Bounty's Flame

by Lia Davis

  “What if you die? Where would the Phoenix go? Do you have a new host ready for her?”

  Each question came out on a growl. His inner beast—the spirit of the wolf that was as much a part of him as the Phoenix was to Amelia—paced under his skin, blowing out huffs of air in disapproval.

  Amelia started at him, eyes wide for a brief moment before returning to their natural almond shape. “Do you have a better idea, demon?”

  The female was interesting and beautiful in one small, fiery package. He crossed his arms, leaned his back against the wall, and watched her.

  “I don’t work by a plan. I go in and deal with the mark.”

  “Yeah, that’s what Mel said.”

  It came out as a whisper, but he heard it with his hypersensitive hearing. “There are a couple of things that need to be done before we go in. First, we can’t stay here. Second, you need to train to fight.”

  “Where will we go?”

  “Underground.” He stilled and sniffed the air. The slight notes of metal and gunpowder reached his senses. Pushing off the wall, he crossed the small living room, gripped Amelia by the hand, and then tugged her out the back door.

  “What the hell are you doing?”

  He spun on her and covered her mouth with his free hand. “We have company. Apparently, Levi doesn’t trust me to bring you to him and had me trailed.”

  Her eyes grew huge. When she began to shake slightly, he released a sigh.

  “Just do as I say.” Looking into the depths of her green eyes, he searched for the Phoenix. “Nix, if there is one time to trust me, it is now.”

  Fire flashed in Amelia’s eyes before she cupped his cheek to allow the Phoenix to speak to him.

  “I trusted you once with my host, and that didn’t end well. It happens a second time, and I’ll hunt you down and kill you myself.”

  “If I fail you this time, you won’t have to.”

  He broke the connection by removing Amelia’s hand from his cheek. He’d found his mate, and he’d be damned for all eternity if he lost her again. That left him no choice but to turn the tables on Levi and kill the man before Levi could capture Amelia and the Phoenix.

  5

  “I’m going to kill that demon.”

  Amelia bared her teeth as she settled into another crouch, waiting for Caleb to make a move. She was hot, sweaty, sore, and determined to get that hellhound on his back. Sure, she’d tried to cheat but quickly found out the Phoenix’s fire didn’t hurt him. The thought that nothing she did would actually harm him because she was supposedly his mate crossed her mind.

  Caleb flexed his hands, and his sensual lips lifted in a devilish smirk. Narrowing her gaze, she charged toward him, opening herself completely to the Phoenix within. Magick and strength Amelia hadn’t felt before raced through her. She hit Caleb with a shoulder in the gut, knocking the demon on his ass.

  Victory sparked a laugh from her, but the celebration was short-lived when Caleb kicked her feet from under her. He was on her as soon as she hit the mat, pinning her with his large frame. Heat bloomed between her thighs, and she had to fight to hold in a groan.

  “Never let your guard down.”

  Yeah, it was a mistake. She knew that, but it was a training exercise. She finally got a good hit in. Then again, he could have let her.

  A line of silver rippled in his brown eyes. Mel retreated a little.

  Should I be concerned?

  The Phoenix didn’t have time to answer before Caleb’s mouth came down on Amelia’s in a hard, passionate kiss. Her body tingled all over, and the heat she felt earlier spread to her core, then up to her taut nipples.

  Damn. Caleb knew how to kiss. She’d known that from the dreams, but in the flesh, while she was awake, was so much hotter. Threading her fingers into his hair, she wrapped her legs around his waist and moved against him, desperate to ease the ache he caused.

  He broke the kiss on a growl and pressed his forehead to hers. “I don’t want you anywhere near Levi. He has connections beyond my reach.”

  Amelia pushed against his chest until he rolled to his side. She stood and glared down at him. “I need to fight for Mel’s and my freedom, plus for the loss of my best friend. Someone has to fight for her, too.”

  With the grace and beauty of a wild animal, he rose to his feet. His muscles rolled and flexed as he moved. The ache returned, and she squeezed her thighs together to try to ease it.

  “I don’t have to like it.”

  “I guess not, but you’re not stopping me.”

  He closed the gap between them, one corner of his mouth raised in a half-smile. “Could I seduce you into staying home?”

  “Not a chance.”

  “I thought not.” He looped an arm around her waist and flattened her body to his. “But I will seduce you into becoming my mate.”

  If she’d been drinking something, she’d have snorted it out her nose at his statement. “What? Why?”

  “No, after Levi is dead, we must leave.” Mel’s voice held a hint of uncertainty. Oh, great. She was considering mating with him.

  “Do I have a choice?”

  “No.”

  “Shit,” she said out loud. “Look, Caleb, you’re hot and an amazing lover, but I can’t mate with you.” She recognized the lie as the words tumbled from her lips. No matter what issues were between Caleb and Mel, Amelia wouldn’t be able to walk away from the demon.

  That was crazy. How could she start to fall for him so fast?

  “The mating. When a Phoenix mates, she mates for life. Her host will recognize what is fated.”

  “It seems Mel has failed to tell me a few things. Why don’t you cook me dinner and answer all my questions.”

  Caleb raised a brow but didn’t argue with her. He stepped back, held out his hand, and nodded. “Any special request?”

  “Surprise me.”

  He chuckled, linked their hands together, and led her from the gym to the main room of the underground home. Actually, his home was inside a cavern in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

  She studied the layout each time he led her from room to room and noted only a few of them besides the living room and the gym. How he got all the furniture inside the cavern, she hadn’t a clue. Then again, he was a demon and could have used magic.

  “Have a seat,” Caleb said when they reached the living room.

  She did as he asked and watched him disappear into the kitchen, which consisted of a wood-burning stove and a cooler with ice. Dinner should be interesting.

  “Everything with Caleb is interesting.” Mel chose that moment to break her silence.

  “What’s up with you today?”

  “I took a nap.”

  “Really?” The Phoenix didn’t have to sleep. Her continuous flow of power came from the fire element and from Amelia.

  “Really what?”

  Amelia glanced up when Caleb entered the room, another male with him. The newcomer was shorter than Caleb by at least a foot and appeared to be in his early twenties. Then again, it was hard to judge a demon’s age.

  “Amelia, this is Razor. He’s the resident genius.”

  When Mel didn’t warn her away from Razor, Amelia stood and offered her hand. “Nice to meet you.”

  The younger demon shook her hand and smiled. His crimson eyes watched her as if he could see into her soul. She stared back, not directly making eye contact, but studying his features. His black hair was cut in a military high-and-tight style, and his skin had a hue of blue.

  Caleb cleared his throat. Instantly, Razor released her hand and stepped back. “What do you like on your pizza?”

  She jerked her attention from Razor to Caleb, surprised by the question. “Are we even close enough to a pizza place?”

  “There is a small shopping center about thirty minutes away.” Caleb turned toward the kitchen and disappeared from sight.

  “I’m not picky.”

  Razor nodded, then left them alone.

  A moment later, Caleb a
ppeared with two longnecks. “Beer okay?”

  “Yeah, thanks.” She took the offered beer. “What type of demon is Razor?”

  “He’s a mutt. The rumors say his mother was human and his father was an incubus. No one knows for sure. I think he has something else in his bloodline. He’s more like a chameleon and can blend into his surroundings.” He motioned to the sofa with his beer bottle. “What do you need to know?”

  She hesitated, turning over the questions and concerns about Levi and why he wanted the Phoenix so badly in her mind. Then there was the relationship, or what was left of it, between Caleb and Mel.

  “Why the dreams?”

  He pressed his lips together briefly. “That is the Phoenix’s doing.”

  “That is a lie. He calls to me. I have no choice…”

  Amelia didn’t respond to Mel. Mel had had her chance to answer questions. It was Caleb’s turn. “She says you call to her.”

  “Not on purpose. I’ve been searching for her. I guess in my efforts, I’ve formed some kind of link.” Sitting back, he propped his booted feet on the coffee table and stared at his beer bottle. “I don’t understand how or why. Nix and I haven’t seen each other in centuries. When we last met, her powers weren’t as strong as they are now.”

  News to Amelia. Then again, she’d only known the Phoenix personally for a year, though she’d known about the Phoenix for as long as she and Melissa were friends. “Why do you call her Nix?”

  “It was the name her first host gave her.”

  “I’m Mel now.”

  “She wants to be called Mel.” Amelia settled back on the couch, positioning herself in the corner so she could watch Caleb more comfortably. “Mel is mad at you. In fact, she says you can’t be trusted.”

  He let out a heavy sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose. “I failed to protect her first host.”

  “How?”

  He shifted uncomfortably in his seat and rubbed the palm of his free hand over his thigh. “What did Nix…Mel tell you?”

  “She refuses to talk about you. Until I saw you at the gas station, I didn’t know you were real or that you were her mate.”

  “Figures.” He fell silent for several long moments. “We’d just discovered we were mates and didn’t know how to deal with it other than satisfying the desire between us. Neither one of us knew how it worked. Opal, her host at the time, didn’t like me, but Opal couldn’t stay away because of the Phoenix.”

  He paused to take a drink of his beer. “We were attacked in our sleep. One of the demons had the power to freeze me in place while they dragged the screaming Opal from our house. It took me what seemed like hours to break the spell. When I found Opal, it was too late. She was dead and the Phoenix gone.”

  His sorrow reached out to her, making her heart ache.

  Mel sniffed and came to the surface, moving closer to Caleb. “I blamed him for selling me out to Levi.”

  Amelia repeated what Mel had said. Caleb snapped his attention to her, his eyes glowing in that primal way they had in the gym, but she sensed it wasn’t out of desire. He let out a low growl.

  “Levi was responsible then? That means the bastard knew all along that I was her mate and is using me to find you. Fuck!”

  He jumped to his feet and grabbed her hand. Amelia stumbled to keep up with him as he tugged her through the cavern.

  “Where are we going?”

  “We have to leave.”

  She jerked to a stop, breaking the hold he had on her. “And go where? I don’t know about you, but I’m sick of running. I still think you should take us to him and turn the tables. Give him something he won’t see coming.”

  Another growl rumbled from him. “I’m not serving you up to Levi or whoever else in hell wants Mel’s powers. I will not give you up or lose you again.”

  Amelia folded her arms. “Do you have a better plan?”

  Closing the small gap between them, he raised his brows then snaked an arm around her waist. “I’m working on it.”

  “I, for one, think we need to stay put and figure it out.”

  He studied her for several long moments, his brown eyes watching her. She fidgeted, feeling uncomfortable suddenly. Straightening her spine, she moved past him only to have him grab her upper arms.

  “First, I want to know more about you.”

  Snapping her gaze to his, she opened her mouth then closed it. “I…why?”

  His features softened, and he slid his hand down her arm to link their fingers. “Because I want to know more about you. Mel and I are mates, there’s no doubt about that, but you and I are strangers.”

  “Not really. We have been having sex dreams together for the last several months.” Her cheeks heated, and she averted her gaze. The urge to touch him, stroke him, was too strong.

  His warm fingers caressed her cheek, cupped her chin, and then lifted her gaze back to his. “That is true, but you didn’t know those were real until recently.”

  Squeezing her eyes shut, she took a slow breath in and exhaled. “Is it weird I already feel connected to you? That I feel, deep down, I can trust you even when Mel is unsure.”

  “Not at all.” He dipped his head and pressed his lips to hers. She flung her eyes open in surprise. He spoke before she could form words. “What’s your favorite color?”

  Blinking, she stared at him. Then she smiled at the question. “Blue.”

  “Foods?”

  “All kinds. I love trying new stuff.” She pressed a finger to his lips, stopping him from asking another question. “I hate crowds. Love music of all kinds. Most of all, I love life. Mel and I share a lot of likes and dislikes.”

  The corners of his sensual mouth lifted. “I’m going to enjoy exploring all those likes, as well as your mind and body.”

  Desire bloomed in her abdomen. Her panties dampened, and she had to fight back a moan. “You make me want things I never thought were possible.”

  “Anything is possible.” He kissed her softly again. “I’ll do everything in my power to protect you and Mel. The connection I feel is stronger than I’ve ever felt with her. Do you want to know why?”

  She nodded, not trusting her ability to speak.

  “Because you are also my mate. The pull you feel isn’t because of Mel’s feelings. They are your own.” He scooped her up in his arms.

  “Where are you taking me?”

  “I’m going to pleasure you until you scream.”

  6

  Amelia’s heart pounded as Caleb laid her on the cool, black satin sheets. She didn’t need to look around the room to know it was the same from the dreams. She’d checked earlier when her curiosity got the better of her.

  Caleb hovered above her, and his eyes did that glowing, primal thing. Desire ran hot throughout her body, making it ache in places that never had before. He pressed his still-clothed lower body to hers, and she groaned.

  Caleb’s mouth came down hard on hers, his tongue pushing past her lips, searching. Opening for him, she met his tongue with her own, tasting him, and moved her hips against him. Her skin grew sensitive, bringing to her attention there was too much of a barrier between them. She needed to feel his skin.

  She tugged at his T-shirt, almost tearing the damn thing. He broke the kiss and ripped the cotton off before tossing it across the room. Nibbling her bottom lip, she drank him in. Washboard abs, sun-kissed skin, and wide shoulders made him appear god-like. The dark energy in his aura reminded her that he was a demon.

  With a low growl, he crawled off the bed and removed her jeans and panties with a quick jerk. With a one-sided grin, he shifted one hand to a claw then sliced her shirt and bra open. Her nipples grew taut under his desire-filled gaze.

  “You are beautiful.”

  She didn’t get the chance to reply before he dipped his head and covered her sex with his mouth. Gasping, she gripped the sheets at her sides and raised her hips, moving them in circular motions. Pleasure rippled through her with each slow lap of his tongue. When he sl
id two fingers inside her, she bucked at the overwhelming sensations of bliss and raw power firing off every nerve ending. Wrapping her hands around his upper arms, she rode a wave of desire. She screamed as the orgasm crashed over her.

  Caleb rose and removed his jeans before returning, positioning himself at her entrance. Locking gazes with Amelia, he pushed inside, stretching her. She moaned and moved with him, encouraging him to pick up the tempo.

  Having him in the flesh was far better than any dream. The warmth of his skin against hers ignited pleasure in places she didn’t think possible. Lightly, she ran her nails up his back and sank the fingers of one hand in his soft hair. He growled low. Her pulse increased as she wrapped her legs around his waist and road the wave of another climax.

  Caleb quickened his thrusts. Pleasure consumed her, and she was sure she came three more times. His muscles tightened, and he roared with his own release.

  Falling to his side next to her, he gathered her to him. She closed her eyes and pretended she wasn’t running from Levi and the trackers. Mel curled up near the surface where Amelia and Caleb touched.

  After a few moments of silence, Amelia spoke. “I know you’re a hellhound, but Mel says you are also a shapeshifter.”

  He grunted. “The correct term is changeling. It means I can take any form I wish, but I prefer the wolf.”

  “Why?” She glanced up to watch his profile. He had a beautifully masculine face.

  He shrugged. “It calls to me, I guess. I once had a witch tell me the wolf is my spirit guide.”

  “Makes sense. What kind of powers do you have?”

  He glanced at her and drew his brows together. “The correct question would be what I can’t do. Which would be weave spells and kill divine beings. Although I never use most of my powers because I don’t need them in the human world.”

  “You can teleport?”

  “With limits. It takes a lot of energy so I don’t do it unless I have to. I can conjure things like new clothes for you since I shredded yours.” He gave her a sheepish grin then nipped at her nose.