Book of Souls (Supernatural War Book 1)

by Steven L Smithen

  Khloe buried her head in my shoulder. As I was about to say something my stomach growled loudly which caused her to bust out laughing and untangled herself from me while she walked towards the dining room and adjusted her clothes. I laid back, sighing, before getting out of bed and joining the girls.

  I spent the next couple of weeks eating, sleeping, and just regaining my strength. I also spent time with my dad who was down and running Fenris Security. We spent some time talking about the weapons that the priest had used against us and what we could do to counter them. When I could, I spent as much time with Khloe as we could. Most of it was spent downstairs in the workout room with the two of us sparing. Talia would join us when she could get away from mom and all the questions that she had about what was going on with the pack. She had also heard of other attacks on Coven locations all over the world.

  Most of our intel on Kirin and his priest’s movements came from packs across the world. The most disturbing thing was that no one had seen Kirin since that photo of him down in Central America. Khloe spent most of her days, when she wasn’t with me, getting in touch with contacts that might know something about Kirin and the location of the Book of Souls. Our days usually ended with the three of us in our room’s watching movies.

  It was towards the end of the third week that I had regained almost all my strength back. I was down in the workout room sparring with one of the QRF guys when Khloe raced into the room with an ecstatic look on her face.

  “You found something, didn’t you?”

  She looked at me and nodded. “You bet that fine ass of yours I did. Or rather one of my mom’s friends who lives near the Peruvian and Columbian borders with Brazil did. From what she learned, a small pre-Columbian temple was found in the middle of the jungle. There was some archaic reference to it in the histories of the Eagle Warriors of my people. No one ever thought anything about it until they heard about the return of Kirin. They believe it might be where the book was hidden away after his overthrow and the demise of his priests.”

  “Ok then. We need to decide on arrangements to get us down there and check this place out. I’m guessing there is no easy way to get there. Middle of the Amazon and everything.”

  She nodded to me and said “We’ll have to fly into Lima and then take a flight from there to the border town of Tabatinga, Brazil.

  and Columbia and from there we’re going to have continue on boat.”

  I picked up a towel, wiped my face as I walked over, and kissed her. “Let’s go tell T and my parents.” We held hands and left the workout room.

  Chapter 17

  It took Khloe’s and my parents about two weeks to work out all the arrangements and get the appropriate visas for the three different countries that we would probably be moving through. It was being labeled as an archeological research expedition. Nothing like adding a little legitimacy to our actions, plus it gave us some cover to have some armed people along. Mom used some of her contacts with the various packs to get our gear put into diplomatic containers and shipped to Khloe’s parents. That way we wouldn’t have any unwanted questions when we landed in Lima and went through customs. I would be meeting Khloe’s parents when we got there and that scared me more than a two-thousand-year-old vampire sorcerer. We’d been inseparable since I woke up with her in my room a few weeks back. My parents love Khloe, they have known her since Talia and she were in college. My dad seemed to have a mischievous look in his eyes every time he saw us. My mom was another matter entirely. I believe she was happy for me but I was also her little boy. That meant every potential spouse/mate was scrutinized thoroughly, even if it was Khloe.

  Talia thought it was cute to see me all nervous and would give me shit about meeting Khloe’s parents. I also had my little moments of getting back at my sister since the QRF team had moved in downstairs. I noticed that she and their team leader Joseph had been spending time together sparing, talking about knives, and even eating together in the small kitchen on the business level of the house. Khloe was happy for her best friend, as was I, but I think that Joseph was scared I was going to challenge him to see if he had what it took to be with Talia. One day, while the girls were out shopping for whatever they thought that we would need on our trip, I went down to the gym and found Joseph there with the rest of his team. Kim, Alan, and Steven all looked at me and then backed away from Joseph, who had his back to me.

  Joseph must’ve sensed me and turned. I watched as all the blood in his face drained away. “I’ve been waiting for this day.”

  “Seriously? You’ve been waiting for what? Me to come down here and call you out for dating my sister.” I knew that’s what he was thinking but I was still confused.

  He stood up straight and faced me, then said, “Yes, it is the way of our kind.”

  “Yeah, I guess you are right, but the first thing you should know is that Talia can handle herself and I would never pull such a horse shit move like that on someone that she liked. I would say something like ‘hurt her and I’ll kill you’ but what would be the point? If you screwed her over she’d kill you. You’ve seen her fight with her blades. Not to mention that she can take the beast form like me. No, you don’t need to worry about me. Our dad? Now that’s another story. I hope you’ve talked to him about your intentions.”

  Right then I heard a laugh behind me and I turned to see my dad bending over with laughter. “Dorian, leave Joseph alone. Stop tormenting him. He and I have already had that talk. He came to me after Talia and he went out to dinner while you were out recovering.” My dad came over and then we all started going over all the possible threats we could face, both normal and supernatural.

  About ten minutes later Talia, Khloe, and my mom came into the gym. Khloe and my mom stopped and looked at dad and me. Talia walked over, elbowed me as she went to Joseph, and began checking him over for any signs that we had been in a fight. “Joey, these two didn’t do anything stupid, did they?”

  “Joey?” My dad and I said at the same time as we began to laugh.

  Talia whipped her head around and glared at the two of us as we tried to stifle our laughter. Then she sighed exasperated and said “Khloe, mom, can you two get them out of here please before I stab them just because.”

  That did it, both me and my dad burst out laughing. Talia’s face turned red. Joseph grabbed T pulling her into him, wrapped his arms around her as Khloe and my mom grabbed the two of us, and pushed us back upstairs. My dad and I laughing the entire way.

  Once we were upstairs my parents left Khloe and me to our own devices. It took me a few minutes to stop laughing and compose myself. Once calmed down I suggested that we head up to my apartment for some food. On our way, I kept trying peek inside the bags she carried.

  Once inside my apartment, I went into the kitchen to see about some food while Khloe placed her bags on the breakfast bar.

  “So, what did you get?” I asked while turning to see her.

  She gave me an evil smirk and said, “I got you something to wear while we are down in the Amazon. Do you want to try it on for me?” as she threw me the bag.

  I caught it and stood there unable to read her and looked in the bag. “What is this?” I asked as I pulled out some pieces of leather cloth.

  “It’s a loin cloth. It’s what all the amazon tribesmen wear. I can’t wait to see what that delicious body will look like with it on.” She had a hunger in her eyes as she looked me up and down. Then she pounced from where she was. I dropped the bag and caught her as she wrapped her legs and arms around me. Man, she was on fire.

  “I. Want. You. NOW!” she said as she ripped my shirt in two. “If I don’t have you now I’m going to kill someone.”

  Who was I to argue with a hot and horny shifter?

  I returned her passion with my own. I pulled off her shirt and then her bra and when our chests met skin to skin it was like something broke open in us. She unwrapped her legs from me and I pushed her up against the wall as we went about undoing each other’s pants. When
our pants fell to the ground I knelt and marveled in her beauty as kissed down her stomach.

  She threw her head back and moaned softly as her hands played with my hair. I slipped her panties off and then kissed her center. I thought she was going to explode as I drank her in and my hands roamed up her body. “Oh, Dorian!” I continued to tease and taste her with my tongue until she grabbed my head with both hands and pulled me into her as her body began to tremble. She cried out as the orgasm overtook her. After she cooled off she shoved me so that I fell on my back. She stood there looking down at me with that hunger still in her eyes.

  “My turn now.”

  She panted out as she straddled me. As she sank down onto me she shivered as I filled her and kissed her breasts. Her fingers dug into my shoulders as she began to move at a slow and deliberate pace. I tried to sit up and kiss her breasts but she shoved me back down and began to take control over the tempo. We enjoyed each other like that until she shuddered and came again. Then I grabbed her hips and flipped her onto her back and she wrapped her legs around my hips and pulled me into her with each thrust. I bent down and kissed her breasts and sucked on her nipples as she pushed up against me. She arched her back and a low moan escaped her perfect lips. As I closed in on my release, I began to speed up and she locked her legs and arms around me as she bit my neck and whispered into my ear to let go. I cried out in release as I came. I then flipped us so that I was on my back and Khloe rested on my chest. I wrapped my arms around her and held her.

  After a few minutes like that, I got up and carried her to my bed and to begin round two, or was it three? I wasn’t really sure at this point. We spent the night in each other’s arms exploring the other’s body and finally, late into the night, exhaustion overtook us and we drifted into sleep.

  The next morning, I rolled over and opened my eyes to see Khloe looking at me with affection in her gaze. “Hey, you,” I whispered.

  She leaned over, kissed me softly, and said “I thought I was going to have to tie you up for you to get the hint. Talia said you were kind of slow when it came to women.”

  I chuckled, “Yeah, well I’ve never found anyone human or shifter that I have wanted to be with other than to have sex. Sex is easy. It always was when I was in the Marines. Never had a problem scratching that itch. You’re T’s best friend and my parents love you. I didn’t want to screw that up with sex.” I laid back down staring at the ceiling.

  She cuddled next to me and said, “That’s what you were worried about? I thought my intentions were pretty clear.” She punched my shoulder and she laid her head down on my chest. “I’ve been in love with you since the first time Talia showed me that picture of you in your dress blues. So, hot! Then I finally got to know you, aside from what Talia always told me about you. There you were in that dojo and I thought ‘Here’s someone I can be myself with and not have to hide who I am.’”

  I traced my fingers down her back. “Now you know. I want it all with you but I had to know how you felt before I was ever going to make a move. I don’t know about your falcon but my wolf is very content when you are near.”

  “My falcon knew the moment she saw you that afternoon we went hunting.”

  “That’s why you just stared at me while I undressed and changed.”

  “Yeah, I think she wanted to take the measure of the man and wolf that had her human side all confused and jumbled with feelings.”

  I looked down at her and kissed the top of her head. “Hungry? I know I could use some coffee and probably some food.”

  She looked up at me and nodded. While she got up and headed towards the bathroom, I made my way to the kitchen to see about making some breakfast and coffee.

  Khloe came out of the bedroom a few minutes later to find me wearing an apron and not much else. I was cooking bacon and scrambled eggs. The coffee brewing just added to the aroma of the room. She slid up behind me and wrapped her arms around my waist pressing her naked body against mine and kissed my shoulder. “Hmmm, a naked man cooking. I think every woman should have one.” She then moved over to the coffee maker, poured herself a cup, and found herself a seat at the bar. She watched me cook with hungry eyes.

  “OH. MY. GOD. Can you two put on some clothes? What has been seen cannot be unseen. Seriously you two!” Talia had entered my apartment without either Khloe or me noticing.

  “Really T? It is my apartment and I can walk around and even cook naked if I want to. You’re the one who barged in here.”

  “And last night he tore my shirt in two. It’s not like I have clothes over here for me to wear and we were alone. So, when in Rome.” Khloe said as she shrugged her shoulders.

  “Fine, I’ve seen you both naked before anyway.” She harrumphed as she slid into the bar stool next to Khloe and put an arm around her. She grinned like the cat who stole the cream. “That was you I heard last night as Joey and I got home from going out to dinner. ‘Bout time you two.”

  “What do you mean ‘about time’?” I asked

  “Please Dorian, I’ve known how Khloe has felt about you for a long time. Something told me that you’d feel the same way once you got to know her.” She gave me a knowing look, “Am I right?”

  I just shook my head and answered, “Yes, you’ve always been able to read me like an open book. Is that the only reason you’ve stopped by this morning? And where is dear old Joey at?”

  “I believe he is downstairs in his quarters getting packed and ready to go. Our visas showed up this morning. Mom has called the airport to have their plane ready for us to use.”

  “Nice. When are we set to depart?”

  “Mom said we should be ready to leave around noon. So, you two have about three hours to get ready.”

  I nodded as she hugged Khloe before she left to pack herself. “I think we should eat and then, as much as I would love to have my way with you in the shower, we should probably set about get ready to go.”

  Khloe slipped off the stool came over to me and kissed me. “I’ll go shower while you finish breakfast. That way no one is distracted.” She pulled my head down for another kiss before she walked into my bedroom with me staring at that beautiful ass. “Like what you see?” she asked as she disappeared into my room. Then I heard the shower going.

  Chapter 18

  A couple of hours later, Khloe and I were waiting next to the two Fenris Security vans. We held hands with our bags on the ground as we looked around and took in the team that would be going with us to South America. Talia stood with Joseph. She had a light in her eyes that I hadn’t seen in a long time. Judging by the look on his face, that battle is over. Kim, Steven, and Alan all looked happy to see their team leader this relaxed.

  I leaned over close to Khloe and whispered, “Looks like they are both happy. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen her look like that.”

  Khloe turned her head and pulled me down for a kiss and said, “She’s not the only one.” Her eyes sparkled just as much as Talia’s.

  My parents held hands as they came out a few minutes later and my dad had a long case in his left hand. As they approached, they first went over to Talia and Joseph. They both hugged Talia and spoke quietly with the two of them before my mom spoke to everyone. “Let’s load up and head to the airport.” She looked over to Khloe and I and winked.

  We arrived at Logan Airport and went over to the private aviation terminal. This is where the pack keeps a couple of corporate jets and a cargo plane available for instances like this. As we drove up to the security checkpoint I saw that it was Fenris Security that worked the gate. Nice! I thought as the van in front came to a stop and checked in with the guard. I glanced into the rearview mirror at Talia. “We handle the security at Logan?”

  She shook her head “No, just the Private Aviation Terminal. TSA and the state handle the rest. Most of the people who travel through this terminal like our company’s discretion.”

  After our dad checked with the guard we were waved on through and headed out onto the tarmac.
It looked like we were headed toward mom and dad’s Bombardier Global 7000 business jet. “I was expecting the cargo plane not the jet.”

  “Maybe they want to send you off to meet my parents in style,” Khloe said laughingly as Talia joined in.

  “Hey, what if they don’t like me?”

  “My mom is going to love you. It’s my dad that you are going to have to worry about.”

  Joseph picked that time to pipe up too. “I’ve got to see this. Alpha werewolf meets world class shifter-witch’s, even more, world class witch father.” He held up his hands in surrender as I eyed him in the mirror. “I get it. I was genuinely worried about you and your dad when it got out about me and Talia.”

  I chuckled “Fair enough.”

  We pulled up near the steps to the plane and as we got out, some of the ground crew came over to grab our bags, which were hard-shell cases that were sealed with diplomatic tape to protect them from inspection by customs.

  I walked around to Khloe and grabbed her hand as we went over to the steps where my parents were waiting for the four of us. The rest of the team was already on the jet. My dad held a long black case. I had a strange feeling about what was inside. As we approached, my mom was handing Talia and Joseph their passports. I noticed that they were the red Diplomatic passports. I wondered how she managed that? Mom hugged Talia and Joseph and then they said goodbye to dad as Khloe and I came up to mom and she handed us our passports.

  “Diplomatic passports mom?”

  “Yes, I have a few friends in the state department that are members of the Mid-Atlantic pack and I asked for a few favors to help expedite your journey.”