by Brenda Trim
The Cambion Lord had always had a lesser role in the alliance because his subjects required more supervision than most. As creatures that relied on sex to survive, they couldn’t train them to completely control their baser desires.
It was usually having primal urges so close to the surface that caused supernaturals to act out. Dante was still working out a system to keep his cambions in check and Hayden hated each time they pulled him away before something was in place. Their secrecy was balanced on a knife’s edge. And he’d tilted the blade, making it far more likely something would fall off the cliff.
The alpha returned and set the computer up on the side of a table. Hayden pulled Millie to a seat and turned it around, so he sat on it backwards. It would keep him from pulling her onto his lap. He needed to focus on the mess at the moment. He would have her in his arms in no time.
Hayden loaded the program and connected with Killian. The sorcerer popped on the screen with Elsie and Braelynn behind him. Thank God he was at Zeum. “What happened?” Elsie demanded as she leaned over Killian’s shoulder.
Zander sat next to Hayden with Bhric at his back. “There’s no need to worry, a ghra. We’re fine.”
Hayden chuckled knowing that wasn’t going to cut it for the Queen. He launched immediately into an explanation. Hayden bristled when he saw Elsie’s gaze shift to Millie and narrow.
“This is my Millie,” Hayden introduced. “She’s the reason fate sent me to the base in the first place. Now we need a plan of attack.”
Zander ran his hand through his hair and accepted a coffee when someone set the tray full of mugs on the table. “I just spoke with Dante. Evzen is opening a portal for him right now. I believe Axel will be coming through with him.”
Hayden felt the energy building before he saw the lights. Millie’s eyes had gone wide as she watched Evzen. Zander was talking to Killian and his mate, but Hayden couldn’t take his attention from his mate. This was the second time they’d seen this display, but she hadn’t seen Evzen wielding his power before.
“Quite the sight, isn’t it?”
She jumped with a squeak and turned his way. “It’s unreal. Nothing could have prepared me for this. We never had a chance of capturing the essence of a paranormal and using it. Why the hell did we even try? I’m so sorry.”
The room had gone silent at her proclamation and it made Hayden’s animals prowl in his head. They didn’t like so much attention on their mate. “There is no need to apologize, mi alma. The Goddess and Fate work in mysterious ways. None of us had a particularly romantic introduction to one another. I think I told you how Elsie used to hunt and kill “vampires” and Braelynn’s mother developed one of the only drugs that gets supernaturals high.”
Dante and his fallen angel crossed the portal at that moment. Hayden hadn’t actually met Chloe yet, but he was certain he’d heard she was a fallen, yet she had massive red wings arching over her back. She was a warrior angel.
What had happened while he’d been busy being held prisoner? He watched the angel closely and wondered why she didn’t carry the same aura others of her kind had. Illianna’s brothers were all warriors and they had a hard feel to them where Chloe didn’t. He’d have to catch up with Dante at some point and get the story.
“Omega,” Axel said as he crossed next. The feline shifter left CLAW to become a Dark Warrior about a century before.
Hayden stood up and clasped hands with the male. “Good to see you, Axel. Glad you could join us. This is my Fated Mate, Millie.” Millie’s head shifted away from Chloe’s wings then. Hayden smiled when her cheeks turned pink.
“Good to meet you, Axel,” she murmured before her gaze darted back to the angel.
Dante took a seat and pulled Chloe down next to him. Chloe smiled at Millie. “Never seen an angel before?”
Millie smirked at Chloe. “Was it the staring or the rapid heart rate that gave me away?”
“Both. These are a lot to take in, but I haven’t had them back long enough to make them go away just yet.” Chloe shrugged her shoulders as if it was no big deal. Hayden knew better. There was definitely a story there that he’d have to learn at some point.
“You will soon enough, love,” Dante told his mate before turning to the rest of them. I’ve called in Enzo from Italy, Hugo from Germany and Lazarus from Greece along with Kellen, Jax and Slate. How many are coming from Zeum?” Hayden hadn’t seen Kellen since he’d returned from Hell with Dante years ago. That experience had been horrendous on the trio and none of them had been the same ever since.
Rhys was the only one to come out of it with a mate, so perhaps Kellen and Dante had been bitter about that fact. Hayden could say for the first time in years he saw life return to Dante’s eyes as he sat close to his Fated Mate. It would be Kellen’s turn one day. Hayden now understood how being blessed with yours was more fulfilling than killing Lucifer himself.
Gerrick approached Evzen “I’ll help with the portals from the other locations. No need to drain yourself.”
Zander leaned his elbows on the table and turned his attention to the screen. “Have you been able to learn anything else aboot the building?”
Izzy popped into view next to her mother. “I want to come out and help, dad. There won’t be enough warriors.”
Zander shook his head from side to side. “No’ this time. We are no’ facing demons, so we won’t need the Demonator.” As the physical embodiment of the Goddess’s powers Izzy had been able to kill an archdemon with a single touch since she was a toddler. Since her return from Khoth she’d been different, and the power seemed to be on the fritz. She no longer gave off a signal all demons could follow, but no one knew enough to understand what had happened to her. “I need you to stay put in Seattle and watch over your mom and brother. There is more likely to be an issue involving demons there that will require you to step up than oot here.”
Izzy sighed but nodded her head. “Alright but tell Uncle Kyran I can go out on patrols.”
Killian interrupted what was sure to turn into an argument. “I still haven’t discovered a way into their computers, so Millie is correct in that it is closed off from the company’s main network. I was able to get into those files and poke around. There is nothing out of the norm there. I did discover blueprints for the building where the lab is housed.”
“How did you get those?” Millie’s outburst drew attention to her. It didn’t dissuade her from continuing. “It was built by the military. Jack wouldn’t have access to any of that. We were only there so the government could provide protection and security. At least that was the company line. I always suspected Jack was in bed with someone higher up and they didn’t want word of their plans to get out.”
Killian cracked his fingers with a smile. “I have my ways. The military systems aren’t as secure as they think. Sure, there are countless layers to them, and you need to know where to target, but it can be done. But you might be right about there being someone of importance behind this endeavor because according to the layout there are only three levels below ground.”
Hayden’s gut clenched at the idea. If they couldn’t determine who that person was, they would never be able to remove knowledge of their existence from his or her mind. “What’s on the upper floors? Anything we need to worry about?”
Killian’s fingers flew over the keyboard. “From what I can tell they are dedicated to weapons development. There was nothing special about the unit doing that work. It involved a private firm. Thankfully, I didn’t find anything unusual there. Aside from what you’d expect I noted work on a new ground to air missile. Suvi’s potion will definitely come in handy to block them from helping. I have no idea if they have working weapons there, but we don’t need to chance it.”
Elsie chewed on her lower lip. “How do you plan on getting rid of the evidence? It seems like a huge risk taking the time to grab all of the samples. I want you guys to get in and out as fast as possible.”
Millie’s shoulders stiffened but she di
dn’t apologize or withdraw. “I kept everything in one fridge. Jack mentioned taking some to another lab, so you will want to find him and deal with that. You will want to stop the DNA sequencer and mass spectrometer. No need to remove the samples. The process consumes them. It’s why so many crime labs run into issues.”
Hayden bobbed his head. “We need you to keep an eye on activity there, Kill. Can you tap into the base and find orders? If we know where they have the majority of their soldiers, we will be better able to plan our attack.”
“There will be one vampire per group of warriors to manipulate minds. Once we have an understanding of what we are looking at we can develop a better plan,” Zander added.
“Everyone will need to watch out for dart guns. Their sedatives won’t knock you out completely, but they will disable you long enough for them to get their hands on you.” Hayden grabbed Millie’s hand wanting her to know he didn’t hate her, but he had to warn them.
“How the hell is that possible?” Elsie asked.
Millie lowered her head that time. “I created a special blend using Vodun and Wiccan knowledge. They will have a limited supply. I have to create the drug daily and never shared it with anyone, so all they have is what I prepared a couple days ago.”
Hayden hated the way everyone gazed at his mate with apprehension. She should be welcomed with open arms, not feared or distrusted. Of course, he couldn’t blame them. She had made it possible for their kind to be caught. He hoped whoever was in charge didn’t find someone to take her place and continue her work.
“Let’s get some rest while we can. Bring in Jace to help before you two burn out. We will need you both tonight,” Hayden told them as he got up to leave the mess hall. He needed alone time with his mate. His animals needed her close.
Chapter 18
“I don’t want you to go.” Millie hadn’t meant to admit that out loud. She didn’t want to insult him. He was the Omega, after all. She hadn’t seen a fraction of the strength and power he possessed before that morning.
When he and Zander had returned from the base she was surprised when energy rippled from him and through the entire room. It seemed as if everyone else sat in attention and bowed to him. They listened when he spoke and sought contact with him.
At first, she didn’t understand what was happening until she watched their shoulders relax when Hayden touched their forearm or shoulder. The tension in the room lowered as Hayden made contact with each of them in turn. It was then that she realized they’d been worried about their Omega and it had driven them crazy and he was reassuring and comforting them. Plus, shifters were highly tactile, and their need for touch was a real thing.
Hayden wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. “I’ll be alright, mi alma. You don’t have to worry.”
Millie ran her hands up his chest. “You don’t understand what the military is capable of. They have unlimited resources and guns. Wait. Can guns kill you?”
Hayden pressed his lips to her throat making it hard to think straight. “You guys have to realize they know what they’re doing. They’ve taken down governments and destroyed powerful people in other countries without problem. I don’t want to lose you, mi negro. There has to be another way that won’t put you guys in danger.”
“I love that you worry about me, but I’ve faced demons which are far worse than a bunch of soldiers. Besides, I’m responsible for thousands of lives and I refuse to allow them to be hunted like animals. Even if I hadn’t been the one to bring this danger to their doors, it’s my duty to make sure they are safe. I should not have told your government about my kind, but I can’t really say that I regret it because it led me to you.”
The guilt that tried to swallow her whole was doused by the arousal that followed his mouth on her skin. The slightest touch of his lips ignited the need that had been brewing since the moment he’d made love to her. It was part of the mating process with a paranormal and while her natural curiosity set her mind in motion her body took over as desire burned like a brush fire through her veins.
“Fue me culpa. If I hadn’t made that sedative, you’d have gotten away and none of you would be in danger.”
Hayden stopped kissing her and lifted his head to gaze into her eyes. Ave maria. He was gorgeous. “I admit I was angry at you, but I realized that I was being led to you. The Goddess protects her creations. She might not have liked the risk to us, but she knows I need my Fated Mate. I’m grateful she didn’t try to stop me. I will be stronger with you at my side, love.”
“You’re already more powerful than anyone else. You don’t need me,” she denied.
Hayden closed the distance he’d placed between them and gave her one of his panty-melting smiles. Shame doused some of her arousal. How could she have treated him like an animal? Or even thought for one second what she had planned was alright because he wasn’t entirely human?
His lips claimed hers, erasing all other thought. Electricity flowed between them as he devoured her mouth. The kiss seemed to reach into her heart and settle there. The connection between them deepened, making her moan against his mouth.
Hayden’s lips trailed from hers, to travel along her jaw, while she squirmed against him. The driving lust caused her to writhe in his arms and lift one leg to press her core against his hard shaft. A growl left his throat and he stopped suddenly unable to move another inch.
With swift movements, he pushed her up against the wall and bit down on her neck. Millie wondered if this was his animal side coming out. It felt like he wanted to claim her. To her surprise she wanted that more than anything.
There was nothing else but the two of them. They were in one of the houses nearby. Millie assumed it was where Hayden lived. She hadn’t seen much of the house because he captured all of her attention. Her shoulder hit the edge of a picture when he pushed her up against the wall and rolled his hips.
Millie arched her back on a gasp as his erection hit her clit. What had started as an acrimonious relationship had become something vital to Millie over the past few weeks. She hoped he felt the same way and would have asked but all she could think about was almost there.
“Yes,” she praised him when he grabbed both of her ass cheeks in his big hands. The way his hips moved, and he pulled her against his body was just about perfect. Rather than respond, he once again claimed her lips. The kiss deepened and his tongue slid into her mouth to tangle hotly with hers.
Breaking the kiss, she sucked in deep breaths. “You’re getting back at me, aren’t you? That’s why you keep teasing me but keeping me from an orgasm each time I get close.”
Hayden chuckled, a deep sound that vibrated all throughout her body. “I’d do anything to keep you on that delicious edge. It makes the pleasure so much more intense.”
This man was irresistible. There was nothing sexier than seeing Hayden look at her with unquenchable desire. She knew she was good looking but had never paid attention to much else. She loved herself but never thought she was particularly sensual until she met Hayden. He made her feel like the sexiest woman alive. She didn’t want to live without him ever again.
Her career was over, and she didn’t care. All that mattered was making sure she didn’t lose Hayden in the process. She’d fallen in love with him despite the ugly circumstances she’d placed them both in. This was an entirely new situation to find herself in and it was more than unnerving.
“Te amo, mi negro.” Millie wasn’t sure what possessed her to allow the words past her lips, but she refused to call them back. He needed to know how she felt.
Hayden groaned and pushed his body harder against hers. “That will get you all the orgasms you can handle.” One of his hands trailed up her side and cupped one breast through the material of her top.
Hayden’s primal energy was erotic and off the charts at the moment. Her hips had a mind of their own and increased their rhythm. Thrusting his hips, he ground his erection against her core, making her gasp against his mouth as she kissed him again
.
Needing a breath, she turned her face to the side and buried it in his neck while she moaned. Everything about him lit a fire in her belly. The embers threatened to consume them both. Pressed between his body and the wall, she knew he would catch her when she broke apart.
“Hayden,” Millie cried out and dug her fingernails into his shoulders.
Lifting his head, his dark brown eyes glowed brightly as he looked into her soul. His cock rubbed in all the right places and his hand teased her breast. Satisfaction crossed his features as she sucked in a breath. She was so damn close.
There was no stopping her as she writhed and came apart, crying out his name. Before her orgasm waned, she shifted her body away from his. She needed more. Never before had she wanted so much after experiencing a climax but being with Hayden left her wanting more every time. She would never have enough of him. Her palm landed on his pants over his erection and squeezed.
His cock jerked against her. A second later a growl left him, and he pulled her shirt over her head. Cool air made her shiver. It could have been the way he stared at her chest with blatant hunger in his eyes.
Her blue bra was sheer and lacey, leaving nothing to the imagination. From the day she’d taken him to her lab she had started wearing her sexy underwear. She didn’t think much about it at first. Now she couldn’t deny she wanted to look good for him. The way he zeroed in on her hard nipples made her smile.
His mouth lowered and he sucked the tip into his mouth. His tongue circled the nipple making her moan and shove more of her flesh into his mouth. Her fingers tangled in his thick brown hair. It almost felt as if there was no fabric between them. He played her body like a flute and made her want so much more.
“Llévame a tu habitación y haceme el amor.” Millie was panting and begging but she didn’t care. She needed him. “I’m not sure how much more I can take.”