by J. Kearston
That was when I started running the gauntlets, some part of me needing to prove to these strangers whose opinions don’t truly matter that I didn’t need protecting. I mean fuck, they don’t even get their powers unless they mate. What sane man wouldn’t fear a chick that has bigger balls than they do, when hers are made of fire?
Chapter 2
Ezra
“Let’s just kill them,” Kinsley offers for the fourth time in as many minutes.
“Guys,” I groan, flopping down on the couch. “Seriously, stop. They didn’t do anything and I doubt I’ll ever see them again,” I placate.
Elias, the little shit, comes over and sits on my stomach. For only being thirteen, he certainly acts like one of the triplets, despite how much older we all are than him. I’ve got a decade on the pipsqueak, but you wouldn’t know it with the way he towers over me too.
He looks like a younger version of the triplets, all of us having the same shade of fiery red hair and bright green eyes. Elias is closest to me in height, while the triplets are a little over six feet of lean muscle.
The guys aren’t the only ones with warrior genes though, and they can lie all they want, but I know how jealous they are that I’ve already got my abilities. They’ll never see them unless they find mates, and it’s that main reason why they don’t trust a single guy that expresses an interest in me. You have to assume anyone that wants a mate is only in it for the power boost or bragging rights, and you need to weed through the assholes to find someone that sincerely likes you for more than what you offer them.
I’m not some broodmare to be auctioned off to the highest bidder.
That one was fun, when some rich asshole tried to bribe my brothers for my hand. The poor fucker didn’t know what hit him after that. Not only did Kaiden kick his ass, but they spent the next year pulling cruel pranks on the guy just so he knew they never forgave or forgot, getting more enjoyment out of letting him live to torture.
“You let them live. Why?” Elias asks, ignoring me trying to knock him off.
“Killing them wouldn’t advance me anymore than letting them live would. I only sacrifice someone if their death benefits me, not to get my rocks off. You know that.”
I don’t bring an active flame into my hand, but I let my finger heat to blistering levels and poke my little brother in the side of his annoying ass. He yelps and hops off, letting me draw in a full breath at last as I pull myself up to a seated position.
“Not fair,’ he scowls, rubbing his ass and glaring at me.
I shrug as I get to my feet. “A girl’s got to do, what a girl’s got to do.”
“Ezra,” Kahl sighs, more level headed than any of them.
When our parents died, he shouldered most of the responsibilities, being the oldest by just a few minutes. He took it harder than any of us and has tried so hard to make sure we don’t go without anything, that the absence our parents left behind doesn’t undo us. Kaiden and Kinsley give it their all, but Mom and Dads’ deaths have always haunted Kahl the most.
He’s leaning by the door frame in our home, giving me the look that means a lecture is coming. After the train wreck of a sex talk the three of them gave me, I’ve done all I can to avoid any serious lectures from them since.
“What did you mean, about the men running in the races vying for my attention?” I interrupt before he can gain any traction.
His eyes harden and he stands a little taller, and I fight a grin when I know I have him. “Those races were created so a man could prove his worth, Ez. Only the strongest and most cunning win and as such, raises their status.”
I stretch as I walk over to the kitchen to grab a glass of water, easily able to hear him through the bar cut into the wall that separates the rooms. “Yes, yes; continue to sing my praises, dear brother.”
He snorts his amusement. “And with my baby sister’s obsession with the death race, you think men wouldn’t flock to them to try and get your attention? You’ve made it clear you value strength and winning, and you’ve won every race you’ve run since you started.”
Kinsley joins me in the kitchen and steals my glass, drinking half of it before returning it as I glare at him. “So there’s an idiotic rumor that whoever manages to beat you at your own game, you’ll take as a mate.”
I finish off my water and put the empty glass in the sink. “Well that’s stupid. Let’s be real here, I’d probably chuck a fireball at the asshole that broke my winning streak.”
Kaiden grins at the idea. “Yeah, you’re a pretty sore loser,” he laughs, mussing up my hair as I bat his hand away. I swear they constantly do it just because they know it bugs me.
I hop up onto the counter, swinging my feet and letting them thump against the cabinets beneath me, knowing it drives Kaiden nuts and I’m petty. “Yeah, I’m not even going to argue that,” I laugh. “Can you imagine the dude’s face if he won and just expected me to swoon at his feet instead of kicking him in the shin?”
Elias weasels his way through to hop up beside me on the counter. No matter how he tries to act like the triplets, he and I will always be closer. Not only due to age, but since our mom and dads died when he was a toddler, I practically raised him while our brothers worked.
“You think I wouldn’t be standing ten feet from the finish line with a tripwire before I let that happen?” he asks, bumping his shoulder into mine.
I nod sagely. “I would expect nothing short of dirty rotten tricks from you four, you cheaters. I’m pretty sure you’d rather I die an old spinster rather than take any mates.”
“Damn straight,” four voices echo in eerie synchronization and I smile.
Rolling my eyes, I lean my head on Elias’ shoulder. “You know I would stay in town, it’s not like I’d move away.
The room gets quieter as everyone gets lost in their own thoughts before Kinsley snaps everyone out of it. With a harsh clap of his hands, he starts making his way out of the kitchen.
“Nope, not happening. Why don’t you go shopping, Ms. Moneybags?” he delegates, snatching his keys off of the end table.
I slide to my feet. “We could pay off the rest of the year’s mortgage payments and you guys could pull lighter days at the shop if we play our cards right. I just need another couple of wins and we could make it work.”
Kaiden growls, always the quick temper. “You don’t need to worry about that shit. We have it handled. If you insist on pitching in, use it to stock up the place with food, alright?” He storms out of the house first, Kinsley following after him.
Kahl turns to me with a soft smile. “You run those races for you, not the money, okay? You know we’ll always figure something out.”
I hug him goodbye. “I just hate that you guys are always at work. We never see you. But you’re right; the money is a bonus, but I honestly love competing.”
He hugs me tight enough to crack my ribs. “Good. We’ll train together this weekend then, alright?”
I nod with a sad smile. It’s the only actual time I get with the three of them anymore, but I look forward to any chance I can get.
He leaves and the three of them head back to work, leaving Elias and I alone. “Come on, I’ll drop you at school on my way to the store. I can’t believe you actually left in the first place.”
We lock up and climb into my black SUV, heading into town.
“You have to admit, Ez, it was weird,” Elias answers quietly, not needing to posture when we aren’t around the triplets. “You might have deflected attention away from it with Kahl, but don’t think I didn’t notice what you were doing. You never look twice at anyone, and you were more focused on talking with those newbloods than you were your victory walk. You love the victory walk.”
“Why, little brother, I do believe you’re accusing me of being an attention whore,” I joke, and he flicks my cheek.
“Ow! Dick,” I snap, rubbing the side of my face.
I can practically hear his eyes rolling in his head. “Don’t change the subject, Ezra,
you know exactly what I meant. You like them?”
I proceed cautiously. “I don’t even know them. They just intrigued me.”
He nods as I pull to a stop outside of the entrance to his school. “I’ll look into them.”
I look at him in surprise as he opens and shuts his door. “Why?”
Elias leans an arm on the open window of the passenger door, leaning in so I can see the sincerity in his bright, green eyes. “Because one day you’re going to leave me and I’d rather it be for mates that are going to treat you right instead of some assholes. Drive safe.” He smacks the car door once and turns, heading into school without once looking back.
I fight off the watery eyes because I am not a crier, but the thought of leaving Elias alone in an empty house tugs at my heartstrings. Our brothers are always working, so it’s always been the two of us, but he would willingly sacrifice that if he thought it’d make me happy.
Fuck, I’m going to have to be a spinster after all. Might as well splurge on some new toys for the box under my bed while I’m out to prepare.
Chapter 3
Ezra
I grab my cart and start going through the aisles, splurging for once and really stocking up the house. Since the triplets never accept my money for rent, I usually just run around paying the utilities and such before they can get there, much to their annoyance, or getting them things they’re sorely in need of. New clothes or something nice they’d never buy themselves. They’ve spent their entire lives going without for us, so it’s the least I can do.
I reach the end of the aisle at the same time as someone else about to pass it, t-boning and crashing into their cart. A few things fall, but mostly it’s just loud.
“Fuck, I’m sorry,” I apologize, snatching things off the ground and dividing up what’s his or mine.
“You’re a girl.”
I look up at that, because honestly, it’s a weird way to start a conversation. Even if I don’t know the names of every Tom, Dick, and Harry, people know mine just by reputation alone. Not only from the fact I’m the only woman in the vicinity, but that I’m the only one to ever run the gauntlets, and they’re televised throughout the city.
“Brilliant observation. I’m also a scorpio and have red hair,” I retort sarcastically.
He has auburn hair, leaning closer to brown, that’s in need of a trim. His black t-shirt is stretched tight across his chest above dark jeans, but it’s his eyes that captivate me. A deep red like I’ve never seen before, as if his entire world is tainted through a filter of blood. He looks the very part of a demon and radiates a quiet menace that any sane person would listen to. Instead, I find myself drawn to it, wanting to see if he’s as lethal as he comes off.
The corner of his lips twitches. “And like long walks on the beach at sunset?” he teases.
I scoff. “Only if the beach is made of quicksand.”
He grins, extending his hand. “Vyrian.”
“Ezra.”
I shake his hand, but let go as soon as I see some familiar faces in the aisles. Last thing I want is for my brothers to be called away twice in one day.
“So what brings you to Hadeon?”
His smile falls. “It was time for a change.”
I’ve never been one to be tactful. I lean my elbow on my cart handle, resting my chin in my hand. “Kill a king and need to flee your lands?”
His smile returns as he shakes his head. “Nothing nearly as interesting as that. But after you’ve spent enough time in a town, you’ve seen it all. Life’s too short to sit still and wait for things to fall into your lap.”
I roll my eyes. “Like a mate?”
He doesn’t have the decency to look chagrined. “Can’t say that wouldn’t be nice, but I’ve long since given up on that prospect.” I try not to look intrigued. “Though I am looking for something to add to my collection. I hear great things about the blacksmiths in this town and want to commission a project.”
I stand to my full height, beginning to walk through the aisles again and finishing the shopping while we talk. “What sort of project?”
“Aren’t you a nosey thing?” he jokes, but he continues to walk beside me.
I shrug. “Not a lot to do in a town where you’ve already done it all. Mysterious strangers on the other hand are few and far between. Color me curious.”
A few more aisles and we’re on our way to the registers.
“A specially modified design for a bow,” he finally relents.
I pause, turning to look at him in a new light. “People tend to lean more towards swords and breastplates these days. Would you even be able to get the right tension from an iron bow?”
He smiles. “An interest in weaponry?”
Vyrian steps into line behind me and I turn around while we wait for our turn at the register. “My brothers actually run the forge in this area.”
His eyes brighten with excitement. “A lady that knows her way around a weapon. Why, Ezra, if I didn’t know better I’d think you were trying to seduce me.”
I bark out a sharp laugh, starting to unload my groceries onto the conveyor belt. Vyrian steps over to help and the cashier gives him a pointed once over, no doubt sizing up the ‘competition’.
“Easy there, Charlie,” I placate the cashier, “he’s lifting a case of water, not my skirt. No need to get your panties in a twist.”
Charlie rolls his eyes. We went to school together, so I’ve known him pretty much my entire life, and he’s narked me out to my brothers more times than I can count.
“Want me to walk you to your car?” he offers, glaring at Vyrian while bagging things up.
I shake my head in exasperation. “There are six people in line behind me, Charlie. You’d leave them all waiting to escort me to my car in broad daylight for no good reason?”
“Yes,” he replies immediately and I scowl.
“No.”
I pass him an obscene amount of money, the grocery bill way higher than I anticipated, and start walking towards the exit. “Later, Vyrian. Check your receipt; I’d bet money Charlie’s going to double scan some of your shit.”
He curses as I head out to my car and leave him behind, filling up the massive trunk and most of the back seat. When I feel a hand on my shoulder, I react on instinct and my skin heats to a high enough temperature my clothes start smoking.
I turn, ready to take a swing, but Vyrian has his hands up in surrender and is apologizing profusely. “Oh fuck, I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”
Logically, I knew it was likely either him or Charlie, but after that incident a few years ago, I get jumpy when anyone sneaks up on me.
“I wasn’t scared!” I snap.
He’s clearly fighting a smile and losing, so I punch him in the shoulder as I take the cart back to the return.
“Of course not, my mistake. I was just wondering if you’d give me directions to your brothers’ forge before taking off. I see now that was incredibly idiotic and presumptuous of me, so I’ll head out. Nice to meet you, Ezra.” He starts to walk away before turning back to me. “Also, did you know your clothes are on fire?”
I glance down at my rapidly shrinking shirt, cursing. Pros and cons of my abilities; I’m heat resistant. Yay for not being able to burn to death, but also means I can’t feel when these sort of things happen.
I pat at the embers, smothering the flames, but the damage is done. My pants are riddled with holes and my shirt is in even worse shape, but all of the important bits are still mostly covered, so small blessings.
“Here.” Vyrian whips off his shirt and passes it to me and I hesitate for a minute before slipping it on, the hem falling just beneath my ass.
“Thanks, I’ll make sure to get it back to you.”
I may not be able to feel the heat, but I’m under no illusion I must be blushing something fierce right now. Thanks to my brothers, I haven’t gotten a whole hell of a lot of practice flirting with hot guys.
“Keep it,” he w
inks. “It looks good on you.”
I bite my tongue in a bid to calm my racing heart. When he’s several steps away, I get control of myself, annoyed he threw me off so much.
“Turn right when you get out of the parking lot, down about a mile, and another right on Mara Avenue. Can’t miss it.”
I focus on his deep red eyes instead of the stacks of defined muscles begging me to lick them. I swear, he can read my face though as he replies with an amused smile, “Pleasure meeting you, Ezra. I hope to see more of you soon.”
I climb into my car before I can say anything idiotic and thump my head on the steering wheel. I’ve spent twenty-three years giving guys barely a second glance, and now in a single day I’ve become a hot mess over three newbloods.
I need to get home and change before anyone else sees me. If my brothers find me strutting into the house in a strange guy’s shirt, they are going to lose their ever-loving shit.
Chapter 4
Vyrian
“So which one of you gets the honor of paying rent next month?”
Soren and Caius get up to help me unload the groceries, following me outside.
“Neither,” Caius coolly states, “and why are you half naked?”
I pause as I grab another bag, turning to look at them in confusion. “You lost? That might actually rival my dinner story.”
We bring everything into the house, Soren swiping the antibacterial ointment and pulling off his shirt while Caius mirrors him. They dress their wounds while I put everything away, waiting to see which one is going to talk first. When it’s clear neither one of them want to discuss their defeat, I figure I’ll lighten the conversation and just jump into the weirdest part of my day.
“So, I think we’re going to have to kidnap someone and skip town, so I wouldn’t get too comfortable.”
That finally snaps them out of it and I lean my hip against the counter as Soren asks, “What the hell are you going on about, Yri?”
I put a hand to my chest and look at the ceiling, sighing wistfully. “I met the most perfect, fiery haired angel today, and I just don’t think I can go on without her.”
