by Lila Jean
“Good,” Flynn said with a satisfied nod.
“Not good,” Anthony growled. “We need to figure out who this mysterious informant is, how this person found us, and we need to do it before we are found again.”
“I agree.” Flynn groaned and reclined in the sofa, his mind racing at a million miles an hour.
“Even worse than that, that same person is deliberately trying to frame Tina for the murders of the diplomats,” Anthony said, launching right into the primary reason this meeting had been called. “I want to know why.”
“Me, too,” Zane said with a frustrated groan. “It’s not just the diplomats, either.” He leaned against the wall, thumbing through something on his phone as he spoke. “There’s an organized movement against her, stemming largely from troll sites, blaming her for all sorts of things she isn’t doing.” He scowled at something on his screen, the bright light in the otherwise dark room exaggerating the expression. “The claims run the gamut from saying she made deals to become the goddess to others saying she should be killed because they don’t want gods on Earth.”
Anthony and Draven growled in unison, and a tendril of smoke escaped the dragon shifter’s nose.
“What worries me most,” Flynn admitted, “is the point Anthony brought up first. They always seem to know about where we are. The bodies are being dumped nearby, we’re always the first to discover them, and their puppets, be it police or mercenary, is at our front door in mere minutes after.” Flynn ran a hand along his beard, almost unwilling to finish his thought.
“Then why don’t they confront us directly?” Killian asked, setting his elbows on his knees as he leaned forward, a concerned and somewhat confused expression on his face. “If they know where we are, why plant corpses? Why not attack outright?”
“To flush us out, probably,” Zane said with a shrug. “It’s also possible that this mysterious figure might be able to find us, but doesn’t have the personal power to deal with us, especially Tina. It could also be to rile us up, make us nervous, and get us to act rashly.”
“Which won’t happen,” Draven added with a smirk. “We’re too clever. Well, I am, anyway. You lot, well, eh …” He waved his hand back and forth dismissively.
Flynn chuckled and shook his head at the dragon shifter, moving on for now without acknowledging the comment. “Let’s hash out the details of Tina’s plan and see if we can convince Ares to join us. Zane, in the meantime, work with Tina to choose a new safehouse every four to eight days, staying inconsistent with location and move times.” The demigod sighed, leaning his head back on the armchair. “I want her to be as comfortable and calm as possible through all this. She has enough on her plate, so the less she knows about public opinion against her, the better, at least for now.” He gestured from himself to the remaining three princes. “The rest of us need to research Odin, Ares, and Venus, find anything we can on them, any weaknesses they have. We need to be prepared, especially in case our confrontation with Ares goes awry.”
“We also need to go to Ares’ temple,” Anthony added, glowering. “He’s the open threat, and we need to scout.”
“Right, because that worked so well at Venus’ place,” Draven said with a roll of his eyes. “She snuck up on us in the middle of the day. On you, of all people, Anthony.”
“Thanks for the reminder.” Anthony rolled his eyes.
“Gods are tricky,” Flynn said, trying to keep the conversation on track. “For now, we need to stay away from Ares’ temple, at least until we know more about him.” He crossed his arms, deep in thought. “And of course, as we learned back at Venus’ temple, we have to be careful not to cross into Ares’ territory when we scout, or he can trap us.”
“Right, of course.” Draven set his ankle on one knee, reclining back into the sofa as his eyebrows shot up his brow. “We’re already fighting our fathers, the five kingdoms, murderers who are trying to frame us for killing diplomats, negative public opinion of our mate, and three gods who seem to want her dead.” The dragon shifter groaned and leaned his head back on the sofa. “It’s only fair that now we have to keep an eye out for the gods’ temples, too.”
“The woman we love is one of the most powerful goddesses Earth has ever seen,” Anthony said with a dry laugh. “Of course, everyone is out to get her.” The wolf smirked. “What’s the matter, Draven? Don’t like a challenge?”
“Sure, I do.” The dragon snorted, shooting out a puff of smoke. “I simply prefer one problem at a time, and I like those that can be solved in the bedroom.”
“Well, we don’t have that luxury.” Flynn shrugged. “In the meantime, our primary focus is still the gods. Anthony, keep an eye out for any clues about the diplomats. Take that over from Zane.”
“Already have.” The wolf shifter nodded. “I’ve been looking into this elusive Noxxom Corporation that Tina discovered back in Epara, but so far no leads.” He sighed, clearly frustrated. “I’m turning over every rock I can find, but their secrets are buried deep.”
“Keep it up, Anthony. You’re doing well.” Then, Flynn gestured to himself, then pointed at Killian and Draven. “The three of us need to keep our attention on the gods, researching them, figuring out what to do about them while Zane’s figuring out safehouses.”
“And Tina?” Killian asked, lifting one skeptical brow as if Flynn had forgotten something.
“She’s the boss, obviously.” Flynn grinned. “But let’s take some of the stress off her shoulders and let her focus on tracking down her High Priestess. Zane, help with that when you can.”
“Of course.” The tiger shifter nodded. “I’ve been keeping a lookout, but I’ll dig deeper. See what I can find.”
“In the meantime, we’ll rotate and take turns keeping Tina happy and distracting her from everything that’s going on.” Flynn stood, ready to call it a night.
“Dibs on first watch.” Draven lifted one hand in the air as if calling shotgun.
“You already have tonight with her, greedy dragon.” Flynn rolled his eyes. “Tomorrow, Zane gets two days in a row.” He nodded toward the tiger shifter, who smiled in gratitude. “Zane’s been focusing on gathering intel, which means he hasn’t had much time with Tina.”
“Boo.” Draven laid his head back on the sofa and draped an arm over his eyes, as if he was trying to block out the light and noise to go back to sleep. “Fine, be fair and whatever.”
Flynn chuckled. “After Zane’s two days with her, it’ll be time to find a new safehouse, and then we can rotate time with her while the rest of us research how to lure Ares into the open and get him on our side.” Flynn rubbed his eyes. “Get some sleep, gentlemen.” The demigod sighed wearily. “This war with the gods is our most important focus, and it’s going to end in blood.” He paused, his words settling on the room. “A lot of blood, and it had damn well better not be ours.”
23
Tina
Tina and Zane wore disguises as they walked along a worn path in Greece, a short wall separating them from the twenty-foot drop to the ocean and beach below. The wind roared by, ruffling the skirts of her white dress as she held onto her sunhat to keep it on her head. The sunglasses covered almost half her face, and the blond wig under her hat made her feel like a starlet hiding from the paparazzi, even though the people after her wanted to do far more than take a few photos.
Zane walked ever so slightly behind her, his shoulder possessively close to hers as they strolled, his baseball cap and sunglasses giving him the look of an American on vacation with his wife. She grinned at the thought of being Zane’s wife, even in their disguise, and had to admit she far preferred being called his mate. It was so possessive, so primal, so freaking sexy that “wife” just couldn’t compare.
Her mind was buzzing, and more and more lately, she felt called to return to Epara, to see if she could connect with it as Venus had connected with her own temple, but for the moment it was still so dangerous to go near the ruins of her home. She would have to wait for another oppor
tunity and perhaps a chance to do more research before her return. After all, if the other gods or the kings were staking out her temple, she would only have one chance to activate its magic, and it would be ideal if she could go in with a plan.
Though Tina had felt it would be best to lie low and stay in the house, Flynn and Zane had both insisted she stretch her legs and see a bit of the town before they left to stakeout Ares’ temple. She could tell her princes were distracting her, maybe even getting her out of the house so that they could make plans and do their best to protect her, and she would allow it for the moment. After all, she rather liked walking out in the sun, enjoying the sensual kiss of its heat on her skin, smiling as the wind toyed with her hair.
“I know what you guys are doing,” she said softly, knowing Zane’s enhanced shifter senses would hear. “I know you’re all trying to distract me.”
He grinned, head tilting away momentarily as he casually scanned the streets for threats. “I figured you would.” He set his hand on the small of her back. “We can’t keep much from you, dear, at least not for long.” He chuckled. “You’re too damn smart.”
“Guilty.” She shrugged, smiling in the beautiful summer day as the sidewalk led to a flight of stairs down to the beach. “It’s okay, though, at least for now. It’s kind of nice to take a break.”
“Any chance we can go with Flynn’s plan and hide you away until this blows over?”
“Nope.” She laughed to drive it home and made her way down the carved stone stairs toward the ocean, feeling happy to have her tiger in tow. “Do you really want to piss off a goddess?”
“I had to ask.” He tenderly kissed her hand as they descended, and the touch sent shocks of joy through her core. “That’s not to say I won’t ask again.” Zane snaked a hand around her waist once they reached the bottom of the steps and held her close, the touch making her feel safe despite being out in the open. “For now, though, just enjoy today and don’t worry about the future.” He inhaled deeply, and she figured his enhanced senses were picking up her scent, relishing in it, and the thought sent happy shivers and goosebumps down her arms. “That’s what you do for me, Tina. You help me find peace amongst all the chaos.”
“I’m glad I can do that for you.” She kissed him, leaning her head back so that the brim of her hat covered them both, and setting a hand on the rim to keep it in place. Surprisingly, there was no one on the beach, and the waves thundered along the shore like music, rushing to a crescendo as the kiss deepened.
With each breathless brush of her lips on his, she recalled another moment with him, from quietly sitting on his lap to poring over research with him, all of it to keep her and his brotherhood safe. She owed Zane so much, loved her tiger shifter so deeply, loved how he made her feel smart and capable, all while using his considerable brilliance to protect her in a way sheer brawn never could.
Tina lost herself in his embrace, and bit by bit, the kiss became more raw and eager, melting away into ripples of need that coursed through her as he explored her mouth, as his hands trailed down her arms, his fingertips on her bare skin shooting tendrils of pleasure and desire through her entire body. He grabbed her waist, rough and sudden, and led her to a small ledge behind the stairs, never once breaking their kiss.
There was a small alcove behind the stairs, which provided a bit of privacy from the sidewalk overhead and anyone else who may have come down the steps. Zane led her into the small cave and winked playfully when she caught his eye. His warm breath rushed over her face with each kiss, and his hands cupped her jaw as he pushed her gently against a smooth section of the wall.
“What are you doing, mischief maker?” she asked between breathless kisses.
“Distracting you.” He chuckled, the vibration soft and sensual as their lips met once more. “It’s what you want, right? And I live but to serve …”
He lifted her effortlessly, the enhanced, goddess-given strength from his time between her legs making her feel light as a feather as he pinned her to the cave wall, the sound of the ocean and the crowds above stirring her inner rebel at the thought of having sex under the noses of complete strangers.
“Zane, what if someone sees?” Her voice came out barely more than a whisper, and she laughed as he nipped her neck while pressing the bulge in his pants against her underwear, which was already slick with her desire for him.
“They won’t,” he said, his voice deep and dark, barely more than a growl. She loved watching his feral beast come out, watching the tiger within him take over the racing mind, watching him lose himself in her as much as she lost herself in him.
While he held her ass with one hand, balancing her effortlessly against the smooth rock wall behind the stairs, he lifted her skirt with his other hand and slid off her underwear, dropping it to the sand.
“Hey, don’t do that,” she said, pouting a bit as she stared down at the panties on the ground. “It’ll be uncomfortable to wear on the way back.”
“Who said you get to wear panties on the way back?” He grinned mischievously, almost like a predator, his eyes narrowing as he exerted his dominance over her. A sliver of anticipation and desire shot through her like lightning, and her entrance warmed with need as her powerful tiger took control.
Since Zane had discovered his incredible new strength and stamina, courtesy of Damara’s magic, sex with him had become even more mind blowing. He could pound her for days, lift her in any position she could ever dream of, and be rock hard until the very last stroke, all without ever hurting her or going too far. He was her charming professor, same as always, but with an added helping of endurance.
She fucking loved it.
As the city bustled by overhead, Tina held her breath, eyes locked with her powerful tiger prince, his grip on her waist a steady reminder of what he wanted to do to her. Dominate her. Please her. Make her come, all in the hopes that the thunder of the ocean nearby would mask her moans.
With a few effortless movements, Zane unzipped his pants and positioned his already rock-hard cock against her entrance. He teased her soft folds, sliding the tip of his cock in and out, shooting ripples of pleasure down her thighs before he had even really begun. She moaned and leaned against the wall, still in a strange state of surreal shock at how their leisurely stroll had become a sensual expression of gratitude and love, all rolled into a mischievous roll in the hay, all on public property. She grabbed her sunhat, biting her lip as she tugged on it, moaning as he toyed with her entrance and drove her toward the brink, all without fully entering her.
He thrust into her, sudden and unexpected, and she gasped, the sound loud and dripping with ecstasy. She was sure someone would run down the steps any moment and catch them, but she didn’t care, not when Zane rode her like this. He pumped his cock into her, slowly pulling it out, teasing her with every second, only to thrust himself once more as deep into her as he could go. She arched her back with every buck, urging him onward, biting her lip to stifle her gasps of pleasure, wondering how she would ever manage to be silent when he made her orgasm around his cock.
Time flew by as he rode her, drawing it out, speeding up until she clenched around him, only to slow and draw out her orgasm. He was making it more intense, seeing to it that she came as loudly and as hard as possible, and she laughed when she realized what he was doing, but she couldn’t form the words to confront him. She didn’t want to. She wanted to ride him as long as he would let her and feel what she was quickly starting to think would be the most intense orgasm of her life.
A car honked its horn overhead, the patter of feet and the murmur of voices occasionally breaking through the lulls in the thundering ocean and Tina’s gasps of intense pleasure as Zane rode her, thrusting his cock into her harder now than ever before. She moaned taking him entirely within her, legs spread and wrapped around his waist, her skirts hiked up to her thighs and swishing with each thrust as he pushed her closer and closer to the brink.
Finally, when she couldn’t take it anymore, sh
e leaned into her orgasm, riding it like the waves beyond their alcove, mouth open as she moaned, nearly screaming his name. Zane covered her mouth with one hand to stifle her cries of pleasure and nibbled her neck as he continued to thrust into her, intensifying the orgasm as she moaned into his palm. She pulsed around him, her climax powerfully long and intense, and shivered as she finally rode it to its end without a clue as to how long it had lasted. Then, and only then, did Zane release himself deep inside of her, the warm rush like a wave through her navel. She shuddered with delight as he came, and he sighed, leaning his head against her shoulder as he held her close, grip tightening around her ass as he thrust his hips against hers.
They stood there for a moment, panting, chests heaving, sweat on Tina’s brow as she held him close, eyes fluttering as she reeled from the blissful orgasm and her undying love for Zane. Despite her loud climax, no one ran down the stairs. No one called over the wall. For all intents and purposes, no one seemed to realize the incredible sex she had just shared with Zane, and that made the experience even hotter.
“I love you, Tina,” Zane said softly in her ear. “I always will, and I’ll do everything in my power to make sure you’re happy.” He nuzzled her neck, folding into her, his hug tightening as he held her in place, his dick still inside of her and her legs still around his waist as they came down from their blissful orgasms.