by Lila Jean
“The question is why was Rogers here?” Zane set his hands on his head, elbows out as he tried to come up with answers. “Someone knows where we are, at least roughly.” He shrugged. “I was listening to the scanner, and those policemen had an anonymous tip that ‘armed murderers’ were hiding in that farmhouse. Someone is specifically after us and want the police against us.”
“Whatever the reason for it, this place will be crawling with police soon,” Anthony said with a nod out the window. “We can’t stay. Do you have another safehouse lined up?”
“Anthony, come on, who are you talking to?” Zane smirked. “I have seven ready to go at a moment’s notice.”
“Fair enough,” Anthony said with a laugh. “Pick one. Let’s go. Now.”
Zane paused, studying the wolf shifter’s face as something in the man’s expression shifted. It was the narrowing of the eyes, the grim expression, and the tensing jaw that set off red flags in the back of Zane’s mind. By now, he knew Anthony well enough to understand what the wolf wanted to do. He wanted to hunt down whoever had done this and rip them to shreds, bleed them until they gave him answers, and kill them to ensure his woman, their woman, was safe.
“Don’t, Anthony,” Zane said sternly, the warning in his voice like a beacon on a foggy sea. “She’s the most important thing right now, and if you go after these people without more information first, you’ll play into their hands.”
“I’ve done plenty of successful stealth missions of my own, Zane.” Anthony glared out the window, his expression dark and dangerous. “I know what I’m doing.” This was a man who had killed before, a man who didn’t shy from blood or pain when he was fighting for something he loved and believed in.
“I know,” Zane said softly. “I’m just trying to keep my friend safe.”
Anthony met his eyes, then, and they shared a knowing glance. Anthony’s expression softened, and his shoulders relaxed. “I won’t do anything rash, Zane,” he promised. “I never do.”
“I understand.” Zane rubbed his jaw. “We should work together on this. I’ll field information and, Killian, you two should work together on this.”
“Done.” The eagle shifter nodded.
“I’ll get you both the resources and intel you need to take these people down.” Zane sighed. “In the meantime, I need to focus on the gods who keep coming over to Earth. I have a feeling there may be more than these two, and we need to be ready. Whoever’s coming isn’t announcing their arrival to the world, which makes me think they don’t plan to be here long.”
“Why not?”
“A god who plans to stay announces his return, makes it clear to humans and shifters alike that he’s here until his host dies.” Zane tensed, tapping his finger absently on the armchair as he begrudgingly finished his thought. “For a god not to announce his arrival means he doesn’t want anyone to know he’s here so that he can go home more effortlessly. A quiet arrival makes sure he has no ties while he’s here.”
Killian frowned. “That’s ominous.”
“It is.” Zane nodded. “These two gods are taking great pains to hide their identities. Officially, not a single temple has awoken since Tina arrived, but you and I both know these gods are likely in their temples, building resources and a plan.”
He rubbed his eyes, fighting a new surge of adrenaline and worry in order to clear his mind and stay focused. “Historically, the gods only return to a temple if they’re making themselves known to the rest of the world. If they want to remain hidden, they go to Olympus.” Zane nodded briefly to Flynn to accentuate his point. “Based on the threatening welcomes Tina’s had when they reach out to her via the god connection, I can come up with only one theory as to what they ultimately want.” He sighed deeply, sinking into his chair as his adrenaline finally began to fade, and exhaustion took its place.
“If I’m right, gentlemen, these signs all point to one thing. The new gods absolutely want Tina dead.”
13
Tina
To be honest, Tina had begun to lose track of all the safehouses they visited. Montana, California, France, they all blurred together, and each new discovery of the political tensions brewing in the world outside only made things more difficult, more complicated, more dangerous.
She paced her bedroom, biting her thumbnail as she stared at the floor, lost in thought.
“Now I understand.” Killian lay on the bed, sprawled out and resting on his left side, watching her with a half-cocked smile.
“Understand what?” Tina paused, scanning his handsome face for answers. His blond hair framed his squared chin, the brushing of nibble-worthy beard along his jaw teasing her, tempting her to set politics and war aside for a moment so they could just enjoy their time together.
“Now I understand how I looked back in Epara.” He reached for her hand, tenderly pulling her toward him. “When I was pacing my room, obsessed with the missing dignitaries.” He kissed her palm, the brush of his lips lighting a fire of need beneath her skin. “You need to take a break, my dear.”
His touched soothed her, calmed her racing heart, and she managed to take several deep breaths now that he held her. She wanted to say something witty, something charming and clever, but she instead melted into his comforting embrace. They sat like that for minutes or hours, Tina didn’t even know, she simply lost herself in him, in the way he could comfort her, hold her, ease her runaway thoughts and quiet her overactive mind.
“Thanks,” she said softly. “That helps.”
“I’m glad.” He ran a hand tenderly through her hair and kissed her brow as his fingertips stroked her curls, tugging gently on the ends, shooting tendrils of pleasure through her scalp with each gesture.
Again, she lost herself in her eagle shifter, letting the world slowly seep away as her prince held her, his occasional kiss trailing slowly from her temple to her lips. When he finally reached her mouth, he pulled her into a deep kiss, his tongue exploring hers gently as he pulled her deeper and deeper into him.
As he kissed her, it became hungrier, almost as though his inner animal took over. His free hand traced its way up her arm, down her side, and along her inner thigh, and she suddenly had the urge to rip off her jeans to feel his touch against her skin. He gave a gentle yank on her hand and turned onto his back, pulling her on top of him, his hands rooting her legs in place on either side of his body, and she willingly let him control her every movement, the world outside vanishing with his simple, gentle touch.
With one fluid motion, he lifted his hips and placed the bulge in his pants between her thighs, the seam of his jeans pressing her sensitive button even through the fabric of her own clothes.
Tina gasped with pleasure, eyes fluttering closed as her white knight’s grip on her thighs tightened. She smiled with delight, her panties already wet with desire, eager to melt even further into him.
Without a word, Killian pulled her to head toward him, the brush of his lips on hers shooting tendrils of desire into her core, coils of comfort and safety that twirled through her with his every touch. He cradled the back of her head, working his magic over her skin.
It amazed her that his touch could soothe her very soul, calm her in any situation, bring her peace. “You’re a miracle worker, Killian,” she said, gently brushing her nose against his.
“I’m not even in you yet,” he said with a wink.
She laughed and smacked his shoulder, as that was clearly not what she had meant, but she didn’t get a chance to say anything since he pulled her into another deep kiss as he began to undress her.
Those strong, commanding hands at her waist unbuttoned her jeans, tugged them off and pulled her underwear with the rest of her clothes. She didn’t know where the jeans went since all she cared about was her eagle shifter, the way he made her feel so safe and at home.
His warm hands ran up her waist, the sensation shooting blisters of need through her core as he explored her, making her his even while he celebrated every inch of her as tho
ugh he could never, ever have enough.
As her mouth explored his, she lost track of time. Soon, all of their clothes were off, littered somewhere on the floor and bed around them, and their naked bodies rubbed against each other, his cock hard as a rock between her legs, both of them teasing the other as they simply enjoyed each other’s company.
“I love you, Killian,” she said softly, kissing his jaw as he cradled her head in one hand.
“You’re a gift to me, Tina,” he said, his other hand gripping her thigh, moving her into place over him. “I adore you with every ounce of my soul.”
“Sweet talker.” She grinned and kissed him deeply as his cock found her entrance, the tip trailing along her sensitive folds, gently pushing toward her wetness as he hovered just out of reach.
Tina didn’t give him the chance to tease her. Not today, not when she needed to feel him inside of her, not when she needed her soothing white knight to calm her soul in one of the most blissful ways she knew of.
She pressed her hips downward, not stopping until her entrance met the base of his cock, moaning as he filled her completely. He moaned as well, his grip tightening on her hips, and the fluid motion sent ripples of ecstasy through Tina’s body. She arched her back, pressing her sensitive nub against his body, rubbing gently against him as she rode her prince charming.
“I’m yours, Tina,” he said breathlessly, releasing a torrent of kisses along her neck and down her chest. “I pledge myself to you, entirely, body, heart, and soul.”
“Oh, Killian.” Tina didn’t know what else to say as he rode her, her heart bursting with gratitude and affection for her perfect white knight. His nobility, his honor, his strength. He was flawless.
Now that she had utterly relinquished control to him, Killian took over her hips. Still laying on his back, he pumped into her, thrusting his cock into her with barely controlled, almost animalistic fervor. She gasped with every thrust, lost in her love for him, lost in the blissful sensation of his cock inside of her, filling her to the brim, pushing her over the edge with every stroke.
Her orgasm built quickly as he rubbed her sensitive bud with his thumb, teasing her to the brink. Her climax built in her navel, charging like a tsunami she couldn’t wait to ride to its end. She arched her back, eyes fluttering, consumed by her charming knight as she rode his cock.
As her climax hit, she moaned his name. The sensation consumed her completely, shooting shivers of delight down her spine as she felt him release inside of her, the warm rush of his cum shooting through her like a bolt of lustful energy.
Then, suddenly, her world went dark. She could still feel Killian’s cock inside of her, basking in the blissful ecstasy of her lingering orgasm, but now the light had faded, and it was replaced with a sudden and painful cold.
Shit, not again! She already had two gods on Earth to deal with, and she didn’t want another, especially not an asshole who would interrupt such passionate lovemaking.
Furious, she waited in the blackness as a face appeared, shimmering and out of focus. It took only seconds for the image to sharpen, and as the woman’s beautiful face came into view, Tina’s anger faded away. This god was familiar, and though there was a flicker of wariness, she was mostly surprised to see a goddess come to earth after two gods.
“Venus?” she asked, the name foreign, and she spoke as if someone else controlled her mouth.
Damara. As Tina’s connection with Damara grew, her access to the goddess’s memories became stronger. This Venus person must have been a friend of hers, someone she knew well enough for the name to break through the barrier that still kept Damara’s memories out of reach.
This time, Tina wasn’t scared or angry. She was just curious, surprised even, and waited for the woman to speak. Her strawberry blonde hair fell in loose curls around her shoulders, and though her eyes burned with white light, the goddess smiled warmly as their gazes met.
“I’m so glad you’re safe,” the woman said, her voice soft and airy.
“You are?” Tina spoke almost impulsively, unable to hide the surprise in her voice after meeting two threatening gods. She tentatively checked in with her intuition, which frustratingly enough seemed torn between mistrust and gratitude. It seemed as though even Damara didn’t know whether to trust this woman.
“I know we’ve had our differences, dear,” the goddess said, her shoulders relaxing. “This is serious, though. You’re in terrible danger.” She leaned in, eyebrows lifting imploringly. “Let me help you.”
“What’s going on?” Tina asked her, walking closer to the image, trying to get any information she could. “Why are you all coming to Earth?” Finally, she and her men might have an ally, someone they could trust. She needed to get Venus talking.
“Tina!” Killian’s voice cut through the blackness, and the image of Venus’s face rippled like a rock thrown into a lake. The image slowly faded, and the last thing Tina saw before it disappeared entirely was Venus’s expression of concern and fear.
“Wait!” she shouted. “No, don’t—”
Instantly, Tina blinked herself awake, and she was once more in the bedroom with Killian. He now knelt before her, her head in his hands, and he let out a long sigh of relief when their eyes met. He pulled her into a tight hug, and she could feel his racing heart as their chests pressed together.
“Don’t scare me like that,” he said softly, his mouth by her ear as he held her closely like she would fade to dust at any moment.
“I’m fine, really,” she said, smiling. Her mind wandered, and though she had promised herself and her men not to open the god connection, Venus felt different. Deep in her gut, Damara still wasn’t sure what to make of the goddess joining them on Earth, and ultimately, Tina decided not to reactivate the god connection until she had a chance to talk to her men and get more information on this new goddess.
“I think we have an ally this time, Killian.” She kissed her white knight deeply. “I think this new visitor is different.” She grabbed her phone and shot a text to Zane, asking him to join them, and threw on a shirt and her underwear.
“Okay, my darling.” Killian chuckled. “Let’s shift gears and talk about work, then.”
“Sorry, babe.” Tina kissed his nose. “Duty calls.”
“Doesn’t it always?” He smiled warmly and cradled her head in his hands briefly before tugging on his boxers. Seconds later, the door swung open, and Zane’s eyes darted between them.
“A third god?” the cat shifter asked.
“A goddess, specifically.” Tina smirked and lifted her pointer finger for emphasis. “And I have a name this time. Venus.”
“A goddess?” Killian’s eyebrows shot up almost to his hairline.
“Venus? Wow. Let’s see.” Zane consulted his phone, thumbs racing along the screen. “No known activity in her temple, but these things can take time to register.” He rubbed his jaw. “What did she say?”
“Nothing much. Damara doesn’t know if she trusts Venus, though.” Tina frowned. “My gut feeling about this new goddess is on the fence.”
“What should we do?” Zane asked, running a hand through his messy hair.
Killian set a reassuring hand on Tina’s shoulders, and while her mind buzzed with options, she appreciated the soothing touch from her eagle prince to help quell her racing thoughts.
“We wait,” Tina said eventually. “We wait, watch, and see what this goddess is up to, what she wants.” Tina hated to wait, hated to sit idly and sift through information, hoping something useful turned up, but she had to be smart and play it safe with the gods, especially with her and her princes’ lives on the line. “Until I hear differently from Damara, we shouldn’t trust Venus.” Tina frowned. “Not yet, at least.”
14
Tina
Relaxed and happy, Tina lounged in Draven’s arms on the couch, a fire flickering in the fireplace as the cool night outside dragged on. They were somewhere in Argentina tonight, according to Zane, and it being the southern
hemisphere, it was the middle of winter rather than the middle of summer. It threw Tina off to see snow in July, but she tried not to think too hard about it. And with Draven’s muscled arm around her shoulders, his warm breath on her neck and the sultry scent of charcoal and wood in his cologne, it wasn’t hard to let her mind wander.
His hot touch sent waves of pleasure blistering through her body as he gently stroked her arm, pausing now and then to kiss her neck or nibble on her earlobe. A soccer game was turned on, the television screen panning from players to the announcers and back, but they’d turned the sound off ages ago. This was more an excuse to sit together and enjoy his company by the fire than anything else. She sighed happily and leaned against his chest, savoring the rise and fall of his hard body as he breathed.
She loved Draven, through and through. They didn’t need to say it, didn’t need to exchange flowery praise or make declarations to each other. By simply being together, sitting in silence, she knew her sexual dragon would always be there for her. He loved her, plain and simple, and always would.
Even though there were kings out to kill her and three new gods on Earth, Tina felt like she and her men deserved a break. Tonight, they would just spend time together, relaxing and being as happy as possible. They all deserved it, and the promise tonight was no plotting, planning, or decisions of any kind.
“There you two are,” Killian said with a grin as he plopped down into a nearby armchair. “What are you watching?”
“Sportsball,” Tina said sarcastically, adding in an eye roll for effect. Sports weren’t really her thing, but they seemed to make most of her men happy, and she could suffer through a game or two if that was what they wanted.
“Sportsball, my favorite,” Killian said with a chuckle. He grabbed the remote and changed a few channels, flipping through various other games on other stations while Draven’s attention was turned to his warm touch along Tina’s arm.