Bounty's Flame

by Lia Davis

  Instead of leaving the room, he conjured a bottle of water from the fridge and watched as the Phoenix wrapped herself around the unconscious Amelia. A red and orange glow covered them like small waves of flames. A moment later, the Phoenix was gone, and Amelia’s eyes fluttered open.

  Caleb sat on the edge of the bed and ran his knuckles down her cheek. “Hi.”

  She smiled. “Hi.” Then she frowned and darted her gaze around the room. “Mel!”

  “Here, hon. Just tired.”

  “She spent a lot of energy healing you.” Caleb offered her the water. She drank it. “The two of you need to rest and take it easy for the next century.”

  Amelia narrowed her eyes. “The next century?”

  He schooled his features and crawled under the covers with her. “Yes, and I’m going to make sure you do.”

  Letting out a sigh as she snuggled into him, she said, “I’m too tired to argue, so I’ll keep my comments to myself. For now.”

  He squeezed her gently, not wanting to ever let her go. “I love you both.”

  Amelia opened her eyes again and stared up at him with a smile that made the green brighten. “We love you, too.”

  “I can’t let you leave my sight.”

  She yawned, obviously not wanting to talk about it. “We’ll discuss that after my nap. But don’t hold your breath on winning the argument.”

  He laughed softly, hearing the Phoenix’s tone in her words. “I know, love. I look forward to the makeup sex, though.”

  “So do I,” she muttered right before drifting off to sleep.

  9

  “He ran?” Amelia was still trying to make sense of it all. “Why would he go through the trouble of capturing us and risking exposure to the humans and then run? Is he truly that weak?”

  She bunched the large sand bag four more times, putting all her fury and ill emotions into it. Caleb grunted on the last hit.

  “My theory is he has a bigger plan in the works.”

  Amelia stared at her mate. His worry for her was annoying. “I say we hunt down the asshat weasel and kill him.”

  “I plan to do just that.”

  Mel flew into the room, excitement in her eyes. “Hey! Watch this.” She shimmered, and her ghostly form lengthened and transformed in a swirl of red and gold smoke. A moment later, a woman stood next to Mel with waist-length red hair and bright green eyes. “I’ve been working on channeling Caleb’s shapeshifting ability. What do you think?”

  Amelia stepped closer and reached out to her but didn’t make contact. “You are beautiful.”

  Mel clapped and flung her arms around Amelia in a tight hug. Pulling back, she framed Amelia’s face. “I love you, Amelia. None of my hosts ever protected me like you.”

  A lump formed in Amelia’s throat. Having Mel in human form somehow made the bond stronger. Maybe until then, Mel didn’t feel like part of the triad. “I love you, too.” And she did, always had since they bonded after Melissa’s death.

  Mel smiled, then pressed her lips to Amelia’s. The kiss was soft, gentle, and sensual. Amelia wrapped her arms around Mel, drawing their bodies closer while opening to her. Much too soon, Mel broke the kiss. Cheek to cheek, they glanced at Caleb. Passion lit up his gaze, and he slowly prowled to them. Mel laughed.

  “I can’t wait to please our male.”

  Desire heated Amelia’s body. “As amazing as that sounds, I’d feel a lot safer once we kill Levi.”

  Her mates sighed at the same time, but it was Mel who spoke. “Me, too. And I know where he is.”

  “Aren’t you full of surprises today?”

  “I had a vision while focusing on your power.”

  Caleb frowned. “What do I have to do with Levi’s whereabouts?”

  Mel released Amelia and glided over to Caleb. She raised her hands as if to touch him but backed away, curling her hands into fists. “He’s looking for you and will find us within the hour.”

  “Fuck.” Caleb pulled out his phone and typed like a female who just found out her man was cheating. Amelia guessed he was texting orders to Razor. Then Caleb slid his phone into his pocket and met their stares. “Are the traps set?”

  Mel smiled wide before shifting back into her Phoenix form. “Yes, I set them before coming in here.”

  “Good. Let’s go outside, enjoy the fresh air, and wait for the bastard.”

  Amelia jumped slightly when Mel flew into her back, becoming one with her again. Letting out a sigh, Amelia welcomed the flow of the Phoenix’s full power. Mel couldn’t be outside of Amelia’s body for long, which was fine by her. The disconnect still felt off to Amelia. Plus, she liked knowing Mel was safe and sound.

  “Because you are like a mother hen,” Mel teased.

  Yeah, but you love me. Amelia met Caleb’s raised brow. “We’re ready.”

  “I really don’t like your girl secrets.”

  She laughed at his playful tone. “Someday we’ll let you in on them.”

  A low chuckle escaped his lips as he swatted her ass, then growled. “I have ways of getting what I want.”

  “So do we. And we’ll show you right after Levi is dealt with.” She rushed out of the gym and up the stone stairs before he could grab her. There was no telling what kind of kinky shit he’d talk her into. No, they had to focus on the mark first. Then it would be time for play.

  A half an hour. That’s how long it took for Levi to show. The coward brought a few hellhounds of his own, outnumbering them by two. Still pissed at him for injuring Amelia, Caleb snarled.

  “It’s not smart to show up at my home. I already owe you for harming my female.”

  Mel gave him a mental kick through the mating bond. He ignored it.

  Levi laughed bitterly. “I wasn’t prepared for your trick.”

  In other words, Levi didn’t know that once the three of them mated, he couldn’t touch the Phoenix. In fact, neither did they, but it was nice to have the Fates on their side.

  “You should give up. You’re not going to leave here alive.”

  “That is where you are wrong.” Levi raised a hand in the air. The hellhounds rushed toward them.

  Amelia crouched down, a dagger forming in her hand. Pride bloomed in Caleb’s chest. His females were beautiful. Trusting Mel knew how to kill a hound, Caleb plowed into the closest one to him. They crashed to the ground, sliding a few feet before hitting a tree trunk.

  The demon shifted into a large, drooling, and demonic dog. Caleb gripped the creature by the throat with both hands, holding so it didn’t bite. With a jerk of his lower body, Caleb kicked the beast off him. Jumping to his feet, he transformed into a silver wolf equal in size to the hellhound.

  Face to face with his opponent, Caleb growled, showing his teeth. The hound charged and rammed his head into Caleb’s side. Sharp pain rocked through Caleb’s ribs, and he swore he heard one crack. Breathing became just a bit painful, but he couldn’t let it slow him down.

  With a swipe of his claw, Caleb caught the hound in the side of his head, sending him to the ground. Immediately, he pounced on the beast and locked his jaw around the hellhound’s throat. A few shakes and Caleb snapped the demon’s neck. He dropped the lifeless male on the ground and prowled toward his females.

  By the time he reached them, they killed their own opponent. A twig snapped, and he whirled around to see Levi with a gun raised, aiming right at Caleb. A moment later, Amelia rushed by him, her hand engulfed in flames. She had Levi in her sights. She made contact, and the fire intensified, covering Levi from head to toe.

  Amelia straightened and turned to walk toward Caleb. About half way to him, she collapsed to the ground. Fear sliced through his heart. He ran to her. Cradling her in his arms, he brushed her hair from her face.

  Mel’s voice entered his mind. “She’s exhausted. I pushed too much power through her.”

  Nodding, he rose with Amelia in his arms. He gave a quick glance to Levi and smirked at the charred remains. When Caleb reached the entrance to the cave,
Razor appeared.

  “Can you take care of that?” Caleb motioned to the bodies behind him.

  Exhaustion seeped into his own body, the rush of adrenaline leaving him. He took his females straight to his room and locked them in with a protection spell. Not that he thought they would be in danger, but because he wanted nothing to do with the outside world at the moment. Maybe not for a few days.

  All he wanted was his mates, in his bed. For as long as they all lived.

  Epilogue

  Caleb smiled more in the last six months than he ever had in his five hundred years of living. Amelia and Mel were his life. They made every day brighter and every evening hotter. He found the happier they were, so was he.

  When they said they wanted to live at the farmhouse in Kentucky and fix it up, he couldn’t say no. He still had his cavern. Razor thanked him for the peace and quiet. Caleb just reminded the younger demon that he was the noisy fucker.

  The flutter of wings drew his attention from the computer screen. Mel darted past him in her ghostly bird form. Behind her, at a much slower pace, Amelia entered the room and settled on the sofa, rubbing her basketball-sized belly. He raised a brow.

  “What is she up to?”

  Amelia shrugged while nibbling on her lower lip. He got up and sat next to her. Sighing, she cuddled up to him and whispered, “We have a surprise for you.”

  “Another one?” His tone fell flat. The females had had a lot of surprises lately. The first being that they were going to be parents, then Mel’s growing powers.

  They already knew Mel could exist outside of her host for short periods of time and utilize Caleb’s shapeshifting ability to transform into a human state, but they didn’t know that, as the bond and love between them grew and strengthened, so did she. The time periods she could leave Amelia grew longer.

  Even though she loved her natural state, she also liked the human one because she could join in physically with him and Amelia.

  Before Amelia spoke again, Mel came back in human form, her arms behind her back. Her waist-length red hair hung loose, cascading over her shoulders. Her eyes were two shades darker than Amelia’s pale green. With her lips lifted in a smile, she stood in front of Caleb.

  “Pick a hand.”

  At two hundred, the Phoenix was still very young at heart. Not having to be on the run and being able to live a normal life, she loved experiencing new things.

  He pointed to her right hand. She shook her head and pulled out her left one.

  “That was the wrong one. You have to see this one first.”

  She held up a sonogram picture. The word “twins” typed across the top made his heart drop to his feet, while joy burst through him.

  “Twins?”

  Both females nodded. Then Mel brought her other hand in front of her, a pair of blue booties and pink booties in them.

  “A boy and a girl,” he breathed.

  “Yes!” Mel squealed.

  He gripped her by the waist and tugged her onto his lap, kissing her cheek, then Amelia’s. “I love you both.”

  “We love you!” They spoke at the same time.

  Amelia said, rubbing her belly, “Soon it will be four of us to love.”

  Yes, and Caleb would do everything in his power to keep his family safe. If anyone else wanted the Phoenix or his mate, they’d have to go through him.

  THE END

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  About the Author

  In 2008, Lia Davis ventured into the world of writing and publishing and never looked back. She has published more than twenty books, including the bestselling A Tiger’s Claim, book one in her fan favorite Ashwood Falls series. Her novels feature compassionate yet strong alpha heroes who know how to please their women and her leading ladies are each strong in their own way. No matter what obstacle she throws at them, they come out better in the end.

  While writing was initially a way escape from real world drama, Lia now makes her living creating worlds filled with magic, mystery, romance, and adventure so that others can leave real life behind for a few hours at a time.

  Lia’s favorite things are spending time with family, traveling, reading, writing, chocolate, coffee, nature and hanging out with her kitties. She and her family live in Northeast Florida battling hurricanes and very humid summers, but it’s her home and she loves it! Sign up for her newsletter, become a member of her fan club, and follow her on Twitter @NovelsByLia.

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  Also by Lia Davis

  Paranormals

  Ashwood Falls Series

  Winter Eve

  A Tiger’s Claim

  A Mating Dance

  Surrendering to the Alpha

  A Rebel’s Heart

  Divided Loyalties

  Touch of Desire

  A Leopard’s Path

  Jaguar’s Judgment

  Bears of Blackrock

  Bear Essentials

  Bear Magick

  A Beary Sweet Holiday

  Bear Marked

  Dragons of Ares

  War’s Passion

  Ashes of War

  Artemis’s Hunt

  Chaotic War

  Sons of War Box Set: Volume One

  Shifting Magick Trilogy

  Moon Curse

  Moon Kissed

  Moon Mated

  Shifting Magick Trilogy box set

  The Divinities

  Forgotten Visions

  Death’s Storm

  Dark Divine

  Divine Awakening

  The Divinities Boxed Set

  Singles Titles

  First Contact (MM co-written with Kerry Adrienne)

  Ghost in the Bottle (co-written with Kerry Adrienne)

  Dragon’s Web

  Royal Enchantment

  Contemporaries

  Pleasures of the Heart Series

  Business Pleasures

  Red Hot Pleasures

  Single Titles

  His Guarded Heart (MM)