by TW Knight
"I told you—"
"That you were worried. I think what you really want is to play nurse and make me feel all better."
Bree gasped, his arousal pressing into her belly. "If this is your idea of seduction, you need to reread that how-to book." Pressing her elbows against the wall for leverage, she gave him a push. It was like shoving a mountain. A mountain of warm flesh and hard muscle. "Why are you being such a prick?"
Bass drew back slowly, pain in his eyes, jagged and sharp as broken glass. In the next blink, it was gone. He'd drawn a shade over the window into his soul.
"I was made this way. Don't expect the dragon to change its scales." He threw up his hands and turned away.
"I thought you were... Well, after our talk at the hanger, I thought we were becoming friends."
Bass glanced over his shoulder and leveled her with a harsh look wavering between fire and ice. "We're associates. We are not friends. I can't care about you the way you want. I won't love you. Now go back to your room."
Anger flared in Bree's chest and raced throughout her body like lava. "You selfish bastard. Who asked you to love me?" Bree's fingers wrapped around the crystal decanter sitting on the bureau beside her, and she let it fly. A shower of amber rain and crystal shards exploded from the bathroom door jamb, inches from Bass' head. Satisfied, she flung open the door, burying the doorknob in the plaster, and stalked out.
After a minute, Bass rescued the door and shut it quietly. He leaned against the cool silk of the wood. "I'm sorry," he murmured. "One day you'll thank me. Better to hate me now than later when you'd really be hurt."
Chapter Fifteen
"How dare he?" Still grumbling, Bree stumbled onto the beach, unaware how exactly she'd gotten there. Dumbfounded, she stared at the water. "Great, now I'm lost." Then again, how lost could one really get on a private island filled with mystical beings?
With a shrug, she walked along the sand and gazed at the bright blue sky.
Voices greeted her over the crashing breakers. Further down the beach sat her female house mates. Hesitant to join them, Bree took a step back into the foliage, until she heard the laughter. It had been a long time since she'd heard a carefree, musical, laugh.
Why was she hiding? This was her home and she would live with these people for a long time. "Might as well settle in." Shaking off her dread, Bree headed toward the group, a smile pasted on her face. To her shock, she spotted Cassidy among them and her pace picked up.
"Oh my God! Cassidy! You're alright." She dropped onto the sand and engulfed her in a hug. "I was so worried."
Cassidy laughed with the musical quality Bree heard.
"I'm fine. All I needed was a little of Rail's blood and some rest." She gave Bree a squeeze before releasing her. "How are you?"
"Fine. I guess." Her confused melancholy returned. Bree sat back in the sand and wrapped her arms around her knees.
"I know that look." Gina giggled. "What did he do?"
"Who?"
They all laughed.
"Bass, of course," Serephina answered.
"Oh. Well, nothing, really. He's just acting like a jerk."
"That's because he is a jerk," Gina took a sip from her drink. "Boomer said that Bass use to hyphenate his name. You know like B-ass for Bad-ass."
"Well he got the ass part right," Bree grumbled.
"I thought it was an abbreviated version of bastard." Serephina gave Gina a friendly push on her shoulder and both women laughed.
Bree smiled. "Bass isn't his real name?"
Cassidy shook her head. "None of them use their God given names. Rail won't even tell me his real name. He says he will... Eventually."
"Makes sense. Names have power. If you knew their real names, you could control them." Bree jumped as Gina guffawed, nearly choking on her drink.
"Oh, honey, if a woman needs to know her man's name to control him, she's doing something wrong! All I need to do is flip my hair and wiggle my hips to get Boom-Boom to do what I want."
Serephina rolled her eyes. "We're not talking about sex."
Gina sat up straight and stared at her friend. "Since when?"
Margarite sighed. "We're talking about them being jerks."
"Boomer wasn't," Gina grumbled.
"You just didn't see it because you were both lost in a cloud of lust." Serephina turned to Bree. "I swear they didn't come out of their room for three weeks."
Bree blushed. "Was it like that for all of you?"
"Rail tried to convince me that what I was feeling wasn't real. That it was just the soul connection because we were together all the time." Cassidy chuckled. "Stupid idiot had to die to realize he loved me."
"Tam's not mine," Margarite said softly. "I mean, I don't have his soul. But I think he really does care about me."
Cassidy moved closer to the shy woman and looped an arm over her free shoulder. "Tam loves you. I told Rail so months ago. I knew it when I saw him taking care of you. But like all men, it took him awhile to wake up to reality."
"I thought it was just the guilt for not—" She hesitated and ran her hands over the healing scars trailing down her right side from crown to ribs.
"Guilt? Probably, a little at first. But that man glows when he looks at you and, baby, that's love."
"What about you?" Bree turned to Serephina.
"Kaz and I tolerate each other like a brother and sister," she answered with exasperation. "I wasn't what he expected."
"What was he expecting?"
"Not a lesbian!" Gina laughed.
"Gina!" Cassidy tossed a flip-flop at her, but they all laughed.
"What? It's the truth."
"But you don't just blurt it out to someone we hardly know!" Serephina was bright red. "She might not—"
Bree waved away her concern. "No worries."
Gina poked a finger into Serephina's ribs. "Told you she was cool."
Everyone laughed, including Bree, who felt like she'd been accepted into some strange sorority.
"I guess what Cassidy told me before is true. Just because we have this connection doesn't mean we're like, I don't know, destined to fall in love."
The group sobered slightly.
"Is that what you were hoping for," Cassidy asked, giving her hand a squeeze.
"The moment I met Bass, I felt like we belonged together. Like I knew him." Bree sighed. "But now I know it was just the soul connection. Bass doesn't even seem to like me."
"I'm sorry," Serephina offered.
Gina sat up on her knees. "Did he tell you he didn't like you?"
It was embarrassing to admit, but who else was she going to talk to? "I went to talk to him after Sam gave him a beat down and—"
"Wait. Back up. Your brother beat up Bass?"
"Bass let him. He just laid there and let Sam beat him." Bree looked away, watching a seagull hover over the waves. She'd seen her brother angry before, but never so out of control.
"Why?" Gina and Cassidy asked in unison.
"He said Sam needed it. After it was over..." Bree shrugged. "I just wanted to talk to him and the next thing I knew we were kind of arguing and then he—he accused me of trying to seduce him! Then he said he could never love me!" With her temper flaring, Bree stood and paced around the group. "I don't even remember how we got to that. I never said anything about love or sex or anything. He was the one who was naked."
Gina set down her drink and came to stand in front of Bree. "'Scuse me? He was naked and you wanted to talk. Just talk?"
"Well, yeah. Kind of." Bree hugged herself and bowed her head to hide the blush creeping up her neck and cheeks.
Cassidy stood and swept the sand off her legs. "Déjà vu. Rail and I had several fights like that. One thing you need to understand is that these men are confused when it comes to their feelings. I mean, the last time they let themselves love anyone, they got punished."
"I understand that. But I'm not asking for love. I'd be happy with being friends. He's the one that started acting li
ke a jerk."
"Defense mechanism."
Bree grudgingly lifted a shoulder, acknowledging the possibility.
"Consider that maybe he does like you and he's afraid of what that could grow into," Cassidy continued.
Grumbling in frustration, Bree kicked up a plume of sand. "That doesn't make sense."
"To Bass, it may seem like the only solution. Trust me. Rail tried to avoid me, but that just made things worse." Cassidy sighed. "My take has been that the soul-connection enhances any underlying feelings the two bonded may have for each other. Problem with that is the emotions are on overload."
"What do you suggest?"
"If you really want to have a relationship of some kind with Bass, don't give up on him. If talking doesn't work, you could always put yourself in a life threatening situation with a demon." Cassidy laughed. "Worked for me."
Bree turned and ran down the beach, heading back to the villa. "I've got to go! Thank you!" A wide grin lit her face.
"Hey," Cassidy called after her. "I was only kidding!"
Chapter Sixteen
Sam slammed a pile of books back onto the dresser.
"So," Hogart said as he pushed the mattress back into place. "What started the fight?"
"Why do you care?"
The warrior stopped adjusting the bed sheets. "Isn't it enough that I care?"
Sam snorted. "Yeah, right."
"Why are you so angry?"
"Excuse me? You're one to talk." Disbelief and condemnation colored his words.
The boy's tone made Hogart bristle. The little shit had no idea what it meant to carry such anger within oneself day in and day out. "My anger is fed by eons of life and death. What's your excuse?"
"How about watching a monster rip my parents apart? Or having to fight to keep my sister safe? Not being able to settle down to give her the life she deserves. Or better yet, how about fighting demons? You think any of that qualifies for being pissed off at the world?"
"Yes. But why are you pissed off at Bass?"
"He—" Sam shook his head. "Never mind."
"No." Hogart took a seat on the bed. "We are going to talk. I will answer your questions and you will answer mine."
"Okay. Why aren't you crazy now?"
Hogart gave a sharp laugh. "Who said I am no longer crazy? No, the darkness still crawls through my mind, confusing me at times. Madness never goes away. But there is a peace here that helps me better control my urges." He rubbed his temples. "I think that it is the energy infused in this place. The others have been here a long time. The very earth has been affected by them."
"I don't get it. But then that metaphysical crap is Bree's thing, not mine."
"There is a life force in all of us, an energy that connects us back to the One, to God, by whatever name you use. Because the others have been living here together, the energy they give off built up and has become part of everything here. Now that we are here, this energy is becoming part of us, as well." The big man closed his eyes and sighed, an air of contentment rolling off him. "It makes me feel calmer. Although I do not expect to ever be fully sane again. No one could be after living so long. Fighting for so long. Dying—"
"What happens if you leave here?" Sam moved around the room like a restless tiger. "Are you going to go bat-shit-crazy again?"
"Maybe."
"So you're a prisoner here, too."
"Do not get me wrong, Sam, I do not intend to stay here. I do not belong here. But I will come back occasionally to quiet my mind." To quiet the voices. Clearing his throat, Hogart stood and blocked Sam's wandering path. "We have discussed my issues. Now we will discuss your issues."
"My issue is that I'm trapped on an island full of demons." Sam poked his chest. "Yes, I'm including you and your freaky friends into that mix."
"We are not demons. We may no longer be pure angels, but we are not demons." The big man's fists tightened.
"Could have fooled me. You're one to talk. You nearly killed that demon-whatever-servant-thing when we got here."
"Instinct," Hogart answered sharply. "Now, why did you attack Bass?"
"I woke up confused and Bass was in here holding my sister, and that's it."
"I do not think so. I sense your fear."
"Stuff it. You don't know what you're talking about."
Placing a comforting hand on Sam's shoulder. "What are you afraid of, Sam?"
Sam pushed him back. "Get out of my head."
"You don't like the idea of being connected to anyone, do you?"
"What the hell does that mean? I'm connected to my sister."
"And now she is connected to someone else."
Sam turned away. "So?"
"So you feel that you have to go where she goes." He said it conversationally with no judgment in his tone, but Sam's defenses came up again when the boy tensed.
"She's my sister. I have to watch out for her."
"Ah. Now I understand." Hogart nodded knowingly and gave Sam's shoulder a squeeze.
Sam eyed him curiously. "Understand what?"
"You and I are not so different. You protect innocence." The warrior ticked off the points with his fingers. "You fight the demons. You carry your pain like a shield. You protect those you love. You dislike Bass because he now protects your sister. You dislike me because I am a reflection of what you could become."
"A warrior?" Sam stared at him, brows furrowed.
"No. Insane."
The boy laughed. "Too late."
Hogart understood Sam attempted to make light of the situation, but there was something in the boy's eyes telling him the joke was to cover his fears. "Enough talk," Hogart said as he stretched. "I need to be outside. Grab your sword and we will spar in the courtyard."
He didn't have to ask twice. Sam rushed forward, sword case in hand, but stopped short when a loud rumble filled the space between them.
"When did you last eat?"
Sam trembled. "I'm fine," he said, pushing past the big man. "Come on, let's go."
Hogart efficiently blocked his path. "First, we get my sword, then some food, then we spar."
It took another twenty minutes of negotiations before Sam finally gave in, but only after Hogart agreed he would get the food and bring it out to the courtyard. Not once did he ask the boy why he wouldn't go to the kitchen.
***
Breanna nearly knocked Sam over as she ran up the stairs. "Sorry."
"Who lit your ass on fire," he yelled, but Bree didn't bother answering him.
She was on a mission.
If Bass wanted to be a jerk no matter what she said or did because he was afraid to have feelings for her— even friendship —that was his problem.
Since they would be living together, he'd better get used to having her around.
Outside Bass' door, she hesitated to collect her thoughts. Cassidy's comment about being in a life threatening situation with a demon gave Bree the idea for what she needed to say to him.
Swallowing, she raised her hand and knocked on the door as though it were made from glass. Come on. Giving herself a shake she knocked again, hard. When there was no answer, she tried the knob and found it unlocked.
There was nothing in her way, no excuses.
Damn.
Bree's conviction waivered and she stepped back, but didn't release the knob. She stared at her hand for a moment; if she really wanted to let go, she would. Bracing for the onslaught of ass-dom, she barged into the warrior's room.
Chapter Seventeen
Bass bolted, half asleep and naked, from the bed expecting to be attacked. The rather pleasant dream about the things he was not going to do with Breanna faded as the lust-hazed-fog cleared from his mind. To his surprise, Breanna stared at him from the open door. The look on her face said it all. The most adorable red splotches colored her cheeks as she gaped at his arousal.
Adorable? God, what was he thinking? He rubbed a hand over his face.
"I'm sorry," she stammered. "I didn't mean to— I me
an, you didn't answer when I knocked. It was unlocked. I'll— I'll go..."
"What did you need?" Bass attempted to keep his voice neutral, but after the images that had paraded through his brain a minute ago, it was difficult to keep the seductive tone from crawling in.
"I, uh, remembered something I needed to tell you."
"Okay. Shoot." He stood next to the bed with his arms crossed over his chest.
"Would you mind covering up, first? It's, uh, distracting." Breanna's blush deepened as she waved at his cock still standing in a happy hello.
Bass laughed deep and loud with true humor. "I've heard it called many things in my life, but never distracting!"
"You know what I mean."
He was on her in a second, crowding her in the space between the dresser and door. "Yeah. I do." When she tried to wiggle past, heat flared along his nerves. He leaned in and brushed his lips against her jaw.
"Stop it. This is serious."
Bass backed away, throwing his hands in the air. "Fine. What?" He stood back watching Breanna compose herself, taking a few deep breaths. Damn, she was too good for him, deserved more than some casual fling, but anything else was impossible.
Which begged the question, why did he keep thinking about what it would be like to have more with her?
"Have you ever heard of souls matching up more than once," she asked.
Bass turned away from her, grabbed a pair of sweat pants off the floor, and pulled them on, tucking his aching cock below the waistband. "What do you mean?"
"I think we met before. That I was your soul-keeper in another life, long before now."
"One, if you were my Aktura and we had met, I think I would remember. And two, you're talking about human reincarnation with an angel chaser."
"We didn't touch," Breanna said almost bashfully. "You or Rail said that even if you meet an Aktura and you don't touch them, you don't know if they're yours. We didn't touch."
"Still, I would have known you were a soul-keeper. I don't remember accidently stumbling across one in the past." He flopped onto the bed giving her a questioning stare. "What makes you think we met before?"
