E.V.I.E.: 13 Slayers, 13 Missions

by Lexi C. Foss

  I’m actually so caught up texting her about planning our next meet up just as I make it home, that I don’t even realize I have a visitor until his voice meets my ears.

  “‘Bout time you made it home.”

  Travis.

  He’s literally standing at my door with a duffle bag in hand and this cocksure smirk on his lips. Can’t say I’m mad about it. It’s been a long day and, according to Ellie, Travis is the master of unwinding. My stomach does this little flip at the thought of unwinding with him and where that may lead now that animosity and uncertainty have been thrown out the window.

  Tsking through my teeth, I shake my head playfully and look him up and down. “So impatient,” I tease, grinning as I slide my key into the lock. “I thought I was supposed to come to you?”

  That’s as far as I get.

  Travis laughs darkly and whizzes me around, pushing me back into the door. My jaw’s caught in his hand with just the right amount of pressure as he presses himself against me and teases my lips with his own. He’s hovering so damn close I can almost taste him. I want to taste him. “I was going crazy. I’ve been alone for two days, and you were taking forever.”

  I think I melt a little. Guess Ellie wasn’t kidding when she said he hates being alone. I almost feel guilty for not telling him where I was going. He could’ve come with me...

  “Let’s go inside and have a drink,” I offer, gaze flicking to his lips.

  His tongue lashes out along the bottom one teasingly before he nods and eases back enough for me to spin around and let us in.

  Roscoe barks at the sound of the door unlocking and comes bounding out of the hallway as soon as he hears the door close. Forget me, there’s a stranger in the house he remembers. He goes straight for Travis, his little stump of a tail wagging back and forth happily.

  “Hey bud,” Travis greets him with a smile, gently petting the top of his head as he drops his duffle bag on the floor. Roscoe barks and pushes up on his hind legs, prompting Trav to grip his big paws. “Remember me, do ya, big boy?”

  “He’s a big baby is what he is,” I counter, slipping off my boots and going straight for the liquor cabinet in the kitchen.

  “Kinda like you?” Trav calls out, and not five seconds later, both him and Roscoe come ambling in right behind me.

  Pulling the bourbon free, along with two glasses, I pivot in time to catch him advancing on me. Three more steps and he’s in my bubble again, freeing my hands as he cages me against the counter and goes about pouring us both a drink.

  “I’m not a baby.” I fire back, taking the proffered tumbler he holds in front of me. “Besides, who showed up at who’s door because they were going crazy?”

  Setting the glass to his lips, he knocks the whole thing back and pours himself another before I can even take a sip. “When you’re used to having company every single day for a century, being alone feels beyond isolating. And yes, you are a baby.”

  The growl in his tone does shit to me, earning him a smirk as I down every last drop of the bourbon. “Sounds to me you like it more than you wanna let on.”

  “Oh, I like it, trust me.” He sets the glass down, hands gliding around my hips. “My rabid little baby vampire—as weak and fragile as she is stubborn.”

  I don’t miss the my he threw in there, but I glaze over it purposely. “I’m not weak,” I scoff, shivering as he brings himself closer.

  “You are, though. You’re the weakest little thing I’ve come face to face with in a while, and judging by the current sight of you, I’m guessing you haven’t fed in hours, right?”

  Hands fisting the front of his tee, I nod.

  “Why are you so stubborn?” he asks.

  “Why do you keep asking me that? You know the answer. I don’t like hurting people.”

  That deliciously dark laugh meets my ear as he lifts me onto the counter and wedges his way between my legs. “Like I said, rabid little baby vampire. Are you gonna let me show you the ropes, or are you just going to keep depriving yourself until you shrivel up and die?”

  Not this again.

  I regard him quietly for a moment before blurting, “I forgot to thank you.” Yes, I’m blatantly switching the topic, clutching the pendant hanging around my neck. I’ve heard enough about how stupid and irresponsible it is of me within the last few weeks to last me a lifetime. They’re just going to have to be patient with me. I can’t change a three-year habit overnight.

  His honeyed stare follows the movement, the corners of his lips tilting upward. “No need to thank me. You shouldn’t have to be bound to the night. Is it helping?”

  I nod. “You can’t possibly understand how much. It’s so nice to be able to feel the warmth of the sun again. For the most part, I feel so...normal.”

  “Good,” he chuckles.

  A brief silence follows. I can tell there’s more he wants to say, possibly on how quick I was to change the subject, but instead, he surprises me with, “I really want to kiss you.”

  I really want him to kiss me, too. It’ll change everything moving forward, there won’t be any going back after this, but I don’t want to go back to the way we were before. Rather than answer with words, I slide my arms around his neck, encouraging him to do it.

  “Is that a yes?” His voice comes huskier, sexier, flipping my stomach in anticipation.

  At my nod, his palms glide up the subtle curves of my figure to my neck. His grip isn’t extreme, but the pressure shoots a heady gasp from my throat as he swoops in and gently presses his lips to my own.

  It’s… It’s as euphoric as what I felt with Ellie that first night. How does it feel so similar? So right? With a sigh and a hushed moan, I lock my legs around his waist and deepen his kiss, needing more. Wanting more. My tongue sweeps along the seam of his lips, coaxing him to open for me. He does without hesitation, his tongue dueling with mine the second he feels me lap into his mouth.

  Fingers threading into my hair, he hums appreciatively and tugs on my bottom lip. “Careful there, little baby. You keep that up and we’re gonna end up in your bed.”

  “I’m not opposed,” I admit shamelessly. “But only if Ellie’s on board. Kissing me and fucking me are two different things.”

  “It’s Ellie we’re talking about, Lo,” he laughs. “The woman who’s been trying to get us on the same page for weeks.”

  “I know, but—”

  “But nothing. Watch.” Fishing his phone from his pocket, he scrolls through his calls and dials Ellie’s number.

  The FaceTime screen pops up rather than the regular call screen, and I think it only rings twice before her pretty face comes into view.

  “Hey, baby,” she answers, flashing him that beaming grin. Wherever she is, it’s dark as fuck. It’s clear she’s outside, too, given the orange, fiery glow rippling behind her.

  “Hi, love. Question for you.” He’s wasting no time, apparently.

  One of her dark brows quirks in a perfect arch. “What’s up?”

  Trav tilts the screen so that I come into view, too. It’s more than obvious I’m on the counter and he’s caught between my legs.

  Ellie’s grin widens deviously. “Fucking Christ, finally. I thought I’d never see the day.”

  Travis turns to me then and gives me that “I told you so” look. “See?”

  “That doesn’t answer my question,” I quip. I knew she’d be fine with it, but I need to hear her say it. I need the confirmation.

  “What’s your question?” she asks me.

  “I kissed her,” Travis explains. “It got a little heated, and I told her if she kept lapping into my mouth like that, we were gonna end up in her bed.”

  “And?” Ellie presses, her expression slightly confused.

  “And I told him you needed to be okay with it,” I cut in. “You’re not here and I don’t want to—”

  “I will say, I’m bummed I missed it,” she starts, “but I swear on all things holy if you guys don’t hang up with me right now and go ind
ulge…”

  “Or we can keep you on and you can watch,” Trav counters, waggling his eyebrows.

  Ellie laughs and shakes her head. “If I were in bed, I wouldn’t miss it. However, I’m not. Kiss her for me, though. I miss you both.”

  Locking my jaw in his grip, he turns my face toward him and smiles before sealing his mouth over mine once more. I’m sighing all over again, eager to move things further now that I don’t have to worry about Ellie possibly not having a good reaction to it.

  “Yesss!” she squeals! “Okay, go...love you! Byeee!”

  The telltale FaceTime end call beeps rent the air, prompting Travis to drop his phone on the counter and pull me by my ass into his hold. He lifts me like I weigh nothing, and to him, I probably don’t.

  Takes him nothing more than several hulking footsteps through my apartment, and we’re ambling into the dark confines of my room, our lips still interlocked, tongues dancing sensually. I’m expecting him to just fall on the bed with me, but he literally flings me onto it instead and yanks his shirt over his head. “Lose the clothes, baby doll. All of them.”

  He does not have to ask me twice. If Ellie were here, she’d already be ripping them off me. With her in mind, I make quick work of removing each article, tossing them haphazardly around the room. Trav does the same, and when I finally get my first glimpse at his cock, I whimper. I actually fucking whimper. That thing has to be a solid eight or nine inches, maybe even ten. It’s so dark in here that I truly can’t tell. Either way, he’s going to rip me in half by the time he’s done with me.

  Taking it in his hand, he strokes it teasingly, advancing closer to the bed as his gaze trails over my bare body. “Spread your legs, Lo.”

  I yield to his demand like a bitch in heat, spreading myself wide open. My hand trails down my stomach, too, fingers trailing around my pussy lips, exposing all of me to his stare.

  His eyes flash appreciatively, tongue wetting his lips as he increases the speed of his stroke. “Not gonna lie, I’m ready to say fuck foreplay. I want you now.”

  “No foreplay needed,” I coo. “I’m wet already.” And that’s not a lie, either. I’m not soaked, but definitely wet enough that he should be able to slide in.

  That’s all he needed before he’s on me, licking a trail up my stomach, between my small tits, along the column of my neck. The head of his cock probes me, taunting me out of my right mind, especially when I feel his fangs graze the skin of my shoulder. “Fuck me, Trav, come on. I wanna feel you.”

  That devilish laugh of his rents the air, and right as he latches onto me, he gives me what I want, too, filling me with every single inch he has to offer.

  I gasp and moan all at once, eyes rolling to the back of my head, my arms stretching out beside me to fist the duvet. “Oh my God…”

  Travis hums in agreement and picks up the pace, snaking his arm beneath one of my legs. All that does is lodge him deeper, robbing me of my air supply as he hits the deepest part of me, alternating between kissing me and tasting the streams of blood running down my skin.

  Give him the same chance you gave me, and I promise you he’ll rock your entire world.

  Yeah, Ellie was right.

  He’s rocking my world, alright, and he’s only just getting started.

  13

  Travis

  There was a time not so long ago when I thought Loey would destroy us. I was wrong, obviously. She did make it rocky there for a bit, but once the truth came to light, once I saw her for who she is and all she’s endured, my perspective changed. Kinda wish it would’ve happened sooner, but if more than a century on this earth has taught me anything, it’s that everything happens for a reason.

  Giselle should be home any minute now, and neither one of us can wait to see her. It’s been two weeks, and I think she’ll be pleasantly surprised at the progress we’ve made in that time. I can say without any uncertainty that I want Loey, that I want her to be a part of our lives, a part of our hearts.

  The key sliding into the lock turns both of our heads toward the door from the couch. Two seconds later, Giselle’s bursting through with her luggage in tow. “I’m home, my babies!”

  When she sees us together, Loey’s back resting on my chest, her face lights up like a kid on Christmas. Slamming shut the door, she flashes through the open space and joins us, jumping on top of Loey in the process. I’m not even angry to see her go for Lo first, grabbing her face and planting one of those heartfelt, quintessential Ellie kisses on her lips. Loey giggles beneath her, jerking my dick inside my pants at the sight of the two of them together. I doubt I need to say this but, tonight’s going to be one helluva night, and I already can’t wait.

  “Kiss your husband,” Loey mumbles against her lips. “Before he rips my head off.”

  I chuckle beneath her, head shaking side to side. “Not happening, little baby. You’re stuck with us now.”

  Ellie eases back and sighs happily, glancing between the two of us before she stretches over Lo to greet me. “See? She wasn’t so bad, after all.”

  “I can hear you, ya know?” Loey quips, throwing us all in a fit of laughter as Ellie throws herself back on the couch and crosses her legs beneath her.

  The smiles on their faces… I love it. If you had asked me several weeks ago if I thought this was possible, all of us here together. Willingly. Happily. I would’ve said no. Hell, I would’ve said fuck no. And yet here we are… I can’t help but admire them, how beautiful they both are, how fucking lucky I am.

  “Okay, so…” Ellie starts, pulling me out of my head. “I can’t hold it in anymore. Are you guys ready to get excited?”

  Loey sits up, too, mimicking Ellie’s position and nods.

  “I know what we need to find Shadowed Sanctum…” she states.

  What?

  My eyes nearly blow from their sockets just as Lo answers with, “A gold dagger...and blood.”

  “Yeah, how’d you know that?” Ellie asks, her brow perked curiously. Mine does, too.

  Loey grins, and it’s one-hundred percent the exaggerated kind that screams mischief. “Well...I kinda, sorta…”

  No, she didn’t.

  “You did not,” I counter, already knowing what she’s going to say.

  She nods sheepishly, her cheeks reddening. “I did.”

  “She did what?” Ellie questions.

  “She jumped,” I answer, flashing Lo a chastising look.

  “Lo!”

  “I’m sorry, okay? I had it planned since the last one and—”

  “She already went, no point in arguing about it now,” I interject. “Next time, though, we’re going with you.”

  Loey agrees silently and turns back to Giselle. “How did you find out?”

  Ellie grins and holds up a finger, flashing to her luggage and back in a split-second. Only when she returns, she has said gold dagger in her hand.

  Lo gasps, blue eyes bulging, and jumps onto her feet, taking it from Giselle’s hold. “Where did you get this?” She’s examining it from all angles in total awe.

  “The coven I went to visit.”

  “And they just happened to have it?” Loey asks in disbelief. “The witch I saw in Pale Province told me there’s a few of these and they’re scattered around the world and throughout all the existing realms, that they’d be impossible to find.”

  “They didn’t have it on hand, no, but they knew who had it,” Ellie explains. “They tracked them down for me after I told them why we needed to get to Shadowed Sanctum and BOOM. We just have to take it back when we’re done with it. It’s not ours to keep.”

  “That sounds easy enough,” I add, rising off the couch to take a look at the damn thing myself. “So that’s it? This is all we need to get in?”

  Both Lo and Ellie nod. “Evidently so,” Loey confirms. “The question now is: When are we doing this?”

  “We’re not doing anything until we have a solid plan,” I counter, shoving the dagger in my back pocket for safekeeping. The la
st thing I need is Loey taking it and going to this hellish place alone.

  She may be a trained slayer, but there’s no way she’s going to take all five of them down by herself.

  “Agreed, “ Ellie adds. “We’ll need a plan and a backup plan. Also, can I just say how much I enjoy hearing we, as in all three of us.”

  “Is that what we’re doing?” I question, reaching for her hand and outstretching my other to Loey. “Officially?”

  Lo’s eyes bounce back and forth between us a few times. “I think so,” she answers, taking my proffered hand. “We.”

  The End for Now

  Also By Dee Garcia

  Stand-alones:

  • Volatile Obsessions (Dark Romance)

  • Snare (Zombie apocalypse/Dystopian)

  • Jagger (Erotic Romance)

  • The Ashes of Blacklier Manor (Dark Gothic Romance)

  ——————

  Duets/Series:

  •The Upper Echelon Duet

  Birdy (Book One)

  Arcángel (Book Two)

  • The Rosewood Realm Series

  (Interconnected stand-alones)

  Venom (Book One)

  Lost Girl (Book Two)

  • The Scarsi Family Series (Mafia)

  X-394 (Book One)

  Dead or Alive Part 1 (Book Two)

  *Book Three to come*

  • The Bloodshed Duet (MMA fighter)

  I Am Lioness (Book One)

  Hear Me Roar (Book Two)

  About the Author

  Self-published dark romance author Dee Garcia was born and raised in Miami, Florida. A voracious fan of romance novels and long time lover of the written word, her mission is to craft unique, compelling, and deliciously dark stories that will give her readers a thrilling escape from the monotony of everyday reality. With fierce, headstrong heroines and sinful, possessive Alpha males weaved into her rousing tales, Dee hopes to leave her mark on the Indie world, one decadent plot twist at a time.