Every day seemed like forever as Fang trained to fight demons in human form and cursed the Daimons who continued to live. At least Aimee was able to bring him up to speed on what was happening out in the real world, but he was tired of being trapped here. He was tired of demon stench.
Most of all, he was tired of being alone. Aimee was the sole contact he had for the world he'd left behind. That was the hardest part of it. Why wouldn't Vane talk to him? Was Fury that much better a brother to him that Vane didn't even remember him anymore?
It was a stupid thought. He knew that and yet it persisted. Probably because he felt betrayed and abandoned by his brother. How could Vane simply dismiss him as a dream and not listen?
How could he not help him when he needed him most?
"Hey, wolf . . . here's something I think you need to see."
Fang paused as Thorn came into the room where he'd been training. He took the staff from Fang's hand as images began to flicker on the walls around them.
Uncertain over what to expect, Fang watched as the images became clear and he saw Aimee Peltier in a club that was under construction. There were ladders and paint buckets everywhere, as well as saws and equipment. But the peculiar part was the fact she was surrounded by Charonte demons while her younger brother, Kyle, was standing with her.
A tall, dark-haired Charonte with mottled blue skin shook his head as sound came in. "There's not a one of us dumb enough to do that."
Aimee flashed him a sweet smile. "C'mon, Xedrix . . . surely one of you is homesick?"
He snorted. "Have you ever actually met the Destroyer?" His tone was acerbic and cold. "You know, there was a time, granted it was before recorded history, but there was a time when she was like a second mother to me. Then the humans had to slaughter her only son and since the day he was resurrected and she was sent back into her hole, she's been just a little cranky and I had to suffer with perpetual PMS from her for eleven thousand years. No offense, but there's not enough beer, meat, or beignets in the world to make me go back there."
The demons around him sent up a cheer of agreement.
Aimee sighed. "I have to get into Kalosis."
Xedrix gave her an unsympathetic sneer. "Go eat a Daimon."
Kyle laughed. "That won't get her in since they tend to turn into dust when they die and torture doesn't work either. We tried that last night. Little boogers are highly uncooperative."
"And so are we." Xedrix reached for a hammer so that he could return to work.
Aimee turned a pouty look to Kyle that made Fang want to hold her.
Kyle winced, then put himself in front of the demon to cut off his path. "Xed, c'mon. I've done a lot for you guys. Can't you help a brother out? One demon to get us in and out of there. No one has to know."
Xedrix tossed the hammer back into its toolbox. He looked at Aimee. "Why is this so important to you?"
"Fang saved my life. I want to return the favor."
Xedrix scoffed. "Bullshit. People and especially Were-Hunters aren't that altruistic. Trust me. I've been around them since the dawn of time. You little bastards are self-serving to the end. Give me a reason to be suicidal."
Aimee cast a sheepish glance to Kyle before she answered. "He's important to me."
"And my body parts are extremely important to me."
Thorn turned to look at Fang while the images flickered around him. "Your little bear thinks an awful lot of you, doesn't she?"
Fang didn't answer. He was too floored by what she was trying to do on his behalf.
"Please, Xedrix," Aimee begged. "I've lost enough people I cared about in my life. I don't want to lose another. Fang is a good wolf and I can't leave him like he is. We only have one more Daimon to kill to free him. For once I can save someone I care about. I can't live with myself knowing that I failed this close to my goal."
A female demon stepped forward and gave Xedrix a chiding stare. "Look at the poor bear. She loves him . . . how could you say no to that?" The demon shook her head, then looked at Aimee. "I'll take you."
Xedrix held his hand up. "No, you won't. I won't risk any of you. You have your freedom, you might as well enjoy it. Apollymi will take mercy on me for the desertion-which only means she'll kill me quickly as opposed to torturing me first." He sighed heavily. "I'll take them in."
The demons let out noises of protest.
"You're our leader," another of the men snapped.
"Yeah, head asshole, that's me." Xedrix pulled the towel from his shoulder and handed it to the male who'd spoken. "Enjoy the bar, guys. Remember what Kyle said. Only eat the tourists. No one will miss them." He transformed into his true demon form, complete with black horns and wings. His clothes disintegrated into a loincloth.
He met Aimee's gaze and his eyes glowed a sinister yellow. "Follow me."
Aimee pulled him to a stop. "Thank you, Xedrix. I really appreciate this."
"Really wish I could say the same. Damn bears, getting demons killed. What did we ever do to you?"
Kyle let out a nervous half-laugh. "Well, you did try to eat me."
Xedrix scoffed. "Man up, Kyle. We only took one small bite."
"And it got infected. That bite hurt for a month."
Aimee laughed. "Be grateful it didn't turn into rabies or something worse."
Xedrix arched a brow at her comment. "You know, bear, I'd wait on the insults until after I get you inside and return you. It's not too late yet for my common sense to prevail."
Aimee waved his comments away. "Common sense is seriously overrated. You're a demon. I thought your motto was 'spoils to the victor.'"
"No, our motto is 'everything tastes better with hot sauce.'"
"Then it's a good thing you guys escaped into Cajun country where we have hot sauce on every corner."
Xedrix flashed her a fanged grin. "Believe me, the beauty of that has not escaped our notice." His features sobering, he took them to the alley behind the club and raised his arm. "I really hope Apollymi's sleeping right now. . . ." He cut them a menacing stare. "Shield your eyes."
They did and an instant later a brilliant white light flooded the alley.
Aimee grimaced in pain. Even with her eyes shielded, it was excruciating and blinding. Finally, the light faded. She lowered her hand to see a circle of black hovering in the alley.
Xedrix smirked. "Welcome to bolt-hole hell. The only good thing is that we won't pop into the Daimon central hall at Stryker's feet. We Charonte have a separate entrance." He gave them a hard stare. "Listen to me and do what I tell you or it will seriously suck to be you. We're entering the Charonte domain and they are usually hungry."
Aimee nodded. "We're right behind you."
"Joy of my life," he said, his tone dripping in sarcasm.
Xedrix entered first, slowly. He led them into a dismal black hallway. Raising his arm, he manifested a torch as he continued past doors where they could hear the sound of demons talking. "What does this Daimon look like?"
Kyle answered before she had a chance to speak. "He's tall and blond."
Xedrix gave him a peeved glare. "Well, that narrows it down to every Daimon here except Stryker. What would that be? Several thousand of them? Could you be a bit more specific and if you tell me he was dressed in black, I'll kill you myself and spare me the agony of dying."
Aimee shook her head. "You're a crabby little demon."
"You should meet my master. She's a true gem." Then without warning, he put his hand on her head and closed his eyes.
Aimee scowled as images poured through her mind like he was scanning her memories by using a fast-forward button. It made her queasy and dizzy.
After a moment, he pulled back. "Cadmon . . . I know where that coward is."
Kyle looked impressed. "So you can like suck out thoughts?"
Xedrix grimaced. "I prefer to suck out guts, but thoughts have their advantages from time to time. Now I suggest you adhere to silence. I'm only one demon among many here and while I . . . well, I really don't care if you live or die but you do, and since we need Kyle to finish off the club . . . yeah, you have to live, so follow in silence."
Aimee stayed right behind him through the winding hallways and then alleyways of Kalosis. She paused at the sight of the huge palace on the far hill. It glistened like polished jet against the dark background and sky. Sinister and awe-inspiring, she had to admire the beauty of it. "Let me guess," she whispered. "Apollymi's abode?"
Xedrix nodded. Putting his finger to his lips, he jerked his chin toward a small building across the street from them.
"I can't be seen here by anyone," he whispered, "or Apollymi will demand my return and death. You two will have to go in and find him."
"How do you know he's in there?"
He put his hand on her and she saw a perfect image of Cadmon asleep in bed with a woman.
"Thanks."
He inclined his head to her. "Good luck."
Aimee hesitated. "Kyle, I want you to stay here with Xedrix."
"But-"
"No buts. You're still new to your powers and this is serious. Stay here and don't get seen."
He nodded.
Aimee slipped through the shadows, making sure to avoid anything that might expose her. Her nerves were completely raw and she did her best not to be afraid. She knew she was powerful and strong, but she'd never had to fight alone before. While she was confident, she wasn't arrogant. This was a dangerous place and she had no idea of the extent of Cadmon's powers.
Keep your thoughts on Fang. . . .
That helped. She cracked open the door, grateful it wasn't locked, and slipped inside the small house. It was so quiet that her mind filled the silence with the thrumming of her heart.
You're about to slaughter a sleeping man.
She hesitated at the thought. All the other Daimons had attacked her, but this one . . .
He was sleeping at home.
Aimee hesitated as that thought washed over her. How could she possibly do this?
He's killed hundreds of people to live. He's not innocent by any means.
He'd attacked Fang when Fang had been tied down and helpless. Powerless. But all of that paled in the face of her conscience. This was murder. Not self-defense. Not justice.
Murder.
She gripped the stake in her hand. It's too late to chicken out now. Go and finish it.
How could she?
Stepping back, she bumped into a chair that made the slightest whispered scrape on the floor. Her heart sank.
Still there was no sound.
Thank the gods she hadn't awakened anyone.
Aimee turned only to find the Daimon there behind her. His eyes were dark and greedy as he raked a delighted glance over her body.
"Well, well, what a tasty little morsel you are. While I didn't order delivery, far be it from me to turn down such a thoughtful gift."
Aimee kneed him hard in the groin. As he doubled over, she went to stab him in the back, but out of nowhere a female Daimon grabbed her and slammed her against the wall.
Dazed, she turned to fight only to have three more Daimons pop in. "What was this? An orgy?"
They attacked.
Aimee ducked the first one, and headed for the most important. Cadmon. The one who held Fang's soul. He was the main one she had to kill. The others were simply target practice.
The female kicked her hard to the ground. Aimee flipped the Daimon over her body, then rolled to her feet. One of the men jerked her around. She slugged him hard across the face, her hand throbbing in protest.
Turning, she honed in on her target and slammed her fist into his chest.
It worked. The stake went in and he burst into golden dust.
But no sooner had he gone down than the others swarmed her. Aimee screamed as the female sank her fangs into her arm. . . .
Fang staggered back as he felt the last piece of himself come home to his body. For the first time in months, he took a true deep breath.
Thorn smiled wickedly. "Welcome back, wolf."
But he wasn't back yet and neither was Aimee. He was still trapped in this nether hell. "Can I go to her?"
Thorn grimaced. "That's a little tricky. It breaks quite a few treaties to send you into a realm we don't technically control."
Fang panicked as he watched the scene on the wall. Aimee was losing.
Badly.
"They're going to kill her, Thorn." Then Fang did the one thing he'd never done in his entire life. He begged. "Please."
Thorn held a hand out toward the wall where the images were displayed. "The doorway's open. Better run for it."
Fang didn't hesitate. He ran at the images, half-expecting to crash into the wall and break his limbs or his neck.
He didn't.
Instead he found himself in the room with Aimee and the Daimons. He grabbed the one who had her fangs still buried in Aimee's flesh and pulled her head back. Manifesting a dagger, he stabbed her straight in the chest and let her dust fall all over him.
Aimee moved to kill the newcomer until her gaze focused on his face. Disbelief filled her.
"Fang?"
He manifested another dagger and put himself between her and the Daimons. He stabbed one and kicked another back. "Get out of here. Now."
"Not without you."
Fang couldn't believe her as she took a post behind him, her shoulders pressed against his. "Aimee, listen to me. We're in ground zero for the Daimons-there's no way we can fight them all off. I need you to get out of here and wake me up. Then we'll both be safe. Now go."
Aimee hated that thought. But he was right. They couldn't fight every Spathi Daimon here and if the Destroyer caught them . . .
As Xedrix said, it would suck to be them.
"Don't you dare die on me, Fang." She ran for the door and headed to where she'd left Kyle and Xedrix. "Get me home now."
Xedrix teleported them out immediately.
Aimee scowled as she realized she was back in his club and not theirs. "I meant Sanctuary, Xed. Damn!" Growling, she flashed herself back to Fang's room.
There he lay, still and unmoving.
Her heart pounded in terror and guilt for having left him alone to face the Spathi. Was he still alive? "Please don't let those Daimons have gotten to you again." She didn't know if she could hunt them down anymore.
Terrified, she ran to the bed and shook his body to wake him. "Fang?"
He didn't respond. Just as before, he was limp and cold.
Tears filled her eyes as emotions choked her. "Damn it, wolf! Don't you dare do this to me. You better get up. Now! Do you hear me? Fang? Fang!"
Then she felt it. It was like spark of electricity jolting him as he jerked hard in her arms. One moment she held a wolf and in the next, he was a naked man looking up at her with confused wonder.
One tear slid down her cheek at the sight of him alive and whole.
"Fang?"
Fang looked around the dark bedroom in disbelief that he was really back and that this wasn't another dream that would turn into a nightmare. The scent of Aimee anchored him and held him grounded. He cupped her head in his hand and held on for everything he was worth.
"I'm back. . . ."
She squeezed him and laughed. "I was terrified they'd gotten you again."
His laughter joined hers as he pulled back to show her the bleeding welt on his arm. "They tried." Then he looked her over. "You weren't hurt, were you?"
"Not really. Just the one bite, but it's not too deep. I just can't believe that you're here again." She braced her hands on each side of his face and smiled down at him. "Buddy, you need a shave and a haircut."
Fang laughed. "Yeah, I can imagine."
Her eyes danced with mischief and tears. "You know what this means, don't you?"
"I need a bath more than I need a shave?"
Her smile widened as she teased him. "Well, yeah, that too. But no. You're obligated to me. Big-time."
"Your eternal slave. Always." He leaned his forehead against hers. "Thank you, Aimee." Those words were so paltry compared to the real gratitude he felt.
She'd saved him from an unimaginable hell. Without her, he would have never escaped. . . .
"You're very welcome."
He kissed her on the forehead before he lay back down on the bed and pulled a corner of the duvet over his lap. "I feel like I've been hit by a truck."
"Well, we've been trying to move your limbs while you were a wolf, but sometimes you were so stiff we couldn't."
Fang tried not to think about that. It was probably when he was being attacked by Misery and her crew. But all of that was behind him. He was back where he belonged.
Aimee brushed his hair back from his face. "Are you hungry?"
"Famished."
"I'll grab you something to eat and be right back."
He took her hand as she started away. The warmth of her skin caught him off guard. In the other realm, she'd felt differently. Now he felt the true heat and softness of her body. "Stay with me a little longer."
He'd been alone for so long that he didn't want to be that way right now. He was afraid that if he was, somehow they'd suck him back into that hell realm.
Aimee heard the need in his voice. "I'll summon Dev to bring you something." She helped him tuck himself under the covers while she used her powers to ask Dev to bring food and water.
Fang lay on his side, quiet and still. He had one arm tucked under his head while his eyes danced around the room as if looking at all the shadows to come alive and attack him.
And still he managed to look delectable to her. Even with his shaggy hair and unkempt beard. Even though his body was much thinner, he still sent a jolt of desire through her.
"What are you thinking?"
Those dark eyes met hers and held her spellbound. They also stole her breath. "How grateful I am that you didn't give up on me."
She took his hand into hers and squeezed it gently. "Wolves aren't the only ones who are loyal, you know? We bears have a pretty good reputation in that department too."
Dev knocked lightly before he pushed the door open. His jaw dropped as he saw Fang awake. "Holy shit. The wolf lives."
Aimee got up to pull the tray from his hand and set it on the dresser. "Why did you think I asked for broth?"
"Thought you'd had a head injury or something."
She rolled her eyes.
Dev shut the door and came forward to stand next to Fang's bed. "So when did you get the last one?"
"A few minutes ago."
His look hardened. "Alone?"
"No. Kyle was with me."
That didn't help his glare in the least. In fact, it intensified. "Damn it, Aimee. You risked the cub?"
"He's not just a cub."
"You're right. He's the passenger who fell off the short bus. Damn, Aimee, of all the people to take with you into a fight-"
"Dev!" she snapped, her own anger igniting. She was in no mood for his lecture.
He shook his head. "You know the kid. He doesn't exactly think most of the time. The bricklayer left half his stash at the factory."
Irritated, she pointed at the door. "Get out."
When he refused to do as she said, she pushed him through the door, then slammed it in his face.
"That was really rude, sis," he yelled from the hallway. "You actually hurt my tender little feelings." His voice sounded like a kid's.
"You have no feelings, Devereaux. That bus passed you by a long time ago."
"Oh, yeah. I forgot. Fine. Be that way. I have more important things to do anyway. I have a hangnail that needs my attention."
Aimee rolled her eyes again as she took the broth from the tray to Fang who had been remarkably quiet through their exchange.
"Is he always like that?"
She wished she could say otherwise, but she couldn't. "Basically yes."
Fang took the bowl from her and sipped it like a cup. "It's a wonder you haven't killed him."
"Isn't it, though?"
He paused as if he realized what he was doing. He gave her a sheepish look. "I'm supposed to use something to eat this, aren't I?"
That question touched her deeply. That he would be concerned about offending her after all he'd been through. It was unexpected and it warmed her. "Don't worry about it. I know you're starving."
Fang nodded. She was right about that. His stomach ached so badly that it was all he could do not to attack. He downed the soup quickly and then swapped her the bowl for the glass of water. "You know, I could really use a steak right about now."
"Your body isn't used to real food. Carson's been keeping you on IVs and we've hand-fed you liquids all this time. I don't want to make you sick by putting something solid in you until I talk to him."
Fang looked down and realized just how thin he was. "Damn. I'm half my size."
"Not quite, but it will take time to heal."
Still, he shuddered. He didn't like looking like this. Most of all, he didn't like this weak feeling. He was a fighter, not an invalid. "I need a bath."
"Can you stand?"
That question seriously offended him. "I'm not helpless."
"Oh, look!" Aimee exclaimed in an exaggerated falsetto. "Mr. Macho is back in all his glory. Hello, Mr. Macho, it's so not good to see you again. But you know, Mr. Macho, that you've been bedridden to the point that your legs aren't used to carrying your weight and you're not really human. So if you want to get up and fall, gods forbid I do anything to stop it. After all, I live for America's Funniest Home Videos. Should I fetch a camcorder now?"
He wanted to be angry at her. At the very least offended, and yet he found her strangely entertaining. "Shut up and help me get to a bathroom."
"Okay, but you might want to put some clothes on before Maman, Papa, or Dev has a stroke. On second thought, we want Dev to have one, but my luck it'll only be Maman or Papa who sees us and that wouldn't go well for either of us."
Smiling at her humor, he dressed himself in a pair of jeans and a shirt. And as he tried to stand he realized just how right she was. His limbs were like walking on damp noodles. But with her help, he was able to get to the bathroom and into the tub. He dissolved his clothes as Aimee turned on the water and adjusted the temperature.
"Should I ask about how at ease you are with me naked?"
She pulled a towel down and set it next to the tub. "I have many brothers."
"That you've seen naked?"
She dropped her hand into the water to test the temperature. "Bear naked many a day and more times than I've ever cared for. Plus I help Carson out in the clinic." She folded her arms on the edge of the tall, claw-foot tub and rested her chin on her hands. It was an adorable pose and made him wish he had the strength to pull her into the tub with him and ease the ache in his groin.
"If it eases your ego, you are a very attractive wolf." She handed him a washcloth and bar of soap, then placed a razor, shaving cream, and mirror on the floor within his reach. "However, I do need to leave before Maman or Papa happen to catch me alone with you. Neither of them would be happy and I went through too much to save your life to have them end it now."
Fang really didn't want to be alone again. He'd spent so much time that way these last few months, but he knew she was right. The last thing he wanted to do was get her into trouble.
"If you need me, call."
He nodded as she walked out the door like a normal person. But she wasn't normal and neither was he. They were two animals who had no business interacting with each other.
Sighing, he lathered the cloth and set about cleaning himself up so that he didn't offend his own olfactory glands. Gah, how had Aimee stood being near him? He was disgusted by his own scent.
The shaving was a little harder than the bathing. He'd never quite gotten the hang of it on his best day.
Hissing, he flinched as he cut his chin.
Aimee was there immediately. "What happened?"
Surprised, he frowned. Had she been listening in on him? "I cut myself."
She grimaced at the sight of the pooling blood. She grabbed a piece of tissue and covered it. "Goodness, wolf. Can't I leave you alone for three seconds?"
"I never could do this sh-stuff right."
She took the razor from him and carefully raked it over his cheek. "It's not that hard."
He waited until she pulled the razor away to rinse it before he spoke. "And again, I ask you how it is you're so good at shaving men."
She laughed. "I'm a bear and I have a lot more area to shave than just the face."
He arched a brow at that, then tilted his head to look at her legs as if trying to imagine what they looked like underneath her jeans. "Yeah, you do."
Aimee took his chin in her hand and forced him to lean his head back so that she could shave his neck. Her gaze slid down his ripped muscles to where his erection was plainly visible in the water. Heat covered her cheeks. While she might be comfortable with his nudity, that was another matter entirely. And it was something she'd never seen before.
Since she'd never felt the quickening, she'd never mated with a male. Not that she was naive or uneducated about what males and females did. She knew all the nuances of sex as her brothers felt more than free to share the most embarrassing facts of their premarital exploits, but . . .
She'd never experienced it herself.
And until Fang she'd never really been all that curious about what she'd been missing. But now she couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to taste Fang. What he would feel like inside her. Even though he was fierce, she knew he'd be gentle. Loving.
Forcing her attention back to his neck, she admired the perfect curves that made up his jawline. He really was a gorgeous man. Even emaciated and worn.
Focus, Aimee.
The problem was, she was focused. Just not on what she needed to be focused on.
Fang licked his lips as she finished shaving him. He tried to keep his hands over the stiff part of himself and he hoped to the gods that she wasn't able to see it. But it was hard and he was in excruciating pain over it.
Pulling away, she put the razor up on the sink. "I know you're not helpless, but do you need me to help dry you off?"
The mere offer of it made his cock jerk in expectation. "Um, no, I think I can do it."
"You sure?"
He felt himself harden even more. "Pretty much. Yes."
"All right. Can you use your powers to take you back to bed while I clean up in here real quick?"
And keep her from seeing just how bad he wanted a taste of her? "Absolutely."
She frowned at the word that had come out as a strange squeak. "Are you okay?"
Fang cursed silently at himself. "Fine." Or at least as fine as a man dying of unsated testosterone poisoning could be.
She gave him a suspicious scowl. "You don't seem fine. You seem a bit agitated."
"Absolutely great." He flashed himself out of there so fast that he forgot to dry off.
He cursed as he realized what a mess he'd made of his bed. Growling at himself, he used his powers to set everything to rights before he conjured a pair of flannel pajama bottoms for himself. But they did nothing to hide his erection that now formed a solid tent at his crotch.
Put her out of your mind.
Yeah, right. Her touch was as branded on his senses as her scent and there was no relief in sight.
Kill me. . . .
He sighed and forced himself to turn over. But the moment he did, he felt a powerful shift in the air. One that could only herald the arrival of an extremely powerful entity.
Ready to battle, he crouched in the bed to find Thorn standing just inside the door.
"What are you doing here?"
Thorn gave him a piercing glare. "It's time for you to earn your keep, wolf. You ready?"
