Elemental Hope

by L. M. Somerton

  “I was unconscious when I was brought here,” Evrain explained. “Dominic was drugged too. We made an educated guess.”

  Damon glanced in the rear view mirror. “We don’t have a tail yet.” He took one hand off the wheel to grope in his pocket. He tossed a phone toward Dominic. “Can you call Nathaniel?”

  “Sure.”

  “There’s no password. His is the only number. It’s just a cheap burner phone he got me in case I ran into trouble. I wasn’t able to get word to him about the location of the building but he’s probably not far away.” He wended his way through the traffic and eventually found the route out of town.

  Dominic handed the phone to Evrain. “Probably best you speak to Nathaniel. I’ll see if there’s anything in the back of the van that you can wear.” He scrambled over the seat into the rear cargo space.

  Evrain dialed the single number in Damon’s directory.

  “Nathaniel?” He put the loudspeaker on.

  “Yes. Evrain, is that you? Where’s Damon?”

  “He’s driving. He gave me his phone.”

  “And Dominic? You’re all okay?”

  “We’re all intact. Damon’s on the list for best actor at this year’s Oscars.”

  “We’ll reconvene at your place. I’ll let Gregory and Coryn know. We need to employ some delaying tactics on Imelda and her cronies. That might get us some respite to plan our next move.”

  “Don’t have too much fun.” Evrain hung up.

  “What are they gonna do?” Damon asked.

  “Cause some mayhem, I imagine.”

  Dominic clambered into the front seat. “Here. I found an old workman’s jacket in the back.” He wrapped it around Evrain’s bare shoulders. It wasn’t that cold but Evrain was shivering. “Are you okay?” Dominic’s voice was edged with concern as he took in the black hollows beneath Evrain’s eyes and the blood streaking his hands and arms.

  “I’ll survive. It’s all my fault we’re in this mess, so don’t waste your sympathy on me.”

  Dominic gave an exasperated sigh. “Don’t be ridiculous. It’s hardly your fault that a coven of psychotic witches and a junkie warlock are after your blood.” He giggled, a little hysterical. “That sounds insane.”

  “I’m glad you can see the humorous side of this, Dominic.” Evrain glared at him through narrowed eyes. “We’ll see how funny you find it when I lock you up at Hornbeam and never let you out again.” He rested his head against the cracked red vinyl of his seat and closed his eyes. “And I haven’t forgotten your reference to my ‘pyrotechnics’ either. Cheeky brat. At the very least that merits a spanking.”

  Damon gave a snort of laughter. Dominic’s face heated. He kept his eyes on the road. When he risked casting a nervous, sidelong look at Evrain he had fallen asleep. Dominic breathed a sigh of relief. Hopefully by the time Evrain woke up he would have forgotten his threat.

  “You’re in soooo much trouble,” Damon said, giggling.

  “And when I tell Nathaniel how you risked your life for us, you will be too. I’ll bet that stab vest was for protection only. I doubt Nathaniel sanctioned you actually taking a knife in the chest.”

  “Um, there’s no need to mention all the details, is there?” Damon made puppy eyes. “My butt doesn’t need decoration.” He shivered. “Though it might not be all bad.”

  “Way too much information, Damon. Just drive.”

  “Spoilsport.”

  “What are you, three?”

  “We’re the same age aren’t we, or close enough?”

  “Birth certificate says one thing, your mouth says another.”

  “Hey, we’re bickering. That means we must be friends.”

  “God help me.” Dominic wished Evrain was awake.

  The rest of the drive home was uneventful. Dominic controlled his tiredness and let Evrain sleep. Every now and again he cast a sideways glance at the dark head wedged against the van window, eyelids flickering as Evrain dreamed. There were smudges on his face and the faint marks of developing bruises around his neck where Symeon had held him and presumably where the collar had been tight against his flesh. The filthy workman’s jacket hung open to expose part of his smooth chest, which was rising and falling gently. Dominic brushed at the warm salt tears that welled in the corners of his eyes. Evrain looked so vulnerable and Dominic hated that he had been hurt. He thumped one hand against his seat, beating out the rhythm of his frustration in time to the low rumbling of the van’s engine. To his relief, Damon kept his mouth firmly closed.

  The light was beginning to fade by the time Damon parked the van at the end of the lane leading to Hornbeam Cottage. He switched off the ignition with a sigh—of what appeared to be—relief, turning to press his forehead against the glass next to him.

  “The others aren’t back yet.” He squinted into the trees. “I can’t see anything suspicious but then I probably wouldn’t.”

  “Symeon wasn’t in any condition to come after us by the time Evrain had finished with him,” Dominic said. “If Gregory and Nathaniel are dealing with Imelda then we have some time.”

  Evrain began to stir. Dominic placed a reassuring hand on his thigh.

  “We’re home. How do you feel?”

  Green-gold eyes flickered open and regarded him with piercing scrutiny.

  “I feel like taking you over my knee and spanking the disobedience out of you. That’s how I feel. In fact I’ve been dreaming about it.”

  Dominic stared at him. Heat built in his cheeks and his cock jerked. “You really are an ungrateful bastard, aren’t you?”

  “If things are going to get stormy, I’m out of here.” Damon almost fell out of the van in his hurry to escape.

  Dominic gave Evrain a glare he didn’t mean then followed Damon. He slammed the door behind him then leaned against the side of the van. Seconds later, Evrain joined him. He had discarded the borrowed jacket and was bare-chested. The wounds on his arms and around his wrists looked stark against his pale skin and his midnight hair was in wild disarray. He braced one arm each side of Dominic’s shoulders and leaned toward him.

  “Do you want me to be grateful that you put yourself at risk? Grateful that you suffered so much pain for me? Grateful that I was such a fucking idiot that I put us both in danger?”

  Dominic hardly heard the words. He was too busy trying not to drool at the sight of the muscles flexing in Evrain’s arms and chest. He made an effort and focused. “Was that your attempt at an apology? You need to rethink your…” Dominic’s protests were cut off as his lips were crushed by a forceful kiss. An insistent tongue pushed its way into his mouth, probing deeply, until he thought he would run out of breath. Evrain encircled his wrist with long slender fingers then tugged him away from the van and down the path to the cottage.

  Intent on his destination, Evrain didn’t speak again. Even with his feet bare, he moved quickly and Dominic found himself half-running to avoid falling. He felt strange—half scared, half excited, his cock now swollen so much it rubbed against his overalls. Evrain was so intense, no doubt driven by a basic need to re-establish his dominance, but surely he wouldn’t follow through with his threat.

  The cottage was empty. Shadow was nowhere to be seen and there was no sign of Gregory, Coryn or any indication that unwelcome intruders had gotten past the wards. The pots and pans used to brew the agrimony solution sat on the draining board, bringing back painful memories.

  “Evrain, stop!” Dominic resisted his pulling. “We have company, remember.”

  Damon, who had tailed them through the door, wiggled his fingers in a small wave. “Don’t stop on my account. Really. I’m kinda enjoying the show.”

  “Can I fry him? Please, can I?” Evrain wiggled his fingers.

  “No!” Dominic and Damon spoke at the same time, though Damon’s ‘no’ was more of a yelp while Dominic’s was a reprimand.

  “Fuck.” Evrain threw himself into the armchair next to the fireplace. It was already laid. He gestured toward the logs
, which burst into flame.

  Dominic dropped to his knees next to him. “The others will be back soon. I want to be with you too—more than you could possibly know—but later, when we’re alone and we have time to enjoy each other. Okay?”

  “Okay.” Evrain pouted but his lips twitched into a smile. “Sorry.”

  “No you’re not.”

  “No, I’m not. We could shove Damon outside and lock the door?”

  “He just helped save your ass, Evrain. Be nice.”

  “I’m not very good at nice.”

  “Why don’t you take a shower then put some proper clothes on? Much as I like having you sitting around half naked, you’re filthy. Damon and I will see what we can pull together for a meal of sorts.”

  “You need to shower and change too,” Evrain wheedled. “You could come join me.”

  “I could, but I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  “It’s an excellent idea, but I’ll let you off this once. I’m starving.” Evrain hauled himself from his seat, fatigue apparent in his obvious effort. “That spanking is only on hold until later.” He sauntered toward the stairs, casting a knowing glance back over his shoulder.

  Dominic got to his feet, groaning at his aching muscles. Damon was perched on the edge of the kitchen table, swinging his legs.

  “You really have your hands full with him, don’t you?” Damon grinned. “Warlocks are all so dommy.”

  “Evrain isn’t cruel like Symeon though.” Dominic felt the need to defend his lover.

  “No one, warlock or not, is as bad as Symeon. Nathaniel is totally different.”

  “You really like him, don’t you?”

  Damon nodded. “He’s given me a proper contract. He hasn’t fucked me even though I wish he would.” Damon sounded wistful.

  “He’s giving you time. It’s not that long since you were with Symeon. It will take you a while to get over what that bastard did to you.”

  “True. But I kinda feel that I need Nathaniel to give me better memories.”

  “Then tell him,” Dominic said.

  “Maybe.” Damon hopped off the table. “Now, what are we going to cook? Do you two even keep groceries in the house?”

  “Of course we do.” Dominic rolled his eyes. “There are a couple tubs of stew in the freezer. We can put them in a big pot on the stove. I know how to make herb dumplings.”

  “You do?” Damon licked his lips with a slurping sound. “I might just have to move in here.”

  “Evrain would roast you within a week.” Dominic retrieved the storage boxes of stew from the freezer then emptied them into a big pan. He gathered the ingredients for the dumplings.

  “Can I help?” Damon bounced on his toes. “I need to do something, I’m still a bit hyper.”

  Dominic laughed. “Can you rub butter into flour?”

  “Sure can.”

  Dominic roughly measured out the ingredients. “If you do that I’ll pick some fresh parsley from the garden.” He padded to the door where he pulled on an old pair of boots. He couldn’t wait to get out of the scratchy overalls which were all he wore, but he could put up with the ridiculous outfit for a while longer. He opened the door and almost fell as a rocket-powered ball of black fur barreled into his legs. “Hey, Shadow. Where have you been?” He scooped the cat into his arms. Purring vibrated through his chest. “Happy to see me, huh?” He cuddled Shadow, absorbing her warmth. “Evrain’s back. He’s upstairs.” Shadow squirmed until he let her down. She immediately shot toward the stairs.

  “Easy to see where the fur ball’s loyalties lie,” Damon called.

  “No comment.” Dominic stomped outside to find herbs.

  In the garden he automatically checked around. He hated feeling so vulnerable even behind the cottage wards. There was no sign of anyone beyond the garden boundary from what he could see and things felt…normal. The birds were singing. A light breeze rustled the trees. He relaxed a little but didn’t waste any time gathering the herbs he needed. He was returning to the cottage when he heard voices and laughter coming down the path. He recognized Gregory’s smooth tones and Coryn’s chuckle. He waited next to the door for them all to arrive.

  “That’s an interesting outfit, Dominic,” Gregory said. “And why are you outside?”

  Dominic waved his bunch of herbs in response.

  “Where’s Damon?” Nathaniel seemed on edge.

  “Damon’s safe inside helping with dinner. Evrain is upstairs getting changed. Even Shadow’s back safe and sound.”

  “Then why don’t we all go inside?” That was Felix, bringing up the rear, a broad grin on his face.

  Dominic led the way, feeling more than a bit self-conscious in his overalls. He put the herbs on the table but couldn’t give Damon any more instruction because he had flung himself into Nathaniel’s arms. Coryn put his arm around Dominic’s shoulders.

  “Well done.”

  “We were lucky. Damon helped a lot.”

  “We’ll save all our stories for later when we’re all here, otherwise we’ll be repeating ourselves. There’s a lot to discuss.”

  Evrain appeared at the bottom of the stairs. His hair appeared even darker than usual because it was still damp. His skin was pale, making the bruises on his skin stand out. Gregory went to him, grasped his shoulders then pulled him into a hug.

  “I’m glad you’re safe.”

  “I brought it on myself,” Evrain murmured.

  “No. You were careless, but things would have come to a head eventually. Don’t beat yourself up.”

  Coryn patted Dominic’s back. “Why don’t you go and freshen up? Damon and I can finish off here, then the food should be ready by the time you’re done.”

  “That would be great, thanks, Coryn.” Dominic crossed the room. His fingers brushed Evrain’s as he passed. Fire flashed in Evrain’s eyes, holding a promise for later. Dominic was grateful to escape to the bathroom for a few minutes of solitude.

  After a rapid clean-up and fresh clothes, Dominic felt a whole lot better. He was tired but eager to hear what had happened to the others. He did take the time to dry his hair before re-joining his friends around the kitchen table. To his surprise, Shadow was ensconced on Damon’s lap, purring with significant decibels. Damon was stroking her and giggling.

  “Just a few minutes for the dumplings to cook, then we can eat,” Coryn relayed from his position next to the stove. “There’s a mug of coffee for you on the table, Dominic.”

  Dominic took the free seat next to Evrain. “So, can we expect Imelda to come knocking any time soon?”

  “Not likely,” Nathaniel said. “Seems there was a small earthquake in Portland today. There’s a significant crevice in the road outside her building. She won’t be going anywhere for a while. I would imagine the foundations will have to be checked too. Her sad little potions won’t be able to deal with that.” He gave Gregory a conspiratorial wink.

  “It got rather squally too.” Gregory grinned. “High winds took out all the communications equipment on the roof of that building and quite a few others.”

  “You two had some fun then?” Dominic chuckled.

  “We did. Felix did good work identifying the locations of all Octis-owned buildings,” Gregory said. “Then we used our strengths to best effect.”

  “Won’t the authorities be wondering about all these weird natural phenomena occurring at the same time?” Dominic asked.

  “I’m sure they will. It’s always a pleasure to give the scientific community something to puzzle over for a while. In the meantime, Imelda Krenick will be far too busy to chase after us for a while.”

  “What about Symeon?” Evrain asked. “I left him alive. Well, sort of. He was a blubbering mess by the time we left.”

  “Who knows?” Gregory shrugged. “None of us saw him so we can only assume Imelda got him. If he did manage to get away from her, it will take him some time to recover, especially if he’s cut off from Octis’ potion.”

  Dominic wasn�
��t happy with the idea that Symeon might still be on the loose but he was too tired to care that much.

  “Let’s eat.” Coryn distributed plates of stew and aromatic dumplings. Even Shadow got a small dish on the floor, which she wasted no time in abandoning Damon in favor of. “Then Gregory can bring Evrain up to speed with everything that happened after he was captured. Evrain can tell us all about what happened to him and Damon can recount his day with Symeon.”

  “Sounds like a recipe for indigestion to me,” Felix commented. “Food first. Talk later.”

  Nobody protested and the sounds of contented munching filled the room.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Evrain pulled Dominic up the stairs and into their bedroom. He knew he was being rough but his patience had run out some time ago. They were finally alone and his only imperative was to remind Dominic who he belonged to. He propelled Dominic toward the bed.

  “It’s about bloody time I got you in here. I thought the others would never leave.” He gave Dominic a light shove so he fell backward onto the bed.

  “We owe them everything.”

  “But I owe you most of all. What Gregory put you through was inhuman. I’m not sure I can forgive him for that.” He unfastened Dominic’s brown leather belt then slid it from its loops.

  “There’s nothing to forgive. Gregory came up with the only plan that could work. I volunteered to be part of it. He wouldn’t have done anything without my consent, Evrain.”

  “In that he and I are in agreement. Consent is non-negotiable.” Evrain pulled Dominic’s jeans down his legs. He cast them into a corner.

  “You’ve absorbed the agrimony. Your blood is useless to the Octis Coven now—or any other coven for that matter.”

  “But we got away without Imelda discovering that. This isn’t over. But in the meantime I have to punish you for putting yourself at risk.”

  “You’re not really going to spank me, are you?” Dominic pushed Evrain’s fumbling fingers away from his shirt then undid his own buttons.

  Evrain groped Dominic’s cock through his shorts. “You’re hard just thinking about it, aren’t you?”

  “No! That’s not why… It’s because you’re touching me.”