Releasing Chaos

by Lexi Ander

  Come on. Come on. Come on. I breathed again into his mouth, pushing chanted words into him.

  "Gregori, see to Brian. Jory, I need you to do chest compressions," I said when I raised up to gasp for more air.

  "Tristan—"

  I cut off Gregori angrily, "Do it now!"

  After taking in a huge breath, I leaned over Stan to deliver the air to him. When I raised up, Jory started chest compressions. I stared into Stan's open unseeing eyes, waiting for a change. I held Stan's flame tight in my metaphorical fingers. "Please, please, please," I begged. I shouldn't have let Brian go. What was I thinking by sending Stan along? Too many people relied on him. My dragon pushed forward, rumbling possessively.

  I sealed my lips over his, feeling his flame tugging to get away, but I refuse to let go.

  "Come on, you stubborn bastard. Take a breath and I'll give you anything you want. Don't make me go home and tell the kids I sent you to your death. They've already had it tough. They need you. Randy needs you. What about Theo? Aren't you romancing him in your own weird way? Please breathe."

  I blew again, again, and again. Tears stung my eyes and I couldn't see, but I didn't stop. Without warning, Stan's flame pushed into me instead of pulling away as it had been. A whisper brushed against my mind. "For Theo." And as I blew, the flame reentered Stan's body.

  He gasped, drawing in a long, ragged breath before coughing and wheezing. Stan's heart thumped sporadically before evening out. After using the Earth to sweep him one more time to ensure I hadn't missed an injury, I finally released the magic. Resting my forehead on Stan's chest, I gathered myself together again.

  "Stubborn asshole," Stan rasped.

  "I know you are, but what am I?" I replied back childishly.

  He cupped the back of my head. "Thank you."

  I couldn't speak anymore, otherwise I'd break down in front of a room full of strangers who probably didn't want to see their king cry.

  "God dammit! Somebody tell me if Stan's okay! Stupid asshole was supposed to move, not catch me like a football." Brian's voice turned more strident with each passing second.

  "Who's stupid?" Stan barked back, his voice sounding like he'd gargled nails but gaining strength. "I'm not the one who transformed while flying."

  When I sat back on my heels, Jory helped Stan sit up. Rising to my feet, I circled around until I could see Brian lying between Ushna and Gregori. A warm glow surrounded Gregori as he held Brian's forearm: a large gash slowly knitted back together. Ushna not only held Brian's free hand but also gripped his bare shoulder, as if terrified Brian would slip away. The harrowing expression in Ushna's eyes told me he was ready to break apart.

  I scanned Brian's nude form, searching for injuries. The relief that washed through me when I realized he'd really be all right caused my legs to wobble. For a brief moment, I wanted to strangle Brian for making me worry, and demand he didn't do so again. As quickly as the emotion rose, the anger dissipated. I wanted to sink back down next to Brian and take him in my arms. Maybe squeeze the life out of him and steal his breath with kisses. Unfortunately, there were things needing to be done.

  When I turned to Bixx, he and Corey waited for me. To Bixx, I asked, "I heard you say the gates could be shut down."

  He nodded. "They can. All of them in this region have been deactivated. They can't even be used to travel to each other. We are safe here for the time being."

  I propped my hands on my hips and I stared at the ground, thinking, planning. Glancing at Brian and Stan, I knew they'd need to rest before we traveled home.

  "We need rooms for a night and day. If the Ophidians can spare us a meal, I'd be grateful."

  "Certainly." Bixx snapped his fingers and people rushed forward to help Brian and Stan rise. I watched as they were led away until I couldn't see them anymore. Pushing Ushna to go with them, I surrendered briefly to his kiss before he followed Brian.

  Leora and those grouped around her caught my eye. I raked my gaze over the humans. There were only nine, and I wondered if others had been left behind. When Leora caught me staring, she immediately bowed low. The other scorpion-men quickly followed her lead. As I approached, they didn't rise. The humans clustered close together, watching me with trepidation. A couple blanched when I met their gaze. I barely refrained from touching the scar that ran across my face. I hadn't put on my eyepatch so my otherness was on display for their gawking stares.

  "Tristan." Corey stepped in front of me with a damp cloth. "Let me," he said even as he wiped my face. The material came away stained red and pink, reminding me I'd actually injured Marduk. I must've appeared a gruesome sight. No wonder the humans looked sick.

  I glanced at the gate. Someone had laid a cloth over the large severed finger. In a deep dark place within me, I was supremely gleeful Marduk would carry my mark. He'd reached for what didn't belong to him and in return I took something from him. Next time, I wouldn't stop with a finger.

  Dragging my gaze away from the sight, I approached Leora, withholding a sigh because she was still bowed. I placed my palm on the back of her head. "Please rise and tell me all."

  As she spoke, my mind kept drifting back to Brian and Ushna. Soon I'd join them and we'd return home. Even though I was angry, mostly with myself, I was also thankful I didn't have to tell Justus, Dawn, Neoma, and even Theo that the mission I'd sent Stan on… No, I wouldn't have to deliver news of death.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  "This is Isabell Chavez for International News at Eight. We're getting some perplexing footage from Hillah, Iraq. I've watched all the video sent to us regarding the disturbance over the ancient Babylon ruins. Our first reports indicated someone used explosives at an archaeological dig but was quickly replaced by several videos taken on cellphones. I'm not sure what to say. It appears a giant is fighting with a… is that a dragon? I'm going to let the video speak for itself and then bring in three specialists at the top of the hour to unravel whether what we are seeing is real or fake."

  Ushna Ahura-Yazda

  Once I caught up to Brian, I slipped my shoulder under his arm and we followed the Ophidian escorts to our temporary rooms. The longer we walked, the more strength Brian gained, until he was standing on his own. This was the first test of our demi-God nature. The swiftness with which Brian healed was heartening—even as my temper boiled on the inside.

  "We have kept up the Royal quarters in hopes that… Well, that day has come to pass," our guide was saying as he pushed open an ornately carved door. Before I entered, a staying hand was placed on my sleeve.

  I glanced to the Ophidian who wore a dark blue cowl covering his face with the exception of his eyes. The sight jogged memories from other reincarnations. The Ophidians who wore the yellow cowls were the master guardians, the Kenwards, the ones who held all the secrets of each gate. The red cowls were only worn by two people: the Adons who led the general Ophidian fighters. But those who wore blue where the Vikrum, the deadliest of all the order, assassins who never failed at the task given to them. Their faces were covered at all times, only their eyes revealed. None but other assassins knew their identities. Their name and lineage was never revealed, even after death.

  Stepping back, I allowed the Vikrum to enter the room. He prowled through like a predator on a hunt, the danger emanating from him almost a physical touch, and a shiver worked up my spine as I watched. Once he was satisfied no danger lurked, he exited with our guide. "It has been an honor."

  After Brian entered, I closed the door and leaned against it to watch him stretch and wander around the room. "Do you realize how frantic Tristan and I have been?" How many times did we have to tell him he mattered to us, that we weren't whole without him, before he thought of us before he acted?

  "I didn't expect you and Tristan to be here." Brian moved within arm's reach and I grabbed him, shoving him against the wall.

  "What the hell were you thinking!" My anger boiled over. Brian gazed at me, eyes impossibly large. I never lost my temper. Tristan was the hot
head, not me, and yet here I was ready to rage.

  "That the humans would have been retaken if I hadn't distracted Marduk. I was the only one capable of holding him at bay."

  I shook him. How blind could he be? "What if something had happened to you? What then?"

  "But I'm fine," he said soothingly. His words only made me angrier.

  "What if you weren't? Are you okay with leaving Tristan and me again? Do you not want to be here? With us?" My vision switched over to shades of gray, my beast prowling close to the surface. If I didn't get a hold of myself, I'd transform, and I wasn't sure if my Lupe or my dragon would emerge. Either would be a disaster.

  Suddenly afraid I'd hurt Brian, I released him and took several steps back, staring at my claw-tipped fingers. The skin on the back of my hands rolled between fur and scales over and over again, as if the dragon and wolf battled for the right to emerge.

  "You're scared." Brian said softly. He hadn't moved from where I'd pressed him against the wall. His expression turned from bewildered to sad. "My intention wasn't to cause you or Tristan to worry. I wanted—no, I needed to do something, to contribute. Don't you think I'm terrified about losing either one of you? At night I wake up in a cold sweat after dreaming of the incarnations where I was forced to live without you."

  When he pushed off the wall, I backed up another step, growling under my breath. "You can't be reckless, facing a God without us by your side. Even Gilgamesh needed Enkidu to overcome the two they faced."

  Brian took another step toward me and I glared at him. The image of the black dragon trapped under his skin rippled with each step he took. His nudity beckoned me to touch.

  "I didn't come on this mission to confront Marduk. But we knew there was a possibility I'd run into him. That danger was always there."

  I tensed, wanting to pounce on Brian, to remind him how important he was to me, to Tristan. But I held on to my self-control by the barest of threads. If I approached him now, I could hurt him.

  Instead of advancing on me as I anticipated, Brian turned and crossed to the massive bed sitting on a tiered platform. On the wall above the carved headboard was a long niche holding several glass vials. Brian grabbed one, removing the stopper to sniff.

  "I think you need to claim me, Ushna. Remind me who I belong to." He glanced up and grinned when I growled louder.

  It took all the strength I possessed not to stalk over and do just that. Oh, Goddess, how I needed him. My cock was so hard I hurt, but I didn't dare touch myself, not yet.

  Instead of climbing onto the bed, he took the vial and moved to the sturdy couch in the quaint sitting area. Pouring oil onto his fingertips, he set the bottle on a side table, grasped the back of the sofa with one hand, and twisted around to run his slick fingers over his hole. All the while he held my gaze, the need, the desire staring back at me making my knees tremble.

  My beast pushed forward harder, more insistent, needing reassurance from Brian just as much as I did. The scent of Brian's arousal filled the room. The sight of him plunging two fingers into his hole had me tearing at my shirt. I was so hot, burning in an inferno I couldn't see but definitely felt.

  "Ushna," Brian gasped. "I need you."

  My snarl turned into a hiss as I shucked my pants and crossed the room.

  "Yes!" Brian grasped the back of the couch with both hands and arched his back. "Now, please!"

  The cloying need to take him pressed down on me, scales rippled over my body with each step. Grabbing Brian roughly, I pressed my chest to his back, my dick falling into the oily cleft between his ass cheeks. Wrapping my arms around him, I humped against his backside, not yet penetrating him, drinking in how his skin felt against mine. How he smelled. I plucked at his nipples and sucked up a mark on the back of his nape, his blond curls tickling my nose.

  Pulling back, I probed his ass with the head of my cock, loathing the need to let go of him long enough to guide myself in. But before I could, Brian reached underneath, and for a second, I thought he was twisting away from my hold. I growled, clamping down on his shoulder with my teeth, not quite breaking the skin.

  "I'm not going anywhere, just let me…" His hand on my cock made me groan. Then he pushed back and the head of my dick was engulfed in searing warmth. I needed more. When I shoved all the way in, Brian cursed and groaned. Immediately, I stilled, terrified I'd injured him.

  "Don't you dare stop."

  I took him at his word. With each thrust I lost a bit of myself, until I pounded into him with quick, sharp thrusts. unable to let him go, I spread my scent over him, snarling against the skin of his shoulder that I held between my teeth. My world narrowed down to the sound of the smack of flesh against flesh, the smell of sex, and the erotic sounds Brian made.

  "Oh God, I need… I need…"

  I could only make guttural noises, more animal than man as I attempted to brand myself on Brian's skin. I heard the door open and close, but I was too far gone to care who'd walked in. Let them watch me take Brian, stamp my claim on him, making him mine in the most primal of ways.

  Brian was oblivious, writhing under me and pushing back to meet my thrust, still chanting, "I need…"

  Tristan's scent, followed by his intoxicating arousal, hit me and Brian at the same time. Brian keened, and I released his flesh to glance up. Tristan's shirt was gone, and his pants shoved down far enough to release his cock and balls. He knelt on the couch cushion in front of Brian, his erection standing hard and proud until Brian eagerly opened his mouth and swallowed Tristan down.

  Too focused on pounding Brian's ass and watching Tristan's cock disappear into his mouth, I was startled when Tristan cupped the back of my head. Looking into his knowing gaze, I choked on a sob. When he leaned forward, I opened my mouth to accept his devouring kiss. Being buried in Brian's ass and Tristan making love to my mouth threw me over the edge. I came so hard I saw stars. I was turned inside out, their love scouring away my hurt and anger, even my fear, leaving me drained.

  When Tristan pulled back from the kiss, panting for breath, he searched my eyes and grinned. "There you are."

  Brian whimpered around Tristan's cock when I gently pulled out. Tristan withdrew from Brian's mouth and pulled him up for a brief kiss before he pushed Brian into my arms. Brian took my lips eagerly, whispering apologies every time he came up for air. I kissed him until my lips tingled and my overheated skin cooled. When we finally parted, I was no longer frantic.

  Tristan flopped back on the couch, dick in his hand and his pants still around his knees. Brian moaned when I reached down and grasped the hard column of flesh between his legs. I'd come, but he hadn't. After giving him a teasing stroke, I pushed him toward Tristan. He climbed over the back of the low couch, impaling himself on Tristan's cock. He rode Tristan with a desperation I'd never seen in him before.

  Even though Tristan had seemed calm, his canines were evident when he gritted his teeth. His claws pierced Brian where Tristan held his hips, giving evidence that under the surface, he was far from at ease. Snarling, Tristan grabbed Brian, rolling them off the couch onto the thick rug. He pressed Brian's thighs to his chest and let loose, pounding into Brian, releasing a rolling growl. Brian screamed as he came, neck straight and corded. Tristan lunged forward and bit Brian, the smell of blood telling me he'd administered a claiming bite.

  "I didn't realize. I'm so sorry. So sorry." Brian babbled, wrapping his arms around Tristan as Tristan shuddered with his release.

  Leaving their sides for a moment, I discovered there was no plumbing but found a towel and an urn of water. I filled the wide-mouth bowl and prepared the cloths to take back to Tristan and Brian. When I returned, they hadn't moved. Kneeling next to them, I cleaned them.

  "Next time," Tristan said, rising to his feet. We both reached down and took one of Brian's hands and pulled him up. "Next time, either all three of us go, or none of us does."

  Like a mama cat with her kittens, I led them to the massive bed, holding each by the nape of their neck. I needed
to stay in contact with them, be near them.

  Brian practically belly flopped onto the mattress, fresh bruises around his hips as well and a very large mark on his neck and shoulder where I'd gnawed on his skin. I couldn't bring myself to feel bad for bruising him. Besides, he'd encouraged me.

  Tristan lay on the far side of Brian and we snuggled with him between us. The mixture of Tristan's and my scent on Brian's skin finally soothed my beast, and he withdrew completely.

  "I'm sorry. I get it now." Brian mumbled into the pillow. "I almost killed Stan." When his breath hitched, I stroked his back. Tristan carded his fingers through Brian's hair, lending comfort as Brian sniffled softly.

  A quick rap came at the door and before I could rise, Gregori stuck his head in. "We aren't interrupting anything, are we?"

  "No," I replied, lifting up on an elbow. "Who's we?"

  Gregori open the door and ushered in Stan and Jory. "We were hoping…"

  He didn't need to say anything more. We already knew. Lycans thrived on touch, and today had been a harrowing and stressful one. I motioned for them to come and join us. Hell, the bed was enormous and could easily accommodate ten people. They stripped to their underwear. Stan noticeably moved more slowly and carefully than Jory or Gregori.

  Brian rolled over and held his hand out to Stan, his red-rimmed eyes brimmed with unshed tears. Stan didn't hesitate but crawled next to him, cuddling into his side. Gregori moved between me and Brian while Jory took up the other side with Tristan. I pulled the blanket draped at the end of the bed over us, and Gregori whispered a couple of words that put out the fire in all the lamps but a couple.

  I heard Brian speaking to Stan, thanking him, making Stan promise to never die, telling all of us how much he loved us. Gregori's body shook with silent sobs. Mine were stuck in the back of my throat, clawing at my esophagus until my insides felt raw and exposed. The sight of Stan's body, crushed from the impact, would never leave me. Yes, I remembered the horrors I'd lived through in my other lives, but this was my present, my now. I had no intention of losing any of these men who shared my life, who were as close to me as brothers. The Gods couldn't have them, not this time around. They were mine and I'd do anything to keep them with me.