by Harper Wylde
“Fuck!” My voice singsonged as I climbed higher, rocking back into Theo with an energy and boldness I didn’t even know I possessed. “Fuck me!” I cried.
Our bodies moved in a rhythmic dance older than time itself. Wrapping my hair in his hand, he pulled my head back, pressed his lips against my hear, and whispered, “You like knowing that the others are watching us right now?” Theo’s voice was deep and hard. “That watching me fuck you is turning them on? That every time you rock back on my cock with that slick pussy of yours, they wish it was them you were riding, pleasing?”
My moan was broken as he delved into me, spearing my pussy time and time again until we were both heaving and sweaty. Reaching around my body with his other hand, he rubbed my clit, and I saw stars.
“Yes!” he shouted, as my pussy locked around him, making him force his way out and then back in around the strength of my pleasure. “That’s it,” he growled, “milk me, Nix.”
His dirty talk prolonged the climax consuming me, swallowing me whole and not freeing me until Theo had spilled every last drop of his release.
My legs shook when I tried to stand, so I let them sink instead, dropping into the water, and letting it carry my weight.
“Just give me a minute.” I smiled at Hiro and then Damien, both of whom looked amused by my statement. “What?” I asked, still catching my breath.
“You’re amazing, you know that?” Damien grinned, more than entertained for some reason.
“Thank you?” I giggled, trying to get a grasp on what was running through their minds. Damien, playfully, shut me out before I’d gotten a good read on their thoughts.
“You don’t have to sex us all up, Nix. That’s not why we brought you here.” Damien smiled so widely that small dimples appeared on his cheeks.
“Isn’t it?” I smirked and arched an eyebrow, letting the heat soak into my skin. My Phoenix cooed at the temperature, happy to be mostly out of the cold.
“Well, it was a perk,” Ryder joked and tossed me a wink.
“We brought you here to relax and have a good time. Foreplay and sex were just a bonus, albeit one we all wanted to partake in,” Damien clarified.
“I don’t want to leave you and Hiro out,” I told him with a sigh, tipping my head back into the water in pure exhausted relaxation.
“Nix.” Hiro caught my attention and I languidly glanced in his direction. His grin softened into a smile that was full of love, my heart swelled. “Contrary to your beliefs in how sex is ‘supposed to go’ today,” he used air quotes, “we all just enjoy seeing your pleasure, whether that’s with one of us or all of us. None of us harbor any ill feelings for not getting a turn with you. We all participated in what just went down, each of us is satisfied.”
“But… didn’t… you haven’t…” I blushed. “You especially. We’ve never…”
“It’s so fucking cute how she can’t even say the words.” Ryder chuckled and I splashed water across the spring at him.
“It just makes the time we will get that much sweeter. Think of the teasing, the build up…” The molten heat that filled Hiro’s weighted gaze had me shivering from the image alone, making my traitorous body wake up all over again. I squeezed my thighs together and breathed heavily, and it didn’t escape Hiro’s notice. “Good girl.”
That phrase had me pressing my thighs tighter. I couldn’t wait to get my time with my Kitsune.
“You’re exhausted. I can read it on you, Nix,” Damien scolded lightly. “You had a major rebirth just a few days ago. Rest now. This isn’t our only time to be together.” He moved to my side and stroked a hand over my hair. “We have a lifetime.” The words were soft and brought tears to my eyes. Blinking hard, I nodded. Love filled my entire being and I saw it reflected back to me in Damien’s russet eyes.
“Who’s hungry?” Ryder quipped, and the entire mood in the pool changed as the guys called out in affirmation. “Sex’ll do that to ya.” Ryder laughed and hopped out of the water, opening a picnic basket Damien had packed earlier and passing out water bottles and food.
We stayed in the seclusion of our forest paradise until the sun was sinking low on the horizon, only climbing out when we were pruned and wrinkled, and the threat of flying in the dark intruded on our relaxation. Dressing quickly, I let Damien scoop me up and carry me back to the plane. Nestling into his side on the ride home, I fell into a dreamy, satisfied sleep, safe with all my mates around me.
Twenty-Six
Ryder
“I don't see why we have to go back and meet with them again,” I grumbled. I was squeezed into the Hummer between Killian and Theo, having lost the draw to sit next to Nix. I didn't even have Hiro near enough to relieve some of my stress and boredom. “I still don’t see why Ciarán picking it up wasn’t enough. There’s no reason we should have to go visit them.”
“None of us want to, but I assume they're going to be giving us some more information on the next task, so it's not like any of you really wanted to wait at home,” Damien shot back from his spot in the driver's seat. He was right about that. If I had a choice between being squeezed like a sardine between my friends, and having to wait at home for them to return and share everything with me, then I would much rather be the sardine.
Damien turned onto the bumpy side road that led to the rebellion's meeting house and I gritted my teeth as I was jostled. I swore it felt as though he was hitting every one of those bumps on purpose, just to shut me up.
I took in a deep breath of frosty air as I left the car, the chill of it bitter, even through my jacket. I wanted to call out to Nix and ask her to warm me up, but I wasn't willing to draw her attention away at the moment. Her mouth was set in a firm, stubborn line as she stared at Valleria who was waiting at the door to greet us. A pretty woman stood with her, one I wasn't familiar with. Her coloring was similar to Nix's with her golden skin and dark hair, but her posture was severe, her shoulders back in a firm line, and her mouth hard as she gave Nix a nod of greeting.
“Welcome, all of you. Come inside and warm up,” Valleria called. “I want you to meet Viviana, she's from Faction Opal.”
“Welcome,” Viviana added, though she didn't soften her expression at all. Her accent was thick and heavy, making me think of dark red wine and summer nights.
We filed inside, following Valleria as she twisted and turned us through the winding home. I was sure she did it on purpose, trying to confuse us on our location. All of the members we had met in our previous visit—Victoria, Rio, Alexandre, Rune, Risa, and Leo—were present, lounging together around a wide dining table when we arrived.
“It's good to see you,” Risa said, popping up from her place to join us. I glanced from side to side, but didn't notice Ciarán anywhere in residence at the moment, nor was Rini nearby. I wondered if they were here frequently, or if they had only attended the first time to make our introduction easier. She cocked her head to the side, studying each of us in turn. “It seems none of you are any the worse for wear after your little test.”
“Not for your lack of trying,” Killian spat out, his words bitter.
Victoria stood, reaching out her hands in a placating gesture. “Killian, we meant for no harm to come to any of you. We would never want to lose any of you.”
“You sure have a funny way of showing it,” he snarled. “You’re lucky Nix can regenerate.”
“Kill,” Nix murmured, her voice soft, as she stroked a soothing hand down his back. I wished it was me she was soothing. I was on edge and my Ceraptor was furious in my head.
“So, why are we here?” I asked, staring them down and ignoring Damien's subtle shoulder bump. “We provided what you asked for. I'm sure you've realized that by now.”
“Oh, we did,” Victoria assured us, ushering us toward seats that none of us were willing to take. I knew we would all rather be on our feet to hear what was coming.
“Does that mean you're giving us the next task?” Hiro inquired with a tilt of his head.
“You
are in a rush, aren't you?” Valleria asked, and though a smile played on her lips, there was no humor in her words. “No, it's not yet time for another test. For now, we just want you to rest and recuperate. We brought you here to congratulate you. Not everyone believed you could pass this test. Many assumed you would return and say your only option was to try and kill the Councilman.”
“That would have been foolish,” Theo pointed out. “We did consider it, admittedly, but it was quickly dismissed as an idea.”
“We aren't the Council members,” Nix said, her usually warm voice cold as she squared her shoulders. “If we had simply killed one of them, we would be just like them. That's not who we are—it's not who we'd ever be. It’s the exact type of behavior and politics that we’d be fighting to change if we join your rebellion.”
“Good,” Victoria said on a sharp nod, returning to her seat, with Alexandre at her side. “We wouldn't have wanted you to end up captured for such a ridiculous mistake.”
“If all you wanted to do was congratulate us, I'm sure that could have been passed through Ciarán,” Theo commented. “I assume there is something else?”
Valleria sighed and picked up a glass to sip from as she faced us. She leaned against the edge of the table rather than taking her seat, crossing her legs at the ankle while she took another drink. “We decided that after your display, a reward was necessary. Your task, after all, was risky and one that we greatly appreciate, seeing as how it gives us the means to try and work on an antidote for Basilisk venom.”
“A reward?” Killian remarked dryly. “I think the Council would notice if we were suddenly drowning in money.”
“Not all rewards are monetary,” she countered, uncowed by his irritation and anger. “We were thinking more along the line of information.”
“Information?” Damien echoed, studying her. “About what?”
Viviana spoke, her accented voice cool as she stated, “Ryder.”
My eyebrows shot up, and my friends glanced at me quickly and then away again. “What about me? I assure you, there are no secrets between my friends and myself.”
“Maybe not, but there are secrets that have been kept from you,” she declared, tapping her fingers softly on the tabletop.
I snorted. “I doubt that. None of my friends would keep anything from me.”
“So you are not interested in finding out about your sister?” Viviana challenged quietly.
I gasped, staggering under the weight of her words. “You know about my sister?” My voice cracked, and only Damien's firm grip on my arm kept me from lurching forward to grab her and focus her attention on me as she idly sipped from her glass.
“We told you we knew of the island,” Valleria interjected. “And it was hard, for many of us, not to infiltrate immediately. Now that they have removed themselves from the island, we were able to break through the barrier and search. They took almost everything, but some information and equipment was left behind.”
“Skip to the part where my sister is involved,” I nearly growled, fighting hard to hold my Ceraptor in check. He wanted to rear and pound his hooves into the ground, demanding answers from these people.
“I'm sorry, Ryder,” Valleria whispered, a light sheen of tears in her eyes. “She's no longer alive.”
I staggered, shaking my head. “That can't be. I heard…”
Valleria shook her head. “She was alive, until a few years ago. Even if we had taken the island when we learned of it, she would have already been gone.”
“How did she…” I trailed off, gasping for air as fury and sorrow raged through me. I had buried my sister once before, and now I would have to do so again—but this time I knew for certain she was gone. I wasn't positive I was strong enough to go through all of it again.
Risa spoke now, confusion clear in her tone. “It didn't really make sense. Something about her powers. It was only a small note, something that had slipped past as unimportant. I think… I think she somehow managed to kill herself.” Her voice shook as she delivered the punch that stole the rest of the air from my lungs. She took a gulp of water, as if to clear the taste of the words from her mouth. Nix darted to my side, wrapping comforting arms around my waist, heedless of the gaze of the others on us as she stroked and soothed, her hands gentle against my back and side.
“It still doesn't make sense,” I murmured, glancing at Nix and trying to decide if it was more painful to let myself keep hoping or to accept that she was lost to me again.
“She had a child,” Valleria divulged quietly. “A little girl.”
The wind was knocked from my chest, and the image of the little blonde girl overpowered every other thought in my mind. “A niece. I have a niece.” The words were more of an afterthought, spoken without my control, as I remembered the little girl. “We need to find her!” I glanced frantically at my friends who had gathered to support me.
Watch your words and your thoughts, Ry, Damien urged me. We don't know who else here may have powers like mine. You're projecting like crazy. She went home with one of the families from the Gala, remember?
It's probable she's safe and comfortable, Theo soothed. It's an honor for a child to be gifted in the adoption ceremonies, they wouldn't be ill-treated. It will take some searching, but we will find her.
I'll reach out to my family as soon as we're home, Hiro soothed, rubbing gently at the back of my neck. I know they took a child home. They'll probably know the others who were adopted as well.
“Thank you for telling him,” Nix told the rebellion members, covering up our mental conversation, while her eyes remained on me as she continued to gently rub my back. “Is there anything else?”
“I believe you know what else the island was used for,” Victoria added, her eyes sharp.
Nix shivered, and nodded. “We have an idea.”
“Other than that, we didn't get much. They were fairly efficient in their cleanup. Most of what we got were bits and pieces.” She wrinkled her nose, shaking her head. “Some of it was disturbing. They were experimenting. A lot of the scents were just—wrong, somehow.” She glanced between us. “Is there any other information you can provide us about that place? Anything that may help us?”
“If there are others, we want to find them,” Valleria spoke up. Her hands were as tightly fisted as my own, her mouth set in a grim line as disgust curled her lip. “What they were doing, it was beyond horrible. If we can get more proof, it may be enough to get those who oppose us onto our side when it becomes necessary.”
Don't say much, Damien warned. We need to talk about this as a family.
“Unfortunately we know very little now, though hopefully more of Nix's memories will return with time,” Hiro said, without any hint of distress in his voice. I admired that about him, his ability to remain cool, calm, and confident in almost any situation. If I had spoken right now, I knew they would have heard my alter close to the surface and my words wouldn't have been nearly as polite. “For now, this has been a shock to all of us. If you are not ready to gift us with the third task, I ask that you allow us to return home. Nix is still healing, and Ryder now has much to deal with.”
“Of course,” Valleria said, setting her cup aside. “I'll lead you back out if you're willing.”
“We'll be calling you again soon,” Rune called after us. “Don't get too complacent in the meantime.”
Don't let him provoke you, Theo warned, as we wound our way back through the house and out to the car. I didn't even notice where I was sitting. Ice was running through my veins, even as Nix cuddled up next to me, her hands still stroking softly against me in a nonstop rhythm.
I can't let this go, I said, leaning into Nix's hands. She was there. Now my niece is missing too. What else was on that island? What else didn't they find?
“I want my memories back,” Nix stated, her voice firm in the quiet car. “Killian, I know I asked before, but can you please try to get ahold of Zanoah again? If we can get some answers from her, maybe we can g
et more answers for Ryder—and for me.”
Killian sighed. “I'll try to contact her again. She hasn’t been returning my calls. I’ve been trying not to be too obvious. She's not anyone I've really spoken to in the past, so tracking her down in person isn't exactly an option since it will probably draw the attention of the Council. I may try to reach out and see if my brother can help me. It may take a some time to get in contact with her and arrange something, but I will make sure she gives you your memories back, Nix.”
“They can't take my niece too,” I said firmly, burying my face in Nix's hair. My sister's song played hauntingly in my mind, the strains repeating over and over again as I let Nix comfort me. “I won't let them have her too.”
“Of course not. We'll bring her home, Ry,” Nix reassured me. “We'll all bring her home. Just give us a little time.” The soft lilt of her sweet, feminine voice was what I held onto to keep myself grounded, and I nodded, swallowing hard against the scream of rage that wanted to pour from my throat. I would wait for now, but not for much longer. We needed to get back to that island. I needed to see it for myself… search for any evidence or information the Council and the rebellion might have missed. Once Nix was strong enough, that was exactly what I was going to do.
Twenty-Seven
Nix
I wasn’t above admitting that I was currently pouting at Theo, with my arms crossed over my chest as we sat outside of his mother's house. “I thought you were staying. Another girls’ day? Do I have to go back to the mall again?” I really hoped I didn't—one mall trip had been more than enough. I had loved the company, but that many shops and people was more than I wanted to deal with at the moment. “Shouldn't we be focusing on other things?”
“Nix, you don't have to stay if you don't want to,” Theo assured me. “Rini, Molly, and my mother only wanted some time with you. They promised to make sure you don't run off this time.” My pout deepened to a scowl. “We thought maybe it would give you a chance to talk to them about things you don't want to talk about with us.”
