Song of Midnight Embers

by Dana Marie Bell

  The two cops exchanged a glance, and Bad Cop grimaced, finally dropping the act. “We already did. For what it’s worth, you’re in the clear, Ms. Ferguson.”

  “Then what was with the third degree?” Mollie caressed Greer’s closed fist. It was clear that Greer wasn’t quite ready to forgive Bad Cop, but Mollie just wanted it over.

  “We have to do our jobs, Mr. Berkley.” The Good...er, first cop, shrugged. “Whether or not we already knew Ms. Ferguson was innocent, it’s up to us to see if we can find out something that doesn’t show up on tape or in witness testimony.”

  “When you try and make someone think you believe in their guilt, it will shake something loose that they might not have mentioned if you didn’t scare the hell out of them.” Second cop nodded respectfully to Greer. “Trust me, if I missed something because I wasn’t hard on everyone, I’d never forgive myself.”

  Mollie agreed. “I understand. I want to know who’s behind this just as much as you do, Officer...?”

  “Porter, Ma’am. Jerry Porter. And my partner here is Terry Hayes.”

  Mollie coughed. “Terry and Jerry?”

  Officer Porter rolled his eyes, while Officer Hayes chuckled. “Yup. We get razzed about that a lot.”

  “Hayes. Any relation to Carter and Paisley?” Mollie was pretty sure they were cousins.

  She was proven correct when Officer Hayes grinned. “First cousins once removed.”

  “Congrats on having a beta in the family.” Mollie smiled back, genuinely pleased for him. Paisley was going to make one hell of a good beta, so long as no one tried to make her gender, or her sexual preferences, an issue. Then she’d be a hell of an enemy.

  “Thanks. We’re all pretty stoked about it.” Officer Hayes jumped when his partner poked him. “Right. Anything else you can tell us about Dr. Kogon’s death?”

  Mollie’s smile faded as she thought back to the incredible battle. “I could barely contain the fire.” She looked at the officers, hoping she was able to get across just how strong the entity was. “This was demonic, I’m almost certain of it.”

  Officer Porter paled. “Like the one that went after the witch doctor?”

  “Unless I’m mistaken, I’d say they’re one and the same.” She rubbed her chin, weary to the bone. “The power signature is hard to mistake.”

  “Does the witch doctor know about this?” She was wrong about him being a dryad. Officer Porter had to be a witch if he was that concerned about the witch doctor. All of the witches felt the same way about Selena. Gideon might be their coven leader, but Selena was their guiding star. When she’d been kidnapped, the witches had rallied around, determined to get her back.

  “She does. Ash would tell her.” Greer settled on the edge of the bed. “Now, are you going to leave so my mate can get some more rest, or do I need to call Lore?”

  “We’re going.” Officer Hayes tugged on Officer Porter’s arm. “C’mon, Jerry. Let’s go turn in our report.”

  “Wait.” Greer held up his hand, stopping the men from leaving. “Speaking of reports, Dr. Kogon was supposed to give us one. Do you have any idea what happened to it?”

  “The sheriff has it, sir.” Officer Porter tugged out his phone. “He says, and I quote, ‘Tell Greer to stop nagging you. I’ll get it to him tomorrow.’”

  Mollie laughed. “He knows you well.”

  “Hmph.” Greer was biting back a smile of his own. He waved them away. “Get outta here.”

  The officers left, talking quietly to one another.

  Mollie yawned, eager to get back to sleep. “I heard the doc say I’m okay.”

  “Shh.” He lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles. “You scared the crap outta me.”

  She wrinkled her nose at him. “You might want to get used to that. I seem to be doing this sort of thing an awful lot lately.”

  “I’d rather not.” He chuckled softly, stroking her fingers, his skin on hers the only thing she truly felt. Everything else was just outside her skin, the medicine making it unreal, but Greer’s touch centered her. “And here I thought I’d love anything that got you and me alone in a bedroom.”

  Silly man. Greer was always trying to make her laugh, to make the horrible things seem less so. “Pfft. There’s always a way to fuck up a dream, isn’t there?”

  He carefully picked her up and moved her over, climbing into the hospital bed with her. “Hey. You think the nurses would catch on if we fooled around a little?”

  “Greer.” The laugh broke free, startling them both. There was no way Mollie was having sex in a hospital room. “Hell to the no.”

  “Aw, man.” He pouted adorably. “Can’t we lock the door and have our wicked way with one another?” A sinful grin covered his face from ear to ear.

  “Stop, you.” She tapped the tip of his nose. “I think they might notice if the heart monitor suddenly starts doing the samba.”

  He sighed. “Spoilsport.” He picked up her hand again, his expression once more serious. “You okay?”

  “I’ve been better.” She tried to roll over so they were face to face, but she needed his help. Damn it, being all loose from the medicines was making her crazy. She needed to get off this crap. “I’ll be all right, Greer. This wasn’t my first fight, and it won’t be my last. I just wish...” Her voice broke.

  “You can’t save everyone, Mollie.” He cupped her cheek. “Believe me, I wish I could, but you’ll just go insane with what-ifs if you don’t let it go.”

  “I tried, I really did, but by the time we got there it was already too late.”

  “And you fought anyway.” He pressed a soft, sweet kiss to her lips, barely enough to feel but enough to let her know he was there. His breath smelled like mint mixed with something sweet, and his lips were warm and soft. “I’m proud of you for trying. Not many would have.”

  “Thanks.” Mollie lay there for a moment, the knowledge that he was here, that nothing would get to her, allowing her to close her eyes.

  “Mollie?”

  “Hmm?” She was drifting in a sea of mint and man, the antiseptic scent of the hospital lost in Greer’s presence.

  He squirmed a bit against her, positioning them a little more intimately. He wedged his thigh between her legs high enough that she could feel his jeans through her panties. “You sure about that whole fooling-around thing?”

  Mollie smiled and opened her eyes. Only Greer. She held up the arm with the IV in it. “I’m kind of tied down at the moment.”

  “Yeah.” His pupils dilated, his breath coming just a little bit faster. “I noticed.”

  Mollie’s cheeks began to heat. No doubt she was fiery red. “Are you kidding me? This—” she wagged her arm, wincing slightly at the tug of the IV, “—turns you on?”

  “The thought of you tied up, trusting me completely not to hurt you?” He kissed her fiercely, the scrape of tongue and teeth almost painful. “Hell yes.”

  Mollie cleared her throat, not sure if she could speak. “Okay.”

  The look on his face as she croaked that out made it worthwhile. It seemed there might be some rope in her future.

  She could hardly wait.

  Chapter Twelve

  Mollie had been discharged, her paperwork done, and she was in his arms as he ran for home like his ass was on fire.

  She’d agreed to let him tie her to his bed.

  Hot.

  Damn.

  He didn’t think he’d ever been more turned on in his life. He’d dreamed of getting Mollie into his bed, her wrists bound while he pleasured her, since the first time he’d tried it with a lover. It was Mollie, always Mollie, in the back of his mind, driving him insane with the need to claim her as his own.

  Thank the gods Mollie was on board with him on that.

  He shivered, palming hi
s hard cock through his jeans.

  “You okay?”

  Greer glanced down at Mollie, the marks from her IV plain to see. He would kiss each and every mark, make sure there was no pain before they fucked. The last time had been explosive between them. He prayed it would be the same again.

  Hell, when he finished binding her to him, he fully expected to pass out. His Mollie was phenomenal, and not just at fighting bad guys.

  “Greer?”

  “Fuck.” He picked up the pace, practically diving into the Throne. “Home. Now.”

  She giggled, and damn if that quick, happy sound didn’t make his cock even harder. “Let me guess.” She put her arms around his neck and whispered in his ear, “I’m getting tied up.”

  “Gah.” He nearly dropped her. “Guh.”

  She gave a contented little sigh and curled up trustingly in his arms. “Sounds good to me.”

  His hands trembled as he opened the door to their home. “If I drop you, it’s your fault for being so damn sexy.”

  “Like I haven’t heard that one before,” she muttered.

  Greer growled. He had her in his apartment and on his bed before she could say another word. “Stay there.” He glanced toward the front of his home, aware he’d left the front door open. That was an invitation for his brother and sister to waltz in, and he couldn’t have that. No one would see his Mollie vulnerable. He’d have to gouge their eyes out.

  He slammed the front door shut, barely aware of the sound of Ash’s knowing chuckle. Fuck him. No. Let Selena fuck him.

  Greer had his own mate to fuck.

  He stopped short at the bedroom door, watching as Mollie gingerly slid the clothes from her body. Her muscles were still sore from her fight with Dr. Kogon, and he began to rethink the whole idea of tying her up. Maybe they could do it another time.

  When she reached into his nightstand drawer and pulled out the cuffs, he moaned. How had she known they were there?

  She sent him a lazy, heated smile and slid one of the cuffs over her delicate wrist. She held it out, shaking it so that the bottom cuff slapped her breast. “Come do this up for me?”

  He nodded, getting naked before joining her on the bed. He didn’t want anything between them but skin while he bound her. “Are you sure? You’re not too sore?”

  She nodded. “If it hurts, I promise I’ll let you know.”

  “Swear it, Mollie.”

  She held up her hand. “I swear, Greer.”

  That was good enough for him. He helped her settle on the bed, making sure there was enough play in the cuffs when he looped them around the headboard then locked her other wrist up to allow her to move without coming free. Only her hands would be bound this time. Perhaps someday he’d have her spread eagle, legs cuffed to the footboard, her skin damp with sweat as she writhed.

  He shivered at the thought and kissed her, devouring her mouth. He needed her like air, like water, her every breath precious to him.

  He could have lost her. For that, the Van Helsings would pay dearly.

  Greer pressed a kiss to her throat, groaning when she arched her neck, granting him greater access to her pale skin. The hickey he’d left before was beginning to fade, so Greer sucked up a new one, enjoying the way she moved beneath him as he did so. When she began tugging on her bonds he pulled back, checking her expression for any signs of discomfort.

  All he saw was raw need. Her eyes were closed, her lips parted as she panted, her skin flushed and beautiful and oh, so dear. He nipped at her chin, earning a smile, before sliding down her body to her breasts.

  This time he’d give them the attention they deserved. He’d been too hurried last time, too eager to finally make her his. He wanted to worship her, take his time and adore her. Greer sucked and nipped, licked and kissed until she was crying out, her legs wrapping around his waist as she silently begged him to take her.

  But he wasn’t ready yet. No, he wasn’t done with her in the least. He wanted her to dance on his tongue, to know he’d brought her pleasure. He eased free of her hold, careful not to push too hard. Maybe later, when she wasn’t sore, he’d wrestle with her just to see how she liked it, but today he’d be gentle. He wanted to give and give and know deep inside that she lived.

  He reached the apex of her thighs, smiling slightly when her legs fell open, granting him access to her pussy. He loved on her there, too, learning her rhythm, eager to feel her fall over the edge.

  It happened quickly, her breaths coming in gasps. She cried out, her body shivering as the ecstasy overwhelmed her. She was grasping the chain between the cuffs, her knuckles white as she rode the orgasm to its end.

  Greer sat up and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. He was so hard he could come with a simple touch, but he needed to know he’d taken care of her first. He crawled back up her body until they were nose to nose. “Good?”

  She smiled, and it was like the sun was bright on summer leaves. He felt the warmth to his toes. “Very good.”

  “No pain?”

  She opened her eyes, her blue eyes still dazed. “No pain.”

  He slid inside her, aware it would be quick. “Then brace yourself.”

  She laughed softly and wrapped her legs around his waist. “Go for it.”

  He was right; it was over far quicker than he might have liked, but the tide that washed over Greer shook him to his core. He peaked, pouring himself into her with a long groan.

  The first thing he heard was the delicate clanking of thin chains. “Can you undo me now?”

  He immediately uncuffed her, rubbing her wrists and arms, down to her shoulders, humming the entire time. He’d forgotten, in his own ecstasy, to take care of her properly.

  “I’m fine, Greer.” Mollie was smiling as he massaged her shoulders. “Would I lie to you about that?”

  He snorted in disbelief. “Fuck yes.”

  She rolled her eyes. “I solemnly swear, on pain of pain, that I’m not hurting right now.”

  Greer laughed. “On pain of pain?”

  She shrugged. “It was the first thing I could think of.”

  He shook his head, still laughing, and pulled out of her. He rolled to the side, tugging her close. “Now what?”

  She sighed happily and kissed his chest. “Now I kick your ass at Mario Kart?”

  He thought about that for a moment before bolting out of bed. She’d learn that Greer Berkley was no wuss when it came to video games. “Your ass is mine, Ferguson.”

  “Ha!” She raced after him, almost beating him to the couch. “Eat my dust, Berkley.”

  He watched her ass as she bent over, putting the game in the console and turning on the television. This was what they needed, to relax, have a little fun before they went out into the world to do battle once more.

  “You’re toast, and not the yummy French kind either.” Mollie wiggled on the sofa with excitement as the game music started to play.

  Greer sat next to her and picked up his controller. “Winner cooks dinner.”

  She leaned over and kissed his cheek. “You’re on,” she breathed in his ear.

  Five minutes later she was laughing her ass off as Greer got up, started the oven and proceeded to make his lover French toast.

  * * *

  Mollie flopped onto her back in the middle of the Throne and spread her arms wide. She’d had mind-blowing sex that afternoon, stuffed herself full of French toast that evening, and had kicked Greer’s ass at her favorite racing game that night. Life couldn’t get any...

  Okay, it could be better, but she’d take what she could get right now. It was the stolen moments that made the fighting bearable. If only it was always like this, just maple syrup, happiness and family. “I like this so fucking much.”

  “Like what?” Mina’s face appeared, upside do
wn, her expression curious.

  Mollie screeched, scaring some birds out of the trees surrounding them.

  “Sorry.” Mina plopped down next to her with a contrite expression. “I forget sometimes that you guys can’t sense us the way we can each other.”

  “What?” Mollie’s heart was still racing. So much for peace and quiet.

  “I can sense in a general way where Greer, Ash and Iva are. The closer I get, the more accurate it is. But you, Selena, Dragos and Noah can’t do that, so...” Mina shrugged.

  “You accidentally scare the crap out of us.” Mollie blew out a breath, relaxing back into the grass.

  “Yup.” Mina cushioned her head on her arms and joined Mollie in staring up through the canopy of trees. “So. What is it you like?”

  “This...the peace. Things have been insane recently, so just being able to do this—” she started scissoring her arms and legs, like she was making snow angels but without the snow (did that make them grass angels?), “—is so very nice.”

  “If you say so.” Mina lay down next to her, murmuring happily. “You’re right. This is nice.”

  “All we need is some wine, maybe some cheese and crackers and we’d have a picnic.” Mollie wiggled, enjoying the feel of the grass against her bare legs.

  “That can be arranged, if you like.” Mina stood and brushed off her rear. “Be right back.”

  Mollie lay back and closed her eyes. There were no worries here, no wondering when the demon would strike next. She could let that go, and just be. It was a blessing with all the chaos that had surrounded her outside the Throne. Knowing Greer was safe and sound within the Oak Palace while she relaxed in the evening air made it that much better. With just a few steps and a soft word, she could be back in his arms in a moment.

  That he’d given her this time to herself was even more precious. He’d watched her drift out with a warm smile, his only request that she not leave the Throne.

  “Here we go.” Mina placed a stemless wine glass in her hand. “And look who else I found.”

  “Hi!” Amara Hollis, the Hamadryad, sat down on Mollie’s other side. “I came by to check on you and Greer and instead found myself invited to a picnic. Mind if I join you?”