Feverish

by Amanda N Richardson

  “Baby, I promise you will learn everything there is to know about us, but there’s a lot of history, and I agree with Eden. The longer we wait to bond the more vulnerable you are to being taken, and believe me you don’t want that. It’s important for you to understand that the demons are evil. They will hurt you, and by the look in your eyes right now I know I’m scaring you. I’m sorry about that, but I won’t lie and say everything will be okay. Especially if they get a hold of you… it definitely won’t be.”

  “What will they do to me?” she asked timidly.

  He’d scared the shit out of her, but they needed to break through to her.

  “Do you really want to know?” Dix asked.

  “Yes.”

  “They’ll torture you slowly driving you insane and then they’ll send you back to us, but you won’t be you. You’ll be a shell of your former self— you’ll be lifeless. It’s their way of saying they have the upper hand.”

  Dara paled. “Oh.”

  “Dix, you could have put it differently, damn look at her.”

  Dara placed a shaky hand on Eden’s thigh. “No, I wanted the truth. So really I don’t have a choice, but to complete the bond.”

  Eden growled, but he was hurt. Dix saw it in his eyes. The same fear of rejection mirrored him.

  “You don’t want to mate with us?” Dix asked unable to keep the confusion from his tone.

  Dara’s body shook, and he knew he needed to control his emotions, but she talked as if they would force her into the bonding.

  “It’s not that I don’t want to. I won’t lie and say I’m not feeling this strange connection to you because I do. It’s just—” she sighed as if trying to form the right words. “I’d like to know who I’m going to be spending my life with. It’s very overwhelming. I’m having problems taking it all in.”

  At her words Dix felt a huge relief and smiled. “We have our whole lives to get to know each other, baby.”

  Eden glared again obviously still feeling a bit worried. “You’re really not helping, Dix.”

  “How is it that you’re both my mates, I mean won’t it be hard to share me?”

  “No, it’s completely normal for our kind. Every time there is a birth, which hasn’t happened for a long time, there are two females who give birth at the same time. The two that are born are destined to share one mate. It’s called a triad, and our bond cannot be complete without our anchor— in this case that’s you. We are bonded at birth and grow up together. We wouldn’t know what to do without the other, and we temper each other down. He has strengths where I’m weaker and vice versa,” Eden explained.

  Dix sighed in relief when Eden seemed to have calmed enough to help him out. He was sort of feeling like a one-man show with laying everything out there for Dara.

  “So you grew up knowing that one day you’d share one woman for the rest of your lives?”

  “Yes.”

  “And you’re okay with that?”

  “Sure, it’s natural for us. Two are better than one; we can protect you better that way,” Eden said.

  Dix was impressed with him. He had taken over and led like he was meant to do. She seemed a lot calmer now.

  “I see, and what is the mating like for me?” she asked with a blush.

  “We’ll take you together, and when we release our seed into your body a magical bond is formed. It will connect our souls together connecting us as one for the rest of our lives. We will be one,” Dix said with heat in his voice. Just thinking about mating with her was driving him crazy. He could sense her growing affection and arousal towards them already. Soon she would be overcome with a lust so strong that she wouldn’t be able to stop herself. It was part of the process, when the mating heat reached its climax.

  “Is all the pain I’ve been feeling because of you?”

  “When we came that close to you, your body automatically went into what’s called the mating heat. It’s something all mates go through. It’s also the trigger that the demons can sense, which is why you are in more danger now. Also, until we complete the bond, you’ll get those pains if you fight it.” He glanced at her curiously. “I’m actually surprised you’re not in pain now, with us so close.”

  She shrugged. “I am hurting some, but not like it was earlier. I think I’m getting used to them.”

  Dix automatically placed a hand over her heart and closed his eyes. He was able to sense her. She was in heat, but she was strong and able to fight off the pains—for now. “You’ve got amazing control.” When he opened his eyes she was staring at him.

  “How do you do that? Make me feel so calm and relaxed.”

  “Part of it’s because I’m your mate, but it’s also because I’m a healer.”

  “A healer?”

  “Yeah, it’s my gift. I can heal pretty much anything, and I am able to soothe your mating pains, but I can’t take them away. Not in that way.”

  Dix watched Dara lean back into the couch. Her body seemed more relaxed and she looked between them both and nibbled her bottom lip. She was contemplating something. He didn’t like rushing her, and he understood it wasn’t the best way to start their lives together, but he had a feeling they wouldn’t get to have a life together if they didn’t bond— and soon.

  5

  Dara felt too much all at once. On one hand, she definitely felt the connection. It was strange, but already she felt the need to let go of all of her inhibitions and allow them to take her. Never before in her life had she been so aroused, but the logical side of her mind wanted to wait. Get to know them, bond emotionally first without sex, but from what the guys had told her, she didn’t have time for that luxury, and she didn’t want to fall into the hands of the Shadox demons. If that happened she might as well say goodbye now.

  “What are you thinking sweetheart?” Eden asked.

  She shook her head. At the moment she needed to digest all the information. “About everything, I guess I always thought when I met the person I was supposed to spend my life with, I wouldn’t have to rush into the intimacy. I’d get to go on dates and learn everything about him. All his quirks, things he did to irritate me, things I loved, and things I didn’t like about him but could deal with because I was falling in love. I never expected to meet two men, and the two of you are more than just men. You have two sides of you, and I’ll admit I never imagined being shared.”

  “That’s understandable, but once we mate, everything will feel natural to you. It’s a lot to take in.”

  “That’s the understatement of the year,” Dara responded with a nervous laugh. “I don’t know, and I’m exhausted. All I really want to do is sleep. I haven’t gotten a whole lot of sleep lately. That has something to do with you two, what’s with all the dreams?”

  “You had them too?” Eden asked, and she heard the catch in his voice.

  “Yeah, every night, sometimes before I was even asleep even.”

  “They are real then?”

  “For me they definitely are.”

  Eden nodded seeming to contemplate something. What she wasn’t sure, but at least she knew she wasn’t the only one who felt everything that went on at night.

  “I thought I was losing my mind.”

  “I guess we were all affected somehow.” Dix shrugged, but there was something in his eyes that told her some of those moments together were ingrained in his mind forever, like they were for her.

  “May we stay with you?” he asked changing the subject and taking her hand to pull her to her feet. “We’d feel a lot better being able to protect you rather than watching from a distance. We need to be close. Our beasts won’t allow otherwise especially not now when we’ve physically touched you.”

  She looked between them both and Eden nodded. “My tiger is going crazy right now. He knows we are on borrowed time. He can sense your heat and is clawing at me to get out.”

  “Is it hard to control your tiger?”

  “I don’t control him, not really. Most of the time we are on t
he same page, but sometimes he feels things different than I do, or at least we comprehend them differently. Like now he wants to throw you on the ground and mount you until you shatter around him, but my human side knows that wouldn’t work. I of course can’t wait to feel you come apart around me, but as a man, I have the capacity to understand I’m not an animal and have to take my time with you.”

  The thought of him doing exactly what he said had her flushing. Heat rose and her body clenched with a need so strong she lost her breath. Apparently she liked the idea of being manhandled. She shook her head trying to extinguish the image of being taken by them. It was too soon.

  She wasn’t that type, and it made her nervous. She’d only been with one man before, and she hadn’t even enjoyed the sex, plus she hadn’t even had an orgasm. She was scared it would hurt. By the size of them alone, she felt she had every right to be worried, and she’d be with them both—at once.

  “Do you like that idea baby?” Dix asked and wrapped his arm around her waist pulling her against him. He nuzzled behind her ear and inhaled. “You smell delicious.”

  She shivered when she the tip of his tongue drew a wet path from behind her ear to her shoulder. Everything about Dix was larger than life. He was so big, so sexy, so—everything, and he made her want things she shouldn’t.

  Not to be left out, Eden growled and crowded her other side, and she was pressed between two very large men. Both of which planned to lay claim on her. Eden nuzzled the opposite side and inhaled as Dix had. He gripped her shoulders and turned her so she was facing him completely, with Dix at her back.

  Her body was flush against them both. Her breasts crushed against Eden’s chest. Her nipples tightened and she gasped when she felt Eden’s erection against her stomach. She tipped her head back and looked into his eyes. His lip curled up into a small smile. It was sexy as hell and she licked her bottom lip inviting him to kiss her.

  “You’re beautiful,” he said softly leaned down brushing his lips across hers. He didn’t try for more than the barest touch.

  Dara whimpered when he pulled away before she got a chance to really kiss him. He was a damn tease.

  She closed her eyes and leaned her body back against Dix, who was just as hard and he gripped her hips. His fingers dug in as he pulled her ass against his cock and rubbed his erection against her. “Feel how much we want you, how much we desire you.”

  She couldn’t move. Having them surround her was too much. She could smell them. Their scent was a mix of pine and sunshine. Dix kissed and nibbled her neck right on top of her erratic pulse. She moaned and relaxed her body more knowing he was there holding her up. It felt amazing, and all her worries disappeared, but then the sensation of being caught between them was too much.

  Pain filled her and she cried out. They’d warned her. Told her the mating heat would come in droves. “It hurts," she said, and then gasped pulling away from Eden.

  Dix backed away giving her the space she needed, but he didn’t seem thrilled to stop touching her.

  “I’m sorry sweetheart,” Eden said.

  Dix didn’t need to be told. He laid his hand across her stomach and healed her as best as he could. She wouldn’t feel better until the three of them mated. It was inevitable. The fever would take away all of her control, and she would fuck them— with or without her own permission. Her instincts as well as her body would take over.

  “I want to sleep.”

  Dara moaned in pain when Dix lifted her in his arms. As much as he knew it was a bad idea not to complete the bond, he couldn’t make the decision for her. He wanted to take her to bed and make love to her easing the hurt from her body. He glanced at Eden who had the same look. There wasn’t a damn thing they could do, and even though they knew it wouldn’t take much to convince her to mate; they wanted it to be her choice because she wanted them, not because she wanted to erase the aches.

  “Okay baby, I’ll take you to bed,” he replied. Healing her hadn’t done much good, and she cried out when he shifted her in his arms. He hated that she was in pain and that’s all it took for his arousal to disappear. All he wanted to do was comfort her. He wasn’t sure if giving her an orgasm would help or make matters worse, but he was willing to try—if she would allow it.

  He carried her down the hall, and walked into her room. The scent of her clung to every surface, and he took a deep breath taking in her essence. She smelled amazing. His tiger clawed at him trying to break free.

  ‘Wait and you’ll come out to watch her soon,’ he promised his beast. His tiger automatically lay down and waited for his turn to protect their mate.

  Dara smiled up at him sleepily when he laid her on the bed.

  “Go to sleep baby, I’ll protect you. You won’t be alone again. Eden’s going to get our stuff okay?”

  She nodded and her eyes drifted shut. It didn’t take long for her to sleep, and as Dix waited for Eden to return he let his tiger come out. Closing his eyes, he relaxed his limbs and shifted. No one would get past him. The tiger was ready to kill for his mate. One way or another he’d keep her safe.

  6

  Dara woke up screaming in agony. Her head throbbed and pain sliced through her skull. It was the worst pain she’d ever felt it before, and it was different. It wasn’t the same burning agony she felt throughout her body over the last month. This was a vile and evil crushing pain.

  When she opened her eyes she couldn’t see anything. The feel of a rough fabric covering her eyes stopped the panic but for only a second. The scent of blood and damp basement filled her nose and she gagged. Cold damp air coated her skin and she shivered as she realized two things. First she wasn’t wearing any clothes and second, she wasn’t home in her bed.

  The panic that had subsided was back with a vengeance and it seized her throat. She gasped for breathe, each one coming out heavier than the last, but she couldn’t let the demon win because she had a feeling that somehow he got her, and her fears were what aroused him making him even more powerful than he was in his phantom form. Inhaling a breath, she tried to slow her heart forcing herself to calm the hell down and think. The last thing she remembered was Dix laying her down in bed and promising that he would keep watch.

  Eden had said good night but left to go to their hotel room to get their stuff. Both of them had decided they were moving in with her until she decided she was ready to bond with them. After that she remembered nothing.

  She got a distinct feeling that her worst fears were about to become a reality. After all of their talk about the Shadox demons and what it would be like if they took her, and she still had no idea what was about to happen to her. Her fate lay in a demon’s hands. Fear coated her tongue and she gagged again.

  “Hush girl, no one can hear you down here,” a raspy voice said. It was close but she couldn’t tell how close with the blindfold on.

  “Where am I?” she asked doing her best to hold back tears. She had to be strong. She couldn’t fall apart— it wouldn’t do her any good.

  “Stupid girl, it matters not where you are. What matters is what you’re going to give to me.”

  She trembled. “What do you want?”

  “Surely they told you about us. Don’t play dumb, it won’t help you here.”

  “You want their power.”

  The thing hissed and chills shot up her spin.

  “No, I want to have a body— a big masculine body that humans will bow to. Only a shifter is strong enough to hold my dark essence for all of eternity, but the powers will be a fun bonus. I need a body with a beating heart to be able to wreak havoc among you measly humans. Without one, I’m not even half of what I could be.”

  “You can’t have them. We’re going to bond, and then it will be useless to keep me. The bond is already forming, I can feel it.” She wasn’t lying. She could feel them. It was strange. They didn’t tell her that she would be able to feel them before they bonded, but she could feel Dix. He was in slight pain and was pissed as hell she was taken away from him.
His guilt and confusion wove through her subconscious. He was beating himself up and the rage inside of him, that he normally locked up tight, was bubbling over the surface.

  Eden’s was worried not only about her but about Dix. He was angry he left even for a short time knowing the demons were after her. He blamed himself that Dix was hurt and that she was taken. He was supposed to be the leader. He had to be stronger, smarter, and never— ever let his guard down. She hated he was blaming herself and was trying not to question how she was able to read them. She was a human, nothing more, but the good news— she knew they would find her. Closing her eyes she called to them. Not that it would do any good, but she had to try. Her life depended on them finding her.

  The demon huffed and the air around her swirled forming goosebumps along her bare skin.

  “Impossible. The bond between shifters and their anchor does not begin until intercourse occurs. I would know, sense it, and you my dear haven’t had sex” — the demon paused and then chuckled— “for a very long time.”

  She felt a dark and sickly presence pressing against her skull and a sliver of cold brushed her arm and knew it was the demon. He rubbed against her skin. He may not have the flesh of body but he was still very real—and very much alive. His phantom fingers grazed her skin. The tips were sharp and scratched lightly down her cheek. She had never felt anything so vile in her life, and she knew the demon enjoyed her reaction to his touch. Instead of ignoring his touch as she should have, she used her built up anger and taunted him. “How do you plan to do anything without a body?”

  That was the wrong thing to do.

  Apparently she offended him because he shrieked and then the pain started in her head and worked its way down her body. She shook and sweat coated her skin as the fever took over. It was ten times worse than she normally felt, and as pain wracked every part of her body, Dara sobbed. She learned that keeping her mouth shut was probably a good idea and antagonizing the demon only made things worse for her.