Tierney shrugged, “I wouldn’t expect you to. Just try to understand where it might be coming from first. Please?”
“Yeah, I can do that, I guess.” For Sami, she would. “So, is it true?” she asked.
Tierney frowned. “Is what true?”
Hellfire shrugged. “What Sami said, that you’re bound by your promises?”
Tierney stared at her. “Yes, it’s true.” Then she cocked her head to the side. “Did he also tell you I’m an empath?”
Hellfire shook her head, surprised yet again. How many abilities does this woman have?
“Well, I am. That’s how I know you speak the truth about loving Sami. And yes, there’s a lot more to us that you don’t know. I can read minds as well, or most of the time. Though I try not to snoop too much.”
Hellfire stared at her in horror, hoping Tierney hadn’t heard Hellfire calling her a bitch.
As they turned and started back to the men, Hellfire asked something she’d been wondering about. “How long has Sami been having these … attacks?”
“I’m not really sure. He’s kept them hidden. I don’t imagine more than the last few months, though it could have been for the last year.”
When Hellfire glanced at her, Tierney nodded. “That’s when our powers began to really grow, and I imagine when things started to get bad for him.”
Tierney looked at her. “He doesn’t like to worry us so he keeps his pain hidden. Don’t let him do that to you.”
Hellfire nodded, even more worried about Sami now. She’d been shocked at the guilt that engulfed him like a tidal wave up on the hill above her home, and earlier in Razukeen. It had broken her heart. During their trip to Tartaria, she’d often felt a twinge of his feelings, the deep guilt, pain, sadness, but nothing like what she could feel now. Although, in retrospect, even when she had first met him, she’d felt his pain and guilt, along with the darkness he kept hidden.
But now that they’d bonded, she was so in tune with Sami that it was a little overwhelming.
“That will take a while to get used to,” Tierney said, understanding in her eyes as if she knew what Hellfire was thinking.
Hellfire frowned and Tierney laughed. “No, I didn’t read your mind. I could just see it in your face. Take it from someone who has recently bonded to her mate, I know.”
Hellfire stared at her in surprise and Tierney laughed again. “Don’t worry, you will get used to all of us. And as for your connection with Sami, you’ll get used to that as well. Then you’ll wonder how you ever lived without him.”
Hellfire swallowed deeply and nodded. “I already feel that way.”
Tierney smiled at her. “Who knows, maybe we can get along after all.”
“Yeah, not so sure about that,” Hellfire muttered dryly as they made their way back to the men.
Only, the connection she shared with Sami already felt natural. Like something she couldn’t live without. When Sami started spinning out of control, and she saw him want to use her wing-blades to cut himself, the mere idea of him hurting himself tore her up. She couldn’t let that happen and instinctively knew he needed her. Going with her instincts, she touched him and all his negative energy misted away.
Hellfire slipped an arm around Sami’s waist and the warmth and love she felt from him, made her feel cherished and whole. It was perfect.
“Shall we go inside now?” Tierney asked sliding her own arm around Jax.
Jax and Brimstone nodded, but Sami stopped them. “Ah, there is something else you all need to know, and I’d rather tell you out here.” He hesitated and glanced down at Hellfire.
She nodded, aware of what he wanted to say.
Sami swallowed. “Hellfire and I, we are ah … having twins.”
Everyone was silent as if digesting the news. Hellfire felt heat creeping into her face and then noticed Tierney looked suddenly pale and wistful.
“Well, shit bro! When you do something, you go all the way, don’t you?” Jax said and having recovered, Tierney rolled her eyes and gave Jax a light smack on the arm.
Jax grinned and rubbed the spot. “Now you need to kiss it better.”
Tierney glared up at him, then her eyes lit with fire.
Hellfire averted her gaze.
“Yeah, apparently, the curse is broken, so you two better be careful, might want to use a condom unless you want little ones as well,” Sami said with a smirk at his brother and Tierney.
Hellfire watched the wistful look reappear on Tierney’s face before it disappeared once more as Jax gave her a squeeze.
“You don’t need to worry, Sami,” Tierney said. “You probably don’t remember, but female Dracones can’t get pregnant until they go through their Awakening.”
That was news to Hellfire, but Sami just shook his head. “Right. Yeah, I forgot about that.”
The wistfulness was gone and a happy smile lit her face as Tierney looked at Hellfire. “Congratulations.”
Then Tierney pulled Sami into another hug. “I’m happy for you. Both of you.” She fingered Sami’s choker. “No wonder you have four extra stones glowing in your choker.” Hellfire frowned, but Tierney just grinned at her. “One for each child he’s having, and one for you,” she explained, then grew serious and looked back up at Sami. “How do you want to handle it?”
Sami shrugged and looked at Hellfire. “I’m not sure. I’d like to talk to Goldy myself, I think. Break the news to her. I don’t intend to abandon her while she’s pregnant either,” he said, and Hellfire nodded.
They had talked telepathically about it on the way here. Sami was afraid of how it might upset Goldy, and Hellfire didn’t want the news of their pregnancy to cause Goldy any hurt either.
“Okay, it’s settled then,” Brimstone said and started for the house then turned back to Sami. “Hey, guess I can call you bro now, for real.”
Sami snorted but the grin on his face made Hellfire happy.
As they neared the door, Hellfire slowed.
“Do you think we should stay in one of the cabins?” she asked, worried about Goldy seeing them together.
Sami glanced down at her. “We can—”
“No, with everything going on, you should stay inside,” Tierney said.
Hellfire and Sami exchanged looks and he started to say something, when Tierney interrupted. “Please? I’d really feel safer with you in the house.”
“Yeah,” Jax and Brimstone agreed.
Tierney looked at them. “Don’t worry. Goldy went to bed a while ago. You can talk to her in the morning.”
“Yeah, and the rooms are soundproof, so unless you hear someone telepathically, she shouldn’t hear any noise you guys make,” Jax said with a grin.
Tierney glared at him. “Jax!”
“What? It’s true.”
Hellfire chuckled and Sami tightened his arm around her. “Are you okay with this?”
She nodded. “Yeah. They do have a point, it is safer. If it was just us …” but it wasn’t, she had two little lives to think about now, which meant not taking any more chances.”
“Good, it’s settled,” Brimstone said.
Hellfire nodded and then caught the gleam in Sami’s eyes as he stared lovingly down at her. “I can’t wait to get you naked again, mister!”
Sami’s eyes began to glow a brilliant green and Hellfire shivered. “Just you wait. I’m going to make you scream for me tonight.”
“Promises, promises,” she shot back.
Hellfire heard a chuckle as they stepped into the Dracones’ massive home.
“C’mon. Save it for the bedroom,” Jax said and Tierney shook her head at him.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Strange doesn't cover it
HELLFIRE STEPPED INTO THE MUDROOM with Sami’s arm around her, feeling happier than she had in years. Jax closed the door and she glanced at everyone. Maybe this would work after all, she thought, when suddenly a loud bang on the door startled them.
“Maybe that’s Thaniel,” Tierney
said excitedly even though it sounded like a giant was on the other side.
Jax pulled the door back open, but it wasn’t Thaniel. They all frowned at the sight of the miniature two-inch creature that flew inside.
“Holy shit,” Brimstone squeaked, eyes wide.
“Holy fuck, it’s Tin—” Jax began but Brimstone whacked him in the arm, and shook his head.
“No! No. Don’t say it,” Brimstone warned him.
They all stared in shock when the creature morphed into a beautiful, caramel-haired, blue-green eyed woman.
“Who the hell are you?” Tierney and Jax asked simultaneously.
“That’s Xeata,” Hellfire whispered.
Shrieking, the woman ignored them and advanced on Brimstone who stumbled back into the wall of coats. With a resounding whack, Xeata slapped Brimstone across the cheek. “How could you do this to me?” she cried, tears trickling from her eyes.
“Ah, how … how could I do what?” Brimstone asked, clearly confused.
“How could you leave me on the side of the road?” Xeata shrieked before flinging herself into his arms, weeping. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done to me? What I had to go through to find you?” She shuddered. “I can never go back to my people.”
“What? Why?” Brimstone asked while they all stared at him and the woman in his arms.
“Why?” Xeata pulled away. “Why?”
Then with another shriek, she pulled back her arm and was about to swing at him again when he stopped her.
“You spoiled me, that’s why,” she said. “It’s all your fault. You should never have let me taste you.”
“Taste him?” Jax repeated but at Tierney’s glare, he shut up.
Xeata began to sob.
“Xeata is a Svrite,” Hellfire said at Tierney and Jax’s questioning look.
With a resigned sigh, Jax began to push the door closed when Xeata pushed away from Brimstone and spun around.
“Wait,” she shouted.
They all watched as Xeata began tugging on a fine golden thread that no one had even noticed. The thread led outside.
“What’s she doing now?” Hellfire whispered to Sami who just shook his head.
“No idea,” Sami said, but then a bedraggled male staggered through the door. The thread led to a very fine golden collar around his throat.
“Oh gods,” Sami whispered in horror at the condition of the male.
“What’s happening?” a new voice from the kitchen doorway asked and they all glanced over to see Goldy standing there.
Hellfire groaned. “I thought she was asleep.”
“I did too,” Sami said, and Hellfire could feel his worry, but they needn’t have concerned themselves.
Goldy only had eyes for the man on the end of Xeata’s magical leash.
“Who is that?” Goldy asked, moving into the room. Her eyes were riveted on the male and Hellfire didn’t think she even heard her, Sami, and Brimstone’s answer.
“That was my yellow brick road to this one,” Xeata said, nodding at Brimstone.
The male that Xeata held captive looked worn out and bedraggled. His short brown hair stuck up everywhere and he stood with his head hanging, whole body trembling.
“What?” Goldy’s eyes began to glow golden and red in anger. She started towards Xeata when the male in question raised his head.
His eyes grew wide as his gaze landed on Goldy. He attempted to stand up straight but it was obviously too much for him. As he began to collapse, Sami reached for him, but Goldy waved him away.
“No,” she hissed, all her anger suddenly gone as she took the male’s arm, supporting him. Magic filled the air and they both gasped at the contact.
Everyone watched, eyes nearly bugging out of their heads.
“Strange! If I didn’t know better, I’d think they were soul mates,” Hellfire said telepathically to Sami, confused as they watched Goldy and the ragged male stare into each other’s eyes if they were the only two in existence.
“Strange doesn’t cover it, but yeah,” Sami’s voice whispered in her head, awed at what seemed to be happening.
Hellfire gulped. This couldn’t be good …
Finally, a flustered Goldy turned to Xeata. She blinked at the woman, started to say something, and then stopped. Then, she took a deep breath. Her eyes lit up with anger once again. “Release him. Now!”
Xeata blinked up at her as more magic with a deadly tinge filled the air.
“You let him go this instant or I will tear you apart,” Goldy threatened.
Hellfire didn’t doubt the woman at all. She was like a she-lion with a cub, or in this instance, a mate. Hmm … she wondered how that was going to work.
With a gulp, Xeata quickly waved her hands around and both the golden thread and collar disappeared. The male gasped, his hand going to his throat.
“Are you okay?” Goldy asked in a tender voice.
The male nodded.
“Yes, just … tired, thank you,” he whispered, eyes still riveted on Goldy.
Tierney moved close to the pair. “I’m Tierney and that’s Jax. Sami told us about you, you are welcome here.”
The male nodded. “I’m grateful.” Then he turned back to Goldy who was staring at him in wonder. Finally, she shook her head.
“Yes. You need to rest,” she said. “I’ll show you to a room.” Then without looking at anyone else, Goldy led him away. “What is your name,” they all heard her ask.
“Isoul,” the male replied.
AMELIS CRINGED as Val Jean dropped another one of his pets to lie drained on the floor. There were now five, either dead or dying all around him. She trembled as he grabbed the small table beside his throne chair and sent it sailing as well. It crashed into the marble floor in pieces.
“Daddy,” Serena yelled once more, finally stopping Val Jean’s tantrum.
Amelis took another step back, glancing down at the shattered bits of crystal all around her. She was careful not to step on any as she inched around the broken wine goblet, terrified of drawing Val’s ire.
For once she was grateful for her daughter’s entitled, rich girl attitude. Serena didn’t care that her father was throwing a major temper tantrum, and this one was worse than any Amelis had ever seen.
As Serena huffed, Amelis continued carefully slinking away.
“What is it?” Val Jean asked Serena as if they were discussing the weather and he wasn’t piping hot over his thwarted plans to keep his brother locked away.
“I found him,” Serena said.
Val Jean frowned. “Found who?”
“Daddy! Marcius! I found him,” Serena said in exasperation while rolling her eyes.
Amelis sucked in a breath at her daring. The girl had no sense of self-preservation.
With a distracted frown, Val Jean turned and sank back into his throne chair. Then he waved a servant over. “Clean this up.” He waved at all the destruction.
After his servants stared to scurry around, dragging bodies away and picking up the mess, Val Jean finally turned his attention on his daughter.
Serena smiled and sashayed over to climb into his lap. “He’s being held in a cave by a really sexy, badass guy,” she said excitedly.
“Really?” Val Jean asked and Amelis took the opportunity to make her way closer to the exit.
“Yes,” Serena said.
“I believe he’s an Okami wolf. I’d like to offer him a trade for Marcius,” she said, her expression dreamy.
Amelis could only imagine she might be thinking regarding the really sexy badass wolf.
A speculative gleam filled Val Jean’s eyes. “What do you have in mind?” he asked indulgently.
“Well, that’s the thing. The Okami are looking for one of their own, which you just happen to have,” Serena said with a thrilled smile as she fluttered her lashes at her father.
Amelis moved away from the wolves as Val Jean frowned at them.
“Which one?” He only had two Okami wolves.
Val Jean stared at his twenty-four-year-old daughter sitting in his lap. “You are a spoiled brat, but I’m so proud of you.”
Amelis wanted to be sick. Serena had learned well, that was for sure. The girl could use her wiles to manipulate men to get anything she wanted. Now she wanted Val to give up one of his pets. Well, Val never gave up any of his pets, unless it was his decision to do so. Even so, Amelis watched and knew Val wouldn’t say no to his daughter. His very next words proved her right.
“Very well, he can have the young wolf.”
Toren, the wolf in question had been listening to the exchange. For the first time since he’d arrived, he shifted into human form. Amelis couldn’t help but admire his beauty. Slender with long, dark red hair, he was every bit as handsome as she’d heard. He stood tall as he stared at Val Jean with fear.
“Will you let him go as well?” Toren asked, nodding at the wolf beside him. Zeveride she had seen in human form and he was a big, sexy, black and silver wolf.
Val Jean frowned and Amelis could see him getting annoyed. His pets didn’t ask for anything. Ever.
“I think not and you might want to stop before I change my mind about you as well,” Val Jean said staring at the wolf.
Toren swallowed deeply and shook his head. “Then please let me stay. I’m happy here,” he said before glancing down at Zeveride with terror in his eyes.
Amelis inched back even further as Val Jean studied the wolf. She was almost there. She just needed to get out the door and out of Val Jean’s stronghold. It was too dangerous for her here now. Besides, she needed to find Zander since it was clear Seville wanted nothing more to do with her.
As Val Jean turned back to Serena with an intrigued look on his face, Amelis slipped through the two massive doors that stood partially open.
“Contact this wolf, set up a meet down at the river for Christmas day, I have something I need to go take care of first,” Val said.
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