by A. K. Koonce
It’s all around us, warning us to stay safely where we are.
But that’s not the plan.
For a moment, I just watch her. I watch the way the breeze pulls at her long hair, the skies turning her pale locks into a burning color. Her eyes are narrowed, her full lips pursed. She holds an image of total fearlessness.
That strength sinks right into me.
That feeling’s ripped away in an instant when the massive face and slitted, red eyes of a Death Striker slides through the ground. Its snake-like body coils higher until it’s looking down on the fearless woman who doesn’t notice the slinking black tail that’s starting to twist around her feet.
Chapter Seven
Want and Love
Violence
A hissing sound stings through the air and curls through my own body as the snake’s face leans down, showing me the sharp points of its teeth within its pale mouth. A mixture of fear and power strums through my veins, and, before I can react, Link slams his blade into the side of the thing’s face. It lodges into the black scales, just below its eye and it only makes the snake screech more. Fury shines in Link’s beautiful gaze as he pulls the blade from the scales and arches his hands above his head to repeat the blow. The snake’s fangs flash once more before flinging its tail into Link’s chest. The Fae sails through the air. Link’s body hits the ground hard, rolling through the sand, and I barely have time to look back at him before the creature strikes down on me.
Power rips through my chest, and the winds begin to bend at my will. It hits firmly against the beast, carrying it away from me in a gust of dusty wind. Its body lengthens, still fighting against my chaotic magic. As it twirls above me, it’s long body lashes out, its teeth attempting to catch against my skin. My palms rise to it, and the slick brush of its face against my skin has Cameron and Nollix racing to my side. It’s so close to snatching me right off this earth.
A tight and painful feeling fills my jaw as I clench my teeth hard to focus on the task at hand. With another wave of my power, the creature flies into the sky. The ribbon of its slithering body winds this way and that before it lands miles into the distance.
“Beauty and Bronze.” Tantra’s humming voice is the only sound for a moment.
Nollix’s arm brushes mine as he takes another step closer to me. He follows after me as I rush to Link’s side. Blood slips against the angle of Linkin’s cheek as he sits up to meet my gaze.
“Are you okay, Vi?” His palm skims over my jaw, and his attention flits across my face and slowly down my body. Worry lines his brow, and I can’t help but smile at him.
“I’m fine, Linkin.” My fingers skim the inside of his wrist as I kneel between his legs. The warm feel of Nollix’s palm settles low on my back as we both look down at him. “Go inside and get cleaned up.”
I lean into him, my chest pushing lightly against his. My mouth presses gently to his, and my lips part the moment we touch. His tongue strokes slowly along mine, taking his time tasting me. His fingers push through my hair, holding me against him as he kisses me so deeply I hum a low sound against his lips.
The fear of losing him to that enormous snake still thrums through my veins.
His attack on the creature was only a distraction. But the fear I felt when that thing hurt him is still pounding through my chest. I physically want to know he’s alright.
I pull back as I start to feel the heavy attention on my back. “Thank you.” The whisper barely has space to be spoken between us.
“Mmm, anytime,” he says.
His fingers slowly release their tight hold on my hair. My legs feel weak as I stand, giving him space as Nollix offers him his hand. The strong muscle of their arms tense in unison as Nollix lifts his friend to his feet. They stand just inches apart, and I stand close enough to feel the heat of their bodies against me.
And Tantra stands so close to me I can feel her breath against my hair before I spot her.
“You three are very open.” She says that last word like I’m a business and just anyone can walk inside.
My head tilts at her. I don’t trust her. I don’t trust her, and I don’t trust her friends. Even if we do need them.
I step away from her, and my back melds against Nollix’s chest as I put space between me and the woman who looks like she wants to eat me in the most violent of ways.
Link takes a step toward the house. “I’m going to check everything out; make sure we’re the only ones here.” He passes a look to Nollix, his gaze skimming to me before drifting to the Demons surrounding us. “Don’t let her out of your sight,” he tells his friend in a low voice.
“I didn’t plan on it.” Fingers skim against the sides of my arms, moving up and then so slowly back down. Harder, I lean into his chest, feeling every part of him against my body.
Link saunters toward the house. The door opens with a cry of the hinges, and darkness blankets over Link attempting to snuff out the warm glow of his sword. A feeling presses against my chest the moment he’s out of sight.
Alone. In this house. In the Underworld.
“Cameron, go with him.” I look to him, his sweet eyes widening as if he didn’t expect me to depend on him.
I do though. It’s a demanding and warming feeling deep within my chest. My father separated us by locking him away and the time apart seems to have changed the magic linking us. Our bond allows some distance between us now, but I still feel him. I trust him. Nothing he could say would ever make me not trust him.
“Yeah, of course.” He nods and stalks up the two front stairs and through the dark doorway.
One of the men, Sev or Rark, I’m not even sure which one’s which, walks slowly and tauntingly after the Warlock. My spine stiffens as he disappears into the darkness as well. The other two Demons follow.
Leaving us with Tantra.
A smile tilts Tantra’s lips. The simple smirk enrages me. My hand snatches her wrist, gripping her bones hard between my fingers.
“If any of you touch any of us,” my clipped words are spoken through clenched teeth, “I will use my power to rip your body apart piece by piece and feed your limbs to that snake like the little fucking rat that you are.”
The playful look that always shines in her eyes vanishes and is replaced with a wide stare that’s tinged with shock. She blinks the surprised look away, tilting her head away from me as if I hadn’t anything.
Slowly, I release her hand, and, on quick steps, she races after her men.
I hear her yell after her friends to get back here. Their shadows linger near the window, and I reach within myself to feel for Cameron. My heart beats hard and my gaze rises as I feel his pull on the second floor.
I wonder if he feels me the way I feel him, if it’s the same warming and aching sensation.
Slowly, I walk toward the door. Big hands grip my hips as Nollix’s body presses against mine and he backs me up against the dark siding of the house. I love the way he holds me. That raw power of his presses against me, and he leans his head closer to mine as his words whisper against my lips.
“You’re so sexy when you’re angry.”
I want to touch him so bad a throbbing need blooms through my chest. But I don’t. I fold my arms tightly around my body.
“Is that why you chose to ride with Tantra?” I have to work hard not to smirk at him. I know it’s nothing. I can physically feel his emotions, and there’s nothing there between him and the Demon woman.
But I still hated to see her pressed against him.
The weight of his body settles against mine as his fingers skim along my jaw, tilting my head up to him as he stares so deeply into my eyes I can feel him looking into me.
He’s never looked as serious as he does right now.
It’s … terrifying in a way.
“I—I wanted her to ride with me because I think I was jealous of her touching you.” His dark gaze shifts back and forth, studying my reaction closely. It’s almost like he’s afraid. But I don’t know w
hy. “I did it because I was jealous. I’ve never felt jealousy before. Not like that.” Another slow pause and his next words are spoken so low I lean into him even more to hear him. “I was jealous because—I love you.”
My brows rise, my lips parting just slightly. That ache to touch him intensifies so much I finally grip his shirt in my hands.
His lips skim against mine ever so slowly before he whispers again, “I love you.” A response waits on my tongue, but his mouth teases against mine; nipping lightly before pressing his lips a little harder to mine. “I love you.” His words are a shaking breath. A promise.
Just before his mouth covers mine once more, I finally speak. “I love you too.” He groans low like it’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever said as his nails dig into the underside of my thighs, and his hips pin me hard against the wall. His lips barely press to mine before his tongue slips into my mouth. The soft locks of his hair twists through my fingers. I pull him closer, deepening the kiss so much my teeth press hard against my lips. I suck his tongue and then pull back slightly to rake my teeth across his lower lip. A shaking groan rumbles through him as he slams his hand against the wall and rocks his hips hard against my core.
“You’re willing to risk being eaten by a Death Striker just to fuck a half Demon?” Tantra’s voice cuts through the building energy between Nollix and me and forces us to pull back just slightly.
The hooded look in his eyes is filled with desire and lust and … love.
My lips press to his tenderly. “Yeah, I am.” I pull him to me again, tugging at his hair as a smile curves his mouth.
I don’t wait for her steps to sound against the flooring inside before I kiss him harder, stroking my tongue against his. My fingers slip beneath his shirt, following the hard lines of his stomach down to the top of his jeans.
He pulls back slowly from me, his sated gaze meeting mine once more. The dark eyes of his Demon side shine back at me but they’re not intimidating. They’re dark, fierce, and beautiful.
“We really can’t be outside here at night.” The crimson sky is as fiery as ever. Pale shades of pink disrupt the heavens as if they’re fluffy, tainted clouds. But other than that, everything is the way it’s been for days here.
I trust him though. If Nollix says we shouldn’t be out here, then we shouldn’t be out here. Slowly, I pull my legs from around his lean hips, and he lowers me until my feet meet the ground. But I still cling to his hard body, not letting him step away from me yet.
“You’re the only person who ever looked past my flaws and my heritage and still wanted me.” His gaze watches me closely as he admits that. “Not even my parents were able to do that, Vi.” My thumb brushes against that scar along his jaw as a feeling twists low in my stomach.
I hate his parents for that. I hate that the world ever made him feel like he wasn’t good enough.
“Well, I do.” My temple rests against his. “I want you.” Another humming sound rumbles through his chest as he holds me tighter against him.
Apparently, wanting him and loving him are the same in his mind.
I want him.
I love him.
Chapter Eight
The Bond We Share
Linkin
A heavy darkness rolls in, shadowing over every inch of this place. It blacks out the skies, the hills, our very existence. Fire strikes against blackness, and Tantra’s sharp and eerie features are illuminated. She begins lighting lanterns and setting them on the floor at our feet, lighting up every speck of dust that lines the old floor boards. Graying walls are lined with deep, slashing scratches. Claw marks really, and the severe lines hold my attention, piquing my interest with unsettling curiosity.
“There’s a few rooms upstairs. Sev, Rark,” she looks to the two men who linger a bit too closely around Cameron, “I want you two to keep watch downstairs at the kitchen window.” Her brows rise, waiting for them to test her.
The two men pass each other a look before each taking a lantern and stalking into a shadowy room to the right. When Cameron and I did our search, we didn’t find anything. The light of my blade showed us very little of this house, but the old rooms were all vacant.
Tantra’s attention lifts to Violence’s and Vi holds a hard glare in her golden eyes.
“Sleep well, my love.” Tantra’s words hum with a happy sound that sets me on edge.
I can’t tell if she’s attracted to Violence, or if she wants to … torture her slowly.
My fingers slip into hers, pulling the Huntress after me as I take a lantern and lead her upstairs. Heavy boots follow after us, and warm lighting shines behind us as Nollix and Cameron trail through the house. When we reach the second floor, Nollix plants himself on the top step. His legs are spread wide as he looks down at the empty stairs like he’s waiting for them to challenge him.
“What are you doing?” Vi turns, and Cameron lingers at her side. My palm presses to the doorknob of the nearest door, but I wait for him.
“I’m making sure the Demon fucks stay where they’re supposed to stay tonight.” The tension of his shoulders only stiffens further as he pulls his blade from his belt, holding it loosely in his hand.
“You’re so sweet to care,” Cameron gives him a wink that only makes Nollix’s features become more somber.
“Yeah, I don’t care too much about your virtue, Warlock.”
“Keep telling yourself that.” A wide smile presses to Cameron’s lips and his gaze pauses on Violence, his attention skimming down her frame before he slowly walks into the room next to mine.
Violence takes a slow step toward the door as it closes, hesitating in the space between my room and his. Her lips pull low as she stares hard at the closed door.
I want nothing more than a few moments alone with her. I want to kiss her. I want to fuck her. I want her pressed beneath me.
But I want her happy more than anything. That’s all I’ve ever wanted for her.
“Do you want to go check on him?” My fingers skim back and forth against her knuckles.
I don’t hate Cameron. I don’t like him either, I suppose.
But she does.
I see it in her eyes. I see the confused way she looks at all of us. She’s balancing between us, and I hate the tension she’s always carrying because of us. She doesn’t have to. She doesn’t have to hold that weight within her when she’s with me. I want her. Just the way she is. Even if she’s not just mine.
“I’ll just be a minute.” She nods, her fingers slipping slowly from my hand. She turns around before turning right back, pressing her lips slow enough to mine to make me weak against her. She pulls back as soon as my hands skim over the curve of her hips. “Stay up for me.” There’s a shining promise in her gaze, and I’m nodding hard as thoughts of her beneath me slam through my mind.
And then she’s gone. The door clicking closed behind her.
I stand there staring at the wooden panes of the door for a several seconds before his voice tears me away from my thoughts.
“Are we stupid for sharing her?” Nollix’s voice is quiet and it presses along the thin walls of the dark hall.
On tired steps I walk toward him, lowering myself down to the top step at his side.
“I don’t think we’re stupid.” I peer at him from the corner of my eye.
Nollix and I have been friends for years. But I’ve never felt as close to him as I have recently. I feel like we’re more than friends. Like we’re family in a way. All it took was Violence to make us the family we were missing in our lives.
“My parents tried to raise me when I was little. My mom was Fae, and my dad was the furthest thing from it, but they gave the relationship a try anyway.” He pauses, his gaze held on the wall ahead of us as he speaks. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen love. Not really.”
He doesn’t talk about his parents often, but I know they gave up on each other. And then they gave up on him.
He doesn’t say it, but from the emotions that are swirling through
my chest right now, I know he feels it. I know the Wild Hunt is mirroring our energy right now. I know he loves her.
“It’s weird, but I don’t hate Cameron.” His lips pull into a slow smile. “Okay, I did at first. I fucking hated everything about him. But it feels like he’s supposed to be here. You know?” He looks at me with a confused look pulling at his features.
“It’s because of his bond.”
My simple statement makes his brows lower over his darkened eyes.
“We feel each other’s emotions. You don’t hate him because Violence likes him. Their bond is similar to the bond of the Wild Hunt. It’s just magic. But … it ties him to us.”
Nollix nods as if he’s understanding everything for the first time.
“What if the bond’s broken? Will she still like him?”
I shake my head. “I don’t know.”
A pause settles between us. His next statement presses a new feeling of fear into me.
“What if he breaks her heart?”
Chapter Nine
Goodnight
Cameron
She’s pressed so hard against the door I think she might crash back into the hall at any moment. For several seconds, we just stare at one another, the room growing smaller and smaller by the minute. She feels too close and yet too far away at the same time. My gaze follows the blonde locks that are kissing her cheek down to the soft skin of her neck and down to the full curve of her breasts. It takes more thought than it should to force my attention back to her pretty eyes.
Her gaze slips over the panes of my bare chest for only a moment. The dusty blanket over the bed skims against my thigh as I shift, my shirt held in my hands as I wait for her to speak.
But … she doesn’t.
“Did you need something?” There’s a rasping tone against my words, and I mentally face palm at the sound of my voice.
“I just wanted to say goodnight.” She nods. I nod. I wonder if either of us actually believe her.