by Cree Storm
Orion grunted and leaned over, embedding his fangs deep into Nelson’s neck. Nelson and his fox called out Orion’s name as cum shot from his cock onto the linen below. Orion slowly pulled out his fangs, licked the mark and howled almost like a wolf as his seed quickly filled Nelson’s channel and dribbled down his thigh.
Orion thrust three more times, then dropped onto Nelson’s back, bringing them both to the mattress.
They were both breathing hard, as Orion’s softening cock slipped from Nelson’s body and Orion rolled to his back, bringing Nelson on top of him. Orion rubbed Nelson’s back slowly as he lay there panting, just trying to catch his breath.
Nelson didn’t know how long they lay there. He and his fox were completely at peace. Making love with Orion got better and better every time.
Orion broke the silence, kissing Nelson on the top of his head, then said, “I would love nothing more than to lie here with you and make love for the rest of the day.”
“Sounds good to me,” Nelson muttered, kissing Orion’s chest.
Orion moaned, and Nelson felt the man’s cock starting to rise again. Just when Nelson was thinking about climbing on for a ride, Orion groaned and turned so Nelson was now on his side. Orion propped up on his elbow, lightly running a finger down Nelson’s side. “I wish we could, Starlight, but I’m sorry, I must go see Ezra.”
Nelson’s brows crinkled as he lay fully on this back looking up at his mate. “What’s the rush? You just won your battle, no one expects to see you so soon.”
Orion sighed, then sat up and scooted off the bed. “The man I fought, was not who he said he was. He was getting help from a mag―”
Nelson quickly interrupted, “We know. My fox and I took care of the mage for now and the man you fought is long gone.”
Shaking his head, Orion said, “No, the man I fought was not Napal whoever the hell he said. My opponent was Nicu.”
Nelson sat up quickly, gasping, “Nicu? Are you sure?”
Nodding Orion replied, “Remember when ‘Napal’ was in the air circling around?”
Nelson nodded.
“Well, his face started contorting back and forth and I saw Nicu behind the mask before it returned to the face of my opponent,” Orion said.
Nelson had already got out of the bed and started getting dressed. “Well I guess now is the time I tell you that the mage my fox and I took care of… well he… kinda…”
“He what?” Orion asked.
“He threatened to come back and kill everyone I love,” Nelson said.
“Shit! Shit! We have to call Destrain now! He has to put guards on Pascal and Ollie,” Orion said, grabbing his phone.
“Crap! Toby! I’ll call Illan and make sure he does the same with him. How could I be so stupid? I didn’t think about my brothers when he said that. I thought about you, Jewel, Helio, Briar and Ezra,” Nelson said.
When the calls were made, Nelson pulled on Orion’s arm. “We need to find Ezra, now.”
“I already said that, Starlight,” Orion replied.
Shaking his head, Nelson opened the door, rushing them out into the hall. “When I spoke to Illan he said to be careful.”
“Well of course he did, he does look at you as if you were one of his own,” Orion stated.
Nodding, Nelson replied, “Yes, but it’s what he said after that.”
“What?” Orion asked as they hurried towards Ezra’s suite.
“He said, “Be careful, Nelson. If Nicu can change his face to someone else, who is to say he won’t change it to someone different… someone you know.” He’s right, Orion. If Nicu could change to look like Napal, who’s to say he can’t change that look again?”
Orion quickened his pace. Once he reached Ezra’s door, he started banging on it. “Fuck! That means he could be anyone.”
CHAPTER 12
Orion stood next to Nelson, Ezra and Jewel as the Scions all walked into the musty room. Ezra nodded at the four men. “Thank you for coming. I know that this is unscheduled and a bit unorthodox, but it is of great importance that we meet, and no one know about it. I am going to ask you a question that may seem strange, but please answer without question. Once we have finished this test, then I shall explain everything.”
“Yes, Re,” all four men stated at once.
“How did we meet?” Ezra asked.
Enoch scoffed, “Your father called a gathering four hundred and three years ago. All the covens attended for your coming of age party. I found you hiding in the barn puking up your guts.”
Smiling, Ezra said, “I remember. I was puking because I was scared to death I was going to fuck something up. You said…”
“You can’t fuck up your birthday it already happened,” Enoch said with a laugh.
Killian replied, “We fought in the Summoning Ceremony on your one hundredth birthday. You kicked my ass in the Dire battles.”
“We met after your battle with Killian. You and I got drunk on Ale,” Heskel answered.
Ezra turned to Zaros. The man sighed. “I’m trying to remember, just give me a second.”
“Zaros, it’s imperative you answer the question,” Ezra stated firmly.
Snapping his finger, he said, “Two hundred and twenty-two years ago. You and I were playing on opposite ball teams. My coven won.”
“You wish,” Ezra said with a laugh.
“Yeah, well, we would have won if the ref hadn’t cheated,” Zaros said.
“The ref was my father,” Ezra argued.
“Exactly,” Zaros said with a snort.
Orion sighed. “Okay, do they pass the test?”
Nodding Ezra replied, “Yes they do.”
“Okay, now that we passed the test, what the fuck is going on?” Enoch asked.
“It’s Nicu,” Ezra replied, then turned to Orion. “I think you should be the one to explain.”
Orion felt Nelson place his hand on his arm. Nodding, Orion said, “When I was in the battle with Napal, he rose into the air.”
“I remember that. He levitated and started spinning,” Zaros said.
“Yes, and as he was doing this, his face began to contort. I saw Nicu during that time,” Orion stated.
“So, you think Napal was really Nicu? If what you say is true, that means the mage is far more powerful than any of us thought,” Enoch said in horrified awe.
Nodding, Orion replied, “Yes, and if he can make Nicu look like someone else, then he could do it again, this time as another. That puts everyone in danger. He could kill one of you and take over a coven.”
“He could kill the Re and take over all the covens,” Killian stated in understanding.
Jewel stepped forward. “I really don’t think that’s Nicu’s goal. It might be the mage’s, but I don’t think it’s Nicu’s.”
“What do you mean?” Killian asked.
Jewel looked at Ezra and he dipped his head in ascent. Jewel explained, “I knew Nicu better than most. Not the nice guy you all remember, but the evil prick he really is. With all the shit he put me through, he didn’t hate me near as much as he hated Orion. He was more than obsessed with him… it was as if he wanted to be him.”
“You think he’s going to come after Orion?” Heskel asked.
Giving Nelson a nervous look, Jewel replied, “I think he is going to go after Nelson first. Nicu wants Orion to suffer before he dies. The best way to do that, is to kill or seriously hurt his mate.”
“Okay, so what do you need from us?” Heskel asked.
Orion looked at Heskel. “Yesterday, one of my men came to me about an entry, Radeem Napal. He entered under Enoch’s coven. However, Enoch has never heard of the man. When Jewel and Nelson were on their way to the battles, they discovered a dead body. No one recognized the man as one of our own coven members.”
Killian interrupted Orion, saying, “When I heard the announcer say the name, I was shocked. I have a coven member by that name, and I know he came here to watch the battles. However, when the announcer said he was f
rom Enoch’s coven I thought he had made a mistake but then I never gave it another thought.”
“Well then maybe you can tell us if this man is someone you know?” Ezra stated walking to the metal table and pulling down the cloth, exposing the body beneath.
“That’s Radeem! Who did this? What the hell is going on?” Killian angrily asked.
Jewel went to Killian, softly saying, “We are sorry for your coven’s loss, Killian.”
“It’s as you said, Jewel. The mage needed a body to give to Nicu,” Ezra stated.
Nelson shook his head. “I’m seriously confused. I mean I see it for myself, but why the hell didn’t we notice it was the same man?”
Jewel went to his friend, asking, “When you saw Radeem on the ground, did you really look at his face? I know I didn’t.”
Thinking a moment, Nelson replied almost shamefully, “No… no I didn’t.”
“It’s nothing to feel bad about, Starlight. Death is not easily looked in the eye,” Orion softly replied.
Nelson then asked, “Then why didn’t Killian recognize the man? If he was from your coven, shouldn’t you have seen that the man was someone you knew?”
Killian sighed. “Honestly, I was far more focused on the man next to me.”
“You chose the battle to try and woo a lover?” Heskel asked in shock.
Shrugging, Killian replied, “He was sexy as hell and damn it I really wanted him in my bed and since that was who was with me when I was summoned here, I would say it was worth my time.”
“As interesting as it is to discuss Killian’s love life, maybe it would be time much better spent if we focused on what’s going on here,” Zaros stated firmly.
Ezra nodded. “Zaros is right. My mate knows a great deal about a mage life. We also contacted my brother-in-law and his mates. They are very powerful mages in their own right. Jewel, Dain, Kerrick, and Rune all agree on one thing. This magic that was used to change Nicu is a black magic spell. It requires the death of a person in order to cast it.”
“But why didn’t I feel Radeem’s loss? I am, or should I say… was, his scion. Ezra you know as well as I that we are connected to every member of our coven. It’s how we know that everyone is okay. How did I not know he was gone?” Killian asked in disgust.
“He’s right, Ezzy. He should have felt it and that connection is what we were counting on to help us with this problem,” Jewel said in concern.
“Ezra, your connection is from the bloodletting we do every month, correct?” Orion asked.
Nodding, Ezra replied, “I take a small sip of blood from each of my members. It allows the bond to stay strong.”
“How long has it been since you guys did this with your own covens?” Orion asked.
Enoch replied, “I just did mine before I left the coven. I didn’t know how long I would be gone and I didn’t want to take a chance that Nicu would harm one of my own without me knowing about it.”
Zaros nodded. “I did the same before we came here and for the same reason.”
“I alternate in groups for mine. Every month I do a quarter of my coven. However, I did the bloodletting with anyone planning on coming to the battles. I wanted to make sure I could keep tabs on my people. You know how these Ceremonies are. They drink too much, get rowdy and the next thing you know everyone is fighting,” Heskel stated.
“I do mine like Heskel and I also did the bloodletting before we left… come to think of it, Radeem wasn’t there. I was going to get to it, but then the Nicu thing happened and I gathered everyone here to help you with the Ceremony and completely forgot. When I got here we got in the middle of trying to locate Nicu and I never got around to it. Fuck! Radeem’s death is completely my fault!” Killian snarled.
Orion shook his head. “No Killian, Radeem’s death is completely Nicu and the mage’s fault. Somehow, they found out about the weakness of your link. Maybe it was overheard by Nicu somehow, or maybe the mage used his magic. What’s done is done. However, it means that our original plan will still be able to be used.”
Ezra looked at each of the scions. “I want each of you to track your people. I want to know if any of them do anything out of the ordinary.”
“What about tomorrow’s event? Do we continue with the ranking ceremonies?” Enoch asked.
Nodding Ezra replied, “Yes. However, Orion has asked if each of you might spare some of your Crimson Corps men to assist ours to make sure all entrances and exits are covered as well as to patrol the outer areas?”
“Absolutely,” Enoch answered.
“Of course,” the others said in agreement.
“I also wanted to know if you’ve had a chance to see the list of your coven members for possible slots in the Kaliss police department?” Ezra asked.
The three men nodded.
Ezra then asked, “I am ready to hear any arguments you may have about any of the chosen.”
All the Scions shook their heads, Enoch saying, “I really hate losing any of my coven, but if this is what they want, I’m happy for them.”
“Heskel, what about you?” Ezra asked.
“There is one name on your list that surprised me. Trust me, I would love to hand the man over to you, but you are the Re and I don’t know if he is the best choice for your coven,” Heskel stated.
“Who and why?” Orion asked.
“Sabien Maxwell. He is not one to take orders. The man has caused me more grief than any other coven member I have. His family died when he was a kid. Another family took him in and he was trouble from day one. I’ve tried to talk to the man, but he is a stubborn ass and I just don’t see that he would be any good to you,” Heskel stated.
Nelson asked, “How did this family he was sent to treat him?”
“What?” Heskel asked in confusion.
“You said he lost his family at an early age. He was then placed with a family. Did he know them? Did they treat him like one of the family? Or was he just a kid they had to take care of until he was old enough to go off on his own?” Nelson asked.
Heskel quickly said, “They didn’t beat him if that’s what you’re asking.”
“It’s not,” Nelson said in return. “You see, my parents died when I was young. I was left with three brothers to take care of. Now, because they were family, you know they were loved and they grew up happy. However, I was angry. I felt abandoned and kicked in the teeth. I was a kid damn it. I shouldn’t have been put in that situation, but I was. It was bullshit and unfair to all of us. I did a lot of stupid shit and eventually it cost me a much higher price than I ever could have dreamt of.”
“I’m sorry that happened to you… I really am. Sabien has no other family. There was a family who took in strays. I placed him there. I can only tell you he was not mistreated, and he was provided with food, clothing, and shelter. I can’t answer for the other stuff,” Heskel replied.
Nelson shook his head. “You can be a real asshole, you know that? As a Scion it is your responsibility to make sure all your coven members are cared for at all times… especially a child.”
“I did that. I’m a busy man. I don’t have time to go to every one of my members to make sure they are hugged,” Heskel snapped.
Orion stepped forward. “Do not speak to my mate like that or I will show you what it means to be the Regal to the Cyprian covens.”
“He called me an asshole. That is disrespecting a Scion and punishable by twenty lashes if I choose,” Heskel snarled.
“I didn’t know it was disrespectful to call it like I see it… especially when it’s true. He was a boy and he needed you. Ezra meets with his people every day. His doors are always open to his people. I know because I make the man’s schedule. He eats in the cafeteria with them at least once a day. Ezra knows every man, woman, and child in his coven. Can you say the same? I highly doubt it. So, you try and bring out the whips on me and I swear on my own life and that of my mate, I will bring your ass down before you can bring back that whip. Just ask Fallon and his army,” N
elson snarled.
Heskel’s eyes widened. “You? It was you who took out… no… that isn’t possible.”
Ezra stepped forward. “It’s more than possible, it’s a fact. I know because I was there. Heskel, have Sabien report to my office first thing in the morning. He will be transferred to my coven immediately and I will decide what position he will hold.”
“Ezra, come on. The man wouldn’t even try out for my own Crimson army,” Heskel said in exasperation.
“Yet, he did try out to be Ezra’s new Dire. Now that tells me it isn’t so much that he doesn’t want to climb the ladder of life, as much as he doesn’t want to be a part of your coven,” Orion stated, not taking his eyes off of the Scion.
Heskel’s brows crinkled in confusion. “You really think that’s the case?”
“Heskel, I have known you for centuries. You are a friend and good man. If there is extra assistance you need within your coven, then ask for it. Bring in an assistant if you wish, to help with menial tasks. That goes for all of you. How about, before you leave we all get together and talk about adding positions of help for each of you. I have a Regal and an assistant as well as my Imperial Guard, who help the Crimson Corps when needed. Maybe there are a few ideas to help you and yours,” Ezra stated with understanding.
Heskel nodded. “I think that might be a good idea.”
“In the meantime, we have to hope the mage hasn’t already put a new face on Nicu,” Enoch muttered.
Orion immediately heard his Cuddle bug in his mind. “No way. Even if the man knows the potion to heal for the bites I gave him, he is still going to need time for it to take effect.”
“What are you talking about, Cuddle bug?” Orion asked.
A mental sigh went through Orion’s mind and then the fox answered, “I was going to tell you both when we went back to our room, but things got a bit… distracting and then we rushed to Ezra. A Santorini fox has many gifts. You have seen what we can do when we shift, or with our fur. What you don’t know is about our bite. We have three major glands that have liquid secretions. We can call on them when needed. One is a hallucinogen. It will make people see and hear things like if they were in the desert for days with no water. The second has a paralysis effect. It can last for hours, depending on who the person is we inject, and the third is the one I used on the mage. It is poison. Almost like a venomous snake. However, when it comes to the Santorini fox, there isn’t a ready-made potion out there. That means he has to know the cure, find the cure, and then take the cure. He has less than twenty-four hours to do so. Otherwise, nothing will save him.”