmm.”
“The way she was stabbed? She’s lucky she’s breathing. Immortal is a relative term.”
“This is…oh my…” Quintus lifted his eyes to meet Hunter’s.
“We all can die given the right circumstances.”
“So good. Excellent.”
“What’d ya expect? The wolf has skills,” Hunter joked, a small smile forming on his lips.
“Tru dat.” Quintus nodded.
“So I take it Gabby’s all right? I guess I already know the answer to that question.”
“She’s amazing.” Quintus smiled.
“Yeah, I could hear how amazing she was. You know, one of these times, if you’re looking for an extra player, I’m down.” Hunter laughed and opened the refrigerator, retrieving bottles of water.
“I bet you are.”
“I know you vamps. Not so good in the sharing department, but now that you’re mated and all…let’s just say it was tempting to help you out in there.”
“I don’t need any help, asshole.”
“She’s a wolf, Quint.”
“Full moon’s over. She’s good.” The vampire shook his head, continuing to eat.
“I’m just sayin’. We are a playful bunch. She’s claimed. It’s not like she’s going anywhere. You guys are mated.”
“I can’t believe it,” Quintus confessed, a broad smile crossing his face.
“You mated motherfuckers make me sick.” Hunter laughed and twisted off a cap, sucking back the bottle.
“Sounds like you’re a little jealous, Alpha. Which, hey, can’t say you shouldn’t be, but don’t be a hater. She’s mine.”
Hunter released the water with a hiss. “No hatin’ here. Just offering my services should you need them.”
“I don’t need your…” Quintus stopped speaking as soon as the door creaked open. Gabriella.
“What services?” Gabriella asked in a sleepy voice.
Quint
us dropped his spoon and pressed to his feet, taking in the sight of his beautiful mate. Her messy curly hair tumbled over her shoulders, his oversized robe draped to the floor. She gave him a sheepish smile.
“Ah si, bella. You look beautiful.” Quintus crossed the room to meet her, wrapping his hands around her waist. As his lips brushed hers, he resisted tearing off her robe. With her body crushed to his, his cock twitched in response. “Hmm…I’ve missed you.”
“Hmm…I’ve missed you too, baby,” she meowed.
“Someone’s missing something but I don’t think it’s either of you,” Hunter commented, giving a roll of his eyes.
“Ah, sorry Alpha.” Gabriella laughed softly, peeking around Quintus’ arms to smile at the wolf.
“You feeling all right?” he asked.
“Yes. He helped me. I’m okay now,” she told him.
Quintus gave her a knowing smile. He released her from his embrace and slid his hand into hers, leading her to the table. “Come sit. Alpha made us a delicious meal.”
“You cook?” she asked, an element of surprise in her tone.
“I’m not just a pretty face. Here ya go.” Hunter placed a bowl of Jambalaya in front of Gabriella then slid a bottle of water toward her.
“Thank you. It smells so good. I’m starving.”
“You’re lucky to be alive,” he replied, sitting down to join Quintus and Gabriella.
She slid her spoon inside the thick spicy meal and paused, looking at them. “I couldn’t let anything happen to that baby. I don’t know Samantha. Or Luca.” She shrugged and gave a sad smile. “I don’t know any of them. But we brought this to their home. And Kate? She has a whole lifetime ahead of her. If anything had happened, I couldn’t forgive myself.”
“It’s okay.” Quintus gently placed a reassuring a palm onto her back.
“No. This has to end.” She swallowed and set down her utensil. “That day I found you.” She smiled at Quintus. “Even if you’d said no. Even if you couldn’t have helped me, I still would have given you my blood. I knew the vamps got off on it. I took a chance I could help you.”
