Ghost Warrior

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Chapter One Lissa Elam moved through the halls of Castor’s old home. All was quiet and everyone was sleeping except for her. Yes, Suzanne was right, it would be a while before she ever felt normal again, but Lissa was slowly building herself back up. She knew her brother, Stephen, was worried about her. Hell, he hovered over her non-stop when he wasn’t busy, but something was off about him and she shied away from him for now. She pushed open the patio door and took a sip of her glass of wine; enjoying the fall air, her favorite time of year, and stepped out onto the deck. The night air was warm, the stars were out in full, as the crickets sang their songs filling the night. Fall had colored the leaves that blew off the trees reflected in the lights from the torches around the gardens. Lissa knew the men would be furious if they discovered she was out here alone, but right now she didn’t care. Plus, she could take care of herself. Lissa’s knife collection was well hidden and ready in case she needed it. Taking the last drink of her wine, Lissa laid the glass down on the glass patio table before she strolled down the path towards the courtyard. Earlier she had seen the massive gardens from the car. Lissa missed the plantings and trees at her human home where she and her mother used to work outside for hours, plucking weeds and planting new flowers. Every year, something different would come up, surprising everyone. The Kentucky blue grass path turned to the left. As she rounded the corner, a large oak tree sat to the left of the path. Lissa jumped when she noticed Nikola, a fae warrior, moving to block her path. “I’m sorry; I didn’t realize anyone was out here.” Under his gaze, Lissa’s body awakened. It was the first time since before her ordeal, surprising her. “Do you think it’s wise to be out here alone when so many enemies are close?” He moved like a warrior and a man who knew every detail around him, full off confidence, but also so alone. Once more he leaned against the tree, his arms crossed over his bare muscular chest.

Lissa studied him under her long black bangs while she slowly ran her gaze up his body. Anyone could get lost in his dark green eyes. His hair was the color of wheat lit by the sun and it brushed his shoulders. He had to stand at least seven feet tall, but then she was small at five feet four inches. She raised her gaze to his, his lips curled up and Lissa blushed. He had caught her staring. She moved back a step. “Umm sorry, but, no I’m not important like Suzanne, Jaycee, Cecil or Shelly. If you’ll excuse me…” Lissa waved to the path. “I think I’ll continue my walk.” She moved back onto the path and once more concentrated on her surroundings. Lissa listened to the whispers of the roses, mums, lilies and all sort of flowers which lined the path, hastas mixed into the mix. They calmed her as nothing else could. “You really don’t believe yourself important enough to have protection?” Nikola asked from behind her. She jumped and frowned at him. Lissa stopped, her full attention on him now. “It’s not a matter of importance, it’s more of a pattern, and I’m perfectly capable of protecting myself.” She grabbed the knife from the back of her shirt and picked at her nails. “You see after being hurt, you learn never to trust anyone, for even family can turn on you if you are not careful.” Nikola stood slowly working the kinks out of his shoulders, he was a giant to her. He cracked his neck and in a second he was in her personal space, his nose an inch from hers. His eyes blazed with fire, almost to the point she could have sworn she saw sparks in his green eyes. A slight warmth slid up her arms. “Is your brother hurting you? If so, just say the word, and he will be no more.” The threat to Stephen was a real one. For a minute Lissa just stared up at Nikola, then what he had said hit her. She threw her head back and laughed. “Nooo, Stephen would kill anyone that harmed me. He can be annoying, but that’s normal.” She put the knife back in its hiding place and cocked her head to the side. “I can see you’re bound and determined to follow me, so come on.” Lissa turned and entered the maze that led to the

gardens, hoping her words had been true about Stephen, but something in her subconscious did not sit well. “If not your brother, then who?” Nikola asked, not giving up. He grabbed her hand, entwined his fingers with hers, stopping her movement. A small spark of electricity ran up her arm, but Lissa ignored it. She slowly withdrew her hand from his. “I’m sorry, but I can’t do this now, Nikola. I came out here to think and maybe write.” Lissa showed him the pack at her hip. “You don’t need to worry about me, I’m fine.” She patted his chest and continued on her journey to the center of the garden. Lissa turned the corner and smiled. “I’m as fine as a woman can be after what I’ve gone through.” Lissa whispered gazing at the Lilac, pear, apple, and cherry trees which were in fully blossom. A small gurgling fountain, in the middle of a man made pond, was the center piece of the garden. Many large different colored carp rose to the surface as she moved closer, their big mouths skimmed the top of the water, looking for food. Lissa sat on the edge of the pond and ran her fingers over the top of the water. Nikola’s large frame appeared behind her image in the pond. “When I was growing up, my mother and I would work in the gardens every morning, making sure all the weeds were pulled and new flowers planted. Each year we would add something different, seeing if my dad would recognize the difference. The garden was always my favorite place to hold family gatherings and special occasions. Even in the winter my father would find me and my mom there, as we cut back all the dead plants to leave room for the new ones come spring.” She laughed and dug out her notebook. “But usually Mom and Dad would end up in a snowball fight. Of course, mom would lose and be covered in snow.” Lissa smiled, remembering the special times she’d had before everything had changed. Nikola sat down in front of her, and nodded at her notebook. “What do you write? Can I see?”

She shrugged and glanced down at the last entry she had written, “Only in My Dreams”. “They’re just my writings - sometimes poems, sometimes dreams, or just my thoughts. I used to have this beautiful handmade folder my mom made me, but it’s long gone.” She handed him the notebook and watched as he read her latest words. Lissa visualized the words in her head. Only In My Dreams Only in my dreams can I come to you free and not scared. Only in my dreams you stand there with your arms out waiting for me to run into them. Protecting me, teaching me, and guiding me through my next journey. Only in my dreams you stand tall, the warrior I know you to be, my master, teacher, and lover. Here in my dreams there are no monsters, there are no lies, there is no distance to keep us apart, and there are no fists pounding my flesh, or a man stealing what was meant only for you. Only in my dreams do you wait for me, night after night. Only destiny knows when I’ll be allowed to escape to you, I watch you when I’m allowed, seeing you teach others, laughing with them, wishing it was me, but know it cannot be. I must let you go, for I am tied to my present, for a little while longer at least. I know in my heart it’s wrong, to wish you would claim me as yours. At least in my dreams I can escape and you are there for me. For now I must deal with the nightmares, face the monsters alone and conquer them myself. You know my pain, your kind words bring tears to my eyes, but I hide them. I’m quiet, I watch

and yearn for your touch, but know it will only be in my dreams. Even though I don’t know who you are, I know you are out there and one day soon it won’t be only in my dreams, but in the flesh, skin to skin. Your collar on me, claiming me as yours, daring any other to touch me; ready to protect me and keep me safe, you are my master and I am your slave, the only one I trust with my body, soul and spirit. I am yours, now in my dreams, and in the flesh, thank you for finding me, and saving me. But for now I smile, wait for tonight, when my dreams bring me to your open arms. Lissa grinned as Nikola adjusted his pants and handed the notebook to her. His gaze heated as he looked down her body. “Your words are powerful and beautiful, but if you’ll excuse me, I forgot I have a meeting with our queen.” He stood and glanced to the woods. “Your brother comes now, so I’ll leave you.” One minute he was there and the next he was gone. Stephen stepped into the garden and marched right to her, his face a mask of anger. “Do you mind telling me what you think you’re doing? Didn’t you get enough abuse at the hands of that gang?” He yelled, insects stopped their chattering, and even the carp in the pond scattered, hiding. Lissa stood and thumped his chest. “Don’t you ever, and I mean ever, get into my face again. How dare you even say that to me, Stephen? You have no right. I will not live my life afraid of every shadow. I came out here to relax, because I knew sleep would not come. It’s not like we need it, plus I wanted to write and enjoy the garden alone. So turn your ass around and leave, please.” Her hands shook she was so pissed off at Stephen’s words. How dare he accuse her of wanting to be hurt again? It was one thing to trust a man you love, but totally different to be held hos-

tage, and raped over and over again, by strangers. They both stood there, neither one of them moved or said anything until she heard the soft footsteps of someone on the path. She turned to see a very pregnant Jaycee there by herself, staring at them both. Scanning the area, Lissa moved slowly to Jaycee. “Jaycee is anything wrong? Why are you out here by yourself?” Lissa took her arm and led her to the pond, where she sat down, holding her back, smiling. “I couldn’t sleep. With all the snoring going on, I thought I would lose my mind. Plus, I saw you coming out here and I rarely get a chance to enjoy the night without one of my mates hovering over me.” She patted her arm and frowned up at Stephen. “I know for a fact, if you had said what you have just said to me, and you were my brother, you would be swimming in this pond. Your sister did not choose to be attacked, and for you to even bring it up is downright nasty. If I was up to it, I’d kick your ass myself.” Jaycee sneered and glanced away from him, as if dismissing him. Stephen narrowed his gaze on Jaycee and Lissa stepped in front of him. “Go, I’ll make sure Jaycee gets back safely.” “I’ll be right over there. There is no way I’m leaving the two of you out here. Remi alone would castrate me. Hell, he still might for not waking him.” Her brother mumbled and moved towards the woods, but stayed in the circle that contained the garden. Lissa sighed sitting beside Jaycee. “I’m sorry you had to overhear that. Stephen is usually never so cruel, but lately, since I’ve been back, he’s different.” Lissa glanced at her brother and frowned as she watched Stephen talking to the air around him. Jaycee reached over and patted her hand, drawing her attention once more. She studied her as if she could see into her soul making her squirm. “You weren’t born a vampire, were you?” Jaycee asked as she unwrapped a sandwich she had tucked away in the little bag she carried with her. “No, it was my fifteen birthday when I found out I was dying. I had these real bad headaches. The doctors found a tumor the size of a walnut inside here.” Lissa knocked on her head and smiled.

“It turned out my mother was best friends with Stephen’s mom. Needless to say they couldn’t operate and the only way for me to survive was to come over. My mom asked Stephen’s mother and well, ever since that I’ve lived with his family on and off until my folks were killed in an automobile accident. It’s been over sixty years my parents are gone and Maria, Stephen’s mom, is the only one I have left from that past.” “You are very lucky to have had loving parents. It’s just too bad you had to deal with the bloods. I’m afraid, the violence is only going to get worse, before it gets better around here.” Jaycee leaned over and patted her arm. “I don’t know how, but you’re part of the circle we keep seeing. Those in this circle will be who defeat those who are trying to kill us. Marsha and I keep receiving the same message about you and some form of Ghost Warriors. I don’t know how you are connected to all of them, but you are these warriors’ heart. As I am to my mates, and the other women here are to their men. I believe our bonds with our mates will be an important aspect to defeating those that are tormented.” Jaycee sat back and glanced up at the night sky and flinched. “Damn, they’re awake.” She grinned and wiggled her eyebrows. “They have informed me they are going to spank my ass.” Jaycee leaned over, glancing both ways. “It’s about time, I‘ve been waiting for over a month, but they have been so worried about the children they have been less then attentive.” She stood and stretched, Jaycee turned towards the path and rubbed her round belly which was the size of a large basketball. “There will three or four of them Lissa. You’ll be their mate. I can’t see them, but they are close.” Remi, Dane and Mark jumped over the last hedge to enter the clearing in the garden, followed by Nikola and three other fae warriors, who all transported into the area with their large metal swords ready. “Grab your mate now, they know you are out here from all the noise.” Nikola ordered, and wrapped his arms around Lissa from behind, not giving her time to think or move.

Chapter Two Nikola glared down at the top of Lissa’s head and transported her back to her bedroom. “You will stay inside now.” He spoke while he listened to his warriors, who spoke to him telepathically. Each warrior kept him informed of any activity around the compound. All was quiet, but soon an attack would come. All of a sudden, Nikola found his ass hitting the ground hard. He stared up at a very furious female. “First, you do not tell me what the hell to do! Second, how dare you bring me here without making sure Jaycee was protected first? Suzanne and Jaycee should be your primary concerns, not me.” Lissa threw her notebook and pen onto the bed and turned once more to glare at him. “I know you meant well Nikola, but I insist you protect those who are more important than I am, right now. The fate of our world rests with them, not with me.” Her bedroom door opened and Suzanne peaked in, Dominic’s head right above hers. “Can I come in?” “You mean can we come in?” Dominic corrected her, as Suzanne rolled her eyes and walked in. “This is supposed to be a girl meeting, you know. A little gossip here and there, stuff like that, and Dominic you just don’t have the body parts to qualify as a female.” Suzanne winked at Lissa, and turned back to her mate. “Now, I’m sure Temmra would be happy to change that if you really want, but I kind of like your man parts.” She slid one of her hands down his stomach, to his thigh, where he grabbed her hand, and put it behind her holding it there. “You can just tell Temmra to leave my body parts alone, and Suzanne I expect you to call me as soon as you are done. You’re still exhausted from earlier.” Dominic wrapped his arms around Suzanne, leaning her back, trapping her and giving her a kiss that Lissa could have sworn gave off smoke. He brought her back up and released her, smiling as Suzanne grabbed onto his arm to steady herself.

After she got her focus back, she slapped his arm. “You did that on purpose!” He turned and left as Shelly, Marsha, Jaycee, Tonya and Cecil all came in, wearing their PJs. Remi followed. Lissa sat down on the bed and watched as Jaycee stood at its end. She glared at Remi. “Out, all of you, we have girl things to discuss, and right now you are not invited.” She grabbed onto Remi’s arm and stared up at him. “Remi, you damn well better keep your promise.” Her last words were a whisper, but he had heard them as he made his way to the hallway, where all the men now stood. The door slammed, and locked without anyone touching it. The small table near the bed became a large table which was filled with food and drinks. Nikola watched the women, as they moved around the room unaware of him until Suzanne glanced over to where he stood invisible against the wall. He had hoped Lissa and the others would have forgotten he was there, but his luck ran out. “You will have to do better than that Nikola, now out.” Suzanne pointed to the door, a small puff of smoke came out with her words, and he grinned nodding to her. “I just wanted to make sure everyone is alright.” Nikola allowed his physical form to appear, and every woman there frowned. The older woman, Marsha walked around him and studied him. “You will lead them. You might want to inform your queen that you will be staying here, that you will not be able to serve her anymore.” The woman talked in circles, as she stared at him. Nikola shook his head and walked around the women. He made his way to the door. “I have no idea what you are talking about, and I will not inform my queen of anything. I’m here on assignment, and that is it.” He reached for the door, but a strong need to be home came upon him. One minute, he was thinking about the men in the hallway, waiting for their woman, and the next he was in his living quarters.

Nikola looked out at the rolling green grass of his homeland, the large window that was the showcase of his apartment-like living quarters. Nikola had very few personal possessions. A few pictures of his family, but that was about all. He jumped, when a small hand touched his shoulder. Natural reflexes kicked in, and he swung the person to the floor, a knife to their throat until he realized who he had in his grasp. “Queen Isabel, please forgive me.” He slowly helped her stand, the knife disappeared, and she laughed. “There is nothing to apologize for -- you are a trained warrior, and I’m in your home.” She moved to the large window and stared out of it. “The witch woman, Marsha, was right. You will not be serving me anymore, my friend.” Isabel glanced at him over her shoulder. “It’s time for your life to begin anew, and it seems it’s going to start on Earth. I just have one piece of advice for you; give your new mate time to adjust, Nikola. This woman is a moth and she is waiting to fly. If you and your other mates push her too hard, she’ll fly away, never to return.” His queen spoke in riddles, and he frowned. At seven feet tall, Nikola stared down at his queen, who was about two feet smaller than him. She laughed, and turned completely around to hug him. “We have been friends for a long time Nikola, and you have been by my side for over two hundred years. It’s time for you to have your own life, a woman to warm your bed, and your heart. Now, I would like your recommendation for your replacement. After all, it took me twenty years to find you.” Isabel smiled up at him. “I do expect you to bring your mate around when you are able.” She sighed, and he knew she was remembering their time together. He lifted her chin up, and brushed her hair back. “I don’t know how it’s possible for you, or this witch, to know my mate when I don’t even know, but I trust you Isabel. As far as my recommendation, let me think on it. There is no hurry.” Nikola kissed her lips softly. “Hendricks, is a very lucky man.”

“Yes I am.” Hendricks stepped into the room, as the last word left his mouth, and held out his hand to her. “Are you ready?” Isabel, took her mate’s hand, and grinned at him, as she went into Hendrick’s arms. “Go find your mate, Nikola, but…” She glanced behind her at him, her eyes sad. “She’s going to need all of you Nikola. You will be her anchor, don’t back down. She’ll need a strong hand, and a patient one.” Both of them disappeared from his living room, leaving him confused, and for the first time in years, uncertain. The only female that… Lissa. “Oh hell!” He flashed back to the mansion and walked the distance to her room, as he tried to make sense of everything. In the hallway, lined up against the wall, or standing about, were the men of these few women. “It’s pretty sad…” Dominic nodded to the men. “Isn’t it?” As he came up next to Nikola and glanced around them. “Every man here is a dominate man, an alpha, and wouldn’t hesitate to kill anything that would harm what was theirs. But yet, when you see something like this, you wonder who is really in control.” “Hmph, I know for a fact that Jaycee has me wrapped around her pinky finger.” Remi laughed, and stepped up on his other side, slapping him on the back. “Welcome to the ring of the unknown. The only thing we are certain of, is our mates, and when we find them.” Dominic held out his hand to him and he shook it. “And so we follow the most precious thing in our lives, making sure nothing happens to her, because if one scratch, one tear, or one unhappy thought descends on her, you want to tear the world apart to change it, to make her smile once again.” The door opened and one by one the women slowly came out. Suzanne’s gaze never left Dominic’s and made her way straight to him, Jaycee to Remi. “We would sell our souls, relive our nightmares, or give up our lives, so you may lead, and protect the innocent, from those that would destroy their chance at happiness.” Suzanne whispered and kissed Dominic’s chest. Jaycee cupped Remi’s cheek. “You are the men of the future, our leaders, our masters, the ones who will guide the future genera-

tions, teach them how to survive in this new world evolving around us. Our children would have no chance at life if you were not here, we are only the vessels to your souls, we cradle and love them like we would our own children.” Tears slid down her cheeks as Jaycee rested her head on Remi’s chest. “We have six hours to rest Remi, before they will try to break into the house, and Remi…” She glanced up at him almost as if lost. “Someone inside will let them in.” Jaycee wrapped her arms around him as best she could with the girth in front of her hindering her, but she was still squeezing tight. “We’re going to lose someone, Remi. We don’t know who and we can’t stop them.” The hallway was quiet. All eyes were on Suzanne who shook her head. “Temmra can’t stop this, and she’ll be unable to help as well.” Nikola looked across the hall to Lissa. She leaned against the door in a tee-shirt, a single tear slipped down her cheek, and he could have sworn his heart stopped. “No!” He whispered unaware he said it out loud. A small hand touched his arm, he glanced down to Jaycee. She shook her head. “No, it will not be her. We don’t know who, but we do know, it isn’t one of us. I hate only being able to see part of things.” Once more she glanced up at Remi, then at Dane when he moved behind her. “Marsha is still trying to remove the spell, so our connection can be one hundred percent again. I feel as if part of me is missing when I can’t connect with you guys.” He needed to see Lissa again, but her door was shut and she was gone. “Go talk to her Nikola, tonight no one should be alone.” Suzanne tried to get closer to Dominic’s body. “Let’s get you to bed.” Dominic swung her up into his arms and nodded to Nikola. “Suzanne is right, don’t waste time, go talk to her, and hold her tonight.” Suzanne frowned and glanced down. “I got the impression something was scaring her, and she wanted us all to leave her room. Even Temmra couldn’t figure out what was wrong, Lissa has a way to block us. It’s different; I’ve never seen it before.”

Nikola gritted his teeth and nodded. “I’ll see what is wrong, don’t worry so much.” He turned away from them and made his way to her room. The thought of something scaring her or hurting her, made his gut tighten, and his vision blurred for a moment as he reached for her door. Now, of all times his body informed him that he was close to his other half. His mouth was dry, his hands trembled, and his cock throbbed, leaking the clear fluid that would bind his mate to him. Her life span would match his, even though it would not make a difference to a vampire, new powers would be bestowed upon her, and once taken, Lissa would not be able to distance herself from him, without feeling some kind of effect on her body. **** Lissa shook and reached for the handcuffs, tucked under her pillow. Her knees gave out and Lissa plopped down onto the bed. Tears rolled down her face as she flung the cuffs across the room furious that she hadn’t recognized the signs before now. Now she knew that her brother, Stephen, had been the one who had delivered her to the Bloods, and had raped her all those years ago, before he handed her over to the them. The hurt was so deep and intense that she was in her on world. Lissa didn’t hear the door open and close behind her. She pulled her legs up and wrapped her arms around them as she rocked on the bed. “I’m so fucking blind. It all makes sense. Why didn’t I listen? How they got in the house, who drugged me, and who…” She ground her teeth together and held on tight to herself. A shadow fell upon her when she glanced up. Nikola knelt down, wiped her tears and slowly unclenched her hands which were in balls, her nails digging into her skin. “What’s wrong, Parvus Papilio?” Slowly, he picked her up, sat down on her bed, his back against the headboard with her on his lap. Once more, a small current moved through her as he held her and licked the small amount of blood from her palm. Nikola waited for her to speak. She opened her mouth to ask him why he was there, but didn’t get a word out.

The bedroom door banged open with such a force that it split in two. Stephen stood there breathing heavy, a knife in his hand. His eyes flashed a dark red and his fangs grew larger than normal, almost to the bottom of his chin. Lissa didn’t take her eyes off of Stephen, as she carefully rose off the bed, and Nikola’s lap. She would take care of Nikola after she dealt with Stephen. Anger so strong surged through her, giving her the strength to move. “So, you’ve decided to make your self known. Why Stephen? I thought of you as my brother. We grew up together. What would your mother say? Or was she part of your little game?” Lissa shouted. She reached behind her on the small table, where she had set her weapons, but Nikola moved next to her and wrapped his arm around her waist. He blocked her throwing arm. “What are you talking about?” He nodded to Stephen. “And what is happening to him?” There was no time, Lissa whirled around, and grabbed the knives as Stephen jumped onto the bed with a snarl. “He’s on a drug called Xenical. To humans it is a weight loss drug.” Lissa moved away from Nikola to the end of the bed, two of her longest knives in her hands. “To the vampire, it feels close to that of feeding, an ultimate high, but also a deadly one. It also transforms the one taking it into a pre-historic caveman, with fangs and all.” Her gaze met Nikola’s for a second, a tear slipped down her cheek. Stephen snarled, he raised his arm, the knife ripped into the beautiful canopy above his head. “You don’t need to talk to that fag. Wasn’t twenty years enough to teach you a lesson? You’re mine Lissa, even your mother and father saw the light in the end, or should I say right before their watery grave.” Stephen cackled like a hen, and it sent a chill down her spine. Everything inside her stilled, his words sank in as she lifted her gaze, and focused on the mad man in front of her. That is when everything fell into place. Her so called-cancer, her folks timely deaths, even her change, had all been orchestrated by Stephen. Lissa’s legs gave out, but she didn’t hit the floor. Nikola was there in an instant, his arm around her, and he held her close.

She looked up into the madman’s face. “I didn’t have cancer did I? You made sure your mom changed me. You killed my parents.” Lissa whispered, as Nikola sat her down on the chair against the far wall, and he slowly turned towards Stephen. Her gaze slid up Nikola’s tall form. He twisted his neck to the left and she heard his neck crack, his once straight hair down his back now back was now in a ponytail, and he moved with grace as he swung his long sword in his right hand in the air, waiting for the right moment. “For over fifty years, I have been waiting, and planning all of this.” He waved the knife around the room, and jumped off the bed, only a few feet from Nikola, as Lissa struggled to get up. “Get the fuck out of the way, before I stick you like the pig you are.” Stephen tried to move around Nikola, but Nikola countered his movement, leaving no chance that Stephen would be able to harm her. “But you know, it really was a toss-up as to who was a better fuck, you or Suzanne. Boy did I have to come up with a fast one on that night she remembered me.” He laughed again and it was as if someone had run their nails down a chalk board, she shook so bad. “Dominic was ready to tear me apart.” Stephen babbled for what seemed like hours, but in reality it was only a few seconds, before she heard the sound of boots in the hallway. Dominic moved into the room faster than anyone she had seen move, but not fast enough as Nikola swung his sword, and beheaded the man before them. “You will hurt no one anymore, especially that which is mine.” Nikola stated. Lissa tried once more to move in the chair, blood splatters were all over the room including on her, Dominic, Granger, but not on Nikola. His sword disappeared and he turned. His eyes sparked with fire, highlighting the dark green which held her gaze. “You are mine, and if you ever try to put yourself in danger again…” Dominic slapped him on the back before he could finish his sentence. “Why don’t you take Lissa to your quarters, while we clean this up, and Nikola thank you, because if you hadn’t killed him, I

would have. We’ll discuss what was said later. Right now, I believe Lissa is in shock.” Dominic nodded to her and she frowned. “No I’m not, I just can’t figure out why I can’t move.” Once more she tried to get off the chair, but couldn’t. It was if someone held her down. “That is where I put you. I just made sure you stayed, so you would not get hurt.” Nikola informed her, while he picked her up, and threw her over his shoulder. “We will see you in the morning, and there is no need to clean this mess.” Lissa glanced up just in time to see the blood, body and torn canopy gone. “I’m getting dizzy here.” Lissa tried to get up, but he slapped his hand down on her practically bare bottom and she froze. She only had her thong on and Lissa knew every male there could see her ass. Her face heated and she moaned. If it wasn’t enough that a mad man had ruined her whole life, she was now showing her fat ass to three hunky men.

Chapter Three Nikola laughed, but his laughter faded in and out as the air around her seemed to disappear. One minute, she was in her room, and the next, in his quarters in the fae realm. He gently lowered her to the ground in front of his favorite view and hoped that the scene of the hills and water would relax her. Music played in the air, the one song he had heard her listening to, “Bound To You.” He leaned in and kissed her nose. “Your backside is not fat by the way, it’s perfect.” Lissa turned to stare out at last glow of the sun as it set over the mountains as she tried to hide her grin. “This isn’t Michigan, I take it?” She glanced over her shoulder at him. Lissa’s smile did not reach her eyes, and her face still had a few spots of Stephens’s blood, as did her clothes. “No, this is my home. I want you to feel safe tonight at least. Come, I have a hot bath waiting for you.” He held out his hand and waited to see if she would take it. She slowly turned around and faced him. “The only time I’ve ever felt safe was with my parents, in my own home, but for some reason everything in me is calm here. I’m not afraid, and I should be terrified, why?” Lissa put her small hand into his and he twined his fingers with hers. He guided her toward the master bedroom and bathroom. “Do you know anything about my kind, the fae?” Nikola asked as he moved into the steam filled room. The scent of vanilla filled the room. He had seen that it was her favorite scent in the back of her mind. Taking a deep breath, Lissa closed her eyes and sighed. “No, I’m afraid not. You are the first I’ve talked to, or been near.” Her dark blue eyes slowly opened, and stared up at him. Nikola lifted his hand and brushed her hair back away from her face. “As with Vampires, we to know when our partner is around, and you are mine, Lissa. Your body and soul recognizes mine, while your heart and brain might take a little while longer to

believe.” He reached for the edge of her tee-shirt. “Lift your arms, Parvus Papilio.” The corners of her sensual ruby lips lifted into a smile. “Do you always order everyone around? And what is parvus…?” Lissa lifted her arms as he stripped the bloody shirt from her body. “Parvus papilio, little butterfly and when it comes to you…” He circled her hard pink nipple with his finger; goose bumps broke out on her skin, her heart race increased, and her gaze clouded over. Nikola held her gaze and pinched her nipple. “In our world, each mate can do nothing but try and please the other. When it comes to you, my words, and requests, you will go out of your way to please me, all the while I will please you.” Nikola whispered into her ear, he slid his hands down the sides of her stomach holding her gaze until he reached her thong. He gripped the sides of it and ripped her thong off with his hands, slowly moving the piece of material back and forth on her pussy lips. “I will always please and protect you. Your wishes and needs, are mine to fulfill.” He ran little kisses down her neck. “You will want for nothing, ever again. Let go, Lissa.” She grabbed onto his arms, her head rolled back, but her gaze slipped to his, a puzzled look upon her. “Nikola…” His name a whisper, her nails dug into his arm. “I’m here, and I’m going nowhere. Come Lissa, and know it’s your mate who brings you pleasure. This is the way it’s supposed to be, between two people, who are meant to be with each other.” Her body tensed up, as he reached down and slowly pushed two fingers into her pussy. He threw the rest of her thong to the ground, and wrapped his other hand around her waist to hold her up as he dipped her back, watching her every expression. Nikola knew this would be the first time for her to experience pleasure, instead of terror, and he wanted to make sure he was the one to give it to her, Lissa’s first climax with someone who mattered. She shook her head. “Nikola…” Lissa whimpered.

“It’s okay Lissa, no one will hurt you again. Let it go, little butterfly, for me.” He nibbled her ear, his fingers sliding in and out of her, while his thumb rubbed her clit. She was wound so tight, when her release came it would sap the rest of her strength, giving her the restful night she needed. “No I can’t! It’s wrong.” Lissa pulled out of his arms, and backed up against the bathroom door, which was now shut. She glanced around the room like a scared cat. He took a deep breath, and knew now what the others had said was true. She would need time. “Lissa, look at me.” He whispered, standing perfectly still as he waited. Ever so slowly, Lissa lowered herself to the floor, curling her knees up, and resting her chin against them. “I’m afraid you got a raw deal, Nikola. I don’t know, if I can ever be with any man again.” She whispered softly not looking at him. “I want to be that woman you need. I feel safe with you, but yet…” Nikola sat down across from her, but before he did his clothes disappeared. He heard her gasp, and she scooted back closer to the door, if it was at all possible. “Little butterfly, I did not take my clothes off to frighten you, but to show you something. No, it wasn’t that, get your mind out of the gutter, sweetie.” He teased hoping to see a small smile. He sat still, the music still played, while he watched the cloud slowly lift from her gaze. “You are the one that got us naked.” The smile appeared, but still she didn’t move. He leaned back against the bathroom counter. “Well, I had hoped to get you to relax tonight, I have this warm bath water, where I want to personally bathe you, and then I wanted to just hold you tonight. I thought I could tell you a little bit about my world, and share that with you. Have you ever had a man bathe you, Lissa?” She shook her head to the question. “No sex?” Her voice cracked, but she met his gaze as she held her breath. Nikola cocked his head to the side. “No, we will not make love tonight unless you want to. But I would like you to try and get used

to my touch. Can you try? In time Lissa you will want me, but I promise you, I won’t pressure you. When you are ready, we’ll both agree.” He didn’t move and waited for her to make the first move. “You’re awful sure of yourself? Aren’t you ever scared?” Her voice caught on the last part of the word scared, and a tear slipped down her face. That one tear drove a spike of uncertainty through him, which he never knew he had till that moment. He rested his head against the hard wood behind him, and broke eye contact with her, as he closed his eyes. “For the first time in my life, yes. I’m afraid, that I won’t be able to protect you, to love you enough, to give you everything you need, and…” He opened his eyes as her head slowly lay against his shoulder as she cuddled next to him. “I’m afraid my demands will send you running away from me.” He held his hands out in front of him and stared at them as they shook a little. He was so big and powerful the thought that he could accidentally hurt his mate… Lissa ran her hand down his arm to his, fitting her small one into his big one. She twined her fingers with his. “Thank you Nikola. I know it took a lot to say that. All I can promise right now is to try.” He lifted her hand up to his mouth and kissed her knuckles. “That’s all anyone can do. Ready for your bath?” Nikola waited, her gaze slid to the large whirlpool tub then back to him nodding. Standing he bent scooping her into his arms. She smiled kissing his chest. “You know I can get in the tub.” He grunted and stepped into the warm water. “Of course you can, but tonight I want to do everything for you. All I want you to do is relax, Lissa. Let me take care of you.” He sat down in the bubbly water with her in between his legs. His cock brushed against her lower back and she grew ridged. “Lissa, I have a feeling I’m always going to be hard around you, there is nothing wrong with that, but I promised you nothing will happen, until you are ready.” He whispered into her ear and watched as she slowly relaxed leaning back against him.

“Talk to me Nikola, tell me about yourself?” Lissa glanced up into his face and smiled. He kissed her nose, gathering the warm sponge and slowly moved it over her face, washing the blood off of it. “I was born here in this world. Both of my parents are still alive. I have two brothers and three sisters, whom you will meet soon. I am the captain of the queen’s guard, but soon I will step down.” Rinsing the sponge he brought it back up and down her neck to her breasts. Her breath hitched, but she didn’t stop him as he took his time washing and playing with her breasts. “I am the oldest child to my parents. I’m two thousand and forty three Earth years. Do you have any family left?” Lissa’s bottom lip quivered, and he mentally kicked himself in the gut. He threw the sponge into the water, and wrapped his arms around her. “Parvus Papilio, forgive me, my tongue ran ahead before my brain could catch up,” he said kissing the top of her head. She glanced up at him, a small grin on her face. “I think you meant to say you stuck your foot in your mouth.” Lissa giggled and he frowned. “Why would I stick my foot in my mouth? That does not make sense.” He kept his face blank all the while he smiled inside as he tried to distract her. With a small kiss to his chin, Lissa once again relaxed on his lap. “Thank you for making me laugh, but you know there might be a little problem with your age.” Lissa giggled and slowly turned in his lap. Placing a leg on each side of him, his cock rubbed the skin above her pussy. Lissa slid her hands up his chest to rest on his shoulders. All the while she held his gaze, Lissa slowly rose and lowered herself on his cock. He grabbed onto her hips and held her still. Nikola was larger than most men. “Are you sure, Lissa?” His thumbs rubbed her skin as her body slowly accepted his size. “I want you, please, I just need to do this slowly, Nikola. Let me take control this time. I need and want to conquer my fears. I want you Nikola, all of you.” Lissa nipped at his lip, and then licked it, as she slowly moved up and down on his cock. She

leaned forward, brushing her large breasts against his chest. Her skin was darker than his, but silky to the touch and her areola’s were large, the size of half dollars. Nikola took a deep breath. Her head fell backwards and he trailed kisses down her neck to her breasts. “You are beautiful, my Parvus Papilio.” She slowly lifted her head, the bottom of her hair wet from dangling in the water, her eyes now a glow of excitement. “As you are Nikola, my first lover of my heart.” She whispered, her pace growing faster and faster. He slid his hand down to her pussy, and ran his finger over her clit, where he proceeded to rub it slowly, bringing her higher, and higher. “That’s it Lissa, trust me, and yourself.” He pushed his index finger into her mouth wetting it with her juices. Her ruby red lips sucking on it made his cock twitch, and he slowly started to match her movements. Nikola slid his finger out of her mouth and moved it to her ass. In small increments he pushed his finger fully inside of her. Her gaze startled at first, but soon the combined heat from their bodies, and the warm bath water in the bathroom, fogged the mirrors. “Nikola?” She pleaded as her eyes closed again and her head fell forward onto his shoulder. “I’ve got you, let go Lissa, let me take you where no other can.” His pace increased as he added a second finger to her ass. “Come Lissa!” Her body shook in his arms, spasms after spasms fell upon her. She cried and screamed her nails dug into his shoulders and he released his seed into her. Her breathing evened out, and her grip on his shoulder slowly returned to normal, as she lifted her head and smiled at him. “Thank you.” Nikola dumped a cup of warm water onto her head, to wash her hair and she sputtered and frowned at him. “You did that on purpose.” “Hmm, you think so, you don’t need to thank me Lissa.” He lifted her off him and turned her back around as he squeezed the shampoo into his hand.

“Yes I do…” she glanced around the bathroom as if she sensed something was wrong. “What is it?” She asked drawing his attention back to her, all the while he issue orders in his head to his men. “I’m afraid as soon as I get you all cleaned up, we have to go back. I had hoped you would be able to sleep some, but it looks like your prediction of someone dying has come true, already.” He scrubbed her hair quickly, and rinsed it. “Come, we are meeting everyone in the dining room, seems there will be no sleep tonight. We need to prepare for an attack.” Nikola stood, slowly lowering her out of the tub, drying her instantly, and dressing her in a nice short black leather skirt, and halter top. “Umm, I hate to complain, but I never where stuff like this.” Lissa questioned him. He smiled leaning down and nibbling on her lip. “Oh, but you’ll wear it to please me now, won’t you?” He slid his hand up the back of her thigh and squeezed her naked butt cheek. “Just make sure you only bend down in front of me, or I might have to spank this cute ass.” **** Lissa, stared up at Nikola’s dark green eyes, which held laughter. “You do know, if I need to protect myself, I’m going be wide open for anyone to see. Wouldn’t jeans be better?” He wrapped his arm around her waist, and kissed her lips once more, flashing them into the hallway just outside the dining room. Nikola pulled back, licking her lips that were now swollen from his kiss, and smiled. She reached up touching her lips, and grinned at her favorite outfit that now covered her body. “Thank you.” Lissa turned as Jaycee came around the corner talking to Suzanne, Shelly, Marsha and Cecil. “Oh good, you’re here. Remi, Dominic and the other men are waiting for you in the dining room. We’re off to get coffee and breakfast going, since no one is going to sleep this day.” Jaycee

rubbed her large belly and nodded to the door they just came out of. “Castor and his men found Jack and Belinda in the gardens, Bo isn’t taking this too well. He’s called in more of his men and so have Remi and Dane.” A tear slipped down her face and that is when Lissa noticed the dark circles under her eyes, which were now bloodshot. Nikola bowed before Jaycee, “I’m sorry Jaycee, there are just so many of us, and we can’t be everywhere. I know how much Jack meant to you personally.” Lissa placed her hand on his arm before he turned to leave, stopping him. “Nikola, you and your men can’t be everywhere. You saved me tonight, in more than one way. Thank you.” She reached up and cupped his cheek. “I’ll go with the women and help prepare the food. Maybe I can lighten Jaycee’s load a little.” He nodded and turned to leave. “All you have to do is think of me, Lissa, and I’ll be there for you.” Nikola whispered inside her head, and she shook her head following the women, as they walked down the long corridor toward the massive kitchen she had visited earlier to get a snack. An arm wrapped around her waist and Suzanne bumped her hip against hers. “So how are you doing? Dominic told me what happened with Stephen.” Lissa shrugged her shoulders. “There isn’t much I can do about it now, but I’m sure it will all catch up with me later. Right now, I think I’m numb, with everything going on. Sort of like Jaycee. I know when this is all over all of us are going to need a vacation.” She pushed into the kitchen ahead of everyone else. Kimberly had her back to them, a hand around a young girl’s neck. The girl’s feet were now a few feet off the ground and she was trying desperately to get free. That’s when Lissa recognized the young girl who had offered herself to be fed from, who had helped her when they had first arrived and had tried to befriend her. Without another thought the window shattered, English Ivy grew up the walls, vines from the willow tree outside weaved inside and around Kimberley, yanking her away from the small girl

she meant to harm. Blood ran down the girl’s neck, and Marsha ran to her, covering the wounds. Suzanne, who was now next to girl, sealed the wounds, and turned her attention towards Lissa. The room grew quiet, even the girl’s whimpers had calmed. Kimberly kept her mouth shut, as Jaycee moved next to Lissa, and placed her hand into her’s, squeezing it. The Ivy crept further into the room, up the walls, almost covering every inch. Some of the vines from the willow tree tightened around Kimberly’s neck, as Lissa glared at the hateful woman. “Lissa, you need to stop. You’ll regret killing her.” Jaycee whispered. “No I won’t. She carries the Bloods’ mark. Look on her inner wrist, Suzanne, and if I’m not mistaken it’s Franco’s mark. If she carries his mark, he’s close. I wouldn’t be surprised if he and his goons were the ones who attacked your friends, Jaycee.” She glanced at Jaycee. “I’ve learned a few things being their prisoner for so long, and she’s not Castor’s blood mate. I am.” Jaycee shook her head. “The Bloods might be cruel and dangerous, but they would not be able to sneak up on Jack and Belinda. Their cats alone would be able to smell and sense the enemy if close by.” She moved closer to where Kimberly was securely attached to the wall, a vine wrapped around each limb and her neck. “How long have you been able to communicate with plants, Lissa?” Jaycee grinned and ran her hand over the vine glancing back at her, but the smile didn’t reach her eyes. Lissa shrugged, the other women went about getting food ready as the plants receded from the room, except for the vines that held Kimberly. “I noticed little things when I was first turned, but said nothing to anyone. As a child my mother and father would always find me outside either in a tree or walking in our garden. I could talk to them even then, it was as if they understood me and I did them. I guess that is why our garden always did so well.” She smiled, hopping to cheer up Jaycee a little.

“You would be right about the Bloods, if they were human anymore, but most of them are not. The last few weeks I was held in captivity, I noticed things were different.” Suzanne came up next to them and handed Jaycee her croissant. “Eat, both of you. How different? Where they like us, or shifters like Jaycee and Shelia?” Suzanne munched on her croissant when Dominic, Remi, Nikola and Castor came into the room and stopped. Each man glanced at Kimberly, then at Lissa, since the vines had seemed to migrate from her. Jaycee nudged her with her elbow. “Go on, ignore them, they can listen. This is important.” She took Lissa’s hand and led her away from Kimberly. Both of them stepping over the vines that were still there, as they moved towards the kitchen table. Jaycee nodded to the chair next to her and she sat with Suzanne, pulling the chair out at the table. Cecil and the other woman hovered about while Marsha helped the girl up and out of the room. “At first, I noticed a couple of the Bloods had been turned to vampires, but then some were something altogether different. There was one there, the girls called him…” “Hombre del Diablo, I remember him…” Suzanne hugged her arms around herself. “That thing was creepy, even for a Blood. All the girls would hold their breath, and pray his attention wouldn’t be on them.” Lissa nodded, as Dominic picked up Suzanne and sat down on her seat with her on his lap. His arms around her tight…if only… Gentle, strong arms, lifted her up startling her out of her thoughts, but all too soon she relaxed. Nikola’s scent drifted to her, relaxing her as nothing ever did. He held her the same way as Dominic now held Suzanne. “Go on. Parvus Papilio, finish your story.” He rested his chin on top of her head, and she rolled her eyes at Suzanne, who laughed, but all the while she loved his attention. “Don’t think I don’t know what you did.” His hand slid under her shirt and he cupped her breast.

“Nikola…” Lissa tried to push his hand away, but he kept it there. Nikola turned her head towards him and lifted her chin to stare into her eyes. “I’m not hurting you am I, Lissa?” she sighed, and gave up. Lissa curled up tighter against his chest while he caressed her breast. She glanced up at Suzanne. “The girls were lucky, he didn’t touch them. Towards the end, before I could escape, he’d come for me, because he knew my body would heal.” Nikola hissed behind her and grew still, but said nothing more. “He was the one Stephen handed me over to when they drugged me.” Lissa gripped Nikola’s shirt tight, not caring, as she continued her story. “Three days before the girls got me out of there, he came for me. He had huge chunks of his skin missing on his back and there were also claw marks. They were healed, but healed in a way that the skin just covered over the missing muscle, that should have beneath that area.” Like Suzanne she rubbed her arms, but Nikola brushed her arms away, and held her more tightly rubbing her arms for her. “That night…Well let’s say he not only took my blood, but part of my hide with him.” She inched out of Nikola’s arms and stood. She lowered the left side of her jeans, where a patch of skin now covered a hollow part of her hip, the size of a half-dollar. “It seems he also had the taste for flesh. It took Della a good two weeks to heal me after that. That is one of the reasons I needed more blood than usual. It wasn’t just the Calcitonin in my system, but his bite, which had some kind of acid that destroyed the skin around it.” She pulled her jeans back up and sat down on Nikola’s lap, feeling exposed.

Chapter Four Pierre and Adonis moved into the kitchen with the other men. Lissa stiffened in Nikola’s arms, but didn’t move as Castor bent down next to her and cupped her cheek. “You are a very brave woman, Lissa, I’m just sorry…” Lissa put her finger to his mouth. “We all made mistakes, Castor. Look at Stephen, he was my biggest.” “Well isn’t that cute. But you’re forgetting something…” Kimberly laughed, spit went flying everywhere. “The Bloods now surround this place, they know all the secrets of the tunnels, too.” Nikola released his mate, and helped her stand to face Kimberly. “You betrayed the Earth, Kimberly. She wants you back for good.” Lissa whispered and everyone watched as vines, leaves, and thorns covered her body, piercing her eyes, mouth and nose. The vines enclosed her and dragged her now small carcass out the window, back where the vines had come. “Oh crap…Jaycee…” Lissa turned to see Jaycee grab her mouth and run toward the sink. “Damn, I’m sorry Jaycee, I didn’t know it would get that gory.” Nikola and Castor moved next to Lissa, and waited as Jaycee puked all that she had eaten. When she was finally done, and had rinsed out her mouth, she turned and smiled. “Honey, that was the best horror/live flick I have ever seen. It’s just too bad my stomach was so queasy. Now, it’s obvious we can’t stay here, and we can’t go back to our home, any ideas?” Dane handed Jaycee a can of ginger ale from the fridge and moved her toward the kitchen table once more. Granger stopped in front of them and stared at her, then at Castor. “I was talking to Dominic last night, about Rose Island.” Nikola glanced at Castor who nodded his head. “Yes, that would be the perfect place to set up. It’s completely surrounded by water and it’s big enough to hold all of us. We’ll need to update the main house, but I think it will work.” Lissa listened for a little while, until she cleared her throat. “Um, excuse me, but we might want to get moving soon.” She

nodded toward the windows and Nikola stepped in front of her shoving her behind him, before a large boom shook the house. “Looks like we have no choice.” Nikola yelled. His warriors suddenly appeared and grabbed the women, and just as suddenly disappeared from the room, taking them to Rose Island. Nikola grabbed onto Castor and Lissa, flashing them to the main building there. “Take her inside, while I help get the rest of our people here. You’ll find the house is all up to date and stocked.” Nikola glanced down at Lissa and kissed her lips hard. “Keep inside Lissa and stay with Castor.” He didn’t give her a chance to reply as he flashed back to the mainland leaving them on the porch of the castle like structure. On the last trip back, he hovered over the island, staring down at it in the body of a hawk. The enemy now controlled all that was once Castor’s family home. The one thing he had never wanted to see again moved around the home, as if guarding it, a legion of half-zombie, halfVampire men. All far too gone to cure, they all would have to be destroyed. “How many are there? Do you know how they were infected?” His queen asked, summoning him to her side. Nikola hated to make the trip to his homeland away from Lissa, but he knew they would now need more help from his own kind. He bowed to his queen and her mate. “My queen, I have no real idea yet. My mate has told a story of these creatures from over a month ago, in their world. If that is the case, it’s hard telling how many more there are now.” Queen Isabel paced back and forth. “Then someone from this realm is helping them. There is no other way for that kind of dark magic to be there. I need to talk with my sister Empusa, but for now, take your two old divisions of warriors with you. They are standing by and waiting. Send one team to find out how far this has spread, and have them report back to you as soon as they find anything. We must find the person who did this. We need to know what else he has unleashed upon Earth.”

He nodded and bowed, before exiting the royal chambers and meeting with his best friend, Raymond. Raymond turned as he entered the large hall, all one hundred men stood at attention waiting for their orders. “I had thought never to fight those things again, but here we are once more, my friend.” Raymond clasped his arm in a warriors greeting and nodded to him. “Were do you want us?” Nikola stood tall, looking out at his many friends and nodded. “Zancor will take twenty men and start in New York, where my mate first saw the infected one. We need to know how far this has spread and who started it.” He turned to face Raymond. “Raymond, I want you on Rose Island with me. We are using this island as our stronghold during this fight, so we’ll need the added protection.” Raymond slapped him on the shoulder. “Say no more, the island will be protected and secured.” They both transported to the island, while the men spread out doing as they were told. He moved inside the large old castle, which now would be their home. Castor, Pierre and Adonis all talked with Remi and the other men, while Lissa and the other woman were nowhere in sight. “Castor, where is she?” Nikola asked. All talk stopped and their attention turned towards him. He knew half a day had passed since he had left, time was different in the realms, no one ever knew how long they would be gone. “She’s with the other woman, and I don’t appreciate the attitude, Nikola. You might be my mate, but you do not control me.” Castor declared showing his dominance, but right now was not the time to correct him. Nikola appeared in front of him in an instant, and leaned down. “You are right. I shouldn’t have snapped, and we will finish this later tonight…” He straightened and glanced around the room. “But if any of you have any sense, you would have checked, because right now, there is not one female in this house, except for Castor’s servants.”

Dominic, Remi, Dane, Clayton, Tug all stood and glanced at each other. “Our connection to our mates is limited, and that is when Marsha is near to help it. Where are they?” Remi snarled. Nikola stopped and threw out his powers, and tried to locate his mate, Lissa, but nothing. He glanced at Raymond. “Are the women blocking me, or is it something else?” He asked his friend who leaned back against the door and smiled that is all he needed to know. “Now isn’t this interesting, your own mate is blocking her presence from you? What did you used to tell Mira and me?” Raymond tapped his finger on his head. “Oh yea, that you wouldn’t let any female control you, that she would listen to everything you told her.” His friend laughed and teased him, when all he wanted to do was throttle him. “Raymond, you have two minutes to tell me where our females are before I let them…” He nodded to Remi, Dane, Mark, Bo and the other men. “Tear you apart.” **** “Damn, they know we’re gone. Lissa we don’t have much time before they arrive.” Marsha and Jaycee sighed, and released the spell which had surrounded them. Lissa sat down next to Marsha on the beach, while Suzanne stared up at the sky. “We’re going to get visitors later tonight. Temmra’s mother is coming, the Queen of the Fae, Isabel, and her sister Goddess Empusa.” Suzanne turned around, staring at them, “It seems we’ll be getting more help, but we still need to inform the humans without scaring them half to death.” Lissa ran her hand through the sand, watching as the wall of Macrophytes slowly grew thicker and thicker around the island, giving them an extra line of defense. Lissa had known the minute Nikola appeared back on the island, her whole body grew more sensitive to everything when he was around. Even now her nipples grew hard, as they brushed against her shirt. “I have a friend who is connected to the big wigs in Washington. Leda’s also a reporter. We could bring her here, have her do a

series of interviews with us. We could explain and show what we are to the cameras.” She stood and glanced out at the water. “Leda would love the chance to come here and she knows all about me. Well, so a while back.” The sun disappeared and Lissa glanced up into Nikola’s frowning face. “You’re not where I advised you to stay.” The men slowly came out of the woods, and surrounded them. “Well for your information, we wanted to enjoy the sun, and I had work to do, but I sure did take your suggestion to heart, I promise.” Lissa tried to keep from laughing out, but failed when Suzanne busted out laughing with Jaycee, Marsha and Shelly. “You took his suggestion to heart??? Oh my, that is rich! I’m going to have to use that one next time…” Shelly laughed, but stopped when her mate, Bo, picked her up and swung her up over his shoulder, and slapped her ass. “I’ll give you something for your heart. Shelly, I just lost my best friend, and I come to find out you’re out here roaming around with our very pregnant sister. I don’t know if I should tan your hide, or just kiss you, I was so scared.” Lissa sucked in her breath and lowered her gaze. “Bo, it was my idea. I wanted to put an underground wall around the island, and to do that I needed to be out here, near the water. I’m sorry.” Bo stopped and stared out at the water. “You could have asked us to bring you out here, Lissa. This isn’t a game, friends, family members are dying around us, and you even drag Jaycee out here, when she is soon to have her babies!” Bo snarled, fur replaced skin on his hands, but Shelly jumped out of his arms and snarled. “Don’t you even yell at her, Bo. She has lost also, or have you forgotten what Stephen did to her family? Jaycee and I both knew what we were doing. We were all protected, thank you!” Lissa tried to move to Shelly, but Nikola grabbed her, and once more transported them to his home, but this time Pierre, Castor, and Adonis were there in the living room. All three men stood as soon as they appeared. “I thought it time we discussed a few things.” Nikola walked around her and she could have sworn every cell in her body re-

sponded to him. “Since we are at my home, there is no need for your clothes now, is there?” She sucked in her breath, her clothes disappeared. Lissa quickly covered her breasts with her arms. “Is this a new rule for just me, or are you still pissed, because I didn’t listen to you earlier?” Lissa shook and not from the cold, she knew Nikola studied her and saw how uncomfortable she was. He held out his hand, a sheer green robe appeared. They would still be able to see her body, but she would be covered. “When we are alone Lissa, I want to see your lovely body. I don’t want it hidden away in jeans, and I’m sure I’m not the only one who thinks so, am I right gentlemen?” Nikola held open the robe for her, all three men behind her nodded and watched as she stepped into the robe. Lissa fingered the silky material, inspecting the faint design of wolves and dragons on it. “I’ve never had anything so beautiful.” She smiled and kissed him on his cheek. “Thank you.” Lissa whispered hugging the robe around her. “No one’s given me a gift before, well not since my parents.” Heat rose in her face, and she knew her white face had a tint of pink, but the room spun for a moment, and she grabbed onto Nikola’s arms. “Damn talk about a head rush.” Lissa shook her head, trying to shake the uneasiness that rode inside her. Castor moved in next to them. “When was the last time you fed Lissa? And I don’t mean food?” He placed two fingers below her chin and lifted her head, to stare into her face. She shrugged. “I’m fine.” He shook his head and waited not letting her escape his gaze. She sighed. “I don’t remember, maybe yesterday evening.” “Lissa, you know you need to eat at least once a day. Come feed, I’ve eaten enough today.” Castor pulled off the sweater he wore and she sucked in her breath. His muscles rippled as he moved throwing his sweater onto the counter. “Come here.” He slid his hand inside her robe and wrapped his arms around her. At five foot four, all of the men were over a foot taller than her. Castor’s sandy blond hair was pulled back in a braid, his body

warm, as she ran her hands up his chest. “I’m always cold, but you’re so warm and smell so clean and fresh, like the water.” She rubbed her cheek against his chest, feeling safe in his arms, like she did with Nikola, almost as if she was home. A small tear slipped down her cheek as she kissed his chest. Lissa licked the skin above his nipple numbing him, before she sunk her fangs into him. His blood was powerful, and refreshed every cell in her body, but Lissa made sure to only take enough to last her. She closed the holes and glanced up into his handsome face. “Thank you.” “You’re sad, why?” His warm hands rubbed up and down her back, comforting her. Lissa smiled. “I was remembering my home, before I was changed. You reminded me of a place that meant the world to me.” He leaned down kissed her lips softly. “Maybe someday you’ll take us all there and show us.” She shook her head and slipped out of his arms moving to the window, which seemed to give her peace. Lissa looked out at the water and the strange mountains. “Our home was destroyed over sixty years ago when the place burned down. I always believed my folks just didn’t hear anything, which is why they died.” Pierre moved her hair away from her neck and he nibbled on her neck. “I’m sorry you had to learn about all that now. It always seems life throws the worst at us when we are down already, but know you are not alone, Lissa. All of us are here for you.” He rested his head on her head, his hands inside the robe as he brushed the bottom of her breasts. “When this is over, you’ll have to come to my parents’ home in Montana. Mom had this huge garden with every type of plant that grows in the region. She said, she wouldn’t bring other plants to the area, that they strangle the native plants. I think you two will get along great. She loves to play in the dirt and every summer you’ll find her out there in the gardens.” Pierre stepped up to her other side. Lissa smiled and looked up into his gaze. “I would love to meet yours and Adonis’s parents and your mom sounds just like mine

was. Thank you.” She kissed his chin and patted his arm. “Now, shouldn’t we be talking about what you four will be doing?” Nikola held out his hand to her as he sat down on the sofa. Lissa slowly made her way to him feeling safe and secure. She couldn’t believe how beautiful she felt, in the presence of these, no, her men. They looked at her with wonder and longing. Lissa stepped in between his legs and stared down at Nikola as he opened the robe and stared at her. “So beautiful and all ours. Now, Lissa, as far as me being pissed at you, no. There is no reason for me to be mad. I should have made myself clearer, and next time I will. Now come, we have business to discuss before we go back.” Nikola pulled her down onto his lap and she cuddled close to his heat as she rested her head upon his strong chest. Nikola captured her breast in his hand and ran his thumb over her nipple. “When a one of our kind meets their mate, their mate will inherit what powers that are bestowed upon him, when the bonding process is completed. Already Adonis and Pierre have my abilities, as will you Castor when the time is right. With these powers the four of us have been chosen to be the ears of this war, as the others mentioned. “Nikola nodded to Castor, Pierre and Adonis. We will be called the Ghost Warriors, by those that fight us. We will slip into our enemy’s camps, finding out whatever we can, and destroying anything that gets in our way. Will there be others that can see us? Yes, but not many. We’ll just have to outsmart those of my kind that chose to work for evil.” Niokla’s voice never faltered or rose as he spoke as if it was a done deal. Lissa sat up and stared at Nikola. “Let me get this straight.” She turned her full attention on him. “The four of you will be going into the enemy’s camp, destroying what you can, while learning all, because all of you can become invisible?” Lissa once more clenched her hands into fists as he nodded and took her hands unfolding them. “Don’t you think that is a little risky? If you can do this, what makes you think they can’t? What if they find out you’re there?” She yanked her hands away, getting up and started to pace back and forth. “I mean, Nikola, you said that someone from your world

was helping the other side. What’s to stop them from ambushing you? And when did you mate with Pierre and Adonis?” The thought of something happening to either of her men settled heavy on her stomach. If she hadn’t eaten yet, Lissa would have sworn that she ate a ton of rocks, which were now weighing her down. Adonis stepped in front of her and captured her in his arms. His black hair fell around his face as he gazed down at her. His eyes shifted back and forth to those of the wolf. “We will be fine; after all, we have such a tasty treat to come home to.” He leaned her back and licked all around her nipple. “Adonis, this is serious.” She tried to get out of his arms, but he held her tight. “I know you are…” He lifted her back up, kissing her nose. “But Lissa, we’re not going to let our enemy get the best of us again. I, for one, do not want to feel the blade going across any part of my body.” He rubbed his neck where she knew his head had once been severed from his body. Coldness settled over her all of a sudden, and she glanced around the room. “We’re not alone.”

Chapter Five Nikola slowly stood and scanned the room. Lissa hugged herself, and in an instant Nikola clothed her in her garb she favored, and moved next to her. Castor took her other side, while Pierre and Adonis took the front and back. “I know you’re there Vender. You are lucky I don’t rip you apart for not announcing yourself.” Nikola wrapped his arm around Lissa. “Lissa, I would like to introduce my younger brother, Vender. He has this nasty habit of showing up at the wrong time.” Vender laughed and materialized next to them. “Hey, you were the one who taught me, if I remember right. Anyway, mother sent me. She knows you have met your mates, and is expecting you to come by soon, so everyone can meet them.” Vender rolled his eyes, but something was off. Lissa once more hugged herself and felt for the knife she knew was in its hiding spot. She didn’t know why Nikola’s brother sent a bad vibe through her, but she would not ignore it as she done with Stephen. Nikola nodded. “We’ll be there, but not for a few days. We have business to attend to, which we must leave for now.” Nikola, Lissa and Castor flashed into the main cabin on the island, Pierre and Adonis following a few seconds later. “What has happened?” He glanced around the room. “Lower Manhattan was attacked last night.” Dane glanced at Remi who nodded. “It’s more like a slaughter. It happened in the middle of the night. Children, women, anyone who was in their path was ripped apart. We don’t have the numbers, but it’s high.” Dane grabbed a beer and nodded towards the large flat screen TV. “You’ve been gone half a day again. It’s three am now.” Lissa moved up to his side. “I need a phone.” She asked Nikola and waited. “Why? Did you have friends there?” Nikola turned all his attention on her. She shook her head. “No, but my best friend will be able to tell me everything. She has contacts that no one else does. We need her here, Nikola. I

was telling the women earlier, she could do a series of interviews, which we could released slowly. We do it in phases, but we should do it now, before this gets any worse.” Jaycee, Suzanne, Cecil, Shelly and Marsha moved into the room, tears streaming down their faces. “It’s all over cable. Lissa is right. We need to inform the humans now, Remi. They can’t continue to be unprepared like this.” Jaycee rubbed her belly. “Those babies, they were strung up…” Her voice cracked and Remi was there in an instant by her side. He picked her up and cradled her as if she weighed nothing. “Nikola, bring Lissa’s friend here, make sure everything she’ll need is brought as well. We can set up one of the outer buildings. As a reporting station.” Dominic pulled Suzanne into his arms. “I think the first interview should be with Remi. There are many humans that already know him, and trust him for all the work he did during the flooding last year. It will help for them to see a familiar face.” Dominic glanced at Lissa. “Who is this person you want to bring here and how is she going to react to all of us?” He smiled, when Lissa glanced up at him searching for reassurance. Nikola pulled her into his arms and nibbled her neck. “Tell them, Lissa. We’ll protect her, if she is a friend of yours.” “I met Leda Brandywine before the Bloods took me, over fifty years ago. We used to go everywhere, and yes, she knew all about me. I could trust her, she used to tease me all the time. Her father was a Senator, and her mother is a Congresswoman.” She changed the subject real quick, glancing up at him, her cheeks turned a nice shade of pink. “What did she tease you about Lissa?” He needled her, and she tried to elbow him. She shrugged. “She always accused me of getting the men, because I used my vampire mumbo jumbo on them.” Lissa giggled for the first time. Her face lit up, her body relaxed in his arms as she remembered. “I’ve lost so much time. She has part of my blood in her, Leda was attacked one night, she would have died if I hadn’t saved her.”

Nikola handed her a cell phone. “Press one, and it will dial her number.” Lissa took the phone, and called her friend. She moved out of his arms towards the back of the room. Adonis and Pierre crowded around Jaycee, as he spoke with Dominic. Lissa laughed, but her eyes were on Pierre and Adonis. Nikola knew about Pierre’s ties to Jaycee, as it seemed Lissa did too. She turned around and walked toward the outside door talking to her friend. “Lissa, stay inside please.” Castor glanced over at him. “I’ll take her outside if she needs to go.” Castor moved towards the door, but Nikola placed his hand on his shoulder. “No Castor, she needs to face it.” He nodded to Pierre and Adonis with Jaycee, and Castor realized what Nikola wanted Lissa to do. Lissa shut the phone and stood facing the door, before she slowly turned and glared at him, but she didn’t move to leave. Pierre stood, with Adonis laughing at something Jaycee had said, when both men glanced over at Lissa. Her gaze flew to theirs and back to his. “I can’t.” She whispered and flung open the door behind her, making her escape to the outside. As Nikola made his way to the door with Castor, Pierre and Adonis were a head of them, and they all watched Lissa move toward the woods. Every step she took, Lissa would touch the plants surrounding her. Her body now relaxed, Lissa moved deeper into the woods and he could tell she forgot everything around her. He knew in her own way, she was working through Pierre’s involvement with Jaycee. “Lissa talk to me.” Pierre slid in behind her, and took her hand into his. “Jaycee is my sister-in-law, and she will always be important to me but Lissa, you are my future.” He kissed her hand. Lissa stopped and turned to Pierre. “I know Pierre, I just needed to work through this.” She glanced back at all of them. “I still can’t believe all four of you are mine, but all of you have been with others, loved others.” She glanced down at the ground and a single rose grew and sprouted up to her. Lissa bent down smelling the flower. “Until

these past two days, I haven’t been with a man sexually, that I wanted, well since before…” Pierre scooped down and picked her up carrying her towards the main home. “Don’t you think we know this Lissa? We all are trying to give you the time you need, but this does not give you the excuse to place yourself in harm’s way.” He lowered her down onto the large back porch, setting her in front of him. Pierre cupped both of her cheeks. “We must leave for a few hours. Castor is staying here with you, but Lissa, no more taking off. If you need something ask us, because the next time you put yourself in danger...” Adonis moved in behind her swatting her ass. Lissa jumped, but Pierre held her still. “That is only a warning, next time you will receive a full spanking on that cute ass. Is that understood?” Pierre asked staring at her. She nodded, but Nikola knew something was going to explode, as soon as Pierre let go of her. “Pierre watch…” Nikola cringed. Pierre went flying backwards, and Adonis ended up having Lissa’s fist planted in his eye. Nikola appeared behind Lissa, and wrapped his arms around her, holding a screaming Lissa. “Don’t you ever come up behind me, and scare the shit out of me! What if I didn’t know it was you? I could have hurt you, you fool!” She shouted, glaring at Adonis. Taking a deep breath she slumped in his arms. “You can release me, Nikola. I won’t attack him, but all of you have to understand, until I can get past what has happened to me, don’t scare me. The only reason Adonis isn’t wearing one of my knives, is because I knew Pierre would never let anyone who was a danger to me near me, but that does not mean I won’t react.” Nikola loosened his hold of her, and glanced behind him. Ten of his warriors stood off to the side waiting for them, all of them hiding the smirks on their faces. “Lissa, we have to leave now, but please promise us you’ll stay near Castor, until we get back.” Nikola wrapped her long hair around his wrist and tugged on her head, drawing her attention to him.

“Be careful, all of you please.” Lissa whispered, and slid her arms around him, hugging him tight. “Don’t leave me too.” Her voice hitched and he knew she was ready to cry. He released her hair and rubbed her back. “I’m not going anywhere, Little Butterfly.” He leaned down and whispered in her ear. “I still have too much to do here. I mean you are not the perfect little sub, now are you?” Nikola knew he would get a reaction out of her, but he didn’t expect what he got. “This Little Butterfly can’t wait for you to come back and try…” She laughed and sent him flying on his ass off the porch, totally unprepared for her move. His men laughed behind him. Pierre offered him a hand, as he came up next to him. “It seems our lovely mate needs a lot more work than we thought, but I’m so looking forward to it,” Nikola said accepting Pierre’s hand. Never once taking his gaze off Lissa who smiled and leaned back against Castor. “Come back to us, all of you, and I look forward to your lessons, Nikola.” Lissa turned to Adonis and grabbed onto his arm, as he started down the stairs of the porch. He turned just as she flew into his arms, hugging him. “Please be careful.” Lissa pulled back a little, with a smile on her face, she reached up and pulled his face down to hers. “If you want to spank me, it’s best to do it when I have no clothes on.” She kissed his lips quickly and started to back away, but Adonis pulled her back into his arms. “That was not a kiss, this is.” He bent her back taking control, his hand slid up her shirt squeezing her breast, while his tongue did the flamingo with hers. “I hate to break you two up, but we need to get going if we plan to be back by tonight.” Pierre grabbed onto Lissa, after Adonis let her go, and kissed her hard. “Be good. We’ll be back tonight and then we can go get your friend.” **** Lissa turned, strolling into the large castle-like structure, her stomach doing flips, but she knew all of them had a purpose in this war and she would not hinder her men. Lissa shook her head and

stopped in the middle of the hallway, realizing that not only had her body recognized her men, but so did her heart. All four men were truly hers: Pierre with his joking manner; silent but deadly, Adonis who had eyes that could melt any woman, or send a shiver down an enemy’s spine; Castor, ruler, a man once broken, now showed his heart to her and only to her, waiting to see if she would rip it apart, as it had been in the past. Nikola, a man who was born to be a warrior, lover, and ruler of his world, but yet, he had given her all that he had, waiting, holding her when she needed comfort, protecting her at all cost and driving her crazy. Lissa laughed, glancing up at Castor who looked down at her, waiting for her next move. “Everything okay?” Concern filled his gaze, and she melted knowing tonight would be special. She stepped up to him and wrapped her arms around him. “I think for the first time I’m going to be okay, thank you.” Lissa kissed the middle of his chest. “I want to talk to Suzanne, but after that could you show me to the nearest tub? I’d like to take a nice hot bath.” Lissa took his hand and turned to find Dexter standing in their way. Lissa’s sixth sense screamed in the back of her head to be cautious. “Dexter, I’m really sorry about your mom…” Lissa reached behind her back and wrapped her hand around one of her many hidden weapons. “You weren’t her son, were you?” Castor slid in front of her, as Dominic and Granger moved in behind Dexter. “I thought you decided not to come with us to the island? Your sister knew what would happen if she betrayed me, are you here to join her?” Dexter was a few inches shorter then Castor’s six foot frame, and grinned. “Not at all, I just wanted to inform your true mate that there were no hard feelings. Kimberly choose poorly, and for that she got what she deserved, but you should know Caster father has decided to take sides with the Bloods. The old man might be from the old time, but he can still be vicious. From what I’ve been taught, he’s also a great strategy planner when it comes to war.”

Dominic’s taller frame slid next to Castor’s, but she caught Dominic’s wink at her, before he turned all his attention to Dexter. She shook her head and released the weapon, knowing there would be no way the men would allow anything to happen to her. “Don’t they just take all the fun out of everything?” Suzanne nudged her and made her jump. “Damn Suzanne, don’t do that. You scared the crap out of me.” She laughed. “God, am I out of practice, no one used to be able to sneak up on me.” Lissa grabbed her braid and slowly untwined it. “Please, you were just thinking, and after finding out you have four mates, who wouldn’t be zoned out.” Suzanne grabbed her hand, and led her around the men through another door off to the side. “Now spill it, how are you doing? I know it’s going to be rough, especially since it has been such a short time since you’ve been free.” Suzanne reached into the fridge and handed her a bottle of juice. Both of them sat down at the large kitchen table when Jaycee, Cecil and Shelly joined them. Lissa had always been a quiet person, but lately these women had become close to her. Shelly with her flash temper and dry humor, Cecil cooking up a storm, making things that melted in your mouth, and who could weasel any confession out of a person with her food. Jaycee and Suzanne, though were the two she felt as if she could talk to about anything. Lissa sat back in her chair and glanced around the table. “I’m not going to lie. I’m scared half to death. I hadn’t been with anyone since I was freed from that place over a year ago. But I realized something yesterday, if I want a life I have to fight for it and well. Let’s just say I won yesterday’s challenge and tonight I’ll win another.” She took a drink of juice. Jaycee patted her hand and Suzanne nodded. “It’s as if all four men are already part of me, but yet I haven’t been with all four. There has been no bonding or anything like that. Well Castor and I now have a blood bond, but…” She ran her hand through her hair pulling it to the side. “It’s like they have been there all my life, that I’m part of them.”

Suzanne snorted, and took a drink of her juice, while Cecil put a plate of rolls and butter in front of all of them. “I think its nature’s way of changing things, balancing them. Jaycee, have you talked to Giai? I mean she is after all Mother Nature herself, maybe she knows why all of us have this reaction to our men.” Cecil sat down tearing apart a roll, and dipping it into the warm butter. “No, but I gather we’ll find out more tonight, since Empusa will be here. Which reminds me, do we fix a formal dinner for them?” Jaycee asked Suzanne and Temmra. Cecil stared at Suzanne who busted out laughing. “Jaycee you couldn’t cook if your life depended on it. But, no they won’t be able to stay long, they don’t want to draw the attention of others, and their powers will do that. Cecil is right; things are changing here on Earth. Temmra even noticed it with the animals around her. They’re more guarded, hiding, as if preparing, and it has nothing to do with the fact winter is right around the corner. Hell, we have Christmas in ninety days, plus your due date is here in the next two months. I think all of us need to watch for any signs. As for your reaction to your men Lissa, let them in. I know it’s going to be hard, but they’ll do anything for you, as any of our men would do for us.” Suzanne grabbed a roll and nibbled on it. “It’s weird, most of our men are very dominant. Hell, Dominic is used to having slaves around him, yet with all this going around, all four of my men have surrounded me giving me anything. I hate to say it…” She leaned in close to the center of the table, all of them moved closer. “I even went so far as to disobey each one the other day, I even put hot sauce in the eggs Cecil gave me to give Dominic the other morning, but nothing. Hell, it’s been three weeks, and not a one of them has spanked me!” Suzanne pouted. “I mean, how am I supposed to concentrate on things, when I’m thinking of ways to get them to, well, return to normal a little? Rather, what’s normal for them?” Suzanne mumbled the last part, slumping back in her chair. “You’re not the only one. Tug and Rory both have been acting different, as if I’m going to break. Jeez, I’d like to take a frying pan

to their heads.” Cecil laughed. “I did the hot pepper sauce in Tug’s beer the other night. He just laughed and said. “Nice joke.’” Cecil slumped down in her chair. Jaycee tapped her fingers on the table. “Shelly and I have the same problem. Well me. more so with the babies. Even Marsha has gone out of her way to tell all of my men I’m fine, and it’s okay to have normal sex for us. But no, nada, nothing.” Lissa listened, then frowned. “Do you think maybe with all the stress that they, you know, can’t do anything right now? Damn, and I wanted to…” Suzanne shook her head. “No they can perform, they just choose not to be on the rougher side with us. They save that for their other mates.” Suzanne snarled. “They’re putting us on a shelf, like we are some fragile things. I’m surprised they haven’t come barging in here looking for us. But don’t worry. Temmra has blocked them from hearing what we’re talking about.” “Maybe they need to hear what you’re saying.” Lissa grabbed a roll, took a bite, and moaned. “Damn, Cecil these are amazing. If anything we could have a giant orgasm on her food alone. “ Jaycee grabbed another roll. “Shit, I think I already did when she made the chocolate mousse last night, but Suzanne is right. I’m tired of the shelf life, I want more, damn it.” The door to the kitchen slammed open, Remi and Dane came in. “You want more what? What are you complaining about now?” Dane frowned and glanced around the room. “What has all of you in an uproar? The hostility in this room is thick.” “We shouldn’t have to ask or beg, but damn it, what the hell is it with you guys? I swear ever since we got to Michigan, all of you have been acting like we’re made out of porcelain or something.” Jaycee snarled, and bit down on a roll. Dominic, Tug, Rory, Granger, Clayton, Bo and Castor joined the other men in the kitchen and surrounded their chairs. Lissa smirked and relaxed back in her chair, waiting for the shit to fly. “Don’t you smirk, Lissa, just you wait. I bet all of your men will treat you the same way. Maybe we need to find some men that

are willing to give us…” Suzanne jumped out of her chair and ran around the table as Dominic snarled and tried to catch her. “You even think of getting another man, and I’ll tie you to the bed, do you hear me?” Dominic nodded and Blair captured Suzanne, throwing her over his shoulder, swatting her ass. “Well then damn it, stop treating me like a doll! When was the last time you spanked me, or even flogged me?” Suzanne whispered the last words. “Don’t you want me anymore? I thought I was supposed to be your slave?” Blair yelled and dropped Suzanne, as she ran for the door. Blair ran as he patted his ass, smoke filled the room. “Never make a female dragon pissed.” Suzanne laughed, and then tore out of the room. Her mates ran after her. “Oh I’ll give you a spanking, just wait till I catch you.” Blair yelled in the distance, and Lissa grinned, as did Cecil sitting across from her. “Did you know that Shelly and I got a good look at Kimberly’s chamber last night?” Cecil leaned over the table and pretended to whisper in her ear. “My son was asleep, my men asleep, so I met Shelly in the kitchen and we saw Kimberly leave her room. We snuck in there. My god, that woman had a mean streak in her. She had video after video of sexual mutilation on so many different men.” Lissa reached up and grabbed Castor’s hand, squeezing it, before she glanced over to see Tug and Rory. They moved towards her with Clayton behind Cecil. Bo cornered Shelly against the counter. “What the hell were you thinking? What if she had brought someone back to her room?” Shelly didn’t get to say a word. Bo swung her up into his arms and stormed out of the room. Tug, Rory, and Clayton were right behind him with Cecil. “Well that leaves you and me Lissa. Since Remi is being so nice, I’ve decided he will be the first one your friend can interview tomorrow. I mean it’s only right, after all, he’s supposed to be some

big hotshot, ya know.” Jaycee winked at her, using the table to stand going to the fridge. “I’m always eating, I swear these little ones are going to be huge by the time they come out of me. Did you know there are fourteen different positions you can have sex in while pregnant… What the hell?” Jaycee glared at Remi who had picked her up and carried her toward the door. “I don’t know why you’re acting like something is going to happen, because as soon as we hit the bedroom, you’re going to put me in bed, pleasure me, and leave. Well no more. Put me down now, Remi.” Jaycee’s snarled and Remi stopped, glancing down at her. “What is your problem?” Remi lowered her legs down to the floor, but held onto her. “If you’re not going to make love to me, spank me, or do something other than pleasuring me, get lost. I can pleasure myself, I don’t need you. You know what I want? No change that, what I crave, but all three of you are a bunch of chickens. I’d never thought I would see the day my men would actually turn me down.” Jaycee chocked on the last part, and Lissa pushed her chair back to go to her, but Castor put his hand on her shoulder, and shook his head. “No Lissa, they have to deal with it themselves. Come, let me show you to our room. You said you wanted a nice hot bath.” Castor took her hand and pulled her towards the other door, but Lissa glanced at Jaycee, who hadn’t moved. She was in a stare down with Remi. Could she trust her men, as Jaycee did hers? That was the question.

Chapter Six Nikola appeared in their rooms and found Castor pacing back and forth, while soft jazz music played. In the bathroom, water ran into the tub. Castor stopped his pacing and turned to glare at him. “I don’t appreciate the job of babysitting our mate. Why wasn’t I informed of this assignment, and why wasn’t I involved?” Pierre and Adonis stopped as soon as they entered the room, sensing the hostility coming from Castor. Nikola was tired and hungry, but it looked like they were going to have this out here and now. “Tell me, is the problem really that you stayed here to watch and take care of Lissa, or is the problem a matter of dominance in our family unit?” Castor circled around him, but he didn’t move. Castor waited and searched for any sign of weakness in him. Adonis and Pierre stripped out of their clothes and headed for the smaller bathroom which contained showers, not wanting to disturb Lissa just yet, and knowing Castor and Nikola needed time alone. “Right from the start, you have assumed much in the short time you have been here. This is my home Nikola, now yours and our mates, but I will not be left out of important matters concerning our family.” Castor’s warm breath teased the back of his neck. He cupped Nikola’s balls and squeezed gently. “Your scent, even sweaty and dirty, makes me want to sink my cock into that fine ass of yours.” Nikola allowed Caster to take the lead, but once he started to push him forward trying to bend him to his will, Nikola moved so quickly Castor didn’t stand a chance. He had Castor bent backwards over the arm chair in the room. “You are right Castor, I should have talked to you. We all should have talked, but there was no time. As it is, we barely made it in time for the meeting.” Nikola slid his hand inside Castor’s pants and stroked his cock. “But Castor, when it comes to this family unit, I have the final word. Is that understood?” Nikola used his powers and Castor’s clothes disappeared. “I’m hot, sweaty and now you have driven my

body to the point I can’t wait, when I wanted our first time together to be in front of Lissa. She already missed the bonding with Pierre and Adonis, but I can’t wait.” A warm small hand slid up his back, her lips kissing where her hand had been. “I’m here and would be no other place, Nikola.” Lissa whispered, as her hand slid down his stomach. “No, Lissa.” He jerked back away from her, and in the instant he saw the pain of his rejection flash on her face. He instantly regretted his harsh manner. Nikola lifted her chin with his fingers and Castor brushed her hair back, exposing her naked form for their view. “Little Butterfly I didn’t reject you. I’m dirty, sweaty. When you touch me, I want to be clean. I don’t want death on my skin or near you. Do you understand?” Nikola watched as her eyes lit up, and a small smile formed. “Well, then it is good that I have a hot bath for you, isn’t it?” Lissa turned and walked towards the bathroom, the sway of her hips drew his attention as it did Castor’s. “Are you two coming?” Lissa glanced over her shoulder and winked at him. “Don’t worry the tub is big enough for all of us. I’ll just be a good girl and watch.” Nikola snorted, following her into the bathroom. Candles lit the room, the human Frank Sinatra sang, Fly Me To The Moon, and the smell of vanilla filled the air. On the side of the tub was a small table with a bottle of red 1985 Camus, open and breathing, and three long stemmed glasses. “How did you do this without me seeing?” Castor teased, helping Lissa into the tub, and pouring them each a glass of wine. Lissa laughed. “You were too busy pouting and pacing, you didn’t even see me walk out the side door to the kitchen. When I came back in, you were in the closet.” She laid her head back against the edge of the tub. “So how was the mission? Were you successful?” He stepped into the warm water, sitting next to her, and kissed her neck softly. “We’ll talk later about our mission. You have something you wanted to talk to us about?”

She lifted her head and smiled at him. “My talk can wait Nikola. You two need each other. Castor has been waiting for the past hour, don’t make him wait any longer. Plus, I want Pierre and Adonis here when we talk.” Lissa took the glass of wine from Castor. Nikola sat down next to Castor, the tub a huge garden whirlpool, the jets pulsing behind his back. He took a sip of his wine and handed it to Castor as he dipped under the water. When he came up, Lissa was on her knees next to him with the shampoo. “Turn around and I’ll wash your hair.” He grinned and turned his back to her, while Castor grabbed the bar of soap, and started to wash his chest, arms and legs, leaving his cock till the very last. By the time both of them were done washing him, he was once more ready to explode. He grabbed Castor’s hips and moved him in position in front of Lissa. “Do I get to help?” Lissa slid her hand down Castor’s chest to his cock as Nikola lubed his cock and squirted the lube into Castor’s ass. “Don’t come, Castor, till I tell you.” Nikola nipped the back of his neck, and grabbed his hair pulling his head back, as he slowly worked his cock into his ass. “God, you guys are hot.” Lissa whisper scooting forward and kissing Castor’s chest, while she slid her hand up and down his now enlarged cock. Nikola slowly eased his lubed cock into Castor’s ass, when all he wanted to do was ram it into him. Castor was still holding back, and he didn’t like it one bit. He pulled Castor’s hair which was wrapped around his wrist bringing Castor’s head back until he glanced up at him. “You’re going to tell me what’s wrong? Your mind is not on this, and your body is tense. Lissa, back away from him please.” Lissa lifted her head glanced up at him, then at Castor nodding. She too could now feel the tension that poured out of Castor, and it wasn’t about the dominance issue either. She moved out of his arms and towards the other end of the tub, away from them. Castor kept his gaze on him. “I didn’t want to say anything, but I can’t hold it back, because it could hurt Lissa. Something is

off with one of the brothers. Ever since you three mated…” Castor shook his head as Nikola released his hair and pushed away from Castor. He didn’t like where this was going. If something was wrong, he should know it, after all he was mated to Pierre and Adonis. Castor hadn’t yet bound himself to them. Nikola dipped under the water, coming up, and grabbing his wine glass scooting next to Lissa. “Explain.” Lissa took her glass of wine, and swirled it around in the glass. “I hate to say it, I’ve felt the same way, but I thought it was just me.” She looked up into Castor’s face, and he took a sip of his wine, nodding. “No, Lissa, it wasn’t you. There is anger in one of the brothers, Pierre or Adonis, I don’t know which, but it’s there. Also there is a hint of something else, I haven’t come across in a long time. I thought it was long dead, as a matter of fact, but with this war coming to a head, someone could have brought the old ways back into play.” The door to the bathroom burst open hit the wall and splintered in half. Plaster flew everywhere. Pierre fell to his knees, blood coming out of many small wounds. Nikola grabbed Lissa and handed her to Castor. “Don’t let her move.” Nikola stepped out of the tub and glanced behind Pierre, but no one was there. He knelt down in front of Pierre, just as he looked up, his eyes a blood red. “I don’t know what happened.” Red drops of blood dripped down his face from the cut on his head. “One minute we were laughing and talking about the old days, the next he hits me over the head with the towel rack he pulled out of the wall.” Pierre moved to get up and Nikola grabbed onto his arm helping him stand. “Castor, Lissa get some clothes on, we need Remi now. He’ll be able to help us.” Nikola helped Pierre into the bedroom suite and sat him down on the bed. He grabbed the blanket behind him and wrapped it around his shoulders. “You need to shift, to heal your wounds, Pierre.”

Pierre started to shift when Remi came into the room followed by Dane, and Mark. “What happened?” Remi demanded, and moved to stand next to him, hovering over Pierre. “One minute I was talking to Jaycee and the next minute Adonis’s family connection was ripped away from me.” Pierre’s attention went directly on to Lissa as she moved into the room dressed in a black sleeveless mini dress he had left for her on the bathroom counter. Castor stood next to her, his arm wrapped around her waist. A low, deep, vicious snarl penetrated the room, and everyone stood perfectly still. “Pierre get a hold of yourself now, or I’ll do it for you.” Nikola moved in front of Pierre blocking his view of Lissa. “This is not a time to act on those mating urges, when you are hurt, and we have a missing person here.” Nikola placed both of his hands on Pierre’s shoulders, and pushed some of his magic through Pierre, calming him, which also helped speed up the healing process as he finished his shift. His hands were now fur instead of skin, Nikola cupped the back of his head and knelt in front of him. “You are magnificent in your beast form, and one day soon we’ll take care of you, but for now we need you back to tell us what happened.” Nikola squeezed the back of his neck and placed a kiss on his black wet nose. “Lissa, why don’t you go join Jaycee. I’m sure she is wondering what’s going on.” He stood turning so Pierre would be blocked from seeing Lissa. Right now they needed answers, and they couldn’t do that with Lissa present. Lissa pushed Castor away from her and slid up to Nikola. “You know I’m getting tired of this crap. I’m part of this damn unit. I might have been hurt in the past, but I don’t need to be treated as a child, needing a baby sitter. All of you can stuff your cocks up your own asses, because they aren’t going to be in mine anytime soon! Don’t you think I’m worried about Adonis and Pierre? They are my mates too, damn it!” Lissa poked his chest, as Castor wrapped his arms around her, and pulled her away.

“Enough Lissa, we have bigger problems then you throwing a fit. Now go.” Castor ordered pushing her out of the bedroom, slamming the door shut. “Paybacks are a bitch, remember that the both of you!” Lissa yelled through the door. **** Lissa stood, glaring at the wooden door waiting for it to combust, but nothing happened. Jaycee’s small hand squeezed her shoulder. “Would you like to go to the kitchen with me? It seems when I’m upset, or angry, I eat now.” She tried to smile, but Lissa could see the tears in her eyes, and she knew that her face had to match hers. “I’m scared Jaycee, real scared this time. I don’t know how to handle this.” Jaycee wrapped her arm around her waist, and they made their way to the kitchen. Marsha was in there waiting for both of them. “Sit, the both of you, it’s going to be a while before we hear anything. I don’t know what is going on, but getting half a picture is getting to be a pain in the ass!” Marsha slammed down to bottles of water onto the table. Jaycee winked at her, going into Marsha’s arms. “We all do what we can, Momma. I too can’t see half of what I should. Even my connection to my mates is still half-ass, not like it was.” Jaycee pulled back and sat down at the table, as all three of them drank their water in silence. Lissa wiped her hands on a napkin. “Jaycee what if Adonis goes to the other side? What if I lose him, before I even have him? I’m hanging on by a tread here. I want to be held and made love to on one hand, and then, if any little thing comes up, I don’t know whether to trust myself, let alone my mates.” She threw her water at the kitchen door, and it exploded all over the place. “Damn it, I hate this! Excuse me, I need some air. Marsha, leave the mess, I’ll clean it up later.” Her chair flew back as she jumped back and ran to the outside door in the hallway, but Nikola was there waiting for her.

He wrapped his arms around her, lifting her off the ground, and moved outside quickly. Without a word he moved her towards the woods. Somehow he had known what she needed, her connection to the plants. Nikola lowered her feet to the ground, and at once vines twined around her, to cover her legs, stomach, and arms, hugging her, holding her, giving her the comfort she needed. The tears fell and the dam broke. Everything came at her at once, the betrayal, the pain, and the loss of everything she cared for. Her legs crumbled, but her plants slowly lowered her to the ground. Nikola sat down next to her, placing her head into his lap, brushing her hair out of her face. “Let it out, Little Butterfly, I’m here; we’re all here for you.” He kissed the top of her head, and sat up, showing her that Pierre, and Castor were there also. All of them surrounded her, they touched her, as tears fell from their eyes as if they too felt her pain. “We do Lissa, we feel everything you do. Even though we are not yet bonded, there is a special connection to you, that all of us feel. Your emotions are so strong, how can we not hurt for you?” Pierre whispered kissing her lips softly. “I’m sorry Lissa, if I could take your pain away I would.” Even through her tearful eyes Lissa saw the torment in Pierre’s gaze. Vines moved up over his legs and stomach as she slid into his arms holding onto him tight. Her plants joined all of them in a way that shocked all of them. “Pierre, Nikola, Castor, what is going on?” She tried to sit up, but the vines hugged her tighter as they moved over Castor and Nikola, now binding all of them together. Red flowers opened up on the vines, thorn like stems poked, and broke her skin, and theirs drawing small amounts of their blood, and exchanging it with a clear liquid from the plant. Nikola didn’t move as he studied the vine-like plant, and then he smiled, his gaze lifted to hers. “It will be okay. It’s their way of binding us together, so if anything should happen to you, we would be able to find you through the plants. Well damn!” Nikola grunted, and his head fell back, as so did Castor’s. Pierre’s hold on her

grew tighter as he too grunted, and that is when she felt it under her. All three men had just come. In spite of everything, Lissa tried to hide the small smile that formed on her lips, facing into Pierre’s chest. “I’m glad you find this so amusing. Are you okay?” Pierre grinned down at her, kissing her nose. Lissa sighed and laid her head back down on his chest, as the vines slowly moved off of them. “I’m numb Pierre, my emotions are all over the place, and I don’t even trust myself anymore. I feel like I’m half a person, that I’m not good…” Pierre kissed her lips hard, shutting her last words, and making her forget everything but him. He pulled back, and tipped her chin up looking down at her. “Don’t ever say anything like that Lissa. We all have our faults, but you are ours, and to us you are perfect.” Nikola stood next to Castor and held out his hand to help her up. Lissa put her small hand into his bigger one and he pulled her up into his arms. “Pierre is right, don’t ever think you are less than we are, Lissa, because you are not. You are the woman that holds the key to our happiness, the one who will carry our children someday, and the woman who keeps our souls safe inside here.” He placed his hand over her heart. “Every time we go into battle, we leave ourselves vulnerable, and you are the only one who will be able to bring us back. We’re hoping you’ll be able to help Adonis. That you’ll be able to bring him back, when we can’t.” Pierre and Castor joined Nikola putting their hand on her heart. Once more, tears fell down her face, and landed on their hands. “How can I bring him back? Tell me what to do Nikola? I want my family whole.” “Then I guess we should get working at this, before he does more damage than he already has.” Remi said behind them. Lissa stepped back and watched as Marsha, Jaycee, Suzanne and her mates formed a circle around her. Even her mates joined the circle leaving her alone. Marsha smiled at her, and stepped up to her taking her hand.

“When Adonis and Pierre were given their lives back, they were given the gift to separate themselves from their souls when they went into battle. That way if something happened to them, you, their female mate could bring them back, they could heal. Adonis has placed his soul inside of you, or should I say, it has moved inside of you. As soon as the beast took control of Adonis, his soul fled inside of you.” Marsha walked around her sprinkling herbs around her. “You are one with nature, Lissa, look inside you, and see Adonis. Call him to you. Don’t be afraid, because you are the one person he cannot hurt. You are his life, as the rest of your men are your life, you cannot be separated, and one cannot live without the other. Your plants have given you and your mates the gift of regeneration. With this regeneration, we can heal Adonis, but to heal him he has to be near you, in your body and soul.” Marsha stopped in front of her, and once more took her hand. “This will be your biggest test yet, Lissa. Can you forget your history, to forge ahead, and heal your man, love your man as only you can? This will not be a gentle bonding Lissa. We will all be here to make sure he does not harm you. Nikola will be Adonis’s male counterpart. He too will be with you, loving Adonis.” Lissa sucked in her breath and glanced up at Nikola who wrapped his arm around her. “You can do this Lissa, you’re a strong woman, and you already have felt that connection to Adonis.” Remi stepped up to her, taking Marsha’s place, as she lit candles around the circle. “I know you don’t know me, and I have no right to ask this of you, but please. I already lost my little brother once, I can’t lose him again.” Remi leaned down and kissed her head. “Two nights ago he came to me, knowing you were his mate, but afraid to say anything because of the pain you‘d gone through. He didn’t want to pressure you, even though he was having a hard time controlling his beast. Adonis knew this could happen, but he kept himself away. He hoped his bonding with Nikola would be enough to hold him through it all.”

“You knew he was close, and said nothing to me?” Lissa frowned when he nodded. “He made me promise not to. He watched every move you made. If you wanted something, or if he thought you wanted anything, he made sure it was in your room. Even before we came to Michigan, when he and Pierre were nothing but ghosts, he followed you.”

Chapter Seven Lissa closed her eyes, and leaned back on Nikola. She was so going to kill Adonis, when they got him back to his normal self. “And I will personally help you with that chore.” Nikola said inside her head, his arms tightening around her. “We all will help you.” She looked up and he nodded to Castor, and Pierre who grinned. “I’ll even hold him down for you, so you can spank him.” Pierre said trying not to laugh, but failed, and soon she was laughing too. She patted Nikola’s hand and glanced back at Remi. “Let’s get this done. We need to find out how much damage was done afterwards too.” Remi smiled and nodded. “You let us…” He stopped as Jaycee put her hand on his arm. “No, she is putting herself in danger here. Lissa has the right to follow this through Remi. He is her mate, and if he has done something to alert the other side, your brother is going to need her understanding more than anyone else’s.” His large hand covered Jaycee’s and he nodded. “You’re right. Knowing Adonis, he will withdraw, and she will be the only one who will be able to get him to open up.” They turned back to the circle, but not before she heard the whisper of a thank you come from him. Jaycee was right. They all were big babies at times. Nikola turned her around and kissed her lips. “I heard that thought, and soon I’ll show you how much of a big baby I am.” He whispered into her ear, as he slowly lifted her dress, and handed it to Pierre. Lissa had been completely naked under the dress, but no one said anything, as they formed the circle and waited. Closing her eyes, Lissa searched inside herself, and found the shadow of Adonis’s soul buried deep in her heart. “Come to me Adonis, I need you, please. Don’t leave me alone. I can’t be alone again, and if one of you are gone, our circle is not complete. We all need you. I need

you inside me Adonis.” Lissa threw out the last part to include all of them, hoping Adonis would hear her call. “He will, believe.” Even though it was the late afternoon, a storm had moved in. The sky grew dark, lightening crisscrossed the sky, and thunder shook the ground they stood on. Nikola rubbed her arms up and down as a cold chill covered her body. “He’s here. Adonis, I’m here, waiting for you. Won’t you bond with me, or am I not good enough?” Lissa said the last part, hoping it to draw him out. No one said a word as they waited, and watched. Marsha’s magic filled the air along with Nikola’s, and once Adonis stepped into the circle, the change back would begin. Nikola stepped away from her as a snarl filled the air. “Do you come to your female, who is waiting for you, to submit to you, as a beast or a man?” Nikola asked, his magic now blended with Marsha’s. Lights of color danced around the circle, the smell of mint and cloves had her stomach growl, but food would have to wait. A thick blanket covered the ground before her, fur covered hands guided her from behind to the blanket and onto her knees. “I’m sorry, my love.” The words were mumbled, as Adonis ran his now hands over her breasts. He pulled one nipple, while one of his hands slid down to her pussy, two fingers found her wet and ready for her mate. With her head down, Lissa submitted to him. She closed her eyes concentrating on his hands, his warm breath on the back of her neck, and his cock, which rubbed against her wet pussy lips. Ever so slowly, Adonis slid his cock into her, not stopping, but not hurting her either. Once he was fully inside her, she heard the whoosh of his breath, as he leaned over her and nipped her shoulder. Adonis’ body heated hers as he moved at such a slow pace she thought she would kill him. He snorted, his hands twisting and pulling on her breasts. “Mine.” His thick cock grew larger and thicker inside of her, a butterfly tickling inside her chest had her sucking in her breath as his soul joined back with him, making him whole one more time.

Adonis released her breasts, and twined his hands with hers on the ground. A shadow covered them, and Lissa knew Nikola had come to join them. Adonis growled. “Easy my mate, I need you too.” Nikola whispered into his ear. The thought of Nikola taking Adonis’ ass, only increased her desire, and love for these men. “That’s it Adonis feel the connection we have. Come home Adonis, never leave us again. Bond with your female, make her yours,” Nikola said as Adonis’s pace grew faster and harder, matching Nikola’s strokes. Adonis slid one of his hands down her stomach to her pussy, and rubbed her nub, as he sank his teeth into her neck. He drank her blood, the only time Adonis would take her blood connecting them for all time, as mates. He released her neck and licked the wounds closed. “Now Adonis, come!” Nikola ordered. Adonis grabbed onto her hips. His grip was hard and she would have bruises there in the morning. He pounded into her three more times, before his warm seed poured into her pussy. Lissa’s body trembled; sweat broke out on her face, as the second natural orgasm of her life hit her hard. Even when she had been raped over and over, Lissa had refused to acknowledge her body’s reactions, often times getting her beaten so badly by the john that she would be out of commission for a few days until she healed. Overwhelmed she screamed, and tears streamed down her face as she fell onto the blanket, great sobs were upon her. Lissa curled up into a ball, as soon as Adonis pulled out of her, and her orgasm had subsided. Adonis lay down next to her, pulling her into his arms, just holding her. “God Lissa, I’m so sorry! Where are you hurt? I’ll never touch you again, I swear.” He ran his hands up and down her body checking her, but Lissa pushed his hands away, and took two deep breaths. “Not your fault, didn’t know.”

Nikola kneeled before them. “This was the first time you allowed yourself the pleasure, isn’t it, other than with me?” He brushed her hair away from her face, as she nodded. Adonis stood with her in his arms. “Damn it Lissa, you should have left me. Here it was your first normal time, and it ends up being in front of others, to save my stupid ass.” Adonis snarled, and glanced up at the sky. Lissa slapped his muscular chest, and glared at him. “It wasn’t my first time, which was with Nikola, but don’t you dare start acting all pissed at me Adonis, or so help me, I’ll chop something off. I wouldn’t have done this if I didn’t want to, Adonis. All of you are part of me, I knew this earlier, and I was going to ask…It’s just with everyone around, it was hard.” Lissa’s face heated as all four of her mates stared at her. She tried to bury her head in Adonis chest, but Nikola would have none of it. He grabbed onto her chin, and held it as he captured her gaze and held it. “Go on.” “Well I did some soul searching…” She laughed, but they just stared and waited. “Anyway, when the three of you were gone, it was as if something was missing…”she placed her hand on her heart. “Inside of me that I didn’t know could be missing. It hurt Nikola, I can’t live without any of you. I don’t know how, but you are an important part of me now. I need all of you in my heart, soul and my body.” She whispered the last part, but all of them had heard her. Nikola glanced up at the sky and frowned. “Of all times for you to admit this, you do it now.” His gaze narrowed as he glanced around. “This storm is not natural. I think we’d better get inside now.” Adonis put her into Castor’s arms covering her with the blanket, as he stood next to Nikola. Castor ran with her towards the house, as did everyone else before the sky opened up, and sheets of rain fell but this wasn’t a normal rain. “What the hell?” Lissa hissed as drop after drop of rain hit her skin, burning it, while it did nothing to any of the men.

“Why is this burning me and not you?” She snarled, and rubbed at her arms, chest and stomach. Even her legs were now blistering, as they ran through the door, with the other women right behind them, cussing. Lissa’s skin burned, as if acid had been poured on her. The smell of burnt skin, filled the hallway as everyone made their way into the house. “Castor, is the house going to survive this rain, or whatever you call it?” Castor placed her on the kitchen table, checking her arms and legs. “I’m fine. The rain does not bother us. It seems to only hurt you and the other females.” She threw the blanket off of her, not caring about herself, as she jumped off the table, urging him to sit, so she could make sure. Pierre and Adonis came in, followed by the others as the men ripped off their women’s clothing. Lissa glanced at Jaycee. She had tears running down her face, as she ripped Remi’s shirt off his back. “How the hell can this happen?” She looked to Marsha who was stripping her clothes off, with her husband’s help. “This is black magic and very powerful. Remember that man I fought a couple of months ago?” She asked Jaycee, while the women tried to check the men, who refused their attention. “Damn it, Jaycee, we’re fine. It’s only you and the other women who have been burned. Now stop, so we can see what is going on.” Remi yelled, yanking the rest of her clothes off of her and checking her pregnant belly. A long robe covered Lissa’s body all of a sudden, shocking her, and making her jump. “Nikola, warn me, will you?” she grinned at Nikola, when he came into the kitchen, just as she sat down at their encouragement. He nodded, waving his hand, and suddenly everyone’s burned clothes were gone. The women now wore flimsy robes, to make them more comfortable, and make it easier to inspect their wounds. “It was black magic, but not so powerful that I couldn’t stop it. The only problem…” He moved over to Jaycee, and cussed up a storm. Nikola had a worried look on his face.

Remi stood glancing back and forth between him and Jaycee. “What?” That one word was so powerful everyone stood still. “There is some kind of parasite in the rain, the burning sensation only covers the parasite, as it buries itself into the female’s body, which it then enters into their blood stream to kill any reproductive organs.” Lissa turned towards the kitchen window all of sudden itching, as she thought of those things under her skin. She rubbed the side of her head. The plants outside screamed, but only she could hear it, and it wasn’t because of the acid. They wanted her. Lissa reached for the window, but Adonis stopped her. “What’s wrong?” He kissed her hand and frowned as he noticed her rubbing her right temple. “Nikola does this parasite affect the brain?” “Open the window Adonis, please. We need their help.” She glanced back at Nikola who looked up and nodded. “Do it, her plants might be able to help with the parasites, and no, it shouldn’t be bothering her brain.” Nikola continued to check Jaycee with Remi and Dane. She should have been very upset at the way her mate was paying attention to Jaycee, but right now her head was killing her. Adonis opened the window, and a vine the color of a pumpkin moved into the room. The vine went straight for Jaycee, wrapping around her legs, then her body. The noise in her head grew louder, but she smiled at Jaycee, reassuring her. “They’ll help draw out the poison, I think.” Lissa leaned against the counter, as a different vine started to twine up her body. It covered her as other plants converged on the rest of the women. The vine was smooth and cool to her feverish skin. “Damn, it, it’s hot in here!” She stripped out of the robe, not caring if anyone could see her. Adonis moved closer to her. “How many burns do you have?” He glanced down at her chest and hissed. “Nikola the whole front of her is burned. Look at her skin, it’s bubbling up. This was not like this when we first got in.”

Lissa didn’t know what was going on, even Adonis’ words were jumbled together. She grabbed onto his arm, trying to stand, but her legs finally gave, and she would have fallen if Adonis hadn’t caught her. He cradled her in his arms, sinking to the floor, giving the vines room to work on her. The room grew darker, and all she could now see were faint shapes. “Adonis, I can’t see anything, just shapes?” Lissa tried to swallow, but her throat was now being to swell shut, making it hard to swallow. “Water…” The last word she heard was Adonis screaming Nikola’s name. **** Nikola flashed to Lissa’s side, as she passed out in Adonis arms. The vine sprouted out tubes that pushed through her skin. As he glanced around, he saw that every woman in the room, except for Shelly and Cecil who hadn’t gone outside, was now passed out on the floor. “Let the vines do their work.” He tried to reassure the others, when even he wasn’t sure if this would work. Never in his life had he ever been so terrified, as he watched the vines suck on the skin of his mate, the parasites attacking the females. “Remi, Dominic, they once again send an attack directed at our females, not at us?” Nikola ran his hand through Lissa’s hair as Pierre, Adonis and Castor all touched Lissa, reassuring themselves that she was still breathing. Magic filled the room, bright lights, and a warm heat covered the women that lay on the floor, and Nikola let out his breath as Queen Isabel appeared in the room, with Goddess Empusa. He rose to greet them, but they waved all the men down. “Please stay with your woman.” Isabel bent down, and glanced at Lissa. “We came to let you know that we have a bigger problem than we believed.” The queen glanced up at him and sighed. “I’m sorry Nikola, but it seems your younger brother, Vender, has taken over two hundred men. They have scattered across the Earth’s surface.” his queen informed him. He nodded, but inside he exploded, anger so deep reached every corner of his body, until he felt soft warm fingers curl around

his arm. Nikola glanced down to see Lissa’s beautiful gaze staring up at him. “I’m so sorry, but it’s not your fault. He made his choice, Nikola.” Her voice was weak, but she made sure to reassure him. Goddess Empusa moved to stand over Suzanne. “Watch her closely, Domini. Watch all your females.” She bent down and kissed Suzanne’s head. “It seems the enemy seeks their destruction first, and they will stop at anything to do it. Rest my daughter, know I watch and help any way I can.” She rose and stepped away, but Suzanne reached out for her, stopping her. She knelt once more next to her and took her hand. “You’ll be fine my daughter. Temmra, your mother, has arrived, and is very pleased with your host. We haven’t found your father, but we will. She is a powerful one, and a generous one.” Empusa grinned, and placed her hand on Suzanne’s stomach. “Not to worry, the parasites did not have enough time to hurt any of you, but Suzanne, you must take better care. You carry four little bambinos inside you, and I, for one, plan on spoiling them all.” Nikola laughed when Dominic and Blair fell back on their asses in shock. Suzanne grinned, placing her hand over the goddess’ hand. “I had a feeling I was, but I wanted to make sure before I said anything, and believe me, nothing will hurt my children.” Queen Isabel moved over to Marsha, and whispered words in her ear. Marsha’s eyes got big and she glanced down at her own stomach, then back at her husband, Ben. “But how, I’m too old to have a baby, let alone two?” Isabel laughed and patted the woman’s hand. “Honey, you are part fae, and you can have children for another hundred years at least.” She stood and glanced back at him. “That is why Marsha could recognize the magic outside. Somehow she carries our blood, even though it is a small amount, she is fae. When you get time, she will need to be taught our ways, but for now…” Isabel and the Goddess stood glancing around at the women. “It now appears we have another aspect to this equation to figure out. Cecil, Shelly you two are also pregnant, and before you

ask, yes. Cecil you are carrying three children. Shelly you carry two.” Goddess Empusa glanced down at Lissa and frowned, then turned to Isabel, who shook her head. “No it can’t be possible.” Isabel and Empusa kneeled down next to Lissa, both of them placing their hands on her stomach. “What? What’s wrong?” Nikola hadn’t realized that he now had Lissa’s hair wrapped tight in his palm, as he released it, rubbing her head where he had pulled. Both women glanced at each other then at him. “Wait, I want to check something.” Empusa stood up, but Gaia appeared next to Jaycee, kneeling next to her. “It’s not necessary. Yes, her children are a combination of all four of her men.” Gaia kissed Jaycee’s cheek and stood. “It seems someone has been playing on Earth, which we didn’t know about. This has one of the god’s handy work in it. I’m also wondering if this will also affect humans somehow too.” Nikola helped Lissa sit up in Castor’s arms, covering her with a robe, as the vines retracted out the kitchen windows. He stood up, as did the other males, except for the ones who held the women in their arms, while all of them waited for further explanation. No one rushes Goddesses, or the queen of the fae. “Um, excuse me, but could you explain this to us, please.” Nikola asked, Remi and Dominic at his side now, as they waited. Gaia stood and moved to join the other two women, glancing at Lissa. “You are a beautiful woman Lissa, and you have my gift to communicate with plants, as Jaycee has my gift to communicate with animals. Lissa is pregnant, all your females are, but the children are different.” Gaia started to pace back and forth talking. “The only other time this happened was when…” she stopped her face lost its color as she looked at Empusa. “The Gathering.”

Chapter Eight Lissa pushed at Castor’s arms, tired, pissed, and confused. “Let me go, now Castor! I want answers, and I’ll be damned if I sit here like a bump on a log.” She glared at Castor as the other females also fought with their men. Finally Castor released her, helping her stand, for which she was truly grateful since her legs almost gave out twice. Nikola finally had enough so he pulled out a chair in front of him and plopped her down in front of him. “Don’t move.” He snapped his hands on her shoulder. For some reason she knew not to push her luck, and turned her attention to the three powerful beings who stood before her, Jaycee, Suzanne, Cecil, Shelly, and Marsha. “Okay you have our full attention, now explain what the hell The Gathering is, and what it has to do with all of us being pregnant, and our children, different.” Jaycee snarled, not caring who she was talking too. Remi held onto her shoulders, as Nikola held onto Lissa’s. Each of the men afraid their mate would do something to harm themselves. Gaia, Empusa and Isabel all smiled looking at all of them. “It seems the fates have chosen well, but Jaycee, I want to make sure I’m right before I say anything more.” The ground beneath them shook, thunder and lightning lit the skies, wind rattled the windows and water could be heard crashing onto the rocks of the shore outside. Goddess Empusa waved her hand, and the roof to the house disappeared. Above them the sky swirled, as if they were in the middle of a tornado. “What the hell is that?” “It has begun.” Empusa glanced back at Gaia, who nodded, and once more the roof was replaced. “Nikola take your mate and collect her friend, the one who is the reporter. You are going to need her now. This island that drew you here Lissa, is part of a new realm, which is forming, like that of the Fae world. This hasn’t happened for over ten thousand years, when the fae world was created, and right now humans and oth-

ers must be warned, as to what is going to come. Not only are they going to be fighting the evil ones trying to take your place, but they are going to have to deal with part of their world changing.” Gaia knelt in front of Jaycee, and put her hand on her stomach. “Your children have Remi’s, Dane’s and Mark’s DNA along with yours. There is no way you can have a child without all three of your mates’ DNA. So no matter who planted the sperm inside you, all of your men are the father of your children, as is the case with the other women here.” Gaia glanced at each woman and stood. “Lissa, you are pregnant, but since it is so soon, I can’t tell how many children you will have. If, from what I’ve heard from the last time this happened…” Gaia shook her head as Empusa laughed, and Isabel cleared her throat. “Since Shelly and Marsha are having two babies each, Jaycee and Cecil are pregnant with three babies; you and Suzanne should carry four babies.” Queen Isabel glanced at Nikola, then at Lissa. “Every time you get pregnant from now on you will carry this many children.” Lissa’s mouth had to be hanging open, there were no words, she was just stunned. Four babies, inside her, growing as she sat there. She shook her head. “There has to be a mistake. I can’t have four babies, I can’t even take care of myself. And why would anyone want to hurt us, or our children? It just makes no sense.” Gaia rose and tapped her finger to her mouth. “I believe the last time this happened it was recorded.” She glanced at Empusa who nodded. “What is that old woman’s name, the one who records all our births and deaths? She would have the records.” Empusa and Gaia disappeared from the room, and Isabel laughed. “They’ll be back as soon as they find that book, but as far as your question it’s quite simple really. If you die and so do your children, who do you think will take your place in the other realm, a new place to rule from the start? If you are dead then there is no one to stop them.” Isabel stepped up next to Nikola and ran her hand down his cheek.

“All of you should take some time, and adjust to what you have been told. We will meet here again tomorrow.” Queen Isabel disappeared from the room, leaving them all sitting there. The room was silent until Cecil rose, and started pulling food out of the fridge. Marsha joined her when Jaycee turned, and glanced at Nikola. “Okay, so we’re on an island, which happens to be turning into some other realm? We were chosen, and I’m always going to have three babies at a time?” Jaycee turned in her seat to stare at Remi. Remi grinned down at her. “It seems we’ll have to wait for more information when they come back.” Lissa got up, not saying a word, going out in the hall way, and headed toward the back door. “Where are you going?” Adonis asked showing up next to her. “I want to see what’s going on outside. Could you zap me into a pair of jeans please, this robe just does not get it.” She pushed open the outside door, and stepped onto the back porch, which wrapped all around the house. A pair of faded jeans and a black halter covered her, and she nodded to Adonis, sitting down on the swing staring out at the forest. “You know those vines that came into the kitchen?” She laid her head down on Adonis chest when he sat down next to her, and pulled her into his arms. “Yes, I have to admit I’ve never seen anything like them before. Are they from our world, or are they part of this new realm.” He kissed her head and rubbed his chin on it, as he rested one of his hands on her breast. “I believe both, part of the pumpkin family in our world. From what I can remember it also grows a fruit, so some kind of a melon.” Lissa watched the sky above the island turn a dark red, as flashes of green, orange and purple lights filled the air. “Adonis, is there anything going on with Nikola and the Queen, which I should know about?” Lissa glanced down at her hands. Adonis stopped the swing. “Why would you ask me that? You know none of us can be with anyone else, but our mates.”

She shrugged, and turned her gaze out at the rough water. “I know my kind, and your kind can’t, but I know nothing of the fae. Don’t tell me you didn’t see how she acted around Nikola. I’m not blind Adonis, there was, or is, something between them.” The sound of the waves hitting the rocks calmed her, same as the murmurs of the plants around them. “It was in the past Lissa, and there will never again be anything between us, but we are good friends. She has found her partner, as I have found mine.” Nikola stepped around the swing, and sat on her other side, putting her legs on his lap. “You should call your friend, and warn her that my warriors will be there for her soon.” He handed her a cell phone. Lissa glanced up at the sky. “Is this going to work with whatever is going on here?” She punched in Leda’s number as Nikola nodded. “It will work.” Nikola rubbed her feet, as she waited for Leda to answer. “The queen still thinks very highly of you. What happened that broke the two of you apart?” Nikola grinned. “Are you jealous, Lissa?” Lissa grunted, and got up as Leda answered the phone. “Hey lady, it’s me, Lissa. You ready?” “Lissa what the hell is going on? Everyone is flipping out. The President has ordered martial law in Washington, and in many of the States.” “Damn, that isn’t good. Listen, three men are coming for you. They are going to bring you, and your things here to the island. They aren’t going to do it the normal way Leda, so don’t flip out. I’ll see you in a few, and we will share everything we know over dinner.” Nikola moved in behind her, wrapping his arms around her. He kissed the back of her neck, and pressed his hands on her belly. “I want inside you again.” Nikola nibbled on her shoulder. “Well this better be good, because I’m missing a lot of good stories here. Did you hear that Dearborn, Michigan was destroyed? I mean the whole town wiped out, dead. No one knows why, or what happened. Oh shit, damn Lissa, you didn’t warn me these

guys were ten’s. Jeez, what kind of men have you been keeping from me?” Lissa laughed. “Honey, you haven’t seen anything yet. Wait till you get a look at the other men on this island. See you in a few.” She hung up the phone when Nikola turned her around to face him. “And what other men have you been looking at?” If Nikola wasn’t so serious, Lissa would have laughed, but he had her trapped against the porch railing. “You have to be kidding me. You’re the one who has the fae queen touching him and you’re asking me what men I was looking at?” Lissa frowned, and placed her hands on his chest. “Nikola I look at a lot of men. I mean this whole island is a walking testosterone festival, come on. God, look at Remi, Dane and Mark, what woman wouldn’t stare at them. Shit, Nikola you yourself are one of the finest looking men I’ve ever seen. You could be in Playgirl, or on any runway, and in any woman’s arms you chose.” “They are hot aren’t they, and yet half of them don’t know what we’re talking about when we tell them this.” Jaycee laughed, coming outside with Remi and Dane. Remi winked at her, and Lissa could have sworn her face turned a bright red. “Cool it Remi, we’ve been through enough tonight, plus your brother does not need your teasing.” Adonis grunted and moved off the swing for Jaycee. “Adonis, we need to know what you can remember. Did you make contact with the other side earlier? Inform them of anything?” Remi went to sit down, but Adonis snarl drew his attention. Lissa moved out of Nikola’s arms and wrapped her arms around Adonis’s from behind. “Easy wild man, he just wants to make sure, you would do the same it was him.” His body was tense, but he rubbed her arms, and pulled her around him and into his, kissing her cheek. “Even with the degeneration Remi, I did nothing. I couldn’t betray my mates. I still owe Pierre an apology, it wasn’t his fault.” Adonis sighed, holding her tight as Nikola rubbed his shoulder.

“No one is blaming anyone, Adonis, it happens on rare occasions. Who knows with all this going on around us, something in the air could have brought on the change.” Remi frowned and glanced at both of them. “If that is the case, don’t you think it would be wise for Pierre to claim Lissa? Sorry Lissa, I don’t want another of my brothers going through this again.” Jaycee snarled from the swing, and kicked Remi in the ass. “What the hell is wrong with you? The bonding should be a personal thing not a job. You sure take the damn romance out of everything,” she screamed drawing Pierre, Mark and Castor outside. Lissa wished she could flash out of there, her face had to be a bright red, but instead Leda appeared at the bottom of the stairs with one of Nikola’s men. “Leda!” She cried and ran to her friend ignoring everyone else. **** Nikola watched as both women hugged each other crying. “I swear Lissa, if you ever scare me again, I will personally stake you. I searched for you for years, I even had my father pull his friends in to help, but nothing.” Her friend leaned back and glanced up at him. “And you know how father can’t stand not knowing where I am. I had to tell him Lissa. He and mom both deserved to know.” Leda peeked up at them. “Wow, you weren’t kidding when you said ten’s. Okay which one is yours?” With her arm wrapped around her waist, Lissa guided her friend Leda up the stairs. “Leda I would like to introduce you to my mates, Nikola, Adonis, Castor and Pierre.” Lissa nodded to each of them. Leda slapped Lissa on the arm. “No freaking way? Four, you have four men? Okay, sign me up!” Leda pulled her hair back and offered her neck. “Come on, bring me into your world. You’ve already brought me half way in anyway.” Nikola laughed as did everyone on the porch, lightening the mood. Yes, he liked her friend, and would make sure she was safe in this coming world.

He stepped forward. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Leda. Lissa has spoken highly of you.” He bowed, and kissed her hand. “Okay what are you? Are you a vampire too?” She pulled her hand back, and studied him. “Will you hush, and no, he’s not a vampire. He’s a warrior fae. Now, I want you to meet Jaycee, Remi, Dane, and Mark. You will be interviewing Remi first, since many humans already know of him.” Lissa turned her around, and introduced the others outside. Remi held out his hand and helped Jaycee up off the swing. “I can see why Lissa is so found of you. You are a spitfire, but don’t worry, eventually you will enter our world.” Jaycee took the woman’s hand and studied her. “Yep, if I’m not mistaken you’ll join our circle. No wonder they wanted her here.” she glanced at Remi and nodded. Lissa stepped in front of her friend. “No one is touching my friend, Jaycee. I was forced into this world, I will allow no one to hurt her while she is here. I don’t care whose wishes it goes against...” Nikola pulled Lissa into his arms and held her tight. “Easy baby, no one wants to hurt your friend, and if she is part of this, it is her destiny as it is all of ours.” Leda patted Lissa’s arm, and grinned at her. “No one is going to make me do anything I don’t want to, Lissa. Now are you going to tell me what the hell is going on with the sky?” She pointed to the air above them that swirled, but was now a steady glow of red with dark black spots in it. Tug stepped onto the porch. “Dinner is ready and on the table.” Nikola nodded and urged both Lissa and Leda inside, as he and Adonis grabbed her bags followed both of them. “I swear Lissa, you were always lucky when it came to gorgeous men around you. Jeez look at his backside.” Leda elbowed Lissa, nodding to Tug’s ass. Lissa leaned into Leda and whispered. “You do know they hear everything you say?” Leda stopped, and stared at her, her face a bright red. “Shit, you did tell me that, didn’t you? Well, what can I say, they’ve got to

know women would drool over them, for Pete’s sakes, they’re so hot.” Tug laughed and bowed. “Why thank you, I’ll have to ask my mate if she likes my ass too?” Tug teased, when Cecil met them at the door way. “That was not nice, and you have a fine ass. Now go help Clayton with Cade. He’s fussing up a storm with that tooth coming in.” Cecil kissed Tug’s cheek, and took Leda’s other arm, leading her into the dining room. “All of our men are very attractive, but don’t you think what’s inside is more important than outside? I mean I’d hate to be stuck with a total jerk who knew he was good looking, no?” Cecil pulled out a chair, and nodded to Leda. “Of course, you are right.” Leda frowned and glanced down at her lap as she sat down. “My fiancé was such a man, until something took him away. I might enjoy looking at Cecil, but I would never do anything. I’m here to do a job, and then I’ll go back to my children.” Lissa glared at Cecil, and patted her friends arm. “Why don’t you and I go eat out on the porch? We can catch up on old times? Plus, you have to tell me about your children. I’ve missed so much.” Lissa glanced up at Nikola, and he saw the tear slip down her face. His stomach tightened, as he made it to her side, and kissed her cheek, wiping the tear away. “We would all love to hear about the outside, and what is going on. We have a lot to discus, Lissa. It’s just going to take time for all of us to get to know each other.” He turned and squeezed Leda’s shoulder. “I am very sorry for your loss. I can’t imagine what it is like to lose someone you love, and to raise a child without help. Please tell us what is going on in Washington.” Nikola helped Lissa sit, as everyone sat down. While everyone started to fill their plates, the conversation continued. Nikola sat down next to Lissa and Adonis, who nodded to him. “Leda, let us explain to you who and what everyone is. That way it will be easier for you to conduct the interviews.”

Chapter Nine Lissa sat there chewing her food, but it had no taste. She watched as each person introduced themselves and what they were to Leda, while Leda took notes and ate. Every once in a while she would glance at her, and Lissa would smile, encouraging her to ask whatever she wanted. Yet at the same time, she wanted to drag Leda out of the dining room, and protect her from the truths that were being unveiled for her. Pierre’s deep baritone voice drew her attention, and out of her fog. He was introducing himself and explaining what he was. A piece of carrot cake was placed in front of her, when she glanced up to see Cecil there. “I’m sorry Lissa, I didn’t mean to come off as if I was attacking your friend. Do you forgive me?” She stared down at the carrot cake and grinned. “If you keep making carrot cakes, honey, I’ll forgive anything.” Lissa laughed, and patted her hand. “I think with everything going on, Cecil, we’re all on edge. Every time we turn the corner, something new is being thrown at us. I guess it’s getting to us all.” ­­­­ Cecil hissed, her forked tongue snaked out. “You can say that again. I would have liked to find out I was caring our children the normal way, not announced in the middle of the room.” Cecil rubbed her stomach as Clayton moved in behind her and hugged her. Leda turned in her chair and looked at the both of them. “Okay question. If this island is going to be some new realm, and all of you are going to be part of it, why help the rest of us who are stuck here? Because I can promise you right now everyone is going to be asking this. I mean to leave behind the fighting and the deaths. Who wouldn’t.” Pierre picked Lissa up and sat down in her seat with her on top of his lap. “That’s easy, we’ve lived here all our lives Leda. Our families and friends are here, how could we not help protect them. Plus, if I’m not mistaken, part of your world will be coming with us, at least this is what I believe. No one is for sure on anything

right now.” Pierre cut the cake and fed her a bite of it. The cake literally melted in her mouth. The taste of the cream cheese frosting and carrots lit up her taste buds, and Lissa moaned. “Damn Cecil, this is the best. Okay for birthdays, anniversaries, anything, let it be known that Cecil’s carrot cake is what I want.” She grabbed the fork from Pierre, and scooped up a piece for Leda, offering her a bite. Leda leaned over taking the bite, closing her eyes. “Okay, forget the guys. Honey, if you bake like this all the time, I’ll be your best friend for life.” Leda tried to take another piece, but Lissa pulled her cake away. “Get your own.” Lissa teased, when Cecil put a piece in front of Leda. Cecil laughed. “Here we go again with the moaning. I swear you guys act like you have never tasted anything before. First it’s Jaycee and Shelly now you three.” She nodded to Suzanne who was also making all sorts of noises. A dark shadow, passed over the house, blocking what little light that was coming from the windows. Everyone stopped and glanced up as a bright flame could be seen through the window. Lissa glanced to Dominic. His chair flew backwards, his gaze landed on her, then he was gone, running through the room as Blair, and Granger followed. Lissa hugged herself. “Why do I have the strangest feeling I’m about to get served to a dragon, with a big fat apple stuffed in my mouth?” She pushed the cake away from her, all of a sudden very scared. Pierre held onto her tightly, as Adonis moved up to them, and squeezed her shoulders. “Nothing is going to happen to you. We don’t know who it is, but remember Dominic is King of the Vampires. He won’t let anything happen to you.” Lissa had her doubts, but didn’t say them. She knew Kimberly’s family would want revenge, perhaps to drag in the other kings. Nikola and Castor had left the room after Dominic, so she knew it wasn’t good. A trembling hand touched her arm, and she

turned to see Leda as nervous as she was. Lissa took a deep breath and patted her arm. “Everything is going to be fine. Why don’t I show you to your room, and we can talk, while everyone greets our new guests.” Leda nodded, pushing away her cake, as Pierre and Adonis followed them towards their quarters. Leda would be staying in their wing since she was close friends with Lissa. Already her things had been delivered to the room assigned to her. Lissa grabbed onto Leda’s hand, as they walked down the hallway with Pierre and Adonis following them. “So, tell me how your parents are? I know they have to be getting up there in age. Also I want to know about your little ones, and this mystery man I didn’t get to meet.” Leda grinned and squeezed her hand. “Dad and mom are doing well, but I’m afraid I had to hire a couple of nurses to help with them. Oh mom can get around and so can dad, but they are both close to their 80’s. The nurses also help with the twins.” She sighed. “While searching for you, I met a sergeant at the local police station. He always kept me informed of anything. We knew the Bloods were involved, but didn’t know where they had taken you.” Lissa stopped and her face turned a light shade of pink. “I’m sorry Lissa, but I had to tell him something about you, other than mom and dad, and I trusted him. It was the only way I could explain how you would survive.” Lissa sighed, “Hey, don’t worry about it. It doesn’t matter anymore anyway. So, how did this man take your news about me?” Lissa asked once more moving Leda towards her room. “Actually, he wasn’t surprised. He worked for a special team in the police force that dealt with the other races. That is one of the reasons we became so close. Matter of fact, his team is having a hell of a time with all of the recent activity going on. His best friend Diamond, called me just before you did, and informed me that a number of his sources were now in hiding, that something big was about to happen, and that everyone better get ready. But

his sources wouldn’t let on what was going to happen, just that something big was going to happen.” Leda moved through the door to her room, and she stopped in the middle of the room, gapping. “You’ve got to be kidding me. Shit, Lissa two of my apartments could fit in here.” She squealed when she noticed the small kitchen off to the right side. “I even have my own kitchen? Oh honey, if I didn’t know what we were up against, I swear I’d gone to the most exclusive spa ever.” Lissa laughed, nodding to the large garden tub. “That tub will hold up to six full size men. Just thought I would let you know.” Sure enough Leda’s face turned a bright pink again, and she laughed. “You are so bad. Like I’m going to have six men up here, please, I’d be lucky to have one. Where you are small and curvy, I’m tall and a whale, still with the baby fat from having my twins.” Adonis and Pierre snorted from the chairs they were now sitting in. “The both of you are gorgeous, and I don’t see why women are never satisfied with their appearance.” Adonis grumbled. Leda turned to her and shook her head. “You have a keeper there. Adonis in our human world, I don’t know about your world, but in ours, men have a habit of forgetting to tell us this and some earth men prefer the skinny woman.” Lissa moved over to Adonis and curled up on his lap. “Thank you, that meant a lot to me.” She kissed his lips and patted his chest. “But Leda is right, even in our world; men forget to say those little things. We might act all tough on the outside, but inside we are just as unsure as anyone else. We want to know that you find us attractive and desirable. If we put on a new dress, we most likely bought it for our man. We want to know he likes it, that he appreciates our efforts to please him.” Leda sat down on the sofa next to Pierre. “I have to say every day Martin would wake me up before he went off to work, tell me how beautiful I was, and that he loved me. Even at lunch time he would take time to call and tell me. When I got pregnant with the twins…” Leda glanced down at her hands.

“It was as if I was giving him the world. Every day for two months, he would bring home little gifts for me personally, and for the babies too. Of course then, we didn’t know I was having twins.” Leda got up and moved to the window looking outside. Leda moved off Adonis’s lap, and went to Lissa, hugging her. “He never knew, did he?” She shook her head. “He was killed the day before my ultrasound. They say he died instantly, but you know what’s weird, Lissa?” She turned towards her, tears running down her face. “I knew the instant he died. It was as if he came to say goodbye. He even told me to take care of our babies.” Lissa hugged her friend. “I have a feeling your Martin was a little more than human himself, don’t you?” Leda pulled away, a frown on her face, as she thought about Lissa said. “You know something, it wouldn’t surprise me at all if it were true. He always knew things ahead of time. I kept yelling at him, because he would spoil surprises, and sometimes freak me out.” She laughed. “Now that I think of it, it would explain a few things. You see, little things have been appearing in my son’s cribs, and I couldn’t figure out how, till I saw a bottle move in the air just before I came here.” Both of them moved towards the chairs and sofa, when Nikola and Castor stepped into the room. Lissa froze at the look on Nikola’s and Castor’s face. “Her parents have called an enquiry into Kimberly’s death, and they’ve called in another king to preside over the hearing. They don’t believe Dominic can be a fair judge, since he was there,” Nikola stated, his face blank, but Lissa could see the anger flashing in the pupils of his eyes. “So why are all three of the other kings here?” Lissa asked, but no one said a word. **** Lissa grabbed the side of the chair as she stared at him. “When are they going to hold the trial?”

Her friend Leda wrapped her arm around Lissa, obviously knowing something was wrong. “What the hell is going on? And why would you have a trial in the middle of all this, when you’re trying to save our world?” Leda yelled, frightened. “I killed Castor’s ex-wife, yesterday or today, whenever. It seems her parents aren’t too pleased with me.” Lissa shot Castor a glance. “Are you okay? Are her parents here, on the island?” “I’m fine.” Castor was by her side in two strides. “She wasn’t my wife, Lissa. We were never married in your ways. We had a blood bond, but that was all. I wanted it to be more, and I thought it was more, but the more I look back, I see there was nothing there. Just wishful thinking on my part, but I know now what a true blood mate is, and I’m not letting anything happen to you. None of us will.” “I’m afraid they are waiting for you in the dining room, Lissa. They want to meet with you before the trail starts tomorrow.” Nikola offered his hand to her, and she smiled, but her hand shook. Her best friend grabbed her sweater, and started to put it on, but he shook his head. “I’m sorry Leda, but you can’t come, only Lissa, Castor and I will be allowed in the room. Even Pierre and Adonis will not be allowed, but you can wait outside the room with them, if it makes you feel better.” Adonis and Pierre both snarled, and glared at him. “Why are we not allowed to be with our mate?” Adonis demanded, as all of them made their way down the hallway. “It seems all four kings are now here. Kimberly’s parents contacted the other three earlier today, and they have all flown here. King Christopher St. John, King Randle Val Burn, and King Jared Fourfold. But I have a feeling it is more of a meeting with Dominic, since he is the true Vampire king. I think this trial thing is a rouse, to meet with him without letting the outsiders know what is going on.” Nikola grabbed onto the dining room door, and turned to Adonis squeezing his shoulder.

“I expect the both of you to let no one in. I have a feeling Kimberly’s parents might try to come in, but I don’t want Lissa to have to deal with them tonight.” He nodded to Leda. “She will be protected, and no one will enter that room unless I have been told otherwise.” Adonis pulled Lissa into his arms and nuzzled her neck. “You do know that you can shift to a wolf, now. Maybe tonight we’ll all go running?” he kissed her eyes and nose. “We’ll be right out here if you need us.” Lissa laid her head on his chest and squeezed him. “I’ll be alright, and I would love to run tonight, to be outside with the plants.” She glanced up at him, and kissed his lips. “I better get going.” She moved into Pierre’s arms. “Take care of Leda. She’ll try and storm in, if I know her.” Lissa grinned, when she heard Leda snort behind her. “You’re damn right. If I hear you yell once, I’m so through those doors, damn the trouble I’ll get into. I just found you, I’ll be damn if I lose you, sister.” Lissa grabbed onto Leda, hugging her after Pierre kissed Lissa hard, and slapped her ass. “I’ll be fine. Do you really think Nikola and Castor are going to let anyone hurt me?” Castor snarled and Nikola let his anger show a little to her friend. She gasped and her hand flew to her throat. “Remind me never to get Nikola mad. Damn that man is scary when he’s angry.” Lissa slapped his arm. “Did you really have to do that? Now that’s all she is going to remember about you, jeez.” The dining room door opened, and Dominic stood as a small bout of smoke rose out of his mouth. Leda couldn’t help it, and laughed, but caught herself. “Umm, sorry, but you, I just remembered that song, ‘Puff The Magic Dragon’.” Nikola cracked a smile, as Lissa busted out laughing. Dominic shook his head. “Come on, let’s get this over with for tonight.” King Jarred came up to stand next to Dominic. “Are we ready?” His gaze landed on Leda, and Lissa stepped in front of

her. All he wanted to do was drag her to his living quarters, but he knew he couldn’t. “I am ready.” Lissa held up her chin, and both men stepped aside as she marched inside the dining room, where the other kings waited. The door closed behind them as he and Castor stood at Lissa’s side. Dominic sat at the head of the table, while the other three kings sat next to him. King Christopher tapped his fingers on the table and stared at Lissa. “So you have the powers to control plants. Why would you use this in front of an enemy? You have to know the other side now knows of your powers. Didn’t you think they would come after you full force knowing you had this power?” His voice held a whip of contempt towards Lissa. Nikola stepped forward, but Lissa grabbed his arm, and shook her head. “No, I’ll answer this Nikola.” She smiled at him, and turned her attention to King Christopher. “I don’t control the plants, Sir. The plants come when I need help, or when I, or anyone I care about, is in distress. As you can see now, the plants outside the windows are trying to get in. So as for letting others know of my powers…” Lissa shrugged her shoulders. “I’m sure they would have found out soon enough. It seems they have been but one step behind us, anyway.” Nikola smiled and squeezed Lissa’s hand. He was so proud of her. He couldn’t wait till tonight when they all would claim her. She squeezed his hand, and once again King Christopher asked a question, but it was centered at him. “I see you are here, standing here as her mate, but yet you have not claimed her, why? You have claimed all of your other mates by blood. Is there a reason why you have not taken this woman under your protection, and guidance? Maybe if you would have claimed her already, and laid down the law, this would not have happened.” Nikola didn’t get to say a word. The windows busted open, plants he didn’t recognize spewed into the dining room and converged on King Christopher, until Lissa raised her hand, and all movement stopped. She stepped forward. “For one, no one lays the

law down on me, and I resent that. Two, what we do in our personal circle, has no reflection on you, or anyone else in this room.” Nikola pulled her back, and moved her into Castor’s arms. “I have killed men for less, so be warned King Christopher, you are here for the trial, nothing more. I won’t have my mate attacked, or your abuse put upon her. What we do in our lives is no one’s business but ours.” He turned to Dominic. “I have agreed with this chat, when it related to matters at hand, but I will not have my mate stand here and be insulted by one of your kings. I did not agree to this.” Dominic stood, and nodded to Nikola, making his way to their sides. He stopped in front of Lissa, and smiled. “I’m proud of you. You have done well Lissa.” The other three kings rose and moved towards them, smiling. “I’m sorry. I had to say those things to you Lissa, but in our world, anyone with such a huge gift has to be tested. We have to know they can control the gift, and that they are worthy of such a gift. With the death of Kimberly, the only way we could make sure was to test you.” King Christopher announced, eyeing all three of them. Slowly the plants drew back outside, and Nikola fixed the windows. “So this was all a test? Does this mean there will be no trial?” Nikola grinned down at Lissa, who moved between him and Castor. Dominic shook his head. “There will be no trial. I have explained what happened that day, to my friends and colleagues. They were a little worried about her powers, so I agreed to the test, and for that I am sorry Lissa, but we had to make sure, especially now, in your condition.” Lissa smirked. “I’m pregnant Dominic, nothing more. Even that does not feel real, but I’m sure as the day’s progress, it will. But I would never use my gift to hurt an innocent, especially with what I’ve been through.” She turned and smiled at him. “Oh, what about Kimberly’s parents?” Lissa frowned, and questioned Dominic. “I’m sure they are going to be unhappy with the outcome here and I thought her father was going to the Bloods?”

Christopher shook his head. “Don’t worry about them, we have men watching their ever move. I will personally see them off this island tonight,” King Christopher said. “Now, if you will excuse me, I’ll do just that. Then I believe all of us need to chat about what is to come.” Lissa glanced up at Nikola and sighed. “I guess the run is off, isn’t it?” He cupped her cheek and kissed her lips softly. “Why don’t you go spend some time with Leda? When we are done talking we’ll come and get you? If it’s not too late, I don’t see why we can’t go for that run. It’s still very early, anyway.” Lissa glanced at her watch and laughed. “I swear with everything going on, it seems like it should be later than five thirty in the afternoon.” She reached up and kissed him, and then Castor. “I’ll send in Pierre and Adonis. Don’t be too long.” Nikola watched her walk to the door, his cock throbbing in his pants. “There will be no more waiting.” He whispered and she turned her head, as she opened the doors to the dining room. “I hope not, or I just might have to find another fae, who is willing to fill your spot.” She laughed, and ran out the door, as he snarled, and pretended to go after her. “Yes, tonight we will be whole.” He turned to see Castor’s eyes a deep red. “And you my mate, will finally be all of mine.” Nikola kissed Castor hard, when all he wanted to do was drag him away, and bury his cock into his ass.

Chapter Ten Lissa grabbed Leda’s hand, and was about to take her to her room, when Suzanne, and the other women came in carrying pumpkins. “Hey, you two want to help? We’re going to carve some pumpkins, roast pumpkin seeds, and decorate the big hall for Halloween,” Jaycee asked, carrying three small pumpkins. Lissa laughed, and looked at Leda, who nodded. “Let’s go for it. Since I can’t be with my kids, might as well have some fun.” “Okay, let’s go, and carve some pumpkins, but where did you get all the pumpkins?” Lissa asked as they made their way to the great hall that she had only seen once. “We asked a few of Nikola’s warriors if they would bring us some pumpkins. Oh my, you should see the big one they brought us to work on. I swear it’s going to take one of us to crawl in it to get all the gook out.” Suzanne laughed, and glanced at her. “Lissa I want to apologize for what they did in there. I couldn’t figure out why Temmra was so mad. She kept hissing inside my head, and believe me that can be a distraction. Damn it, that hurt Temmra.” Suzanne rubbed her arm where a bright red splotch appeared. “Anyway, she told me what the men had planned finally, and both of us were furious. Needless to say, we told the other women, and they have all agreed. We needed to have some down time, some fun. I think all of us are on the verge of killing somebody, and with all of us pregnant, what better way to relax then a dance?” Jaycee announced, and pushed into the great hall. Lissa just about fell over, when she saw the big pumpkin. “Oh my god, that thing is huge. You weren’t kidding when you said one of us would have to get inside, but I want some of the seeds from it to grow outside.” She ran her hand along the side of the pumpkin, and stared up at the huge thing. “I was thinking the same thing. We can dry some of the gourd seeds also, so we’ll have them.” Suzanne handed her a knife. “We thought you and Leda would like to tackle the big one.”

Lissa laughed. “That’s not right, but yep, we’ll have a ball doing it.” Leda bent over laughing, at her choice of words. “Okay enough. We need music, candles, and the smell of outside.” Jaycee said with her hands on her hip. “Well, I can help with the smell.” Lissa went over, and opened the large double sliding glass doors. “How’s that?” The fresh scent of the wood floated into the room, and Jaycee smiled. Marsha waved her hand, and candles lit up the room, Jaycee flicked her wrist, and music started playing in the back ground. “Now this is more like it.” Leda and Lissa climbed up on top of the pumpkin, laughing as they got on top. Cider, and small pumpkin cakes, flowed freely around the room as everyone worked on their pumpkins. The song Monster Mash came on, and they all sang the song, smiling. “Here we go.” Leda plunged her knife in two more times, and the top was now carved out. Lissa glanced down to see one of Nikola’s warriors helping Jaycee with a decoration. “Hey Jaycee, when you’re done with him, we need him here to lift this lid off.” All of a sudden, the lid came floating off, and onto the floor below them. “Is that better?” Marsha grinned, and scooted the wheel barrel over to the side of the pumpkin. Lissa shook her head and laughed. “I keep forgetting you are part fae. Nikola would like to talk with you at some time, tomorrow?” She told Marsha, as her and Leda, took shovels, and started to scoop out the insides of the pumpkin. “Well, I’m not going anywhere anytime soon,” Marsha said, as Lissa jumped down off the pumpkin, and moved to the open doors. She glanced outside towards the woods, and rubbed her arms. “What? You’re white as a ghost, did you forget to eat again?” Suzanne slid next to her and she smiled. “Yep sure did, but that isn’t it. Something’s out there and I don’t know what it is. Jaycee can you tell?” Jaycee moved slowly over to them, her belly there before her. “You’re right. There is something out there, animal, but not.” She glanced at her, and they both nodded.

“Maybe, this new realm is creating new animals, like it did with the plants.” Suzanne whispered and all of them jumped when an eerie scream pierced the night. “Okay, I’m so not going out there. I might like to be in the woods, but whatever that was sounded too close for me.” Lissa glanced at Leda, who had now moved behind her, and nodded. “I’m with you. I think we should shut the doors now.” Cecil reached for the door when something ran past the door and screamed. All six of them screamed, matching that of the creatures, but louder. Lissa pushed Jaycee back, and slammed the doors as the men came running into the room, Nikola appeared at her side running his hands over her. “Are you hurt? What happened?” He asked as the rest of her mates surrounded her. “I’m fine, but I think we have a new animal on the island.” Lissa swallowed, and pointed to the door. Sitting at the door, on the other side of the glass, was the strangest animal she had ever seen. It was at least 4 feet high, its dark purple eyes glanced around the room, and then it turned its gaze on her. “Okay, I don’t think I like having this gift anymore. Why is that thing staring at me?” Lissa backed up into Castor’s arms, as Nikola moved forward slowly with Remi, and Dominic. The rest of men stayed in front of the women, shielding them with their bodies. Nikola glanced back at her. “Can you connect with it at all?” “What? Connect with that? It has six inch fangs hanging out of its mouth, purple eyes and a tongue…” Lissa shook, as the green tongue at least a foot in length wiped across its fangs. “Lissa, you have fangs, and it’s a creature no matter what it looks like. How about you Jaycee?” Nikola turned towards Jaycee. Lissa yanked out of Castor’s arms, and the creature screamed again, standing up on its four feet as she slowly approached it. Can you hear me?

The thing cocked his head to the side, and studied her. Lissa could almost sense as if the creature needed something from her. What do you need? Why me? The animal had green, plant-like skin, and it now paced back and forth, as she got closer. Nikola grabbed onto her arm. “That’s close enough.” Lissa yanked her arm out of his. “You wanted me to connect with it. I’m doing that, so back off.” Lissa snapped, shocking him, and her mates, but she moved forward ignoring them. Will you hurt me? I carry little ones in my belly. They can’t be harmed. Lissa knew the thing understood, but she still couldn’t understand it. “Lissa, I’m not playing games, don’t you open that door.” Nikola pushed her back, and at once the creature hissed at Nikola, sending some kind of fluid out of its mouth, onto the window. “I don’t think it’s too happy you touched me, and pushed me back.” Lissa peaked around Nikola’s body, to see the creature scrapping at the door where the green like substance squirted out of its mouth. “You might want to get back, because that thing just broke through the glass.” Lissa shouted, as it crashed through, and landed in one sweep on top of her legs as her ass hit the ground with a thud. “Damn, you’re heavy. You know I told you I had babies inside me.” Lissa laughed as the thing started to lick her hands, and exposed belly. Her mates, slowly circled her, and the creature hissed again. “Lissa, this is not funny. Talk to that thing now.” Nikola snapped, and Lissa rolled her eyes. “Okay, what should we call you? You are male, if that thing is any clue. Wow, for an animal, you sure are big.” Lissa laughed, when Nikola swore. The animal’s cock was growing larger by the minute. “So help me, if that creature starts to hump you, I’m going to fry it.” Nikola snarled his, long metal sword now in his hand.

“I’m getting there. We have to find a name for it, and put that stupid sword away. I know, we can call you…” Lissa didn’t get a word out, as Dominic moved up to the creature turning part dragon, and scared it. “Hey, that wasn’t nice.” Lissa frowned, as the thing whimpered in the corner away from Dominic. Suzanne moved up to him, and slapped the back of his head. “What is wrong with you? Can’t you morons see that Lissa is somehow connected to it.” Suzanne snapped, as Nikola reached down, and picked her up. “Are you okay?” he glanced down at her stomach. “I’m fine, Nikola. He didn’t hurt me. Now move, so I can see if he’s okay.” She frowned at Nikola when he shook his head. “No, you are not going anywhere near that thing, until we know it’s not going to hurt you. Whatever he sprayed on that glass melted it. Imagine what that could do to your skin, if it got on it.” Nikola held onto her waist and refused to let her go. “The animal will not harm her. If anything, the creature is her familiar, and you are stopping the bonding process.” Gaia announced, as she and Empusa appeared in the room. “You will be able to understand it, once it takes a small amount of your blood. It was waiting for you to offer.” Gaia walked over, and pet the creature, and it calmed instantly. Nikola grunted, but released her. “How were we supposed to know?” Gaia laughed, as the animal slowly made its way back to her. “You’ll feel her connections, and a small part of her gift, once you are bonded to Lissa.” “Can we please not discuss my bonding, which is a little private? At least I would like to keep it that way. Please.” Lissa frowned, and offered her wrist to the animal, but it took her finger into its mouth and poked it with an inside smaller tooth. At once the connection was instant. “His name is Sal-van-ger, but since I have no idea what that is, we can call him Sal. His kind mate for life, and they feed off, well you guessed it blood. They don’t kill their prey.” Lissa laughed.

“I guess they are sort of like us, and that green liquid would have warmed our skin, but it wouldn’t have hurt us. Its plant matter, and only meant to paralyze its victim.” Lissa turned to Nikola and grinned. “It seems Sal wants to connect with you, since you tried to protect me. He knows you can communicate with the other males.” Lissa moved out of the way and stared at the door. “We’re going to need a new door, and something that can withstand the new world that is forming out there. Is it going to be safe to take our run later?” Nikola grunted as Sal sliced his finger, and sucked his blood. “We’re going to have to know our new world anyway. Maybe Sal can come with us when we run. That way he can point out anything new.” Nikola glanced at Remi. “I know Jaycee can’t run, but maybe some of you might want to come to check things out. I don’t know about flying, with the air turning still.” Lissa moved the step ladder once more next to the pumpkin, and she climbed back up on top with Leda. She ignored everyone around her, and went to work on the pumpkin with her friend. “You’re pissed.” Leda glanced down at Nikola, and then back up at her. “No, now come on, let’s get this pumpkin done.” Lissa glanced down to see Sal eating the insides they had scooped up. “No Sal, don’t eat the seeds. We need those.” Lissa shook her head, and grabbed the shovel as her men watched her, but discussed matters with Gaia, and Goddess Empusa. The other women went back to work, as the men stayed in the room to watch over them, but continued to chat. She glanced over at Jared, and saw him watching Leda. “I might be wrong, but I think someone likes you.” Lissa teased her friend, who was now waist deep in pumpkin guts, as she jumped inside the pumpkin. “Who? Damn it Lissa, you know I can’t see anyone from in here, and this stuff is just down right yuck. It’s going to take us an hour to get this crap out of our hair alone.” She laughed throwing a clump of goo at her, as Lissa jumped in after her.

“Hey, that’s no fair.” Lissa laughed, and started throwing the guck at her friend. The both of them were having so much fun, they didn’t notice Nikola, and Jared at the top watching them, until a plop of gunk hit her from a top. She turned and glanced up to see them laughing at her. Lissa turned to glance at Leda who smiled, and flung a hand full of guck at the men above, but Leda wasn’t the only one. She grabbed hands full, and started throwing too. One glob landed on Nikola’s shoulder, another landed on his chest, while Jared got a full force, frontal attack. His whole head was now covered in pumpkin guts. Leda and she laughed so hard they fell on their asses, staring up at them when Leda patted her arm. “Okay, who did I just hit in the face with this stuff.” Lissa stood, and reached up as, Nikola grabbed onto her hand and pulled her up. Jared pulled Leda up. “Leda, may I introduce you to King Jared FourFold.” Leda glanced up at him, then to her. “Oh my god, I’m going to die. I flung goop all over a king.” **** Nikola glanced down at the ground as all four of them climbed off the pumpkin. Leda was horrified; she had just flung pumpkin guts on Jared. “Oh please.” Lissa laughed. “He was just as guilty as you were. You know how many times he hit me with that stuff? Relax Leda; no one is going to hurt you. I’d sick Sal on them if they did.” The strange creature lifted its head, and ran to them. Immediately it started licking all the gook off of them. “Exactly, what did you want to do with this pumpkin, Lissa?” Nikola studied it, then he turned to see her grinning at it. “Well, I was kind of hoping we could carve a scary face on it, and have lights inside it, for the dance this weekend. I also want to keep the seeds, so I can plant them this summer wherever we settle down. We’re keeping the gourd seeds too.” Nikola nodded, and tapped his finger on his chin. “Something like this?”

Lissa swatted him on the arm. “Nikola we’re supposed to do this all natural, you know with knives and such. It’s a way to keep our minds from wandering.” Lissa glanced around the room. “The Goddesses are gone?” Nikola nodded, and pushed them both toward Castor and Pierre. “Go, both of you are a mess. And Lissa, there is no need for clothes when you are finished with your shower.” Nikola grinned as Lissa’s face turned pink. “You just had to embarrass me in front of Leda, didn’t you?” She hissed, but he could tell she was holding back the laugh. “If I really wanted to embarrass you, I could simply strip you here, and send you off to the shower.” He stepped towards her. “Now, do you want me to help you?” Lissa ran for the door, pulling Leda behind her, her friend laughing as they went. “I’ve never seen you move so fast!” She yelled as they ran out the door. Nikola turned and glanced at the animal that was still eating the pumpkin. Time for you to go my friend. We’ll meet you outside in a few. The animal, Sal, glanced up, and slowly made his way to the new door where Nikola opened it for him. In the reflection of the door, Nikola watched as Adonis followed Castor at a slower rate. It seemed his mates were going to settle the dominate issue tonight, afterall. Oh, he knew who would dominate, but to speak it, would have been wrong. It was a matter of the mating process in both of their species. Where Pierre was comfortable in his dominance, Adonis and Castor would always be testing theirs but poor Castor would lose out. Nikola ran his hand through his hair, and turned to see his father, Derek, standing before him. Dominic and Remi appeared next to him. “It’s okay, he’s my father.” He had never been close to his father, his ambitions always got in the way of family life. But when he was placed in the queen’s guard, he had hoped that he and his father would have become closer, but instead it brought a resentment that he couldn’t understand. “What brings you here?” Nikola lead him slowly

towards their quarters, while Remi and Dominic moved to follow their mates back to their own quarters for a rest before the run tonight. “You know why I am here. I’ve come to ask that you do not destroy your brother, Vender. Both your mother and I would like a chance to talk to him, before you do anything.” Derek stood a few inches shorter than Nikola, but their features were the same. “You come all this way, but yet you mention not one word as to when I might bring my mates home for you to meet them. As for Vender, he made his path, and the Queen has already ordered that any following the dark path are to be destroyed.” Nikola turned before entering their suites, staring at his father. “You knew this, yet you come here to ask this of me? You want me to go against the Queen’s orders?” Nikola slowly squeezed his fingers into a fist, and glared at his father, a man he no longer understood. His father did not even flinch. “Everyone knows of your relationship with the Queen, that if you wished to be back in her bed, you would be. I’m sure this one thing you can ask of her. After all he is your brother, and he is more important than any quantity of humans, anyway.” In his shock, Nikola hadn’t noticed that Lissa and Pierre were standing behind him, until the door slammed shut and her scent drifted to him. Nikola got into his father’s face and grabbed him by the shirt. “I should kill you where you stand for what you have said, but you are my blood, and I won’t, this time. I can’t promise what the queen will do when she hears of your words, and don’t think she hasn’t already, and not from me, either. You were always different after you heard I had taken up with the Queen. Now I know why. Jealousy does not sit well with you father. And as far as my relationship with the Queen…” He threw his father to the ground. “It’s over. I have a mate, and nothing, or no one, will come between us, not even family. Go home, and pray your precious son comes to his senses, because if I come across him, I won’t hesitate to kill him for betraying his people.”

Chapter Eleven With her back against the door, Lissa listened to Nikola’s harsh words to his father. Tears slipped down her face, as he cut himself off from his family, for her. Oh, she knew Nikola had had a special bond with the Queen, and was hoping he would one day talk to her about it, but for now, knowing he was willing to give up his family for them was more than enough. She glanced around the room, a fire burned bright in the corner. The crackling of the wood should have calmed her, but she hurt for her man. She had wanted to wait for Nikola before she made love to anyone. Lissa needed him there, he was her anchor, and she was afraid she would always need him close to her. Pierre opened his arms and she flew into them. “How can he give up his family, Pierre? Maybe he should ask the Queen if there was some way she could help his brother. What if he was being forced into this war, or something? Shouldn’t this all be figured out first, before anyone pronounces a death sentence?” Lissa kissed Pierre’s chest, and hugged him. “Maybe I need to talk to the Queen?” Lissa whispered, when the door flew open, and Nikola’s blond hair blew back as if some kind of wind rushed out to greet him from their room. His eyes blazed with anger, and the muscles in his body tense, ready to attack anything, and anyone. “Castor!” Nikola’s gaze flew to hers. “You will not be asking the Queen for anything. Is that understood?” His voice was a whip of authority, something she had never witnessed before, and for some reason her body responded. Her pussy grew wet, her nipples hardened, and her legs wobbled, but Pierre still held her from behind. Nikola slowly moved in front of her, and sniffed the air, smiling. “Oh my little slave, you are excited.” He pinched her nipples hard, and she whimpered as the pain moved straight to her pussy. “One the bed,” Nikola ordered, as he put her on all fours. “You can suck Adonis’ cock, while Pierre takes you from behind.” He

reached around them and grabbed Castor, kissing him hard. When he broke the kiss, Castor was naked, as was he. Lissa jumped, her clothes disappeared from her body, and Pierre picked her up placing her on the center of the massive bed, which she now knew would hold all of them tonight. Lissa jumped as Castor landed on the bed next to her on his knees, Nikola behind him already pounding into his ass with his long cock. She whimpered when Pierre separated her lips, and pushed his cock into her pussy. “Adonis, get that thick cock in her mouth. I don’t want to hear a word coming out of her, unless it’s a moan or a cry, and Pierre stretch that ass while your back there. Our woman will be used tonight by all of us. She will serve us all.” Nikola leaned down over Castor’s body, still pounding into him, as he ordered in her ear, while pinching her breast. His words heightened her arousal. Pierre’s small grunts behind her, and Adonis’ thick cock in her mouth was too much. Her body tightened, ready to come. “Not now, sweetheart, it’s too soon for you to come.” Nikola licked the side of her neck, and Pierre stopped all movement behind her. Slaps to her ass shocked her, as Pierre and Nikola spanked her. Castor gripped the sheets with his hands, but slid his hand over hers, and they held on, while their mates teased them. Adonis had reached down grabbing Castor’s cock, and was now rubbing it back and forth while she sucked on Adonis’ cock. “That’s it, feel it, we’re all connected. NOW!” Nikola ordered, and all at once Pierre rammed into her pussy with is cock, while his fingers stretched her ass. Adonis moved faster, in and out of her mouth. There was no warning, Nikola reached down and slapped her pussy lips. “Come now!” he ordered, and as if on cue, Adonis let go of his load. Adonis’ sperm slid down her throat, as Pierre continued to pound into her, and he marked her back with his bite. Lissa cried around Adonis’ cock, her body trembled, sweat beaded all over, her hair was now plastered to her face. She fell to the bed when Adonis pulled out, but her orgasm continued.

“Pierre!” She screamed, when he reached down and pulled at her clit, sending a fresh set of tremors through her body. “Mine!” Nikola snarled, and Lissa felt the bed move at the strength of his strokes. Adonis grabbed onto her head, and urged her onto Castor’s cock. That was all it took, as she closed her mouth around it, his seed spilled down her throat. Pierre kissed her back as he pulled out of her, running his hand up her pussy lips. “Every inch of you is beautiful.” He lowered his head, and bit her ass. Castor snarled as he pulled his cock out of her mouth, and fell to the bed. “Don’t do that when my cock is in her mouth, I don’t feel like having it separated from my body.” Adonis jumped off the bed, and paced, his cock once more growing as he stroked it back and forth. Castor watched Adonis as he slowly stood up, his cock now hard once more. “Are you ready for my wolf, boy?” Castor asked, his eyes a red haze, and Adonis now sported some fur on his back, and chest. “The question is are you ready for me?” Adonis pounced onto Castor, and both men rolled to the floor. Lissa jumped up, afraid one of them would get hurt, but Nikola was there, grabbing her into his arms. He carried her into the bathroom. “They need to work this out between themselves. They will be fine. You and I need some time alone.” Lissa stopped squirming in his arms when his cock, now hard again, rubbed against her pussy. “Really, and what did you have in mind, dear sir? What can I possible give you that you haven’t already had?” Lissa had meant to tease him, but as soon as that sentence was out, her heart squeezed inside her chest, and the insecurities flew through her head. Nikola slammed the bathroom door shut, propped her against it, and stared down into her face. “Does this feel as if I want anyone else? You are all the female I need, and will ever have again. You are mine Lissa, do you understand?” He pushed his cock into her pussy and stopped. “Do you?” He was furious, but he held himself back, so he wouldn’t hurt her. His cock throbbed inside her, each of his hands now next to

her head on the door. Her legs wrapped around his waist as they were joined, his body held her up as if she were nothing. Lissa reached up, and ran her finger down his cheek, and he nipped at her finger. She smiled, and took his right hand, placing it on her heart. “Feel my heart beating? It’s beating again, because of you Nikola. You are the man in my stories; you’re the man who controls this heart. You could destroy me with one word, but I give you the freedom to do anything. I trust you so much, it’s scary to me. This body has before known no pleasure, and only through my mates can I achieve this pleasure. You have shown me what it is like to love, and I love you Nikola. As I am yours, you are mine. Love me Nikola, and never let me go, but know some days I have doubts. How can I not?” Lissa kissed his lips softly. “Then on those days, my love, I will take extra special care to make sure to show you how much you mean to all of us. On those days, my love will not be held back.” Nikola declared, as he grabbed onto her legs and pushed as far up as he could go inside her. “Feel me Lissa. This is me, and only me. No one will love you as I do, no one will be able to give you what I can give you.” Nikola wrapped his arm around her waist, and moved her off the bathroom door, just as Pierre came into the room, lubing his cock. Nikola turned her facing the mirror, Pierre caught her gaze in it, and smiled as Nikola separated her ass cheeks. Pierre squirted the cold gel into her ass. “It’s going to be tight at first Lissa.” Pierre whispered to her as he brushed his cock against her back hole. Tears welled up, and she grinned. “Sweet man, I’m far from a virgin. Take me, both of you. Make me forget, replace those ugly memories with only good ones.” Lissa’s gaze found Nikola just before his lips covered hers. He pushed his tongue into her mouth at the same time Pierre’s cock thrust into her ass. He tasted of strawberries and honey, his kiss as masterful as the movements of his hips below, matching Pierre’s moves. Nikola slid his hands up to her breasts, breaking the kiss as he pushed her back onto Pierre’s chest. His eyes glowed, his fangs grew, and he licked her right breast. “Mine!”

He sank his fangs into her skin and drank from her, while at the same time he bonded her to him. Lissa would be as he was, their life forces joined together forever. Nikola didn’t drink her blood, but her plasma, the richest source of energy for a fae to feed on if in a dire need, or to bind his mates to him for life. His cock swelled further as he bound Lissa to him, but what shocked him to the point where he almost fell to his knees was that Lissa was not only his mate, but his quintessence. Only a very few found their quintessence, and usually when this happened, it was a sign of greater things coming to them. His grip grew tight, as he held onto Pierre, afraid he would bruise his precious wife. Nikola retracted his fangs, sealed the holes, and lifted his head. Both Pierre and Lissa gasped. She reached up, cupping his face. “Are you okay? Your skin is a bluish color. Did I do something wrong?” Her voice trembled. Nikola threw his head back and laughed. “Little butterfly, you are an amazing woman, and I will explain latter, but right now you need to come.” Both he and Pierre drove her body higher and higher, as they slowly moved in and out of her. He pulled and pinched her nipples, while Pierre rubbed and pulled on her clit. “Come Lissa; let us feel your body squeezing our cocks.” Lissa didn’t disappoint them at all. Her body contracted around their cocks, sending both of them over the edge. Pierre, the first to recover, slowly moved out of her, and started the water to the shower as handed Lissa to him. He stepped into the shower with them, Pierre held her up, and he grabbed onto the soap, slowly cleaned her body. Nikola and Pierre brought her to orgasm twice more, before they were done. Pierre stepped out of the shower as the door opened and Castor peaked inside. “We have company.” He smiled at Lissa who stepped out of the tub, yawning. Pierre wrapped her body in the large towel and dried her.

He knew who it was, and she had the worst timing ever. Nikola dressed all three of them, and when Lissa glanced up at him questioning him about her clothes, he smiled. “I like seeing you in dresses.” She slapped his hand away, opening the door to the bedroom, when she saw Queen Isabel sitting in one of the chairs talking to Adonis. Lissa sighed, and glanced up at him with a small smile. “You knew she was out here?” He nodded, and kissed her nose. “Come, let’s see what we can do for her, so we can go for our run.” At the mention of their run, Lissa’s eyes sparkled with life, and she slid next to him as they entered the room “Queen Isabel, I didn’t expect to see you again tonight. What can I do for you?” Nikola held onto Lissa, twining her hair around his fingers. She rose and smiled. “Good, I was hoping you had finally finished the bonding process with Lissa.” Isabel’s mate shimmered in the room, and he held out his hand for her, drawing her into his arms. “You knew, didn’t you?” Nikola asked, and Queen Isabel nodded. “As soon as I knew she was going to have your babies, I could smell the connection between the both of you, but I had to be sure. I’ve talked with my sister, Empusa and with Gaia. They have sought the other gods, and they have given their blessing. It is up to you four, when all of this mess is done.” Queen Isabel waved her hand. “The war, the building of the new realm and such, I would like all of you to make your home base on our world, Nikola. It is rare that a Fae finds his quintessence, but with the strength of your other mates, your powers will increase to that close to ours.” Isabel sighed, and glanced up at her mate. “I can have no children, Nikola. My blood line is dead, there will be no more. I want you and your mates to take control of the fae realm. I’m tired, and my powers are declining. It seems the new realm takes away from some, but also brings in the new.” Isabel

glanced up, and kissed her mate. “Plus, it’s time a King ruled our world. Too many among our kind fight each other for stupid things and I, for one, want no part of it. I just want to take my mate and live a quiet life.” She turned back to them. “But I will warn you now, with this comes a price, Nikola. Already your father moves to join forces with your brother. Your mother and sisters are now hidden from your father, along with your baby brother.” She shook her head. “Your mother had no clue what your father had done, and when she found out, she gathered the children, and came to me. I’ve come to ask if you would like the rest of your family to be brought here to this island. It is safe. No one can enter now, without your permission, just as with leaving it.” Nikola stood there in shock. Twice in one day, his world had turned upside down. Lissa squeezed his waist. “Bring your mother and sisters here. They’ll be safe and I’m sure all of us will welcome them here. We have time to discuss the other matter later.” He laughed, and glanced at the others as they all nodded in agreement. He looked back at Queen Isabel and nodded. “Please bring my family here. We’ll make sure rooms are readied for them, and Isabel, thank you.” She laughed. “You are silly Nikola, there is no need to thank me. You have proven yourself loyal to your people, time and time again.” Isabel stepped away from Hendricks, and grabbed onto Lissa’s hands. Everything in him stopped, his protection streak rose up, and Isabel gazed up at him, laughing. “Easy Nikola, I just want to assure Lissa that I have no attentions towards you.” Her gaze once more centered on Lissa. “My dear child, your man is yours. He cannot be with another. You are his quintessence, which on our world is very rare. If anything, Nikola will be very possessive, and over protective of you. Each species has blood mates, as all of these gentlemen are yours, but when our world was formed only a certain few, as in a handfull, would have an extra bond. One that not only granted them

more powers, but also sealed them together, so close that not even in death could they be parted. If you die, so do your mates.” Lissa gasped, and glanced up at him. He nodded. “She is right, we are all quintessence. I didn’t realize it until just a little earlier.” Adonis moved up to Lissa’s other side, and kissed her cheek. “We all felt it, when Nikola bonded with you.” “I’m going to leave you now, for the night. I will bring your family tomorrow morning, since I’m sure they are resting right now. You four go and enjoy the night. Just think about what I have offered, please.” Isabel moved into her mate’s arms and disappeared. “Damn, that’s a lot to take in.” Adonis glanced at him, and he nodded. “Well, for tonight let’s just concentrate on the run. We can discuss everything else later. The others wait for us outside.” Nikola opened the door, and Adonis led Lissa down to the back porch. He followed behind, watching as everyone fell into place, Pierre beside Castor, and Nikola behind all of his mates, protecting them. He smiled when Lissa glanced back at him, and winked. “Guess I can’t be called your little slave anymore, can I?” She dashed for the door, but he was there first. Nikola grabbed at her, and lifted her up into the air, she laughed. “You will always be our little love slave.” Hearing her laugh, brought a peace to him. “Are you two coming or not?” Rory yelled from outside, he tossed Lissa over his shoulder, and pushed through the door grinning. “Awe isn’t that cute, the love birds have bonded, finally.” Tug rolled his eyes, and shifted, stretching. “You’re lucky I’m in a good mood, wolf boy.” Nikola lowered Lissa to her feet, and kissed her nose. “Make sure you stay with us. We’re not sure what’s out there.” Lissa kissed his chest. “Yes Sir.” She saluted him, and shifted before him. Her coat was a dark blond color and he knelt in front of her.

“Even in wolf form, you are beautiful.” Adonis and Pierre shifted, as did Dominic and Blair who took off into the air. Cecil and Shelly were the only other females who would run tonight. While the nine males surrounded the three females, all of them took off exploring the dimensions of the island.

Chapter Twelve Lissa ran in between Cecil and Shelly, while all the men surrounded them. At first, it had taken her a little while to get used to being a wolf, but both Adonis and Pierre had been there helping her. Even now, they watched her closely, making sure she didn’t out do it. The sky above still swirled, flickers of different colors lit the island, as they scoped out the land. One thing she had noticed was that this was no longer an island, but had grown to be a massive piece of land that went on and on. Some of the land was rocky, while other parts were thick with some sort of forest, which she had never seen before, but with time she would explore. They were in one such forest now, moving slowly as Lissa examined the plants around her. She nosed around the ground, and shifted as she bent to pick up a handful of dark bluish, green soil. The new plants were also on a different pathway to her then those on Earth, as she moved to the new vegetation. Lissa glanced up at a large tree, when Cecil and Shelly shifted, and stood next to her. She nodded to the tree and the fruit. “We’ll be able to eat that. I don’t know what it’ll taste like, but from what the plants are telling me, it’s edible for us. Nikola, can you send about ten of those back to the kitchen for us?” Nikola laughed. “You do know you can also do that?” he teased her and sent the fruit back to the house. Lissa moved about ten feet to a flower, and kneeled next to it. “I forgot, plus I’m having more fun right now.” The flower was a bright white, with yellow stripes on it. She dug into the soil and pulled the wild vegetable out of the ground. It was watermelon shaped, but the vegetable skin was rough and a black. “Cecil, this is some kind of vegetable we can work later. They are all this big, if not bigger, from what I am told. There are seeds inside we can use to plant more if we want to. We can send a few of these also.” She smiled as four of them disappeared from the ground around them. Lissa closed her eyes, when she heard the sound of a soft drip off to her left, something sweet. Her new friend ran to her,

and rubbed against her. “Yes, it’s good to see you too, Sal.” She laughed, and made her way towards a large bush, but stopped before approaching it. Nikola and Adonis circled the bush, watching the night insects come and go. “Don’t get too close to the insects. I believe they are like the human bee, but also like the mosquito.” Nikola slowly moved up to the hole in the bush, and pushed his hand into the hole. “Yep, they bite too.” He withdrew his hand, which was covered in blue goo. He sniffed it, and then licked it. “Umm, well worth getting bitten.” He laughed as he moved to her, Cecil, and Shelly letting them taste. “Wow, the things I can do with that. It’s a mixture of chocolate, toffee, and caramel rolled into one. Can we get more?” Cecil pleaded with Tug and Rory. Lissa glanced at the bite on Nikola’s arm. Sal came over with an orange, green cactus type-leaf in his mouth. She took the stem -like leaf, and broke it open. An orange puss-like substance came out. “Sal believes this will help with the bite.” Lissa took a small portion of the juice and smeared it on his now swollen bite. Nikola leaned down, and kissed her forehead. “It’s cool, and does take the sting out. Thank you, Sal.” Remi came over, and took the root-type leaf out of her hand, studying it. “It looks like our Aloe plant. We should take this back to have Granger take a look at it. He’s studied most medical plants.” Lissa nodded. “From what I gather there are a number of different medical plants around here.” She sighed, and glanced out further inland. “There is so much to explore, but yet we have so much to do to help Earth.” Adonis hugged her from behind. “We can only take one day at a time. Come, we have to start heading back.” On the way back, Lissa listened to the night, as everyone around her tried to catch everything they could in their new world. They listened for the sound of animals, or and looked for different animals. Insects flew all around, minding their own business. They broke through the clearing, and she stretched her body. She sniffed the air when Castor nudged her with his nose.

Lissa shifted, her dress once more covering her body. “You didn’t cover me in the woods?” She teased Nikola, as she slugged him in the arm, going up the stairs to see Jaycee and Leda sitting on the swing, talking. “Hey lady, I thought you would be sound asleep by now.” Lissa hopped on the wooden railing. Leda shook her head. “Na, too wired, plus I wanted to have another round of that carrot cake that we didn’t get to finish.” She nodded to Jaycee. “Found this one in the kitchen, grabbing a piece for herself, so we came out here to enjoy the night air.” Dane snorted. “She had more than cake.” He patted Jaycee’s stomach. Lissa laughed glancing down at her stomach. “If you are that big with three, I dread to see what I’m going to look like when I’m that far along with four.” Pierre picked her up and licked up her neck, making her squirm in his arms. “Pierre, stop.” She giggled, and tried to get down. “You will look beautiful carrying our children.” Castor yelled from the ground, as he walked around the porch. “What are you doing?” Lissa slipped away from Pierre’s grasp, laughing, and ran down the stairs after Castor. She watched as he glanced out at the roses. “My mother and father are buried there. I just wanted to make sure that the family’s gravesite was still intact.” Lissa twined her hand in his. “Show me. Maybe one day when it’s safe we can go to my parents’ gravesite. I’d like to visit them again. They might be gone, but when I used to visit them, I could have sworn they were there with me.” She pulled him towards the old iron fence that surrounded the old cemetery. There had to be over fifty graves, all very old, except for one. She moved over to the newest grave, and brushed away the dirt. “Rachel Iceshard, born 1950 died 1999.” Lissa glanced at Castor as he knelt down next to her, and ran his hand over the grave. “My daughter, Granger’s twin. She was murdered. We never did find her killer.” His voice distant, Castor stood, and moved to an older mausoleum. “This is where my folks rest. It seems like so

long ago that I lost my father. My mother died giving birth to my sister, and my father was the one who raised us.” Lissa moved to his side when she glanced behind her. Granger and Suzanne stood at the entrance to the gravesite. “I can still hear Rachel’s laugh.” Granger led Suzanne to their side, holding onto her. “Nikola has told us what Queen Isabel has offered to all of you. I’ll miss you if you go, but I can promise you this, father, I won’t wait so long next time to come to visit. We have a lot to make up for, and I, for one, will not let you slip away from me.” Granger pulled his father into a hug. A tear slipped down her cheek. Lissa knew the relationship between father and son had been strained, but now it seemed as if it would slowly grow stronger. Suzanne moved next to her. “So, how are you doing, Mom?” she teased, as she reached to tear off the vines from around the door, but stopped when she glanced back at Lissa with a questioning look. Lissa laughed. “Hey watch it, I’m not that old.” The vines slowly crept off the crypt door. “You’re still older than me. Hell I was turned over a month ago.” Suzanne smiled at her, and they moved towards the back of the graveyard looking at all of the markers, Castor’s decendents going back over six hundred years. Lissa tripped over a small raised mound, but Suzanne grabbed onto her, preventing her fall. “Now I know that was not there. Thanks!” Lissa frowned and glanced down at the ground. The soil still wet from that rain earlier, slowly started to fall into a hole, which grew larger and larger. “Um Lissa, are your plants doing that, because if they’re not I’m so not into the scary movie crap.” Suzanne squeezed her arm as both Castor, and Granger, pulled them back away from the hole, which was now reaching some of the graves. Nikola appeared next to them in a flash, grabbing onto her hand and Suzanne’s. One minute they were outside, the next inside the kitchen again. “Okay, this is getting to be a bit old. What the hell is

going on now?” Suzanne demanded, glaring at Dominic and Blair who just got back from their trip. She turned and glanced up at Nikola. “They were coming alive again, weren’t they? They would have stayed in the ground, but we woke them up, because they’re after us?” He nodded and disappeared, as she fell into the kitchen chair next to Suzanne, who had gone a nice shade of white. “I so hate zombies. I don’t want to fight zombies.” She glanced at her then at Dominic, who shook his head, and laughed. “You’ll fight the Bloods and other vampires, but zombies scare you? You’re a dragon Suzanne, you can fry them.” Dominic teased her, but rubbed her shoulders, to ease the tension out of her. Jaycee, Leda, Shelly, and Cecil came laughing into the room, and stopped noticing Suzanne’s color. “What happened now?” “Zombies, graveyard.” Suzanne mumbled, and Jaycee shivered as did Leda. Leda moved to her side, sitting down. “She’s kidding right? It’s just a Halloween thing, to scare us all before the dance?” Lissa taped her fingers on the table, and shook her head “What’s so stupid, is that a bunch of bones can’t do much of anything. I mean, if they had some meat on their bodies, but to bring back dead folks, where there is nothing to them, is just stupid.” Lissa snarled. “Do these idiots really think we’re that stupid? That we can’t protect ourselves from those things?” Castor and Granger came into the kitchen, black ash on their boots, clothes and hands. Lissa got up and went to Castor, but he waved her off. “I need a shower. You don’t need this stuff on you, Lissa.” Both Suzanne and Lissa stood, and watched as father and son went off to clean the rest of their family’s remains off of them. “I so feel like hunting? Does anyone else feel like going hunting, because tonight would be the perfect night?” Lissa turned to Cecil and Shelly, who both nodded. “It’s about time to pay our respects to these men, who keep asking for our attention. I mean it’s only polite. I’m sure Hombre del Diablo, is dying for some attention. Plus, I forgot my note-

book.” Lissa closed her eyes, and visualized the outfit she loved to wear when she was fighting. If Adonis and Pierre could do this right away, then so could she. Her skin tingled and warmed, Lissa glanced down and smiled. “I can so get used to this.” She glanced up, just as Nikola appeared next to her. He glanced at her attire, and raised his eyebrow. “Going somewhere?” “Actually, yes we were,” Suzanne said, a small bit of flame shot out of her mouth. “We have decided that tonight is a girl’s night, even though Jaycee won’t be able to come with us. She and Marsha can work from here. You could say we have dates that can’t be ignored anymore, isn’t that right ladies?” Suzanne announced grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge, and downing it. Lissa grinned, and put on her long black leather gloves. “Yep, sure do. We can’t keep the men waiting, now can we? Cecil, Shelly, anything particular you care to wear tonight? Oh and Suzanne, don’t worry, I’ll dress you when we reach there. I see that nice little bow you want, and it will be waiting for you.” Nikola leaned back against the counter, as the other men came into the room all except Granger and Castor. Dominic glanced at him, then at his mate. “What’s going on?” Lissa changed Cecil’s and Shelly’s clothes, when the image of what they wanted appeared in her head. She laughed as both of them checked their outfits, and found their weapons ready to go. “Well, we should be go? Don’t wait up.” She teased. Suzanne nodded, and attempted to leave the room, when she ran into an invisible wall, or force field. She would have fallen if Dominic hadn’t caught her. “What the hell did you guys do now?” Suzanne glared at Dominic, then at Nikola. She slowly turned, and glanced at Nikola. “You did this didn’t you? Release us Nikola. We are not helpless creatures. We can fight as good as anyone.” Nikola, slowly uncrossed his arms, and stepped in front of her. His eyes were ablaze with anger. “Do you really believe we would

allow any of you off this land, when you are finally safe here?” Nikola grabbed onto her shoulders, and shook her. “What in the world would possess you to leave the security of this place, to purposely antagonize our enemy? You have everything you could possibly want,” he demanded. Lissa waited till he was finished shaking her, and pealed his fingers off her shoulders. “This has nothing, I repeat nothing, to do with wanting anything. I am tired of being hurt, and now my new family was hurt. It is my right to finish what started so long ago. I don’t want to have to continually be looking over my shoulder, to see if something is coming after me.” She sighed, and reached up, brushing a piece of his hair out of his face. “Nikola, all my life I have had my loved ones stolen from me, or they have been hurt. No more…” She glanced down at the ground. “The look on Castor’s face when he came back after having to destroy his family…was too much.” Lissa glanced up, anger like she never known rose inside her. “I have to do this, Nikola.” “Hmmp, we all have to. You men take turns leaving to help others, while we sit here, but we are tired of it. We know these things that are after us. We’ve lived with them for years, had to deal with their sick minds day in and day out. Well, today we fight back, and if it gives us a little piece of mind in the process, than so be it.” All three women had slowly moved closer to her, keeping the men distracted with their words. Lissa had already figured a way out of the house. All she needed was the women close enough so that she could take them all with her to the mainland. Just one more, gotcha. Lissa had done it, All four of them were now standing in the gardens of the old estate, hidden from everyone’s view. She handed Suzanne the bow she wanted, and drew her knives, her guns in her black boots. “We don’t have much time before the men are here. The main bunch we want are in the dining room, with a few of the stray servants, and it’s not good. Are we ready?” They all nodded, and slowly crept towards the main house, and the dining room. The

main house had been completely trashed and was now full of broken furniture and paintings, which only drove her anger higher. Lissa took out two snake shifters upon entering the house. It took everything not to throw up at how gross their faces were. She hated snakes. Suzanne threw her arm up and stopped them all in their tracks. Lissa moved slowly up to her. “What’s up?” She shook her head. “That son of a bitch took all our fun.” She rose to her full height, and placed her bow behind her back. Suzanne pushed through the dining room door, and Lissa groaned. Dominic, Bo, Nikola, Castor, Granger, Tug, Blair, Adonis all were there, not a sole survivor was left standing in the room, except for their very, very furious mates. Lissa turned and stormed out of the room, her knives still in her hand. They might have killed all of the men in that room, but anyone could be anywhere, and she had to get to her room. She stopped and smiled, flashing to her room. “Damn!” Sure enough, Hombre del Diablo stood in the middle of her bed, jacking off. He swirled around and grinned. “I knew you would come back to me, Lissa. Couldn’t get enough of this?” He stroked his now deformed, yellow-greenish dick. “Now that is just down right disgusting. I’m surprised that ugly thing doesn’t just fall off, it’s so nasty. What the hell have you been fucking, Franco?” Lissa almost gaged at the stench in the room and his rotten body, now half the man he once was. “Damn, Franco, you really screwed up getting bit. I mean you are half of what you were. Now a child could take you out.” Lissa moved slowly away from the bed, she gripped her knives tight. They only way to kill him was through the head. He growled and jumped from the bed towards her, but she didn’t get a chance to do crap. Adonis appeared out of nowhere; he grabbed her around her waist, and swung her out of the way. Nikola appeared behind what used to be Franco, and swung his large metal sword once, decapitating him. The body disappeared at

once from the room, and Lissa stood there without saying a word. The man who had taken her, the one who had held her hostage was now gone, he would not be after her anymore. She turned around, and grabbed for the closet door, throwing it open, Lissa stared down at the small box of her personal things. “I am close to a hundred in human years, but all I have that is important to me is this small box.” Lissa bent down, and grabbed the box, turning to see Nikola, Adonis, Castor, all staring at the box. “Was that box so important that you would risk your life, and our children?” Nikola asked as she walked passed them. “No, Nikola the box isn’t as important as my life, or my children. I was never in danger, and neither were the other ladies. I’m not stupid, and neither are they. I resent that you would imply otherwise.” Lissa disappeared from the room to reappear in their suite of rooms, back in her body again, and crawled onto their large bed. Pierre came in from the bathroom, his hair damp from a shower, and stopped in his tracks. “You’re back. I thought you wanted a girl’s night out?” He snapped and wrapped the towel around his waist; he had been drying his hair with. “Yes, we were going to make it a girl’s night out, but you know how that turned out, so why try. I got what I wanted, and came home. Would you like to see?” Lissa patted the bed next to her, as she unzipped her boots, pulled them off, and threw them to the floor. He slid on a pair of black jeans. “You know Jaycee did the same thing you did, risking her children, she even lost her child. Maybe you should talk to her, about what her choices brought her.” Pierre stormed out of the room, leaving her stunned, and then pissed. “Why you…” Lissa grabbed the light on the bed stand, and threw it at the door. “How dare you compare me to another woman?” She yelled at the empty room. “Fine, all of you can sleep somewhere else too,” she muttered, and took a deep breath. Lissa needed her nice big tee-shirt, and a diet Pepsi. She laughed when the tee-shirt covered her body, and a

diet Pepsi sat on the stand next to the bed. Yep, this fae thing was going to be a new adventure. Lissa propped the pillows behind her back, and leaned against the headboard, when Leda peeked her head in. “You okay?” “Wait!” Lissa concentrated and once more the lamp was in one piece, on the table next to her. She waved her hand, and Leda came in, hopping on the bed with her. “Shit, I’ve never seen a bed this big. A girl could get lost. So what got you so riled up?” Leda glanced at the box and then her. “Is that what I think it is?” Leda’s smile grew, and she nodded. “Yep, I wanted to share them with Pierre, or the guys, but I guess I’m being punished for taking off, and risking my children, even though there was no risk.” She sighed. “You know out of everything I’ve kept over the last seventy years, it comes down to this little box. Earlier when Castor’s family was used against us, it reminded me how precious family was. I wanted to share this with them. Thought it would help Castor get his mind off all that he has lost.” She took a drink of her Pepsi. Leda studied her for a minute. “Tell me why you think you didn’t risk your babies? You did go in a hostile environment, and anything could have happened to you, or them.” Leda took her hands, and squeezed them. “You have to start thinking of them now Lissa, no one else. My children are my world.” Leda winked at her. Lissa laughed, and hugged her. “I love you Leda, I just wish… Well as far as the babies…” she rubbed her stomach, and glanced down at it. “I was there, but I wasn’t. All of us were there, but our physical bodies were here. We wouldn’t risk our children, but we wanted to leave this place, to see what was going on, but actually do something, instead of sitting here. We also wanted the other side to know that we were fine, that nothing they threw at us would stop us. That we were just as determined as our men.” Leda shook her head, and jumped off the bed. “What do you mean you weren’t physically there? It doesn’t make sense?” Lissa smiled, and opened the box. “Earlier, all of us were talking, and trying to come up with ways to help with this war, but

protect what is most precious to us, our family. Well, Temmra told us about a spell that would separate us, something like how my men put their souls inside me, to protect them, while they go out to hunt. But with this spell, we are creating an image of ourselves. Oh, we can kill, and do things, but only for so long, and for shorter distances. So we decided to test it out. We were going to inform the men, but they never gave us the chance, and instead ordered this, and that. Jaycee and Marsha kept our bodies here, and safe.” “Amazing, and I owe you an apology. I came in here to let you have it, and you once again have proven to me that you are an amazing woman.” She nodded to all the pictures Lissa was pulling out. Leda leaned down and kissed her cheek. “Don’t stay up too late. Your body does need sleep, and you have to help me get the cabin ready for the interviews.” “Don’t worry, we’ll get you all set up tomorrow. Go, call your family. I know you’re dying to find out how the twins are doing.” Lissa watched Leda leave and shut the door behind her. She glanced at the clock on the mantle above the fireplace, which now burned bright, the room filled with the smell of pine, because she had thrown in pine needles earlier. It was nine o’clock. She’d sort through her pictures for an a hour, but first…” Lissa closed her eyes. When she opened them, she laughed, as Lissa glanced at the boxes of pictures from Castor’s family. Yep, she would make sure that these would not be destroyed. Their children would know their family history.

Chapter Thirteen Nikola pushed open the door, and stopped staring at the photographs all over the floor and the bed. Their mate was sound asleep with pictures spread all around her. Eight new photo albums were on the floor by her, where she had labeled each one. Castor, Adonis, and Pierre came into the room, and stood next to him. “Crap, I think she has every photo we had at the house. How did she do all this?” Castor walked through the pictures to the bed and picked up a small old picture of a little pudgy girl with pig tails, and kittens all around her. Pierre carefully took the album she had laying on her chest and flipped through it. “You know we owe her an apology for not listening. Especially me. I can’t believe I compared her to Jaycee. Jaycee was furious with me, when I asked her to talk to Lissa, and when she found out what I had said. Well, let’s say I’m lucky I’m still standing here.” He shook his head, and sighed. All the pictures were now in a filing cabinet in the closet. “We all have a lot to learn when it comes to this one.” He glanced down at the album with his name on it. Lissa stretched, her old tee-shirt ridding up her thigh, baring her pussy to their view. Her large breasts could be seen through the faded material, and he couldn’t wait to see their babies suckling from her. A small smile formed on her lips, and her eyes opened, staring at him. “Your thoughts make me sound like an animal. Suckle, please.” Lissa teased him, and glance around the room. “I take it the pictures are safe somewhere?” He reached down, and lifted her up in his arms, sitting down on the bed, with her on his lap. She curled up in his arms, resting her head on his chest. “We all owe you an apology for not listening to you, and jumping to conclusions. Jaycee and Marsha told us what Temmra was able to do.” Lissa looked up at him, then at Pierre. “I would never risk our children. Being an only child, I always dreamt of having many

brothers and sisters. Now, when it’s so close, having that large family, I won’t risk that.” She pulled up an old crocheted blanket and covered her legs. “This was my mother’s, her mother made it for her. When I hold it up to my nose, I can still smell my mom. She would tuck this blanket around me when I was small, and tell me stories of her sisters. Mom had wanted other children, but it wasn’t meant to be. Cancer attacked her ovaries, and they had to remove everything. I guess that’s why she and I were always so close.” She leaned over the bed and pulled out the small box, and took an old watch out of it. “I wanted to give this to you, Castor. I know you’ve lost a lot lately, and I wanted you to have something that was very important to me.” Lissa crawled to Castor, and handed him the pocket watch. “It was my great, great grandfather’s, on my dad’s side. I was told he made it himself, that his watches were rare, and highly prized back in the day.” Castor turned over the watch, and smiled. “Your grandfather was Robert Roskell. I met him when I was in England.” Castor approached to a dresser, and opened, it pulling out a similar watch. “He made me and my father each a watch. I gave Granger one, and I have the other.” He held the watch out, showing her, and she laughed. “Let Nikola have this one Lissa, that way he has a part of our world that we knew.” Castor leaned down and kissed her lips. “Thank you for thinking of me, but I haven’t lost everything. There are many things I have stored in vaults, and when the time is right, we will go through them all.” “As all of us have some things to bring into this, tomorrow my family will be here. My mom will be able to share many things with you. Pierre and Adonis’ family will be arriving tomorrow afternoon as well. So you will have your family history that you love. Maybe when everyone is settled tomorrow night we can make a little visit to your old home. There has to be something there.” Nikola asked opening his arms and pulled her back onto his body, setting the watch next to the stand.

Lissa shook her head. “We would have to visit my great nieces, and even then I don’t know if they have anything from my parents, though the old homestead is still in the family. We could visit where the shop was. I would love to see where my father grew up.” Nikola pulled her tee-shirt up, and off of her. “I think that can be arranged, if all goes well tomorrow, but enough of that. We have some serious making up to do.” He bent down sucking her breast into his mouth. Castor stripped out of his clothes lying down next to them. Nikola nipped her nipple and handed her over to Castor, running his hand down her slightly plump thighs and squeezed them. “I love your body. It’s so perfect, and round. Not skinny like so many human women today.” He grabbed onto her ass cheeks, and helped lift her as Castor slid is cock into her pussy. “Your pussy sucked his cock right in. You’re made for us, Lissa.” He leaned down, and nipped each of her round, butt cheeks, then slapped each one. “Oh man, do that again. She just squeezed my cock tight when you spanked her.” Castor moaned. Pierre stood at the side of the bed rubbing his cock back and forth. Adonis was at the foot of the bed, watching. “What are you waiting for, Adonis?” Nikola glanced back once and smiled at him. “Castor needs something to fill his mouth. Pierre get up here and fill your mates ass, but make sure she receives the spanking she wants.” Nikola sat back on his heels, his clothes disappeared, and he grabbed his cock, stroking it back and forth. Pierre’s smacks filled the air with Lissa’s tiny little moans, and Castor’s grunts as he tried to swallow Adonis’s cock. He nodded to Adonis who pulled out of Castor’s mouth and Pierre flipped over onto to the bed with a shocked Lissa staring up at him. Pierre’s cock was still in her ass, but her pussy was now empty as Castor glanced up at Nikola. “Adonis, keep Lissa busy, please.” Nikola grabbed onto Castor’s cock, and licked it before he sucked it into his mouth. Lissa’s

juices covered his cock giving him an extra treat, as he worked Castor’s stiff member, in and out of his mouth. He cupped his balls in his hands, lightly squeezing them. Castor gripped the blanket tight with his fingers, his eyes closed, and sweat beaded his body as he fucked Nikola’s mouth on his command. Tonight both Castor and Lissa would be pampered, both of them, losing so much in this war that was finally coming to a head. Nikola slid his hand over and pushed two of his fingers into Lissa’s pussy at the same time Adonis slid his cock in, wetting them in her juices and giving her a little more. She was so tight and ready to burst, but not yet. He withdrew his fingers and slid them down to Castor’s ass. Castor lifted his head, his eyes a blood red, as he pushed the same fingers into his ass, fucking him. “Come Castor. Lissa. Let’s hear your cries.” Nikola twisted his fingers in Castor’s ass, and stroked his prostrate sending his mate through the roof. Adonis reached down and grabbed onto Lissa’s clit, and pinched it. Both of their bodies tightened up, their first orgasm of the night running through their bodies. Nikola swallowed every drop of Castor’s seed, and nipped the head of his cock, as he sat up, and flipped him over onto his hands and knees. Adonis and he switched places, his cock wet from Lissa. Nikola stared down at Lissa, and she smiled up at him. He reached down and cupped Pierre’s balls. “You didn’t come?” Pierre shook his head. “No, was waiting for you.” Nikola leaned down over Lissa, and kissed Pierre. “You are an amazing man, Pierre, never forget that.” He slid down, his face in between her legs. Nikola could smell Lissa’s unique scent, and his cock hardened almost to the point of pain, but he held off. He needed to taste her, and tonight he was going to feast on her. He glanced up at Pierre, and smiled as he separated her pussy lips for him. Lissa squirmed on top of Pierre, watching him, and waiting to see what he would do. “I have waited all day for this time, and I plan to enjoy.” He licked up the right side of her, and she moaned.

Adonis leaned down, and bit Castor’s shoulder, while he cupped his cock bringing it back to life once more. “Don’t let him come. The next time he comes it will be inside Lissa.” He mumbled around her clit, where he proceeded to take it into his mouth and suck. Lissa grabbed onto Pierre’s arms as Nikola sucked her clit, into his mouth, and proceeded to fuck her with his fingers. Behind her Pierre whispered words of love to her apologizing over, and over again, till she could take no more. “Please Nikola, Pierre I need both of you in me now!” She cried, tears streamed down her face, every muscle in her body strung like that of a rubber band, ready to burst in half at any moment. Nikola rose over her, and wiped the tears away from her face, while he thrust into her at the same time as Pierre pulled out. “Faster, harder, please!” No sooner were the words out, when the bed started to shake at the force of their movements. Nikola lifted her legs, and rested them on his shoulders, while he watched his cock and Pierre’s slid in, and out of her body. “Beautiful,” he grunted, reaching up, and rolled her nipples in between his fingertips, which Pierre did the same to her clit, at the exact same minute. Lissa’s legs burned, her body shook, and she screamed, when Nikola hit that perfect spot inside her. But that wasn’t enough; Adonis sucked her left breast into his mouth, while Castor took the right. All four of her men, drew two more orgasms out of her, before Nikola and Pierre, finally spilled their seed inside her. She couldn’t move, but then again Lissa knew she didn’t have to. Her men would take care of her. Nikola lowered her legs, rubbing each one as he did, sliding out of her pussy. “Castor, take her to the tub.” Castor lifted her nude body up gently and kissed her softly. “Don’t worry little one, I have you, and I promise I’ll never let you go.”

Candles lit the master bathroom, the tub was filled with hot bubble water, with rose petals floating all around the water. Two glasses of cold grape juice waited them. Castor stepped into the tub, and sat turning her so she could sip her drink. “Drink it all baby, and I’ll take care of you.” He slid his gaze over her breasts, his hand following in their path. “Your breasts are so full, they overflow my hands.” He set his empty cup down, and pulled her closer, sucking her nipple into her mouth. “Castor.” She whimpered setting her glass down, she grabbed onto his head as he played with her breasts. “Soon, I’ll make special nipple clamps for you.” He pinched each nipple hard, and watched her face, holding the nipple, and not letting them go. “Pain can lead to pleasure, and soon we all will show you how.” He released her nipples and turned her around once more. Her back now rested against his chest, as he separated her legs one each side of his legs, opening her for him. His cock now buried deep inside of her, but he didn’t move. Castor traced the outside of her pussy lips, and where his cock now entered her. “I want to thank you, and personally apologize for not listening. All of us have been under such stress, we have a habit of biting each other’s head off first without thinking, but it won’t happen again Lissa.” He kissed the side of her neck. Castor squeezed her tight. “There have been two woman before you that I believed would be with me for life, and I was wrong about both of them.” He held out his hand in front of her on the tip of his index finger was a ring. The ruby, sapphire, and diamond ring sparkled in the candle lit room, sending off small lights through the bathroom. “Part of this was my mother’s, the sapphire.” Nikola came into the room, with Adonis and Pierre. They all sat on the floor next to the tub. They didn’t touch her, only Castor touched her. “The ruby was from my grandmother’s ring,” Nikola said, and nodded to the ring which Castor now slipped onto her wedding finger.

“The diamonds are from our grandmother’s ring.” Adonis smiled, and nudged Pierre. Pierre rolled his eyes, and winked at her. “We combined all our families to give you this one ring, to symbolize our unity.” Castor sank his fangs into her neck, the same time the ring slid all the way down her finger. He grabbed onto her hips and pushed her forward. Nikola grabbed both of her hands, and held them. “Castor is a very, very, old vampire Lissa. He needs to seal your bond with him the proper way, the old way. When a man took a woman.” Adonis moved to one side of her and held her thigh down, while Pierre did the same. She was now held by all of her men, she could move not. Castor sucked and sucked on her neck, all the while he drove his cock into her at a brutal pace. The room started to spin, she was getting cold, and she was sore, but Castor continued. “I’m sorry Lissa, it must be this way.” Nikola leaned forward, and kissed her lips. “We’ll explain in the morning.” His voice sounded as if he was far away, but yet he was right there in front of her. “Nikola?” She questioned, but all went black just as the last orgasm spiked through her body.

Chapter Fourteen Castor released his hold on Lissa, sealing the holes in her neck, and coming at the same time she did. His eyes burned red, and his body shook, as her blood made its way through him. Castor had just twined their souls together. His soul would not have to hide when on missions. It would always be inside Lissa. Nikola had wanted to forbid this, but Castor demanded he be allowed to bond how he wanted to. He reached down, and pulled Lissa away from him, as Castor released her. Her body was limp in his arms. “Never again will you drain her like this. Is that understood?” He snapped, and glared at Castor before he left the bathroom. Adonis grabbed two towels, while Pierre helped Castor stand, as he was drunk on her blood. “It was the only thing I could give her that I hadn’t given the others, Nikola. I wanted Lissa to know how much she means to me.” He whined behind him, which only aggravated him more. “Pierre, Adonis get him in bed. It’s going to be a long day tomorrow.” He only hoped she would forgive them for not telling her what was going to happen. He lay in the middle of the bed with her on top of him. Castor lay down next to them, and reached to take Lissa. “Don’t!” “She needs to feed Nikola, before we all sleep.” Castor now curled up next to him, Adonis behind him, pulled Castor closer to his body. “Nikola will feed her, his blood is powerful. You need to go to sleep.” Adonis’s arms were now wrapped around Castor, and he nodded to him and Pierre, closing his eyes. Pierre pulled the covers over their bodies, and rested next to them, as he opened a vein for her, and commanded her to drink. Ever so slowly Lissa’s fangs sank into his skin, and she drank. Her movements were slow and weak. She winced when she moved and he cussed himself for not healing her instantly, but that was now remedied.

When she woke in the morning she would not be sore from Castor’s taking. “She’ll be okay, Nikola. We all have to do whatever we can to protect her. This was his way.” Pierre fluffed up his pillow, and held his gaze. “Just as it is your way to slowly train her.” He grinned, and lay down. Nikola snorted. “Have you seen the way your brother, Remi, has trained his submissive, Jaycee. If our Lissa is anything like Jaycee, I don’t see how she’ll make for the perfect slave, but it matters little. She is ours, and if I have to hog tie her to the bed, I will.” He jumped, when Lissa pinched his own nipple. Nikola glanced down, and caught her gaze, before she once more closed her eyes, and relaxed, sealing the holes in his chest. “I will be anything you want me to be Nikola, just love me.” She whispered, and fell asleep. “Always my little butterfly, always.” Nikola tucked the blanket tighter around her, and closed his eyes. Tomorrow his new family would meet part of his old family. He just hoped his mother… Pierre grabbed his hand, and squeezed it. “Everything will work out. Quiet worrying about something you have no control over.” Pierre kissed his cheek, and lay back down. Once more he closed his eyes, and tried to let sleep take him away. But before he knew it he was awake, but this time he was cold, and Lissa was no longer in his arms. Nikola opened his eyes, the fire was out in the room, Pierre, Adonis and Caster were still asleep, but Lissa was not in their room. He flashed out of bed to the fireplace, and with a wave to his hand, the fire place was once more ablaze with warmth. The morning light from the sun came up and hit him in the eyes, when he saw the lights from the ring they had given Lissa filter partly in the room from outside. “She wouldn’t?” Nikola glided over to the window to see Lissa outside with a cup in her hand. She sat in the swing that now looked over a large pond, that hadn’t been there last night. “Are you out of your mind, out here

by yourself?” Nikola demanded, as soon as he appeared in front of her, scaring her. “Damn it, Nikola, I’m not alone. If you look to your right, and don’t scare the crap out of me like that again.” She snapped, and glared at him, as Dominic, Blair and Suzanne curled up on the other swing. “Problems?” Suzanne asked, but he ignored her, and plopped down next to her. “It’s too early for this. Let me guess, you’re a morning person?” He grumbled. Lissa nodded, curled her feet under her, and brought the blanket from the end of their bed up around her tighter. “You knew, all of you knew what Castor was going to do, but you said nothing to me. Why?” Her words chipped and frosty, she wouldn’t even look at his face. Nikola really didn’t want to get into this now, when all he wanted to do was crawl back into bed, but it looked like he was up for good. He wrapped his arm around her, and picked her up, placing her in his lap careful of her drink. “First, let me get some coffee in me, since it looks like I’m up, then we’ll talk okay?” He sniffed the air, and glanced at her cup. “What are you drinking?” “Why Nikola, you should know what she is drinking, since every morning when you were a little boy I made it for you,” His mother, Lyda said, appearing at his side, and handed him a glass as well. “When did you arrive? I thought you wouldn’t arrive to later. I’m sorry I wasn’t up to greet you.” He glanced at Lissa, and saw the small smile on her face. “So you have met my mother, and my sisters?” Nikola squeezed her, and took a sip of the hot chocolate, caramel drink. “I’ve shown your sisters to their rooms, and they are unpacking as we speak, but your mother wanted to talk, so we came outside to enjoy the new landscape.” Lissa studied him for a minute then she nodded. “Your sister, Karen, is right. You do take after mom.” He choked on his drink. “You talked to Karen?” he moaned, and his mother laughed, but a frown marred her face. “Not to

worry Nikola, Karen has learned, the hard way, about your brother and father.” All of a sudden, his mother looked lost and old. Lissa moved next to him, knowing he needed to hold her. “I’m sorry mom. If there was anything I could do, I would.” Nikola couldn’t believe how thin his mother had gotten, as he held her. “Mom, what happened? You’re so thin. Dad, well I didn’t recognize him, when he came here.” Nikola pulled his mother down in between him, and Lissa who automatically wrapped the blanket around the both of them, sensing she was cold. His mother leaned against his shoulder, one tear, then two tears, slid down her cheek. “It started about ten years ago,” his sister Karen said coming to stand next to them, with his other sisters and younger brother. Two more swings appeared next to them, with big soft warm cushions. “Please sit.” Karen swung Teddy, up in her arms and sat down in the swing, next to their younger sisters Beth, and Elizabeth. “Vender became more withdrawn. He now kept secrets, and would disappear for days on end. One day, I caught him coming back from one such trip…” Her hands trembled, as she wrapped her arms around Teddy, and hugged him. His mother trembled in his arms. “He was stoned Nikola, Vender was higher than a kite, and not from the human’s drugs but from…” Karen couldn’t finish the sentence, so his mom did. “He had been harvesting. When your sister confronted him about it, he attacked her. Your father was the one who pulled him off of her, but not before he had tried to steal her soul.” Nikola slid off the swing, and knelt next to Karen. “Are you okay?” She brushed his messed up hair back, and smiled. “I’m fine now. It took about a year for me to finally get back to normal. I’m sorry Nikola. I was such a bitch to you, when we were growing up, and look at me now, three hundred years old, and I have to depend on you to protect me.”

He leaned in and kissed her cheek. “You always were a stubborn one, but Karen, I would be in no other place then here protecting you. You are my family and any threat to you is a threat to me.” “To us all,” Pierre finished behind him. Nikola rolled his eyes, and stood holding out his hand. “Pierre, these are my little sisters, Karen, Elizabeth and Beth, and the little guy is my little brother Teddy.” Pierre nodded to each of them, and smiled at Karen. “Don’t worry, little sister, you are safe here. We won’t let anyone hurt you.” He turned and nodded his head. “Yep, you take after your mother. Sho is very beautiful.” Pierre took her hand, and kissed it. Lissa busted out laughing. “Enjoy that bit of manners, because in the past three days now, I’ve seen little of them.” She squealed, when Adonis came up from behind, and nipped her shoulder. “I resent that little one. We have been the perfect gentlemen.” He kissed her soundly on the lips, and she melted in his arms, as he picked her up, and held her. “You should get dressed. It’s cold out here, and Castor is waiting in the bedroom for you.” Adonis let her feet drop to the ground, and turned her around, swatting her ass. “Now go, we’ll keep Nikola’s family busy till you get back.” **** Lissa didn’t want to face Castor yet. She still didn’t know if she was really pissed at him, or not. Sure it would have been nice if the four of them would have mentioned something about it, but the bonding of their souls only warmed her. She didn’t flash to the bedroom. Instead Lissa decided to walk there, give herself time to come to grips with everything that was happening around her. She had awakened and seen that Suzanne was headed outside with Dominic and Blair, she had asked to join them. Then Nikola’s family had appeared. So Lissa had introduced herself to his family and showed them to their rooms. She’d had little time to think about things. Stopping at the kitchen, Cecil was there cooking up a storm. She smiled and waved her over. “Here, taste this and tell me what

you think.” Cecil handed her some kind of biscuit and a glass of milk. “I take it these are made from something we found yesterday?” Lissa took a bite of the biscuit, and it melted in her mouth. The caramel, chocolate biscuit was gone in three bites. “Okay, you better have at least six dozen of these, because if Jaycee, and the rest of the women taste them…well you won’t be going anywhere but this kitchen to make more.” Lissa took a sip of her milk, and glanced down at the glass, as another burst of the flavor of the biscuit surprised her. “Yep, that is the same reaction I got. It seems that after eating the biscuit the milk, retriggers our taste buds, so that we again taste what we just ate.” Cecil turned to the counter and picked up a piece of the fruit, taking a bit of it, and then taking a drink of the milk in her hand. “Shit, it’s the milk. It’s not the food, we got here, but the milk we got. Do you know where the milk came from?” Cecil asked, but she shook her head. “Nope, you’d have to ask Castor. I tell you what, I’ll ask him, and let you know.” Cecil nodded and went back to work, but not before she handed her another biscuit on her way out. “You have to eat. You are carrying four babies now,” Cecil said, and went back to making more biscuits. Moving down the hall to their room, Lissa knew Castor was growing impatient with her, but he waited in their room giving her the time she needed. “Lissa, may I have a word with you.” Granger asked as she passed the dining room door. She nodded and moved into the room, which was empty except for him. “Please have a seat.” Granger nodded, to the chair near the table, where juice, decaf coffee, and milk were set up. With the blanket now tightly wrapped around her, Lissa sat down and nibbled on the roll Cecil had given her. “What can I help you with, Granger? I’m afraid we don’t have much time. Your father is waiting for me now and I don’t know how long he’ll wait.” She smiled.

“You and my father combined your souls last night, didn’t you?” He poured himself a glass of coffee and sat across from her. She nodded and popped a piece of the biscuit into her mouth. “Yes, but I’m afraid I didn’t know he was going to do it, until it was done.” Granger nodded and poured a third cup of coffee, when Lissa glanced up to see Castor. “Please have a seat father, we need to talk.” Castor picked her up and sat across from his son with her in his lap. Lissa sighed and rested her head against his chest. “What do you need Granger? Lissa and I have some personal business to discuss.” His son got up and paced back and forth. “I wouldn’t ask this, but Lissa has a blood bond with one of Suzanne’s best friends and we’re worried about her and her mate. Dominic’s worried about Alex.” All Lissa’s attention was now on Granger. “Suzanne hasn’t heard from Della or Alex?” She jumped up and clothes now covered her body. “When was the last time you heard from them?” Suzanne came into the room with Dominic. She was pissed and glared at Dominic. “The last time I’ve heard from Della was three days ago, that was before the massacre in Dearborn. All phones lines to the south have been cut, and I don’t have a blood connection to Della.” Suzanne tried to move away from Dominic, but he held onto her. “Suzanne is furious with me, as I am myself. I was going to make a blood connection with Alex before we left, but I was so worried about getting Suzanne out that I forgot. I want Alex and my staff here and we have tried all the normal routes, but nothing.” Lissa moved to the window and glanced outside. She shook her head. “There is something blocking my connection to Della. I don’t know if it is the change of the island or something else, but we can go there and bring them back.” Lissa turned to Suzanne who smiled and nodded. “That is what I was thinking. You know where the estate is and you could get us there and back in no time.” Suzanne pulled her

into a hug. “Della is as important to me as she is to you Lissa. She saved me, too.” “Lissa you are going nowhere. It’s too dangerous and I won’t risk you or our children.” Castor snapped and glared at her. “Excuse me? You, the one who didn’t tell me shit about last night, are going to tell me what I can and can’t do? I don’t think so! This woman is important to both of us and if I want to go and get her, I will.” Nikola pushed into the room with, Pierre, Adonis, Blair and Archer at his heels. “Enough! You will not talk to Castor like that. Is that understood?” Nikola snapped, as sparks of fire danced in his eyes, indicating just how pissed he was. A slow smile formed on her lips. “Not to worry!” She grabbed onto Suzanne’s hand and flashed her and Suzanne into the kitchen where Cecil, Marsha and Shelly stood. “Don’t have time, need help.” Marsha shook her head. “It’s too far to do what you did and we don’t have a safe house close enough to Dominic’s estate to go there.” “Leda!” Lissa and Suzanne ran out of the room heading outside to the cabin where Leda was setting up her equipment. “If anyone can get any news, it’ll be her. She has contacts everywhere.” Lissa nodded to Suzanne as they pushed into the cabin. Dominic and Nikola stood there talking with Leda. “Oh, there you two are. I’ve called two of my contacts in New Orleans. Nothing out of the normal has happened in that area yet, but he said everyone is nervous because many of the lines are down, cut by someone. So if you’re going to go in there, now would be the time to do it, before whatever is going to happen, happens.” Lissa glanced at Nikola. One minute she was standing talking to Leda and Suzanne, the next she was tied down on the bed. Nikola and Castor stared down at her. “Suzanne is also being held until we find your friends, but I won’t risk your life or our babies, so you will stay here while we

are gone.” Nikola snapped and disappeared from the room with Castor. Lissa tried her magic, but nothing worked. She was bound to the bed until they returned or they didn’t. Hurt and angry, Lissa closed her eyes. Tears slipped down her face as she tried again to connect with Della, but nothing. Small hands worked at the bindings at her ankles and at her arms. Lissa opened her eyes to see Jaycee, Shelly and Marsha working on the bonds. “Do you believe Remi tried to do that to me, but Marsha told him he might hurt the babies, so he just locked me in a room? Ha, like that would stop me. How dare them try and bind us!” Jaycee shouted untying her hand. “We still won’t be able to leave; your mate has placed some kind of bubble on the house and the property around it. And all four of your mates aren’t gone. Castor is down in the communications room with Leda working on Remi’s interview.” Marsha announced helping her sit up. She nodded. “What about Suzanne?” Lissa tried to dress herself, but her powers weren’t working. “I think he pulled your powers Lissa, and we’re on our way to her quarters now, since her mates left too. Except for Archer, and we’ll take care of him,” Shelly rubbed her hands together. Lissa moved into her closet, realizing she had no clothes. Shelly came in behind her and handed her a pair of jeans and a shirt. “They might be a little big since I’m taller, but they should fit.” She nudged her and laughed. “I used to have to dress Jaycee all the time. The freaks that kept coming after her always went for her clothes, don’t ask me why.” Jaycee laughed behind them as she got dressed, all of a sudden feeling so alone. Lissa glanced up and Jaycee stared at her and nodded. “Shelly, why don’t you and Cecil go free Suzanne. We’ll get the picnic baskets ready.” Lissa moved out of her room and down to the kitchen with Jaycee and Marsha. “So where are we going?” Lissa asked pushing into the kitchen.

Castor, Remi, Leda, Bo, and King Jared all sat at the kitchen table. Lissa froze as did Jaycee, and Marsha. “Shit, they weren’t supposed to be in here.” Jaycee snarled as both Remi and Castor stood. “And both of you were supposed to be in your rooms, resting.” Remi growled, Castor said nothing as he slowly moved closer to her, but she didn’t give him a chance as she shifted, the one thing no one could take away from her, and ran for the back door. Castor was there and he grabbed her, and held her tight, flashing them back into their rooms. “Shift Lissa, now.” Castor dropped her onto the bed and she snarled at him, but curled up into a ball at the far end of the bed. Lissa would be damned if she did anything he, or any of her mates said. “Lissa, I’m in no mood. You will shift now.” Castor moved around the bed to grab her, but she didn’t move. He sighed and stroked her head. “We need to talk Lissa, that’s why I stayed. Nikola and the others knew we needed this time alone. I’m sorry about your friend, Lissa, she didn’t make it.” He picked her head up and stared into her face. “We just got word, everyone at Dominic’s estate had been killed. There was no one left alive.”

Chapter Fifteen Nikola had just stepped into their quarters when Lissa shifted, screaming. Tears ran down her face and sobs wrenched her body, when he heard Suzanne’s scream next. He moved into the room, followed by Pierre and Adonis. In all his experience, he didn’t know how to fix this. His mate lay on the bed, tears falling down her face, as she just stared at the wall. “Della saved me, Franco’s bite had me at death’s door, but she wouldn’t give up as she paid three hookers to get me alone so she could take me away. She risked her life for me, cutting her wrists feeding me, not knowing what would happen to her. Della would sit with me all night, brushing my hair and telling me all about Suzanne. About how they escaped and survived. Her voice alone brought me out of myself, it was she who held me, while I puked and puked. She was the one who taught me to walk again, talk and believe I had a life.” Someone knocked at the door and Nikola knew it was Dominic, Archer, Blair and Granger with Suzanne. He opened the door and Suzanne flew to Lissa. The both of them held each other and cried. Marsha came into the room carrying a tray of hot tea and biscuits. She sat down on the bed, as Jaycee, Shelly, Cecil, Leda, Tonya, his mother and sisters all moved into the room. His mother glanced at him and at the other men. “I have set up the dining room for you and the men. Let us help your mates. We know what it is too lose someone so close. Give them time and we’ll meet you in the dining room shortly.” Nikola shook his head, but his mother pleaded with him with her eyes. “Son she is on the verge of losing it right now. What you did earlier, by stripping her and tying her down brought back too many memories, and now the one who saved her from that is gone. She needs us right now, because right now Lissa just sees men. Men who want to take and hurt. We need to bring her back for you Nikola.” His mother pleaded and his gaze flickered to Lissa.

Her eyes were blank as Suzanne tried to talk to her and hold her. Castor gripped his arm and sucked in his breath. “I can’t feel her, she is withdrawing, Nikola.” Castor’s voice was in a panic, his bond to her seemed to be dissolving. The men slowly left the room and closed the door behind them. Dominic and Remi walked with them to the dining room. “This is the closet we have come to losing one of them, and it isn’t from a physical attack, but a mental one.” Empusa snapped, as fire lit the dining room. Gaia paced on the other side of the table. Queen Isabel huddled close to her mate, Hendricks. She glanced up and shook her head. “I warned you to go easy. We have another problem. There is a door opening in the fae world, and it seems to be connecting with this world. I have hidden it so far, but soon enough our people will know. We need your mate whole, Nikola. You and your mates will be the ones to rule over the fae of both worlds since it seems our world is now joining with your new one.” He sat down and ran his hand through his hair. Pierre squeezed his shoulder and handed him a stiff brandy. He gulped it down and frowned at Empusa, who cussed up a storm. She turned and glanced at Dominic. “Take me to Alex and the Della now.” Queen Empusa ordered. Dominic nodded and she took his hand disappearing from the room. “Do you think she can bring them back?” Castor asked, what all of them were thinking. “If anyone can, it will be her and Temmra’s mom.” Gaia opened a door that appeared, Jack and his wife walked through the door. Remi and Bo gasped and welcomed both of them. “They will not be able to leave this new world. They only have life on this world. I suggest you break this news to Jaycee gently. Nikola, I suggest you send a few of your men and bring back Leda’s parents and children. Lissa needs her friends around her and I suggest you try another approach of punishing her other than the way you did.”

Nikola nodded, but already he had Leda’s parents and children in the rooms next to hers. He stood and moved to the sliding glass door. Sal waited as if he knew something was wrong. Nikola opened the door and Sal moved inside. He knelt down next to Sal. “She needs all the help you can give her, Sal.” He rubbed the animals head. “Save her, from the mess I’ve made of things.” Sal’s tongue reached out and licked his face, before he took off and headed for their room. “Remi, your family and Dane’s will be arrive here soon. You will need to build new homes, decided where on this new realm you want to live. This is a new beginning for all of you. Maybe building a new life here will help the women deal with the war and come up with a way to end it. I want everyone that is close to these women here, safe. Isabel, we’ll need your help and your men’s help with quarters for all those who will be coming until homes are built. This house is not large enough for this.” Queen Isabel nodded and left with her mate as Gaia floated to him and stared up at him. She placed her arm on his. “You have a temper Nikola, and you jump to the wrong conclusions about Lissa. It has to stop now. Lissa knows not of the world between a man and his wife. She would rather die than hurt you or her children and would never place them in harm.” Gaia sighed. “Her friends will be here shortly, Empusa and Temmra’s mom was able to save them, but with Jack and his wife, Alex and Della will have to stay on this world.” She leaned in to him and kissed his cheek. “Your Lissa is everything you wanted Nikola. She needs you now; the women can’t get through to her and neither can Sal. Only you, Nikola, can bring her back.” Nikola flashed into their room and the women slowly moved out of the room. He moved to the bed and picked Lissa up out of Suzanne’s lap, who sighed. “She’s been calling your name.” He nodded and moved with her fast outside, to her plants. Adonis, Pierre and Castor waited for them. Nikola sat down on the cushion of flowers that spread out for them making it soft. The

smell of vanilla filled the air, and the noise of the waterfall behind them was the only sound. Even the animals seemed to hold their breath. “Lissa, come back to me. You have to see this place. There are flowers under us, and they are as soft as the finest silk. Do you hear the waterfall’s behind us? I think we will have to make this our little place to get away from everyone.” Nikola nodded to Pierre who picked up her small feet and stared to rub them. All of them waited, touching her and whispering words of love to her. “Lissa, Goddess Empusa was able to save your friend Della. She and Alex will be here later today. They won’t be able to leave this world, but she will be here for you.” Nikola brushed the hair away from her face and unbraided her hair running his fingers through her hair. “I love your hair, even with the purple steak through it. I was told purple was your favorite color. Are we going to have a purple house?” Lissa snorted, a small smile on her lips, life slowly coming back to her. Their bond once again grew stronger, but she still hesitated as she glanced around at them. “Why?” Fresh tears slipped down her cheeks and all he wanted to do was crush her to him and never let her go. “I was afraid Lissa, in all my life I have never been afraid as I am with you. When Isabel told you I would be more protective, she was not kidding. The thought of you going to Dominic’s estate was too much for me to take. I’m sorry Lissa. Please forgive me.” **** Lissa stared up into Nikola’s face. A single tear slipped down his face and her heart beat fast as she tried to scoot into his lap, but he shook his head. “I’m fine Lissa, just forgive me please.” He leaned down and kissed her lips softly. “Nikola there is no forgiveness needed.” She glanced at Castor who hadn’t said anything. Slowly she sat up and glanced around at her surroundings and smiled. “You are right, this place would be perfect for us to get away. It wasn’t that you tied me up Nikola, it was being left alone, and then finding out about Della at the same time…well it brought

back so many painful nights.” She glanced at her mates and stood moving to the water. “I don’t know if it will happen again Nikola, and I can’t promise it won’t happen.” She glanced back at him and smiled, as her clothes disappeared and she jumped into the water. She came up to the surface to see Nikola and her mates staring down at her. “As you can see Nikola, Castor, Pierre and Adonis, I’m not perfect and I have a lot of problems still inside my mind, but I hope you’ll be there to help me with them. You’ve already helped me so much. Four months ago I would have laughed in your face if anyone would have told me I would have four mates, and that I would love them all.” She pushed back into the water. Nikola’s eyes sparkled, Castor grinned, Pierre laughed and pushed Nikola into the pond clothes and all, while Adonis picked up Castor and threw him in. She laughed, splashing water into Nikola’s face as he came up in front of her and wrapped his arms around her. Adonis, Pierre and Castor stood around her kissing, stroking her body. “Our Lissa, no one could love you more than we do. You are our hearts, we will go through anything to keep you at our side and I will personally help you with anything that brings the past up again and frightens you. I love you Lissa.” He kissed her softly, his clothes disappeared. “Now, how about we show you just how much we love you, before we are over run with new people here.” Lissa laughed and squeezed Castor’s hand. “I’d say that’s going to take at least a couple of hours, don’t you Castor? I mean didn’t you promise also to make some kind of clamp thingies for me?” Castor’s eyes lit up, Adonis moaned and Pierre laughed as she dove under the water, knowing the chase was on, just like she wanted. They might have their problems, but Lissa knew that as long as she had Nikola by her side, she would survive, just as Della had told her. Her vision had come true. Lissa was surrounded be all of those who loved her and soon she would have four more little bodies to love and protect.

About the Author Trinity Blacio has been writing professionally for eight years. She also writes under two other pen names. Right now you can find her works at Freya’s Bower and Ravenous Romance. Trinity believes in passing it forward: no matter how big or small an author is, she should always help others in the publishing profession. With this idea in mind, she has created a place where authors, editors, publishers, and anyone in the publishing business can come together to help each other. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/publishingtrove/. With the success of her Running in Fear werewolf ménage series at Ravenous Romance, Trinity has been able to give up her full-time job outside the home, and devote herself to writing full time. She has two children, Cheyenne and Rudy. When Trinity has time you can find her reading all sorts of romance novels. But, as you would expect, her favorites categories are dark fantasy, erotic romance, ménage, and erotic horror. You can find her on Facebook, MySpace, Yahoo, and of course, at her website http://trinityblacio.com.

More Books to Howl About If you loved Running in Fear: Ghost Warrior, don’t miss the first book in the series!

Running in Fear: Escaped by Trinity Blacio Jaycee has been on the run since her sixteenth birthday. After growing up fast and depending on no one, how is she supposed to handle three male werewolves who claim to be her mates? Can she learn to trust them or will she continue to run? In this sizzling werewolf menage story, love, lust and power take center stage in the struggle for ultimate survival.

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From best-selling author Jennifer Dellerman comes a passionate story of hot shifter love! What This Wolf Wants is a sexy, exciting read that is enhanced by smart dialogue, strong characters and very hot, erotic encounters. --Night Owl Erotica, 4.5 Stars- A Reviewer Top Pick

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Copyright Information A Ravenous Romance© Original Publication www.ravenousromance.com Copyright 2011 by Trinity Blacio Ravenous Romance 100 Cummings Center Suite 123A Beverly, MA All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher, except by reviewers who may quote brief excerpts in connection with a review. ISBN-13: 978-1-60777-465-5 This book is a work of fiction, and any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental..