by Setta Jay
“Not fucking happening.”
“Bastian,” Sirena said.
“I’m the only one who’ll have a warning if they plan something. I’ll also hear the answers to all of my questions,” Bastian snapped. They would try to keep him from going. He felt it coming, but as long as he was conscious, he could block his location from his brethren. It wouldn’t be easy, but he didn’t give a shit.
They just stared at him.
He ground out, “Tell everyone I’m off-line. She either doesn’t have my Guardian links or she doesn’t see them yet.” He was going to her no matter what they said, but his brothers’ mates all eventually gained access to their mate’s telepathic links to the other Guardians. He had to get to her, had to find answers and fucking touch her again. Until he convinced everyone that his mate and her twin weren’t dangerous, he’d need his brethren to be quiet and not tip her off that they were linked. He gritted his teeth, not happy with the fucking deception, and hating the feeling that his brothers would attempt to cage her at any moment.
“Done,” Sander snarled, obviously having sent the message to the other Guardians.
He just hoped to hell his instincts were right and his mate and her twin could be trusted, but he wouldn’t know more until he had answers to his questions.
“Bastian,” Uri snarled.
Her thoughts were full of fucking need and pangs of pain. He clenched his jaw, already building mental blocks to his brethren. They couldn’t follow him in this, and he had a feeling more Guardians were about to descend after getting the warning about Bastian being off-line.
“One hour. Bring Drake and Sacha then.” And he teleported away before his brothers figured out that they couldn’t follow him. Natasha’s thoughts would tell him if her twin was going to fuck with his head again.
Chapter 12
Island in the South Pacific, Earth Realm
Tasha felt another pang of desire as she crossed through the smaller island home. They kept all of their homes cared for, and it smelled as if this one had just been cleaned. She slipped down a hall lined with windows, where she could see rain cascade down the windows leading to her suite. She liked to be able to see out. Probably because she’d spent her entire youth devoid of sunlight or the free feeling that came from a star-covered sky.
Her womb actually hurt, and she was glad her twin had gone. She just hoped Nastia wasn’t spying on the Guardians. As much as Tasha wanted to know what they were doing, she didn’t want her twin making things worse. A clean break was best.
She tossed the afghan to the bed and made her way to the shower. She needed to ease the need before it drove her insane.
After that she’d pay a visit to the Lykos they’d escaped Apollo with. She and Nastia hadn’t checked up on them in decades, but they’d had children. They might be able to tell if she was pregnant with Bastian’s young. They’d definitely be surprised to see Tasha and her sister, she and her twin had checked up on them through the millennia, but never made their presence known. It wasn’t ideal, but she wasn’t sure where else to get answers. She likely wasn’t pregnant, but what if she was?
It had always bothered her that Notus told them Immortals couldn’t have children and yet the Lykos had? Damn, she wished they’d learned more before killing that sick bastard.
Her fingers went to her back and unlatched her bra, memories taking her back to Bastian, how he’d pushed the cups down and used his mouth on her flesh, how his goatee abraded her skin as she writhed and moaned for more. She groaned and tossed the material to the ground before telekinetically turning on the shower. She was forcing herself to clean off his scent. Her mind rebelled, but she needed clarity, and having him all over her was distracting, intoxicating.
Steam was starting to fog the mirror as she eyed the big sunken tub, considering a soothing bath instead. She could just lie in there and let the water caress her sensitive flesh, maybe ease the ache with her fingers. The arousal just wouldn’t stop, it moved through her as if in a constant dance beneath her skin, and she needed release all over again. So much that she didn’t have the patience to wait for a bath to fill.
She turned and stepped into the cave-like shower. Water flowed over the stone in a special design that made it appear as if it was shooting down from a fall. She sighed as the warm liquid poured over her chest and stomach as she turned and let it rush over her head and neck. Her hair slid over her skin in wet rivulets and eased the tension from her shoulders.
She turned around again to feel it on her swollen breasts, imagining her Guardian stalking up behind her, caging her in his warmth. She nearly moaned at the fantasy. Her hands went to the heavy mounds, imagining it was his hands cupping them from behind, pinching her tight nipples as she moaned for more. Her head fell back as the water pelted the aching nubs through her splayed fingers.
A growl echoed behind her and her body shuddered as she turned slowly.
He’d found her. Remembered her. She could see the recognition and that only made her hotter. The need she felt was mirrored in his beautiful dark eyes, but she could almost feel the intense anger his hard features barely hinted at. He’d slipped past the wards and come to her as if she’d conjured him, and she could guess that he wasn’t pleased about the invasion to his mind. How had he shaken her sister’s fog? She needed answers, but she couldn’t help the need to have him first.
What did it matter now? She didn’t feel threatened by the aggression; she was aroused. Some small part of her sure that he’d never attempt to harm her.
“How did you find me?” she murmured because she should ask, not because she cared anymore. Her eyes were so busy taking in his bare chest and how the leather of his pants clung to a blatant erection. He hadn’t gotten another shirt. He hadn’t showered either; she could still smell the combination of them all over his skin.
His eyes flashed black as they caressed her chest. “Keep touching them,” he demanded. Her hands had fallen away, but his tone made her fingers twitch.
“How?” she asked again, unable to get all the words out. Had he come for her? For more of what they’d already done, or was he just there to try to exile her to the other Realm?
“We’ll talk. After.”
“After?”
“After we take care of your ache, Psihi Mou.”
She moaned at the sexy way he spoke to her. At the words that sounded like a promise of something forbidden.
“You’re overdressed, then.” Her breathing was rushed, near panting as she watched him look down her body. He inhaled deeply and she knew he could tell just how wet she was.
“Not for this.”
“This?” It came out breathy. She needed him, needed to feel that incredible surge of pleasure he’d give her.
“You’re going to play with your gorgeous tits while I lick your pussy. I want my taste of you.” She moaned, imagining him between her thighs, and her eyes nearly closed.
“Take off your clothes,” she demanded, but it didn’t come out strong enough.
“No.”
Her eyes lifted a fraction at his refusal. He looked harder, bigger than before. His muscled shoulders were taut with tension. He really was angry. Apparently it hadn’t stopped him from wanting her. Nor would it stop her from taking what he offered. She wasn’t powerless, but she was incredibly hungry, starved for him.
He pushed her back against the wall.
He growled. “If you want my mouth, then play with these.” When his fingers wrapped around her hands and lifted them to her breasts, she forgot that she wanted him naked. His voice slid over her senses as her legs grew weak. His hands were big and hot, and she moaned at the sensation of them sliding between her fingers, making her touch herself. “I won’t leave you hungry. Not now.” The whispered words added to the overload.
“Why?” she whispered. Why not leave her wanting?
“Because I need a taste more than I need to punish you,” he growled.
There was something else in his hard eyes, but all
she could focus on was the word taste. She gasped as he massaged his thick fingers through hers, teasing her breasts with their entwined hands. He was wet, his pants and boots soaked, but he didn’t seem to care as he knelt in front of her. His fingers left hers, and soon her thigh was over his shoulder and his tongue was rolling over her clit. She cried out at the sensation, loving every second of his hot mouth on her aching pussy. After a few more swirls, he flicked his tongue against her and impaled her with a thick finger.
She sucked in a breath as he looked up at her with a warning in his eyes that she understood meant for her to be quiet.
Her hands went to his head, wanting to run her fingers through his hair, but it was still tied back too tight. All she could do was hold on as he sucked her clit and ran his hot tongue around his finger. His focus had gone to her pussy and his mouth grew even more demanding. He added another digit and pumped her relentlessly as he growled against her. The vibrations nearly sent her over. Any remnants of thought left, any hesitation from his anger were long forgotten as she rolled her hips to get more. His other hand massaged the mounds of her ass and pulled her tighter to his mouth, stilling her rolling movements as he devoured her with his tongue and ruled her with his fingers. He’d taken complete control over her body as if she belonged to him.
Her head rolled back and forth against the tile as her fingers bit into his hair. She was on the brink of soaring away when his mouth left her. She whimpered in need, but it was swallowed by his lips. They tasted of her pussy and she nearly stopped breathing.
The kiss was demanding, ruthlessly muffling her cries as his fingers worked her over, his palm covering her, rubbing her clit as his fingers pumped.
She climaxed, jerking against his hand as he continued to torment her until she was coming even harder a second time. She moaned and shuddered. Would have cried out if he hadn’t captured it all in a deep growl. Her channel pulsed around his fingers, and when he finally gentled his touch, she felt her muscles relax. His fingers slipped free only to massage her lower lips in a caress that effectively made her feel empty.
He breathed raggedly against her lips before nipping the bottom one. He held her so close she could feel the wet leather.
“I should have stopped the second you didn’t follow directions, Psihi Mou, but you tasted too damned good. Your punishment would have denied me that pleasure. Next time, I will stop.” His tone promised something hot and dark that she only hoped he’d give her now. She grabbed his roped hair and tried to pull him in for another kiss. He gave her a hard look.
“Don’t test me, Natasha,” he growled. “Or I’ll have you in my bed, flipped over my lap, before we get any talking done.”
He lifted her into his arms and carried her into her bedroom, setting her on the bed. She sucked in a breath in anticipation of what he’d do to her there. Instead his jaw clenched tight and one of her fluffy towels flew into his hand. “Tell me why you had your sister invade my mind,” he bit out as he set the plush material to her oversensitive skin. He rubbed her face, her chest and then used it to wring out her hair. She couldn’t breathe or speak with the sweetness of the actions and how they didn’t match his mood. Though to say she knew his moods when she didn’t even know him sounded ridiculous.
He pierced her with a hard look when she remained quiet. She tried to focus, but the material was running gently between her thighs and down to her feet. His clothes and boots soaked the rug by her bed, yet he went to work on drying her off before taking care of himself. Her chest warmed as she stared at him. How could a male she didn’t know cause so many strong emotions?
Her mind was a puddle of mush. Completely useless in the wake of what he was doing.
He stood and her eyes landed on the heavy bulge still bound in leather. She wanted to reach for it. Rip the wet material off and demand her own taste. He growled and ported as she stared, stunned that he would leave her. When he reformed, his pants and boots were dry. That was a useful trick. Had he manipulated air currents to do it? His brow cocked as he crossed his arms over his chest, towering over her yet far enough away that she couldn’t reach his pants.
“Natasha, I need an explanation.”
She frowned at him and then it occurred to her to check her sister’s location. Had the Guardian been distracting her as his friends surrounded their home? Damn it. She’d been too caught up in her fantasy that she hadn’t even considered anything else. That had never happened to her. She felt for her sister’s presence and found her on the other side of the island. She didn’t feel anyone else.
“Are your friends getting ready to take us away?” She asked the question she should have asked the moment she’d seen him. Guardians were not the bad guys, but she didn’t doubt they’d try to exile them.
We have company, she warned her twin.
Bastian tensed. “Should we be getting ready to exile you?” After a pause he growled, “The only reason they’ll come is if your sister tries to do anything to my mind. Again.”
Nastia ported into the room, took in the scene and bit out, “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
Her twin’s mental feelers started and Tasha stopped her. “Don’t fog him.” Yet, she said telepathically.
“What is he doing here? Aside from the obvious.” Nastia threw a hand in the direction of Bastian’s erection with obvious disgust.
He eyed Tasha, so she answered, “He wants to know why we messed with his head.”
Why do we care what he wants? her twin ground out.
Humor me. We have time. She was curious. Maybe also a little disappointed that he’d come for anything but sweeping her away to some hidey hole where she could live in the fantasy of him. She shook off those thoughts. She wanted to know what he had to say, and she had questions of her own. He’d only been there for a half an hour, tops. There was still time for her sister to see his thoughts. Her twin would check anyway, but she wondered if he’d tell her the truth.
She answered his question. “We don’t want to live in Tetartos.”
He kept his distance and that was probably good since her twin would get twitchy if he got close. “Have you been there?”
She cocked her head. “No.”
“How do you know you wouldn’t like it?”
“We’re not overly fond of prisons,” she replied.
“And if it’s not a prison?”
She stared at him. What did that even mean? That the place was so wondrous that they wouldn’t even think about being trapped there?
“Why don’t you enlighten us, Guardian?” Nastia said as she matched his stance.
“Do you know what exists in Tetartos?”
Nastia shrugged and answered as Tasha watched him closely. “Immortals and all the Mageia you’ve conned through the years.” The Guardians always warned the Mageia it was a one-way trip. It was something she’d been surprised that they divulged. The Mageia weren’t told about other Immortals though Tasha knew they existed there. That information was kept quiet and she still wasn’t sure why. If the Mageia knew the Guardians were Immortal, why couldn’t they know other Immortals existed?
“We don’t con. Do you know why the Immortals are there? Why we offer up homes for Mageia willing to live there?”
“Do you know how irritating it is that you answer every question with a question?” Nastia pointed out and mentally bitched, This is five minutes of my life I’ll never get back.
We have time. Just stop.
His gaze landed on her and heated, almost luring her to him. She wanted him in that bed, but she fought back her reaction. It wasn’t as if Nastia would just leave them so she could get her hands on him. Her mouth. She looked over at her twin and knew by her sister’s narrowed eyes that Nastia was catching every glance she leveled on his cock.
She swore she heard him hiss in another breath before speaking again. “It wasn’t safe for Immortals to live amongst humanity. There’s too much imbalance of power.”
“Meaning?” Nastia snapped.
&n
bsp; “The Creators exiled the Immortals to keep the humans safe from more powerful beings enslaving them like most of the Gods had done.”
Tasha raised a brow. “And that’s what you think we’re doing?”
He leveled a look on her sister. “You played God with my head. What of the humans and Mageia?”
Nastia’s eyes grew glacial. “We are nothing like them.”
“So I’m the first to get that treatment?” he countered, and Tasha felt her own anger flare.
“He’s pissing me off,” Nastia pointed out.
Are we done yet? Because I’m about to toss Tarzan in a volcano, Nastia growled in her mind.
No volcanos. Tasha’s head was pounding in frustration. Being compared to a sadistic God set her off, but in all reality it was a valid question since her sister had fogged his damned mind. She rubbed her temple.
“We fogged your mind so you’d leave us alone. We left you unharmed. We have never enslaved anyone. Do you see any humans running around in chains or peeling us grapes?” Tasha eyed him before going on. “Our cleaning staff and employees are paid nicely for the work they do. And my underwear aren’t even manufactured in a sweat shop.” She cocked a brow at him.
She didn’t mention the bodies of those who’d tried to harm anyone under their protection. Not that she needed to make excuses for their actions; those kills were deserved. And it wasn’t as if he could teleport them without their allowing it. When they were in the mist, they were untouchable. But for some reason it grated to allow him to think that they had been abusing their power. She couldn’t explain the feeling, but it bothered her. They’d been enslaved at Apollo’s mercy for their entire wasted youth. Nothing would have made them become like the monster who’d created them.
She straightened her shoulders and eyed the damned male who’d gotten under her skin, had made her soft. She and Nastia had their own code, and they didn’t need to justify it to him, or anyone else, for that matter.
He nodded as if appeased by her words, and she frowned that it had been so easy. He just believed her?