by J. E. Cluney
To be fair, I felt bad for him. His whole life had flipped in one day, and here he was trying to do the right thing. He loved her, no doubt about it. But there was something else going on inside him, a realization and truth.
Jackson sure was an interesting puzzle, but Mr Oxley trusted him.
And I trusted Mr Oxley.
Bernie and Benny were hesitant, but they eventually accepted that Jackson was a part of this little group, and led the way back to their place.
“What?!”
I cringed as the commotion ensued as all the men in the household were informed of Sav’s life.
Seven men were all crowded into the kitchen while my group spilled into the living room.
Four sons, three fathers.
And the one who was most shocked was the kitsune. Sav’s real father. And her full brother.
“We looked for so long, tracked down every lead we had, but we couldn’t find her. No spell could trace her, and we were told she must be dead,” the man said. He had dark brown hair that was overgrown and his brown beard needed trimming. His green eyes were bright and glittering with joy and guilt.
The son had the same colored hair, but his was side-swept, and he had Sav’s incredible blue eyes. Obviously a trait from their mother.
“Well, she got raised as a weapon because you stopped looking,” Damien muttered.
All the men turned to glare at him, and her father just frowned.
“We searched for a year, we spent most of our savings in hopes we could find her. But we had other children to worry about, others we needed to protect,” the man said.
“Damien is one of Sav’s mates, he’s just upset, Wes, why don’t you take Damien out for some air?” Mr Oxley suggested.
“I don’t need air,” Damien growled, but a dark look from Mr Oxley had him muttering and heading outside with Wesley.
I looked around the large kitchen, at how similar the boys were to their fathers. One of them, the youngest guy, with his glasses and messy brown hair, stood out. His father must be the one who died with Sav’s mother.
My eyes landed on a photo, and my breath caught.
The woman looked exactly like Sav, just with longer hair. But it couldn’t have been her.
“Is that Sav’s mom?” I asked as I pointed at the photo.
“Yes, that’s Renee,” the kitsune man murmured.
“We should introduce ourselves too, You’ve met Benny and myself, this is Soren and his son Samson, full relatives to Sav. This is Lachlan and his dad, Lionel,” Bernie indicated to the two burlier looking men. Werewolves. Dark hair and sharp features. The son, Lachlan, had honeyed brown eyes and a broodiness about him that made me think of my twin, while his father looked more rugged and worn around the edges, like he’d lived a hard life. His eyes were a deep earthy brown, and he was silent during all this.
“And this is Chris, his father, David, passed away along with Renee,” Bernie murmured. So Chris was the youngest one, the nerdy looking one.
I just couldn’t draw my eyes away from the photo though. She was the spitting image of Sav. I guess that’s how Bernie knew it was her.
“So Sav’s been taken?” Lionel growled.
“Probably the same fuck with Izzy,” Lachlan snarled.
Izzy? Now I was curious.
“The boys’ mate got kidnapped a few weeks back when her warding pendant broke. We found her pendant at a local jeweler, we’ve been using up all our resources to try to track her down, but no luck so far. Benny and Bernie have been working to keep money coming in while the rest of us are out trying to find out where she’s gone. We didn’t want to believe it was a Collector,” Soren sighed as he rubbed his cheek in frustration.
“Not just any Collector. We believe Declan Barivian has her. He spelled our witch to draw her out when we were trying to get more information about her family, you, as she was interested in locating her true relatives,” Mr Oxley murmured.
“She was looking for us?” Samson murmured from his position against the fridge.
“Yes, she only now knew the truth of what she was. For years she thought she was human,” Mr Oxley said.
“Why? Why do that to her?” Soren shook his head in confusion.
“Because she was strong, fast, capable of putting down supes easily and efficiently,” Jackson spoke up from the back.
“He’s the hunter brother,” Benny informed the others.
“Not anymore,” Mr Oxley said quickly.
“If he’s here, then he has balls,” Lionel growled as he pushed himself off from leaning on the marble topped island.
“He wants to save her, he fought for her life when their father turned on her, he got shot too,” Mr Oxley stated.
“Lionel, stop. There’s no need to target him. He didn’t choose to be a hunter, he was raised as one,” Soren said as he straightened. Kitsune warrior lines were obvious in both him and his son. The way they held themselves, the air of power and prowess about them.
I was surprised he was not pissed as hell with Jackson. But then again, maybe he was more logical than the hot-headed werewolf.
“I’m not one anymore,” Jackson stated as he eyed the group of men sorrowfully.
“We’ll see about that,” Lionel growled, and I could see Lachlan boiling as he glared at Jackson. I hoped Mr Oxley could keep the peace. The last thing we needed was for two werewolves to tear him apart. Sav would never forgive us.
A pang of fear hit me as I wondered just what was happening to her.
“Why did you come here? Just to inform us our now alive daughter is kidnapped?” Lionel turned his furious gaze to Mr Oxley.
“No. I came here, because if we are to get her back, I will need your help. We will need warriors and fighters to go up against a Warlock of such stature,” Mr Oxley stated as he tapped his cane on the kitchen tiles.
“Well, she’s our sister,” Samson said. “Of course we’d fight for her.”
“And if he has her, he probably has Izzy too if he’s after kitsunes,” Chris murmured as he pushed his glasses up his nose and pursed his lips.
“I have done my own digging, made calls on the way over here, but no one has been able to help me get any closer to locating where Declan is. However, I do know of an old method my people used. We can track down a supe using a true relative, and the help of a witch,” Mr Oxley suggested.
“I can help,” Dominic stated instantly from his position behind all of us. He was keeping quiet and to himself. Probably blaming himself for all this.
I felt sorry for him. At least Tristan was holding his hand comfortingly. Both hadn’t said a word since we’d arrived here. Which was strange for Tristan. I guess his mind was elsewhere.
“So can I,” Chris offered.
“And you can use me as the relative,” Samson stated as he pushed off the fridge.
“What exactly are you, anyway?” Lionel asked, and all of the men gave Mr Oxley a curious look, except for Soren, who smiled softly.
“He’s a rare supernatural from long ago, and he probably doesn’t wish to disclose what he is. But we can trust him,” Soren spoke up before Mr Oxley had to say a word.
“I don’t like not knowing who I’m dealing with,” Lachlan muttered, and Lionel agreed.
“Do you trust me though?” Soren asked with an arched brow.
Both ‘wolves scowled but begrudgingly nodded.
“Good, then we’ll do this. We need weapons, I will head down to the basement with Lionel and Lachlan; Chris, Samson, you two help Mr Oxley here with whatever it is he needs to do to find your sister. Benny, Bernie, stay with them,” Soren stated.
Nods and sounds of agreement answered him, and then he was heading off into the hall with the two werewolves, who were giving us cautious looks.
“Leon, summon your brother back, and Wesley,” Mr Oxley turned to me. I nodded and reached out mentally, informing the pair to come back now.
“What do we have to do?” Samson asked as he moved closer to us.
<
br /> “I have the ability to siphon magic from witches, as their magic is the most potent with tracking. I will siphon a small amount of it in an old spell, and use you as the tool to find her. You are linked to her by blood, and this will allow for a stronger connection,” Mr Oxley explained.
“Why doesn’t the mating bond work like that?” I asked, genuinely curious.
“Distance makes it harder, and your bond is mental and a binding of the souls. This spell, if used with mates, can harm the bond by stretching it in an attempt to track. Especially if she’s warded. A blood bond is different. You can’t break blood,” he explained as he looked around the kitchen.
That made sense. Sort of.
“Do you have somewhere we can sit for this?” Mr Oxley asked as he scratched his beard.
“The living room, it’s this way,” Bernie said as he gestured for us to follow him.
I heard the door open as Damien and Wesley rejoined us, with Damien still silently fuming. He was annoyed at her family for not searching for her more. I could understand this, but I also understood how they had other children, and how after a year, it was understandable that they’d assumed the worst.
‘They never should have stopped looking until they knew for sure,’ Damien growled in my mind.
‘Let it go man, we need their help now. We need to get her back,’ Tristan sighed.
‘If anyone has hurt her, I’ll kill them,’ Damien muttered, his voice laced with venom.
I didn’t doubt his words. I knew how worried and distressed he was. Anger was a usual response for him.
‘I’ll help,’ Wesley piped up.
I didn’t bother mentally voicing myself. I just wanted to get her back safe and never let her out of my sight again.
I followed after Bernie, Samson, Benny, and Chris, wondering just how this spell thing would work. And I was curious too. Soren had known what Mr Oxley was. Something none of us even knew. But it wasn’t a priority right now.
Finding Sav was.
I trusted Mr Oxley, that was all that mattered.
20
I padded towards the door, my chest tight as I wondered who my opponent was now. Izzy was crying out, telling me to fight and not give in. She had no idea of my plan. And baldy was watching me go this time, while the Collector watched on. I’d heard him over the speakers, informing me of my new fight.
I stepped into the hall, the door slamming down behind me and thrusting me into pure darkness. I sighed, steeling myself as I strode down the hall. I would escape this place, that was certain.
I reached the far door, feeling around as I sensed I was nearing it.
It slid up, the light from the pit blinding me as I shielded my eyes and stepped out onto the sand.
The onlookers whooped and called out, and I ignored them as I spied my opponent.
A sense of relief washed over me, followed by confusion.
Why was Nate back in the pit with me? I’d already beat him.
He stood sullen across from me, his arms down by his sides. He looked… defeated. That was the perfect term for the deadened look in his eyes.
The bell sounded off, and I fisted my hands as I brought them up defensively. Nate would be perfect for this.
He sighed, looking up at the onlookers with a look of hatred and despair, before dropping those grey eyes back to me. I cringed at the bruising marring the side of his face. Right where I’d landed a heavy blow to knock him out.
I felt guilty as hell for that now.
“You going to come at me?” I called out, smirking as the crowd roared over us.
Nate bit his cheek as he cocked his head at me, and then he finally started towards me. But there was no energy to his movements, no intention to truly fight. He was just going through the motions. It was blatantly obvious.
I dodged his attack with ease and spun around behind him, planting my foot in his lower back and flipping him onto the sand with me. Then I straddled him, one hand on his neck as I cocked my head at him.
“Why aren’t you fighting a little?” I asked softly.
“They’ll kill me after this fight. I’m not a fighter, I’m useless to their program because I won’t force myself on the females even at risk of death,” he answered softly, his grey eyes flat and dull. He’d lost all the fight in him, and it broke my heart.
“When I lose this fight, I die,” he said as he made no effort to throw me off.
“Then don’t lose,” I growled almost inaudibly.
He just frowned hard at me, trying to figure out what the hell I meant. Understanding dawned on him, or at least, I think it was. I just gave him the slightest nod, and he flipped me off.
I went along with the fight, letting him land some blows and holding back on my own blows. We danced around the pits, and the crowd adored it, the renewed energy in my battle partner. I dodged and ducked as he punched out, and I used my aura arm to battle him as well. He was quick, I’d give him that, and he didn’t need to act as he anticipated my moves with my aura arm. I didn’t feel the need to bring out the second bad boy. I’d pretend it was out of action for now. I needed to make this fight believable. Maybe the Collector would think I was too worn from my earlier battle. Yes, surely he’d think that. I’d really had to fight earlier.
I yelped as Nate barreled into me and flung me to the ground.
He flipped me over so that I was pinned beneath him, and my aura arm lashed out.
I let out a surprised sound as I felt energy connect with mine, holding it down as well.
The crowd burst to life, shouting out about his ‘aura flaring up’, and I turned my head slightly to spy the pinky white aura arm pinning mine down. Well, I certainly hadn’t expected that. Kudos to him.
He leaned over me, his lips brushing my ear.
“I’m sorry for this, I have to.”
I didn’t say a word, hoping he understood my submission to him. The Collector could be listening in to us. I don’t think he’d know what I was up to this time. I’d only told Nate to fight, and the Collector knew I liked a good fight. He’d hopefully assume I just wanted more than an opponent who was going to just roll over for me.
And then the tables had turned on me.
Hopefully he thought that.
I growled and fought against Nate, and he played his part by keeping me pinned down. The slightest fear niggled into me at the fact that I was actually putting up a good fight and he was holding me down. I wouldn’t let my aura flare up though.
I snarled, and I felt him hesitate as he pulled my panties down with one hand.
I mentally begged him not to stop.
He shifted as he pulled his own shorts down, and I whimpered and struggled beneath him as his length nudged my inner thighs.
He jammed a knee between them to keep them open, and I cried out as my arms flailed to find any grip on the sand. Nothing. It was all for show anyway.
“I’m sorry,” he said again, and I was beyond grateful when he didn’t just slam into me. He eased in softly, and I forced myself to accept him despite not being ready. I thought of Leon, of riding him on the bed, or Damien doing me in our half-shifted forms. I thought of Wes claiming me dominantly, and Tristan tying me up and having his way with me.
Nate worked hard to have it over and done as soon as he could, and I actually felt my own orgasm building despite how this was not what I wanted.
He released me from pinning me down, pulling my ass up into him as I began to moan and not fight him. I couldn’t help it. It felt so good. His dick was velvety smooth inside me, and the heat rushing through me was blissful.
I shrieked as he finally came, a fiery pink and white light flooding through my eyes as warmth enveloped me and my own body came. I spasmed as he held me on all fours, and I felt our kitsune energies connect and mingle. I could see our auras in my mind, dancing and merging together as a deep sense of belonging filled me. The orgasmic bliss rolled over me in perfect waves, and I savored it despite the roaring over us. I didn’t care that
anyone was watching, the sound all faded away into nothingness as I focused on the connection in our minds.
I stood in a white expanse, with him opposite me. He was wearing a button up white tee, and he had only stubble now and dark brown hair which was combed back. His grey eyes were warm and confused, but he was pleasantly surprised. His black pants gave him a charming look, and I realized just how handsome he was all cleaned up.
‘Why are we here?’ he asked as he looked around.
And he’d said it mentally.
Oh damn.
‘I think we mated, for real. As in, bonded,’ I mentally shot to him, and his grey eyes fell on me with shock.
“You only bond with true mates though,” he said, this time out loud.
“And your kitsune side can choose them at random, I guess it chose you,” I murmured, just as stunned as he was.
“What is this place though?” he asked as he looked around.
“No idea, maybe because we’re both kitsunes?” I suggested as I took a few steps forward.
I took the moment to look down, finding myself in a fuchsia dress that ended mid-thigh and flared out at the bottom. It was a v-neck, dipping just enough to pique a guy’s interest while not being too revealing. It was nice, but not like anything I actually owned.
“Maybe,” Nate mused as he focused on me and began walking towards me.
We closed the space between us and stood only centimeters apart.
“You really are beautiful,” he murmured as he stroked my cheek. The soft touch sent heat and a comforting warmth flooding through me.
“You’re not so bad yourself,” I smirked, and he gave me a stunning grin.
Fuck, he looked stunning with such a perfect smile on him. Nothing like the wilder-man I’d been with in the pits.
“Wow, that’s harsh,” he chuckled.
The pits.
My smile dropped. A part of me knew we were still in the pits, and all this, this strange white void, it was our minds. We’d withdrawn into our minds, somehow linked together.
“We need to go back, so you can pull off this escape attempt,” he murmured as his hand fell from my face. The loss of his gentle touch made my chest squeeze. What was it about this man that had captured my kitsune? Why him?
