“I can slice a skirm, but no’ a vegetable.”
“I’m not sure what to say to that, except you’d think after seven hundred years, you’d be well-rounded in all areas. Don’t tell me you’ve spent all your time fighting and nothing else,” she surmised. “I just realized I don’t know that much about you. You obviously don’t cook for yourself. Where is your favorite place to eat?”
Elsie grabbed a knife and the board, demonstrating how to dice an onion. She desperately needed to get her mind off the desire still flooding her system.
“I’ve spent most of my life leading the alliance, Dark Warriors, and my people. And, a lot of fighting. After my mamai and da were killed, all responsibilities fell to me. The Goddess made clear her expectations, and I couldna ignore it to pursue my own desires. For immortals, the passage of time is verra different than that of a mortal. We doona experience the pressure to live our lives the same. The only thing I’ve ever desired outside of fulfilling my duties was to find my Fated Mate, and I didna find her…until recently,” he muttered.
Zander kept his eyes on the chopping block where he attempted to meticulously dice the onion she handed him. Elsie sensed he was avoiding something.
There was that Fated Mate thing, again. Suspicion snaking through her mind.
“So, tell me about this Fated Mate. You said you finally found her, and I’m guessing she wouldn’t be too happy with the…intimacy we’ve shared,” she admitted.
He looked up and she was hypnotized by the intensity in his eyes. “I hope you’re verra happy aboot the intimacy. I know I am. I finally found the keeper of the other half of my soul,” he confessed.
His statement unnerved her and confirmed her suspicions. Keeper of his soul? Nervously, she dumped some ground turkey and pork into a bowl, along with the other necessary ingredients. She mashed the mixture with her hands, trying to wrap her mind around his words. Zander remained silent but his gaze remained fixed on hers.
Had she heard him correctly? The tug in her chest told her what he said was the truth.
“Your soul?” she croaked.
“I know it seems unbelievable but, a ghra, I was born over seven centuries ago with a portion of your soul that I’ve protected and loved every day. And, you were born with a portion of my soul to care for and safeguard, as well.”
For the first time, she understood she had been feeling his soul pull to its other half. Words escaped her as she grappled with the meaning of his information.
Finally, she uttered, “What does this all mean?”
Ignoring her question, Zander posed one of his own. “What next, a ghra?”
Clearly, he sensed her turmoil and was providing her an out by holding up the onion. She felt his anxiety, but he was putting her needs before his own. There was no doubt he wanted to establish their mating, or whatever, but wasn’t going to force anything on her.
Instinctively, Elsie knew he would never push her to do anything, even if it meant he would suffer. For him, her happiness came first. She realized the idea of him suffering was repellent to her, as well.
She was still unsure of how she felt, and needed more information. “Can you get that Nuoc Mam, please? It’s the orange sauce in that big bottle. I have to admit that what you’re telling me sounds crazy. Even though I’ve fought skirm, and seen the things I’ve seen, it’s still seems unbelievable. What exactly does being a Fated Mate mean? And, grate these carrots next,” she instructed.
Elsie demonstrated what he needed to do, needing the distraction of cooking while she had this conversation.
He moved the carrots gingerly over the grater and she watched him consider his response. “I see you’ve come to the dark side and embraced giving orders,” he winked, earning a smile in return.
She liked Zander’s sarcasm and had come to realize that he didn’t show this side often. Typically, he was all about business.
“It’s been centuries since the realm has had a new union between Fated Mates,” he continued. “As I mentioned before, the Goddess created the supernaturals of the Tehrex Realm. Aside from preternatural senses, she gifted them with a Fated Mate. Each mate keeps and protects half of the other’s soul. The souls pull their other half to them. There is an undeniable compulsion to be physical with one another. This ensures they will procreate and continue the various species.”
She grabbed bulbs of garlic and began peeling them. “So I can thank your Goddess for not being able to keep my hands off you. That’s very unfair. Does she not believe in free will?”
“The Goddess has a plan, and knows what’s best. Think aboot it. If she hadn’t made me for you then you would have spent the rest of your life hunting skirm, never truly happy, and would’ve died too young because of it.”
Elsie wanted to deny his statement but she couldn’t. He was right. Her life was filled with the desire for vengeance, and little else.
“Why has the Goddess waited so long?”
“When the archdemons first escaped Hell and attacked the realm, new matings ceased. Some have said the Goddess’ denial of mates for the past seven hundred years was a curse. I believe she always had a plan. Whatever the reason, that changed when she created you. You were made for me,” he explained, pausing to gauge her response.
Zander gripped her hand and continued, “Being a Fated Mate means that we are destined to be together. For me, there will be no other. Eventually, we will join in a mating ceremony, and I will claim you in every way. A blood exchange will bind us for the rest of our immortal lives,” he stated.
He reached to caress her cheek. “Both humans and supernaturals go through many changes with a mating. I’ve already experienced some of those changes. You already know I canna ingest blood from anyone but you. I also doona desire any other female. In fact, my body refuses to respond to anyone but you. Typically, these changes only occur after all facets of the mating ceremony are completed.”
Her gaze met his. “How do you know that I’m yours? And, what is this ceremony?”
“Mates are distinguished by a Fated Mate mark. Those marks appear after sexual intercourse,” he explained.
Her eyes widened. “But we haven’t had sex. How can you say that I’m your mate?”
“Nothing aboot our situation has been normal. Not only is my body acting as if the mating has been completed, but my mate mark appeared after I had sex with you in our shared dream. You’ve seen and touched my mark. It’s the cross branded on my back. And, your wee Celtic cross is right here,” he said, grazing his knuckle under her left ear.
Overwhelming arousal and need coursed through her body as Zander touched the flesh behind her ear.
“You willna see it until we exchange blood and your DNA alters. After we complete the mating, both of our marks will morph into a tattoo and yours will become visible to humans, as well. I can tell you that my mark becomes more painful the longer we wait,” he confessed.
She shivered with his touch. “You’re in pain? Why didn’t you tell me? Exchange blood how? And, what exactly do you mean by my DNA alters? Will I become a vampire?” The questions left her mouth in rapid succession. It sounded unreal, like something out of a paranormal romance novel.
“Doona worry aboot my discomfort. Nay, you willna become a vampire. Vampires are born, not created. Your DNA will adopt strands of my DNA, so that you become immortal. We will share and enhance each other’s powers. You will become stronger and faster with heightened senses, and you willna age.”
“So, I have this mark that I can’t see, and that means that I was made for you? What would’ve happened if we had met but my husband was still alive? I just don’t see how I was made for you.”
“’Tis called fate, lass. We were meant to be together. I know you feel it. And, while I doona wish, or believe, that Dalton deserved what happened to him, it happened for a reason.” Zander pulled her close and leaned his forehead against hers.
“The mating ceremony is a ritual much like any joining in your human culture, beg
inning with ritual vows. Additionally, it involves the blessing of a mating stone, making love, and the exchange of blood. Doona be frightened by the blood exchange. Trust me. ‘Tis verra sensual.”
Zander released his hold then placed his hands on either side, trapping her in his bands of steel. “Do you recall when I took your blood last week? How pleasurable it was?”
“It was unforgettable,” she replied, and smiled wryly.
Elsie turned in the cage of his arms so that she could add cellophane noodles to the meat and shrimp mixture. She felt his warm body behind her, and shuddered.
“Now, let me show you how to form an egg roll,” she instructed.
Elsie grabbed a wrapper and used a melon-baller to scoop filling into the middle of the wrapper. How long could she ignore the hard length prodding her backside? Especially, when she wanted to take hold and go for a ride.
“Are you paying attention, or are you ogling my breasts over my shoulder?”
“I can multi-task verra well. I’m ogling your lush bosom while I watch you roll the food,” Zander whispered against her ear, sending another shiver throughout her body.
He reached for an empty wrapper, enclosing the cage he created. She was going to combust from unspent lust. Not even watching him fumble and create a mess doused the flames of her desire.
“That looks like a burrito. And, you are invading my bubble. I need space to work, and breathe,” she said with a pant.
He shamelessly rubbed his hard length against her ass. “I’ve got your burrito, a ghra.” Apparently, guys of every species were the same. Always thinking of sex.
*****
Orlando watched Elsie rub her stomach again. “Have you received any more details on your premonition?” he asked.
She paused from her pacing to glance at him. “No, I haven’t.”
“Talk to me El. I can see that something is bothering you,” he said and walked to her side, bumping his shoulder against hers.
She grimaced in frustration. “I can’t seem to figure out who I should warn, or try to protect. I’m not getting the direction I usually do. And, the feeling of disaster is becoming more urgent. It’s annoying,” she replied, and resumed pacing. “I can’t think about that right now. I have work to do. My client will be here in forty-five minutes.”
Orlando watched as she went back to the paperwork she’d been trying to complete for the past hour. He knew when her thoughts strayed to Zander because her emotions became a tangled mess of arousal, confusion, hope, and trepidation. He was not privy to their previous conversation, but given their emotions, they made some progress.
Orlando stifled his jealousy. He’d been fighting his attraction to her from day one with little success. He wanted Elsie beyond reason but she belonged to Zander, and he needed to remember that. He respected their mating and would never go against their sacred union. Unfortunately, it seemed he had a death wish as he couldn’t his desire for the alluring female.
“I can see that you aren’t able to work. Try not to let it get to you. You’ve had a lot going on lately. I have a feeling the Goddess has put events into play—”
Orlando’s words were cut off as his nostrils flared and he sensed skirm. Within seconds, Kadir and Azazel stormed into the small office, followed by a dozen of their minions.
They were in deep shit. There was no way in hell he’d be able to fight off so many by himself. Regardless, he would die trying to protect Elsie.
“Very clever, demon, but you won’t win,” he growled.
Orlando sprang across the office and flung Elsie behind him as he unsheathed his titanium sgian dubh from his boot. He didn’t have time to determine how Kadir had discovered the charity. He had to protect her.
“El, stay behind me. Call Santi and tell him to bring the cavalry. We have an infestation,” he shouted.
“She won’t be calling anyone,” Kadir spat then teleported behind Elsie and grabbed her by the shoulders. “Tell your king that he can have his mate back in exchange for the amulet.”
Kadir waved her cell phone in the air. Orlando yelled and shifted mid-leap. He landed on a skirm and tore into its throat. By the time he lifted his head, Elsie was gone, as were the archdemons. He roared to the ceiling. They would all die and he would get her back!
He gave himself over to his rage as he mindlessly clawed and shredded his way through the remaining skirm. He fucking lost Elsie. He was supposed to protect her, and he had failed miserably. As he incapacitated the last skirm, he felt Zander’s presence enter his mind. He could feel the anger and terror emanating from him.
“What in the bluidy hell is happening? I felt her fear, then pain, and now, nothing. I doona feel her at all! I canna get a sense of her location, O!”
“We were ambushed at the office. Kadir and Azazel arrived with a dozen skirm. They disappeared with her, Z. I am so fucking sorry, you can’t even imagine. I promise we will find her.”
Orlando shifted back to human form, picked up his blade where he had dropped it, and dispatched the corpses. He contemplated how they could’ve known where she would be. They must’ve had inside help.
He winced as Zander shouted in his mind.
“Get the FUCK back to Zeum now! We are going to find my mate! And, you had better start praying to the Goddess that she is found, alive and safe.”
*****
Elsie had never teleported, and felt like she was on a rollercoaster. She was speeding through a dark tunnel unable to see anything around her then suddenly dropping down a steep hill. Her stomach dropped and nausea swamped her. The entire situation was disorienting.
She stumbled on shaky limbs when they stopped moving. She blinked and the world took on color and texture again. The demon had a tight hold of her arm, and was dragging her across a dirt floor. In the dim light, she could make out the Fae that she had seen outside Confetti, but little else.
Where had they taken her? She glanced around, taking in her surroundings and realized she was inside a cave. Kadir was dragging her toward a pair of shackles that were cemented to a stone wall. She thrashed her body, fighting to get free. No way was she going meekly to her death. If he chained her to the wall, she’d never get free.
Suddenly, Kadir laughed. It was an awful sound, like rock scraping metal.
“Don’t waste your energy trying to get away. There is nowhere for you to run. Your vampire will come for you soon enough,” he stated.
Like hell she’d be compliant. She sunk teeth into his arm, and renewed her struggles.
“Fuck you,” she spat.
“Now you’re just turning me on. I may have to rethink my plans for you,” Kadir smirked.
She cringed and tried to back away when he reached out to stroke her cheek.
A familiar voice interrupted before he made contact. Elsie was grateful for the reprieve, while at the same time, her stomach knotted further.
“No, Kadir. Let me handle this. I have longed to silence this whore.”
The female’s voice grated her nerves and Elsie searched for who was speaking. Moments later, Lena strode out of thick shadows. She should’ve known this woman was responsible. Elsie bared her teeth as Lena grabbed a handful of her hair and yanked.
“How could you betray Zander this way? Working with these creatures when you know what they’ve done to your people. And you claim to love him. You’re pathetic,” Elsie spat.
She hated this vampire from the moment they’d met. She knew right away Lena was malicious but this was beyond evil. Elsie didn’t miss the panic that crossed Lena’s features before she masked it. She should be afraid. Elsie didn’t want to be around when Zander found out that one of his own had betrayed him.
“You know nothing, human. I’m not betraying Zander. I’m saving him from your ruin,” Lena snarled as she violently jerked Elsie, throwing her against the damp wall of the cave.
Elsie’s face smashed against the hard stone as cold metal clamped around her wrist. Her heart raced frantically. Now she was completely
at their mercy. Mack had taught her to fight with everything she had, and to use any weapon available. Elsie tried to calm her breathing and settle her nerves. She needed a clear head to develop a plan of escape.
After several deep breaths, Elsie focused enough to scan the nearby objects, looking for anything that she might be able to use as a weapon. Aside from her body and shoes, there was nothing.
The odd lighting in the cave cast shadows across Lena’s face, making her look as hideous as the demon standing next to her. Elsie forced her fear to the back of her mind before it debilitated her. She had no idea if these creatures could smell fear but she refused to allow her vulnerability to show. Confidence was a lethal weapon. Let them question why she wasn’t cowering in fear.
“I know more than you think. Zander will make you pay, traitor. All of you,” she declared, standing tall.
“For the record, letting her handle this is a bad idea. Females have a tendency to be more emotional than necessary,” came a deep voice.
Elsie whipped her head around and saw the good-looking demon, Azazel, had joined them in the cave.
“I am more than capable of handling a human,” Lena spat then kicked Elsie in the side, connecting with her ribs.
Pain assailed, stealing Elsie’s breath. Gasping, her knees buckled and she fell forward. The cuffs kept Elsie from falling to the floor but forced her to bend at the waist. She hung there for a moment, struggling for air.
Lena’s heels dug into the dirt floor as she paced in front of Elsie. She forced herself to stand, regardless of the pain. No way was she going to be viewed as weak.
“I made a promise to you both that I could get to Zander, and I will,” Lena purred as she spoke to the demons.
Elsie glared at the vampire. A smile crept across her face as she fantasized of ripping free of her chains so she could pummel Lena into oblivion.
“She’s the way in. He thinks she’s his Fated Mate and will do anything for her. You need to trust me. He will come for her, and will give you anything you ask for,” Lena added.
“I’ll give you leeway to do as you’ve planned. After all, your information proved accurate. Without it, we wouldn’t have her here now,” Kadir responded.
Bad Boy Billionaire Boxset: A Billionaire Romance Collection Page 26