by Macy Blake
Help me.
He heard a snarl and saw a flash of brown. The man hissed and spun. Blood dripped from a claw wound down his arm. It was enough, just enough. Sawyer was able to pull in enough air to stay conscious. The ravens were going nuts, louder than they’d ever been before. Where were his guardians? Why weren’t they waking up?
Help me.
The man turned again and snarled at him. “Nice of you to keep your birds at bay. They are annoying creatures. I’ve never understood why you chose them.”
The ravens. The ravens were his?
“I laughed when I turned them against you. You left them all alone and unprotected, but I knew they’d be drawn to you. All I had to do was follow your precious birds. It was such fun having them attack you. Too bad they didn’t kill your vampire mate. So close. It would have ended the fun too soon, though, wouldn’t it?”
The ravens were his.
Golden yellow eyes flickered once more from the trees. Right at the spot where the man had walked through. Where he’d broken the ward. Sawyer flung out his hand to the opening, not knowing what to do as he choked once more. Help me.
The ravens heard his call. They dove for the opening and crashed against it. Hundreds of them, until finally, with a resounding boom, the wards fell.
“No!” They flew at the man, unrelenting. “This isn’t over, brother. Not by a long shot.”
The wind swirled, pushing the birds away, but again it pulled focus from him and he sucked in a breath.
“GUARDIANS!”
His voice boomed, power behind it that he shouldn’t have held. His vision flickered.
Air swirled around him, but none would allow him to breathe. He couldn’t stay awake any more. His ravens struggled to continue their attack, the wind forcing them away.
But then came the sound he loved more than any other. A deafening roar as his dragon flew through the air, parting the ravens with ease. He blew his flames at the man and he finally released his hold on Sawyer.
Something was wrong. He could breathe again, but his body wasn’t his own. He trembled.
His guardians surrounded him and their magic formed a barrier around him.
He couldn’t think. He couldn’t breathe. He couldn’t.
“Let me through.”
A familiar voice. One he’d known his entire life.
“Sissylt.”
“I am here, my lord. You are safe.”
Everything settled and Sawyer closed his eyes. He was safe.
* * *
***
* * *
Beep. Shhh. Beep. Shhh.
Sawyer wanted nothing more than for someone to make the noises stop. His head had jackhammers in it already. He opened his eyes and found himself in an unfamiliar room. The noises continued. He was in a hospital. A heavy weight was along one side and another across his legs. Draco and Pearl. He didn’t even have to look to know who his companions were. He leaned into Draco, letting his slight movement waken his guardian.
“Sawyer,” Draco gasped. He immediately rose up so he could stare down into Sawyer’s eyes. “You scared the shit out of me.”
Pearl wiggled her way up the bed and licked his nose. He had one of those oxygen things around his face, and she was obviously put out by its presence. He didn’t blame her. It was annoying him already, and he’d only been awake for five seconds. His memories began to flood back, and he turned to the side where the beeping was coming from. He tried to sit up, but Draco and Pearl didn’t let him. He was so weak.
“Mikey.”
He barely managed to get the word out. Mikey’s mates were on either side of them, and Quillon shot Sawyer a glare. He couldn’t blame him. He’d almost gotten his brother killed. He turned back to Draco, a question in his eyes.
“We aren’t sure, love. He’s in bad shape.”
But Sawyer knew that already. The others began to filter into the room, drawn by the sound of Draco’s voice. Andvari kissed his forehead. Eduard gripped his hand. Henry curled up beside him. Ward stood at the end of his bed, touching his feet, reassuring himself that Sawyer was awake and okay. He knew all of these things. And then he looked into the corner, where he also knew Loch had been hiding the whole time. His newest guardian melted from the shadows and approached him cautiously.
He was so glad to see them all. But they weren’t the one face he most wanted to see at the moment.
The door opened once more.
“Sissylt,” Sawyer gasped.
“My lord,” Cecil replied. “You should be resting.”
He untangled his hand from the blankets and reached for his oldest friend. “What are you doing here?”
“Did you honestly think I’d let you take on this mad scheme without me?”
“Cecil?” Eduard asked. “What’s going on?”
“Cecil,” Sawyer said. “I like it. It suits you.”
“As Sawyer does you. You have guests, when you’re ready.”
Sawyer nodded and gave Henry a squeeze. “I’ve got to get up, Henry.”
“No, you don’t,” Draco griped. “You need to rest.”
Sawyer turned to him and smiled. “I’ll rest in a little bit. Goddess, I love you. I love you all so much. Now let me up, please.”
“Sawyer,” Henry grumbled. “You’re really hurt.”
And he was. He could feel it. His body ached. So weak.
“Please, let me up,” Sawyer repeated.
His memories bounced around in his head, nothing taking shape. He remembered Sissylt so clearly, but everything around him was a blur. “Cecil,” Sawyer said.
Cecil moved up beside the bed and gently guided Henry away. Draco stood with a huff. Sawyer pushed back the blankets and let Cecil help him sit up. The moment he was, he wrapped his arms around his friend and held tight. “I can’t believe you’re here. And I can’t believe you’re old.”
“I prefer my appearance this way. Besides, there is nowhere else I could be. Now, stop dawdling. You’ve frightened and confused your mates, your brother needs your attention, and you still have visitors.”
“I need a smoothie,” Sawyer teased.
Cecil smirked and helped him stand. “Then I shall get you one. Henry, there is a robe hanging there by the door. Will you get it for me?”
Henry blinked for a second before complying. Sawyer glanced down and realized he’d been put in one of those hospital gowns that weren’t a good look for anyone. Henry brought back the robe and helped him slide his arms into it as Cecil held him steady. He moved to his brother’s side next, ignoring the glares from his mates. He laid his hand gently on Mikey’s forehead.
“What’s his status?”
“He had a severe seizure,” Cecil said. “His gift… it was too much for him.”
“Yeah, and your butler here wouldn’t let us take him to a bigger hospital,” Asher snarled.
Sawyer nodded. “Good. This is where he should be. Do we have a coven nearby?”
“Not close,” Cecil said, “but I took the liberty of doing some research. I found a young coven, untouched by outside forces. They should be able to help.”
“Perfect,” Sawyer said. “I’m guessing the hellhounds are nearby.”
“Yes, my lord,” Cecil said.
“I thought I told you to quit calling me that.”
Cecil grinned. “It is good to have you back.”
“Ask Meshaq to have one of his hellhounds take you to the coven. Bring them to my brother.”
“Yes, young master.”
Sawyer groaned. “That one’s not any better, Sissylt. Cut it out.”
Cecil smirked and left the room.
“What is happening?” Eduard asked.
“It’s a very long story,” Sawyer said. “Please trust me?”
“With my life,” Eduard replied.
“I’ll explain everything soon, I promise. I just… there’s one more thing I need to do right now, and I need you guys to stay here.”
Loch and Andvari both made soun
ds of protest.
“Please. I know what I need to do now. Just give me a little time.”
Sawyer wrapped the robe more tightly around him and walked slowly out of the room. His body wasn’t impressed with his decision to be up and walking, but he couldn’t wait any longer. He wasn’t in a hospital. It took him a minute to realize he was at the Jerricks’ clinic. Of course, Henry would have called his dads. Sawyer was thankful, because if he’d been in a traditional hospital, there would be way too many awkward questions he wouldn’t be able to answer.
Dr. Jerrick stepped out of a room and stopped at the sight of him.
“I know, I should be in bed,” Sawyer said gently. “There’s something I have to do really fast, and then I’ll be back to rest.”
“I can’t believe my son and your other mates allowed you to move.”
Sawyer shrugged. “I asked nicely.”
“Don’t go far,” Dr. Jerrick said gently. “You’re very weak.”
Sawyer nodded and walked the final few feet to the clinic’s door. He opened it and immediately turned his head. He could feel them. They were close. Four figures emerged from the woods, each more beautiful than the last. It had been too long.
For all but one.
“Mother,” Sawyer gasped.
She moved forward quickly, at his side in a flash, and clasped her hands on his face. “My son. You remember.”
Sawyer couldn’t help the tears that formed. “Only bits and pieces. It’s a jumble. But I had to see you. I knew you were here.”
She pulled him close and gave him a giant hug.
“I cannot believe you convinced me to allow this scheme of yours.”
“I had no choice,” Sawyer said softly.
“I know, son. I know. Now say hello to your sisters before they decide to be angry with me.”
He turned to them and held out his arms. He immediately had his arms full.
“Did you really mate with all of them?” his oldest sister asked.
“I think what your sister is trying to say is Hot damn. Did you really mate with all of them?”
His third sister grinned at him. “I think what our sisters are trying to say is hubba hubba.”
Sawyer laughed and held them tight. “You’re all ridiculous. I’m so glad you’re here.”
They smiled and hugged him once more. “We cannot stay. The champions are guarding the wards, but it isn’t safe for us to be here.”
“We mustn’t intervene,” Mother said softly.
“More than you already have, you mean?” Sawyer teased.
“We couldn’t just abandon you, but did it have to take you forever? I was beginning to think you were never coming back to us.”
His sisters would never let him take the easy way out. It was the curse of being the baby of the bunch. But they’d always looked after him and probably spoiled him a little too much.
Sawyer pulled back and took them all in. “I’m back. And you must go. This wasn’t part of the deal. You have to let me finish this on my own.”
“We know.”
They didn’t seem happy about it, but he had a sneaking suspicion they hadn’t supported his plan to begin with. He couldn’t remember it all, almost everything fuzzy and out of focus.
“And brother, would you please ask your birds to be quiet? They’re making me twitch.”
Sawyer laughed and turned his attention to the trees. Hundreds of ravens sat among the branches, screeching at him, demanding he say hello. Sawyer raised his hand and they all cawed happily before spilling into the air. They formed a huge tunneling cloud, swirling above them before spilling out into the morning, happy with him once more.
“So annoying,” his oldest sister griped. “Couldn’t you have a normal animal to call? Why did you have to pick ravens of all things? My hellhounds would never behave so atrociously.”
His middle sister laughed. “My dogs would. In fact, how have you been treating your girl?”
Sawyer blinked and another piece fell into place. “Pearl.”
“You don’t think I’d have let you become human and not provided you with man’s best friend?”
Sawyer tugged her into a huge hug. “She’s the best. But wait… she’s not human, right?”
His sister laughed. “No, Sawyer. She is not a shifter. She’s the best of the best, though. You needed her. I didn’t want you to be alone.”
“Thank you. She is the best. I don’t know what I would do without her.”
“Come, sisters. We must go. Sawyer, know that although you face this battle alone, we are with you. He must be stopped.”
“I know.”
His sisters stepped back into the woods and vanished.
“My son.”
It seemed so strange now, having her here with him, but knowing who she was.
“You weren’t supposed to help me. You could have messed everything up.”
She shrugged and reached out her hand. He took it.
“You are my son.”
“So is he,” Sawyer gently reminded.
She turned away, the pain on her face more than he could bear.
“I’ll fix things. I’ll do my best to make it all better.”
“I know you will. I must go. I’ve stayed too long as it is. Your memories will not fully return. I don’t know how much you do remember, but you asked me to remind you of that when you returned. It was the price you paid for taking such a risk.”
Sawyer nodded. “Thank you. I clearly know myself, because I would have made my first order of business trying to get my memories back.”
“Foolish, brave boy. Be careful. Your brother… he is dangerous. He will not stop until his quest is finished.”
“I know. I’ll stop him.”
She sighed and hugged him once more. “Go rest. Sissylt will know what to do.”
“I can’t believe you let him come with me,” Sawyer said.
“Let him?” She laughed and began to walk away. “You forget who your friend is. I’ll see you soon, my boy.”
* * *
The End
Hell to Pay
Hellhound Champions, book 2
Copyright © 2019 by Macy Blake
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Cover and symbols designed by A.J. Corza, www.seeingstatic.com
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All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
For Kelsey Hoggan, who makes Sundays the best day of the week, and who came up with a great name for an app for me. This one’s for you.
Solomon
Solomon was having one of those days. He had an itch beneath his skin, and he wanted nothing more than to find something to rip apart. Anything to rip apart. He scanned his pack’s bar, Hair of the Dog, and even though the patrons were mixed—about half human and half other—no one in the bar was looking to fight. No, most of them wanted to kiss Meshaq’s ass and hope for the opportunity to catch a glimpse of his alpha’s new mate. Drew was a big deal in the supernatural community, the first omega in centuries.
Sol got it. He did. And no one deserved to find his fated mate more than his alpha. Meshaq had served as the fire goddess’s champion for as long as Solomon could remember. Decades had turned to centuries, and still his alpha had fought her battles on Earth, keeping the secret of the supernatural world safe. Of course, all that had changed now. Not that Shaq wasn’t still the champion. He was. But now he was the alpha of the champions as well. It had brought a new swathe of creatures into their world, powerful shifters the likes of which hadn’t been seen in years. Their goddess’s sisters had offered their champions to the cause, eager to protect their world as the magic around them changed.
It was great, really. More of them to go around, especially since there were more and more crises in the world. In his entire tim
e as a hellhound, Solomon’s sigil had never gone off as frequently as it had since the magic began to fluctuate around them. Ancient prophecies on the verge of being fulfilled could do that. Of course, it hadn’t gone off yet today, even though he’d stared at it multiple times, begging for something to do.
Everything had been strangely quiet since Meshaq returned from his journey to the fae realm. He’d brought back Calli and Cosmo, but he’d left his nephew behind. Needless to say, Shaq was a bit cranky as a result. And a cranky alpha meant a cranky pack. Solomon needed something to do that would get him out of the bar and his alpha’s line of sight.
“Come on,” Sol grumbled under his breath as he glared at the sigil on his arm. “Cut me a break.”
No such luck.
A group of fauns came in and searched the bar eagerly for sight of Shaq and Drew. Their sighs of disappointment were long and overly dramatic when they realized the alpha and omega pair weren’t at the bar. One of them caught Sol’s eye, and he made sure to sharpen his glare in warning. They’d glamored themselves well, but he could see through it easily enough. The humans in the bar would only see a group of smallish, twenty-something guys, out for a few drinks and a bit of fun.
Solomon knew what kind of trouble they could cause, though. Not on his watch.
They scampered up to the bar and greeted the other source of his irritation.
Cody.
Their human bartender greeted the faun with a beaming smile, their glamor working completely on him. He had no idea who he was actually talking to, smiling at, flirting with.
Sol bit back a growl.
Cody served them all foam-topped mugs of beer, laughing at their antics while flipping his blond hair out of his face flirtatiously. He never missed a beat and even winked one of his pale blue eyes at the stupid faun when he added a few dollars to Cody’s tip jar. Once Cody had taken care of them, he turned his attention to Sol, giving a little gesture with his head to indicate he needed something. Sol didn’t get a flirty hair toss or a wink. Not that he cared. He didn’t. He didn’t even like Cody. Sol climbed off the stool he sat on at the back of the room and made his way to the bar.