He jumped up when he heard a loud banging on the door. “Ciyrs you fucker get up!”
He groaned when he heard Gyyx yelling outside and he ran to the door wondering if something had happened. He pulled open the door and frowned. Gyyx stood on his porch heaving and his eyes were orange. “You’re mate—I think I might have found her—the general area she is in anyways.”
He stared at Pyra’s younger brother and couldn’t get over how much they looked alike. The long white Mohawk, the blue eyes that were orange at the moment. He was huge but not as big as his older brother. Wait did he just say he might have found her? In a moment too quick to stop, he wrapped his hand gripping the shirt Gyyx wore and lifted him off the ground.
“Where?”
“What the hell Ciyrs? Put me down you asshole.”
“Shit, sorry. I seem to be changing.”
Gyyx chuckled and smoothed his shirt out. “Apparently. But anyways, for the past day and a half, some of us have been searching further out looking for your lady. And now I’m reacting just like my brother. My eyes shift, and I’m hard as shit. Basically I am pretty sure she’s my mate too—”
Ciyrs roared. “No way. She’s mine. You’re mistaken.”
“Why the hell am I freaking out then?”
Ciyrs’s eyes widened. “Maybe your mate is here. These Klimnu seem to be pretty good at getting on our land. What’s to say they haven’t intercepted visitors?”
Gyyx’s jaw clenched. “So what you’re saying is—my mate could have already been taken by those slimy bastards, and I’m just now figuring it out?”
“Yeah sounds plausible.”
“Shit, I’m already a terrible mate. She’s gonna hate me.”
“Don’t be so hard on yourself. I didn’t know what was going on until Pyra laughed at my temper.”
“But shouldn’t I have sensed her?”
“Not if she hasn’t been here long. She’s got to be close.”
“And I have a feeling where we find your Elaina, I’ll find my mate. Unless Elaina is meant for both of us.”
Ciyrs’s hand glowed red and he held back from killing the man before him. He had to remember he was a friend. “No, she’s only meant to be mine.”
Gyyx backed away with his hands up in surrender. “So fucker lets go find our women. You are connected to your mate already I’m not. We need to find them and then figure out how the hell the Klimnu are taking our women.”
“Let’s go,” Ciyrs replied. The sooner he found Elaina the sooner he could really sleep, and next time he wouldn’t let go of her. She wasn’t leaving his sight—ever again.
Gyyx led the way slowing to a normal speed so Ciyrs could keep up. He was grateful because even though he learned he had warrior abilities he still wasn’t a warrior, he was a healer.
“Where did you get a sense that—” Ciyrs said and froze when a vision of Eliana slammed into him.
She ran frantically through the maze of halls. Her feet were dirty, and she ignored the rocks beneath her soles. The pain of something sharp imbedded into her foot and she sucked in a breath but kept moving. She had to get away. She shoved her hair out of her face and bit her lip tasting the copper of her blood. She hurt everywhere, but she couldn’t stop moving. She didn’t know when more would come. She didn’t know how she turned the one to ash. She was a freak. Tears slid down her cheeks, but still she kept moving.
The sound of sobbing startled her and Eliana froze looking wildly into the darkness. Her eyes had finally adjusted and she could make out a shaking figure. Red flags rose and she was about to keep moving until she heard the mere whisper, “help me.”
Eliana was scared, but she edged her way closer to the figure. When she stood over the prone woman she gasped. The woman was rail thin and pale. She had bite marks all over her body and she wore only a bra and panties. Her ribs poked out of her side and the stench filled her nose. She did her best not to gag, but this woman had been there for a while.
“You’re not one of them?”
The woman didn’t speak but she saw the slight shake to her head.
“You better not be,” she grumbled and bent to lift the woman.
She shrieked and her body shook before she stopped moving all together. Eliana felt for a pulse and sighed when she realized the woman was unconscious. Lifting her from the ground the best she could, she half carried and half dragged the woman from the small prison. Taking a deep breath she sent out a prayer that she would find the damn exit.
“I found her; she has a woman with her.”
Gyyx froze and spun to look at him. “A woman?” his eyes shifted to orange.
“Yeah, she’s unconscious, sick, injured, but alive. Eliana is bringing her out. They’re at the old warehouse. The one that was supposed to be torn down. How the hell did we miss it?”
They ran using their speed. For the first time Ciyrs used all the things he locked up inside. He had no idea what they would come across on the way, but right now there were two women who needed him. One needed some major healing and the other—well she just needed him.
Chapter 2
She was getting heavy, and I was tiring out, but I couldn’t stop. Not until I found my way out. Everything hurt. I’d never been more tired, but my will to survive was stronger than my need to rest. I pushed through, but ran into another dead in. I screamed in frustration and tried to keep my tears locked up tight, but I was slowly falling apart. Who the hell created a maze like this?
I sobbed and fell to the ground with my arms wrapped around the strange woman. I let out all of my fears and allowed myself time to cry. Then I’d pick myself back up and find my way out. I rocked back and forth holding tight to the only other person around—and she wasn’t even conscious.
I screamed when hands wrapped around my arm pulling me up from the ground. I kicked and tried to get away but the arms tightened holding me against a hard warm body. I couldn’t be taken—not again. I wouldn’t survive it again.
“Baby, calm down, it’s me.”
I froze and opened my eyes. Looking back at me were orange eyes ringed in dark circles. “Ciyrs?”
“Fucking hell baby, I’m so sorry!” Then he buried his face into my neck.
I didn’t have any fear it wasn’t him. His touch was right. I relaxed my body into his and then pulled back remembering the woman I’d found. “The woman, she’s hurt.”
Ciyrs looked down at the prone woman to see Gyyx pull her into his arms. His eyes were orange and a tear slid down his cheek.
“She’s mine. You were right.”
I slid down Ciyrs’s body ignoring his protest and fell to the floor. “She’s been out the whole time. Except at first. I don’t know what happened. I guess the shock finally wore off.”
Gyyx looked at me with his eye shining. “Thank you for taking her with you. Most people wouldn’t do that.”
I laid my hand on his and in a split second I was whipped away. Ciyrs growled. “You can’t touch him right now baby. I’m already going crazy.”
“He’s hurting. Look at him.”
“He’ll be fine as soon as we get back and I work on his mate. Better yet Eden will. He won’t want to rip her head off. I probably can’t get near her.”
“I know you won’t do anything Ciyrs, let’s get the hell out of here. We’ll tell the others to patrol here until we can burn this fucking building to the ground.”
I wrapped my arms around Ciyrs and shut my eyes as he sped from my own personal hell. I’d make sure this building burned. No one would suffer in those cells again. I looked at Gyyx and the woman I had found. She probably knew better than anyone else what is was like to be in their hands. It looked like she had been there for a while. The poor woman was rail thin and sickly looking. But I could tell by the look in the Denynso’s eyes that she was the most beautiful creature to him. It was the way Ciyrs looked at me.
With my head on his shoulder, I felt the cool rush of air as the wind whipped around us. He ran fast and I was gratefu
l when I opened my eyes to find myself in his house. He kissed me and held me close while I sobbed. There were so many things to talk about, but all I wanted to do was fall apart and clean the Klimnu off of me.
“I tried finding you, and I failed. Eden tried to use her connection to help. She felt you but couldn’t figure out where you were. The warriors have been searching nonstop. I’m so sorry I failed you.” Ciyrs fell to his knees in front of me.
I placed my hand on his head. He had his arms wrapped tightly around my waist and he sobbed. I did my best to comfort him. “Oh Ciyrs, you didn’t fail me.”
He tipped his head up looking at me. I wiped his tears. “It’s not your fault I was taken.”
“I should have known. We’re mates. Our bond was formed.”
“Newly mated. Who knows how long it takes for it to really click. I don’t blame you.”
He nodded, but I could tell he wasn’t convinced. “I need to get cleaned up.”
Reluctantly he pulled away and gripped my hand like a life line as he led me to his bathroom. Without a word he turned on the shower and then he pulled off my clothes. I shivered when I was naked and didn’t miss the way his eyes glowed.
“Can I help?”
I nodded and nibbled my lip. I needed his closeness. No matter how dirty I felt.
He stripped off his clothes and led me into the shower. The warmth of the water eased the aches and pains and washed away the dirt, but it didn’t wash away the memory of the touch. I closed my eyes and Ciyrs spun me around. In a few moments I felt his hands in my hair lathering in some shampoo and then he tipped my head back rinsing my hair. I let him take care of me. I knew he needed it. He was a care giver. It’s what he did. He healed, and when his large hands stroked my body gently with the sudsy cloth he healed a part of me. I knew his touch. I knew he would never hurt me.
After all that had happened, I felt the ache between my legs. I couldn’t control the desire building and I turned facing him. He tensed when he scented my arousal and shook his head.
“I’d love to but I need to take care of you first.”
“But that is taking care of me.” I picked up his hand and brought it between my legs spreading them, allowing him to feel the wetness. “I need you. And I know you need me.”
His erection sprung to life and I wrapped my small hand around it. “See, you want me.”
He groaned when I slid my slick hand down and ran my thumb over the tip. “Of course I do Eliana. I’ve missed you like hell. I’ve nearly gone insane without you.”
I licked my lip. “Then show me.”
I needed to get my mind off of it all, and there was no better way than to lose myself in the man I loved—loved, that was the first time I admitted it to myself. I loved Ciyrs.
Chapter 3
She was trying to kill him. Ciyrs watched her eyes dilate and scented the musky scent of her arousal. He was trying to behave and take care of her before sinking into her. He didn’t want to push her if she wasn’t ready, but apparently she was. He felt her wetness, saw it in her eyes, and when she touched him he knew he was a goner.
In a rough move he lifted her and shoved her against the tiled wall. “Wrap your legs around me.”
She did and then he slid inside of her in one swift movement. She cried out and tightened her legs around him. He groaned when it pushed him deeper inside. She was hot, wet, and her muscles clenched around his cock. His body spasmed and then she kissed him like a starving woman. Her tongue touched his and he held her against the wall making love to her. He went slowly even when his body raged to mark her again. Let the world know she was his. He needed to reestablish his bond with her, but he held back afraid to scare her. Hell he scared himself.
His new power wasn’t the only new change. There was more to him now. He was more than the loveable healer. He had a dark side now, and Ciyrs wasn’t sure what to do about it. Should he embrace it or run?
“I love you Ciyrs,” she said and moaned when the shock of her words had him driving into her rougher.
He watched her eyes and knew she was serious. “I love you too Eliana.”
This time when he kissed her, he let the wild in him out. His body heated and she gasped into his mouth. He pulled back to make sure she was okay.
“Your skin is so hot.”
“We have a lot to talk about—after.”
Then he drove into her taking what was his. She was his and he held her tight against him. She withered and moaned squirming against him and the wall. The more she struggled to move the more aroused he became. “God please don’t fucking stop.”
Her skin was slick with water and sweat as the shower still poured over them. He rocked into her, and when she screamed his name and yanked his hair pulling his head back he roared as he came inside of her. She quivered and held on to him as he rode out his climax.
He stood holding her against the wall breathing heavily. His skin had gone back to normal, and she gripped his jaw and kissed him lightly on the lips. “I never knew I could miss someone so much.”
“Oh baby, I missed you too. Ask anyone; I was sort of nuts knowing you were out there somewhere hurting.”
She shivered and he pulled out settling her on her feet. Instead of getting out he took the rag and lathered up more soap. With gentle circles he cleaned her body before his own. “Let’s look you over. You were running barefoot. They probably need healed. Then we need to check on Gyyx’s mate.”
“I want to see if she’s awake.”
He pulled her out of the shower and wrapped a towel around her body before grabbing his own and wrapping it around his waist.
He was still aroused, and the need to make love to her all week came to mind, but he had other responsibilities. Gyyx needed him and he owed him a great debt. If it weren’t for the royal warrior, he might not have found Eliana.
She rushed to the room and found her bags. He stood back and watched as she pulled out a pair of yoga pants and a tight T-shirt. He went to get dressed himself. By the time he was dressed she was done and groaned when she lifted her arms and stretched. The smooth pale skin peaked out from her shirt.
“Let’s go check on them. You can have me again later,” she said and smirked.
“Sorry. I’ve been told the mating fever is fierce. I think it’s even worse since it got interrupted and you were taken.”
She looped her arm through his and smiled up at him. “I understand. I’ve never felt like this before. We do need to talk though. There are some things that happened. Something I don’t understand.”
“I know baby. We will.”
He led her outside and by the time they made it to the infirmary the news had spread and everyone offered their support and asked if she needed anything. Eliana was family now. It was their way. The moment he knew she was his, he knew everyone would accept her. She was one of them now.
Eden smiled as soon as she saw them. “Thank god he found you.”
Eliana recoiled from Eden and her eyes widened. “Why do I love her?” she asked in a whisper.
“That’s Eden. Apparently you have a connection to her through me. What you feel is all of our emotions.”
“Oh.”
“She was the one who was able to tell me you were alive. You’d shut me out and I panicked.”
“How’s the woman I found?” She asked, but by the look of sorrow on Gyyx’s face it wasn’t good.
Eden sighed. “I’ve healed her body the best I can. She had some nasty bites and such. I don’t know, I don’t think I’m as strong as Ciyrs, and with the baby I don’t have as much energy.” She rubbed her belly smiling.
Gyyx looked at him pleading. “Please help her.”
“Just don’t try to rip my arms off when I touch her.”
“I won’t. I want her to wake up.”
He kept his hand wrapped around Eliana’s and stood next to Eden. She backed away giving him space, and he took a deep breath before letting go of his mate’s hand. With cautious movements he lowe
red his hands to the unconscious woman. As soon as his hands made contact an electric shock tore through him. He was thrown back against the wall and landed with a large thump.
Eliana ran to him and helped him to his feet. “What the hell was that?”
Gyyx looked at him with wide eyes. “I didn’t touch you I swear.”
“I know, but she certainly didn’t want me touching her. Eden did you get shocked?”
“No, but I’m also not as strong as you.”
Ciyrs rubbed his head and eyed the new stranger. She was certainly alive. They had no idea who she was, how long she was with the Klimnu. He could sense she was human so he knew she wasn’t actually one of their enemies. It was strange. It was almost as if she knew he wasn’t her mate. She didn’t want his touch.
“Touch her Gyyx,” he said trying to test his theory.
“What?”
He sighed. “Work with me here. Touch her.”
Gyyx ran his finger over the bare skin of her arm. He wasn’t slammed around and in the silence they heard a small gasp. She didn’t wake up, but there was movement behind her closed lids.
“She knows you. Somehow she knows you’re the one meant to touch her. Now I’m going to touch her again and see what happens.”
Clenching his jaw he did the same thing Gyyx did and before he finished his move pain tore through his body and he was again thrown back. This time it felt like the electric shock had been powered up a notch. “Holy fucking shit, that hurt.”
“I think you’re theory is correct, Ciyrs, please stop the pain hurts me too,” said Eden and her face was pale.
He rushed to her side. “Oh baby doll, I’m sorry. I just wanted to see if this woman was aware. Part of her is.” He pulled her into a hug and froze when he heard a gasp.
He pulled away from Eden only to turn to see his mate running out of the infirmary. Shit. He winced and ran after her. He couldn’t leave her alone. Not so soon after getting her back, but he had a feeling he was in trouble.
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