Inevitable Darkness

by Cassandra Lawson

  Lucida frowned. “I meant no offense.”

  “But witches don’t think before they speak,” Vexx added.

  “Not often,” Lucida agreed. “I’m going to check on your cabins. Vexx, since you’re here, I’d like you to help out with the sewing.”

  With a tight smile, Vexx replied, “Of course. I’m glad to be of service to the coven.”

  Chapter 58

  “Are you as surprised as I am that the witches put us in the same cabin?” Abram asked Mitchell.

  Mitchell shook his head. “I’m sure they asked Vexx about sleeping arrangements.”

  “That makes it even more surprising,” Abram told him. “She doesn’t hate me, but I get the impression she’s not all that happy about us fucking.”

  Abram wanted to kick himself. “Sorry. I’m not very good at this.”

  “Good at what?” Mitchell asked as he stripped out of his shirt to get ready for bed. Abram’s gaze locked on his bare chest, and he swallowed hard as he tried to respond without sounding like an even bigger jerk than he already did.

  “I’m not good with flowery words, and I rarely know the right thing to say,” Abram admitted. “I tend to say whatever comes to mind and not consider the consequences.

  “That’s not entirely true,” Mitchell argued. “Not the part about the flowery words. You suck at that—not that I care. If you didn’t consider the consequences of your words, you wouldn’t be the leader of Treasure Island.”

  Abram snorted. “Believe me when I tell you that there have been a lot of leaders with absolutely no tact. One thing I got with my position at the island was a better education than a lot of the other kids. As a result, I know about some of the more questionable leaders in history.”

  “I still think you can be tactful when you want to,” Mitchell stated before flashing him a grin. “You just don’t want to very often.”

  Abram didn’t return his grin. His eyes moved along Mitchell’s body, taking in every detail. “You are so fucking sexy.”

  “Are you going to take off some of those clothes and join me?” he asked.

  Abram nodded and stripped his shirt over his head. “Yeah, I am definitely going to join you. I feel like I should ask if you’re sure you want to do this.” He didn’t see any reason to pretend he didn’t know where things were going between them.

  “Are you going to ask?” Mitchell’s lips curled into a slow, seductive smile before he turned and walked toward their sleeping pallet. He stood beside it, and Abram’s gaze moved along his well-muscled body.

  Abram shook his head. “No, I’m not in the mood to talk about why we shouldn’t do this.”

  “What are you in the mood for?” Mitchell asked as he watched Abram strip out of his pants and boxers.

  “I’m in the mood to fuck you until neither of us can stand,” Abram growled as he prowled toward Mitchell.

  Based on the way Mitchell’s eyes darkened and his breath hitched, Abram knew he liked the idea. When he stood directly in front of Mitchell, Abram reached out slowly, sliding his hand around the back of Mitchell’s head to tangle in his soft brown hair. Despite his crude words and the urgency of his arousal, Abram planned to enjoy every moment of their first time together.

  “Your eyes are incredible,” Mitchell murmured as he leaned closer to brush his lips against Abram’s.

  Many described Abram’s eyes as cold, but he knew they weren’t cold as he watched Mitchell.

  At first, he allowed Mitchell to take control of their kiss. Mitchell cupped his face, while Abram’s fingers tightened in his hair. The kiss was a slow, leisurely exploration. Mitchell’s tongue slipped past Abram’s lips.

  With a groan, Abram slid his free arm around Mitchell’s waist to draw him closer. He moaned when he felt Mitchell’s hard body pressed against the length of his. His dick pulsed against Mitchell’s hip, and his control snapped.

  Abram tightened his hold on Mitchell’s hair and took complete control of their kiss. His tongue thrust into Mitchell’s mouth while his other hand reached between them to stroke and squeeze Mitchell’s cock.

  Mitchell rocked forward as Abram pumped his dick. His hands moved along Abram’s back before sliding down to clutch his ass, pulling them even closer together. Between their kiss and Mitchell’s hands gripping his ass cheeks, Abram was on sensation overload. Breaking the kiss, he bit Mitchell’s lower lip, savoring Mitchell’s needy whimper.

  “I need in you now,” Abram ground out.

  Chapter 59

  Mitchell nearly came right then. Abram’s hot, earthy words turned him on even more. He was already quivering from Abram’s kiss and the way he was pumping his dick. He was dying for more.

  “Yes,” Mitchell rasped out. “I need this.”

  Abram kissed him again as he guided them both down onto the pallet. His hand remained on Mitchell’s dick as he tore his mouth away and began to kiss along Mitchell’s neck. His lips traveled up to Mitchel’s ear, and he nipped his earlobe before biting down and then whispering, “I’ve dreamt of having you under me like this so many times. You feel fucking perfect.”

  Mitchell’s only response was a moan as Abram continued to stroke his dick until Mitchell was about ready to come. When Abram released his dick, Mitchell caught his wrist. “Don’t stop,” he pleaded.

  Abram leaned forward to brush his lips against Mitchell’s. “Patience, lover. I need to grab something.”

  Reaching into his bag at the side of the bed, Abram grabbed a tube of lubricant. He squirted some on his hand before returning it to Mitchell’s dick. Once his dick was slick with the lube, Abram caught Mitchell’s wrist. “Stroke yourself. I want to watch you. Keep your eyes locked with mine until we both come.”

  Mitchell licked his lips and nodded as he began slowly stroking his own dick. Abram grabbed a pillow and slid it under Mitchell’s hips before lifting Mitchell’s legs so they rested against Abram’s chest. He raised Mitchell’s ass higher and squirted lube onto two of his fingers before sliding them down to stroke Mitchell’s hole, preparing him for what was to come. His fingers worked the entrance before sliding inside.

  As Abram’s fingers slipped in and out, spreading him wider, Mitchell’s strokes increased. His eyes fluttered shut.

  “Don’t close your eyes.” His eyes snapped back open at Abram’s rough command. “That’s it. I want to see everything you feel.”

  Abram’s fingers left his ass, and he gripped Mitchell’s ass cheeks to spread him wider. Poised at Mitchell’s entrance, Abram gripped his own cock with one hand as he positioned himself and slowly pressed inside. Mitchell loved the feeling of Abram taking him, filling him completely. He moaned, and his own fist tightened around his dick.

  “Fuck me, that feels incredible,” Abram said on a groan. His gaze remained locked with Mitchell’s, and he flashed him a smile. “You’re sexy as hell like this. I’m going to do my best to be gentle, but I want you so fucking much.”

  “Don’t be gentle,” Mitchell pleaded as he stroked himself faster. “Come with me, Abram.”

  Abram growled low in his throat as he gripped Mitchell’s ass with both hands, lifting him slightly off the pillow so he could thrust deep and hard into him. Mitchell struggled to keep his eyes open as intense pleasure washed over every inch of him.

  He came hard just as he felt Abram’s dick jerk with its own release. His orgasm seemed to last for endless minutes, and when it was over, they were both panting, their gazes still locked.

  “I don’t think I could ever get enough of you,” Abram whispered as he pulled out of him.

  “Good,” Mitchell murmured. “I like the idea of having you completely addicted to me.”

  Abram chuckled softly and reached forward to caress Mitchell’s cheek with the back of his knuckles. “You might not agree when neither of us can walk straight tomorrow.”

  “I’ll take my chances,” Mitchell replied.

  Chapter 60

  “Are you sure you want to go after the demon?” Vexx asked
after a long pause.

  No plans were in place yet, but Mitchell had made up his mind. Vexx liked the idea, but she decided she shouldn’t be the first to agree to it. Jase still looked skeptical. She already knew Abram had offered his full support, but even he didn’t seem convinced it was a smart idea.

  “You don’t have a lot of information about the demon,” Jase pointed out. “I’m not saying you shouldn’t do something to stop him. I think you’re right about him being a problem in the future, but we need more information in order to come up with a solid plan of attack.”

  “We?” Mitchell asked.

  “Vexx isn’t going to let you deal with this alone. If Winter wasn’t pregnant, she’d insist on fighting at your side,” Jase told him. “I’ll be with you because you are important to me and my brothers.”

  “And I’ll fight with you because you matter to me,” Abram added.

  Mitchell flashed him a grin. “And because it’s dangerous and probably incredibly stupid.”

  “Those are two of my favorite reasons,” Abram agreed with a laugh before meeting Mitchell’s gaze and flashing him a knowing smile. “We both know that’s not why I’m with you.”

  “Jase is right about us needing a good plan. I wish we had more information about demons,” Mitchell muttered. “Legion could help by giving me a way to contact him.”

  “You can’t count on my useless brother,” Kish said as she approached them. They hadn’t invited her to their impromptu meeting, but no one seemed surprised by her presence. “He’ll never help you, but I can. I know you don’t trust me, but I can help.”

  “We’re more worried about what will happen if the demons get their hands on you. They’re looking for you for a reason,” Mitchell reminded her.

  She shrugged in response. “That is an even better reason for me to help you.”

  Vexx nodded her agreement. “She’s right. Kish has a lot at stake, and she has a right to be involved.”

  “She’s also effective bait,” Abram added. With wide, innocent eyes, he looked around him. “What? Don’t pretend no one else considered how good it would be to have Kish as bait.”

  “It had occurred to me,” Jase admitted.

  “It occurred to everyone,” Kish said with a huff. “Could you all stop acting like I’m going to break if you say something wrong?”

  “No one is afraid you’ll break,” Mitchell assured her.

  “We’re all afraid you’ll switch into ultimate-bitch mode again,” Abram explained. “No one is in the mood to deal with that shit.”

  “Be thankful I’m not trying to drain the magic from everyone around me,” Kish replied with a smile.

  There were several beats of silence before Vexx finally spoke. “Was that an attempt at humor?”

  “Apparently, not a very good one,” Kish muttered. “I thought it would lighten the mood.”

  All except Abram continued to look surprised; he laughed. “It was funny. You just shocked the hell out of us. I could really like you if you keep throwing down dark jokes that make everyone uncomfortable.”

  “You already have the role of the asshole in this group filled,” Kish told him.

  That time, everyone laughed.

  “You’re in a good mood,” Mitchell remarked. “I take it you don’t hate it here with the witches.”

  “It’s not as bad as I expected,” Kish replied. “Also, when I heard you talking about actually doing something to deal with the threat to me, it improved my mood. I hate feeling helpless. That’s how I’ve felt nearly all my life, and I’m tired of it. I want to feel in control.”

  Mitchell nodded his understanding. “That makes perfect sense to me. I think that’s one of the driving factors in me wanting to go after the demon who fathered me. The thought of sitting around and waiting for him to find me makes me feel helpless.”

  “It still might be the smartest thing to do,” Jase stated. “I’m inclined to agree with your plan, but I’m not convinced this won’t be a total clusterfuck, especially if we don’t get more information about what we’re up against.”

  “We need to contact our other resources for information,” Mitchell told them. “There may be witches here with information. Kyleigh may be able to ask some of her Fae contacts. It’s even possible some of the wood nymphs know something. Someone must have more information on demons.”

  Kish let out a sigh. “Those options sound smarter than hoping my brother will show up to help us. There’s even less of a chance he’ll make an appearance now that I’m around.”

  “I think he’s trying to protect you by avoiding you,” Mitchell told her, though he didn’t know if that was the case. “He’s asked for my help more than once when you were in trouble, and the first time I met him, he was looking for you. I guess he tries to find all of his siblings.”

  “My demon father sounds as great as yours,” Kish muttered. “I’m beginning to think it’s best to avoid all full-blooded demons.”

  “That sounds like a smart idea,” Abram agreed. “I’ve never been all that religious, but my mom is, and she thinks demons are evil.” He looked sheepish as he realized what he’d said with two demons standing near him. “I didn’t mean to imply that you’re both evil.”

  Mitchell put a hand up to stop him from saying more. “Don’t even think about saying I’m all innocence and light.”

  Abram’s eyes darkened as he met Mitchell’s gaze. “After last night, I’m not about to accuse you of being innocent.”

  Before Mitchell could respond, there was a shout. “Attack at the eastern border!”

  Chapter 61

  Mitchell didn’t hesitate; he jumped to his feet and raced in the direction of the witch shouting out the warning. Jase, Vexx, Abram, and Kish were all with him. He hoped it wasn’t the demons since they needed more time to prepare for that battle.

  They got there just in time to hear a witch telling Lucida and several others what was going on. “They took us completely by surprise.”

  “Who took you by surprise?” Lucida demanded.

  “Vampires,” the witch replied. “There are too many of them. They nearly killed Sora and Carina. We barely survived to warn you. They made it past our border.”

  “Fucking vampires,” Jase muttered before turning toward Abram and Mitchell. “No offense.”

  “No need to apologize,” Abram assured him. “I’ve hated vampires nearly all my life, and being one hasn’t changed my feelings all that much. Let’s go and see if we can get them out of here before they kill anyone else.”

  “Let us try to deal with them first,” Mitchell urged Lucida. “We’re used to fighting turned vampires.”

  Lucida nodded. “They breached the eastern perimeter.”

  “We’ll be able to smell them,” Jase assured her as he stripped out of his clothes. Vexx hesitated before doing the same so she could shift into cougar form. The other witches looked away, angering Mitchell. He hated how they refused to accept Vexx’s cougar side.

  He, Kish, and Abram followed behind Vexx and Jase. It didn’t take long to find the vampires heading their way.

  “Fuck me, that’s a lot of vampires,” Abram muttered as he unsheathed two knives before looking over at Kish. “Weapons?”

  “Are you offering or asking if I have any?” she asked.

  “Both,” he replied.

  “I don’t have any,” she replied. “A knife would help.”

  Mitchell unsheathed two and handed them to her. “Take these. I have plenty more, so ask if you need them.”

  “Even when we’re supposed to be in safe territory, you’re armed for battle,” she said quietly. “I’m beginning to like you both.”

  Mitchell grabbed the handheld crossbow from the harness on his back in the hopes of taking out as many as possible at the beginning of the fight. There were at least twenty approaching. All were newly undead, still possessing the ability to work together.

  He took out six before they got too close. Mitchell lashed out with a side
kick that sent one back against a tree. Abram broke a branch off a nearby tree and plunged it into a turned vampire’s heart. Vexx leaped onto a vampire about to attack Abram from his left. As the vampire on the ground struggled to get Vexx to release his throat, Kish stabbed the vampire in the heart before spinning like a dancer to engage the vampire behind her.

  Jase, still in lynx form, took a vampire to the ground. One came from behind, prepared to hit him with a large rock. Mitchell tossed a knife into the vampire’s back. His throw had been a little off, so the vampire didn’t die. Abram was already on him, leaving Mitchell to focus on the two vampires in front of him. One tried circling around behind him, but Mitchell landed a roundhouse kick that knocked her into the other one. Both stumbled, giving Mitchell time to grab one by the collar and plunge his last remaining knife into the vampire’s heart. Rather than trying to remove the knife, Mitchell jumped back as the other vampire snarled, spittle flying through the air.

  Mitchell released a string of profanity when the vampire lunged faster than expected and sank her fangs into his forearm. Abram headed his way as Mitchell punched the vampire with his free hand, causing her to release his arm. Mitchell quickly stepped back and landed a roundhouse kick that knocked the vampire to the side but didn’t take her down. The move still gave him time to grab a nearby tree branch. When the vampire lunged at him again, Mitchell stabbed her in the heart.

  “Very impressive,” Abram praised from Mitchell’s side. “I rushed over here expecting you to need help when that vamp bit you.”

  Looking around, Mitchell found the fight was already over, and his friends appeared fine.

  “Are you okay?” Mitchell asked Abram, even though Abram was standing right beside him without a mark.

  “I’m fine,” Abram assured him. “It feels good having someone other than Paul worry about me after a fight. How’s your arm?” He gestured to the bite.

  “It stings like a bitch,” Mitchell admitted. “This is the first time a vampire has bitten me, and I’m surprised by how much it hurts. It’s worse than a knife wound. No one ever mentioned this in any of my feeding etiquette classes.”