Chapter 7

I was about to ask how we were getting back when my stomach gave a violent heave. Clinging to the front of Arius’ jacket, I looked to see we were in my room in the other realm. “A little warning next time.” I took a deep breath.

“Sorry.” He titled my chin up, his eyes filled with pain as he looked at my cheek. “I couldn’t stand there and watch blood run down your face a moment more.”

I touched my cheek carefully and winced when it stung. “It was so much to take in, I didn’t react fast enough.”

He made a sound of frustration. “You shouldn’t have been there to begin with. I was going to bring you back first, but my brothers felt it was imperative we act right then.”

I stepped back, checking my balance. “I’m glad I was. My hard drive came in handy.” I turned and went to the mirror to check my face. Reaching it, I leaned in closer. There was a gash more than an inch long on my face. “That’s going to leave a scar.” I turned to see Arius taking weapons off and dropping them on the floor.

He glanced at me. “There will be no scars to mar your beautiful face.” His jacket landed on top of the weapons. Moving toward me, he unbuttoned his vest.

I stood there, my heart racing as this man stood in front of me. “There won’t?”

He shook his head slowly. Reaching down, he scooped me up and carried me into the bathroom and set me on the counter. Stepping over, he turned on the light and came back to kneel in front of me, resting one of my feet on his hand as he looked at my leg. With a gentle touch he brushed the gravel from the roof from my leg.

As he stood up, his braid hung down his chest. I reached up and pulled the tie from the end of it, separating it with my hands so his black hair hung over his shoulder. I don’t know what possessed me to do that, I just preferred his hair loose.

His jaw clenched, his eyes searching mine. Reaching behind him, he pulled a knife out and lifted it to his chest. “Let’s take care of the bleeding.”

Before I could speak, he sliced into his chest and set the knife on the counter. I leaned forward and licked the blood before it could run down his chest. His hand cupped the back of my head as he stepped closer. Closing my mouth around the wound, I sucked gently hoping it didn’t hurt him.

He sucked in a breath and wrapped his other arm around my waist.

When it healed closed, I lifted my head to see his red eyes watching me. Leaning down, he tipped my head up and licked slowly across my cheek.

A shiver went up my spine from the tenderness of the gesture.

Lifting his head, he watched me as he reached over and flipped the water on in the sink. He knelt in front of me again and wiped the dirt from my leg with a warm, wet cloth. When he finished one leg, he did the same to the other.

I swallowed, unable to think of a single word to say. His eyes changed slowly back to grey and moved over my face, a softer, caring gaze. When he released my leg, I slid to the edge of the counter until my feet touched the floor. He knelt there in front of me, his eyes holding mine. My legs were shaking as I bent my knees and lowered my body, to rest on his knees. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I pulled his head down so I could kiss him.

Grasping my hips, he pulled me tight against his body as his mouth covered mine.

There was no hesitation from either of us as our mouths clashed, trying to consume one another. With a low growl, he turned and lowered me to the floor, moving to lie beside me without breaking the kiss.

My hands ran over any part of him I could reach as he raised over me and pulled my leg to rest over his hip. I felt surrounded by him, his hands molding my body, his hair enclosing our faces, so it was just us. Not caring if I could breathe or not, I grasped his hair and held his head so he couldn’t pull away. I ran my tongue along his fangs, then pulled my head back and looked into the red eyes, heavy with passion.

“Paisley?”

Daxx called out in the room.

Arius rolled and kicked the door closed with a bang.

“Paisley, I’m going to leave Tim outside your door to take you to the dining room when you’re ready.” Daxx said through the door. “I don’t know where Arius is, probably glowering at the new prisoners and scaring them into compliance.”

I looked to see Arius laying on his back, his arm over his eyes, his chest rising and falling rapidly.

“Okay. Thanks.” I said loud enough she could hear me.

We lay there panting for a few moments.

“First my office, then a bathroom floor.” He said quietly.

I opened my eyes and looked around. “It’s the nicest, cleanest bathroom floor I’ve ever seen.”

He snorted and dropped his arm to look at me. “It’s a first for me, to lose control to the point I forget my surroundings.”

I grinned. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

Rolling, he got to his feet and held his hand down to me. “Unraveling a man who has spent a few hundred years holding his composure? It is a compliment, or a threat, I haven’t quite decided which.” He smiled.

I took his hand, and he pulled me to my feet before looking down at me for a moment. Leaning down, he kissed me softly. “I’ll grab my gear and pop to my room, so Tim can escort you to the dining room.”

I hugged my waist and nodded. “I’ll see you there, unless you have glowering to do.”

His lips quirked. “Plenty of time for that later.”

~

I sat across from Arius at the large table. He would glance to his siblings, then his eyes moved back to me each time. I looked down to try and pay attention to what Michael was saying.

“We haven’t gone through all of it yet, but we’re setting up teams to go and get the women at those addresses listed, once we know everything we need to.”

“Is the safe house going to be big enough? Shall I set up another location?” Alona sipped her wine and looked to Victor.

“It may be prudent to set up a few more, just in case. You can always liquidate them at a later date.” He looked to Troy then Chase, who both nodded.

Setting down her glass, she picked up her phone. “Okay. I’ll get Liza on it now.”

Daxx sat back and sighed loudly. “I feel like we’re finally in the lead after tonight.” Leaning over the table she looked down to me. “Thanks to Paisley having mad skill with computers.”

I shrugged. “I’m sure if I hadn’t been there the towers would have just been brought back.”

“Still,” she nodded her head, “they could have been damaged before that without your help.”

Victor picked up his phone and read something. “Miss Hinton has confirmed the guard’s schedule.” He looked at Quinton. “Clairee said Paisley is correct, there is no ward on that section of the perimeter?”

Quinton nodded. “None. Romulus is working to figure out a way to bring the entire barrier down,” he sneered, “says it will take a handful of mages working simultaneously.”

Rafael leaned forward and looked to Victor. “He’s going to let us know when they have it figured out.”

Victor nodded slowly and then glanced to Arius. “We’ll start preparations for a full-scale assault.”

Arius’ look was hard. “I’ll prep the intake cells.”

Troy held up his hand. “My concern is, each time we’ve brought full teams in on the planning, they’ve known we were coming.”

Chase nodded. “He’s right. When we keep it among ourselves and have to act quickly we succeed without a hitch.”

Crissy looked over at Victor. “I haven’t seen anything.”

I glanced at her, then shrugged. “It’s easy enough to find out.” Everyone turned to look at me. “Just tell small groups different things and see which one has the leak.”

“Oh. Yes.” Bethany pointed at me. “Like that movie. What was the name?” Leone took her hand and held it on the table.

Arius tilted his head and studied me for a moment before looking across at Michael, “it could work, and I’d feel better knowing before we hit that island.” He shook his head, “too many variables there.”

Michael nodded. “We’ll sit down and make a list of groups and set it up, starting tonight.” He set his fork down and leaned on the table. “We’re digging into the history on our science team as well right now, to find out who is helping them make those cuffs and devices.”

Arius nodded, but didn’t say anything.

Quinton grinned at me. He raised his glass and motioned around the table. “To sisters with skills.”

Mitz came out, carrying another urn of coffee.

Chase smiled at her. “You look very pleased today, Mitz.”

She set it down on the table and nodded. “I am very happy.” She smiled. “We’ve solved the color problem with the gowns.” She nodded. “Each will be black then trimmed with various colors, the men will wear a cummerbund in the color that matches their mates’ trim.” Excitedly, she covered her cheeks, her eyes huge. “I’m so excited I haven’t slept in two days.” Turning she went back out into the kitchen.

All eyes turned slowly to look at Daxx.

She groaned and leaned back. “I’m going to have to do it aren’t I?”

Troy leaned over and kissed the top of her head. “I’m afraid so.”

She sighed. “When is it?”

Troy gave Chase a hesitant look. “Soon.”

She groaned again.

I looked at Arius, my confusion plain.

He smirked. “The yearly ball to commemorate the coronation of our kings.”

I sat forward. “Ball? Like a dance with music?”

Arius nodded.

I almost jumped out of my chair. “Who does the music?”

He looked at Troy, who shrugged and glanced to Chase, who smirked.

“I can do it.” I nodded. “You don’t have to pay me,” I rolled my eyes and looked at Arius, “you did pull me out of the bay.” I covered my mouth with my hand. “Gowns—so we’ll start with formal music,” I looked at Rafael, “does it turn into a party or is it all stuffy and official.”

He shrugged, “the start is painful, but by the end everyone’s feeling good.”

Quinton snorted.

Rafael pointed to him. “You get to go this year now that you’re all handsome again—you can help keep Michael from drinking too much and threatening to cut the men’s legs off.”

Michael made a sound of exasperation. “It wasn’t legs, it was a much more personal part of his anatomy.”

I stood up, then sat down again. “This is awesome! How many people attend?”

Michael frowned, “all of Alterealm is invited, only about half show up.”

I covered my mouth with my hands. “Really? Wow, my biggest gig ever.” I nodded and pulled out my phone, opening up a note to start a list, “I’ll start with formal and gradually turn it into a well-rounded party…”

“Paisley.”

I looked up from typing my list to Arius. He looked at me with his head tipped to the side.

“You can’t deejay when your part of the royal family—and guests.” His grey eyes held mine, a vulnerable look in them.

My eyes went bigger. He wanted me to be his date. I smiled, then bit my lip. “Well, I’m still making the play list.” I waved the phone around, “just make sure the deejay is someone I can work with.”

He smiled back at me. “I’ll make sure he follows your every instruction, without hesitation.”

Michael coughed.

Rafael laughed.

Victor cleared his throat. “It’s going to be a security nightmare.”

Rafael’s expression sobered. “Quinton, Ira and I have been working with the guards to set up a secure watch.”

“You guys all suck.” Daxx said quietly. She pointed to Alona and jerked her thumb at me. “She’s clearly on your side with this dance, and gowns stuff.”

I looked from Arius to Alona. “I’m in a gown?”

She nodded.

I opened my mouth and then closed it. “I’ve never been that dressed up in my life.”

Daxx snorted. “Wait until they squish you in a bodice and see how happy you are about it.”

Troy started laughing.

Arius grinned and looked at him. “You get to make sure she doesn’t hide weapons under the gown this time.”

Chase stood up and held his phone up. “The surprise is ready.” He looked at his brothers.

“Surprise?” Alona frowned.

Daxx looked at Troy as he stood up. “If this involves anything girly, I’m stabbing you.”

Troy grinned and held out his hand. “Nothing girly, I assure you.”

Bethany stood up with Leone’s help. “Surprise for all of us?”

“Just you ladies.” Michael got up as well.

Arius grinned and looked around at the other women before looking back to me. “It’s been hell trying to keep you from finding out.”

“Really?” Crissy got up then looked at Victor. “I didn’t see anything.”

He took her hand. “I’ve been holding my breath for weeks to keep it out of my head.”

“Sneaky men.” Daxx said following Troy out.

We stepped out into the hallway; the four guards stood there smiling. Tim, motioned to the wall.

I turned to see a large pink cardboard arrow taped to the wall. I glanced and saw more arrows going down the hall.

Daxx looked at them and then to Alona. “What is this direction?”

Alona shrugged, “I have no idea, other than the landing room and armory.”

Chase took her hand and started walking. “The problem was finding a space to use.”

Troy nodded. “We have no idea what some of the rooms down here are for.”

I followed along behind them, Bethany beside me.

She laughed. “Bright pink arrows aren’t quite what I had in mind for directions, but they work.”

We went down a long corridor and then stopped at a door. A sign was hung on it that read ‘girl cave’.

Daxx gave Troy a cautious look then opened the door. Everyone filed in behind her then stopped. It was larger than the dining room. There were a few desks and computers, a long table lined the wall with a map placed on it, like the one in Victor’s office.

“Is that a wine fridge?” Alona glanced to Chase and went over.

He smiled. “Of course.” Motioning to the loveseats in the center of the room, he shrugged. “You ladies won’t drown sitting on those.”

She laughed.

Troy pointed to the far wall.

Daxx ran over. It was a large target, knives sticking out of it. She turned and smiled up at him. “You know how to make a girl feel loved.”

Crissy’s laughter made me turn and look.

She stood in a corner lined with plexiglass, similar to the cells. She looked at me. “My own corner to bounce and fit pieces together.”

I had no idea what that meant, but she jumped up into Victor’s arms and hugged him, so I assumed it was a good thing.

Leone walked over and pulled a cloth covering a large t.v. on the wall. Then he picked up wireless headphones and held them up.

Bethany raced toward him and grabbed them. “It’s heaven.” She put the headphones on and hugged him.

Arius touched my back softly. I looked up at him. “I figured you’d be helping track down women, so,” he motioned to a stand beside Bethany’s t.v., “you’ll have to set it up however you prefer.”

My jaw dropped. I looked back up at him, he nodded. Going over I ran my hands over the stereo system, then the speakers. I pulled it out and leaned to look at it. “I can just jack my phone in.” I straightened and ran my hand over the speaker, a few pairs of wireless headphones rested on top. Covering my mouth, I spun and looked at him.

He looked relieved.

“I don’t know what…” I looked at it again. “I’m…” I rushed at him and wrapped my arms around him. “Thank you.”

“We may never see them again.” Troy said, looking concerned.

Daxx turned with knives in her hand and walked back toward him. “At least you’ll know where to find us.” She spun and flicked the knife at the target. It hit it with a thunk.

Quinton covered his mouth and chuckled. “Somebody’s getting lucky tonight.” He said quietly.

Rafael looked at Alona and Chase, “a few somebodies.”

“We’re having the data we got off the hard drives put on the private server, so you can access all of it.” Victor said still carrying Crissy.

Alona smiled, “that’s perfect. It will save a lot of time.”

Crissy kissed Victor then squirmed, so he’d set her down. “We can print and sort according to area and date, then have a list of locations to go to.” She ran down the length of the table looking completely hyped.

“Warden?”

Arius turned to see two men standing at the door. Straightening, he went over and took the tablet from them and looked down at it. His brow creased as he looked at it then glanced back to them. “Did you double check the scans?”

The one guard glanced to him fleetingly then back to the floor. “Yes, sir.”

The man beside him didn’t even look at Arius. “We’ve called the science team to confirm it.”

“Is there a problem, brother?” Victor came over and looked over his shoulder at the tablet. He scowled.

Arius looked at the men, his jaw clenched. “There may be.” He looked from one man to the other. “Is there just the one?”

They both nodded, still not looking at him.

I know he’d told me no one met his look, but this was the first time I’d seen it with my own eyes. I looked at everyone standing here, they didn’t seem to notice. It had been happening for so long it was just accepted. Something inside of me snapped. I stomped over and pushed between Victor and Arius, I stepped close to the first man and glared up at him. “I may not know a damn thing about rank and placement around here, but I do recognize disrespect when I see it.” I jabbed him in the chest with my finger and sneered at him. “When speaking to a superior, you look them in the eye, not at the pattern on the carpet.”

Stepping over, I got in the other one’s face. “If he wanted to harm you, he wouldn’t need to use his eyes to do it.” Turning, I grabbed the tablet from a shocked Arius and smacked it against the man’s chest. “Go do your job.” I waved a hand at them. They both looked at me, then inclined their heads slightly and backed out of the room, quickly.

Someone started clapping. I turned to see Chase looking thrilled. I looked around to see expressions of approval and shock in the room. I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Giving Arius a soft look, I bit my lip. “Sorry—it just…”

Chase walked over and patted me on the shoulder. “Don’t apologize, sarg. That was fucking beautiful.” He walked out of the room. “I’ll be in the cells when you’re done staring at her with your gob hanging open, Arius.”

Quinton stepped around me, a smirk on his face. “Vicious little thing.”

Rafael just laughed as he walked by. “Sisters with skills.” He winked.

Victor cleared his throat and turned to Arius, “I’ll go see to the science team’s tests.”

Arius nodded, his eyes still looking at me.

One by one they filed out of the room.

I clasped my hands in front of me and looked at him, I wasn’t sure if he was angry with what I’d done.

He stepped closer, reaching over my head, he pushed the door closed.

I bit my lip. “I’m sorry…”

Grasping my waist, he lifted me, pressing my back against the door before his mouth crushed mine in a rough kiss. I wrapped my arms around his neck, trying to keep up with him.

He growled in the back of his throat and lifted his head. “If it wasn’t important,” he kissed me again, “I would continue this,” he growled again and nipped my lip. “No one has ever done anything like that for me before.”

I remembered where it all started. “Is it bad? Why they came looking for you?”

He lowered me to the floor. “They found some sort of tracker on one of the men from the office earlier.” He gently brushed the hair back from my forehead.

“To track them here?” It was hard to focus on words with the way he was looking at me.

He shook his head. “Nothing can lead them to the cells or any of the chambers, they have to know that by now.”

“So why are they tracking him?”

“Exactly.” Leaning down, he kissed me so tenderly my breath hitched in my throat when he raised his head. “I don’t want to let you go.”

I bit my lip. “I’ll come with you and wait in your office.”

He kissed me quickly, the backed up so he could open the door. “This time we’re locking the office door.”

~

We almost ran to the cells. When we reached them, he looked both ways, then grabbed me and kissed me hard. When he released me, he was smiling as we walked into his maze.

I stepped into the office to see the women all looking at the monitors. I stopped.

Daxx shrugged. “We didn’t know where else to go, you were in our new cave.”

Alona smiled. “First rule, no sex in the girl cave.”

Crissy giggled.

I blushed.

Daxx nodded to the monitor. “Arius has a spring in his step.”

Bethany turned and held her hand up for a high five.

I grinned and tapped my hand to hers.

“That was great.” She smiled.

“Yeah.” Daxx glanced at me, “putting them in their place like that.”

“It’s horrible the way everyone fears Arius.” Alona stated quietly.

“Does anyone know if there’s a sound button on this?” Daxx looked down at the buttons.

Bethany leaned over and looked. “I’d probably hit the wrong one and release everyone.”

Daxx nodded. “Yeah. Well, we’ll just go see what’s going on.” She turned to the door.

I hesitated. “Are we allowed to?”

She snorted. “After earlier, you could release the worst of the criminals in here and Arius would buy you flowers.”

“Uh,” Alona cringed, “don’t mention flowers. I still shudder after the incident in my apartment.”

“Yeah.” Bethany agreed as she walked by.

I followed as they weaved through the cells. I looked straight ahead, not wanting to see who were behind the clear walls.

We walked into a space similar to the one I’d stood in to identify Martin. On the other side of the wall stood Victor, Arius and Troy. They watched a man run some sort of device over another man.

Alona stepped over to the panel and looked at it. She pushed a button. Daxx gave her a curious look, she shrugged. “I listen in when the doctors are with my father.”

“Your father’s in here?” I stepped over to the wall.

She nodded. “It’s a long story that requires wine to be told.”

Crissy giggled. “Everything with you needs wine.”

Alona shrugged again. “We all have our vices. Yours is climbing, Bethany needs movies,” she motioned to me, “Paisley’s is music. Daxx is…”

“Kicking ass,” Bethany and Crissy said at the same time.

Daxx laughed, “It works for me.”

“This is your job.” Arius’ voice came over the speaker.

We all turned to watch in the cell.

He was leaning against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest, glaring at the man with the scanner. “If you don’t know, who will?”

Victor and Troy stood watching the interaction.

The man lifted his hand and mumbled something.

Arius straightened away from the wall. “Then I suggest you go get them—I have better things to be doing than standing here waiting for you to do your job.”

Troy grinned and looked at him. Victor’s lips twitched as he motioned to the door so the man would hurry.

“I can take a look, brother.” Troy offered.

Arius stood there looking at the prisoner. He walked over and stopped in front of him and leaned down. “Do you know who I am?” The man nodded. “You will behave, or deal with me.” The man nodded. Arius straightened and looked at his brothers. “We’ll move him to the room that blocks all tech first, just to be sure until they figure it out.” He nodded to the guard near the door.

“Wonder why he’s in such a mood.” Alona said with a smirk, “what would he rather be doing?”

Daxx snorted.

I blushed. “He’s so sweet.” I said trying to voice how he made me feel. “It’s like he’s completely in tune with my emotions.” I looked back at him. “I know he’s not an emotion feeder and cheater like that Martin creep.”

“He doesn’t need to be.”

I turned to see Chase leaning in the doorway.

“A blood bond is idiot proof,” he winked at Alona, “even I can’t screw that up.”

Alona laughed. “No, your mouth does that for you, my king.”

Chase shrugged, “It’s part of my charm to throw you off guard.

I looked from him to Alona. “A blood bond?”

Alona’s amusement faded.

I glanced to Daxx.

She sighed. “I’m telling you we need an introductory manual for this place.”

Bethany glanced to Arius then me. “He didn’t tell you before using his blood to heal you?” She motioned to my cheek.

I shook my head. “Explain what?”

“Shit,” Chase whispered.

Alona crossed her arms over her chest. “When you exchange blood, or even just ingest theirs,” She glanced to Daxx, “it creates a bond, a link with them.”

Daxx nodded. “He’ll know what you’re feeling.” She frowned, “be damned if I can figure it out myself, but the men are pros at it.” She looked at Chase. “Depending on who it is, they could tap into all your emotions or only the strongest ones.”

Chase looked at the floor. “It’s Arius, Daxx, he controls thought…”

“He’s in my head all the time?” Hugging my waist, I glanced back at Arius. “So, he’s no better than Martin.” I said, trying not to acknowledge how much that hurt.

“There’s a reason, Paisley, and I’m guessing he hasn’t mentioned that either…”

I held up my hand cutting Daxx off. “No reason excuses deceit.” I looked at her. “Can you please get me out of this maze?”

She nodded and motioned to the door we’d come in.

As we stepped through the main door back into the hallway, she looked at me. “Want to go to your room or the girl cave?”

I heavy a shaky breath. “My room please.”

We went about ten feet down the hall when Arius burst through the door.

“Paisley.”

I turned around.

Chase was beside him saying something I couldn’t hear.

Arius shook his head and started walking toward me. “Paisley…”

I shook my head and held my hand out, focusing on his feet to stop him. I backed away, holding him there. “I don’t want to talk, Arius.” Dropping my hand, I looked at him. He watched me back away but didn’t move this time. I shook my head and then turned to follow Daxx.