Fated Bonds (Angel's Fate Book 1)

by Tessa Cole

  The urge to go, get as far away from Titus as possible, made my stomach roil because that was the very thing I couldn’t do.

  “And those men were the ones holding him captive?” Cassius asked.

  “No.” Sebastian rolled his eyes at Cassius. “Those were the men hired by the man holding him captive. Someone who casts a leash spell doesn’t do his own dirty work.”

  Please. I can’t be trapped.

  And I couldn’t let this fear control me. You’re stronger than this, remember? There was a way out. Sebastian said he could break the spell.

  I clung to that thought and sucked in a steadying breath that shot agony through my cracked ribs and drew a whimper that I couldn’t keep back.

  More smoke curled from Cassius’s hands, and Sebastian sat forward, pressing his palms against my knees, the gesture honest and pure without any hint of sexual intent.

  “Just take it slow,” the fae said. “Depending on the spell, it could take a while for the effects to wear off.”

  Except everything within me screamed at the idea of being trapped a second longer.

  “You said you need a resonance charm to break the spell,” I forced out, fighting to keep my tone even and calm.

  “Yeah, I need it to find your magical resonance, Titus’s, and the spell’s so I can get in and pull it apart.” Sebastian squeezed my knees in reassurance, then stiffened as if he’d just realized what he was doing, and leaned back, drawing his hands away. “It’s not simple, but I’m more than capable of handling it,” he added, his tone deepening, turning his words into a sexual innuendo.

  Cassius’s eyes narrowed. “Then get the charm and break this spell.”

  “Would love to, because that would get you the hell out of my house, but I need sleep.” He shoved up to his feet and stared down at me. “And since you can’t get more than a hundred feet from Titus, it looks like you’re staying the night.”

  “You’re not going to do it now?” I squeaked. Now. I had to be free now. I couldn’t be trapped. Let-me-go-let-me-go-let-me-go.

  “You don’t want me fucking this up,” Sebastian said. “The spell won’t do anything to you if you don’t get too far from Titus. You’ll be fine until the morning.”

  But I was trapped!

  “All right then,” Cassius said as he pulled out his phone. “I’ll call Chris and get him to bring over a change of clothes for us.”

  “Of course you’re staying, too.” Bane threw his hands up. “Well, I hope you like sleeping together because I only have one other guestroom.”

  Cassius’s eyes widened. “We’re not— I mean—” He cleared his throat. “That wouldn’t be appropriate.”

  “I’ll take the couch in the study.” I stood, the movement making the room tilt. My body trembled with the effort to hold my panic at bay and not let them see it. I wasn’t going to last much longer. I needed to get alone before either of them realized the truth: that I couldn’t handle what they thought was so simple, that I was weak.

  Cassius jerked up and grabbed my elbow, helping me steady myself. “I’ll take the couch. You should have the bed.”

  “Great. Now that you’ve got that all sorted, I’m going to bed.” Sebastian shook his head and headed down the hall, not bothering to turn the light on.

  “Do you know if the other guestroom has an en suite?” Cassius asked as Sebastian went into the room at the very end of the hall.

  “It does.” I dragged my attention back to Cassius. Surely he could feel my pulse racing, but he didn’t react as if he knew I was falling apart. He wasn’t even giving me the look any more. I just needed to hold out a little longer.

  “Then have a shower. I’ll leave your clothes outside the door,” he said.

  My gaze dipped over his still bare and bloody torso. “You should probably have a shower, too.”

  Which meant I’d have to hold out even longer while I waited for him to use my bathroom. My trembling increased, my mind screaming, trapped, trapped, trapped. I couldn’t do it. I—

  No. I wouldn’t let him see me weak again. Ever. I squared my shoulders. “We’re already unwanted houseguests. We shouldn’t get blood on his furniture.” I glanced at the blue-gray couch we’d been sitting on and the blood smeared on its cushions. “On any more furniture than we’ve already ruined.”

  “Yes,” he said, his voice gruff. “Right. I’ll wait out here until you’re decent.” The muscles in his jaw clenched, but I didn’t know if it was because of his frustration at the situation or something else. “Unless… ah… you think you’re too dizzy to shower by yourself.”

  My pulse leaped and my body heated with embarrassment and desire, which I quickly squashed, desperate to keep my expression from revealing my surprise and my unreasonable yearning.

  This was all Sebastian’s fault. Flirting with me and making me think of having sex — with apparently anyone if I was considering Cassius. Cassius’s offer had been purely practical. I’d been perfectly fine all these years without sexual intercourse, educating and exploring myself so I wouldn’t be a complete disappointment for my soul mate, and waiting. I would be perfectly fine now.

  Except I wasn’t fine. I was trapped and tired and heartbroken.

  “I’ll manage.”

  Cassius frowned.

  “I’m already breathing better,” I said, which was true. The massive weight of the leash spell had finally eased and now all I needed were shallow breaths to avoid aggravating my ribs. “And the dizziness has subsided.” Subsided but wasn’t completely gone. But I was not going to get naked with Cassius. I needed a friend now more than ever, and, given my desires, showering together would ruin that.

  I squared my shoulders and took a few steps past the coffee table, determined to look like the living room wasn’t slowly spinning. “See. I’ll be okay. Now call Chris and get us some clean clothes.”

  His frown deepened.

  “The guestroom is the second door on the left.” I turned and made it into the hall without staggering.

  Behind me, I heard the front door open and close as Cassius went to get our clothes.

  “Didn’t take Cassius up on his offer to share a shower I see,” Sebastian said from the far end of the hall, still wearing his bloody and ruined clothes while holding a pile of folded clean ones.

  A shiver of anticipation trembled down my spine. I didn’t understand how I kept responding to him like that. I knew he wasn’t interested in me, that his flirting was just a game he played with every woman, and yet no one had ever really flirted with me before, and it made me feel… desired.

  “It wasn’t necessary,” I forced out.

  “It usually isn’t.” His clear gaze captured mine, and another shiver swept over me.

  I clamped down on my yearning. “He only made that offer because he thinks I’m still dizzy.” And weak. So pathetically weak.

  “Sure he did,” Sebastian said, crossing the distance between us.

  “You know he did. Don’t make it into something it isn’t.”

  “You mean you and he haven’t…?”

  “Of course not!” How was I even having this conversation? Because I was trapped, bound to Sebastian’s friend unable to leave his apartment. My pounding heart sped up and my trembling grew stronger. I gritted my teeth, forcing my expression icy. “Do you need something, Sebastian?”

  His lips quirked.

  Crap. That just opened me up for more teasing. Please don’t. Please just end this conversation.

  The sensual gleam in his eyes softened. “I thought you might want something to sleep in.” He held out the clothes, a T-shirt and a pair of cotton knit shorts.

  I didn’t know what was more surprising. That the man who always wore a dress shirt and slacks had clothes like that or that he was thoughtful enough to offer them to me. Especially since I was sure he’d love to tease me in the morning about having no choice but to sleep in my underwear or worse, naked.

  “Thank you,” I said, taking the clothes, trying and
failing to hide my shaking hands.

  “Yeah, well, leash spells are nasty.”

  The look in his eyes softened even more, making my gut churn. He could see right through me. He knew I was weak and couldn’t handle being trapped even for just a night, and yet I still squared my shoulders and hardened my expression to hide my emotions, the habit so ingrained that I couldn’t stop myself even when I knew it was pointless.

  “But you don’t need anyone or anything, do you?” He rolled his eyes at me. “Accepting a little help won’t kill you, you know.”

  “You should talk. Cassius has all but formally offered the JP’s help for you and your friend.”

  “Not the same thing.”

  “Of course it is,” I said. “He has the skills and assets you need to deal with those men, and you have the skills and assets I need to break this leash spell.”

  Sebastian’s wicked smile tugged at his lips again and more need heated low within me. “So you admit it. I have something you need.”

  I opened my mouth to say I could easily call in another witch to break the spell. There were some powerful ones in the JP — although none of them as powerful as Sebastian — and I was sure they could handle this leash spell just as easily as Sebastian could — it would just be a matter of keeping it together long enough for them to get into town. But Sebastian did have something I needed… or at least I hoped he did: the power and knowledge to remove my not-yet-formed mating brand. And if I wanted his help, I was going to have to swallow my pride.

  “You do,” I said quietly.

  His eyes widened. “You must really be exhausted. I expected more of a fight.”

  “I want—” I glanced behind me, checking for Cassius. He’d be furious to learn I was trying to remove the most sacred mark an angel could have.

  He still hadn’t returned with our clothes but that could change at any time, and if I was going to broach the subject with Sebastian tonight, I had to do it now.

  “What do you want, Amiah?” Sebastian asked, his voice sliding into a low sensual drawl.

  “I want to hire you to break a mating brand.” The words came out in a rush and my pulse pounded with the fear that he’d laugh at me.

  But his eyes narrowed instead. “I’m not breaking any of Esther’s bonds,” he said, jumping to the most natural conclusion. Angelic mating brands were rare and Essie’s bonds were the only ones anyone in the realms knew about. But that he’d think I was so jealous of Essie that I’d want to break her soul bonds—?

  Was that what everyone thought of me? I knew I wouldn’t win any popularity contests, but I didn’t think they thought I was heartless. I’d dedicated my life to saving people. People who, if they just thought things through and weren’t so reckless, wouldn’t need me.

  Well, fine then. If that’s what they thought, that’s what they thought. I didn’t need to be liked. Things were just fine the way they were.

  Except they weren’t. A part of my soul was missing. The aching brand was proof of that. It was also proof that I’d be trapped again.

  “I have a partially formed mating brand that hasn’t awakened,” I said, fighting to keep my fear from my voice. “I want it gone before it turns into a soul bond.”

  “Holy fuck,” Sebastian gasped. “An angel wants her brand gone.”

  “I won’t be trapped like Essie. I won’t lose my independence to a stranger.” My breath picked up. I was going to lose control and have a panic attack in front of Sebastian. I clamped down hard on my fear. “I want it gone. Are you powerful enough to do that or do I need to look for someone else?”

  “Oh sweetheart, there isn’t anyone else.” His wicked smile grew but didn’t reach his eyes as if this was more of an act than anything else. “If I can’t do it, no one can.”

  “But you’ll try?” Please say yes. Please. He was my only hope.

  “It’ll cost you.”

  “I wouldn’t have expected anything else.” Whatever the cost. My fear melted into relief. I was going to be free. I’d be able to keep my life. “But I expect you to start as soon as possible.”

  “I have a leash spell and a group of kidnappers to deal with first,” he said. “That could take some time.”

  “Not if you accept the JP’s help.” It was a win-win for everyone. Sebastian would be able to protect Titus, Cassius would know those men were in custody, and I’d deal with my brand before it was too late.

  “Not happening,” Sebastian said with a shudder. “Not until Esther gets better control of her magic.”

  “You don’t have to worry about that. The primary team is in Rome. You’d be working with Cassius.”

  Sebastian’s eyes narrowed. “That doesn’t make it better.”

  “Sebastian, please.” I couldn’t risk the brand fully forming while I waited for him to deal with whatever was going on with Titus. “I know it’ll be impossible to break if it forms and then…”

  “Then you’ll be stuck with someone forever.”

  I didn’t want to beg, but I would if I had to. The mating brand could awaken at any time. “I know whatever is going on with Titus is complicated, but I’ll pay—” God, I was going to regret this. “I’ll pay whatever the price.”

  “Whatever?” This time his wicked smile did reach his eyes, filling them with heated sexual desire and making my body ache again with that frustrating need I desperately wanted to ignore.

  I opened my mouth to tell him I wouldn’t pay with sex, but the moment I thought that, I realized I would. Many supers used sex as a currency, and given Sebastian’s constant flirtations, I should have expected it.

  “Whatever the price.” I held his gaze to show I was serious.

  He stared back as if he was searching my soul for the truth in my words, and my skin heated with a mix of desire and embarrassment.

  “Well, then,” he purred. “Let’s have a look at this unformed brand.”

  “You’ll need more light,” I said, my voice breathy.

  “I meant look with my magical senses. I don’t have to see it, just touch it to figure out what it is.”

  “Right.” I knew that. His magic probably worked in similar ways to mine, sensing spells like I could sense injuries.

  I set his clothes on the floor, not wanting to get them dirty before I’d even worn them, and tugged up the hem of my camisole and pushed down the waistband of my pants.

  His gaze locked on my bared skin and my pulse pounded faster.

  “The brand runs from just above my waist, over my hip, and down my thigh.” The ghostly white lines curling under my skin were hard to see in good light unless you knew what you were looking for, but in the dim light in the hall, they were invisible.

  Sebastian stepped close and brushed his fingers along the top of my hipbone with a whisper of a touch that made my not-yet-formed brand throb and my breath hitch.

  “Ah, I see.” His eyes fluttered shut and he traced the line that trailed up to my waist and curved around to my back with his index finger, the movement slow, sensual. My trembling increased, no longer with fear, but with that pesky yearning I’d been trying to ignore.

  I fought to stay where I was and not lean into his touch. Maybe my willingness to pay with sex wasn’t just because I’d do anything to not be trapped by a soul bond, but because I wanted it, wanted to be caressed and kissed and filled. There’d be no strings attached with Sebastian. I wouldn’t have to continue aching like this while I waited for the right man to come along. I could satisfy a need and move on.

  His icy magic prickled under my skin and raced along the brand’s lines swirling over my abdomen. The sensation made my inner muscles clench and drew a surprised gasp of pleasure.

  “I can’t make any guarantees,” he said as his magic slid down my thigh, drawing another breathy gasp. “And I still expect payment if I can’t break it.”

  “I understand.”

  “But I’m sure we can work out a payment that’ll suit both of us.” He opened his eyes and raised a gaze with
out a hint of sexual invitation to mine. His expression was serious, all business, and it was clear, he’d just been toying with me, like all the other times before.

  The heat of my desire swelled into embarrassment, burning my cheeks and twisting in my chest. He didn’t want me. Of course he didn’t want me. How could I have been so foolish to think he’d actually be interested in me when he could have any number of strong, confident, easy-going, experienced women.

  “I’ll start tomorrow after I break the leash spell and—” He shuddered. “—after Cassius and I come up with a plan to help Titus. There should be some downtime while things are getting sorted for me to check my library.”

  “Thank you,” I said, trying to keep my disappointment from my tone. I didn’t know why his rejection stung so much. It was supposed to have been a transaction, nothing more.

  Chapter 6

  Cassius

  I called Agent Karsten for a change of clothes for Amiah and me, and, after checking to make sure I wouldn’t be locked out, waited at the edge of Bane’s patio. Fire dripped from my hands, sizzling on the concrete at my feet, small sharp flashes against the night as my emotions roiled in a furious, fearful sea. Amiah was enspelled and exhausted and there wasn’t a damned thing I could do about it.

  God, she was so willful. If she’d just listened to me, followed protocol, we wouldn’t have been in this mess.

  Except I knew that wasn’t fair. Amiah had no control over who her magic locked onto. The best she could do was avoid situations where she was likely to come across someone gravely injured. If she hadn’t been standing on Operations’ roof or if I hadn’t seen Titus and said something, she might have been fine.

  But draining herself to exhaustion… that was her fault. She knew better. And yet she kept doing it over and over again.

  I bit back a growl of frustration. Neither I nor Bane would have died from our injuries. She hadn’t needed to heal either of us, and she certainly hadn’t needed to completely seal shut all my wounds. It had been like she was in a trance, lost in her magic, and unaware of how much power she was pushing into me.