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“Blonde and sturdy, I think.” He pushed the covers to his waist, already hard in anticipation. Having abstained so many years, he was insatiable. His mother had been wrong. Sex did not drain his powers. It energized him. What else had she been wrong about?
“It will be arranged.” Lort backed out the door. “Lord.”
Cerberus waited, growing harder as he imagined a female impaled on his cock, feeding his powers, strengthening him.
Echidna squeezed his shoulder. “You will keep your body holy, pristine, unused.”
His mother once caught him eyeing a young witch on one of their trips into Covenkirk. The sight of the female caused his cock to throb, the bulge in his pants large, visible. At home, despite being of an age near his Awakening, she ordered him to remove his shirt. She called for her husband and the whip. While his father struck him repeatedly, his urge to satisfy himself with the female waned.
With his back torn, his blood dripping onto the floor, he gripped the bars designed for his punishment. His mother spoke. “If you have need, relieve yourself. You will not allow a female to defile you.”
“Yes, Mother.”
Driven by one focus, Echidna had obsessed over any distraction from the young Cerberus’s goals or training. She feared he would stray from his path, his destiny. Sex. Friends. Play. Any hint of happiness was forbidden.
When the female arrived, chained and with fear shadowing her eyes, he approved of the choice. The guard pulled her inside, handing off the metal chain to Cerberus. He snapped the large clasp onto a bedpost. The Blood Coven descendant would not defile his body. She would energize it, imbue him with power. His mother had been blind.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Before dawn, Roark watched from a shadowy corner while Kole’s Firebrands weaponized. The bottom floor armory was the busiest spot in the Covenkirk stronghold. Young, untested recruits babbled with excitement. Boisterous, they popped wiseass comments. Experienced warriors with blank eyes stayed in their heads, probably picturing the blood they would spill today.
But the mated pairs who said goodbye without words snagged Roark’s attention.
Dax’s hand caressed Chiara’s belly, her cheek against his chest.
Chay and Margo chatted against the far wall, the ylve for once not shifting from foot to foot in anticipation of the fight ahead. Instead, he stroked his mate’s red hair while he whispered in her ear, making her blush.
To his right, Braelyn tucked throwing stars into a belt pouch. Rein’s gaze top-to-toed her before he readjusted the weapons at her hips. She gave him an accepting sigh, rising onto her toes to put her lips at his ear. Though she spoke softly, Roark heard her words. “If losing control means you survive today, do it. I don’t care how bloodthirsty you are. Just live. Hear me? Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.”
Rein let loose a derisive snort. “I know you will, Brae, ‘cause I’ll be watching. If the Blood Coven shit doesn’t work, I’ll tie you to my ass.”
“Don’t even think about it.” She grinned. “Also stay out of my way.”
Rein growled, lifting her off her feet to plant a big one on her mouth.
Roark’s gaze flipped to Kole. His toddler was in his grasp while his frosty beauty of a mate had her arms around them both. When Skyler loosened her hold, kissing the top of Kae’s head, he handed their daughter off to Ranca, the demon who waited nearby.
A dark-haired vision blocked Roark’s line of sight. She was fierce today. Gone were the long skirts, jangling bracelets, and bare feet. In their stead were tight leather pants, a snug blue tucked-in tee, and shitkickers. The laces were even tied. His Indigo was every inch a warrior. He sauntered over to her, pulling on her chest harness as Rein had done to Braelyn. Settling the gun holsters firmly on her hips, he ran his palm along her ass-length braid, wondering again how she had burrowed so deep into his heart.
“I need a fist bump or a high-five,” said Indy.
Roark grinned while throwing an arm around her waist, drawing her in tight. He leaned close. “This will have to do.” He touched his lips to hers. When she responded, he deepened the kiss, pressing for entry. Once she yielded, he stroked her mouth, tasting the flavor which was Indy. The fresh water of the river, wild roses on its banks, and succulent sweet grass on its shores. With her heart pounding, he retreated.
Indigo rested gentle hands on his shoulders. “That was very nice.”
“I’m glad you think so. Tonight, I’ll aim for better than very nice. I’ll try for spectacular, toe-curling.”
Her barely there smile faded. “I don’t know what you are or what secrets you won’t share, but I love you.”
Roark’s breath caught in his throat, a solid lump he couldn’t dislodge. He leaned into the warmth of her touch, a hot reminder of her passion. His hand lifted to stroke her cheek, but words failed the glib shifter. Even knowing he kept secrets, she trusted him. She loved him.
Indy inhaled, drawing up straight. “If I don’t see you after this nonsense is over, I’ll meet you someday in the Evermore.” She held up a flattened palm. “Don’t say it. I know you’ll go there. Your heart is good.” She stepped away. “Blood Coven. It’s time.”
Margo slapped Chay’s ass, Skyler gave Kole a peck on the cheek, Braelyn took a deep breath as she left Rein’s side, and Dax watched Chiara join the others, his midnight eyes black holes.
Like synchronized swimmers, the mages walked to the portal access, touching their D-chips to dematerialize.
The Firebrands flashed out next.
