Dark Dream’s Trap

by I. T. Lucas

Despite her mother watching, Ella tightened her arms around Julian’s neck and pulled his head down for a kiss.

  He groaned as she licked inside his mouth, finding his tongue and caressing it with hers. In no time, she felt his fangs grow longer, and knowing what it did to him, she licked around one and then the other.

  They were so absorbed in the kiss that they didn’t notice Magnus come in until he cleared his throat. “I hate to interrupt the reunion, but we need to return the uniforms and clear the premises.”

  As he spoke, more Guardians entered the warehouse, all wearing airport security uniforms.

  “Later,” Julian whispered in her ear as he put her down.

  “You bet,” she whispered back.

  Climbing to stand on the crate, Vivian clapped her hands to get everyone’s attention. “Thank you all for coming to our rescue, and I think Turner deserves a big round of applause for orchestrating yet another flawless mission.”

  Without hesitation, everyone clapped, making Turner visibly uncomfortable. His expression didn’t change much, the only thing giving him away was a slight thinning of his lips.

  “That’s not necessary, people. I was just doing my job. But thank you. Go change out of the uniforms so we can all get out of here.”

  “Shouldn’t we give them some privacy?” Vivian asked.

  Magnus kissed her cheek. “It doesn’t bother them, love. But if you’re uncomfortable, I can take you to the plane.”

  Her mother grimaced. “I don’t want to be alone with the Doomers.”

  Magnus tightened his arm around her and kissed the top of her head. “You won’t be. They were taken to the big jet, and you’re going in the small one. Besides, they are all sedated.”

  Julian growled. “Tell me what they did to you.”

  Crap. He’d interpreted her mother’s grimace to mean that they’d been mistreated.

  “Nothing. Logan is a wonderful fiancé and I’m madly in love with him.” Ella slapped a hand over her mouth and shook her head.

  Julian’s eyes were blazing as he asked, “Did he compel you to say that?”

  She nodded.

  He turned to Magnus. “We need to call Parker.”

  Magnus looked at Vivian. “Did Lokan compel you too?”

  “Yes. What Ella said is the only thing I can say about him.”

  Pulling out his phone, Magnus made the call. “Parker. Your mother and sister are safe, but we need your help to override the Doomer’s compulsion again. He ordered Ella and Vivian to say only nice things about him. I’m putting you on speakerphone.”

  Ella shook her head. “I don’t think hearing his voice alone will work, but let’s give it a try.”

  Over the speaker, Parker commanded, “Ella, say something nasty about Lokan.”

  “Lokan is a wonderful…crap. It didn’t work.”

  Turner handed Magnus his tablet. “Try putting him on a video chat.”

  “Give me a moment,” Parker said. “I’m going to my computer. You’ll be able to see me better.”

  When he was ready, Magnus handed Ella the tablet. “Good luck.”

  On the screen, Parker smirked at her. “I told you that you should’ve taken me. I bet you’re sorry now.”

  “Terribly. Get on with it, Parker. I hate having no control over my mouth.”

  “You never do.”

  “Parker!”

  “Fine. Ella, tell me something nasty about Lokan.”

  “He’s a liar.” Ella jumped up and down. “It worked! Parker, you are a lifesaver. I love you. I’m going to give the tablet to Mom now. You need to tell her to do the same thing.”

  When Parker was done with Vivian, she had a few more choice words to say about the Doomer.

  Taking Ella’s hand, Julian turned her toward him. “I’m surprised that all you have to say about him is that he’s a liar.”

  “A liar, a manipulator, a kidnapper, and probably many other things. But other than compelling us to say nice things about him and not to talk or to move, he treated us with respect.” She looked at Vivian. “Right, Mom?”

  Her mother waved a dismissive hand. “He was manipulating us, that’s all. It was all fake. I’m sure all of his lofty promises were lies.”

  “What did he promise you?” Julian asked.

  “Later.” Turner clapped his back. “We will go through a full debriefing on the plane home. Right now I want you to change out of the uniform and then escort Ella to the smaller jet.” He looked at Magnus. “You too.”

  “What about our things?” Ella asked. “We have stuff in the hotel.”

  “Kri is on her way with your things. She packed up for everyone who’s going home today.”

  “That’s good. I would like to change out of this freaking bikini.”

  Julian frowned. “What bikini?”

  “I’ll tell you on the plane.”

  58

  Julian

  “There goes our romantic weekend in Washington,” Ella said as they entered the smaller of the two clan jets.

  “I’m just thankful that everything ended well and that none of ours got hurt.” Julian motioned for Ella to take the window seat and then sat next to her. “So far.”

  She frowned. “What do you mean, so far? Isn’t it all over?”

  “Did you forget about the Doomers with the trackers? The idiots are still driving away like maniacs. We have Guardians chasing them.”

  “How many were there?”

  “Three cars are being followed. We don’t know how many Doomers are in each.”

  “Don’t worry about it,” Magnus said as he helped Vivian into a seat. “That's child’s play compared to what we pulled off here. We all owe Turner big time. If not for his friend grounding Lokan’s plane, we would have never made it on time.”

  Following Magnus’s statement, there was a long moment of silence, as each of them imagined the ramifications.

  “I vote for throwing him a party,” Ella said. “What does he like to eat?”

  Julian scratched his head. “I will have to ask my mother. Which reminds me.”

  He pulled out his phone and texted Turner. A friendly reminder. If you didn’t do so already, please call Bridget asap. She’s mad that you didn't yet.

  “Is he coming home with us?” Ella asked.

  “He’s waiting for the other Doomers to get captured and delivered to the larger jet. He will fly home with them.”

  “I see.” She turned to the window.

  Reaching for her hand, he clasped it between his. “Talk to me.”

  “I can’t.” She slanted her eyes toward Magnus. “When we get back home, there are a lot of things I need to tell you.”

  Julian tensed. “Good or bad?”

  Her smile was sly. “Very good.” She waggled her eyebrows.

  And if that was not enough to grab his shaft’s attention, her feminine scent suddenly intensified, causing it to punch out against his zipper in an instant.

  “Whose home are we going back to?”

  Ella cast a quick glance at Vivian, who smiled and nodded.

  “Yours. I’m moving in with you. If you don’t mind, that is.”

  “Mind? Are you nuts? I love you. I never want to be apart from you again.”

  He pulled out his phone, hesitated, leaned to kiss her cheek, then went back to the phone. “I’m texting Ray. He needs to find someone else to share a house with.”

  “He can move in with my former roommates,” Magnus said. “They still didn’t find anyone to take my place.”

  “I’ll suggest it.”

  He tried to phrase the text to Ray as politely as possible, but it was still offensive. There was no nice way to boot someone out of his house within a five-hour notice.

  I’m coming back with Ella, and she is moving in with me. I would very much appreciate it if you could find another place to stay before we arrive. Magnus suggests that you check with his former roommates.

  A few minutes passed before Ray replied.

 
Congratulations. I’ll find someplace to crash tonight, but I’ll have to come back for my things tomorrow. Also, you’ll need to help me move the piano.

  Julian didn’t want Ray to come back the next day. He wanted Ella all to himself.

  How about you pack up your stuff and leave it by the front door. Once you find a place, I’ll bring your things over, including the piano.

  This time Ray responded right away. I appreciate the free of charge moving service, but you have to be extra careful with my baby. She’s irreplaceable.

  Julian smiled. I’ll wear white gloves and treat her as if she’s made from eggshells.

  You’d better. One scratch on her and I’ll make you pay.

  The guy was such an asshole, but so was Julian for throwing him out. I promise there will be no new scratches on her. Before moving the fucking grand piano, he was going to take pictures from all angles and document all the existing scratches.

  Pocketing the phone, he smiled at Ella. “All done.”

  “When is he moving out?”

  “Before we get back.”

  Her eyes widened. “You told him to just pack up and leave tonight? That’s terrible.”

  “Don't worry about him. Once he finds a permanent place, he’s getting a free moving service from me, and that includes his piano.”

  “It’s still rude. But I have an idea how you can make it up to him.”

  Julian arched a brow. He didn’t owe Ray a thing, and if the situation were reversed, Ray would have had no qualms about booting Julian out.

  “He invited my mother and me to a concert he’s giving. How about you come with us? It will mean a lot to Ray.”

  “Of course, I’ll come.” Not as a gesture of goodwill toward his ex-roommate, but to make sure that the guy didn’t flirt with Ella, which was most likely the reason he’d given her the invitations in the first place.

  Ella smiled happily. “We can all go together. Magnus? Will you come too?”

  “Sure. I like classical music.”

  Footsteps on the stairs announced someone coming up, and a moment later Kri appeared at the door with duffel bags slung over each shoulder and a suitcase in each hand. “Hello, everyone.”

  Magnus jumped up to take the luggage from her. “Why didn’t you give me a shout? I could’ve carried all of this up.”

  She waved a dismissive hand. “I told you to stop treating me like a girl. I’m a Guardian, and a goddamned good one even if I’m relegated to the least exciting jobs. Like packing stuff.” She grinned at Ella and then Vivian. “You can’t imagine how glad I am to see you two. I had a few moments of panic there, and I didn’t like it at all.”

  “Thank you for bringing our things,” Ella said. “Are you coming with us?”

  “I’m going on the other plane.” She winked. “It’s much more interesting over there. See you back at the village, people.” She saluted them and turned around.

  Magnus closed the door behind her and then knocked on the pilot’s door. “Morris, we are ready to go.”

  They all buckled up, but it took another ten minutes or so until the plane started moving.

  Ella looked up at the overhead compartment. “If I remember right, there is a blanket and a pillow up there.”

  “I’ll get it for you.” Julian released the buckle and got up. “Anyone else want a blanket?”

  “Is there another one?” Vivian asked.

  “There are plenty.”

  “Then sure.” She cuddled closer to Magnus. “There is nothing I like better than snuggling with my guy.”

  “Same here,” Ella murmured.

  Magnus opened the fridge compartment and pulled out four bottles of Snake’s Venom. “Champagne would have been better, but since this is the only alcohol here, we will have to make a toast with beer.” He popped the caps off the bottles and handed them out.

  “To mission accomplished and a long and happy future for us all.” Magnus raised his bottle, clinked it with the other three, and then took a long swig.

  “Amen,” Vivian said and took a small sip. “God, this stuff is potent.”

  “Julian? Do you want to make a toast?” Ella asked.

  He raised his bottle and clinked it with hers. “To us.”

  “To us,” she repeated.

  59

  Vivian

  “I’m going to carry Ella home,” Julian whispered as the limo stopped at the village’s underground parking.

  Vivian looked at her daughter’s peaceful sleeping face and smiled. Ella hadn’t looked so relaxed since before her ordeal.

  She’d fallen asleep on the plane, then had woken up when they’d landed, and fallen asleep again in the car. Julian had been holding her the entire time as if afraid to let go of her even for a moment.

  Love was in the air, and it smelled fantastic.

  Vivian patted his bicep and whispered, “When you wake up tomorrow, come by our house. We can have a late breakfast or early lunch together.”

  “Will do.” Julian maneuvered himself and his precious cargo out of the car. “Good night.”

  “You too.”

  The chances of them actually showing up for breakfast or lunch were slim. Maybe they would come for dinner.

  Listening to the conversation between Lokan and Ella during the helicopter ride had explained so much.

  Ella’s attraction to Julian had been suppressed by Lokan’s compulsion, which had caused her to doubt their relationship.

  Fated mates were supposed to crave each other with overwhelming intensity, and Vivian could attest to the veracity of that claim.

  Her craving for Magnus had been so intense and so immediate that it had overpowered her feeling of anxiety and despair. In the midst of a crisis, with her daughter taken by traffickers and sold to a Russian mobster, she couldn’t keep her hands off him.

  It was still just as powerful, and tonight, for the first time since the very beginning of their relationship, she was going to enjoy him without any barriers between them.

  It was going to be epic.

  Magnus slung his duffle bag over his shoulder and reached for Vivian’s suitcase which Okidu was holding on to. “Thank you for getting us home, Okidu.”

  The butler bowed. “It was my pleasure, master. But my service is not done. I will carry the luggage to your home.”

  “That won’t be necessary.” Magnus took the suitcase from his hand. “Good night, Okidu.”

  Looking offended, the butler bowed again. “Good night, master.” He bowed to Vivian. “Good night, madam.”

  She still found it hard to believe that Okidu was a sophisticated robot. Maybe that’s what he had been originally, but in her opinion, he had everyone fooled. At some point he had become a sentient being. After all, he was supposed to be ancient, like in tens of thousands of years old. The amount of information he’d accumulated over the years should have been enough to facilitate self-awareness.

  But she wasn’t a scientist, and her information came mainly from watching and reading science fiction. If the butler was sentient, William would have known that.

  Outside the pavilion, they parted ways with Okidu, and Magnus transferred her suitcase to his other hand. “What’s that sly smile about?” He wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

  “You know what is happening tonight, right?”

  He smirked. “I’ve been entertaining a few ideas. If you’re not tired, that is. You didn’t sleep on the plane.”

  “I wonder why?”

  As soon as Ella and Julian had fallen asleep in each other's arms, Magnus and Vivian had started kissing and hadn’t stopped until the young couple woke up.

  “No regrets here.”

  “Nor here, and I’m not tired. Well, not too tired. But other than that, what else is happening tonight?”

  “A foot massage?”

  “Hmm, why not. I would love one. But aside from that too.”

  He shook his head. “Just tell me, or I’ll keep guessing all the way home.”

 
Should she?

  Now she was considering surprising him. But was it too late to back off?

  “I think I’ll wait until we get home to tell you.”

  “Why is that?”

  She looked at the heavy suitcase he was schlepping. “You might drop the luggage on your foot, and then I’ll feel guilty for causing you injury.”

  “Easily solved.” He stopped walking, put the suitcase down, and the duffel bag on top of it.

  “Come here.” He pulled her into his arms. “Now tell me what you’re planning, or I’ll have to kiss it out of you.”

  “That’s not a threat, silly. But fine.” She stretched on her toes and whispered in his ear. “Tonight, we are throwing away the condoms.”

  Magnus lifted his face to the sky. “Thank the merciful Fates.”

  Cupping his cheeks, she brought his face down and kissed his lips. “Let’s go home, my love.”

  60

  Ella

  Snuggled against Julian’s chest, Ella was warm and cozy despite how chilly the village got at night. “What about our luggage?” she murmured into his neck.

  “I got it.”

  Her eyes popped open. “You are carrying me and the luggage? Put me down!”

  He nuzzled her cheek. “We are almost there. Besides, how else am I going to prove that I’m a worthy mate for you? Strong and capable?”

  “I can think of a much more pleasant way you can prove it to me.”

  He looked puzzled. “Are you uncomfortable? Am I squeezing you too hard?”

  She laughed. “No, silly. I’m very comfortable. I was just thinking how nice and warm I am in your arms, despite how cold it is here at night.”

  He climbed the stairs to the front porch and dropped her suitcase to open the door. “Is there something I’m supposed to say as I carry you over the threshold?”

  “Welcome home?”

  “That works. Welcome home, my love.” He entered the dark house and continued straight to the bedroom. “Do you want to grab a shower? Or do you want to go straight to bed?”

  “Shower first.”

  “I’ll bring in the luggage.”