Текст книги "Black Moon"

Автор книги: J. Tyler

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Текущая страница: 6 (всего у книги 16 страниц)

Jesus! Who knew his baby had such a filthy mouth? Christ, he was a lucky bastard!

“Yes,” he croaked. “Fuck me, honey. I’m all yours.”

When she was seated, she began to rise and fall. As promised, she fucked him so fine, her pussy a hot, wet glove that stroked him from base to tip. Again and again. He let her control the pace, every aspect of their lovemaking. She quickened the tempo until she rode him hard, their bodies slapping in perfect rhythm, sticky with sweat, the pungent aroma of sex in the air.

His panther roared in pleasure, demanding that he sink his teeth into the vulnerable juncture of her neck. Especially when she tilted her head in what he believed was an unconscious gesture of submission.

Ours! Mate!

No. As much as he longed to bite and claim her, he couldn’t do that without her agreeing to it. And it was much too soon for that, their relationship too new. Resisting his beast was the toughest thing he’d ever done, but somehow he won the battle.

Instead he lost himself in a red tide of desire and soon felt the familiar tightening of his balls, the quickening in his groin and the base of his spine that signaled impending orgasm. He came with a rush, slamming into her several times, pumping his seed on and on, filling her. Clasping him to her breast, she clutched at him as she found her peak as well and went over. Together they shuddered for long moments, until they clung to each other, replete.

He kissed her moist temple. “That was amazing, just like you. Thank you.”

“Likewise.”

Sitting back so he could see her face, he grinned at her smug expression. “Satisfied?”

“Very!”

“When did you get such a naughty vocabulary, lady?”

“The potential was always there, but it’s just how you affect me, I suppose. You bring out my inner slut.” She winked.

“Damn, now I dofeel lucky!” Laughing, she eased off his lap. His softened dick slipped out of its cozy home and he winced at the mess. “I think a shower is in order for both of us.”

“I think you’re right. Was that an invitation?”

“Are you kidding? You can soap my back anytime you want.”

“Well, what are we waiting for?”

As they dressed and gathered their clothes, Kalen smiled at this cool, playful side of Mackenzie’s nature. He loved it. He tried to recall a time when he’d felt lighter. Happier. Not in years had he felt this way, and he wished with all his heart that it could last.

A man could dream.

And he would, because dreams might be all he’d ever have.

Six

On the return drive, Mac went back and forth between cursing herself for a fool and basking in the sheer wonderment of making love with Kalen in her favorite spot.

Lord, that had been hot! No man had ever affected her the way he did, made her long to crawl under his skin and stay there. Made her need to hold him, feel his body moving against hers, possessing her.

The man was trouble, but he was hertrouble. And she was falling for him harder every day.

There had to be a way to help him defeat Malik, and they’d just keep searching until they found it. Kalen couldn’t go on much longer being torn between good and evil. Earlier, when he’d shown such hatred for his parents and when he drifted off a couple of times with that blank expression on his face, he’d frightened her. The Unseelie was doing his best to control the Sorcerer, but the longer she and Kalen were together, the more that seemed to help him come back to himself.

She fervently prayed Malik didn’t catch on.

Kalen’s hand came to rest on her thigh, bringing her back to the present. He just left it there, and she liked the way his palm on her leg felt warm and sort of possessive, as though he couldn’t bear not to touch some part of her even for a little bit.

Stealing a quick glance at him, she admired his profile. She loved how his black hair feathered around his handsome face and fell to his shoulders. It was a noble profile, she thought, his nose straight, brow arched, with a jaw that wasn’t square, but curved. His lips were full, and his air of vulnerability was at war with his strength—both figuratively and literally.

And studying his many physical attributes was making her panties wet. Again.

Something about this man made it impossible for her to resist. She felt a very real pull toward him that wasn’t just physical but seemed connected to her soul as well. Which could find her paddling up shit creek very soon. However, she knew to her depths that this man was worth the fight.

How sad that only one other person in his life—his grandmother—had ever believed the same.

“Mackenzie?”

“Hmm?”

“I was just thinking that it’s been a few weeks since we were together that first time. . . .”

She nodded. “Yes. And?”

“And, um, I haven’t had any symptoms,” he said slowly. “You know, like Jax or Aric.”

“No mating fever, no aches or pains. I’d noticed.” Still, she had to quell a jolt of disappointment at hearing him acknowledge that fact aloud.

“You’re the doctor. What do you think that means?” Anxiety colored his voice. “Are we not mates? And if we’re not, why is my panther trying to shred me from the inside out because I didn’t claim you today?”

At that, she cut him a quick glance, unable to mask her surprise. “He is?”

“Shit, yeah.” He grimaced. “The fucker’s done nothing but snarl at me for the past fifteen minutes.”

A glimmer of happiness unfurled in her chest. “I don’t know why, exactly. But we do know you’re not like other shifters. You’re a Sorcerer first, a shifter second. You’re magic personified. Your physiology isn’t like the others’, so it stands to reason there will be differences between you and them.”

“So we couldbe mates?”

Gripping the steering wheel, she cleared her throat, trying not to sound overly eager. “It’s possible. You say your panther feels a pull toward me.”

“Not just him, all of me,” he said.

“How would you feel about us being Bondmates, considering you wanted to break things off before?”

“Jesus.” He blew out a breath. “Didn’t I make my feelings clear by now? I want you in my life. I shouldn’t because of the mess I’m in, because I’m afraid of dragging you down with me, but I can’t help myself any longer. Can you give me another shot?”

Could she? There was no question, really. She wanted him. And she had more than her own life and happiness to think about. She laid a hand over his, which was resting on her thigh.

“I’d like that. Let’s take it one step at a time, okay?”

“Yes!” Leaning over, he planted a big kiss on her mouth, almost causing her to run off the road. “Thank you, honey. I’ll do my best to make sure you don’t regret it.”

Straightening the car, she laughed. “Just don’t run us into a tree before we get to find out.”

“Sorry.” The wink told her he wasn’t very repentant.

The day might’ve gotten off to a rocky start, but the second half of their outing was definitely a home run. Now if they could keep him safe from the Unseelie asshole, things would be fantastic.

Back at the compound, they walked in together hand in hand. Mac wasn’t sure being open about their relationship was the best thing for Kalen. She didn’t want him getting more grief from Nick and the Pack than he already had. Like it or not, Kalen was one of the rookies, while the guys had known Mac for years. They were protective of her, and Kalen was still a wild card to them. They were wary of which side Kalen would be on when the dust settled.

Mac was worried too, but she’d sided with her lover. Come what may.

Of course, fate decreed that the first guy they should run into was Aric. The obnoxious redhead was coming toward them down a corridor when he spied their linked hands and stopped in his tracks.

“What the fuck? No way.” His lip curled, showing a hint of lengthening fang. “This cannot be happening. Mac, girl, I’d hoped you had more sense than to get down with the Great and Powerful Oz here.”

Kalen started forward, snarling. “Shut your stupid mouth, you mother—”

Mac stepped between them, pushing Kalen back. “Stop! I can handle this.” Her lover fumed, glaring at Aric, but made no move to circumvent her. She frowned at the wolf. “What Kalen and I do is our business. Furthermore, I don’t think you have a lot of room to cast stones when it comes to being smart about a relationship.”

His face flushed. “What happened with me and Rowan wasn’t the same thing at all!”

“Maybe, but that doesn’t change the fact that you were a dumb jerk when you almost killed yourself trying to spare her from mating with you and yet she loves you anyway,” Mac pointed out reasonably. “Go figure.”

Aric’s eyes widened. “Damn, that’s harsh.”

“But true.” She sighed. “Besides, hasn’t there been enough animosity between you two? I don’t believe either of you even have a clue why you’re being such asswipes to each other.”

The men eyed each other, both clearly reluctant to give any ground on the matter. But Kalen nodded first, resignation in his tone when he spoke.

“You apologized to me when we had our scuffle yesterday, but I never extended the same courtesy. For what it’s worth, I’m sorry. I’m not used to being part of a team, but I’m usually a bigger person than to attack someone with so little provocation.”

Aric ran a hand through his hair. For a few seconds he seemed to struggle with his reply; then finally his admission emerged with obvious reluctance. “Don’t, man. I know where your buttons are and I enjoyed the hell out of pushing them—at first. As stubborn an asshole as I am, even I can see when it’s time to cease and desist. Feuding is bad for the team. What do ya say we bury the hatchet for good and move on?”

After a tense moment, Kalen slowly offered his hand. Aric hesitated, then took it.

“I’m still gonna call you kitty and Goth-boy,” Aric said with a smirk. “Out of affection, of course.”

“No problem, Red.”

As they shook, gradual smiles crept across both their faces. Mac resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Men were such dumb-asses sometimes; it was a wonder the entire planet wasn’t dead by now.

“Good luck to you two. In spite of my giving you a hard time, I mean that,” Aric said seriously. He looked to Kalen. “Your brothers are all in this fight with you. Remember that when things get rough.”

“I will.” Kalen looked away.

Mac could tell her Sorcerer was touched. So was she. Leaning toward the redhead, she gave him a peck on the cheek. “Thank you. I guess you’re not such a dumb jerk allthe time.”

“Gee, thanks.” Snorting, Aric bade them farewell and continued in the direction of his living quarters.

When the red wolf was out of earshot, Kalen said, “Do you think he was sincere this time, or was he just trying to keep the peace with you?”

“I believed him. You should too.”

“Why?”

“Aric’s not an easy guy to get to know, or like, but he wouldn’t have made the offer if he didn’t mean it. I’ve known him for years, so trust me on this.”

“All right. Then I’ll go along, unless he proves me wrong.” Stepping close, he stole a leisurely kiss, then released her with regret. “I hate to interrupt our afternoon, but I’ve got a couple of people to see.”

“Nick?”

“For one. And then Sariel, if you think he’s up to a visit from me.”

“I’ll ask him. But as one of his doctors, I have to tell you that if your visit upsets him and sets back his recovery in any way, you’ll answer to me andMelina. It won’t be pretty.”

He grinned. “I hate to tell you, baby, but you’re just not that scary. Doc Mallory on the other hand . . .” He gave an exaggerated shudder. “She probably flosses her teeth with her victims’ bones.”

Mac snorted. “And on that note, I’ll see you later. Thanks for lunch—and dessert.”

She turned and started for the infirmary. But not before she’d glimpsed the total satisfaction in his green eyes at her suggestive parting comment.

Looked as though she’d snagged herself a Sorcerer. Now the question was how to keep him safe.

* * *

Kalen’s steps slowed as he approached Nick’s office. His gut clenched in dread at the thought of what might await him on the other side.

Did the boss believe Kalen was beyond redemption at this point? No, he told himself. If he did, Kalen would be dead already. The man wasn’t the type to delay justice. It would come swiftly and painlessly.

With that bit of hope bolstering his spirits, he knocked. The commander issued a firm order for whoever was there to come in.

Kalen poked his head around the corner. “Got a minute?”

Nick looked up from some paperwork on his desk and sat back, stretching. “For you, I’ve got five. Close the door and have a seat, and put a shield over your thoughts.”

Kalen followed the first order, wiping his palms nervously on his jeans. Concentrating, he turned his magic inward and searched for the wall he’d erected earlier between himself and Malik. He found it to be wavering some but in place—though how long he’d be successful was anyone’s guess. He met Nick’s gaze. “I’m ready.”

The man studied him for a long moment, expression hard as stone. “I know where you went last night. What I don’t know is all of what happened while you were there, so why don’t you start at the beginning?”

“How much doyou know?”

“I know you watched him kill a man—and that you were seduced into enjoying it,” he replied in a saddened voice. “Why, Kalen?”

Kalen swallowed hard. “He gets his hooks in me when my defenses are down. Then he showed me what Billy had done to his family and fed my rage. I went to him in the first place because I felt drawn to go to him last night. Compelled.”

“Where is his hideout?”

“Where?” He frowned. “Deep in the forest, away from civilization. It’s this really fabulous, rustic cabin that he told me is an illusion. I’m not sure I could find it again if I tried, unless he wanted me to.”

“All right. Then what?”

“At first we just talked over a drink.”

“Talked? That’s it?” Nick’s dark brow arched in clear skepticism.

“Yeah. He’s quite the snake oil salesman, something I didn’t realize before. Well, at least not firsthand.”

“Most of your mad-dog, power-hungry world leaders are great at swaying the masses,” the commander observed. “They start small, one soldier, one convert at a time, and before anyone truly catches on, they’ve decimated millions.”

“Like Hitler.” Kalen picked at his jeans. “Malik’s a close comparison. Given enough time and resources, he could have every bit as huge an impact on history, with his super-shifter soldiers as the new Third Reich. In fact, he admitted that’s his goal, to rule the world and make paranormals, the Fae in particular, the top of the food chain. He made some persuasive arguments for his cause and the way he wants to go about it.”

“I’ll just bet he did.” Nick’s face darkened.

“He had me half believing him, Nicky,” he said quietly. “Now I know how masses of people can fall victim to that sort of tyranny.”

Picking up a ballpoint pen, Nick tapped it on his desktop thoughtfully for a few moments. “Okay, so why you? Why does he want or need your help, in particular?’

“He . . . God, this is so wacked.” Elbows on his knees, he clasped his hands together tightly. Nick waited patiently. “He claims that I’m Fae.”

The commander’s jaw dropped and his blue eyes widened. Obviously the boss hadn’t seen that one coming. “What the fuck?”

“My reaction exactly.” He gave a humorless laugh. “He told me that my grandmother was pure Seelie. In fact, he claims they knew each other ages ago, from when they were on opposite sides of issues between the Seelie and Unseelie courts.”

“Do you believe him?”

“I’m not sure.” He shrugged. “Grandma never told me about my heritage, and if she meant to, she died before she was able. I have magic, but I don’t have wings like Sariel. And I know for a fact my blood runs red and not blue,” he said, thinking of his father’s fists and the many occasions they’d split his lip.

“What about your parents? Did he claim they were Fae also?”

Thinking back to the conversation, Kalen frowned. “He never really addressed my mom and dad in that respect, and I was so blown away by everything he was telling me that I didn’t ask. He just said that I’m Fae down to my last drop of blood. His words. So I assumed my folks were Fae, too. Or at least my mom, since Grandma was hermother.”

“Your father would have to be Fae as well, if you’re a pureblood.” Nick chewed on the cap of his pen.

“Which doesn’t make sense at all if you knew my father. He’s about as anti-magic as a person can get. He forbade my mother to even speak of such things, and I watched her slowly wither away trying to be what he expected.” Kalen shuddered, remembering those awful years. “He kept an eagle eye on me, too. He was adamant that I’d be a ‘normal’ boy, not an aberration. Shortly after Grandma’s death, when my powers began to grow, he kicked me out.”

“He used that word, aberration?” Nick asked, puzzled.

“Yeah, and a lot worse.”

“His attitude doesn’t make sense if he’s Fae.”

“Tell me about it.”

“It sounds almost as if he was afraid of your magic once it developed.” He paused. “Do you know if your parents are still alive?”

“I’ve been gone for so many years, I have no clue.” He looked away. “Even as badly as they treated me in the end, I’m ashamed to admit that I don’t know and don’t care much if they’re still breathing or not.”

“Hey, you were a minor when they kicked you out. You have nothing to be ashamed of where your feelings about them are concerned, kid. But we do need some answers about why Malik is so focused on you. I have a feeling your parents, if they’re still around, have a couple they could be persuaded to share.”

“Are you suggesting we pay them a visit?”

“I think that’s a very good idea. And I think we should do it soon.”

Kalen sensed their conversation was drawing to a close, and there was one other thing weighing heavily on his mind and heart. “What about Billy, the guy I watched Malik murder? You could take me out for my part in that—in fact, I’m surprised you haven’t.”

“I haven’t because Malik was going to kill that man anyway, and I saw that there was no way either of us could’ve stopped him. You were under Malik’s influence and you didn’t touch Billy. But know this—if you kill out of pure bloodlust, and not in self-defense or defense of the team, I willterminate you. It’ll kill me to do it, but I won’t have a choice.”

“I understand,” he said softly. Christ, Nick didn’t deserve to have the blood of one of his own men on his hands. If it came to that, Kalen prayed he had enough of his own mind left to take care of the deed himself.

Nick steered the topic to the present again. “Back to your parents. Give me your former address and I’ll see if they’re around. I might know something by this afternoon.”

“Okay.” Standing, he took his cue to leave. First he took the pen and a scrap of paper from Nick’s desk and wrote down his parents’ names and address, if they were indeed still there. Then he reached out and shook the commander’s hand. “Thanks for giving me a chance. I don’t know how I’m gonna pull it off, but somehow I’ll get rid of Malik for good.”

“You won’t be alone. We’ll be there with you every step of the way.”

That so closely echoed what Aric had said, Kalen’s throat got tight. With a nod, he left Nick’s office before he embarrassed himself by losing his composure.

Now for an overdue visit that he’d put off as long as he could.

* * *

Nick sat back in his chair and ran his hand down his face with a weary sigh. “Fuck!”

The kid was in so goddamned much trouble. All of them were. And he didn’t have a fucking clue what to do next. Where was the line between doing his job and interfering with the future, the one thing he’d sworn off attempting? It blurred more with each passing day.

Suddenly a familiar buzz began in his head. A tingle began in his spine and the room went fuzzy as the oncoming vision gripped him. One he’d been plagued with before, but this time in more agonizing detail.

Nick was kneeling in the middle of a field, racked with pain as cold rain lashed down, stinging like needles. Lightning split the sky, took a jagged path to the soaked earth, scorching it in spite of the downpour.

All around him, his Pack battled the Sluagh. His brave men cutting a swath through Malik’s batlike Unseelie minions, losing ground with every passing second. There were hundreds of the terrible beasts, swarming, screeching. Far too many for either fierce wolves or men with magical gifts to defeat.

They were all going to die.

High on a pinnacle stood the Sorcerer with his staff, holding it aloft. Screaming at the Unseelie enemy and at the heavens for help that would not come.

And then a bolt of lightning streaked from the boiling black clouds, making the night as day just before it hit the end of the Sorcerer’s staff. A massive detonation shook the ground and the world fell away.

Fell and fell. Taking Nick and his men into the abyss.

Nick jolted back to himself, sucking in great gulps of air. His heart slammed against his sternum, wild with adrenaline. Fear.

“Oh my God.”

That had been the end. The ceasing of life. But the question was, whose? Which side had Kalen chosen in that final act, that last devastating second? Eternal darkness or light?

One thing was for certain—unless Nick made a phone call right this minute, neither he nor the rest of the Pack would ever know that answer.

And he knew then that, for the first time in many years, he was going to break his vow never to interfere with destiny.

He picked up the phone. Hit speed dial. Within seconds, his friend answered. And he uttered the words he’d never thought he would say, not to this man.

“Jarrod, I need you here.”

Instantly, the general barked, “When?”

“Yesterday.”

“How many teams?”

He let out a sigh of relief, though he was careful not to allow Jarrod to hear. God bless the man. “Several. Don’t mobilize them yet, just have them ready.”

“You’re about to fuck up my life, aren’t you, boy?”

He didn’t object to his friend’s use of the term “boy” even though he was much, much older than the general’s human years. It was meant in affection, and was nearly his undoing. “Yes, sir. I’m afraid so.”

Grant gave a quiet laugh. “Well, a cushy retirement was sounding awfully boring anyhow. Give me a couple of days to square things here. Then I’ll be there. See you soon.”

“Jarrod, . . . thank you.”

“No need for that. Just don’t tell my baby girl I’m coming. I want it to be a surprise.”

Oh, it will be. For both of you.“Sure.”

Nick hung up the phone and didn’t move again for a very long while.

* * *

Kalen wasn’t surprised to be met by both Mackenzie and Melina when he walked into the infirmary. The women stopped in front of him side by side, their stance more than a wee bit militant.

“I swear I’m not going to say or do anything to upset him,” he said, holding up a hand before either of them could speak. “I just want to apologize.”

“He’s agreed to see you. But to be frank, I shouldn’t even allow you near him,” Melina said in a steely tone.

Kalen winced. “I won’t hurt him. You have my word.”

Won’t you?

Shit! The shields had slipped without him realizing it, and he’d need to fully concentrate to shore them up again. Trouble was, his energy was shot from shielding all afternoon.

“You’ve got ten minutes. He’s better but still not at full speed, and I won’t have anything setting back his recovery. We’ll be nearby.”

“I’m sure you will.”

Melina turned and stalked off, but Mac stepped forward and gave his hand an encouraging squeeze. “It’ll be fine. He’s in the third room on the left. Go.”

“Thanks.” Giving his lady a quick kiss, he headed for Sariel’s room. Outside, he knocked.

“Come in.”

He wasn’t certain what to expect, but the sight of the Fae prince brought him up short just inside the doorway, guilt making another ugly appearance. The faery’s cheeks were gaunt, the angles in his face more pronounced than usual. There were smudges under his golden eyes that indicated lack of sleep and illness. His long blue hair, normally a shiny sapphire shade, was dull and lifeless. As were the wings that drooped on either side of him, feathers hanging to the floor.

As he met Kalen’s gaze, Kalen saw a weariness in those golden orbs that showed how extremely ancient a being he was, despite his youthful looks.

“Come and sit. I won’t turn you into a toad,” Sariel said in attempt at levity.

“I wouldn’t blame you if you did.” Moving to the prince’s bedside, he took a seat in a vinyl chair. “I’m sure you hate the sight of me right now.”

The prince cocked his head. “No, I can’t say I do. What happened wasn’t your fault.”

“How can you say that? I let Beryl out and she nearly killed you!” He shook his head, trying to comprehend how the Fae could harbor no ill will toward him.

Sariel sighed, his tone resigned. “Kalen, the witch nearly killed me at my father’s urging, not yours. My death has been his goal for the past few years, and these most recent months have nearly seen him succeed more than once. He won’t cease until one of us is dead, and that blame cannot be laid at your feet.”

Kalen felt anything but blameless in the whole deal. God, what must it be like to have your own father actively out to kill you? Kalen’s dad had been a mean, abusive old motherfucker and he’d enjoyed hurting his son, but he’d never actually tried to murder him.

Yes, I want my spawn dead. I’ll spread him on an altar in chains and use my own talons to slice off his wings. Then his balls and cock as he screams in agony, begging for mercy. And then I’ll rip his heart from his chest and feast on it.

Kalen stared at the prince, shaken.

“Kalen? What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” Gathering himself, he strengthened his shields. “Why does he want you dead?”

“I’m his only son, the product of his rape of my mother, the Seelie queen. My brothers are her legitimate offspring with the Seelie king who reluctantly raised me as his own. As Malik’s progeny, I am the only being with the power to destroy him.” He studied Kalen thoughtfully. “Or so I believed until recently.”

Kalen ignored the prince’s insinuation for the moment. “So why’d he wait until the last few years to go after you? You’re something like eleven thousand years old, according to what I overheard.”

“Yes, give or take.” His smile was sad. “Though thousands of years are a mere blink in time to the Fae in general, some days it seems an eternity. Anyway, in most cases it takes millennia for us to reach our full potential. And when we reach our maturity, we get our wings as well.”

Kalen’s eyes widened. “Holy shit. That means . . .”

“Precisely.” The prince sounded smug. “When you attain your full power, you’ll get your wings, young Fae.”

“Wha—how did you know?” he stammered.

“I’ve known you were Fae since the second you entered the compound.”

“Then why the hell didn’t you tell me?” he snapped in irritation. “Instead I had to hear it from Malik. And he claimed he didn’t have a clue as to why I don’t have wings.”

Sariel made a face. “As humans say, my sire lies like a fucking rug. Don’t believe anythingthat passes his foul lips, Sorcerer. I mean that.”

“Okay. So how come you didn’t mention my heritage to me?”

“To be honest, I wasn’t certain that you didn’talready know, and I didn’t want to broach the subject until we were better acquainted.”

“Fair enough. I guess Hey, did you know you’re gonna sprout wings in a few thousand years?isn’t exactly a great icebreaker,” he muttered.

The prince smiled. “Oh, I doubt it will take that long.”

He eyed the prince. “What makes you think so?”

“Your powers are quite remarkable, so I have a suspicion that your wings will emerge much sooner than mine did.” The prince sobered, beginning to look tired. “That’s also the reason my father has taken such an interest in controlling you.”

“Yeah, but if I’m so damned superior, how canhe control me?” Kalen asked in frustration. “Because he’s getting pretty fucking good at doing it and I don’t have an inkling of how to stop him.”

“He couldn’t manipulate you unless you already possessed a thread of darkness that he can seize and mold into something terrible and useful for him. You know this.”

“Jesus.” He sighed. “You’re right. But why don’t youhave some darkness he can pounce on? You’re his son. Not that I’d wish that on you, because I don’t. I’m just asking.”

“I was fortunate that I was blessed with my mother’s strong royal Seelie characteristics. That didn’t save me from being cast out of my realm when he decided to target me, but at least he has no hold over my mind. For what it is worth, I’m truly sorry he does with you.” The prince yawned, blinking slowly.

“Thanks.” He could tell the guy meant it. They studied each other for several long moments, and as they did, Kalen couldn’t help but feel a budding sense of kinship.

Was it simply because he’d finally found someone like himself? Here was a decent guy who’d been thrown out of his home, left to fend for himself in a cruel world, just like Kalen. They had a common enemy. They were both Fae. And as incredible as it seemed, he’d one day earn wings just like the prince. Maybe he’d live eleven thousand years, too.

He just hoped he wouldn’t have to live even one of those years away from Mackenzie, especially not under Malik’s rule.

“How do I defeat him, Your Highness?”

Sariel’s head nodded as he attempted to stay awake. “With your light and your love,” he murmured cryptically. Then his lashes fluttered closed and his breathing became deep. Even.

Light and love? What the hell was that supposed to mean?

“Sounds like something a faery would say,” he grouched as he stepped from the room.

Oh, wait—I’m a faery, too. Just not the light and love type.

That might explain why he was doomed.

He learned from Noah that Mackenzie was busy in her office on a personal phone call, so he strode toward the rec room. It wasn’t until after he left that he remembered they hadn’t been able to enjoy that shower together like they’d wanted. It would have to wait until tonight. In the meantime, they would have to finish their day drenched in each other’s scent. Every creature in the building would know who the gorgeous doc belonged to.

And that suited him just fine.