by Toni Griffin
"How'd it go?" Nicor asked him.
"Fine," Adze bit out. The ride back to the apartment had done nothing to temper his lust or soften his cock.
"Yeah, really sounds it," Pyro said from the couch, making Nicor laugh.
Adze ignored them both as he strode through the penthouse to his room. He closed and locked the door after him before he started tearing at his clothes. His entire body felt like it was one live wire. Adze nearly tripped and fell face first to the ground, his jeans getting caught up around his still booted feet.
Adze paused and took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down before he did some serious damage. He unlaced his boots, and loosened the hold they had on his feet, then slipped out of them. Once the boots were gone, the jeans were next. Free to move again. Adze pulled his shirt off over his head and shucked the briefs he was wearing.
Adze stepped onto the cool tile in his bathroom and then started the shower. He grabbed the spare bottle of lube he kept in the bathroom drawer then stepped into the shower, the water stung as it hit his sensitised skin. He popped the top of the lube and squirted a generous amount in his palm.
Palm flat against the wall, head bowed, water cascading over his back, Adze wrapped his fist around his aching shaft.
He let out a long and low groan at the first touch. With as keyed up as he was there was no way Adze could take his time and go slowly, enjoy every stroke.
Adze squeezed the base of his shaft then stroked to the tip. This wasn't going to take him long; his balls already ached and were drawn up high and tight. The smooth rhythm of the up and down combined with the image of Archie under him from that afternoon had Adze's orgasm racing through his body. His toes curled, his leg muscles tensed and his balls draw up even higher.
"Archie," Adze cried out as he continued to stroke himself as he painted the grey tiled wall with his seed.
His breathing was heavy as he stood trying to regain his equilibrium. His dick had thankfully softened and his body no longer felt like it was on fire.
Adze stayed in the shower for a little longer, just letting the water wash over him. Adze couldn't blame his mate for being hesitant. If their roles were reversed, Adze didn't know if he'd be coping with everything anywhere near as well as Archie was.
The bond that was growing between them though was getting stronger with every passing day. Adze had never experienced anything like it in his life. If it was overwhelming for him, he could only imagine what Archie was feeling.
He'd only just left his mate, but Adze thought he'd give anything in the world just to have Archie by his side right then.
He took a deep breath, closed his eyes for a moment and concentrated on the feeling of the water hitting his skin. He needed to calm his thoughts, and his body or he'd be no use to anyone. When Adze no longer felt like he wanted to crawl out of his skin and go searching for his mate he grabbed the liquid soap and quickly cleaned himself up then got out.
Once he was dry and dressed again, he had to go face the others. God knows what they were thinking after the way he'd acted.
That night they were once more out patrolling the city looking for Bates. If they didn't find him and put a stop to his activities by tomorrow night, then Adze was afraid they were going to have to leave Archie unprotected. The Djinn in Brisbane was causing too much havoc and needed to be stopped. There had been a number of reported instances of objects falling from balconies or out of windows of places when no one was home at the time. There had been several narrow misses from people walking along below, and so far, one death. People had also been reported missing, only to turn up the following day with no recollection of the last twenty-four hours.
He'd received another call from Matti that afternoon telling him as much. Adze had told her he needed just a little more time. He wasn't willing to leave Archie unprotected while Bates was still on the loose.
Matti said the management gave Adze until Monday morning.
If Bates still hadn't been stopped by then, Adze was giving some serious consideration to actually kidnapping Archie and taking the man with them to Brissy. That was the only way he could be assured of his mate's safety.
It was nearing eleven thirty on Saturday night, and Adze and Daevas headed back to Archie's work. His mate should be finishing up shortly and making his way home. As soon as Archie was back at home, they'd continue their patrol for Bates.
When they came around the corner, the restaurant right in front of them, Adze stopped. He sniffed the air. Archie's scent was strong.
Fuck he swore.
What is it? Daevas asked him.
He's already left for the night. He must have finished early.
Let's go then.
They took off down the road, sticking to the shadows as much as they could. Adze followed his mate's scent, the smell getting stronger and stronger the closer they came to him. Finally, Adze spotted Archie up ahead.
There he is, he said with relief to Daevas.
Archie suddenly stopped in his tracks as three teens in baggy clothes and backward facing caps stepped out in front of him. Adze growled and put on a burst of speed, Daevas right beside him.
The glint of metal from two of them had Adze wanting to tear out their throats for threatening to harm his mate.
Archie was stood in the middle of the pathway his hands up, a plastic bag with what looked to be food dangling from his fingers.
"I don't want any trouble," Archie said.
"Then hand over your phone and wallet."
"You're not taking my phone. It was a present from my boyfriend," Archie said defiantly.
Adze wanted to smack him and kiss him at the same time. He would happily buy Archie another phone, hell, a hundred more phones if he needed. He should have just handed it over to the armed hooligans rather than put his life in danger. The fact he called Adze his boyfriend though gave Adze hope for their future.
"Are you fucking kidding me? Hand it over, or I'll gut you like a pig," one kid threatened. Adze got a better look and saw the riff-raff had long blonde hair and plugs in his ears with a sneer on his face.
Adze and Daevas leaped from the shadows, landing on either side of Archie. Adze growled low and menacing, his lips curled up exposing his wickedly sharp white teeth. He knew his eyes glowed their eerie red. He took a slow step forward, only to have Archie's hand grip his fur, holding him in place beside him.
Daevas was in a similar position on Archie's opposite side.
"What the fuck?" one of the teenagers screamed. He dropped his knife and turned tail, running the other way.
"What the fuck is that!" one of the others shrieked as he pointed at Adze. "Why are its eyes red?"
"That, my dear young man, is a hellhound," Archie said, his voice steady and calm. "Sent here to earth to suck the souls from wayward boys like yourself and send them to Hell for all eternity."
Adze wanted to laugh as the colour drained from the other boy's face.
Adze and Daevas both snapped their jaws in the boy's direction, making a half-hearted attempt to get closer to them.
That was the last straw for the teens as they, too, turned tail and ran.
Archie waited for them to disappear from sight before he turned and knelt down between Adze and Daevas.
"Thanks for that," he whispered then gave both of them a scratch on the back of the head.
"Just because you happened to help me though, doesn't mean you and I aren't going to have an extremely long talk about you following me everywhere I go."
Someone's in the dog house, Daevas laughed at him.
Shut the fuck up, Adze told his friend. He'd happily be in Archie's bad books if it meant his mate was safe.
"Don't you have a serial killer to find?" Archie asked as he stood and made his way over to where the boys had dropped their weapons. He carefully picked them up and placed them in his carry bag. "I'll get rid of them as soon as I get home. I can't leave them there for someone else to find."
Archie waved them away,
dismissing Adze and Daevas. "Now shoo."
Adze sat, arching one brow at his mate.
Archie laughed, then leaned down and kissed the top of Adze's head. "Thanks again. Now go, seriously I'm fine."
Come on, Adze. He's right. We need to get back to hunting for Bates.
I know. But I'm not letting Archie out of my sight until I know he's safe at home.
Well, that's never going to happen unless he thinks we've left, now come on. We can go back to doing what we do every other day. We'll watch him from the shadows.
Adze huffed, he didn't want to leave his mate's side, but he knew Daevas was right.
Adze jumped up, placing his large front paws on Archie's shoulders. His mate stumbled a little at the unexpected move. Adze leaned in and swiped his tongue up the side of Archie's face. He then jumped down, turned and disappeared back into the shadows, Daevas on his heels.
"Eeewwww, gross man." Archie laughed behind them.
Adze watched as Archie grinned, wiped his face then turned and started walking the rest of the way home.
They kept to the shadows as they followed Archie home. Once Adze was satisfied that his mate was safe he and Daevas resumed their patrols.
* * * * *
By the end of his shift on Sunday Archie's feet were killing him. Thankfully the restaurant was closed tomorrow, and Archie could have a day off. Justin was apparently better from his bout of tonsillitis as well, which meant Archie had been given Tuesday and Wednesday off. As much as he could really do with the money, Archie was looking forward to three days where he didn't have to work doubles.
He wiped down his last table and sighed. The night was finally over. He couldn't wait to get home. Archie wondered if maybe Adze might like to do something. They could possibly have dinner, maybe even see a movie. Archie couldn't remember the last time he'd splurged and gone to the cinema. He thought he might like to sit in a dark theatre with Adze beside him.
With his mind on how Archie wanted to go out again, to give Adze a second date, Archie said his goodnights to everyone and walked outside excited for his days off to start.
Archie stopped and breathed in the night air. He loved Melbourne nights. They were usually cool with a crisp breeze that brought the scent of trees and nature. Archie loved it. But he was also tired and ready for the night to end, so he didn't linger.
He set off for home. Last night's encounter with the three hooligans had been unexpected and a little scary. If it hadn't been for Adze coming to his rescue Archie wasn't sure what would have happened.
Archie knew Adze had been following him, had been from the first day they met. Archie couldn't explain how he knew where they always were, just that he did. It was almost like they were connected somehow, Archie just didn't know how. It was something he wanted to talk to Adze more about the next time they spoke.
He could feel Adze right now, although it felt faint like he was a ways away. Archie had found his mind wandering back to the hellhound more and more in the last twenty-four hours. Their date had been the best of Archie's life.
The sight of Adze leaning over him, about to kiss him, had been on instant replay in his head all damn day.
Archie was lucky he hadn't messed up any orders at work the last two nights. His mind certainly hadn't been on the job that was for sure. Archie was so engrossed in his thoughts of Adze and their date, he failed to pick up on the sensation of being watched.
Before he knew what was happening a man stepped out in front of Archie, a wicked grin on his face. He then raised his fist and punched Archie square on the side of the head. There was a moment of pain before everything went black and Archie slumped to the ground.
Chapter Thirteen
Nicor and Oriax had reported picking up on Bates's scent, so they were all investigating. Adze felt it the second Archie was hurt. He paused mid-run, lifted his head and howled to the moon. His mate was in danger.
Adze turned and sprinted as fast as he could to Archie's work.
What's going on? Pyro asked as his pack turned from their pursuit of Bates to follow Adze.
It was a decoy. Bates has Archie! Adze replied, his paws eating up the ground as he raced through the streets. He couldn't say how he knew this to be true, just that he could feel it in his bones. His mate was in serious danger. They weren't all that far from Archie's work, but further than Adze would have liked.
Adze barely paused when he came 'round the corner to the restaurant. The front lights were all off, and he could scent Archie on the wind. His mate had already passed by here. Adze could just make out something a couple of blocks ahead. His heart fell from his chest as he realised what it was.
Bates turned and grinned in Adze's direction, giving him a salute before he climbed into the car and pressed the pedal to the metal.
Adze howled again and ran. He was only a block away when the car pulled out onto the road, fishtailing as it did so. Adze wasn't about to stop. He slowed momentarily when he passed the spot where Archie was taken from. Adze cursed when he noticed Archie's phone lying on the ground, the screen smashed. Archie would be devastated when he realised. Adze couldn't stop and collect it, with the phone on the ground, he had no easy way to track Archie. So he ran down the centre of the road chasing the damn car.
The others were following him, but further behind. Adze memorised the licence plate number, not that he expected it to do them any good, that car was probably stolen, just like the last one.
With the traffic being so light at this time of night on a Sunday the car started to put some distance between it and Adze. Adze wasn't about to lose his mate. The acrid scent of the nephilim was strong and burned Adze's senses, under it though was the scent of his mate, and that alone spurred Adze to keep up his pursuit.
When the car turned a corner and Adze lost sight of them he thought his heart would stop beating. When he rounded the corner, he caught a brief glimpse of his quarry before the tail lights shone bright red momentarily before Bates's car turn right and he lost sight again.
Adze? Oriax asked tentatively. He had no idea how long his pack mates had been talking to him, he'd shut everything out.
I'm not stopping. Adze assured them as he continued to follow the trail.
He had no doubt in his abilities, even if the nephilim's scent dissipated, Adze knew he would be able to track Archie. It would have been better, easier if they had mated, but Archie's scent was a part of him. Archie was his Cor Coeunt, and that meant something.
Adze would track his mate to the end of the earth if he had to, but he would find him.
We're right here with you, Daevas said.
Adze appreciated his pack sticking with him, but he would have gone alone if he'd had to. Archie was his life.
* * * * *
Archie's head pounded. God, he had a headache. He couldn't remember what he'd been doing to warrant so much pain. If he was going to get up and go to work in the morning, he needed to take some drugs and hoped they helped ease the pain before morning.
He tried to sit up to get out of bed only to find he couldn't. Archie squinted, his eyes barely able to open. The brightness in the room hurt his head even more. Archie looked down at his body and found himself restrained to a bed by his wrists and ankles.
The bed had a plastic cover over it, the restraints were thick leather with large buckles holding him in place. The room was white. Everything was white, even the window had been painted over. Not a stitch of colour to be seen anywhere except for him.
Archie also noticed he was naked.
The events of that night came back to him. Walking home, the man stepping out in front of him, and the pain as the man hit him on the side of the head.
Archie struggled. He didn't want to be here. His wrists and ankles started chafing against the leather. He didn't care. He kept fighting, trying to get free. Archie screamed for help. For Adze, for anyone. No one came, though.
Archie's emotions got the better of him, and he started crying as he called over and over f
or help. This wasn't the way his life was supposed to go. He'd barely had a chance to live yet. He wanted to live, to travel and explore, to enjoy life, and most of all to fall in love. He thought he may have been able to achieve that last with Adze, but they hadn't had enough time.
The door opened, cutting Archie off in his cries for help.
"There's no one to hear you scream," the man said as he walked into the room, the door closing behind him. It was the man who hit him in the street.
He carried a silver tray. Archie couldn't see what was on it, and he really didn't think he wanted to.
The man had also changed his clothes and now wore white.
"What's the deal with all the white?" Archie couldn't help but ask. His voice only trembled slightly, despite how scared he was.
"All the better to see your blood." The man placed the tray down on a little stand next to the bed. "Let's begin, shall we?"
"Can we not?" Archie asked desperately.
"I'm afraid not. You were denied me once, I won't let that happen again." The man picked up a wickedly sharp looking scalpel and turned to face Archie.
The expression on the man's face as he applied the implement to Archie's skin was almost peaceful, reverent.
Archie screamed as the blade sliced through his skin over and over and over again.
The floor was becoming increasingly covered in his blood. The man, who Archie had assumed was the serial killer they were warning about on the television and in the paper, ran his hands through Archie's blood. He cupped his hands under the steady dripping blood from the table then brought his hands to his mouth.
When he pulled his hands away the lower half of the man's face was covered in Archie's blood.
Archie struggled, and screamed, tears running down his face as he begged the man to stop. To please just stop hurting him.
The knife was eventually placed back on the tray. Archie felt light-headed and woozy. He had no idea how much blood he'd lost, but the man was certainly right. The deep red of his life's blood stood out like dog's balls against the stark white of the room.