by Lynn Hagen
“I’m sorry,” Snooke murmured.
“You have no reason to be. You went through something traumatic and had to work it out in your head.” Kane ran his hands over Snooke’s back as he thanked the heavens above that Snooke was finally coming back to him.
“I don’t feel safe anymore.”
“Do you want to live with Chris for a while?” Kane hated asking. It would mean he would spend most of his time at Chris’s house, but if it made Snooke feel safer, he would do it.
“I don’t feel safe anywhere.”
“I know, shorty.” Kane exhaled deeply, wondering how he was going to make his mate feel safe once again in their home.
Panahasi had said that the keeper was close to a new spell, one that would keep out anyone not of warrior descent. The warriors themselves could bring people through, but no one who wasn’t living there in the building could come in.
He jerked when he heard a noise coming from the kitchen. No one was there but the two of them. Snooke began to shake in his arms as Kane stood and placed his mate in the chair. He walked quietly and with measured steps as he neared the kitchen.
He glanced back to see Snooke balled up and staring in horror. Kane placed a finger over his mouth, and Snooke nodded.
As he rounded the corner, he raised his hands in the air, ready to freeze whatever threat there may be. He stopped dead in his tracks, staring in a horrific wonder at the sight in front of him.
Chapter Ten
Panahasi thought of Kane’s apartment and then appeared in the living room. The first thing he noticed was Snooke balled up on the chair, his gaze terrified as he stared at the kitchen. He hurried across the room and entered the kitchen, coming to a halt.
“Well, fuck, the keeper really does have a sense of humor,” Panahasi said as he walked further in.
“What the hell is it?” Kane asked as his eyes darted from Panahasi to the trapped creature.
“It looks to me like the person that kept breaking in has been snared in the keeper’s spell. I knew he would come up with a good one, but damn.” Panahasi crossed the kitchen, staring at a pair of arms and legs suspended in midair. “Seems our burglar is trapped between your home and wherever he was using the shadows.”
“I still want to know how he managed to get in the first time,” Kane said as he walked around the limbs. “This is fucking gross.”
“I think it’s Marino that has helped this person. He’s starting to learn the crystal, getting closer to unlocking it. Only with the use of the crystal can you go to the forbidden places. This is some wicked shit.” Panahasi laughed. “Wicked indeed.”
Kane quirked a brow at him. “Is it that entertaining?”
“Hell yeah it is.”
“What is that?” Snooke gasped from behind them.
Snooke wasn’t sure what he was looking at. How could a pair of arms and legs be suspended in the kitchen?
“I think it’s the man who tried to take you,” the leader said as he turned toward Snooke.
Rage like he’d never before felt consumed Snooke as he shot forward, attacking the limbs in limbo. “You bastard.” He shouted as he clawed at the arms. “You fucking bastard.” The anger and helplessness that had been living inside of Snooke broke free, turning him savage.
“Shorty.” Kane wrapped his arms around Snooke and pulled him away. “Wait until we have all of him before you go Rambo all over his ass.”
Snooke looked over at the now-bloody limbs and began to laugh. It started off small, little chuckles until it turned into a hysterical laughter. Snooke bent over, placing his hands on his knees as tears fell from his eyes. “I just beat up a set of arms.”
“Are you okay, shorty?” Kane stepped closer. “Do I need to get Phoenyx, a glass of water, a straightjacket?”
Snooke dried his eyes as he stood. He pointed over at the limbs dangling in midair. “You got me, you bastard.” He chuckled. “You had me running, afraid of my own shadow.” Snooke faced his warrior and sent Kane a weak smile. “I’ll be fine, honest.”
“Glad to hear it.” Panahasi grinned. “Never allow someone to replace your laughter with fear.”
Snooke nodded. That was sound advice. “Is he okay?” Snooke nodded toward the bizarre scene.
“He’s alive. I’ll take care of this. You two go reconnect.” Panahasi waved them off.
“Who is he?” Snooke asked. “Why did he target me?”
“He’s one of your uncle’s.”
That’s all Snooke needed to hear. So Marino wasn’t letting him go that easy. We’ll see about that. He was tired of his uncle’s influence ruining his life. He followed his mate from the kitchen, feeling like he was getting his life back. Snooke reached his hands into the back pockets of Kane’s jeans, following behind his mate as Kane led him into the guest room.
“Why are we in here?”
Snooke removed his hands as Kane turned around. “I thought maybe you didn’t want to go in there. You’ve been sleeping on the couch every night since the attack.”
It was true. The room had scared the hell out of him. Every time he looked toward the bedroom, a cold dread would seize his heart. “Then make the memories better for me.”
Kane hesitated, watching Snooke intently. “Are you sure?”
He loved how protective Kane was with him. “I’m sure.” A powerful tremor shook his body as Kane’s eyes darkened.
“Then we’ll make a memory that will block out any other thought.” Kane placed his hands over Snooke’s and walked backwards, smiling down at him, and then winked. Snooke felt his body flush from that one wink.
Kane had the power to bring him to his knees with one smile, one caress, and it sent his senses soaring every time his mate made love to him. Kane’s fingers raked over the palms of Snooke’s hands, making his skin break out in goose bumps.
Snooke groaned when Kane’s hands skimmed up his back, making him arch his back as Kane kissed him down his neck, and then around to the shell of his ear. “I’ve missed you.”
Snooke was flying in Kane’s arms. Dry lips brushed across his cheek, moving slowly, teasingly, until Kane’s lips met his. Snooke opened, lapping at Kane’s mouth, drinking him in.
“Free me,” Kane whispered against his lips.
Snooke unsnapped Kane’s pants, his fingers moving over the denim as Kane cupped his face, his thumbs running back and forth over Snooke’s skin. His hand pulled at the waistband of Kane’s underwear, feeling the hot and swollen head of Kane’s cock. Kane moaned, his legs spreading apart as Snooke grabbed his mate’s erection.
No place. There was no place Snooke ever wanted to be if Kane wasn’t there with him. Kane was his whole world, his love, his life, his every breath. He slanted his head, using his tongue to indulge in the taste of Kane’s mouth.
He released his mate’s cock, skimming his hands around Kane’s tight waist, feeling sensual skin beneath his fingers as he pushed Kane’s pants down to his thighs. Now he had room to explore. His hands covered the swollen skin between Kane’s powerful legs, marveling at how his fist couldn’t close around the shaft. His free hand glided over Kane’s sac, letting the tip of his index finger run behind the wrinkled sac, playing with the sensitive skin between Kane’s hole and his balls.
“Oh god, shorty.” Kane’s breathing was harsh, ragged. His mouth hovered over Snooke’s as he groaned. The warrior’s eyes fluttered closed. His face was registering pure pleasure. Snooke looked on in awe. He was doing that, making this massive demon crumble right in front of him.
Kane’s fingers held onto Snooke’s face as Kane clenched his jaw. He could feel the warrior’s cock pulsing in his hand. Snooke was determined to bring Kane off. He used the pre-cum as lubricant, stroking Kane as his mate slowly opened his eyes, staring at Snooke with such raw need that Snooke’s breath caught in his chest.
Kane’s eyes wrinkled, looking lost as his breathing became even more ragged. His mouth opened, a small whimper escaped, and then his cock shot seed like a hot volcan
ic burst of power. Kane was still hovering his mouth over Snooke’s, gasping and moaning. Snooke licked his lips, panting at the vision of beauty.
“S–shorty.” Kane plunged his hands through Snooke’s hair, closing the distance, consuming Snooke as he picked him up and laid him on the bed. Kane removed Snooke’s shirt, pushing it off and away from them as he latched onto one of Snooke’s nipples, sucking on it like it was pure heaven.
Snooke planted his feet on the bed, lost in the feeling of Kane’s strong and powerful body blanketing his. Snooke’s hips came off the bed, thrusting his hard cock into Kane’s stomach. He wanted his pants off now. He needed to feel his skin connect with his mate’s. “Take them off,” he whined. “Kane, take my pants off.”
Kane’s mouth never left his chest as he reached between them, his hands moving desperately over Snooke’s clasp, nearly ripping the fabric apart as he worked in a haste to rid Snooke of his clothes. Snooke lifted his feet, allowing Kane to take them all the way off.
Better.
Much better.
Snooke flexed his ass once again, his cock colliding against Kane’s abdomen. He was out of control, drowning in the fire that was consuming him. It was in his belly. The fire started there, skyrocketing through his system to engulf his entire being. He dug his fingernails into Kane’s back, fucking Kane’s lower stomach. His ass clenched as he thrust forward again.
Kane’s hands grabbed Snooke’s sides, holding him down as his mate ground their cocks together. Oh sweet mercy, that was it. That was what he had needed, to feel that long and thick piece of flesh stabbing at him at an incredible rate, to make him dizzy and frantic.
Kane grabbed his ankles, held them up, and then leaned back. Snooke fell into his gorgeous brown eyes. He rolled his hips back, presenting his passage for Kane to claim. Kane’s hand ran over Snooke’s forehead and worked through his hair, tugging and pulling.
He felt the blunt crest of Kane’s cock nudging at his ass. Snooke spread his arms wide, laid his feet on Kane’s sides, and then let his head fall back as Kane thrust inside of him.
Snooke’s mind tore apart, fragmenting as Kane moved inside of him. Snooke rocked from side to side and then gyrated his hips, wanting Kane deeper, touching his soul deep.
“Oh, shorty. So beautiful, so sexy.” Kane ran his hands over Snooke’s chest. “This has to be a dream, no one person can ever be this happy.”
Snooke felt like he was floating amongst the stars. His senses clouded as Kane’s cock moved inside of him. He groaned when Kane palmed his shaft, pressing his thumbnail into the slit. Heated pleasure rushed through him as Kane milked his cock with his large hand. So large, so strong.
His breath strangled in his chest as Kane began to move faster, his hand and his thrusts.
“Kane!” Snooke cried as he came. His body writhed under Kane as his warrior expertly milked every last seed from his body. Kane lifted his hand to his mouth, licking his hand clean before grabbing Snooke’s waist, and then leaned forward, giving Snooke every last inch he had to offer.
Kane jackknifed. There, on his knees, in an erect position, Kane gave Snooke his hot semen, flooding his entrance with it. Snooke lifted his hips so Kane could go deeper, keeping his eyes locked onto Kane’s as he watched his mate fall over the edge.
Snooke laughed as Kane grabbed him around his waist and hauled him off of his feet, tossing his mate over his shoulders with ease. “Smartass.” He tapped Snooke’s ass.
Peals of laughter erupted from Snooke as Kane walked down Broadview Avenue. He was getting a few strange looks but gave two shits less about it. He’d take a thousand funny looks to hear his shorty’s laughter.
“You can put me down now.”
“What if I want to carry you like this?”
Snooke began to tickle his sides, making Kane relent and set him on his feet before he dropped his mate. He caught the bank owner, Falcon, and the fucker they had been after awhile, Leam, arguing as they walked around a corner, from the corner of his eye. Kane glanced down at Snooke to see he was smiling and walking next to him, unaware of what was taking place one block over.
This was the second time the pair was caught together, and both times they had been arguing.
Falcon Harrington always seemed so regal, so uptight to Kane. Why would the shifter be arguing with the likes of Leam? It felt wrong, like it was beneath the bank owner. He made a mental note to call their leader once they arrived at Chris’s and he could gain some privacy.
Kane held the door opened as Snooke walked in, Chris and Dillon greeting his mate. “Can I come home now? Are you done being gloomy?” Dillon asked.
“Give him a break. He went through some tough shit.” Chris scowled at the human. “His brain needed a vacation.” Chris turned toward Snooke. “Are you back from your vacation yet?”
“I’m back.” He gave Chris a quick man hug. “So what’s for dinner, besides cookies.” He chuckled.
“You’ll never let that go, will you?” Chris smacked Snooke’s chest. Kane thought of the first night he had laid eyes on Snooke. It was a life-changing experience for him. He stepped into the kitchen to find Hondo arguing with the warrior, Takeo.
What the hell was going on in here? “What’s up, guys?”
“He is being thickheaded,” Takeo answered.
“He wouldn’t be Hondo if he weren’t.” Kane grinned as he settled his body against the counter. He placed the palms of his hands behind him, bracing the counter as he stared between the two. “So what is he being thickheaded about this time?”
A grunt left Takeo’s lips as he turned away from Hondo to stare at Kane. “He thinks that Chris should just pack up and move in. I told him to give it time. Just because the two are mates doesn’t mean Chris’s life needs to alter to his will.”
Kane thought about both sides of the coin. He could understand where Hondo was coming from, but…“I agree with Takeo.”
Hondo threw his hands up in exasperation.
“Just hear me out.” Kane held up a hand. “If—” The tugging in his chest began, signaling a soul was being taken.
“So soon?” Hondo stared wide-eyed between the two. “It usually doesn’t happen this close together.”
Kane pushed away from the counter and headed toward the living room. The three men were kicked back talking as he entered. Snooke looked so relaxed, so at ease. He hated to disturb that.
“I have to go.” He pulled his mate from the sofa and hauled Snooke up against him. His fingers touched Snooke’s cheek. “I won’t be long.”
Snooke nodded, his eyes filled with fear as he released the frightened demon and followed Takeo from the house. Hondo stayed behind. He would protect what was his. What was Kane’s.
He wished they had cars here. It would make getting to where they needed to go faster, but for some unknown reason, Panahasi had forbidden them. They couldn’t use the shadows because they had to follow the pull, let it guide them. This couldn’t be done through a portal because they had no idea where they were going.
They ran down Broadview Avenue, Kane’s heart in his throat, his thoughts with his mate. He was anxious to get back to his shorty. With everything going on, being away, even for a short time, made his skin crawl from not having Snooke close to him.
Hondo could see someone on the ground as they neared the apartment building. Oh shit, it couldn’t be.
He could here Takeo curse beside him. Hondo dropped to a crouch as he lifted Torky’s eyelids. Was the demon a shell of his former self now? He tried to shake Torky, to rouse him from his unconsciousness.
Torky groaned, his hands drifting to his head as his eyes finally opened. “What my name?”
“Asshole,” Torky replied with a moan.
“It’s not him.” Kane helped the demon up, placing Torky’s back to the wall to steady him. “Who did this?”
Torky glared at him and knocked Kane’s hands away. “You’re a sick fuck. First you try to kill me and now you’re concerned. Piss off.”
“Well, it sure as shit looked like you.” Torky touched the back of his head and winced. “At least you fought fair.”
“What do you mean?”
“You didn’t freeze me and then beat the crap out of me.”
Kane’s mind began to churn. He thought of the Pancake House owner, but dismissed the thought. He didn’t have any abilities. Next he thought of the fake Rainerio. When he left, he had walked to the front of Snooke’s house instead of using the shadows to leave. And Deandre? Why would he carry a damn body down the street? They never did that in plain view of the public.
“He can’t duplicate our powers,” Kane said aloud.
Takeo studied Kane and then nodded. “It seems he can only transform into another.”
“A chameleon?” Torky asked as he stepped closer. “I thought they were a myth.”
“It may not be.” Kane rubbed the back of his neck as he looked around. “So who is getting their soul taken?”
He centered himself, trying to reconnect with the pull. A tugging started in his chest again as he and Takeo took off once more.
Panahasi stepped into the human realm. He was greeted by Alpha Maverick. “Now what is it?” He remembered their first meeting, when the young half-demon, Taylor, had come into his powers. “Is it Taylor?”
“No.” The wolf-shifter leaned against his desk, his arms crossing over his chest. Panahasi admired the man. Not that he would admit that aloud. He got the impression Maverick would only rub it in every time they met if he did. “It’s about Taylor’s mom.”
“She’s locked away. No need for concern.” Panahasi walked over to the bookshelf and ran his fingers along the spines, impressed with the shifter’s collection. “Have you read these?”
The creaking of Maverick’s leather brought the leader’s attention back to the subject at hand. “What about her?”
The Alpha stood straight, his eyes locking onto Panahasi’s as he cocked his head to the side. “I think there is something you should know.”