At Year's End (The 12 Olympians)

by Gasq-Dion, Sandrine

  “Where is he?” Ross yelled.

  They caught up to Justice and Jesse by the back room.

  “Split up, I have to warn Jaxon! His thoughts are off, dammit!” Justice darted out the back door. He shifted his eyes immediately to search the darkened alley. A force hit him in the chest and he flew down the alley, landing on his back.

  “Hello, Justice.” Carl walked slowly toward the oldest Salvatore brother. “You have to know you can’t kill me, you can’t even hurt me.” Carl grabbed Justice’s arm and hoisted him up off the ground. “I can hurt you, though.”

  “The fuck you will.”

  Carl’s head whipped around, but it was too late. A force hit him so hard he flew through the air and landed a good fifty feet away. Skylar Foxx stood in front of Justice, his chest heaving.

  “Don’t think I can’t hurt you, Carl,” Skylar snarled.

  “Well, well, the son of Poseidon joins the fight,” Carl chuckled. “What do you say, Skylar? You want a shot at the title?”

  “Sure thing, Atlas.”

  Carl grinned. “Oh, I see someone’s been doing their homework.”

  Ryder flew out the back door just as Justice made his move on a distracted Carl. He leapt through the air and swung at Carl’s head, making contact. Carl turned and hit Justice square in the jaw sending him flying down the alley again. The sky rumbled and clouds formed; lightning streaked across the sky.

  “Hey!”

  Carl turned and was zapped square in the chest with a bolt of lightning. His body flew through the air and he hit the hard asphalt.

  Ryder’s jaw dropped and he looked at his hand. “What the hell was that?”

  Skylar looked over his shoulder at Justice as Carl lifted his ass off the street. Ryder had sent the man across the alley and into another parking lot. “Go — warn Jaxon!”

  “God, I love it when you go all badass.” Justice kissed Skylar’s head and took off.

  Carl stood in the middle of the street with a grin. “So, the son of Zeus wants to play! This should be fun.”

  “I wonder what happens when Ryder and I combine our powers, Carl. Care to find out?” Skylar smiled.

  Carl pointed at them both. “This isn’t over! Not by a long shot! You better hope Jaxon can take care of Elijah, because we’re coming for him.”

  Skylar started to run down the alley, but Carl disappeared.

  “Shit!” Skylar shouted.

  “Um, can you explain what just happened?” Ryder leaned against the club’s wall and closed his eyes.

  “Yes, but not here.”

  “Fine by me.”

  ~*~

  “Jaxon!” I can’t believe you turned your thoughts off!

  Jaxon sighed and hung his head. He’d been so close to kissing Elijah.

  “Yes?” Yeah, I was in a private moment.

  “We have a problem.”

  Jaxon raised his head and met Justice’s eyes. There was excitement in them.

  “Cal?”

  “Otherwise known as Carl.”

  “Shit, fuck and damn!” Jaxon ran his hands through his hair. “I’ll be right there.”

  “No, stay here, we’re on it. Just warning you.”

  “Okay.”

  Justice jogged back around the side of the building and Jaxon looked back at Elijah.

  “Hey.”

  Elijah tilted his head. “Yeah?”

  “You’re officially eighteen.” Jaxon threaded his hand into Elijah’s hair and brought his face up to his own. “Happy birthday, Elijah.”

  Touching his lips to Elijah’s, Jaxon should have known he’d never be satisfied with just a taste. Elijah’s mouth opened on a moan and Jaxon slid his tongue inside. Elijah’s hands went to his hips and his head leaned back, allowing Jaxon complete control. Oh God, it was…it was like nothing he’d ever felt. Elijah’s lips were sweet, his mouth warm. Their tongues entwined and Elijah whimpered. Jaxon broke from the kiss and caressed Elijah’s lips with his thumb.

  “Did I make myself clear? You’re mine.”

  “Uh huh.” Elijah nodded. He licked his lips and tried to focus. Wow. That was his first kiss, and it had been from the man he’d fantasized about for two years.

  “Good,” Jaxon reached into his pocket and pulled out a key. “Happy birthday.”

  Elijah frowned. “What is it?”

  “It’s a key,” Jaxon observed drily.

  “I see that. What’s it for?” Elijah took the key and placed it in his palm.

  “My house. I want you to come over whenever you want, maybe even stay with me?”

  Elijah’s mouth dropped open. “What?”

  Jaxon leaned in and brushed his lips across Elijah’s softly. “I want us to be together.”

  Elijah nodded. Hell, he’d forgotten how to speak properly.

  Jaxon was just about to lean in again when the unmistakable sound of footsteps, engines and paws floated on the wind. Granted, it was far off, but they’d reach them within minutes. Jaxon began walking, pulling Elijah with him.

  “Do you trust me?”

  Elijah nodded. “Yes, why?”

  “Things are about to get really nasty.” Jaxon sent a mental message to Justice. “We have company. I’m taking Elijah to the airport.”

  “We lost Carl!”

  “Doesn’t matter; we know who he is now, and his buddies are coming.”

  “Me and the guys will back you up.”

  Jaxon straddled his bike and handed Elijah a helmet. He made sure Elijah was on properly and then wrapped his belt around him, anchoring them together.

  “Hang on, and no matter what, don’t let go.”

  “What’s going on, Jaxon?”

  “We’re in trouble!” Jaxon fired the bike to life and peeled out of the club. Jesse, Justice and Noah, along with Ross, flew out of the club and ran for their bikes.

  Jaxon pulled into oncoming traffic and weaved through cars coming at him. Two minutes later, two motorcycles pulled up and flanked him.

  “Hang on!” he yelled.

  Elijah looked up and his eyes met with yellow ones. His own eyes widened as a grin appeared on the man’s face — his teeth were huge.

  “What the hell!?” Elijah tightened his grip.

  The bike on the left veered closer and the man reached for Elijah’s arm. Jaxon kicked out with his left foot, sending the bike into oncoming cars. They tore through another intersection as more bikes caught up to them.

  Jaxon concentrated, sending out a mental call for help to anything that would listen. The bike to his right swerved into them, almost knocking them over.

  Jaxon righted them and sped up. Another bike pulled up beside them and Jaxon tried to veer away. A hand shot out and grabbed his bicep; claws tore through his arm.

  “Fuck!” Jaxon shouted.

  “Jaxon!”

  “I’m okay, it’s okay!” Jaxon swerved to the right, barely missing a van. By now, ten more bikes had joined the others and they were surrounded.

  Jaxon took another side street trying to lose the rogues. They ran through a red light and barely missed the bumper of a cab. Jaxon swung the bike down another busy street trying to get the rogues off their tail.

  The sound of flapping met his ears over the roar of the bike and Jaxon spared a glance skyward.

  Wings. A lot of them.

  Raptors.

  At least twenty of them.

  Jaxon smiled. The sound of other Harleys was welcome as Justice and the rest of the guys had finally caught up to them. Raptors bombarded the rogues, tearing at their helmets and arms. They raced down the streets and Jaxon swerved into an alley. Two bikes followed him down and Jaxon shot out the other side.

  “Hang on!” Jaxon shouted.

  They went down a set of stairs and came out on another street. Jaxon shot a look both ways and took a right into oncoming traffic again. They raced through the streets and Jaxon finally lost two of the bikers.

  “Go! We’ve got this!” Justice said.

  �
��Thanks, bro.”

  Speeding down Alaskan Way, Jaxon headed for the airport on a small strip right outside of town. His plans for a getaway with Elijah had gotten all fucked up. He was supposed to be at the airport at two, but he knew the jet would already be there. He’d packed their bags the night before and they were already on the plane.

  He sent a mental message to Caden and got the go ahead.

  “Where are we going? And what was that?” Elijah shouted.

  “I’ll explain everything, I promise!”

  Jaxon let out a sigh of relief as the plane came into view. He parked the bike and they ran across the airstrip. The sound of motorcycles reached his ears and he sped up, picking Elijah up as he ran up the stairs to the plane. The door closed behind them and Jaxon shouted to the pilots.

  “Go, go, GO!”

  The plane careened down the runway and Jaxon held onto Elijah as it picked up speed. He looked out the small window to see rogues following the plane. Raptors swooped in as Justice and the rest of the guys sped across the airstrip. Justice waved and Jaxon pressed his hand to the window.

  “Thank you.”

  “Anytime, bro,” Justice answered.

  “You should sit, sir.”

  Jaxon glanced over his shoulder at the co-pilot.

  “Yes, thank you.” Jaxon pulled Elijah into a seat and sat down next to him. The teenager looked shell-shocked.

  “Are you okay?” he asked.

  “What the hell was that? What were they?” Elijah looked at Jaxon’s jacket. Long claw marks had torn though the leather. “You’re hurt!” Elijah pulled the jacket down and stared open-mouthed at a bloody arm — with no wounds whatsoever. “What the…? I saw it!”

  “Please, don’t freak out,” Jaxon sighed and reclined in the seat, closing his eyes.

  “You are a vamp, aren’t you?!”

  Jaxon sat up and regarded Elijah closely. “No, I’m a werewolf. And we heal quickly.”

  Elijah snorted.

  Jaxon exhaled and dropped his canines. Elijah’s eyes went wide as saucers and then he slumped over in the seat.

  “Elijah!” Jaxon checked his pulse and found it. He had fainted. Jaxon closed his eyes and exhaled loudly. Jesus, what a night. Hey, happy birthday, kid.

  Four hours later, he opened his eyes to the soft humming of the plane’s engine. They were still airborne. He had been hoping he could sleep through the whole flight. He turned his head to look at Elijah’s sleeping face. He’d had one hell of a shock tonight.

  Jaxon rose from his seat and made his way to the plane’s bathroom. Having always flown commercial, flying on Caden’s private jet had taken some getting used to. The legroom was ridiculous and the bathrooms were huge.

  Jaxon used the restroom, and then made his way to the galley. Looking through the contents of the fridge, it occurred to him he hadn’t heard a peep from Justice. Jaxon closed his eyes and sent out a mental message. Justice answered right away.

  “Hey, how’s Elijah?” Justice asked.

  “Well, considering he fainted when I showed him my teeth, he’s good.”

  “No shit?”

  “No shit. How did it go with the rogues?”

  “Well, seeing as we had raptors at our disposal, pretty damn good.”

  “Well, I did send out a cry for help.”

  “And they came. By the way, my man and Ryder put a world of hurt on Carl.”

  Jaxon chuckled.

  “Really?”

  “Oh yeah. Skylar had to explain to Ryder why a bolt of lightning shot out of his hand.”

  “I always miss the good stuff,” Jaxon laughed. “How did it go over?”

  “Well, pretty well actually. Ryder spent some time outside making a storm. And then he apologized for freaking out on Skylar when he came clean as the son of a god.”

  “Karma. She’s a bitch.”

  “Yeah, she is. You take care of yourself and Elijah, okay?”

  “Yeah, I’ll contact you soon. Love you, bro.”

  “Love you, too.”

  ~Chapter Nine~

  Bright sunlight forced Elijah to open his eyes. He sat up in bed and looked around at his surroundings. He was in a king-sized bed in one hell of a swanky room. He got up carefully and crossed the room to the window. A beautiful beach with clear blue water was right out front. People were laughing and playing in the sand.

  What the hell? Where was he?

  Elijah turned back to the room and surveyed it. A leather jacket hung on one of the chairs and Elijah recognized it as Jaxon’s.

  Jaxon. Oh hell. Jaxon was…well, he was...

  “You’re up.”

  Elijah almost jumped to the ceiling. He turned slowly to see Jaxon with a tray of food.

  “I didn’t want to wake you.” Jaxon put the tray down on the table in the corner and motioned to it. “I got you some food, thought you might be hungry after being out for so long.”

  Elijah licked his lips and tried to find his voice. “How long was I out? And where are we exactly?”

  “Almost twenty-four hours and we are in Kaikoura, New Zealand.”

  Elijah’s mouth hung open. “W-what?”

  “Well, you said you wanted to see dolphins, and I wanted to go to Australia or New Zealand,” Jaxon shrugged. “I’m in New Zealand and you can see dolphins.” Jaxon stepped toward Elijah.

  “Um,” Elijah put his hand out to stop Jaxon.

  Jaxon stopped and stood still. An ache was forming in his chest as Elijah inched away from him.

  “I wouldn’t hurt you, Elijah. Not ever,” he whispered. “You have to know I’d give my life for you.”

  Elijah searched Jaxon’s face and saw the hurt in his eyes. “Can you, um, show me?”

  Jaxon grinned. “Can you be more specific?”

  “Really? Now you get nasty with me?”

  “Oh, I want to do so much more than that, Elijah. I’ve waited a long time.”

  Elijah’s cheeks heated. “Can you, you know, shift?”

  “Promise not to faint again?”

  Elijah’s nose twitched. “I did not faint.”

  “No? So you took a really long nap?”

  Elijah sighed in frustration and planted his hands on his hips. “Just shift!”

  In the blink of an eye, clothes were shredded and Jaxon sat in the middle of the room as a wolf. Elijah stood with his mouth agape. He walked slowly to Jaxon and knelt down before him. He didn’t have far to go, Jaxon was huge. Elijah reached out and sank his hands into soft brown fur.

  “Oh my God,” he whispered. “You’re so beautiful.”

  Jaxon tilted his head as Elijah rubbed his neck. The next thing he knew, he was getting swatted on the nose.

  “Unbelievable!” Elijah stood up and paced. “All this time! It was you in my yard, wasn’t it?!” Elijah whirled around to see Jaxon nodding. “Well! Isn’t that great! You couldn’t have told me before this? All this time you’ve been watching me, spying on me! Do you know how many nights I convinced myself I was crazy? And it was you all this time!”

  Elijah resumed his pacing. “I am so angry with you!” Elijah balled his fists as the heat crawled down his arms and out to his hands. “Oh no, oh shit.”

  Elijah squeezed his eyes shut.

  “Get away from me, Jaxon. You don’t know what happens when I get scared or mad. I don’t want to hurt you!”

  Jaxon moved forward as Elijah stepped back. He met Elijah’s eyes and his own widened. Orange blazed around Elijah’s pupils.

  “Go, Jaxon!” Elijah tried to calm his racing heart. Blood was pumping in his ears. He closed his eyes tightly and wished for it to go away.

  “No.”

  Elijah’s eyes flew open to see Jaxon standing in the middle of the room.

  Naked.

  Jaxon’s erection jutted from his body and stood tall and proud.

  “Oh. My. God,” Elijah whispered.

  “I’m not going away, Elijah. You’re not alone anymore. I know who you are.”

&n
bsp; “You do?”

  “Yes, you are a child of the gods, Elijah. You are the son of Hephaestus.”

  “Who?”

  “The Greek god of fire, Elijah.”

  “You mean I’m not a demon?”

  “No,” Jaxon smiled and reached out for Elijah’s hand. “You’re not.”

  “Are you sure?”

  Jaxon took Elijah’s hand and pulled him close. “Yes, I’m positive.” Hello! I’m also naked!

  Elijah rested his head on Jaxon’s smooth chest. The pendant heated under his cheek. Elijah pulled back a bit and looked into Jaxon’s eyes.

  “So you know who and what I am, and you’re okay with it?”

  “I’m sorry; did you not just see the werewolf in the room?”

  “That’s different.”

  “How so?”

  “You’re cool. I’m — well I don’t know what I am.”

  “You’re special, Elijah, but I already knew that before I figured out you were a child of the gods.”

  “But you said — ”

  “I know what I said, but I’m here, aren’t I? I want to be with you, like a couple. Can you do that?”

  Elijah looked down at the impressive erection poking his thigh.

  “Um, uh huh.”

  “Now — can I kiss you?” Jaxon caressed Elijah’s face, pulling it to his own.

  Elijah nodded.

  “Oh, thank God.”

  Jaxon touched his lips to Elijah’s softly. Arms came around him and fingers gripped his bare skin as he kissed Elijah slowly.

  “Too many clothes,” Elijah breathed. “Want to feel your skin on mine.”

  A low growl filled the room and Elijah’s skin broke out in goose bumps. His sweats came off and then his boxers. He stood naked, wrapped in the arms of the man he’d wanted since he was sixteen years old. And fuck, it was hot!

  Elijah wrapped his arms around Jaxon as his feet left the floor. His back hit cool sheets and then Jaxon was over him, looking into his eyes.

  “What have you done?” Jaxon asked.

  “Um,” Elijah turned his head; he knew his face was red.

  “It’s okay, talk to me.”

  “Nothing. You’re my first everything.”

  Jaxon smiled and touched Elijah’s cheek softly. Elijah was pure and he was all his. His lupine side wanted to mark Elijah, make sure everyone knew he belonged to him. Jaxon leaned down and brushed his lips softly across Elijah’s.