“There are three. From what I could tell, they aren’t that bright, and they aren’t on the same page. Lots of bickering, almost as if–”
“They’re brothers,” Aris smirked, cutting in.
“Yes, exactly. Two of them are very similar. I’d say twins, submissive to the eldest, who seems to be under the influence of something. I sensed he was struggling with something.”
“So, where are they?”
“Not far. Which means they are either really stupid or it’s a trap.”
Evander laughed. “It’s definitely a trap. They want me to find her. The Council wants my head on a stick.”
It didn’t matter that he knew he was walking into trouble. All that mattered was his mate was with them, and she was in trouble. He needed to save her.
Period.
The beast in him rose, ready to act. To finally take a stand and kick some ass. After all this time, he was ready to take the driver’s seat, and Evander was going to let him.
Chapter 14
She felt him near. It was amazing how quickly everything changed. Her beast chuckled.
‘I told you he would come.’
Callie rolled her eyes. She hated being told that. The funny thing was, it was her own inner self saying it now.
To herself.
She giggled, and then gasped. She blinked, realizing her eyes were fuzzy again. It was then that she realized she’d lost time, but now she lay on the ground. She wasn’t tied anymore, but she couldn’t move. Her limbs were heavy, laden, and unable to support her. She squinted, hoping to concentrate. In her mind, her arm lifted, but in reality, not a damn thing happened.
Her heart thudded in panic. She couldn’t move!
Laughter reached her ears, and she glanced up to see the same man staring down at her. Only this time, his eyes were golden, and he leered at her. A shiver ran down her spine.
“What’s wrong, fledgling? Can’t fight it?”
She tried to speak, but her words came out unintelligible.
“Don’t bother trying to speak. The magic won’t wear off for hours.”
So, it was magic. And it packed a damn punch. She wanted to tell him her mate was coming for her, but she couldn’t.
She opened her mouth again, but then snapped it shut.
“I’m going to have fun with you.”
The threat was there. Her beast shuddered along with her.
‘He won’t get the chance.’
Gods, Callie hoped not. She’d never been raped, and she didn’t plan on changing that anytime soon.
The fear of being touched by this vile monster seemed to shove off some of the effects of the magic. But instead of letting him know, she pretended she was still totally under the magic. If he knew, she had no idea what would happen.
She knew how to play it safe: stay docile and quiet. That always made a man feel secure in himself. Let him believe she was harmless. That was the first part of her plan, but she intended to hand his balls to him. A shudder rippled through her body. No man would ever touch her. Only Evander.
She watched the brothers as they did nothing. There seemed to be a building tension between them. The two that had to be twins sat close, huddled together, almost as if they feared the bigger one. He had to be the oldest, and he had to have tortured them growing up. Hell, maybe even now.
“She’s staring,” one of them whispered.
“It’s okay, Ike. She’s not able to do anything. Lon has her under so much demon magic she can’t even think.”
“I don’t know, Jaz. Do those look like the eyes of someone under the magic of a very powerful demon?” the one called Ike whispered.
She narrowed her eyes on him. He seemed to be the weakest link. She could work with that. She shifted her eyes just for a few seconds, only when he was looking and the other two were not.
He stood up and pointed at her. “She’s not under a spell anymore.”
Her eyes went back to normal. She let herself relax into the little haze she felt left. The one named Jaz moved closer to her, easing himself to her. He was the smart one. He focused on her.
“She’s out, man. Her eyes are so dilated she can’t even focus. Ike, you’re just being paranoid.”
Jaz moved away from her, turning his back, unafraid of her. It was the perfect moment. In a rush of speed so unlike anything she’d ever felt before, Callie sprung from the ground and tackled him. He landed with a heavy thud. She shifted her claws and wrapped them around his neck. Her eyes shifted, and her fangs elongated.
“Don’t you move, you sick little fuck.”
Whoa. Her dragon was a beast. She kept her thoughts to herself and dug in her claws.
Jaz whimpered and went completely still under her. She moved her focus to the other two. The big one looked at her with such disgust that she wondered if he even cared if he died. The other one, Ike, shook in fear.
He was more of a puss than her. She chuckled and narrowed her gaze on him, pressing her fangs back so she could talk. “He’s your twin?”
“Ye…yes.”
“And you very much want him to live, correct?”
The poor boy nodded.
The big one growled. “You just fucked up, bitch. Get your hands off my brother. I don’t care if you can hurt me. You’ll leave him alone.”
She found it. No matter how much their dynamic confused her, they were brothers, and they were loyal and loving to one another. “I will let him go.”
He nodded as if she was stupid. “That’s right, you will.”
“When I am with my mate and you are packing your asses out of my town.”
“Right.” He looked at his brother who still hadn’t moved. “Jaz, show her who’s the real pussy in this situation. Come on, man the fuck up.”
She felt Jaz’s reaction. He growled, but for some reason, she didn’t fear him. Like it wasn’t aimed at her.
She took her free hand and lifted his head off the ground by his mohawk. He squirmed, but didn’t make a sound.
“Tell him that you’re the pussy,” she said, and laughed when he whimpered.
“She’s got me, Lon.”
“Oh, for goddess sakes, she’s only a woman.”
Callie’s heart raced, and her body lit on fire.
Evander. She felt him coming. The others were with him, too.
‘See I told you our mate would find us.’
Her fingers tightened on Jaz, who stayed still beneath her. He didn’t even fight. It was quite disappointing, to be honest, but then Evander came around the corner and smiled at her with his brow raised.
“Love, what have you got there?”
The other two spun on her mate, but she wasn’t worried. He was amazing in his glory. He was large and strong. His eyes lit with anticipation as if he’d been waiting his whole life for this fight–and maybe he had.
She watched him in awe as he knocked Ike to the side. The submissive dragon was slammed against the wall of the cave and out. Jaz whimpered below her, and for a second, she felt bad.
“Guess you shouldn’t have worked for the Council.”
“Yes, tell me about it.” He growled and before she could stop him, he threw her much the same way Evander had thrown his twin. She flew, too fast to even scream. The breath was taken from her, and she gasped. When her back hit the wall, she screamed and fell to the ground. She smacked her head on the ground and whimpered. The beast fought to stay awake, but there was no luck. She still wasn’t quite strong enough. The last thing she heard was her mate’s roar of anger.
***
She was a thing of pure beauty. He’d almost been distracted by the arousal that radiated off her body, but then he slapped the dragon boy across the cave like he was a rag doll, and the one his mate had subdued wasn’t as subdued as she thought. When he tossed her in much the same way, he lost it. He tore through the big one and stopped only long enough to shove his claws through his chest. The dragon screamed and tried pulling away, but there was no getting away from Evand
er now. His mate screamed, and a rage like one he’d never felt tore through him. The first dragon in his sight was the first to feel his wrath. He squeezed the demon’s link around the dragon’s heart and crushed it. The man gasped with wide eyes and slid to the ground. Evander yanked his claws from the chest that no longer had life.
He hadn’t killed in so long, and the darker side of him relished in finally being able to stick it to the Council.
The smaller dragon tried to run, but they couldn’t let them live. It was the one thing he and Aris discussed. Take them out. Show the Council they were a force. He wasn’t sure if the submissive one deserved to die, but he couldn’t have anyone looking for vengeance. Callie had to be safe.
He strode toward him; the man shook in fear.
“Please, don’t.”
It was pathetic and almost not even worth it. But he didn’t let him go. He grabbed him and broke his neck. Quick and efficient. There was no need to make it hurt. It was better to put him out of his misery, anyway. He kept moving until he was beside his mate. She was breathing slow and steady, but her skin was clammy.
“Love, you are going to tell me what the fuck is going on,” he muttered. Whatever it was that was hurting her was making it near impossible for the beast to grow stronger.
She didn’t respond to his voice, but when he lifted her off the ground, she whimpered. He carried her easily and didn’t worry about his mess. The others could take care of it. Right now, he needed to get his mate home. Her body was cool to the touch, even though it was still sticky. His beast panicked, and he picked up his pace. When he left the entrance of the cave, the others were there, surrounding them. Willow, the tiny woman, was feisty. She grabbed on to Callie’s hand.
“Why the fuck is she so cold?”
He shook his head. He didn’t know. “I just want to get her home.”
“Bring her to our house.”
He raised a brow. “I don’t know.”
Aris frowned. “You’re family. She’s family, and we need to stick together. The Council isn’t going to stop. We need to be united.”
“True enough.”
He looked around at the others. Each one held something the others did not. They were a mash-up of different personalities.
“You got all three, right?”
Evander frowned. “I got two. But then I got Callie. I figured you would have seen him. He had to have come out.”
Aris shook his head. “No one came out of that cave besides you.”
It couldn’t be. “Maybe he’s in the cave still then. I’ll admit, I’m more focused on my mate. Maybe I missed him?”
Willow frowned. “Zar, let’s go look.”
“No, I can go.”
She glared at him. “Stay with your mate. Obviously, something isn’t right.” Then she grabbed her mate’s hand, and they went back to the cave.
It was then that Callie woke up. “Hi,” she said, and he laughed when her eyes went wide. “They are all here?”
“Yes, love.”
“Did we win?”
He didn’t know how to answer. The battle was over, but the war was brewing. “This time…, but we seem to be missing one.”
“Jaz.”
“Who?”
“The one that threw me. His name is Jaz. I think he’s got more power than even he knew.”
Zarin and Willow rushed out of the cave, frowning. “There’s not a live soul in there. One ripped apart…ew, by the way…and one with a broken neck?”
“So he’s gone. Just like that?”
Zarin shrugged. “I followed his scent further back, and then it disappeared. For real, it vanished.”
Evander froze. He’d heard of this happening before, but it wasn’t a Black Dragon. It was a red. “No scent at all?”
“Correct.”
“He’ll be back then, and I imagine he is going to want to be the reason for my death. I killed both his brothers, one being his twin.”
Great. This was why they wanted to ensure they got them all. They hadn’t wanted to take the chance of any one of them coming back for more. Now he wouldn’t be able to rest as long as the dragon that Callie called Jaz was alive.
“He’s going to come after us, huh?”
He looked at his mate. She didn’t seem scared or upset. More like accepting. He nodded. “Without a doubt. He won’t be able to let it go. I killed his family.”
She swallowed. “Looks like I need to get stronger then.”
He would talk to her about that later. For now, he nodded again. “Let’s get out of here.”
Callie stood up and wobbled. She chuckled when Willow reached out to her. “I’m fine, just a little off.”
She wasn’t fine, but she would be. He’d make sure of it.
They walked hand in hand toward the two SUVs. With his mate by his side, his beast could breathe again. No more demon magic, and she was safe. He was safe, too, for now. They’d worry about retribution later.
Chapter 15
1 month later
They’d decided against living in the house with the others. Callie decided that staying in her house wasn’t that bad, considering it wasn’t all that far from the dragon land. It was easy enough to go visit, and they spent most of their free time there, anyway. Aris promised they would get their house soon. Zarin and Willow’s house was nearly completed now. Willow had become an even closer friend than she could have imagined. The two of them bonded, even though their lives were worlds apart.
Every day was a new day. The best part of it all, her shop was doing well. She spent her days surrounded by books. It was heaven. She’d finally stopped being hounded by Matty’s family. They moved on. Or maybe he’d told them to back off her. She had found her peace within herself. The beast was the reason, of course. She helped her through everything.
Callie felt better than ever. It had taken a toll on her both mentally and physically, but she’d come clean to Evander about her past. His first response was to pull her into a hug and tell her he loved her no matter what. That she was beautiful. His second response was to enforce a proper diet and exercise plan for her. She’d never felt as good as she did now. The weakness was nearly gone, thanks to her mate…and Zarin, who happened to be a personal trainer. He coached her and taught her how to use her body in a healthy way.
“Hey, hon,” Willow said, handing her a bottle of water, “Zarin’s running behind today. It’s just us girls.”
“That’s cool. I wasn’t ready for him to make me hate my life today.” She laughed. In fact, she wasn’t sure she should take his abuse. Her insides were bursting with excitement. She hadn’t told anyone–not even Evander.
“What’s going on with you?” Willow was smart. And Callie loved her. She was like the sister she always wanted and never had.
“I can’t.” But her heart raced, and her stomach curled. She’d been lucky so far and had not been sick, but she was starting to feel nauseous more often.
“Tell me, woman!”
Callie laughed. Her friend wasn’t the most patient woman. “Well, Sophie’s due really soon, right?”
“Yes, why?”
“What if I were to tell you there will be another little one coming, too?”
Willow gasped. “You’re pregnant?”
She nodded, and tears filled her eyes. “I’m finally healthy, and now I’m carrying my mate’s child. I just….”
“Why haven’t you told him?”
“I don’t know if he wants babies.”
“Of course, he does. What man wouldn’t want to create a mini version of himself to carry on the line?”
“You’re right, I’m sure. I guess...I don’t know. I’m scared.”
“Of what?”
“I never had a dad.”
“Oh, honey, he’s not going to abandon you.”
“Damn straight I won’t,” a deep voice said. She was busted and kicked herself for not paying better attention to her surroundings.
She turned to him and wipe
d her tears away. “Surprise.”
He frowned. “I should have known first, but worse, I don’t want you scared. I’ll never abandon you or our baby.”
She knew this. “I know,” she said, and sighed. She glanced at Willow, who took the hint and slid from the room. “I’m sorry. I just wasn’t sure. I just found out a few days ago.”
He strode to her and kissed her lips. “I knew before you. I sensed the change. I’ve been waiting for you to tell me.”
“I–”
“Don’t apologize, love. I know we have a lot to learn about each other still, but things are better.”
“Yes, for now. It’s been quiet, but it won’t stay that way. We both know that.”
“Of course not, but Aris is planning. He’s putting out a call to all other Halflings. More allies should be showing up.”
That was news to her. “Oh, a lot?”
“Who knows? I guess it depends on who feels the call and comes.”
“That’s how it works? He sends out a magic call?”
“Yes. Though I think more goes into it than that. But you’d have to ask him.”
She smiled, glad he knew, even though it wasn’t how she was intending for him to find out. She worried things would change. Would he become even more over-protective than he was now? She loved how much he cared, but she could barely stub her toe without him asking if she was all right. At some point, he needed to relax. It was one reason why she was concerned about telling him about her pregnancy.
“Love, stop thinking so hard.”
She sighed. “I just don’t want you in panic mode.”
He nodded, and she could see the wheels turning.
“I’m fine. I know you can take care of yourself, and Zarin, as hard as he is, is an amazing teacher. I would be too soft on you.”
Callie laughed. That was the truth. The only time he handled her roughly was during sex. Otherwise, he treated her as if she were dainty and small, when she so obviously wasn’t. Since the incident in the cave, she’d gone out of her way to take care of herself. She called a therapist and admitted her problem to the whole tribe. They didn’t judge her, and they all went out of their way to help her. She loved how supportive everyone was.
Evander (Stratham Shifters Book 4) Page 9