“But you did. Now, I need your help.”
“I’ll help make Marisol’s stay here easy for her until I find another place for her. On one condition.”
“Anything.”
“You cannot patrol on your own. I’m saying this to save me from your brothers’ rants. Especially Ty. And if Marisol insists on leaving, the sword stays here. We have Youven’s sword where we want it. On the Midnight Howl’s side. And here it’ll stay.”
“Agreed.”
“Now, on a more serious and important subject, Atos threatened to attack the humans. Unless we give him Marisol and the sword, he’ll start killing.”
“Son of a bitch!”
“I called a meeting, but I wanted you to know about this before anyone else.”
“You know I’ll never give him Marisol. He’ll have to walk over my dead body to even breathe the same air as her.”
“Did you hear what I said? He’ll kill the humans. Rejects or not. We have a week to make a decision.”
“Did you hear what I said, Zambro? I don’t need a week to think. Atos will not get what he wants. Not Marisol.”
“You love Mark’s daughter.”
Callum paced the room. Of course he loved Marisol. How else could he explain the fear of losing her, of overwhelming happiness of being near her, of hoping to have a future with her? Some people would say he was a nut, and that loving someone in such a short time was impossible. He didn’t care. It only takes a heartbeat to fall in love with someone. He bet those who knew what love was would agree with him. “More than life itself.”
Zambro slowly got up, standing in front of him. “In that case, I give you my word that she has my protection.”
“Thank you, brother.” He offered to shake his brother’s hand, but Zambro pulled him in for a big bear hug.
“Make a stupid move, like going up alone, and I’ll kill you myself. The hell with the promise I gave to our parents. Got that?”
Callum nodded. “I hate to say this, Zam, but Atos is not that stupid to ask for something as simple as giving him Marisol and the sword. He knows what we stand for.”
“I thought about that. So what are you thinking?”
“He’s been after me since Alisha’s death.”
“You had nothing to do with her death.”
Callum took a deep breath. True, but deep down he felt somewhat responsible. He should have been stern and hard with Alisha. Then perhaps she wouldn’t have followed him back to his den.
“She died because of me, Zam.”
“The girl died because she fell in love with you, with what you stood for, the Midnight Howl’s principle. You spared her life. She admired that. She followed you home and exposed herself to hunters. She chose her path, Callum. You didn’t. If fucking Atos refuses to accept the truth, the hell with him. You had nothing to do with the death of his sister. If anything, he should be blamed, not you.”
“Send word to him, Zam. If he wants blood, I shall give it to him. I’ll offer him a bargain.”
Zambro’s brows rose. “A bargain?”
“Yes. I’ll fight him to the death. If I win, he’ll give up chasing Marisol.”
“And if he wins?”
“He can choose between letting me walk this earth as a Cancer or chopping my head off.”
“Callum, are you fucking nuts?” Zambro roared.
“This is my decision, Zambro. I have one life left. What better way to use it than to secure the sword and Marisol’s freedom? Marisol is safe here, but she won’t live here forever. I know her. She’ll go up and live her life among her kind. When that happens, I want Marisol to be able to walk without having to worry that someone or something will attack her from behind.”
“You would gamble your life for her?”
“I’ve already made my decision.”
“What about the sword, Callum?”
“It’s Marisol’s, Zambro. She has the right to keep it.”
“Fuck. I knew you’d say that.” Zambro ran his fingers through his hair. “We’re facing a bigger problem now, Callum, because you’ve gotten yourself involved with Mark’s daughter.”
“And I just told you how we should handle it.”
“You know what I think? The sword’s poison has damaged your brain. You would strike a bargain with Atos? How do you know the bastard wouldn’t renege on his promise to stay away with Marisol?”
“I don’t. I’ll try everything to keep her safe from harm. I know you, Zambro. You wouldn’t just hand Marisol to Atos. So how do you propose we stop the Blood Robbers from killing the humans? We do everything we can to uphold our promise. Besides, it’s time to shut the motherfucker’s eyes for good.”
“I understand. I can’t guarantee you that the clan will back us up on this.”
“Zambro, I’ll face Atos alone if I have to. The clan can stay here. I don’t give a fuck. Just keep Marisol down here until it’s safe for her to go back up again.”
“God, so it’s true. Loving a woman can make one man’s dick as hard as marble and his heart into mushy dough. It damages one’s reasoning, too. Fine. We’ll select the sentinels who’ll come to fight with us. Practice in the arena in an hour. We’ll need all the luck and skills in this world. See you there.”
***
Callum went back to his apartment. He bet Marisol would want to watch the practice. Yeah, he’d ask her. If it were up to him, he’d rather that they just watch a movie, eat popcorn, and make hot love. Later. They would do all those things later. Thinking about what they would do tonight made his dick harden.
Damn, he’d walk around with a hard-on if he kept on thinking about Marisol naked in his arms. He became soft, though, when he found out Marisol wasn’t in his apartment. What he found was a note taped to the bed’s headboard.
“Gone for a walk.”
Dratted woman. He should have known she’d never listen to him. The den wasn’t so big. He’d find her. Fresh face like hers had no place to hide here. This was a good reason to have a cellphone. He was in such a hurry to go after her that he didn’t find the time to grab his own.
Now where did she go? When he found her, he’d wrap his fingers around her lovely neck. Yeah, maybe he’d do that while pounding hard on her sweet—
A loud whistle interrupted his line of thoughts. It was Xavier, a shape-shifter known for his fierceness and toughness. No one had seen him smile—ever. Right now, he looked like he’d eaten something bad and it was affecting his stomach.
“Hey, Xavier. What’s up?”
“You need to go to the infirmary. You’re girlfriend’s there…” he bent his fingers like bunny ears, “…helping.”
“Infirmary? What happened?”
“A few Blood Robbers dared to go down near a preschool. Our sentinels stopped them. They’re getting bolder every day.”
“We’ll put a stop to that. Let’s go.”
They found Marisol in the process of wrapping a bandage around and around a soldier’s head. Jenkin, one of the best sentinels, was obviously enjoying the attention. Callum would bet his dick that Jenkin’s wound would be healed by the time Marisol was done with her ministrations.
“There. I think that’ll hold. Next time, duck and protect your head,” Marisol was saying.
The soldier nodded with a smile. If Callum was right, the man was besotted. He was blushing, and he couldn’t take his eyes off Marisol.
“Mari?”
Marisol’s face beamed when she came to him. She looked so lovely, like a ripe peach he wanted to take a bite of. Without a doubt, the sentinels felt the same way.
“Hey, Callum. I’m helping the wounded.”
“Baby, remember what I said about shape-shifters’ wounds?”
“I remember.”
Yousney, the African-American best doctor Midnight Howl ever had, grinned. “Callum. She’s a good help.” He threw a rag on the dirty basket and walked toward him. “She makes the men feel appreciated. Our women know that we can heal cuts and slices
on our own—unless inflicted by the sword—so they don’t fuss over the men. Which is what Marisol’s doing right now.”
“Fussing over the men?”
“Yes. Nothing wrong with that. They fought hard today. They deserve a little TLC. It goes way deep into the heart, Callum. I’m sure if the she-wolves here would do the same, the he-wolves wouldn’t be scowling so much.”
Hot damn. Marisol was right. He’d never seen a Midnight Howl look so happy after a fight the way they looked now.
“You turned them into puppies, miss,” Xavier growled the words. “Look at them pretend they’re in horrible pain. Asses.”
“Smiling doesn’t make a soldier weak, Xavier. It’s a reminder that you’re only hu… Well…of who you are.”
“Sentinels must stay tough as nails to stay alive out there. Not like this.”
Callum shoved Xavier none too gently. “Don’t talk to her like that, Xavier. She’s only helping.”
Xavier sneered, and then walked away.
“Don’t mind him, Marisol,” Yousney said. “I met him as a lone pup. His parents had abandoned him. He’s never known how to be cared for.”
“Thanks for keeping Marisol busy, Doctor.”
“My pleasure. Marisol, you’re welcome here anytime.”
“Thank you.”
After waving at the sentinels, Callum took Marisol’s hand and pulled her with him.
“Callum. Sorry I didn’t wait for you. I got lonely so I went for a walk. Glad I did because the sentinels just arrived. I didn’t know there are fights going on all the time. Oh, and I gave Doctorr Yousney some of the poultice. In case someone needs it.”
“Believe me, someone will need it.”
“Where are we going? On a tour?”
“No, but a show. Wanna see the Midnight Howl fighters practice?”
“You betcha.”
***
Practice? If this is practice, I can only imagine what a battle looks like. Good God.
The arena must have been half the size of a football field. Whoever built this place must have had the Roman Coliseum in mind. Smaller, yes, but it definitely looked like it. Racks loaded with weapons of all kinds lined the far end of the arena. Shape-shifters waiting their turn stood on the sidelines twirling, lifting, and swinging their weapons. If the weapons weren’t already impressive, the men’s bodies could make any woman sigh in appreciation.
Who would have thought sweat could make a man look yummier? Lordy, just look at the rows of abs and muscles on those men. They all possessed powerful well-muscled bodies that moved with easy grace. Interestingly, with all the lifting that they were doing, none of them look anything like the men in Mister Universe. No, those guys resembled rocks. These Midnight Howls were lithe and tall, with rock-star hair; they oozed with deadly aura.
“Like what you see?”
“Oh yes. I’ve never seen so many beautiful men in my life.”
“I’m sure they’ll say the same thing about you.”
“Enough with the flattery, Callum. You already used your first box of Trojans.”
“We have five more to go.”
“Stop it. Um, Callum. We’re just going to watch, right?”
“You are.”
“Wait, you’re going to practice?”
“Worried about me?”
“Of course. How are you going to wash my back if you lose your hands?”
His eyes twinkled with understanding. “Don’t worry, love. As long as my heart and head are covered, I’ll be fine.”
“Seriously, Callum. Can we just sit here together? I don’t want you to get hurt.”
“You wound my pride, baby.”
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to say that you can’t fight. Of course you can, but they all look so good and strong. Yes, you’re strong too—”
“Mari…”
“Okay, call if you need help.”
Callum stared at her, and then he burst out laughing. “I will. Now, stay here and watch. Don’t touch the weapons. Don’t even get near the rack.”
“Why?”
“If you do, that means you want to practice.”
“Well, you don’t have to worry about that. The view’s better from here. Take care, will you?”
Light smoldered in his dark, blue eyes. “Marisol, I—” He cupped her face with his calloused hands. “I will.”
“Callum!”
Both Callum and Marisol turned. Three drool-worthy men with swaggers that would surely make women sigh approached them. Yup. Without a doubt they all came from the same womb, Marisol thought, except for the tallest one with blond hair.
“Bros. Come to challenge me?”
“I came to knock some sense into you.” Ty punched Callum on the shoulder. “That the scar from Atos?”
“Yeah. Ty, this is Marisol.”
“Beautiful. Are you worth my brother’s life?”
“Excuse me?”
“I asked if—”
“Ty, shut the fuck up. If you want to release your anger, fight me.”
“Cool. Let’s do that.”
Both men took their shirts off. Ty threw his on the floor. Callum handed his white T-shirt to Marisol, and gave her a handsome wink. Ty’s words bothered Marisol. She didn’t have time to reflect on his question because as soon as Callum and Ty picked their swords, everyone—including those who were already practicing—quieted. The floor cleared. The arena may have been quiet, but not Marisol’s heart.
“Better not get hurt, Callum, or I swear you’ll face my wrath. What kind of practice is this anyway?”
“To improve our skills.”
Marisol turned to look at the man standing beside her. “I know that,” she said.
“I thought you were asking about why we’re doing this.”
“Oh, I’m talking to myself. It’s a habit, you know.”
Zambro grinned. “Callum forgot to introduce us. I’m Zambro. And these are Victor and Rodolf. We are Callum’s brothers.”
“I figured as much.”
“You did?”
“It’s the swagger and the height. Plus the hair. Nice to meet you all.”
“It’s our pleasure to meet you,” Victor said.
Rodolf nodded and grinned at her as if he knew something she didn’t.
“Same here. So they’re not going to kill each other, are they? Callum has only one life left. He shouldn’t be doing this.”
“They’re just sparring, Marisol. Callum will teach his brother to keep his mouth shut. And Ty…he’ll show Callum how much he cares. This is a brotherly love show.”
Marisol doubted it. The way Ty swung his sword one would think he wanted to chop Callum into bits and pieces. Both men were equal in strength. They danced around each other, measuring, calculating.
Ty made an aggressive move with an intention to cut Callum’s head off. But Callum moved faster. His sword made a swishing sound when he lifted it to block Ty’s blows. Smiling, Callum took a step back, swiftly twirling his sword.
Marisol’s heart thudded against her chest. She knew both men had the power to heal, but goodness, they swung their swords with an intent to kill. Or at least it looked that way.
Callum’s body glistened with sweat. Ty was no better. Watching their body language, it seemed they could do this all night.
“Excuse me, Marisol. I badly need this practice as well.”
Zambro left her side, sword in hand. He let out a warcry while running toward Callum. Callum avoided Ty’s blow, kicked him in the gut, and turned just in time to block Zambro’s sword.
Victor and Rodolf followed suit.
The crowds chanting turned into a roar. They cheered and urged the brothers to keep fighting.
Without a doubt, the brothers were skilled fighters with the ability to prolong physical and mental excertion. But, with the impressive display of prowess, Marisol’s eyes focused on one man alone. Callum.
Muscles, talent, skill, beauty, and tenderness, all packed in one body. He was
a living god. And God help her—she loved him. Oh yeah, I’m in love with him. Lord above, how in the world did this happen? When she asked for someone to share her life with, she mentioned a hairy one would be fine. Well, she got one—when he’s in his wolf form. And she wouldn’t have him any other way.
“They’re magnificent, aren’t they?”
Marisol was so engrossed watching the brothers she didn’t even realize someone stood beside her. How Viola managed to sneak under her radar, she had no idea. She supposed being a shifter, she could move stealthily. Still, it kind of freaked her out.
“They are.”
“I heard you’re good with your sword.”
“I can swing it. If you call that good then I am.”
“Prove it.”
“What?”
“Practice with me. We all need it, especially if we’re to fight the Blood Robbers to protect you and Youven’s sword.”
Viola smiled so sweetly, Marisol could smell poison coming out of the woman’s nostrils. Something akin to fear enveloped her body. This woman hated her. “Who says you need to fight Atos for me?”
“Unlike you, human, a member’s fight is the clan’s fight. We help each other. Callum may have broken the code because of you—but for the love of me, I can’t understand why—he’s still one of us. He’s a shape-shifter, a pure-blood. We’re not going to turn our backs on him because he’s so foolish as to give a promise. It’s hard enough to patrol your world every night, without having to add the unnecessary baggage of watching you...Well, it kind of makes life hard to live, don’t you think? So, if I were you, I’d hone my skills. At least you can do something more than watch the men fight for you. Despite what you humans believe, we’re not immortals. We do get hurt. We bleed, we die. Our lives are limited to five. So, practice with me. You don’t want to look like a useless princess all your life, right?”
“No.” What was Viola talking about, the Midnight Howls fighting Atos for her? Why would they do that? Callum had only one life left. What if he died fighting? Marisol shook her head to stop her mind from forming the morbid thought.
Beyond The Veil: A Paranormal & Magical Romance Boxed Set Page 308
