Eye of the Beholder

by Dana Marie Bell

  Jeff grinned. “Nope. My boss gave me the month off, and frankly some of us have been too busy to chase tail.”

  Travis flipped him the bird.

  “Besides, who else do you trust to hunt down Nik?”

  “No.”

  “Uh-uh.”

  Jeff stared, startled, at Logan and Kir. “Why not?”

  “Because Nik can’t be found unless he wants to be found. Besides, you can’t go where Nik is likely to go.”

  “Where? Siberia?”

  “Try Alfheim or Vanaheim. Or even Asgard. While Jordan and Jamie can go there now thanks to their blood bonds, you can’t.”

  Jeff flopped back on the sofa. “You people suck.”

  Jamie grinned at her twin. “Bored?”

  “Titless.” He sat up. “Give me something to do? Anything.”

  Travis focused on Jeff. “I have an idea, but I’m not quite certain if you’re up for it.”

  Jamie’s eyes flew to Travis’s face. He’d sounded weird. “What idea?”

  Travis darted a quick glance at Logan. “I want to be the one who frees Fenris.”

  Logan’s quickly indrawn breath could be easily heard. “What if he tries to kill you?”

  Jamie tensed. “Yeah, what if he tries to kill you?” Because she’d have a new fur coat if the wolf laid one paw on her man.

  “I’m taking Jeff and Jamie with me, but first I have to deal with Grimm’s little game.”

  He acted as if they hadn’t said a thing. Wasn’t Tyr the one who’d betrayed Fenris, chaining him down before the wolf was impaled through the jaws on a sword? Jamie very much doubted Fenris would be in a forgiving mood, apple explanation or not, despite having taken Travis’s hand in payment.

  “I’m in.”

  Jamie swung her head toward Jeff, startled by the eager look on his face. “What?”

  He leaned forward. “Bored. Titless.”

  She leaned forward too. “Dog. Kibble.”

  Travis ignored them both. “I want volunteers to go speak to the Norns.”

  Magnus and Morgan raised their hands. “We’ll do that,” Morgan said.

  “Logan, Jordan and I will go speak to Hel.” Kir placed his hand over Logan’s open mouth. “If she’s not safe with us, she’s certainly going to be safe in Helheim. And you know your daughter has to meet her.”

  Logan frowned but kept his protest between his teeth.

  Magnus sighed. “What about Jormungandr?” Apparently her brother wasn’t quite over his objections to freeing Logan’s children, but he was going along with the majority.

  Travis scratched his chin thoughtfully. “I’ll get in touch with Kye.” Travis smiled ruefully at Jamie’s confused look. “Sorry. Kye is Njord, god of the sea. Maybe he can find him.”

  Logan nodded. “Good idea.”

  “You’re determined to do this?” Jamie asked her twin. Hell, she could practically feel the excited energy vibrating off of him. It was the same way he got when he got a really juicy case to work on. Once he was on the hunt there was no pulling him back from it.

  He growled and took everyone’s empty plates and glasses, and she knew the fight was over.

  Looks like I’m going to Norway. She leaned back into Travis with a new worry. How were they supposed to survive the ultimate pissed-off werewolf?

  “Time for bed, sweetheart.” Travis held out his hand, gratified beyond belief when Jamie took it.

  “Wait, I have something for you.” Logan dashed off to the spare bedroom and came back with, of all things, their luggage. “Here.”

  Travis looked at it. “You’re kicking us out?”

  “Damn skippy.” He dug into his pocket and pulled out a set of keys. “Pick a condo, any condo.”

  “Logan.” Jordan barked at her husband, looking mortified.

  “What?”

  “You can’t kick them out!”

  “Why not? I’m kicking everyone out. It’s not like I’m singling them out.”

  “Where are they going?”

  Good question.

  “They’re staying on this floor, but, babe, this place is too small for all of us. If it makes you feel better, I got the M and M’s and Jeff a place here too.”

  “Is that what you were working on all afternoon?” Jamie was smiling as she took one of the keys Logan held out.

  “Hell, yes. I love you guys, but I’m tired of people walking in on my naked time. I sure as hell don’t want to walk in on your naked time.”

  Jeff reached out and snagged one of the keys. “And I’m getting tired of seeing your naked time.” He looked up, his expression serious. “Is the entire floor safe?”

  Logan nodded. “Saw to it while we were waiting for the pizza.”

  “I’ll reinforce it in the morning.” Two elements would be stronger than one, and Travis and Logan, thank goodness, weren’t opposing elements. If Logan had been a frost Jotun rather than fire, they might have had issues when they tried to twine their magic together.

  “What happened to the neighbors?” Jamie returned to his side, standing close to him. Once again he put his arm around her, his cock twitching as she snuggled in close to him. If he was reading the signals right whatever bug had been up her butt earlier today was mostly gone now.

  “Oh, they’re all still in the building, just in different, previously empty condos. Let me tell you, I’m pooped from changing all that paperwork and all those memories.” Logan snorted. “All except Dick Head’s personal log, that is.” He snickered when Jordan smacked his arm.

  “Who’s dickhead?” Jamie was laughing, her arm was wrapping around his waist. Suddenly he really couldn’t give a crap what Logan had done to get them the condos, he was just grateful no one would be walking in on his naked time.

  “The building manager. He’s a little, um, uptight. He and Logan have clashed before.” Kir handed a key to Morgan and Magnus and another key to Val. He looked down at the key in his hand, grinning when he saw the Tiwaz rune etched on it.

  Morgan held up their key. It had a cartoon peanut M and M etched onto it, complete with legs, arms and eyes. Magnus had a matching one with a plain M and M. “Very funny, asshole.”

  “I thought so.” Logan smirked as everyone laughed.

  Travis was startled to see the wolf’s head etched into Jeff’s key, and could tell that Jeff was too. Neither one of them said anything, however, as Jeff pocketed the key and grabbed his bag.

  “Which one are we in?” Magnus was already heading for the door, key and luggage in hand.

  “Pick one. The keys will turn into what you need and then they’ll stay that way, so don’t change your mind.”

  “Oh, cool.” Jamie grinned up at him. “Ready to go?”

  Travis’s dick throbbed behind his jeans as her breasts rubbed against his side. “Hell yeah.” He was planning on picking the first door they came to. The sooner he got her alone the sooner he could get her naked.

  “Who are the extra keys for?”

  He looked at the keys still held in Kir’s hand. Jeff had a good question.

  Kir looked down at the keys in his hand. When he looked back up, his pupils were white. “I don’t know yet.”

  “Oookay. Outta here.” Jeff hugged Jordan and Jamie, waved bye to the others, grabbed his duffel bag and headed out the door. “Later, weirdos.” He didn’t bother shutting the door behind him.

  “And on that note…” Morgan grabbed his bag and walked toward the door. His brother was long gone. “Thanks, Logan.” Morgan turned back briefly. “Tomorrow night, our place? No sense in making Kir clean up two nights in a row.”

  “Works for us.” Kir smiled and waved the men out the door. “Night, guys.”

  “Go. Leave. My clothes are coming off in two seconds. One.” Logan crossed his arms and glared at Travis and Jamie, his lips twitching as his two lovers groaned.

  Jamie grabbed Travis’s arm and began running for the front door, laughing as their bags landed at their feet. The door to the Tait-Saeter condo shu
t with a snap on the word “Two.” laughter sounding through the door until it was abruptly cut off.

  “C’mon, let’s find out where we’re staying.” Travis tried to pick up all of the suitcases but Jamie was having none of it. She grabbed three pieces all by herself, leaving him with the last, and heaviest, bag.

  In the end they didn’t get the first door. They were about five doors down from the Tait-Saeters’, which bothered him not one little bit. He followed his woman into the living room, enjoying her gasp of pleasure as she took in the warm, romantic feel of the decor. He could feel the lingering traces of the spell Logan had placed on the door washing over the rooms, acknowledging the new owners and setting the fire jotun’s wards in place.

  “Can you feel that? What is that?”

  He looked at her, noticing her confused expression. “Protection spells, wards meant to keep Grimm out.” As soon as he had a chance he’d add in his own protections, putting Jamie behind a double barrier.

  He still had to explain to her how she could sense what was going on.

  “So why do they do that bright light thingy whenever…I…Oh my god.”

  She was looking toward the living room, a dreamy look on her face. Taking his eyes off her he got his first real look at his new home. The condo was done in warm, rich tones and dark woods with bright pops of color here and there that spoke of a vibrant personality. A turquoise-colored, overstuffed chaise was positioned to enjoy the wall to wall windows, a reading lamp strategically placed nearby. The traditional sofa was a soft tan color with high, rolled arms and a loose pillow back. It had more of the turquoise color on it in the form of throw pillows. The dark wood coffee table and end tables matched the intricately carved wooden legs of the sofa. The hardwood floors were dark oak, giving the place a timeless feel. The dining set was in the same dark wood, with chairs upholstered in the same fabric as the sofa. Wine cooled in an iced bucket next to the dining table, which had been set for two. The brightly colored dishes popped against the plain placemats.

  He watched indulgently as she drifted into the kitchen, her groan of pleasure rekindling his interest. He wanted her to make that sound while he was buried so far inside her she’d be able to taste him in the back of her throat. He wished it was his skin those delicate fingers trailed over rather than the granite countertops, that soft sigh of pleasure something he’d teased from her throat. As soon as he got her attention he planned on doing just that.

  “Wow.”

  He came back through his lust-induced fog to find she’d moved into the master bedroom. Leaving the luggage where it was he followed.

  She had her hands over her mouth, her wide eyes taking in the bedroom. The walls were that turquoise color she seemed to love so much. The bed, a large, dark canopy bed with an ornately carved headboard, dominated the room. Soft drapery hung from the canopy, turquoise, tan and black blending together in a surprising harmony. The bedding was rich, brocaded silk in a creamy color that toned the rest of the bedding down a notch.

  “You like it?

  Her eyes were wide with wonder. “It’s everything I ever dreamed of.”

  Right then and there he determined that he would never, ever complain no matter how she wanted to decorate. It was worth it just to see that look on her face.

  He reached for her, pulling her into his arms and pillowing her head against his chest. She settled in with a sigh, her arms wrapping around his waist.

  “I might never leave here.”

  That would be good. At least I know she’d be safe. Not that he actually believed it. Jamie was too vibrant, too alive to remain cooped up for long. He’d already seen the signs of restlessness in her, which was one of the reasons she and Jeff would be going with him to free Fenris. He had no idea what the Wonder Twins would get up to if he left them behind. He smiled. Jordan was getting to him if he was thinking of them by her nickname for them. “Yeah, it’s a nice place.” Not as nice as his had been, but if it made her happy then that was all that mattered.

  “No.” She leaned back in his arms, her expression filled with wary hope. “I mean, here.” She tightened her arms around him, making her meaning clear.

  “Are you sure?” Because if she teased him again his cock was going to rebel and just jump right off his damn body. Hell, she’d probably be able to put a leash on it and take it for walks.

  “Are you sure?” She bit her lip, sighing when he leaned down and brushed a soft kiss over the tiny hurt. “I’ve seen your girlfriends, remember, so no lying. Not a one of them was the cute brainy type with wildly curly hair and extra personality.”

  The fierce look on her face hid the uncertainty he could still hear in her voice. “Would you believe me if I told you they were all practice while I waited for you?”

  She leaned back in his arms and waved her hand, making a face. “What is that smell?” She sniffed, ignoring the grin slowly taking over his face. “Phew, that bullshit is nasty.”

  God, he loved this woman. “I’ll take that as a no.”

  The half-amused, half-aggravated look was one he knew well. She usually wore it when she felt someone had said something extraordinarily stupid. She’d given him the same look when she’d been sixteen and unwittingly won his heart.

  He pulled her in closer. “Okay, how about I’m not a perv who’s into little girls. And not one word about Vikings and fourteen-year-olds, got it?” When she shuddered he added, “Back then you lived to be maybe thirty. Marrying at fourteen was normal.”

  She coughed, “jailbait” into her hand.

  He began slowly walking her back toward the bed, unable to keep the big grin off his face. He felt like he was glowing with happiness. He looked at his arm. I am glowing with happiness. “You are so weird.”

  “I’m weird? I’m not the umpty-bazillion-year-old god here.”

  He paused, the grin—and the glow—fading. He knew now what the real problem she was having was. “How much does that bother you?”

  She blew her hair off her forehead, ignoring it when it landed right back where it had been. “Tyr? You’re older than my grandfather.”

  He sighed, secretly delighted when she used his real name. “Right.” He absently stroked her back, trying to figure out how to get around this admittedly large stumbling block. “But I’m not a psychopathic asshat.”

  Humor flashed briefly across her face before irritation settled back in. “I’ve seen the goddesses you, ahem, date.”

  The way her nose wrinkled as she made little quotation marks with her fingers was so cute he just had to kiss the tip of her nose. “I haven’t slept with a goddess in over fifteen years.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “Fine. I’ve seen the Barbie dolls you’ve slept with.”

  “I never slept with a plastic woman.”

  “Boobs are supposed to move. Many a silicone chip gave its life so that Cindy What’s-Her-Face could have double D’s.”

  His hand went from absent to firm, sliding down to her ass. He petted it, loving the feel of the firm globes.

  “Travis.”

  “Hmm?”

  The irritation was slowly giving way to humor. “Barbie dolls.”

  He blinked, his gaze narrowing in to the soft cleavage revealed by the soft green shirt she was wearing. “What were we talking about?”

  “Sex.”

  I can get behind that.

  “With other, blonder women.”

  Or not. “I’m sorry, honey, but I have no intention of sharing you with anyone, male or female.” Because if anyone besides him touched her that way he’d be forced to kill. His vision began to mist over at the thought of what her ex might have touched, might have tasted. He’d wasted so many years. Right now he couldn’t even remember why he’d waited.

  “Tyr. Sex.”

  His vision miraculously cleared. “Yes. Tyr. Sex.” His mouth homed in on the side of her neck, biting, licking and sucking until a huge, dark hickey appeared and her breath came in deep pants.

  “Oh god.”
/>   “Mmm-hmm.” He nibbled his way up her neck to her ear, drawing the lobe between his teeth and worrying it gently.

  “But—”

  “Let me love you.”

  Let me love you. If only he knew. She was dying inside for him to love her just as much as she loved him.

  No matter what, she did love him. Ancient Norse God of Justice or three-eyed purple alien, she loved him. So she didn’t fight him when he pulled her shirt slowly up and off of her. She didn’t protest when his hand slid down her torso, cupping her breast and thumbing her nipple until it throbbed with want. She didn’t utter a single word when her bra was removed. After all, she’d already decided to give herself to him, nerves be damned.

  She undid the button and zipper of her own pants, watching the mist creep across his eyes as she did so. It was strangely exciting to watch, to know that she was the one who made him lose control like that. She licked her lips and the mist covered half his iris, the white slowly bleeding into the blue, his jaw clenching.

  He bent down to lick her nipple, drawing it slowly into the warm, moist heat of his mouth. She arched back, trusting he would keep her from falling.

  With a wild groan he moved again, pushing her back onto the bed. “I waited so long for you.” His shirt was quickly removed, his heavy lidded gaze never leaving her naked breasts. “I almost lost you.” His shoes, socks and pants came off next, a ragged moan escaping him as she slipped her fingers under the edge of her jeans. The blue of his eyes was almost gone. When she actually started to stroke herself he shuddered. “Fuck, Jamie.”

  “Yes. Fuck Jamie.”

  That did it. The blue of his eyes were completely gone, his skin taking on a luminescent shimmer as he reached for her jeans, tugging them and her shoes off. He rested his hand atop hers, silently encouraging her to continue, learning the rhythm she used to pleasure herself. He smiled as he dipped his fingers inside her pussy, slowly fucking her with them as she stroked her clit.

  He leaned down and took her nipple into his mouth, balancing himself on his right arm, his hand smearing her juices around her asshole. “Tyr.”

  He shuddered. “Not yet. Some day, when I’ve made you ready, but not yet.” One finger dipped in, the burning sensation making her gasp. At the same time he took her other nipple, the blooming pleasure making her arch into his mouth. He nuzzled her neck, nipping and licking and sucking, his fingers moving back to her pussy and slamming in. “You smell so good.”