by Setta Jay
Her friend cleared her throat. “Maybe I should have used better wording.”
She groaned. They needed to change to another subject. “Have you heard any more about Brianne and Vane?”
“Sirena says the tests keep changing, but she wouldn’t elaborate. She thinks they’ll be out for at least another week. She keeps getting pulled to help with hell beast and demon-possessed problems. There aren’t enough Guardians to go around. The attacks are just too constant. I hate it.”
“They still think the attacks are diversions?” Rain was privy to information no one other than Guardians and their mates had. It felt good to be in the fold even if she wasn’t mated and might never be.
She shook off those feelings and focused on what they were talking about. As far as they all knew, Elizabeth might be in charge of Cyril’s people, and she was purported to be one scary and sadistic bitch. Through her powers, she had access to the Tria in Hell and a Mageia traitor on Earth. They weren’t sure if she was in charge now and having the hell beasts attack or if it was something more. The unknown was what none of them liked.
“Yeah, but there haven’t been any other abduction attempts against Mageia, and that’s what they were worried about.” Alyssa shook her head, obviously frustrated. “They have the warriors in all the cities on high alert. Sacha said they’ve done all they can to spell an area in Heaven Realm for the souls to stay in, to keep the Hell beasts from tainting the souls with darkness. It would only reincarnate more evil into the human realm. P said that when they check Hell, it looks as if nothing has changed.” Alyssa blew out a frustrated breath. “Conn has Earth Mageia going out and watching their territories closely. He’s also got the covens on alert about Cynthia, the Mageia that was working for Cyril on Earth.”
“It sounds like they’re doing everything they can.” Rain felt tired as they walked up the rise to Lofodes. She needed to check in on her parents, but she dreaded having to pretend she was fine. She didn’t want them to know about Dorian until something was actually happening. At the moment she’d almost rather die of sexual deprivation than have sex with the asshole. She mentally shook her head.
She breathed in the smells of fresh-baked bread as they walked into the city. She’d stop to get some to take to her cottage, but she just didn’t have the energy. She needed sleep, although it constantly eluded her.
“Let’s go to the shop first. It’s too early to be open, and I don’t have the energy to deal with anyone. I just want to do one more run-through.” All her personal things had been moved to the Guardian manor, but she wanted to say goodbye to the shop that had been her home and life for the last five years. The new owner would be there in hours to start moving her things in. Maggie was about thirty, didn’t have a mate, and was excited to have her own business. It made her feel marginally better knowing her baby would be in the hands of someone that loved it. Everything was set. The shop would continue to run without her there to see it.
The jingle of the bell sounded as she and Alyssa entered. She took a deep breath, smelling the soaps and lotions she kept on the shelf by the door. As she looked around at the books and magazines she’d personally sorted and shelved, it all felt different. She expected to feel a little sad, but she wasn’t. It was like her mind had already moved on. The place felt empty, odd, like it didn’t belong to her, even for another hour.
“How are you doing?” Alyssa asked, and when she turned to her friend, she saw the concern in her pale green eyes. She felt uncomfortable.
“It’s weird. I thought I’d be a little sad after spending so many years running it, but I’m more anxious to get the hell out of here. I guess it finally hit me that it’s not really mine anymore.” She knew the road ahead wasn’t going to be pretty, but she would overcome and make the most of whatever happened. That damn Guardian better watch his back.
She felt a sharp pang in her womb and her hand went to her stomach. Sirena had warned her that might happen. It was wonderful new symptom had been happening with greater frequency in that last couple of days. She walked to the back of the shop, not wanting Alyssa to see her pain. It settled after a second and she took a deep breath. Once she got it together she came back out and saw Alyssa’s flushed face.
“What’s the matter?” Rain was worried.
“It’s nothing. I get weird feelings every once in a while. I need to ask Sirena about it or maybe even Alex. It’s just bizarre surges in my body that catch me by surprise. It started happening after the mating. I think it’s our powers melding, I feel so much stronger now.” Alyssa smiled.
“What did Gregoire say?”
“It hasn’t come up. He’s been busy, and when we get time together, there isn’t much talking.” Alyssa laughed as she waggled her eyebrows. “Don’t worry. It’s not a big deal; it doesn’t feel bad.”
Rain swore Alyssa blushed that time. Rain grinned and shook her head as she continued to do her last check on the store.
She moved through the space as quickly as she could. She didn’t feel right being there, and that threw her. “Hey, do you feel like walking through the park before stopping at my parents?” She left the key on the counter and locked the door from inside before closing it behind them. “You know, actually…” She blew out a breath. “I don’t think I’m up for visiting my folks today. I just saw them a few days ago, and I honestly don’t even know what I’ll say when they ask how things are going.” She needed to get things straight in her life first. “I guess I just needed an outing, since now I have no desire to do anything we planned.” She threw her hands up and shook her head. She was so out of sorts.
Alyssa grinned at her. “Do you want to go somewhere else? Maybe we should go get some spa treatments at Paradeisos? Tynan has intense security there now, and it would be more fun to get pampered there than at the manor.”
“That sounds amazing, but do you really think Gregoire won’t lose his mind if you go there?” It was just what she needed, but Gregoire was beyond possessive of Alyssa, and she figured that option would get shot down quickly.
“He won’t be happy, but he can’t argue that we won’t be safer there than we were coming here,” Alyssa said with a grin.
Rain let her mind go back to the sight of the gorgeous sea around Paradeisos. The water there was magnificent, and being at an island resort meant for pleasure, she wouldn’t feel so uncomfortable walking around completely aroused. She bit her lip. Could she find a male to relieve some of the desire there? She hadn’t considered it before, but Sirena had yet to come up with anything that helped the symptoms, and taking care of it herself wasn’t really working anymore.
“I just told Gregoire. Let’s go grab some swimsuits from the house, and I’ll take us. He growled and postured, but my other option was taking you home and going to help him. That set him off even more. In the end he’s having Uri tell Tynan to expect us. I’ll be paying for taunting him later.” Alyssa’s skin flushed, and she chuckled. Rain wondered just what the hell they did at home, but she quickly cut those thoughts off.
“Where’s Gregoire now?”
“Dealing with demon-possessed on Earth, and he’s got a few more hours patrolling after. He’s going to let me know when he’s done.” Alyssa frowned.
“Why the frown?”
“It’s the same thing I’ve been struggling with. I feel like I should be doing something to help. I have my business, and I have plenty of lingerie and clothing orders to keep me busy, but with everything that’s happening, I feel like I should have some purpose like Alex. Fighting isn’t an option in Gregoire’s mind, and I don’t have any abilities that would help Sirena. I just feel guilty. Especially with Vane and Brianne out of commission. I don’t like feeling like I’m falling short.” Alyssa rubbed the bridge of her nose. “What would you do?”
“I don’t know, Lis. I think it only needs to be what works for the two of you. Don’t judge your relationship by what others are doing.” She shook her head. “Gregoire has been fighting and patrolling for cent
uries. Alex, too, in her own way. If you decide you want to fight, start practicing and see where it goes from there. Gregoire’s different than Uri, though. If anyone laid a hand on you in battle, he would be there taking them out before you had a chance to. Maybe with time he’ll get control of some of that, but I don’t know.” She smiled sympathetically at her friend. “If it makes you feel any better, I feel the same way. They’re all so busy, but I have no skills that would help any of them.”
“I’ve already asked if I could spar when they train. He said he’ll take me and teach me the techniques. My father was possessive of my mother, but Gregoire is on a whole other level. I always have to reel him in,” Alyssa said, frowning again.
She loved that her friend had so much fight in her now she was able to rein in her big Hippeus mate. Rain grinned as they walked outside of the city’s protection spell so that Alyssa could teleport them away.
Alyssa shot her a glare.
“I know, when he didn’t want you even petting Havoc, I started understanding how much of a handful he was going to be, but you’re holding your own, and I’m proud of you.” Uri’s pet hellhound was just a pup, and Rain still remembered seeing Gregoire stiffen when Alyssa petted the animal. He’d looked so out of sorts when Alyssa shot him a glare. It was actually about then that Rain finally started warming to Alyssa’s mating with the Guardian. Her friend and Gregoire had started out rocky, but in that moment she’d seen how much he cared and struggled with his impulses. It was that tiny glimpse that gave her hope that he would be good for her friend.
She nearly sighed out loud. Dorian and she were starting out rough too, but that didn’t mean they would end up anything like the other mated pairs. Her friend was happy, happier than she’d ever seen her, and they’d been as close as sisters since they were children. Rain had a feeling that kind of happiness was nowhere in her near future.
Alyssa’s voice snapped her away from her angry thoughts. “Are you ready?”
Hell, yes, she needed a little pampering, and she firmed her resolve to take whatever else came with it.
They ported to Alyssa’s home and were changing into bikinis within minutes. She grinned to herself as her friend flitted through her work room looking for cover-ups. It paid to have a friend that made clothing and was roughly the same size, because she had no desire to make another stop to get her own things.
“We’ll only have a few hours, but we can always go back again tomorrow,” Alyssa said as they were leaving the house to teleport over to the island.
“I honestly just want to swim.” She sighed at the thought of warm sea water soothing her arousal. She shot Alyssa a knowing look and winked. “Don’t worry. I’ll protect you.”
“You better. Gregoire will lose his mind if I get even a scratch. Those damn serpents better back off.”
Alyssa’s frown made Rain laugh. Something about sea beasts always made her friend edgy.
Seconds later she was breathing in sweet sea air, and she felt lighter with the bright sun warming her skin. She let out a little noise of happiness and grinned at Alyssa. “Thank you, this is perfect.” They’d landed on the big stone patio and were immediately greeted by a tall, dark-haired female.
She smiled genuinely at them. “My name is Cassia. I’m Tynan’s personal assistant. He asked that I make sure you were given anything that you like. He will meet us momentarily. Did you have anything you’d like me to plan or would you like a drink first?”
“I would love a swim and a cocktail,” Rain said and looked over at Alyssa. “Please have them make it a really big glass of something fruity with plenty of alcohol.” What she planned required more courage than any small drink would provide.
Chapter 11
London, Earth Realm
Dorian, Bastian, Conn and Jax had gone from Tetartos, fighting hell beasts, to a big nest of demon-possessed reported on Earth.
They were in a dark alleyway not far from a nest of ten or more possessed. The other Guardians were divvied up in two other locations near Pakistan with the same number of possessed to deal with.
“What the fuck is going on? We’ve been all over the place for weeks,” Jax complained. The dark-haired Guardian wore a scowl. His bright blue eyes flashed with the same annoyance and watchfulness Dorian and others sported.
Dorian hurt like a motherfucker. The mating was fucking his body up. His beast fought him, and his dick was constantly hard and painful. The two weeks since he’d first touched her felt like an eternity of agony. He pushed his fingers through his hair. It would all be ending soon and he felt worse for the thrill that shot through him at the thought of claiming his mate.
“Suck it up, Jax,” Conn said, responding to their brother’s bitching. With so much happening, Conn’s usual office shit was on hold. Their accounts and investments would be fine. The Mageia in the cities were reporting possessed more and more, providing pictures of areas to teleport to and the directions to go from there. The mortals were encouraged to stay away from the fight. Having elemental and some small magical ability wouldn’t help them against the possessed’s demon-enhanced strength and speed.
Dorian had spoken to Sirena in a private link before teleporting to London. She agreed to look for a way around Rain seeing his memories in the blood-bonding portion of the mating ceremonies. She said the blood bond had to be done, but she would look into something to dull or hide the memories. The thought of anyone seeing what happened a hundred years ago made him break out in a cold sweat. No way would he allow the innocent female he was destined to claim and protect see that nightmare. It would only mentally scar her.
He planned to go to Rain after the fight was over.
He rolled his neck. She would fight him when he came for her. She’d made it clear he hadn’t earned the right to touch her. He wondered what she would do when she saw him.
He needed to get his head together. Demon-possessed were no match for a Guardian, but the fact that he couldn’t harm them while fighting made it into a twisted game of dodgeball. This would be his last time helping his brothers before changing his existence forever.
Conn looked over at him. His black eyebrow piercings moved as he cocked his brow. “Are you good, D?” the Lykos asked. He was concerned. Conn had already told him how good a female Rain was, making Dorian wonder if his brother wanted her. He narrowed his eyes at the wolf. Fuck. He was losing his shit. “Yeah, I’ve got this.” He hoped it wasn’t a lie.
He couldn’t help taking one quick look to see what she was doing. He needed to see through her eyes before he went into the fight. He went straight to the connection and saw Alyssa’s smiling face as she stood hip deep in bright crystalline seas. Where the fuck was she? He didn’t like that she was in the water. She was mortal, and the sea beasts in Tetartos had deadly teeth; they wouldn’t care that she was a water Mageia. Son of a bitch.
Gregoire, where are Alyssa and Rain? He clamped his jaw down tight as he waited for his brother’s answer.
Paradeisos, Gregoire growled back. The male was possessive as shit of his mate and didn’t sound happy about where she was. They all knew Tynan, and he’d heard that Alyssa and Rain had gone to the island before Gregoire claimed Alyssa. Fuck, even knowing that Tynan employed Nereids to patrol the water didn’t settle him. Tell them to get their asses out of the fucking water, he demanded.
The silence lasted a moment. He assumed his brother was telling Alyssa to get out, and that settled him. His brother snarled through the link in obvious irritation. Tynan is keeping an eye on them personally, and Alyssa has promised me that Rain would not allow a sea beast near them even if one got through the Nereids. Talk to your damn mate.
What the fuck? He stood still for a second, processing what Gregoire just said.
Conn and the others stopped with him and eyed him. “What’s up?” Conn said.
“Rain’s affinity is with sea creatures?” He just stood there, surprised. That was rare, and in all of the little prompts from his brothers in the last weeks, n
ot one had said shit about that. Not even Drake. Cyril’s males were looking for Mageia with offshoot abilities. He’d thought she’d been abducted because she was with Alyssa, but maybe they already knew about her power. His skin tightened. They were protected for now, but his need to get to her just amplified, and his beast thrummed for him to go to her.
Conn raised an eyebrow. “Yes.”
“Not one of you assholes thought to tell me that shit?” he said, pissed as hell. “All of you dickheads came to me. Not one damn fucktard thought to inform me she had an ability that put a tag on her ass?”
“Everyone knew,” Bastian said calmly.
“I didn’t fucking know!”
“Gods damned, Dorian. We’re really doing this now? Yes, Rain’s a cool chick. She’ll rule all your little sea horses, Flipper. She’s also feisty as shit, and I don’t envy you if you hold out much longer. That said, get your head out of your ass so we can deal with the damned possessed. I’ve got shit to do after we’re finished,” Jax said in irritated impatience. The big cat was likely just anxious to get back to his fucking harem.
Dorian narrowed his eyes at his brothers.
“Listen, we all get why you’re fighting it, but it’s affecting her. She’s suffering and embarrassed, and that’s on you, man. You better fix this before she truly hates you for it. You need to end this,” Conn said, his eyes flashing. The wolf rarely got angry. He was the most mild tempered of them all, so his words struck harder.
“I fucking plan to,” he snapped back.
The others assessed him before nodding. Not one of them liked that he’d been denying his claim. Shit. He might not be worthy of a mate, but fate had essentially given them the finger, and she was getting him whether she deserved it or not.
