Fate [The Angel Pack 14] (Siren Publishing Menage Amour ManLove)

by Maggie Walsh

  “It’s okay, Kia. No one here will harm us. I told you, this is our new family,” Shay whispered for only Kia to hear.

  The Prime turned and introduced them to everyone in the room, and Kia returned their smiles. There was no way he was ever going to remember all their names. Then the most beautiful man he had ever seen stepped closer, extending his hand, with a friendly, welcoming smile on his face.

  “And this is Jesse Angel, my mate,” Micah announced. Kia could hear the pride and love in his voice.

  “Welcome, Shay, Kia,” Jesse said as they each shook his hand.

  Kia felt his cheeks heat up with embarrassment as he stared at Jesse like a fangirl and shook his hand like he was touching the hand of a god. But then again, that is who the Heart was, wasn’t he? A demigod.

  “It’s very nice to meet you,” Shay and Kia said in unison.

  “You both look a little cold. Would you like some coffee, tea, or maybe a hot chocolate?”

  “That’s very kind of you, but we don’t want to be a bother,” they said in unison.

  “Shit, they even say the same things. Are you twins?” a tall, slim, cute guy asked. Kia couldn’t remember all their names, but he thought this guy was Shelby.

  “No, we are not twins,” he and Shay answered.

  “Could have fooled me. You look almost exactly alike and talk at the same time, saying the same words,” Shelby said.

  “How about you come in, take off your coats, and stay awhile,” Micah offered.

  Shay squeezed Kia’s hand again before he released it, then they both moved in sync as they stripped off their outerwear. “Here, I’ll take those,” Taylor said as he stepped closer and took their coats, hats, and gloves.

  “You said you had been walking all day. You must be cold and tired. Are you sure we can’t get you anything?” Micah asked.

  Kia’s stomach growled and he felt his cheeks heat up again. Shay laughed softly and took his hand. “We haven’t eaten in awhile, but we’re fine.”

  Jesse’s brows rose and his eyes filled with concern. “How long is awhile?”

  Kia and Shay looked at each other, then back to Jesse. “A few days,” they answered.

  “A few days?” Jesse responded in surprise. “Come and take a seat. I’ll get you something to eat.”

  “You can have our seats, we’re heading upstairs,” a bear of a man said as he and another large man next to him stood from their places at the counter.

  “Yeah, and we know why,” Taylor said to them and wiggled his eyebrows. “We’ll send food.” Everyone chuckled as the duo clasped hands and walked from the room.

  “Please have a seat while I get you something to eat and you can tell us why you’re here,” Jesse said and moved to the fridge.

  He and Shay stepped forward, walked to the now vacant chairs, and sat. “Are you sure you’re not twins? Because you move in perfect sync,” Shelby asked.

  Kia looked down, embarrassed to be the center of attention of all these powerful men. Micah cleared his throat. “You said you were looking for Cass. Is he expecting you?”

  “No. We’ve never met him,” Shay answered.

  “If you’ve never met him, then why are you looking for him?” Dante, the vampire king, asked. Kia knew who some of these men were already because of Shay’s stories and descriptions of them. And King Dante with his pale skin, vibrant eyes, and air of authority was hard to forget.

  “We have something that Castiel wants, but thought he lost,” Shay answered.

  “And what is that?”

  Kia turned to look at the gorgeous man with the sandy-blond hair who was sitting on another man’s lap, and smiled when their gazes met.

  “You are Christian, correct?” Shay asked.

  “Yes. And I am also Cass’s best friend. I don’t remember him telling me about something he lost.”

  “Well, he only thought he lost it, but he didn’t,” Shay answered.

  Jesse stepped up to the opposite side of the counter and placed two plates of food in front of them. Kia’s eyes went wide from the amount he was given, and his stomach grumbled. It all looked so good and smelled delicious. Jesse gave them each silverware and a glass of milk. “Please eat.”

  He and Shay picked up their forks and began eating. Kia’s eyes closed and rolled into the back of his head at the wonderful flavors that washed over his tongue. Kia couldn’t remember the last time he had a pot roast, and this was the best he ever ate. It was nice and hot and warmed him from the inside.

  After he and Shay were halfway through their meal, the questions started again.

  “So, if you have never met Cass, then how do you know he lost something that he thought he lost but didn’t?” Christian asked.

  Shay placed his fork on the plate and wiped his mouth with a napkin, then looked at Christian with a soft smile. “I have seen it in my visions.”

  “You have visions? What kinds? I mean, Dale has visions of what is to come within the next few minutes, and Papa Angel has visions of future events, but never knows when they will happen,” Taylor said.

  “My visions are more than that. I can see my future, as well as Kia’s and a few others. I don’t always see the full future. Like I can’t see what happens twenty years from now.”

  “And you saw Cass lose something?” Christian asked.

  “No. I saw Castiel give up something very precious to him, for all of you,” Shay replied.

  “Cass gave up something for us? What would that be?” Gabriel asked.

  “His mate,” Shay said simply.

  A few gasps filled the room. Kia watched as everyone stared at Shay in horror. Micah gave Jesse a strange look and his mate returned it with one of his own, filled with understanding.

  “Stop,” a strong male voice came from behind them.

  Kia turned in his seat as Shay did, and they both looked to the voice. God’s, the man was gorgeous.

  The man stepped farther into the room, his gaze boring into them as his jaw clenched. “I’m not sure who you are, but I can say you don’t know what you’re talking about,” he stated emphatically.

  “Cass, we thought you weren’t going to make it home until tomorrow,” Gabriel said.

  So, this was Castiel Angel? The man was so big and beautiful. He had to be at least six foot three and built all muscly, and strong. His short, shaggy brown hair looked so soft, and those deep green eyes were stunning. Kia especially liked the tightly shorn, scruffy beard, and wondered how it would feel against his skin.

  “I thought I was stuck there as well with the snowstorm, but the plows were out in full force on the Interstate and things started moving, so I figured I would just keep going,” Cass explained softly, without taking his eyes off of Kia and Shay.

  “These gentlemen are here to see you, Cass. This is Shay and Kia,” Micah introduced. Cass said nothing, only nodded slightly as he studied them.

  Shay gave Castiel a big smile and stood. “We have come a very long way to meet you.”

  “Really? And why is that?” Castiel asked. Kia could hear the suspicion in his voice. He was beginning to get very nervous. Maybe Shay had been wrong about this man.

  “We have something for you. Something you―”

  “I heard. Something you think I lost.”

  “Something we know you think you lost. Something you willingly sacrificed out of love,” Shay answered.

  “And how do you know this?” Castiel asked, his voice cracking slightly. Kia could see the raw emotion in Castiel’s eyes. He knew what Shay was talking about, but he didn’t want the others to know.

  “I have seen you all in my visions for a very long time. I saw as each of you have met your mates. I have seen all your battles, loss, and heartbreak. I was just waiting for my time to come before I came to you,” Shay replied.

  “Your time to come?” Taylor asked.

  Shay looked to Taylor. “Yes. Everything happens in its own time, for its own reasons. Even though I knew who you were and where you were,
it was not my time to come yet. I needed to take care of other things first. Like finding Kia.”

  “So, then you two aren’t twins,” Shelby stated.

  “No,” Shay said with a chuckle. “I searched for two years to find Kia. Then when I did, it took me a little while to convince him of the things I can do. We have been together for about a year now.”

  “And what things can you do, Shay?” Jesse asked.

  “As I said, I have visions, but they are not normal visions, more like prophecies. I can also see the beast inside someone. I look at each of you and I can see your animal. I know where mates are, and I…” Shay stopped and looked to Kia. Kia could see the hesitancy in his love’s eyes. Kia grabbed his hand, lending his support. He knew Shay would tell them everything, but he was still scared. Once people found out all that Shay could do, most people tried to use him.

  “What?” Castiel asked suspiciously.

  Kia gave Shay a loving smile, then turned to face Castiel. “Shay cannot lie.”

  “Wait, what?” Taylor and Shelby said at the same time.

  “I cannot tell a lie. I am physically unable to lie,” Shay whispered and looked down.

  Kia knew he was hiding his shame. Shame he should not have. Kia pulled Shay into his arms and held him tight. “You have nothing to be ashamed of, Shay. It is who you are. And I think you are right. I think your secrets are safe here.”

  “Of course, they are, Shay,” Micah said as he stepped closer. “No one here would ever hurt you, unless you meant one of us or others harm. But I don’t think you would hurt anyone willingly.”

  Shay’s head snapped up. His wide eyes met the Prime’s. “No, Prime. I would never hurt anyone. I am an omega. I can’t hurt anyone, unless I am protecting others.”

  “You’re an omega? But I don’t smell wolf on you,” Christian stated.

  Shay pulled from Kia’s embrace but held his hand as he faced the others. “I am a fennec fox, but I am also an omega. Each breed of animal shifter has an omega—it’s just that some use different terms for them. It is true. I am unable to lie. I have visions, but they are more like prophecies, I can touch someone and know who and where their mate is, and I can calm anyone with my touch,” Shay confessed.

  “Wow. So, wait. You came here to tell Cass where his mate is? But I thought you said you needed to touch someone to do that?” Shelby asked.

  “But he said he has visions, too. So, you saw Cass in one of your visions and knew where he was, and came here to tell him where his mate is?” Taylor asked questioned.

  “That’s impossible,” Cass whispered.

  Kia and Shay turned their attention back to Castiel. Kia could see the deep sadness within him. “Yes, and no, Taylor. I had visions of all of you, and because of those visions, I knew this is where I needed to come. Where I belong. But it wasn’t my time yet. I needed to find Kia first and bring him with me. And it’s not impossible, Castiel. You selflessly gave up your mate willingly for all of them―”

  “I said stop!” Castiel hissed as he stepped closer.

  “They don’t know, do they?” Shay asked in a whisper.

  “What are you talking about? Cassy, what does he mean you willingly gave up your mate for us?” Raffy asked in concern.

  Castiel blew out a harsh breath as he ran his fingers through his hair. “Nothing, Raff. They don’t know what they’re talking about.”

  “But Shay can’t lie,” Gabe pointed out.

  “How do we know that? Because he says so?” Cass argued.

  Kia’s heart was hurting from Castiel’s anger and distrust of them. He just wanted to drag Shay away from here and go find somewhere else for them to live out their lives.

  “No, Kia. We cannot do that. We must stay. It’s not Castiel’s fault he’s suspicious of us. He’s just confused,” Shay said softly.

  “So, Cass gave up his mate for us, so that’s why he thinks he lost something. But he’s wrong, and you are here to help him find his mate,” Christian said.

  “Yes,” Shay answered.

  “Really?” Castiel spat in disbelief. “Then if that is true, where is he?”

  Shay gave Castiel another one of those bright smiles of his. “Come closer.” Castiel’s head tilted slightly as his brow furrowed.

  “He needs to touch you, Cass,” Taylor said.

  Cass hesitantly stepped closer, then stopped when he stood three feet before them. “Now what?”

  “Smell,” Shay answered.

  Castiel’s brows now rose into his hairline. “Smell? I thought you needed to touch me?”

  Shay laughed. “I will touch you, make no mistake of that, but first, smell.”

  Castiel narrowed his eyes at Shay, then did as he said. He leaned slightly forward and drew in a deep breath through his nose. His eyes closed as his face relaxed, and he moaned softly. Castiel’s eyes snapped open and he looked at Shay in disbelief.

  “Do you understand now?” Shay asked.

  Castiel kept his gaze on Shay as he nodded. Then his gaze flicked to Kia and Castiel’s eyes widened slightly again with understanding. “My mates.”

  Chapter Two

  They moved swiftly with stealth, twenty sets of legs running and climbing through the terrain like they were on flat ground with nothing in their way, none making a sound. The moon shone high in the sky, giving just the right amount of light. It wasn’t full, but the sky was clear and the area was not populated with humans, so there were no lights of a city to impede the glow coming from above, allowing the moonbeams to help in their search.

  They were getting close. Sasha didn’t know how he knew, but he could feel it in his gut. There was a presence here that vibrated, getting stronger as they moved closer. The first three places they had searched came up empty, but this one would not be, he just knew it.

  They had been sent out by the council four days ago to hunt down the evil Nephilim, using the memories of Liam’s former life to check on the locations that he could remember. He, Nicco, Ryx, Valor, and a few others, along with four of the top trainees from the facility, moved through the brush as the terrain lifted at a steep angle, but none of them slowed. Sasha watched the trainee named Banyon, who ran beside him, as the beast of a man moved up the hillside, eating up the distance as if it were nothing.

  Once they reached the top, Ryx held up his hand, halting them. Everyone stopped immediately and stood silently, controlling their breathing as Ryx turned his head one way, then the other, listening intently. Ryx raised his head and sniffed the air, then turned and looked to him, Ryx gave him the signal. Sasha had been right; their prey was close.

  Now slowing their movements, they each crept along, eyes searching, ears homed in to any sound. As they advanced about fifty yards, it hit them, the stench of rot and sulfur. A faint glow could be seen coming through the trees, and it grew brighter the closer they moved to it.

  Sasha gave the signal for everyone to crouch low and stay unnoticed. They gathered close as they observed the movement around the large fire about twenty-five yards away. Sasha counted ten of the large beasts mulling around as two others sat close to the fire. It looked as if they were cooking something.

  “Why would they be cooking the meat of a deer?” Ryx asked absently.

  “Is that a strange thing?” Nicco asked.

  “Yes. These evil beasts don’t cook their kill before they eat it. It wastes time.”

  “That’s just gross,” the trainee named Jazz whispered.

  Ryx looked to the young cheetah and smiled. Sasha knew that look. The man was about to school Jazz on something even worse. Sasha laughed internally. He got such a kick out of the fierce Legion Warrior. Ryx and his best friend Laylen loved to joke and tease, playing practical jokes on each other and anyone else they could, and he knew from the glint in Ryx’s eyes, that he was about to tell the young trainee something he would never forget.

  “If you think that’s bad, you should see what they do before they eat it. Usually they rub the blood on their bodies,
bathing in it. Some pull out the intestines and wrap it around their necks, wearing it like a medal,” Ryx whispered, but his voice was very intense and dramatic.

  Sasha wanted to burst out laughing as he watched all the trainees’ eyes go wide and fill with fear and disgust as their faces paled. Jazz looked like he was about to run and hurl behind a tree. Nicco struggled to hold in the laugh, but a small snort escaped before he put his hand over his mouth. But it was too late, the trainees heard it and all looked to him, seeing the laughter in the vampire’s eyes.

  “Fuck. He’s just messing with us,” Banyon whispered as he smiled and shook his head.

  “Asshole,” Jazz huffed and turned away.

  Sasha met Ryx’s gaze. The two laughed silently and Sasha shook his head. Since Laylen found his mates and spent less time with Ryx, the warrior had spent more time with Sasha, Colby, and Nicco, and a few others. They were all the unlucky bastards who hadn’t found their mates yet. Their friendships grew closer, and the camaraderie they shared was always a good time.

  A few loud grunts pulled their attention back to the reason they were here. Sasha watched as the two who were cooking the meat stood. The meal was now on a plate, and one of the Nephilim held a knife and fork in his hand as he turned. They watched as he walked in the other direction, then suddenly disappeared into darkness. Sasha turned to Ryx and raised his brow in question.

  “There’s a cave there,” Sasha whispered almost imperceptibly.

  “What, did they finally advance into some manners? What’s with the cooked meat, plate, and utensils?” Nicco asked.

  “Someone is in there. Someone not like them, and very important,” Ryx answered.

  “Do you think it may be Minos?” Valor asked.

  “I don’t know, but I say we find out. Remember, we need to keep at least one of them alive. I say we go in guns blazing and take out the ones out here. Then, however many are inside will come out to see what’s happening and we’ll know what we’re truly up against,” Ryx said.