by Trina Bates
Her body starts to shake and when I pull back and look at her she’s shaking her head at me. “What?!” I cry out with my own laugh garbling my voice when I start to think about how ridiculous I’m being.
“We said our own shit earlier when you were with Lord High and Mighty. She misses home and is ready. Knowing that Lucifer is going to take care of our problem lifted a weight we all carried. There’s a lot of questions we have, but none of us are going to ask them. Kind of feel like it will jinx it all if we do.” She lifts her shoulders once and does the usual Blue thing and swats me on the ass when she walks by me, leaving me staring at her men.
They all wear the same knowing smirk and I flip them off which none of them seem to understand but Vali who laughs silently to himself. I turn away from them and pull my arm back as far as it will go and swing with a force I didn’t fully intend. When my hand meets the soft supple thinly covered flesh of her ass, the crack sounds in the air right before her yelp of surprise and pain and then she jumps forward, spinning on her heels when she lands with a bright red face.
“You, you are going to get it,” she growls out playfully as she rubs gently at her now tender skin.
I lift a brow at her smugly and take a few quick steps and push my own ass, safely into Merrick crotch. He laughs and pulls me further into him and wraps his arms around my front, over my shoulders and places his chin on the top of my head. Blue is glaring at us and I know Merrick is goading her with the look he must be giving her.
“What is next on the list?” Arvid asks, fully stopping our play time with his question.
We all turn to him and I cock my head slightly to the side wondering. “What do you mean?” I ask back to him.
“If you’re supposed to give proof to this, absurd supernatural ruler, how will that be done when you yet know if the deed has been done?” His deep voice is filled with concern as he takes a few steps closer to us.
He’s completely right. Honestly, I thought I would be able to call on Apollyon later and ask for it. We hadn’t even asked him when he would do it, we were just assured he would kill my father. I have no answer for him. What if Apollyon doesn’t answer the call like he did last time, what if he’s angry for being called on once again? I don’t want to push my luck too far. We already have a good thing going on and to think it could be ruined over something so trivial, it frightens me.
“He has a good point,” Rhydian says with regret in his tone.
I look over to him and close my eyes, knowing he’s going to want more answers as well.
One step forward, three steps back.
“I know he does,” I huff out and turn back to the Viking. “If we need proof, we ask for it. He never said when he was going to kill him, only that he would. You’re right. I also need to ask him for proof and tell him about the deadline we have to get it done before the Conclave has all the rights to start hunting for us again.” My shoulders fall and my insides are twisting in a thousand knots as the reality of contacting Apollyon settles sourly in my stomach.
Pulling Merrick’s arms away, I start walking to the back door, but wait patiently for my guys to catch up. There’s no way I want to contact him with the people that are still here, inside. To the gym it is.
Mira:
Standing surrounded by all of my mates, I call out, giving heart to the words that I shout into the quiet building.
“Apollyon, please. I need to speak with you. It’s urgent.” I roll my eyes hating the fact that we’re even here, and that I’m saying please to the fucking Devil.
The temperature in the building drops and I can’t help the shiver that races through me. I want to come of as strong, impenetrable and a threat if necessary and shivering doesn’t bode well in helping me keep up appearances.
“Such a sweet surprise to hear you call my name so soon after our last meeting. What?” Apollyon’s voice sounds from behind us making me turn on my heel so fast I nearly fall over from getting dizzy.
He startled us all and with the proud stance and crossed arms, not to mention the absurd smirk on his face, he enjoyed the little taunt. I glare at him putting my hands on my hips, my wings unfurling from behind me and startling my guys once again. I look at four of them out of my peripheral and hope they’re okay. They hate this just as much as I do, but it’s necessary. I try to keep my mind away from theirs, and their feelings at bay so I can concentrate on what’s going on in front of me.
“You’re a dick, Polly.” I roll my eyes and smile on the inside when I see his stance falter and his hands grasp onto his tailored suit with such force his knuckles start to turn white. “There’s a little problem with our deal. For my mates, friends, all of us to be safe, I need to give proof of my father’s death. We have two months, and I was wondering if you not only knew when you would take care of the problem, but also if you would be so… kind, as to give me said proof when you do.” I cringe out already imagining a severed head landing at my feet out of nowhere.
Apollyon licks his lips and starts to pace with one hand on his hip, the other, scratching his chin like he’s deep in thought. He’s annoying and toying with us. I know I shouldn’t have made fun of him, pushing my luck calling him Polly, but he deserved it. From the upturned sneer on the right side of his face, I think he knows it too.
I exhale louder than I normally would, jut out a hip and start to look at my nails. “Oh, alright. Though, since the details of our agreement have changed, I too would like to change something,” he states so proud that I falter, my words stuck in my throat.
We all had an idea that he would do something like this, but hearing it, damn well knowing he can if he wants to, it doesn’t make it any easier and all I want to do is go smack the smug smile off of his face.
“You are so predictable. The stories really don’t do you justice.” I roll my eyes and wave a hand a him trying to get him to hurry this up and spit whatever his new demand might be, out.
“They don’t, it seems. I’ve been gone far too long. Now that I’m back… things are going to change and I see nothing but fun in all of our futures. I want to amend that as an added part of our deal, before the night’s end, you travel to a different realm. If you’re not off of this world past nightfall, the deal is null and void.” He’s got his back to us, so when I turn to look at my guys, trying to get a read from them.
-This is nuts, what the hell?- Rhett wonders, looking at the back of the Devil with confusion.
-Why does he want us gone?- Ebbin asks with skepticism and turns away, getting lost in his own thoughts trying to figure it out.
-Something’s up and he’s holding back.- Merrick growls glaring at anything and everything that his eyes land on.
-I say we do what he says, we have a few hours and it’s not like we weren’t going to do just that anyway,- Rhydian states with hope and a nonchalance I wasn’t expecting.
He’s right, we were planning on leaving and if this is all he wants to ask of us, who are we to argue with something so simple?
-Still, I want to know. After that, we can all go back to the nice warm Yggdrasil and relax in the cool rosey waters,- I tell them, already imagining my toes dipped in the water. Relaxing with them by my sides and enjoying the lush landscape around us as we await Alyria’s arrival.
Without waiting for their reply, I can already feel their agreement with Rhydian and through our bond, I turn back to Apollyon and walk to his side.
“What aren’t you telling us? We agree, but there’s something you’re hiding.” Before I can go on, one eyebrow raises and a knowing, secretive smirk takes over him making me want to, yet again, slap him. He’s not going to say, and I’m not giving up. “Huh uh, I asked something of you, gave you the reason as well. Tit for tat, don’t make me hate you more than I need to,” I goad knowing there’s something in him that likes me and doesn’t want to test my patience like he’s doing now. His face softens and he rolls his eyes. The human gesture so strange with his eerie reptilian yellow eyes that I about throw up
.
“You are so fun. The most infuriating, righteous, blunt, willful, and annoyingly hilarious being I have ever met,” he states turning away and behind me I hear four sets of snickers and a clearing of a throat.
-I will so kick all of your asses. Shut up,- I grind out in their minds and hear feet shuffling immediately after which brings my own smug smirk to the surface.
“And?” I retort back to Apollyon.
“And, nothing, I want you gone because your father has something planned, something that even I can predict. I can sense is whereabouts in Hell, not his exact location. It seems my time away has given him an… advantage of sorts and my powers are not yet back to what they need to be. His minions are loyal to him.” He grinds his teeth together so hard I can hear the squeak of his pristine teeth from a few feet away. He’s angry that he’s lost a foothold over his own creations. Shouldn’t have left. “Until I can feed further, I’m at a disadvantage when it comes to finding him. Therefore, to keep your end of the bargain, and mine, you must leave. I still have need of you and our deal will not be broken.” With that, he blinks out of existence leaving the five of us standing in shock, reeling from the knowledge that he’s not so high and mighty like we all believed.
“Do you think he’s going to be able to take his life when he finds him?” Merrick asks to my left with a tinge of worry.
I know exactly how he feels. My own thoughts are taking over and I don’t know how to answer him. Instead, I smile at the small victory of getting what we all want from him and also the fact that Apollyon was forthcoming about the why of what he wanted.
“I think we should get out of here as soon as we can. If Polly is unsure of my father's actions, and whereabouts, that only begs the question of, when and why is he going to hit next? Let’s not lick a gift horse in the mouth and wait,” I grumble already walking to the door and letting the cool air caress my face as I step out and start walking to the house.
Blue, Torunn, their mates, they all want to come with us. I know I should be ecstatic about that, it’s Torunn and my brother’s realm afterall. But with the threat of my father looming so close over our heads, I’m terrified. And what about my mother and Rial? He’s already tortured her enough and I doubt Rial, even being as powerful as I have felt, could come close to protecting himself or her if Alastor did show his face there.
-Cynide, what do you think? I know you heard all of that, do you think knowing what we know now that we should chance going to Yggdrasil? Should we go to the shifter realm?- I hate to even think that there might be a slight chance Alyria won't be born in her ancestral home, but if I’m going to keep us all safe, sadly, Yggdrasil isn’t the place that’s going to happen.
-I think it’s actually the safest place you could go. Not only do you have protection, but you have the magic of the Valkyries behind you. Torunn is powerful in her own right, and if I know anything, she will travel to the training barracks and enlist help from more like you. If we go somewhere else, you are endangering others that know nothing of this fight. Yggdrasil, the people there, all of them, they’re a proud race that boasts at how well they do protect others and fight the good fight. We have so much magic with us, we can set the wards, we can call on the Spriggans, we will be safe and I don’t think your father is smart enough to realize you would go there again. He will think you won't since that’s where he found you before. It will take him time to figure out where you are and that is all we need. Time.-
It makes sense, but I’m still worried. I let my fears be heard by the others and when my hand settles on the door to the cabin, I feel love and an uncanny sense of calm that take me aback. I let my hand fall and turn to see Ebbin, Merrick, Rhydian, and Rhett all staring at me with confidence. They don’t say anything, only give me reassurance by their presence.
“We’re going, now get that sexy ass up those stairs and let’s get finished with the packing. I will tell the others we are about to leave.” Ebbin grins smacking my rear end and walking past me inside before I can say anything.
Opening the door to my room, I’m lost as to what I’m supposed to pack for this kind of thing. Ebbin and Rhydian have already gotten most of it done. What’s left for me to do? I only want to bring along my gear, a few airy dresses, some sandals and maybe some food that they won’t have there. I glance to my left and smile seeing my book still sitting on the little table by the chaise. I place it back on the shelf and go look for another one. Sitting on the edge of the water with a book in hand sounds like heaven.
Picking up a book with a colorfully drawn cover, I turn it over and read what this one is, not remembering what happens in this installment. A woman standing with three different colored wolves at her feet. Magic swirling in one hand and a blade in the other. Turning the book over I read a quick bit about it. An accident leaves a woman, Harper Blake, with no memories. When she wakes up with a stranger taking care of her, and in a place she has no knowledge of, things get strange. The stranger helps her find the answers she seeks, but as strange powers start to awaken in her, she left with more questions than answers. Yet again, pulling randomly at the shelf for proves to be the best way to find a book that strangely, in someway fits my life somehow. I can’t wait to dig in!
Grabbing a bag from inside of the bathroom closet, I place the book inside with a few things essential for every female and walk back out. I snag the oversized dress shirt of Ebbin's from his drawer, thinking it will be perfect to wear over a bathing suit and then my sandals and walk back out of the room before I even notice Ebbin in the corner packing a few small things of his own. Before I close the door, I send him a reassuring smile and wink, leaving him to shake his head at me and finish his end of things.
Coming down the stairs for what gratingly seems like the millionth time, I turn and glare back at them, ready to not have to deal with them anymore. It’s bad enough having to walk up them without the heavy load I carry in the front of me. With the bump? Hell. Hell on the knees, back, and feet.
“Can we go now? No more of this, up and around shit,” I mumble and peer at the ground.
Craning my neck up when I hear laughter around me, Vali stands with his arms crossed over his broad chest with an amused grin. Gor is standing next to Vali’s imposing frame, looking every bit as fierce as the Viking and has a twinkle in his eye when he gazes down at my belly. He can’t wait to meet his niece and I have no doubts he will be an amazing uncle. Merrick stands on the other side of my brother, licking his lips when his trailing eyes land on my ever growing breasts, that are showing ample cleavage even though the top isn't low cut enough to give that good of a view. I wave them all away with a smile and walk past.
“Don’t deny a man the basic needs, those are ours to stare at, play with, and lick any time,” Merrick growls low in my ear seductively making a wave of euphoria wash over me.
“Nope, not unless the same goes for that sinful shaft in your pants. Come on big boy, let it hang out so I can, lick, play, and stare,” I retort back trying to stir his inner desires like he did mine.
It works. When I turn to see his expression, it’s filled with heat. His eyes half-lidded and his pants already sporting an impressive tent. I got what I wanted and more. Seeing his reaction to words, I feel heat pool in my core and a tingling sensation starts inside of me, wanting nothing more than to be bent over right here, right now, and fucked senseless. I send the image to him and bite my lips when he groans. The entire room fell away from us for just a moment, until Torunn walked in and snickered.
Rolling my eyes and gazing longingly at Merrick, I shake my head a little and turn away trying to hide the burning in my cheeks that I know are turning a deep crimson.
“You still get embarrassed, even being with us through so much. You are so fucking perfect, love,” Merrick whispers in my ear, his hot breath making me shiver.
I love that he thinks that, but in the scheme of things, we haven’t really been together all that long. A few months at best. It’s been a whirlwind of adventu
re, love, broken hearts, broke trust, but most importantly, of finding each other. Not just us either, but a family member we didn’t know existed. Some that we thought were long dead. We have all gained so much in a short expanse of time, it’s what has made all of the shit that we’ve endured, worth it.
Dragging myself out of those thoughts, I wink at him bump him with my hip. “Torunn, is everyone ready?” I ask turning to face her, and when I do I have to do a quick double take.
Everyone and I mean Blue and her harem, Torunn and Gor, Rial and my mother, the two Agathions and my men are all standing proud and ready. Smiles on their faces, bags in hand.
Rubbing the back of my neck, not expecting to have been a spectacle to so many, thankfully, Rhett breaks the awkward silence giving me a moment to catch my breath.
“Sit in a circle children, hold hands really, really tight! This show is about to get wild.” His voice is high like a school teacher and I laugh under my breath, readying myself to pull as much of my magic to me as I can. Before, I have moved a larger amount, but this is a much larger group. I’m a little nervous I won't be able to do it. I close my eyes sending up a silent prayer to my ancestor Alyria and when I open my eyes to the touch of someone's hand on my arm, another hand lands on my other. Torunn and Siv are there, on each side of me with reassuring, warm smiles. My mother and I might not be in the best of places, but for her to take the first step, lending me her strength, I nod my head to her in thanks, and take a deep calming breath.
“Together,” Siv whispers and my heart swells.
“Together,” Torunn and I say in unison, watching the hands of the rests of our group clasp together. With that, I close my eyes with a happy smile on my face and when I feel the magic of Torunn, and Siv start to swirl around me, I add my own to it and we all lift away, leaving this realm behind.