This would be on her terms, as much as she could make it. Ive stood up straight and held her head high. She might not be of royal blood, but she could damn well put on a good show.
The man who had dragged her through the jungle was trying to speak to her and shaking one of the backpacks at her. Like she could answer him. Ive glared, trying to stare him down. He could stand there all bloody day, but she still wouldn’t be able to answer. Her only hope on that front was if Dji woke up. God, he’d be so confused. It was bad enough he was so down on himself. He couldn’t have stopped the Vessel’s possession.
Men could be so pigheaded sometimes. Taking all the blame when there was none, and it was worse when the guy had a hero complex. Dji was very old school in so many ways. Ive just wished he would wake up and do some magic mojo to get them out of there.
The slap came out of nowhere. Ive saw stars. What the hell? It wasn’t like she could rub her cheek, either. They’d tied her hands and had her on a rope lead. Did they really believe she’d run into the unknown? Right now it was better to stick with someone who knew the terrain.
What was with her screwed-up luck? Could nothing go right?
The tribe guy continued to wave the bag around. When she still didn’t answer he hit her harder. That totally wasn’t helping! She moved her jaw around. It didn’t feel broken, but she didn’t know how much more hitting she could endure. Fuckin’ bastards. If she’d had her hands free she’d have clawed their eyes out to make them wish they’d never taken her.
She wasn’t expecting the sucker punch to her stomach. She doubled over and then he threw an uppercut that Ive could see coming from her hunched over position. As much as she wanted to back away, there was no way it was happening. It clipped her chin and she flew back, hitting the ground—then nothing. The blackness seeped in.
Djimon snapped out of his self-imposed trance when he saw Ive go down. He roared and tugged at his captors, charging the man who’d dared touch what was his. He started to shift when a wall of magic cut him off.
“Genoeg.”
The word echoed through his whole body and he stopped in his tracks. They were speaking Afrikaans, his native tongue, but who were these people and why was the old one telling him ‘enough’? They should know better than to harm someone’s mate.
“Dmitri, wat is fout met jou? Hoekom is jy optree op hierdie manier, ons prober om jou te help.”
“What’s wrong with me?” Dji was trying to figure out why this man was calling him Dmitri and how he was trying to help him by beating on Ive.
He may have been out of it—that’s right—Dmitri, the soul who’d possessed his body for so long. They thought—this wasn’t good. Could he pretend? He might be able to, he’d lived with Dmitri inside him for so long, but he hated that spirit and thought he was through with him. That’s what this trip was all about—get rid of the damn Vessel and start a new life.
“English, old man. What is the meaning of this?” Dji stood taller and shrugged off the hands holding him, letting the arrogance he remembered from Dmitri take over, and Dmitri didn’t like to speak in Afrikaans, which was why he’d taught this tribe of renegades English.
“Dmitri, we saved you. This woman,” the old man spat on the ground towards Ive. “She held you captive and has the sacred instrument we need and won’t tell us where it is. The one you told us we would have back one day. That is why you are here, yes? It is time.”
Dji closed his eyes but, when he did that, flashes of the past hit him hard and he fell to his knees. Blood and bodies, so many dead and it was all his fault. He couldn’t do this. He was Djimon the protector of his tribe and he’d let them down.
“She doesn’t speak our language and who are you to touch my woman that way?” Dji opened his eyes and demanded.
“I am the tribe shaman and I am to help you create more soldiers to take over the world. Why are you being this way, Dmitri? What has she done to you? She did not say she was yours.” The old man pointed at Ive.
“Don’t touch her again, or I will rip you apart.”
“You are not yourself, sire.”
“No, I’m not and stop calling me Dmitri or sire.”
“What is the meaning of this?” the shaman demanded.
Power surrounded Dji and it wasn’t of his own making. If he’d had better control of himself, this puny magic user would have never been able to get the drop on him. Here he was wallowing and it was happening again. People would die and it would be his fault.
“I am the protector Djimon and you will release us now.”
“Dmitri warned us of this. You have taken back over? We will fix that. Where is the Vessel?”
It was Dji’s turn to spit, right into the shaman’s face, and he was slapped for his efforts. He growled. Dmitri would never take over again. Dji would kill them both first.
“You will never have the Vessel. It will be destroyed and you will be nothing. I will see to that, old man.”
“Brave words for a man who is so weak. I should have known right off you were not Dmitri. Bring them both.”
One of the old man’s henchmen picked Ive up and threw her over his shoulder. Dji growled. They touched what was his and he would have none of it. Power swirled inside him, starting in a small ball working its way up and up—his fingertips tingled. It was time—his magic was coming back and ready to burst, the release—he needed it now. Then it was cut off again. Fuck.
“We’ll have none of that, Djimon.” The wall of magic was back and it moved around him, tightening more and more until he was trapped.
Dji threw his head back and howled. No—not again, never again would he be held captive. He drew from an inner strength he didn’t know he had. Some reserve that had helped him to break free from the evil spirit. There was a man on each side of him and he ripped his arms out of their hands and grasped their wrists, tugging them around until he knocked them together—hard.
He was going for the shaman. If he took him down he could get his magic back—the power still constricted him, making him move like he was wading through water. He was so close he could almost touch the old man. Looks were deceiving—the shaman appeared brittle with wrinkles upon wrinkles covering his body and face, but the outstretched hands were enough for Dji to bounce off and hit the ground.
No. No, no, no, no, no!
He slammed his fist into the earth, using the dirt and essence from the land—anything that would help him to break the magical hold. Again, things were out of his reach and he hated having no control over his destiny. A new, primitive energy surged through him, but it wasn’t enough. Once his power was blocked he couldn’t get out of it. Not now when his strength was at its lowest.
“Do not worry. Dmitri will be back soon and you can sleep until you can be returned to the Ancients.”
They must not have trusted him to stay calm because someone brought out twine and wrapped it around his throat and wrists—if he made one wrong move he’d choke himself. He would have to reserve his powers and not fight anymore. There had to be a way out of this. He might die, but he needed to save Ive.
Chapter Three
Grey woke up grumpy. His neck hurt from the uncomfortable plane seat and Peter was nowhere to be found. That shouldn’t have surprised him in the least. The second Grey got too close, Peter ran away like he was on fire. He sat up and rubbed his shoulder. It wasn’t helping. He jumped, not expecting anyone to be around, but Peter was behind him, moving Grey’s hands out of the way.
No way could he mistake the wonderful smell of his mate. So outdoorsy and pine scented, it reminded him of Peter’s green eyes. Grey swallowed. He needed to get his libido under control because any moment—a groan stopped his thoughts. It was too late—his cock was hard and throbbing and his mate could smell his desire. Peter was too close and touching him. His body was in overdrive, wanting to mate and make Peter his for good. Peter rested his head on Grey’s and breathed in deep. Grey could hear every move Peter made.
He didn’t wa
nt this moment to end. If he made any move, he’d scare Peter away and they’d be back to square one. Grey had to take it slow, let Peter lead.
“I want you.”
“Pete—I’m not stopping you.”
Peter walked around to stand in front of him. Grey’s mouth watered at the sight of Peter. Peter’s cock was hard and outlined in his pants, right there—all Grey had to do was reach out and touch.
“It’s just sex.”
Grey closed his eyes. Fuck. How could he convince Peter it was more than that?
“For now.” Grey moved so he could nuzzle Peter’s crotch.
He wanted skin and they were wearing too many clothes. Grey wasn’t going to fight, not right now. He was too close to having a taste of his mate. But he wasn’t letting this go and wouldn’t let Peter put him in the fuck buddy category.
The zipper was right in front of him—Grey took it in his teeth and eased it down. Peter’s fat heavy cock was there, ready to be tasted. He’d gone commando. That was so sexy Grey almost came right there. He had no control over his body.
“Suck me, Grey.”
“What changed?” Grey had to know what had brought about this new attitude. This whole time Pete had been so standoffish—now he was giving in to his baser needs?
Pete looked confused. “Huh?”
Grey moved away, sitting back in his chair and not touching Pete.
“You’re fighting me all the time. Why now? What changed?”
“Can’t we just—”
“Have sex, because that’s all we’re good for?”
“No—that isn’t—not—”
“So you’re saying you want to try this—you and me? More than a quick fuck in the plane and then you go back to ignoring me or bitching at me?”
God, he was stupid. Pete was going to have sex with him and here he was questioning things. Why couldn’t he just take what he could?
Because I want more. I deserve more.
Pete crossed his arms over his chest. This was the man that Grey knew. The one with a chip on his shoulder who was angry at the world. This Pete he could deal with.
“I’m horny and you can’t deny you are too.”
“So I’m just here to scratch an itch? You can do better than that.”
“Screw you.”
“No, thanks. Don’t we have some pack members to find?”
“Fine. Breakfast is in the galley. I’ll meet you outside.”
Pete stalked off the plane, not even waiting for Grey to respond. He had no idea why he’d pushed it. Pete had finally shown a sexual interest in him and Grey should have run with it, consequences be damned. But he didn’t know how to deal with Pete. He was such a stubborn wolf and Grey wanted to get his hands on whoever had fucked up his mate’s life. Hell, Grey hadn’t had it easy in his den, but no way would he let someone dictate his love life, he’d love the person he wanted to. Let them try and he’d beat them down. It was different with Pete. Sometimes he looked so sad, like he wanted more. Grey wanted to give it to him.
Not now. Not here. Grey didn’t have time to seduce Pete to his way of thinking. They had to find the missing pack members and head home. Grey had more to worry about than his mate. His sister was out there somewhere, missing, maybe alone. They needed to get back to America and normalcy.
Grey went to find some food so they could get this crap over with.
* * * *
Who the hell did Greycen think he was? So what if Pete wanted a quick fuck? Was it his fault that, just once, he wanted to know what it would be like to have sex? To feel someone’s arms wrapped around him in love. God, he wanted that so bad, but he was worthless. Grey had just confirmed it. Pete wasn’t good enough even for a pity fuck. And now he was being stupid. Pete stormed down the plane steps. Maybe he’d take his cousin Everett on a road trip. Just them and their bikes with no one around for miles. At least until Grey left for his den, then he could return to his home. Pete gulped and rubbed his chest. It hurt to think of Grey leaving, but it was for the best. He was too tempting. Look what had almost happened. He’d walked into the cabin and seen Grey rubbing his neck and Pete had had to touch—the urge had been strong and before he’d known it he’d been behind Grey, massaging his back, working out the kinks. And those words had slipped out.
I want you.
But it was more than that. Pete craved Grey with a passion he hadn’t known existed. It hurt to deny him, but he had to. They were abominations and he couldn’t taint Grey or they’d both die. Hunted and shot down for wanting another man. His parents had told him they’d find him wherever he was if he so much as attempted to be with another guy. Pete believed them. There’d been a time a couple of years ago when Everett had dragged him to a gay bar. All he’d done was dance with a guy and his dad had been there with a knife. Cut him up real bad. He’d be dead if not for his cousin.
Nope, he wasn’t bringing Grey into his life. It would be better if he left.
For who?
Pete closed his eyes and sat on the ground. The thoughts he was having were dangerous.
Your family can’t find you here, dipshit. Do something. Fuck Grey. Let him fuck you. No one would know.
But he would know and the minute he stepped foot back in America his parents would show up. Probably kill him and Grey. No way in hell was that happening. It was safer this way. And he’d keep thinking that until he convinced himself.
Grey brushed past him and dropped a pack beside him.
“Do you have the coordinates Bella gave you for the necklace?”
“Yep. GPS too,” Pete nodded.
“Great. The pilot is staying here with the plane. Let’s get this over with.”
There were no words between them as they made their way through the jungle. Grey was angry and Pete didn’t blame him. The situation was fucked up and they really didn’t have time to get into it. Pete had to get away from temptation and the damn pack had forced him into a situation that made it hard for him to keep his hands to himself.
Why do I have to?
Wasn’t Grey some kind of protector? He could hold his own. All Pete had to do was explain the situation.
And there he went, thinking dangerous thoughts again.
They stopped for a water break. Everything looked the same. Pete looked down at the GPS. They had to be close.
“If we don’t find it in a few hours we’ll set up camp. I don’t want to go tramping around in the dark in an unknown place. We’ll take turns with the watch.” That was the most Grey had said to him all day.
“Are you sure we can’t push it a little more?”
“I don’t know about you—but I’d like to get home alive. We don’t know what kind of predators are out there or if there is some kind of ambush waiting. I want to be alert and ready for anything.”
There wasn’t anything Pete could say to that. Grey was right. Their break over, they continued their trek until they reached a clearing.
“Why haven’t we seen the wreckage from the other plane?” Peter inquired.
“Good question. I have no idea, but what does this look like to you?” Grey waved him over.
Pete looked around—it was an odd place to be so open. He crouched down beside Grey.
“Is that… Hell it is—the necklace.” Pete looked over at Grey.
Grey reached for it.
“Wait—” But Pete wasn’t in time. The second Grey had the necklace in his grasp, he was flung back.
Pete rushed over. Grey didn’t look hurt. He sat up and looked around.
“Fuck!”
“What happened?” Pete demanded.
“Joy spelled the damn thing. Now my head is pounding. I saw it. Everything. Ive and Djimon were captured by some native. Joy and Zareb went to destroy the Vessel.” Grey tossed the necklace to the ground, like he couldn’t get away from it fast enough.
“Did you see which way Ive was taken?” Pete kicked at it, but was careful not to actually touch it.
Grey pointed off to the
right. Pete could make out a trail—barely, but it was there.
“I want to camp here tonight. When daylight hits we’re going after Ive.” Grey stood and brushed off his pants. His ass looked good enough to squeeze—but Pete wasn’t going there.
He cleared his throat. “Not half-cocked. We can’t race in there and save the day.”
Grey gave him a look that said ‘duh’. Pete just grinned back until he realised what he was doing and he looked down. He couldn’t get chummy, it was too dangerous.
“We’ll observe first, assess the situation and then take action. You ready for this?”
Fighting might be the only thing Pete was ready for. That was easy—emotions on the other hand could go fuck themselves.
“I’m ready. Let’s start unpacking.” Pete turned his back on Grey and rifled through his pack. There was a small pup tent inside and a few things to make a fire. He tossed them out and set up camp.
This was the life—roughing it outdoors under the night sky. He looked up and was amazed by all the stars. He really shouldn’t have been, because the pack house was just as lovely at night—but this was different. He was a world away from his problems. Now, if he could just take what he really wanted. He shot a glance over at Grey to see him doing the same thing—setting up a tent a few feet away.
Would he have the balls to suggest they use one tent for body heat? Probably not. He’d freeze his balls off before getting that close to temptation again.
“You doing okay? How’s the head?”
“Fine. I’ll get the fire, you do dinner?” Grey wouldn’t even look at him.
Good. That’s what he wanted—wasn’t it?
Pete rummaged through the bag for the MREs they’d packed. He didn’t know where Russ came up with military rations, but he wasn’t going to question it. They would do for tonight. If they were here much longer he’d go hunting to find some fresh meat.
He watched Grey through lowered lids, trying not to be too obvious. He knew it was ruined when his cock hardened. Warring scents were in the air. This tension had to be broken and he’d do it if he had to. Enough was enough. They might not be mates, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t have more. Screw his family.
Redemption Page 2