Heat in the Bayou

by Brenda Trim

  "Like hell I will," he spat. "I've already told you that I will never work for you or your slimy boss. You might as well kill me now."

  "Tsk, tsk," the cambion chided. "You're making a mistake, but I'm not going to kill you. That would defeat the purpose. Plus, I can see by that raw brand that you have a Fated Mate out there somewhere," he said, pointing to his side where his shirt had torn open, revealing his mating brand. "You should have taken my offer. She will never want the male you are going to become after I am through with you," he threatened.

  Zeke felt true fear for the first time. Not fear for himself, but fear for Tia. Noise from the right had his head turning and he saw the shifters pulling out glass bottles and needles. Angel's Kiss.

  "Half-dose," the cambion ordered, bringing Zeke's head back around. "I can see you understand what is about to happen. Instant addiction and then you will be at our mercy. You will do anything I ask to get your next fix. Not even your mate will matter after this."

  Zeke roared his rage and fought with every ounce of strength he could muster. He refused to concede defeat. He would not give Tia up. He had just been given his Mambo and there was no way he was losing her. He would not allow her to try and help an addict because he had no doubt that she would tolerate his addiction and even try to help him, but it would destroy her in the process.

  The cambion stood up when the shifter came over with the needle. Zeke was tempted to bargain and accept any offer they had, but no matter what he did, he wouldn't be the male Tia was falling for. At least with the drugs, he had hope the realm scientists could develop a serum to counteract the addiction.

  "This will only sting for a second," the cambion warned as he shoved the needle into Zeke's arm. A loud crash from upstairs had the three males running out of the room. Brett had to have arrived with the pack. The plunger on the needle had not been pressed, but Zeke could sense the magic of the drug millimeters from entering his system.

  Leaning down, he grabbed the needle with his teeth and pulled it out. Spitting the needle away from his body, Zeke examined his chains, trying to figure a way out so he could help Brett.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Something was wrong, Tia thought as the bond to Zeke tightened in alarm. Her whole body went on hyper-alert as she tried to determine what was going on. She had reluctantly left him at her house to go to work. She'd wanted to stay with him and continue what they had spent the previous night doing. Making love to her mate was far preferable to selling trinkets to the tourists.

  Nothing gave her a clue as to what was going on, so she turned to the ancestors. After flipping the closed sign and locking the front door, she headed to the backroom and quickly set up a ritual. Uncertain if they would listen without being at the cemetery, she gave it her all because she didn't have time to waste.

  "What is it, child?" her grandmother murmured before she had finished with her offering.

  Blood dripping from the wound in her palm, Tia wrapped a rag around it and focused on the apparition of her grandmother. "Tank you for coming. Sometin is wrong with my mate, I feel it. I need ta know what and where he is," she rushed out.

  Her grandmother held her hands out as if she was going to embrace her and Tia noticed a watery sheen to her eyes. "Makes sense dat da shifter is your mate. We will talk later about how happy dat makes me, but for now, gather all the spells you can and I will head up da search."

  "Tank you, I will be ready," Tia promised as her grandmother disappeared.

  Grabbing the brown, leather bag that she carried her potions in, she rushed around the room grabbing every type of spell she could think of while cursing herself for being so messy. She had never cared about her lack of organization until her mate's life was hanging on the line and she needed to have the right spells to help him. As she rummaged through drawers and cabinets, she made a promise to become a total neat-freak as long as she could get to Zeke in time.

  Her grandmother wasn't back yet, she thought nervously as she looked through her bag, tossing her best offensive spell on top. Bag slung over her shoulder, she turned out the lights and waited by the back door. Tapping her foot impatiently, each second that passed scraped her nerves raw.

  Blessedly, a few minutes later, her grandmother returned. "You must hurry, child. Dey have your mate at dat restaurant Aunt Celeste told us about, located in Metairie. He's outnumbered…"

  She flew out the door, not bothering to hear the rest or even lock up the store. If someone was stupid enough to steal from Marie Leveau, more power to them. They wouldn’t like the wrath they’d suffer for it. Jumping behind the wheel of her car, she turned the ignition and raced through the streets as fast as traffic allowed. So what if she laid on the horn and drove on a couple sidewalks. She would do whatever it took to get to her mate.

  Having spent her entire life in the city, she took every shortcut she knew of. Throwing the car in park when she reached the restaurant, she jumped out, leaving it running without looking back. She could sense Zeke and knew he was in that restaurant. This close to him she also sensed his pain. Whatever had happened, he had been severely injured.

  Approaching the door to the building, she reached into her bag and grabbed a couple bottles, tossing them at the building. Glass vials broke and smoke filled the air right before an explosion that sent wooden shards from what used to be the door flying all around her.

  Stopping several feet inside the room, she clutched several bottles in her hands and surveyed the scene. The room was empty, but it was clear a fight had occurred there. A broken table and scattered chairs took up the middle of the room. Droplets of blood were on the floor near the chaos and led to a set of double doors across from where she stood. She thought it might be her mate's blood but couldn't be certain.

  Zeke's wild, earthy scent infiltrated the room, but she sensed more than just her mate’s presence. Her senses were as sharp as his panther's and she needed to be prepared to face several foes. Heading to the double doors, they burst open before she could get there.

  Three males came running out and stopped short when they saw her. One of them took a couple steps toward her and she held up her hands in warning.

  Chuckling, he glanced back at his companions then to her. "What do we have here? Did that mangy animal call his mate to come save him? You're too late. He won't care about anything but his next fix, not even you. Looks like we're going to have some fun before we finish here," he purred.

  Rage lit her mind so fast she couldn’t see straight. She had listened to what Zeke had said about Angel's Kiss and had no doubt that that's what they were referring to. It made sense, given that Aunt Celeste had picked up hints of it in this building and no doubt is why Zeke had come here in the first place. Of course, he'd waited until she wasn't with him to come here. He wouldn't want her in danger any more than she wanted him to be harmed.

  "Da only fun you are going ta have is with my friends," she warned before tossing bottles. One went to the corner closest to them, the rest breaking in rapid succession.

  Mist filled the room and crawled across the floor, mimicking the bayou. There was a reason for that mist in the swamps that many were not aware of. It was the home to the Voodoo nation, after all, and many creatures lurked beneath the veil. The frantic way the males moved their heads as they looked around and tried to see what was happening would have made her laugh if she wasn't so concerned for Zeke.

  After several moments, she waved her hand, clearing the mist. The sound of male laughter brought her head around.

  "Was that supposed to scare us? I think your little spell failed, darlin’. You might want to get some new tricks. Now, where were we?" he asked as he stalked towards her, his two minions in tow.

  She could practically see the way they salivated as they approached, corruption flowing from their auras. It was a frightening sight and if she had a moment's doubt in her potions, she would be frightened for what they had in store for her.

  One of the males suddenly jumped onto a nearby table whi
le the other two stopped moving and began stomping on the ground.

  "What the fuck?" called the mouthy one.

  "Guess it worked, after all. How's dat for scary? Where is my mate?" she demanded, bending down to pick up a rattlesnake from the floor. It wrapped its tail around her arm and sat at the ready.

  "Stay away from me. I'm allergic to those fucking things," cried out the male on the table as he glanced around and kicked at bugs that had made their way to the top of his table.

  Dozens of venomous bugs, reptiles and animals covered the ground. Rattlers, cobras and mambas slithered amongst tarantulas, brown recluse and black widows, as well as, poisonous frogs and lizards. Tia had also thrown rats in for the fear factor, not because they were poisonous, but because they would draw out death, slowly eating away at the being. And, they were all under Tia's control.

  The two males on the floor turned tail and ran back through the double-doors, which left her alone with Mr. Fraidy-Cat. She had to force herself to slow her steps to draw out the male's fear. She wasn't about to leave him when he'd had a part in harming her mate. She knew they hadn't killed him because she could feel him through their bond. Still, she had to force herself not to dwell on what the other male had said. She would stick by her mate even if addicted to some awful drug. They would find a way to deal with it together.

  "You don't like my friend?" she asked, petting the snake.

  "Stay back. I don't want that thing near me," he objected, backing to the edge of the table before stopping.

  "You shouldn't have messed with my mate," she snarled, throwing the snake at the male.

  “Fuck this. I’m out of here,” the male snapped, throwing up his hands. The next second, bright light in every imaginable shade of blue shrouded the male. The caw of an animal sounded before the light dissipated. When her vision cleared, she watched as a large eagle flew out of the open area that used to be the front door.

  One glance over her shoulder before entering a kitchen, she sent the message to all of her slithering friends to remain in the building. Scanning the room, she couldn't determine where the males had fled. She saw a door that led to an office, another that led outside. Aside from that, there were the double-doors she had just come through and the freezer. Grabbing a knife from a magnet strip on the wall, she prowled around the room.

  "Zeke!" she yelled.

  "Shit, Tia, run! Get out!" came the dim reply from the freezer.

  Following Zeke’s voice, she fled down worn steps in a rush. She came to a sudden halt when she saw him at the bottom of the stairs. Zeke was bleeding and beaten, barely able to fight off the two males. He was swinging out ineffectually and it took a minute for her to figure out why. Upon closer inspection, she saw that he had silver wrapped around his wrists and couldn’t break free.

  Stumbling, she glanced down and saw the remains of a broken chair. Zeke had to have been chained to the chair and broken it to get free. Rushing to his side, she stabbed out at the mouthy dickhead on her way and managed to leave a gash along his abdomen.

  Grabbing at the silver, she managed to cut one chain before they were each attacked. Of course, the mouthy bastard went for her.

  "I'm going to enjoy making you pay. I'm going to make your mate watch as I fuck you before I kill you," he threatened.

  A blinding flash of light had her shielding her eyes for several seconds. Blinking to clear her vision, she saw Zeke had shifted into his panther. Black as night and sleek as silk. He was a gorgeous animal, powerful yet graceful. She wanted to run her hand over his fur and become more acquainted with the beautiful creature. She made a note to ask him to shift for her later when they were alone. His roar echoed throughout the room, full of menace and retribution and rattled the small windows along the top of the wall.

  Hearing her mate’s fury brought Tia back to the pressing matters. She could smell the fear coming off the males before Mouthy snapped into action. Ducking under his reach, Tia stabbed at the back of his leg and felt the blade sink into his flesh.

  "Can you think of a more original threat? Why do males always use their dick to threaten females? Half the time they're only four inches, anyway," she countered, standing straight in a defiant stance.

  Zeke’s panther had been stalking the other male and cocked his head at her comment. "Not you, baby. You're larger than life," she said with a wink. The panther, clearly weakened from the silver, growled and shook his head.

  "Only for you, chicory. Only ever for you," his sexy voice murmured in her mind, surprising her. Their bond was cementing faster than she anticipated. Mates could communicate telepathically, but it usually didn’t begin until after the mating was completed. She wondered if it was possible because of her connection to animals. "But, I may have to tan your hide for coming here," he finished.

  She rolled her eyes and jumped back just in time to miss the punch Mouthy had thrown at her head. Grabbing a bottle from her bag, she enjoyed the way the male paused and paled. "Promises, promises. I may enjoy your hand on my ass," she teased Zeke, testing their telepathic link. The sensual rumble told her he had heard her, but she couldn’t give that any more thought because Mouthy had grabbed a weapon. Without pausing to think, she tossed the bottle she held at his feet.

  Glass broke and mist filled the air around him. He tried to run away, but couldn't move. His feet were encased in stone. "You fucking bitch. You won't get away with this," he blundered, clawing at the stone that kept him captive.

  Zeke snarled, lifting one large paw to swipe at the male he had been fighting. Four long furrows opened on the male’s chest and he went down as if hit by a ton of bricks. She imagined Zeke’s panther packed quite the punch.

  Tia ignored Mouthy’s futile attempts to get free as she watched light enclose the male’s form. Tia guessed he was shifting given what had happened with Zeke a moment before. The light seemed to be a combination of browns and greens that reminded Tia of the forest. A second later the light disappeared and a wolf stood there baring its teeth at Zeke. The wolf wasn’t much smaller than the panther, but Tia sensed a significant amount of power from the panther where the wolf’s power was minimal.

  A growl escaped the wolf and then it charged. The blood furrows were still visible on the wolf’s chest, but didn’t seem to slow it as it engaged the panther. Zeke’s power dominated within seconds as the tangle of teeth and fur came to a halt with Zeke’s jaws around the wolf’s throat. Thrashing his head from side to side, blood poured from the wolf’s neck as its head lolled at an odd angle. Tia knew the male wasn’t dead. It would take more than a broken neck to kill a supernatural.

  Tia watched as bright light encompassed Zeke once again. The light was beautiful and seemed to emanate the colors of the jungle. Seconds later, Zeke stood there naked with a scowl on his face. "No one talks to my mate that way," he growled towards the wolf, approaching her side.

  "You want to do the honors?" she asked her mate, motioning to Mouthy.

  "Absolutely," he replied, stepping up to the male.

  "You threatened my mate and tried to addict me to your pathetic drugs. Before you die, I want you to know how epically you have failed. Your boss, this A, will never take over the realm, let alone the entire planet. Nice try though. Say bye-bye, motherfucker," he snarled, punching his fist through the male's throat, ripping his head from his body.

  Tia didn't flinch or gasp at the brutality. Hell, she felt the same way. No one threatened her mate and lived to tell the tale.

  "Are you okay?" he asked, walking over and pulling her into an embrace.

  Cupping his cheek, she allowed all the fear, anger and worry over the past couple hours to seep out of her pores as relief washed over her. "I'm fine, but you will never leave me like dat again."

  "Never," he agreed, pressing his lips to hers. The slow slide turned urgent and tongues tangled in an erotic dance. She lost her ability to breathe between his kiss and how tightly he held her.

  Several minutes later, they came up for air and he laid his
forehead on hers, releasing his bruising grip. "I want to take you home to my pack and complete our mating. Will you come to Seattle with me?"

  "We have a couple tings ta deal with first. I have ta see Marie, and, you have an eagle to hunt down. What are we going ta do about dat one?" she asked, pointing to the unconscious male.

  "You’re right. I’ll have Brett start the search for the eagle, and this one’s coming with us to answer to Hayden. Now, let's go meet your Queen," he replied, heading for the silver chains.

  “We need ta get you some clothes before we see Marie. Your sexy backside is very distracting,” she teased as she enjoyed the glide of his muscles as he moved.

  Tia held her hand over her heart, thanking the Goddess for not taking her mate. She wouldn't have survived losing Zeke. She might not have known him for long, but she’d known him long enough to know he was her world now.

  CHAPTER SIX

  Zeke watched Tia as she pulled a crystal from her bag of tricks. He was still shaking from the near loss. What he thought had been Brett arriving to save his ass had been his mate. His heart had leapt into his throat when he had heard her voice upstairs. He didn't know how Kyran watched his mate face danger so often. He couldn't stand to see Tia fight like that. In fact, he never wanted to see her pick up a knife unless she was chopping food.

  She had been a thing of beauty, no doubt. Confident and sure, didn't hesitate in her attack. He had worried what she would think seeing the brutality he'd dealt the cambion, but he needn't have. She accepted every part of him.