“Uma,” I turned back to her. “They’ve been training this entire time.”
“Training, yes. But these people are aiming to kill.” Uma’s jaw was clenched as she turned back to me. “You are children, and this is war. It sounds harsh, and unfair, but none of you except Ethan and Asher are even close to being able to take part in this. I wouldn’t send my own children, so I’m not sending you.”
“We aren’t children,” Zeke bit out.
“You are in this case,” Brody stated, crossing his arms over his chest. It was clear they weren’t going to change their minds.
“We can help,” I tried again anyway. “We aren’t useless.”
Brody and Uma shared a look.
Brody turned back to us. “Then you can help set up the med bay in the living room. You can help with first aid and find a doctor that can be trusted.”
“We can do that,” Miles said for all of us. The rest of us nodded. Anything we could do that would help, we would.
Tara
It was late when Dad finally pulled into an old hotel. It was even later when I was the only one still up. Maria and Jess were in the other bed near the door, while Dad slept in a chair propped up near the bathroom door. Tank and Kita were out cold between the beds and the room door.
I was playing with a new design on my tablet when Lucy woke up beside me.
“Hmm?” She lifted her head, her eyes still closed.
“What’d you say?” she muttered rolling onto her back.
“Nothing.” I smiled to myself as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes.
Her face was soft and rosy as she looked up at me. My heart took a hit. She really was pretty. I turned back to my work and focused on the neckline of the outfit I was designing.
“What are you working on?”
“Magical protection.” My face burst into flame as I realized I had actually answered.
“Really?” She sat up and scooted back to sit beside me. The flowery scent of her perfume reached me, making my heart pound even harder as she moved closer.
“Wait? Are those runes?” She pointed at the small embroidery along the neckline and the seams of the arms and legs.
I licked my lips before I answered. “Yeah, protective ones, I think.”
“Clever.”
I lifted my head. “Do … do you think they’d work?”
“I think so. We’d have to ask a witch, but I can’t see why not.”
I grinned and shifted so she could see better. “Lexie said that witches use stones to store energy, so I was thinking of incorporating small stones in the embroidery on the hands or in the middle of the chest. What do you think?”
She tapped the sleeves. “You’d want them near the hands, so sleeves that hook around the middle finger would be the perfect spot for them, I think.”
I nodded, excitement bubbling up. “And the fabric could be anything. It wouldn’t have to be leather or tough. It’s the embroidery thread that would matter, right?”
She thought about it and nodded. “You also wouldn’t even have to have the runes showing. I bet if you can do the embroidery small enough, you’d be able to hide it under the lining of jackets and pants.”
I smiled up at her. “You think it’s a good idea?”
“Good? It’s brilliant.” She shook her head. “Clothes that protect you from magical energy? That’s a market that hasn’t even been thought of, let alone established.”
I began playing with the ends of my ponytail as I thought about the potential. “You think people would want this?”
“Witches? Yeah. Vampires? Definitely. And it’s perfect for non-magical humans,” she said.
As I met her eyes my smile dimmed. Tingles ran down my spine as the silence stretched. Her gaze dropped down to my lips for a heartbeat before I caught movement out of the corner of my eye. A shadow moved across the drawn curtains.
Lucy pulled back and turned just in time for the door to bust open. Bodies surged into the room. Dad went from a dead sleep to pulling his gun and firing in a heartbeat. The dogs leapt at the doorway. Lucy threw a vial from her bra. It shattered at their feet, billowing smoke filling the room. Her hand moved to my arm in a strong grip as she pushed me off the bed. “Move. Get out through the bathroom,” she breathed into my ear before leaping to her feet on the bed and throwing more vials.
Heart pounding, I crawled through the room and into the tiled bathroom. I got to my feet and jerked open the window as more gunfire erupted inside of the room. Icy fingers of fear crawled along my spine, making the hair on my arms stand on end as I climbed out the window and into the alley. It was only a few heartbeats before Jess dropped from the window to the cold cement beside me.
Thinking only of putting distance between us and our attackers, I hauled her to her feet and we took off for the empty field of waist-high dry grass. My arms pumped, and my heart pounded as my breathing grew ragged.
Something hit me and a dull ache radiated from my shoulder as I was knocked to the dirt. Groaning, I pushed on to my side in time to dodge a long-fingered claw that sliced through the air, narrowly missing my face. I rolled backwards to my feet to find a man standing there, jerking his hand out of the dirt. He snarled. Sharp canines … oh, crap. My breath turned to lead in my lungs as my body seized in terror.
“Get away from her, you prick!” Jess came out of the grass swinging what looked like a thick stick. She swung at the man, but he stepped back just as her foot hit some mud and slipped out from under her. She went down hard on her back.
A sharp-toothed grin spread across his face a heartbeat before he moved. A vise seemed to wrap around my throat. I wheezed as my feet left the ground. I grabbed at the hand around my throat and dug my nails in.
His eyes grew darker as he moved closer and sniffed my hair. “My, aren’t you a pretty one.”
I frantically dug into the flesh of his fingers, kicking at him with all my might, but he gave no sign of feeling it.
Things began to get dark. I was going to die.
Something flew out of the grass and hit the man. A smoking hole appeared in his shirt half a heartbeat before he dropped me. I hit the ground, greedily dragging air into my lungs as another vial sailed through the night. Purple liquid stained his shirt. His body jerked as he grew rigid, his eyes wide as he fell to his knees. The scent of burnt rubber filled the air.
Lucy rushed out of the grass and brought her fist down across his face. The shifter dropped to the ground, unconscious. Or dead. I couldn’t be sure.
Lucy turned to me, her brows drawn down. “You okay?”
My very own knight. I nodded as relief swamped me, making me shake.
She reached down and helped me to my feet, then began to inspect me for damage. “He didn’t scratch you, did he?”
My hand tingled in hers. “He tried …”
Her fingers tightened on mine as she met my eyes.
“He was trying to kill me.”
Her features softened, her eyes filling with warmth as she pulled me into her arms. I clung to her and took several deep breaths as her hand moved up and down my back.
“It’s okay, I’m here,” she whispered. “I’ll keep you safe.”
God help me, I melted against her and breathed in her perfume.
Chapter 12
Lexie
We spent the rest of the night setting up cots and supplies in the med ward.
After that was done, Ethan had gotten me alone on one of my trips to the basement supply closet.
“Stay with Asher tonight,” Ethan had whispered. “He’s going to be in the thick of it tomorrow.”
I turned with the box of bandages in my arms. “You both are going to be, and he’s only pulling wounded out of the fight.” At least, that had better be all he’s doing.
Ethan shook his head. “Trust me, Beautiful. Stay with him tonight.” He gave me a soft smile and slipped out before I could say another word. That man constantly surprised me. He’d stepped aside for Zeke, now Asher.
Once we were done, I asked Asher if I could stay with him tonight and his smile was so bright, I couldn’t help but return it. A few hours later we were in his room, Asher sleeping soundly as my fingers stroked down his spine to his lower back. I traced the dimples just above his butt. I loved the man beside me fiercely. The idea of losing him or Ethan … my breath shuddered roughly.
Asher’s head lifted and he turned to me with his eyes barely open. “Ally?”
“Yeah?” I kept my voice light. Yay for me.
“You okay?” He moved closer to me and shifted to his side. His hand went to my thigh and squeezed.
I smiled. “Yeah, good. You?”
He opened his eyes fully and gave me the look. You know, the one with narrowed eyes and a half grin. It said ‘stop lying.’
I blew out my cheeks as I gave in. “I’m worried about tomorrow.”
He pulled me even closer. “We’re going to be okay. I promise.”
I reached up and ran my fingertips along his jaw.
Amusement and understanding danced across his handsome features as he leaned down and brushed his lips against mine. Passion and need poured through me. I kissed him back, taking his mouth and pressing harder against him.
His moan was low and throaty as he squeezed me tighter. “We”—he kissed me again— “can’t.”
I pulled back only enough to meet his eyes. “Put your hands on the headboard.”
His pupils expanded as desire and raw need filled his eyes. He lay back on the bed, put his arms over his head and gripped the bottom of the headboard.
I slipped my leg over his hip and settled on his lap. My heart raced at the feel of him against the part of me that was aching for him.
His breathing grew heavier as I leaned over him. “Ally …”
“Focus on your hands,” I whispered before pressing my lips to his throat.
His head fell back as I trailed kisses down his throat and over his collarbone.
“Not a good idea,” he breathed as I traced a line down his chest with my tongue. He moaned. “Ally.”
I lifted my head and met his hungry gaze. “I want to show you how I feel before tomorrow.” His hard shaft twitched against me, telling me he needed me too. “If you tell me to stop, I will.”
His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down a few times before he nodded. “Okay … but slow down.”
Oh, I’d go slow alright. I shifted further down and brushed my lips over the center line of his six pack. Heat curled through me as I tasted his skin down to his pajama pants. I lingered over the line of his Adonis belt, kissing out to his hip before my fingers hooked into the band of the soft cotton. I looked up and found him watching me, lust and love clearly visible in his expression. It was a heady combination coming from those ocean eyes. He gave me a small nod.
Kissing his skin, I pulled down his pants before sitting back for a moment and taking in the sight of him for the first time. His cock was rigid and standing straight up for me. His blond curls were trimmed and neat. My panties soaked at the sight as my skin suddenly felt too tight for me. I wanted nothing more than to strip down and take him inside my body. But I couldn’t.
I reached out, wrapping my fingers around his thickness. He gasped, his head falling back as his hips moved against my hand. He was beautiful. The lines of his body, the feel of his cock in my hand. The motion of his hips in the moonlight. He was perfect. He was mine and I was his. I slowly lowered my lips and brushed my lips over the head of him.
Wood creaked. I looked up and met those wild silver eyes. “Ash?”
“Don’t stop,” he growled.
I took him at his word as I slowly ran my tongue along the underside to the very tip in one slow lick.
“Damn, Ally,” he bit out between his lips, his arms shaking. “I’m not going to last long.”
“Then don’t,” I whispered, my breath moving over his tip. I lowered my mouth around him and dragged my tongue along his length while sliding back down.
His body shook as his hips moved, meeting my mouth in rhythm. I took my time tasting him, exploring every inch, every line of vein, every curve until he was panting above me. I was lost in touching him, lost to us.
A trembling hand moved to my hair.
I looked up and met his eyes.
“Ally … swallow for me,” he breathed between his teeth.
I had never done anything like that before and I wasn’t sure I could. The desire in his eyes gave me the motivation I needed.
I took his length down my throat and pulled almost all the way out again. Lost to the rhythm, I barely heard Asher.
“Ally.”
His entire body grew tense just before he exploded. Salt and heat filled my mouth. I swallowed it down just as he’d asked.
He sat up and reached for me. I ended up underneath him, his lips on my throat. My skin was suddenly too tingly as butterflies danced in my belly. His hands molded to my curves as his hips pinned me to the bed. I groaned as his lips moved down my neck, his fingers shoving my shirt higher until I had to lift a little to pull it over my head.
His lips trailed down between my breasts. His palms stroked my nipples, giving me some relief, but I wanted more. I buried my hands in his hair as his mouth took one breast. I arched against him, rubbing myself against his still-hard length while his tongue danced over my nipple.
His hands took mine as he pulled away from my breast to pin my arms above me. Those silver eyes met mine. “Headboard.”
I nodded, eager to obey. He let me go. I grabbed the bottom of the headboard, hoping for more.
His hands and lips moved down my body, leaving sparks tingling along my nerve endings in his wake. I gripped the headboard as my core ached more than ever. “Ash.”
His fingers hooked into my pajamas and panties. Slowly, he slid them off my hips and down my legs. His palms moved back up my thighs to my hips, his thumbs stroking over the line of my hipbones. His lips found the inside of my thigh. His warm breath brushed over my skin. My heart thundered as his scorching mouth moved up my thigh, leaving my toes curled. He was so close. Please …
Asher lowered his head and pressed a kiss to the outside of me.
I whimpered in need.
His tongue stroked me, sending pleasure through every cell in my body. My hips moved towards him, wanting more. He growled deep in his chest before he pressed harder, his mouth taking my clit. My body shook as he took his time, stroking, licking, exploring every part of me. That fucking tongue. He slipped two fingers inside me, bringing that edge up fast. I trembled as the wave built, higher and higher.
“Ally.”
My heart was pounding so hard I was sure he could hear it.
“Say my name,” he demanded.
I whimpered as his fingers stroked me, driving my need higher and higher. My breasts aching, I covered them with my own hands and squeezed. “Don’t stop.”
“Say my name,” he ordered again.
“Asher, please.” That was all it took. He lowered his head and his mouth worked over my clit. Pleasure surged over me and tore me apart. I slapped my hand over my mouth just as a cry leapt from my throat. It seemed to go on and on, far too long but still not long enough.
Once the storm subsided, the world came back into focus.
Asher stroked my hip in a loving caress. “Thank you.”
He crawled back up the bed and wrapped me in his arms. I relaxed into him. He took my hand and threaded our fingers together. His long fingers reached the back of my hand. He looked down at me with those ocean eyes and smiled. “I love you.”
I smiled back. “I love you, too.”
It wasn’t long before Asher once again fell asleep beside me.
* * *
It was early morning when the time came to say goodbye. My chest was tight as we met them at the door. The other shapeshifters and witches were loading up, so we didn’t have much time.
Asher turned to us, his face strained. Ethan on the other hand appeared as calm
as ever. They met each of the guys’ eyes and nodded. Isaac, Miles, and Zeke nodded back in some macho guy acknowledgement of feelings. And it worked.
I wasn’t the only one struggling as Asher turned to me.
His hand moved to my face. “Ally girl.”
I held his hand in place and took a deep breath as all my fears crashed down on me. “Come back to me. To us.”
He brushed my cheek with the pad of his thumb and pulled me close. I buried my face in his chest.
“I’m only doing first aid and bringing people to the ambulance,” he whispered into my hair as he held me tight. “We’ll be okay.”
I sniffed.
“I promise,” Asher whispered.
Pulling back, a sad smile spread across my face. I turned to Ethan.
His smirk was in place as he pulled me close. “Oh, Beautiful. You know we’re both too stubborn to be taken out by Jadis or her lackeys.”
I rested my forehead against his neck and took a deep breath of his spicy cologne. He kissed my neck and lifted his head. “We gotta go, Lexie.”
I squeezed him tighter before I forced myself to let go. I wiped my face as I stepped back into Isaac’s arms.
He wrapped around me from behind, his own nose brushing my neck. I clung to his arms as we watched two of our own walk out the door for what we all hoped wasn’t the last time.
Standing in stunned silence as they drove away, I reached for Zeke’s hand to find him already meeting me halfway. Miles’ hand slipped into my other one, keeping my arms crossed over Isaac’s.
“Breathe,” Isaac whispered in my ear.
I took a deep, shaking breath and looked up at Zeke. His face was lined with worry as he watched the door. We needed a distraction. “Let’s make sure the stations are all stocked up.”
Everyone let go and stepped away from the door. We went about our business, making sure each cot near the door was stocked for every kind of emergency. Cuts, burns, even hypothermia. We covered all our bases, working silently, glancing at the door every few minutes.
When the Grave Calls Page 18
