by Jay, Setta
Before the meeting, they’d gotten Havoc and gone to Uri’s suite as the animal wiggled for them, expecting to have his ears rubbed. It was odd but the beast was so like a regular puppy, except for the potential of flames spewing from his mouth, red eyes and oddly soft fur over shiny black skin. She had asked Uri how big Havoc would get and he issued a one word, “Big,” with a grin. His suite had a sunken living room done in black and greys, and huge French doors opened out onto a big balcony. A kitchen with mottled black and brown stone sat to the side of the entry, and a huge bedroom, with a spacious seating area, was to the left of it all. The closet had only a few clothes for him and she was happy to see some of her clothes had been brought over from her Earth apartment. Along with shoes. Thank the Gods. She had smiled at the sight, enjoyed the view of his big clothes and boots next her much smaller things. Her stomach had tightened a bit at the domesticity of it. She wanted it all.
Vane was seated on the opposite side of the table, between Conn and Gregoire. Jax was next to Gregoire.
Jax was grinning like a freaking kid with a secret, making Uri stiffen next to her and she heard him telepath, “That video better be in our apartment at the end of the meeting, or you and Conn will both meet my ass at the mats after we’re through.” She seemed to share his links. She was catching Uri’s words to Jax. Weird. Then it hit her that the video they had to be talking about was of her and Uri in the holding cell. Alex’s cheeks heated and she sent a death glare to Jax. Only getting a wink and devilish grin back. That Guardian was a fiend.
Sorry, I forgot to get it from Conn first. Irritation came through Uri’s message to her.
He has a copy of Brianne’s Sex and the City 2. The only copy of the video is in your apartment. Conn winked at her, his amber eyes glittering with mischief as he sent the message over.
She choked back a laugh at the wolf’s antics. Her brother raised an eyebrow in confusion. Jax just leaned forward to glare and Conn and the wolf flipped him off. Jax sat back in his chair, mumbling about assholes.
Gregoire grinned knowingly at her. Her skin flushed again. Thankfully, Vane didn’t seem to be paying attention anymore. He was concentrating on the laptop he had on his knees as he lounged. His muscles were tense and she suspected he was doing everything in his power to avoid looking a Brianne. Something was there.
Uri had already begun telling the group what they’d done to dull some of the mental effects of the victims. It warmed her chest that he’d included her as if she’d done something monumental. She had only helped with some intricate work inside the minds. She felt his power running inside her. It was invigorating and enticing, the feeling of swirling and swelling. It was powerful and escalating. It kept her in an aroused state that was unlike anything she’d ever experienced. It wasn’t just her body; it was her entire being, as if he were stroking her inside and out.
She heard his frustration when telling the other Guardians that they were unable to do anything substantial for the redhead, her mind was in tatters, and the pieces inside kept moving around. He informed them that they would try again after their mating was complete. Uri had been gentle with the females. If she hadn’t already been losing the fight to fall deeply in love with him, his care for the damaged Mageias might have pushed her over. But she wouldn’t kid herself. Pride and love practically burst out.
Uri sent her what felt like a caress to her mind through the bond. It was highly erotic and had her clenching her stomach. She sent a growl back. The last thing she wanted was to get hot and wet in a room with her brother. He chuckled through the link.
Uri continued telling the others, “What I found interesting, was at least one of the Aletheia that raped the victims seemed drugged. Eyes glazed and dilated. He also spoke inside the victims minds. Encouraging them to relax and not let Elizabeth get off on their pain. All the women remember being raped with Elizabeth present. One of the males slipped them Aletheia venom, so they would enjoy the experience. It confused and upset the victims more to be aroused by what happened to them. It seemed that both Aletheia present at all the rapes seemed to hate Elizabeth. Who knows what their allegiances are. They might be captives, too.”
“If they are being held against their will, we’ll just have to see.” Drake said, pacing, which Alex was realized was his norm. She had yet to see the Guardian leader sit.
“We got a lot of interesting intel from the Lab Tech. He’s an Earth Elemental, been with Cyril since he was a child. His memories were tampered with, so how he got to be in Cyril’s employ is a mystery. Sirena will be digging into the family tree. He doesn’t know Cyril’s current location, back-up facilities were kept secret, which is disappointing. He doesn’t have a lot on Cyril and Elizabeth themselves, not being in the inner circle, but he is aware of vials of Aletheia semen being traded for Test Subjects on Earth.” That was good news, since the Guardians had, according to Uri, never found any proof of Cynthia doing anything untoward. Even with a lot of surveillance. They had only recently seen, from Alex’s hop to Sam, that a Coven was involved in sending Mageias to Cyril. Up until that revelation, they were not positive Cyril had not found a way to summon the Mageias to Tetartos, himself.
Uri continued, “Lab guy did know that Elizabeth is the one able to contact Earth, as well as someone close to the Tria…” There was a short pause as the table went quiet before the occupants erupted in a variety of expletives. Who knew the extent of the Elizabeth’s power?
“Also, for centuries Elizabeth has been luring Elementals from the Coven on Tetartos. Until this last year, for some reason.” More noise followed, until Drake’s booming, “Quiet!”
“The lab tech’s mind confirmed that the tests they are preforming, is on the mating spell. He’s a total zealot, refused to speak. Cyril promised all in his compound that his research would find the key to allowing Immortals and Mageias to choose any mate they wished to have. They were working on a serum that would trick the DNA of the Mageia, and the Immortal, into thinking there is a match. It seemed that instead of getting rid of the spell, he’s basically attempting to deceive it. Another disturbing component is that Cyril has his hands on blood samples of at least one mated pair.” Uri waited as the room quieted again. “I’ve sent Sirena all the memories we got from him so she can decipher the technical shit.”
Alex sensed Sirena’s fury, as the Healer added, “I have no idea where he would have gotten samples. Mine are kept on Earth and are all accounted for.”
Uri’s voice held disgust, “It gets worse. When the serum fails it causes brain damage. Those Elementals, whose minds are no longer working, are kept and used as payment to the Tria for some kind of service.”
“Fucking, hell.” Drake said, as the room’s noise volume reached epic heights.
Uri’s voice dropped dangerously low, “And this is only one of the experiments they’ve been working on. There are several, but our guy only worked on one other.” Uri paused again. “They’ve been using their own warriors as lab rats to find a way to sever telepathic links. The problem is that they weren’t able to yet find a way to reverse the affects, so the Aletheia he injected have messed up mental links, and are now practically vegetables.”
“Shit.” Drake’s response was echoed down the table. All were grim.
“Well, now we can guess what was in the syringe the demon possessed had.” Said Gregoire, a menacing scowl on his goateed mouth.
Uri nodded, but Alex remembered that they had never gotten around to discussing the syringe. He was so damn distracting. Gregoire seemed to catch her look of confusion, because he explained for her.
“Uri was attacked a couple of nights ago, by a trio of possessed with a syringe, but we weren’t able to recover it. Havoc took one down. We still don’t know if the hound was how they found him, since Havoc is blood bound to Uri, not the Tria.”
Sirena explained to the others who had only seen Havoc in the courtyard, “Drake and I okayed the hound. It appears that Hellhounds are not evil by nature. Havoc feeds off e
vil energies, metabolizes it, without it affecting him at all.” Sirena took a breath, “The demon possessed probably did track Havoc’s aura. I could see that being plausible. The possessed brought in was too new to have any real knowledge. Uri interrogated him. The fact that Havoc teleported to Uri in the courtyard, three Realms over when the other hell beasts can only get one Realm over is something I’ll have to look into.”
Wow, the little beast was impressive. .
Sirena asked, “When will you two complete the bond? I recommend you do it quickly. The distraction could be dangerous.”
“Tonight.” Alex’s shocked expression shot to Uri. They hadn’t discussed doing it that night. She narrowed her eyes at him. He grinned wolfishly back. A laugh escaped before she knew what was happening. She shook her head. They needed to do it. There was no turning back and she wouldn’t want to if there was. In truth, she was excited that he wanted to finish their bond.
“Okay, let’s finish the meeting, looks like there’s a Mating ceremony to prepare for. Sirena, do you have anything to add?” Drake said, grinning at Alex with affection. She grinned back, thoroughly enjoying being a part of the fold. She could truly get used to it.
“Only that we need to get Erik and Sam to finish their Mating soon, for both their sakes. I don’t think Sam could handle the Mortal Mating Ceremony. The Aletheia semen in her system will only stay in effect for a few weeks at best. After that the process will need to be restarted. The quicker we can get them mated, the better for them both.” Sirena remarked to the table.
Alex was confused again, “I think I missed something?”
Sirena said, “Part of turning a mortal into an Immortal is that they need to be filled with Aletheia semen which has regenerative power. There is much more to it but the concerning part is that the process has begun and if they don’t finish it she will need to have sex with another Aletheia or stay mortal.”
Alex shook her head, grimly, at that information. There was no way, after what Sam had already been through, that she’d be willing to take another Aletheia into her body, and Erik had never shared well. Alex didn’t see him being okay with letting a male have sex with his mate.
Drake nodded with the same look of understanding, “Conn?”
“Cyril wiped his research and data files before we got there. All I got was a month worth of video surveillance in DVDs. Cyril had all the labs, corridors, outside, common areas, training area and holding rooms monitored. No clues on where he went. If he hadn’t blown his exit, Sacha or Bastian might have been able to track him, but now it’s doubtful.” Conn said, as he leaned back tapping on the table with his thumb. He was in another flannel, one in green and black, sleeves rolled back, showing the tattoos covering his arms. He probably pulled at his hair as he worked, since it stuck out everywhere. “I gave Sirena the videos from the labs. Vane and I have been going through the other files. It’ll take some time to get through it all. Haven’t got anything useful, yet.”
Drake continued down the line, “Gregoire, Jax?”
“We didn’t get shit at the location where Uri was attacked, nothing was left behind, and there was no video surveillance covering the exit road. Too many options after that.” Jax provided.
Gregoire was shaking his head as he spoke. “We installed trackers on all the cars at that new location of Cynthia’s. We should have no problem going after her, now that we know she’s the likely accomplice to Cyril. Until Alex’s information indicating a Coven was behind the abductions, I never would have thought she would actually sell out her own. I really thought Cyril was doing it himself, somehow.” Gregoire was sprawled out in his chair, spreading his big body out like the warriors around the table all seemed to like to do. He was large all over, and she’d seen a lot of him in those clubs. His equine half was definitely dominant in the lower part of his anatomy. Her brain was officially fried. She felt Uri’s heat and essence mingling with hers from inches away, and couldn’t wait to get him alone. She had been avoiding looking at him, for fear she would jump him.
Jax began, a distinct scowl painting his beautiful features, “Conn went through and checked out where all Cynthia’s cars were, based on the trackers. He found one of the cars drove from Southern California to Phoenix, directly to Sam’s parent’s home.”
Alex stiffened, and she watched her brother do the same, as Jax continued, “Drake had us pop over and stash the parents in a safe house. The Elementals didn’t even know we were there. Hopefully, they’ll be watching the house for a while before they figure it out.”
How did the Guardians know it was Sam’s parent’s home? Alex asked Uri telepathically
Conn has a computer program. All questionable Covens are tracked and he’s also tracked the missing Mageia and their families. I did a mental scan on Cynthia during questioning after the first Elemental went missing. At the time, all Covens were asked to assist and submit for questioning. I never recovered anything indicating she was anything more than a bitch and drug lord. Same with her staff. If she is behind this, I need to figure out how she hid the information. Fury practically radiated from Uri. She knew he would take it as a personal failure.
Drake’s hard emerald stare ensnared the room. “We need to bring Cynthia and her inner circle in. We will raid all of her locations, so that we can get the information we need. Hopefully, she kept some kind of records, since she is apparently resistant to mental scans. Cyril or Elizabeth may have helped her with that.”
The air in the room buzzed with energy. “Conn, put a hold on checking Cyril’s security footage, and get all the data you can on Cynthia’s location. The raid needs to be precise, we’ll be spread thin. I want to hit as many locations as possible at once. We need to strike soon. She’s smart, and has enough money to go underground. We’ll meet back here at eight am tomorrow to go over strategy.”
Vane scowled in obvious frustration. She knew how he felt. Alex wanted in on the raids just as much as he did. They were both stuck on Tetartos. She blew out an irritated breath
“Alright, does anyone else have anything to report on the rest of the patrols?”
“Same shit in Hell.” P said.
Bastian and Dorian reported the normal in Tetartos, but some concern over the Elemental Mageia Coven’s headquarters. Something Drake said they’d deal with later.
Alex’s eyes started to glaze over a bit.
Her mind fixated on the fact that she would be mated in a matter of hours, and Uri had yet to tell her what would be expected of her. Her stomach fluttered with anticipation.
“Mating Ceremony at eight p.m. I’m assuming we are all invited?” Drake grinned and it lit the male’s handsome face.
Looking around she saw that everyone was up, moving around them. There was some back slapping to Uri, and happy grins and hugs from the females. Her heart clenched a little that Erik wouldn’t be there. Guilt hit with the impact of a boulder at the fact that she was happy, while her brother suffered.
Vane pulled her in for a hug. His frame was familiar and comfortable as she rested her head on his chest and closed her eyes, just as she had always done throughout her long life. Vane had always given her such free affection. Erik would want you happy, sis. You’ve been alone too long. Enjoy this time. You deserve to have a mate of your own. The male seems solid. I’ll admit that, if I couldn’t tell he loved you, I might not be so okay with you mating the asshole. The guy makes it pathetically clear he cares for you, so we are good. When he pulled back, the sad little grin he gave her, made her eyes blur. She blinked back tears and gave him a watery smile that she hoped, showed the love she felt for him. Uri sent a soothing caress through the link. Was Vane right, did he love her? The warmth of it made her skin tingle.
Chapter 29
Sam found herself in a hallway one floor up, and in wing opposite, that of her own room. A slew of butterflies had set up residence in her stomach, and her mind wouldn’t stop the constant rerun of all Sirena had told her. How was it that all of it rang so true to her?
What would she do to save the man that rescued her? One that had to be knocked out so that he wouldn’t suffer for helping her. She remembered the pain etched in his gorgeous face as he moved toward her, completely nude, and absolutely perfect, even with the wounds riddling his body. His beautiful ice blue eyes searched her face before he gently touched her cheek. Her breath caught at being near him again. She had felt safe in that moment. His warmth had surrounded and caressed her cold body. Even unconscious, he had helped her. He had come for her. Believed she was some kind of soul mate. Sirena had said that he had been desperately trying to find her from the day that Alex was in her head. How long ago was that? She had been in the clutches of that Nazi Fuck for mere days.
Her feet moved quickly and of their own accord. Seeking him out. She badly needed to see him. Was drawn to where Sirena had said Erik was recovering.
Sam didn’t think it was possible for her heart to beat any faster. All she knew, as she padded down the halls, and passed the staff that busily cleaned and bustled about, was that she had to see him. Needed to feel his skin. She’d become aroused every time she thought of being intimate with him. Sirena had told her that Erik would need her sexually when he woke. She hadn’t felt as panicked since Uri and Alex had seen her, but it still niggled at her when she thought of Erik. He was magnificent and powerful. Would he even want her for a soul mate? Shit, what was she thinking? He was beyond her dreams physically, and she owed him her life, but she didn’t know anything about the man, or he her. She would do what needed to be done. Repay her debt and take the power she needed, but she wouldn’t entertain thoughts of fairytales after what she’d endured.
She was freezing again. She had lingered within the heated shower until her skin wrinkled, finally getting some warmth into her cold bones. She closed her eyes and felt the draw to him. Felt his warmth beckoning. She couldn’t deny the pull to. Didn’t want to, she was getting closer. She knew he was hurting because of her, and she had every intention of making it better.