“What then?” I say. I can’t believe what I’m hearing.
“There must be more,” Lyre says. “Look again!” he instructs.
“I did try, but I couldn’t see further than that. If I don’t get more, it usually means that the rest is undecided. I’m not sure why I need to see more, though. It was pretty clear to me what goes down. Shooting someone once might be an accident. Three times?” He shakes his head.
“Undecided?” I say. I’m not sure what that means exactly.
“Morgan must have a good reason for shooting Bolt,” Lyre says. He’s back at my side, sliding his hand into mine. I actually feel a lump form in my throat. A good friend of his has just told Lyre that I’m going to shoot Bolt in order to save the harpy, and yet, here he is, still at my side. My eyes start pricking. I need to pull myself together. This Stephanus person has to be mistaken.
“Your vision is wrong. I won’t shoot Bolt,” I say to Stephanus. I turn to Lyre. “I won’t do it. Not for any reason.” I take his other hand. I’m feeling teary again. “None that I can think of, at any rate.”
“I beg to differ.” Stephanus puts his hands up. “You do shoot him.”
I turn back to him, feeling irritated.
Lyre clears his throat. “What happened with the waitress from a few weeks ago?” he asks Stephanus. “The one who you saw getting broken into?” Lyre quickly relays to me what happened. About how Stephanus saved her tray from falling and the premonition that followed.
“Jarrod and I took turns watching over her. Four days later, the fucker arrived with a crowbar. It happened on Jarrod’s watch.”
“Jarrod is Stephan’s twin brother,” Lyre says to me.
“You don’t have to tell her everything,” Stephanus snaps.
“I kind of do since she is my girlfriend.” Lyre squeezes my hand.
That makes me want to cry again. Let’s be clear. I. Don’t. Cry. I lived in a household where, if you cried, you got teased for days. That’s how it was. Having five older brothers will toughen a girl up. Yet, here I am wanting to cry…again.
Stephanus makes a noise of disgust. “I wasn’t being serious when I called her that.”
“I am being serious when I call Morgan my girlfriend, because that’s what she is. Let’s be clear on that,” Lyre says; his voice has a fierceness, a possessiveness I haven’t heard before.
“What happened when the guy with the crowbar tried to break in?” I ask, defusing the situation and giving myself something else to think about other than Lyre calling me his girlfriend.
“Jarrod intercepted the guy and beat the shit out of him. I doubt he’ll try anything like that again. My brother may have told him a couple of things about himself that no one but the would-be thief would know about. The guy freaked out and ended up pissing himself.” Stephanus smiles.
“Jarrod can look into the past,” Lyre tells me. “It’s freaky. I’m just glad it doesn’t work on us.”
“Only humans?” I ask.
Lyre nods.
“You should stop telling her everything. Your girlfriend is going to shoot Bolt three times in defense of the harpy. Trust her at your own folly.”
“My point is that it’s possible to change the future if you know what’s coming,” Lyre says, ignoring Stephanus’s comment. He looks like he’s thinking it through.
“It is in some instances.”
“There must be a good reason why you would shoot Bolt,” Lyre says to me.
“I can’t think of any good reason why I would do such a thing,” I object.
“I can,” Stephanus says.
“I don’t want to hear it,” Lyre growls.
I swallow thickly. I know what needs to happen. I can’t take even the thought of Lyre or any of his friends being hurt. I wouldn’t forgive myself. I don’t know if he would forgive me. If we would survive such a thing. “I’m the one who shoots Bolt,” I whisper, looking at my feet for a moment. “I can’t let that happen.” I lock eyes with Lyre. “Me being here has been beneficial.”
“Absolutely.” Lyre nods. “You know these creatures. You hunt them and take them down. We’ve almost caught her twice. If it weren’t for me the first time, and that blown gasket the second, I know you would have had her by now.”
“It was beneficial, Lyre. Was. I’ve become a liability to you and your friends.” My eyes fill with tears. “Andy doesn’t have much longer.”
“What are you saying?” His eyes cloud over.
“I think I should leave.”
“No!” he practically growls.
“She’s right,” Stephanus says.
“Stay out of this.” Lyre points a finger at him and gives Stephanus a look that has him stepping back.
“I should go. Not for forever. Just until the situation is under control. Once Lilith…the harpy is out of the picture, I’ll come back.”
“I need your help,” Lyre says, taking my other hand. He takes a step towards me. “Who’s going to watch me?”
I shake my head. “Watch for her.” I feel my mouth twitch.
“Perv,” Lyre whispers.
I all-out smile, but it doesn’t hang around long. All of my good humor soon evaporates. “It can’t be me. I’m going to give my boss…my old boss a call. I’ll fill him in and have him send someone to take over from me. Even if there’s a slight chance of that vision coming true... I…I can’t stay. I…” I shake my head. I feel my eyes sting all over again. “If I stay, it might end up happening.” I squeeze his hands. “I’ll go and see Andy. I’ll try to keep his mom from pulling the plug, but if she does it, at least I’ll be there for him. I have to be there.” I’m crying now. I don’t know if it’s because I’m leaving Lyre or if it’s because of what is about to happen to Andy. I’m sure it’s both. After all these years, I have a boyfriend. I have someone like Lyre, and I’m having to walk away.
His eyes blaze with emotion. “Once it’s under control, you’ll come back?”
“I will.” I wipe my eyes.
“When are you going to leave?” Lyre asks.
“I’ll escort Pretty Boy over here,” I throw a look at Stephanus, “to safety. Then I’ll make a few calls. The harpy could be out there right now. She’ll go after him, and he won’t stand a chance.”
Stephanus snorts. “I don’t need you to—”
“Shut it!” Lyre snarls. I’m taken aback at how vicious he sounds and how much I like this side of Lyre. He really is everything in one hell of a sexy package. “Morgan offered to help you,” he goes on. “Did you not listen to anything I said about the harpy bitch? Do you want your powers taken from you?”
Stephanus’s eyes narrow in thought. “I wouldn’t mind it actually. I strongly dislike my powers.”
“You’d be feeding that thing,” I tell him. “That wouldn’t be good.”
“I agree with Morgan. Besides, you wouldn’t just lose your ability to see into the future but the ability to shift as well.”
His eyes flare with shock.
“You don’t want to help the harpy by giving her your power, do you?” Lyre asks.
“No!” He sounds irritated. “No, I don’t. Fine,” Stephanus sighs. “I’ll let you help me out o—”
Lyre lets go of my hand and has Stephanus in a chokehold, so quickly, it takes me a few seconds to register what’s happening. “You will treat Morgan with the respect she deserves. You don’t have to trust her, but know that I do.”
I touch Lyre on the back. “It’s okay,” I say to him, “I don’t mind.” I told Andy to trust me and look where that landed him. “Let him go,” I urge.
Stephanus makes this choking noise.
“It’s not okay, and I mind plenty,” Lyre snarls. “You’re my friend, Stephan. Have some faith in me.” Softer this time.
“Your friend cares about you,” I tell Lyre, who finally lets Stephanus go.
“You don’t have to like Morgan, but you need to show some respect to her.” Lyre’s voice is a rough rasp.
; Stephanus rubs his throat. His eyes are wide. He is breathing deeply. “I would appreciate it if you could help me leave here without being followed,” he says to me, looking like it’s the very last thing he wants from me. “I would appreciate it if you didn’t call me ‘pretty boy’ again. My name,” he swallows thickly, “is Stephanus. My friends call me Stephan.” His gaze hardens. “You can call me Stephanus.”
Nice dig. I like this guy. He’s only looking out for Lyre. I don’t blame him for not trusting me. “Okay, then, Stephanus. Let’s head out.” I turn to Lyre. “You stay put, I’ll be back soon.” I lean in. Lyre moves in to meet me halfway, and we kiss quickly.
“You let a woman boss you around like that?” Stephanus asks, brows raised.
“Absolutely.” Lyre kisses me again. “Be careful,” he says, almost against my mouth. His eyes are on mine.
“I will.” I nod. “I’ll follow you,” I say to Stephanus. “Don’t go straight home. If you do, take the scenic route.”
Stephanus gives a single nod, his eyes have this angry haze. “Keep your phone handy,” I tell Lyre. “Lyre will be in touch if I see anything out of the ordinary.” I decide not to take Pretty Boy’s number because I don’t think he would listen to me, or take instructions from me even if I tried to help. I’m hoping he’ll listen to Lyre. After nearly getting his ass handed to him, I’m betting he will.
19
Five hours later…
Morgan
I park in the garage and watch until the door closes behind me. Lyre is standing in the doorway to his house. At first glance, he looks completely relaxed, leaning against the jamb. Looks can be deceiving since he isn’t relaxed at all. His eyes are blazing. They are an intense, bright green and are tracking my every move.
He’s wearing a t-shirt and jeans. His jaw looks tight. He has his arms folded casually across his chest, but I’m not fooled. Every one of his muscles is hard and roped.
He’s beautiful. Devastatingly so. I slam my car door shut and practically run to him. He lifts me into his arms and crushes his mouth to mine. I put my legs around his tapered hips and wrap my arms around his neck. Then he’s walking. We’re in his room in seconds. My back hits the mattress a heartbeat later. I’m already panting. Already wet.
He strokes me between my legs, and I moan. Even through the fabric, he seems to know exactly where to touch me and how hard his touch needs to be.
I thought of Lyre the whole time I was away. Every time I stopped at a red light or turned a corner. Stephanus took my warning seriously and took a route home that lasted an hour. I waited outside his house the rest of the time, just to make sure we hadn’t been followed. My mind kept wandering to Lyre. I kept thinking about Stephanus’s prediction. I still can’t believe it. After several hours of waiting, I figured that the risk to Lyre was higher than to Stephanus. I rushed back. My mind still in turmoil. I could see that he had been warring with what had happened too. He doesn’t want me to leave. I don’t want to go.
His touch is urgent. I make a desperate-sounding moan, and the noise is swallowed by his kiss. Lyre growls low. I feel his chest vibrate against mine. His finger becomes more insistent on my clit. I groan. Then he is standing, looking almost angry. His chest is heaving. He takes off my shoes. “Those pants have to go.” His voice is a deep rumble.
I nod, undoing the top button and taking down the zipper. I start to pull them down. Lyre gives a tug, and they are gone. I barely have my jacket off, and he is settling between my legs.
“My gun.” My voice is high-pitched. I frown. I still have my holster on.
“Leave it.” He yanks my blouse open, and the buttons go flying. “Sexy.” His eyes trace my curves.
He undoes his jeans and his cock springs free. Lyre is infinitely sexy naked, but there is something about seeing him like this. Wild and desperate. I feel it too. My heart is pounding. Adrenaline is pumping. I’m shaking. It’s a need. An urgency.
Lyre kneels and licks my slit. Then he tongues me, hard and deep before suckling on my clit. I shout his name. I’m so on edge my whole body is bristling. “I need you,” I moan. “Now.”
He sits on his haunches and lifts me onto his lap. Then he is thrusting into me from below. I cry out, and my head falls back. The noise seems loud between the four walls. He holds my hips in his big hands and fucks me hard and slow. His eyes don’t leave mine. I curse a couple of times, but I say his name as well. I am filled with him. Taking so much but not nearly enough. I can already feel my orgasm building and hovering.
“You feel…you…holy fuck, Morgan.” He bites his lower lip, picking up the pace. I go from zero to hero. There is no warning. One second I am about to come, and the next, I am not just there but— Holy shit! I make this weird noise in the bottom of my throat, and then I scream his name. Lyre’s hands grip me hard enough to bruise, and he shouts my name as well…I think more than once. He keeps going for a good long while. The muscles on either side of his neck are roped. Then he slows as we gradually come down.
That was the most intense sex I have ever had. It was hardcore fucking, but not. Not even close. There was too much behind that. Too much driving it. Fueling it. Making it explosive. I’m shaking even harder than after our first time.
I can still barely breathe. I shouldn’t talk yet, but I have to. “So…we’re boyfriend…and girlfriend now?” I have to know if he meant it.
I feel him tense. His eyes dart away and then lock with mine. “I…hope so.” He is panting too.
I snigger as best I can through my heavy breathing. “Are you asking me to go steady?”
He smiles. “I guess I am.” He nods.
“I’ve only ever been asked by one boy to go steady.”
He frowns, pulling back. “As in ever? One boy, ever?”
“One boy ever.” I nod.
“What did you tell him?”
I snort-laugh. “I didn’t tell him anything. I kicked him in the knee.”
Lyre chokes out a laugh. “Should I be worried?”
I cup his cheek, feeling his soft beard beneath my fingers. I shake my head. “Not at all. I was touched when you called me your girlfriend. I thought you might just be saying it to stand up for me.”
His face turns stormy. “I would never do that. I’ve never had a girlfriend. I take the whole thing pretty seriously.” He kisses me on the tip of my nose.
“Well, I’ve never had a boyfriend. I’ve dated a couple of guys, but…” I shake my head and shrug.
“They didn’t cut it?” he asks.
“They weren’t quite pushy enough,” I finally say.
Lyre laughs but turns serious far too quickly for my liking. “I don’t want you to go,” he says.
“I don’t want to leave, but I have to. It’s for the best.”
“I know, but I don’t like it.” He pulls out of me, standing up. We’re having a serious conversation, so I try not to stare at all of his masculine beauty. I fail. I might even drool a little. He disappears into the bathroom, returning with a towel which he hands to me.
“I hate the idea,” I say. “I don’t think she’ll harm you, but she might get to one of your friends.”
I watch his eyes turn stormy. His whole stance becomes rigid.
“There is no other option,” I say. “What are the chances of Stephanus’s vision actually happening?”
“Very good, unless something is actively done to change it.”
I lick my lips and then shake my head. “I can’t see myself ever shooting one of your friends like that.”
“I can’t see it either and yet...”
“It will more than likely happen if I stay?” I almost whisper the words.
He nods. “I’m afraid so. I still don’t like the thought of you leaving.”
“I have to. Even if there is a remote chance the vision will come to fruition, I’m not taking the risk,” I say. “I have to go to keep you and your friends safe.” I swallow hard, asking the one question I have in my head. The one question t
hat has been swirling around. “Would Bolt survive if I did shoot him?” My voice changes. The emotion scares me. I know that if the vision comes about, Lyre and I will be over. “I couldn’t live with myself if I killed one of your best friends.” I pull in a deep breath. “One of your kind.”
“Hey,” he lays back down and pulls me into his arms, “it would take a lot to kill Bolt. He’s a dragon demigod. I’m sure you wouldn’t shoot him for no reason. There would have to be a logical explanation.”
“Still…I’m petrified after hearing what Stephanus had to say. A couple of well-placed bullets and even the mightiest of the mighty will fall. Headshots normally do it.”
“I’ve noticed that the gun at your ankle is smaller, so I’m assuming it’s a lower caliber?”
I nod, still trying to tame my emotions.
He smiles. “If you have no other choice, try not to blow his head off. A neck shot is probably not a great idea, either. If you can, use the lower caliber weapon to shoot him in his torso, trying to avoid the heart. He should heal right up. Like I said, it takes a hell of a lot to kill us.”
“You’re being so good about this.”
“As I said, I know you wouldn’t shoot Bolt without good reason. I trust you.”
“I wouldn’t.” I nod. “I still can’t see it happening.” I sit up. “You need to be sure to keep away from the harpy. If she gets her hands on your neck, she’ll be able to render you unconscious.” I start looking around for my pants, spotting them on the floor. “Warn all of your friends. Tell them how she can get under your skin. Men are especially susceptible to their advances.”
“I’ll remind the guys.” He frowns. “Are you going already?” he asks.
“I need to call Tom…my old boss. The sooner I get eyes on you, the sooner I can protect you and your friends by leaving.”
He sits up as well and kisses me on the shoulder.
Lord of Life (The Dragon Demigods Book 4) Page 17