by Cree Storm
A small voice came from the other side of the room and Wade looked to find Nelson standing, his eyes pleading with them as he spoke. “You can’t give him the stone. I don’t want to see Wade die either, but you just can’t give Fallon that stone. I know how evil he can be. I know what he will do to all of us if we give him what he wants.”
Before anyone could say a word, Orion ran from the front of the room to where Nelson was standing and wrapped his arms around the little Santorini Fox. Nelson’s eyes went wide and his body stiff as he just stared at the vampire.
“Orion, what the hell is the meaning of this? Unhand Nelson,” Illan ordered.
Orion’s head snapped in Illan’s direction and his eyes were glowing red and his fangs were out as he hissed at Illan, “Mate.”
“Oh shit,” Pascal gasped.
“Wait. Please, wait,” Nelson said with a shaky voice as he looked at Orion.
Orion turned his attention back to Nelson and stared in wonder at the little guy. “What is it, mate?”
“I-I, I can’t be your mate,” Nelson whispered, and Orion’s head flinched back like he had been punched and his eyes opened wide.
“It’s not you. Orion, right? It’s not you, Orion. It’s me. I’m…I’m broken, and I don’t know if I…can…be a mate…to anyone. What Fallon did to me…I just…I’m sorry,” Nelson said with tears in his eyes, as he pushed against Orion’s chest.
Orion placed him on his feet and released him, then took a step back. “I understand, little one. I’m not much to look at with this on my face,” Orion said in defeat as he motioned toward the scar on his face, then looked down.
Nelson grabbed Orion’s arm and stepped closer. “No. It’s not that. I think you’re a very handsome man and I would be lucky to have you as my mate,” Nelson said in a rush. “I’ve heard the others talking about how nice you were. It really is me, Orion. As I said, I’m broken, and you deserve better than me.”
Pascal moved to his brother’s side and placed a hand on his shoulder. “That’s not true, Nelson. You would make a great mate to Orion and you’re not broken, you’ve just been through so much and need time, that’s all.”
“But how much time, Pascal? I don’t know if I will ever be whole again and I won’t put my mate through that anguish.”
“I’m not sure exactly what you’ve been through, mate, but I can tell you that whatever it is, I will give you whatever time you need. I will never push you or force you to do anything you don’t want to do. If you can find it in you to trust me, I’d like to help you in any way that I can,” Orion offered gently.
Nelson’s eyes filled with tears. “You’re already a good mate, but I don’t know if I’ll ever be me again. I don’t know if I can ever be what you want. What you deserve. I don’t want to hurt you.”
“The only way you would hurt me, mate, is if you rejected me. Please, just, let us get to know one another a little first before you decide?” Orion asked.
Nelson looked at Pascal, who gave him an encouraging smile, then back to Orion. “I don’t know. I’m…confused. I―”
A loud booming sound came from outside, cutting Nelson off. Everyone looked around as the walls shook. “What the hell?” Illan said as he stood.
Day ran from the room, then came back a few moment later. “It’s Fallon. He’s here, and he’s not alone. He’s brought what looks like the whole fucking fairy realm with him.”
“Shit. We need to get more people here and now,” Justice said as he jumped to his feet.
“I’ll call my pixies and the Griffions,” Destrain said and ran from the room
“I’ll call Kerrick and have him get the elves here,” Dain added and pulled out his phone as he followed Destrain.
Suddenly a panel moved from the wall to his right to reveal a large television screen behind it. Illan pressed a few buttons on a remote in his hand and a picture came on. “Shit,” Wade said under his breath. Standing outside the council building, surrounding it, were thousands of men and woman, and if Wade had to guess, he would say they were Fallon and his fairies.
* * * *
Nelson looked at the large screen on the wall and could see what looked like thousands of warriors surrounding the council building, with Fallon sitting on a large Cockatrice. It's snake-like body with wings and glowing red eyes made Nelson's skin crawl. He knew that there was no way any of them were going to make it out of the council building alive.
Hearing Orion's deep baritone, Nelson turned to see him back at the front of the room talking to Illan, Wade, Justice and Suneth. But he knew, no matter what plan they could possibly come up with, it would never work. Something had to be done, and Nelson had his own plan.
Walking to where Dain and Destrain stood talking out in the hall, Nelson cleared his throat, then nervously whispered, "Sirs, can I speak to you in private?"
"Of course, what is it, Nelson?" Destrain asked.
Looking around to make sure no one was taking notice of them, Nelson lowered his voice even more. "Can we go somewhere else? I really need to speak to you alone."
Looking around, Destrain finally looked back at Nelson and nodded. They made their way down to the cell area. Nelson turned, saying, "Can you guys do that force field thing like you did at Suneth's and block it from all sound?"
Dain looked at Destrain and then back at Nelson in confusion. "I think so, yes. Why?"
Licking his dry lips, Nelson softly replied, "Fallon did some really deviant things to me. I lived as his slave in every sense of the word for years. I know how he thinks. I know how he does things. If we give him the jewel of resistance, nothing will stop him from taking over, not just this town, but this entire world. You know that, the guys up there know that, and Fallon knows that."
"Nelson, what are you asking of us?" Destrain questioned.
"I-I want you to shield this building from harm and sound. I-I am going to go out there and do what must be done. But I don't want anyone to know, because between my new-found mate and my brothers, they will try and stop me and I really need to do this. I can't sit back and allow everyone to die when I know I can stop him. Please."
Destrain sighed, "I don't like it."
Dain placed a gentle hand on Nelson's shoulder. "You feel this will help you heal, but it might get you killed."
"Sir, I already feel dead inside. I can't accept a mate when I can't give him all of who I am. Orion is an honored warrior to his people, and I'm a broken, used, sad case for a man. If I live, then maybe I might be worthy of Orion. For now, I'm nothing," Nelson replied quietly.
"As much as I disagree with you about who you are now, it isn't my opinion that matters. So how do you want to do this?" Destrain asked.
It didn't take them long to work out the details. Nelson waited as Destrain and Dain went back with the others. He kept looking at the clock on the wall. Waiting the five minutes they had agreed on, Nelson undressed and made his way out the door hiding behind bushes and a statue here and there.
In seconds he stepped out, surprising the creatures and men, and without thought or time to give them to react, Nelson shifted. The pain was intense, but the sound was so high, it shattered windows and statues all around him, as well as exploding every being and living thing around him. Nelson didn't wait to look, hell he didn't want to see what he had done, and quickly shifted back to his human form making his way around the side of the building. He knew by now everyone was watching him, and he could only hope that Dain could do his part and keep everyone inside. This was something he needed to finish.
The fact that no one heard what he had done in the back meant that Destrain had been able to separate the outside in sections like Nelson had asked. Damn, the pixie king had powers that he figured even Illan and the other council didn't know about. Giving Destrain a moment to reorganize, Nelson waited two minutes, then quickly stepped out and shifted quickly again. More windows exploded and another statue. Damn, he hoped that Ezra wasn't too attached to his, because it was nothing but sand now
. Jumping back into the bushes, Nelson shifted once more. This time he felt a dizziness come over him and dropped to his knees.
Taking in a few short breaths and getting his bearings, Nelson stood on shaky legs, then turned back in the direction he had come from until he was on the opposite side of the wall he had just finished with. Stepping out, Nelson shifted just as fast as the last two times, everything went off like a bomb exploded again and Nelson ran back into the bushes and shifted to his human form once more, immediately dropping face-first into the ground.
His ears were ringing, and his arms were like jelly as he tried to pick himself off the ground. Grabbing the side of the building, Nelson finally got himself back on his feet and had to hold on for all he was worth. He had never shifted so fast before, and to do it three times in a row was wreaking havoc on his system. He could feel his heart beating, hear his breaths becoming short and fast, and his muscles were almost non-existent.
Using the wall, Nelson walked until he reached the front of the council building. It looked like hundreds, if not thousands, of men and beasts were waiting outside. Fallon yelled, "Bring me the jewel of resistance!"
Nelson stepped out, naked, tired, and hurting in every joint of his body. Fallon must have seen his movements, because he turned and smirked. "So my property has returned. Where is the jewel?"
Nelson shook his head, and using the energy he barely had, he shouted, "I would die before ever letting you touch me again and you are never getting your filthy paws on that jewel."
"Then I guess it's war you choose!" Fallon shouted angrily.
Shaking his head, Nelson stepped closer to the army before him, hissing, "No―It's death!"
"Kill him!" Fallon shouted anxiously.
Nelson tossed each arm out to the side, screaming as he shifted faster than ever before. Nelson never saw the bodies explode or the moment Fallon erupted into a million pieces. In that one shift, in that one moment, he saved not just all of Crystal and Maddox, but he saved the world.
Nelson didn't see it because he laid on the ground, face-first, and unmoving.
“What the fuck was that?” Wade yelled as he turned.
“It sounded like it came from outside,” Orion replied.
Everyone took off running for the doors in the front of the building. Wade made it first, with Illan and Orion on his heels. He flung the doors open and stepped out, then they all froze from the gory sight.
“What the hell happened here?” Suneth asked as he stepped up next to Wade.
“It was Nelson,” Destrain answered as he walked from around the corner.
“What the hell do you mean it was Nelson? Where the hell is my mate?” Orion sneered.
Suneth pointed to a spot by the far corner and yelled out, “Over there!”
Orion went running, then dropped down to his knees beside Nelson’s still form. He slid his hands under Nelson’s hip and shoulder, then carefully rolled him over, catching him in his arms, then drawing Nelson onto his lap. “What have you done, mate?” Orion whispered in a pain-filled voice.
“He knew you would all try to stop him, and he didn’t want to take the chance of someone handing the jewel over to Fallon. He asked Destrain and I for help in blocking sound,” Dain answered as he stepped up next to Orion.
“Of course, I would have tried to stop him, and you should have too. He could have gotten himself killed,” Orion argued as he pulled Nelson closer, trying to cover his nakedness. Wade pulled off his shirt and handed it to the vampire. Orion looked up in surprise, then took the offered shirt and gave Wade a grateful smile. As he put the shirt over Nelson’s head and adjusted it to cover his mate, Destrain explained more.
“I understand how upsetting this is to you, Orion, and we did try to talk him out of it, but Nelson was insistent. He needed to do this not only for all of us, but more importantly, himself. He needed to destroy his monster so that he could go on with his life. A life with you.”
“Oh my gods, Nelson!” Pascal cried as he ran from the building and dropped down to his knees facing Orion. “What happened to him?”
Again, Destrain and Dain explained, and Pascal nodded as he brushed a lock of hair from Nelson’s face. “It looks like he shifted quickly. We have warned all of you what happens when we do that. Well this,” Pascal said and looked around, then back to Nelson. “Is what happens.”
“So if you or one of your brothers shift really fast you can shatter people like glass? Damn, that’s a great defense system,” Wade said in appreciation.
“Will he be okay?” Orion asked, not taking his gaze from Nelson.
“Yes, he’ll be okay. From the looks of this place, he may have overdone it and is probably exhausted, but I think if we let him rest and get as much sleep as he can, he’ll be okay. He’ll probably be really hungry when he finally does wake up,” Pascal replied.
Orion shifted to his feet and stood with Nelson in his arms, then he looked to Pascal. “I’m taking him to my home so that I can watch over him and make sure he heals, and he can be safe.”
Pascal nodded as he gave Orion and smile and said, “I think that would be a great idea. Just…just give him the time he needs…for whatever.”
Orion returned the smile, but it held a certain sadness. “I will. I promise. And I will have him call you or one of your brothers when he awakens.”
“That would be great, Orion. Thank you.”
Orion turned and headed toward the parking lot. Everyone watched as he gently placed Nelson in the passenger seat, buckled him in, then closed the door and ran around to the driver's side and climbed in. Once they were gone, everyone turned back to the carnage surrounding them.
“Shit, what a mess,” Justice whispered.
Jett stepped up beside Illan and crossed his arms over his chest, then complained, “I ain’t cleaning this up. Not that I’m not happy as a loon that Nelson took care of Fallon and his assholes for us, but I just finished the damn landscaping.”
“One more word, Jett, and you will clean every inch of this property and building,” Illan threatened.
Jett’s eyes went wide, and he threw his hands up in surrender and clamped his lips shut. Zev chuckled from behind him and wrapped his arms around the funny dragon. “Let’s go, gorgeous, before you blow, and I end up not seeing you for two months.” Zev pulled Jett away and they headed for the parking lot.
Illan sighed heavily. “I can’t believe it’s over. After everything that rat bastard has put us through, has put so many through, and he’s finally gone. Now what do we do about his realm and his people?”
Justice looked to Dain. “Any ideas?”
“Yes, actually. We’ll clean this mess up first, but then I think the council should meet. Along with Rune and Kerrick, who know Fallon and his people more than I do, we may be able to come up with something that works for everyone. Rune is down in the cells with General Tatum. We can talk with them and get back to you guys later."
“That’s a good idea, Dain. Let’s call in a few more pixies and have them help us with this mess,” Destrain said.
“If it’s good for everyone else, I’m exhausted and could use a nap. I’m taking my mate home for some rest. We have an early meeting with the Admiral and the guys tomorrow about finding whoever is after us. So if you’ll all excuse us,” Wade said and slid an arm around Suneth’s shoulders, then turned them toward the parking lot.
As they walked, Wade couldn’t help but feel a little better knowing that someone as crazy and evil as Fallon was now gone from the world. He knew there would always be evil and sick fucks in the world, but right now he needed to focus on the win, and his sexy mate. They had a very physical night and a long day, and now he just wanted to sleep with his little man in his arms and let the rest of the world go away for a few hours. Thank fate for bringing Suneth into his life. With his man by his side, Wade was sure he could face whatever came at them next.
EPILOGUE
It was almost pitch dark in the expansive warehouse and all was
quiet. Just a hint of light from outside filtered in through the high windows and the dim track light from above his head helped Ethan see where he was going. The large figure he was looking for stepped out from the room to the right and Ethan smiled as he quickened his pace. “Day!” he called out.
As Ethan reached his mate, he grabbed Day’s arm. “We’re running out of time,” Ethan said in a panic as he pulled on Day’s arm, spinning him around. The large scar running down Day’s face looked ominous in the shadows.
THE END…………
To be continued in Edge of Tomorrow, Eternal Flames Maddox 6
PLEASE NOTE:
It is recommended that our stories be read in order, to avoid any confusion....
Burning Desire, Eternal Flames 1
Rising from the Ashes, Eternal Flames 2
Courting the Phoenix, Eternal Flames 3
How to Claim Your Dragon, Eternal Flames 4
A Higher Calling, Eternal Flames 5
Fear of Discovery, Eternal Flames 6
Adding Fuel to the Flames, Eternal Flames Maddox 1
A Bite to Remember, Eternal Flames Maddox 2
Phoenix Rising, Eternal Flames 7
Bound To The Enemy, Eternal Flames Maddox 3
Power Of Love, Eternal Flames 8
Tiny Treasure, Eternal Flames Maddox 4
Partners In Crime, Eternal Flames 9
Sowing The Seeds Of Love, Eternal Flames Maddox 5
Under Siege, Eternal Flames 10
Cree Storm Other books
Twelve Labors MYSTIC Capulet
Hercules Ryker’s Aquamate Damien’s Past Mates
Perseus The Stolen Mate The Magical Mating
Apollo The Tin Man’s Heart Two For The Beta
Iphicles The Rules For Mating A Trilling Moment
Poseidon Data Input Butterfly Effection
Hephaestus His Fluttering Heart