by April Kelley
Jules nodded.
“Tommy’s working on taking the wall down. As soon as he does, I’ll kill that bastard. But I need you to hold him off until then. Do you understand?”
Jules nodded again. His hands were red with cold and shook against the barrier as he fought against the separation he had from his mates. “I should fight him?”
“Yes. Fight like the feisty little human we both know you are.”
Tommy, who stood behind Hacen and to the left, smiled but didn’t stop chanting.
“I’m good at that.” Jules gave Hacen a watery smile.
Hacen chuckled. “That you are, sweet mate.”
When Hacen growled, Jules knew his time was up. Jules turned his back to Hacen again.
Nicolono took a step in his direction, and Jules froze.
“Hey, Tommy’s almost through.” There was no way for Hacen to know that but the fact that Jules could hear his voice helped. “I’ve seen you train. You can hold him off.”
Jules breathed in through his nose and out through his mouth twice. He took the defensive stance Fane had taught him, focusing on what he knew. “Yeah.”
“That’s it, honey. Keep him busy.”
The guy Mr. Evil called Allard took a step in Jules’ direction, but he held up a hand, stopping him. “Don’t touch him, not even with your magic.”
Allard stood with his hands behind his back and his feet wide apart as if he had been a soldier in a former life. “The warlock is stronger than I. You’ll only have minutes.”
“I know that, idiot.” Nicolono never took his eyes off Jules, which was a good move on his part. “I just need to catch him. Don’t I, Jules?”
Jules could practically hear Fane’s voice in his mind telling him to wait for an opening. The voice turned to Hacen’s halfway through, and he realized all at once that Hacen actually spoke the words. “Stay focused. Don’t let him get in your head. You’re not alone this time, honey. We’re almost to you.”
Jules’ heart rate slowed down and all his stress melted. “Tell Tommy to hurry.”
“He is.”
Nicolono turned his gaze suddenly when Fane jumped from the tree.
“Now, Jules,” Hacen whispered so softly he barely made a sound.
Jules nodded and took a step in Mr. Evil’s direction, kicking out with his leg while Mr. Evil remained distracted. Jules took him by surprised if the gasp and wide-eyed stare as he fell on his ass was any indication.
Jules took advantage of the vulnerable position, stalking him until he was within kicking distance again. His shoe connected with soft flesh and then Mr. Evil grunted, curling in on the pain to keep Jules at bay. It didn’t work because Jules kicked out again.
The next thing he knew he was on his back with his lungs in the off position. Not one air particle moved in or out. Panic took hold as he realized he could very well never breathe again and that’s when the next breath in was successful, but by then hands closed around his throat and dragged him up off the ground.
“Angering me isn’t a smart move.” Mr. Evil’s eyes turned red, and he flashed his fangs. “Say goodbye to your mates, Jules. It will be the only liberty I afford you before you die.”
Hacen yelled for Tommy to hurry up but the words sounded as if they came through a tunnel. Jules’ vision blurred as that hand tightened around his throat.
He knew not to fight against the tightness. Jules gripped the wrists with both of his hands, digging his thumb into his skin.
“Relax against the hold, Jules.” Fane sounded as if he were whispering in his ear.
His words sank into Jules’ brain until he dropped his hands. Instinct kicked in, and he used his legs, connecting with Nicolono’s middle.
When the hand around his throat let go, Jules took deep breaths. His throat felt raw as the air moved against it, making him cough. He bent down at the waist when the coughing became too much.
Someone grabbed a fist full of his hair and pulled until he stumbled forward. Jules’s body collided with Nicolono’s.
“I’m done playing with you human.” Nicolono sank his teeth into the side of Jules’ neck.
Knives of pain shot through his muscles and down his neck. He screamed when the pain became too much.
Hacen went nuts, pounding against the barrier. “Take it down, Tommy! Now…Okay, I’ll do whatever you want. Just let him go…Hurry. He’s gonna drain him dry…I’ll fucking kill you, Nicolono. I swear to the gods, I will. If he dies, there’s nowhere you can hide.”
Jules’ vision blurred. Dizziness overtook him. Jules looked for something to steady himself. His hand hit something solid and cold. He closed his fist around it when he realized it was the hilt of a knife.
He released the snap holding it in place and drew it up out of its sheath. He held it in both hands behind Nicolono’s back and sank the silver, shiny metal into flesh until it disappeared.
Nicolono’s teeth instantly let him go, and he gasped. He tried to take a step away from Jules but couldn’t because of the hold Jules had on him. Jules wanted to get himself to let go, but his fingers wouldn’t move.
Nicolono stumbled and then fell as Jules pulled the knife out of his back. Jules let out a war cry and began blindly stabbing him anywhere he felt flesh.
Warm, wetness splashed across his arms and face. The body underneath him stopped moving, feeling like warm pliable plastic under Jules’ knee.
Jules felt his body fading, and still, he tried to raise his arms in the air to take another stab.
Someone lifted him off Nicolono. He fought against the hold for several seconds until lavender wrapped around him from behind. He still held the knife in front of him, expecting Nicolono to get up and come at him again.
And then Tommy was there in the center of his visual tunnel. Warm fingers closed around his own and pulled the knife from his fingers. “He’s dead, baby. You got him.”
His body lost all stiffness right before his vision went completely black. Jules smiled at Tommy. “Wish we would have mated.”
Tommy shook his head and said something, but by then Jules’ heart didn’t have enough blood to pump anymore.
Lips pressing against his own was the last thing he felt.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Hacen fought the panic that threatened. Enough of it slipped that it shook his body as he bit into his own wrists. He pressed it against Jules’ mouth, which remained slack, his throat not moving. “Come on. Drink.”
Hacen drew him up tighter as a lump formed in his throat. He rocked Jules as he let the tears fall. Some splashed on Jules’ face, mixing with the blood and dirt there. “Nicolono drained him.”
The warlock, who helped Nicolono was an afterthought. Hacen barely paid him attention, but Tommy chanted a spell that would cage the fucker in quickly. This time it wasn’t a simple dome. No, Tommy had actual bars come down around the warlock, imprisoning him so tightly he only had a foot all the way around to move.
Allard pounded his fists against the bars. “You know I can’t get out of here, Thomas. I’ll starve to death.”
“You’ll likely die of hypothermia first. It’s below freezing.” Tommy ran a hand through Jules’ hair and looked at him with an anguish Hacen had never seen before. “I’m affording you the same fate as my mate, Allard. What did you think would happen to him when you caged him?”
“I did what I had to do to stay alive. Nicolono—”
Tommy held up his hand. “I’ll show mercy if Jules lives.” Tommy turned to meet Allard’s gaze. “If he dies, so will you.”
The next thing Hacen knew he was next to their vehicles, which sat on the side of a dirt road. When they had driven over, it had pissed Hacen off that Nicolono had taken Jules so far away from Saint Lakes and to such a remote area. They were three towns over and had walked three miles into the forest to get to him.
Lucas scrambled out of the vehicle the second he saw them. He gestured for Hacen to put Jules down. Just the thought of that pissed Hacen off. He gro
wled, but he followed the little witch’s orders.
Hacen placed Jules in the backseat of Ramsey’s SUV as gently as he possibly could. Jules’ arms fell from him.
“Shit. Move. It’s almost too late.” Lucas sounded as if he were nearly on Hacen’s back. Lucas pushed his shoulder away from Jules. “He’s not gonna make it. Move, damn it.”
Hacen’s instinct was to protect his dying mate. Lucas hindered that. He turned and growled, his eyes turned red as he flashed his teeth.
Tommy sobbing was all it took for Hacen to come back to himself. He moved over, letting Lucas in the open door of the vehicle.
Tommy stood there all closed in on himself until Hacen pulled him against his chest. Tommy’s arms came around his waist.
Hacen expected to hear Jules cry out in pain like he did the last time Lucas used his magic to fix Jules, but no sounds came. Not even Jules’ heartbeat.
“I think he’s gone,” Hacen whispered. The second the words left his mouth he realized he needed them back because the thought of it seemed unreal.
“I need one of you to give him blood. Because if you don’t, he’ll take it from me, and Bennett would not like that.”
Hacen’s eyebrows drew together. “What?”
Then he heard a growl and the heavy pounding of a heartbeat. Both were just about the sweetest things he’d ever heard in his whole life. Hacen let out a breathy laugh.
“Oh, shit. Shit.” Lucas took a step away from the open door, and that’s when Hacen saw Jules.
He had…fangs. His stalked toward Lucas. Hacen and Tommy’s smell must have wafted to him because he stopped and met Hacen’s gaze before he zeroed in on Tommy.
Tommy turned just as Jules pounced like a cat. Thankfully, Tommy caught him. They both would have fallen if Hacen hadn’t steadied them. Jules wrapped his long legs around Tommy’s waist and sank his teeth in the flesh on his neck. Tommy cried out, but Hacen wasn’t sure if it were pain or pleasure. If it were the former then it quickly turned to pleasure if the moan was any indication. Tommy also got his sex face, which included that slight smile he sometimes got right before he came.
Tommy’s hands slid down Jules’ back and gripped his ass. He turned and pressed Jules against Hacen. Tommy fumbled around at the zipper of his jeans.
“Woah. Slow down, Tommy.”
“Fuck. I can’t…he’s…and it’s…”
Lucas stalked to the car. “I don’t need to see this.”
Hacen couldn’t help but chuckle.
“He’ll need blood from now on. I’m not sure why but when I heal a drained human it changes their physiology. It happened to Shawn too, although Shawn nearly starved to death after. Jules is lucky he has you guys. Once he gets enough he should pass-out. Literally. Don’t freak out. It’s a normal part of healing.”
“Thanks, Lucas.”
Lucas nodded. “Just stay at the house for a few days so I can keep an eye on him. I’d feel better if he was close.” Lucas screwed up his nose. “And, oh my god, he’s like a brother. Permanent mental damage.” Lucas scrambled into the car with his eyes nearly closed.
Hacen focused on Tommy and Jules again. Tommy had both of their cocks out and stroked them fast in his hand. Jules moved his hips into the touch. He latched on to Tommy’s shoulder still. “By the gods, Tommy. We’re out in the open here.”
Tommy moaned. I can’t help it. It feels so good. As good as when you bite me. Gods, I want him inside me. Or you. Not picky. Help me hold him still.
Hacen’s cock grew hard. He palmed Jules ass with one hand and wrapped his free arm around Jules' waist.
Hacen found Tommy’s ability to lose himself during sex hot as hell. It had always ramped up his own need in the past. When I finally get you two into bed, it’s gonna be so fucking hot.
Tommy opened his mouth, probably to agree but nothing came out. He stopped breathing and then grunted. The corners of his mouth turned up the way it always did when he came.
Hacen’s cock throbbed.
Jules raised his head, his teeth sliding from Tommy’s neck right before he cried out. His hips stilled.
Cum coated both of their cocks and Tommy’s hand. Jules’ head fell back on Hacen’s shoulder. His mouth was open with his lips coated with Tommy’s blood. His eyes remained closed, and his body relaxed so much he became dead weight in Hacen’s arms.
“By the gods, look at him. He’s gorgeous like that, isn’t he?” Tommy whispered the words as if they were too big to say aloud.
Hacen understood what Tommy meant. He might have mentioned Jules physical appearance, but that wasn’t all he meant. Jules had an inner beauty, which was far less fragile than it seemed at first glance.
Hacen met Tommy’s gaze. “So are you.” Maybe Tommy didn’t carry his strength the same way Jules did, but he still had it. It radiated out and turned into confidence.
Tommy grinned and would have responded but crunching of icy snow under boots met his ears. “Shit. I need to clean us up.” Tommy searched around for something as if a wad of paper towels would magically appear in the middle of nowhere-ville Dirt Road Avenue.
“Hold him for a second, and I’ll give you my shirt.” Hacen let go of Jules until Tommy held all his weight.
Hacen took off his coat, holding it between his legs and then pulled his shirt over his head, handing it to Tommy before he put his coat back on.
Hacen took some of Jules weight back so Tommy could clean them both up. As soon as they tucked Jules’ soft cock back in his pants, Jules snuggled into Hacen and even turned in his arms. Jules, sniffing around Hacen’s neck, tickled and also gave him warning before Jules sank his teeth into his neck. It wasn’t a quick strike but a slow bite down as if Jules didn’t need the blood but the comfort.
He drank two swallows of blood before sighing and letting go.
It stung like a fat bee at first, but the pleasure took over quickly. And then it was done. Jules lay his head on Hacen’s shoulder, and his body was dead weight again.
Ramsey and Fane came out of the forest. Ramsey nodded to Jules. “He okay?”
“He will be, thanks to Lucas.”
Ramsey nodded. “Hard to believe Jules was the one to kill that bastard.”
Hacen smiled and held Jules closer. “I’m not surprised. He’s tough.”
Tommy ran his hand down Jules’ back, laying his head against him a second later. “I’m just glad it’s over.”
“For now.” Fane swung his sword around once before sheathing it. “The humans are still a problem.”
“Right. Well, it’s over for Jules. He can rest easy knowing Nicolono isn’t a threat.” Tommy covered his mouth with a yawn.
“Speaking of rest.” Hacen moved, urging Tommy to get in the vehicle. “Let’s go home.”
Hacen had Thomas resting against his side and Jules sitting on him. Both were breathing heavy with sleep. Lucas sat on Thomas’ other side, staring at them as if they were the subject of a painting or a science project.
Hacen met his gaze. “What?”
Lucas shrugged. “Just wondering about the dynamics of your relationship.”
“Why? Because there’s three of us.”
Lucas waved his hand in the air. “No, not that. How will Jules fit in? He’s worried about that. Always has been. He might have a point.”
Hacen shook his head. “Not sure why he’d be worried. Jules has no problem telling me where he stands with everything else. Why should his place in the relationship be any different?”
Lucas chuckled. “See that’s where I’m confused. He’s always been so quiet and gentle with the rest of us.”
“He’s that way with Tommy. Most of the time anyway.”
“Not with you.”
“Nope.”
“Why do you think that is?”
Hacen shrugged. “Because he knows I’ll give in if he throws a big enough fit probably.”
Lucas grinned.
Speaking of giving Jules his way... “Hey, Alpha, I wondered if you
could give me advice about something.”
Ramsey met his gaze through the rearview mirror. “Depends.” If he was surprised by Hacen using his title it didn’t show on his face. “You know Ladon’s taking over the Alpha position for me soon. Call me Ramsey.”
“Right. Ramsey. Do you know of anyone hiring? I need a job if we’re going to stay here.”
“Check with Bennett. He may need help in his garage.”
Oh man, the dragon shifter he had picked a fight with may be his boss. Great. Thank the gods, Bennett seemed to be the forgiving type.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Thomas ran his hand down Jules’ back to the curve of his ass and back up again slowly. Jules’ skin held a warmth from sleep and the blankets covering them both. Thomas hadn’t felt so content in his entire life. It was hard to believe one skinny human could have so much power over him, but Thomas couldn’t deny it.
Jules’ arm curled around Thomas’ head, and his face lay next to his cheek. His breath fanned across his skin in even patterns. Half his body lay on top of Thomas. He couldn’t move even if he wanted to, which he didn’t, so it was a moot point.
Thomas wasn’t sure where Hacen went off too. The three of them had gone to bed together, although Thomas barely remembered walking into the Somerset House. He remembered sitting at the table while Vaughan had shown Hacen where Jules’ room was. Hacen had carried Jules up first and then had come back for Thomas. The last thing Thomas remembered was half his cheek against Hacen’s bare chest and the other half against his cold, leather coat.
There was a knock on the door, which threw Thomas off a bit. They had been in the one-room cabin in the middle of the forest where hardly anyone visited, not a house full of people near town. Thomas preferred the privacy of the cabin, but the room smelled like Jules so he’d take it.
The door squeaked open, and a stream of light penetrated the shadows that lay in the corners of the room. Lucas poked his head around the edge of the door. “Can I come in?”
Thomas made sure the blankets covered Jules’ body before answering. “Sure.”