by Billi Jean
She fought the hold on her and screamed. “Don’t you dare, Alex. Don’t you dare. Agni is—”
The jackal growled and jerked her off her feet. “If you dinna stop, wolf, I’ll cut her down and leave. She’ll die slow, right?”
“Wrong you pig headed bastard! You need me—” He covered her mouth with a smelly paw and hauled her back two more feet. What was he thinking? Did he really think he could get away from Alex? Or a demon?
Agni grimaced and edged sideways towards her, but the Jackal sliced through to her side with his knife. Alex froze with one hand raised. Agni’s dark face blanched. From behind Agni, she suddenly spotted Markee. Oh, god, were they all going to watch her die?
“Stop or I’ll cut her deeper.”
With a wild sound, Alex jumped, knocking into them and crushing her so painfully she felt squashed between two heavy boulders. He rolled and suddenly jerked her off the jackal just as something made a guttural sound next to her. Breathless, scared and bruised, she panted into the grass, smelling blood and worse. Finally, she turned her head to see the jackal’s eyes had turned a murky yellow. Dead. Agni stood panting over him, his sword sticking out of the man’s broad back.
“Damn, witch, you’re hard to find,” Agni said with his big, shit eating grin.
Alex suddenly made a low curse next to her and before she could warn Agni, Alex barrelled into him, knocking him off his feet—or nearly.
Agni came up swinging. Iron fists connected with hard jaws and blood flew. She gasped when Alex’s head jerked to the side with the force of Agni’s first powerful blow. She shouldn’t have worried. Agni immediately landed a brutal punch to Alex’s ribs. Alex grunted and grabbed Agni around the waist, tripping them both over the slain men and rolled with him.
Markee strode towards her, barely glancing at the two immortals beating each other to a pulp. They broke apart, got to their feet and crashed into each other all over again.
“Markee! Do something,” she shouted. “They’ll kill each other.”
Markee frowned and folded his arms. “I don’t think they—”
Agni’s next punch landed on Alex’s hurt shoulder, but Alex merely snarled and swung out connecting with Agni’s hard abdomen.
“Bastard! What the hell do you think you’re doing? Sorcha isn’t some kind of trinket you can trade!” Agni shouted. Alex punched him in the mouth and Agni spat blood, wiped his mouth with his arm and tackled Alex to the ground again.
Markee hung his head and pinched the bridge of his nose. She pushed at his shoulder. “Stop them, Markee!”
“What do you suggest I do? Look at them.” He gestured to the fight and she froze, certain one man would kill the other. Alex had Agni by the throat, but Agni was delivering blow after blow to Alex’s side.
“What the hell do you know about Sorcha, demon bastard? Did you touch her? Did you? She’s mine. I claimed her, her virgin blood is mine. She’s mine.”
Okay, could she die now? Was this all it took? Jealousy?
Alex wrestled Agni down to the ground again and punched him once in the side of the head before Agni managed to topple Alex backward and try to do the same. Alex headbutted him and savagely landed a fist in Agni’s face and broke the demon’s hold.
She had to admit, Alex jealous was kind of sexy. Sweat gleamed on their bodies, blood smeared their faces, Agni’s shirt was half off, Alex’s was gone completely now and she winced at the bullet hole in his shoulder, but under all that muscle and might, they were immortal warriors, fighting for her.
“Enough,” she said quietly but with enough force that both men froze, mid-attack. Agni straightened first and wiped a sleeve—somewhat tattered—over his lower face. Alex stayed crouched, his big bare chest heaving, his hands still fisted. Something flashed over his face, worry, concern, then it was gone and he rose to his full height, proudly throwing his shoulders back. He stood like a man daring a woman to deny his claim.
The crazy man.
“Go, Agni. We can handle this,” she said quietly.
“What? Are you insane? I can’t leave you with”—he paused and jerked his blond hair off his forehead irritably—“him.”
“Go. If I need you, I know your number.”
Alex’s eyebrows drew down at that.
Agni threw his hands up and shook his head. “Fine, but you should know, Trouble is questioning everyone and she’s pissed. Pissed, Sorcha. Did you hear me?”
“I heard you.” Trouble pissed off had a way to draw a man’s hand down to his groin, just in case she went after him. Sorcha had always envied that about her wild sister, but right now, Trouble’s anger or even worry, was the least of her concerns.
“She’s after blood, Sorcha. Soon, it will be wolf blood.”
Alex grimaced at Agni’s words, but he stayed oddly silent.
She glanced at Agni. He watched her curiously for a silent moment, then shook his head once more at her.
Markee walked over, eyeing Alex, then her. “Just remember the plan, Alex.”
Agni speared Alex, then her with a frown, clearly not happy. “Come on, we’ll be down at the pub if you need us. I’m more than curious as to this plan, wolf.”
Alex didn’t acknowledge the offer.
Agni gave her one more frustrated look then misted them both away, leaving her alone with Alex. She folded her arms over her breasts and considered how to handle him.
“You just had to brag didn’t you? You had my virgin blood! How could you say that, Alex?”
Alex anchored his fists on his hips. “Why would you be embarrassed by that?”
She felt her face grow hot with the spike in her temper. “Embarrassed? Embarrassed! It’s our business, mine and yours, not something for you to yell from the roof tops!”
He looked at her closely then did the oddest thing yet. He tipped his head back and laughed. He continued until she grudgingly accepted that it was a tiny bit funny. “Alex!”
Sobering, but still amused, he said, “Aye, witch, I would if we were near a town. I’d sing a ballad if it would help, eh? Would it?”
“Help with what?” A tiny, very tiny amount of hope broke through the confusion. Had he really meant what he’d said, and not simply said it to keep her here, with him, so he could trade her for his revenge?
“You see me now, witch. You see what I can become. I know you wanted me before, I ken that, but I want to know if you can accept me this way.”
She stared at him until the tears she felt full of, suddenly broke past her control. He worried over her seeing his wolf. She worried over him seeing past her being a witch. They were perfect for each other.
With a cry, she raced to him, jumping up and hugging him tightly by his neck. He grunted and circled her in his arms, wrapping her legs around his lean waist.
She kissed his silly frown, then every inch of his face, his lips, his eyes, his nose. “You listened to your wolf for me?” she asked.
He nodded, but looked so miserable she caressed his face and smiled through her tears.
“This makes you happy?” he asked, sounding confused.
She pressed her face against his warm neck, simply holding him tightly for a long moment before saying, “Yes, now I know you really can protect me. But, do you…well”—she paused, then rushed on—“Do you really want me?”
Alex heaved a heavy sigh and tightened his hands on her butt. Feeling nervous, Sorcha pulled back enough so that they were a breath apart. He stared at her until the silence felt charged with tension, until she wanted to dig her nails into his shoulders to get him to say something, anything.
Finally, he quirked a shaggy eyebrow and shook his head at her as if she were dense. Before she could snap at him, he said, “Haven’t I always protected you, silly witch?”
“Not like now. You beat up a demon! My friend—”
He cut her off with a growl. “I don’t want you having male friends.”
“What? Don’t be silly, besides, you didn’t answer my question.”
/> She could tell he wanted to go on about Agni, but he started walking with her in his arms and tilted his head, watching her face with an expression she’d not seen before—a lighter, almost happy air about him. He tried to hide a grin, but she saw it peeking at her a second before he frowned thoughtfully.
“What question—?”
“Alex!” Okay, maybe wailing his name wasn’t the most mature thing to do. But she wanted to hear him say it.
His grin broke free and he laughed, sounding so happy she felt another rush of tears fill her eyes.
“Witch, haven’t I had my cock more inside you than out? If I had my way I’d never let you out of that bed and I’d be hip deep every second of the day.”
That sounded promising, a bit rough, like Alex, but promising. Still, he wasn’t answering her. “Oh? When did you realise this?”
He frowned and tightened his hands on her ass. “What do you mean when did I realise this? The first time I saw your damn photos, I knew.”
She felt shock chill her in millions of happy little goosebumps. With a squeal, she kissed him, so happy she wanted to hug him and never let him go.
“You knew then? Wait, knew what, and when did you see my photos?”
He grumbled something she couldn’t catch and kept walking. Suddenly she recalled where they were. She glanced around at the carnage and shuddered. They weren’t safe. There wasn’t a man alive now, but that didn’t mean they were free and clear. Either Alex had killed them, or Agni and Markee had taken care of them. She didn’t know much of the jackal pack, but she doubted they deserved this—full-scale death. “Why does he use jackals, Alex?”
Alex halted with her in his arms, turning so she couldn’t see the dead, or turning so he could. “He uses those he can. The jackals are not all bad, but many of them are, just as all vampires are not evil, but many of their number are.”
She eyed his strong profile, amazed all over again by him. She’d assumed, like many who spoke of Alex, that he hated the vampires—all of them. Ranger had before he’d fallen for Star, his half vampire, half Lykae mate. But this Alex, the calculating, thoughtful Alex, wasn’t the bloodthirsty, cold killer she’d heard so many speak of at all.
“Aye, perhaps,” she murmured, resting her head on his shoulder. “But all this death. For me? Why does he want me, Alex?”
At her softly spoken question, Alex met her eyes with a worried frown. “He didn’t tell me that, and I should have asked.”
He sounded so upset with himself she rubbed his shoulders and kissed his jaw. “He’s a monster, Alex. He wouldn’t have told you.” Not anything truthful, at least. “Did you really get pictures of me before you kidnapped me?”
Alex smiled and hoisted her higher in his arms to kiss her chin. “Aye.”
She smiled, suddenly feeling like she could—they could—conquer anything, maybe even a crazy, power hungry mage.
“Why does this make you so damn happy, Sorcha?”
“Oh, Alex, you called me Sorcha!”
With a growl, he set her on her feet and gently held her face in his hands. “Aye, I called you Sorcha. Now tell me why this makes you happy,” he murmured, brushing her hair back from her face. “Knowing I’ve been in misery over you for weeks?”
She rubbed her hands over his chest, skimming the already healing gunshot wound and nibbled her lip. “I wanted to know if you came up with this ‘she’s mine’ before you wolfed out or after.”
He grunted at her mocking his deep voice, but his eyes darkened to that sexy colour she knew meant he wanted her. “Witch, my wolf wants you, but I’m the one that’s claimed you.”
“Oh, Alex,” she whispered.
“Aye, oh Alex for me in bed. I need you. I need to feel you safe and whole under me. Damn woman, I like you under me. Now get inside.”
“Yes, Alex.”
He grinned, breaking her heart with how sexy he looked. “Ah, now you follow my orders, eh, witch?”
She cuffed him on his hard chest and squealed when he dipped and picked her up, carrying her into the cabin with another deep belly laugh.
“Can we? Now? I mean, what about these jackals? Your meeting? Zith? That witch outside has to be dealt with, Alex.”
He frowned at that and set her down with a heavy sigh. “Aye, we need to question her and learn where the next meet is, eh?”
“How long do we have?” she asked.
Alex glanced around the cabin, picked up his pack and unloaded several things before he unzipped a compartment inside and withdrew a coil of rope. “The full moon is when the pendant will work, Zith said. So that was our time to meet. The first check in was vital, this one simply another test. I think we should use the witch to let him know we mean business.”
She nodded and stroked her hand down his back. “The bullet? It went through you?”
He gave her a look as if her concern somehow shocked him. What did he think? She’d made love to him for hours but didn’t mind him hurt? Silly man.
When she didn’t say anything else, he glanced away and muttered. “Aye, it’s nearly healed now.”
She pressed a kiss to the wound and felt Alex stiffen. “I don’t like to see you harmed.”
With no warning, she found herself tumbled on his lap, facing him, her legs tucked between his thighs. His expression was so rift with tension, she simply stared at him. Sometimes she forgot how strong he was, how quick he could be.
“Aye? I dinna think I like you harmed either.” He examined her throat, but the blade had not cut her there. Next, he lifted her shirt and examined the scratch there on her hip. The man was insane. It was that or maybe, just maybe he cared as much about her as she did him. The thought made her want to grin all over again.
“It’s nothing.”
He ran a light finger along the line, but nodded. Seeming satisfied, he exhaled and pulled her closer. “I will beat this warlock, Sorcha.”
She swallowed at his earnest expression, unsure how to handle him being so open with her. She pressed her palms to his rough jaw and smiled softly. He wanted this so badly, how could she not support him? “I know you will, Alex.”
With a look of relief, he eased her against his chest and simply held her for a precious moment. “This witch, we will bind her. Is there a way to do so without giving her that potion?”
Sorcha jerked upright and kissed his surprised face. “Oh, I think that is a brilliant idea! Did you bring the potion?”
“Aye, but what of the antidote?”
“We might give her some of that as well, but first, let’s drag her butt in here. My only concern is, why, if he’s agreed to trade me for a pendant, why he is trying to take me from you?”
“Power. A man like Zith will try to take what he wants until he realises there is no alternative but to keep his bargain. Then, we will kill him, eh?”
She rubbed her lips over his whiskers. “Yes, then we will kill him.”
Nodding, he gave her a grin then kissed her lips. “Let’s get this over with. I need to feel you, safe and whole, beneath me, witch.”
“Mmm, you think so, wolf?”
He growled low and nipped at her shoulder making her laugh harder.
“Do you no’ still feel me, lass, making you mine?”
Yes, she still did. The thick, hot length of his cock had branded her, filling her so perfectly she knew she’d always feel him there—possessing her.
“Aye, you do, eh?” He didn’t let her respond. Instead, he kissed her so deeply her legs felt weak when he finally lifted his head.
Goddess, Alex, warm and all hers might kill her. But she might just like it.
Chapter Twenty
“Answer my question,” Alex demanded.
The young witch blinked rapidly and looked frantically around the cabin. Sorcha sat on the bed, merely watching them. He’d tied Sorcha up and had even gagged her to make her appear weak and still under his control. He’d also packed their belongings, ready to leave for the next safe house. As soon as they fool
ed the young witch.
“How did you know where I was?” he demanded.
The witch sniffed and shifted her eyes around the cabin again, looking for a means out of the mess she’d landed in, no doubt.
“There’s no escaping. I’ve given you the same potion as Sorcha.”
Her eyes grew round and as he watched, she fought the ropes tying her to the chair. He let her struggle for several minutes, then leaned in and jerked her by her short hair to face him. She resembled Hunter, a young witch he knew, but only in the youngness of her. The rest of her smelt of evil—not as deep as the mage’s stench—but this one had taken vows and done things to taint her essence.
Sweat beaded on her forehead, dripping down and leaving a smear through the dirt on her face. She might learn from this that her alliances were wrong, but something in her small, close together eyes made him guess she would die before she realised she walked the wrong path.
“Answer me,” he demanded, and tipped her chair back on two legs so she focused on him.
“Helga’s mirror. Her mirror led me to you,” she whispered.
Alex kept the surprise from his face and didn’t dare glance at Sorcha. “Helga’s mirror. What else can it do?” Could the mage hear them? Did he know of their plan?
“What do you mean?” she asked, her voice breaking. “Have you taken my powers away completely?”
“I mean, does it lead Zith to me, or you, or does it allow more? What does the mirror do?” He jerked the chair back down and grabbed her by the throat. Her eyes widened and she panted, clearly listening to him now.
“Do? It does nothing, but because the mirror was still whole, someone had it. I was to find that someone.”
He dropped his hand and stepped away from her. When he didn’t say more, she said, “He didn’t tell me more, I swear.”
“It’s a beacon,” he guessed.
She grimaced and shook her head. He grabbed her by the hair again, twisting her head back the way the jackals had Sorcha. She immediately cried out.
“I think so! Yes, yes, destroy it and that will end the connection it has to the other mirrors,” she sobbed.