Elemental Hope

by L. M. Somerton

  “If you two have quite finished?” Gregory sounded amused.

  “Okay, Gregory, I don’t like it, but I can’t see any other way. Arrange the meeting. Let us know where we need to be and we’ll be there.”

  “Stay at home, Evrain. No wandering. This probably won’t take long. Imelda will be very keen to meet. If she doesn’t pull this off she’ll lose her power base at Octis.”

  “I’d prefer not to be a prisoner in my own home for too long. I want to get this over with.” Evrain realized he sounded a bit petulant. “I’m sorry, Gregory. I’m just worried.”

  “Dear boy, I know you are. We will bring all this to a conclusion as soon as possible. In the meantime, try to relax.”

  “Sure. We’ll talk later.” He disconnected the call then turned to Dominic. “What else can we do?” He grabbed Dominic’s hand, squeezing it lightly.

  Dominic shrugged. “Nothing but wait.”

  “Soon this will be over and we can get on with our lives, I’m sorry I’ve dragged you into it all.”

  “Take your top off.”

  “That wasn’t the response I expected.” Evrain raised an eyebrow.

  “I finally found the right balm and I want to apply it to your wounds without getting it on your clothes.”

  “You’re not just trying to change the subject?” Evrain stripped off his shirt. Dominic began to apply ointment to a cut around one wrist.

  “I’m here because I want to be, Evrain. I love you. Every weird, witchy piece of you. Now damn well keep still.” He went back to administering first aid, ignoring the glare Evrain shot at him.

  “I’m fighting a losing battle with you, aren’t I?” Evrain scowled. “How many times am I going to have to paddle your ass before you accept who’s in charge? What happened to the shy gardener I fell for?”

  “He’s still right here. I only feel confident to say what I feel around you. And as for who’s in charge, I can be as stubborn as you are. I’m going to take some convincing. Shadow, you’re going to have to move. I need to stand up.”

  Shadow gave an indignant yowl as she was displaced. She stalked toward the fire. “We’re almost out of tuna, you know,” Dominic called after her. She stuck her tail in the air and ignored him. “I swear that cat is the feline version of your grandmother. Aggie liked to get her own way too.” He slathered Evrain’s grazes with balm.

  “Runs in the family.” Evrain stood still while Dominic treated his injuries.

  “Don’t I know it.” Dominic applied arnica to the bruises around Evrain’s neck.

  “That’s cold!”

  “Baby.”

  “You know…the nurse thing is kinda hot.”

  Dominic banged the lid shut on the first aid crate. “Leave your shirt off until the ointments soak in.”

  Invading Dominic’s personal space, Evrain pressed against him. “If I’m half naked, you should be too.” He encircled Dominic with his arms, resting his hands on the swell of his ass. “Neither of us slept well. I think we should go back to bed for a nap.”

  “A nap?” Dominic sounded suspicious.

  “Let’s call it an active snooze.” Evrain hustled Dominic toward the stairs. On the armchair next to the fire, Shadow purred in feline contentment.

  * * * *

  Spending the morning with Dominic wrapped in his arms had been a great decision. Dominic slept on his side, his head nestled into the curve of Evrain’s neck. Only his fluttering eyelids betrayed the fact that his dreams were not peaceful. Evrain was exhausted yet found himself unable to sleep even with the warmth of Dominic’s bare skin pressed against him. Gregory’s plan rolled over and over in his mind like the slow replay of a black and white movie. He stroked Dominic’s hair and found that the action calmed his racing thoughts a little. Dominic’s breathing seemed to steady as he continued his gentle ministrations, winding and unwinding tendrils of dark red silk. So much had happened in the last twenty-four hours and a confusion of images filled his head. It was impossible to relax. He felt so protective of Dominic—he knew that his attitude and actions were often unreasonable but he was still unable to prevent his dominant side from emerging. Dominic was shy and quiet but he could also be stubborn. His gentle strength was the much needed counterpoint to Evrain’s fiery nature. Theirs was a perfect partnership and Evrain was petrified that Dominic would run from a world that must be terrifying for him at times.

  Evrain couldn’t deny that he was scared himself. He was still very inexperienced, still learning to control the immense power that he could often feel boiling within himself. Back in the underground garage he had come very close to losing his grip on his belief, that he should never use his power to harm others. His anger at Symeon had threatened to overtake all sense of reason. Only the sound of Dominic’s voice had brought him back from that dark place.

  He drifted into a doze but remained aware. Time moved on and there was a subtle change in the light as the sun rose above the trees outside. A chorus of birds kept up their symphony in the garden. It was all so normal, the way he wanted it to be every day, but he knew it couldn’t last. With the covers pulled down to his waist, Dominic’s creamy skin was irresistible. Evrain breathed in the scent of greenery that always seemed to surround his lover. Beneath the quilt he found the firm curve of Dominic’s ass. He stroked the top of his thigh then into the crease that led to his groin. His smooth skin radiated heat. Evrain nudged the covers lower. He couldn’t resist circling his fingers around Dominic’s hardening shaft.

  He squeezed lightly, regretting that Dominic’s position meant he couldn’t reach back to cup the weight of his balls. Dominic mumbled something into his neck but didn’t seem to be totally conscious. Evrain twitched his lips into a smile. Dominic was adorable. The warmth of Evrain’s love for him welled through his body, making his heart pound faster. He could hardly believe how lucky he was to have earned Dominic’s trust and love. It was a gift beyond price.

  Sighing with contentment, Evrain turned his attention back to his boyfriend’s stiff cock and began to squeeze and stroke alternately. Dominic moaned and rolled onto his back, parting his legs to allow Evrain better access. Evrain grinned and stroked harder, feathering his fingers around the root then squeezing the tip so that tiny beads of pre-cum spread like oil beneath his fingertips. Dominic’s muscles tensed under his touch and knew that he must now be awake even though he was still feigning sleep. Evrain moved his hand more quickly until his injured wrist began to ache from the rapid pumping action. Dominic’s lips parted. His copper lashes fluttered, revealing glints of blue.

  “Don’t stop,” Dominic whispered.

  “Not asleep then?” Evrain slowed his movements, teasing Dominic with feather light touches.

  “Hardly. Evrain…please!”

  Evrain responded to the desperate plea. He tugged on Dominic’s rigid cock with sure movements. When he came, Dominic’s ass lifted from the bed and his spine arched, thrusting his groin into the air. Glistening cream spattered Evrain’s hand and Dominic’s taut stomach until he finally relaxed with a gratified sigh.

  Evrain kicked the bed covers off the end of the bed because they were tangling around his feet. He positioned himself so that he could lift Dominic’s legs over his shoulders. He pulled Dominic’s knees wide apart and bent him back, leaning over him. Dominic gazed up at him with calm acceptance, a smile playing over his lips. Belatedly, Evrain realized how sore Dominic had been earlier that day. He didn’t want to hurt him, nor did he want to forego the pleasure of sinking into his welcoming heat.

  He channeled, commanding the air to his will. He formed a cushioning sleeve around his cock. Drawing moisture from the air he made the sleeve slick, then pressed home his claim. Dominic’s eyes widened but there was no sign he was in any pain. Evrain stilled, waiting for his lover’s body to adjust to his size, but his patience wasn’t matched by Dominic, who banged his fist on the mattress and shouted, “Move!”

  Evrain bent him double as he sank inside him to his full length t
hen withdrew almost to his tip before plunging back in again. Dominic seemed to gasp, whimper, scream and laugh at the same time, as Evrain repeated the process again and again until he could hold himself back no longer. As he came, the cushion of air and water dissipated. Evrain panted through his release, his gaze firmly fixed on Dominic’s blue eyes.

  Aftershocks rocked them both until eventually Evrain softened and slid from Dominic’s body, lowering his lover’s legs to the bed. They clung together in a close hug and Evrain ruffled his dark red hair with affection. “For some reason I couldn’t wait to get my hands on you. This atmosphere of danger is making me horny.”

  “You did something. You felt bigger somehow.”

  “I didn’t want to hurt you. I tried something new with a cushion of air. Did it feel good?”

  “Sure did.”

  “I suppose we should get up.” Evrain didn’t want to move. “Gregory is bound to call soon. I don’t want him to think that all we do when we’re alone together is fuck.”

  Dominic groaned. “You know, just for a moment I had forgotten about everything going on. It was nice while it lasted.” Dominic got out of bed. He padded over to the window. With a jerk, he twitched the curtain aside and looked down the garden toward the gate. He turned back toward the bed. “It seems that Imelda has called off her dogs for now. There’s no one there.”

  “That probably means that Gregory has made some kind of arrangement with her,” Evrain surmised. “We’d better get dressed in case he shows up at the door. Of course, if you don’t put some clothes on fast you’re unlikely to get out of this bedroom anytime soon.” He leered. Watching Dominic without any clothes on was one of Evrain’s favorite pastimes.

  They took it in turns to shower and dress. Dominic went first then headed for the kitchen to put together a snack from whatever he could find in the cupboards. Evrain took his time, wandering naked from the bathroom to the bedroom only to find Shadow spread out on the bed. Evrain felt a strange need to cover up. He grabbed a T-shirt then held it over his groin. Shadow groomed herself, her eyes following him as if he were a plump mouse.

  “Grandma, is that really you?” Evrain felt stupid talking to the cat but he was already half convinced Agatha’s spirit inhabited the animal. Shadow rolled onto her back, legs in the air, tail twitching. “I’m going to take that as a yes.” He rubbed Shadow’s soft belly. “Gregory knew all along. I think maybe I didn’t want to admit it, but I’m glad you’re here. Back to look out for me, huh?”

  “Meow.”

  “Or to keep an eye on me?” Purrs rumbled through the prone animal. “I’d appreciate you not lying in wait to catch me naked. Or Dominic. Got it?”

  Shadow ignored him, apparently deciding it was time for a bath. She licked at one paw. Evrain grabbed his clothes then made his escape. Shadow had staked her claim on the bedroom and he wasn’t going to argue. He dressed on the landing then padded barefoot down the stairs.

  “I defrosted some vegetable soup.” Dominic called. “When this…crisis… is over we are going to have to do the mother of all grocery runs. We’re out of almost everything.”

  Evrain dissolved into laughter and found he couldn’t stop. He wiped the tears from his eyes. “How did this happen? We’re discussing grocery shopping before facing a coven of blood-lusting witches while our possessed cat has turned out to be a voyeur.” He collapsed into a chair. “It’s a dream sequence, isn’t it? I’m going to wake up soon. Like one of those terrible soaps Grandma used to love.”

  “You’re getting hysterical,” Dominic said, placing a steaming bowl of soup in front of him. “There’s no bread left, I’m afraid.”

  “That’s okay. My stomach’s churning anyway.”

  “And what’s that about Shadow?”

  “Never mind.” Evrain spooned up some soup. “Probably best you don’t know.”

  Dominic shrugged before taking a seat with his food. He’d just lifted his spoon when Evrain’s phone rang. Evrain froze. “This is it, I suppose.”

  “So answer it.” Dominic sounded a good deal calmer than Evrain felt. His skin itched. He snatched up the phone.

  “Brookes.”

  “That’s a strange way to answer the phone, Evrain.”

  “Oh, hi, Gregory. Sorry. Wasn’t thinking. My brain probably decided I was in the office.”

  “Are we on loudspeaker?”

  “Should we be?”

  “Well, it will save you repeating everything for Dominic.”

  Evrain pressed the appropriate button. “Go ahead. We’re listening.”

  “This won’t take long. I don’t think there’s any need for us to come back out to the cottage. I’ve made an arrangement with Imelda.”

  Evrain swallowed. “Okay.”

  “You will provide the blood she requires. In return, she will leave you alone. Members of the Octis Coven will observe. She has agreed that Nathaniel and I can also be present.”

  “You trust her?”

  “In this, I think I do. This way, she gets what she wants. The Coven witness her success, consolidating her position as leader. And she avoids any more destruction of Octis property. She won’t be so careless this time,” he said. “Yesterday’s fiasco damaged the trust that the coven members had in her ability to act in their interest.”

  Gregory’s words sent a chill through Evrain’s body. The situation was becoming more and more dangerous. “I’m concerned how they will react when they discover that all the trouble they’re going to is for nothing.”

  “I don’t think we have any other option.”

  “Well, it’s too late to change anything now. In a few hours it will all be over one way or another.”

  “Very well. There’s a developed parking area on the south side of the highway at Beacon Rock. Do you know it?”

  Evrain looked at Dominic, who nodded. “I don’t but Dominic does. We’ll find it.”

  “We’ll see you there just before sunset. It’s set back from the road and little used in the evening. It’s neutral ground. Accessible to everyone and private enough for our purposes.”

  “Very well. I want Nathaniel there to protect Dominic.”

  “He’ll be there.”

  “I want to spend some time scouting the area to make sure we have an escape route should we need it. So we’ll get there a bit earlier to check the spot out. You realize this won’t just be a case of using a sterile needle and a test tube, Evrain?”

  “Not dramatic enough?” Evrain asked.

  “A ceremonial knife will be used to open a vein and a small amount of blood will be allowed to drip into a copper goblet. You’ll have to be channeling at the time. I suggest that the simplest thing to concentrate on would be the creation of a small flame. Coryn will stand with Dominic because I may have to channel too. Nathaniel will protect them both if it becomes necessary.”

  “As plans go,” Evrain said, “this one isn’t great but it’s the best we have.”

  There wasn’t anything else to say. Evrain ended the call. The remains of his soup had gone cold but he ate it anyway. He pushed his dish away then reached for Dominic’s hand. He wasn’t going to admit to being scared but Dominic was intuitive enough to know it. Dominic’s touch and his understanding silence were comforting.

  Chapter Fourteen

  After arriving at the designated meeting point, Dominic found a spot to wait with Coryn and Damon. While Gregory, Nathaniel and Evrain discussed their plans and circled the site again and again, considering every eventuality, he, Coryn and an unusually subdued Damon sat on one of the huge boulders at the edge of the lot, watching them. Dominic turned to Coryn, smiling. “I’m sorry Evrain gave you both so much grief about the agrimony over dinner yesterday.”

  Coryn chuckled. “Well, he didn’t lose his temper completely, though I think Gregory’s ears were burning for a while. Did Evrain give you a hard time?”

  Dominic swallowed as he remembered. “Yes, quite hard, you could say that.”

  Coryn stared at
him curiously then grinned. “Ah, I see.”

  “He was more upset with himself than me. He just couldn’t express it properly. He feels guilty for getting himself caught by Symeon. He thinks that led to all this.”

  “It did, in a way,” Coryn said. “But sooner or later Imelda would have taken more drastic steps. At least this way we have a modicum of control.” Coryn tilted his head back, gazing at the cloudless sky. “Are you scared about what’s going to happen later?”

  Dominic ran his fingers over the sparkling granite they were sitting on and chewed his lower lip. “I’m scared for Evrain. I just want this all to be over so that we can get back to some kind of a normal life. I’m just a gardener.”

  Coryn put a comforting hand on his shoulder and squeezed. “I think you need to face up to the truth that a life with Evrain is always going to be anything but normal.”

  Dominic thought about that statement as they sat together in quiet companionship watching their respective partners pace around, deep in conversation. The time went by far too fast and it wasn’t long before the sun began to sink below the horizon. There were a few dense stands of trees dotted around but the parking area was situated on a flat plain in the river valley. There was an expansive view to the south. The sky turned vermillion and amber, then pink. Heavy gray shadows fell across the area. Small pieces of crystal in the rocks caught the light and glittered. On any other day, Dominic would have been able to appreciate the beauty of it, but today the dark shadows just seemed ominous and the red light spread a hint of hell across the landscape.

  He drew in a sharp breath. In the distance he could see the lights of a cavalcade of vehicles approaching their way down the road. He counted five cars, all proceeding at a measured pace. They turned into the parking area then drew up in a semicircle on one side opposite where Gregory and Evrain had parked.

  Coryn drew Dominic and Damon away and they stood, half concealed behind a small copse of trees. Nathaniel jogged across to wait with them. He put his arm around Damon’s waist, drawing him close.