Reveal (The Lamian Wars Book 2)

by C. M. Steele

  It took me jumping up and down like a mad woman, or maybe it was his libido getting the better of him, before he finally pinned me in the shower and demanded an orgasm out of me before coming himself. The thought of him on top of me had my body grinding in my seat.

  “What are you doing?”

  I jumped and screamed, dropping the slides I was labeling, some of them smashing to the ground. My heart was thumping a hundred miles an hour as I looked at Falcon.

  “Damn it, Nora, I didn’t mean to scare you,” he apologized, quickly wrapping his arms around me to stop my shaking.

  “I know you didn’t, but don’t ever teleport in here again,” I warned him. Guilt riddled his expression.

  “I’m truly sorry, Nora. How I could be so dumb is beyond me. I just missed you and your dog was driving me bananas. He circles me a lot.”

  “Like he doesn’t like you?”

  “No, like he’s trying to get my attention.”

  “Were you able to get one of your wizard people?”

  “No, I haven’t seen a wizard around. It’s not like they make themselves available. In fact, they go into hiding when one of us is near. They don’t fear us, but they don’t want to get in the middle of a war.”

  “It seems all of the world likes to hide from you,” I remarked. First it was Stavros, then the wolf shifters, now the magical wizard people. “Are there a lot of wizards or witches out there?”

  “No, there are not. It’s not a gift that’s easily possessed or understood. Most end up in asylums because they are believed to be knocked in the head.”

  “That’s so easy these days. Believing in mystical beings and the like is hard for us. Well, not for me, I suppose. I took to my fate easily and with great pleasure.”

  “Yes, I do recall you gave up your nonbelief quickly and to my satisfaction.” He cradled my face with his strong hands and kissed my lips. Pulling back, he said, “Speaking of satisfaction, unless you had to pee, you looked like you were in need of some satisfaction.” He lifted me from the chair and slipped his hands under my lab coat and slid them to my ass and cupped me hard. I moaned, looking up at him wantonly.

  “Let me take you to the room for a few,” he growled and nipped at my ear. The heat in the room seemed to skyrocket and I forgot all about work for a while.

  “We don’t need to go all the way up to our room,” I whispered against his jaw, slipping my lab coat off my shoulders and onto the floor. He growled like a beast before spinning me and sitting me on top of the empty workspace next to mine. His eyes were that watery blue that told me what I could already feel pressed against my center. He was craving me like I craved him.

  “We have to go to our room, I won’t be responsible for what I break in here, Nora.” He teleported us to our room and onto our bed. Falcon stood for a second as he stripped with speed, but then he stopped, smiled down me. “I love the way you look at me, Leonora.”

  “I love to look at you, my love.” I reached up, sitting on my heels and pressing my hand to his chest. The racing of his heart matched mine. His strong, well-built body showed why he commanded the masses. He was brawn and brains all in one and only mine. The power in my hands as I grasped his huge biceps reminded me how gentle he always was with me. Even when we fucked wildly, I never felt him hurt me.

  I ran my hands up his arms until I felt the corded muscles in his neck. I tilted my head back, moaning with satisfaction.

  “You are the image of pure perfection,” he confessed. He slipped one of his hands behind my head and leaned down to kiss my pulse. “You respond to me with the most delectable sounds.”

  He moved back and lifted my dress off me. Then he was on me and his cock pushed through my soaking heat. My body stretched for him, but he made me feel so full that I was ready to come. He bent down and took my nipple into my mouth. My eyes crossed and my lips parted. They were so sensitive that my body bucked, coming instantly.

  “Falcon,” I chanted his name. My whole being tingling and came alive as he rocked his hips forward, taking my orgasm and giving me all of his. I closed my eyes as I felt him pull out and slide his body behind me as we spooned into a sweaty, messy sleep.

  Chapter 30

  Falcon

  A rap against my study door caused me to look up from my computer. I was looking into some baby things for our little one. Nora had most of it planned out and purchased. Everything had been delivered to the island via Draco’s special couriers. But this gift, I wanted it to be from me. The problem was I couldn’t think of anything and time was winding down very quickly.

  “Come in,” I called out, knowing it was Gideon. I could tell from his faint scent and the way he walked, except this time it seemed hurried.

  He stepped into the room, closing the door without a greeting, then turned to me with a huge grin on his face. “I have it. I have the name.”

  “Tell me,” I barked, looking at his shaking hand.

  “He’s in London, well the address is. The name is Basil Keystone.” He placed the paper in front of me and pointed to the name.

  “Really?” I asked, hoping that this was true. Stavros was a slippery slimy piece of shit. He had been out maneuvering us for far too long.

  “Yes, all the other addresses check out to real people who have other information tying them to their name. This one has nothing but an address in High Street”

  “That’s perfect. This is amazing. Are you sure, though?” I had a niggling feeling that this was just another ruse by Stavros.

  “Like I said, I’ve checked all the others and nothing else leads to his name but the address the person used for the flight. It has to be him. He flew alone, but I don’t doubt that he has a home in London. That’s probably where he found me in Bath.” I could hear his anger. He’d been through a lot at Stavros’s hands. His need for revenge was almost as strong as mine, and that was probably why we got along so well.

  “That would explain the rumors centering around England that I have been hearing whispers about.” Between Pietro and Placido and Gideon, there was a collector there. Most had no idea what Stavros looked like, but I did and I couldn’t forget him. I wondered if Stavros was actually the one collecting. No, that couldn’t be because Gideon would have recognized him when he saw the image from his friend.

  “What’s your plan, Falcon?” Gideon asked.

  Just then, my door swung open and Placido and Pietro came in. I jumped up on my feet. “Is there a reason you barged in my office without knocking?” I wasn’t pleased at all.

  “Sorry, we just have some important information for you,” Pietro exclaimed, moving into the room and essentially pushing his way toward me, completely ignoring Gideon’s presence.

  “Excuse me, I was here first.”

  “Well, we’ve been here from the beginning, so you can wait,” Placido remarked.

  “Gideon, thanks for that piece of information. I will look into as soon as possible.” I felt the look of disappointment that was written on his face. It cut me deep. I was only trying to get these two alone because I was going to chew them out. “Oh, and Gideon? Please do me a favor and check on Nora. She’s supposed to walk the dog.”

  He gave me a wide smile of satisfaction as the other two scowled. As soon as he closed the door behind himself, they were leaning over my desk. “You trust him with your mate?”

  “Why wouldn’t I?”

  “Because he used to be one of them or so he says. I’ve heard his named mentioned in the underground circles in London. He could be working for The Lamia again, or maybe he never stopped. He has been creeping around the castle looking through rooms as if he’s trying to scope the castle out. Just be careful, Falcon.”

  “I will be. At this point anyone could be against me,” I commented, receiving hurt looks from both men. “Look, my own nephew betrayed our family. No one is safe. I know that he’s looked out for me and Nora, and since he can’t get a hard on for her, I don’t have much to worry about. But if it makes you feel better, I�
�ll keep him near. You know the old saying. ‘Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.’”

  “Well…I don’t…”

  I cut Pietro off. “Well, what did you two ill-mannered men come in here for?” I had my concerns about Gideon, but that was my business. They were letting their position of power in the Army get the better of them. I was still the leader and my second was Draco.

  “We found out someone you could talk to. We didn’t speak to him personally, but he could help with locating some shifters.”

  “Really? Where?”

  “In London,” they said, simultaneously. My gaze scanned both of theirs. They were excited to give me this news, but they really didn’t give it to me. It looked as though I would have to pull it from them or smack it out of them, either way, I wanted answers now.

  “Am I supposed to guess or is there more to tell me about?”

  Pietro continued, “His name is Charles Aldridge. He’s an actor on the London stage.”

  “And you know he’s a vampire?” I asked.

  “Yes, he’s Edmund Aldridge’s son.”

  “Oh, I didn’t know he had a son, but what makes you think he can help?” He could be working with The Lamia or have nothing for us.

  “There are packs out west in America. They are quiet and don’t deal with anyone but their own. He happens to be married to the sister of a wolf shifter’s mate.”

  “Does he have an allegiance with The Lamia?”

  “I don’t know, but it’s not likely since the packs wouldn’t have embraced him if he did.”

  “Okay, do you know where he is?”

  “Not really, but he has a show coming this week to the Globe. He will be there for a week of performances before the other lead takes over, so it might be the right time to talk to him.”

  “Thanks for the information. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to check on my wife.”

  “Sure thing, Falcon.” We exited the room and I saw Nora approaching with a smile for me.

  “Beautiful,” I said aloud, walking up to her. The dog stood there with Gideon. “Can you feed him, Gideon? I need to speak to my wife alone.”

  I teleported us to our room, where I pulled her in for a kiss. “I love you, Nora.”

  “I love you, too,” she replied, slipping her arms around my neck and into my hair.

  A low growl emanated from my chest. This little being, my heart and soul, could turn me into a beast with a simple touch, but I needed to keep my head in the game and not in between her thighs. “I need you to pack for a trip to London.”

  “Is everything okay?” she asked peering at me for answers.

  “There’s someone there who could possibly help us get into contact with the wolf shifters.”

  “Oh, that’s good news.”

  “Yes, it is, so get to packing. I’m going to see if Draco and Charlotte want to accompany us.”

  “This is going to be awesome,” she squealed, jumping up and down, kissing my cheek then my lips. And that was all I could stand. I had her undressed in seconds, leaning her over the edge of our bed before I pulled out my cock from my pants and slammed into her heat from behind.

  She moaned, grabbing the sheets with her arms extended and her ass in the air as I fucked into her. Nora’s body was drenched in her scent and full of need. I would never get enough of consuming her warmth. I rutted a few more times, rocking the thousand-pound bed. “Falcon,” she cried, her body shaking as her orgasm tore through her.

  I gave her a couple of thrusts before emptying my load into her depths. I pulled out of her as I helped her stand right again. With a smack on her ass, I said, “Okay, now get to packing.”

  Chapter 31

  Falcon

  "I've never been here," Nora said, smiling as she walked hand and hand with me down the foggy streets of London. Macbeth was playing and I wanted to have a few words with the star attraction. His bride was in the play as well, so I couldn't speak with her before we met her husband.

  I looked to Nora, returning her smile. "I love London, so I'm quite pleased that I'm the one to show you around."

  "This is truly a fitting place for vampires to lure you into a dark alley," she murmured. Her hand tugged teasingly as we passed an alley.

  "When it's dark, I shall drink from you, my soul," I whispered in her ear.

  Her body was squirming with need from my plans for her. “Oh, Falcon, why do I need to buy a new dress? We could go back to the hotel. The ones I already brought with me are wonderful.”

  “Yes, and many have grown too tight for my liking.” She gasped at my words and took my meaning incorrectly. “They show too much of your curves for the human male population. Unless you wish for me to feast on the mortals, it is best that we find you something more suitable to my liking.”

  “I suppose if you must. Although, I have never tasted a human before.”

  “And you won’t. I don’t want your lips on another soul; they belong to me now.”

  “How can you have me for all eternity and still be so jealous?” she asked, but I had had a lifetime of waiting; the thought of losing her to anyone would annihilate me. And I didn’t wish to tell her the truth, but she did not have to remain with me if she chose not to. I would perish without her, but she could carry on without me. That was a secret I’d best keep to myself. Only the greatest, deepest loves died without the other. I raised her hand and brought it to my lips, kissing her chilled hand. Despite the first week of autumn in, it was quite cold, according to the temperature on the bank clock across the street, it was 8°C.

  “You’re chilled, love. Let us go into this shop.” We entered a small shop with a dress I saw in the window. It was gorgeous and something I would love to see Nora wear. It was more provocative than I cared for, but something told me she wouldn’t come off as sexy but rather elegant and motherly. “Do you know where Charlotte and Draco went?” I asked as I watched her eyeing the pretty gown out the corner of her eye.

  “Yes, to eat again before they shop. Charlotte’s appetite apparently has increased lately.” She covered her mouth in embarrassment. “I didn’t mean to say that.”

  “It’s okay, love. She’s pregnant and I know you meant that she has been hungry. Draco is a big man, so it’s natural that their baby needs a lot of fuel.”

  “I know, but I eat nearly as much as she does.”

  “And I think you’re perfect. Come on, I want you to try this dress on.” I picked it up and showed it to her.

  “Oh my. This one? I thought you were worried that I’d show too much,” she questioned me.

  “Trust me, I think you’ll look lovely but respectful,” I whispered in her ear. I then addressed the shop lady, “Madam, do you have one of these gowns that would fit her new form?”

  “Yes, actually, there’s a maternity version right here, and I can adjust it if we need be.”

  “Please.” I smiled kindly at the woman which I could tell had been a mistake. Ignoring the woman’s thoughts that started drumming through her brain, I turned back to Nora. “Go ahead, my love. I’ll wait right here.”

  She left to go try it on and I looked at the time. We had six hours to enjoy London before the performance. In the back of my mind, I thought about the address I had. I was planning to go the moment Nora fell asleep tonight, but I wasn’t going to lead her into danger. Draco and I wanted to make sure we wore them out so that we could sneak out to the address Gideon gave me.

  Draco sent me a text. We’re leaving to go shopping for two hours, then we’ll meet you back at the hotel.

  Sounds good to me. I had just hit send when Nora came out of the fitting room for me to see. Wow, she looked beautiful. It was a long, dark blue dress, so dark it was nearly black. The gown was strapless and hugged her breasts and flowed down over her belly. The part that worried her was the long slit that ran up her left thigh.

  “You look amazing.”

  “It fits so perfectly that we don’t need to alter it. She’s stunning. You are
a very lucky man.”

  “I’m the lucky one,” Nora said. I closed the distance, slung my arm around her waist, and kissed her possessively.

  “No, my love. She’s right, I’m the luckiest soul alive.” I stepped back and added, “Go change, so we can go eat.”

  Nora left the room and the woman led me to the register. “That’ll be a thousand twenty-nine pounds.” I handed over my Amex and paid for the transaction. Nora came out a minute later and gave the woman a scowl. I was ignoring her thoughts about me and how she wished she was the lucky one, but I forgot Nora didn’t have an easy time turning it off.

  I slid her coat back on and placed a kiss on the nape of her neck. “Come on, my love. I’m in the mood to go back to our hotel and not to rest,” she said, slipping her arm around mine then giving the lady a snide smirk.

  As soon as we were out the door, I stopped and turned to face her. “So where do you want to eat?” I asked, knowing she had no intention of going back to the hotel yet.

  Her eyes narrowed and she muttered, “Can it be a place where only men work? Or maybe all vampires?”

  “Are you jealous, my sweet?” I asked, looking down into her eyes as we stood outside the store.

  Her head turned toward the large window, looking for the woman. “I’m annoyed. She was thinking nasty things about you and I wanted to bite her.”

  “I know, trust me, I feel the same way,” I replied with a chuckle. “It’s fine, remember we’ve only got eyes for each other. It wasn’t just destiny that brought us together. Everything about you calls to me, and not just for mating. I want to spend every waking minute with you. Hell, sometimes I watch you as you sleep because I can’t get enough.”

  “Falcon, you’re really going to make me want to skip the meal and go back to the hotel for some dessert.”

  “Yes, but I have to feed you. You’re going to need all the energy you can get.”

  “Okay, let’s find something around here. How about this place?” It was a little café on the corner. It would do for now.