by Lynn Hagen
Kane moaned and tilted his head to the side. “You’re welcome.” He grabbed Snooke’s pale mounds as he pulled at Snooke’s ass, separating his ass cheeks under his slacks. “For what?”
Snooke smiled as he kissed his way back up, laying a hundred little kisses on Kane’s face. “For putting my things away.”
Kane spread his legs apart, allowing Snooke to straddle him. “As much as I’m enjoying your way of thanks, I didn’t do it.”
Snooke froze. His head jerked around to his friend lying on the couch, flipping through the channels and looking as bored as ever. “Did you put my things away, Dillon?”
Dillon rolled over and looked at Snooke. “Do I look like I would do something like that?”
Snooke felt a cold chill run down his spine. He turned back to Kane. His mate’s face was pulled back in rage. So Kane was thinking the same thing.
“Someone’s been in our home.”
Chapter Eight
Kane pulled Snooke from his lap and ran down the hallway. There was no way anyone could get into their building. There was a door leading to the outside, but that was it. It was an exit.
The spells and wards placed on the building stopped anyone from gaining entrance. The only way in was through the shadows. You could think of this building when using the Black River, but the portal will always place the person right back at the river bank. It was set up like that.
What the hell was going on around here lately? There were some very strange occurrences taking place. There was a reporter they couldn’t find, but kept printing his stories, stories that no one should have known about. Then there was the man imitating one of the warriors. And then the conversations with people who didn’t even remember talking to him.
Kane searched the bedroom but came up empty. There was nothing left behind by whoever had been here. Thank goodness Leam seemed to have disappeared. He really thought Hondo was going to track the demon down and kill him for messing with Chris. Kane had no clue why he just thought of that. Random thoughts kept swirling in his head as he thought of his mate being in danger.
Kane spun around and headed back down the hallway, searching the bathroom, the guest room, the kitchen, his workout room, and even the kitchen. The only other people in the apartment were Snooke and Dillon.
“Anything?” Snooke asked nervously. His mate was sitting in the chair, his knees pulled to his chest as he stared at the large glass window. Kane marched over there and looked down onto the street. The streetlights lit up the streets well enough to make most shadows dim. There wasn’t enough of a shadow on the streets to hide in. His eyes scanned King Kennedy Avenue. No one was across the street at the basketball court that he could see.
Fox Horn Village, a cul-de-sac, was catty-corner to the apartment building, but he couldn’t see anyone lurking around. Then there was Jake’s Java next to the warriors’ building. No one was hanging outside of the coffee shop.
It frustrated Kane that someone had been inside his home. The home he thought of as his sanctuary.
“Kane.” Snooke appeared beside him.
“Yeah, shorty.” Kane pulled Snooke by his side. His mate may have started out with not-so-honest intentions, but he knew in his heart that Snooke wasn’t going to betray him.
“My stuff that was yet to be put away…it’s missing.” Snooke slid his arms around Kane’s waist. “They didn’t put my stuff away. They took it.”
Kane was seething. Who would want some damn clothes? “I think it was a warning. Telling us that whoever they are, they can get into the building.”
He could feel his mate slightly shaking in his arms. “Why don’t you go watch a movie with Dillon? I need to talk to the warriors.” Kane kissed him on the head before pulling away.
Kane walked out of the apartment, his footsteps thundering in the hallway as he climbed the steps to the fifth floor. He knocked, waiting for Rainerio to answer.
“Kane, come in.” The warrior stepped aside.
“I need everyone up at Panahasi’s suite.” Kane left the warrior and made his way back down to his apartment. He wasn’t comfortable leaving his mate and the human by themselves, not when someone knew how to get in.
He opened the door and called into the living room. “Let’s go.”
Snooke and Dillon hurried to the door, following behind Kane as he made his way up to the top floor.
“Couldn’t you have just poofed us in there?” Dillon asked, panting.
Kane chuckled, looking down at the human. “Exercise is good for you. Besides, no one poofs into Panahasi’s apartment, not without the leader dealing with them properly.”
“I can walk,” Dillon quickly said.
The leader’s door was wide open. Apparently Rainerio had told everyone to get their asses up there. Kane walked in to see ten pair of eyes turn toward him. “We’ve been breached.”
Chaos broke out. Everyone began talking at once, asking how and by who. Even a few exclamations of impossible were thrown in. Panahasi clapped his hands once, and all fell silent.
“Please explain.” The leader walked over to his desk. “I’m listening.”
“We took Snooke to his apartment to get his belongings. An elf was there, the same one from Malcor’s. He shimmered into Snooke’s bathroom while my mate was in it, warning Snooke that Marino was working with someone in the dark arts. He also said that Marino was getting close to unlocking the crystal.”
A few curses rang out, but Kane continued. “When we came back to my apartment, Snooke left some of his belongings on the bed. I took him and Dillon to the grocery store, and when we came back, his stuff was gone.”
“Gone how?” Wayland asked.
“How many ways can gone be gone?” Deandre rolled his eyes.
“How can someone get in, Panahasi? I thought the keeper had put spells on the building to prevent that,” Cadeym asked.
“The building has been protected. Only someone dabbling deep into the dark arts would know how to counter it enough to get in,” Panahasi replied.
This was so not good. Kane pulled Snooke close as he listened to everyone. If someone could get in, then none of them were safe.
“I will go see the keeper. Explain what has happened and see if he has a solution.” Panahasi walked out of the room.
“I guess the meeting is over.” Hondo looked down the hallway the leader had disappeared down.
“Guess so.” Kane grabbed Snooke’s hand, leaving the apartment. His thumb rubbed over his mate’s hand as he absently thought of how best to keep the slimmer demon safe. Hopefully the keeper had a solution because Kane knew he couldn’t move away. The building was where the warriors drew their powers. Without it, Kane would slowly weaken, losing his ability to freeze.
“Maybe we could take a vacation to the tropics.” Dillon smiled. “Oh yeah, you guys can’t go out in the sun.” The human shrugged and opened the apartment door.
Kane quickly pushed Dillon aside and checked the apartment before declaring it clear. Once he was sure they were alone, Kane waved his mate and the human in. Kane whisked his mate into the bedroom, carnal lust pumping through his veins.
The idea of Snooke being in danger made him want to reclaim what was his. A deep need in the pit of his stomach made him stalk Snooke, circling around him until he was directly behind his mate.
His fingers wandered up his mate’s sides and then back down again, inhaling Snooke’s unique scent.
“Kane.” The hungry rasp of Snooke’s voice made his senses reel.
Snooke fought his nervousness. He had never seen Kane like this, as if the man were out of control. His beautiful brown eyes were dark with lust, and locked onto him, driving Snooke’s needs higher.
Snooke began to gasp for air as Kane’s fingers smoothed over his back and down to his butt, the large palms cupping each globe, squeezing them. “This is mine.” Kane thrust his denim-covered erection into Snooke’s ass.
“Y–yours.” Snooke swallowed. His throat seemed to dry out as K
ane prowled around him. Kane reached with his hand and caressed Snooke’s cheek.
“Yes, mine.”
Snooke’s heart was beating erratically behind his ribs. Snooke felt so small next to the large warrior. Kane towered over him. His mate’s ripped body danced as Kane backed away. “I want you naked.”
Snooke’s fingers trembled as he unbuttoned his shirt. His eyes darted up to see Kane’s eyes opened only to slits. His mate licked his lips as he watched Snooke bare his chest. Snooke was slimmer compared to Kane. His chest was hairless, flat, and lacking definition. His skin was as pale as the moon.
Snooke was burning up from Kane’s touch. He needed. He needed so desperately. Snooke let the shirt fall to the floor as Kane’s hands fisted at his side.
“Now your pants.” Kane’s voice was like black velvet against his skin. Snooke shivered as he reached down and unclasped his slacks. Although he had been with his mate numerous times now, Kane had never looked at Snooke like he was about to be eaten alive.
He let his pants drop from his fingers, pooling at his ankles as he stood there naked. He had forgone underwear today, and what a bonus it had been. Snooke stepped out of his shoes, kicking his pants off and peeling his socks off to join the pile of clothes next to him.
“I want to hear you scream my name.” Kane took a step toward Snooke as he pulled his shirt off. “I want to hear you shouting out in pleasure.” He kicked his boots off, shedding his jeans as he stepped up to Snooke. “I want to consume you.”
Snooke cried out weakly as Kane pulled him into those muscled arms. Snooke placed his hands on Kane’s chest, his breath ragged as Kane’s hands explored Snooke’s body. His head rolled to the side, his lips parting as Kane made his skin feel as hot as the sun.
“I love being in your arms,” Snooke quietly confessed. His eyes closed as his head rolled to the other side. Snooke rose on his toes, trying to get closer to Kane, feeling his mate’s hard shaft against his stomach, clear liquid painting his skin as Kane trailed his tongue down Snooke’s neck.
Snooke began to tremble. His fingers skated up Kane’s chest, grabbing his neck as his mate nipped his ear. Snooke slowly opened his eyes, his vision blurred from the passion that was consuming him. His body soared as Kane filled him with a need he was craving like his next breath.
“Take me, please.” Snooke’s voice was hoarse, dry as he pleaded. His body needed to be filled with Kane.
“Are you begging, shorty?” Kane kissed down Snooke’s chest, suckling a nipple as Snooke whimpered. His legs felt restless, wanting to wrap around his mate. Snooke wanted to wrap his entire body around Kane.
Kane nipped Snooke’s nipple and then continued his journey down. Snooke’s legs threatened to give as Kane ended his journey at Snooke’s cock. He was close just seeing Kane on his knees in front of him. This strong warrior was kneeling before him, willing to give Snooke unbridled pleasure. His head swam at the sight.
Kane kissed Snooke’s inner thighs, his fingers tracing over Snooke’s skin. “You’re so beautiful,” Kane whispered.
Waves of ecstasy crashed through him at Kane’s words. His hands landed on the warrior’s shoulders as he fought to stand.
Kane began to kiss up and around his groin, his tongue trailing back around. Snooke’s hands left Kane’s shoulders, ghosting down his mate’s back as Kane opened and took Snooke into his mouth.
Snooke’s knees buckled, but he managed to right himself. Kane began to knead his buttock, sending thrilling sensations through him.
Snooke’s impatience grew to explosives proportions. He jerked from Kane’s mouth, his mate staring up at him, his eyes questioning.
Snooke stared at Kane’s swollen lips, biting his own as the erotic sight at his feet almost made him come.
“I–I don’t want to come like that,” Snooke panted. “Please, I want to come with you buried deeply inside of me.”
Kane’s quizzical look turned heated as he pulled Snooke down, gently laying him on his back as Kane crawled between his legs. Kane’s hands landed beside Snooke’s head, his mate’s hair veiling his face as Kane smiled down at him.
“I love you.” Snooke reached up and traced Kane’s lips with his fingers. “You set me free from the hold my family had on me.” Snooke ran his hands up Kane’s sculpted chest. “Your touch heals my inner scars.”
Kane leaned into Snooke’s hand. He could see his mate swallowing a few times, and it shocked Snooke to see Kane so vulnerable. He reached for Kane, pulling him down and pressing his open mouth to Kane’s.
The warrior moved until he was settled between Snooke’s legs, pressing his manhood against Snooke’s heated flesh. Snooke’s legs fell to the side as blood pounded in his brain.
Kane hooked his arms under Snooke’s legs, driving into him as his mouth devoured Snooke’s. He arched his back, grabbing fistfuls of Kane’s hair as Kane crushed his lips to Snooke’s.
“Say my name, shout it, damn it.” Kane growled, driving into Snooke’s body. “Say it.” His lips grazed Snooke’s ear.
“Kane,” Snooke cried.
“Louder. Let everyone know who it is that’s claiming you.”
Snooke could see the desperation in Kane’s eyes. They were wild, savage, and the biggest turn-on Snooke had ever witnessed.
“Kane!” Snooke shouted to the ceiling. “Fuck me, Kane.”
Kane snarled, bending Snooke’s legs back to his chest as he hammered into him. Snooke’s brain swam in a cloud as his body responded to the seduction of passion. He could feel his balls draw up tight to his body as sparks of electricity shot up his spine.
“I can’t hear you.” Kane’s deep voice broke through the shroud of lust swimming around his head.
He had no clue what Kane was looking for. “Harder, I need more,” Snooke shouted. His fingers dug into Kane’s scalp as he arched his back, Kane’s hard cock pounding into his flesh.
“Louder.”
Snooke threw his legs around Kane’s body, crawling up him from the wicked sensations plaguing him. His head fell back, his mouth hung open as Snooke cried out, jets of seed exploding from his cock.
Kane laid his hands on Snooke’s thighs, his brows pulled tight, as he hissed between clenched teeth. Kane’s eyes widened, as his head fell back, howling as he came.
Kane came so hard that Snooke could feel it leaving his body. It flooded his channel, hot, pulsing, and in overabundance.
“Hell.” Kane rolled from Snooke and landed on his back, his chest rising and falling in a struggle to catch air.
Snooke couldn’t move. He lay there sated and mindless. A big grin formed on his mouth, a smile that Snooke couldn’t stop from taking shape. Kane made him so happy. He loved this demon with all of his heart.
“I can’t move.” Kane chuckled.
“I’m not even trying,” Snooke groaned.
Kane closed the door quietly as he left his bedroom. He cinched the belt around his robe as he walked down the hallway. Dillon was laid out on the couch watching the television. He smiled when he saw Kane.
“You guys brought the house down.” He laughed.
Okay, so the human was growing on Kane. He sidestepped Tulip, who ran up to him and tried to jump up on his legs. Even the dog was growing on him. “Want a snack, girl?” The dog barked and happily followed Kane into the kitchen.
Kane rummaged around the cupboards, extracting a can of sausages. “You should like this.” He popped the top and dumped the contents into the bowl he had purchased for the dog.
“I never thought I would see you domesticated.”
Kane glanced over at Panahasi, who was standing in the doorway. All the warriors knew that their leader craved finding his mate more so than the rest of them. Everyone wanted their mate, but Panahasi had a deep thriving need beyond normality. Maybe it was because of how long he had been alive. No one knew for sure how old the demon really was.
“I think she is getting to like me.” Kane scratched behind Tulip’s ear before straightening. “Di
d you see the keeper?”
Panahasi nodded. “He is working on something to keep even the darkest from gaining entrance.”
Kane could tell there was more. They all knew that you didn’t push the leader if he wasn’t volunteering, but his mate was living here now. Kane had a responsibility to Snooke to keep him safe. “What else?”
“How did the person get in?” Panahasi leaned against the door frame, his head only inches from the top of the frame.
Kane’s gut clenched. If the leader was worried, they were in trouble. “I’ve been worried since it happened. I’m terrified to leave Snooke alone, but then I don’t want to crowd him either.”
“I’m not so sure that whoever was here will be back. I think a point was being made that they could get in.”
Kane wasn’t satisfied with that answer. He wouldn’t be satisfied until he knew the keeper had found a spell to keep everyone out. It angered him that he didn’t feel safe in his own home anymore and that he was somewhat powerless to keep Snooke safe, knowing someone could come in at any time.
“I don’t care what point they were making. I want the fucker found. My mate lives here. He comes before anyone.”
Kane hated to see the longing in Panahasi’s eyes, but he needed to make his feelings known. This was monumental, and it needed to be taken care of as swiftly as possible. Snooke was finally feeling a little at ease, laughing more. Kane didn’t want to see the spark leave his mate’s eyes.
It took everything in him not to kill Marino that day in the backroom of Malcor’s. It may make him a bad person, but he wanted Marino dead and Snooke safe.
“I understand your fears, warrior. But you need to understand something as well. If Marino finds out how to use that crystal, no one will be safe. The keeper is working on a spell. It can’t be rushed. Until then, we need to find Snooke’s uncle.”
Kane knew he was right. If Marino did somehow manage to unlock the crystal, they were all in trouble. Some of those beings were more powerful than the warriors. “We can’t let Crypt escape.” It had taken the combined efforts of all ten warriors and Panahasi the first time he was captured. Crypt was the biggest, meanest, and most powerful of the detention cell inhabitants. The neutralizing cuffs hadn’t even fit around the fucker’s wrists.