by Dora Blume
“Good morning, love,” he whispered in his sexy brogue.
“Mmm, I love when you use that sexy accent in the morning.” She turned to kiss him. He pulled her flush against him and explored her mouth with his tongue. She wrapped her leg around him and ran her foot down the length of his thigh.
“Sloane, we have to get going. We have a busy day ahead of us. I have to meet everyone who came to help in an hour.” He kissed down her jaw as he said each word.
“You don’t seem to be stopping yourself.” Her hands roamed up his back, and she could feel him harden against her core. “Come on, it could be the last time we ever get to have morning sex. I wouldn’t want to waste such an opportunity.” She gasped as he slid inside her in one quick thrust. She was still sensitive from the night before.
“Well in that case, I wouldn’t want to either, love.” He kissed the tip of her nose, and she grabbed his face and brought his lips to hers. She kissed him, as he thrust slowly inside her. She loved how he built her up slowly in the mornings. He knew just what she wanted and how she wanted it. She drew out the kiss, just as he drew out his thrusts. She sucked in his bottom lip, letting him know she wanted more. “Oh, Sloane,” his hand dipped between them, and he circled her clit in time with his thrusts. “You feel so fucking good in the mornin’”
His thrusts became more erratic. She pulled at his hair, and he growled against her mouth. She moaned. “Oh fuck, Mike, Oh God, yes.” She was so close.
“I feel, you love, Oh fuck, I feel you.” He thrust a few more times before she couldn’t hold herself back. She clenched around him and cried out, her orgasm barreling through her.
“Oh fuck,” he called as she spasmed around him. She felt him swell and find his own release. Sloane clutched the nape of his neck as he rocked against her, prolonging her orgasm. She gripped him even tighter against her.
“Mike, I fucking love you so much.” She dropped her head to his shoulder, feeling the tears wet her cheek.
“Hey, love are you okay?” he asked. He held her against his shoulder, his hand stroking down her hair. She felt him soften and slip out of her. “Sloane, love, what is it? What’s the matter?” There was so much love and concern in his voice.
“I don’t know, I’m just scared I guess. I have so much to lose this time.” She gripped him even tighter as tears left a trail down her cheeks.
“Sloane, love, I need a little bit of air.” She loosened her arms from his neck. He took in a big breath. He pulled her arms from around his neck and looked at her. “I know you’re scared. We all are, even more so now. You don’t think I’m scared every time you go charging after a demon.” He cocked his head to the side when she rolled her eyes at him. “I’m serious. I love you, Sloane. I don’t want to lose you.”
“So how do you deal with it?” she sniffled.
“I remember who you are and how amazing you are. There isn’t a demon on this planet who is any match for you. I know that at the end of the day, you are going to do everything in your power to come back to me. That’s what makes me feel better, even though I know you’re really doing it because you really love to kick demon ass. But that’s what makes it a little easier for me.”
She let out a laugh. “Really? That’s what makes it easier?”
He half shrugged. “Yeah, it does. I know you’re really good at demon hunting. I also know you won’t be alone. Either, Erik, Jessie or myself will always be at your side. I know they wouldn’t let anything happen to you either, and you wouldn’t let anything happen to them.” He pressed her hand to his heart.
“And Ely, he was with me last time.” She pressed her lips together.
“Yeah, I didn’t want to think about the last time.” He bit his lip and looked up to the ceiling. His gaze became distant and she worried there was more to his comment.
“Why not? He wouldn’t let anyone hurt me either.” She peered at him, scratching the hair on his chest.
“I know, I just get jealous, even though I love to see how you light up with him. I really don’t mind when we’re all together. I just don’t want to think about the times when you’re alone with him and not me.” He continued to stare at the ceiling.
“Oh babe,” she crawled up to lay her head on his chest. “I love you. I never loved him. I was just having a good time. How about if I promise not to do anything with him if you’re not present?” She rested her chin on his chest and met his eyes.
“You’d agree to that?” he asked his voice rising in suspicion.
“Considering I’m not sure we’ll even get back to that, sure, why not? I love you too much to ever hurt you. I don’t want you to have to wonder what’s going on with us. I promise I will always be honest with you. That’s how all relationships work, with honesty and communication.” She continued to run her fingers over his chest as she spoke.
“And I promise I will work on my jealousy. Now, I do believe we have to get in the shower. We don’t have much time before we have to meet the others.” He brushed the stray hairs back from her face and placed a kiss on her forehead. “Don’t worry about today. I will be next to you during the entire fight. I promise I won’t leave your side.” He pulled her up off the bed, his lips finding hers in a searing kiss.
“Even when Erik and I question my father?” she asked.
“I will be right next to you, no matter what.” He kissed the crook of her neck and turned to start the shower. Sloane found it oddly comforting to know that Mike would stay with her this time. They fought together before but somehow this felt different. Today felt like the day she would finally know the truth about what happened to her mother. Today was the day that everything would change. She only hoped that it would change for the better.
CHAPTER 23
“Jess, do we really have to go to all of these stores?” Sloane whined as she followed Jessie to their fourth store of the morning.
“Do you want the truth potion for your father?” Her eyebrows rose as she looked back to Sloane.
She rolled her eyes. “I have ways to make him tell me the truth. I just haven’t been given the chance to employ them yet. I could get him to talk if I wanted to.” Sloane glanced at the jars on the shelves as Jessie made her way to the counter. Sloane rounded the end of the shelf and went to look at the crystals. She wasn’t interested in whatever Jessie was buying. She just wanted to get on with the battle. This day couldn’t be over soon enough. Walking on the balls of her feet, she bounced in front of a new shelf. She ran her fingers over an amethyst that caught her attention.
“Do you like that one?” a woman’s voice asked.
Sloane turned, startled by the woman. “Oh, uh, yeah, I like it.”
“Amethyst has protective properties, especially against psychic attack. It can help cleanse negative energies to help restore balance. Is there any reason you were drawn to that stone in particular?” The woman had a raspy voice. There was something about it that irked Sloane. She couldn’t deny that she may have been drawn to that stone, though, especially if it had the properties she described.
“Yeah, maybe there was a reason.” She pulled the cord, from which the stone was hanging, down. “I believe my friend needs some other specific things from you at the counter.” Sloane pointed to where Jessie waited. She was already tapping her fingers against the granite counter top.
“Oh yes, of course, if you’ll excuse me.” She flitted over to the counter. She could see Jessie give her a list. Sloane already knew what was left on their list, so she turned her attention back to the stones. They had trekked to so many stores. This was the first one where something had actually caught Sloane’s eye. She decided to buy it for herself. Who was she to deny fate if she was supposed to have it?
When the woman handed Jessie a bag, Sloane headed over to join her. She set the necklace onto the counter. “Did you actually find something?” Jessie’s eyes widened as she looked at Sloane.
“Yeah, it’s just a necklace.” She shrugged and took out her wallet.
“It’s an amethyst for protection. Such a magnificent stone,” the woman commented as she handed over Sloane’s bag. Sloane rolled her eyes and snatched it out of her hand, bolting out of the store. Jessie followed close behind.
“What’s up with you?” she asked when they reached the street.
“Nothing, that woman’s voice irked me. I had to get out of there. Are we ready to go back to the house? We still have to make the potion before heading over to the compound.” Sloane brushed off her sleeve. She had an eerie feeling about the shop and the woman. There was an odd sense of deja vu about the whole experience.
“Yeah, I got everything we need. Let’s go.” Jessie rounded the corner and made her way to the car. Sloane got into the driver’s seat. Jessie got in on the other side. “I’ll be glad when this is all over.” Jessie blew out a breath and relaxed against the seat.
“Me too, are you sure those ingredients won’t have any effect on the baby?” Usually, Sloane wouldn’t worry about the effect of potions, but with Jessie being pregnant, she wondered more about those things.
“I’m sure. All of this stuff is all-natural. I’ll be fine. I don’t like that I’ll basically be left in the car while you all go in to battle demons.” Jessie shook her head.
“Um, excuse me, you’ll be coordinating everything from your super-spy van,” Sloane smirked at tightened her hands on the wheel. “I say you have the better job anyway. You’ll be the first to know when everything happens,” Sloane shrugged. “Consider yourself the puppet master.” She held her hand in the air and wiggled her fingers like she was pulling puppet strings.
“I get it. You know you have a weird way of helping me see the bright side of things.”
“Whatever, Jess, you know I’m great at helping you to see the positive side of this whole situation. Besides, you just have to remember you’re doing all this to protect my nephew who is going to be a super powerful and handsome little man.” She beamed at Jessie.
“Um, so now you’ve decided it’s going to be a boy?” Jessie’s voice rose while she gave Sloane an amused look.
“I just imagine Erik having a boy. I guess he could have a girl, but I’d be a little afraid he’d end up with a daughter more like me.” Sloane rubbed her hands on her pants.
“Can I ask what made you buy the amethyst?” Jessie asked.
“I’m not sure, there was something about it. Like it called to me or something. I figured with everything going on, I shouldn’t ignore something like that,” she shrugged. Pulling the car off the freeway, she took the right toward the lake house. She couldn’t wait to be back. The guys had other things to take care of this morning, so Sloane ended up shopping with Jessie. She knew they wanted her to go to protect Jessie, which she didn’t mind. The other rental car was parked in the driveway. The hot midday sun glinted off the silver sedan. They must’ve finished with all of their meetings. She knew they didn’t have long before they had to meet Bryant at the complex. Soon after, they would all head to the archives under the guise of taking back the order. Bryant had no idea that it was a trap for him as much as it was for the demons.
Mike leaned against the pillar with his arms crossed over his chest. Sloane grinned as she ran up into his arms. “Did you miss me?” she asked.
“Terribly, love, terribly.” He kissed her slowly, savoring the feel of her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and stroked the hair at the nape. He growled against her mouth. “Come on, we don’t have much time and a lot to do before we leave.” He pulled her behind him into the house.
“It’s about time you two got back. How long is this potion going to take?” Sloane could tell Erik had been pacing the floor. He halted mid-step to scold them.
“It shouldn’t take more than twenty minutes to make both. It will go quicker if you help.” Jessie grabbed his hand and pulled him into the kitchen.
“I’m glad she got him to help. I wasn’t really feeling like making a potion today.”
“Want to practice with our daggers in the yard?” Mike asked.
“Oh baby, I love it when you talk dirty to me.” She pulled him to her to nip his lip before she ran out into the yard.
Before long, Erik was standing by the back door. “Hey kids, we have to go. It’s time to meet Bryant.” His voice was solemn.
Sloane ran up to him. She stopped next to her brother and brushed her thumb over his cheek. “Cheer up, little bro. We’re about to get the truth once and for all.”
“I know, I’m still not sure I’m ready to hear it.” His shoulders slumped.
“Well then, cheer up, we’re about to kick some demon ass and save the future of the entire Shikari. I do know how you like to be the hero.” Her eyes sparked as he finally cracked a smile.
“You always know just what to say.” He shook his head.
“Face it, little brother, I know you.” She dropped her hand from his cheek. “Come on, hero. Let’s do this. You and me, like always.” She held her fist up. Her brother touched his fist to hers in solidarity. They’ve done this a few times. Sloane could only hope that this was the last time that they’d have to fight a bunch of demons for a while. Jessie was leaning against the counter. She had a bag slung over her shoulder. “You got all the potions?” Sloane asked.
“Yeah,” she pulled the bag down and dug around in it for a second. She held a small vial with a green liquid out to her. “Here, it’s the truth potion. I’ve never had to make it, so I hope it works.”
“I thought you studied potions?” Her eyebrows rose as she looked at Jessie.
“I did, but it’s been a long time since I’ve had to use that knowledge.” Jessie bit her lip. “Well, you all ready to go?” Her eyes met Mike, Ely, and Erik.
“Yeah, I think we’re ready.” Mike clapped the other two on the shoulders.
“All right, let’s go. Bryant and the others will be waiting.” They both turned and headed to the car. Sloane clenched her hands into fists. It was going to be hard to control her emotions now that she’d confirmed her father was a traitor. It was good she had years of practice. He’d taught her how to protect herself against people with powers like his.
They arrived at the compound quickly. Erik led the way back to where Bryant and the others were gathered. “Son, I thought you would be here sooner. We are about to depart for the archives.” Bryant’s jaw was tight as he looked to the group of them.
“Oh, are we late? I thought we weren’t going in until later.” Erik took a step to look at the plans laid out on the table before them. “Has anything changed since yesterday?” he asked.
“Well, no we are still enacting the plan as we were yesterday.” Bryant ran his hand down his beard. Sloane could tell he was annoyed with their tardiness. She knew Erik had done that on purpose. He was looking for any way to throw him off. It was obviously working. “I assume you have your own transportation.” Bryant narrowed his eyes at Erik and Sloane. She took a position next to her brother. She wanted her father to see them as a united front.
“Yes, Jessie will be staying in the car. We’ve discussed this with Magnus. He will be copying her power and leading the way through the building,” Erik explained.
“Oh, why is she not joining us?” Bryant asked.
“She’s still not well. I don’t want her joining the battle when she isn’t at her best. I’m sure you understand.” He rested his hands on the table, his eyes focused on his father. Sloane wondered if he was picking up his thoughts. There had to be a reason he was so focused on him.
“You wouldn’t want her fighting sick, would you? She’s been throwing up for days. Our luck, she’d puke all over her weapon, and she wouldn’t be able to fight.” Sloane shook her head in mock horror. “Trust me, it isn’t pretty. That’s why we called Magnus. At least we can still use her gift while she stays out in the car.”
“I guess that makes sense,” Bryant nodded in agreement. She wondered if he w
as agreeing because Sloane was the one saying it. There was something about the relationship he had with Erik. It was like he didn’t believe his son or that he always needed to push him harder. With Sloane, he accepted what she said without arguing. Sloane figured she could help her brother with that small task. They sure as hell had a more difficult one to come.
“Well, I do believe we must depart. I will see you at the archives.” He nodded as he headed out of the room. Sloane looked around at all the people in the room. She wanted to remember the people on their side. Normally, she would have spent more time with them. They didn’t have any more time. They were already heading into battle.
Sloane clapped her brother’s shoulder. “Time to party.” She raised her eyebrows at him twice quickly. He shook his head.
“This isn’t supposed to be fun, Sloane.”
“You have your fun, I have mine. This is fun for me.” She smirked as she followed the others out of the door. She would be riding in a car with Mike. Erik, Magnus, and Jessie would go in the van.
Mike squeezed her knee as he pulled up to the archive building. She couldn’t help but sit forward, ready to go. She was practically bouncing the whole way. “Sloane, you ready for this?” he asked.
“Oh God Yes, I am so fucking ready for this.” She smiled wide at him.
“It scares me just a little at how excited you get over the prospect of killing demons.” He rubbed her shoulder. “Do you think I can get one kiss before you run off into the fray and forget I exist?” His amusement leaked into his voice. She gripped the collar of his shirt and pulled him into an intense kiss. She put all of her desire and excitement into the movement of her mouth against his. When she let him go, he was breathless. “Damn, Sloane, you are excited.”
“I’ll show you just how much this excites me later.” She winked and hopped out of the car. She wanted to be fighting. She wanted her hands on some demons. She reflexively rested her hand over the clip. She wanted to be ready to draw her weapon when she needed to. Mike got out and followed behind her. Sloane glanced back to make sure Erik was getting out of the van with Magnus and Jessie was safely in place. Ely would soon be joining her to make sure she was protected against anything that might come her way.