by Sariah Skye
“And as such, need our help, lass,” Trystan said, crossing his arms over his chest. He wore a simple pair of gray cotton lounge pants and a gray tank, leaving much of his feathered artwork to be…admired. And, admire it I did as I bit my lip, eyeing his biceps as they flexed over his chest.
Yeah, I know what you can help me with.
I scolded myself in my mind; my brain was now starting to betray me on top of my stupid heart, and body. Enough!
I grumbled. “Fine.” I squinted my eyes shut tightly, and imagined myself invisible; the room, the kitchen without me in it. I felt a slight tingle and opened my eyes. “See?”
Trystan snickered, and Xander shook his head, with his half smirk of his. Bash reached over, and gently patted my knee.
“What?” My expression fell; Bash was touching my knee. He shouldn’t be able to do that if... “Oh, it didn’t work.” I scowled.
Mathias offered me a sympathetic smile. “You shimmered out for a second before coming back; that means you can do it, you just need help. That’s all, Ava.”
I offered him an appreciative smile. “Thanks,” I said in a small voice. Mathias grinned.
“Plus, if you insist on leaving us, you’ll need to know how to fight, and shoot that weapon you kept shaking at me the other day,” Xander said, giving me another sexy smile and a wink.
I narrowed my eyes at him, perturbed both that he kept smiling at me, and I found it irresistible. And, because I knew how to shoot, dammit. “Hey. I can shoot, I have a decent aim, you know.”
Bash snorted. “Shoot what? Magical dragonmetal weaponry? No. You do not know how to shoot that, I promise. It has a recoil worse than the strongest human weapon you could possibly imagine.”
I gave him a dirty look. “And how do you know what sort of human weaponry I’ve shot?” The glare was a lie, I’d only shot a couple different kinds of pistols at a range—I didn’t remember their names of course—but I did fairly well. My paper target would have had its heart and brains blown out if he’d been real (we won’t discuss that I was shooting specifically for the brains...) I wouldn’t let them know I was pathetic, dammit.
Bash raised his palms in a surrender. “Okay, fair enough I don’t know.”
“She threatened me with a gun the first time we met. She intimidated me!” Mathias said, his tone and face light with kidding.
I looked between both of them, shaking a finger. “Enough. Point is I’m not a clueless, helpless, damsel in distress, okay?”
I felt a pair of hands on my shoulders squeeze gently. I craned my gaze over my shoulder to see Xander standing there, giving me a sympathetic look. “We know, Ava. We know. Promise. You’re tough, and strong. You don’t need us, but we hope you want us.”
Mathias coughed into his hand pointedly, under his breath. “Stop it,” he said throughout.
“Want us to help you, of course.” Xander gave an innocent smile, that was almost as cute and sexy as his cocky one.
I had to remind myself to breathe under the weight of his hands and admiring gaze. Admiring? Was I seeing that correctly?
“Right,” I replied, unconvinced. But I didn’t shrug out of Xander’s grasp. His hands felt warm—and proper—on my shoulders.
In fact, they all “felt proper.” I suddenly felt scrutinized under all their heavy gazes. They were watching me expectantly, waiting for me to say something.
Xander kneaded my shoulders, and his touch was blissful. I had to choke back a moan, and then he stopped, as the other guys gave him silent stares: meaning what, I didn’t know.
“So, will you let us help you?” Mathias asked hesitantly.
“Yes. And…stay with us for a bit. Or…” Bash suggested, trailing off as he blushed. Trystan just scoffed, and shook his head at his friends.
“Och, Ava, we all just want you to stay close to us. Not just because we can help you—but because you can help us. We like you, and we like having you around. We know we’ve known you only a short time—we realize that. It’s a bit freaky, aye. But we aren’t human, and neither are you. Entirely. Typical rules don’t apply to us,” Trystan said bluntly. “So, will you just give us a shot? We won’t deny we aren’t attracted to you—all of us. But we won’t force you into anything but friendship. Any relationship you have with any of us is your choice. We will never force you into a thing, unless it means your life. We aren’t letting you go that easily. You’re special, and I’m sorry no one else was able to see it over your lifetime. But I promise ye, we do.”
I swallowed; Trystan’s words were surprising, but blunt. I appreciated that. I looked between all of them. In the short time I had known them, I couldn’t deny I felt a very strong pull to them all for various reasons. The space in my chest where my heart resided, felt heavy under his declaration. I needed to hear it though. I sat in silence for a few moments, eating my breakfast, and sipping my mimosa before I finally gave them an answer. “Well, can I get back to my house for a bit? I need to talk to my friend and let her know what’s going on. She worries about me.”
Bash let out a strained breath. “Oh thank gods, I thought ye were going to tell us all to go to hell.”
I giggled, giving him a playful shove. “Oh, come on now. But really—I need to check on Summer. She keeps going clubbing—back to The Stargazer. I need to know if she met someone that keeps calling her back because usually she frequents one of the gay clubs instead.”
“Wait—Stargazer?” Trystan’s eyes widened with concern. “And you say she doesn’t normally go there?”
I shook my head. “No. She said there’s a whole other level to it; the ‘Underground’ she called it. She said it was much better than the rest of the club.”
The four of them exchanged worried glances. “And…what did she say about this ‘Underground’?” Bash asked carefully. “Remember I said there was something funky going on there? And that’s why we were there that night? Checking it out?”
“Yes but—what could it be? It’s probably some swinger thing or something. Summer has quite a healthy sex life. If she’s intrigued by it…” I shrugged it off. “I mean there can’t be anything really bad about it, could it?”
Mathias let out a long sigh, as he downed the rest of his drink. “Yes, I think it’s a good idea if we all talk to Summer.”
I lifted a brow. “You don’t think there’s really something wrong with it, do you?” I swallowed, clamoring out of my seat. I called for Sierra, who came bounding slowly down the hallway, with Nessie, the wolf in tow. Normally I’d grin at the sight, but I was feeling impatient. “Seeing that you’re panicked, now I’m even more worried,” I said, shaking my head. “We need to go.”
“We will,” Mathias said, sliding down from his seat, and tapping on the counter. “Boys, we’re going clubbing, get ready.”
Bash, Trystan, and Xander all groaned. “Not again…”
“Yep. We’re going supe hunting.”
CHAPTER 16
We didn’t leave for my house right away; I knew that Summer would be still working. She saw some of her best clients on Sundays—usually mothers with kids who were anxious to get out of their houses and leave their precious bundles behind. Summer worked at a swanky salon that charged $100 per haircut, and provided all the wine you could drink, so it was an attractive gathering ground for well-to-do, suburban housewives. I hoped that we’d catch her between her last client at 3pm, before she left for the Stargazer. I was worried about her, but I wasn’t in any hurry to leave the boys, as they showed me their home further. It was splendid in the daylight without storms. They had plenty of ‘toys’ of course—they were boys—but today they focused on showing me the animals.
There was a barn further back in the property where food was refrigerated and prepared. Most of the animals could come and go as they pleased; and they chose to feed whenever. With Trystan’s abilities, he could have relatively peaceful order: the group of omega wolves that didn’t have packs left everyone alone, as long as meat was set out for them to eat;
each one with a different scent to indicate who it was for. Nessie of course was the exception; she was born and raised on the property. Her parents had been shot by hunters; the mother had barely made it to Roman Rescue before she died from blood loss. Poor thing. Nessie had been rescued; she was the only pup to survive. Aside from the wolves there were foxes, gaggles of ducks and geese, many birds, an eagle pair, and a bear family that needed tending to. I’d only seen most of the animals from a distance as they feared me, no matter how much Trystan insisted I was okay, but I was happy to help. I did feel a bit like a Disney princess when a black-capped chickadee landed on my shoulder. The little guy sat there for a good ten minutes before the yap of a fox startled him away. “Clearly, the birds like ye,” he said, with a flirtatious wink as it flew away.
I about died at that…I clearly got his meaning.
Trystan said they did take in rescues, usually with the goal to rehabilitate and release. I asked him at one point, what possessed them to rescue animals?
“Well, we live hidden for obvious reasons. Mathias lived for years in the woods as you know, living amongst the bears as companionship. He always had a camaraderie with them. With my abilities, it just made sense, ye ken?” Trystan had explained, as we were setting out various food in spots for the carnivores; Bash and Xander were gathering vegetables from a nearby garden. Apparently, Xander had quite the green thumb, and Bash with his genius was always able to calculate the best growing methods. “Plus…it feels good to give back. We took away from so many, for so long, it feels good to help those who need it.” He had said.
I about puddled at his words. Sierra followed along obediently, as we accomplished out tasks, Trystan occasionally throwing her a scrap or treat. She almost started to ignore me after a while, totally enamored with the former eagle-shifter. There wasn’t much to do besides feeding at this point; most of the animals were off doing their mating or young-rearing things since it was summer. Still, it was nice to be helpful.
The rest of the time was spent convincing Mathias he didn’t need to wear a suit to the club. Mathias’ motto was “dress to impress,” and he felt awkward in public not being in his business best, although he wasn’t a businessman. Plus, he said he’d spent so many years wearing barely a loincloth in front of people, he preferred his modesty. Otherwise, he said it helped him fit the part. He had made good money over the years as a chef, even a caterer for a long time, but now he made contacts with other businessmen for donations to help keep the rescue going. He claimed the suit got more donations than not.
We had managed to get him into a pair of black jeans, and a light gray button-up shirt that fit trim in the waist, but nearly burst open over his huge chest and shoulders. I admitted (to myself only!) that was more for my benefit, than his. The shirt was tucked into the jeans, and belted with a black belt with a silver buckle.
Yeah. He was smoking hot.
The rest of them were to die for also. Trystan opted for blue jeans and a tight black tank, claiming that the heat was too much for anything more. It was about 85˚, with rising humidity. “I will never get used to heat,” he grumbled, claiming it never got above 60˚ in Scotland.
“It’s because he wants to show off his ink,” Xander said, incurring the shifter’s wrath. Trystan nearly jumped him, but Xander summoned a gust of wind from the clouds and blew it at him, knocking him back into me as we’d congregated in the front room, waiting to leave.
I stumbled backwards under the massive weight of him, onto the sofa.
“Hello,” he said. I had his shoulder in my eyeball, and he adjusted himself over me, his body completely covering mine before he could stand rightly.
His eyes hovered over mine for a second; the look was intense as he searched my soul. His skin was fire against mine, his breath calm and warm as it quickened. Every spot he touched me tingled with anticipation.
“Hi,” I said in a small voice.
“Do you want me to move?” he whispered softly, his lips dangerously close to mine. Just one motion forward and I could bite his pouty lower lip in between mine. My heart quickened at the thought, sending heat spiking under my belly. Which I now noticed was particularly close to Trystan’s mass of hardness. I had the urge to move my legs aside, and give him better access to the tension that built there. “Not particularly,” I responded, my voice barely above a breath. Trystan’s eyes hooded at my words and he hissed lowly through his teeth, barely audible. A noise of anticipation and frustration in one.
“Are we ready?” Bash entered the room then, obnoxiously announcing his visit. Trystan quickly leapt off me, brushing off the front of his clothing. “Almost,” he nearly squeaked, and darted out of the room, appearing very uncomfortable.
I’d have laughed if I didn’t feel exactly the same way: hot, and bothered. I sat up slowly, seeing Bash and Xander standing next to each other, looking opposite of each other. Xander wore a black tee and deep blue jeans, Bash opting for white tee and khaki pants. The muscles on both their arms on prominent display, hugging their chests, accentuating every raw line of their flawless bodies.
“Is there a reason you all look like you just stepped off magazine covers, or something?” I mocked outwardly to cover up my inner monologue. My inner self was drooling over the four of them.
The four men looked between each other, and shrugged. “Just part of the incubus appeal,” Mathias said factually.
Xander winked playfully. “Hey, even though we don’t act on our impulses much anymore, we still like to be appealing. Attractiveness is a powerful weapon.”
I laughed shortly. “Right,” I said, ignoring the fact that in their presence I was constantly turning into mush. “Shall we?” I said, my voice practically a screech as I followed Mathias, Trystan, and Xander out of the door. “Oh geez…” I said under my breath, trying to avoid looking at their tight backsides. “Come on, Sierra.”
“Something on your mind?” Bash whispered sing-song over my shoulder, as he urged us out, locking the front door behind him.
I shot daggers at him with my eyes. “Shut up, Cuddle boy.” That was a low blow; I knew it.
But he took it in stride, appearing shocked for a moment before his head tilted back and he burst out in laughter. He threaded his arm through mine and nudged me slightly. “Oh, Ava, I think you’ll be good for us.”
I didn’t get to reply with my own smart-ass comment as he urged me into Mathias’ large blue Suburban, and laughed tauntingly all the way to his motorcycle nearby.
CHAPTER 17
“Blecch,” I said, peeling the gray t-shirt I still wore of from the guys’ dresser off my chest. “Boob sweat,” I grumbled, as I climbed out of the vehicle in my driveway. The afternoon, summer air was heavy, and thick with moisture. The leather seats in Mathias’ monstrous vehicle didn’t help matters either; especially as the sun was on me the entire way down the highway.
“I could help ye with that,” Trystan offered, wiggling his eyebrows as I fanned wind down my front with my hand.
I glared at him severely, and lifted my hand to flick him off. He and Xander burst into a childish, boisterous laughter at that; even Mathias, whose face was stone at the mere mention of “boobs,” cracked a little smile.
Besides that, the drive from Wild Township was uneventful; sunny and the roads were steadily busy, but not bumper-to-bumper. Bash sped ahead on his bike—claiming he needed to scout, but really, I think he just thought he’d be claustrophobic in a car with four adults, and one very large dog. He also said he “hated Mathias’ music with a passion,” and even I was shocked at his choice in the local classical station. He said nothing much when I chuckled about it, only offering me a quick rude gesture, and said, “My car, my rules.”
“Next time I’ll ride with Bash,” I said, as we arrived at my house, but not really meaning it. We climbed out of the large Suburban as Bash parked behind us. I considered the motorbike ride possibility. Motorcycles kind of terrified me. But, maybe they shouldn’t? I thought. I mean, could I di
e if I crashed, like a normal human?
“Hey,” I said, waving at Bash. Sierra bounded out of the vehicle quickly, heading for her large doggy door in the backyard. “The motorbike. Can you be hurt from it?”
Bash grinned as he took off his helmet, placing the strap on the handlebar for it to hang from. “Why? You want a ride but afraid of dying?”
I tried to hide my smile. “Maybe.”
He leaned forward as he spoke next. “Mathias’ music choice get to you?”
“I heard that, you cretin,” Mathias called to him. He shot me a mocking, but dirty look. “Traitor.”
“Your taste in music is the worst!” I called back at him tauntingly.
“Xander’s is no better,” he protested, jutting a finger out at his friend.
“What? Me? I listen to all the latest things!” Xander protested, trying to appear falsely wounded at his words.
“Och, I wouldna call that shite music. Just talking in rhythm, with a shoe in the dryer in the background,” Trystan said, rolling his eyes.
“Really, you’re one to talk, Celtic Woman,” Xander challenged, giving his friend a playful shove.
I giggled at their antics; finding myself smiling ear to ear. Their brotherly interaction with each other was entirely endearing, until one of them came up behind me and slapped my ass.
I clutched my ‘wounded’ butt and stared at Bash, mouth open as he waggled his eyebrows. “Welcome to the club, Ava. I guess.”
“Yeah, some initiation.” I shook my head, but smiled as I unlocked the door to my half of the house, and walked in, all four boys behind me.
“Whoa, so this is your place?” Xander said, shutting the door behind him as he was the last one in. He glanced around the living room. “It…doesn’t seem like you.”
“Why?” I challenged, crossing my arms over my chest. The room was a mish-mosh of second hand, mismatched furniture. Most of it had been my mother’s over the years, including the beige, lacy curtains, and red velvet drape ties. The only art on the walls were a handful of posters and photos from Summers’ and my school-age years.