by K. G. Reuss
“What are you doing here?” Mason asked as Adam bounded over to us.
My heart immediately jackknifed in my chest.
“I have orders from Eric to relieve Everly. She’s wanted back at the house.”
“Is everything OK?” I demanded.
Adam shrugged. “I guess so. Seemed fine.”
“Thanks.” I turned and left the guys. Then I rushed across the dark grounds. I was halfway back to the house when a figure shot out from around the corner of a building and snatched me.
I spun in the hold, ready to jack whoever it was in face, but then I realized it was Raiden. My heart jumped in my chest as he hauled me into a shadowy corner of the building.
“Hey, there, beautiful,” he murmured, brushing my hair away from my face.
“Where were you?” I demanded.
“I got hung up.” He grimaced, and it was only then in the faint glow of the moon that I noticed he had dried blood on his face.
“What did they do to you? And why aren’t you healing?”
He scowled again but managed to give me a shaky smile and held up his hand. In place of his normal leather bracelet was a thick band of shimmering purple wrapped around his wrist.
“Spelled vorbex. Anti-healing,” He winced. “I have to wear it until my wounds heal naturally.”
“What? Why?” Rage simmered in me.
“They wanted me to kill someone I thought was innocent.”
“Raiden—”
“I set him free. I was never so sure about anything in my life in regard to my duties, but that vamp really was innocent. He has kids. Little kids. I couldn’t take a parent from someone,” he whispered.
His words made my insides ache.
“Who hurt you?”
“The Order ruled on it. One of the dungeon guards carried it out.” He sucked in a sharp breath and winced again. “I think my ribs are broken.”
“We need to get you back to the house,” I murmured, shifting so he could rest his weight on me.
“No. I-I just want to see you. I was worried about you.”
“Forget about me for a moment. I’m fine. You’re not. Let me just get Eric and Damien. Or Marcus. I bet Marcus can unspell this—”
“I only want you. I think you can do it.” His breathing grew shaky.
“Tell me what to do.”
“Burn it off. I think your fire could destroy it.”
I wordlessly took his hand in mine and stared up at him. My heart broke. He was in so much pain. I could see it on his face as his eyebrows knit tightly together and his bottom lip trembled.
I went up on my tiptoes and pressed my lips to his. I probably didn’t have to in order to get the flames to work, but I wanted to. The flames danced along our skin. I deepened the kiss, tasting blood, salt, and everything that was Raiden in that moment.
The flames grew hotter, and I focused my mind on burning off that damn band on his wrist. The click of it breaking and the thud of it falling to the cobblestones barely registered in my ears as Raiden’s hold on me grew tighter, his kiss fiercer.
I let out a squeak as he tugged us through shadows, melding us with the darkness. Before I had a chance to catch my breath, we were in his room, having just shadow hopped there. He lifted me into his arms, and I immediately wrapped my legs around his waist. His hands held me up by my butt, his lips never breaking away from mine.
“I need a shower,” he breathed out between kisses. “I’m dirty.”
“Me too,” I answered as he chuckled against my mouth.
“Good. I like you dirty.” He bit my bottom lip and hauled me into the bathroom with him.
I didn’t even care that he took us straight into his shower fully clothed or that he magically turned on the shower head, sending warm water rushing down on us as we kissed and touched one another beneath the spray.
“I’m wet.” I laughed as he nuzzled against my neck, the water soaking us.
He pulled back and grinned at me. “That’s the plan.”
Forty
Raiden
We kissed and kissed beneath the falling water. Our clothes were plastered to us. Hands roamed and gripped as our passion turned wild. I couldn’t get enough of her.
I pushed my healing energy into each of her body aches, wanting her to feel better.
I made sure we didn’t progress beyond kissing. Making out with her felt so good that it didn’t matter a damn bit to me that we didn’t take the next step.
When the water started to cool off, we got out and wrapped dry towels around us.
“You want to conjure me some dry clothes?” she asked with a sassy smirk.
“I’ll be right back.” Dripping water across the floor, I opened the drawers on my dresser. I grabbed a pair of gray sweatpants and a worn t-shirt. I could’ve shadow melded to her room to get her some dry clothes. But the thought of her wearing mine did something to me. Something that, despite all the shit happening, made me grin.
“Here you go.” I offered my clothes to her.
“Thanks.”
“I’ll just go change in the other room. Come out when you’re done.” I backed away.
I stripped out of my wet clothes, letting them hit the floor with a plop. Then I dragged the towel over my skin. Once I was dry, I tugged on a different pair of gray sweatpants.
I picked up the wet laundry and turned around to dump it in the hamper. Everly leaned against the doorframe, staring at me.
“Enjoy the show?” I asked.
“From behind, it was something to behold,” she said with a smirk.
“You look good in my clothes,” I remarked, taking in the rolled over waistband of the sweatpants and the way my shirt hung loosely on her frame.
She stepped up to me and wrapped her arms around my neck. Just before I fused our lips together once more, she stifled a yawn.
“Sorry,” she said, covering her mouth.
I led her to my bed and lay down with her in my arms. I was content just to hold her. It didn’t take long for her to fall asleep. As much as I hated to, I scooped her up and shadow jumped us into her room. Gently, I settled her beneath the covers and kissed her temple.
Wanting nothing more than to curl in behind her in bed, I had to force myself away. Because she hadn’t asked me to stay with her, and it would be rude of me to assume she wanted me taking up space while she tried to sleep.
I returned to my room, wishing I would’ve just asked her if I could stay with her. After the day I’d had, I just wanted to hold her all night.
Earlier, when members of the Order caught wind of my hesitation with the vamp during a F.I.R.E interrogation, all hell had broken loose. I’d been sent to the dungeons to be beaten with the vorbex anti-healing bracelet on me.
But I’d gladly take the beating again if it meant I was doing something right. I didn’t have the slightest clue what had come over me in that interrogation room. Maybe Ever was rubbing off on me. I gave the vamp a chance to speak.
To beg. To cry.
And I listened instead of just removing him from our world.
Sickness churned in my guts over the possibility that maybe I’d messed up before and had taken out others who were innocent. The reality of it made me want to kick my own ass. Coupled with Ever’s fears of maybe us being the bad guys, I was set to start asking questions. Something I’d never done before, because I was always content to live by our rules.
But even I had to admit something wasn’t right. I wanted to know where the spirits went when they were sent back to Xanan and why we had to send them. I wanted to know why we were interrogating innocent people and killing them regardless of what we learned from them. The blood I knew was on my hands made me unwell inside. Unstable with concern about what was really going on.
In the beginning, it was always about keeping our world safe. But now? Maybe I was the bad guy.
The next night, we gathered in the living room to celebrate Eric’s rebirth with pizza and loads of junk food. Since there wa
s a blizzard happening outside, it made sense to just stay at the house. Classes had been canceled because of the weather, so a lot of students had left earlier in the day to return home for the Christmas holidays.
Ever wasn’t downstairs with us yet. I kept glancing at the stairs, wondering when she’d be down. I’d been busy all day with Conexus business, so I hadn’t gotten to see her yet after our night together. I knew she’d planned to pack for her trip home this morning. Hopefully, she’d be down soon.
I had so much on my damn mind ever since that vision. I’d talked to Eric about it, and he’d told me to keep going forward. We had the same belief it seemed.
Ever and I controlled our destinies. No one or anything else.
“Yo, listen,” Damien called out, holding up his hand to get all of our attentions. “We should play strip poker.”
“Ugh,” Sloane groaned. “Why are you always trying to see us naked?”
Damien waggled his brows. “We could skip the game if you just wanna come upstairs with me, babe.”
“You wish,” she muttered, going back to her pizza.
“What are you doing for the holidays, Shadow?” Adam called out.
I was so glad we were able to go back to the way things were with my name now that Everly knew the truth.
“You going to Xanan?”
“Like he’d want to,” Jared snorted.
I shot him a knowing smile. He was right about that.
“He was supposed to come home with me.” Amara settled onto the couch beside me. “You still can, you know.”
“I’m good. Thanks,” I said.
“You think if you got him alone, he’d want you again?” Brandon asked with a snort.
“Well, it’s not like Ever wants him. She’s screwing around with Blackburn. We all saw it at the exchange.” Amara glared at Brandon.
He let out a laugh. “He took the vow, Amara. He could screw you ten ways to Sunday, and all you’d get is a good time.”
I closed my eyes, wanting to call out to Ever.
“There is a reversal,” she shot back.
“Yeah, if Ever dies,” Chloe said with a shake of her head.
“Well, she does have a track record.” Amara leaned against me and ran her hand up my thigh.
I reached down to push her away, my growl already on my lips when Ever swooped into the room in a flurry of shadow and shoved Amara’s hand away for me.
The room fell silent. I tensed, hoping I wasn’t going to have to separate the fight which would eventually happen.
Amara glared up at Ever, but instead of Ever attacking her, my girl slid onto my lap and pressed her lips to mine. I immediately wrapped my arms around her, squeezing her to me as her tongue slid against mine.
“I missed you,” I said in her head.
She smiled against my lips.
“Why do you think I’m here?”
“To save me?”
She leaned closer and nipped at my bottom lip. “You know it.”
“OK. Wait a damn minute,” Damien shouted. “What in the hell is going on? Are you two together? And when? I’m lost.”
“Yeah, what in shit is going on?” Chloe called out.
I untangled myself from Ever and caught the look of outrage on Amara’s face. She got to her feet and stalked over to a different spot to sit, her glare leveled on us.
“We’re together. Have been for a minute,” I said, smiling at my crew. I assumed since she’d made the public display, I was free to announce our status. I adjusted Ever on my lap, feeling her tension. I suspected she was nervous sitting like this in front of everyone and had done it only to piss off Amara. That was fine. I’d make her feel better.
“I’m so happy for you guys!” Sloane wiped at her eyes.
“Finally. No wonder you’ve been smiling more lately,” Amanda said, grinning.
“Ever makes me happy,” I murmured, kissing her temple. She snuggled against me, her body relaxing.
“Aw, shit. You guys.” Damien grinned and moved to us. He leaned down and wrapped us in a crushing hug.
Ever grunted between us. He planted a kiss on the top of her head before pulling away.
“Just for the record, I already knew about them,” Eric said smugly, snagging another slice of pizza.
“Really?” Jared demanded. “You knew, Craft? Meanwhile, the rest of us were trying to plot about how to get these two together? Do you know how many resources we wasted?”
Eric grinned and shook his head.
“We spent at least two hours on it,” Adam added with a laugh. “And, like, a dozen sandwiches.”
I smiled as they continued their banter, my arms wound tightly around Ever.
“You hungry?” I asked her softly.
She nodded and made to get up. But I planted a kiss on her lips and slid her onto the couch so I could get to my feet. I gave her a wink as I went to the kitchen to get her some pizza since the pie we’d brought into the living room was gone.
The girls, minus Amara, all gathered around Ever, giggling and talking. She looked uncomfortable, but she did smile, so that was a win.
“Seriously, man, nice work,” Damien said, coming into the kitchen and clapping me on the shoulder.
“I never doubted it.” Mason polished off his last piece of pizza. “Now, you just need to seal the deal.”
“What deal?” Eric asked, coming to stand beside me.
“Sex.” Mason looked at me, Damien, and Eric. “You know you need to, right?”
“We’re going at Ever’s pace,” I said, peeking over at her again.
My gaze moved to Amara who was glaring in Ever’s direction. I frowned. At this point, there wasn’t much I could do about Amara except have her transferred. But I doubted my father or hers would allow me to do that.
“Well, you need to make sure it’s done before the fives. And by my count, that’s May fifth,” Mason continued, taking a bite of pizza. “I think doing it sooner would be a good idea though. I mean, not to rush you, but the sooner you do it, the quicker you’ll complete your soul bond. And you’ll be ahead of the game. I recommend doing it and getting other things in place.”
“What things?” I asked, frowning.
Mason was a smart guy. It was one of the many reasons I’d brought him into Conexus.
“Like securing her hand in marriage. I mean, if you’re going to be with her forever, seems like you should put a ring on it. And not just to do it, but to show that commitment. Once you do, it might even get Amara off your ass. Plus it’ll showcase your strength to the Order.”
“What do you know about the Order?” Damien narrowed his eyes at him.
Mason shrugged. “I pay attention. The patterns are there. You didn’t bring me into Conexus because of my pretty face. If you wait too long, shit might happen. Connect with her. Seal the deal. Kick some ass. I’m on whatever side you’re on.”
“Do you think my side is going to switch?” I asked, studying him.
He gave me a sheepish look. “Don’t get pissed, but if Ever were my girl, I’d go wherever she went. I think you’re smart enough to know it’s the smart move. I know she’s worried about shit going sour, but if she sees you and your commitment, it might not be so bad for her. Plus, she’ll know then that she has an entire team behind her. Something is up with the Order. You said so yourself.”
I nodded and placed Ever’s pizza on a plate. “I did say that.”
“So what are you prepared to do about it?” Mason asked softly.
“You’re right.” I backed away with Ever’s dinner. “I go where she goes.”
“I do too,” Damien said.
“Same.” Eric’s eyes were focused on her. “Just say the word, and I’ll be there.”
“See?” Mason said. “Ask anyone here. We’re loyal to you and her. Not the Order. Let’s get this shit over with so we can go back to our mundane Conexus duties. Flush the rat out. End the corruption. Be done with it.”
“I’m with you there,” Damien
said.
I nodded. “Me too. I’ll, uh, work on it.”
Eric’s eyes twinkled as he nudged Damien who grinned widely at me.
“Shall I tell Sloane to spell your room with a silence charm?” Damien’s dark brows waggled at me.
I laughed and shook my head. “No. I’m not going to rush her on this. She’s never had sex. I want her to choose when she’s ready,” I said softly.
“Well, here’s to hoping it’s soon.” Mason held out his pizza and Damien and he tapped their slices together as I walked away, wondering if maybe I should talk to Ever about everything.
Catching her sweet gaze across the room, I decided to give her more time. I returned to her side and handed her the plate piled with pizza. My heart clenched in my chest as she beamed up at me and bit into her cheesy slice. I settled in my high back chair and watched her laugh and giggle with the girls.
And Amara? She only shook her head at me, a dark storm brewing in her eyes.
Forty-One
Everly
The following morning, I brought my bags downstairs. We’d celebrated Eric’s rebirth until well after midnight. At some point, I’d fallen asleep on the couch with my head on Raiden’s shoulder. But I’d woken in my bed, alone.
Taking things further with him weighed heavily on me. It wasn’t like it was with Dylan, my ex-boyfriend. With him, I’d been cautious and nervous and uncertain. With Raiden, I wanted him in the worst way. My fear of what could happen for the rest of the world was the doorstop to my madness.
Add to that the concern I felt about going home, and I was a mess. Guilt weighed heavily on me over the lack of contact I’d had with my mom. It wasn’t that I didn’t have the time. I just hadn’t made the time the last few weeks. Brighton assured me he’d spoken to her, and she was eager for me to come home. And apparently, she was cool with Raiden coming with me.
“Hey, you look different,” Eric said, coming into room and dropping his bag next to mine. “It’s weird seeing you in normal clothes.”
I smiled at him, taking in the way he looked in his pressed slacks and polo shirt. “You look. . .”
