by Jocelyn Dex
She rolled her eyes. “Be real.”
He winked at her. “Oh hey, there’s a commercial restaurant supply place a few blocks over. It’s probably closed but that’s not really a problem for you.” His devious smirk made her laugh.
“That’s a great idea. I’ll see what I can find. You have any cash?”
He dug in his wallet and handed her five one-hundred dollar bills.
“Thanks. I’ll leave cash for whatever I take. Hate to be a thief.”
One of the waiters brought her a six pack of cherry beer and a six pack of Dos Equis XX in a handled Navie’s Pizza bag. She and Baden hugged once more and she stepped into the night feeling better than she’d felt in six months. She strolled down the walkway, looking for shadows so she could disappear without being seen.
She froze as a familiar scent slammed into her nose. Before she could react, she was shackled and ported away.
* * * * *
It’d been three hours since Navine had left to surprise Baden, and Fin was getting antsy. He was thrilled for her and didn’t begrudge her celebrating with her brother but from what she’d said, she’d be back long before now.
Too restless to wait any longer, he left her a note with his cell number asking her to call when she returned. At least at home, he could lose himself in the enormous kitchen and keep his mind busy.
Fin found his mother, Talith, relaxing in the theatre room, watching one of her latest productions. Kiberry and Xena were curled up together in one of the oversized recliners.
“Fin!” his mother exclaimed. “How are you? How’s the female?”
Fin sat. “We’re both good. Fine.” He pulled his phone out of his pocket and checked it even though he knew it hadn’t gone off.
“Good? Fine? Dear, that’s not much information.”
“She’s fine. It seems to have worked.”
Talith beamed. “I knew my handsome son could seduce her, but why are you so glum?”
“I’m really happy she’s okay.”
“Pfft. Of course you are. Did she shun you after?”
“Surprisingly, no. She ported off to surprise her brother and she was supposed to come back and celebrate with me but, well, I left her a note with my number. Maybe she just got caught up with Baden.”
Talith eyed him knowingly. “Fin, if she refuses to see how wonderful you are, it’s her loss. My son should pine for no female.”
“I’m not pining. I’m just… Shit, Mother, there’s something about her. She’s rude, stubborn, beautiful, sexy, passionate.”
“You’re smitten. Gods, what is it with my children? My Sempire children. Being with one male or female is not the Sempire way.” She sighed. “Well, all I want is for you all to be happy so,” she waved her hand in the air, “whatever works.”
“What about you?” he asked. At her quizzical look, he explained. “You and Darcon. Come on, I’ve been around longer than Araya and Valia. I know there’s something there.”
Talith smoothed her long blonde hair. “I don’t know what you mean. He’s my guard so of course we’re close.”
She obviously wasn’t going to give up the goods on their relationship without a fight and he didn’t have the energy to press her right now.
He looked at his phone again. Nothing. He’d been avoiding the realization but he was pretty sure Navine had ditched him. She’d finally accepted that he could cure her addiction so had used him to complete the process. He certainly didn’t begrudge her that, as it was the plan to begin with. But it hurt that she hadn’t returned, especially after the passion they’d shared but he wasn’t all that surprised. There had been no acting, no lies while they touched each other. It was too raw, too electrifying to be faked. But she’d never pulled any punches when telling him what she thought of him outside of the sex and it wasn’t the first time she’d lied to him so she could get away from him.
Feeling like a fool, he took Kiberry to the kitchen with Xena following close on his heels. He’d whip them up a snack. Something to occupy his mind. Kiberry had a thing for kiwi fruit and blueberries. Xena had a thing for raw meat. He’d been trying to wean her off that at the request of Valia and Araya who thought it was disgusting. She seemed to be coming around at least a little. If he added fresh blueberries and passion fruit to her bloody fare, she’d eat them.
Kiberry stood on his four-inch back legs and gave Fin a high five after finishing his snack.
Fin checked his phone once more. Still nothing. It was late and he’d had an exhausting day of reveling in Navine’s many charms. Pleasuring her, her pleasuring him. Damn, he’d love to be exhausted like that every day, but at the end of the night he’d prefer to tuck her close to him and fall asleep with her rather than falling asleep alone.
He shucked out of his clothes and crawled beneath the covers, sure he’d dream of Navine.
* * * * *
Fin stretched and immediately grabbed his phone from the nightstand, getting excited when he saw four messages waiting for him.
Message one from Valia said, Sup bro? Get lucky yet?
Message two from Araya said, Hope all is well. Any good news?
Message three from Kean said, Need some tips, Romeo? Gimme a call.
Message four from Baden said, You guys musta partied hard last night. Tried to call but she didn’t answer. Thanks for saving my sister. Tell her to gimme a call when she wakes up.
Huh? Baden thought Navine was with him last night? Shit, she must have left Navie’s and gone out to celebrate by herself. More likely with another male. Fuck. Fuck that. He didn’t wish her any harm. Never that. But the hell if he’d let her make him feel shitty about himself anymore.
He’d done his part, played his role. He’d fed her, comforted her, saved her life. That’s all it was ever meant to be anyway. Just because he’d allowed himself to become emotionally involved didn’t mean she had to do the same. Whatever, if one day she decided to give him a call, great, but if not, well he wasn’t going out of his way to put himself out there anymore.
He tossed the phone onto the nightstand, ripped the covers back and jumped out of bed. Today was a new day and he’d do his best to forget the raven-haired angel who’d sunk her claws into his heart. And fangs into his balls.
He made quick work of showering and threw on a white button-down shirt and khaki shorts. He sent off a quick group text to Araya and Valia asking if they wanted to pop in for breakfast. His sisters always made him feel better.
Araya caught him in the kitchen. “Hey!” she said, hugging him. “Good to have you back. All is well, right? It actually worked?”
“It worked.”
She frowned as she studied him. “You don’t look happy.”
“I agree. What’s up with that?” Valia asked as she popped in. “She being a twat again?”
He filled them in as he sliced and diced fruit and made smoothies for their breakfast. Kean and Rydin would be along in a few minutes so he also made steak and eggs for them.
Kiberry could always sense when Araya and Valia were close and he wandered into the kitchen, rubbing around their legs and garnering pets and belly rubs from them. Most of the time, Kiberry stayed with Araya and Kean in Dallas, but they weren’t ready to take Kiberry’s girlfriend into the human realm yet for fear she’d wreak havoc and go on a human killing spree.
As they carried the fare to the dining hall, Kean and Rydin popped in. They filled their plates and took seats around the table.
“I don’t get it,” Araya said. “You’re such a good male and even though things got off to a rocky start, it sounds like you both hit it off yesterday.”
Valia snorted. “Fuck her. Glad you saved her and all but… Ya know what? Let’s all hit a club tonight. We’ll find Fin a female to make him forget the twat.”
Fin stuffed a forkful of eggs in his mouth, swallowed and said, “Not necessary. It’s not that big a deal. I’m good.”
“Besides, you have the awesome seed that negates a Sempire’s Incubus addicti
on. You’ll be in high demand. Can’t be locked down,” Kean said.
Araya shoved him, “Hey. Is that how you feel? Locked down?”
He kissed her hard and quick. “Never. I’m the luckiest male alive.”
“Second luckiest,” Rydin said. Valia beamed at him.
Fin’s heart lurched at the love in the room, just none of it for him. Gods, he’d never been this sappy until meeting Navine. “It’s not like I can broadcast that anyway. I’m still incognito to the rest of the world. Just you all, Mother, Darcon, Raimee, Baden and Navine know the truth. Besides, I never said I wanted to be her one and only forever. I just wanted to get to know her better.”
He hoped Valia couldn’t read his aura right now because she’d know he was lying. Navine’s dismissal of him hurt and he’d like nothing more than to get a text from her saying she’d got caught up in something last night but would love to make it up to him tonight.
Touching her again, kissing her, just holding her hand would make his day. He didn’t know when he’d become so enamored with her or why but it didn’t matter. It was what it was and he was just going to have to get over it and fast before he turned into a total wuss.
His thoughts were interrupted by Baden’s astral appearance.
“What the hell, man?” Baden asked, clearly annoyed.
“What’s the problem, Baden?” Fin asked.
“Neither you or Navine have answered my texts. Where is she?”
Fin shrugged, trying to act casual. “I have no idea.”
“What? When she left the pizza shop last night, she said you two were going to celebrate. Where’d she go after that?”
Fin rubbed his temples. “Baden, I waited at the cabin for hours and she never showed. I assumed she blew me off and I came home.”
“Fuck! Dude, when she left Navie’s, she was going to get you a thank-you gift.” Baden glared at him. “If you’d answered my text you’d know that.”
“Uh, she isn’t exactly a fan of mine. Maybe she just told you that because it sounded better than “I’m going out to party and find a real male.”
Baden’s glared intensified. “I know she was rough on you so I can understand your doubt but she’s my sister and she was not lying to me. I guarantee it.”
Fin’s stomach did a little flip-flop at that and he felt like crap for so easily dismissing that Navine might be in trouble. She really had planned to come back but then where the hell had she gone? Where was she? God, if she was hurt, he didn’t know if he’d forgive himself.
“Can’t you astral project to her?” Araya asked.
“I can. I didn’t do it last night or this morning because I was afraid I’d see her and Fin…”
Fin coughed. Rydin and Kean smirked. Valia snorted. Araya blushed.
“I’ll be back,” Baden said and disappeared.
Chapter Ten
Navine could not fucking believe she’d been snatched again! By a freaking Incubus, no less. She’d just dodged death by Incubus addiction and another one nabbed her and she was fucking livid! Livid!
Really, her anger was the only thing keeping her together right then. If the anger dissipated, she’d be left with fear and she didn’t want to deal with fear. Didn’t want her mind to replay all of the abuses and tortures she’d suffered during her last abduction.
She wondered if anyone was looking for her yet. She wondered what Fin thought when she didn’t show up at the cabin. He probably thought she’d purposely ditched him, so he wouldn’t have been concerned and alerted Baden. And why wouldn’t he think that? She’d been so shitty to him and it wouldn’t be the first time she’d tricked him and disappeared. Of course he’d think she ditched him. Damn. Shit. Fuck.
At least her surroundings were decent, unlike the cold stone room with the crappy cot Debol had kept her in most of the time. There was a comfy twin-size bed, a desk and chair and a bathroom. There had also been a huge fruit platter and a bottle of wine on the table when she’d arrived. Of course she hadn’t partaken in any of it for fear it was drugged or poisoned.
She’d paced the room all night and had finally sat on the bed, exhausted, but she hadn’t let herself fall asleep. She needed to be alert, on guard, able to defend herself if someone entered the room.
Eyelids heavy, she smacked her face a few times.
Navine jumped off the bed and almost wept from relief when Baden astral projected into the room. Not thinking, she ran to throw her arms around him, but they went right through his form.
“Where the fuck are you?” His face was a tight mask of tension.
“I don’t know, Bade. I got snatched outside Navie’s. I didn’t even get a look at who did it, but the scent was Incubus. They haven’t said shit to me.”
His astral self scrubbed a hand through his hair roughly. It reminded her of Caffin. “You gotta be fucking kidding me.”
She stomped her foot and crossed her arms over her chest. This wasn’t the time for him to play the disparaging brother.
“Okay, okay,” Baden said. “Lemme see what I can find out.” His astral body jumped out the window.
Thank fuck he had realized she was missing and came looking for her when he did. So far, she’d been left alone, nothing terrible happening to her yet. Hopefully he could figure out where she was quickly so he could help her get the hell out of there. She didn’t need any more trauma in her life.
He reappeared, frowning. “You’re definitely in the demon realm. Jesus, Navie.”
“Like it’s my fault?”
“Not blaming. Just saying.” He sighed. “Are you okay? Has anything…happened to you?”
She shook her head. “Please get me out of here. I can’t go through this again, Bade.” Fear gripped her, tears threatening to spill.
“I will. I’m going to get help. Try to be safe.”
“Help from who?”
“Our new friends.”
Sinking down onto the bed, Navine fought the lonely, frightened feelings as Baden’s astral form faded away.
* * * * *
A guard led Baden into the dining hall. He’d showed up in physical form this time and didn’t look happy.
Fin tried to keep the concern from his voice. “You find her?”
Baden paced while he spoke. “She’s in the demon realm again. Someone nabbed her outside the pizza shop. Shit, I should have walked her out.”
“Geez, she’s popular,” Valia said.
Fin’s heart froze in his chest, his fork clanking noisily on his plate as it fell from his hand. “Who?”
“I came back here right away. I didn’t snoop around but she said it was another Incubus. You all have already helped so much. I’m hoping you wouldn’t mind—”
“Let’s go get her,” Fin said. He couldn’t bear the thought of her being abused by another Incubus. She was strong but a mind could only take so much and the thought of anyone touching her boiled his blood. Stupid or not, he thought of her as his—not like a possession, but his to care for, to protect.
“If Fin’s going,” Valia said, “I’m going to back up my brother.”
Rydin offered, “Then I am most definitely going. I know the demon realm better than any of you and Valia will be protected.”
“Should we take the Tengurs?” Araya asked.
“If you go, I go and I definitely think we take them. Kiberry is almost as protective of you as I am,” Kean added.
Fin could practically feel the relief and gratitude pouring off Baden. “Thank you all. I’m projecting there right now.” His eyes went blank for a second. “Okay. The outside is gray stone, about three stories high. The front door is arched, blood red, a crest on it. A dagger, black-and-silver eyes, surrounded by thorns.”
Rydin spoke. “You’re sure?”
“I’m looking right at it.”
Rydin frowned and stood. “That’s Debol’s crest.”
“It’s the same place she was held before?” Fin asked, the sinking feeling in his gut increasing.
Ba
den shook his head. “No.”
“The dude, Debol, is dead, right?” Kean asked.
Rydin nodded. “He is. It must be a family member.”
“There is only one guard outside the door. Huge though,” Baden said.
“I’m sure there are more inside,” Rydin said as he absently stroked Valia’s hair.
Valia downed the last of her smoothie and offered, “Can’t ya pop in there in your astral form, see who’s inside and ask what’s up?”
Everyone turned and stared at her for a moment. Such a simple idea but none of them had thought of it.
Baden said, “Yeah, I guess I can. As long as I’m incorporeal, they can’t hurt me and I can get more information.”
“But if you alert them, they might put more guards on Navine or move her,” Araya said.
After discussing their options, they ultimately decided it was worth the risk of Baden going in astral form first, but attempting to do so unseen.
Navine jumped off the bed when Baden appeared in the room. “What’s going on? Did you find anything out?”
“No, but that’s why I’m here.” He explained their plan of him gathering more information.
“Well, be careful,” she said.
“They can’t hurt me in this form,” he reassured her. “And they all agreed to help. Fin and his family.”
Navine’s stomach twisted at the mention of Fin, but she told herself it was because she was hungry and would love one of his smoothies right now. It had nothing to do with being excited at the prospect of him caring enough to endanger himself to rescue her. Nope nothing at all to do with that.
Avoiding her brother’s gaze, she picked at an invisible piece of lint on her shirt. “That’s great.”
“It is. I’m going this way.” He walked toward the door. “See what kind of security’s out there.” He turned back to her before leaving. “Ya know, he really cares about you. I could tell he was trying to hide it, but he is as upset about your situation as I am.”
Navine fought against the tender feelings, the way her heart skipped a beat and tried to ignore the extra wetness forming in her eyes. Not trusting herself to speak, she simply gave a quick nod as Baden drifted through the door.