To Darkness Bound Box Set

by Zandria West

  That’s where we come in. We’re setting up a camp where groups of young people from both realms can come together in a safe setting to learn about each other’s cultures and take part in adventure-based activities together.

  Okay. So, you don’t have to tell me how utterly and disastrously wrong this could all go. I’m there already. I can see the humans staking the vampires, someone messing up their dates and accidentally booking werewolves in over a full-moon weekend. And don’t get me started on what the succubi are likely to do with a group of desperate young human males. The insurance premiums have been astronomical. But avoiding trouble is where Irena comes in. We offered her a position as camp manager and she accepted it. I have no doubt that if anyone is up to the task of keeping unruly teens from both realms well in line, it’s her. We’ll help develop the programs and run them, but she’ll be in charge from day to day.

  My men and I have our own cabin, set far enough back from the campsite to give us privacy but near enough that we can get there quickly if something goes terribly wrong. My main criteria was that there had to be enough distance that any sounds, in particular screams of orgasmic ecstasy, would not be heard by the youngsters staying at the camp. Though maybe it would be good if they were. When it comes down to it, we’re exhibit number one – an example of residents of the human and demon realm living together in – ahem – harmony.

  I’m interrupted from my daydreaming by a heavy knock at the door.

  ‘I’ll get it!’ I yell. Grayson and Alex have been busy all morning in the kitchen. They made me swear I’d stay out and wouldn’t even peek, but the smells that have been sneaking under the door have been amazing. It’s funny how Alex has embraced cooking, even though he doesn’t eat. I guess it’s a way of re-connecting with his human side.

  I fling the door open, expecting to see Gabriel, and almost fall over with astonishment when I find not one but two of my men standing on the doorstep. Gabriel looks tall, dark and mysterious as usual, though his skin is tanned golden from days working on an archaeological dig and his eyes crinkle with happiness to see me. Reuben looks incredible. He’s been to a barber, and had his hair cut short and is clean-shaven, for possibly the first time ever. He’s wearing denim jeans and a t-shirt that fits his body so well it should be fucking illegal. And he smells amazing.

  ‘Oh my god, you guys, they’re both here!’ I yell to Alex and Grayson, then throw myself into my newly returned beloveds’ arms, embracing the two of them at once. ‘I missed you,’ I say softly. ‘I missed you both so much. How did you manage to get here at the same time? Come in! Alex and Gray are cooking. It should be incredible. I hope you’re hungry…’

  I try to step back, but Reuben holds me a moment longer, taking a deep breath and exhaling. As he breathes out, I feel my whole body relax, like I’m ready to just melt into a puddle right where I am.

  ‘Cub, you smell… different…’ he says, his voice low and husky.

  I swallow. ‘Ah, sure, it must be the new soap I’m using or something.’

  He pulls back and frowns at me, then shakes his head. ‘Not soap,’ he says.

  A moment later, Alex and Grayson emerge from the kitchen and interrupt us. There are jostlings, good-natured greetings, hugs and questions. I think the guys have all missed each other as much as I’ve missed them. Alex gives me a glance.

  I smile helplessly and shrug. I know what I have to do. I’m just nervous about it. I don’t know how any of this works really.

  ‘Not soap,’ Reuben says again suddenly. ‘You smell… different.’

  Oh god, I realise suddenly. He can tell. He can smell it on me. Of course he bloody well can, he’s a werewolf, he’s got some kind of super-nose.

  ‘So, there is one thing that happened while you were gone, that you might be interested in,’ I start tentatively.

  I feel Alex by my side, and Grayson taking my hand. They know already. I couldn’t hide it from them.

  Gabriel frowns, suspiciously. Reuben tilts his head to one side and studies me, slow realisation dawning in his eyes.

  ‘I’m pregnant,’ I say, grinning.

  ‘You’re… but…’ Gabriel looks down as though deep in thought and then looks up again. As our eyes meet, a shiver moves through me. The intensity of his gaze has always captivated me, but now his expression is of such concentrated passion that it makes my knees weak.

  ‘I hope that’s okay,’ I say. ‘I know we haven’t really talked about it…’

  ‘Okay? It is incredible!’ Reuben cries, wrapping his big arms around me and picking me up off the ground, spinning me around. He puts me down again and I meet Gabriel’s eyes. I’m desperate for him to respond, to say something. I’m terrified about what he’s thinking right now.

  ‘Lana,’ he says finally, his voice low and husky. ‘Truly, I could not be happier.’

  I grin, and my eyes fill with tears.

  ‘See, I told you,’ Alex wraps his arms around my waist and whispers into my ear.

  I don’t know whose baby this technically is and honestly, I don’t care. It is our baby. It will be loved and protected and cared for by all of us, just as we love, protect and care for each other. My mother will be over the moon to be an actual grandma. And though I know it’s probably naïve and crazy, my hope is that our child will grow up in a world where people don’t judge one another on the basis of where they come from, what their background is, or which side of the Barrier they live on, but only on what really matters: what is in their hearts.

  Right now, life feels unimaginably beautiful and the world is full of wonder. I’m surrounded by my men, with a new life beginning inside me. My own heart is as full as I think it is possible to be without some kind of anatomical catastrophe taking place.