by Janelle Peel
Blaze clenched his teeth, “No, you did well. Thank you, Julian. Please gather Jackson, Mason, and Mel in the rec room immediately. Tell no one of this travesty.”
Julian visibly calmed, “Of course, Master. Right away.” Turning on his heel, he nodded to me and left.
“Blaze, what’s going on?” I whispered.
“I don’t know,” he rubbed his face aggressively, “but it can’t be good. Dress, quickly. We need to meet with the others.”
Viv arrived as Blaze was pouring whiskey into a rocks glass.
“Hey, sleeping beauty,” she quipped with a raised brow. “About time you joined us.”
I mustered a smile that didn’t reach my eyes.
She flashed to my side, “Alright. What’s happened?”
“Wait,” Blaze growled, “for the others.”
Viv sat on the stool beside me and swung her legs nonchalantly; used to my Mate’s mood swings. “Jackson’s coming from the Training Grounds.”
I tried to make light of the situation, “What happened while I was out?” I rose my brows, hoping for a distraction.
“Not much,” she replied. “Nat’s skills are improving, she’s the one that healed you. She can also do a half shift, fusion thing.” At my curious look, she lifted her hand in a wide gesture, “It’s like this half Wolf thing from a B horror movie. Crazy as hell.” Grinning, she added, “She scared the shit out of Jonas. It was pretty funny.”
Hmm, I thought trying to picture Nat’s new form, that sounded kind of cool.
She nodded, intuiting my thoughts. “Bex has been hanging around the kitchen stealing scraps, as per the usual.” Her eyes widened, “Oh, and the courtyard has almost completely defrosted thanks to your little blizzard.”
My cheeks heated, “Um, that’s good.”
She shrugged and bumped me with her shoulder, “What happened there, anyway?”
I sighed. “The Goddess took me.”
Blaze growled another warning from behind the bar as Mel, Jackson, and Mason arrived.
Jackson’s muscular legs made short work of the distance to Viv as he approached. Placing a gentle kiss on her brow, he addressed Blaze, “What’s going on?”
Mel and Mason settled onto the leather couch near the pool table and waited.
“Julian has informed us that the LA Clutch has been destroyed.” His words dropped like bombs for a moment before everyone started shouting at once.
“I didn’t like them, but what the fuck?!” Viv snarked with her usual eloquence.
“When?” Jackson grumbled.
“How could that happen?!” Mason yelled.
Mel’s eyes snapped to mine, “By who?”
Raising a hand for silence, Blaze continued in a monotone, “It happened this evening. Marco, their Head of the House, called Julian. He said it was a group of Hunters… and the Council. We don’t know much more than that.”
Jackson sucked in a sharp breath, “Why would the Council bother themselves with a Clutch? That’s what the Hunters are for.”
Blaze replied in a deadpan tone, “I don’t know.”
“Sora?” Mel queried, “Do you have any contacts left within the Stronghold?”
I shook my head. “No. I was shunned. Even if I had someone sympathetic to ask, they wouldn’t speak with me. It’s forbidden.”
Viv took my hand and squeezed in sympathy, “What do we do?”
Jackson’s exhale tousled the soft pink tips of her hair, “We prepare. If the Council is this far south already, we must assume we’re next.”
Daisy
It seemed the decision to trust Cooper was taken out of my hands. With no other option, I told him of the prophecy.
“We need to make contact with Sora. If she is in fact the Chosen, she may be the only option we have to stop the Council.”
I shook my head. “The last time I saw her, well, let’s just say it didn’t end on a positive note. I don’t even think she’d talk to me, let alone trust me enough to listen.”
He threw his thick arms wide, “Do you have another idea? We need them,” his lip lifted into a sneer. “Much as I hate to admit it.”
Flaring my nostrils, I snarked back, “Well how the fuck do we do that then, huh? I’m open to any of your brilliant ideas.”
Slumping his shoulders, he gruffly said, “Sorry.”
Rubbing the bridge of my nose with my fingers, I mumbled, “It’s okay.”
He sighed, “I do have one idea.”
Curling my fingers, I made an out with it gesture.
“You won’t like it, but we have no other choice.”
A loud cawing interrupted him.
“The raven,” I whispered.
He jerked a nod in response and moved to the door. Holding the handle in one hand, he reached to the small of his back with the other and pulled out a black 9mm handgun.
My eyes widened. A gun? I didn’t know he had a gun.
Throwing me a glare to get back on task, he slowly turned the handle and pushed the door open.
Another squawk sounded as the large bird shuffled its glossy feathers and backed away. Cooper looked left and right before tipping his head to the bird.
Assuming that was the ‘all clear’, I moved from my booth and stepped out into the darkness. Calling to my well, I relit the fire with a sphere of red magic. The raven cocked its large head and waited. Kneeling to the ground, I whispered, “Dhampir.”
Opening its sharp beak, human words flowed unbidden by my command.
“Daisy Montgomery.”
Terror rooted me to the spot as I immediately recognized the female Councilmember’s voice that had charred my chest.
“Per your latest report, we have dispatched the LA Clutch and have taken up residence in LA. You are to report by dawn to our new location. Hunter Blake will remain to monitor the SoCal Clutch. This raven has our coordinates.”
The raven chirped and the message began to repeat.
My heart rate skyrocketed. Sheer panic sent goosebumps skittering along my spine. “Dhampir,” I muttered, silencing the harbinger.
Cooper laid one thick palm on my shoulder, “You have to go.”
My shoulders trembled and a sob choked from my lips. I couldn’t go. Not ever again. If they knew what I had found out…
Crouching behind my smaller frame, he pulled me back into his embrace. “It’s okay, you’re strong. You can do this.”
Images of Moris replayed through my mind. I stuttered, “I cc-can’t. They’ll kill m-me.”
Gently, he lifted me up and carried me back inside the RV. I was so cold, I barely noticed the movement.
Once he settled me onto the bed, he methodically removed my boots and left.
“Don’t leave me,” I whispered.
The front door closed with a click and I curled into a tiny ball.
His boots hit the floor. The bed dipped; then he was pulling me back into the shelter of his arms.
Numb with shock, the hard lines of his muscular chest didn’t even register.
Slowly, he ran his fingers through my hair in an attempt to calm my uncontrolled sobs. They continued to wrack my body as I relived every terrifying encounter I had experienced with the Council.
Cooper
Her shudders pierced his chest with an unfamiliar pain. Somehow, she had gotten under his skin. How could he send her back there alone?
Pulling her closer, she finally quieted.
As her breathing evened out, he tentatively removed his hand from her hair and palmed the curve of her cheek. Her breath hitched in response. Emboldened, he touched her velvet lips with the tips of his fingers.
She shifted onto her back.
He froze, unsure of his welcome. Lifting her hand, she gripped his and moved it lower, trailing his palm between the curves of her breasts before leaving it at her waist. Slowly, he tipped his chin to her face. Her breath feathered against his lips for a moment before he took possession of her mouth. She moaned softly in response and tugged him closer.
Happy to oblige, he caressed the budded peaks of her breasts through the thin material of her tank.
She grumbled before moving away.
Afraid that he’d done something wrong, he simply watched as she stood and removed her clothing.
“Strip,” she commanded.
Daisy
The need to feel something other than terror overrode my inhibitions.
Standing naked before the man that had previously hated me, I waited impatiently.
Without a word, he got up. His gaze snagged on my large breasts before meeting my eyes as he pulled his tee over his head in one smooth motion.
Greedily, I drank in the sight of his sculpted chest.
His jeans dropped, springing his thick member free. Settling back onto the mattress, he slowly perused my body.
Goddess, he was so huge, I was struck dumb for a moment. Slowly, I lowered onto my knees and crawled up his body.
I didn’t want romance. I needed to fill the void that was eating away at my soul.
He inhaled sharply as my heat met his thick length. Grinning, I traced the black lines of his flaming tattoo. My fingers traveled from his chiseled jaw to his inner hip. Rocking my pelvis back, his breathing became labored as my palm traveled lower. Satisfied by his reaction, I took his shaft in a firm grip. His groan was music to my ears as I positioned him at my entrance.
Without pretense, I lowered my hips and moaned aloud as I stretched to accommodate his girth. All Mother, he felt so good. Tipping my pelvis back, I ground my mound against him and shuddered with delight. It had been far too long since I’d been with a man.
One large hand wrapped around my ribs, pulling me against his chest. Lifting the other to my neck, his thumb applied pressure to my chin until I lifted my face to his. The dim light reflected the need within his dark orbs. With a growl, he flipped us, deepening his penetration with the movement.
I cried out in response before his mouth lowered to mine; devouring my scream with the slow dance of his tongue.
The he moved.
I met each thrust with wild abandon, uncaring what tomorrow would bring. I wanted him, needed this.
He growled into my ear, “Say it.”
My silence rang through the air as he thrust deeply into my slick channel. Slowly he pulled back, teasing me with the tip, “Say it.”
My body cried out at the loss. Frustrated, I grabbed his ass and attempted to pull him closer, but it was like trying to move a boulder up hill.
He gave me another inch before retreating entirely, “Say it!”
My thighs quivered. Moving my hands to his back, I scored his smooth skin in frustration. “Fuck you!” I growled through clenched teeth.
His chuckle vibrated my budded breasts. “That’ll do,” he rumbled, impaling me fully once more.
I moaned in delight as he picked up the pace.
The walls of my channel clenched violently with each thrust. I cried out as I neared the edge of oblivion.
With a loud roar, he hardened, triggering my own release as he spilled inside of me.
Stars floated through my vision as he collapsed onto my chest. I marveled at his weight and sighed in contentment.
That was probably the best sex of my life.
I awoke two hours before dawn, wrapped in a warm embrace. I sighed in bliss before my mind bombarded me with the days’ agenda.
Tension flexed every muscle in my body as fear paralyzed my breathing.
Cooper’s arms tightened in reaction. Whispering into my hair, he said soothingly, “Shh, it’s okay.”
It really wasn’t, I thought, and moved out of his comfortable grip. Padding buck naked to the bathroom, I flipped the light switch and turned on the shower. My green eyes glared back at me from the reflection in the mirror. My stomach rolled as I dropped to my knees before the tiny toilet and threw up bile. Resting my cheek on the cool seat, I tried to compose myself. Suck it up, Daisy. You’re a fucking Mage. You’ve got this.
Mental pep talk done, I flushed the toilet and stepped into the warm spray.
The drive to the Council’s temporary Stronghold was silent. Cooper had tried to console me, but I just couldn’t get out of my own head long enough to listen.
The raven screeched from the dash of the RV.
We had arrived.
Heavy magic was at work. Not a soul was in sight as I looked out through the windshield at the sprawling 3 story height of the Pico House. It figured the Council would settle somewhere with such a haunting past. Eleven thick, white columns boasted the arched entryway of the hotel’s front. Built in the late 1800s, I’d seen a show outlining the gruesome murder of 19 Chinese immigrants. Despite the fact that it was now a historic monument, it didn’t surprise me that the Council had gained access.
Numbly, I unbuckled and grabbed my bag.
“Are you taking the books?” Cooper asked from behind me.
I shook my head and shouldered my pack. “You keep them. There could still be useful information in there that could help if I don’t…” I gritted my teeth, refusing to say the words.
His hand met my shoulder and slowly turned me around. Genuine concern colored his hazel eyes jade. Tipping my chin up with one large hand, he rumbled, “You’ve fucking got this, Daisy Montgomery. Show no fear to them. I have a plan, but you need to let this play out.”
My brow furrowed and my fists clenched involuntarily, “What plan?”
He shook his head, tousling the strands of sandy blonde hair with the movement. “I can’t say, not yet. I don’t want you to have anything else on your mind.”
I nodded. He was probably right.
“But,” he continued, uncurling the fingers of my hand. Reaching into the pocket of his dark jeans, he pulled out a small, grey stone. Placing it into my palm, he closed my hand around its smooth surface. “If you say my name while kindling the stone’s inert magic, I will come.”
My grip tightened on the rock. A safety net, thank the Goddess. “When did you have time to make this?”
His cheeks pinked, “Last night, after…”
I grinned. “After we had super awesome amazing sex?”
The blush deepened to red and his gaze darkened, “Yes.”
Cooper
She smiled weakly before moving past him to the door. “Come,” she said, addressing the raven.
It hopped from its perch with a squawk and followed her from the RV.
He waited a moment, watching the sway of her hips before closing the door.
Silently, he dropped to his knees and prayed to the Goddess that she would be alright. The curtains shifted in an unseen breeze despite there being no open windows for its origination. He waited for another moment before moving back to the driver’s seat.
Turning the key, he drove on autopilot directly to the SoCal Clutch’s Compound.
Chapter 7
Nat
Word had traveled fast that Sora had awoken. Bex excitedly pranced ahead of me from the kitchen. Tipping her head back, I could still make out the purplish smear on her chin from her latest snatch and grab. Julian didn’t think the theft of the blueberry muffin was very amusing, and had called me to come collect the fluffy little troublemaker.
“You know, Julian is very upset with you,” I tried for a mothering tone and promptly failed as my lips tipped into a grin.
Flicking one ear in acknowledgement, she snorted.
“I know, they shouldn’t put them within your reach if you aren’t allowed to have any.” Lengthening my stride, I tugged on the tip of her bushy tail.
Her blue eyes sparkled and she chuffed softly in agreement.
My enhanced hearing picked up the sounds of shouting. Bex cocked her head up at me in worry.
Lowering my brow, I sighed. “Let’s check it out.”
We rounded the corner and arrived in the entryway of the rec room. Silence reigned as everyone looked to Sora with upset expressions.
“What’s going on?” I queried.
; Mel’s gaze snapped to mine. His chocolate eyes flashed amber for a moment before he spoke, “The LA Clutch has been destroyed.”
Shock froze my thoughts as I met Sora’s gaze.
She hopped from her perch at the bar and padded around the pool table. For some reason, I was only able to focus on her. The wall sconces lit her braided hair with a silver halo. Wearing a holey grey band tee with black leggings, I watched her bare feet move to my side. Softly, she touched my cheek. When my gaze connected with her starlit, sapphire orbs, she spoke.
Her pink, bow shaped lips moved, but no sound penetrated the fog littering my thoughts. Gently, her slender fingers gripped mine and squeezed.
“Natalie,” she sang my whole name as volume came rushing back to my muddled mind.
My brows lowered in confusion. Tugging my hand, she glared at Mason and Mel. Silently, they moved from the couch. We sat; for a minute or an hour, I didn’t know.
Silver flames broke out along her skin. Slowly, they moved down her arm to our joined fingers. My own magic responded, jolting from my well and through my body like an electrical wire. I shuddered a shaky inhale as warmth and love filtered through the numbness. Sister, a voice whispered.
Shelving the thought, I croaked, “How?”
Bex jumped onto the leather cushion beside me. Her cold nose touched my arm as she draped half of her small body over my thighs. Focusing on her soft fur, I dug the fingers of my other hand into her ruff. Feeling more grounded, I repeated, “How?”
Sora’s grip tightened on my palm as she extinguished her flames and mine followed suit. “The Council,” she whispered.
My thoughts tumbled. I wasn’t sure what to think. I felt naked, hollow. The LA Clutch had abused me, whored me out for my blood and locked me in a cage. Why was this news affecting me so?
Sora intuited my thoughts. “You were with them for years, Nat. It’s okay, this is a normal reaction.”
Was it really, I wondered?
Viv answered, “Yes. Perfectly normal, Babe.”
A soft whine drew my attention to Mel. His golden orbs met mine with concern. The whine was his Wolf. I looked around. It seemed no one else had heard it. Shrugging, I asked, “What do we do?”