by L. A. Boruff
Sol shrugged and pecked a kiss on my cheek, squeezing my hip and offering me his usual cheerful grin. “Enjoy your time with the others. When we get back on dry land, though, you’re mine.”
I grinned and looked around the narrow room as my men filled it. Jack, my blue-eyed dragon shifter, ambled in last, still tying the string of his board shorts. He bumped fists with Toro and settled beside the merman on one of the narrow couches. He ruffled a hand through his wind-tossed brown hair and threw me a saucy grin.
He’d probably been watching me sunbathe the whole morning – I’d kind of counted on it, actually.
Killian was already perched at the short bar, chugging a beer. Behind the counter, Dair was watching me intently. Lately, his dark navy eyes were on me every moment, waiting for the slightest hint of danger. No matter how I reassured him, he blamed himself for far too much.
Finally, my eyes fell on our team leader. Jai leaned in the corner, his long, jet-black hair knotted at the nape of his neck. His button-down shirt was open as usual, and I slid my eyes down his tightly-coiled muscles.
None of my six men were hard to look at. Yeah, we made a good team, but I was still a goddamn lucky Qilin.
Little girls who dreamed of being a fluffy white unicorn had nothing on what I’d gotten. Sure, I got the horn and the sparkles, but even better, I got to cuss and shank people and claim all the sugar I wanted from these six sexy men.
“So, what’s up, boss?” I said, and Jai’s black eyes flared a little, the darkness seeping into the white as he met my gaze.
Yeah, I loved pushing his buttons.
“I was thinking about what you said last night,” he said, startling me. Surely he wasn’t talking about… Ah. He winked, and I got it.
“You mean the part when I was whining about never getting to do anything?” I felt my cheeks flush a little, remembering the tantrum I’d had. I didn’t feel sorry for myself very often, especially with the ah, opportunities right before me.
But the guys had been telling stories about all the amazing places they’d visited, and I’d gotten a little fucking jealous.
“I think you deserve a bucket list,” Jai continued. “An Earth bucket list.”
“Fucking brilliant, boss,” Sol said, smacking his hand on the table. “She needs to do all the Earth shit she wants before we open the Path and go home to Haret.”
“We may not get to do everything,” Jai reminded me, his tone still sensible. “But we can begin.”
I blinked at them all as they nodded, excitement growing on each of their faces. I could almost see the plans forming behind each of their eyes. It was matched only by the giddiness rising in my chest.
Was I finally going to get to go on a field trip?
My eyes watered a little. Damn, these were some good men. All they wanted was to keep me happy and safe.
“That sounds fucking amazing,” I managed, my voice barely more than a whisper.
“Are you sure it’s safe to-” Dair began, but Jai shot him a look that killed the words on his lips.
“I think Carlyle has proved she can handle quite a few things, magical or not.”
Okay, now I really might tear up. Jai didn’t give compliments. Like, at all. And he was the most over-protective asshole I’d ever met sometimes. I caught his eyes and sent him a silent thank you through our mental link.
He cocked an eyebrow and used his icy mind magic to send me an image from something else we’d done the night before, after the others had gone to bed.
My knees buckled a little, and I sank into a nearby chair as he smirked. Fucking vampire, getting me all hot with no intention of following through.
“So where do you wanna go first, Savage? Wanna kiss the Blarney Stone? Vegas? Paris?” Killian rambled, oblivious. His challenge sparked an idea, though - one I knew none of them would expect.
But they’d offered, and I wasn’t about to say no to a gift like this.
I took a deep breath, avoiding Jai’s stare. He wouldn’t like this. Not one bit.
“I want to go get your hot little, mint condition, 1964 Ford GT40,” I said, hoping I’d gotten all the right adjectives in there.
The room was silent for a long moment, then Killian barked out a laugh. “Goddamn, boss. Bet you never saw that one comin’.”
2
CARLYLE
Dair rounded the counter and offered me a cold glass of lemonade. “Do you have enough of my magic to siphon back there?” he murmured, side-stepping what he really wanted to ask.
I smoothed my palms up his crisp shirt, gathering my fingers in the carefully-arranged waves of his dark hair. “I’ll be fine, mage,” I whispered, planting a firm kiss on his lips. His tongue darted out to taste me, and I felt his muscles tense against mine.
All of my guys had grown used to sharing things over the many years they’d worked together as a search team – searching for me. Sharing me wasn’t that different, they’d all claimed. But no matter how often I wanted them, they were always ready for more.
Funny thing was, the more I took what I wanted, the more ideas I came up with.
It was a pretty fucking awesome equation, honestly.
I turned back to the group, leaning against Dair’s tall frame. His forearm cinched around my waist, pinching the skin just enough to remind me of what we could do when I got back.
“When do we do this, then?” I asked, glancing at Jai.
“No time like the present,” he said lightly. “Although I don’t know what point a car has on a yacht.”
I laughed, ignoring his aggravation at my choice. “Can we bring it to Haret?” I didn’t know much about the other world they’d come from - the world I’d supposedly been born in. I was going to find out soon, though. Once my magic leveled up enough, we were heading straight for the Path to see if I could actually open it like everyone hoped.
There was enough danger involved in that to make me want to come up with bucket list ideas forever, though.
“Human things don’t last in Haret,” Dair said. “That car wouldn’t be mint very long.”
“Well, it’s still my pick. We’ll just find a better place to stash it.” I twisted to look at Killian. The excitement on his face was more than enough to let me know I’d chosen well.
“Go get dressed, then, Cariño,” Dair murmured in my ear, his hand slipping from my waist. “And be safe.”
I nodded, looking around to give all of them the same reassurance.
It was a huge step in trust, and I wasn’t about to take it for granted. Killian and I didn’t exactly have the greatest reputation for keeping things safe.
I hurried back to the cramped sleeping cabins to find some clothes, and Killian followed.
“Wear a skirt this time," he said. He tossed me my bag and grinned. "A short one, that shows off your ass." I raised an eyebrow at him, but I dug into the bag to find exactly the right one. I shimmied into some panties and a loose sun-dress that would probably go all Marilyn Monroe if the breeze picked up.
Killian grinned and nodded in approval. “I’ll grab a few of those lollies, too, in case you start to starve,” he said with a smirk.
The door to the tiny cabin opened, and Jai slipped into the room. He jerked his head at the fae, and Killian exited obediently, leaving me alone with the vampire.
“You will be safe,” he demanded, stalking forward and crowding me against the wall. My heart instantly beat faster, the blood in my veins already in a hot frenzy to feel his icy touch. Would he do it this time? Would he finally suck from me like aimas did?
“Yes, boss,” I gasped, clutching at his shirt. I didn’t know much about the aima mating rituals of vampires, but I knew I was his, the second he was ready.
His hands darted beneath my ass and pulled my thighs around his narrow waist in an instant. His hips pinned me against the door. I moaned, grinding against his cock and wishing he’d break down enough to give me what I really wanted.
He was skittish, though. Always worried he was
going to hurt me.
Never believing I could handle any pain he gave me.
His lips descended on mine in a press of heat and ice, fierce tongue and gentle prick of fang. I tasted the metallic sweetness of my own blood, and his growl vibrated his chest against my fingertips.
“Yes,” I moaned again. “Please, Jai.”
His tongue scraped across my lip, gathering the bead of blood, and his breathing stuttered. I rolled my body into his again and he clutched harder at my thighs. Then he froze, collecting himself.
My hopes sank. Goddamn it. I let my legs slip away from his waist and released my grip on his shirt.
“One of these days, vampire,” I whispered, leaning my head against the wall. The whites of his eyes were filled with inky darkness, but he was already working to pull it back.
“One day, Qilin,” he rasped. His hands tightened on the backs of my thighs, though, and he pressed his forehead to mine, still working to slow his breathing. “Stay safe for me, baby,” he said, granting me another rarity.
I lifted two fingers in a mocking salute. “Anything for the boss.”
“Fucking tease,” he said, one hand sliding around my thigh to cup my pussy through my panties. His fingers curled up into my skin, squeezing at all the aching, empty places that I wanted filled.
“Ah, is that what you want to be called now?” I returned, slipping my own hand just beneath the waistband of his pants. His cock was as silky smooth and hard as a steel baton, and I wished he’d just let it destroy us the way I knew we both wanted.
“Go get the fae’s car, little Qilin, then come home to us.”
“Always,” I murmured, my eyes sliding closed as his thumb dragged across my panties. I didn’t protest when he stepped away, and my hand slipped out of his jeans. Shaking my head at him, I couldn’t help but grin.
“See ya, tease,” I said, opening the door and stepping out of the room. I gave the others quick hugs, eager to be off on my adventure.
I’d promised Killian his car so long ago, and I was excited to make good on my word.
I found him on the deck again, dressed in jeans and a bright green t-shirt that hugged all his yummy muscles the way I liked.
“Come here,” I said, standing on my tiptoes to plant a kiss right on his full lips. Bringing my hands up around his jaw, I ran my fingertips along the top edge of his ears, just where I knew the pointy tips of his fae ears would be, if he weren’t wearing his glamour.
He shuddered beneath my touch, and I grinned
"Goddamn, Savage," he muttered. "I can't believe I ever told you about that trick. You make me such a fuckin’ mess when you do it."
"That's why I do it," I said.
He gathered me close, his hands drifting to the hem of my short skirt and playing with the skin that was exposed just beneath it.
“Let me concentrate,” I reminded him, and his fingers grew still. Neither of us wanted to end up lost in the siphon.
I closed my eyes and imagined the parking garage where I’d left his car all those weeks ago.
Joining my hands together behind his back, I twisted my fingers in the motion for the siphoning spell. I reached deep into the magic that I shared with Dair and spoke the Latin words. The magic yanked our bodies into the oppressive darkness that was mage travel, but it was barely two seconds before we stumbled safely out the other side.
Our feet landed on the concrete floor of a dark, damp parking garage that was about fifty degrees cooler than the boat we’d just left. Shivering, I grinned to myself. Success.
"That is the fucking coolest way to travel," I said, stepping back from Killian’s embrace. “Welcome back to New York.”
My tough fae looked a little queasy, though, and I giggled.
"What's the matter, Kills? Can’t handle my magic?"
"I can handle anything you want to give me, Qilin," he growled, his golden eyes flashing at me. Intent on what he’d started before the siphon, he backed me against the cool concrete wall of the parking garage. Pressing his lips to mine, he pushed his tongue inside my mouth and took my kiss hard and fast, which was his usual style.
I gave it right back to him, as fierce as I knew he liked it.
After several seconds, I shoved him away, using a bit of the lion’s strength I’d gained from Sol. I knew Killian secretly liked it when I shoved him around, although he would never admit such a thing. He had an image to uphold, after all.
"Let's go find your mint," I said. I thought we’d siphoned into the same floor where I’d left the car, but maybe I’d been a little bit off. There were only four cars up here, and none of them were Killian's silver ‘64 Ford. We followed the slope up to the top level without finding the car, and then we reversed and did the same all the way down to the bottom.
No car.
3
KILLIAN
"Are you sure this is the right garage, Savage?" I asked, trying to shove down my frustration. I shouldn’t be so emotional about a goddamn car, but here we were.
None of the guys seemed to understand what the car meant to me, but she had, right from the beginning. It made me fucking soft for her, and she knew that, too. I sighed and struggled to resist punching the concrete wall.
Carlyle just glared at me. "It's the only fucking parking garage I would know to siphon into," she retorted, effectively pointing out how siphoning only worked if you knew where you were going. She huffed and stomped her foot, looking so fucking cute I almost forgot about the car. "Something must have happened to it after we left. I'm sorry, Killian."
I frowned, looking around the bottom level of the garage. "No point in givin’ up yet. There should be an attendant here somewhere. Maybe even some security cameras we can access ta see if it was stolen by somebody from the Council." Fuck, I hoped not. They’d ruin that beautiful car looking for clues that didn’t exist.
Carlyle nodded and fell into step beside me as I rounded the corner. Sure enough, there was a little glass booth with a bored-looking dude inside.
"Excuse me," I said, trying to put on a polite face. I knocked on the glass window of the booth.
The kid inside jolted up at the noise, pulling a pair of headphones out of his ears. He slid the glass window open. "What?"
"I'm lookin’ for a car we left here in long-term parking," I said, keeping my tone quiet and non-threatening. Carlyle’s eyes widened, and I choked back a laugh. I knew how to play nice – I just never bothered. "It's a silver Ford GT40. ‘64. Mint."
The guy's eyes got big as fuck then, and I tensed up. Something wasn’t right. Carlyle reached over to squeeze my fingers, and I wondered if she could smell the guy’s fear. Her Qilin powers naturally pulled magic from Haretians, but around humans, she just pulled their emotion.
The surprise on the guy’s face quickly turned to curiosity, though. "That car was freaky," he said. "I work the night shift a lot, and the alarm would go off for no reason almost every night. Nothing ever on the cameras, though. My manager finally got tired of the complaints from the apartment building across the street. He had it towed about a week ago."
I glanced at Carlyle. She nodded, her eyes narrowing. There were a lot of things that could make a car alarm go off, but if the security cameras hadn’t picked up anything, then it was probably something magical. We could be walking right into a goddamn trap.
I wanted the car, sure, but I wasn’t about to let Carlyle get hurt for something like that.
"Well, can you at least tell me where it was towed?" I asked, deciding I needed more intel.
The guy nodded, staring at the two of us for a second longer than I would have liked. I got the feeling he was trying to memorize our faces, in case he had to describe us to the cops. Tapping at the computer to his left, he accessed a file.
"It was taken to Emerald Brothers Towing and Garage on Castle Street," he read. He glanced up, shrugging. “That’s all I got, man.”
I nodded, and he had his headphones back on before I even turned away.
“Now w
hat?” Carlyle asked. “It’s Sunday - they probably won’t even be open.”
“Ah, fuck.”
She was right. Lately, I hadn’t been paying much attention to the days of the week, or even the time of day.
I fished the cell phone Jai had given me out of my pocket and searched for a cab company, motioning to Carlyle to follow me outside to wait.
"Do you think it’s worth looking at the security footage?" Carlyle asked, fidgeting with the hem of her dress as we leaned against the outside wall of the parking garage. I could tell she was anxious, wanting this to be successful.
I shook my head. “I didn't see any cameras that had a good angle on the floor. Plus, I don't think cameras would have picked up somebody glamored to be invisible. I'm more worried about the towing company."
"Why?" she asked.
"Emerald Brothers? Castle Street? Typical fae names. An’ if they’re any relation to the Emerald leprechauns I ran into on a mission once, then we’re fucked."
Her lavender eyes widened as she took this in. We’d come across way too many people who were in league with the Council lately, and the family I was thinking of had an especially bad habit of showing up on both sides of the war that was brewing.
The taxi pulled up at the corner, and we ducked inside. I gave the man the address of the towing company and settled back in the corner against the window. Ignoring the seat belts, I arranged myself sideways, with my back propped against the door and one leg up on the seat behind Carlyle.
We needed to let off some tension - this was supposed to be a fun trip, after all.
"Get comfortable," I whispered, leaning close and tugging her against my chest. "I mean ta make good use of our time."
4
CARLYLE
Killian pulled me deeper into his lap, and I rested one leg on top of his, leaning my head back against his shoulder. I didn’t know what shenanigans he had in mind for the drive, but ideas were already popping into my mind.