Tempest of Vengeance

by Tara Fox Hall

  “I’m here to see your prisoner, Lash,” Theo said gruffly. “And to thank you for saving my daughter.”

  I was surprised Theo was handling this so well, even though I wasn’t his anymore. Or maybe this just makes him believe that I’ve been lying to him all along about Lash and me.

  “You’re welcome, Theo,” Lash replied seriously, none of his usual maliciousness in his tone. “I’m just sorry I wasn’t quicker. I left the werebear below alive for you, and he’s healed, from the meat he’s eaten today. But I beat the shit out of him last night, worked him over for two hours, and bit him a few times too, for the hurt he caused Elle.”

  “Which cell?” Theo’s voice was strained.

  “He’s the only one down there. The other men are already dead.”

  Theo nodded, and with a last bitter look at Lash and me, he and Terian went down into the basement. I bit my lip, and flipped the pancakes over one final time. Another minute, at most.

  Lash got the plates without a word, and I loaded them up with food, then turned off the stove. Lash got the toasted bagels, the butter, and a knife. We sat down at the table, and ate together in silence. But this wasn’t the comfortable silence we’d shared so many times before. This silence was strained.

  I thought a lot as I ate, staring at nothing, not really tasting the food I’d worked hard not to burn. I’d thought so often this fall of using Lash to get back at Theo, of seeing the expression on his face when he found us in bed, or somewhere else naked together, and laughing as I told him I was in love with Lash, that he and I were over. In spite of everything that had happened between Theo and me, it had just hurt me, seeing how hurt he was to know that Lash was my lover again. I’d felt just as bad as I knew I would, knowing I’d hurt him, as bad as I’d felt when Danial had found out Theo and I had gotten married, as bad as I’d felt telling Theo about Devlin and me. Hurting someone you loved always hurt you, too, no matter what else they might have done, or how much they had deserved to be hurt. That was a fact, just as it was a fact that part of me had really loved Theo for years, even if the intensity of that love had just been magic, and I didn’t want a life with him now.

  At least I didn’t do this purposely. This wasn’t just vengeful sex. Lash meant something to me, even if I couldn’t seem to get the words out about how I felt. And for once, Theo hadn’t started anything, and neither had Lash, though the latter I thought had probably lost most of his motivation for making nasty remarks now that I was his again.

  “I’m sorry you were embarrassed, to have Terian and him see us like this, to have them know we were lovers again,” Lash whispered, after a few minutes, breaking into my thoughts. “I should’ve known something like this would happen, if we did this, to ruin it—”

  I looked over at him, and felt worse. He was looking at his plate, not at me. He sounded lost, and very, very upset. I put my hand on his shoulder gently.

  “I just wanted—”

  “It’s okay,” I said, leaning over and kissing his warm, scratchy cheek. “I was embarrassed, but not to be with you. I’d have been just as embarrassed to be like this with Dev, and have them walk in, and find us.”

  Lash didn’t say anything, or look up at me. It was obvious he didn’t believe me. I didn’t believe me, either. I tried to explain it better, hoping I wasn’t making things worse.

  “I mean to say, I feel bad that Theo found out like he did—that I’m with you now. I remember finding out about him and Jenny after they’d been together, and that was awful.”

  Lash still didn’t say anything, but he closed his eyes as if in pain. “I shouldn’t have said anything that morning to you. It wasn’t my place—”

  Shit, I’m making it worse. I got up from my chair, and crouched beside his chair. “I’m glad you told me, or I wouldn’t have known until later, Lash. I just meant—”

  “Like you felt when you saw Dev and Catherine. I get it, Sar.”

  “No, you don’t,” I said loudly, getting up, and putting my arms around him. He was rigid in my embrace. “Catherine didn’t mean anything to Dev. Jenny means something to Theo now, even if she didn’t when they first had sex. You mean a lot more to me than she does to him. And he knows that, Lash. He knows I wouldn’t be with you casually, that—”

  I love you.

  “—you mean a lot to me. He knows this isn’t just sex, not for either of us. It’s the deepest wound you’ve ever given him, and I helped you do it. That makes me feel bad, because even though he’s an ass, I still care about him.”

  Lash didn’t say anything, or look at me. But he hugged me hesitantly.

  “Nothing is ruined,” I assured him. “I’m happy to be here with you, Lash. God knows, I’ve wanted to be with you again like this since we were together in the Everglades.”

  Lash looked up at me with his snake eyes. But I also saw they were moist, and wondered if he had changed partially to keep tears from falling. I knew better than to say anything about that, or give any sign I’d even noticed.

  “Eat your breakfast,” I said, giving him a smile. “Or I won’t make any more for you, ever. Afterwards, maybe we can finish watching Fantastic Four? I’ve saved it for you and me. I’ve got to see if Richards was able to build that machine in a few weeks.”

  Lash leaned over and kissed me, then he grinned. And the grim moment was broken.

  * * * *

  The rest of that day passed less eventfully. Lash and I eventually got dressed after breakfast. Devlin roused himself enough to join us, likely more to make sure he got equal time with me instead of any real desire to see the end of the Fantastic Four. He’d scented the both of us when we came into the bedroom in our robes, and rolled his eyes, then made some remark to Lash about how he wasn’t wasting any time. But Devlin was grinning when he said it, and Lash had grinned back at him, and kissed me, and told him he was damn right.

  The three of us had been sitting on the couch watching the end of the movie when the phone rang. Lash got up at once to get it. I shot a questioning look at Dev.

  “Gina,” Devlin said to me. “Lash had a standing appointment with her daily for about ten minutes ago. I’m sure she’s calling to see where he is. He’s most likely going to tell her he can go back to seeing her once a week or so for his usual massages.”

  “Did you know?”

  Devlin knew what I meant, and nodded. “I could tell he wasn’t getting enough release,” he said blatantly. “Not that he was getting none. Gina isn’t weresnake though, so I guessed—”

  “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “Lash obviously didn’t want you to know. So what good would it have done to tell you?”

  “None, I guess,” I admitted. “But I wish I’d have known.”

  “Would it have made you love—”

  “Shut up!” I interrupted sternly.

  Devlin’s eyes widened. “Ahh!” he said with relish. “I certainly don’t want to spill any secrets. Though I’d love to see his face when you tell him.”

  “Tell me what?” a tired voice said. “You giving him another Oath, Sar?”

  I looked over to the doorway, and saw that Theo had finally came back upstairs with Terian. There was more than a little blood on him, and his bloody shoes were in his hand. His eyes were still yellow, as he looked at Devlin and me, but I met his eyes this time, and didn’t flinch.

  “Yes, she is,” Devlin purred, his golden eyes burning with pleasure, as he possessively caressed my shoulder. “Though that’s not any of your business anymore, Theo. Why don’t you go use one of the guest room showers, before you track blood all over my carpet? And Terian, no more teleporting in without calling first. Is that understood?”

  Terian rolled his eyes as he nodded assent. Theo just stared, then said nonchalantly, “Thanks, I will. I want to get back home. If you’ll excuse me, Dalcon?”

  Devlin waved his hand, and Theo headed off to the guest rooms without looking back.

  “Sar!” Lash called. “Phone!”

 
I got up, and headed to the kitchen. It was Stephen, and he gave me the name and number of a Mrs. Rosalyn Hyan. “She’s good, especially with young women. Call her tomorrow, Sar, I’m sure she’ll make time for Elle.”

  “Thanks,” I replied, the weight of what had happened crashing back down on me. “I’ll call her tomorrow.”

  I hung up, and turned around to see Lash watching me. But what was unusual was Terian was there in the doorway, and he was studying Lash as if he was looking for something. Lash put up with his scrutiny for about thirty seconds.

  “You got a problem, demon?” Lash hissed, turning to Tears and baring his viper fangs. “Don’t make me think too hard on you, or I’ll remember I promised you a few bullets.”

  “Don’t think too hard. You’ll blow a gasket in that pea brain of yours,” Terian said bitterly.

  Lash bristled immediately, and put his hand on his whip. “I don’t care who your father is,” he hissed angrily. “I’m going to kick your ass!”

  “Lash, please,” I said, stepping between them. “Terian, how is Elle? I left her a note and tried to visit this morning and left another message with Cia, but it’s late afternoon already and I’ve heard nothing. Is she still sleeping or is she with Jenny or one of the werefoxes right now?” I was going to go see her right now anyway, but it was better to know what I was walking into.

  Tears looked at me sadly. Lash eased back against the wall, his arms folded across his chest, his eyes on Terian.

  “She cried as soon as she woke up an hour ago,” Terian said. “She said to tell you she’d call you tomorrow, that she needed to not see anyone today. She’s asleep now. I gave her a potion at her request, so she could sleep most of today and tonight. She’s really messed up, Sar.”

  “I’ll call her tomorrow,” I said, feeling terrible. “I’ll make her an appointment today, right now.”

  “Good,” Terian said. “Theo’s messed up over it, too. He blames himself for not watching her better. And seeing you with Lash this morning didn’t help.”

  “Demon, I’m done warning you,” Lash hissed.

  “But I’m glad you’re together,” Terian said in a pained whisper.

  It was hard to tell who was more surprised, Lash or me. Both our mouths dropped open.

  “Take good care of her,” Terian said, fixing his eyes on Lash. “Or I’ll be coming to kick your ass, Lash. And there won’t be anything left of you when I’m done but smoke and ashes.”

  Lash blinked, then shut his mouth and nodded. “Fair enough.”

  “I’ll go wait for Theo,” Terian said, walking out. “He shouldn’t take long. Good-bye Sar.”

  “‘Bye,” I mumbled, wondering at his change of heart.

  Lash came over and hugged me. “Why did he say that? He’s never liked me.”

  “I don’t understand it, either,” I said, shrugging.

  “Are you coming back to finish the movie or not?” Devlin called from the other room.

  We headed back to sit with Devlin. Venus had joined him on the couch, and she was sitting on his lap. She looked at Lash and me with a little curiosity, her golden eyes interested as she scented the air. I picked her up, and settled her down on my lap as I sat between them.

  “Mom, Dad said you are going to live here for good,” Venus said happily.

  “That’s right,” I affirmed, glancing at Devlin, who resembled the cat who’d eaten the cream.

  “I’m glad,” she said, a huge smile breaking over her face. “I don’t want you not to live here, like you used to. I’d miss you, if you went to live somewhere else again.”

  “So would I,” Lash hissed softly, as he leaned over and gently kissed my neck.

  “And I,” Devlin murmured, his eyes hot. “I think—”

  “Can we play a game, now the movie is over?” Venus said excitedly.

  I almost burst out laughing, from the stymied look on Devlin’s face. “A short one,” I said with a smile. “Go grab one, and bring it into the kitchen.”

  “I’ll go with you, and help you pick one, V,” Lash said, picking her up from my lap, and setting her on her feet. He took her hand, and before long, they were back with the board game Peanut Butter and Jelly.

  Devlin protested feebly, but he was a good sport. Venus won, of course, though Lash came close to beating her. Devlin lost the worst, but then his thoughts weren’t on the game at all.

  Before long, I tucked V in, and she gave me a good night kiss. At that moment, I realized something. Lash and Dev are waiting for me, but they can wait a little longer.

  “Venus, repeat after me,” I said seriously. “Please?” She looked at me oddly, but nodded. I recited, “Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep.” She said the words after me, frowning a little in concentration.

  “Am I going to die like Devon?” she said softly, when we’d finished. “Are you worried?”

  She reminded me so much of Elle in that moment I had to clear my throat a few times, before I could speak.

  “No,” I assured her. “You’ll live longer than most weres or humans, V. But it’s way past time you knew about God, and I learned this prayer, when I was little. I’d like to say it with you from now on, at night, if you wouldn’t mind.”

  “I don’t want anyone to have my soul but me,” Venus said defiantly. “It’s mine.”

  “You’ll have it all your life,” I guaranteed her. “If you should die, your soul will leave your body, and go to Heaven. The same thing will happen to Lash, or to your father, if they should ever die.” I’m not really lying here, I hope.

  “Or you?”

  “Or me.”

  “But then who would take care of me?” she asked, and her voice broke a little. “If you were all gone?”

  She was growing up so fast, faster than T had. It was time I was the mother I had always lamented I wasn’t, and stopped relying on others for life lessons that were my place to teach my children.

  “Your brother, T, or Titus, or Terian, or even Theo would, if something happened to the three of us,” I said in my best reassuring voice. “But nothing is going to happen, V. Not to us, and not to you. We are going to live here together and be happy for a long, long time.”

  “Are you always going to smell like Lash, like you sometimes smell like Dad?”

  “Yes,” I answered, hugging her. “And if you need your Dad or me in the night, don’t be surprised to find Lash in our bedroom, all right?”

  “Okay,” she said, somewhat annoyed. “But he has his own room. Is someone else in his room now? Why do I have to sleep in my own room if he doesn’t? He’s a man.”

  I couldn’t help cracking a smile. “Sometimes he might be in his room. I—”

  “I heard him this morning in your room, making the noises you and Dad usually make.”

  I swallowed some saliva and coughed a little. I’d forgotten her hearing was so acute. “You’ll hear him and your father make those sounds probably most every night,” I said, making myself say the words. “And you may hear me. Don’t be afraid, or worried, because no one is being hurt, V. And if you need your father, or Lash, or me, for any reason, just knock on the door. It doesn’t matter what sounds you hear, if you need me or your dad, come to us.”

  “All right,” she said, nodding and settling herself down into bed.

  “Now get some sleep,” I said. “I love you.”

  “Love you too, Mom.”

  I turned off her light, and shut the door with relief, hoping I was doing the right thing. But Native Americans had done okay, living in one room and children hearing everything, and seeing it, too. It was probably still done in cultures today, just not with any of the people I knew. Besides, the only alternative would be soundproofing and that might be dangerous, if she called out in the night needing us and Devlin or Lash were unable to hear her.

  I went into Devlin’s bedroom, and found him and Lash lying in bed naked, leering smiles on their faces. Or maybe they were laughing because they had overheard my conversation with V.


  Giving them both an aloof look, I went past them to the bathroom, shed my clothes, dressed in my robe, and got ready for bed. Emerging from the bathroom, I stepped to the edge of the bed. Lash undid my robe, and slipped it off my shoulders. Grabbing my waist with his hands, he pulled me into the middle of them. Devlin kissed me roughly, touching my hot skin with his cool hands. Lash’s warm hands parted my thighs. His tongue caressed my labia gently, seeking entrance. I moaned loudly as I felt his tongue tweak my clit once, then slip inside me, and began stroking.

  “Sarelle,” Devlin whispered seductively, his eyes hot molten gold, almost glowing in the darkness. “I’ve long wanted to watch you in my arms, as he had you this way.”

  I was already beginning to jerk under Lash’s skillful administrations, unable to restrain soft cries of arousal. Devlin kissed my neck gently, but he mostly watched me, his own excitement growing at my aroused cries and shuddering body, as I grew more frantic and anxious for release. As much as I wanted it to last, Lash was too good for me to be able to withstand him for long. I came screaming loudly, my hands in Lash’s hair, his hands holding my hips tightly, not letting me get away until he had left me weak and shaking, covered with sweat.

  Lash kissed his way up from my thatch to my throat, as he had done those many months ago. He pushed his hips tight to mine, driving into me with a possessive hiss. He lasted only a few seconds before he came, shouting my name. He slipped out of me, and then Devlin was rolling me onto him, panting hard, and he drove the full length of himself into me with a savage cry. Reeling from my first orgasm, I welcomed Dev eagerly, pushing his rhythm from slow and gentle to fast and hard, wanting the sheer pleasure of being filled over and over to last even as I clawed my way to a second release. Too soon he was coming, groaning as he jetted into me, and I climaxed again, pushing my hips down on his as I yelled exultantly over and over. I collapsed on him as our orgasms ebbed and he hugged me to him.

  “I love you,” he said softly, looking up at me affectionately.

  “I love you, too,” I said quietly, feeling very, very self-conscious.