Deadly Dreams

by Averi Hope

  “That’s funny,” he said, softly. “So do I.”

  She turned, hissing at the pain as she shifted to look at him. His eyes were serious. In fact, the look on his face was almost frightening.

  “Do you mean that?”

  Rage flashed in his eyes as they became more black than brown. “He hurt my mate. He’s going to die. I just need a name.”

  It took her a minute to breathe. “Caleb. You don’t want to get mixed up with this. I don’t plan to just kill him. I plan to make him suffer.”

  A grimace of a smile twisted his lips. “So do I.”

  Her heart squeezed. I was a fool to doubt him. He’ll kill for me without a second thought. But I can’t let him do that.

  They’d never been able to convict a criminal based on what she saw in her dreams. They had to find real-life proof of their crimes. But this man…he deserved to pay for what he’d done to her in his dreams.

  Not that the government would sanction it. What she was doing would look like nothing more than murder. “I’m doing this on my own.” Her voice was hoarse.

  He cupped her cheek. “No, you‘re not.”

  Her breath hitched. He might be tied to me forever, but I don’t deserve him. I’ve already hurt him enough for a lifetime.

  “Your battle is my battle,” he said, his words soft even as his eyes flashed with anger. “You are my mate. You have saved my life, and I’ve saved yours. This time won’t be any different than the others.”

  Except that this time I have a choice whether to put him in danger. And the danger I face… more powerful people than us have died at Ahmed’s hands. Logic says I’ll die, too, but my sacrifice will not be in vain.

  Caleb is blinded by his love for me. He doesn’t realize that if I was a normal human woman none of this would have happened.

  He deserves better than me.

  “You don’t need a freak as a mate. You should have a normal woman with normal problems.”

  “A freak?” His brows rose. “How are you a freak?”

  She closed her eyes. “I was born with issues with my brain. After various operations they were finally able to give me some sort of a normal life, but then I was able to Dream Jump. I’ve seen terrible, terrible things. Things I can’t forget. And I can’t allow you to tie yourself to me until I’ve found a way to make peace with all of it.”

  By making them all pay.

  “Oh, Erin.” He brushed her eyelids, and she opened them almost against her will. “I’m already tied to you. This thing between us…it can never be undone. And I don’t want it to be.”

  He’s right. As much as she might want to distance herself before him before her mission, it wouldn’t matter. If she died, it would impact him the same. So maybe we can both have one last good thing before the world goes to hell.

  Even though his words had only further convinced her not to drag him into her mess.

  “Make love to me.”

  His eyes widened, his gaze going to her lips. “You’re hurt.”

  “So be gentle.”

  He started to shake his head.

  Reaching down, she wrapped her hand around his hard cock, straining against the front of his jeans.

  He clenched his jaw. “Erin. You’re my female. I should be helping you heal, not…”

  She stroked him, slowly, glorying in the feeling of him hardening in her hands.

  He closed his eyes. “I love you. The way you touch me. The way you make me feel.”

  With fumbling fingers, she unbuttoned and unzipped his pants, pulling his cock through the slit of his boxers.

  He gasped. “We can’t.”

  Precum already made his hard tip wet. She slid along him, feeling her own desire growing. This is it, Erin. The last good thing I’ll ever feel. Because if I think I’m going to survive this, I won’t. Enjoy this. Burn the memory of this into my brain.

  “I need something good. Please, Caleb. I’m so tired of hurting. Of remembering the pain.”

  His eyes opened. He brushed a kiss against her lips, his breathing fast. “All right. All right. But gently, sweetheart, gently.”

  “Am I not being gentle?” she asked, squeezing him harder.

  He groaned and pulled her hand away. “It’s been too long for me. I need to stay in control.”

  Very carefully, he undressed himself. Then, he reached for her oversize Starflight Academy shirt. With cautious movements, he slowly removed it from her. It fell to the floor as he stared at her.

  For a minute, she wanted to hide herself from his sight. There are no scars, stupid, she reminded herself. At least not any scars he can see.

  “Is it possible for any female to be this beautiful? You take my breath away,” he murmured, touching his forehead to hers for a moment. “I tried to stay away for so long…but I can’t even remember why. You’re my everything.” Reaching out, his thumb brushed each of her nipples.

  She gasped at the shot of pleasure that went straight to her core. Yes, this is what I need. Pleasure, not pain.

  He lay down beside her and ran a slow hand along the hairs at the nape of her neck, then buried his fingers in her loose, black hair.

  His mouth slanted over hers and pressed down. For a minute, he was gentle, his pressure soft. But when she parted her lips, the pressure grew stronger as his tongue swept into her mouth.

  Her nipples tightened as her head swam and her tongue met his.

  His touch felt so good. So right.

  Then, one hand brushed the side of her body. Goose bumps erupted along her arms, and she arched, begging him to touch her breasts. He sensed her need as his kiss grew more urgent. His hand cupped her breast, squeezing gently before his finger brushed the delicate flesh and started to tease her nipple.

  She gasped, arching, silently asking for more.

  He broke off the kiss, his dark head moving down to catch the nipple in his mouth.

  Explosions of pleasure went off inside her, and she spread her legs slowly, wrapping them around him. She felt her womanhood swelling with need.

  His crafty tongue lapped at her breast, before he took the tender nub between his teeth and bit gently.

  She cried out, burying her hands in his hair, pressing him more closely.

  After a second, his hot mouth left her breast, and she tugged at his head in desperation, trying to get closer.

  Then, his lips closed around her other breast. Her head spun as she grew wetter.

  His touch was everything she needed and more. Gentle. Loving. Intense.

  His thumb brushed at her womanhood. She spread her legs farther as he ran fingers along the bare surface, teasing her.

  “Please,” she begged.

  One finger started to part her outer lips. She bucked against his hand. He shifted, and suddenly she was deliciously aware of his hard manhood pressing against her leg.

  Closing her hand around it, she tore a moan from his lips. As she started to stroke his hard length, she marveled anew at its size. It was large and beautiful, just like Caleb.

  His finger entered her, teasing, brushing everything but her clit.

  She bucked harder, desperate for his touch. She knew she was wet. Hot. And she didn’t care.She slid her hand down his length and back up, gripping him harder.

  “Shit, Erin!” he groaned, his mouth breaking away from her breast. He gasped as she stroked him, his hot breath continuing to tease her nipple.

  His thumb finally found her sensitive nub and she cried out.

  “Please,” she begged again. “I need you. Need you inside me.”

  His hand froze.

  Their gazes met.

  “I don’t want to hurt you.”

  She stroked the stubble on his face, her heart swelling. “You won’t. You can’t. You’re not capable of it.”

  He bushed a soft kiss against her lips. “Tell me what you need. I can go slower. I can do anything you want.” He was positioned over her, hovering but not putting his weight on her.

  “All I want
is you inside me. Your strength. Your heat.” To emphasize her point, she curled her legs higher around his waist and brought him lower.

  To her immense relief, her legs gave only a tiny twinge of protest.

  His cock brushed against the outside of her womanhood. She lifted herself, brushing against him, drawing him deeper. Need sparked from the contact. She felt hot, too hot. She rubbed against him again.

  “Slowly,” he said, through gritted teeth.

  Leaning down, he captured one of her hard nipples in his mouth and sucked.

  She cried out at the distraction, digging her fingers into his hair. Yes! Yes, this is what I needed.

  Painfully slowly, he brought his cock to her entrance and eased himself in, one inch at a time.

  Her body squeezed him as her inner muscles protested the sheer size of him. But she already knew she could take him. She bucked against his manhood, drawing him in deeper as his body shuddered over her.

  He moved to her other nipple as he finally buried himself all the way to his hilt. Staying still, he teased her nipple as she thrashed beneath him. Needing him. Desperate for more.

  When he finally slid out of her, she cried out in pain and pleasure. And then he returned, thrusting into her as they gasped together.

  He entered her over and over again, building her need higher and higher.

  He released her nipple, then pressed his face between her breasts, rubbing the stubble of his jaw gently on the sides of her breasts. The motion nearly sent her over the edge, but she forced it back, wanting to wait for him.

  His thrusting became more frantic as her legs squeezed him, forcing him deeper and harder.

  Heart racing. Head thrown back.

  I can’t hold back any longer.

  She came.

  It was an explosion of pleasure. Her inner muscles squeezed him tightly as he joined her, his hot seed exploding within her as she screamed his name. Every nerve ending was electrified. Her nipples felt swollen, sensitive. Her vision swam.

  For a long time, neither of them moved.

  “That was amazing,” she whispered.

  He raised his head. “Are you sure? I didn’t… I didn’t…”

  “It was perfect.” And it was. Closing her eyes, she stroked his hair until he finally rolled to her side.

  “I love you,” he said into her hair.

  She stilled. Why now? He’s everything I ever wanted. But I can’t stay with him.

  “I love you, too.” As she said the words, she knew they were true to the very deepest part of her soul. She was his only mate – and he was hers.

  Time fled. She held herself perfectly still until his breathing remained even for long enough that she was certain he wasn’t just asleep, but deeply asleep.

  At last, she slowly untangled herself from him. Crossing to her dresser on unsteady legs, she debated showering. No, you should die smelling like him. Leaning against the wall, she put on her bra and underwear, then struggled into her jeans, white shirt, and boots. She was panting when she finished.

  I didn’t want to use it, but it’s the only way.

  Keeping Caleb in her sights, she reached under the bed and pulled out the small case. Inside, she pulled out the two small Muscle Blades she’d kept, and the package of soft leather. Forcing herself to walk across the floor to the bathroom, she slid down the wall, taking deep breaths. This has to work. I can’t wait any longer. Another day, and it’ll be too late.

  Unrolling the leather package, she stared at the four injectors. The Intaquals said this gives them a burst of strength and stamina, I hope it’s enough. Pulling out one, she put her finger on the trigger, took a deep breath, and jammed it against her neck.

  Fire burned from the spot, spreading out like an inferno. Oh God! This was a mistake! Her hand fell limply at her side as she struggled to breathe. Her body tingled, her limbs twitching like a fish gasping its last breath on land.

  And then something incredible happened. All her pain stopped.

  It stopped completely.

  Tears welled in her eyes. She pressed her hand to her mouth, trying desperately to silent the sob welling in her throat. I cry because I’m in pain, then I cry because I’m not in pain. Stop being pathetic! But even as she scolded herself, she took a shaky breath. Even with all the medicine, this was the first time her body felt like her own again.

  She stood slowly on legs that felt strange. There was no pain, no sweeping wave of exhaustion.

  It worked.

  She rolled the rest of the injectors back in the leather and slid it down her back, tucking it into her jeans. Next, she took the Muscle Blades and pressed them to her back, down just far enough that her shirt hid them. The odd sensation came again as they melded to her flesh, and then she looked at herself in the mirror for the first time since her Dream Jump.

  Hollow cheeks. Circles under her eyes. Thinner than she would’ve thought possible in just a few days.

  Moving closer, she ran a brush through her hair and swept it up. The girl that looked back at her looked sick, weak, but the fire in her eyes said it all.

  Today someone is going to die.

  Chapter Thirty

  Where the hell did she go?

  Caleb circled the room like a bloodhound, his anxiety at the breaking point. Erin hadn’t left her bed in days—and now she was simply gone?

  She better not have…

  But the sinking feeling in his stomach told him that’s exactly what she might have done.

  He hurried down the hall. There’s no way she would’ve tried to pursue the man who hurt her alone, right? And in her condition? He scowled. She’d been really shaken. He wouldn’t put it past her.

  Except, her strength had been fairly low when he’d finished making love to her. He doubted she could’ve even made it to the elevator. Something isn’t right.

  When he reached his room, his computer blinked annoyingly. He rubbed his temple, praying one of the messages was either from Erin, or about Erin. Clicking, he pulled the first one up.

  Hunter’s face came onto the screen. His friend, and head of security, almost looked excited. “My team was able to track down the message from Erin that you asked me to look into. I’ve attached it to this. We also got an image from your living ship, Zenon, from the moment the file was hidden. I think you’ll find it interesting.”

  Caleb frowned as the video immediately began playing. A younger, familiar version of Erin popped onto the screen. She was wearing her blue Starflight Academy uniform, and her stunning eyes were filled with something that took his breath away.

  “I’m so sorry. Somehow I always thought that I couldn’t have love and my career. I was afraid that if I ever let myself get too close to anyone, I’d end up like my mom.” She smiled softly, brushing a loose strand of hair back from her face in a nervous gesture. “But I realized I don’t care. We can make this work. It doesn’t matter if I have to sacrifice, because I love you.” Her smile spread into a grin. “I love you, Caleb. I want to be with you. Please, come back. Please.”

  She reached forward, about to stop the message, but froze. “I’ll never forgive myself if my issues, my damn fears, ruined this for us.” And it ended.

  He finally remembered to breathe. Memories poured back through him of the day he had left the Turonga Starflight Academy and headed to the slightly less prestigious academy on Earth, determined to break the connection between Erin and himself. His father had come to collect him. Caleb had left feeling as if his heart had been ripped from his chest when Erin had told him she needed more time, that she wasn’t ready for something serious.

  But her message had to have come when he was leaving the academy with his father, so shortly after their conversation. If he had heard her words, he would’ve returned in an instant. Why didn’t I get the message?

  A second later, a still image of his father’s frowning face appeared on the screen, leaning over the console in Caleb’s liveship, Zenon.

  Father?

  Time seem
ed to stand still. Was it possible his father had actually hidden the message from him?

  No…he wouldn’t do that…couldn’t do that to his only son…could he?

  Leaning his face into his hands, he tapped his fingers absentmindedly on the screen. He couldn’t worry about this now, he needed to find Erin. No matter how angry I am.

  A soft beeping came and, a second later, he glanced up to find his father’s face on the screen. Shit! I actually called him! The older Keltair’s black hair was a mess, his two sharp, white horns poking from the nest of hair. He was shirtless, his trademark golden Keltair skin looking darker than usual.

  “Son, there better be a damned good reason for waking me so early—“

  Caleb didn’t wait for him to finish as rage washed over him. “Did you conceal a message Erin sent to me two years ago?”

  The anger drained from his father’s face. His dark gaze locked with his. “I…thought it was for your own good.”

  Caleb felt as if he’d been punched in the stomach. “You betrayed me.” His voice shook with rage.

  “No.” A troubled expression crossed his normally fierce face. “You are my blood. I would never betray you.”

  He clenched his fists. “You stole my mate from me.”

  “She wasn’t your mate yet,” his father growled. “You should be thanking me for protecting you from repeating my past mistakes.”

  A coldness spread through Caleb’s veins. Was it a mistake? What if he was wrong about that, too? “She is my mate now, and I’m starting to realize something. A mated pair are one and the same. We are strong or weak together. You tore us apart. Why?”

  His father’s jaw worked, but he didn’t speak.

  “I’ve also realized something else that I don’t want to say to you, but I have to. You and Mother are weak because you are apart. But I don’t think you’re apart only due to her decisions. It’s because of both of you.”

  His father growled deep in his throat.

  This will hurt him, but if being away from Mother hurts him half as badly as it hurts me when Erin is away, I need to help him. Neither of them deserves to keep suffering.

  “Thinking back, Mother wasn’t always the way she is now. You said so yourself. When you first met her, she was brave and adventurous. You fell in love with her spirit. But after I was born, something changed within her. She grew fearful. Her mind started to come undone. You shouldn’t have seen her need to escape back to her birth town as a strike to your pride. You should have seen it as a sign that she needed your help.”