by Shelby Lynn
“Fine, if I actually play along with this, you owe me. Then I am going to demand an apology for all this shit,” Trent muttered to his friend and then laughed when his friend flipped him off.
Logan watched his mate step forward. He didn’t think he was being too demanding and overbearing. His mate seemed to be a little pissy about the way he was trying to take care of him. What in the hell?
He watched his mate laugh and joke—why the hell was he ignoring him? He knew he had to feel the pull. It was nowhere as difficult as Blake had said it was to convince Ian they were from a different Stratum. All of it was pissing him off.
Logan was the Head of Security for the Wizard Stratum, so he was no puss. In fact, he was one of the strongest wizards on the Stratum. His brother and sister were the only ones who were stronger, but they each had their own area of expertise. His was security, and therefore he was the Head of the Security section. Simple as that. His mate should be proud to be at his side. He had no clue why it wasn’t going the way he envisioned it.
He looked at his brother, Blake as he walked up to his mate and put an arm around him casually. If anyone were watching, they would think they were buddies from their relaxed posture. However, Logan knew in the short time Ian had been in the Stratum with them, the two had found love. They were perfect for each other.
Thank goodness in their world no one really cared with whom you mated. Man, woman, two men with one woman, as long as the connection was there, it was acceptable. If someone tried to force a mating, the Advisor’s Council would see it and the connection proven before they allowed the formal mating.
Logan could see the connection with Trent and he could feel it as if it were a live fucking wire that kept pulling him in. He was fighting himself from demanding his mate listen to him. The thought of leaving him here wasn’t an option. The man was gonna have to deal, although when Logan looked at him, he could feel the attraction. Trent was fucking gorgeous. Standing the same height as Trent, Logan knew it would be amazing when they kissed. Trent had a full mouth, Logan almost groaned aloud as he thought about what he wanted to do with his mate’s mouth. Shaking his head, Logan continued his appraisal.
Trent had black hair, which hung loosely around his shoulders. His face was narrow and sharp. Logan could imagine wrapping his hand in his mate’s hair and holding him while he kissed him. Logan already knew his mate had flashing green eyes, because when he was pissed, which he had been since the moment Logan met him, his eyes seemed to come alive. They had the same build, so Logan knew Trent took care of himself, which made them the perfect match. Logan was happy his mate was going to be able to actually stand by his side and be a strong mate, as Ian was with Blake.
Grinning, Logan walked to where his mate was, stopped just before he grabbed his arm and pulled him into an embrace. He knew he had to wait, let his mate get himself under control, but it wasn’t in Logan’s nature and it was proving to be difficult. Logan waited patiently, still staring intensely at his mate. They were opposite in looks. Logan had blonde hair, cut short to his head, and gray eyes. He was certain they were the exact same build when he got close to him like this. Logan had a rounder face, but it was just as stern looking. His mom used to say he was born with a frown and an inquisitive nature. Always protecting everyone.
Trent looked at him and frowned. Logan having had enough, opened his mouth just as his brother apparently caught on, and grabbed his arm.
“Hey brother, let’s go and get the room ready,” Blake said at the same time he was pulling on Logan’s arm.
Logan allowed his brother to drag him away from his mate before he opened his mouth and stuck his foot into it. It was sad really.
“Damn it, quit dragging me, asshole,” Logan muttered letting his frustration seep out.
Blake chuckled and then said, “Dude, you are being high fucking maintenance. The look on your face is like that old human movie Conan! You had better chill. I think Trent is even more ballsey than my mate, you are gonna have a fight on your hands if you go all bossy on him.”
“Hey, I don’t tell you how to deal with your mate, so don’t tell me. He needs to understand we are going back to a war, and he will need to follow directions,” Logan gritted out.
Blake shook his head and smiled. ”Okay then, don’t come crying to me. Are we ready?”
Logan looked around and nodded. They had their plan. Everything was finally in one room, and they were ready to open the gate and transport. Sasha should be on the other side waiting with his parents and more guards, just in case. They were entering into a storage room with all of this stuff. That way, the men would be able to go through their boxes when they wanted.
Blake called to the men to come to where they were standing. The boxes were arranged in a large square. Neither of the men took furniture, only boxes, which helped, but even though Trent may not think he had much, he did—all kinds of books.
Ian came, stood next to Blake, and the guards formed a semi-circle behind them. Trent still stood off to the side. Logan waited patiently for the man to make up his mind and step forward. He avoided Logan and stood next to Ian. Logan made a noise of displeasure but held out the coin. They all looked down as the coin began to glow. When Logan nodded, each man reached out to touch the coin.
Logan looked up and saw his mate’s eyes widen as the room swirled around them. The color was bright as the first small swirl of gold began to form a doorway. Logan refused to let his gaze leave Trent’s eyes. He could see the panic when Trent began to realize this was real.
“Don’t let go,” Logan ordered and Trent nodded briefly. The door got larger and Logan knew Trent was probably feeling the effects of the first time transport. When Logan did it the first time, it had made him sick also, but what a day it had been.
His father allowed the Guards to bring Blake, Sasha, and him to the Human Stratum. They had a full day of shopping, a baseball game, and even rides on Long Island. It had been amazing to a twelve year old. He remembered every feeling from the day, including the one when they returned. His belly stuffed full of hot dogs, cotton candy, and other junk food. The twirling and motion had made him turn green. It was only when his little sister had teased him that it forced him to hold it in. Logan smiled at the memory from his youth.
Finally, the room seemed to expand with the transport spell and Logan could see the figures of his family begin to appear. Blake pushed a little forward and they all seemed to move as one, that’s when Logan saw his mate stumble a little. Ian grabbed his arm, and he was wishing it were him helping Trent through this. Logan knew what the man was going to see would freak him out a little. He could see the room in the castle now, along with his father and mother more clearly. His sister was slowly making her way to the side, raising her hands and moving the boxes behind them. Her power was greater when transporting, something he could never quite get the hang of.
It was probably because as their father said when they were growing up, ‘each of you are special in your own way. Because of that, each of you will lead a part of the Stratum. I was not graced with siblings, and therefore, I have been alone. You will be more powerful as the three of you share the powers.’
They had entered the room and Logan slowly pulled the coin back as the glow faded until the coin looked normal again. He looked around to his mate who was staring intensely at the room where they were now standing, looking a little green around the edges.
You have got to be FUCKING KIDDING ME!” Trent started speaking and ended up yelling loudly while gesturing to the room and looking at his friend.
Logan wanted to laugh a little when he saw Ian’s expression. Apparently, his best friend was not normally so vocal.
“Uh, Trent, can I introduce you to Blake and Logan’s parent’s, the King and Queen of the Wizard Stratum, and if I am not mistaken, your new in-laws,” Ian said, looking at Trent.
Dion looked around the room. He planned to have more Rebels coming in the next few days. The ones he had were useless. They h
ad lost the fight for him, this all could have been over with if they had listened to him. At least they'd done one thing right, they'd taken Chase. He would be invaluable when it came to getting Blake out in the open. Once they actually worked him over a little more, he would talk. Keeping him a secret was the clue, there were so many wards over the room he was hidden in that no one, not even the King of Wizards could fucking find him.
For now, he had another plan. One that would certainly make sure Blake would be his. “You know what he looks like?” Dion asked.
“Yeah, I got it. So I bite him and then what, leave? Like the Guards are going to actually let me waltz in there and hurt the King’s Consort,” the Wolf Shifter in front of him said.
Dion learned long ago to tell them what they wanted to here, and then do what you had to do. Dion knew the wolf would be caught, he would be questioned, and then he would be killed. Not that he cared much one way or the other, because he would have outlived his usefulness when he bit the Consort. It would be awesome, whether or not the wolf knew it; he was the beginning of the New Rebellion. That is the name he gave his campaign, the idiots who were following him said they needed a purpose.
Hell, the only purpose they needed was to make sure he got what he wanted. It was just sad. They thought he would use any of them once he was the ruler of all the Stratums. He would be able to pick the strongest of the Shifters, the smartest of the Fae, hell, he would even use the meanest of the Trolls. Right now he was scraping the bottom of the barrel, but at least they would stand between him and harm’s way long enough for him to kill the Consort, and claim Blake as his own.
“Then, you will be captured. I have someone working in the palace who will leave the door open for you. Once you leave, you need to hurry back here, so I can give you another important assignment. We are right on the cusp of greatness. You will play an important part in all of this, so make sure you don’t get hurt,” Dion said slowly, and tried to add enough of the caring tone in his voice he heard others use.
The stupid wolf nodded, looked at Dion, and asked, “What is the Guard’s name?”
Perhaps not as stupid as he thought, Dion mused, “His name is Roderick. He is the Head of the Guards.”
The wolf studied him closely, as if he would actually be able to smell his deceit. Dion practiced years for this, years. He knew how to make a lie believable to a Shifter. They were so in tune with their animals, trusting in them so much, as if the thing would ever make a mistake. Ha, well this time it had. He knew how to hide his lie behind confidence.
Finally the Shifter nodded, stood up saying, “I will leave and get the layout of the place. I will be ready for him.”
Dion smiled happily, never doubting the dumbass would do exactly what he wanted. “Good, I will make sure that I am kept abreast of your movements by my spies.”
It was so easy to suck them in. As the wolf left the room, Dion looked over to the pad of paper he used to make a list of things he needed to accomplish. Next, he was going to go question the idiot’s friend. So far, he was being quiet. It wouldn’t last for long, Dion needed to know a few things before he attacked the palace again. Dion was going to be prepared for when they did. Soon, the rest of the Rebels arrived.
The tunnels under the city were proving to be so useful, only the Consort would be able to derive a conclusion if he thought about it hard enough. Dion did not give him much credit though, by now, they should have realized what he was doing. None of the Rebels seemed to be on the street, only the fact that Rebels were appearing and no one seemed to understand from where. They were so stupid, so arrogant.
Dion got the idea from the Humans and their underground tunnels they used for transportation. In addition, they had the ‘City Under the City’ thing going on. It was the Consort’s passion, history, and shit, but did he actually pay attention, no, or they would have found their place a long time ago. Dion thought it was appropriate for his lair to be built right under the same place where the Consort was brought─the museum. Dion used the restoration as a way to hide himself. The building was old, as was the one across the street─the one he actually owned. However, Dion refused to remain there. Nope, he had the tunnel built under the street months ago. Now they were expanding, burrowing, digging rooms, and passages all over the city. He wanted to laugh in Blake’s face when he found out that in about a month, if everything went as planned, Dion would be appearing right under Blake’s office floor, ready to claim his mate and take his place.
Watch for
Twisted Time
Book Three in the Stratum Series Coming Soon
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Epilogue
Books Available from Shelby Lynn
Excerpt from Forever Levi
Excerpt from Sawyer’s Hope
Excerpt from Meridian Warriors
Excerpt from Enough Time
