Bloodfire Awakening

by Indiah Winter

  Running up to Dwight, Raph grabbed Kiz and jerked his viscer away, tossing him down the hall. Hearing his mate hit the ground, he cussed and prayed Kiz would forgive him later. Feeling teeth latch onto his neck, Raph’s mindsight dragged him down like an undertow.

  Raph breathed a sigh at the solution to the quell the hybrid’s rage. And it lay in the hands of a timid little nymph named Nixie.

  “Kizia!” he shouted, not taking his eyes off his mate. The teeth in his neck sent agony pulsing down his body, but he didn’t let up, knowing Dwight was losing his urge to kill.

  Feeling blood soak his already soiled clothes, Raph fought his hardest to not crack Dwight's neck. But he knew from his powers that something catastrophic would happen if he did. He knew in his bones that he had to interfere in Dwight and Nixie’s lives or Nixie would most likely do something he regretted—like kill himself. That would be the future if Raph didn’t meddle. He hated to intervene, but in this case…

  Raph couldn’t see very far in the future like Salem, but he saw enough to keep him out of trouble.

  “Kizia!” he called again.

  “What?” Kiz’s voice sounded raw. “What I do?”

  “Go find Nixie!”

  Kiz shook his head, his hair slicked to his scalp with sweat, blood seeping from his nose. “Why?”

  “Don’t question me.”

  Kiz’s eyes narrowed. “What he do? How he help?”

  Raph’s body tensed, arousal rearing its ugly head at Kiz’s attempt to out alpha him. He wanted desperately to show Kiz who the real alpha was. But it wasn’t the right time.

  He grit his teeth. “Nixie is a nurse, Kiz.”

  “I get Zain—”

  “Zain is—” He stopped, not sure how to tell Kiz that he’d put the doctor into a semi coma. He shrugged it off mentally, trying to focus on what he needed to do. But all he could focus on were his pulsating neck, ragged, gasping breaths, and his sexy-as-sin viscer.

  Shoving everything he felt—emotionally and physically—aside, he bit out none to nicely, “Not Zain. Get Nixie!”

  With a concerned expression, it took less than five seconds before Kiz nodded and left to find the nymph.

  Raph felt horrible for what he would be forced to put Nixie through, but he had to. Raph normally didn’t care much about others’ emotions, but after meeting Kiz he felt like a door had opened, letting empathy enter his soul. It wasn’t open vary far, but it was far enough to tell that he was changing.

  He’d do anything for Kiz. He’d cut off his own ear to prove his love.

  Whatever Kiz wanted—Raphael would get. And thing one was taking Koro out of the equation. With a single thought, Koro was in his bed and in a very deep sleep.

  Problem one solved.

  Now to begin the real work.

  * * * *

  Kiz was confused. He and his brother had been attacked along with Raphael. Then Raph had sent him to find Nixie. What does my mate plan?

  When he’d returned with the nymph, Kiz had been shocked when his attacker—Dwight—had then turned and tried to attack Nixie.

  Now the monstrous man slouched against a wall, unconscious by Raphael’s powers. Kiz had feared for Nixie when a stone-like Raphael had threatened the poor, defenseless nymph to care for Dwight till he was better…

  Kiz could feel Nixie’s fearful energy as his eyes flittered from Raphael to the passed-out hellhound. Dwight was breathing heavily through his mouth, his nose bent at an odd angle as his closed eyes twitched beneath his lids. He was soaked in blood, most of which belonged to Raphael.

  Kiz had been shocked when Dwight had latched on to Raphael. Even more so when Raphael didn’t even appear to fight back. He’d just stared at Kiz with a worried expression. When he’d tried to help, Raphael had shouted at him to stay away.

  Nixie’s pleading eyes then fell on Kiz as he begged, “Please, Kiz. Don’t let your mate do this to me. I-I can’t do it.”

  Kiz looked at the new Raph, fearful for Nixie. The Fallen Archangel had threatened to kick Nixie out of the bar if he didn’t follow Raph’s command to care for Dwight till the hellhound-hybrid was able to care for himself.

  “You are a nurse in training, no?” Raph practically sneered.

  “Y-yes,” Nixie said, lifting his hand and biting on his nail. “B-but I can’t. Have Dr. Za—”

  Kiz jumped when Raph barked. “You will obey!”

  Tears began to spill from Nixie’s eyes. His tiny body shook in obvious fright as his eyes flittered over Dwight. Kiz clearly saw an array of emotions on Nixie’s face—fear, fear, and more fear. But… Kiz squinted. Nixie look like he glow brighter…

  “Leave us, Nixie,” Raph said in a deadened tone, making Kiz jump. “Like I said, I’ll have Dwight delivered to your room with supplies to—” He flashed a murderous look at Dwight. “—patch him up.”

  Kiz wanted to slap Raphael for putting the tearful expression on the nymph’s face. But Kiz knew from the way his viscer was acting that he would lose the fight.

  Nixie gave out a cry as he turned and fled down the hall to his room. Once he was out of ear shot, Kiz turned to Raph, frightened that Raph’s cold demeanor was his actual self.

  “Raphael,” he said, looking back down to the ground. “Why you make Nixie care of mean man who ‘tacked me, my brother, and you? You saw dog man go after Nixie. He go-to hurt Nixie.”

  “No,” Raph said in a surprisingly soft tone. “Dwight will never hurt Nixie.”

  “How you know?”

  “Because they are viscers,” Raph said as he turned to Kiz. “Dwight is part hellhound and part vampire,” Raph said, reaching out and grabbing Kiz’s hand. “Each species has its own rules when it comes to bonding. He has two beasts inside that make him fanatical in the need to guard. He’ll protect Nixie till he dies.”

  Raph stepped into Kiz and hugged him tightly. Kiz laughed on a sob and clutched his mate tightly, not ever wanting to let go.

  He wanted so badly to say he loved Raph aloud, but he couldn’t make himself say it.

  “Kiz?” Raph questioned. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing,” he, said squeezing Raph harder—why he no read my mind? “I’m just so happy you aren’t being a, uh, dick to me.”

  “Why would I be a dick to you?”

  Kiz shook his head as he pulled away from his mate. “You different when talk to others.”

  “That’s because I don’t like other people.”

  Kiz’s chest began to heave slightly as he tried to breath more air. “B-b… you like me?”

  Raph leaned in and pecked Kiz on the lips. He then whispered, “Of course I like you. if I didn’t I wouldn’t be here talking with you.”

  Kiz smiled against Raph’s lips. “You wanna shower in room?” Kiz grew serious as he eyed Raph in wonderment. “What happen your neck hurt?”

  “Huh?” he said, raising a hand to touch his neck. “Oh. Neck wound. It’s an angel quirk. Most heal within an hour—depending on the severity of the wound. We’re a resilient race.”

  “Thank goodness.” Kiz’s body sagged. But then he perked. “Shower?”

  Raph’s reply was grasping Kiz’s hand and dragging him toward their room. Raph peeked over his shoulder and said with a smile, “You read my mind, viscer.” Then as an afterthought, he asked, “Where Koro?”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Kiz stood by the bar, all too aware of the men checking him out. He wasn’t as oblivious as he pretended. But out of all the eyes on his scantily clad body, he knew the one pair of violet orbs he wished were there were not.

  Once the bartender filled his serving tray with drinks, Kiz lifted it and pasted a smile on his face as he slid away from the counter to mingle with the bar patrons.

  Weaving through the crowd, Kiz felt—for the first time ever—comfortable in his own skin.

  Walking back to his new friends, Kiz was so happy they had accepted him openly—even after beating up Austin. All their personalities seemed to click. Kiz had n
ever had friends growing up on Tibu. He was still a little shy around them, but with each day he grew bolder. Their company was the only thing keeping him sane at that moment.

  Kiz hung to sanity by his pinky. He didn’t know how much longer he could last without bonding with Raphael. His blood coursed through his veins like magma. His sensitivity to touch seemed to have tripled, causing him to shake and quiver with excitement every time he brushed something inanimate.

  But when he brushed up against some sleaze ball trying to flirt with him, it made Kiz want to vomit.

  Looking around the bar he saw his dad chatting with another man from Tibu. At the sight, Kiz once again became worried. Koro had been missing for over a week. No one knew where he was. His room had been torn apart, but they had no leads. Kiz feared he’d never see his twin again.

  “Will you ever forgive me?”

  Kiz jumped at the suddenness of Zain’s question. Facing the Andarian, Kiz sighed at the doctor’s expression of guilt.

  Kiz laughed, resulting in Zain glancing down with a deep frown and saddened eyes. “Zain,” Kiz said on a sigh. “I ar-etty forgive, dummsy.”

  Zain grimaced as their eyes locked together. “I don’t deserve your forgiveness. In fact, I’ve asked for a transfer, so you’ll never have to see me again.”

  “Huh?”

  “I’m going to Winow Hospital.”

  “Winow?” Kiz said, befuddled. “They only do Magic Kin on the staff, no?”

  For the first time, Zain got a small smile and a faraway look. “I’m here legally, so if they try anything I have the right to pursue justice and what not. Plus, Salem said it would be worth the trouble.”

  Kiz’s mouth quirked up on one side as he thought he knew what that meant. Raphael had explained that Salem was playing several games—foremost, Love Connection—among others that were far more terrifying. Raph wouldn’t elaborate on any of them…

  So if Salem liked to play matchmaker, Kiz was certain he was directing Zain in the direction of his mate. Just like Salem had done by making Kiz volunteer himself to Raphael. In fact, Kiz’s father had told he’d known everything from the beginning—except the disappearance of Koro. But that said, his father didn’t seem too worried.

  Kiz hoped Salem was playing “games” with Koro, too. He wanted nothing more than his family to be as happy with their mates as he was with his…

  Seeing the goofy grin on Zain’s face, Kiz saw why he’d had a crush on the doctor for so long. His breathtaking green eyes were soft, yet when they were locked on Kiz’s, it felt like he was staring into Kiz’s soul.

  Guessing that was something to keep to himself, he said genuinely, “I wish you luck, Zain. I sure you be great mate.”

  Zain sighed as he looked down at his feet, once again appearing sad. “I sure hope so.”

  Kiz felt his heart sag on Zain’s behalf. He didn’t know how to make the man feel better.

  Zain’s smile returned. “I even got his name.”

  Kiz frowned. “Whose name?”

  “My mate…Yvalon.” Zain spoke the name in a whisper.

  Kiz smiled for his friend. Zain’s spine straightened as he said, “I’ve got a mate to hunt.” Zain bowed to Kiz. “I hope we meet again.”

  “Me too.”

  Watching the man walk away, Kiz was startled once again at Salem’s voice. “Hey, Kiz.” Turning, he found the tiny man standing there looking bored as he examined his nails. “Be a dear and tell Raphael I’m done messing with him. I got the outcome I was looking for.” He got a huge grin. “I’ll let Raph run things for a while.” Then almost as an afterthought, “Oh, and tell him I’m done translating your thoughts for him.”

  “Okay,” Kiz said, words churning in his head. Kiz figured the little god was hard at work messing with everyone’s life for his own nefarious purposes. Kiz guessed when you live for eternity, you must do something to entertain yourself.

  Salem’s expression turned from drab to amused. Having to know, he was about to say, Why did you make Koro volunteer too when you knew Raphael was my mate?

  Before he could vocalize, Salem smirked, winked, and vanished.

  Shaking his head, feeling slightly confused, his body went on alert when he heard the entire bar room become eerily silent. Turning about, Kiz’s eyes roved over every inhabitant till he landed on his mate. Giving Raph a once over, he felt his mouth go agape at seeing Raph dressed in ceremonial robes for mating rituals on Tibu.

  Raphael had on a red cloak with his hair flowing freely. Kiz swore he saw a halo looming over his head for a second, but upon blinking, it was gone. My archangel.

  Walking up to Kiz, Raph kneeled in front of him and said flawlessly in Kiz’s native tongue, “You hold my heart.”

  Collapsing to his knees as well, Kiz looked amazedly at Raphael. “I wish for you to be my mate and I wish to be yours. I want you to be my everything. Will you accept my offer to bond?”

  Kiz nodded, on the verge of tears. “Yes! I accept your offer and wish to seal it—” He’d been practicing the phrase in English for a week. He didn’t want to sound like a simpleton. But he’d stupidly never thought of what to seal his bonding with.

  “With sex!” someone shouted from somewhere in the room.

  “Ooh!” someone else exclaimed a second before everyone began to shout out ideas.

  Kiz looked at his mate and bit the bullet, knowing what he really wanted. “I wish to seal deal with—” He closed his eyes in fear. “—granting my father and brother amnesty.” He gasped. “And I promise I make you happiest male in universe.”

  Peeking through his lashes, he saw his mate’s nostrils flare as Raphael half shouted without looking away from Kiz, “You didn’t tell him, Yath?”

  Kiz look questioningly at his father who smiled and said in their language, “He already made me a citizen. I was planning to tell you when you were properly mated. I wanted to tell, but I decided it might sway your decision to bond. I want you to do what you wish and not feel obligated.”

  Kiz bit his lip. His father was an amazing person. He wished he could be like his father. He was amazing. He was Kiz’s hero.

  Nodding to his father, he turned to his mate. “Brother?”

  Raphael’s eyes flashed gold before returning to purple. “I can’t…”

  When he trailed off, Kiz grew scared. “He okay?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “But Salem say to me he done messing with you.”

  The Fallen Archangel’s lip twitched. “Someone with powers greater than mine are at work. Powers greater than maybe Salem and Egan combined. All I can sense is that Koro is very much alive.”

  Feeling tears escape from his eyes, Kiz looked back at Raphael and leaned in to whisper in his mate’s ear, “I change request.” He licked his lips. “I want you and me in our room and roll around with me on bed.”

  As Kiz pulled away, he saw Raph smiling wickedly a second before they were teleported from the bar up to the room they now shared. Laughing joyously, Kiz took a step back and spread his arms to present himself.

  Raph eyed him with a growl. “You’ve been torturing me with those skimpy clothes for a week now.”

  Kiz turned and pulled his long flowing hair to one side of his neck to expose his back through the mesh top he wore. Looking over his shoulder, he gazed upon his mate’s stunned expression and asked him, “Like?”

  Raphael took a step forward and tentatively placed his fingertips along Kiz’s spine over the see-through fabric. From his spine, Raphael’s hand spread out along one of the angel wings Kiz had tattooed on his back.

  “They’re beautiful,” his mate breathed.

  When Kiz felt Raphael’s hand slide down and then go up under his shirt, his skin prickled as Raph pulled the top off over his head. Kiz closed his eyes as his pleasure unfurled at his mate’s touch.

  Raph caressed him and gently placed a kiss to the base of Kiz’s neck.

  Kiz smiled happily as he turned to face his mate saying, “They my g
ift to you. But also—” He tried to pull away, but Raphael wouldn’t let him go. “I want give you mating gift I made. I not leave room, Raph.”

  Raphael growled, pulling Kiz closer. He then kissed him chastely before letting go with a grumble. Kiz stumbled back with a gulp, trying to remember what he’d planned to do. When it clicked, he slinked over to his nightstand and pulled out the box that had lived in the top drawer for years.

  Turning back to Raphael, he tried to recall every word the sanctuary English teacher had told him to say as he handed his mate the box, “On Tibu, it—customary—to give a gift to fated mate.”

  “Yes,” Raph said with a smile. “That’s what your father said.”

  “So you know one customs is mark body.” Raph nodded. “The other is a material object. The wings because you Fallen Archangel. And—” He gulped. “I-I make this long time ‘go. It stupid, but I always plan to give my other half.”

  Raph grinned as he ripped open the box and pulled out the poorly crafted scarf. Laughing nervously, Kiz explained, “I know it look bad. It was first thing I crocheted. At time I was so, so proud of it, but now…I feel stupid give it to you.”

  Running his fingers over the blue cotton yarn, his mate smiled brighter. “I love it. And not to mention now I don’t feel so bad about giving you your gift.”

  Kiz laughed and perked up at the confession. “You got me gift?”

  Raphael nodded as he began to pull off his ceremonial gown. He let it fall to the ground, and he turned to show off the breath-taking tattoo on his back.

  Kiz reached out, running his fingers over the breathtaking shoreline to a blue ocean with a moon in the midnight sky.

  “It beautiful.”

  “Yeah?” He turned. “Now I’ll give you your other gift.”

  Kiz placed his hands, one on top of the other, over his chest. Raph held out his hand, and a second later a small red rectangular jewelry box appeared. Kiz’s inner delight bubbled as he took the present and opened the velvet case. He gasped when he saw a black feather attached to a string of buttery leather, adorned with a few orange glass beads and topped with a small clip.