Circe's Recruits 2.0: Alex

by Marie Harte

  He knew she didn’t like it, but she had little choice. He’d come with her, and he was a part of this. Typically mutants took several Circs to kill. They had a hardier frame, more endurance, and an ability to withstand pain. Alex didn’t have a combative psychic skill. Gideon could smash into minds. Eli secreted poison, and Carter could mesmerize with his gaze and voice.

  Alex could only gain insight by touching objects. But he had claws and fangs of his own, as well as a burning desire to kill his sister’s murderer. And to protect Kennedy.

  Though Katie sat on the forefront of his mind, he couldn’t forget his new mate. He would die to protect her.

  And by the look on Myers’s face, scrunched up into a snarl, it might very well come to that.

  Myers finally stopped morphing, his body thick with muscle, his hide dark and scaled and black as pitch. His eyes remained a muddy brown, now striated with a sickly yellow, and his fangs had lengthened, piercing his lips so that blood continued to run down his mouth. His tongue had forked and turned black. It flicked in and out, like that of a snake.

  Lovely. Kennedy put enough dismay into her words to worry him.

  “You stay back,” he said out loud, again. “Don’t get between us,” he warned.

  “Then don’t get killed,” Kennedy snapped back. I told you not to come.

  Your cousin said I had to.

  Yes, but I didn’t want you involved. Not like this.

  Yates frowned at them, then stepped closer to Kennedy. Good. The bastard might want to do vile things to her later, but for now he’d keep her alive. Because if Alex had to worry about Kennedy’s safety and deal with Myers at the same time, he didn’t think he’d manage. And he had to survive, if only to protect Kennedy from her cousin—who didn’t feel so on the level to him. He couldn’t have said why, but he trusted his beast’s feelings.

  And then he let his beast take over, narrowly avoiding a swipe from Myer’s yellowed claws. Christ, he hadn’t seen him—it—move. Myers’s claws had grown, curling even more, and looked sharp as hell. His spine finally stopped cracking and had grown crooked. When Myers moved now, he was sluggish, but the power behind his strikes couldn’t be ignored.

  Alex would have to dodge any blow while striking his own. But where? The man had shredded his clothing as he changed, and black-scaled skin covered him from head to toe. Even his face had small, interweaved protection, to include an arched ridge above his eyes, making Myers look like a Neanderthal.

  His legs buckled. Ah, not done changing yet. Maybe Myers would go down on his own, the change to mutant too extreme to handle. Except those knee joints broke and reformed, the knees bending at an opposite angle. Myers screamed, hissed, and suddenly wasn’t so slugging after all. He darted at Alex faster than Alex had anticipated he might move.

  Alex took a blow to his midsection that stunned him but didn’t draw blood. He rolled away before Myers could follow with a bite to his neck.

  A flicker of the man’s tongue licked his skin, and Alex smacked at it. “You have no idea what you’ve turned into, do you?” He felt almost bad for the guy, until he remembered Myers’s joy in the pain Katie had suffered.

  Alex didn’t hesitate. He went for Myers’s eyes, the move so sudden and directly against what Myers might have predicted. Because while Alex managed to gouge out one of Myers’s eyes, he’d gotten caught in Myers’s strong grip.

  And the bastard didn’t just use his claws, he held Alex in a bear hug. And started to squeeze.

  Squirming and doing nothing but getting himself impaled on mutant claws, Alex found a scrap of clothing still clinging to Myers and reached for it.

  The vision that hit him brutally stole his breath, because for a moment he saw exactly what Caldane, Sheer, and even Yates had been doing to their packmate.

  Yeah, Myers had been justly dealt with all right. At this point, Alex wanted to only to put the monster out of his misery.

  But Myers didn’t seem to feel the same. As he hugged Alex tighter, he nuzzled his face against Alex’s chest, dragging his teeth through the material of Alex’s jacket and shirt to expose flesh.

  Far from digging into his skin with teeth, Myers started…kissing him. Then licking at his skin, and running teeth over his nipple. A loud purr vibrated through the creature into Alex, and the unwelcome feel of a spikey, firm, phallus rubbing against his thigh made Alex seriously wish he’d reconsidered his notion to accompany Kennedy without the team as backup.

  “Hungry,” Myers rasped. His own blood trailed down Alex’s chest, where Myers continued to pierce his lips with his fangs. Myers licked it, then tried to teeth Alex’s nipple. Except Alex had shifted, and Myers nicked him instead.

  The taste of Alex’s blood further aroused the mutant, and Alex knew if he didn’t do something to fucking move, he’d end up being raped and eaten, maybe at the same time, while poor Kennedy watched.

  None of the assholes watching the spectacle would intercede.

  Jesus. What the hell had he gotten himself into?

  Chapter Fifteen

  ELI WATCHED FROM a safe distance in the warehouse, crouched near the bodies of three mercenaries Yates’s crew had brought with them. Pussies. He’d taken them out with a short swipe of his claws. No muss, no fuss, immediate death. Just he way he liked it.

  The sight that met his eyes made everything inside him want to shout and clap with glee. Seeing Myers turn into mutant had been karma at its absolute best. The fuckhead had done some shit to Eli while Eli’d been trapped at the U-Ground labs. All that joking about being raped and devoured by monsters, and Myers had turned into one.

  If Alex didn’t do something, and soon, the dumbass was going to get himself dead. And not a great way to go. Kennedy struggled with Yates, who held her back, not allowing her to interfere. At least one good thing to come from this clusterfuck.

  Because yeah, Alex was a shitty liar. Eli had known from the jump that something wasn’t right. So did Bailey. While the guys checked out Kennedy’s lead, he’d followed Alex. Just in case.

  And a good thing. Boy genius had no idea how to fight something like what Myers had turned into. Not by himself. Alex was still a good guy at heart, a man who’d never had do bad things to survive. Eli had been a punk and a thug, and though not proud of what he’d done when younger, he could still eat, breathe, and move on his own. No broken bones, no severed spine, no owing anyone anything. He was his own man, plus one. The beast inside him liked pain, and it liked the thought of stepping in to save Alex.

  But if he did that, he’d ruin whatever shitty plan Alex and Kennedy had concocted. He’d heard enough to know they thought they had to be there, alone. For some reason, Kennedy believed that her stunt, separating the team, could save her cousin.

  Eli might have called her on her bullshit until he’d overheard her beg Alex to leave her again. That she didn’t want his buddy hurt meant a lot. And that she fully intended to do whatever she could to save her cousin endeared her to him even more. Eli was a shit and a liar, sometimes a thief. And yes, now, a killer. But he knew the value of loyalty. The real reason he stayed with Gideon and the others.

  Pack came above money and gain. Pack was family, belonging. He’d never had that in his life, not counting the gang that had substituted as a weak attempt at family. He sure as fuck wouldn’t give it up now. So while he watched and prayed Alex got his crap together and dealt with Myers, he readied to interfere if he had to. Alex wouldn’t die here tonight. Not if Eli could help it.

  He sent an encoded text, not surprised when Carter texted immediately back. Close by.

  Eli silently snorted. Alex, you dummy. You can’t fool pack. And man, is Gideon gonna ream you a new one for trying to go off on your own. You poor bastard. He sensed Kennedy probing again and withdrew into himself, letting her thoughts slide past him as if he didn’t exist.

  In the meantime, he continued to watch…filming with his cell so he could share the best bits later. It appeared Bailey wasn’t the only one needing reme
dial training. Alex needed a refresher course on how to handle a mutant. And Eli had a feeling Gideon would be all to happy to show him how.

  ******

  Kennedy thought Alex might have a screw loose. Why did he have to become a stupid manly-man and think he could take on a mutant, for heaven’s sake? Even she knew rogue Circs were bad enough. Humans with anti-Circ weaponry were bad enough. A mutant Alex had stirred into an uncontrollable rage? That was insanity.

  “Shh. It’s okay, Kennedy. I have you.” Yates held her against him, her back to his belly, his forearm tucked way too tightly under her breasts. She felt his arousal against her and wanted to cringe. “I won’t let Myers get to you. Poor fucker.”

  She wasn’t worried about Myers getting to her. Alex, do something or I will!

  Stay back, he roared. Then he took out Myers’s other eye, effectively blinding him. Myers didn’t seem to care much, too intent on sucking or kissing, whatever one might call it, Alex’s chest. Not to mention his claws had dug into Alex’s torso, holding him still. And…could things get any worse? She noticed Myers’s movements had changed, from holding Alex still to lowering him, then grinding into him.

  With that spiky cock? The one she’d unfortunately seen when Yates had bent him over her table?

  Alex!

  Her mate was about to get help whether he wanted it or not. Though Kennedy had never conceived of using her mental abilities as a weapon, she tried to implant a suggestion into one of the human’s minds. They weren’t as shielded as the Circs, who used their beasts to protect them. Though she thought she maybe could have invaded Yates and even Sheer if she tried hard enough, she had only so much energy.

  While Alex pummeled Myers, ripping into eyes that grew back and a face that healed at the same time Alex raked him with long claws, Kennedy tried to persuade one of the mercenaries to shoot at Myers.

  She concentrated on several minds, working to see what she could pry into easiest. Her mind passed over a few less individuals than she’d sensed earlier. Odd. Before she could take charge of the weakest of them, Alex leaned closer to Myers and whispered something.

  Then he slid down Myers’s front and grabbed him by his genitals. Oh no. Alex, please don’t feel like you have to—

  She watched in shock as Alex sliced off Myers’s dick. The black blood that sprayed was nothing next to the shriek of pain from the mutant. Alex didn’t hesitate. He continued to dig into Myers over and over, going for any and all soft spots.

  Kennedy didn’t want to watch. She glanced away to see Sheer looking intrigued, and some of the humans walking closer, closing in on Alex and Myers.

  Then Alex tossed Myers with a yell and a show of strength that stunned her. Myers had to weigh over three hundred pounds, easy. But Alex had tossed him like a bag of dirt.

  Myers crashed into two mercenaries, who shot into him when he turned to them for food or sex, whatever he was doing with that malformed body. The bullets didn’t phase him as he started feeding. She’d swear the mutant did nothing sexual, but his groans and grunting, and the odd motion of his hips into the men, said he must be doing something carnal. How she had no idea, and she didn’t want to know.

  “I’m bored.” Sheer yawned and flicked his fingers at Myers.

  In seconds, Myers and the screaming men beneath him caught fire. The blaze burned, the fire reflected in Sheer’s terrifying gaze.

  Alex stumbled and fell to his knees, blood loss a real threat. She could only pray he healed quickly, and that Myers hadn’t hit anything vital when he’d clawed into him.

  You are such a stupid man, she yelled mentally. Then she softened with, Does it hurt bad?

  He turned and grinned at her, his beast bright in his eyes. “Myers is gone. One down. Two to go.” He gave Yates a look that had the man tightening his grip on her.

  “Sheer.” Yates nodded at Alex. “Dr. Lang saw what he needed to. Let’s go.”

  It was then Kennedy noticed the low droning coming from behind Yates’s ear. A transmitter of some kind.

  Sheer walked to Alex and slung him over his shoulder. Alex resisted, bleeding all over the man, and groaned.

  Sheer chuckled. “Easy, Palmer. And no playing grab ass with me. We’ll get to that later, okay?”

  When Alex continued to thrash to get free, Sheer burned the back of his thigh. The smell of burning flesh grossed Kennedy out, and Alex passed out.

  “He lost a lot of blood. But he’s a fighter.” Sheer smiled. “I like him. Come on, Yates. Let’s go.” Whistling, he left the building with several mercenaries following.

  She’d promised herself not to fight, and with Alex gone, she went willingly enough, allowing him to carry her, cradled to his broad chest. Along the way, she pried into Yates’s thoughts and got an earful.

  I can’t wait to take you. You and me, we’re going to make beautiful babies. And I won’t share you. Not with Palmer. Maybe with Sheer, but that’s just for protection for us. I know I can get it up with you. But only you. Somehow I have to find a way to get rid of the others. Then it’ll just be me and you forever.

  The images that went along with his obsessive thoughts scared her, because Yates liked biting and clawing and hurting his bed partners. Myers had been tough enough to withstand much of Yates’s perversions, but Yates preferred women. He’d made do with Myers, and he gave Sheer whatever the bastard wanted as protection from Caldane.

  But Yates was tired of sloppy seconds when it came to the females. He wanted his own—Kennedy. And he hated Charlie, more because he could no longer manage to get an erection with her.

  Charlie’s a stupid slut. I hate her, that’s why I can’t get it up for her. Sheer’s Circ, but he’s an aberration. It’s you I want. You felt me before, didn’t you? I’m big for you, and only you.

  She grimaced, not needing the reminder.

  “Yeah, you’re with me now, aren’t you?” He glanced down at her, delighted.

  She bit her lip, unsure how he’d known she’d invaded his mind. She remained quiet, unmoving in his arms.

  He tucked her head back against his chest. “Shh. Not much longer and we’ll be together. No more peeking, though.” Something sharp pierced her neck.

  Then she slept.

  ******

  Kennedy woke in an unfamiliar room. Her beast took inventory, recognizing the scent of Charlie nearby. Other Circs had been in the room. Yates, as well as Dr. Lang and Duane Smith. A few medical smells, drugs, and kin—another beast, a female.

  “Oh good. You’re awake.” The dry tone didn’t sound like her cousin, but she knew that voice.

  “Charlie?” She slowly sat up, took a moment to get her dizziness under control, and spotted her cousin sitting on a small couch, staring at her.

  The room was nothing like the cells they’d been forced to stay in before. This room looked comfortable. It had a thick brown rug covering the floor. A canopied king-size bed, closet space, bookshelves filled with books and puzzles, and pale rose colored walls decorated an inviting space. A large flat screen television, adjoining bathroom, from what Kennedy could see, and a view outside from a large window showcasing a green pasture and sunny blue sky gave credence to the notion this was not a cell.

  What the hell?

  “Charlie?” Am I dreaming? She sent her cousin

  Who didn’t answer.

  “Charlie?” she asked aloud. A closer glance showed her cousin in an arm cast from wrist to elbow. She had scratches and bruises over her face, neck, and even on her bare feet.

  The jeans and sweater she wore covered her, but they bagged on her, making Charlie look downright tiny. Her uneven breathing told Kennedy Charlie was far from okay.

  The glare in her cousin’s gray-green eyes didn’t make her look any healthier. Just inured and angry. “I told you not to tell him. You didn’t listen.”

  “What? No, I—”

  “I’m not an idiot,” Charlie spat. “Well, maybe I am. I trusted you, didn’t I?” Charlie hobbled to her.

  Ken
nedy didn’t know what to think of this angry, bitter woman. Charlie had been through a lot in life. She’d lost her father to cancer. Her mother a few years ago in a car accident. They’d had each other though, and Kennedy had never seen Charlie so down or hostile, not even after so many hardships.

  What had they done to her in this place?

  “Where are we?”

  “One of Dr. Lang’s hidden labs, where else?”

  “Do you know where?”

  Charlie shrugged and grimaced at the pain. “I don’t know. An island off the Washington coast, maybe?”

  “Do you know what happened to Alex?”

  “Your boyfriend?” Charlie said drily. “I think he’s on the rack—what I like to call Duane Smith’s favorite table in this shop of horrors.”

  Kennedy rose and tried to hug Charlie, but her cousin waved her off.

  What’s wrong? Why are you acting this way? Kennedy pathed.

  Again, she got no response.

  “Charlie, what did they do to you?”

  “It feels like a lifetime since you escaped. At first, Lang left me alone. Smith likes to toy with people. He’s got a thing about causing pain, and he used Nivia to hurt me.” Charlie’s eyes were haunted. “Hurting people gets him off, I think. But he’s all about doing whatever Lang wants, for science.” Charlie glanced up at a corner of the room and smiled. The expression didn’t change the flat look in her eyes. “But I know what’s coming for him, don’t I, Duane?”

  Ah, so talking to the cameras watching them. Kennedy understood, but she didn’t know why her cousin wouldn’t tell her, mind-to-mind, what to expect. It was as if Charlie couldn’t hear her anymore.

  Charlie, answer me! Kennedy shouted in her loudest telepathic voice.

  Charlie didn’t so much as flinch.

  Crap.

  “Then they gave me to your pack. The amazing B series.” She snorted. “They were no treat, let me tell you. And Sheer… Let me just say I prefer Yates and Myers. Then I had a talk with Dr. Lang. They started leaving me alone, because I predicted for them.” Charlie paused, staring at her with a haunted look in her eyes. “And because I promised I’d get you back. When you left, you ruined a lot of things Dr. Lang hadn’t anticipated. He made you for the B series, and he still has high hopes for them.” Charlie lifted her broken arm. “I wasn’t a good replacement. Apparently I’m not sexy enough for Yates.”