by Brenda Trim
Brantley missed Zeum, it seemed, but being with Ember’s parents or in the nursery made up for it. Orlando continued to work days with Santiago at SPD, but his patrols with the Dark Warriors had been cut in half.
Concerned that he was being shut out because he’d moved, Orlando paid a visit to Zeum and confronted Zander. Zander had assured him that wasn’t the case and that he was giving Orlando time to bond with his mate. As much as he appreciated the sentiment, he still worried he was slowly being shut out.
It had been odd to be back at Zeum. Elsie refused to speak to him. She hadn’t even offered him any of the Paella she was cooking. It smelled delicious and in his attempt to thaw the prickly female, he’d snuck bites from her pot while it was cooking, but even that received a cold shoulder. The others had been cordial, but it was clearly not the same anymore and that hurt worst of all.
Izzy had been the only one that had missed him and treated him the same. The princess had run up with sticky hands telling him she loved him before placing a slobbery kiss on his cheek.
He felt like he was losing the only true family he’d ever known. Ember worked hard to make their home something special, but he missed Zeum and his friends. He wanted to take Ember home and have her become part of his family. As it was, a brick wall that he didn’t know how to knock down separated the two halves of his life.
“You okay, baby?” Ember asked, breaking into his ruminations.
Shaking off his morose thoughts, he pasted on a smile and bussed her lips. “Fantastic. Smells like Grandma Flo is making fried chicken tonight. You want to try some fried chicken?” he asked Brantley and tickled his tummy. The baby cooed and laughed.
“He’s not a shifter, Orlando. He can’t eat chicken yet,” Ember chastised.
“Is that a problem?” he asked curiously. More than once over the past few weeks he’d wondered if she had a problem with their son not being a shifter. To Ember, everything shifter was superior. He’d never met a more loyal pack member, but it did make him wonder where others stood in her mind.
“Is what a problem? Him not being a shifter?” she asked incredulously.
Her tone told Orlando he’d offended her. He felt bad for upsetting her, but he was tired of keeping his mouth shut. He’d been walking on eggshells some days because he wasn’t certain about her feelings on certain topics.
“Yeah. I know how much pack means to you and I wonder if you have room for anything else?”
Her eyes flew wide and she stopped him with a hand on his arm. “Yes, pack means a lot to me, but it’s not everything. I love Brantley as if he were my own which is why I don’t want you feeding him chicken when he’s too young. Someday you will get to corrupt him all you want, but not while I can still protect him.”
He threw his head back and laughed. That was the thing he loved most about Ember. She didn’t beat around the bush or waste time on inconsequential details. “You hear that, Brant. Guess you can’t have that beer if mommy is watching. Someday though. Now let’s go find your grandma,” he encouraged and they continued walking.
The main dining hall was so different from Zeum. The warriors were growing by leaps and bounds, but it was still small compared to the throng that filled Flo’s.
He and Ember made their way through the crowd to the table where her family always sat. Brantley practically jumped into Evelyn’s arms and Emily and Faith immediately bombarded Ember with plans for a girl’s night.
Orlando filled his plate from the large platters scattered in the middle of the table. Grandma Flo served meals family style saying it was easier than manning a buffet or having servers. He had to agree as he heaped portions onto his plate. Joe plopped down next to him and handed him a beer.
Hayden and Zeke joined the group, along with Tia, Zeke’s exotic mate. The room reacted to the Omega’s presence and the atmosphere tensed as the group measured his mood. Hayden rarely graced the pack with his presence because he was so busy. Orlando understood the apprehension. He was right there with them wondering if something had happened to bring the Omega to dinner.
Hayden greeted everyone at the table before turning to Orlando. “It’s been great having you around the Grove. I’ve noticed you haven’t had many nightly patrols. You think it’s possible that the demons returned to the Underworld?” he asked.
Orlando took a bite of mashed potatoes, savoring the rich, buttery taste before responding. “I have no idea what game they’re playing. They’ve continued to attack humans in small groups. Given the big splash they initially made, I expected them to escalate much quicker. Ember said there haven’t been any more attacks here.”
“No, the protections seem to be holding, thank the Goddess,” Hayden said as he filled his plate and kissed his grandmother’s cheek when she approached the table.
The Omega dwarfed most people, but his grandmother looked like a sprite compared to him. His hand spanned her back as he hugged her, but Orlando knew the power she wielded over the formidable male. She was likely the only being on the planet that could put Hayden in his place.
“Are they trying to find a way in? Ember didn’t mention anything,” Orlando asked as the thought occurred to him that the demons were waiting for their guard to fall.
“No doubt they are testing the border, but it’s nothing so obvious right now. You might be right. Good thing we won’t be letting our protections down anytime soon,” Hayden replied.
“One thing I’ve learned as a Dark Warrior is that the demons never give up. You can’t get comfortable because the second you do, they will retaliate,” Orlando shared.
Hayden joked with him about finally leaving the Dark Warriors to become a C.L.A.W. like his mate. Orlando wouldn’t even consider it. He was a Dark Warrior to his core and that would never change.
*****
“Sure. Movie next weekend sounds great,” Ember replied to Faith as she watched Orlando from the corner of her eye. Her mate was absolutely miserable and it was all her fault.
“You know I thought things would change after you mated, but they haven’t really. You’re still here for meals like usual, and, while you do moon over your mate, you’re not obnoxious about it,” Faith teased. “I’m glad we can still do girl’s night.”
That brought Ember’s head around. Faith was right. Nothing had changed in her life except she now had Brantley and Orlando living with her. Orlando, on the other hand, had his entire life turned upside down. He’d given up his friends for her.
The Goddess’s words echoed in her head. Somehow, Ember doubted the Goddess meant for Orlando to do all the compromising. She loved him even more for the dedication he’d shown.
“We will always have girl time, no matter what happens. You’re my best friend and nothing will ever come between us,” Ember promised and reached over to hug Faith.
Orlando’s laughter drew her attention back to him. Whatever was said might have been funny, but it didn’t touch Orlando, not really. The smile on his face didn’t reach his eyes. Or maybe it was that she sensed his unhappiness through their bond. She’d known it would be difficult for him, but she hadn’t grasped the depth of the bond he had with those at Zeum.
While she loved having him around, she knew he felt pushed out of the Dark Warriors. Initially, she thought maybe he’d taken some time to settle with her and Brantley, but she’d overheard a phone call with Santiago and discovered that wasn’t the case. He hadn’t patrolled more than half a dozen times in the past weeks and it was clearly getting to him.
The pack should replace the warriors. Pack is what differentiated shifters from other supernaturals and what made them stronger. She knew Orlando was energized by the pack, but it did nothing for his emotional wellbeing. She hated to admit it, but her mate wasn’t happy.
That acknowledgement was like a hot poker through her chest. The selfish part of her wanted to be his entire world and everything he needed, but that was wrong of her to even entertain. After all, he wasn’t her entire world. She’d just vowed to Faith tha
t nothing would come between them.
She made a mental note to call Santiago and have him talk to Zander. She didn’t want Orlando excluded because of her. He needed to patrol on a regular basis. If she suddenly lost her duties as a C.L.A.W., she would be miserable, too. She would make sure he was back on patrol, and then, she reasoned, he would adjust and be happier.
*****
“Come back here, Brant. Don’t make me chase you,” Ember called out from their bed and Orlando couldn’t help but laugh.
He ran a hand over his mate’s back. “You know he isn’t going to listen. Ever since he learned to crawl, he refuses to stay put.”
“Yeah, I know, but I’m tired. Someone wore me out while he was napping,” she murmured in a husky voice before lifting her head and nipping his lower lip.
His body stirred to life and he growled playfully. He heard Brantley in the living room playing with the small drum set Santiago had given him. Ember giggled and scrambled away from him to the other side of the bed. On hands and knees, he prowled to her, a low growl rumbling up his throat.
“Hmm, is the big leopard going to eat me?” she taunted.
“Hell yes, I’m famished,” he murmured.
Just as he lunged and tackled Ember on the bed, Brantley made his way back down the hall. Orlando lifted his head and saw Brantley sitting in the doorway with a smile on his face. When their eyes met, Brantley began clapping. “Dada,” he squealed.
Ember shot out from under him and was scooping up Brantley in the next second. “Did he just say his first word?”
“Yes, he did. And, it seems he loves me more, Wildcat,” he teased.
“In your dreams, warrior. He loves his mama, don’t you?” she cooed at the baby. Brantley giggled and grabbed her face and kissed her before squirming to be let down.
“We might as well follow him,” Orlando advised. “If we stay in here I’ll end up calling your mom or Faith to come get him so I can have my dessert.”
Ember playfully slapped his arm and headed out the door. “As soon as the little rug rat is down I will let you feast all you want,” she promised with a sway to her hips.
Orlando watched her sexy ass walk down the hall and groaned. He adjusted his erection and followed suit.
“So, what do you think of the plans I drew up for the addition?” he asked, needing to focus on anything but her delectable body.
He missed being at Zeum and there was a piece of his life missing, but there was no doubt how happy his mate made him and how much he craved her.
Orlando had come to appreciate the rustic décor of Ember’s house. It wasn’t the glass tables or black leather furniture in his rooms at Zeum, but he liked the raw edge wood tables and suede sofas in their cottage.
“I loved what you drew up, but you left out your man cave. I was certain you’d want space where you could escape everything,” Ember replied as she got a bottle of juice for Brantley. She handed it to him and he bounced on his bottom, happily slurping the drink.
“A man cave is a great idea. One with a locked door and a bench I can bend you over,” he suggested.
His voice dropped an octave and his nostrils flared as his mate’s arousal enveloped him. Sweet frangipani had his mouth watering and his hormones threatening to take over.
“Should I call my mom?” she asked seductively.
A plastic drum stick sailed through the air, telling him that Brantley wanted their attention. As much as he wanted to tell her yes and indulge in her lush body, their son needed them. They worked long hours and were away from him more than Orlando liked. Their days off needed to be focused on him.
“Let’s save that fun for later,” he said with a wink as he sat down on the floor next to Brantley and started banging the drum. “Besides, I want to hear him say dada again. You can do it Brant. Say, dada,” Orlando encouraged.
Brantley threw down the cup and giggled again. Orlando loved how happy their son was, especially considering how he came into the world. It meant Orlando and Ember were doing their jobs.
“I haven’t seen you with your switch blade lately,” Ember remarked as she joined them on the floor.
“That’s a habit I resort to under extreme stress, but I’m trying to break it. The last thing I need to be doing is flipping a sharp blade around Brantley,” he said with a shrug. When he’d initially met Ember, he had the damn thing in his hand all the time, but since life had settled into something much calmer, it had been easier to give up.
He missed her reply as he swayed and nearly fell face-first from the force of Zander punching into his mind. It had been a while since his Liege had reached out telepathically to him. Orlando’s heart raced, knowing there was an emergency at Zeum.
Before his mind went down the rabbit hole, Zander barked, “Get your arse to Zeum right now. We’re under attack and half of us can’t go ootside. We need you.”
Orlando recalled the last time the compound had been under attack during the day. Elsie and Zander both risked sun exposure to help in the fight and suffered terrible burns.
“I’ll be there in ten, Liege,” Orlando responded already in motion.
Brantley cried out, but he didn’t have time to stop and comfort his son. Grabbing his weapons from the gun safe, Orlando was rushing towards the door in the next second.
“Zeum is under attack! I have to go. I just hope I’m not too late,” Orlando informed Ember.
“I called my mom. I’m going with you,” she insisted.
“I don’t have time to wait and I don’t want you in danger,” Orlando replied. The thought of her facing the demons had his blood turning to ice in his veins.
Ember’s mother ran inside before she had a chance to respond. Without saying a word or arguing further, the two of them raced to his car and jumped in.
Orlando floored the accelerator and said a prayer to the Goddess that no one was lost. Regardless of where he lived, those at Zeum were his family and he loved each and every one of them.
CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR
“What the hell are those?” Ember blurted as soon as the gates to Zeum came into view. Her eyes went wide and her mouth gaped open as she stared at creatures she’d never seen before.
“Those are Sheti demons,” Orlando responded. “The offspring of humans and fallen angels. They’re tough as fuck to kill and we almost lost Jace to them not long ago,” he gritted and she felt a wave of rage pulsed through their bond.
She understood his anger and wasn’t looking forward to facing them. Even from a distance, she caught glimpse of lethal claws and large fangs that looked like knives. Anything able to injure a Dark Warrior like that was not to be taken lightly. She was a capable fighter, but she wasn’t as skilled as the warriors. The likelihood that she might die in this fight crossed her mind, but she refused to back down now.
She sensed her mate’s fear and frustration at not being there earlier, along with, his determination to help his family.
“Good thing I grabbed my sword,” she remarked, letting him know she was by his side. “How did they get through the protections? I thought they were impenetrable.”
“Nothing is impenetrable. Last time they got through using Dark magic. For all I know, they’ve been eroding the spell for the past few weeks. I haven’t been here so I’m not really sure,” Orlando shared with her.
Ember heard the self-recrimination and guilt stabbed her heart. It was her fault he hadn’t been there. Gritting her teeth, she reminded herself there was no way to change the past. Before she could respond, they cleared the gates and Orlando slammed on the brakes. Between one blink and the next they were out of his Mustang and smack dab in the middle of the chaos.
Countless lizard demons were fighting a handful of Dark Warriors. They were greatly outnumbered and she swallowed, trying to convince herself she could do this. She’d never seen so many demons in one place.
The first warrior she spotted was Gerrick. He was vicious in his attack. She caught a glimpse of his light blue eyes and a s
hiver ran down her spine. He was cold as ice and lethal as hell. And, he never missed his target, she acknowledged, as she watched demon after demon slump to the ground.
The demons were surprisingly small up close. She guessed about five feet tall, but evil seeped from their pores like tar and the sharp spikes running down their backs had her palms sweating. Then the stench hit her. She was nearly knocked out by the scent of brimstone, slightly sulfuric and rancid, mixed with the odor of dead fish.
“I forgot how nasty these fuckers smell,” Orlando remarked. “Stay alive, Wildcat. I need you,” he murmured then kissed her hard before he ran and joined the melee.
Taking several deep breaths, she decided on the stealth approach. So far she hadn’t been seen and wanted to use that to her advantage and sneak up on the creatures. Ducking behind a large bush, she crept around and got a close look at the mini-Godzillas with dark green skin that was scaly and thick. She glanced down at her sword praying it was sharp enough to pierce their hide.
The sound of snarls and weapons clashed, piercing her ears. She jumped out and had her sword swinging before the nearest creature knew what was happening. His head rolled and stopped in front of another Sheti who hissed and lunged toward her.
She ducked, but wasn’t quick enough. The Sheti caught her shoulder with its claws and ripped her leather jacket and broke through her skin. She’d forgotten to ask if they had the same venom as skirm, recalling how their bite had burned like acid. Expecting to feel her blood blaze through her veins, she was relieved when it hurt like hell, but nothing more.
Seeking a brief reprieve, Ember stayed close to the shrub and got the lay of the land before she attacked again. Ten yards in front of her, Orlando fought with four Sheti at once. He was a thing of beauty in action. He ducked and kicked out, knocking one on its back. Before it had a chance to get up, Orlando stabbed it through the heart and gave a rapid twist to his blade while at the same time plunging his other blade in the thigh of another.