We are still kissing a few minutes later, when someone clears their throat. “I hate to interrupt, but can we speak?” When I hear Sara, I tense. I know she doesn’t agree with Caelius and me either, but I also know she won’t talk about Joshua in front of anyone, as Josh is family. Caelius looks over his shoulder at her and then back at me. The last thing I want at the moment is to talk to Sara, but I know I need to tell her something.
I place my hand on his chest. “Will you give us a second?” He looks deep into my eyes for a couple seconds and then nods and turns. I look at him walking into the courtyard and then stopping to talk to Aria and Saskia.
“You know that Joshua was right, don’t you?” Sara says from next to me, which has me turning my head and concentrating on her.
“Sara, he is meant for me.” At her rolling of the eyes, I continue. “You know how my gift works, with me feeling the rightness of the earth, the vibrations around me?” She nods at my question, a frown on her face. “Well, this is the same; I can feel the rightness, Sara. I know without any doubt that he is the one for me.” At my explanation, I see her struggle to understand and believe, but after a minute, she nods hesitantly.
“You know I will always have your back, and above everyone else, I trust your instinct. Therefore, if you say you believe he is the one for you, then I believe you.” I pull her towards me and hug her close.
“Thank you, sis,” I murmur.
“Well, you better go. With a man like that at your disposal, I wouldn’t be hanging around hugging my sister,” she jokes as she takes a step back and inclines her head in Caelius’s direction, which has me smiling cheekily before I make my way towards this man whom until a day ago, I didn’t know. What I said to Sara is the truth; not only was I convinced with a tattoo that appeared from nowhere, but I feel an overwhelming nurturing feeling that is stronger than anything I have ever felt with the earth.
Caelius turns towards me as I approach, his eyes traveling the length of my body, making my cheeks heat with passion. His body is a work of art that has my hands itching to stroke over his chest. He lifts his hand, placing it behind my neck as he pulls me towards him, his lips descending to cover mine in a blistering kiss that has both of us forgetting everyone and everything around us.
The heat pools between my legs in anticipation of his touch. His fingers entwine in my hair as he holds my head still as his tongue plays with mine. I can feel his hardness against me, professing to his passion, his maleness overwhelming my senses. I want to slide my hands down over his stomach to his jeans and stroke over the bulge that drove all thoughts out of my mind. Taste the wetness that dribbles down his length.
“Woah, get a fire extinguisher,” Saskia teases as Caelius lifts his head, my cheeks heating in embarrassment. I hear footsteps behind me and look over my shoulder to see Burkhart and Brandr approaching.
“It’s time,” Brandr says when he stops across from me and pulls Aria into his arms.
“Time for what?” Saskia asks as Burkhart kisses her forehead.
“We know where Vercin is, and we’re going to attack tonight. Draco has updated Jasmine so that you ladies can help us.” At Cassius’s comment, I look up in surprise to Caelius. What are the women going to help with and what does he mean with attack?
“Are you ready?” Draco calls from the entrance to the courtyard, his hands low on his waist, a frown on his face. Draco has a look about him that has all the women sighing after him, but there is an aura of danger surrounding him that clearly states he is alpha. Caelius bends his head again and kisses me lightly on the lips.
“The other women will let you know what’s happening. I will see you later.” And with those words, he steps away and leaves. I look at the other women and see their concerned looks. The word attack has me concerned.
“What is going on?” I ask.
“Vercin is the Keres president, and our men have been trying to catch him for centuries,” Aria says, which has me frowning.
“What do you mean for centuries?” At my question, I see both women look at each other and then back at me.
“Did Caelius tell you he’s different?” Saskia asks as she rubs a finger over her bottom lip.
“Yes.”
“The thing about being an Elemental is that they have long lives,” Aria says as she takes my hand and starts to pull me behind her, Saskia walking next to us.
“How long are we talking about?” I can already feel a knot growing in my stomach. What will happen when I start to get old and Caelius is still looking as fit as ever?
“Let’s say they’re centuries old,” Saskia reveals, which has me catching my breath.
“Breathe,” Aria says with a laugh.
“He said they only have one mate in their lives, but how is that possible if we die?” We walk into an area that looks like it could be an entertainment room.
“He didn’t tell you? How could he not have told you the best perk of all?” Nova says suddenly from inside. I notice all the women are already here and have started talking at Nova’s statement.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, sweetie, you now live as long as your man does too,” Gabriela says happily.
They must be joking. “Are you saying I’m going to live forever?”
“Well, you’re going to live as long as your man does,” Talia says as she comes to stand before me with a smile. “He’s been living for centuries, so it’s prudent to think he knows how to take care of himself.”
“I’m surprised Burkhart is still alive,” Saskia grumbles. “That man doesn’t know the concept of being careful,” I see Brielle pat her arm playfully.
“Don’t despair; I think Ceric was more in danger of losing his life when Nova saw his room for the first time than Burkhart has ever been.” The women all laugh at Brielle’s quip, which leaves me confused, but Talia quickly explains to me that Ceric had a collection of sex toys in his room that rivalled any sex shop when Nova came here.
“Shall we start? I would like to make sure that everything is safe before the men get there,” Jasmine interrupts, which has everyone quickly agreeing and moving towards her. I look around confused, when Talia takes my hand.
“Come on, the first time is a bit scary, but then it gets better.” At her words, I frown. What is she talking about?
“What are we doing?” I ask, and Brielle and Scarlett frown before they shrug.
“Jasmine guides us in finding Vercin. After that, we use our gifts to stop them or slow them down any way we can,” Gabriela says. “All you need to do is place your hand on Jasmine and don’t let go until we’re all done.”
This is definitely something I wasn’t expecting. Is this like an ouija board but with a person? “How do I know when she finds Vercin?”
“Don’t worry, just close your eyes and let yourself go,” Saskia guides, which has me reluctantly stretching out my hand and touching Jasmine lightly on her neck. I see the other women close their eyes. I’m reluctant to try this, as I don’t know what exactly is going to happen, but I close my eyes and wait. I have my eyes closed for a few minutes and am about to open them, sure that when I do, the women will all start laughing at my gullibility, when an image explodes in my mind.
It’s so clear that I’m sure I gasp in surprise; it’s as if I’m in the same room as them. I actually feel the need to run and hide, but then I feel the evilness shooting up my legs, and I know that these are the men who were after me. My curiosity has the better of me, and I step closer, sure that they can’t see me, because by now, they would have seen me already, but just in case, I lean down and touch my hands to the ground, asking for the earth’s help in holding these men down if I need it.
Once I get a feeling of warmth flowing through my hands, I know that my wish has been granted. Stepping closer, I see the men looking at a drawing on the table. Just then, a woman walks into the room, her long red hair tied back in a ponytail. “They are on their way,” she says as she approaches the table. “Are you
ready to leave? The place in Stellenbosch has been prepared?”
They are leaving? We need to warn the guys, but before I can open my eyes, their next words stop me.
“Is everything in place? We need to get as many of them as possible, and then we can get the women,” one man asks the woman.
“The sensors are in place. Whoever comes into the house will be blown away,” the woman states as she moves towards the drawing and points. “One bomb is here. The other one has been placed under the floorboards over there.” The man stands and nods, and then he steps around the woman and walks towards the door.
“Make sure those fucking Elementals die. I’m tired of this cat-and-mouse game. I will not be pleased if you miss,” he rasps before he leaves.
My heart is racing. What if we don’t warn them in time? I struggle to open my eyes, but when I do, I see that most of the women’s eyes are already open and they all have a worried look on their faces.
“We . . .” I start to talk, but Scarlett elbows me gently and shakes her head. I see that everyone is still touching Jasmine; therefore, I keep my position and mouth to Scarlett that we need to warn the men. She nods and then looks around to find Nova. She inclines her head in her direction, and I see that Nova has her phone out and is texting with her free hand.
I hope the men get the message and stop in time. I don’t know what I just saw or how I saw it, but I know that if I can stop these men from getting hurt, then I will do anything in my power to help.
CAELIUS 8
We are nearly at our destination when Celmund tells us to turn back. We have our coms in; therefore, we hear the conversation between Draco and Celmund. Apparently the women found that this was a setup. Celmund still didn’t know all the details but was asked to tell us not to go. We have all turned our bikes and are on our way back to the compound.
We are all ready for a fight, so to have to turn around when we’re on our way to kill that son of a bitch has all our tempers up. We all trust the women. Every single piece of advice they have given us has been correct. They have saved our lives a few times, and to be honest, we are all very lucky to have such courageous women amongst us.
I believe Alaia will fit in perfectly. I know we haven’t spoken about the future or what life is like living among us at the compound, but I have seen a streak of courage from Alaia that gives me hope that she will withstand any storm that might rise and that she will stand next to me as my woman, my lover, my confident, my best friend.
“I want everyone in the computer room,” Draco says as we park our bikes. I can feel the anger that everyone is holding at bay. Every time we go out to stop the Keres, we get worked up, sure that we will make a difference and make it better for the other Elementals. When we started to realize what our women could do, hope was born that maybe they would be able to help the Elementals who were near changing.
Till now, they have been helping us find the Keres on some of our missions, but Celmund has been tasked with informing everyone if there is an Elemental nearing his change. We have been warned of two brothers who are showing signs of changing; we have organized to have them come here so that Brielle and the other women can try helping them.
“Are the women in the computer room?” I hear Wulf asking, and get Celmund’s affirmative answer. I make my way towards the room, wanting to know how Alaia did with her first time with the women. I’m also feeling the need to touch my woman. I think because we haven’t been bonded for long, the need to be close to her, to protect her, is uppermost on my mind. I have a need for her that I have never felt before in my life. When we are together, the feelings that surround me calm my mind, a mind that has been in turmoil since I was caught.
I enter the computer room and find Alaia standing next to Nova and Ceric. I walk towards them and place my arms around my kitten’s midriff, pulling her against me. Instantly, the feeling of peace surrounds me. Alaia looks up at me, her face darkening with a blush as she smiles. “I’m so glad you guys were warned in time,” she murmurs.
“Let’s all take our places so that we can get to the bottom of this and make a plan,” Draco states as he leans back in his chair. Bjarni and Gabriela are the last to take their seats after settling the twins in their prams. Everyone quietens, waiting for Draco to start.
“What happened?” he asks without wasting any time. Draco is the only one who knows Vercin personally. Before becoming a Keres, Vercin was Draco’s rival, and after that, when he became a Keres, they continued as rivals, but Vercin made it a personal vendetta to create a team that would be better than the Elementals MC, and that’s why he started the Keres MC. Centuries ago, the Keres were easier to control, but since Vercin, they have become a killing machine that we have to fight constantly.
Vercin has made it a war between us. Before, we knew that if we turned Keres, it was surely death. But since Vercin gave the Keres the opportunity to do his evil deeds, we have had a constant war on our hands.
“Vercin was leaving,” Scarlett reveals. “They were preparing his chopper.”
“They had sensors and bombs,” Nova says as she leans back against Ceric. He places his hand over her baby bump and strokes as he lowers his head and kisses her neck in comfort.
“They knew you were coming,” Aria says as she shrugs. I see Draco look over at Celmund and raise an eyebrow.
“The intel we got was from their communication, which means they know we are listening in on them,” Celmund says with a frown.
“Once again we lose him,” Wulf grunts as he strokes Jasmine’s hand.
“Well,” Alaia says as she looks around. I can feel her tense body beneath my hand. I squeeze her shoulder gently to give her the support she seems to need. “I heard the woman say that the place in Stellenbosch was ready for the man to go to.”
I sit forward and look over at Celmund as he starts to type away. Draco also sits forward as he nods and looks around. “Is there anything else that can point to where we can find him?”
“I kept seeing an image of a shopping centre when I touched one of them. It didn’t make sense at the time, but now it does,” Gabriela says, which has Bjarni growling in anger.
“Why are you touching them?” I see his arms bulging as he glares at his woman.
“It’s not as if he can feel me touching him, baby. He didn’t even know I was there,” Gabriela argues as she shrugs.
“You—”
“Enough. You can continue this discussion after we have the information we need,” Draco grunts as he stands. “Gabriela, please continue.” I now understand the other brothers’ anger every time their women look or even touch some other man. The thought of Alaia looking at another man has my anger rising.
“Umm, sorry . . .” Gabriela mutters as she glares at Bjarni, who glares back at her. “I kept seeing a shopping centre and then a basement. I now think that might be where Vercin is going to be hiding next.”
“Do you know the name of the shopping centre?” Celmund asks as he looks up from his laptop.
“I’m not sure. I think there was something that said square, but I didn’t see the rest,” Gabriela says as she shakes her head.
“Stellenbosch Square,” Talia says suddenly. “I’ve been there a few times before.” Celmund leans forward and kisses Talia hard on the lips before he sits back and winks at her before he starts to type on his laptop again. A moment later, he is turning the laptop around and presenting it to Gabriela.
“Look at those images and see if you recognize any of them.”
Gabriela leans forward as she looks at the images, and then she points to one of them. “That one. I remember that,” she says as she points towards an image of a parking lot with the shopping centre behind. Celmund nods and takes his laptop back as he continues to type away.
“Is there anything else?” Draco asks as he looks around.
“Yes,” Jasmine says as she looks back at Wulf. “Katya was with them.” At her words, he tenses. Jasmine looks forward at everyone and then at Draco
. “Is she going to be a problem again?” Katya has always been a thorn in Wulf’s side since he met Jasmine. For a long time now, we haven’t heard anything from her, but it seems Jasmine still doesn’t like the idea of her being anywhere near her man.
“No, sweetheart, she’s not going to be a problem,” Draco promises, which has Jasmine nodding. Wulf places his arm around her shoulders and pulls her close against his chest.
“There is Keres activity at the shopping centre. I think we should get eyes on there,” Celmund says as he continues to look at his laptop. I’m sure he is looking at the cameras at the centre and is already seeing all the movement there.
“Can’t they see that you are onto them again?” Talia asks as she looks at Celmund.
“Now that I know how they were duping us, I have covered my tracks, so no, they can’t.”
“Should we look into the shopping centre and try to see what is going on?” Brielle asks with a raised brow.
“Of course,” Nova says before anyone else can confirm, which has most of the men shaking their heads in amusement.
“The one guy, who now I think is Vercin, when he spoke about the bomb going off and killing all the men, he mentioned that after all of you are dead, they can get the women,” Alaia says, which has most of us swearing angrily. Those sons of bitches are still after our women. It will be a cold day in hell when they get their hands on any of us.
“That doesn’t make sense, though,” Aria says as she inclines her head. “If you guys die, then we won’t survive for much longer, now will we?”
“There must be something he wants. There must be something you can maybe do that he knows about that we don’t,” Brandr says with a frown.
“We have thought about that, but what could it be?” Talia says as she looks at Celmund. “Jasmine did have a point that we have similar gifts within our group that enhance each other, but I don’t see how that could do anything.”
CAELIUS: Elementals MC (book 9) (Elemental's MC) Page 6