by H. C. Brown
A shudder of anticipation fluttered Dallin’s stomach. He loved this dominant side of Stryker. Hell, he loved the man full stop. He lay back and met Stryker’s determined gaze.
Stryker crawled up Dallin’s body, lapping his tongue across sculpted muscle. He nibbled and suckled the man’s flat nipples, then moved to suck the throbbing vein in his neck. The overpowering desire to bite hit him like a sledgehammer. His venom sacs filled, and his face ached. This should not be happening. He dragged his attention away from Dallin’s neck and kissed a path down his belly. Dallin’s cock stood away from his groin, the top moist with pre-cum. He groaned and bent to lick the sticky tip. Dallin’s unique flavor exploded over his tongue. He drew the heavy shaft into his mouth and savored the feel of the silken skin across his tongue.
“I want you inside me.” Dallin groaned, his fingers fisting in Stryker’s hair.
The desire to fuck his lover and bite his tender, fragrant skin surged through Stryker in an uncontrollable rage. His cat roared. Stryker reared up and plunged forward, taking Dallin’s tight star in one hot slide. So damn tight, Dallin’s heat surrounded him. He rode him like a mad man, the short sighs of encouragement from Dallin driving him deeper, harder. Stryker gazed into his lover’s smoldering eyes and inhaled his intoxicating scent. Magyck crackled in the air between them. Sizzling tremors of exquisite delight started in his balls and shot down his legs. Molten lava careened out of control and climbed up his shaft. He drove in deep and fell forward, his fangs burying in the soft flesh of Dallin’s throat. As the man’s blood filled his mouth, Stryker came in a shuddering rush. Beneath him, Dallin trembled and covered them both with hot spurts of cum.
Long seconds passed. They lay panting, wrapped in each other’s arms. Stryker lifted his head to meet Dallin’s gaze. “Was that something to remember me by?”
“Oh…yeah. You are irresistible when you lose control. Though I never thought, you would bite me. Fuck—I loved it.” Dallin gave him a crooked smile. “I like the bad boy side of you.”
Stryker cupped Dallin’s face in his hands. “Come back to me, and I will be bad any time you want.” He brushed his mouth over Dallin’s lips. “Let us take a shower and get some sleep. I have some Dreamwalking to do.”
* * * *
Underworld
Lailii awoke and scrambled up until her back pressed against the headboard. She trembled at the sight of Passio and Kaos standing practically naked beside the bed. Only silk loincloths covered their sex. They sat down each side of her, the sickly fragrance of violets seeping into the air. She muttered spells under her breath, but every incantation she tried bounced off the men. She met Passio’s meaningful gaze. The demon’s intent showed clearly in his expression. “Please, do not do this. My magyck will die if you rape me.”
“Rape you?” Passio waved a hand dismissively. “When you come to us, it will be willingly.” He lifted her hand and licked a path across her wrist. “I am here for payment for Dallin’s visit.”
With her heart threatening to burst through her chest, Lailii kicked out at the demons. Passio held her firmly in his ice-cold grip. Kaos grinned maniacally and took her other arm. She glared at him. “Payment? That was not Dallin, and you know it.”
“You kissed him. Now we demand payment. Just a few drops of blood will be sufficient.” Kaos kissed the underside of her wrist. “From here—the veins in your neck are tainted by cats.”
You are disgusting creatures. Lailii shuddered. There must be a way to appease the demons. She needed more time to think. There must be a spell that would work—a poison, perhaps? Could she taint her own blood without killing her cub? It would take the purest white magyck. Would they allow her to recharge her powers? She lifted her chin and gazed into Passio’s red eyes. “I want your word, and I know you must keep a bargain. If I agree to this, you will promise never to rape me, not you or Kaos or anyone else in this godforsaken place.” She glanced from one to the other. “You do understand, taking blood may kill me when my powers are so low? I cannot sustain a power drain. What do you have to recharge my magyck? If you think to fool me with visits from false mates, you may think again.”
“I agree to your terms, sweet lady. Tonight, we will take but a morsel. You cannot die from our bloodletting, but your powers will indeed fail.” Passio smiled benevolently. “I will escort you to the Gate. You may feast your eyes on the panoramic vistas. Such beauty will boost your powers. Of course, for this indulgence, I will take another sip of blood. Do we have an agreement?”
I have no choice if I want to live. Lailii nodded. “Very well, but I will agree if you promise to take only a little of my blood each time.”
“As you wish.” Passio helped her from the bed and led her to the door. “As you are weak, we shall walk the few steps to the Gate.”
They walked along a long passageway. If she intended to sneak about this place looking for an escape, she must be able to find her way back to her room. She counted the doors. Her room was the fourth from the vestibule. They reached a ballroom, and Passio led her toward a massive Gate. The desire to fling herself through the first scene deserted her the second she noticed the guards. At least six of the brutes stood in the shadows, dark, menacing sentries, evil to the core. She shivered. So much dark magyck flowed through this room, the hairs on her nape stood bolt upright. She concentrated on the Gate and the many scenes flashing by. When she saw Knight Watch Castle far in the distance, its windows ablaze with light, her heart gave a small lurch. Power flowed into her at the knowledge her mates were just a step away.
Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed swirls of mist. The room grew cold, and the smell of violets increased tenfold. The awful sensation of someone watching her crept into her consciousness. She glanced around. A crowd of ghostly shadows moved closer. Translucent faces slid in and out of focus. In places, the air shimmered, and people materialized, all wearing different costumes from all times in history. She swallowed hard. The demons had fangs and eyes as red as blood. Their unwavering attention focused entirely on her.
“Continue to watch the Gate, dear one.” Passio turned her toward the Gate. “My friends are only curious. I only allow them to come out at night. You are a refreshing change from watching the floggings in the dungeon.”
Do not let them distract you. Lailii concentrated on the scenes. She opened her mind and absorbed as much power as possible. In a single thought, she boosted the spell around her cub and turned to Passio. “I will need to return in the daylight. There is little I can gain from the night.”
“Go back to your rooms.” Passio addressed the crowd. “When Lailii is ready to entertain you, I will call for you.” He took Lailii’s elbow. “You glow so charmingly when you recharge. Come, I will send you back to your chamber.”
In an instant, Lailii arrived in her room. Passio lifted her onto the bed, and both men sat beside her, taking hold of her wrists like before. The demons dropped their fangs and bit into her wrists simultaneously. Pain seared up her arms. Lailii cried out. They bit down hard, tearing through her flesh and entering her veins. Bile rushed into her mouth. Passio lifted his head, pushing a strand of fair hair from his face. Blood dripped from the corner of his mouth and ran down his hairless chest to drip off one flat nipple.
“Your blood intoxicates.” Passio pulled Kaos up by his hair. “Enough. I am drunk with the euphoria of white magyck.”
Lailii gaped at the open holes in her wrists and pulled her throbbing arms to her chest. The demons swayed, giggling and pointing at each other. Kaos climbed awkwardly across the bed and kissed Passio, then began to lick the trail of blood running down the demon’s chest. Kaos grunted like a pig and suckled on Passio’s small, brown nipple. Passio grasped his friend’s head and forced him downward. Kaos obediently bent his head to swallow his master’s swollen shaft. Passio grinned sheepishly at Lailii. She turned her head away and closed her eyes, too weak to escape the noise of the demons’ debauchery.
Sometime later, Passio began to laug
h. The sound of his merriment faded away. The room became freezing cold. Lailii opened her eyes. Both demons had vanished. She slid under the blankets and examined her wrists. Not a mark remained. Her heart rate began to return to normal. She must escape this hell. Her only chance would be to drug the demons. She could do this. With a sigh, she lay back and began to weave a spell.
When demons seek my blood,
Release a potent drug,
Fueled by magyck so white,
No demon may fight.
Sleep will come, with no harm to my little one.
As so I say, so mote it be.
In the morning, once the Gate’s vistas recharged her powers, she would allow the demons to feed. The spell would put them to sleep. Then she would make her escape. She may be able to reach the portal. If she ran toward the Gate, the guards may not catch her. Gods, she wished Dallin had taught her how to jump. She closed her eyes and allowed sleep to come.
She walked into the sunshine and rested her hand on Argos. The wind brushed her hair, and the sweet scent of roses filled the air.
“There you are.” Stryker stepped into the sunlight and touched her face. “Dallin is here too. I am in your dreamscape, sweetheart.”
Lailii turned to see Dallin walking toward her. She opened her arms, and he pulled her close to his hard body. She sighed. “You feel so real.”
“We know you are with Passio, little one.” Dallin lifted her chin. “I am coming to get you. The Lady has a plan.”
“Where are you?” Stryker slid his arm around her waist. “Dallin knows the castle.”
So warm, she wanted to snuggle into the safe cocoon of her mates’ love. With a sigh, she met Stryker’s green gaze. “I am in the fourth room from the vestibule, not far from the Gate room. There are others here—ghosts or apparitions—but Passio only allows them to appear at night. Passio has a second, a demon he calls Kaos. I have woven a spell and when they drink my blood again, they will fall asleep.
“When they drink again? Gods, little one, are they draining your blood?” Dallin cursed colorfully.
“What about our cub? The poison may kill him.” Stryker said.
“He is safe, bound in an impenetrable spell. They took only a little blood from my wrists. Do not worry. It is nothing. In the morning, I will regenerate my powers. They will drink again and fall asleep.”
“Delay for as long as you can. Insist on eating—anything. I will go to the Lady at first light and seek her guidance.” Dallin kissed her. “I will come for you—I promise.” He dropped his arms and disappeared.
Lailii turned to Stryker and kissed him. “I wish we could communicate like this all the time.”
“Sleep now, knowing we are on our way.” Stryker stepped away and faded into the shadows.
Chapter Twelve
Dallin rolled out of bed. The sound of water running led him to the shower. He stepped into the cubicle behind Stryker and let the hot water run down his body. “You should have woken me.”
“I did. You said you were awake. I have ordered breakfast, and do not tell me you cannot eat. You know the rules, king, or no king. You will eat before you go into combat.” Stryker stepped from the shower and shook his hair, sending water spraying in all directions. He gave Dallin a long, hot look. “I cannot live without you. Lailii and me, we need you to complete us. Promise me you will come back.”
“Trust me. I am not planning on staying voluntarily.” Dallin grimaced. “How about you promising me you will not leave me in hell? I do not want to end up as Passio’s ass slave.”
“I will get you out.” Stryker reached for a towel. “Have I ever let you down?”
Dallin turned off the water using magyck and stared at Stryker. The man always had his back in battle. He could trust him with his life, but this was different. Gods, he was scared, terrified of failing. The thought of going into the Underworld filled him with dread. Lailii’s sweet face invaded his thoughts. He swallowed hard. For the first time, his path was clear. He would bring her out of the Underworld. Whatever it takes, little one, whatever it takes.
He looked at Stryker, realizing the man still waited for his answer. “No, you have never let me down.”
* * * *
One hour later, the sun crept above the horizon. Dallin walked purposefully toward the Lady’s grotto, Buzz perched on his shoulder. He had no idea why the Loop had insisted on accompanying him. Stryker and his brothers fell in step beside him, the early morning mist swirling around their legs with every stride. They had his orders and all waited to discover what the Lady had planned. Their boots crunched on the gravel pathway to the Lady’s grotto. Dallin paused at the gate and turned to his brothers. “I will go inside with Stryker.”
The princes said nothing in reply. Dallin drew a deep breath and moved into the vestibule. He washed his hands and waited until Stryker did likewise. They stepped through the swirling blue portal together. Stryker gasped something unintelligible and dropped to his knees. The Loop jumped from Dallin’s shoulder and went straight to the shimmering figure of the Lady. Speechless, Dallin fell to his knees beside his lover.
“The Great One, recognizing our dilemma, has granted me a few considerations.” The Lady opened her arms. “There is no way for a mortal to enter the Gate to the Underworld unless escorted by a demon. Therefore, I give you a choice. Immortality will gain you entrance, but if you fail, you will suffer an eternity of misery. If you succeed, you have my daughter for all time.” She began to pace. “Secondly, you cannot enter directly into Passio’s castle. The gate is heavily guarded. You will have to breach the stronghold. As the Great One built the castle, he designed passageways for this purpose. One lies beneath the rear of the fourth tower.” She stopped pacing and gazed down at Dallin. “The Loop is your transport. At your command, she will become the fiercest dragon or a Terravampire. The latter will allow you to enter the Underworld undetected. Get inside the castle, rescue my daughter, and leave by the Gate. The Loop will carry you from the mountain to safety. Stryker will wait at the portal, for the demon has Gates into many times in history. Do not move through the Gate until you see Stryker on the other side.”
Dallin’s blood pounded in his ears. He had so many questions. Drawing a steadying breath, he met the Lady’s gaze. “How will I fight? The guards are powerful, and the use of my magyck causes great pain. What weapon may I carry to destroy Passio? And what of the other wretched souls trapped in the dungeons?”
“I will weep for their lost souls. Listen to me, Dallin. The Lords of Darkness do not control white magyck. You will have all your powers, although Passio may well be able to see through your cloak of invisibility. If you are injured, you will have the ability to regenerate. You will never age. Only decapitation will end your life and that of Passio. Engage the demons at your peril. They will fight as a pair. Know that they bleed as you do and feel pain. Use your wits and magyck to escape.” The Lady moved closer. “Time is running out, Dallin. Do you agree to forgo true death and join the earthbound immortals?”
Without hesitation, Dallin nodded his consent. “Yes.”
“Then I bestow upon you the armor of Arious, the strength of twenty, and the gift of immortality.”
Black scales crept over Dallin’s body from knuckles to neck. He flexed his fists and sprang to his feet. The armor moved like a second skin. “Does this come off?”
“Aye, with a thought. However, guard your thoughts, Dallin, for now they control powerful magyck. Fight well, my champion.” The Lady faded into a blue mist.
Dallin glanced down at Stryker. “Stand up. We have work to do.” He scooped up Buzz and headed for the door. “Fancy the Loop being a dragon in disguise?”
Stryker followed in silence. Dallin had grown another six inches in height, and his body mass had increased. Immortality certainly had its rewards. Pain gripped his heart. Whatever happened today, Dallin and Lailii were lost to him forever, even if they returned from the Underworld. In a millisecond of their time, he would grow old, and they
would soon lose interest in him. He shook his head, dismayed at his selfishness. His lover would fight demons today, and all he could think of was his own stupid insecurities. Get a fucking grip. He needs me—they need me.
Dallin dropped Buzz onto the floor and took the tunic and belt Cruz offered. He pulled the tunic over his armor, strapped on the belt, and checked the dagger and the small bottle of holy water. He slipped his dirk into the scabbard concealed in his boot, and then attached a leather helmet to his belt. His brothers had said little during his explanation of the Lady’s plan.
“I wish we could go with you.” Kaden slapped Dallin on the back.
“Then he would fail.” Stryker replied. “His talent will hide him from the guards. We must have faith in the Lady’s plan.”
“Her plan does not cover a demon or two following us through the gate.” Dallin frowned. “While I am away, use Buzz to ferry as much firepower as the Gate plateau can carry. Have my men fully aware of the situation and ready to fight.”
A strange calm seeped into Dallin. The years of training for battle fell into place. Fear would come, he knew, but the rush of adrenalin would soon push doubts aside. The knowledge he may die took second place to the importance of the mission. I am the King of the Prides, I am the Lady’s Champion. I will succeed. He called Buzz to his side and bent to look into her four green eyes. “Listen to me. On your return from the Underworld, I command you to take orders from Stryker and Cruz. Now change into a dragon, and fly us to the Gate.”
The Loop ran into the clearing. With a rush of wind so fierce Dallin fought to keep on his feet, Buzz exploded into a black dragon. The beast lifted its head and roared, shaking the ground and bending the treetops. Birds took to the sky, and small animals ran for cover. Dallin lifted his head to gaze at the awesome creature. Black as night, glossy scales covered her to the tip of a long, forked tail. Spikes ran from her shoulders down the entire length of her. The dragon’s head, with blue eyes as big as lagoons, tapered to flared nostrils, and a maw filled with brilliant white teeth. Dallin grinned. “You are magnificent.”