by H. M. Wolfe
''Please, don't speak like that about Cian.'' the redhead cut Ezra short. ''The poor kid doesn't look very well. He's pale, reserved, underdeveloped, and...I don't know, maybe I imagine things, but I think his health is not very good. I want to convince him to come to the Institute for a complete evaluation.''
''Poor kid!'' Peyton exclaimed in a compassion-filled voice. ''That poor excuse of a mother must have neglected him badly, and now she wants to make him a pawn in her dirty game!''
''Something like that,'' Ardan confirmed, his lips tightly pressed together. ''Although she came here to bring the boys together, their mother intends to take both of them to live with her, in Brisbane.''
''Of course, we won't let her!'' Alasdair balled his hands into fists. ''That woman has no right over neither of those boys!'' he hissed.
''Damn right, she hasn't. Especially if the one who stayed with her turns out to be sick, as you suspect.'' Ezra nodded in approval. ''Listen, if you ever need help with anything, just call us, and we'll be here, OK?''
''Thanks for the offer.'' Ardan gave the young Bloom one of his smiles. ''We'll take you up on that kind offer if the necessity arises. As my beloved Spitfire said, we won't give up on Lorcan, no matter how bitter the fight turns out to be. Even more, we'll try to protect Cian, too, because, from what I saw, that poor kid is starving for affection.''
Laying on his back, between his two masters and feeling their naked bodies so close to his own, Gaspard smiled serenely. His slim, long fingers were doing a complicated dance in the air. The incubus was performing a ritual to arrange destiny's lines. It was a skill he'd inherited from his carrier, but couldn't use until three years earlier when his womb became fertile for the first time.
At that point, the dance of his fingers stopped for a while. And Gaspard listened intently, a serene smile appearing on his face. The two little seeds were dancing and singing the baby incubi happy song. They were made with love, out of love, and the magical creature couldn't find the words to describe the happiness and gratitude he was feeling.
The first thing Landon and Carlin did after their sons were born was to tell Gaspard they were not going to be the only children he gave birth to. In their immense generosity, his Masters allowed him to get pregnant whenever he wanted, without asking for permission. The incubus didn't jump at the offer, though, not until Zed and Cuthbert were old enough to collect energy by themselves.
And then, it happened: unplanned, unpredicted, just like the first time and the happiness he felt was overwhelming. This time, Gaspard was going to give birth to two baby girls. They would carry on his angelic bloodline, watching over his human friends and protectors. With this thought in mind, the incubus returned to his duties, touching the invisible lines Fates drew for all those who mattered to him.
A small sigh of contentment escaped through Gaspard's luscious lips when he visualized the alignments. Everything would be just fine, he thought, seeing that the sensible Peyton, Ezra's spouse, was pregnant again. Actually, the incubus would have to wake his Masters up in a few minutes, as he saw the couple's car heading to their house.
However, what he saw next made him gasp in awe: one of his generous protector's twin sons had found his mate. It was a leopard shifter descending from a noble, ancient, wise family. In the next second, the incubus's heart bled when the other boy, a mere shadow of his brother, showed in the vision.
He was dying, and no treatment invented by the human mind was going to save him. But where there's a will, there's also a way, Gaspard thought, rolling on one side so that he could face Landon.
''Master, wake up, please.'' he placed a small hand on the man's broad shoulder, gently shaking him.
''What is it, my little incubus?'' a raspy voice spoke, while a big, warm hand tenderly touched the small bump on his stomach. ''Good morning, sweeties.'' Landon murmured.
''We are going to have guests in about twenty minutes. You and Master Carlin have to wake up and greet them.'' Gaspard answered in a small, sweet voice. ''And they say hello to you, too.''
''Thank you for fulfilling mine and Carlin's lifelong dream of becoming parents.'' the older, blond man said, his eyes brimming with tears. ''It is the greatest present life has given us. Second only to your freedom from that monster's claws.''
''Ummm, did someone say my name?'' a sleepy Carlin spoke, stretching his hands above his head. ''G' morning, everyone.''
''Morning, babe.'' Landon captured his lover's lips in a rough, but sweet kiss. ''Did you sleep well? Because I did,'' he smirked, starting to play with the younger man's nipples. ''We better get up. Our beloved Gaspard said we would have guests in about fifteen minutes.''
''Actually, I made them change their mind and stop at the boss's house before coming here.'' the incubus blushed. ''I knew you and Master Carlin would want to have a little time for yourself, and...''
''What are you talking about? You are part of our life, pregnant or not.'' Landon whispered in Gaspard's ear, softly touching his face and chest. ''Even if we can't fill you again, there are other, creative ways of taking care of your needs, little one. But enough of this, for now, let's get ready to wake up the boys and greet our guests.''
Ten minutes later, the men of the house, their sons, and their guests were comfortably seated in the living-room. Zed and Cuthbert were flanking Peyton on the couch, much to Ezra and their fathers' delight. Touching the barely noticeable bump, the two little incubi transmitted energy and strength to the tiny baby growing inside, while the carrier was smiling serenely.
Landon, Carlin, and Ezra were engaged in a discussion about the best way of eradicating a new criminal organization that had risen on the ruins of Alexander's empire. Just like their detested predecessor, the monsters that were running it were making money on innocents' tears, blood, and suffering.
And the worst part was that, following the example of that heartless monster, they had made friends in high places. Friends who wouldn't hesitate to go to great extremes to cover their evil deeds. However, Ezra had also made a lot of connections during the two years he worked as a foreign political columnist, and it was about the time to put them to good use.
From where he stood, the incubus was half-listening to the conversations, casting protection spells over Peyton and their unborn baby at the same time. All of a sudden, a vision appeared, making Gaspard shiver a little. However, when it disappeared, the smile returned to his sensual lips. Everything will be just fine, he thought.
''L
isten to me, this has to stop right now, before someone gets hurt.'' Lorcan whispered harshly to a confused, almost shocked Thorvald. ''Playing that stupid nice guy game with me is one thing, but messing with my brother's feelings like that...''
''I don't understand what you are talking about. I really don't! I swear by the memory of my ancestors.'' the shifter defended himself, his voice pained. 'I prefer to die a thousand deaths than to make you or your brother suffer. You don't know what you represent for me...''
''Oh, please, cut the crap!'' I've heard this bullshit before. It won't work the second time around. I'm not that stupid!'' Lorcan spat. ''Stay away from Cian, or else there will be consequences. Don't say I didn't warn you.''
''Your brother is seriously ill. His heart is giving out bit by bit, and no treatment currently available can cure his condition. Namir sensed him before I did, and he asked for my permission to heal your twin. I agreed, even if I know that it will cost me dearly, but Cian is important for you, so...''
''What are you talking about? Who's this Namir guy, and what are you risking? I don't want anyone to get hurt. Spitfire and his uncle will discover a cure; they are brilliant scientists! We don't need your help!''
''Lorcan, please. Don't do this.'' Lazarus's pleading voice made the teen turn his head, surprised by his friend's appearance. ''You don't have the slightest idea about the hell your words will put Thorvald and Namir through. Especially if you continue to reject them.''
''No,'' the older boy shook his head, a defe
ated expression on his face. ''Rejection is one of his rights, according to the Laws, and no one can take it away from him. We are leopards, Lazarus. My kind lives and dies with dignity. We don't impose ourselves over our fated mates. Namir will transfer Cian as much healing energy as he's allowed to, before...'' Thorvald fell silent, unable to continue.
''Someone, please tell me what this is all about?'' Lorcan raised his brows in confusion. ''Am I in Wonderland or something? What's all this mumbo-jumbo about leopards with healing powers, rejection, and everything else?''
With a heavy sigh, praying that the boy believed him, Lazarus started telling him about the Otherworld how it was close to extinction due to the chaos, famine, diseases, and other disasters the century-long, senseless wars had brought upon it. The story continued with Massimo, a visionary, who dreamed about a world of harmony, where humans and mythical creatures could peacefully coexist.
He left out the part about the man wanting to put the Starks and Blooms in charge of that world and about the two clans' ancient, magic heritage. That was not his call; the younger generation would find out by themselves when the time came, Lazarus thought. Instead, the hybrid mentioned the difficulties carrying the mythical creatures' genetic material through the portal posed.
''We only realized there was a problem when it was the time for the little creatures resulting from those genes to shift into their human form. Unlike the shifters in the Otherworld, the ones in the human realm were born in their animal form. Not as humans. Then, instead of shifting, they separated, and that was scaring and disorienting for a bunch of ten-year-olds.''
''I thought that Massimo guy was a wizard of sorts. Why couldn't he...I don't know...fix things?'' Lorcan asked, still finding it hard to believe his friend's story. At the same time, he was afraid of the implications of his reckless words, if what Lazarus said about him and Thorvald belonging to each other was true.
''We could've done that, but there wasn't enough time. The Sanctuary, where the little supernatural creatures were sheltered, was living its final days. And we were focused on teaching them how to cope with being on their own in the big city and how to use the mind link to connect with their animal half in case they got lost.''
Lorcan examined Thorvald's pale face, his body posture, and, after thinking for a second, asked the question that had been bothering him for the last ten minutes or so. ''You didn't tell me what happens with the shifters who are rejected by their mates. Do they...you know...''
''Supernatural creatures are immortal,'' Lazarus whispered, in a voice so troubled, that it made both teens flinch. ''But they would fade away bit by bit, until only a mere trace of what they once were remains. The shadow of a memory. From the moment they are rejected, magical creatures are considered useless, meaningless, emptied of their essence.''
The hybrid fell silent, hugging himself. Although Lochlin admitted the existence of magic, he feared the moment when he'd find out about the two of them being fated mates. The blond could turn him down for the second time, especially since those vile men's touch tainted his body and spirit.
At the same time, Lorcan was thinking intensely. He still didn't believe all the things Lazarus said, but, if the part about magic and healing powers was real, that could be the answer to his prayers for a miracle to cure Cian. He could dispose of that guy and his pet leopard right after that so that they couldn't harm any of them with their magic.
Thorvald lifted his head, meeting his true, fated mate's eyes, but there was no love in them. In that cold, calculated stare, the shifter saw his and Namir's death warrants, signed and stamped, their fate sealed. However, he couldn't care less, because it was his mate who was asking this sacrifice from him. ''Everything will be done as you wish.'' he thought, making Lorcan raise his head. He'd heard him, their mind link worked.
''Wow, we are super-late for class.'' Ardan's son cleared his throat, to hide his embarrassment. ''I'm in for detention, the first in my life! Pater will serve me a sermon I'm not going to forget soon. Plus, I'll probably be grounded for the next thousand years.''
''No, you won't.'' Lazarus stared at him intently. ''Your mate here froze time, so we still have five minutes left. That's more than enough to get to the classroom on time.''
''Wow! This super-power of yours may come handy in the future.''Lorcan grinned, turning to the blond, long-haired teen. ''Can you read someone's mind, too?''
''Yes,'' Thorvald said, ''my family belonged to the mage caste, so I have a lot of powers. Plus, I can feel all your emotions because of us being...you know...mates. The mind link also works the other way around, but I blocked the connection because us supernaturals can feel pretty...intense.''
''You know, the mates' thing is...I don't want you to flaunt it in my face all the time. People will think I'm some kind of weirdo, and...'' Lorcan stopped, blushing violently.
''I understand, you would lose what little of your reputation remained unblemished after the incident with that boy Brett. I can undo that if you want.'' Thorvald lowered his gaze. ''I would turn back the hands of time and make him fall in love with you. That way, the two of us wouldn't have met, and you'd be saved any further embarrassment. Everyone would live happily ever after.''
''No, not everybody.'' Lorcan shook his head, looking into the shifter's eyes. ''I wouldn't meet Cian, and he would die from that heart condition. With your leopard half offering to heal him, my brother has a chance at a better, longer life.''
''Yes, that's true.'' Thorvald sadly smiled. ''We are good for something, after all. Come on, let's go to class. I can only freeze time for so long.''
Over the following days, Lorcan examined his brother out of the corner of his eye, liking what he saw. Brighter eyes, a light blush coloring his pale cheek, an almost permanent shine in his beautiful eyes, so much like his own. He was convinced the teen, his so-called mate, was keeping his promise.
However, Lorcan couldn't be sure about how much progress, if any, was made in healing Cian's heart condition. The only way was to make his brother go to the Institute to be tested, but he couldn't ask Rayne, Maxine, or the other doctors to keep the results secret from Alasdair.
At twenty-three, the redhead, already an accomplished neurosurgeon and medical researcher, had gained the respect of his colleagues, and they would have wondered what the reason behind his stepson's request was. Talking to the young man was also out of the question because he would have betrayed his brother's trust.
''Good morning, son.'' Ardan's pleasant, paternal voice brought Lorcan back from his thoughts. ''What are you thinking about?''
''Cian.'' the answer came right away. ''About how lucky I am to have a brother like him and how much I wish he could stay with us forever.''
''G' morning, folks.'' the teen in question stepped into the kitchen, stretching his hands above his head and yawning. ''It smells heavenly.'' he sniffed the air, much to Ardan's amusement. ''All the bacon and eggs!''
''Yes, and a large glass of orange and grapefruit juice for you. With a pinch of herbs sprinkled on top.'' Alasdair appeared behind Cian, wrapping him in his arms. ''Looking good this morning.'' he kissed the top of his stepson's head.
''I slept like a log all night long.'' the boy smiled inwardly, melting into the brotherly embrace. ''Lorcan makes a great blanket, so comfy and warm. It's so good to cuddle with him.'' he continued, a dreamy expression on his face. ''Totally different from back home, where the huge bed was cold even on the hottest nights.''
''I just can't believe this kid.'' Lorcan facepalmed himself, feigning shock. ''Keeping him warm is all I'm good for! Oh, he occasionally uses me as a pillow, too.''
''You smell so...edible this morning.'' Alasdair purred, kissing the corner of Ardan's mouth. ''And I'm suddenly hungry for a different kind of food. Unfortunately, I'll have to wait until tonight; Uncle Rayne is hellbent on working my sexy ass off until later in the evening.''
''I'll wait patiently until then, or maybe I'll get sick, and you, my little doctor, will have to make me fe
el better.'' Ardan wrapped his strong arms around the redhead's willowy waist.
''Mmmm....I'd love to be the one who cures my poor, sick husband.'' Alasdair hummed, eyes half-closed. ''But for now, let's eat. If we don't want to be eaten by those two boys who are staring at us hungrily.''
Half an hour later, the redhead climbed in his car, taking off for the Institute. The message his Uncle Rayne sent had given him chills up and down his spine. It was making him think the worse, and when he stepped into his office, Alasdair knew his suspicions were real.
''D
o sit down.'' Rayne indicated the chairs from across the desk. ''And good morning, although I doubt very much...''
''Uncle, please, let's skip this part. I know you well enough by now to realize the news is not good. The papers in front of you...they are Cian's tests, am I right? How bad is it?''
