When his muscles finally relaxed, Conn looked down to find Aries panting with sweat slickening her body. He shouldn’t have looked. The sight of her glistening body laid bare, her legs spread wide with him still buried inside her was too erotic. Conn tried to pull out of her when he felt himself growing rigid.
Aries who’d been smiling and in the process of lifting a hand to his cheek stilled beneath him. “Again?” She couldn’t hide the shock in her tone.
Conn growled and closed his eyes trying to regain control of himself. “We don’t have to,” he started to pull out when her legs wrapped around his hips, locking at the ankles and anchoring him deep inside her.
Aries’ tone was matter-of-fact. “We’ve started Conn. Let’s finish.”
Her words grated on him. This was just an obligation to her, and while Conn shouldn’t care, he did. Dr. Arkinson’s words came floating back to him, ‘If you have any affinity for her at all, you may as well walk out of here right now and give her your halo.’ He gritted his teeth. He was fucked both literally and figuratively. The good Doctor had also warned him that simply sleeping with Aries wouldn’t be enough to sate his rut, he’d have to bind her as well.
Staring down at Aries he prayed Dr. Arkinson was wrong for he knew that if he claimed Aries, even out of their need to survive, he’d never relinquish her.
As if reading his mind, Aries reached up and slid her fingers across his halo. Her eyes found his and the same hand reached up to smooth through the black hair just above his ear. “Thank you for protecting me.”
Unsure how to respond, he didn’t.
Aries sighed and lowered her hand to brush her thumb over his bottom lip before pulling his face to hers. She sucked his bottom lip into her mouth and arched to brush her breasts against his chest. It was all the encouragement he needed.
He claimed her again and continued to do so even knowing that he’d need to do more to sate the affliction. He knew he should have felt guilt at not telling Aries, but fucking her was more pleasurable than he’d ever imagined it could be and he took advantage of her ignorance and willingness to gratify his perverse desire.
Hours later, Conn rolled Aries’ sleeping form from atop him. She’d collapsed from exhaustion, sprawled seating and naked across his chest with her pussy still wrapped around his cock. Withdrawing from her only served to stir his arousal as her well fucked channel clasped tightly around him seemed to reluctantly permit his extraction.
He covered her delicate body with the sheet and brushed long hair back from her face. God she truly is beautiful. Sad eyes dipped to his still hard shaft between his thighs and he pulled his hands away from Aries and scooted to the foot of the bed knowing that if he stared at her any longer, he’d be tempted to take her while she slept.
Chapter 20
Aries woke and rolled to her side, her muscles were deliciously sore and she smiled to herself. She knew she should have been ashamed of herself for giving herself to Conn, but it felt too right to have been wrong. Her smile faltered when she saw Conn sitting naked at the foot of the bed holding his head in his hands. “How was your long awaited sleep?”
Conn turned to look at her and she gasped at the dark circles under his eyes. She sat up, pulling the sheet with her to cover her chest, “You didn’t sleep?”
He shook his head, “No, I was unable to sleep.”
Her eyes darted to the door, “Have you at least eaten?”
Again Conn shook his head, “Nothing’s changed.”
“But you said,” she used a hand to shove her tousled hair back before a small fist covered her lips and she spoke against it, “Oh God, it wasn’t me.” Her eyes darted to his and tears threatened, “You’re not in heat for me! I’m not the one.”
Conn reached across the bed and grabbed her arm sliding her across the bed and into his arms. “It is you Aries. It’s just not completed.”
She tried to control the tremble in her voice, “Not completed? What’s left?” Her eyes dipped to his halo and she knew.
He silently studied her features and saw that she understood.
Lifting her chin with more courage than she actually felt, Aries demanded, “Give it to me.”
“Aries, it’s not that simple.”
“Yes, it is. Give it to me!”
“It means more than that, it…”
“I know,” she cut him off. “I know I’m not your one, your angel. But you can’t survive another day like this. You said a Walker could gift it and a Walker could take it back. We have nothing to lose by trying. Once it works, if it works, you can always take it back and save it for your true angel. You’ll have a chance to rest, to eat.” Her tone grew pleading, “Conn we have to try.”
He studied her for long moments. Then his strong hand lifted and clasped around the halo before it released. He pulled it slowly pulled it free and winced as the hiss of burning flesh grew audible. He throat was branded as the halo slipped free.
“Conn?” Aries’ tone was laced with concern as her eyes studied the red band that now circled his throat.
Conn thrust the halo forward, quickly clamping it around Aries’ throat before he could talk himself out of it. Once it closed into place it flashed brightly with an ethereal light and a high-pitched whine.
Aries gasped and her eyes fluttered closed as her body went limp. He knew it would happen. The physiological mutation began instantly and rendered the recipient unconscious. For non-Walkers the ‘transition’, as the Walkers referred to it, could last up to days, often leaving the newly claimed angel with flu-like symptoms for weeks after she finally woke from the claiming.
For Walker’s who were claimed, the change wasn’t as severe and typically lasted mere hours.
When Aries next awoke, she’d bear his scent the very essence of her marked by his own.
Unsure how long she’d be out, Conn pulled her to his chest and was going to stand to lay her properly on the bed when he was swamped by overwhelming exhaustion. His muscles melted into liquid and he lost all strength. Falling back against the bed he pulled Aries tightly into his chest ensuring her safety over his own. Aries sprawled across his chest when he landed on his back on the thick mattress. Panic flared to life with the knowledge that they would both be incapacitated, lying naked on the bed in his bunker for God only knew how long. He tried to fight the sleep, but it took him against his will. His eyes closed with the stark realization that he had claimed his true and rightful angel.
***
Aries woke to find herself lying naked on Conn’s chest. He was sleeping beneath her, his chest rising and falling steadily beneath her own, and she smiled knowing their plan had worked.
Easing herself off him she quickly dressed and considered trying to pull him up the bed to make him more comfortable. She ultimately decided that she didn’t want to chance disturbing him so she threw a blanket over him instead then stood to watch him sleep.
He was gorgeous even in sleep. His typically stern features were softened and he looked almost boyish. Her lips quirked and she bent to brush a kiss across his lips. She let a hand smooth down his cheek to his throat and then to his broad shoulder. Her eyes followed the path and she felt herself getting turned on just by touching him. Snorting she turned and flicked off the light before exiting the room. Get it together girl!
She knew he’d be ravished when he woke so she set to work preparing a meal fit for a king. Problem was, they were in an underground bunker that while well supplied, wasn’t stocked with anything that was particularly appetizing let alone fit for a proper meal.
After long minutes of rummaging through the cupboards she eyed the jar of spaghetti sauce, package of crunchy bread sticks, and box of spaghetti noodles that would comprise their dinner. She turned to rummage through the freezer in search of some burger when a hard pounding on the door made her freeze. Her heart hammered in her chest. Could it be Monroe? Tyce? The pounding sounded again and she raced to the bedroom. Is the door locked? Can they get in?
Sti
ll lying prone on the bed, Aries shook Conn. “Wake up!” When he didn’t stir she shook him harder, “CONN! WAKE UP!”
“Let him sleep love.”
She gasped and turned to face the intruder. It wasn’t Monroe or Tyce. Her eyes dipped to the halo around the man’s neck and shock tore through her as recognition hit. It was him! The Walker who’d been chasing her. She eyed the room, but there was nowhere to run.
The Walker cocked his head, “Don’t be afraid love.”
Moving to place her body between the Walker and Conn, Aries asked tremulously, “W-who are you?”
The Walker smiled revealing even white teeth as his eyes seemed to twinkle with delight. “I am Remy McCabe.” He took a step closer, “And you are Aries EnemyHunter.”
“No.” She backed up a step, “I’m Aries Bracken.”
His smiled faltered a moment, “A ruse? I know you’re Mason’s sister.”
“I’m not.” Her mind was reeling, his name sounded familiar. Remy, Remy? “I am not Mason’s sister, he’s met me, he knows this.”
Remy’s smile was back full force, “So you’ve finally met your brother. Clearly he’s instructed you to lie to me.” He took another step toward her and Aries nearly fell onto Conn as she backed into the bed. “Get your things, you’re coming with me.”
“No,” Aries held up her hands, palms out. “I’m staying with Conn. He’s claimed me. I’m his.” She prayed their deception would work even as she pointed to the halo that encircled her throat.
Remy’s expression darkened, but when his eyes flicked to her throat he smiled broadly. “I see no double-helix.”
Aries shook her head. Double helix? “What does that mean?”
Remy stalked closer, “I know you are a Walker Aries. I’m the one that found you. I wanted to ensure you were Mason’s sister before I claimed you, but you ran.” He tilted his head, “You’ve been highly successful in avoiding me.” Straightening his head he stopped inches from her, “When I realized I’d need help I put word in Mason’s ear where you could be located, knowing he’d send his best.” His eyes flicked to Conn. “He did. All I had to do was wait for him to bring you to me.” He sighed, “I know you’re not familiar with your Walker ties, but I’ll teach you.” He held up a hand and motioned with his fingers for her to come to him, “First lesson love. All Walkers wear halos. When a Walker and a Walker bind, his halo will twine with hers to create a double helix.” His eyes dropped to the halo around her throat, “No double helix, no binding.” He curled his lip, “You reek of him, but that’ll be easily remedied.” He lunged and grabbed her then, pulling her roughly to him.
Aries screamed and tried to twist free. “COOOONNN!”
Remy had her up and over his shoulder quickly as he stormed through the bunker with her kicking wildly and punching at his back. Her fingers latched onto the door frame as they passed, but were just as quickly ripped painfully free as Remy quickened his pace.
She tried to gain purchase on something, anything to prevent Remy from taking her but she only succeeded in destroying the bunker as she was carried away from Conn. She found little relief in the fact that he’d at least know she was taken from him against her will. Screaming his name, she could only watch as he lay immobile on the bed as she was taken from him.
Outside she threw an arm over her eyes to block the blinding bright sunlight. She tried to twist free and felt herself falling. She gasped and reached out but realized Remy was adjusting his hold. She squinted and tried to see what was happening but then everything was dark again. She tried to sit up and her shoulder slammed painfully into a solid wall. Feeling frantically with her hands she knew she was in the trunk of a car when she heard its motor start. She slid with the vehicle’s movement as it lurched away from the bunker.
She pounded and pounded on the hood of the trunk, but the vehicle didn’t slow. After what felt like hours of pounding, she finally slumped her arms burning from exhaustion. She whimpered as she cradled herself against the cold air that whooshed through the dark trunk. Apparently this Remy knew Mason so hopefully he wouldn’t hurt her. It didn’t make sense though. If he and Mason were friends why would he want to hurt Mason’s sister?
After a long time, the car stopped. Aries listened intently for any sound. She sat up and started pounding on the roof of the trunk again then gasped when it was jerked open.
Remy stood over her. He dropped a bottle of water into the trunk. “Do you need to pee?”
Aries shook her head and instantly regretted it when the trunk was once again slammed closed on her. Shit! I should’ve said yes. I could have tried to escape. She cursed herself when she felt the vehicle jerk back to life and they were moving again.
Remy was clearly concerned for her well-being or he wouldn’t have given her water and asked if she needed to relieve herself. A small spark of hope burned to life. She ignored the bottle of water that rolled then bumped her elbow. Tears flooded her eyes when she thought of Conn left defenseless at the bunker. What if Tyce finds him? What if he’s attacked? What if he’s taken too? Her hand clutched the halo around her throat and it gave her some comfort knowing that Conn had claimed her. He’d said other Walkers would know she was his. Clearly Remy had been rushed and hadn’t paid much attention. He’d have to realize soon that she belonged to Conn. Wouldn’t he?
She curled tighter and was glad she’d opted to dress in the sweats and long sleeve shirt of Conn’s rather than her own thin slip. Her teeth began to chatter and she reached out with cold fingers hoping to find something in the trunk to cover up with. Her fingers brushed something soft and she pulled on it. It felt like a folded blanket and she quickly unfolded it and pulled it over her body not caring if it was filthy or not.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the car slowed then stopped. The engine was cut off and she strained to listen. The trunk was jerked open and she could see that the sun was no longer in the sky. She didn’t try to fight when Remy reached for her, lifting her out of the trunk. Her hip and shoulder ached from bearing the brunt of her body weight for so long and her muscles were sore from being tensed the entire ride.
“I apologize for your discomfort.” Remy didn’t look at her, but he seemed sincere enough. He carried her through the dark and Aries eyed their surroundings trying to make out any shapes.
They weren’t in the city. There were no street lights, or any light for that matter. She thought she heard the lapping of water and when an owl hooted she knew they were in the forest. She didn’t know how Remy kept from stumbling. She could barely see inches in front of her face. She heard his feet thud on what sounded like wood then they were going up. She counted three steps before he stopped.
“I’m setting you down. Don’t run. It’s too dark and you’ll only hurt yourself.”
He placed her on her feet and she swayed. Her legs started to tingle as blood began to flow through them again.
“You okay?”
She nodded then realized that he probably couldn’t see her. “Yes.” She heard keys rustling then metal sliding before she heard the creak of a door. His hand clamped around hers and she was slowly pulled along behind him before she heard the door close and a lamp was clicked on.
Chapter 21
The room Aries stood in was small and dank. It smelled musky, like wet wood and it she had to fold her arms together to ward off a chill. A small brown sofa faced an empty hearth, and next to the sofa a small table and four chairs separated the sitting area from a small kitchen. The cabin was clean for the most part. A wooden rung ladder sat awkwardly against the wall. Aries looked at it and wondered what it was for before she let her eyes drift upward until they rested on a small loft over the kitchen. She could see a bed and a small dresser. She shivered when her eyes drifted back to the bed.
“I’ll start us a fire.” Remy turned and crossed to the hearth where he squatted and started stacking logs. He stopped to point over his shoulder. “Bathroom’s through there if you need to use it.”
&nbs
p; Aries followed the direction he pointed and saw a door next to the kitchen. She walked woodenly to the door and entered the small room without even thinking about it. Grateful for the distance between her and Remy she quickly scanned the small room. It housed a toilette that sat next to a sink over which a medicine chest/mirror hung. There was a glass doored shower stall, but no window in the room.
She used the toilette and turned on the water to make it sound like she was washing her hands. Instead she pulled open the mirrored door on the medicine cabinet to search for a weapon. The cabinet only held two plastic wrapped toothbrushes and a tube of toothpaste. She clicked it closed quietly and turned to peek into the shower. Nothing.
Resignedly she stuck her hands under the water and washed them quickly before splashing water onto her face. She found a towel and dried herself before exiting the safety of the bathroom.
She found Remy staring at the large fire that burned brightly in the hearth. He turned to look at her, his tone serious. “Come here.”
She didn’t move.
“Aries. Come. Here.”
“I-I want to leave.”
His eyes darkened and he dropped his head, pulling back a lip reveal sharp teeth.
Aries gasped and backed into the door.
“Come here!” Remy growled.
Trembling, Aries forced her feet forward as she slowly approached. When she got within Remy’s reach she stopped, wrapping her arms around her waist as she dropped her head.
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