“I will convince him,” Hayden answered as he walked up to them. “The Council might be too much for him, but he knows the people of Edenton, and won’t be ridiculed for his father. The Council is iffy. You may be changing, but his wings will come out and that’s going to be very different than dealing with various casters.”
Robert nodded. “You’re probably right. Although there’s no guarantee he’ll do either.”
Hayden grinned. “I’m pretty sure he’ll agree. He has strength of character, and a desire to right wrongs.”
“He wants to be taken seriously, be seen as a man, not a kid.” Preston shook his head. “Why did everyone see him as a kid anyway?”
Hayden drew a slow breath. “He’s been shy all his life. He hardly speaks to anyone, especially before his mother passed. I’ve seen him stumble over himself to leave when a conversation flustered him too much.”
“Ah, but he’s not that shy kid now.” Preston grinned.
“No, he really isn’t.” Hayden looked toward where Slater, Victoria, Lincoln, and Hadraniel all stood, talking quietly. “I’ll give him a few days before I bring it up.”
* * * *
Victoria was ready to take Lincoln home and forget about the chaos for a night. Lincoln was her one concern. He was hurting, she could feel it. He was also happy, and she wanted to talk all the emotions out, hear what was really going on in there.
Preston stepped up beside her. “You all ready?” he asked. “We’ve done what we can here.”
Lincoln nodded, still not saying anything. Hadraniel continued to tell him about the sword, and how to pull it when needed. Its magical properties reminded her of the way Preston used his mana-blades.
Slater gave her a smile. “I’ll take Victoria and Lincoln. You all can figure out the rest.”
Again, Lincoln didn’t answer.
“Clint wants a word with Lincoln first,” Mark said.
Lincoln nodded.
Slater started toward the door. “Well, come on then.”
Lincoln said, “I’ll be right there.”
Victoria frowned, but followed Slater. So far, he hadn’t said a word about his feelings, other than to reiterate his love for her. She felt that, but she wanted to delve deeper. To talk, out loud, looking into his eyes.
“Don’t stress. He’s still in shock over losing his father.” Slater unlocked the truck and climbed inside.
Victoria got into the back. “I want him to talk to me.”
“He will, but he might be worried that you’re going to start bullshit about wanting to trade places with Jophiel. That would likely kill him.”
“I hate this. It’s not that I want to trade places so much as I want Lincoln happy.”
“Which you’ll make him. His father is with his mother now. I have a feeling Jophiel knew what he was doing when he put himself in front of that axe and took the blow. I’m willing to bet he realized it was the best way for both of them to have the one thing they want more than anything else. Their soul companion.”
She shook her head. “And if he resents me for that later?” Victoria asked.
“For what? Jophiel made the choice. Not you, not him, and certainly not Jones. Right now, Lincoln is processing everything he saw and did tonight. Besides, it would be awkward for him to open up in front of everyone.”
Truth. “Honestly, I can’t wait until we get home so I can wipe out all the sadness, for a little while at least. I need to know our connection is as strong as it was earlier.”
“I’m willing to bet stronger. Funny how danger pulls two people closer.”
She smiled softly. “You’re right. But I’ll believe it when I get him alone and can get a sense of where we stand.”
“Always such a worrier. Lincoln had better get through to you or he and I are going to have a talk.”
A smile stole across her lips. “I think we need some time alone.”
* * * *
Lincoln watched Victoria go. She was too quiet, not saying anything and walled off. He couldn’t get in her head. In fact, he wondered if she even realized she was blocking him.
“You were pretty damned amazing,” Mark told him as he led him toward Clint.
Groaning, Clint looked up. “We need to step up your training.”
Lincoln’s brow creased as he turned toward Clint. “Huh?”
“You didn’t get so much as a scratch, though it took you a long time to put her down. Defense is solid, but you need to learn to take down your opponent faster. I’m offering to be your punching bag.”
“Not until your arm is better, and even then I don’t like hurting you.”
He grinned but his skin seemed green. “I don’t mind it at all. Besides, you will want this to be second nature if we run into more trouble. Am I right?”
“Yeah.” He scrubbed a hand over his face. “Hey, can we talk about this tomorrow? I have exactly one thing I want to do right now.”
Clint’s brow arched. “Get Victoria home and under you?”
He couldn’t help a grin. “Over me, under me, wherever she wants me will make me a happy man. I need to know what’s going on in her head. She’s too quiet.”
“Get going then.”
Took a miracle for him to walk to the truck and not run. He saw Victoria in the back and didn’t hesitate to climb in with her.
Her eyes locked on his. So much emotion stared back at him. Love, tinged with fear, and hope.
Closing the distance, he took her mouth in a kiss, then pulled her tight against him. It didn’t matter where they were or who was with them. He needed this woman in his arms, filling his heart and soul.
His hands curled under her thighs before he pulled her into his lap. Need you, just you, only you.
She pulled back, breathless. “We have an audience. One of whom won’t appreciate watching.”
Slater chuckled. “This is why I’m taking you home right now.”
Lincoln sucked in a breath and closed his eyes.
As soon as the door shuts, I’m yours, Victoria promised. She pulled her phone out and started a text.
“Now I feel guilty,” he whispered. “You don’t have to send Declan away.”
“I’m warning him that we may not be conscious of where we wind up when we collide.”
“Mmm, now that sounds like a promise.”
Her eyes twinkled. “Can hardly wait until we get home. Slater, drive faster.”
“Yes ma’am.”
Chapter 30
Once the door was shut, Lincoln spun Victoria and meshed his mouth over hers. His hands drifted over her body, looking for the zipper.
His growl startled her when he didn’t find it. Then his fingers trailed back to her breasts. He grabbed the fabric around her neckline and tore, stripping the jumpsuit down her body.
She reached behind to unhook her bra while he tore the panties from her body. All while he kissed her like he wanted to be a part of her.
He stepped back to strip out of his clothes, then blushed when his eyes landed on the remains of her outfit.
“Oh, no. We need this. I don’t care about clothes. They can be replaced. You can’t. I can’t. I need you, all of you. Raw and hard.”
He nodded. “What do you want?”
“You. Any way you’ll take me. And Lincoln, I want you to take me.”
He wet his lips, his chest heaving. “I need hard. Promise you’ll tell me if I hurt you?”
“I’ll tell you, but don’t worry. We need this.”
He nodded, then pulled her toward the couch. She bent over the arm, giving him what she hoped was an inspiring view of her ass.
Another of his sexy groans left his lips, then he drove into her in a single hard thrust. “More,” she cried.
He rewarded her with a hard pace, his fingers digging into her hips with delicious bruising force as he hammered her. When she hit her peak, he flipped her, pushing her up the couch before climbing over to sink into her once more. His head dropped to capture her mouth as he
claimed her body and soul.
“I need—I need…” She couldn’t say it.
He rolled them over, putting her on top, and tipped his head to the side. “Take me,” he commanded, his voice thick with emotion.
She leaned down, her fangs sinking into his throat. She ground against him as he thrust into her. Urgent, primal. Their connection flared, expanding. The pleasure ramped up, flooding her senses, before exploding over her in a tidal wave. His release followed, dragging hers out as his final shuddering thrusts claimed her.
When he finally stilled, she punctured her tongue to heal the wounds.
“Mine, now and always,” Lincoln pledged.
“And you’re mine. No one is taking you from me.”
He combed her hair back from her face, delving into her eyes. “Not even your doubts?”
“No more doubts.”
“Why so quiet after I told you I wouldn’t trade you.”
“Thought maybe you were reconsidering.” She pressed her cheek into his palm, closing her eyes. “You were quiet, in your head.”
“You shut me out, locked down. I tried to get to you, but you weren’t listening.”
She took a slow breath. “Fear.”
“Nothing to fear from me. I’m not going anywhere. Haven’t I proven that yet?”
“Yes.”
He pulled her face to his and placed a soft kiss. “If you have doubts, let me in. I’ll prove them wrong.”
“I didn’t realize I shut you out.” She blinked back tears. “I didn’t realize.”
“Shh, we’ll have to play with this new ability. Figure out how to contact the other when we need, how far the connection reaches. I’m looking forward to it.” His eyes moved down her body, his hand following to cup her breast.
Meeting her gaze, he smiled. “Have I mentioned how much I love you? How amazing you feel? That every second I’m awake I think of you?”
She leaned forward, placing a kiss over his heart. “No, but I feel the same.”
A door opened, and Lincoln’s wings came out, wrapping over them.
Declan chuckled. “I’m not looking. I’ll be out in two seconds.” The exterior door slammed shut and seconds later a motorcycle roared off.
Victoria grinned at Lincoln. “Afraid someone might see me?”
“I’m not sharing.”
“Oh, I don’t share, Lincoln. Though sometimes, I like to watch.”
“I’ve never watched, but we could, sometime.”
“Not tonight. Tonight it’s just you and me, but when you’re ready, we can do anything you want.”
“And anything you want.”
“Then take me to the bedroom and make love to me.”
“My pleasure.”
* * * *
“… to Emily,” someone was saying.
“Emily?” A silly smile spread on his face. Then Clint’s eyes snapped open. He found Robert crouched before him.
“You need a healer. She’s the best.”
Clint shook his head violently. “No. Don’t want her to see me like this.” Acid churned through his veins, and gray spots danced through his vision. He liked pain, but this was agony. “Really don’t want her to see me in this kind of shape.”
Robert gave him a wry grin. “This might be your best chance to break down some of her barriers. But I’m warning you, if you hurt my sister, you will have parts of you fused into cement columns.” His eyes shifted to the column on his right.
Clint’s eyes followed. A woman was part of the column all right. Her legs stuck out of one side, her arms, and head out the other. Blood dripped down the column, down her fingertips, dribbling out of her mouth. “What the fuck is that?”
Preston snorted. “The reason so many of us are not interested in translocation.”
“She’s part of it!”
Robert nodded. “Remember, you hurt Emily, whatever part I deemed had a piece of it, will be embedded in cement.”
His eyes snapped back and he growled, “I thought I mentioned I don’t want her to see me like this.”
“Yeah, but I’m trying to help you out. Unfortunately, you’re the only one who puts a smile on her face—something she doesn’t wear often enough. So yes, I’m taking you to Emily, she can help you recover, and hopefully you’ll find a way to keep her smiling.”
Clint blinked. Does this fool realize what sick, twisted fuck, he’s trying to set up with his sister?
“She’s a healer, dumbass,” Preston pointed out. “Means she’ll feel better knowing the guy she is fond of is under her care. And like Robert, you hurt her, you’ll deal with me as well.”
“Shit, yeah, another reason not to take me to Emily. I have a habit of putting my foot in my mouth.”
Robert sighed. “You’re different with her. I’ve seen you around her. You share something. I’m afraid to ask what, but it makes Emily relax. She doesn’t do well around men.”
“Doesn’t sound like you’re giving me a choice,” he muttered as Robert touched Clint.
Next thing he knew, the hard table at his back was a soft mattress and there was a pillow under his head. He jerked by reflex, and the shattered bones in his arm shifted, sending shards of agony through every cell in his body.
“Fucking bitch,” he cried.
Emily gasped. He looked, finding her eyes locked on his stupid erection.
His good arm moved, his hand covering himself as he squeezed his eyes shut. “Shit. Damn it! This was a bad fucking idea, Robert.”
Someone draped a blanket over him with a snarled growl. Then there was a pop.
Clint opened his eyes to find himself alone with Emily.
The amused, crooked grin on her face was a surprise. “Pain really turns you on that much?”
His cheeks burned hot, but he nodded. “Can’t help it. Bastards could have given me some pants or something before dropping me in front of you like some cruel joke.”
Her head tipped, the smile falling off her face. “Why would you be a cruel joke?”
He didn’t want to admit what both Robert and Preston threatened. “Doesn’t matter. Look, I’m sorry they brought me here. I told them it was a bad idea.”
Anger flashed in her amber eyes, and her arms crossed over her chest. “You don’t want my help? Is it because I’m a mage?”
He rubbed at his temple with his good hand. “No. But why would you want to help me? You’re always blowing me off.”
A frown took the place of her scowl. She moved forward, touching his shoulder. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to.” She sucked in a breath. “Do you hate me?”
He shook his head, a soft smile pulling at his lips. “I get it. You trust very few people and I’m clearly not on that list. You were a victim, and I know all about that.”
“You were too?”
“Nothing else explains my fucked up arousal at having my arm nearly bitten in half and crunched, then having the bone shards shifted around while poison courses through my veins. Trust me, I’m a piece of work.”
“Will you let me help? I can’t, in good conscience, leave you like this.”
He nodded. “This kind of pain isn’t the kind I enjoy. My damned dick doesn’t get it though.” His eyes rounded and he slapped his good hand over his mouth. “Oh god, I can’t believe I told you that.”
She laughed softly. “I’ve heard far worse, Clint. Maybe if you’re good I’ll slap you silly when you’re all better.”
One corner of his mouth jerked up. “Are you flirting, Emily McCallister?”
“Shh, don’t tell Robert. Pretty sure he wasn’t happy with your reaction.” She giggled.
* * * *
Hours later, as the sun came up, Lincoln lay curled around Victoria as they faced the sunrise. “My Angel,” she whispered.
His heart squeezed tight. “My Love.”
“You’ve made all my dreams come true.”
He trailed his fingers up her stomach and rested them over her beating heart. “How so?”
�
�Love, real and true love that fills all my gaps. Hope that chases out the doubt. The sun,” she laughed softly, “I never realized how much I missed that big orange ball until I saw it the other morning.”
He pressed a kiss to her shoulder. “Any other dreams?”
She rolled to face him. “Not off the top of my head. What are yours?”
He blushed. “You’ve always been my dream. I can’t think of anything else I want.”
“Nothing else?”
“If I think of one, I’ll tell you.”
“I’ll do the same.”
“For now, I want to hold you all day. Jess already told me not to come to work.”
“I get you all to myself for the entire day?” she asked with a grin.
He nodded.
Trailing her fingers up his chest, she looked into his eyes. “We can stay in bed until you’re hungry. After breakfast, we can soar over the lake. Later, if you don’t mind, you can move in with me.”
“Sounds like the perfect day. You’re how I want to start and end every day.”
“If you’d prefer your house, I can come with you.”
He laughed softly, kissing her nose. “You may not have noticed, but my surroundings have little bearing on me. You’ll be here, that’s the one thing I care about.”
“Then be here with me.”
He rolled on top of her, kissing her deeply. She opened for him, always ready to give him everything.
Chapter 31
Two days later, Lincoln finally left the house. He wanted to go to work, though Jess told him they would be fine if he wanted a few more days. Tempting, but he had the urge to be out in society.
In fact, he’d tried to convince Victoria to come with him for a while, but she had a compelling argument. She didn’t want everyone to learn she went from Shadowstalker to Daywalker, and still had her old abilities.
He drove to work and parked outside. Hadraniel appeared when he climbed out. A tremor rocked through Lincoln. He wanted to ask how his father was but wasn’t sure he should.
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