by Wendi Zwaduk
“I know,” Jon said. “Rachel and I, along with Sabra and Alyx, have beefed up security spells around the castle and realm. We’ve taken in many Fae who have been displaced. You’re lucky to still have your home and a life—which is why I’m here.”
“I’m listening.” Casey wasn’t sure what he could do for Jon.
“I want you back on the court. The Fae are stronger together,” Jon said. “You have magic and think like a vampire.”
“You want me as an insider.” He’d be used again. Damn it.
“You’re an asset because you know how vampires think. So does Raine, unfortunately.” Jon rested his hands on his hips. “Your security here is good, but wouldn’t you enjoy being part of the Fae realm and the court again?”
“This is my home.” He’d kept it up so far and was safe—for now.
“It is, but you’re on the edge of the Fae realm. I’m sure you knew that. If you agree to be part of the Fae again, our protections will stretch to your property,” Jon said. “I want to protect you—all of you.”
He liked the sound of that. “And Raine?”
“You’ve marked her, yes?” Jon asked.
“I have.” He couldn’t lie about it.
“She’s your partner,” Rachel said.
“I’m not sure about that,” he replied.
Jon snorted. “Don’t believe in love, do you?”
“It’s not worked out before,” Casey said.
“Trust yourself and her.” Jon nodded. “Bring her to me. I want to see her.”
“No.” Raine appeared beside Casey. “I don’t know who you are, but I’m not going to you. Screw you.” She shoved Casey. “And screw you. I trusted you.” She whipped around and ran from him.
“Shit,” Jon said. “She is flighty.”
“She’s human and been abused.” Rachel’s brow crinkled, and she closed her eyes. “She’s scared. I remember being in her place and I was scared, too.”
“It’s been rough gaining her trust.” He’d have to work extra hard now. “Is Lomax trying to make a move?” He had to chase after her.
“Yes, which is why I wanted the both of you. She knows him, and you know vampires.” Jon sighed. “Sort it out, then come me. But know your land is protected. If Lomax shows up on your property, I will be right behind.”
“Thank you, my prince.” He knelt again. “May I open a portal if I’m still able?”
“Please do,” Jon said.
Casey stood. “Thank you.”
Rachel stepped through the portal first. “Be patient with her. Show her you love her, too.”
Jon followed her to the other side of the portal. “What she said.”
“Sure.” Regaining Raine’s trust wasn’t going to be easy. He waited for the portal to shut before he listened for her. Jerome inched through the living room and said nothing.
Casey shook his head. He’d deal with Jerome later. He headed down to the bedroom. The door was locked. He flicked his hand over the lock and let himself in.
“Don’t you dare come in here,” Raine screamed. “I’m not a pawn. I will not be sold again.”
“Silence.” He needed to think.
Raine backed into the bed and tumbled onto the mattress. “No.”
He closed the door and kept his voice even. “You spoke out in front of the Fae prince. He extended protections to my house, my people, including you, and offered us posts within the court of the royal family. He accepted me, despite my being a fucking vampire. I promised you’d be safe and I’m coming through. I’m also not selling you or handing you over to anyone. I found a girl who accepts me and isn’t afraid. Who can handle my brand of domination, but also you make me feel normal. You’re the only one who can.”
She tucked into herself and shrank away from him. “I misunderstood everything, didn’t I?” she whispered.
“You did.”
She averted her gaze. “I’m sorry, Sir.” She looked up at him. “I woke and you were gone, so I went looking for you, then I heard voices and saw that man…it scared me. That’s how Lomax would treat me. He’d barter with beings to use me. He knew what I liked and used it against me.”
“I know.” He didn’t need every detail, but he knew enough already. He knelt before her. “I will not let Lomax or anyone else hurt you. I won’t.”
“I believe you.”
Thank the Goddess. Still, he had to be careful. “That said, we are to present ourselves to the prince and his mate.”
“For punishment?”
“For a position at the court.”
“I don’t belong there.”
“I hardly do myself.”
“You’ll be with me?”
“All the way.”
“I’m scared,” she murmured.
“I did say I’m a nasty piece of work.”
“You did.” She unfolded her legs and slid onto his knee.
“Where you’re concerned, sweet, I’ll be a teddy bear, but if anyone tries to harm you, they will pay,” he said.
“Understood.” She threaded her arms around his shoulders and buried her face against his throat. “Thank you, Sir.”
“Casey.”
She looked up at him and nodded. “Casey.”
“Better.” He smoothed his palm over her ass. “We are to go to the royal palace.”
“Royal…” Her eyes widened. “That sounds so strange.”
“It does.” He swept his gaze over her. “You’ll need something more appropriate to wear.”
“Like what? I’ve never been to a palace or anything fancy. Just the club. I doubt I can wear one of those lingerie-style dresses.” She half-smiled. “What do you suggest?”
“I’ll help you out.” He couldn’t wait to see her all dolled up, then in a skimpy fishnet dress. He’d create something perfect for her shape. “Why don’t you have a bath and do your hair? I’ll come up with an outfit for you, okay? While you’re in there, I’ll talk to the staff, too, about the change.”
“They aren’t staff. They’re family.” She kissed him. “They’re strange and pushy, but still family.”
“Agreed.” He helped her off his knee and onto her feet. “Go.”
She lingered a moment. “I’m sorry, Sir. My fear got the better of me.”
He peered into her mind. He trusted her, but the opportunity to visit the palace didn’t come around often. He needed to know her true motivations.
I don’t feel good enough or worthy to see the prince. I’m not worthy of Casey. Jesus. They’ll know what I’ve been forced to do with other vampires and how I’ve been handled, and they’ll discard me.
“Casey?” She tipped her head. “Sir?” She parted her lips. “You’re reading my mind, aren’t you?”
Damn right. He worried she was hiding something from him. “What aren’t you telling me?” He stood long enough to move to the bed. “You’re keeping something secret.”
She hesitated. “I’m not hiding. I’m ashamed.”
He debated unlocking her collar but left it alone. “Tell me. Why are you ashamed?”
She sighed but looked him in the eye. “Lomax wanted me to get close to Jon when he visited the Refuge before it exploded. Jon never noticed me, and I didn’t try to gain his attention. Lomax thought if I could persuade Jon to surrender to the vampires, he’d please the Governor. Now that the Governor is gone, Lomax wants to take his place. I’m ashamed because I didn’t try to argue with him. I only had Lomax’s side of the story—which made Jon look bad—but I couldn’t bring myself to do what Lomax wanted.” Her voice wavered. “That’s why I don’t feel worthy of them or you.”
“I see.” He needed a moment to make sense of what she’d told him. That was how she could be his undoing. Lomax believed she was still his agent and would get in good with the royalty or whomever he wanted. She’d be the opportunity. “He gambled a lot.”
“You bought me, and he knows where I am.”
“And he thinks since he conned you into believing
before, you’ll still go along with him because you’re afraid to cross him,” Casey said. “He doesn’t know we’ve been invited to be part of the Fae realm.”
“No.” She placed Casey’s palm on her temple. “Read my heart and my mind. I’m not going back to him. I couldn’t.”
“Why?” He needed her to say it out loud.
“I’m still broken, but I’m better because I have you. I belong somewhere.”
He felt the love in her heart and the trust in her mind.
“I want to be with you because you’re you—not because of the luxuries you can give me. You’ve believed in me more than anyone. You’re not trying to control me or punish. I’m not less than human because I’m not perfect or skinny or whatever. I’m scared of how I feel about you because for the first time in my life, I’m in love with someone. You.”
She meant what she’d said. She loved him. “You’re more worthy than you think.”
“Thank you, Sir.” She ducked into the adjacent bathroom and left the door open.
His existence had changed so much in such a short time. He’d found Raine and forged a relationship with her, angered Lomax again, reconnected with the Fae and Raine had fallen in love with him. He should be overjoyed, but the whole situation was too much to handle all at once. That said, he didn’t have time to dissect what was going on. She could hide some things from him, but not her true feelings. She loved him.
He’d have to make the collar around her neck permanent because he certainly wasn’t letting her go.
Chapter Seven
An hour later, Raine dressed in the lush sweater and jeans Casey had conjured for her. The fabric was soft against her skin. He’d even created a bra and panties set for her.
She smoothed the sweater over her ribs and refused to look at her reflection in the mirror. “It’s perfect.”
“The colors go with your eyes.” He kissed the top of her head. “Now that I know I have my magic and can use it, I’ll make you whatever you want.”
“You will? You’ll spoil me.”
“Of course.” He stood behind her and embraced her. “I will make that collar permanent soon. You’ll be my girl and my mate.”
“You’re serious?” No one ever wanted her in those ways before. “Casey?”
“I mean it.” He kissed the top of her head again. “Once we decide what to do about Lomax and get through this visit, we’ll discuss the rules—what you want from me, and I from you.”
“Yes, Sir. I can’t wait, Sir. Thank you.” She twisted in his arms so she faced him. “I love you, Sir.” Jubilation washed over her. She’d told him earlier she loved him, but now the moment felt even more right.
“My sweet.” He offered his arm. “We should go.”
Rain stepped out of the bedroom. A shiver ran the length of her spine. She couldn’t shake the uneasiness. Because she was about to visit the prince? No. She’d only had this stomach-churning fear around one person. “Casey?”
“Yes?” He frowned. “I feel it, too. The strange sizzle in the air?”
“I think Lomax is close.” She couldn’t be sure, but her instincts were on the fritz.
“He’s tried to come onto the property before.”
“He’s watching it,” she said. “Watching you.” She spread her palm over his chest. “Can you put an extra spell or enchantment around the property? I have a strange suspicion he wants to hurt someone tonight. I’ve felt it since he first showed up.”
“I’m told we’re part of the Fae realm, and if he shows up, Jon will be here. Vampires aren’t permitted onto the Fae grounds, and Lomax knows that.” He flicked his fingers, opening a portal. “Just a moment.” He turned his back to her. “My prince?”
The man she’d seen before strode into the portal opening. He smiled, but the joy faded. “Casey. You must be Raine.”
“Hi.” She stayed close to Casey. “I’m sorry for the way I behaved before. I was scared and didn’t trust you wouldn’t hurt me.”
“My sweet believes Lomax wishes to cause my home and my cobbled together family harm while I’m gone,” Casey said. “Please forgive us.”
“I do forgive you and let Lomax try.” Jon stepped through the portal and into Casey’s home. “He can’t do shit.”
Raine trembled. She’d seen some portals in use, but they were even more majestic in action.
Jon snapped his fingers. “As of this moment, your property is masked. To anyone not in or of the Fae realm, it looks like an abandoned lot. Your family is protected. Lomax can try, but he will not penetrate this spell.”
She clutched Casey’s arm. “What if he’s already on the property?” she asked. “Forgive me for being so forward, but he’s not stupid. If he wants to gain entry, he won’t be blunt about it. He’ll slide in, climb a tree, scale what he thinks is a weak point in the walls around the property or he’s waiting and he slipped over just as you cast the spell. He’s underhanded and wants to get to you, Sir.” Calling Jon Sir felt so odd. Casey was her Sir.
“Sir!” Jerome burst into the room and his face paled. “Atell’s dead. Heard him scream.”
“Shit.” Casey handed Raine something heavy. “Shoot him. Not us.”
Shoot? She looked down at the object. A gun. How in the hell was she supposed to use it? She knew nothing about weapons. “Yes, Sir.” She had no choice but to go along with whatever plan he had in mind. She had to defend her home and people. “What’s in this?” She wanted to know in case she accidentally hit the wrong individual.
“Silver bullets.” Casey shoved Jerome through the portal.
“What if I miss and hit you? Will I kill you?” She couldn’t handle the pain of losing Casey.
Casey glared at her. “Don’t miss.” He closed the portal. “Let’s go.”
Jon flicked his hands. Sparks shot through his fingers. “Where is the bastard?”
Casey and Jon led the way through the house. She wanted to lag behind and mourn the loss of her friend. Atell was a good man and protector. He deserved better than to be killed, but Jon and Casey didn’t appear to be worried about his body being wherever. She hadn’t seen the carnage, but Jerome wasn’t the type to make up something like that.
“Stay behind me,” Casey muttered. He tensed and the sparks from Jon’s hands intensified as the trio ventured through the house. When Casey stopped, she didn’t have to look around him to know why. Lomax.
“You’re in my den,” Casey snarled. “Glamoured Jerome, did you?”
She gasped. She’d thought Jerome was so devoted. Could he be turned against Casey? If he could, then what about her? She refused to acknowledge Lomax. If she couldn’t see him, he didn’t exist.
“I will kill you,” Lomax said.
“With the prince here?” Casey asked. “Now, don’t be silly.”
She couldn’t ignore Lomax, but she refused to let him win. She couldn’t risk Casey.
“I’ll kill you all.” Lomax sneered. “I will.”
“Why?” Raine asked and inched around Casey. She kept the gun concealed. “Because you’re a rotten person?”
“My beloved.” Lomax smiled without fondness. “Vampires rule this world. This Fae prince is fake, and the Fae vampire is a mongrel. You belong with a truly powerful being. Me.”
“Please.” Casey snorted.
“You have no business being here,” Jon said. “You murdered a shifter.”
“He was in the way.” Lomax curled his lip in a deeper sneer. “Get out of my way right now and give me my girl.”
Casey widened his stance, tucking Raine behind him again. “Never mind her. Your beef is with me,” he thundered. “You’re the asshole who sent Paloma to turn me.”
Paloma? She’d never heard of the woman. Did Casey love his maker? Or was she nothing to him now? Did he still care about her? Raine gritted her teeth. Why was she worried about a person she didn’t know, especially right now?
“You ruined my life,” Casey growled. “And you abused my mate.”
&nb
sp; Mate? Holy shit. She cocked the gun. Lomax had done enough damage, and she’d rather be rolling in the sheets with Casey. He’d called her his mate. No one had ever looked at her that way before. Yeah, she wanted to bask in her good fortune.
“It’s very simple,” Jon said. “We castrate him, then leave it up to your girl to choose his fate.”
She wobbled. They’d given her too much to process. Her hands trembled. Casey was her mate, which overjoyed her. But she had to get rid of Lomax. She needed the chance to shoot him.
“Give her to me,” Lomax said, his voice even. “She’s the one you should hate. Without her, I wouldn’t have found you.” He laughed. “I tracked her the whole time through her blood.”
He did? How? She held on to the gun and peeked around at Casey. If she aimed, she might hit Lomax and stun him.
“How?” Casey snapped. “When you broke her skin?”
“I couldn’t let the blood go to waste.” Lomax cackled. “Do you know why I did what I did with her? A human needs to be broken. They are meant to serve us. I see the collar she wears and I can tell you claimed her. Now you both belong to me. You both shall kneel before me.”
“Piss off,” Casey replied.
Ditto. She gauged her shot. If she moved a bit more to the left and used every bit of luck in her body, she might be able to hit Lomax.
“She loved me. Still does. She told me she’d find you, use you because you’re a sap and leave you for me when she was done. It worked,” Lomax said. “You’re finished. I told you she’d be your demise.”
Good God. She inched around Casey and pulled the trigger four times. The back of Lomax’s head exploded in a mass of gray and black. He jerked but didn’t fall. Fuck.
“Darling, you must aim for the heart,” Lomax said. “All you did was wound me. A little blood from my new human, Cammie, and I’ll be fine.”
“Gotta get to her first.” Casey lunged forward and rammed a stake through Lomax’s heart. “That’s for killing Atell, and for Raine and for pissing me off. You got brains and shit all over my floor.”
Lomax clutched the stake, trying to remove it. “You’d kill me? I gave you Paloma. I made sure the vampires appreciated you. You need me.”
