Shades of Black

Fatefully Yours 5 

Shades of Black Syx never imagined his test would be easy, but getting himself and Echo trapped inside a dark cave just adds to their evergrowing list of problems. With the other warriors on a crosscountry excursion to recruit another member to their army, it’s up to Syx to find a way out of the mess. He’s going to kill them the next time they leave him in charge. It’s not that he blames Syx, but Echo is cold, hungry, and wants to go home. Knowing that his other mates are clear across the country because they hope to bring their ex-lover back with them just makes him see red. He doesn’t like the dark, and when even the dimmest light fades away inside the cave, Echo knows he must surrender his mind to Syx or risk losing it completely. He’s already given his heart to the demon. How hard could it be?

NOTE! You are purchasing Siren's newest serialized imprint, the LoveXtreme Forever Series. This is Book 5 of 9 in the Fatefully Yours collection. These books are not stand alone. Each is a continuation of the previous book and must be read in the numbered order. Each book may end on a cliffhanger but usually with a happy-for-now for the beta hero and one or more men. The final book contains a happily forever after for the beta hero and all his men. Genre: Alternative (M/M or F/F), Fantasy, Ménage a Trois/Quatre Length: 40,378 words 

SHADES OF BLACK Fatefully Yours 5

Gabrielle Evans

LOVEXTREME FOREVER MANLOVE

Siren Publishing, Inc. www.SirenPublishing.com

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A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK IMPRINT: LoveXtreme Forever ManLove

SHADES OF BLACK Copyright © 2011 by Gabrielle Evans E-book ISBN: 1-61034-709-9 First E-book Publication: July 2011 Cover design by Jinger Heaston All art and logo copyright © 2011 by Siren Publishing, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission. All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

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SHADES OF BLACK Fatefully Yours 5 GABRIELLE EVANS Copyright © 2011

Chapter One “What?” Syx grumbled as he plopped down in the grass. The woman next to him turned her head and glared. He’d been having the most delicious dream about his mate when the Oracle had interrupted. Excuse the hell out of him if he was a little irked by the intrusion. Still, if she had brought him here, it must be important. Her visits might be the bane of his existence, but they’d never led him astray. “I apologize,” he said and meant it. “You wished to speak to me?” “Troubled times are coming, Warrior.” She knelt in the grass beside him, her long white gown fanning out around her. “The shadows are coming, mirroring the ones in your heart. You cannot hope to banish one without the other.” “You mean I have to stop fighting my feelings, jump on the emotional roller coaster ride, and hold on for dear life.” Syx nodded his understanding. He’d been battling with himself for weeks over the same thing. The Oracle’s eyes widened in shock before she masked her surprise. A tiny smirk ghosted over her full lips, and she folded her hands in her lap. “You are very intuitive, Syx. However, your task

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will require more from you than simply conquering your fear. Echo will need you now more than ever.” “Why me?” His only ability was listening to thoughts that he had no right or desire to hear. Sure, he could implant suggestions inside people’s minds or erase their memories, but he didn’t see how that was going to help either. “Memories are a powerful thing. They can fill us with joy or crush us in despair.” Okay, that he didn’t get, but he’d think about it later. “Are there more coming?” He scratched the back of his neck and sighed. “I’m not sure how welcome anyone will be in our home after Sage, no matter how useful they will be in the war.” “Your army will grow,” the Oracle answered vaguely. “You must not let your prejudice blind you. Not all who enter seek to dismantle.” “Right,” Syx growled before he could stop himself. “Tell that to Mac, Pax, and Jet, not to mention Echo.” His voice softened, and he shuddered violently. “I didn’t think he’d come back to us.” “Ares will continue to spread his poison,” she said and sounded almost as growly as Syx had. There was a story there, but Syx felt he had no right to ask. “If you nurture your bond, you will have the weapons to defeat him,” she finished much gentler. “I get it.” Syx stretched out in the thick grass and gazed up at the bluest sky he’d ever seen. He didn’t really get it, but he didn’t feel like arguing, either. “You will understand,” the Oracle whispered. She giggled, actually giggled, and shook her head. “We will speak again soon.” Syx pushed up on his elbows to look at her, his eyebrows drawing together in confusion. “That’s it?” “There is more.” Her face lit into a magnificent smile. “There is someone who desires your undivided attention now.” Syx opened his mouth to question her statement, but the Oracle pressed a fingertip to his forehead and nodded. “Sleep, Warrior. You will thank me when you awake again.”

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Closing his eyes, Syx gasped, feeling like he’d been doused with a bucket of ice water. When his eyes snapped open a moment later, he was back in his bed, and the most sinfully wonderful heat was wrapped around his throbbing cock. Echo peeked up at him from between his splayed thighs and winked. Syx groaned, dropped his head back on his shoulders, and thrust up into his mate’s welcoming mouth. “I can so get used to his.” Faint vibrations traveled up his hard length as Echo’s muffled giggle floated on the air. Reaching down to gently palm the back of his lover’s head, Syx lost himself in the immense pleasure. Not only physical pleasure, but the overwhelming sense of peace and happiness Echo brought to him. He’d been holding back for weeks, keeping his thoughts and feelings closely guarded. To open up to Echo meant he’d also have to bear his heart to the others. He didn’t know if he was ready for that. He knew he loved his men, treasured them beyond reason. But after so many years of keeping that part of himself hidden, the prospect of laying his heart at their feet was daunting. His cock slipped from Echo’s mouth, and his mate crawled up his chest to straddle his hips. Cupping his cheeks in both hands, Echo stared into his eyes with concern. “Where did you go?” “Sorry, baby.” Syx leaned up and kissed Echo’s lips. It was an amazing thing that he never felt the need to hide himself from his mate. No matter what he said, or how bad he screwed up, Echo would understand. “Maybe I’m losing my touch.” Echo smirked and lifted both eyebrows in question. Syx couldn’t help but chuckle. “I don’t think that’s possible. I just got a little lost inside my own head.” Lifting his hips, he ground his hard cock against Echo’s ass. “See? Still happy to see you.” His lover rolled his eyes, leaning across the mattress to retrieve the lube from the nightstand. “Everyone is busy this morning.” He

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pouted as he popped open the lid and poured a generous amount of the oil into his palm. “I’m horny, and no one wants to play with me.” “Brat.” Syx’s teasing tone tuned to a low growl when Echo rose above him and began slicking his cock. “So, I’m your backup plan?” Echo lined up the flared crown with his tight hole and lowered himself until his ass pressed against Syx’s groin. The velvety heat surrounding him stole the breath from Syx’s lungs, and he gritted his teeth as his back bowed up off the bed. “You know that’s not true,” Echo whispered, bracing his hands on Syx’s chest and leaning forward to claim his mouth. Their lips met, sweet and gentle. Their tongues slid out to twine and tangle in lazy glides. Syx’s arms slithered around his lover’s back, holding him close as they rocked together in languid strokes. Sunlight filtered in through the slatted blinds, spilling over Echo’s damp skin, causing it to glisten beautifully. His golden hair shone as it cascaded down around them, slipping over his shoulders and tickling at Syx’s neck and chest. When they finally broke the kiss, Echo didn’t move far away. He rested their foreheads together, moaning softly as he continued to rise and fall, impaling himself on Syx’s cock over and over. Syx smoothed one palm up Echo’s back and wrapped his fingers around his lover’s neck, holding him in place. His other hand curled over Echo’s hip, encouraging him to move faster. Normally, Syx would be whispering all kind of naughty words to his mate, spurring him on and throwing their lust into overdrive. His brain wouldn’t work, though. The connection between mind and tongue had been severed. Staring into Echo’s hypnotic eyes, he lost himself in the deep pools of sapphire. His skin tingled, his balls ached, and his cock throbbed inside the tight hold of Echo’s heated passage. The tempo never increased, but the intensity built, the fire raged, and Syx’s orgasm blindsided him, slamming into him with the force of a locomotive. With a soft cry, his fingers tightened around Echo’s

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hip, and he squeezed his eyes closed as his pulsing cock jetted endless streams of seed to fill his lover to overflowing. Echo’s gasp of release sound like music to his ears, and he gloried in the wet heat that spurted from Echo’s slit to splash over his abs. Syx held the man to him, ghosting his lips along the slender column of Echo’s throat as his mate trembled in aftershocks. “Gods, I love him. I want to tell him again, but I don’t want to scare him. I’ve never felt anything so intense. This is right. The eight of us are meant to be together.” Syx’s throat burned, his nostrils flared, and his heart swelled as Echo’s thoughts pushed into his brain, causing something to shift and realign inside of him. What had just transpired between them was more than physical release and chasing after a moment of pleasure. Beyond their bodies, they’d been connected intimately in every possible way. Syx felt Echo’s heartbeat as his own. The breath that stuttered from his mate’s mouth mingled with his in perfect synchronization. Even their bodies seemed to move as two parts to a whole as Echo lifted off of him, and they rolled together until they rested on their sides in a tangle of limbs. “Thank you,” Echo whispered thickly, and his eyes shimmered with unshed tears in the soft rays of the morning light. “I love you. I love you. Sometimes it hurts how much I love all of you.” Syx couldn’t be positive, but he had a feeling his mate was pushing those thoughts at him purposely. An indescribable peace settled over him like a warm blanket, and his mind was suddenly clearer than it had been in years. Why he’d been afraid of this, he’d never know. It was something to cherish and adore. “I love you, Echo.” The tears his mate had been obviously fighting so hard to hold back spilled over and slipped down his soft cheeks. “I love you, too,” he murmured. He rested his palm against the side of Syx’s face, and

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Syx was helpless to stop himself from nuzzling into the touch. “I’m scared.” Syx could hear the swirling chaos of Echo’s mind, but he didn’t really need his gift to understand Echo’s concerns. “You never have to be afraid, baby. I don’t know what we’ll find in that cave, but we’ll face it together. You have seven very devoted men who would do anything to ensure your safety.” Echo swallowed hard as his fingertips brushed over Syx’s lips. “That’s what I’m afraid of.” **** Syx rubbed at his temples and sighed. If Myst started singing “Another One Bites the Dust” one more freaking time, he was going to choke the man with his own dick. He had still yet to figure out the correlation between his feelings and the fact that his eyes were now a brilliant jade green, and it made him less than stellar company at the moment. He hated not having the answers. While Hex might be their leader and alpha, Syx was supposed to be the answer guy. So far, he was doing a spectacular job of it. Insert sarcasm. Giving his aching temples one last rub, he rose to his feet and set off to find Vapre. They still had to find a way to make sure the vampires were fed before departing for the strip of forest that made his skin crawl. He wasn’t looking forward to it in the least, and even less so now that Echo had insisted he join them on the mission. His little mate was a force to be reckoned with, though. Besides, Hex had made the final call and it now seemed like everyone was going except for Syn and Jinx. The decision didn’t much endear him to the warrior, but Hex probably had a point. Echo was stronger than any of them, and when he created a bridge between their powers, they were virtually unstoppable.

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Though Echo thought he’d worn their alpha down to his way of thinking, the truth was Hex couldn’t bear to let their mate out of his sight. He hadn’t said as much, but Syx had read it in his mind. On that, he had to agree. If Echo remained behind, the warriors would be distracted by their concern for him. When dealing with a vengeful god from the Underworld, distractions were deadly. Pushing open the door to the downstairs office, Syx stepped inside and smiled when he found Vapre behind the desk, tapping away at the keyboard. Fiero and Eyce lounged together on the plush sofa, doing absolutely nothing to help. “You shouldn’t work so hard,” Syx teased them. Fiero glanced up at him with a smirk then went back to devouring Eyce’s mouth. Then he snapped his head up again, pushing Eyce off of him and bolting off the couch to stand directly in from of Syx. Startled by the sudden movement, Syx stumbled back a step. Fiero caught his face in both hands, staring intently into his eyes for the longest time. Then a huge grin stretched across his face, and he dove forward to capture Syx’s lips, planting a hard, searing kiss on them. “Green looks good on you,” Eyce said with a chuckle when Fiero broke away from the kiss. The clacking of the keyboard ceased, and Vapre looked up slowly. “Fuck me,” he breathed. He shot up from his chair like it was on loaded springs and literally hurdled the desk, knocking papers and pens to the floor. He nudged Fiero out of the way, wound his hands in Syx’s hair, and attacked his mouth with so much enthusiasm that Syx stumbled backward again. He backed off, and Eyce took his place, slanting his mouth over Syx’s and licking at his lips. Syx had no idea what to do, but kissing back seemed like a pretty safe bet. What the hell had gotten into his men? “Does this mean I can tell him now? I’ve told Fiero, but what about Vapre and Syx? I don’t know if the others would understand,

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but surely they would. And, gods, he’s been so down lately. It makes my heart ache to see him so sad.” Eyce’s thoughts beat against his mind, but Syx couldn’t make heads or tails of them. What did his lover want to tell him? Gripping the back of Eyce’s neck, Syx eased out of the kiss and struggled to drag in air to his aching lungs. “What’s going on?” he panted. “What do you want to tell me?” Eyce looked uncertain, but Vapre cut straight to the gut. Standing shoulder to shoulder with Eyce, he reached up and skimmed his knuckles down the side of Syx’s neck. “I love you,” he said clearly. Syx tensed—not because he didn’t love the warrior in return, but because Vapre had said it in front of Eyce and Fiero. How would the men react to the declaration? And did it matter? Syx was exhausted, so tired of trying to hide his feelings. Curling his fingers around Vapre’s wrist, he gave him a crooked smile and dipped his head. “I love you, too.” He’d said it once before, but this time felt different. “Echo opened my eyes to a lot of things.” Each man nodded their agreement, but didn’t speak. After a little awkward moment, Vapre snorted and rolled his eyes. “Oh, just tell them.” Syx tensed again, but the hopeful look on Eyce’s face finally undid him. Slipping past Vapre, he pressed close to Eyce until their chests touched. “I love you, Eyce. I’m sorry I never told you before.” Eyce smiled like a little boy on Christmas morning before brushing his lips over Syx’s temple. “Love you, too,” he whispered. Once again, Syx wondered why the hell he’d been so afraid of this. “Well, I’m not good with the mushy and sappy shit,” Fiero began in a rough tone. He sidled around Syx to press against his back and settled his hands on Syx’s hips. His soft lips skimmed down the back of Syx’s neck, and he sighed. “But, I love you, too.” His heart racing inside his chest, Syx turned his head and craned his neck to capture Fiero’s roaming lips. “I love you, too.” “The others?” Eyce asked.

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Breaking the kiss, Syx returned his attention to the man in front of him, as Vapre pressed up against their sides. “Absolutely. I love each of you for different reasons, but no one more or less.” “This is why he’s the smart one,” Fiero murmured, still assaulting Syx’s neck with his mouth, tongue, and teeth. “Should we tell them?” Vapre’s voice was tense, and his eyes tightened at the corners. Syx kept his shields up. He didn’t want to hear what was going on in his lovers’ minds as he thought over the question. “I don’t mean this as an insult,” Eyce murmured, “but you’re probably the most sensitive of all of us. You have a way of understanding us and knowing what we need, even when we don’t know ourselves. It’s killing me to keep it inside, but we’ll follow your lead on this.” Fiero and Vapre muttered their agreement, and they all looked at Syx for answers. With a deep sigh, Syx shook his head. “Not yet. Echo is the catalyst, if you will. You just can’t help but love him. Until they can admit their feelings for our mate, they’ll never be able to understand. It will just confuse and scare them.” “I think you’re right,” Eyce responded after another little pause. Then he smiled again and whispered his lips over Syx’s. “This is why you’re the smart one.”

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Chapter Two Echo pushed in through the office door just in time to see Fiero land a smoldering kiss on Syx’s lips. Though his ass was still a little sore from his romp with Syx earlier, his hole clenched greedily, and he couldn’t stop the moan that rose up from his chest. Damn, his men were something. Eyce turned and beamed at him, holding out a hand and wiggling his fingers for Echo to join them. “Good morning, sunshine,” he murmured, pulling Echo into his arms and placing a quick peck on the top of his head. “Mmm, and good morning to you. I came in to see if you’ve found a way to get Syn and Jinx the blood they need, but I see I’m interrupting something.” He wasn’t in the least bit sorry, however. Whatever he’d walked in on looked to be a good thing, and with any luck, they’d let him join. “Everyone was just saying how much they love me.” Fiero puffed his chest out and smirked. “I mean, who could blame them, though?” He winked roguishly, and Echo fell into a fit of giggles. Slapping a hand over his mouth to muffle the sound, his cheeks heated with embarrassment. Crap, he sounded like a goofy teenage girl. He didn’t mind being the smallest member of the household or letting his lovers cuddle him in their laps. He drew the line at giggling, though. Eyce tapped him on the bridge of the nose and chuckled. “Stop it. I think it’s adorable when you giggle.”

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“I thought Syx was the one that could read minds,” Echo grumbled. “Now I have to watch out for you, too? How is that even fair?” Eyce shrugged innocently. “I can’t hear your thoughts, but your expression is easy enough to read. It doesn’t make you any less of a man.” “Right. I already look like a girl. I certainly don’t need to sound like one as well.” “Oh, believe me,” Eyce murmured huskily as he reached down to palm Echo’s limp cock through his sleep pants, “you look nothing like a girl.” Several moans went around the group, mirroring Echo’s. He rocked into Eyce’s hand, trying to get more friction on his suddenly interested cock. But his mate released him, stepping away and shaking his head. “Later,” he sighed, and Echo didn’t think he imagined the disappointment in Eyce’s smooth, deep voice. “Cock tease.” Reaching into his pants, Echo gave his swollen shaft a good squeeze before trying to readjust it to a more comfortable position. Nothing worked. His dick still tented the fabric, still throbbed, still demanded the attention that Eyce’s hand had promised. “Oh, fuck it.” Pushing his pajama bottoms down his hips, Echo let them slip to the floor and pool around his ankles. He held his hand up, spit in his palm, then grabbed his cock roughly and began stroking. If his men wouldn’t help him out, he’d take care of himself. “Oh, sweet hell,” Vapre choked. Echo’s heart rate sped, his breathing became labored, and his balls began to tingle. He was such a damn slut, and he knew it, but only for his men. No matter how many times they’d come together, or in how many imaginative ways, they always left him hungry for more. He pumped his fist harder over his leaking cock, dipping his thumb into the slit and smearing the pre-cum over the engorged

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crown. Taking a few steps backward, he pressed his shoulders into the wall, letting the solid surface support him as his legs began to shake. His lovers watched him with rapt attention, but no one moved. If they wanted a show, Echo was more than happy to give it to them. Popping two fingers into his mouth and swirling his tongue around them, he slid down the wall until he came to rest on the carpeted floor. Vapre moaned, Fiero growled, and Eyce and Syx looked like they’d swallowed their tongues. Tilting his hips up, Echo removed the digits from his mouth and reached down to circle them around his clenching hole. He kept his eyes trained on his men as he caressed the fluttering muscles, and his other hand jerked roughly on his throbbing cock. Though he was having fun teasing his men—and boy, did they deserve it—his belly began to burn, and the need for release almost overwhelmed him. “Please,” Eyce practically whimpered. “Do it. Put ’em in.” Echo smirked at the impressive lumps inside his mates’ jeans. Oh, they were enjoying this almost as much as Echo. Who knew he was such an exhibitionist? The heat emanating from his lovers’ eyes was enough to tighten his scrotum and make his ass convulse hungrily. Giving in to Eyce’s demands, he slipped both fingers through the guarding ring of muscle as far as they would go. With a sharp twist of his wrist around the sensitive underside of his cock, Echo curled his fingers inside his ass, brushing over his prostate and sending lightning strikes of pleasure coursing up his spine. “Hey, guys, Hex wants to know if—Holy fuck!” Myst staggered back against the office door and stared with his mouth hanging open. He looked from Echo to the others and back several times. “Is there a reason we’re not all over that?” “Just watch,” Vapre breathed. “He’s going to come.” And, sure enough, Echo couldn’t hold back any longer. With a final shove of his fingers into his spasming hole, he dropped his head

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back to the wall and groaned as long strings of creamy semen erupted from his pulsing cock to cover his chest and abs. Sagging back against the wall, Echo stroked his cock a few more times before finally releasing it and grinning stupidly up at his mates. “That was fun.” In answer, all five men converged on him, pushing and shoving at each other as they dove to the floor and began licking the cum from his skin. Echo moaned, arching into their mouths, his dick twitching and threatening to swell once again. In the end, he was just too damn tired, though. Once he’d been licked clean, touched, stroked, and his mouth devoured, his men helped him to his feet and into his sleep pants. “My dick is going to fall off,” Myst complained, staring down at the enormous bulge behind his zipper. Then he looked up and smiled crookedly. “It was totally worth it, though.” “Fuck it,” Eyce growled, ripping Echo’s cotton pants from his body as he fumbled with the button on his own jeans. The need and hunger in his eyes tripped Echo’s heart into a fast gallop and it turned out that he wasn’t quite as tired as he thought. His cock swelled and pulsed once again, and he licked his lips as his men began stripping out of their clothing. Now, this was what he was talking about! A bottle of lube came sailing across the desk, and Eyce caught it, flipped the lid open, and coated his dick quickly. Then, before Echo could move, he was lifted into the demon’s arms, his knees hooked over Eyce’s elbows, and his back pressed firmly into the wall. Eyce breached his clenching hole with the head of his cock, giving Echo just enough time to gulp in a big breath before he rammed home. Echo cried out, his arms going around Eyce’s shoulders as he scrambled to hold on through the pounding his ass was taking. Good gods, he loved it when his mates lost control like this. Eyce’s thrusts faltered before he stilled completely, and Echo looked over his lover’s shoulder to find Fiero grinning at him. The

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smile slid from his face, replaced by a look of pure pleasure, then Echo’s eyelids drifted closed as they all three began moving together. Harder and faster, Eyce drove his cock into Echo’s clutching hole. “You feel so damn good, baby. Always so hot and tight.” Echo moaned in response, dropping his head back to the wall as his balls began to ache and his sac tightened, drawing closer to his body. Apparently, he had worked his men up pretty good because it took only minutes for Eyce to growl out his release and fill Echo’s channel to overflowing with his scorching cream. Fiero followed him right over the edge, grunting as he dropped his forehead to Eyce’s shoulder and his body shuddered. Eyce slipped gently from Echo’s clenching hole and slowly lowered him to his feet before placing a gentle kiss on his lips. “Thank you, baby.” He didn’t even have a chance to respond before Myst grabbed him, whirled him around, and pressed Echo’s palms flat against the wall. His fingers gripped Echo’s hips, encouraging him to arch his back as Myst’s cock pushed into his stretched hole and began driving into him without pause. “So fucking good,” Myst panted as he plunged and retreated over and over. Vapre insinuated himself between Echo and the wall, gripping Echo’s dick at the root and guiding it to his open mouth. His tongue swirled around the head, dipping into the slit, and he groaned loudly before wrapping his lips around Echo’s jerking cock and dragging his lips along the heated length. Echo moaned and whimpered, his hips moving without command between the thick cock filling his ass and the warm, moist heat wrapped around his aching dick. Once again, it took his lover only minutes for his orgasm to claim him, and Myst cried out as molten lava coated Echo’s inner walls. He was beginning to wonder if his mates had planned it this way and if they were ever going to let him come.

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Myst eased out of Echo’s hole, and Syx immediately took his place. “Are you okay, baby?” Always so considerate. “Just fuck me, damn it,” Echo ordered. His balls churned, his belly cramped, and his damn dick was going to fall off if he didn’t get relief soon. Syx didn’t say anything as he drove into Echo’s passage until he bottomed out. His hesitation was evident, but Echo squeezed his inner muscles, gripping Syx’s cock until he could feel it throbbing against his straining hole. His mate’s control snapped. Syx pounded into him, growling and snarling like an animal while every hard thrust pushed Echo’s cock to the back of Vapre’s throat. Dropping his head, Echo kept his hands braced against the wall as he watched his slippery length sliding in and out of Vapre’s swollen lips. Damn, what a pretty sight. “Touch yourself,” he panted. Vapre’s eyes snapped open, staring into Echo’s as he reached down to palm his weeping cock and began stroking it roughly. Syx kept up the relentless pace, his arms locking around Echo’s chest as he drove into him with abandon. The velvety walls of Vapre’s throat closed around the head of Echo’s cock just as Syx plunged home once more and grinded his groin over Echo’s ass. Cum filled his channel, leaking out around Syx’s cock and dribbling down his crease. “Come for me,” Echo demanded roughly, still looking into Vapre’s eyes. His lover’s muffled groan around his throbbing shaft sent vibrations coursing straight to Echo’s balls, and long ropes of creamy seed shot from Vapre’s slit. It was the final push Echo needed, and he dropped his forehead against the wall, closed his eyes, and tripped over the edge into bliss as his balls unloaded into his mate’s mouth. Panting loudly, he pulled his prick from Vapre’s swollen lips and bent to give his lover a brief but scalding kiss. “Thank you, love.”

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Grabbing his sleep pants from the floor, he used the wall for support as he tugged them up his rubbery legs. It took everyone a few minutes to pull themselves together, and Echo used the time to curl up on the sofa and pull a blanket over him. He’d been awake since sunrise and come three times. His body felt limp and sated, his brain tired and mushy, and he could probably sleep right up until spring. Well, maybe after a shower, but he doubted his legs would hold him up just yet. “So, what did Hex want to know?” Eyce’s voice still sound deep and sexy, though a little breathless, and Echo turned his face into the cushions and smiled. “Huh?” Myst shook his head quickly and actually smacked himself in the forehead with the heel of his hand. “He wants to know if you guys found munchies for the bloodsuckers.” “He did not say that!” Echo sat up on the sofa quickly and glared. Myst winced and hung his head like a whipped dog. “I, uh, might be paraphrasing a bit.” “We were looking into it when we got kind of…sidetracked.” Vapre’s eyes sparkled mischievously, and he wiggled his eyebrows at Echo. “Okay, well he said we’re having a meeting in the kitchen in ten minutes to decide who’s going and who’s staying with the blo—uh, vampires.” Myst cast a look at Echo out of the corner of his eye and looked away quickly. The other warriors tried to hide their amusement, but Echo wasn’t fooled. He shook his head and chuckled under his breath. They were trouble, every last one of them. Trouble with a capital T, all wrapped up in gorgeous packages of rippling muscles and killer smiles. Myst currently had his grin cranked up to megawatt and turned it on Echo. Oh, hell, a man that big should not look so damn adorable, and he should definitely not have dimples. Those pearly whites weren’t going to distract him, though. “I’ll jump in the shower and meet in the kitchen in ten minutes. Don’t start

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without me.” Hex had already agreed that Echo would accompany them, but he knew his lovers too well. If he gave them the chance, they’d try to talk their big alpha out of it. “Take your time, babe,” Fiero said with a tight smile. Yep, they were up to something. **** Everyone filed into the kitchen and either took seats or found a piece of wall or counter to hold them up. Hex caught a flash of jade green when Syx looked his way, and it only caused the pounding in his head to increase. There had been so many changes in their lives in the last few months, he figured his men’s changing eye color should be the least of his concerns. If he just knew why maybe he’d be able to stop worrying about it. “Where’s Echo?” Hex scanned the room again in case he’d missed the man on his first pass. “Shower,” Eyce mumbled. He stepped a little closer to Hex and the other five followed. “You’re not really going to let him go, are you? You saw what happened last time. Fuck!” He shoved a hand through his long dark hair. “This is a bad idea, man.” Hex closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. “We’ve already discussed this. Not only can he help, but there’s no guarantee that he will be safe here. I’d rather have him with us.” “What if a few of us stay here with Echo? I mean, we need someone to keep an eye on the vamps anyway.” Vapre crossed his arms over his chest and glared. “This is a bad idea, Hex.” Motherfucker! Couldn’t they gang up on him later when it didn’t feel like his brain was going to leak out of ears and nose? “It’s not open for debate,” he said as calmly as possible. “We all know how strong he is. He could help. He’s going.”

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“And what if something happens to him?” Fiero countered. “How are you going to feel then? He might have stronger powers than us, but he’s not a warrior, Hex!” “What do you want me to say? Do you want me to ground him like a fucking teenager?” Hex could feel his temper rising, the throbbing in his temples growing until little spots danced before his eyes. “He’s not a child, and I’m not going to treat him like one. If he thinks he can help, then he’s going!” He roared the last word, reaching out quickly to steady himself with a hand on the refrigerator. Luckily, no one seemed to notice anything. They were too busy mumbling mutinously under their breaths. Unluckily, Echo chose that moment to come waltzing into the kitchen, his long hair still damp from the shower and clinging to his bare shoulders. Without a word, he marched straight over to Hex, took his wrist, and steered him toward one of the kitchen chairs. “Up,” he demanded of Jet, and the little shifter popped up immediately and hurried around the table. “Sit.” Echo pointed toward the chair and pushed at Hex’s chest. With his head spinning and his equilibrium off, Hex had no choice but to obey the command. Dropping heavily into the seat, he closed his eyes and tried to breathe through the blinding pain. It kind of amused him that though unaffected by sickness and diseases, he and the other demons were prone to headaches. It seemed like such a weak human frailty it almost made him laugh…almost. Echo crawled up in his lap and straddled his thighs. His slim fingers pressed against Hex’s temples, drawing small, precise circles. “You know better than to let it get this bad,” he scolded lightly. “You need to go lie down. The meeting can wait. Did you take any aspirin?” Hex shook his head, though he wasn’t sure which part he was saying no to—maybe all of it. “We need to figure this out,” he said finally. “I want to leave either tonight or first thing in the morning.” Echo sighed. “I didn’t want to have to do this.”

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That got Hex’s attention. His eyes snapped open, and he regarded his mate warily. “Do what exactly?” Instead of answering, Echo closed his own eyes, pressed his palms flat against the side of Hex’s face, and breathed deeply. Several seconds passed where no one said a word or moved a muscle. Then Echo opened his eyes and frowned. “I hope this doesn’t hurt.” Before Hex could become worried, Echo’s eyelids drifted closed once more, and his hands pressed more insistently against Hex’s temples. An uncomfortable tingle worked its way across his skin, not painful, but definitely not enjoyable. His heart beat a little faster, his stomach knotted, and bile rose up in his throat. Very slowly, the unwelcomed sensations began to dissipate, taking with them the tension in his neck and shoulders. With every inhale, the pain inside his head lessened until it faded away completely. Echo’s hand slid down to cup his cheeks, and he smiled beautifully. “Better?” “Much.” Hex sighed and bent forward to brush his lips over his mate’s. “Thank you, baby. How did you do that?” “Just took a little of you, mixed it with a little of me, and gave it back.” He leaned closer so that his soft lips swept over Hex’s ear. “Tell me next time. Please? I don’t like to see you hurting.” Hex pulled Echo to his chest and hugged him tightly. He’d never done anything in his life to deserve someone like this man. That didn’t mean that he wouldn’t fight fang and claw to hang on to him, though. “I’ll tell you,” he promised. Echo sat up straight again, and the smile he gave him was worth any sliver of weakness he felt for accepting his lover’s help. Patting Echo’s hip, he eased the man off his lap and stood to address the room. “Okay, first we need to decide who’s going, and who’s staying here with Syn and Jinx. They’re scrappy little guys, but also completely defenseless during the day.”

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“I’ll stay,” Gage answered immediately. “Me, Sony, and Mac, we’ll stay and take care of them.” Mac snorted and rolled his eyes as he patted Gage’s thigh. “Nice try, big guy, but I think I need to go. You can stay and protect the vamps. Sony can come and look out for me if that will make you feel better.” “Why in the fuck would that make me feel better?” Gage growled, the sound deep and rumbling in his chest. “You’re not going anywhere without me.” “Well, we have to go as well,” Pax added, jerking a thumb between himself and Jet. “We may not be much help in actually finding the cave, but I think we’ll be useful once inside.” Hex nodded his agreement. He’d asked to be diplomatic, but in actuality, he’d already decided who would stay behind. Taking a deep breath and preparing himself for the fight that was sure to follow his announcement, he turned to face his warriors. “Myst, Onyx, and Vapre, you’ll stay.” “No.” To Hex’s surprise the denial had come from Eyce. “No?” Hex arched an eyebrow and crossed his arms over his chest. “Do you have a better solution?” Eyce dipped his head curtly, his eyes flashing with determination. “Leave me and Onyx. We’ll be the least helpful to you.” “Agreed.” Onyx spoke up. “We’ll stay and work on finding a steady supply of blood for Syn and Jinx. Maybe they’ll have some suggestions when they wake up. There’s no need for three of us to stay.” “If it’s as bad as we’re thinking it is, you’ll need all the help you can get out in those trees.” Eyce crossed his arms over his torso, mirroring Hex’s pose and daring him to argue without words. “I’d rather have three of you here,” Hex said after a short pause. “I’ll stay.” Sony rose from his chair and squeezed Gage’s shoulder when the werewolf opened his mouth. “Hush,” he whispered to his

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mate. “There’s not much I can do for you in the forest, but I can protect the vamps and keep these clowns in line.” Gage began to rise from his chair, but Sony pushed him back down. “You’ll take care of Mac, and I can help here. You will let me do this because frankly, you don’t have a choice.” He bent and kissed Gage’s temple. “But also because you trust me and know I’m right.” “I don’t have to like it, though,” Gage grumbled, winding his arm around the man’s waist and pulling him into his lap. “Be careful and take care of yourself, because I expect you to be waiting for me when I get back.” Hex could understand the ex-guard’s concern. Hell, he’d give anything to keep Echo locked up in his bedroom until this entire mess was over. Shifting his gaze to Echo, he found his mate staring right back at him with a stubborn set to his jaw. Scrubbing a hand over his face, Hex bobbed his head a few times. “Get packed,” he ordered. “We’ll leave when the sun goes down.” “We could always call—” “No,” Hex said firmly, cutting Syx off and shifting his eyes toward Echo. “Just drop it.” “Who?” Echo stood quickly and hurried over to them. “Call who? Is it someone that can help? Who is it?” “No one,” Hex growled. “Everyone go get packed.” Fisting his small hands on his hips, Echo glared at them. “You know I don’t like secrets or lies. You’re doing both. Now someone better fucking tell me what’s going on and who Syx is talking about!” Every demon turned a murderous stare on Syx, and Hex wanted to punch him in his stupid mouth. “We’ll talk about this later,” he said to the warrior, completely ignoring Echo’s anger. Then he pushed past them all and stormed out of the kitchen. He made it no further than the threshold when a hand wrapped around his wrist and jerked him around. “You do not just walk off like that. If you know someone that can help, why won’t you call him? You’re being a complete dick.”

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“Echo, let it go.” Hex didn’t want to yell at his mate, but he didn’t want to have this conversation either. “I will not let it go. You’re hiding things from me, which means it’s probably bad. I’m just as much a part of this family as anyone, and I deserve the right to know. Who does Syx think you should call?” “Craze could help,” Myst said softly from behind him. Hex closed his eyes and groaned. “Craze? Who is that? Who the hell has a name like Craze?” Echo looked around the room at the men assembled there and smiled crookedly. “Oops. I guess we all have some funny names.” Then he went right back to being serious. “So, who is he…or she?” “Let it go,” Hex said coldly and pushed Echo aside to leave the kitchen. He made it to the staircase before he heard Echo scream. “What the fuck do you mean he was your lover?”

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Chapter Three Echo swallowed hard while his legs shook, threatening to drop him. He didn’t know why the news upset him so much. He knew Hex and Ares had been…well, they’d had sex. If the others had taken someone to bed outside of their relationship, none of them had mentioned it. Hell, he hadn’t been a blushing virgin when he’d wandered to them, either. But, this felt different. Maybe it was the way Myst had said the man’s name. Maybe it was Hex’s cold refusal to discuss it. Mostly, it was the look in his lovers’ eyes that made his heart ache inside his chest. “All seven of you?” he asked quietly, looking around the group, trying to get someone to meet his eyes. “Yes,” Eyce answered, but still looked somewhere over Echo’s shoulder. “Were you ever going to mention that there had been an eighth?” He knew the answer just by staring at their faces, but he had to ask. “It wasn’t important until now,” Vapre mumbled, then gave a scathing glace to Syx. “How long?” Echo watched the others rise slowly from the table and creep out of the room behind him. He couldn’t blame them. He wouldn’t want to be caught up in the middle of this mess either. “Four,” Myst whispered. “Four years?” “Four hundred,” Eyce said clearly. “Craze was with us for four hundred years.”

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“Oh, gods.” Echo covered his mouth with a trembling hand. “When did he leave?” Before anyone could answer, he waved his hand in front of them. “Never mind, I don’t want to know.” “Echo, baby, it was a long time ago. Over a thousand years ago,” Fiero tried to reassure him. He brushed past the others, holding his hands out for Echo to come to him. Taking several hurried steps back, Echo shook his head. “How could you keep something like this from me? You said it had always been just the seven of you. You lied to me. If you felt you needed to lie about it, that makes me worry that you’re not over him.” “You’re our mate,” Fiero said as if that just explained everything. It did very little to calm Echo’s growing panic. “I can’t…I have to go. I’m sorry.” Spinning around, he sprinted out of the kitchen and straight up the stairs to his room. He slammed the door, clicking the lock into place, then stripped out of his clothes. Crawling into his bed, he wormed his way under the blankets and closed his eyes against the terror of losing the men he loved. **** “Why the fuck did you have to bring Craze up?” Fiero snarled. “He can help,” Syx replied automatically, then pursed his lips and frowned. He hadn’t even known he was going to say anything about their ex-lover until the words were spilling out of his mouth. Sighing, he scrubbed a hand over his face and regarded his men. “I’m sorry. I haven’t thought about him in hundreds of years. I really don’t know why I said that. It wasn’t to hurt Echo, though, I swear.” “We know,” Vapre said softly, winding his fingers around the back of Syx’s neck and pulling him close. His lips pressed against Syx’s temple, and he sighed. “Why, though? Just why now? Don’t we have enough shit to deal with?”

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“It just slipped into my head,” Syx tried to defend himself, “like it wasn’t even my thought. Then it came rushing out of my mouth before I could stop it.” “The Oracle,” all five men growled at once. Closing his eyes, Syx felt like a moron. “That didn’t even cross my mind. Why does she think we need Craze, though? How could his presence possibly be a good thing? You saw how upset Echo was when he ran out of here.” “I think I know,” Myst said, surprising them all. Not that the demon wasn’t smart, but he rarely applied the gift. He was usually too busy causing problems to help think up solutions. When everyone turned to him with quizzical expressions, Myst waved a hand toward the ceiling. “We gotta feed the little bloodsuckers, don’t we?” He glanced over his shoulder guiltily, and Syx couldn’t help but smile. “Oh, fuck,” Onyx breathed. “Echo is not going to like this.” “He could be damn useful in the war as well,” Eyce added grudgingly. They all stood quietly for a long time before Fiero finally growled and banged his fist against the refrigerator. “This fucking sucks.” Syx couldn’t agree more, but if the Oracle said they needed Craze, what choice did they have? She might not always be straightforward with the delivery of information, but she hadn’t let them down yet. “Does anyone know how to get in touch with him?” A picture of a bull popped into Syx’s head, and he cocked his head to the side and frowned. “What the fuck? A cow?” “I know where he is,” Myst said as he blushed about six shades of red. “Well, I don’t, personally, but Hex does, and I overheard, well, it doesn’t matter. I can get the number.” “What did you hear?” Onyx growled angrily. “Hex had been talking to him? When? Why?” “I don’t know. I just overheard them arguing a few months ago. It was right after Echo showed up here. I was passing by Hex’s door when I heard him say Craze’s name. He didn’t sound very happy to

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hear from him.” Myst shuffled his feet nervously. “I don’t think there’s anything to worry about there.” “Fine,” Eyce sighed. “Who’s going to talk to Hex?” “Better question,” Syx whispered, “who’s going to talk to Echo and tell him our ex-lover is going to be living with us?” Five sets of eyes turned toward him as one. “I’m not the one that actually said his name,” Syx grumbled. “Yes, but you can hear his thoughts. You’ll be able to answer the questions he won’t ask.” Eyce clasped Syx on the shoulder and gave him a little push. “We’re all going to have to talk to him soon, but maybe you should calm him down first.” “Thanks,” Syx shot back sarcastically. With a resigned huff and a quick jerk of his head, he left to find their mate. What was he supposed to say to Echo? Tell the man there was no reason to be jealous would just be stupid. He’d almost come unglued himself when he’d heard that Hex had been talking to their former lover. Damn, he hoped the Oracle knew what she was doing, because he didn’t see any good come from having Craze under the same roof once again. Jogging up the stairs two at a time, he swept down the hall and knocked quietly on Echo’s door. “Echo, can I come in?” He tried the doorknob and found it locked. “C’mon, babe, just let me explain.” There was no telling how long he stood talking to the cold wood. After a few minutes, he didn’t even pay attention to the words. He just kept his tone calm and soothing, trying to cajole his mate into opening the door. Finally, when he began feeling the strain on his vocal chords, he heard the lock disengage, and the door eased open to reveal a puffyeyed Echo. “What?” he whispered. Syx had never heard more heartbreak spoken in one little word before. He could hear Echo’s jumbled thoughts, and the more he listened, the more he wanted a hole to open up in the floor and devour him.

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Echo questioned his status in their relationship. He wondered how much they had loved Craze. He imagined they had to still love the man a lot if they’d been so hell-bent on keeping him a secret. He wondered if once Craze returned his mates would forget about him. All these thoughts ran through Echo’s mind so quickly Syx only caught bits and pieces, but he’d read enough to get the general theme of his lover’s emotions. If he did nothing else right for the rest of his life, he would fix this. Easing into the room, Syx closed the door behind him and relocked it. Then he lifted his mate into his arms, cradling him to his chest, and walked across the room to place Echo gently on the bed. He undressed quickly, leaving his boxers on—this was definitely not about sex—and slid in under the covers. Pulling Echo to his chest, he cradled his mate’s smaller body to him, peppering kisses over the top of his head and smoothing his hands down Echo’s spine. “You know I love you, right?” Echo shrugged noncommittally. Pushing the man back gently, Syx cupped the side of his face and glared. “I love you, Echo. So does everyone else in this house, even if they can’t pull their heads out of their asses to say so. Don’t you ever question that.” Echo shrugged again. “I’m your mate.” The way he said it made it sound like a dirty word. “Isn’t that what Fiero said? You can’t get rid of me because I’m your mate.” Syx growled before he could stop himself. Echo had never questioned their devotion or loyalty before. Never had he had the slightest inkling that he wouldn’t always be adored and cherished. His unwavering faith in them was one of the things Syx loved most about his mate. “Where is all this coming from? Craze was a long time ago—our past, not our future.” Syx sighed and rested his forehead against Echo’s. “If you must know, we kicked him out. He didn’t just get tired of us and leave.”

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“Why?” Echo spoke as if the answer didn’t much matter, but Syx could hear the desire to know inside his lover’s brain. He hesitated to continue, though. Would it be better or worse for Echo to know the truth? “Please tell me.” “He liked to play,” Syx said cautiously. “Since escaping Tartarus, we’ve been monogamous. We never discussed it, never declared feelings, or talked about not taking others to our bed. It was just understood. Besides, it’s hard enough keeping up with seven lovers, why would we need more?” Syx chuckled softly. “Seven?” Echo moved a little closer to Syx, his muscles relaxing marginally. “Yes, Craze found us not long after we began to establish a life here on the Top World. He was with us for a little over four hundred years, until we finally forced him to leave.” “He wasn’t faithful?” “No.” Surprisingly, the memories of the whole ordeal barely left a twinge. They’d known from the start that Craze never fit with them. Why they hadn’t turned him away to begin with, Syx didn’t know. “He would bring men and women home, sometimes several at a time. Then he began disappearing for days, sometimes weeks at a time.” “You’ve always loved each other. I think that’s sweet, though sad that you never felt you could say it.” Echo relaxed further, nuzzling against Syx’s chest. “I’m sorry that he hurt you.” Syx rubbed his cheek against the top of his mate’s head. “That’s just it. I don’t think it hurt any of us when Hex kicked him out. I don’t know why we ever let him in to begin with.” “Why is Hex so angry then? And why did everyone keep this from me?” “As to why Hex is upset, that’s something you’re going to have to talk to him about. I have a feeling Hex is keeping secrets from all of us, not just you, baby. And we didn’t keep this from you intentionally. I haven’t thought about Craze in decades. I think the Oracle was

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giving me a little nudge. Apparently, she believes that Craze can be of help to us in the war. Plus, with his ability, he’d be able to feed Syn and Jinx without them draining him.” “Is he a demon like you?” “No, Craze is an Addonexus.” “I’ve never heard of that before.” “There’s a lot of myth and legend around the Addonexus, but most of it is bullshit. Some say an Addonexus is born human, but gains certain magical properties if they’re born during the solar eclipse when Haley’s Comet passes. They also say that the Addonexus will only live seventy-five years, dying during the next passing of Haley’s Comet, when a new one will be born. It’s all a bunch of crap.” “So, what is an Adda-whatsit?” Echo leaned back so he could look into Syx’s face as he spoke. “It means ‘bringer of death,’ but some of the legends are true. For instance, Craze can manipulate his bone structure, make the bones break through the skin to use as weapons. He can also heal others, and a slew of other things.” “Hex can heal us,” Echo offered. Though he didn’t speak, his brain produced, So why the fuck do we need him? Smothering his chuckle, Syx kissed the tip of his lover’s nose. “Craze can also heal himself, which Hex cannot do. He can also manipulate the elements, interpret people’s moods, listen in on their thoughts. He’s kind of like an upgraded version of all of us combined into one.” “I see how he could be useful,” Echo conceded. He didn’t sound very happy about it, though. “Do I have to like him?” Syx let his laughter bubble up through his lips this time. “Absolutely not. You can hate him all you want. Once this stupid war is over, you’ll never have to see him again.” “Do you think he’ll come?” Echo’s thoughts said he hoped not.

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“I don’t know, baby. I only want to keep you safe. If that means putting up with Craze and his bullshit for a few months, I’ll do it.” He pulled Echo back to his chest, and cradled his head in the crook of his neck. “You never have to worry about one of us straying, though. He means nothing to us, but you, you’re our everything.” “I’m trying to understand and not be worried or jealous,” Echo whispered. “Please be patient with me. It just feels like four hundred years is a long time to live with someone that you didn’t really like. So, I’m a little skeptical as to whether you’re telling the truth or just placating me with what I want to hear.” There was nothing Syx could say that would convince his mate. They would have to prove themselves, and he understood that. Though it hurt a little, he could accept it. “I love you, Echo. Just remember that.” Echo huffed, his breath tickling across Syx’s neck. “I love you, too.” He whispered a soft kiss over Syx’s collarbone. “Don’t make me regret it.”

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Chapter Four “Do it.” “Man, why do I have to do it?” “Because he likes you best and is less likely to punch you in the face.” “He doesn’t like me best. I don’t think he likes any of us right now.” Hex sat on the edge of his bed, propped his elbows on his knees, and dropped his face into his hands. Vapre and Mist had been outside his bedroom door arguing for the better part of ten minutes, and his head was beginning to throb again. He’d heard the soft knock and Syx’s mumbled pleas for Echo to open the door earlier. By now, Echo would know all the sordid details of their previous relationship with Craze. He didn’t know how he felt about that. Part of him—the cowardly part—was just grateful that someone else had explained to Echo about Craze. Another part of him was royally pissed off that Syx had suggested calling the asshole in the first place. The biggest part of him, however, felt guilty for keeping things from his men. He knew he should tell them that he’d been in touch with their former lover, but he hadn’t wanted to upset them. There were still a lot of ill feelings about the time spent with the Addonexus. “Myst, you can just freeze him in place if he tries to kill you,” Vapre reasoned. “What the fuck am I going to do? Blow at him?” Myst started laughing. “You could definitely blow him. I bet that would improve his mood a lot.”

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There was a muffled thwack, followed swiftly by Myst’s indignant growl. “Fine, but you guys owe me big for this.” A short pause and then, “I will get the information or die trying,” he added valiantly. Hex snorted and rolled his eyes. He could picture the demon standing in the hall with his fist over his heart and his nose tilted up in the air. “We’ll write something nice on your headstone,” Vapre assured him with a chuckle. Hex laughed under his breath as well. “Myst, just get your ass in here!” “Ugh!” Myst yelped then apparently forgot how to operate the knob because there was a heavy thud against the door. Finally, he figured it out and waltzed into the room with a tight smile. “Hi, boss. How’s it going? Did you catch the game last night?” Hex lifted both eyebrows and smirked. “What game would that be, Myst?” “Uh, well…” Myst frowned down at the floor, puffed up his cheeks, then let the breath out on a long exhale. “The Oracle thinks Craze would be valuable in the war, and he could feed the vamps, so that would help. I don’t know how I feel about it, but I trust Syx and Eyce, and if they think we need that stupid fucker, then okay.” Myst spoke so quickly Hex could barely understand him. The demon was always so laid-back and mellow, so to see him this nervous and upset did strange things to Hex’s stomach that he didn’t want to think about. “I know you’ve talked to him.” Myst narrowed his eyes when Hex groaned. “Don’t lie to me, because I heard you. I don’t want to talk about it right now, but we just need you to get in touch with him and ask him to come.” He rubbed at his forehead with his fingertips as though trying to iron out the wrinkles. “Just please don’t start shit. I can’t deal with it right now.”

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“I don’t want him here,” Hex said quietly. “It’s just going to cause problems and hurt Echo.” “Yeah, well, no one wants him here, but this is fucking war, man. If it means keeping Echo safe and saving our asses from Tartarus, then I guess we’re just going to have to suck it up and get over it.” Sometimes being in charge sucked, and this was definitely one of those times. “How much does Echo know?” Myst settled his hands on his hips and shook his head. “I don’t know. Syx went to talk to him. You stomping out of the goddamn room sure as hell didn’t help anything.” Was Myst reprimanding him? It certainly sounded like it. “Now, wait a minute.” “No!” Myst shouted. It was so unlike him that Hex snapped his mouth closed and his eyes rounded. “This is bullshit! You’re so worried about ‘me, me, me’ that you can’t pull your head out of your ass for five fucking minutes to see what’s going on around you.” Myst breathed heavily, his eyes flashing with anger, his chest heaving, and his fisted hands shaking at his sides. Hex had never seen the warrior so pissed off before, and he hated that he’d been the one to cause it. “I know you think you have to make all the decisions and take care of us, but we’re not fucking children. I can live without all the lovey-dovey crap, but don’t lie to me and don’t keep stuff from me.” He spun around abruptly and marched out of the still-opened door. “I’m going to check on Echo,” he called over his shoulder. “Maybe you should get your shit together while I’m gone.” **** Echo flew out of bed when he heard the shouting coming from down the hall. Dressing quickly in a T-shirt and a pair of jeans, he left a grumpy-looking Syx on the bed and hurried out of the room. He didn’t make it more than two steps out the door before he collided

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with a solid wall of muscle, and strong arms wound around him to keep him from falling on his ass. “Whoa, easy there, Echo.” Myst steadied him and took a step back. “Where’s the fire?” “Why are you fighting?” He had enough shit going on without his men squabbling like a bunch of toddlers. “We’re not,” Myst answered guardedly. “I was just very loudly stating my point of view.” “This isn’t Hex’s fault,” Echo said gently as he reached out to touch Myst’s forearm. “He’s worried for us. Lay off a little, okay?” “If he wasn’t so damn stubborn and would share a bit of the burden, he wouldn’t have those stupid headaches all the time.” Myst deflated and his shoulders sagged. “I don’t appreciate being kept in the dark. He’s been hiding things from us.” Echo’s own anger threatened to bubble to the surface, but he suppressed it quickly. Knowing Hex, the warrior had done what he thought was right to protect his men from unpleasantness. He agreed with Myst. They had a right to know what was going on, but he also felt he could cut their alpha a break. The man did take too much onto himself. “Maybe I should talk to him.” Myst started laughing and it took several seconds before he could finally get himself under control. “I wish you’d said that twenty minutes ago. I got shanghaied into it, and as you heard, it didn’t go well.” “Did he say if he’d call Craze?” Syx poked his head out of the bedroom to ask. He was still dressed in only his boxers, his hair tousled, and eyes sleepy. Myst eyed him with great interest and a crooked smirk. “Hello, gorgeous,” he purred. “One-track mind,” Echo mumbled under his breath before smacking Myst in the chest. “Snap out of it, Casanova. There will be time to play later. I’m going to talk to Hex. Myst, you grab the others

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and start packing up the supplies we’ll need to take. Syx, you go get Vapre and do a little research. Since you dreamed of the Oracle, I think that means you’re up to bat come the new moon. Figure out which of the remaining tasks fits your ability best, and I think we’ll be in business.” “Man, you’re a bossy little runt.” Myst huffed, but dipped his head and hurried off to find the others. Echo shrugged. Sometimes he felt that if he didn’t make the decisions and give them a swift kick in the ass to get them going, they’d never get anything accomplished. He looked up at Syx and crossed his arms over his chest, waiting for the demon to argue with him. Syx smiled and kissed Echo’s forehead. “I like bossy little runts.” He dodged the fist Echo aimed at his gut and sauntered to the top of the stairs, chuckling the entire way. Biting the inside of his cheek to keep from smiling, Echo waited until Syx disappeared before he turned and marched down the hall to Hex’s room. The door stood wide open, giving him a perfect view of Hex sitting on the foot of the bed. He looked so torn and distressed, not to mention exhausted. Echo’s chest tightened and his stomach cramped painfully. “Hey,” he said quietly. Hex looked up at him and nodded. “Hey.” “Want to talk about it?” “Not really.” “You have another headache?” “It’s not too bad.” Echo swallowed back a frustrated growl and crossed the room to stand between Hex’s spread knees. The man was so massive that, even though he was sitting, Echo only rose a couple of inches taller. Reaching out, he pressed his palms to Hex’s temples and closed his eyes. He used part of his power to heal his lover, while the other part focused on detangling the snarled thoughts inside Hex’s head.

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He should probably feel bad for syphoning some of Syx’s power without telling him, but he didn’t. Hex was the most stubborn person he’d ever met, and if this was the only way to get answers from him, he couldn’t bring himself to feel guilty. He didn’t do it to pry or be an asshole. Hex was going to self-destruct if he didn’t learn to share some of his worries, though. Hex hated himself for lying to his lovers. He hated the idea of Craze coming to live with them, even for a temporary stay. He wished he’d never met the asshole. He questioned the Oracle’s motives, worried about the constant headaches, and hoped he hadn’t fucked things up with Echo beyond repair. “Oh, love,” Echo whispered, bending forward to ghost his lips across Hex’s brow. “You worry so much. Why won’t you let anyone help you?” His heart ached inside his chest and unbidden tears welled in his eyes. “Let me help you.” Hex cleared his throat roughly. “I’m fine.” His fingers wrapped around Echo’s waist and squeezed for just a moment before he gently pushed him away. “I’ll call Craze. I don’t know if he’ll come, but I guess we don’t have a choice but to try. Go ahead and start packing. Make sure you bring your big coat, gloves, and a hat. It’s going to be cold sleeping on the ground.” Rising to his feet, Hex arched his neck one way and then the other, popping the vertebrae. “My head feels better. Thank you.” Echo sighed at the dismissal, but decided arguing would only make things worse. With a little tip of his head, he turned and shuffled out of the room. Maybe one day Hex would let him in, let him heal his heart instead of his head. That day wasn’t going to be this one, though. Turning the corner out of the doorway, Echo found Syx waiting for him, leaning against the wall with a sad smile on his face. Without a word, he opened his arms, and Echo rushed to him, clinging to Syx’s shirt and burying his face in his mate’s chest. Crap, he needed to get his emotions under control.

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“Shh, baby,” Syx cooed. “Everything is going to be fine.” He leaned closer and pressed his lips to Echo’s ear. “Give him time, sweetheart. You know he loves you. That’s why he’s being such a dick.” It sounded like a lame excuse to Echo, but he could kind of understand. Hex was a big, macho warrior with too much testosterone for his own good. He didn’t like feelings, and he didn’t like being confused. Echo imagined Hex’s feelings were making him pretty damn confused at the moment. “You’re supposed to be helping Vapre,” Echo chastised lightly. There was no real heat behind his words, and he was more thankful than he could say for Syx’s comforting presence. His mate kissed his temple and hugged him tighter. “I’ll go help him in a minute. The others are almost finished loading up the trucks. Onyx and Eyce packed your bags, so you might want to check those.” Rolling his forehead over Syx’s chest, Echo groaned. “Do I even want to know?” “Probably not. I think I saw them slip a G-string in there.” “You have got to be kidding me.” Echo pushed away from Syx and growled. “I’m going to kill them.” Syx chuckled and grabbed Echo around the wrist. “That’s not all they packed. Relax and have a little faith, baby.” “Yeah, okay.” Echo took Syx’s hand and tugged him along toward the stairs. “I’m going to make fresh coffee, some sandwiches, and a list of things that need to be taken care of while we’re gone.” Something else occurred to him, and he stopped so suddenly that Syx almost fell over him. “Will we be back before the new moon?” “I think so,” Syx said slowly. “It’s not for almost four weeks, and we can’t carry more than two weeks’ worth of supplies at one time.” “Okay, good. I think I’d feel better if we were all home together before then.” Tilting his head to the side, Echo arched an eyebrow and pursed his lips. “Now, why aren’t you helping Vapre again?”

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Syx skimmed the back of his knuckles along the column of Echo’s throat and their eyes locked. “You needed me more.”

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Chapter Five There was a lot of hugging, kissing, and whispered good-byes as they all climbed into the SUVs and began their journey into the unknown. Echo had to blink back a few tears as he watched Eyce and Onyx through the back windshield of his new car. He knew he’d see them again, but he hated being separated—even temporarily. “Everything is going to be fine,” Fiero whispered to him as his hand gripped Echo’s thigh and gave it a light squeeze. “Stop worrying so much.” Echo tried to give him a smile in return, but his heart just wasn’t in it. In fact, his heart seemed to be lodged somewhere in his throat, cutting off his airway and choking him. Logically, he knew Eyce and Onyx would be safer at home than he and the other warriors would be wherever they were going. He still worried about them, though. Syx’s hand landed on his other thigh and rubbed soothingly. “They can take care of themselves and Craze will be there soon.” Ah, and there was the problem. Some strange man who Echo had never met—but used to do the bump and grind with his mates—was going to be in their home with his lovers…alone. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust his men, but the jealousy and distrust of this Craze person ate away at him. “How long are we going to be gone?” Gods, he wanted to turn around right then and go back, and they’d barely made it onto the main road. When Hex had finally found the courage to call Craze and explain the situation, their former lover had been all too eager to catch the first flight out in his haste to return to them. The whole situation set Echo’s teeth on edge.

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What if, despite the problems they’d had, Eyce and Onyx found they wanted Craze back? What if they wanted him more than Echo? Would the others follow suit? There were so many unanswered questions. Syx said Craze had “found” them. What the hell did that mean? Then there was the whole fact that they’d been with the man for four hundred fucking years. No matter what any of them said, Echo found it very hard to believe that you could be with someone for that length of time and not have some kind of feelings for him. And after that length of time, how could they just shut off those feelings like they never existed? No, something wasn’t adding up, and it made Echo anxious. Syx looked afraid. Hex wouldn’t talk to anyone except to bark out orders. Fiero seemed more thoughtful than usual. Myst just looked depressed, as though someone had kicked his puppy. Vapre lounged in the third row seat, staring blankly out the window. Casually placing his hand over Syx’s where he rested it on his thigh, Echo drew little circles over the knuckles with his thumb. He kept the touch light but constant, hoping to distract his lover as he absorbed just a little of Syx’s telepathic power. After already syphoning a bit earlier in the day, it wouldn’t take much. He could already hear the others’ thoughts, but they were muffled and hard to distinguish. Closing his eyes, he leaned against Syx, feigning exhaustion as he opened his mind and let his mates’ thoughts flow in. “I don’t like leaving Eyce and Onyx behind, especially with Craze coming. What if he hurts them?” Echo’s eyelids twitched, and he tensed in alarm at Vapre’s wonderings. He’d been worried about Craze stealing his men back. He’d never imagined that the asshole might hurt them. Moving on, he dipped into Fiero’s head next. “I can’t believe that Hex is letting Echo come with us. It’s too dangerous. He should be home. Fuck! We should all be home. If anything happens to Echo…”

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Echo bit the inside of his cheek to keep from smiling. There was nothing going on inside Fiero’s head that the man wouldn’t say out loud. His concern for Echo’s safety was sweet, though. Next, he probed Myst. “Hex is hiding something. I don’t know why he won’t talk to me. Craze is going to ruin everything! I hate that fucker. If he lays a hand on Eyce or Onyx, I will kill him.” Echo had never heard Myst so agitated before. He’d certainly never heard death threats spilling from the man’s mouth. His disappointment that Hex wouldn’t confide in him slipped into the tone of his thoughts. And what the fuck was Hex hiding anyway? Sliding into Hex’s head, Echo decided to find out. “Nothing good is going to come from having Craze here. He’s so fucking manipulative. I can’t believe I let them talk me into this. That man could talk a nun into bed.” Echo gasped before he could stop himself. Hoping to play it off as a bad dream, he whimpered a little and curled in closer to Syx’s side. “Syx?” Ah, fuck! “You were listening, weren’t you?” “Naturally. You are a sneaky little shit. I understand, however, and I promise I won’t say anything. You can’t blame people for their thoughts, baby. Don’t judge them by their words, but by their actions. Just remember that, okay?” With a deep sigh, Echo rubbed his face against Syx’s chest in reluctant agreement. “I’ll try. It’s just hard. I guess you’ve had a lot more practice.” Syx’s palm slid up and down his arm lazily. “Only a few thousand years. Get some sleep, sweetheart. I’ll wake you when we get there.” “I’ll try.” He was nervous about what they’d find in the cave, worried about what would happen at home while they were away, and jealous of Craze’s former relationship with his mates. He had so much to think about, so much to obsess over, he didn’t think he’d ever sleep again.

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Eventually, though, the steady thrum of the tires against the asphalt and the warmth of Syx’s body combined with his emotional exhaustion to drag him into a fitful sleep. His dreams were plagued with unwelcome depictions of some gorgeous man he’d never met but sought to take everything from him. When Syx finally woke him, Echo felt as though he’d run a marathon instead of napping. He didn’t want to do this anymore. He didn’t care about wars, or ex-lovers, or gods, or destroying evil like some caped superhero. All he wanted was to be left alone with his men and live out their happy-ever-after. “We’re here,” Hex announced unnecessarily as he eased off of the paved road and began bumping along a narrow dirt path. Once he’d reached the cover of the trees, he pulled to a stop and cut the engine. No one moved. No one spoke. It was so dark under the canopy of tree limbs Echo could only make out eerie shadows through the tinted glass windows. Fighting against his sudden panic, he gripped Syx’s hand in one of his and Fiero’s in the other. It wasn’t pitch black, but it still felt oppressive. “I’ll build a fire,” Fiero said quietly. He gave Echo’s hand a reassuring squeeze and opened his door to climb down from the SUV. Echo couldn’t let go of him, though. He knew he should. His brain ordered his fingers to unclench, but still he held on. Looking over his shoulder, Fiero studied him for a long time in the dim glow created by the dome light. Then he jerked his head and gave a little tug on Echo’s hand. “Come on.” He didn’t even have to think about it. Clutching Fiero’s hand, Echo scrambled out after him, pressed close to his mate’s side, and shivered—partly from the cold, partly from the suffocating sense of complete isolation. “Okay, give it to me,” Fiero muttered with a smirk. Echo lifted both eyebrows. The man wanted sex at a time like this? He knew his guys were insatiable, but this was a bit much. Fiero started to laugh, and Echo finally realized the meaning. His cheeks

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heated, and he groaned before tilting his head and beginning the process of recycling Fiero’s ability. Though it would have given him great satisfaction and wiped the stupid smirk off his lover’s face, Echo only opened himself up a little, instead of dropping his shield completely. As queasy as his stomach felt, he didn’t think he’d be able to stomach Fiero hurling into the bushes without following the example. Fiero grunted and winced but held his dinner, so Echo took that as a good sign. He was definitely getting better at this. When small flames began to flicker in Fiero’s palm, Echo unclasped their hands and sighed. Even that small amount of light made him feel better. “We’ll grab some firewood,” Vapre offered with a nod toward Syx. While the two took off into the forest to gather kindling for the fire, the others began unloading the vehicles and setting up a makeshift camp. Hex, Myst, and Gage set to work, constructing the tents, while Pax and Jet worked on digging a shallow hole for the campfire. Echo wanted to help, but he couldn’t bring himself to leave the small, comforting circle of light created by the flames in Fiero’s hand. Besides, he didn’t know what the hell he was doing and would probably be more of a burden than help. Wrinkling his nose, he eyed the tents with distaste. It wasn’t as though he thought he’d be sleeping in a five-star hotel, but the prospect of sleeping on the hard, frozen ground was in no way appealing. Mac wandered over and stood with his hands inside his coat pockets. “Why did we have to come at night?” Echo shook his head, but didn’t comment. He’d wondered the same thing, but in Hex’s current mood, he hadn’t dared to ask. Normally, he could handle the gruff demon. He took Hex’s little moods in stride, or fought back if he felt he was right—which was

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most of the time. This felt different, though. If he pushed the man this time, Hex might just snap. Echo might be feisty, as his mates liked to call him, but he wasn’t stupid. Besides, he had the niggling suspicion that Hex had wanted to get out before Craze arrived. Echo had no desire to discuss that asshole. Syx and Vapre returned with the firewood, Fiero got the blaze going, and the others began rolling out sleeping bags. “We’ll take shifts, two at a time,” Hex said gruffly. “I’ll take first shift with Gage. Myst and Fiero, you take second, and Vapre and Syx can have the dawn shift.” “What about me?” Echo asked quietly. “You sleep. You look like shit.” How the hell would Hex know what Echo looked like since the man was staring resolutely in the opposite direction? “And us?” Jet asked cautiously. “You sleep as well. You can take a shift tomorrow night.” Jet opened his mouth as if to argue, then seemed to think better of it and snapped it closed. Without a word, he took Pax’s hand and led the man into one of the smaller two-person tents. Echo didn’t feel like arguing either. He also didn’t feel like looking at Hex’s ridiculously handsome face. There was a little twitch in his fingers, and he wanted to slap the douche bag, but that was about the extent of it. “Fine.” Pushing to his feet, Echo motioned for Syx, Vapre, and Fiero to follow him. Hex could go fuck himself. Passing by Myst on the way to the largest tent, Echo dropped a quick kiss on the top of the man’s head where he sat on the ground. “Come to bed,” he whispered. Myst caught his hand, brushing his lips over the knuckles, and smiled. “I want to have a word with Hex first, but I’ll be right in.” He pressed his lips to Echo’s hand once more before releasing him and smiling. “You do look awful, though. Get some rest, baby. Everything is going to be fine.”

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Echo gave his mate a weak smile in return, but really, he wanted to throw his hands in the air and scream. If one more person told him that everything would be “fine,” he was going to explode. Not a single thing about their entire fucked-up situation was fine. Shit just continued to pile up until the prospect of them all being crushed beneath the heavy burden appeared to be a very real possibility. But, of course, he couldn’t say that aloud. He couldn’t show any form of weakness. He wasn’t allowed to be afraid, upset, angry, sad, depressed, or anything other than one big fucking ray of sunshine. “I don’t want to sleep alone,” Mac whispered. He sat in Gage’s lap, looking up at his mate pleadingly. “It’s cold and dark, and you can think me a wimp if you want to, but please don’t make me sleep alone.” After the events that had unfolded the last time Mac had ventured into these woods, Echo couldn’t blame him. “Why don’t you sleep with Pax and Jet?” Gage offered. “It’s not the same, but fine.” Mac huffed once, kissed his lover’s lips, then went to get ready for bed. Continuing into his own tent, Echo stripped out of his jacket and picked one of the middle sleeping bags. Crawling inside it, he zipped himself in, turned on his side, and closed his eyes. He didn’t want to talk, and he didn’t want to listen. The others filed in after him, moving about slowly and finding their own sleeping bags. Echo didn’t know if it was his body language, or if Syx had read his less-than-happy thoughts and warned the others, but no one said a word. No one touched him. No one kissed him on the forehead and told him goodnight. Surrounded by three men he loved more than anything, Echo drifted off to sleep feeling more alone than ever.

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Chapter Six “Why are you being such a dick? What did we do to you?” Hex closed his eyes and fought back a growl. Why wouldn’t everyone just leave him alone? “I’m not being a dick. No one did anything to me. I just have a lot on my mind, so I’d appreciate it if you’d lay off for five goddamn minutes.” “Fuck you,” Myst said flatly. “This is bullshit.” Hex looked over his shoulder at Gage. The werewolf seemed to find a particular part of the dirt very interesting all of the sudden, and he looked like he’d rather be anywhere than in the middle of an argument. Turning back to Myst, Hex narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest. “Drop it. We’ll discuss this later.” “Right,” Myst sneered sarcastically. “Exactly which later would that be? The one where you keep putting me off, hoping I’ll forget about it? Or the one where you keep shoving your head further up your ass until you suffocate?” A muffled snort sounded from behind him, and Hex pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. He really didn’t want to have this conversation in front of Gage. Hell, he didn’t want to have this discussion at all. What happened to him being in charge, and his men just doing what he told them? Everything had changed when Echo came. Sometimes, Hex didn’t know if that was good or…well, bad wasn’t the right word. He just wanted things to be simple again. They fucked. They slept. They ate. They repeated. That’s how it had been for as long as he could remember, and it had worked. Now, there were feelings involved, instincts uncovered that he thought he’d buried long ago.

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“How long have you been calling Craze behind our backs?” “Myst, drop it.” “That long, huh?” Myst looked nothing like the mischievous jokester he usually was. The muscles in his jaw ticked, his nostrils flared, and his lips pressed into a thin line. His eyes tightened at the corners, though—the only indication that the news hurt him as much as it pissed him off. Hex just didn’t know what to do about it. “Myst, you’re overreacting.” Well, that had apparently been the wrong thing to say. Myst’s arm swung out, his fist connecting solidly with Hex’s mouth. “Go to hell,” the demon said coldly. Then he spun around and disappeared inside the tent with the others. Hex stared after him stupidly, lifting his hand to gently probe the abused flesh with his fingertips. Blood ran freely from the split in his lip, and it throbbed like a bitch every time he prodded it. What the hell had gotten into Myst? “I don’t know much about relationships,” Gage said slowly, “but I’d say you deserved that.” “Mind your own business, asshole.” “Well, Myst and the other warriors are my friends. Echo is my friend, but more importantly, he’s my babies’ friend. So, in a way, this is my business. If you keep upsetting Echo, it’s going to upset Mac and Sony, and I can’t have that. I think it’s time you get your head on straight, brother.” As much as Hex wanted to tell Gage to go screw himself, he knew the ex-guard was right. The pain behind his eyes spiked, his temples actually pulsing with every beat of his heart. His lip stung, his head swam, and his gut clenched. If he wasn’t positive he was immortal, he’d think the stress of trying to keep things together was killing him. “Want to tell me what’s really going on?” Gage picked up a long stick and began drawing circles in the dirt. “I’m not much of one to judge, and it might be easier to talk to me than your guys.”

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“I’m leaving before the new moon,” Hex heard himself saying before he even realized that he intended to speak the words. “Okay,” Gage replied casually. “Do you need me to do anything while you’re gone?” “That’s it?” Hex dropped down heavily on a half-rotted log. “You’re not going to ask where I’m going, or when I’ll be back? You’re not going to try to talk me into staying?” “Nope.” Gage chuckled and shook his head. “I figure you have your reasons. Knowing you, and I know you better than you think, it’s something important. I’m also figuring it has something to do with keeping everyone safe.” “I’ve been having dreams,” Hex confessed. Damn, it felt nice to talk to someone without the constant bombardment of questions and nagging. “I think the Oracle is trying to tell me something, but I can’t wrap my head around it.” He rubbed at his eyes, pressing harder than necessary as he tried to knead away the pressure in his head. “I have to find Craze.” “Mmm-hmm, I figured you were stretching the facts a little about that. You never called him, did you?” The guilt made his stomach clench again, but Hex shook his head. “Oh, I called. The little snake refused to come. If it means keeping Echo safe and protecting my men, then I’ll go down there and drag his stubborn ass back, though.” “So, why didn’t you just tell them that? I’m sure they’d understand. They’d probably go with you.” “That’s what I’m worried about. They’ll try to talk me out of going—they don’t want Craze here anyway—or they’ll try to go with me. From what I can gather from my dreams, this has to be me and me alone.” “Well, I’ll say I think you’re making a mistake not telling your lovers the truth. But, I understand needing to do some things on your own. If that’s how you feel, I won’t try to talk you out of it. Just tell me what you want me to do while you’re gone.”

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“Look after them,” Hex answered immediately. “They can take care of themselves, even Echo, but I don’t want them to do anything stupid. Besides, they won’t understand.” That was his main worry. Would they think he was abandoning them? Surely they’d realize he was coming back. Right? “Keep ’em in line,” Gage said with a light laugh. “I think I can manage that.” Hex tilted his head to the side and smiled. “Where are you from originally? Not here.” “Nope. Born and raised in south Texas. Took a job with the government and was relocated here about seven years ago. What gave me away?” “Your accent. It seems to come and go. Why is that?” Gage bobbed his head for a few seconds before he answered. “The job I had was top secret.” “The lab,” Hex interrupted. “Yeah, and I’ll tell you more about it sometime. Not now, though,” he said with a pointed look toward the tents. “Anyway, the guards, we’re all supposed to be ghosts, blend in and such. We all had the same haircut, dressed the same, walked, talked, and even ate the same. A Texas drawl kind of stands out this far north, so I had to learn to smother it.” “And now?” “Well, old habits die hard. I catch myself slipping into the accent and jerk myself right back. I’m workin’ on it, though.” Gage’s grin stretched wider, and he shook his head indulgently. “Mac and Sony think it’s sexy.” “Then I guess you should keep them happy.” Hex sighed and pushed to his feet. He was a damn fine person to be giving advice. He couldn’t even keep his own men happy. “So, when are you leaving?” This was the hard part. In the dreams, Craze was with them inside the cave. He was integral to helping Syx complete his task. Hex knew

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they needed him there before the new moon, but he was loath to leave his lovers behind while they searched out the evil in the forest. He was their alpha, their leader, and their protector. He couldn’t just abandon them. “You should leave before Echo wakes up,” a voice said quietly from behind him. Fuck! He hadn’t even heard the zipper on the tent flap. Turning slowly, Hex peered up at Syx with a mixture of guilt and admiration. He could see it in Syx’s eyes. The man was prepared for whatever was to come. He wouldn’t make waves. Syx dipped his head resolutely. “I’ll help you pack.” **** Moving about the tent quietly so as not to wake his mates, Syx rolled up one of the sleeping bags and carried it back out to Hex where he was waiting beside Echo’s SUV. “You know he’s going to kill you for taking his new toy, right?” Hex didn’t even crack a smile. “I figure he has a lot of things to be pissed off at me about. One more shouldn’t make much of a difference.” Syx pushed the roll into Hex’s hands and sighed. “He’s worried about you, not angry. We all are. I wish you’d let me help, but I can see you won’t.” Hex tossed the bag into the backseat and rested his forehead against the top of the doorframe. “How much did you hear?” Moving in behind his lover, Syx wrapped his arms around Hex’s waist and kissed the back of his neck. “Enough to know that you’re dead set on doing this alone. I’m not going to try to stop you, but please be careful.” Turning slowly, Hex cradled Syx’s face in his palms and pressed their lips together softly. “I don’t deserve any of you.”

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Syx’s heart broke for the man in his arms. Hex didn’t see himself the way the rest of them saw him. He never had. “Yes, you do. I don’t want Craze here, and you know that. If he can help keep us together, though, I’ll deal with it. Once this is over, we’re sending his ass packing again.” Surprisingly, Hex chuckled softly. “You got it, babe.” He seemed a bit surprised at the endearment that slipped through his lips, but Syx resisted the urge to dip into the warrior’s head. “I’ll do my best. Just keep an eye on Echo. I’ll do whatever I have to do to make it up to you guys when I get back. I just can’t explain right now.” “No need to explain. Just come back to us in one piece, even if that means you come back alone.” Hex brushed their lips together again then sighed and eased away. “I’ll have my cell phone. There’s no reception out here, but if you get in trouble, find a way to call me. I’ll be back as soon as I can.” Gathering his resolve, Syx nodded firmly and took a step back as he watched Hex ease into the driver’s seat. He didn’t want Hex to go, but he couldn’t stop him. The man was stubborn to a fault, but his heart was in the right place. Besides, he’d been having the same dreams about Craze in the cave with them. That more than anything convinced him that letting Hex leave was the right thing to do. Hex shut the door quietly and began mumbling orders about how to search for the cave, questions to ask the shifters, things to do to protect themselves. Syx rolled his eyes and smirked. “We can take care of ourselves, Hex. You don’t have to hold our hands through everything. Now go bring that dickhead back, and do it quickly.” His lover gave him a crooked smiled and started up the engine. “Yes, sir.” “Oh, I like that. Say it again.” Hex opened his mouth to reply, but his gaze slid past Syx and his eyes rounded. “Fuck,” he spat.

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Syx looked over his shoulder just in time to see Echo scramble out of the tent and sprint toward them. “Go,” he urged Hex. “I’ll handle it.” “I’m sorry,” Hex mumbled then threw the vehicle into reverse. Syx caught Echo up around the waist, lifting him off his feet and holding him tight as his mate kicked and struggled. “Hex!” he screamed. “Stop! Hex!” Broken sobs bubbled up from his chest, and tears glistened off his pale cheeks in the moonlight. “Come back! You can’t just leave! Hex!” He continued to struggle and scream until everyone in the camp came hurrying toward them to find out what all the commotion was about. Syx kept a firm hold on Echo as he watched Hex turn the car around, and the taillights grew smaller and dimmer until they disappeared completely. His lovers gathered around him. Jet and Pax stood off to the side with Gage and Mac. And Echo continued to wail. “Why? He can’t just fucking leave! Bring him back. Make him come back.” “I can’t,” Syx whispered into his mate’s ear. “He has to do this. You have to let him do this.” “I don’t have to let him do a goddamn thing!” Echo started struggling again, clawing at Syx’s arms and kicking his feet wildly. His heel caught Syx in the shin and pain radiated up his leg. Gasping in surprised pain, Syx lost his hold, and Echo slipped free. Dropping to the ground, he gained his feet quickly and took off sprinting down the narrow path. “Damn it!” “I got him,” Myst mumbled. In the next instance, Echo froze in midstride and began cursing a blue streak as he screamed out imaginative threats to Myst. “Let me go, or I swear to the gods, I’m going to rip your balls off and shove them into your nasal cavity.” “Is that even possible?” Vapre muttered. “Well, I don’t want to find out.” Myst winced and actually covered his cock and balls with both hands.

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Syx groaned and jogged toward Echo. He really didn’t want to do this. Echo was going to hate him for it, but he couldn’t stand the distress in his lover’s voice any longer. Moving around in front of him, Syx brushed the hair back from Echo’s face and looked into his eyes. “Don’t hate me,” he pleaded. Echo’s eyes darted back and forth, but he still couldn’t move. “Don’t. Syx, please don’t.” “I have to, baby. I’m so sorry. I can’t stand to see you like this.” “Then bring him back.” “I can’t do that either.” “Syx, no, you have to let me go.” With a heavy heart, Syx bent until they were eye to eye and dropped his shields. Almost immediately, Echo’s eyes took on a vacant expression and stilled in their movements. “He’s out,” he called quietly to Myst. Myst released his hold, and Syx scooped Echo up before he could sag to the ground. His delicate eyelids were closed, and his body rested limply against Syx’s chest. “How long will he sleep?” Fiero asked as Syx walked past him, carrying Echo to their tent. “At least until sunup.” Then their problems would really begin.

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Chapter Seven When Echo awoke the next morning, consciousness didn’t come to him slowly, but slammed into him like a freight train. The horrible events of the previous night flooded his mind, and he cried out before he could stop himself. The pain of Hex’s departure ripped at his heart and shredded his chest. “Shh,” Syx murmured from behind him as he cuddled closer. Echo wanted to be mad at the demon for putting him to sleep, but he just didn’t have it in him. He’d have done the same thing in Syx’s position. He also understood that he wasn’t the only one hurting. His men felt the sting of Hex’s leaving as much as he did. They were just better at hiding their emotions. “We’ve had a lot more practice,” Syx whispered into his hair. “It’s not quite sunrise yet. Go back to sleep, baby.” “Stay out of my head,” Echo replied, but his words lacked heat. Syx couldn’t help his gift any more than Echo could stop breathing. Sometimes it was actually kind of nice to have a lover know what he needed before he even asked for it. Damn, he just felt so disconnected. Not only from his men, but from the world in general. It was like the whole damn planet had gone insane and left him behind. Maybe that was a good thing, but he’d rather go crazy with everyone else than be left alone. “Not sleepy.” Echo wiggled his ass over Syx’s hardening cock. Sex wouldn’t cure everything, but it would let him forget for a little bit and give him that connection he needed. He just wanted to stop thinking and feel. It was low-down and manipulative, and it wouldn’t solve any of their problems.

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He’d deal with the guilt later. “Someone is perky this morning,” Fiero whispered from Echo’s other side. The warrior rolled closer, molding himself to Echo’s front and slowly lowered the zipper on the sleeping bag Echo and Syx shared. Then he moved even closer, rubbing until their chests pressed together, and his hand disappeared below the covers to palm Echo’s morning erection. “Mmm, very perky.” Fiero’s breath fanned across Echo’s ear and caused him to shiver. It always amazed him that his lovers never had morning breath. Maybe it had something to do with their natural resistance to all kinds of germs. Then all thoughts fled when Fiero’s hand slid under the waistline of Echo’s boxers, and he felt the first brush of heated skin against his throbbing cock. “Did anyone think to bring lube?” “I did,” Myst announced as he popped up to look over Fiero’s shoulder. He grinned broadly and wiggled his eyebrows playfully. He looked so damn cute Echo couldn’t stop the giggle that escaped his sleep-swollen lips. “Only you would think of something like that.” “Probably, but aren’t you glad I did?” Myst shimmied out of his sleeping bag and crawled to the corner to rummage through his knapsack. It took him only seconds to come up with the small bottle of oil, and he let out an appreciative sigh as he moved to press himself against Fiero’s back once more. “Where’s Vapre?” “Guard duty,” Syx answered. “Do you want me to get him?” Echo didn’t even have to think about it. “Yes, please.” He needed all of his men, but he’d settle for the ones close enough to get his hands on. “Vapre!” Myst yelled, causing them all to jump. “Get your ass in here, then get it naked.” Myst looked back at their shocked faces and shrugged. “What? It was faster, and no one has to move.”

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Echo’s laughter turned into a breathy moan when Fiero began licking his way down Echo’s neck and across his collarbones. Syx grinded his hard cock against Echo’s ass, his hands moving restlessly over every inch of skin he could find. “What the hell are you yelling at me for?” Vapre demanded as he pushed into the tent, bringing a gush of cold air with him. He paused just inside and let the flap drop closed as his eyes widened and a visible bulge began to grow behind his zipper. “Oh.” He immediately began shedding his clothing, and Echo was eager to follow suit. With a lot of wiggling, grunting, and accidental elbow jabs in the confined space, they eventually managed to get undressed. Myst wasted no time in lubing up his fingers and tossing the bottle to Syx. He looked like he needed this as much as Echo, which was a little scary. Though Myst was definitely a horndog, he’d never looked so…desperate. “He’ll be fine,” Syx breathed into Echo’s ear as two slick fingers slipped between his ass cheeks and caressed his twitching hole. “Just relax and enjoy this.” It wasn’t hard to forget everything including his own name when those fingers pushed inside his needy channel and began pumping in and out. Echo moaned, rocking against the digits and driving them further into his heated opening. Fiero groaned as well, his eyes rolling back in his head as Myst stretched his hole and laved kisses along the side of his neck. Then he bent forward, claiming Echo’s lips in a smoldering kiss. He pressed closer, leaving just enough room for Vapre to wiggle his head between their groins and capture the leaking head of Echo’s cock in his warm, wet mouth. Two minutes into it, and Echo already felt like he’d go off like a Roman candle. His balls ached, his dick throbbed inside Vapre’s mouth, and his ass clenched greedily at the fingers sawing in and out of his passage.

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He attacked Fiero’s mouth, licking and biting at his lips before thrusting his tongue inside to pillage and explore. A third finger joined the first two inside his hole, and Echo groaned, the sound muffled against Fiero’s lips. Then the heat surrounding his cock disappeared, replaced by a strong hand that stroked him in sure, quick movements. Easing out of the kiss, Echo glanced down and wished he hadn’t. Vapre worked him with his hand while his head bobbed up and down on Fiero’s hard length. The sight of Fiero’s spit-slicked cock sliding in and out of Vapre’s lush lips sent Echo’s head spinning and his orgasm rushing toward him. “Now,” he pleaded. He didn’t want it to end, but he couldn’t wait any longer. “Oh, thank fuck,” Myst breathed as he settled against Fiero’s back. Echo couldn’t see, but he could picture Myst’s thick shaft pushing into Fiero’s hole, stretching him wide as he invaded the dark depths. “Oh, hell,” he whispered. “Syx, please.” “Shh, baby. I got you,” Syx crooned as he pulled his fingers free of Echo’s tight grip, lined up the bulbous head of his prick with Echo’s entrance, and pushed in slowly. Vapre’s lips surrounded his cock at the same time, and Echo almost came then and there. No way was he going to last more than a few minutes. He only hoped he could hold off long enough for Syx to find his release first. Myst’s fingers dug into Fiero’s hip, his knuckles turning white from the bruising hold as he grunted and groaned, slamming into Fiero’s ass wildly. Fiero groaned, his eyelids drifting closed as he moved with the warrior, giving as good as he received. Vapre’s cheeks hollowed, sucking hard on Echo’s prick as he used his hand to jerk Fiero’s weeping cock. Echo slid his fingers into Vapre’s soft hair, encouraging rather than forcing as each snap of Syx’s hips drove his dick further into the demon’s mouth.

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Long fingers wrapped around the back of Echo’s neck, dragging him forward into a demanding kiss. Echo submitted willingly to his lover, allowing Fiero to control the kiss and take whatever he needed. Syx pulled Echo’s leg up and back, hooking his knee over Syx’s thigh. The position opened him wider, allowing Syx to push deeper, and the next inward glide of his rigid cock nailed Echo’s prostate, causing him to cry out as stars burst behind his closed eyelids. “You love this, don’t you, Echo?” Syx’s words slipped into his mind, taking him by surprise. “Beg for me, baby. Tell me you want me to come in this tight ass. Mmm, love the way your hole just eats up my cock.” Syx drove into Echo forcefully. “Tell me.” “Gods, please! Come in my ass. Make me feel it. Fill me up!” Good grief, he couldn’t even think in complete sentences. His spine tingled, his balls ached, and his stomach clenched as Syx’s naughty words pushed him closer to the edge. “Can’t last.” “Do you want to come? Beg me. Beg me to let you come, baby.” Syx’s fingers slid under Vapre’s chin and fondled Echo’s balls. “Tell me how much you want it.” “Shit!” Echo screamed out loud. “Please!” “Please what? Say it!” Syx punctuated the command with a hard thrust into Echo’s convulsing channel. “Please let me come. I need to come. Damn, damn, damn. I’ll do anything you want.” “Mine,” Syx growled just before his razor-sharp canines pierced the side of Echo’s neck, puncturing the skin easily. Instant pleasure started from the small wound and spread quickly throughout Echo’s entire body. Vapre sucked hard on his cock just as Fiero roared and stringy ropes of cream erupted from his slit to splash over Vapre’s hand, wrist, and even the side of his face. The sight finally threw Echo hurdling over the edge, and his fingers fisted in Vapre’s hair as he screamed out his release, pouring copious amounts of salty cum down Vapre’s throat.

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Myst came next, grunting loudly as he wrapped his arms around Fiero’s torso and buried his face in the man’s neck. Syx groaned as he relinquished his hold on Echo’s neck, and his entire body tensed as fiery wetness coated Echo’s inner walls. Limp and sated, Echo sagged in Syx’s arms with a goofy smile on his face. Through half-lidded eyes, he watched Vapre lick him clean then struggle up to his knees, his hand a mere blur as he stroked his straining cock furiously. “C’mere,” Echo slurred, and pushed up on one elbow. Vapre didn’t even question it. He inched forward, palmed the back of Echo’s head, and pushed inside his willing mouth with a long, low, groan of pleasure. Too exhausted to move, Echo let Vapre set the pace as he clamped his lips around the hard flesh. Vapre pumped twice, three times, then pushed to the back of Echo’s throat as he howled out his release. Echo backed off just enough to catch his mate’s seed on his tongue, letting it pool there before swallowing it down quickly. Mmm, he loved the taste of his men. “Sweet hell,” Vapre panted, pulling out of Echo’s mouth and sitting back on his heels. “I needed that.” The others murmured their agreement, including Echo. Syx’s flaccid cock slipped from his hole, and cum began to dribble down Echo’s crease, which led him to another thought. “How the hell are we supposed to clean up?” **** “You assholes are damn loud,” Pax complained when Syx and his lovers finally emerged from the tent. The sun was fully up, and the two shifters already had coffee brewing over the campfire. “So are they,” Jet mumbled as he jerked his thumb toward Gage and Mac’s tent. “How a person is supposed to sleep through all that damn noise, I don’t know.”

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Syx frowned. Not because he felt embarrassed or guilty about what he’d done with his men, but because he thought Pax and Jet were lovers as well. “So, did you jerk off?” Myst asked with a wicked grin. “Did it get your motor running?” “Oh, I got a nice wake-up blow job,” Jet tossed back, smiling just as mischievously. “Just saying it would have been nice if that blow job had come a couple of hours later.” He leaned over and kissed Pax’s temple. “Thank you.” Pax flushed, but smiled in return. “Anytime, love.” Syx laughed under his breath. Okay, so at least he’d been right about one thing. Not only were the shifters heating up the sheets, they cared about each other. He didn’t know if it was love, and it wasn’t really any of his business, but there was a deep bond there, nonetheless. “So, what are we doing today?” Echo asked around a yawn. “Well, after I get to shrivel my balls off in the fucking stream. I really wish I had thought that through before I ended up with cum dripping down my thighs.” Pax and Jet roared with laughter, falling against each other and hugging their sides. “Why do you think we went with blow jobs?” Jet gasped. “Yeah, well, you didn’t have four horny men to please, either,” Echo countered with an arched eyebrow. Jet continued to laugh, but nodded. “Point taken.” “Well, I have an idea of how to find this cave. I can’t guarantee it will work, but it’s worth a shot.” Everyone sobered immediately and turned to look at Syx. He fought not to fidget under the scrutiny. With Hex gone, and Eyce at home, the leadership fell to him. It wasn’t a role he assumed often, and he hated having everyone waiting for his next command. “So, let’s hear it,” Echo prodded. “What’s the plan?”

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“I’m going to try to look inside Pax’s and Jet’s minds. Even if they don’t remember how to get to the cave, maybe something in their memories will give us a clearer idea of where to begin our search.” Echo beamed at him. “That’s a brilliant idea.” Syx dipped his head in gratitude before addressing the shifters. “Do you think if you shifted that maybe you could scent out the place? I know it’s been a while, and it’s snowed twice since then, but maybe you can pick up something.” Jet and Pax looked at each other then back up to Syx. “Yeah, we can try,” Pax answered slowly. “Just don’t freak, okay?” “You’ve said that before.” Echo stepped in front of Syx and cocked his head to the side. “Why do you keep saying that? I’m mated to a bunch of freakin’ demons. Why would I freak?” “Because we’re not regular wolves,” Jet answered. “We’re really big fucking wolves, and we just don’t want you to be scared of us. We’re completely sentient when we shift, and we would never hurt any of you.” “I never thought you would.” Echo fisted his hands on his hips and chuckled. “You worry too much. Believe me, I’ve seen weirder, and I haven’t cracked yet.” Syx bit his tongue, but he couldn’t help wondering how much longer it would be before Echo finally broke under the strain. The mind could only take so much before it rebelled and shut down completely. Hopefully, they’d find the answers to this mess before that happened to his mate.

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Chapter Eight Echo sighed and shook his head. “I don’t know what to do. It’s been three days, and we still haven’t found anything. We’re trying, but it’s just not working.” “You seek in the wrong places.” “Funny enough, I figured that on my own, thank you.” The Oracle laughed softly. “You misunderstand. You seek in misguided places to discover the answers you want.” She pressed her palm to Echo’s chest, just over his heart. “You are blinded by your jealousy.” “I don’t want him here,” Echo growled. “I will not let Craze just strut in here and take what belongs to me.” “Nor would I expect that of you. He will be valuable, however. His powers are far reaching and in tune with the perils you will face.” “Then why can’t you just bring him here like the others? Why does Hex have to go after him?” Echo fisted his hands on his hips and kicked at the thick grass like a petulant child. “He shouldn’t have left.” “Your lover has many troubles,” the Oracle answered softly. “It is not always easy to be accountable for others. I cannot interfere with free will. I can lead them, but I cannot force them to follow.” She sounded sad as she spoke. Echo didn’t like how it tugged at his heart, so he changed the subject. “What about Syx? We don’t even know what the task is, let alone how to win.”

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“Skill with a shield and sword are not the only useful abilities in battle,” the Oracle answered cryptically. “Syx will prove himself in other ways.” “Great, but we still have no idea what’s coming.” Echo threw his hands up in frustration and began pacing through the flowers. “Why won’t you help us?” He practically screamed the words, and his chest rose and fell rapidly as he struggled to control his anger. “If you have nothing helpful to offer, then just leave us the fuck alone!” The minute the words left his mouth, dark clouds began to swirl in the sky, blotting out the sun and sending the temperatures plummeting. A strong wind whipped his hair around his face, and chill bumps broke out over his bare arms. Crap! When would he learn to keep his stupid mouth shut? The last thing he needed was to piss off the Oracle. Spinning around with an apology on the tip of his tongue, Echo gasped when he found himself surrounded by a ring of fire. As in his other dreams, he stood on the fringes, as though looking through a window to the picture within. The Oracle stood in the center of the circle as always, the warriors gathered around her. There were four missing, though. Syx, Eyce, and Onyx didn’t move closer together, however, making the empty spaces where their loves should have been only more apparent. Only Echo seemed to notice the absence of Hex, Fiero, Myst, and Vapre. He didn’t know what it meant, but it made his gut clench and churn. Lightning sizzled overhead, and thunder cracked loud enough to vibrate Echo’s teeth. There had never been a storm before. There was something very wrong with this dream, and Echo wanted out. The Oracle didn’t tip her head back or hold her arms out wide. She didn’t speak in that strong, robotic monotone. She looked directly at Echo, her eyes flashing with a mystical light as her long hair fanned out around her, making her look like a great and angry sea goddess.

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“Crops will shrivel, and beasts shall scatter their worries,” the Oracle said clearly, precisely. “The sun will fall.” The lightning instantly ceased and it became even darker in the clearing. “And the moon will bleed.” “I get it, okay?” This was creeping him the hell out, and he just wanted to wake up. “Your enemies shall seek out the heart, laying waste to the ones born of the first.” The Oracle paused and tilted her head to the side. “Nurture and protect your sacred bond with your very lives.” She smiled, but it lacked any warmth. “I’m sorry,” Echo whispered, because he didn’t know what else to say. The Oracle dipped her head, and in the next second, they had returned to the warm, summery field with lush green grass and bright blue skies. “You are not protecting your bond,” she said quietly. “Unless you find a way to come together, you will fail.” Echo was still trying to tame his racing pulse while the Oracle looked like nothing more exciting had happened than a little rain. “I don’t know what that means,” he admitted. “Then you must learn. Your lovers’ struggles are your struggles. Find a way, Echo.” A picture flashed inside his mind of Hex arguing with some faceless person. The vein in his forehead looked like it would explode any second. “His mission has proved less fruitful than he had hoped,” the Oracle said softly. “Their struggles are mine,” Echo muttered under his breath, “but not just mine. A way to come together…” His head snapped up, and he narrowed his eyes at the woman standing in front of him. “I know what to do. Send me back.” She smiled kindly and leaned forward to kiss his cheek. “I knew you would, my dear Echo. Show them the way.”

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Echo chuckled and bobbed his head. “Oh, I intend to do more than that. Trust me, they won’t know what hit them.” The Oracle laughed as well and stepped away, clasping her hands together in front of her. “Go and fight for what is rightfully yours.” **** “Now, darlin’, I have t’ say that’s not my problem.” Craze smiled wildly, his arms hanging loosely at his sides, the complete picture of ease. Hex’s head pounded, and his hands clenched into fists and relaxed repeatedly. He could only imagine how many different shades of red his face had turned in the last ten minutes. If he were human, his rising blood pressure would have already caused a stroke. “You selfish, arrogant, egotistical bastard,” he said icily. “You think it’s easy for me to come here and ask for your help?” “I’m guessin’ not. I can appreciate your position, but I’m not seein’ how it’s my problem. I have a nice life here, sugar. Why would I give that up?” “Why do you talk like that?” Craze’s slow southern drawl was grating on Hex’s nerves. It was nothing like the way the man had talked when he’d lived with them. “Spent a lotta time in the south, now haven’ I?” Craze arched his eyebrow and shifted on his feet. “After a few hun’red years, you just pick it up.” “Well, stop it. It’s pissing me off.” “Hex, what do you want from me?” Craze asked, dropping the accent completely. “What do you want me to say?” “I don’t know. You’re the one that’s been calling me! I thought maybe you’d think about someone besides yourself for a change!” “I’ve been calling because I thought we could get reacquainted. Now, I find out you have a mate that you share between the seven of you?” Craze frowned and shook his head. “It should have been me.”

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“So, you’re just going to let innocent people die because you’re jealous?” Craze eyed him for a long time. “You look like shit. Obviously, your mate isn’t taking very good care of you.” He looked over his shoulder and waved a hand toward the sofa. “Take a nap, and we’ll talk when you’re rested. We won’t get anywhere if you just keep shouting at me.” Hex opened his mouth to say something scathing when his cell phone began to vibrate in his pocket. Digging it out, his heart seized in his chest when he saw Myst’s name on the display screen. Fuck! Something was wrong. He knew he shouldn’t have left. Oh, gods, he would never forgive himself. With shaky fingers he flipped open the phone and pressed it to his ear. “Myst? What’s wrong?” “Hey, boss man,” Myst greeted jovially. “How you feeling?” “I’ve been better,” Hex answered in confusion. “What’s going on?” “Well, we’re on our way there, but we need to know where there is.” Hex growled and squeezed the phone so hard he actually heard the plastic creak. “You are not coming here.” There was some mumbling on the other end of the line before Fiero spoke into the phone. “Get your head out of your ass and shut up. Echo said to head south, but that’s as much as we know. Now, either tell us where you are, or we’ll find you the hard way. The hard way means it’ll take longer, and we don’t exactly have time to spare.” Craze looked like someone had told him Christmas was coming early. “Quitman, just west of Valdosta,” he called loudly. “I still hate the fuck,” Fiero grumbled. “We’ll be there in two days. Later, man.” Then the line went dead. Hex roared and only barely refrained from launching his cell phone across the room. He pointed a finger in Craze’s face and snarled. “I’ll be back tomorrow. Don’t fucking leave.”

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Craze smiled innocently. “Wouldn’ dream of it, sugar.” **** “You did what?” Syx closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose as though it would help the anger flaring inside him. He honestly couldn’t remember a time he’d ever been angry with Echo, but apparently, there was a first time for everything. “I sent Fiero, Myst, and Vapre to help Hex,” Echo repeated clearly. “I heard you.” Syx growled and kept his back to Echo. “Why the hell would you do something like that?” “Because he needs their help.” Echo spoke as if Syx was slow and dim-witted. “Why are you so mad?” “Oh, I don’t know.” Syx finally turned and crossed his arms over his chest as he surveyed his mate. “Maybe because Hex didn’t want anyone to go with him. Because you sent them off without even consulting me about it. Because Hex can take care of himself while we need all the fucking help we can get here!” Echo crossed his arms as well, mirroring Syx’s stance. “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize that I needed to ask permission. I had a little conversation with the Oracle, and she made me realize a few things. The most important thing being that we don’t have just a whole lot of freakin’ time. I did what I thought was right.” Get over it, his tone implied. “You spoke with the Oracle? Were you even going to tell me?” “When was I supposed to do that exactly? You come storming through the trees, yelling like a maniac about the damn car being missing. Then you flip out when I tell you why. During what part of your little meltdown was I supposed to mention the Oracle?” Echo had him there, so Syx changed tactics. “What happens if there’s an emergency? How the hell are we supposed to get out of here without a car?”

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“Eyce is bringing Gage’s pickup. He’s going to leave it where we first made camp, and Onyx will follow to take him back.” Syx blinked at him stupidly. “Do you want to run that by me again? Not only did you send Fiero, Vapre, and Myst off to Georgia, you’re bringing Eyce out here?” “Well, you just said that we need a ve—” Echo cut off midsentence, and his eyes narrowed dangerously. “How did you know Craze was in Georgia?” Syx opened his mouth, but no words came out. “We didn’t know where he was, or where Hex had gone. How did you know, Syx?” A dozen different lies flittered through his brain, but in the end, he just couldn’t bring himself to speak them. With a heavy sigh, he let his arms drop to his sides and dropped his head to rest his chin against his chest. “I looked him up before we left.” “Why?” Syx shrugged. He didn’t have a good answer for that. The reminder of their old flame ate away at his curiosity until he’d snuck into the office and did a quick search on Jacob Craven, the name Craze had always used with humans. “Why?” Echo repeatedly icily. Syx still didn’t answer. “Do you still love him?” “I never loved him,” Syx spat. The sincerity in his words must have shown, because Echo seemed to deflate a little. Well, at least he didn’t look like he wanted to claw Syx’s eyes out anymore. Syx sighed and pushed a hand through his sandy blond hair. “I don’t know what to tell you, babe. I’d like to say that I did it to get an idea of how long it would take him to get here. The truth is, I just wondered where he’d ended up.” They stared at each other for a long time, neither saying a word. Eventually, Echo’s shoulders slumped, and he made a noise halfway between a growl and a groan. Syx bit his tongue to keep from smiling.

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He should probably feel bad, but it amused him to no end that Echo could never stay mad at any of them. “Okay, I want to hear the whole story about Craze—how you met, why you let him stick around for so long if you didn’t want him, and everything about him leaving.” He glared at Syx, making it obvious there would be no getting out of the conversation. “Right now, we have more important things to do, though. It’s been three days, and we still can’t find the cave. You’ve looked into Pax’s and Jet’s minds, and it didn’t work. It’s time for them to shift.” “You’re right.” At that point, Echo could have said the sky was green, and Syx would have agreed just to stay in his mate’s good graces. “We’ll talk to them as soon as they’re back.” “Back? Where did they go?” Syx started laughing. “Shriveling their balls off in the stream.” Echo considered this for a minute then began laughing as well. “Cum dripping down their thighs?” he managed to gasp out. Syx couldn’t speak, but he nodded his head enthusiastically. “Oh, that’s priceless. Dirty little hypocrites, I hope their dicks turn blue.” “Well, have no fear, our peckers are still intact, though not so impressive in size for the experience,” Jet called cheerily as he emerged from the tree line. Pax followed right behind him, looking a lot less happy than his companion. Jet and Echo snickered as they high-fived and teased Pax mercilessly. The poor guy looked like his entire face would go up in flames. “Okay, you two, knock it off and leave the man alone.” Syx rolled his eyes and huffed when his mate and Jet simply ignored him. Stepping closer to Pax, Syx bent so he could whisper in the shifter’s ear. “Maybe they need a little bite in the ass to teach them some manners.” Pax looked confused for a minute before his expression cleared and his eyes lit up. He bobbed his head a few times and began

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stripping out of his clothes. Echo and Jet were too wrapped up in their self-amusement to even notice. They certainly took notice when Pax shifted and began to growl at them, though. Jet groaned and closed his eyes, while Echo yelped and fell on his ass in his hurry to back away from the massive beast. Echo stared up at the wolf in shock, his mouth hanging open like a guppy. Syx started laughing as he scratched behind Pax’s ear. It was good for his mate to learn a little respect. Pax let out several huffing noises that sounded suspiciously like laughter. Syx couldn’t blame him. Echo pointed up to Pax, shaking his head back and forth. “That is not a wolf. It’s a fucking bear with a tail.” “I did tell you we were big,” Jet mumbled. Big didn’t begin to describe it. Echo wasn’t far off in his assessment. On all fours, Pax’s shoulders rose even with Syx’s chest, his furry body packed with muscle that made him look like a bodybuilder on steroids. “We’re double-muscled in our wolf form,” Jet explained, interpreting Syx’s inquiring look. “The lab never could figure out why, especially since we’re not in human form.” The mention of the lab Echo and his friends had escaped from made Syx’s blood run cold. Things had been quiet for a few weeks now, but he didn’t believe they’d seen the last of the men from the establishment. The only question was when they’d make their next appearance.

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Chapter Nine “Why do I feel like we’ve been walking in circles for days?” Echo plopped down on a fallen log and started unlacing his boots. His feet hurt, his muscles ached, and his fingers were frozen to the bone. He didn’t know how much longer he could keep this up. “I think we have been walking in circles,” Syx answered as he scanned their surroundings. “I swear we’ve been through here at least twice. Something isn’t right.” “You can say that again,” Echo mumbled under his breath. “No, I mean something is preventing us from finding the cave. Well, that’s what it feels like anyway.” Echo stopped in the middle of pulling his boot off and snapped his head up to meet Syx’s gaze. A wide grin spread over his face, and he immediately shoved his foot back into his shoe and began re-tying it. “That means we’re close.” “I was thinking the same thing.” Syx whistled. “Pax! Jet!” Echo rolled his eyes as he pushed to his feet. “You know they’re not really dogs, right?” Syx shrugged innocently. “It seemed the best way to get their attention. See? Here they come now.” The two enormous silver wolves trotted around the trees and padded up beside them. Gage and Mac followed at a more leisurely pace, Gage actually carrying Mac on his back. They both looked utterly exhausted, and Echo’s heart went out to them. They’d been roaming around—apparently in circles—for five days since the others left. They were low on rations. They were all sleep-deprived, and tempers were running hotter than ever. To say

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morale was low was a definite understatement. They needed good news, and they needed it in a hurry. “We think the entrance to the cave is around here somewhere,” Syx said as soon as Gage stepped up beside them and lowered Mac to his feet. “We also think there is something keeping us moving right past it so that we continue to walk in circles. We need to find it.” He stepped up to one of the wolves—Echo couldn’t tell them apart in their animal form—and placed his hands on either side of the beast’s muzzle. “Jet,” he said as though confirming. “I’m going to look inside your head again, and see if anything is recognizable. I know you said you woke up in the cave, but you had to have come out of it when you began searching for us.” Jet dipped his massive head in understanding. “Good.” Syx turned to Echo. “I don’t know how much you can help with my powers, but I’d be grateful if you could give it a shot.” Echo’s heart swelled at being asked for help. Very rarely did his men admit they couldn’t take care of something on their own. He liked feeling needed and, more importantly, appreciated. Standing beside Syx, Echo took one of his lover’s hands, and placed the fingertips from his other against Jet’s temple. Dropping his shields, he let Syx’s power flow into him, cycle through his body, then pushed it back at his lover with a little extra of his own power. Syx groaned, but he didn’t tremble or puke, so Echo kept going. Jet began to whimper softly, fidgeting back and forth on his massive paws, but he didn’t move away from them. Images started to flicker through Echo’s mind, too fast for him to catch onto one. Pulling back his power a little, he worked to slow down the depictions and organize them. It wasn’t an easy task, though, and he eventually gave up on trying to keep the connection between him and Syx. Releasing his lover’s hand, he focused on his own ability, flipping through Jet’s memories, looking for anything that could help them locate the cave.

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There was snow on the ground when they emerged from the cave. The wind howled around them, piercing their naked skin like tiny pinpricks. Jet shivered violently and wrapped an arm around Pax’s waist. Sage walked close to them, the picture of complete ease. Jet wished they’d never found the man. He was batshit crazy. Everything about him gave Jet the creeps. And if the asshole hurt Pax again, Jet was going to rip his balls off with his bare hands. Echo skipped along, fast-forwarding through Jet’s hatred of Sage. Not that he could blame the man, but it wasn’t helpful just then. Unfortunately, there was quite a bit of leftover animosity, and it took Echo several minutes to sort through it before he found what he was looking for. The moon was high in the sky, illuminating the snow so that the clearing seemed to glow. The trees swayed in the wind, almost bending in half as they creaked and groaned under the strain on Mother Nature’s force. Then a loud crack like a gunshot ripped through the night air, and Jet screamed as he grabbed Pax’s hand and dragged him away from the mouth of the cave. The tree seemed to fall forever before it finally hit the ground, throwing up plumes of white snow around them. The branches missed Jet by only inches, and he felt guilty for hoping Sage hadn’t been as lucky. Looking over his shoulder, he could no longer see the entrance to the cave, but Sage stood on the other side of the clearing, smiling at them wickedly, his teeth gleaming in the beams of moonlight. “Got it,” Echo announced as he opened his eyes and took a step back. “There’s a tree blocking the entrance,” Syx said for Gage, Mac, and Pax’s benefit. “We’ve passed a fallen tree haven’t we?” “We’ve passed a million of them,” Mac grumbled, exaggerating more than a little.

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“There’s one that looks like it fell pretty recently,” Gage answered. “We passed it about a quarter of a mile back that way.” He jerked a thumb over his shoulder toward the east. “It looks like it’s lying against some boulders.” “That’s it!” Echo beamed and let out a whoop of victory. “Lead the way!” Mac grumbled and groaned some more, but Gage just kissed his forehead and lifted him up in his arms. Mac scrambled around until he clung to Gage’s back and let out an unhappy sigh. “I’m so done.” “I know, baby,” Gage coaxed. “Just a little further, okay?” Mac kissed the side of his lover’s neck and nuzzled against him. “Okay, big guy, let’s go.” Echo took Syx’s hand and tugged to get his warrior moving. “This is great. We’re finally getting somewhere!” Syx smiled at him indulgently and nodded. The smile didn’t quite reach his eyes, though, and some of Echo’s enthusiasm faded. “What’s wrong? Do you think it’s another dead end?” “No, baby. I think Gage is right, and I believe we’ll find the cave. It’s what comes next that worries me. Promise me you’ll be careful.” “I’m always careful,” Echo said indignantly. What the hell did the man think he was going to do? Run into the cave, strip naked, and spread himself out like a sacrificial lamb? “I’ll stay one step behind you. How does that sound?” “Like you’re being a patronizing little shit, but I’ll accept it.” Syx gave him a real smile and dropped a kiss on the top of his head. “How are you feeling, Echo? You look tired.” “I’m exhausted,” Echo answered honestly. “I’m excited about finding the cave, but part of me just wants to curl up in a ball and sleep for the next week.” “Do you need me to carry you?” Echo craned his neck to look up at his mate and gave him an arched look. “Seriously?”

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Syx chuckled and shook his head. “So damn stubborn. It doesn’t make you weak.” “Yeah, uh-huh, I’ll just walk, thank you.” It wasn’t that he didn’t enjoy being carried and pampered, but as long as his own legs worked just fine, he didn’t see a need for Syx to wear himself out as well. The man already carried his pack and Echo’s. No matter what Syx thought, he wasn’t a machine. “Let me know if you change your mind.” Syx looked ahead, eyeing Gage and Mac for a long moment before glancing away. “Oh, love. It doesn’t make Gage a better mate just because he’s carrying Mac. I promise, if I get too tired, I’ll let you know. You are a wonderful mate and a damn fine man. Don’t overthink it.” His response seemed to appease his big demon, because Syx nodded slowly, and a gorgeous smile spread over his face. “Sorry, sweetheart. Sometimes, I just feel like I don’t do enough for you.” “You do more than enough for everyone. I love you.” Syx’s smile turned to a sappy grin. “Yeah. Love you, too.” **** “This is fucking ridiculous,” Fiero growled. “Why can’t we just tie the idiot up and shove him in the trunk?” “We don’t have a trunk.” Hex snorted and shoved Myst. “I don’t think he meant literally.” Looking around the group, he felt his chest swell and his heart flop over in his chest. He’d tried so hard to keep them all away, but seeing them there, presenting a united front, he couldn’t even remember why. He needed them, plain and simple. “Missed you guys.” “Aww, shucks.” Myst bumped Hex’s shoulder with his own and dipped his head like a shy little boy. Hex shoved his lover again and laughed. “Yeah, I was a dick, and I’m sorry.” It didn’t rankle him nearly as much as he thought it would to admit he’d been wrong. He’d thought his dreams about the Oracle

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meant he had to undertake the venture solo, but looking back on it, he realized he’d been misinterpreting the meaning. His dreams hadn’t meant for him to shut out his men in his need to protect them. They’d been a warning that he would fail without them. How he’d been so stupid not to understand that, he didn’t know. His need to keep his lovers safe just overrode his good sense sometimes. “I think Echo’s right,” Vapre murmured as he closed his eyes and turned his face up to the sun. “We definitely need to relocate to someplace warmer.” They all stood in a loose circle on Craze’s back lawn, soaking up the warm rays of the sun. The breeze held a bit of a chill, but it was calm and gentle. The temperatures hovered in the midsixties, such a contrast from the frigid northern temperatures they’d come from. “We’ll discuss it after the autumnal equinox. How’s that?” Vapre dropped his head to look at Hex and smiled. “I knew there was a reason I liked you.” Hex winced internally. “I guess that’s as good of a reason as any. I know I haven’t given you too many in the last couple of weeks.” “Oh, stop it,” Fiero demanded. “This self-pity crap does not look good on you. We understand that you did what you felt was right. Now you’ve pulled your head out of your ass, and we can move on.” He crossed his arms over his chest and smirked. “Okay, fine, but we can’t just kidnap Craze and force him to come with us.” Hex rubbed the back of his neck and groaned. “Why the hell not?” Myst wanted to know. “For a few different reasons, the main one being because he’s not liable to help us if he doesn’t come of his own free will.” “So, what do we do?” Vapre looked over his shoulder toward the back door as he spoke. “The only thing he says he’s willing to accept is for us to take him back. That’s not going to fucking happen. I’m liking Fiero’s plan better and better.”

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“I’ll get the rope.” Myst actually started to turn, but Hex caught him around the elbow and jerked him back. “We’re not tying anyone up…yet. We’ll save it as a last resort.” “Well, as long as there’s the possibility that I might get to rough him up a little, I guess I can be patient.” Myst wrinkled his nose and stuck his bottom lip out. How the man could look sexy with the childish pout on his face boggled Hex’s mind. “So, tell me what’s going on back home. Did you find anything before you left?” “No.” Vapre sighed and shook his head. “What about Echo? How’s he holding up?” Guilt tore at his heart as he remembered his mate’s cries for him as he’d driven away into the night. “He’s better,” Fiero replied. “He’s not exactly in harmony with nature, but he’s being a trooper. Took him a couple of days to get over you leaving, but when he woke us up and told us to get our asses in gear, he seemed pretty fired up. I’m hoping that’s a good thing and he has a plan.” “Let’s hope so,” Hex agreed. “Okay, so what do we do about Craze? Does anyone have any ideas?” Gods, it felt so good to have help. He knew he could always count on his men to put their heads together and come up with an idea. “Well, I’m not willing to even let him think we’re taking his sorry ass back,” Vapre said adamantly. “That’s done and over, and I would never betray Echo like that—even as trickery.” Hex inclined his head in respect. “I agree. So, what can we use to get him to Montana?” A tingle raced up Hex’s spine, and he noticed his men shiver as well, but it was too warm for the tremor to be caused by the temperature. “Something’s wrong,” Vapre whispered at the same time Myst said, “Echo’s in trouble.” ****

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“Everyone out!” Syx yelled as he grabbed Echo’s hand and dragged him toward the cave’s exit. The rumble inside the cavern was deafening as rocks slid and fell, tumbling over each other as they catapulted toward the ground. It had taken them nearly an hour to maneuver their way around the tree to find the opening. Now, ten minutes inside the cave, and things were going to hell in a hurry. Pax and Jet refused to enter the cave, so Syx knew they were safe. Gage stopped just as he reached the outside and spun around with a stricken look on his face. Syx could read in the man’s thoughts that Gage had assumed Mac was right behind him. Now, he was panicked. Not nearly as terrified as Syx, though. The rocks were falling faster, tumbling down over the entrance and blocking out the sunlight. Mac sprinted as fast as he could, but Syx knew he would never make it. None of them would. He had one last view of Gage roaring as he jumped out of the way from a particularly large boulder, then everything went dark and quiet. Stumbling to a stop, Syx kept a firm hold on Echo’s hand, squeezing it reassuringly. Honestly, he wasn’t sure which one of them he was trying to comfort, though. “Gage!” Mac screamed from somewhere in front of them. “Mac!” Gage’s voice sounded muffled and distant, but at least they could hear him. Hopefully, that meant the stone barrier blocking them from the outside wasn’t too thick. “I’m going to get you out!” “Please hurry,” Mac sobbed. A few minutes later, Syx’s eyes began to adjust to the darkness, and he saw pin-thin rays of light peeking through the jumble of rocks. He could also pick out Mac’s small frame standing just a few feet in front of them. It was too dark to pick out any definitive details, but Syx swore the man was trembling. Echo held a death grip on Syx’s hand as he pressed closer to his side. Echo was definitely shaking, so hard, in fact, it sent faint tremors

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through Syx. “Shh, baby. Gage will get us out of here. I need you to be brave, okay?” “I don’t like the dark,” Echo answered in a quiet, quavering voice. “I really don’t like the dark.” “I know, sweetheart. We’ll be out of here before you know it. Just hold on to my hand and take deep breaths.” “The rocks won’t budge!” Gage screamed in frustration. “I’m going to get the truck. It’s at least a day’s hike. Mac, I need you to stay calm, baby. I’m going to get you out, but I have to leave you for a little while.” “No! Don’t leave!” Mac began to sob all over again. “He’s leaving?” Echo whispered. Syx curled his arm around Echo’s shoulder and held him tightly. “It’s a good plan, baby. He’ll be back before you know it.” “Mac, I’m just going to get the truck. Syx is going to take care of you, okay? Jet and Pax won’t leave this spot.” “We’ll stay right here,” Jet confirmed, and Syx wondered when he’d shifted back. “Syx?” Gage called. “I’ll take care of him,” Syx answered, his voice reverberating off the rock walls. “Mac, do what Syx says. I’ll be back for you.” “Gage?” “Yes, Mac?” “The full moon is tomorrow night.”

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Chapter Ten Gage didn’t come back. For twenty-four hours, Echo hoped and prayed the man would make it before the full moon rose, but his pleas had been in vain. He hated the dank darkness of the cave during the day, but nighttime was worse. Though a few straggling rays of moonlight peeked in through the rocks, it wasn’t enough to dispel the suffocating blackness. His heart hammered inside his chest and his palms would get damp and clammy. Shudders would wrack his body until he felt he’d completely fall apart into a million little pieces. Syx did his best to comfort him, but all Echo could think about was the isolation capsule he’d been forced to endure in the lab. At least here he could hear noises, could see faint shadows and silhouettes. Still, he hated it. “He didn’t come back,” Mac whispered from Syx’s other side. It was the first thing he’d said since Gage had left for the pickup. “It’s the full moon,” Syx tried to reason, but his voice sounded strained. “He’ll be himself tomorrow, and I’m sure he’ll be here by midday.” Echo shifted, trying to find a more comfortable position so that the rocks from the cave wall didn’t press into his spine. Finally giving up, he stretched out on the dirt floor and rested his head in Syx’s lap. Syx stroked his hair, humming a soft tune, and Echo felt so exhausted he actually began to drift off to sleep. Then Mac began to sob. The sounds made Echo’s heart hurt, but he had no idea how to comfort his friend. He knew he’d be just as much of a blubbering mess if he didn’t have Syx with him.

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It took only minutes for the broken cries to turn to full-blown screams. The more hysterical his wails became, the more Echo retreated into himself. It made him feel like a complete heel, but he had to maintain his sanity somehow. Syx gently eased Echo into a sitting position and turned to face Mac. “Mac, I’m really sorry about this, but maybe you’ll thank me later.” The cries cut off instantly, and Echo saw Mac’s outline slump against Syx’s chest. Syx stood and picked Mac up, carrying him over to the blocked entrance, and gently placed him on the ground. “He’ll be more comfortable if he wakes up and can see even a little light,” Syx explained as he eased back down beside Echo. “How you holding up, baby?” “I don’t like it here, but I guess I’m doing better than Mac.” “Does talking help?” “A little,” Echo admitted. It was a distraction at least. “Then what would you like to talk about?” Echo thought it over for a minute then took a deep breath to steady his courage. “Can you tell me about Craze now?” Syx didn’t answer for a minute, and Echo thought he’d refuse. Instead, Syx gathered Echo into his lap and wrapped his arms around him, holding him securely against his chest. His long fingers combed through Echo’s hair, and he peppered little kisses over the top of his head. Echo snuggled closer, nuzzling his face into the warmth of Syx’s neck. “Will you please tell me?” “We’d finally set up residence in a little village just outside of Cairo,” Syx began. “As in Egypt?” Echo asked softly. “The same one. Now, do you want to hear this story or not?” Echo nodded. “Sorry. No more interruptions.” “I guess we’d been out of Tartarus for five or six years, still looking over our shoulders and waiting for Hades or one of his minions to show up and drag us back. We stayed to ourselves mostly,

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and people were afraid of us. Men weren’t big in general back then, so you can imagine how we must have looked to the people of the village.” Nodding again, Echo bit his lip to keep from commenting. “We met Craze in the market one day. Well, we saved his ass to be more to the point. At least we thought we had at the time. He’d been caught stealing, and two of the guards were beating him into the ground. We didn’t know what he was then, so of course we jumped in to help.” “If he’s as powerful as you say, why didn’t he fight back?” “I’ve wondered about that a lot. I thought at first that he didn’t want to show himself for what he was. Over the years, I’ve begun to think that he planned the entire thing. He’s a conniving little asshole, and I wouldn’t put it past him. He confessed a few years later that he’d been watching us from a distance.” “So, you think he staged the whole thing so that you’d rescue him and take him home with you?” “Yes, I think so.” Syx sighed and rubbed his cheek against the top of Echo’s head. “We didn’t become lovers right away, but the longer he stayed, well, one thing led to another, and there you have it.” “When did you realize he was just using you?” “Craze didn’t start bringing other men and women home until probably around a century later. The only excuse he gave was that it was only sex. I can’t speak for everyone, but I knew I loved my men. I couldn’t tell them how I felt, but it was there. We were in a committed, monogamous relationship as far as I was concerned.” “Then why did you let it go on for so long?” “By that time, we’d stopped inviting him to our beds. He was nothing more than a houseguest and whom he chose to bring home didn’t concern us. Craze left a few times, even. Sometimes for no more than a week, sometimes for as long as a decade, but he’d always come back.” “Why did you keep letting him come back?”

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“It was easier than arguing with him. Besides, we were all different, outcasts. It seemed wrong to shun him when everyone else already did.” Echo could understand that. Plus, his men had such big hearts, whether they wanted to admit it or not. “What happened to make you finally kick him out for good?” “The last time he returned, he’d been back for maybe a week when it started all over again. Strange men and women were parading naked through the house, eating our food, and basically overrunning the place.” Syx sighed, his chest moving beneath Echo’s body. “Craze and two of the men that he’d brought home one night tried to force Myst into a foursome.” Echo gasped and his eyes actually filled with tears. “What happened?” he asked thickly. “Apparently, they didn’t know who they were dealing with.” Syx chuckled, and it eased some of the tightness in Echo’s chest. “Myst froze all three of their asses, and we escorted them from the premises.” “That sounds like a nice way of saying you kicked them out on their ears.” “Yes, well, it was less than they deserved.” Syx paused for a moment before he continued with the story. “Craze came back once more after that, but Hex wouldn’t even let him in the door. Craze threw a fit of epic proportions, and it ended with Fiero lighting his ass on fire. He left pretty quickly after that, and as far as I know, we haven’t heard from him since.” “Until he started calling Hex,” Echo said quietly. “Don’t read too much into it.” Syx cradled the back of Echo’s head and began rocking them from side to side. “I have a feeling that Craze might have been prodded into making that first phone call.” “The Oracle?” “If she believes we need him, then yes. Little suggestions can grow into powerful ideas.”

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They sat in silence for a long time, Syx continuing to rock them, and eventually Echo’s eyes drifted closed, and he fell into a surprisingly peaceful sleep. **** Syx didn’t sleep that night. He stayed awake, rocking his mate until the thin strips of light spilling into the cave began to brighten marginally. He had a bad feeling about what the day would bring. “Syx?” Jet called from the outside. “I’m here,” he called, wincing when Echo bolted upright in his arms. “Sorry, baby. It’s Jet.” “Did he find Gage?” In answer, Jet began speaking again. “We trailed Gage about three miles north of here before we lost his scent. I’m sorry, man, but we can’t find him.” “I’m sure he’ll return now that’s it morning,” Syx called back. “Uh, Syx,” Pax said. “Man, it’s almost two o’clock in the afternoon.” Syx closed his eyes and groaned. He’d known it was going to be a bad day. He didn’t relish trying to explain to Mac that his lover was missing. The little guy expected his mate to return, though. There was no way he wouldn’t notice Gage’s continued absence. Trying to decide the best course of action, Syx slid Echo out of his lap, stood, and began pacing. “Okay, guys, are you listening?” “Yeah,” Jet answered. “Tell us what you want us to do, and we’re all over it like white on rice.” Syx smiled a little at the shifter’s eagerness to help. “My cell phone is in my pack. Do you have it?” “Yep, it survived,” Pax said. There was a short pause before he confirmed that he’d found Syx’s cell phone. “Man, your battery’s dead, though.”

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Of course it was. There was no way that things could be easy. “Do either of you know how to drive?” “We’ll figure it out,” Jet answered. Syx debated for a moment, but really, what other choice did he have? “Okay, just be careful. Get the truck and take the main road west. There’s a service station on the left about ten miles down the road. Call Eyce and tell him what happened. He’ll know what to do.” “We’re on it,” Jet promised. “We’ll be back as soon as we can.” “Where are they going?” Mac asked in a quiet voice as he pushed up from the dirt into a sitting position. “Why isn’t Gage back?” Echo jumped up and hurried over to kneel beside his friend. “Gage probably had a rough night, Mac. You know how tired it makes him to shift, and it was worse because he didn’t have you or Sony. Plus, I bet he was going out of his mind with worry about you two.” Mac nodded slowly. “I guess that’s true.” “He probably passed out when the sun came up. He’ll be awake any time now, and I’m sure he’ll be here just as soon as he can.” Syx beamed with pride for his mate. Echo had handled the situation much better than he would have. Mac was calm for the moment, and hopefully would remain so until Jet returned with news from Eyce. Now they just had to find something to occupy their time for the next few hours. Syx could think of a few things he’d like to do with his mate to distract him for a little while. Unfortunately, his ideas were not only unfair to Mac, but Syx highly doubted Echo would be agreeable to sucking him off in front of an audience. “Instead of sitting here and playing the damsels in distress, how about we search the cave and try to find another way out,” Echo suggested. Syx almost opened his mouth to say that he’d done just that the first night while Echo and Mac were sleeping, but if it would give

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them something to do to take their mind of their problems, then he’d go along quietly. “I think that’s a great idea,” he said. “It’s pretty dark further into the cave, but that’s actually to our advantage. We’ll be able to see any kind of sunlight coming in, and maybe that will lead us to a way out.” “Come on, Mac,” Echo said firmly. He rose to his feet, pulling Mac up with him, and turned to face Syx. “Lead the way, but don’t get too far ahead.” Syx knew Echo was only doing this for Mac. His thoughts were screaming that he didn’t want to venture away from their limited light source. His courage and conviction to help his friend only made Syx love him more. “Hold my hand, and Mac, you hold Echo’s. We’ll all stick together so we don’t get lost or separated.” “I hope Eyce gets here soon,” Echo pushed into his head. “Everything will be fine,” Syx answered with more calm than he felt. Now, he just had to figure out a way to keep that promise. The temperature dropped the further into the cave they trekked, but it felt different. Syx had experienced it the first night, but he’d shrugged it off as nerves. Now, however, he didn’t think it had been his imagination. “Something isn’t right,” Echo whispered. “It’s cold, but it’s almost like it’s alive. Does that make sense?” It did. The coldness came in patches, as though something was hovering over them, moving away and then returning. Syx kept one hand against the curving wall of the cave, feeling his way along as he pulled Echo and Mac behind him. “This was a bad idea,” Mac said in a hushed tone. “There’s no way out. We need to turn around.” Syx was about to agree when his hand encountered something he hadn’t noticed in his previous venture into the depths of the cavern. The walls seemed to narrow, arching up above them like a doorway.

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Syx followed the path with his hand, smoothing his palm over the stone as it evened out, became less bumpy. “There’s something here,” he mumbled. Mac screamed, barreling into them with such force that Syx toppled to the ground, ending up with both men piled on top of him. “Mac!” he chastised. “Calm down!” “We have to go! We have to go right fucking now!” But it was too late. Before he’d even finished yelling the words, there was the sound of rocks scraping together, and a huge boulder slid in front of the makeshift doorway. Echo trembled, and he began to hyperventilate. “We’re trapped.” **** “Can we tie him up now?” Myst demanded. “Man, something is really wrong with Echo. I don’t know how I’m feeling it, but it’s like I want to crawl out of my damn skin. I don’t know what happened, and Eyce said he hasn’t heard a word from any of them since he dropped off the truck. I don’t like this.” Hex could feel it too, and it worried him a lot more than he let on. They’d never felt Echo’s emotions before, so he could only assume it meant big trouble for their little mate. He knew Syx would keep Echo safe, but if something had happened to Syx as well… “Get on the phone and call Eyce. Tell him and Onyx to get their asses out there. Syn and Jinx are just going to have to look after themselves for now.” “On it,” Vapre replied and immediately dug in his pocket for his cell phone. “Fiero, you get the rope,” Hex ordered next. He was tired of bending over backward to try to get Craze to come with them. It was time for a more forceful hand. Myst rubbed his hands together eagerly as Fiero jogged across the living room and out the front door. “Now we’re talking. Though, I

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still don’t know how we’re going to shove him in the trunk when we don’t have one.” Hex rolled his eyes and smacked Myst in the back of the head. “Would you focus? I need you to go subdue the jerkwad.” “Aye, aye, Captain.” Myst gave him a sarcastic salute and sauntered toward the kitchen where Craze was busy preparing dinner. “Hey, Myst, how’s it going?” Craze asked in a friendly tone. “I hope you’re hungry. I’m making—hey! What the hell are you do—” Then the only sound was Myst’s laughter. “Hey, boss man, I’m getting pretty good at this!” he yelled. “I actually got his mouth closed when I froze him.” Myst’s excitement was contagious, and Hex found himself laughing along. “Well, let’s hope you froze his bones. Drag his ass in here. We gotta get on the road.” There was a loud thud, and Myst backed into the room, pulling Craze along by his feet. Hex rolled his eyes and snorted. “I didn’t mean to literally drag him.” “Yeah, well, he weighs a freakin’ ton. How else was I supposed to get him in here?” Fiero stepped in through the front door, holding up the long cord of rope. “This is fun. We should definitely do this more often.” He and Myst set to work binding Craze while Vapre came back into the room, stuffing his phone back into his pocket. “Eyce and Onyx are on their way, along with Sony. They should be there in a couple of hours.” “Okay, load up and let’s move. If we all take shifts and drive straight through, plus the time difference, we can be there by late tomorrow night.” Myst and Fiero hoisted Craze into the air and carried him through the front door, accidently on purpose banging his head into the doorframe a few times. “Oops,” Fiero said around his snicker. “Sorry about that, dude.”

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“I still say it would be better if we had a trunk. I mean isn’t that what real kidnappers do? Maybe we should find another car so we’re authentic.” Hex growled. “Myst, would you knock it off? Just let it go, man.” “I’m just saying,” Myst mumbled as he popped open the hatchback, and he and Fiero tossed Craze inside none too gently. “The backity-back is great and all, but a trunk would be perfect.” Vapre and Fiero reached out at the same time to cuff him in the back of the head. “Stop being a dipshit and get in the fucking car.” Fiero gave Myst a shove in the shoulder to get him going. “I’ll take the first driving shift.” Hex slid into the passenger seat and slapped the dashboard with his palm. “Drive like hell, man.” Fiero smirked as he started up the engine. “You came to the right place.” Throwing the SUV into reverse, he zoomed out of the driveway and threw the transmission into drive, peeling out as he floored the accelerator. “Hold on to your asses, ladies.”

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Chapter Eleven “It was a trap,” Syx said in disgust with himself. The entire thing had been perfectly designed and executed to trap him inside the depths of the cave. “A fucking trap, and I walked right into it.” “You couldn’t have known,” Echo whispered. “How long will Mac be out?” “For a while.” Three minutes after the boulder had slid into place, Mac had completely wigged, and Syx had been forced to put him to sleep. “Ares did this, didn’t he?” Syx sighed and pulled Echo closer to him. “I don’t know for sure, but I think so. If he could trap me inside this cave so that I can’t complete my test, then he’s free to take you per your agreement.” “Then why did the Oracle send us here?” Echo’s small frame trembled as he rested his head over Syx’s heart. “Why would she allow this to happen?” “The Oracle never specifically said that we needed to find this cave. I think we misinterpreted her meaning…again. I don’t know why she wouldn’t have warned us once we got here, though.” “She said something to me about free will and a test of endurance. Maybe this is preparing us for the task.” Syx kissed the top of his mate’s head and snuggled him closer. “You’re being very rational right now. I’m so proud of you, baby.” “Don’t be,” Echo whispered. “I’m about three seconds away from needing a padded room. I hate the dark, and it’s so quiet in here. It reminds me of the sensory deprivation capsule at the lab.”

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“I should have never let you follow me into the cave in the first place.” Syx felt like the world’s biggest jackass. A fine job he’d done protecting his mate. They were stuck inside a cold, damp cave with no light, no food or water, and no way out. There had been hope after the rockslide, but now, Syx didn’t know if even Onyx or Myst could move a stone of that size. He had no doubt that the warriors would come for them, but would they find them this far into the cavern? Would they be able to hear them through the massive rock blocking their escape? “I’m sorry I got us into this,” he mumbled into Echo’s hair. “I’m so damn sorry, sweetheart.” “Stop,” Echo begged. “I need you to be strong right now. I’m losing my mind, and I just don’t have it in me to be brave anymore.” “Close your eyes and sleep, Echo. Jet and Pax will bring help soon. I’ll wake you when they get here.” “You sleep, too.” Echo rubbed circles over Syx’s belly. “I know you haven’t been sleeping. You’re exhausted, love. Just a small nap, and maybe things will be clearer when we wake up.” “Is it getting warmer in here?” Syx wiped at back of his neck, frowning when his palm came away sweaty. It was definitely getting hotter. The warmth washed over him, relaxing his muscles and making his eyelids droop. Some part of his subconscious screamed at him to fight against sleep. Echo yawned hugely and cuddled closer to his side. “Just a little nap,” he mumbled. Syx struggled for a few more minutes, but three days without sleep combined with the sudden rising temperatures, and he couldn’t fight it. With a deep sigh, he let his eyelids drift closed and let the exhaustion claim him. ****

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“Hello, love,” Echo whispered over Syx’s lips. They lay in a field of lush grass, completely nude as the sun beat down on their bare skin. Syx nestled between Echo’s spread thighs, covering his body and brushing kisses over his mouth. “And hello to you, sweetheart. Where are we anyway?” “Who cares?” Echo sighed, arching his back and rubbing himself against Syx like a cat in heat. “It’s just a dream, Syx. Enjoy it while it lasts.” “If this is a dream, that means I control what happens, right?” Echo smiled and lifted his eyebrows. “What did you have in mind?” In the next heartbeat, Echo found himself kneeling in the middle of a field of flowers, with his wrists bound behind his back. Even a few short weeks before, the mere thought of being restrained had sent him into hysteria. Now, there was only a passing unease that faded quickly when Syx pressed against his back and began stroking his skin. “You are so gorgeous like this,” Syx breathed as his lips and tongue moved over Echo’s neck. “Your skin glistens in the sunlight, your hair shines, and your body quakes for me. You need me, baby.” “Yes,” Echo hissed when Syx’s fingers trailed over his hip and down to encircle the base of his jutting cock. “Always need you.” “That’s right, Echo. Your entire being yearns for me. Your ass is hungry for my cock, begging to be stretched and filled. You love the burn, the pressure, feeling every vein and ridge sliding over your needy hole as I push inside you.” Dropping his head back on Syx’s shoulder, Echo moaned and jerked his hips, pumping his throbbing dick into Syx’s loose grasp. The man was going to make him come with his words alone. Syx was the only person Echo knew who could turn talking dirty into an art form. He bet his mate rocked at phone sex. Maybe they’d try it sometime.

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Two slick fingers slid along the line of his crease before they pushed through the muscled globes and traced tight circles around Echo’s fluttering entrance. Damn, he loved dream sex. The ability to just wish a bottle of lube into existence was awesome. Then the two slippery digits pressed inside his greedy hole, zeroed in on his prostate, and began rubbing it relentlessly. Echo howled, his cock flexed, and clear beads of pre-cum seeped from the swollen head. Syx pumped the finger in and out of his heated channel in tandem to the long, languid strokes his other hand delivered to Echo’s prick. “Mmm, love the way you just suck my fingers right in. Your cock is so hard, baby, throbbing in my hand and begging for more.” “Please,” Echo whimpered as he rocked between Syx’s hands. “That’s it, sweetheart. Beg me for it. Beg for my cock.” “Syx, please!” Echo’s heart pounded against his sternum, his legs began to shake, and his balls ached as they drew tight to his body. “Gonna,” he grunted. Syx’s hand tightened around the base of Echo’s cock, and his fingers stilled inside Echo’s hole. “No,” he growled. “Not until I say you can come.” Who knew the normally passive demon had such a dominant streak in him? Echo began to tremble in earnest as Syx’s commanding tone washed over him and sent his head spinning. “You like that,” Syx whispered roughly. “You crave being dominated. You like it slow and gentle, but you love it hard and dirty.” A third finger pushed inside Echo’s clenching ass with enough force to rock him forward. “Tell me how you want it, Echo.” Even if he’d wanted to, Echo couldn’t speak. All the air rushed out of his lungs on a surprised huff when Syx extracted his finger and replaced them with his steel-hard cock in one swift movement. In the next instant, Echo’s bound wrists were around Syx’s neck, his back pressed firmly against the warrior’s damp chest. Sweet hell, this dream stuff rocked!

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Syx didn’t start out slow and gentle as he normally did. His thrusts came quick and demanding, burying his cock inside Echo’s clenching passage over and over, harder and faster. One arm wound around Echo’s chest, holding him up, while the other jerked his pulsing cock in time with every snap of Syx’s hips. Lightning strikes of pleasure and lust bombarded him, and Echo cried out to the bluest sky he’d ever seen. His inner walls clamped around Syx’s invading length as he moved with his mate. His skin burned, his dick throbbed, and nothing else mattered but the climax racing toward him. “Love how your ass squeezes my cock,” Syx panted. “You’re going to make me come, baby. Is that what you want? You want to milk my dick until I fill this sweet hole with cum?” “Oh, gods,” Echo screamed. “Yes! Fuck, please!” Syx drove into him with lightning-quick movements as his hand became a mere blur over Echo’s straining shaft. “Then come for me. Come on my cock and milk me dry.” “Syx!” Echo screamed, dropping his head to his lover’s shoulder as his muscles tensed. His orgasm raced from his churning balls and up his swollen cock to shoot long ropes of creamy semen from the slit. “Ah!” Syx roared, pounding into Echo’s spasming channel as he pumped through his own release. “Mine.” The feral quality of Syx’s voice just before his canines sank into Echo’s shoulder sent him into a tailspin of desire, prolonging his orgasm until he thought he’d pass out from it. Again and again, he screamed in pleasure until his throat felt raw and his voice became hoarse. Never-ending streams of cum poured from his erupting cock, and his body jerked and bucked as scorching lava splashed against his inner walls. Suddenly, his back and shoulders pressed into something soft and wet, and water splashed over his face. Echo threw his eyelids open,

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staring in astonishment as Syx hovered over top of him. “What?” he rasped. “My dream.” Syx smirked at him before he hooked his arms under Echo’s knees and spread them wide, pushing them back toward his chest. The wet sand beneath him felt cool and welcomed against Echo’s heated skin. The sun beat down on his face, and the tide of the ocean washed over them, splashing around them as it broke against the sands. Syx leaned closer, spreading Echo open wider, and claimed his mouth in a tangle of lips and tongues. He moved slowly, tenderly, his thick cock gliding in and out of Echo’s hole in gentle movements. Time seemed to stand still in their own personal paradise, and Echo never wanted to leave. He missed his mates, though. If he could bring them here with him and Syx, life would be perfect. There were no tests to think about, no wars to win, and no one to interrupt their happy existence. As his climax ripped through him once more, Echo moaned into Syx’s mouth, feeling truly peaceful for the first time in weeks. “I’m hungry,” he murmured as he pushed the wet hair back from his lover’s face and smiled up at him. It was more than just hunger though. His stomach cramped painfully, and he suddenly felt lightheaded. “So am I,” Syx said, but he wasn’t smiling. “This doesn’t feel right. We shouldn’t be hungry in a dream, especially after only an hour or so.” “Echo! Syx!” Pushing at Syx’s chest, Echo hissed when his mate’s flaccid cock slipped from his hole, but he kept going. Scrambling to his feet, he spun around in circles, looking for the owner of the voice. “Did you hear it?” Syx stood and rushed to his side, scanning the shore as well. “It sounded like Hex.”

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“Echo! Wake the fuck up!” Hex’s voice demanded. Closing his eyes, Echo couldn’t stop the smile that spread over his face. He knew his men would come for them. Hex was here, and they were rescued. Then a sharp sting started in his cheek as though he’d been slapped in the face. Opening his eyes, Echo glared up at Hex. “You hit me.” “Oh, thank fuck,” Hex breathed as he gathered Echo into his arms and crushed him against his chest. Taking in his surroundings, Echo realized he was back in the cave, but he could see. The light was dim, but sunshine spilled into the cavern, illuminating the men gathered around him. With a sharp gasp, Echo threw his arms around Hex’s neck and squeezed with everything he had. “You came for us.” “Oh, gods, baby. I’m so sorry. I’m here.” Hex stroked Echo’s hair and nuzzled their cheeks together. “You’re safe now. I’ve got you.” “Syx is coming around,” Eyce said from behind them. Echo whipped his head around and began to squirm out of Hex’s embrace. Hex gave him a kiss on the temple and passed him to Eyce without his feet ever touching the ground. Echo slung his arms around Eyce, hugging the man fiercely as he peppered kisses over his face. “Missed you, big guy.” “Missed you, too, baby. I was so worried about you.” “How did you find us?” “Let’s get you guys out of here, and we’ll explain, okay?” “Yes, please.” Echo didn’t want to spend another second inside the cave. “Syx and Mac, are they okay?” “Everyone is fine. C’mon, love.” “Please,” came a soft plea from beside them, and Echo looked over to see Fiero looking at him with a pained expression. Reaching out, Echo wrapped his fingers around the back of Fiero’s neck and pulled him into a deep kiss. Eyce’s arms went around the warrior as well, and before Echo knew it, he had all of his

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men surrounding him and lavishing him with touches and kisses. “I’m so glad you’re back,” he whispered. “I’m sorry, sweetheart,” Syx murmured against his temple. Before Echo could respond to chastise the man, Hex dragged Syx away and crushed their mouths together in a passionate kiss. “You did good,” Hex said a moment later when they broke away. “You kept your head, and that’s what’s important.” Syx cradled Hex’s face as he rested their foreheads together and groaned. “Don’t ever fucking leave me in charge again.” Soft chuckles went around the group and then they were moving, heading out into the waning sunlight. “Wow, you got here fast,” Echo commented. No one said anything, but he saw his mates exchange worried looks. “What?” “Echo,” Eyce said gently, “it’s been almost nine days. The new moon is only three days away.” “No.” Echo shook his head frantically. “It’s only been a few hours. I was dreaming, and then you woke me up.” He looked over his shoulder and jerked a thumb at Hex. “He hit me.” Hex rolled his eyes and chuckled. “I’d do it again in a heartbeat. You wouldn’t wake up, sweetheart. Mac was going off his rocker, said you and Syx had been like that for days. Remind me to buy him a really nice thank-you present, too.” “Uh, okay.” Echo’s brow scrunched in confusion. “Why?” “He was damn brave and fucking smart, too,” Hex answered. “He went into the darkest part of this cave by himself and found a small stream, just a little runoff. He’s been pouring water down your throat while you were sleeping.” “Nine days?” Echo couldn’t wrap his mind around it. What had felt like no more than an hour or so inside his dream had been days in the real world. Had they seriously been asleep for that long? What if the others hadn’t come for them? Would they have continued to sleep until they eventually died of starvation?

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“I think just until after the new moon, and I had failed my test.” Syx growled from somewhere behind him. “This is all my fucking fault.” Echo wanted to tell his mate to cut it out, but before he could open his mouth, Eyce carried him out of the cave, and even the gray skies of dusk made Echo blink against the brightness. He closed his eyes when they began to burn and water, and laid his head on Eyce’s chest. For someone who had been asleep for over a week, he felt damn tired. Maybe he’d find the energy to reprimand Syx later. None of this was the warrior’s fault, and he needed to realize that. His stomach snarled painfully, causing him to groan into Eyce’s neck. “Hungry,” he mumbled. “We’ll get you something to eat, baby. Just hold on.” “So, this is him.” The voice sounded snide and snarky, and Echo instantly disliked whoever it belonged to. Blinking open his eyes, he turned his head and sized up the man standing in front of him. Tall and muscled, with short blond hair and piercing blue eyes, Echo had to admit the man was gorgeous. The qualities did nothing to endear him to Echo, though. There was only one person this could be, and Echo wanted to claw the man’s face off. “Craze, I’m guessing.” “The one and only.” The asshole held his arms out wide and smiled arrogantly. “Aren’t you just a whole mess of trouble?” “Hey, Craze?” Craze continued to smirk at him as he cocked his head to the side in question. “Yes?” “Go fuck yourself.”

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Chapter Twelve Syx watched Echo curl up in Fiero’s lap and gnaw at the beef jerky clenched in his small fist. Echo looked thin and pale, his face and hair coated in dirt and grime. He hadn’t said another word since he’d told Craze to fuck off, and Syx worried about him. Gods, this entire mess was his fault. He’d screwed up big, and he couldn’t blame his lovers if they never forgave him for it. How many of them would have been stupid enough to allow Echo into that cave in the first place? Not a one of them, if he was willing to guess. “Stop beating yourself up,” Vapre said quietly as his arm went around Syx’s shoulders and squeezed. “I may not be able to read your mind, but I know what you’re thinking. No one blames you, so you have to stop doing this to yourself.” “You’re not the one that got our mate trapped inside a cave with no food or water. Just look at him.” Syx spoke softly as he nodded his head toward Echo. “I can’t believe he doesn’t hate me right now.” “What’s he thinking?” “Nothing about me.” Syx chuckled and shook his head. “He’s thinking about how much he hates Craze though he just met the guy. He’s wondering if that makes him an asshole, but then he doesn’t really care.” Vapre laughed so loudly everyone turned to stare at him. He waved his hand at them as he continued to laugh. “Don’t mind me,” he gasped. “Tell me what happened,” Echo said, and the mood around the small campfire sobered instantly. “Where’s Mac? Why did it take you

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so long to get us out?” Echo pointed at Craze and glared. “And why the fuck does he keep staring at me?” “Don’t mind him,” Hex said casually. “He just thinks you’re cute.” Craze snorted, but Syx didn’t really find anything humorous in the situation. “How did you stand to drive all that way with him?” “Myst kept him frozen,” Fiero answered. Myst puffed out his chest and beamed. “It sucked. I had to stay awake the entire damn drive, but it was well worth it.” “Where’s Mac?” Echo asked again. “Did you find Gage?” “How about we just start from the beginning,” Eyce suggested. “Vapre called the day after the full moon and told me and Onyx to get our asses out here, that something bad had happened.” “I didn’t know what was going on, but we could all feel it,” Vapre added, motioning around the circle to include Myst, Hex, and Fiero. “Well, Sony wasn’t about to take no for an answer when he heard something was wrong, so we loaded up and headed out here.” “You just left Jinx and Syn alone?” Eyce winced at Echo’s tone but dipped his head. “Sorry, babe, but we didn’t really have much of a choice. Anyway,” he hurried on when Echo looked like he would speak again. “Jet called about an hour after we’d been on the road and gave us the whole rundown. We met them where you first made camp, and they took Sony out to look for Gage.” “We must have walked miles through these woods.” Onyx took up the story. “Jet told us how to find the cave, and I still say we walked right past it a dozen times, but it was like nothing was there.” Syx nodded his understanding as he thought about how many times he’d felt like they were walking in circles trying to find that cave. He wished they’d kept right on missing it until they’d given up and went home. “It was four days before Hex and the others showed up.” Eyce frowned and shook his head. “The shifters found Gage and showed up

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the next day. I swear I don’t know whether I wanted to hug Jet or strangle him when he led us right to the cave.” “So, it took you five days to find the cave?” Echo bobbed his head a few times. “You did better than we did.” Eyce smiled crookedly but didn’t comment. “Gage was pretty banged up,” Hex said. “I guess he’d gotten himself lost on the full moon and had been stumbling around trying to find his way back. This place is damn creepy.” Syx shuddered in sympathy. He wouldn’t dispute that. Whether it had been a trap to lure him to the cave or not, he still couldn’t shake the feeling that something lurked in the woods, just waiting for them. “It took you four days to dig us out?” Syx’s eyebrows drew together. “Not that I’m complaining, but with Onyx and Myst, that seems like a bit much. What went wrong?” “What didn’t go wrong?” Fiero grumbled. “First we had to move that damn tree just so we could get to the rocks. Then it was like every time we started making progress, there would be another rockslide, and the hole would close right back up. A storm blew in on the third night and knocked another tree down right in front of the entrance. It felt like…” Fiero trailed off, but Syx could read his thoughts, and he agreed. “It felt like something or someone didn’t want you to get to us,” he finished for the warrior. “Exactly,” Myst said loudly. “Gage had this brilliant idea about bringing in one of the trucks to help pull the bigger rocks out.” Syx frowned at Myst’s sarcastic tone. “Yeah, that’s where he was headed on the full moon. What’s wrong with that?” Myst waved a hand around the small clearing. “Exactly how do you expect to get a vehicle through all these trees? There’s no trail that leads up here, and the trees are too closely packed.” Syx scanned the tree line and sighed. Myst was right. “Okay, so then what?”

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“Well, we finally got the second tree moved and the rocks dug out. Onyx and Myst are amazing, but they only have so much power,” Eyce said. “You try lifting one of these damn trees with your mind,” Onyx grouched. “Man, I thought I was going to have an aneurism.” Myst nodded emphatically. “It sucked big hairy balls, man.” “We got inside, but of course, it was empty.” Hex growled under his breath. “I thought maybe we had the wrong cave and had wasted all that time for nothing.” “Then Mac started screaming. If it wasn’t for Gage, we probably wouldn’t have heard him. We got the boulder moved, though that took some time, and Gage snatched Mac up and ran him out of the cave before anyone could blink.” Onyx laughed under his breath. “Not that I blame him, though. Mac looked bad.” “Gage took Sony, Mac, and the shifters home,” Hex said, anticipating Syx’s next question. “They can’t help us anymore here, and I wouldn’t have told them no anyway.” “Okay, so why is he here?” Echo shot a scathing look at Craze where he perched beside Hex. “Shouldn’t he have gone home with the others?” “We felt it was better to keep an eye on him,” Hex said with a menacing growl. Syx was with Echo. He didn’t want the asshole there, but he understood Hex’s point as well. Why did everything have to be so damn complicated? “So, what are we still doing out here?” “We’ll sleep here tonight,” Hex answered in a more polite tone. “Everyone needs to rest and recuperate before we make the hike back to the vehicles. We should be home by tomorrow night, though.” Syx sighed and slumped against Vapre. Thank the gods that Hex was back. Syx never wanted to be in charge of anything again—not even something as small as what to cook for dinner. Vapre kissed his temple and hugged him close. “I missed you,” he whispered in his ear. “Don’t scare me like that again, asshole.”

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“Love you,” Syx mumbled wearily. “Love you, too, babe. Let’s get you to bed.” Even the prospect of sleeping on the hard ground sounded like heaven as long as Syx had his lovers wrapped around him throughout the night. “Please.” **** Echo woke to howling winds that beat against the tent with such ferocity he was surprised it was still standing. And damn, was it cold! Even snuggled inside his sleeping bag, Echo shivered violently. “Everyone out,” Hex ordered, and Echo realized that he was the only one still in a prone position. His lovers moved about the confined space of the tent, gathering supplies and cursing under their breaths. “Where are we going?” Echo asked as he squirmed out of his sleeping bag and began pulling on his boots. “The cave,” Hex answered with a no-nonsense tone. “The storm’s getting worse, and we have to find shelter.” “No.” Echo started shaking his head, his blond hair flying around his face. He’d rather take his chances with the storm. “I can’t go back in there. No, no, no!” “Baby, we don’t have a choice,” Eyce said gently as he crouched down beside Echo. “We’ll all be there with you, and we have Fiero to light a fire for us. It will be warmer and safer. The storm will blow past before you know it, and we’ll go home.” “What if we get trapped again?” “Not going to happen,” Fiero said confidently. He held a hand down to Echo, pulling him to his feet when Echo took it. “You can do this.” Echo had serious doubts about that, but what choice did he have? He could refuse until he was blue in the face, and his mates would just drag him kicking and screaming into the cave anyway. At least he

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could retain a little dignity, even if he felt like a blubbering basket case on the inside. Hex squatted in front of the tent flap and began unzipping it. Cold air rushed in, catching Echo in the face and stealing the breath from his lungs. “Straight to the cave,” Hex ordered and ducked out into the storm. Fiero pulled Echo along, leading him out of the tent. Echo dropped his head and rounded his shoulders against the fierce wind. The snow whipped around them, hitting him in the face, hard and cold enough to sting. He couldn’t even see where he was going, had no idea if they were headed in the right direction. All he could see around him was white. It was better than the shades of black he’d endured before his lovers had rescued him, but just barely. He trudged through the snow that was already up to his knees, letting Fiero tug him along. Just when he was sure they were headed in the wrong direction, he stepped through the entrance of the cave and immediately plastered himself to Fiero. “Please?” “I’m on it,” Fiero said firmly. Echo couldn’t see anything, but he heard the snick of Fiero’s lighter, then a soft orange glow appeared in the demon’s hand. “I would have asked for your help, but this seemed faster.” Echo nodded gratefully. He stuck close to Fiero, holding the man’s hand in a death grip as they moved about the cave, shining light for the others to gather stray twigs from the dirty floor. When they found as much as they could and piled it together, Fiero gathered the flame from the lighter in his palm and blew on his hand softly until the kindling ignited. The flames flickered for a moment before growing, and soon there was a nice-sized circle of soft, amber light. Echo sighed in relief, his muscles relaxing marginally. “Thank you.”

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“Well, I don’t want to freeze my nuts off,” Fiero grumbled, but Echo knew the demon only said it for his benefit. He was letting Echo save face, and he appreciated it more than he could say. “It won’t last long. We’ll need to find more wood,” Hex said. “Well, just piss on my parade, why don’t you?” Echo looked up at their alpha and stuck his tongue out. “It’s enough for now.” “There’s plenty from the tree just outside the entrance. I’ll gather some.” Onyx turned to head back out into the storm, and Echo had to bite his tongue to keep from calling him back. “I’ll help,” Myst chimed in as he jogged after Onyx. “Craze?” Echo followed Hex’s eyes to the douche bag warming his hands by the fire. For one happy moment, Echo had forgotten the idiot even existed. It wasn’t just jealousy—though there was a whole lot of that. Craze was arrogant, egotistical, and whole lot of other nasty words Echo would decide on later. Craze huffed and hung his head, but turned and marched determinedly toward the mouth of the cave without a word. Wow, Echo hadn’t seen that one coming. “He knows he needs us,” Syx mumbled from his side, making Echo jump. He hadn’t even heard the man approach. “He doesn’t like the cold either, so it’s in his best interest to make sure there’s enough firewood to keep the flames going.” Everyone worked together to unroll the sleeping bags in a circle around the fire. By the time they finished, Onyx, Myst, and Craze had returned, each carrying an armful of logs and twigs. Echo still didn’t relish being back inside the cave, but at least this time he had all of his men, and he had light. “How long do you think it will last?” Echo asked. “I’m sure it will blow past by morning,” Eyce said reassuringly. “Let’s just get some sleep, and we’ll see what’s what when the sun comes up.”

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Echo eyed the sleeping bags for a long time, frowning at how far apart they were spread. Releasing his bruising hold on Fiero’s hand, Echo flexed his fingers to help relieve a bit of the ache. Then he began moving around the fire, pulling the sleeping bags closer together. He unzipped them, and with a little doing, managed to make two into one. Pleased with that, he continued on, doing the same to the others. He left the last roll alone, even moving it a little further away, but left it close by the fire. He even gave himself a little mental pat on the back for not being a complete asshole. “Well, that’s a statement if I ever saw one,” Craze drawled. “Be grateful I don’t kick your ass out in the blizzard,” Echo snapped. “Now, shut up and go to sleep.” “Does he talk to all of you like that?” Craze asked, looking around the group, obviously seeking some backup. Myst rolled his eyes and shoved past the guy to settle into one of the double sleeping bags Echo had created. “Only when we deserve it, man.” **** Syx woke to warm lips sliding down the back of his neck. Sighing in contentment, he pushed back against Vapre, rubbing his ass over the man’s straining cock. While he had no problem taking the dominant role to give Echo what he needed, Syx missed being taken care of himself. Something he would never admit aloud. He could hear the roaring winds outside and blinked open his eyes to find the storm still in full force. The fire flickered, and Syx vaguely wondered who had woken in the night to add more logs. “Good morning, my love,” Vapre whispered against his ear. Syx shivered as he craned his neck over his shoulder to capture Vapre’s searching lips. The kiss was languid and sweet, speaking

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louder than any words ever could. Vapre’s thoughts pressed into his mind, but there was nothing there besides words of love and desire. Vapre’s hands roamed his chest, smoothing over his pebbled nipples and pinching them between his fingers. Syx moaned softly into his lover’s mouth as his cock began to fill and harden, begging for attention. “Touch me,” he breathed. “Me too,” Echo whimpered. Syx broke the kiss and turned his head to see Echo unzipping the sleeping bag he shared with Hex to wiggle closer to them. Smiling brightly, Syx pulled the smaller man into his arms and claimed his lips in a heated kiss. “Morning, sweetheart.” “Less talking, more touching,” Echo mumbled, rubbing himself against Syx’s chest. Apparently, the sound of Echo’s voice was like a wakeup call, because the other demons began to stir, smiling widely as they watched the three of them together. “You always start without me,” Myst whined. “I’ll take good care of you,” Onyx crooned to him, and Myst moaned as his eyes rolled back in his head. “How is this going to work?” Echo looked around the group and frowned. “I need you all. It’s been too damn long.” “I’m afraid you’ll just have to wait,” Hex whispered, molding himself to Echo’s back. Syx didn’t like it, but he knew the warrior was right. They didn’t have any lube, and even with the fire, it was too damn cold without some type of covering. A soft pop drew his attention, and he looked over his shoulder just in time to see Vapre pull his finger from his mouth. His hand disappeared, sliding down the waistband of Syx’s boxers, and parted his ass cheeks to rub against his hole. Syx moaned, pushing back against the digits. “More,” he pleaded. Echo whimpered again, his hands caressing every part of Syx he could reach. “Need to taste you.” Unzipping Syx’s sleeping bag, Echo fumbled with Syx’s boxers until his throbbing cock poked out through

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the slit in the front. Then, without further preliminaries, he flipped around, his groin near Syx’s face, and engulfed the head to the back of his throat. “Oh, gods,” Hex choked. Lifting up on one elbow, he pushed Echo’s boxers down until his thick cock bounced free, gripped it firmly at the base, and sucked the leaking head into his mouth. One spit-slicked finger pushed into Syx’s hole, and he cried out, jerking his hips forward and pushing his prick further to the back of Echo’s throat. Echo swallowed around him, the velvet-lined heat constricting around his cock, and Syx’s head began to swim. Myst appeared behind Hex, pushing the covers down the warrior’s body and pulling his straining length free of its confinement. His hand moved quickly, jerking Hex’s cock in long, hard strokes. “Come for me,” Myst whispered. Echo moaned, sending faint vibrations up Syx’s shaft, and Vapre added a second slippery finger to his clenching channel. Syx bit the inside of his cheek to keep from crying out at the intense pleasure that coursed through his body. Onyx managed to slip beneath the sleeping bag, and though Syx couldn’t see what he was doing, he had a pretty good idea when Myst buried his face in Hex’s neck and groaned. The fingers in Syx’s ass sawed in and out. Echo’s sweet lips bobbed up and down on his cock, and Syx had the perfect view of Echo’s glistening prick sliding in and out of Hex’s mouth. A loud groan drew Syx’s attention behind him once more, and he almost swallowed his tongue when as he watched Eyce’s kneel over Vapre, feeding his impressive dick through the man’s sleep-swollen lips. Fiero stood, his underwear pushed below his balls, and rubbed the tip of his weeping cock over Eyce’s lips, smearing them with glossy pre-cum. Eyce moaned again, rocking his hips and fucking Vapre’s mouth, as he parted his own lips and swirled his tongue around the crown of Fiero’s flexing length.

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Syx smiled inwardly. They couldn’t resist. No matter the circumstances, they always found their way together—all of them touching in some way—just how it should be. The moans and grunts grew in volume, and they each moved faster, with more urgency, as they all raced toward their own releases. Vapre’s wrist twisted, his fingers curled, and Syx cried out as the digits nudged against his sweet spot. Pushing back against his lover’s hand, Syx bent and sucked one of Echo’s balls into his mouth, rolling it around with his tongue as he impaled himself on Vapre’s fingers again and again. His sac tightened, his muscles clenched, and his greedy hole squeezed in warning of his impending climax. “Ah, fuck,” Fiero snarled, but Syx didn’t stop in his attentions to his mate to look around. Groans and growls echoed around the cave as each of his lovers hurdled over the edge and into that orgasmic high that Syx sought. Then Echo moaned again, sucking hard on Syx’s throbbing cock, and Syx went off like a bottle rocket. Releasing the flesh in his mouth, he dropped his head back to Vapre’s shoulder and cried out as his dick erupted, spilling his seed into Echo’s willing mouth. “I really needed that,” Echo rasped after he’d licked Syx clean and emerged from under the sleeping bag. “We really need to do it more often.” Everyone chuckled as they all returned to their sleeping bags and snuggled together in one big pile. “I don’t know if that was meant to be a punishment or not,” Craze said softly, and Syx wanted to smack himself in the forehead. He had completely forgotten anyone else was in the cave with them. He held his breath, waiting for Craze to say something scathing that would no doubt piss them all off. There was a long, pregnant pause, and Craze ran a hand over his sleep-tousled hair. He eyed them all for a minute, then finally dipped his head and smiled. “I get it. I won’t say it doesn’t hurt a little, but

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mostly because I want what you have. Not necessarily with you, but someone to look at me the way you all look at each other. So, yeah, I get it, and I won’t cause trouble.” Syx’s exhale of relief turned into a chuckle when Echo sat up and cocked his head to the side. “Good, but I still don’t like you.” Then he squirmed under the covers again and closed his eyes. Without opening them, he patted Syx on the chest. “Close your mouth, honey. You look like a fish.”

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Chapter Thirteen The storm didn’t blow out by the end of the morning, or even the next night, and Echo had a strong suspicion the new moon would find them right there in the middle of the cave. He didn’t know what would come, didn’t know how they would fight it, but at least they were together and relatively safe for the moment. Still, they had done nothing to prepare for Syx’s task. Echo didn’t even know how to begin to help the man either. When he replayed his time with the Oracle, he clearly remembered the darkening sky, but he didn’t think the sun could literally fall. How would they fight against that? “I can’t help you,” Echo whispered to Syx, finally admitting defeat. “I’m sorry, but I just don’t know how. Your gift is not like the others. I can make it stronger like I did with Jet, but I don’t see how that will make any difference when the new moon comes.” Syx’s arm wound around his shoulder, and he brushed his lips over Echo’s cheek. “I’ve been thinking the same thing. I think I’m on my own with this one, but that’s okay. There’s a reason for it. I just have to figure out what that reason is.” His lover’s new, optimistic attitude confused the hell out of Echo. “Why are you so confident all of the sudden?” “Because I’ve been thinking.” Echo smirked. Of course he had. Syx was always thinking. That big, beautiful brain of his never slept, not even in sleep. Echo couldn’t count the number of times he’d laid awake and listened to Syx mumbling in his sleep.

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“Well, are you going to tell us?” Myst questioned as he plopped down beside them. “I think it’s better if I don’t,” Syx replied. “Just know that I have a plan and I’m not afraid. We can win this.” “We trust you,” Vapre offered. “If you say we’re golden, then that’s good enough for me.” Well, goody gumdrops for Vapre. It was nowhere near enough for Echo. “I need to know,” he demanded. “Maybe I can help.” Syx chuckled and kissed his lips. “You can’t, baby, not this time. I’m not going to fail you again, though. Just trust me.” “I do trust you, I just don’t like surprises. I’d rather be prepared.” Echo huffed and drew in the dirt between his legs with his index finger. “Just tell me if I can do something, okay?” “I promise.” “Can you just give me a little hint?” Echo looked up at Syx with his best puppy dog eyes. They almost always worked, especially when he slid his bottom lip out and made it tremble like he was now. Syx didn’t go for it this time, though. He laughed harder and shook his head. “You’re adorable, but it won’t work this time. I’m doing this for your own good.” He released Echo’s shoulders and pushed to his feet. “Behave yourself.” Then he winked and sauntered to the other side of the cave where Craze, Hex, and Fiero were sitting together. “I bet you money that Hex knows what the hell is going on.” Myst nodded his agreement. “Yeah, and Craze, too. They’re planning something, and the best we can do is trust them. Hex and Syx would never do anything to put us in danger. Craze, well, I can’t say for sure, but I don’t think he would, either.” Craze’s attitude had seemed to take a complete one-eighty after their first night together in the cave. Echo still caught him watching the warriors from time to time, though. He didn’t know how he felt about the guy, and until he figured it out, he didn’t trust him. “If you

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say so,” he mumbled. “I just wish I could help like I did with Fiero and Vapre.” “You never did tell us about the dream you had before you sent us off after Hex.” Vapre moved closer and bumped his shoulder against Echo’s. “So, spill it.” Echo knew his lover was only trying to distract him from his thoughts, but he was grateful and grabbed onto the topic. He outlined the dream, the dream within a dream, and the words the Oracle had spoken to him. “She said Syx’s test would be one of endurance. That a warrior does not always fight with a shield and sword. I just don’t really know what that means.” Vapre thought it over for a while, his eyebrows scrunched together and his brow creased. “I might have an idea, but nothing really concrete. I wish I knew what he was fighting. I mean the sun can’t really fall from the sky.” “I was just thinking the same thing.” Echo sighed and pushed his dirty hair over his shoulder. “I’d kill for a shower right now.” “Same here,” Onyx agreed as he scrubbed both hands over his face. “A hot shower, some good sex, a warm bed, and I could sleep for a week.” “Believe me,” Echo said shrewdly, “it’s not all it’s cracked up to be.” **** “It’s almost sunset,” Syx announced the next evening. “No matter what happens, I need you to all stay calm, okay?” He and Craze had put their heads together, and though it rubbed him the wrong way to accept the man’s help, he couldn’t deny that Craze had some damn good ideas. “Tell me what’s going to happen,” Echo demanded. He’d been more and more vocal over the last few hours, and Syx knew his little mate was terrified.

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“The lights are going to go out, baby.” There was no point in keeping it from him any longer. In about ten minutes, Echo would find out for himself. It was better if he began preparing for it now. “But what about the fire?” “I don’t think we can count on that, sweetheart. Just remember that we’re all here, and I’m going to do whatever it takes to make sure we get home as soon as possible.” “You’re not going to do anything stupid, right?” “Define stupid.” Syx laughed when Echo glared at him. “No, I won’t do anything stupid. Just stick close to the others and try to keep your mind calm.” Syx met each of his lovers’ eyes as he went around the group. “That goes for all of you. I need to concentrate, and you have no idea how difficult that is when I have eight different voices yelling inside my head.” “We’ll do our best,” Onyx swore immediately. “I might have an idea of how to help with that.” Syx read the plan inside Onyx’s head and smiled in appreciation. “Perfect. Hold on to that until we need it, okay?” All at once, the wind outside the cave stopped, just stopped, and Syx took a deep breath. “Here we go.” He’d no more gotten the words out of his mouth when the entire cave was plunged into total darkness. Echo didn’t exactly scream, but his yelp pierced Syx’s eardrums just the same. “I’m blind!” “No,” Syx said, trying to soothe his mate. “You’re not blind. Whatever we’re facing is consuming all the light. That’s all, baby. I promise.” Syx paused for a moment and sighed. “Onyx.” “On it,” Onyx answered from somewhere in the darkness. Syx could still feel the warmth from the fire, but he couldn’t see it. Hell, he couldn’t even see his hand right in front of his face. He waved it back and forth a few times and ended up whacking himself in the nose before he gave up on it. He knew if he turned left and walked straight ahead, he’d reach the mouth of the cave, but when he looked in the direction, he could see nothing but black.

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It wasn’t even varying degrees of darkness, no shadows or vague shapes. It was just a complete and utter void of any light. “Craze,” he called calmly. “Right here,” Craze answered from his right. A body bumped against his shoulder, and Syx nodded, though no one could see him. Slipping into Echo’s mind to make sure his mate was calm and occupied, Syx bit his lip to keep from laughing. Echo’s entire world revolved around the lips working up and down his cock, the hands roaming his body, the mouth sucking on his tongue, and the fingers sliding in and out of his hole. Onyx had the perfect plan to keep them all happy, and the other warriors were jumping right in to do their part. Yes, what a sacrifice, Syx thought to himself with an indulgent shake of his head. “Let’s go.” Moving slowly, he led them to the opposite wall away from his lovers and followed it further into the cave toward the doorway he’d found before they’d been trapped. “Can you see anything?” “Not really. I can see your outline, but that’s about it. Whatever this is, it’s really powerful. I’ve been trying to lift the shadows since it started.” Syx knew it had been a long shot, but with Craze’s ability to manipulate light, he’d hoped the Addonexus could have helped more. Still, if things worked out the way they planned it, he’d be forever in debt to the guy—which kind of pissed him off. Still, he’d take whatever help he could get if it meant saving the men he loved. “I feel it,” Craze whispered. “Can you feel that?” “We’re close.” Syx hadn’t shared his dream with anyone but Craze and Hex. He hadn’t wanted to worry his men any more than they already were. He’d known the minute they’d rushed into the cave during the storm that this would be where he faced down his enemy. His conversation with the Oracle only strengthened his conviction.

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He felt the coldness push against him and ebb, like the beating of a heart. It crawled over his skin and seeped into his bones, causing him to shiver as he inched further along the wall. “Do you really think it’s Erebus?” Craze sounded uneasy. “A trial from the Underworld that can fill every nook and cranny with darkness,” Syx mumbled. “What else do you think it could be?” “Man, Erebus is a god, though.” “Yes, a god from the Underworld.” “I don’t like this.” “We talked about this. As much as it makes me want to vomit to admit it, I need your help. Don’t flake out on me now, fucker!” “Okay, okay, but damn! I really don’t like this, Syx. I’m strong, but I don’t know if I’m strong enough to take on a freakin’ god.” “That’s why we’re doing this together.” Syx growled at having to explain the plan yet again. “Just do what we talked about, and I’ll take care of the rest.” When Syx’s hand encountered the upward curve of the archway, he took a deep breath to steel his courage and stepped through it with Craze right at his back. He didn’t venture any further inside, for he could already feel the presence of the man they sought. Though the Greeks had believed Erebus to be only a personification of darkness, the god was very much real, and very much a physical being. Syx had only encountered him once in the Underworld, and he hoped this would be their last meeting. “Erebus,” he said with much more calm than he felt. “Why have you come?” He didn’t receive an answer, but he hadn’t expected one. Dropping his shields, he probed into the darkness, searching out the swirling thought waves of the god. It didn’t take much effort to find them directly in front of him, maybe only eight feet away at the most. Syx resisted the urge to take a step in retreat. “Can you see?” he whispered. “Can I lie and say no?”

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Syx didn’t waste his energy on a response. Gathering all of his strength, he pushed out with his mind, boring his way into the god’s thoughts like a drill. It was like being plunged into a pit of snakes then doused in ice water. With a shiver, Syx continued to prod, forcing his way further into Erebus’s mind, searching out the meaning of his appearance in the cave. It wasn’t an easy task. Erebus pushed back at him, repelling Syx’s power and forcing his own suggestions into Syx’s head. Murder, fire, screaming children, plague—over and over the images whirled inside Syx’s brain. His muscles began to quiver, his legs shaking to the point he thought he’d fall to the ground, but he didn’t stop. Back and forth they struggled, a constant game of tug-of-war, each vying for dominance. Syx didn’t know how long it went on. It could have been minutes or maybe even hours, but eventually he locked into Erebus’s mind and kept a firm hold. “Now,” he whispered. With Erebus focused on Syx, Craze took a tentative step forward and cast out his own power, tossing a mental net over Erebus and neutralizing his own elemental powers. That finally got a reaction from the irate god. Erebus roared loud enough to shake the walls of the cavern and send dirt and pebbles falling over Syx’s head. “Addonexus,” he snarled. “Holy fuck, I can’t believe that worked,” Craze whispered in awe. “It’s your freakin’ gift,” Syx argued. “What do you mean you can’t believe it worked?” “Well, he’s a god!” “Release me!” Erebus snarled. Syx snapped his attention back to the task at hand. “Release the light,” he countered. As he spoke, he flipped through the god’s mind, frantically searching for anything they could use against him. “Hypnos.”

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“The god of sleep?” Craze sounded confused. “What happened to Hypnos?” Syx asked, ignoring Craze. When Erebus didn’t answer, Syx gathered his waning strength and pushed harder, desperate to find an answer. “Hades tricked him.” “Yes,” Erebus growled. “He turned Hypnos’s powers against him.” “And if you helped him, he would release your son.” “Dude, you’re a freakin’ god. Can’t you just smite him or something?” Syx echoed Erebus’s growl. “Craze, would you shut the fuck up?” Returning his attention to the god, Syx took a deep breath. “We can help him.” “You lie.” Erebus didn’t sound quite as snarly anymore, though. “No one can help him but me.” “Release the light, and we can help you. Where is Hypnos?” “He is here,” Erebus answered and managed to sound almost human. “Release him from his slumber, and I will grant you back the light.” “We have to be able to see,” Syx argued. “No.” Fuck! Syx had no desire to be alone with the angry god, but he also didn’t have a choice. “Craze, go get Echo and only Echo. Don’t let the others follow.” “I really hate this,” Craze mumbled under his breath, but Syx felt him move away and heard his feet shuffling across the dirt floor until the sound disappeared completely. Neither Syx nor Erebus spoke. Craze’s power had gone with him, but Erebus didn’t even try to fight back. His thoughts were tinted with sadness and focused solely on his son. Whoever said gods and goddesses didn’t love their children was full of crap. Several long minutes passed before the sounds of footsteps reached Syx’s ears once more. Another minute, and he felt small, slim

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fingers wrap around his wrist. “Syx? Please tell me that’s you,” Echo whispered. “It’s me, sweetheart. I need your help.” “You kept your promise.” Echo sounded disbelieving. Syx frowned into the darkness. “Don’t I always?” “Okay, so what am I supposed to do?” “We’re going to heal a god.” Echo gasped and started coughing. “Are you serious?” he choked. “Here? Now? I can’t freakin’ see anything. Damn, I hate the dark.” “Return my son to me, and I will release the light,” Erebus said quietly. “Holy shit!” Echo yelped. “Who is that?” “That would be Erebus, god of darkness and shadow. Hades used his son’s power against him, and Hypnos is trapped in eternal sleep. We’re going to try to wake him up.” “And you’ll take away the dark?” Echo asked cautiously. “You have my word.” Erebus spoke almost kindly, and Syx had to smile. It was true. No one could resist Echo. “Okay, where is he? I’ll do my best.” “Come forward three steps,” Erebus instructed. Syx took Echo’s hand and did as he was told, holding his other hand out in front of him until it connected with a stone dais or table. Exploring further, his fingers encountered the warm, yielding flesh of a man. “Here, baby.” Syx moved Echo’s hand so that his rested over Hypnos’s chest and placed his on top of it. “You ready?” “As ready as I’ll ever be.” Syx felt Echo’s power flow into him, a redoubling of his own, and it gripped his body like an electric shock. He’d never felt his mate’s force with such sudden intensity, and it caused his spine to stiffen and his stomach to churn. Pushing away the nausea, Syx focused on the man before them. He’d never tried to wake anyone up before, but he thought maybe if

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he applied the same principle he used to put them to sleep, but in reverse, it just might work. After half an hour of tunneling through Hypnos’s subconscious, Syx finally began to understand what the Oracle had meant about his test being one of endurance. Even with Echo’s help and added strength, Syx felt his power began to ebb, his mind and body growing weaker. Still, he persisted, forcing back the fatigue and calling to Hypnos with his mind, trying to lure the god from his place of slumber. “Hold on,” Echo whispered, and a blast of power hit Syx so hard he actually stumbled backward half a step. The shock cleared his mind, and Syx redirected the energy toward Hypnos. A second later, the god groaned and his hand came up to cover Syx’s where it still rested on top of Echo’s. “Zeus almighty, that fucking hurt.” Syx eased his hand off of Hypnos’s chest, taking Echo’s with him. “He’s awake,” he said to Erebus. Instantly, the cavern lightened, though only marginally. “It is still night time,” Erebus said almost in apology. “I’m afraid you’ll have to take that up with my wife.” Syx found himself chuckling before he could stop it. “How is Nyx?” “As high maintenance as ever,” Erebus answered. “Wow, you sound kind of nice when you’re not roaring at everyone,” Echo observed. Syx groaned, but Erebus actually chuckled as he moved to help his son into a sitting position. “The darkness has a bad reputation, I’m afraid. I can’t help what I am, little one.” “No, I guess you can’t. I’m glad you got your son back.” “Thank you,” Hypnos said. “We are indebted to you.” Syx immediately began to refuse, but Echo squeezed his hand tightly. “We would appreciate your help,” he said solemnly. “The war is coming, and we cannot afford to turn away willing allies.”

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“We will be by your side on the autumnal equinox,” Erebus vowed. “You are not the only ones with a debt to settle with Hades.” “Thank you,” Syx said with a slight bow of his head. When he looked up again, the gods had vanished.

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Chapter Fourteen Echo pressed both hands over his mouth to keep from laughing out loud. Jinx and Syn circled Craze, sniffing at him and rubbing themselves against him. The look on Craze’s face said he didn’t know whether to be offended or rub right back. “You smell amazing,” Syn breathed. “Bloody fantastic,” Jinx agreed. “Oh, fuck me running.” Craze groaned and closed his eyes. “We’ll fuck you any way you’ll have us,” Syn purred. Echo finally lost it and threw his head back and roared with laughter. Oh, this was too perfect. “They’re your mates!” “Yes, thank you, Captain Obvious.” Craze turned and growled at him, but his attention was quickly returned to the men pressed against him. “What the hell am I going to do with two vampires?” “Love us,” Syn whispered. “Feed us,” Jinx added. “We can think of a few things.” Syn grabbed Craze’s hand and began pulling him toward the stairs. “We should get started right away, if you don’t mind.” “Oh, yes.” Jinx pressed at Craze’s back, urging him to hurry. “And we should practice quite often.” “They have accents,” Craze whimpered as he went willingly with them up the stairs. Echo laughed until he couldn’t breathe. “He’s not going to know what hit him.” They’d arrived home that morning, but, of course, Craze hadn’t met the vampires until the sun set. It had been well worth the wait as

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far as Echo was concerned. And while it had been a good laugh to see the normally cocky asshole looking so thunderstruck, Echo had more important things to attend to just then. “I’m horny,” he said in a bored voice. All seven of his men were on their feet instantly, and Eyce snatched Echo up, hauled him over his shoulder, and sprinted up the stairs. Echo shrieked and laughed the entire way, loving his men’s eagerness. The other warriors followed close behind him, stripping out of their clothes as they went. Eyce flung open the door to Hex’s room and strode inside, flinging Echo to the mattress on his back. Before he’d even stopped bouncing, Fiero and Vapre were on him, licking, sucking and biting every inch of flesh they could reach. Syx dove between his legs, catching Echo’s hard cock in his mouth and swallowing him to the base. Echo moaned and writhed, closing his eyes as the indescribable sensations overwhelmed him. Two slick fingers pushed into his hole without warning, and Echo’s hips snapped up off the bed as he cried out in pleasure. His men were everywhere, and everywhere in a hurry. He’d never seen them so desperate before, and he couldn’t get enough of it. He was never going to last like this, though. Opening his mouth to tell his lovers to slow down, a strangled groan escaped his lips instead when Syx’s fingers disappeared and something cold and blunt pressed against his hole, sliding in until the flat base rested against his ass cheeks. “I think someone has forgotten who’s in charge here,” Fiero said with a slight growl to his tone. “Perhaps you need a little reminder.” Echo couldn’t speak, so he said nothing and bobbed his head. Syx worked the plug in and out of his hole a few times before grabbing the base and twisting it. His mouth popped off of Echo’s cock with a naughty slurp, and Fiero and Vapre tugged him up the bed toward the headboard. Too fast. Everything was moving too fast for Echo to keep up. When satin-covered metal looped around both wrists, he had an idea

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that speed had been the point. He wiggled his wrists, pulling at the handcuffs, but his arms were firmly secured to the slats above his head. His men took turns, stroking and kissing him, pinching at his nipples, and stoking the flames inside his belly. His cock was licked and sucked, as well as his aching balls. Some played with the toy in his ass, while others ignored it completely. No one would let him come, though. When they finally had him reduced to a pile of whimpering goo on the mattress, they all backed off and just smiled at him. “Now your punishment begins,” Fiero said. “Begins?” Echo croaked. He didn’t know how much more he could take. His hands were released, but only so he could be flipped to his stomach and chained again to the headboard. Vapre knelt on the bed behind him, pulling Echo’s hips up and pushing his knees under him. “This sweet little ass is going to look so nice with my handprints all over it.” Echo moaned, burying his face in the pillow as his body trembled in anticipation. Syx stretched out on the bed beside him, but leaned away when Echo turned to kiss him. “Uh-uh, sweetheart. Watch.” He motioned toward the other side of the bed. Echo turned his head and almost wished he hadn’t. Hex had Fiero pressed against the wall, a bruising grip on the warrior’s hips as he pounded his thick cock into Fiero’s willing ass. Myst knelt between Onyx’s splayed thighs where the demon lounged in the armchair, bobbing his head and dragging his lips along Onyx’s hard prick. Eyce’s face was buried between Myst’s muscled globes, licking and sucking at the perfect pucker. “Beautiful, isn’t it?” Syx murmured softly just as Vapre’s hand landed on Echo’s upturned ass in a stinging swat. “They’re so gorgeous together. Hex has so much power, and Fiero loves every second of it. Look at his face, baby.”

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Echo was looking. The most exquisite mixture of pain and pleasure covered Fiero’s handsome visage as he pushed back against Hex’s invading length. Vapre’s hand landed on his ass again and again in rapid succession, as he began tugging on the butt plug in Echo’s gripping channel. Moaning loudly, Echo rocked on his knees, pushing back against his lover and begging wordlessly for more. “Myst loves to suck cock. Look how deep he can go. You love that about him, don’t you?” If Syx was trying to drive him crazy with words alone, he was doing a fantastic job. His constant erotic narrative had Echo chewing on his lip as he battled against the urge to come. “I know what you really love, though,” Syx whispered seductively. “You crave a hard cock in your ass and a warm mouth wrapped around your dick. You love having your ass filled while the wet suction around your cock leaves you feeling dizzy. The slow burn that works across your body, the way your stomach clenches, the ache in your balls just before your orgasm slams into you.” “Please!” Echo begged as he watched Eyce slip two fingers into Myst’s clenching hole and begin pumping them in and out. Vapre’s hand smacked his cheeks again, just over the crease, pushing the toy further into his passage so that it nudged against his prostate. “Scream, baby,” Syx encouraged while his hands roamed over Echo’s sensitive skin. “Don’t hold it in. Scream as loud as you want.” Some kind of silent communication must have gone on between Vapre and Syx, because Syx slid under Echo just as Vapre pulled the plug from Echo’s clenching hole. They worked together, easing Echo down on Syx’s swollen cock until his heated backside rested against the demon’s groin. “You did so good,” Vapre whispered in his ear, his hand smoothing up and down Echo’s chest as Syx began to thrust up into him.

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Echo gripped the slats in the headboard and held on for dear life. His damp chest pressed against Syx’s, rubbing his cock with a glorious friction with every plunge of Syx’s cock into his greedy channel. Then Syx stilled his movements, groaning loudly as his eyes rolled back in his head. Echo glanced over his shoulder as much as his position would allow and watched as the same expression covered Vapre’s face. His lover began a slow rhythm, thrusting and out of Syx’s entrance, and it didn’t take long for Syx to catch on and begin to move as well. His arms circled around Echo’s back, encouraging and helping to move up and down on Syx’s engorged shaft. Fingers tangled in Echo’s hair, tugging gently and encouraging him to turn his head. Fiero knelt on the bed, his cock in hand as he pulled Echo’s head toward it without a word. Happy to comply, Echo continued to move his hips as he bent to the side and engulfed Fiero’s dick to the back of his throat. The demon grunted, holding Echo’s head still by his hair, and began rocking in and out of Echo’s mouth. The others gathered around them, stroking their hard lengths as they watched the erotic show. Harder and faster, the tempo increased, the intensity built, and Echo hollowed his cheeks around Fiero’s cock as Syx’s next upward thrust nailed his prostate and sent his head spinning. “Oh, fuck!” Fiero growled and bitter seed spurted from his slit in pulses as it bathed Echo’s tongue. Vapre groaned, slamming into Syx so hard Echo felt them moving up the bed. Syx’s hands gripped Echo’s hips, pulling him down hard as he roared out to the heavens and molten lava filled Echo’s convulsing passage. Echo released Fiero’s softening cock, tossed his head back on his shoulders, and screamed as his cock erupted in pearly strings of sticky cum, painting the space between him and his lover. Grunts and groans echoed off the walls as the others found their own releases and hot, sticky cum splashed over Echo’s back and shoulders.

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Slumping over Syx, he buried his face in the man’s neck and began to laugh. “Not that I’m complaining, but you do know you can just bite me if you want to mark me that bad, right?” Six wet tongues began licking over his back, cleaning the cum from him, and Echo shivered and moaned. Syx rubbed their cheeks together and chuckled. “But what fun would that be, my pretty little cum slut?” Echo sighed. His mate had a point. **** “So, what do you want for your birthday?” Syx adopted a stern look and pointed a finger in Echo’s face when his lover looked as though he’d argue. “Just make this easy and tell me.” “You already bought me a damn car. I don’t think you can really top that, babe.” “Okay, so something better than a car. Got it.” Syx turned and headed for the kitchen. “What?” Echo jumped up from the sofa. “No. That’s not what I meant! Syx, get back here.” “Echo wants something bigger and better than a car,” Syx announced with a smirk as he walked into the kitchen. His men looked at him thoughtfully before they each smiled. “We’ll find something perfect.” “You guys are impossible,” Echo huffed. “That is not what I meant! All I was saying is that you already bought me a car, and I really don’t see a reason for you to get me anything else for my birthday. I kind of figured an SUV covered birthdays, Christmases, and anniversaries for the next five years.” “Anniversaries?” Myst tilted his head to the side and rested his hands on his hips. “Do we have one of those coming up?” “No!” Echo demanded. “No more presents. I’ve already agreed to let you throw me this stupid party.”

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“Let us?” Fiero asked with raised eyebrows. “Stupid party?” Onyx added. “Ugh!” Echo threw his hands in the air, turned on his heels, and marched out of the room. “I give up,” he called over his shoulder. “Do whatever you want!” “I’m really glad he said that,” Hex mumbled as he took a sip of his coffee. Syx nodded his agreement. “Because we were going to anyway?” Hex winked at him. “You got it.” “Does anyone else find it strange that Ares didn’t make his grand appearance this time?” Onyx leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest. “I mean, that prick always has to have the last word.” “Well, I don’t think we’ve heard the last from him, and yeah, it is kind of odd.” Syx frowned and scratched at the back of his neck. “Maybe he’s sulking because his plan backfired. Instead of me failing in my task, we gained two damn powerful allies in the war. That would be enough to piss anyone off.” “Yes,” Vapre said slowly. “Ares doesn’t sulk, though. He gets pissed off and gets revenge. He’s going to be looking for a whole lot of payback right about now. What the fuck does he even want with Echo anyway?” Everyone looked at him with raised eyebrows, and Vapre shook his head as he chuckled. “I didn’t mean it like that. I just don’t understand why Ares wants him so bad that he’s willing to go to war for him.” “I don’t think Ares is going to war for Echo,” Hex said. “I think he wants Echo because he knows our mate is important to us and could potentially lead to our victory. Other than that, there is still something we’re not seeing.” “Well, who’s up next?” Myst asked. “The best we can do for now is make sure we’re prepared for our tests and take things one day at a time.”

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Syx stared at the warrior with wide eyes. Myst rolled his eyes and flipped him off. “What? I have good ideas, and I’m not as completely oblivious as everyone thinks. It’s just easier to feign ignorance. You guys don’t expect so much from me then.” Chuckling under his breath, Syx shook his head as he headed over to the counter to make a cup of coffee. On second thought…he reached out and snatched the mug from Hex’s hands and gave his lover a quick kiss on the lips to cut off any protest. “Thank you, Hex.” Hex grumbled for a minute, but he was smiling, so Syx knew he’d already been forgiven. Taking a tentative sip, he grimaced. Hex always used too much sugar. Wrapping his fingers around the mug, Syx turned to address everyone. “Okay, so we need to go over the prophecy again and try to pinpoint which task aligns with Myst, Onyx, or Hex.” “Right,” Fiero said. “And let’s try to be prepared this time. Waiting until the last minute has worked so far, but it makes me damn nervous, and I don’t like being nervous.” “You sound like The Incredible Hulk,” Myst mumbled under his breath. “None of us like not knowing what’s going to happen, but we’re doing the best we can. Unless you have something useful to add, maybe you could just keep your negativity to a minimum.” Wow, Syx had been seeing an entirely new side to Myst in the last few weeks. He didn’t have to dip into the man’s mind to know the cause, though. Myst was scared. He had no idea when his task would be up, and he feared he would fail at whatever lay before him. He worried that the other warriors would blame him if he failed and they lost Echo to Ares. Unfortunately, Syx didn’t know how to comfort the demon. It was kind of like loving Echo. It wasn’t something you could explain in words. Myst wouldn’t fully understand or grasp the significance until he’d experienced it for himself. Still, Syx would do everything in his power to help his lover come out on top.

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“Okay, so we still have the lab, Ares, three more tests, and the war.” Onyx ticked them off on his fingers as he spoke. “Piece of cake.” “Oh, shit!” Myst jumped up from his chair and began flying around the kitchen, pulling things from the cabinets, looking into the pantry, and digging through the refrigerator. “Crap, crap, crap!” “What the hell has gotten into you?” Hex demanded as he narrowly avoided being smashed into the counter and spilling hot coffee all over himself. “We’re having the party tomorrow, and I completely forgot to make the fucking cake. I don’t even have all the stuff I need and the roads haven’t been cleared yet so I don’t even know how I’m going to get into town to get it.” “Slow down there, Betty Crocker.” Syx slapped the warrior on the back as he laughed. It had taken almost triple the time for them to make it home from the cave. It really wasn’t worth risking sliding off the road just to go to town for cake supplies. “If you can’t get into town, that means no one can get out here. So, it looks like we’re going to have to postpone the party until his actual birthday.” “Did I hear correctly?” Echo asked as he strolled back into the kitchen. “We’re not having the party?” “Nice try, runt.” Fiero threw a wadded up napkin at Echo’s face. “You’re going to have a birthday party, and you’re going to love it, or else.” “Woohoo!” Echo cheered sarcastically as he waved his hands in the air and wiggled his fingers. “You make it sound like a real blast.” “Well, you make it sound like a goddamn death sentence,” Fiero countered. And they were off, everyone jumping in to argue their point and demanding that they were right. Syx just leaned against the counter and sipped at his coffee as he watched. One day they’d learn that Echo always got his way. In the meantime, though, it was damn fun to watch the fireworks.

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End of Book 5: Shades of Black To be continued in Book 6: Hypnotic Healing

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Gabrielle Evans grew up in a small town in southern Oklahoma. We are talking one red light that may or may not work depending on the day of the week. She married her high school sweetheart and the rest is pretty much history. They have two very active boys and one high-strung wiener dog that keeps her constantly on the go. For now, she parks her car in north-central Texas, but who knows what tomorrow will bring. Gabrielle believes in love at first sight, falling hard and fast, taking chances, and grabbing your happy-ever-after with both hands. She also believes that a great cup of coffee can cure anything.

Also by Gabrielle Evans Siren Classic ManLove: Gods of Chaos 1: Devil Did Grin Siren Classic: Salem Nights 1: Life Out Loud Ménage Amour: Wicked River 1: Keeper of the Light Siren Classic ManLove: Lawful Disorder 1: Lipstick and Handguns Siren Classic ManLove: The Moonlight Breed 1: Leap of Faith Siren Classic ManLove: The Moonlight Breed 2: By the Light of the Moon Siren Classic ManLove: The Moonlight Breed 3: Whispers in the Night Ménage Amour ManLove: The Moonlight Breed 4: Softly Spoken Lies Siren Classic ManLove: Midnight Matings: Fire and Ash Siren LoveXtreme Forever ManLove: Fatefully Yours 1: Dark Devotion Siren LoveXtreme Forever ManLove: Fatefully Yours 2: Upon Crimson Waters Siren LoveXtreme Forever ManLove: Fatefully Yours 3: Firestorm Siren LoveXtreme Forever ManLove: Fatefully Yours 4: Hell’s Tempest

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