“For being an ass. And you deserve the broken bones.” She swept her hair over her shoulder and pinned me with a pinched expression.
“Why am I always the bad guy here?” I threw up my hands and looked toward Kaniul. The damn Egyptian could barely contain his laughter before he threw his head back, the sound reverberating through the chamber.
“You are such a jerk,” I mumbled, the comment directed toward Kaniul. I shook my head in annoyance, but the smile that crept across my face was one of pure joy as I saw my mate join in her uncle’s laughter.
“You are a demon. Aren’t you supposed to be the bad guy?” Lorelei’s eyes sparkled with mischief as she sauntered toward me and wrapped her arms around my neck.
“No. I’m also part Archangel if you didn’t remember that. Doesn’t that make me somewhat good?” I said with a hint of fang in my smile.
“But you told me the Archangel’s are selfish, self-absorbed assholes who don’t care about anyone or anything,” Lorelei retorted, her hands on her luscious hips. Gods, she looked so delicious standing there. Her eyes were full of mirth as we verbally sparred with each other. Fuck, I was getting hard just bantering with her.
“True, but some of them are good.”
“Which ones?” She asked, her eyes brightening with curiosity.
“Akaikos. His twin sister. The others that sired the Nephilim.”
Her expression turned pensive as she thought of her father. “I wish I could spend more time with him. Ask him questions. Ask him why.”
“I know, Theera,” I said, drawing my hand down the soft skin of her cheek. I tilted her face up toward mine and placed my lips over hers in a gentle kiss.
“Stop making out. We have a plan to finish discussing,” Leo growled as he returned to the council chamber, Damius close on his heels. Leo carried a book, which he laid out on the table and turned to the page that he was looking for.
“Buzz kill,” Lorelei muttered, and I stifled a laugh as she turned away from me and returned her attention back to Leo.
“I apologize for bringing up bad memories for you, Leo. I wasn’t aware of your background and will be better prepared in the future.” Of course, my Lorelei would say the words to keep the peace in the room.
“This is for Nicolae. We must swallow our pride. I did study subjects other than music while I was in school. In case you don’t remember I have a minor in Classics. My thesis was on Spartan culture. I am extremely aware of the history behind Leonidas.”
I rolled my eyes at Lorelei’s telepathic words before I drew her back toward me and embraced her from behind. Back in my arms. Right where she belonged.
“I saw you rolling your eyes at me. We will see if you get any when we get home.”
Growling I nipped on her earlobe. Her swift intake of breath was her only outward reaction as she pressed her lush ass into my groin. “Don’t threaten me, little mate. You won’t like the consequences.”
“Does it involve being tied down to your bed? If so, I will threaten you a bit more.”
“Little minx. You are topping from the bottom. You shouldn’t do that. Don’t you want me to let you come?”
“Good gods above, that is enough!” Kaniul looked flustered as he bit out the words through clenched teeth. “I do not need to be dealing with all this sexual tension radiating off my beloved niece.”
“Beloved, huh?” Lorelei said smiling, looking so pleased with herself.
“More like only niece,” Leo mumbled. “Now, if we can once again get back on topic here.”
A small snarl left my little mate as she unconsciously sent a vase flying toward Leo with her telekinetic abilities. He ducked just in time to send the priceless Ming antique flying to the wall to shatter into a million pieces.
“Damn it, woman!” Leo roared and started toward her only to be pulled back by Damius.
“Enough, General. She didn’t mean anything by it. Plus, you kind of deserved it for making that comment.” He shrugged and let him go.
“If I may interject and share with you the vision I received?” Kaniul said with a polite smile.
“By all means, Kaniul.” Damius swept his arm out before him in invitation. “Save me from this repetitive argument and immature immortals.”
“Naomi is going to get a lot more than she bargains for when she begins this Operation Jailbreak as you call it. Just be prepared for that.”
“That’s it?” Leo demanded. “You aren’t going to divulge any more than that, almighty prophet?”
“That is all that is set in stone at this time. You know as well as I do how visions can change. Things are not as they seem, and Naomi will get more than she bargains for when she rescues Nathan and Nicolae.” Kaniul’s amber eyes sparkled as he spoke.
“Damn prophets and their cryptic words,” Leo threw his hands up. “Well, I guess she gets more than she bargains for because I’ve already set the plans in motion. She has been inserted into the facility and will work on getting more intelligence and getting Nicolae and Nathan out as soon as possible.”
“Did she say what state Nicolae was in?” Lorelei asked as she chewed on her bottom lip.
Leo shook his head. “She couldn’t get to him the first time. The security was too tight. She is deeper undercover this time, more power lacing her disguise. We are also on radio silence. I won’t hear from her until we are on the other side of this. One way or another.”
“Please let Nicolae be okay,” Lorelei murmured in her mind as her eyes slid closed and she said the silent prayer.
******
The next three days passed with no news. Leo hadn’t heard from Naomi and his stupid Operation Jailbreak was beginning to sound like a big fat failure. Not only had we lost Nicolae, but we would lose Naomi as well.
“Fuck!” I bellowed and swept the contents of my desk cascading onto the floor. “I’m tired of this waiting shit. It is driving me crazy.” I pulled at my hair as I paced the length of the room.
Lorelei burst into the room with panic etched on her face as her eyes danced wildly around the room trying to place the source of my discomfort. She was wrapped in only towel and suds still clung to her hair, running down her body in swirling rivulets.
“Damn it, Vincent. Stop throwing temper tantrums. I thought something was really wrong!” Her ice blue eyes glowed with fire as she approached me. “What are you freaking out about this time?”
I rolled my eyes and sank down into my office chair, not looking up. I didn’t want to meet her gaze. Didn’t want to see the concern and pity etched there. I knew she was just as upset about not finding Nicolae. I could feel it through our bond.
My frustration overwhelmed me. For centuries, I made my way through life. Fighting The Syndicate. Feeding. Fucking. Not giving a shit about anything. Music. Painting. They were just things to pass the time.
Yet, the moment I knew of Lorelei’s existence, my world spun on its axis. Emotions flooded back through me. Making me feel things that I had long since turned off. It was easier when you lived for so long to just flip the switch and make it all go away. But the way that Lorelei felt everything so intensely made it impossible.
“Vincent.” Her harsh whisper drew my attention back to her. My everything. My mate. The deep frown etched on her face almost broke me as she stepped between my legs. My arms wrapped around her and I laid my head against her towel covered body.
“I’m sorry.” They were two words that I didn’t utter very often. In fact, I didn’t even remember the last person that I spoke them to other than to my Lorelei.
“Vincent, you need to trust me and let me in.” Her voice broke, cracking with the force of her emotions. Her fingers tunneled into the soft blonde strands of my hair and her nails drew along my scalp in a memorizing rhythm.
“These emotions are too much sometimes. I’m not used to caring so intensely. Not since my parents were killed.” The words caused a sliver of a memory to float in my mind. My mother pressing her bloody hand into my cheek as she smi
led at me. My father telling me he was sorry, that they wished they had more time.
Lorelei continued to stroke my head, oblivious to the fact that soapy water continued to trickle down her shoulders. Droplets fell onto my face, cooling my heated skin. “You make me feel too much,” I confessed, tilting my head up to study her bewildered face.
“I love you so damn much. I never thought it would be possible to feel this way about anyone. Never expected that I would be granted a mate.”
My words caused tears to shimmer in her eyes. “My mighty demon prince mate is quite good at saying the right things for never having been in love before.” She smiled while running her hand down to cup my cheek.
I scoffed. “I would hardly call that the right thing to say. I’m shit when it comes to telling you exactly how much you mean to me.”
She bent her body and pressed her lips to mine. “I know what is in here,” she laid her hand over my heart. “And here,” she said as she tapped a finger against my head. “Although it is nice when you say you love me.”
“I love you,” I said firmly, grasping her hips. “Even when you are dripping water and shampoo all over me like you are right now.”
Lorelei threw back her head and laughed. “Why don’t you help me finish my shower then?” she said coyly, nibbling on her bottom lip. Her blue irises flashed red as she zoned in on the pulse throbbing in my neck.
“Are you hungry, little mate?” I growled.
“Always,” she answered with a smile and led me by the hand back toward our bathroom.
The mess in the office was completely forgotten.
******
Lorelei stirring in my arms made me open my eyes the next day. I groaned and wound my arms tighter around her to hold her firmly in place. “Don’t move yet,” I growled deep into her neck.
“Your phone is ringing. It could be important,” she murmured huskily, still wriggling in my arms to try and reach across to grab the damn ringing device from the nightstand.
“I’m getting very tired of cell phones,” I sighed and untwined my limbs from my mate’s and plucked the phone from her outstretched fingers.
“This better be good,” I rasped as I answered. My fingers were wound so tightly around the plastic and metal frame I was surprised it didn’t shatter.
“We have him. Get your asses down here immediately.” Damius sounded gruff, his voice battered and gravelly. This did not bode well. “V, he isn’t in good shape.”
My eyelids fluttered shut and Lorelei squeezed my hand as pain lanced through my heart at his words. “We’ll be there in five minutes,” I responded and threw the phone against the wall. The shattering of glass was a satisfying sound in my ears and helped to soothe the rage within me.
“There goes another iPhone,” Lorelei muttered as she threw away the quilt and strode across the room to retrieve clothes. “You and your damn temper tantrums, I swear.”
“Blame my demon, he likes destruction,” I bit out. She growled and threw a shirt and pants at me. I caught them easily while shaking my head.
“I don’t care. Get dressed. We need to see Nicolae.” Her tone left no room for argument.
“Yes, Ma’am.” I climbed out of bed and dressed quickly before wrapping my arms around her and teleporting us to the council chambers.
Chapter 17
Lorelei
Blood pulsed in my ears as the fierce cold washed over me from our shadow flight. I really hated the mode of teleportation, but it was the fastest way to get anywhere. Parts of me were starting to get used to the abrupt movement, but that damn chill that came with it was something that I could never bear. I shook out my arms and marched toward the doors without waiting for Vincent. His steps fell in behind me, his hand going to the small of my back as he caught up alongside me.
“Are you prepared for whatever we find?” he asked me, a trickle of fear edging his words.
Nodding, I swallowed harshly. “He is alive. That is all that matters. We can heal him. His body, his mind. Whatever it takes Vincent. He is your closest friend. Your brother and confidant for so many years. I’ve seen your memories. It would wreck you if he was gone.”
I paused, gathering my thoughts as my brow pinched together. “I haven’t known him for long, but he has treated me with nothing but kindness since I came into this world.”
“Sometimes too much kindness,” he grumbled, thinking of his flirting with me.
My head cocked to the side. “You know that was just to mess with you.” I slapped at his chest. “It would destroy me if anything serious happened to him. It’s my fault The Syndicate is being so aggressive in the first place.”
He pulled me to a stop in the middle of the hall, his hands wrapping around my upper arms. “Stop it, Lorelei. The Syndicate’s actions are not your fault. Things are going to happen as they were meant to. Fate always finds a way. Or that is what your mother used to tell me anyway.”
“Kaniul has been trying to drill that into my head too,” I griped. “But it is crazy to think that there are some things that can be changed and some things that can’t. My head spins every time I think about it.” I sighed heavily. “I’m thankful that I didn’t inherit that power from my mother.”
“I shudder to think about you having foresight on top of all your other abilities.” That was a frightening thought. And entirely too much power for one person. I already had telepathy, telekinesis, astral projection, compulsion and could manipulate the weather including lightning. Plus, there were still more abilities that we were discovering. With what Vincent had told me of Akakaios, his children were able to manipulate all of the elements. Maybe I would be able to do that one day too.
Adding foresight on top of that. I just couldn’t imagine it. It would make for one scary and powerful being.
I halted with my hand on the doorknob. “It would be a scary thought. Too much.” A shiver ran down my spine and I squeezed my eyes tightly shut.
“Let’s go,” Vincent said softly, pushing open the door.
All eyes turned toward us as we strode through the doorway. Kaniul’s strong amber eyes shone with remorse and pity. Damius looked pissed, his brow deeply furrowed and his mouth set in a grim line as he paced the floor. Leo was indifferent, as I was beginning to understand was his typical way. Well, except when he was arguing with Vincent.
“Where is he?” Vincent bit out. His hand flexed on my back and the muscles in his neck bunched as he restrained himself.
“Adreon is treating him downstairs. We were waiting for you,” Kaniul spoke calmly, smoothly. His voice was low and even, trying to dispel the tension radiating from the room.
“What injuries has he sustained?” The anger rolled off Vincent in pulsing waves. “Was the facility raided and the other supernatural prisoners set free?”
“We did what we could. Only Nicolae, Nathan and Naomi were able to get out,” Damius growled. “And it was only because Nicolae was able to draw on the final bit of his strength to create an illusion. They had him collared, Vincent.”
My hands immediately circled my neck and a sob formed in my throat. The scars from my captivity were barely visible. Just faint lines and whorls from the metal that heated to blistering temperatures anytime I drew on my physic powers. When I was first captured by Antionette and Kristoff, I tried to reach out to Kaniul and Vincent. Begging for them to rescue me, but the collar burned me so severely, my skin was still healing from the damage it caused. Even after weeks of feeding on Vincent’s powerful blood.
“How was he able to use his abilities if he was collared?” I whispered, afraid of the answer.
Damius buried his hands in his hair and cursed. “Damn nightmare demon is a stubborn bastard and did it anyway. He said he had to save Nathan and Naomi.”
“We need to see him. Now,” I demanded, pulling away from Vincent and making my way toward the stairs that led down to the lab where Adreon had drawn my blood.
“Kishka,” Kaniul grabbed my arm and pulled me to a halt. “He
isn’t in good shape. Be prepared.” He turned his eyes to Vincent. “Both of you. I don’t know how my vision was changed so drastically, but I could not have predicted this outcome.”
“What are you talking about Kaniul?” Vincent spat at him, clearly confused as he shook with anger.
Leo turned to us with a smile on his face. “It seems that Naomi and Nathan had a bit of a connection while in the facility and have bonded.”
“Bonded how?” I asked. “They aren’t Nephilim, they don’t have true mates, do they?”
“No, but it seems that Naomi has succubus blood within her. When incubae and succubae find a being that they are specifically drawn to, they can form a bond. It seems that for Naomi, that was Nathan,” Leo answered with a knowing smile on his face.
“You knew about this,” Vincent narrowed his eyes at Leo. “You knew that Naomi had succubus blood within her. It explains her power to manipulate her appearance and perception. A powerful tool for that brand of demons.”
“Is that what you didn’t see in your vision?” I asked Kaniul, trying to distract Vincent from Leo and his backhanded ways.
Kaniul scoffed. “No, that part I saw. It was the person that Nicolae ran into from his past that I did not account for.” He rubbed the bridge of his nose and raised solemn eyes to Vincent. “It is Adrianna.”
Vincent’s loud curse rang in my ears. His rage coursed through me and I turned to see his form waver as he fought to control himself. Whoever this Adrianna person was, it wasn’t good news. My fingers curled in the fabric of his shirt, right over his heartbeat as I reached out to his demon.
“Calm, my mate,” I soothed. His responding growl reverberated throughout my body, making me tingle down to the tips of my toes. I loved the sound of his deep demonic growl. Call me crazy, but I loved everything about my mate, even when he was out of control.
“Mate,” the demon growled and bent his head to inhale the scent at the base of my neck just above my pulse.
Out of The Shadows (Shadows Ascending Trilogy Book 2) Page 13
