Ecstasy Claimed (The Guardians Of The Realms Series) Page 17

  A moment later, both were in their bedroom dressing. He frowned at her. “You don’t need to go.”

  She could tell he was worried about how she would react after meeting the rest of the group, including Alex. She was concerned about that as well, but if something had happened in Lofodes, she wanted to be there to make sure everyone she cared about was okay. “I need to go check on Rain’s family if there was a breach.”

  “Shit,” he said, then rubbed his cheek as he stared at her. He had jeans on, but he’d yet to add a shirt, and the sight of his gorgeous muscles distracted her. “Alex is furious with me.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Alex and Uri were with me outside Rain’s room. They wanted to meet you.”

  Wasn’t that just wonderful news. “Why didn’t you tell me that before?” She narrowed her eyes at him. She felt raw again.

  “I was too concerned about you to think about that.” His answer settled her.

  “What made her furious?” Alyssa wasn’t sure she understood. According to him all Immortals saw what they had done as completely okay, right?

  “She’s lived among humans for centuries, so I think she understood immediately what you might be feeling. She told me to make sure you knew that she had no idea I had a mate. Then she threatened to kick my ass, but said she’d leave that to you.” He said the last in a dry tone. At least another female other than Rain felt her pain had been valid. That knowledge wasn’t making the situation any less crappy. She refused to hide from it. She needed to check on Rain’s family, and she would hold her head up high, no more hiding in her sewing room when she felt hurt.

  They quickly donned the rest of their clothes, and Gregoire added a blade at his side.

  They ported to the Compound, and she took a bracing breath to clear the arousal and get her mind together before heading into the meeting.

  They walked through the media room she’d been in before, down a hall and into a big room with all kinds of electronics and a huge table. The seats were mostly full when they arrived.

  Brianne came in behind them, and she was glad for that because the redhead greeted her warmly with a smile and a wink. “Hello, Alyssa.”

  Gregoire had her tucked tight to his side as a few more people trickled in. Drake was already talking, so she wasn’t forced to meet the others.

  “All five cities have small breaches set in their shielding. According to the warriors in each city, each breach was made by Mageia females that left notes saying they were defecting to Cyril’s side. All notes stated that he was providing them with mates and Immortality.” Rounds of ‘fuck’ went through the room.

  “All the cities need help getting the shields back running. We need to see if it’s the same fucking spell the asshole used in the hell beast breach. I will send you all my mental notes, but I’m guessing it’s the same one that we haven’t been fucking able to find a way to counteract.” Smoke was billowing from the leader’s lips. Alyssa remembered Rain telling her that happened, but it was interesting to see. She looked around the table and noticed several curious, but mostly welcoming glances.

  I’d like Lofodes, she heard Gregoire informing Drake. She was apparently now on the same channel as the Guardians.

  That’s fine. Drake’s mental voice sounded in her head in response to Gregoire’s request. She spotted Alex and Uri. Both were looking at Drake as he finished discussing the detail and assigning Guardians to cities. They made a beautiful pair, and she felt a pang of insecurity. Alex was gorgeous, with her nearly black hair and flawless features.

  They all got up a second later and started exiting, so again she was spared meeting the others. Most nodded as they moved out, including Alex and Uri. Alex glared at Gregoire before nodding to her. It was awkward as hell, but at least it was over. Dorian came up beside them. He was assigned to Lofodes with Gregoire. He was about as tall as Gregoire, but not as bulky. He was much bigger than the other Nereids she’d seen. His blond hair was spiked up, and he was beautiful to look at even with the furrowed brows.

  “Dorian, meet my mate, Alyssa.”

  Chapter 26

  Cyril’s Compound, Tetartos Realm

  Cyril walked down the hall to his lab. He was inwardly thrilled. He couldn’t wait to examine his new test subjects for the anomaly that would allow him to trial his latest formula. He’d been spending a good deal of time setting up his secret lab. It would work beautifully. He just needed to keep his excitement tightly leashed under his usual mask of scientific indifference.

  First he planned to see if any were at the right stage to inject with the drug for his other experiment. It was even more important than before. If all was successful, the entire Realm would fall at his feet.

  He couldn’t wait to enjoy the spoils of his latest genius. He had no doubt the Guardians were worried that there would be mass defections, with the letters the females would have left. Cyril smirked. He planned to keep any that sought him out in a separate facility his males were currently building at the other end of the Realm. He did not wish to have true defectors near him, even after their blood memories were assessed. Kane and Angus were making those particular arrangements under the eyes of the spies he had watching the two top-ranking warriors. It really was planned out well. They were kept busy and away from his labs.

  He saw Reve in the hall, and the male refused to look at him as he passed. The Kairos punishment had been distasteful for them both, but necessary. It was obviously effective. All twelve of the women his males had targeted were in his lab awaiting their examinations, and so far there were no Guardians beating down his doors.

  His senses stayed on alert the entire time the Kairos’ steps echoed in the tunnel behind him. He refused to look back, but tracking the male was prudent.

  Excitement washed over him when he walked in to see six of his twelve females naked and laid out for him to examine. There was much to do, but he was closer than ever before.

  Chapter 27

  Lofodes, Tetartos Realm

  Gregoire was irritated as hell. He hated the fucked-up situation with his mate. He’d felt ripped apart going through the meeting with her. He needed to fix this. She was his mate, and she felt inadequate and hurt because of him.

  They came up to one of the Hippeus warriors, Curran, and another he wasn’t as familiar with. The blond male looked curiously at Alyssa when the three of them were next to him. Gregoire couldn’t help the growl that came from his lips. The male looked at him in surprise.

  “Where is the breach?” Gregoire’s voice was low and dangerous.

  “It’s up around the left of the main entrance. The others are there already. Did you need me to have someone escort Alyssa home?”

  “Why in the hell would my mate need an escort?” His voice neared a roar at the stupidity of the comment. He wanted to kick Adras’ ass for whatever he’d done to make the Hippeus see her as weak, because he saw just how right she was about that. Dorian stood beside him, tensed and ready to have his back. If they had more time, he would beat the shit out of the warrior. “Alyssa is more fit to escort you home safely.”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize. I meant no disrespect.” The blonde’s face turned a nice shade of crimson as Gregoire shook his head in disgust. He’s one of my father’s favorite warriors. Maybe wait until after you fix the breach and secure the city before you give him a beating. Her mirth-filled words in his mind soothed him. He looked down to see beautiful pale eyes shining back at him, and his muscles relaxed.

  “That would have been so much more fun if we could have beat on them a bit. Although, I think you might have made the smaller one pee himself a little,” Dorian said offhand.

  Alyssa laughed at the Nereid’s words as they moved around the city to where they saw more of Adras’ warriors. His brother grinned down at her, but cocked his brow at Gregoire.

  “That was just fucking weird-ass shit,” Dorian said.

  “They’ve always associated my size with weakness.”


  Dorian raised a brow at that. “No kidding? Is that a Hippeus thing?”

  Gregoire looked down at Alyssa. He’d tucked her hand in his as they walked, and he felt when the tension drained from her. It had been building since the meeting and was finally dissipating.

  “We’ll let Alyssa have them when were done. It’ll be fun,” Dorian continued. His brother’s agitation had settled, and he seemed amused now. He distrusted most of the Immortals and Mageia, and only relaxed with his brethren.

  Gregoire appreciated that he had made such an effort with Alyssa. He looked over and nodded at him. Dorian acknowledged it with a subtle nod of his own.

  Alyssa’s lips had tilted at Dorian’s comment.

  They finally came up to the others. Gregoire gave harsh looks to the other warriors, daring them to say one damned word to him. They looked at him with the same confused expression as the other two had. Damn it, they needed to fix the breach and get out of there before he beat the shit out of all of them for making her feel lacking. Adras came up, looking both fierce and concerned. Ava was right at his side, looking nervous.

  “Who left?” Alyssa asked her father, getting straight to the reason they were there.

  Adras relaxed a little. “We had just one. Her name is Delia. Are you okay, sweeting?”

  Gregoire wanted to beat the shit out of the bastard, but instead only tightened his hold Alyssa. She looked up at him and shook her head. No, it wasn’t the time.

  “I know her. Not well, but I can’t see her defecting. She worked at Rain’s shop here and there. She hadn’t even gone to her first Emfanisi yet. Why automatically take drastic action to find a mate?” Alyssa said, looking up at him.

  They needed to get to work. “How far are you on getting the breach sealed?” Gregoire asked.

  “Halfway. It’s the same as last time. I still have no idea how to counteract it so this doesn’t happen again.”

  Drake, Adras said the Lofodes breach looks the same as the last one.

  It’s the same here in Ouranos as well. Drake was not pleased. Get the breach sealed, and check any video. I can’t believe young females are defecting on their own.

  Gregoire felt the same.

  “I need to check on Rain’s family, unless I can help any here.”

  “Go. This shouldn’t take long,” he told her.

  “They can handle it. I’d like to go with you,” Ava said to her daughter.

  Gregoire felt bad for his mate’s mother, remembering how upset she’d been when Alyssa left.

  He lifted her into his arms and kissed her gently. She ran her tongue across his lips, and he groaned. He wanted to take her offer of more, but her father was already cursing. Soon, Angel. Her cheeks had turned a nice rosy color by the time he set her down.

  Gregoire headed to the breached shield after Alyssa and her mother left. He wanted to have a discussion with Adras, but it was not the time or place. He fisted his hands as they silently moved to the breached shield. He knew Adras felt just as frustrated that they were not alone.

  Dorian had already worked his way into the mix. The warriors were giving the male plenty of space. His brother gave off a vibe that said not to fuck with him.

  Chapter 28

  Guardian Compound, Tetartos Realm

  Erik headed down the hall back to his suite with Vane at his side. Everything was changing so quickly, but at least his family was together. He wanted to shake his head.

  He had a mate. His stomach clenched at all she’d been through and how he’d been fucking adding to it. She was strong, beautiful and fit him perfectly. She’d been through hell, yet still wanted to fight. He was proud, but concerned that she was so damned determined to wield his powers. He understood her need to be able to protect herself. His sister had been obsessed with protection after her experience all those centuries ago.

  Rage clawed at his stomach, but he managed to keep his beast leashed around her. She needed gentleness, and he made sure to do everything possible to make sure she felt safe. She thought she wanted to kill Cyril, but in all reality Erik would never allow her near the bastard. Cyril would die a bloody and painful death under Erik’s claws. His animal wanted to bathe in blood. He’d never be able to stomach Sam getting close enough to the male that caused her suffering.

  “Did Drake ask you to work with the Guardians?” Vane asked as they headed toward their rooms.

  Erik felt need burning under his skin. It had only been a couple of hours since he went to help Alex and her mate. He felt marginally better after spending some time with them. He’d wanted to give Sam some time without him pushing to be inside her; he still felt like a bastard for being so damn demanding. He rubbed the back of his neck. He was about to do it all again; there was no preventing it. He just hoped she’d gotten some rest. His cock ached for her.

  “Yes.”

  Getting away for a while had been a good plan. He’d never been to Tetartos, and if it was to be their new home, he wanted to get a lay of the land and its inhabitants, assess potential threats to his mate and siblings, which he’d done when helping reconstruct the shield in Limni. Much as he expected to dislike his sister’s mate, he hadn’t. The male obviously cared for Alex, and he was powerful enough to ensure her safety. He’d also provided Erik with a good deal of information on the Realm.

  “Good. You better have agreed to work for them. There is a never-ending amount of shit to do, and I, for one, would appreciate the fucking help.” Vane grinned at him.

  “Yes, I agreed.” He shook his head at his brother. He wasn’t thrilled with being in Tetartos, but at least they had purpose. The Guardians needed the help, and Vane and Alex were already a part of their fold. Watching out for his siblings was ingrained. Alex may be taken care of, but it didn’t stop him from wanting to be there if she needed him. Vane had never needed him, but it didn’t matter. He wasn’t sure how well he’d take orders, but Drake hadn’t questioned him on that.

  “You still screwing the Guardian?” He asked Vane the question that was the elephant in the room. He knew his brother and Brianne had been secreting away for more years than he could remember. He had always been aggravated at Vane’s recklessness, but his twin was fucking stubborn and wild. He wondered if they’d continue now that the danger element was lost.

  “Yeah. Let’s not go there.” His twin ran his fingers through his long hair. He could feel his brother’s agitation. He shook his head. He knew more about the situation than Vane probably wanted him to. Copious amounts of booze had loosened Vane’s tongue a few times over the decades.

  “Careful, man,” he told him. The races didn’t blend, so Brianne could never be his mate.

  “Not my style.”

  Erik’s lips tilted at his brother’s humor, and he slammed him into the wall, making his grin widen.

  Vane righted himself before asking, “Did Sirena tell you all that you needed to know about the mating ceremony?” His brother looked uncomfortable asking, and Erik understood why.

  “Yes. I’m going to talk to Sam as soon as I get to the room.” He rolled his neck. “We need to do it tomorrow evening. Sirena told me the details.” His jaw clenched almost to the breaking point at what the healer had said. They needed to have the ceremony that would complete her Immortality, and they were running out of time to finish what the bastards had started when they’d taken her. There was a lot for them to talk about, and he was dreading the fuck out of it. She’d admitted to loving him, and he’d felt like shit. It went against everything he was to be forced to use her body like he’d been doing. He shook off the thoughts. He knew he’d be inside her shortly after going into their suite. He wouldn’t be able to help himself, and she would sweetly take him.

  There was so much he needed to accomplish, but it looked like finishing the mating ceremonies was priority. After that, he planned on finding and killing Cyril, and then he needed to provide his mate with a home of her own, not an apartment in the Guardian compound.

  It was the mating that co
ncerned him; the rest was easy enough to accomplish.

  Sirena’s instructions had been clear. Sam wouldn’t be able to blood bond with him without adding Aletheia blood. He’d been forced to ask Urian for some of his. It grated having to ask for anyone’s help, but he couldn’t stomach the thought of her ingesting blood from someone he didn’t know. The whole thing turned his stomach, but he couldn’t imagine her staying mortal. Parting with her in a few short decades wasn’t an option. She was his, whether he deserved her or not.

  Blood bonding was going to be a nightmare for him, but Sirena had been clear that there was no way around it. Seeing her rape was going to haunt him for eternity. He clenched his teeth, hating that he hadn’t gotten to her sooner.

  “You good, man?” his brother said, snapping him out of his thoughts. Vane looked at him, understanding shining in his eyes. They’d made it to their suites. He was on one side of the hall, and his brother had been given the one across the way. Something was off. It was a weird dizzy sensation that made him worried. He shook his head at his brother and quickly opened his door.

  He instantly knew something was wrong. Fuck, he just hadn’t felt right for a while. He thought his body had been fucking with him for going too long without her. He’d wanted to check on her through their link, but hadn’t wanted to wake her if she was sleeping. His heart rate accelerated.

  He found her lying in their bed. Her tanned skin was flushed. He brought his hand to her forehead. She felt warmer than before. He didn’t have much healing ability, but he gave her a little boost of his energy.

  She opened her eyes and smiled. “I think I may have overdone it practicing with the powers I’m getting from you. I even teleported again.”

  He didn’t like the glassy look in her eyes at all.

  Vane, go get Sirena. Something is wrong with Sam.

  Chapter 29