Behind Closed Doors

Fatefully Yours 8

Behind Closed Doors Myst doesn’t know how to get the things he needs without pushing his lovers away. His darkest desires have driven a wedge between them, and he’s at a loss when it comes to bridging the gap. The irony that he’ll need to face his own inner demons isn’t lost on him, either. With so much discord in their home, it’s a wonder anyone even remembers they have one final challenge before the equinox. Things are spinning out of control, but Echo has no idea how to bring them all together again. When things finally come to a head, and Myst is forced to reveal his deepest secrets, it will take a combined effort to bring the demon back from the brink. Will they lose the warrior to his own hell? Or can their love rescue him in time to face their newest enemy?

NOTE! You are purchasing Siren's newest serialized imprint, the LoveXtreme Forever Series. This is Book 8 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: 40,543 words

BEHIND CLOSED DOORS Fatefully Yours 8

Gabrielle Evans

LOVEXTREME FOREVER MANLOVE

Siren Publishing, Inc. www.SirenPublishing.com

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A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK IMPRINT: LoveXtreme Forever ManLove

BEHIND CLOSED DOORS Copyright © 2011 by Gabrielle Evans E-book ISBN: 1-61034-786-2 First E-book Publication: August 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.

PUBLISHER Siren Publishing, Inc. www.SirenPublishing.com

Letter to Readers Dear Readers, If you have purchased this copy of Behind Closed Doors by Gabrielle Evans from BookStrand.com or its official distributors, thank you. Also, thank you for not sharing your copy of this book.

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BEHIND CLOSED DOORS Fatefully Yours 8 GABRIELLE EVANS Copyright © 2011

Chapter One Echo was already panting before he even stepped through the doors of Silver City. The four-hour drive to Spokane, Washington had been a test of willpower, and he was failing quickly. He always found his men gorgeous, but now, they were more than breathtaking. Tight Wranglers, cowboy boots and hats, big, shiny belt buckles, and form-fitting button-down shirts adorned each one of his demons, and Echo wanted to strip naked and present his ass right there in the parking lot. Even Fiero, who insisted that he hated country music, and anything to do with the culture, was decked out and looking positively drool-worthy. “There are a lot of cars here,” he observed as they walked toward the front doors. It didn’t look big from the outside, but there had to be at least sixty cars in that lot. “People know they can come here to have a good time and be themselves,” Hex explained. “It wasn’t always this popular, but it’s growing. We were thinking of making some renovations, expanding it, but now I guess it’s up to you what you want to do with the place.”

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Hex pushed open the heavy black door, and loud country music poured out into the night. He gave a little bow and an imperious wave of his hand. “After you, sir.” If Echo hadn’t been so dumbfounded, he probably would have rolled his eyes. The beauty of the room spread out before him robbed him of any sarcasm, though. It wasn’t dimly lit like he expected most clubs to be. There was an array of men and women, some dressed much as his mates, and others more casually like himself. Men danced together. Women danced together. There were even a few instances of women dancing with men. “Why do they come here?” Echo asked, pointing out a couple on the dance floor. The woman was twined around a rather handsome man, her tongue running up the side of his neck. “They like it here,” Syx said simply. “We get mostly gays and lesbians, but we welcome anyone that has an open mind and just wants to have fun.” Echo smiled and nodded. He liked that anyone was welcome here as long as they didn’t come to cause trouble. “Is there a bouncer?” “Unofficially,” Hex answered, waving his hand toward a beefy man sitting at the bar. “Jessup takes care of anyone that gets out of line, but that doesn’t happen very often.” Eyce leaned in close to him. “The staff are all some form of paranormals, so you don’t have to hide from them. They know what we are. Just be careful around the patrons.” “Got it.” “Wow,” Syn breathed, stepping up next to Echo. “Have you ever seen a place like this? And you own it! How cool is that?” “Damn cool.” Echo beamed. He’d never really had anything to call his own before. Now he had a home, a family, the love of seven amazing men, and a kick-ass nightclub. If they could just get rid of their pesky little god problem, life would be perfect. Suddenly, the music died away, and everyone became quiet. Echo tensed, scanning the room slowly for signs of trouble. He found

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nothing and noticed all eyes were turned toward the small stage in the corner. Three shiny silver poles ran from ceiling to the glossy wood floor. An upbeat though somehow sensuous song began blaring from the speakers, and cheers and applause rang out through the club. The lights dimmed except for those over the dais, and three men dressed in only bikini briefs stepped out onto the stage. Echo’s mouth hung open, and his cock twitched inside his jeans. Men like that worked for him? Sweet hell, he could get used to this gig. Dark hair, damp, bronzed skin stretched over sculpted muscles— their bodies moved fluidly in an erotic dance that made Echo’s mouth water. “We can move closer if you want,” Fiero whispered in his ear. “I’m sure they’d even let you touch them.” There was no condemnation in the warrior’s voice. He wasn’t jealous or hurt that Echo found the men attractive. Echo had no desire to touch them, though. “No,” he whispered back. “Let’s get a drink and find a table.” “Baby, you own this place. You get VIP treatment.” Fiero pointed over Echo’s shoulder toward a booth near the stage. It was enormous, circular, and took up half the damn wall. “Go on over, and I’ll get you a drink.” With a dazed bob of his head, Echo took Syn’s wrist and dragged him through the crowd to the booth. They’d no more than sat down when Craze stepped up beside the table and jerked his head behind him. “Looks like someone has a little crush on your man.” Echo didn’t bother to ask which man Craze was referring to, because it didn’t matter. If someone had designs on any of his mates, Echo needed to nip that in the bud immediately. Standing up on the padded bench seat, Echo looked out over the heads of the patrons toward the bar. What he saw made his blood boil and his hands clench into fists.

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Some cute little blond was pressed up to Myst, rubbing against him like a bitch in heat. He wore an adoring smile on his face and little else. Dressed only in a pair of spandex boy shorts, he showed off his slim, though toned, physique to perfection. Myst didn’t seem to be returning the attention, but he wasn’t doing anything to discourage it, either. Jumping down from the booth, Echo plowed through the throng of people, not even bothering to offer an apology. His vision narrowed, his eyes locked on Myst, and nothing else mattered. When he finally reached his mate, he crossed his arms over his chest and cleared his throat. “Am I interrupting something?” Myst glanced at him but quickly returned his attention to the blond rubbing against him. “Hey, Echo.” Echo? Not baby or sweetheart. Echo gave up any pretense of civility and growled. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” “I’m talking to a friend,” Myst said offhandedly. “It looks like you’re doing a hell of a lot more than talking.” Echo turned his glare to the twink. “Take a hike.” The guy didn’t even spare him a look. “I like it right where I am, thank you.” His voice flowed smooth and sensual, almost a purr as his hand drifted down Myst’s chest toward his groin. Myst did nothing to stop it. Echo saw red, rage descending over him like a palpable force. “Myst,” he snarled. “If you like your little friend you will step away from him right now.” Myst smirked and took a fractional step away from the man. “Better?” What the hell had gotten into the demon? Had Echo done something to him? Why was Myst treating him this way? Hurt burrowed into his heart, pushing aside some of his jealous rage. Watching the asshole’s hand travel further down Myst’s torso, the anger quickly returned, though.

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Until he took a good look in the direction of Myst’s zipper. There was no prominent bulge, no signs that he enjoyed the attention other than the fact that he wasn’t stopping it. Now Echo was pissed off, hurt, and confused. He wracked his brain but couldn’t come up with anything he might have done for Myst to act so indifferently toward him. Then the twerp’s hand descended past Myst’s belly button, and Echo lost it. He launched himself at the man, spittle flying from his mouth as he screamed in fury. “Mine!” Myst caught him around the waist and jerked him back before he could reach the little waiter. Echo let his mate hold him, but he stared daggers at the bastard in front of him. “You’re fired. Get your shit and get the fuck out.” The guy glanced quickly up at Myst then back to Echo and nodded quickly. “I’m sorry.” Not half as sorry as he was going to be if he didn’t get moving. Echo growled again, and the guy jerked back, stumbling away a few steps before turning and practically sprinting around the mahogany bar. Too wound up to notice at first, Echo’s eyebrows drew together when he felt Myst’s hands caressing down his stomach and soft lips kissing the side of his neck. “Gods, that was hot. Want you, baby.” Understanding slammed into him, and Echo threw his elbow back into Myst’s stomach. The demon grunted in pain, releasing him immediately. Whipping around, Echo cocked his elbow back again and swung out at Myst. Myst dodged out of his way, stumbling backward when his boot caught on the leg of the barstool. Overcorrecting, he lunged forward, tripping over the stupid barstool again and falling face-first into the wooden bar. “You fucking bastard!” Echo spat. A part of him wanted to reach out to his lover when he saw the blood trickle from Myst’s nose, but his temper and sense of betrayal wouldn’t allow it. “You did that shit

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just to make me jealous? To get a rise out of me because you think it’s sexy?” He prowled toward Myst, his head pounding and his blood roaring in his ears. Myst held a hand to his bleeding nose, and he seemed to be considering the wisdom of answering. Maybe he wasn’t a total idiot after all. “Fuck you,” Echo whispered. He didn’t know if he was more hurt or disappointed, but whatever he felt, he just wanted as far away from the warrior as he could get. The restroom seemed like a good place considering how his stomach rolled and churned. Spinning on his heels, he marched across the bar, grinding his teeth together to keep the bile from spewing from his mouth. How far would Myst have let it go if Echo hadn’t stopped it? Exactly how far would he have taken his little game just to get a reaction? You didn’t do that to someone you professed to love. Banging open the swinging bathroom door, Echo stopped just inside when three men turned to look at him. Whatever. Ignoring them, he went to one of the sinks, turned on the tap, and splashed the cold water over his face. He’d been elated when they stepped through those front doors. Now, not ten minutes later, he felt like he was going to hurl, and he just wanted to go home. Echo snorted. Even home didn’t sound like somewhere he wanted to be at the moment. The others hadn’t done anything to him to warrant his shitty attitude, but damn it! He just wanted to be alone. Knowing that Myst hadn’t actually desired the little blond did very little to cool his temper. “Everyone out.” Echo closed his eyes and groaned when he heard Myst’s voice. Couldn’t the man give him five fucking minutes? No one argued. They filed out of the men’s room quickly, leaving Echo alone with the one person he didn’t want to be anywhere near. “What do you want?”

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“I’m sorry, baby.” “Yeah, well, tell that to the guy that you just got fired. You can even call him baby, if you want.” “Stop it.” Echo kept his eyes closed and breathed deeply, praying for patience. “Myst, I love you. I do. If I didn’t, you’d be feeling a lot more than a broken nose right now. With that said…Get the fuck out.” “Would you just let me explain?” “It all seems pretty clear to me.” Echo finally opened his eyes and turned to face his mate. “I’m guessing you asked that guy to flirt with you so I’d get jealous. You took it too far, Myst. Would you have actually let him touch your cock if I hadn’t stopped him? Would you have fucked him?” “No!” Myst hurried across the room and dropped to his knees. “It was stupid, and I’m sorry. Yes, I asked him to do that. He knew the boundaries, though. Nothing below the belt. I didn’t touch him back.” Yes, because that made it all better. “Sometimes you amaze me with your level of stupidity.” Echo closed his eyes again and sighed. That hadn’t been fair, but he couldn’t take it back. “Put yourself in my place, Myst. Is it funny, cute, or sexy now?” “I didn’t think you’d get so upset. I thought you’d just get a little jealous. I’m sorry.” “Sorry doesn’t fix everything. I’m going to go find someone to dance with. Maybe I’ll let him feel me up a little while I’m at it.” Myst’s arms locked around Echo’s waist and held him immobile. “I’ll kill anyone who touches you.” “You lost that privilege when you lost my trust. Tell Hex I want to go home.” “Fine.” Myst released him, pushed to his feet, and walked out of the bathroom without a backward glance. Echo sighed and followed. Maybe birthday presents weren’t all they were cracked up to be.

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**** Myst sat alone in the third-row seat of the SUV and stared out the window at the passing trees. No one had spoken to him since they’d left the bar, and Hex refused to heal his broken nose. It would mend on its own in a few hours, but it throbbed like hell. He’d messed up. Story of his life. Big fucking deal. He just didn’t know how to make it right. He’d tried apologizing to Echo, but that had blown up in his face and only made things worse. Nothing about the blond waiter had attracted him. The guy didn’t possess even a fraction of the beauty and charisma Echo did. Myst just had this fantasy built up in his head that Echo would get jealous, it would be hot as sin, and they’d have some rough sex in the alley behind the club. None of that had gone as planned. Instead, he’d ended up with a busted nose, got a guy fired that probably really needed that job, no one was speaking to him, and Echo hated him. Could the night get any worse? Looking away from the window, Myst glanced toward the seat in front of him to find Echo curled up by Eyce’s side, his blond head resting on the warrior’s chest. They looked so easy and comfortable together—no animosity or discontentment. Echo said Myst had broken his trust. Though he hadn’t let on to it, the words spoken in that little restroom at the club had ripped him apart. He could handle Echo being angry at him, but to break the man’s trust and lose his love wasn’t something Myst thought he could recover from. Why did he have to be so damn stupid all the time? He was okay with everyone thinking he was a clown. He loved to do things to make his men laugh. Unfortunately, half the shit he did that earned their humor wasn’t on purpose. He was just that big of a screwup.

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It hadn’t really mattered before Echo came into their lives. None of the demons expected anything else from him, so he’d been able to coast by and just be the goof of the group. Echo not only expected, but also deserved better from him. He didn’t know how to change, though. It wasn’t like you could fix stupid. Maybe he’d been fledged from that river of fire with some crucial part of his brain missing—like the part that interjected when you were about to do something moronic. Lost in his self-ridiculing thoughts, he didn’t realize Syx was moving until the man was already halfway over the seat. He plopped down next to Myst and reached over to take his hand without a word. Neither of them spoke. They didn’t even look at each other, but Myst appreciated the support and offered comfort all the same. Not that he felt like he deserved it, but Syx was just that kind of guy. He could never stay mad at any of them for long. “I hate being like this,” Myst mumbled under his breath. “There’s nothing wrong with you.” Syx squeezed his hand. “You’re just a little impulsive, and you jump before you figure out a safe place to land.” While Myst appreciated Syx’s pretty words, it wasn’t what he needed just then. He needed Onyx. He only hoped Onyx wasn’t too pissed off at him to give him what he wanted. “Myst,” Syx growled. “No more.” “Butt out, Syx.” “No. I’m done. This shit has gone on long enough, and I’m putting a fucking stop to it.” Syx’s voice rose with every word until all eyes in the cab turned to look at them. Hex even glanced up to stare at them in the rearview mirror. “Would you shut up?” Myst hissed. “This is bullshit. I can’t do this anymore.” Syx pushed a hand through his hair and snarled. “Hex, stop the car. I’ll walk the rest of the way.” “It’s six miles,” Hex argued.

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“I don’t care, just let me out.” Hex slowed and pulled over to the side of the road where he eventually rolled to a stop. Syx launched himself over the back of the seat again, threw the door open, and bolted out into the night. He didn’t say a word as he slammed the door and started stalking down the dark country road. Myst sighed and slumped back in his seat. Apparently, his night could get a lot worse.

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Chapter Two Fiero didn’t know what the hell was going on, but it was irritating him to no end. Syx was stomping around and acting like a jackass. Onyx looked like someone had shot his puppy. Myst was absent more times than not over the last three days. Everyone else seemed quiet and somber, and Echo hadn’t spoken a word since they had left the club—not one goddamn word. Yeah, he got it that Myst was been a complete shit. He didn’t think that was any reason to shun the guy, though. Shouldn’t they be used to the demon sticking his foot in his mouth by now? Even Echo had been around long enough to understand that Myst didn’t always think through the consequences of his actions before he did something. It was time to put a stop to it. They had barely more than two weeks until the new moon, and no one had done a damn thing to help Myst. If they wanted to be pissed off at him, that was their prerogative, but Fiero wasn’t going to let the man he loved go down because everyone else couldn’t pull their heads out of their asses. It was actually kind of amusing to him considering that he was usually the one to become sullen over situations like this. But, damn it all, things were getting ridiculous. He hadn’t even gotten laid since they’d been to that bar. With seven men to call his, three days was equivalent to a year in his book. And it was just a downright dirty shame. Poking his head into the kitchen, he found Hex and Eyce sitting at the table, their heads bent in a whispered conversation. That was something else. Hex hadn’t even spoken to Myst since they came

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home. He’d also refused to heal the warrior’s nose. The two were usually pretty tight, so it didn’t sit well with Fiero. “Hex, I need to talk to you.” So what if he was interrupting something? If it wasn’t important enough for Hex to share it with the rest of them, then the alpha could get over the intrusion. “I know what you’re going to say, and I agree.” Fiero frowned as he strode forward, flipped a chair around, and straddled it. He crossed his arms over the back of the chair and rested his chin on them. “What are you agreeing with exactly?” “We need to have a meeting.” Fiero sat up straight and shook his head. “No, we don’t. You need to stop treating Myst like he’s something you found on the bottom of your shoe. Echo needs to pull his head out of his ass and get over himself. Syx—I don’t even know what the fuck his problem is. And if Onyx doesn’t stop looking so damn sad, I’m going to buy him a new puppy.” Eyce looked at him with raised eyebrows, but Fiero waved the demon away. He knew what he meant, and he didn’t have time to explain it. “So, what are we going to do about it?” “I guess we should start by talking to Echo,” Hex said thoughtfully. “No, we should start by you apologizing. You’re being a dick.” “I’m really not. I haven’t spoken to Echo, either. He and Myst need to work out their issues, and I’m not going to get caught in the middle or blamed for taking sides. You’d do best to stay out of it as well.” “I don’t want the drama, but Myst needs our help. His test is coming soon, and no one is even talking to him, let alone trying to help him.” “Vapre is in the office right now, and has been spending the majority of his time there for the last two days.” Eyce folded his hands together on the table. “We’re not going to let him face this alone.”

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Fiero huffed and pushed up from his chair. “Fine, let’s go find Echo.” “I’m going to make a sandwich. You can find Echo if you want, but once you do it could take a while. You know how stubborn the little shit is.” Fiero thought it over for a minute and shrugged. The runt had been pissed off for three days. He figured another fifteen minutes wouldn’t kill the guy. **** Taking a deep breath, Echo raised his hand and knocked on Myst’s door. He’d been childish, unreasonable, and it was time for him to man up and clear the air with his mate. Myst had screwed up, but they all had at some point, even Echo. Nothing had actually happened, and it wasn’t the end of the world. He still felt Myst needed to apologize, maybe even grovel a little, but he was tired of sulking. It just sucked all the joy out of life. So lost in his own thoughts, it took him a minute to realize that he hadn’t received a reply. He tried again, rapping his knuckles against the door a little harder this time. Surely Myst wasn’t sleeping in the middle of the day. When he still failed to receive a response, Echo tried the doorknob, sighing in relief when he found it unlocked. Pushing the door open slowly, he peeked around it and scanned the room for Myst. He couldn’t see a damn thing. The curtains were closed tight and no lights were on. Oh, this was bad. With a deep breath to steady his nerves, Echo slid his hand along the wall until he found the light switch and flicked it on. Nothing happened.

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He toggled it up and down, but still nothing happened. He wondered why people did that anyway. It wasn’t like if he flipped it a lot in rapid succession that the light would just magically appear. “Myst?” Okay, he was getting tired of the silent treatment. And why the hell wouldn’t the light come on? A barely perceptible fragrance of soap hung on the air, so at least he knew the man was showering, and fairly recently. Stumbling across the room, not even sure what he was tripping over or if he really wanted to know, Echo finally reached the curtains and yanked them open. Sunlight spilled into the room, illuminating the mess that scattered over the floor. Beer bottles, candy bar wrappers, and soda cans, just to name some of the debris. “Myst, this is disgusting.” He’d spoken loudly, almost shouted, so when Myst still didn’t make a sound, Echo began to grow concerned. He studied the lump in the bed beneath the comforter, the steady rise and fall of the blankets, and Myst’s dark hair peeking out from the top. Echo clapped his hands together loudly. Myst didn’t even twitch. Swallowing past the burn in his throat, Echo shuffled to the bed and eased down on the mattress. “Myst, please say something.” There was a deep, shuddering sigh—which was more than he’d received previously—so Echo took it as progress. “Come on, love. We need to talk.” “Just go away,” Myst croaked. “It doesn’t matter what I say. I’ll just mess it up again.” Oh, his poor, pouty demon. “Would it help if I started?” Myst shrugged, and Echo bit his lip to keep from laughing. “I’m sorry.” That got a reaction. Myst flipped over on the bed and stared up at Echo in shock. “Why are you sorry? You didn’t do anything wrong. I’m the one that acted like a complete douche bag.”

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“Yes, you did, but I haven’t acted any better. I was angry and hurt, and I said some things that I didn’t mean. I do trust you, Myst. It took me a little while to get over being mad and think things through, but I know that you didn’t do those things to hurt me.” Echo held his hand up when Myst opened his mouth to interrupt. “I also know that you would never be unfaithful to me. I just don’t understand why you did it in the first place.” “Because I’m stupid,” Myst answered with a sigh. “Stop that.” Echo stripped out of his clothes and crawled up the blankets to curl himself close to Myst’s chest. To his relief and utter contentment, Myst’s arms wound around him automatically, pulling him closer. “You are not stupid. You make bad judgment calls sometimes, but that doesn’t make you stupid.” “Okay, you know how you have these fantasies? You wanted to see us all as cowboys, and there’s the one about the biker gear?” “Well, I kind of got that one when you were all dressed down in your warrior stuff.” Myst chuckled and rubbed his cheek over the top of Echo’s head. “Well, I have some fantasies, too. I guess mine aren’t what you’d call normal, though.” “Keep going.” Echo didn’t know what this had to do with what had happened at Silver City, but he figured Myst would explain in his own time. “You are so sexy when you’re pissed off or jealous. I know I shouldn’t think that, but there’s just this fierceness about you that makes my cock hard and palms sweat when you get that gleam in your eyes.” Echo could understand that to a degree. He thought his men were pretty damn hot when they got pissed off as well. “Okay, so what does this have to do with the club and your fantasy?” “I didn’t mean to hurt you, Echo. You have to know that. That guy did absolutely nothing for me. Hell, I wasn’t even paying

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attention to him. I was watching you out of the corner of my eye the entire time.” “Myst, spit it out.” “I don’t know. I just got it in my head that if I made you jealous, you’d get all possessive, and damn is that a fucking turn on. I thought maybe you’d yell or throw a punch at the guy, make damn sure he knew who I belonged to. Then we’d go out back and have some rough, kinky sex in the alley.” “Oh, Myst.” Echo couldn’t stop himself from chuckling. “If you wanted some freaky sex in the alley, all you had to do was say so.” “Yeah, but it wouldn’t have been the same. Like I said, it gets me hard enough to pound nails when you let your possessiveness show.” Myst sighed, and it didn’t sound very happy. “I like knowing that I belong to you, and you’d fight for me.” “Have I ever done anything to make you think otherwise?” “No.” Myst pulled him closer. “I can’t explain it right. Sometimes, I just need that reassurance. That’s when I pull bonehead moves like I did the other night. I can’t tell you how sorry I am.” “This has happened before, hasn’t it?” “A few times. It never worked then, either. I don’t know why I thought it would this time.” Something in the way Myst spoke told Echo that the other warriors’ reactions hadn’t been quite the same as his. In fact, he had a feeling that they’d ignored it all together—like you would a toddler throwing a tantrum. “Did you ever tell them why?” “Nah, they wouldn’t understand. I’m not sure I really get it myself.” Myst said it lightly, but Echo could hear the hint of sadness in his voice. Maybe it would seem needy to some people, but Echo understood all about the desire to feel wanted. What lengths would he go to for just a little bit of that feeling? He didn’t have an answer, but it did help him to see Myst’s actions in a different light.

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That didn’t mean it was right, and it sure didn’t mean he was about to let it happen again, though. He leaned away from his lover far enough to cup his jaw and look into his eyes. “I will always want you. Don’t ever doubt that you belong to me, the same as I belong to you.” He brushed his lips across Myst’s and smirked. “If you ever pull a stunt like that again, though, I will feed you your balls with a spoon. Got it?” Myst swallowed hard and nodded. “Won’t happen again.” “I didn’t think it would. And guess what?” “What’s that?” “I love you, Myst.” “I love you, too, baby. I’m so damn sorry. I won’t ever hurt you like that again. I promise.” “I know. Now…” Echo trailed off and flicked his tongue over the seam of Myst’s lips. “Shut up and fuck me.”

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Chapter Three He might be a screwup of epic proportions, but a fool he wasn’t. Myst didn’t know why he was being given a second chance, but he’d never been more thankful for Echo’s understanding and forgiving nature. “Missed you,” he whispered, rolling Echo to his back and hovering over him. “I didn’t go anywhere,” Echo returned, lifting his arms to twine them around Myst’s neck. “I just needed time to cool down a bit. That doesn’t mean I stopped wanting you.” “Never going to make you unhappy again.” Myst peppered kisses over Echo’s sweet face and down his jawline. “I wouldn’t survive it if you left me.” Echo’s small hands cradled Myst’s face and turned his head so they could look into each other’s eyes. “We’re going to argue. I’m probably going to get pissed off at you, or I’ll make you so mad you can’t see straight.” He leaned up and pressed their lips together. “I’m never going to leave you, though.” There was so much vehemence in that one simple statement that Myst couldn’t help but smile. “What do you want, baby? Anything you want, it’s yours.” “I want you to stop worrying about me and just do what feels right.” Myst shook his head. He needed his mate to tell him what to do. Otherwise, he’d mess it up all over again, and they’d be right back to where they started. What he thought felt right was usually wrong. He wouldn’t risk it after Echo had finally forgiven him.

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Echo stared at him for a long time, and then a small sigh fell from his parted lips. “Get the lube.” Myst scrambled across the bed and retrieved the lube from the nightstand. He was back almost instantly, lying over Echo, eagerly waiting for his next directive like a hyperactive puppy. Gods, he was pathetic. Pressing on his chest, Echo urged him to his back then climbed up his body to straddle his hips. “Myst, you have got to stop thinking so much. Why is it all of the sudden a problem now? We’ve done this a hundred times.” Yes, but Myst had never been one-on-one with his mate before. There was always someone else there to take charge and lead the way. Now that it was all on Myst, he was floundering. Echo bent over him, his hard cock sliding along Myst’s throbbing shaft. Well, that was a good sign, right? Echo couldn’t fake that, so he was obviously happy right where he was. The small bottle of slick pressed into his palm, and Echo curled Myst’s fingers around it. “Get me ready.” Now they were getting somewhere. Myst flipped the cap open and drizzled the lube over his fingers before reaching around to skim his slippery fingers down Echo’s crease. Pulling one muscled globe to the side, he used his index finger to ring the fluttering muscles of Echo’s hole, feeling like a god when the little imp moaned and pushed back against his hand. Their lips met in a heated kiss, and Echo’s tongue delved inside his mouth, licking and exploring, leaving nothing untouched. Myst mirrored his mate’s moan, fisting his free hand in Echo’s hair and holding him still as he attacked his mouth with fervor. When Echo’s entrance began to loosen under his constant touch, Myst pushed just the tip of his finger in, wiggling it back and forth and pulling a strangled grunt from his partner. “More,” Echo begged.

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Myst had only thought he’d felt like a god before. He loved those soft, needy whimpers, the sweet way Echo pleaded for more of his touch. He pushed his finger in to the second knuckle, and Echo groaned, his eyes rolling back in his head. In and out, Myst pumped his digit until Echo relaxed further, and he could add a second. By the time he had three fingers sawing into Echo’s snug hole, his mate’s cries had increased in volume, and he jerked his hips, rocking back and forth to fuck himself on Myst’s fingers. “More,” he pleaded again. Grabbing the lube and slicking his cock, Myst decided to forget kings and gods, and shoot straight for Supreme Ruler of the Universe. He held his cock straight, his other hand resting on Echo’s hip, and helped guide his lover over his straining shaft. The crown popped through the first ring of tight muscle, and Myst groaned. Echo sank down further, his inner walls clamping around Myst’s cock and massaging him. Myst’s eyes almost crossed. When Echo finally bottomed out, and his pert ass brushed against the top of Myst’s thighs, he thought the top of his head would blow off. Then Echo started moving, and Myst had no choice but to hang on for the ride. This felt different than the other times they’d come together. He couldn’t put his finger on it. Hell, he could barely remember his own name, but the feelings, the sensations, the emotions warring inside him, were more intense than he’d ever felt. Up and down, Echo rode him hard, taking him to the root then rising above him until only the flared crown remained trapped inside his heated passage. His head fell back on his shoulders, and every quick drop impaled him further on Myst’s throbbing cock. Time seemed to stand still as Myst watched Echo in his passion. He was beautiful, dazzling, and utterly breathtaking. His creamy skin glistened with sweat in the sunlight that filtered through the windows. His long golden hair cascaded down around his shoulders and back, damp from his exertion and sticking to his face. His long eyelashes

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fluttered against his cheeks. His plump, pink lips parted slightly, the most delectable sounds falling from them. Whether in the throes of carnal desire or simply sleeping peacefully, Echo was glorious. There was one special look that Myst wanted to see on his lover’s face, though, and he knew just how to get it. Palming Echo’s bouncing prick, Myst stroked him quickly, his eyes never leaving Echo’s face. “Come for me, baby. Cover me in your seed.” As though his words were some magical incantation, Echo went stiff, his cock pulsed in Myst’s hand, and creamy strings erupted from his slit to paint Myst’s chest and abs. There was that look he wanted. The sublime mix of pleasure and pain, the ultimate high that left you feeling as though you floated outside your body—it was written all over Echo’s delicate features. Myst’s orgasm caught him by surprise. There had been none of the usual signs to warn him of his impending climax, but before he could even gasp for breath, his cock exploded, filling Echo’s convulsing channel with reams of scorching cum. Echo flopped forward, sprawling over Myst’s chest and nuzzling at his neck. “Mmm,” he purred. “Love you, baby.” Myst wrapped his arms around his mate as he shuddered from the aftershocks. This magnificent creature belonged to him, and he intended to do everything he could to prove himself worthy of the gift. “Love you, too, Echo. Always love you, sweetheart.” **** Fiero stood just inside the doorway of Myst’s bedroom and leaned against the frame with his arms crossed over his chest. A soft smile played over his lips, and his heart swelled with love. Maybe he

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should feel bad for watching something so private and intimate, but it had just been too beautiful for him to turn away from it. “I guess we don’t need to have that talk after all.” Echo rolled from Myst’s chest and pushed up on his elbow to give Fiero a dazzling smile. “We’ve made up, if that’s what you mean.” “I can see that. I’m glad you two finally got your heads out of your asses.” Echo laughed joyfully, but Myst bit his bottom lip and looked away. The demon might have made up with Echo, but there was still something broken between the rest of them. Damn if Fiero knew how to fix it, though. He tried to keep his expression smooth and impassive, but something must have shown on his face, because Echo flipped out of the bed and sashayed over to him. “Be jealous,” he whispered so quietly that Fiero barely heard him. What the hell was that supposed to mean? Fiero wasn’t jealous of Echo being with Myst. He thought it was one of the hottest things he’d ever witnessed, and he said as much to Echo. His mate rolled his eyes and snorted. “Not of me, dummy.” Echo stretched up on his toes and kissed Fiero’s lips. “You’ll figure it out.” Echo flounced out of the room, and Fiero scratched the back of his neck. What was he supposed to do now? He wasn’t good with talking or emotions, and he supremely sucked at talking about emotions. And why the fuck was he supposed to be jealous? Gods, his mate could be confusing sometimes. “You swear too much,” Echo called over his shoulder. “I didn’t say anything,” Fiero argued. “But you were thinking it. I know you too well.” That got a quiet chuckle from Myst. “He’s got a point. I can tell just by looking at your face.” Sighing in defeat, Fiero strode across the carpeted floor and flopped down beside Myst on the mattress. It blew big monkey balls

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when his men ganged up on him like that. “Wanna talk about it?” There, that was a good opening, right? “Nope.” “Uh, okay.” Fiero’s eyebrows drew together, and his lips turned down at the corners. “Can you just talk about it anyway? I don’t know what I’m supposed to be doing, but I have a feeling that Echo isn’t going to let me out of this room until I do it.” “Everything is fine. Really.” “You’re a horrible liar, and I don’t like playing these games. Just spit it out so we get can this over with.” “Aww, you’re so romantic.” Myst inched up to lean against the headboard and patted the mattress beside him. Fiero moved to lounge beside his lover and bumped their shoulders together. “So, what’s going on, babe? What happened the other night?” “I was an idiot as usual.” Fiero bit his tongue. He hated Myst’s self-debasing attitude, but if he wanted the man to keep talking, this wasn’t the time to bring it up. “With that waiter? Yeah, I didn’t see it, but I heard about that.” He scrubbed a hand over his face and groaned. “Myst, you don’t have to do shit like that to get our attention. It doesn’t work and usually just ends up making you look like a jackass.” “Yeah, I kind of figured that out.” Myst hung his head and fidgeted his hands in his lap. “Sometimes I just need to know that I belong to somebody. That one of you will make a stand and claim what’s yours.” The sadness in Myst’s voice broke Fiero’s heart. He could tell how much those words had cost his lover. They’d never discussed it, but Fiero had guessed. “Listen, if you really want to get our attention, you probably would have had better luck dancing naked on stage with the strippers. At least it wouldn’t have gotten your nose broken.” “But would you have been jealous and possessive?” Myst’s sighed and his shoulders slumped. “I’m such a needy freak.”

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“We’re all needy in some way or another.” Fiero slipped his fingers under Myst’s chin and lifted his head. “You’re not a freak.” He brushed their lips together. “Yes, I would be jealous if you showed off this gorgeous body to a club full of people. I would have dragged you off that stage and fucked you in front of everyone until they knew exactly who owned you.” Myst’s breathing sped and his eyes glazed over as a sexy little whimper escaped his mouth. Tremors shook his body, and he leaned into Fiero’s touch. As the youngest and smallest of the warriors, Myst brought out all of Fiero’s protective instincts. He loved each of his men, but there was something about Myst that made Fiero want to take on the world for him. It was kind of like Echo, but different. Just one more thing he couldn’t put into words, but it was there all the same. “You like that, don’t you, baby?” Myst nodded slowly and pulled away from Fiero’s hand. “See, I am a freak.” “I like to tie you up. Onyx wants to whip you. Vapre likes to spank your sexy ass, and Eyce wants to lick it. We all have something that turns us on. That doesn’t make you a freak.” Something occurred to Fiero and a growl bubbled up in his chest. “Do we not give you what you need? Do you plan to go looking somewhere else?” Myst shook his head quickly, that glazed look coming back to his eyes. “I don’t want anyone else.” Fiero studied his lover for a long time. He was finally starting to understand what Echo had meant about being jealous. Sometimes he was damn slow on the uptake, but he got there in the end. Since it was how Fiero felt anyway, he had no problems playing to Myst’s little kink. “I will tear apart anyone who touches you.” Rolling on top of the demon, Fiero grabbed Myst’s hips and tugged him down the mattress so that their cocks lined up and pressed together through Fiero’s jeans. “Do you understand me?”

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Myst bobbed his head up and down and licked his dry lips. His eyes devoured Fiero as he panted and arched his back to press up against him. “I don’t want anyone else,” he repeated huskily. Damn, that was sexy. Fiero lifted away from the warrior and gripped Myst’s hard cock. “This belongs to me. No one else, Myst.” “No one else.” Fiero stroked the smaller man from base to crown in a loose grip. “This is mine.” “Yours.” Myst moaned, his eyelids drifting closed as he thrust up into Fiero’s hand. “Please.” Fiero tightened his grip and jerked the throbbing cock in his hand. “You are ours, Myst. You belong to every one of us, and no one else will ever see this look on your face, or feel this body beneath their hands.” Myst’s strangled whimper was music to his ears. All these centuries, he’d never understood some of the things Myst did. Leave it to Echo to show him the light. Fiero liked to feel wanted and desired. He liked when his men staked their claim on him. He didn’t need it like Myst did, though. For some reason the demon didn’t trust the things they felt for him. That was going to change. “Come for me, babe.” The endearment rolled off his tongue as though he’d never called the man anything else. Their relationship was so easy now that everyone knew where they stood. They should have come clean about their feelings a long fucking time ago. It just made everything easier, and Fiero liked easy. With a soft grunt, Myst bowed his back and fisted his hands in the sheets. Creamy semen shot from the tip of his cock, straight up in the air, then fell to splatter against his stomach. Fiero continued to stroke him, milking him until Myst gave one final shudder and sagged back to the mattress. “Beautiful.” Bending over his panting lover, Fiero claimed Myst’s lips in a blinding kiss that left his head spinning. “Better?”

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“Mmm hmm,” Myst hummed. “You should talk to Onyx. You guys have more in common than you think. That was fucking hot.” Myst liked to be dominated? Fiero was learning new shit left and right. How did he never know that before? Oh, well. It didn’t matter. He couldn’t change the past—couldn’t go back and do things differently. He knew it now, though, and that was the important thing. “Whatever you need, Myst. I’ll give you whatever you need.” “Don’t need much.” Myst licked at Fiero’s lips. “Thank you.” Fiero didn’t know what he was being thanked for, but he wasn’t going to argue. There was so much crap for him to think about now. Why did everyone have to keep changing the rules on him? He could admit that most of them had been for the better, but he didn’t like it a damn bit when his men blindsided him. He blamed Echo. He didn’t exactly understand how it was the runt’s fault, but it was just easier to blame his mate until he could figure out the reason. It saved time and made things easy. Yep, he liked easy.

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Chapter Four “I don’t fucking know, okay?” Syx slammed his fist into the wall and stalked out of the office. Echo lifted his eyebrows as he watched the irate man leave. “What’s his problem?” Vapre sighed and shook his head. “I don’t know. He won’t talk to me. He’s been like this since the night we went to the club.” “I just asked if he’d found anything. I don’t know why he needs to be all pissy with me.” “It’s not just you, Echo. He’s been snapping at everyone. Hex asked if there was any beer left in the fridge last night, and Syx told him to go fuck himself.” Echo whistled low. “I’m going to talk to him.” “Better you than me. Last time I tried to talk to him, I damn near got my balls ripped off. Good luck, but don’t be surprised if he won’t talk.” “Does this happen a lot?” Vapre turned away from the computer and shook his head. “No, and that’s what makes it so confusing. Syx is usually the mediator. He calms us all down and looks at things rationally.” Vapre waved a hand toward the door where Syx had disappeared. “This is not rational.” “Okay, well, keep looking. The full moon is tomorrow night, so that means only two weeks until the new moon.” “I’m doing the best I can, but I could really use Syx’s help. Like I said, he’s rational and logical. He looks at things differently.” “I’ll take care of it.” Echo blew his mate a kiss and hurried out of the room. Hex and Myst had made up. Well, Myst had made up with

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everyone really. Onyx was still quieter than usual, but he didn’t seem so depressed anymore. That only left Syx. Echo didn’t know what had crawled up Syx’s ass and died, but he was going to find out by any means possible. He really, really didn’t want to have to trick the demon, but if that’s what it took, he’d do it without regret. The last challenge was hurdling toward them at an alarming speed. The war would follow quickly on its heels. They still had to figure out what to do about the rogue vampires in town, not to mention find a way to rescue the residents of the lab and then bring the facility down. This was not the time for Syx to have his head up his ass and push everyone away. Echo swung by the kitchen first, but found it empty of the man he sought. “Have you seen Syx?” “Passed him on the stairs,” Eyce mumbled around his fork. He chewed and swallowed before continuing. “I asked if dinner was ready, and he told me he’d feed me my balls. I decided to check for myself.” “No one else is pissed off, right?” The assembled demons shook their heads. “Okay, so it’s not Syn.” He hadn’t really thought it was anyway. Syn seemed almost sickeningly happy these days. “What about Sage?” That little bastard demon had gotten under Echo’s skin one too many times. “I don’t think so.” Hex shook his head as he sat down at the table. “This started when he bolted out of the car and decided that he was going to walk home.” “That doesn’t mean it’s not Sage.” “I guess not, but I just don’t think so. Something else is going on, but he won’t talk to anyone.” Echo’s eyes drifted to Myst. “Do you know something?” To his surprise, it was Onyx who hung his head and looked guilty. “Onyx?”

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“It’s not a big deal, and it’s not Onyx’s fault. Syx needs to mind his own business and get over it.” Hex turned slowly to look at Myst. “Get over what exactly?” he asked dangerously. Myst waved a hand. “It doesn’t matter.” Echo huffed and threw his hands in the air. “You’re all acting like a bunch of toddlers.” He pointed toward Myst then swung his finger to include Onyx. “Come with me.” “I’m eating,” Onyx mumbled. “It will be here when we get back. That’s why man invented the microwave.” “No,” Myst said firmly. “This has nothing to do with Syx or anyone else. I’ll talk to him when he pulls his head out of his ass.” “Oh, stop being stupid.” Echo regretted the words the minute they left his mouth. He hadn’t meant that Myst was stupid, only that he was acting like it. Still, the warrior pursed his lips and nodded curtly. “Then I guess that’s nothing new.” “Myst, I didn’t mean tha—” Myst held his hand up to cut Echo off. “Forget it. Go talk to Syx. You’re probably the only one he’ll listen to anyway.” He leaned over and whispered something to Onyx that Echo couldn’t hear, but Onyx winced and dropped his head farther until his nose almost touched his plate. Myst pushed away from the table and walked out of the kitchen without another word to anyone. “What was that about?” Eyce asked. Onyx shook his head mutely, but Echo wasn’t stupid. He didn’t know why he hadn’t noticed it before. Maybe it had only started recently. Gods, he hoped so. “When?” Onyx’s head popped up, and he looked almost fearful as he stared back at Echo.

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“When did it start, Onyx?” “Couple of months ago, I guess.” Echo growled in impatience. “When?” he snapped. “The night you made that deal with Ares, okay?” “What the fuck are you two talking about?” Hex demanded. “If you know what’s going on, you better start talking.” “Syx knows.” Onyx looked away. “Of course Syx knows. Nothing is secret around him. I don’t know how you figured it out, though.” If he hadn’t been spending so many nights in that playroom with Onyx, he would probably still be in the dark. Now that he understood how much he needed that little bit of time with the warrior to ground him and clear his mind, it had just been the matter of putting together the pieces. Myst was taking it too far, though—even to a level that Onyx wasn’t comfortable with. It was written all over Onyx’s face and in the tense set of his shoulders. With his own mind tangled in knots over the events that had unfolded at Silver City, it had taken him a bit longer to even realize there was a problem let alone what it was and how to deal with it. “The night we came back from Spokane?” Onyx nodded his head. “How many times since then?” “Every night except last night.” “If someone doesn’t tell me what the hell is going on, I swear to Zeus…” Hex trailed off, leaving the threat hanging. “Myst needs our help.” **** Everything had been going so well! Why did Syx have to go and fuck everything up? It wasn’t anyone’s business what he did as long as he wasn’t hurting anyone else. And he wasn’t hurting anyone!

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Remembering the look on Onyx’s face when Myst had asked his lover to meet him in the playroom, he decided that might not be strictly true. But if Onyx had such a problem with it, why hadn’t he ever said anything or refused him? “Because you’d just go find it somewhere else and get yourself hurt or worse.” Myst stopped his pacing and swung around to find Syx standing in his doorway. For once, the demon didn’t look mad. There was a haunted look in his eyes, almost devoid of any emotion, and that hurt more than his anger. “I’m not a cheating bastard, Syx. I wouldn’t step outside of this relationship.” “No one said anything about sex. You’d pick fights in bars if that’s what it took. I tried to look the other way, but I can’t take it anymore. You’re killing me, babe.” Syx placed his hand over his heart and swallowed hard. Some of the lost look left his eyes, replaced by a pain that robbed Myst of his next breath. “I’m not hurting you.” “You are.” Syx moved closer. “Every time I see you move stiffly. Every time I watch you wince when you sit down.” Syx stopped when he stood right in front of Myst. “Every time I know you’re in pain because you think you deserve it.” He reached out to cup Myst’s cheek. “You’re breaking my heart, Myst.” Myst soaked up the affection for just a moment before stepping back. “I don’t know how to be any other way.” “That’s not true. This all started when Echo made his deal with Ares—when you started worrying that you weren’t good enough. You’re not going to fail, Myst. I won’t let you.” Myst wanted to believe it, but how could he? “If it helps at all, I think Ares voided his contract with Echo when he tried to kill him.” Myst shivered. “It doesn’t. Something will happen if we fail. The prophecy says we’ll be dragged back to Tartarus.”

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“How are we going to fight a war from Tartarus?” Syx smirked at him. “For whatever reason, we’re needed in this war. I’m pretty sure that means you’re going to pass your test.” “Why are we being tested anyway?” They’d all asked the same question in a dozen different ways, but they’d yet to be able to come up with an answer. “I don’t know, but I have a feeling we’re going to find out before the war.” Syx crowded Myst, pressing against him and gripping his hips to keep him from escaping. “No more, Myst. Promise me.” Myst sighed and dropped his forehead to Syx’s shoulder. “I don’t want to hurt you or anyone else, so I’ll try. I can’t promise, though.” “You can promise.” Syx’s fingers worked through Myst’s hair, combing the dark locks and massaging his scalp. “I’ll give you whatever you need. We’ll find an alternative.” Myst highly doubted it, but he was willing to try. It wasn’t that he necessarily liked being beaten, but it was the only thing that helped when his heart hurt to the point that he thought it would bleed. He couldn’t keep hurting his men and expecting them to understand, though. Syx was right. Something needed to change. “I don’t know how,” he admitted. He knew Syx would hear his jumbled thoughts and understand his plea for help. “We’ll figure it out together. I’m right here, Myst, and I’m not going anywhere.” “You two are going to give me a stroke.” Myst looked over Syx’s shoulder and chuckled. Echo stood just inside the room, his arms crossed over his chest, and tears streaming down his cheeks. He also had the biggest, most satisfied grin plastered across his face. “Why is that, little one?” Syx asked. “Wouldn’t it have been so much easier to just talk this out in the beginning instead of stomping around and biting everyone’s face off?”

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“I’m sure it would have, but I was pissed.” Syx shrugged. “Then I got over it, so I came to talk to him.” Myst laughed harder at the disgruntled huff that fell from Echo’s lips. He stepped around Syx and held his arms open. “Come here, you.” Echo huffed again but bounded across the room to throw himself at Myst. “No more, okay? I’m going to love you until you can’t see straight and you forget all about anything else.” Myst wrapped his arms around Echo while Syx embraced them both. He didn’t think it would be easy. He had no illusions that he could change overnight. If anyone could heal him, it would be Echo. Speaking of healing. “I need to talk to Hex.” Echo nodded, rubbing his cheek over Myst’s chest. “I think that’s a good idea. He’s about ready to shit kittens right now. He’s worried about you.” “Everyone is worried about you,” Syx added. “I know, and I’ll talk to them soon. I need to make things right with Hex first.” Myst rested his chin on the top of Echo’s head and breathed deeply, letting the sweet scent of his mate soothe him. “Then I need to make things right with Onyx.” “I think you need to talk to Onyx first,” Echo mumbled. Myst shook his head. “I know what I’m doing.” Echo placed a small kiss over his heart and stepped away. “Then get to it, cowboy.” He winked mischievously and patted Myst’s ass. Myst shook his head again. “Not yet.” He needed to think first. To work through things in his head so that he didn’t look like a babbling idiot when he talked to his lovers. He had a plan—sort of—but he still needed time to think it over. “I’m here if you need me,” Syx vowed. Myst kissed his lover’s lips and smiled crookedly. He knew that. This was something he needed to do on his own, though. “Okay, love.” Echo took another step back and held out his hand for Syx. “We’ll leave you to it. Vapre needs our help, anyway.”

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Syx cursed under his breath. “He probably wants to kick my ass right now.” “No, he’s just worried about you.” Gods, Myst felt like a royal dickhead. He’d caused so much discord amongst his lovers. Not only were they worried for him, but they were worried for each other. He didn’t think he was important enough for everything to go to shit as it had just because he had so many issues. “You are damn important to me,” Syx said sternly. “Now, knock that shit off.” Myst smirked and gave the warrior a little shove toward the door. “Go help Vapre. The gods know I need all the help I can get.”

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Chapter Five Echo felt like the seven shades of hell. His muscles ached and screamed in protest at any movement. Disabling pain lanced through his skull, making lights dance behind his closed eyelids. Sweat rolled from his body to dampen the sheets beneath him. He wanted to call for one or all of his mates, but his throat felt raw and scratchy like he’d been gargling nails. His heart beat heavily inside his chest, but it felt slow and sluggish. Something was wrong. He wasn’t supposed to get sick anymore, right? With much effort and a lot of pain, he eventually managed to push himself upright on the side of the bed. It was almost too much to stand, but he eventually made it to his feet as well. His head swam, the room spun, and Echo pressed his palm to his temple and groaned. He needed to get to Hex. Whatever was wrong, Hex would fix it. His legs felt like Jell-O, and after the first step, they gave out, sending him crumpling to the floor. He cried out with the sheer agony that ripped through his body. Gods, he felt like someone had beat the hell out of him. Dragging his shaking body across the carpeted floor, Echo made it to the door and used the knob to pull himself to his feet. It took more effort than it should have, but he managed to get the door open and stumbled out into the hallway. One foot in front of the other, he held on to the wall until he made it to the stairs. No way was he going to make it down those steps without breaking his damn neck. “Hex,” he called and started coughing.

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Something wet and coppery washed over his tongue, spraying from his mouth and into his hand. Echo groaned at the sight of the blood covering his fingers. He knew his voice hadn’t traveled far enough to reach his lover, but he desperately needed the man. “Hex,” he tried again, putting as much force behind his voice as he could manage—which admittedly wasn’t much. Luckily, it seemed to be enough though. Hex appeared at the bottom of the staircase and smiled up at him. “Hey, sleepyhead. I wondered when you were going to crawl out of bed.” Oh, if Hex only knew. “Need you,” Echo whispered. The smile fell from Hex’s lips as the warrior took a good look at him. Echo started coughing again, more blood rushing up his esophagus and flying from his mouth. He swayed where he stood, felt himself leaning too far forward, but could do nothing to stop it. “Echo!” Hex bolted up the stairs, catching him just before he took a header down the steps. His mate scooped him up, cradling him in his massive arms. “What happened to you?” “Don’t know. Hurts,” Echo whimpered. “Why didn’t you knock on someone’s door?” Hex carried him back down the hall and into his bedroom where he gently placed him in the center of the bed. “Didn’t think about it. Needed you.” “Okay, baby, okay.” Hex petted and stroked him. “Let’s see if we can figure out what’s going on.” He closed his eyes, his hands slowing as they continued to drift over Echo’s torso. “If you didn’t feel so bad, I’d paddle your ass,” he said eventually. Well, that didn’t sound very nice at all. It wasn’t his fault that he’d gotten sick. “What’s wrong with me?” “When was the last time you fed?” Hex opened his eyes and arched an eyebrow in question. Echo honestly couldn’t remember. With the harmony of the house disrupted, he hadn’t wanted to voice the need. It made him feel selfish when everyone else had their own problems to deal with.

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Hex sighed and pulled his shirt over his head. “That’s what I thought.” He crawled up the mattress and settled against the headboard. “You can’t let it get this bad, Echo. Now, come here.” Echo tried to move, but the pain was excruciating, causing him to bite his lip to keep from crying out. He lifted his hand to Hex in a plea for help and almost screamed. His normally creamy skin looked gray and ashy. And was it his imagination, or did it look a little less…there? Gods, he had to be hallucinating. “C’mon, Echo.” Hex bent and slid his arms under Echo, lifting him up so that he straddled his lover’s thighs. “Do you remember what we said about daemons?” Echo shook his head minutely. He couldn’t think of anything past the pounding in his temples. “Sweetheart, you have to drink from us to keep your corporeal form.” “So, I’m like a ghost if I don’t?” “Not exactly. It’s a little more complicated than that. We’ll talk about it more later. Right now, you need to drink. You’ll feel better, I promise.” Echo studied the jumping vein in Hex’s throat and licked his parched lips. His canines exploded from his gums, and a feral growl rumbled in his chest. Hex palmed the back of Echo’s head and urged him closer as he tilted his head to the side. “That’s it, baby.” Echo struck. His fangs sank into the warm, salty flesh, and he sucked greedily as he moaned and rocked against his mate. With every draw on Hex’s neck, he began to feel better. The aches diminished, his head stopped throbbing, and he felt warmer with every swallow. He started to pull away after only a minute, but Hex held him firmly. “You need more. I’m fine, baby.”

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Echo hesitated for only a heartbeat before he went back to sucking at his lover’s throat. He moaned again, his hips snapping forward so that his naked cock rubbed against Hex’s denim-clad erection. The longer he sucked and swallowed, the harder his dick grew until it pulsed between his legs and dribbled clear beads of pre-cum from the purple tip. Hex’s rough palm wrapped around the sensitive flesh, and he stroked Echo once, dipping his thumb into the slit on his upward glide. Echo pulled his teeth from Hex’s neck and groaned as his cock detonated, filling the space between them with his warm cream. Spent, sated, and completely content, he fell into Hex’s arms and snuggled against his chest, unconcerned about the gooey mess between them. “Thank you, love.” “Always my pleasure, and you know that. Don’t scare me like that again, Echo.” “That hurt like hell. Trust me, I won’t wait so long next time.” He craned his neck to reach up and kiss the underside of Hex’s jaw. “My hero,” he teased. Hex grunted and patted him on the hip. “Let’s get a shower and go see if Vapre and Syx have found anything.” Echo groaned as he rolled off his lover. Another two days had passed and still they were not closing in on finding answers. Athena had been surprisingly quiet. No one had seen the goddess in or out of their dreams. If they didn’t find something soon, there was a good chance they’d all be seeing another god on a rather permanent basis. Echo had never met Hades—and he’d just as soon keep it that way. **** Fiero cornered Onyx in the kitchen. He was fucking tired of everyone avoiding his questions. He was going to get some answers if

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he had to pull them out of the warrior with a pair of pliers. “What’s going on with you and Myst?” Onyx tensed and rose slowly from where he had his head stuck in the refrigerator. “That’s not my place to say. If Myst wants you to know, I’m sure he’ll tell you.” “Oh, cut the shit. We don’t have secrets in this house. Whatever is going on with that man, it’s affecting you, too. We can do this the hard the way, but I’d rather not mess up that pretty face of yours.” Onyx snorted and rolled his eyes. “Right. When have you ever been abusive?” “I punched Eyce in the face.” Onyx rolled his eyes again. “That wasn’t exactly your fault. Either way, you don’t scare me, so you can go blow smoke up someone else’s ass for a while.” Growling in frustration, Fiero crossed the room and pushed Onyx up against the refrigerator door. “You know I fucking love you, but if yo—” Onyx pecked his lips to cut him off. “Sweet-talker.” Fiero growled again, but with less aggression. “Just tell me what’s going on, please.” He didn’t like having to ask for things, and he hated begging. While they might play their games in Onyx’s little hidden room, outside those walls, Fiero didn’t submit to anyone. He only did it inside the playroom, because that’s what Onyx needed— well, that’s what he told himself anyway. “I’m serious, Fiero. Ask Myst. I’m sure he’ll tell you, but it’s not my place. Don’t put me in the middle and make me choose.” Ah, hell, he hadn’t thought of it that way, but it was exactly what he was doing. If he thought Myst would give him any answers, he wouldn’t have accosted Onyx in the first place, though. “I don’t like secrets,” he said, releasing the warrior and taking a step back. “They always come back to bite you in the ass.” “Go talk to him.” Fiero nodded reluctantly. “Tell me this. Are you okay?”

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“I will be.” **** “We’re obviously looking at this all wrong.” Syx shoved a hand through his hair and growled. Echo flopped down on the sofa in the office and shrugged. “We usually are. Are you positive that the bleeding moon means the war?” Syx glared at him, and Echo held his hands up in surrender. “It’s just a thought, big guy. Don’t get your panties in a wad.” Syx sighed in defeat. “I just don’t know anymore, Echo. If it’s not referring to the war, I have no idea what it could mean. So, either way, we’re screwed.” “Well, that doesn’t sound very encouraging.” Myst sat down beside Echo and draped his arm over the back of the couch. He had a smile on his face, which was nice to see for a change. “You’re taking this pretty well.” Myst shrugged, and his eyes lingered on Syx. “Someone knocked some sense into me. There is no way we will fail, so what’s the point in worrying about it?” Leaning up, Echo whispered a kiss over Myst’s jawline. “I have no doubt that you’ll kick ass and take names.” “Naw, I don’t need names.” Myst chuckled and ruffled Echo’s hair. With a happy sigh, Echo snuggled into his mate’s side. He liked this side of Myst much better than the cranky, brooding man they’d been living with lately. He knew the warrior still needed to work things out with Hex and the others, but this was a good start. Speaking of Hex, where was their alpha? He said he’d meet Echo in the office, but it had already been fifteen minutes. Did the man really need that long to jerk off in the shower?

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Echo rolled his eyes. He’d been more than willing to help his mate out with that little problem, but Hex insisted that Echo needed to rest and recover a bit after feeling so lousy that morning. Oh, the man was a stubborn fool, but at least he seemed to have Echo’s best interests in mind, so he’d let it go this once. That didn’t mean he wasn’t going to jump Hex later, though. The thought almost brought out a giggle, but Echo cut it off at the last minute. Syx cleared his throat and smirked as he swiveled around in his seat to look at Echo. Oops. Echo didn’t bother to feel embarrassed—just gave Syx a wide grin and let the very naughty things he wanted to do to the warrior run through his head. Syx groaned and closed his eyes briefly. “Focus,” he mumbled under his breath. Echo did giggle then, but cut it off quickly. Syx was just too easy, but he liked that about the demon. “Is there a reason you think the moon thing might not be about the war?” Syx finally asked. That doused a good bit of Echo’s lust. He thought it over for a minute, trying to put his idea into words. “Well, first, I don’t know what the blood moon could have to do with anything, either. However, I’m not sure it’s the war. I mean, think about it.” He pushed to his feet and started pacing in agitation. He didn’t know how to explain it right. “I’m listening,” Syx said calmly. “Talk it out, and maybe it will give me a direction.” “When the prophecy was given, the last part tied into protecting the heart—me.” “Okay, I get that, but I think all of it was about protecting you.” “This seems different, though.” Echo pulled at his hair. “Okay, Athena said that enemies would come, seeking the heart, and destroying those born of the first.”

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“Sooo,” Syx said slowly, his eyebrows drawing together in concentration. “These enemies, Ares, whoever, they won’t know who the heart is. They’ll slaughter everyone born of the first to find you.” Echo nodded eagerly. Then he stopped and frowned. “But Ares already knows who I am, so I guess that doesn’t work, either.” “Not necessarily. Ares knows you’re our mate. That doesn’t mean he knows everything about the prophecy, if anything at all.” Echo wasn’t buying it. The whole idea he had worked up in his head suddenly didn’t make any sense. Surely Ares knew about the prophecy, as well as the fact that Echo was the heart—the one meant to secure their victory in the war. Damn, he felt like he was chasing his own ass. Syx still had that thoughtful look on his face. “I think you might be right. I’m missing something, but I just can’t figure out what it is.” “So, what do we do?” Myst asked. He looked nervous for the first time since entering the room. “We need to work out the puzzle for both the moon and the firstborn.” Echo paced a little faster. “We’ll have to be prepared for either since Athena isn’t giving anything away this time.” “I don’t think it means the firstborn,” Vapre said. Echo hadn’t even noticed him enter the room. “It said ‘born of the first,’ which, to me, means something completely different.” “Born of the first what? The first of the year, the first of the month, what?” Vapre shrugged unconcernedly. “I’m not sure, but I don’t think it has anything to do with calendars. The gods don’t measure time the same way we do.” “You’ve said that before,” Echo grumbled. It still didn’t get him any closer to finding answers, though. “Okay, then, what’s your theory?” “What about Aphrodite?”

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Syx and Vapre turned as one to gape at Myst. Echo stopped his pacing and looked at the demon as well, but more in confusion. “What about her?” “She was the first goddess,” Syx explained, excitement in his voice. “I thought Hera was considered the first goddess?” Eyce rubbed the center of his forehead with his fingertips. Fuck, his head hurt. “Before Cronus fathered any of his children, he castrated his own father, Uranus, and cast his genitalia into the sea where Aphrodite sprang forth from the foams created.” Echo shrugged and nodded. His mates were bound to know more on the subject than he did. “I’m still lost, though. Are you saying that Ares is looking for children born from Aphrodite?” “It’s possible.” “Well, either it’s not, or it doesn’t pertain to me. Aphrodite is certainly not my mother.” Echo moved back to the sofa and slumped down on it. “I lived in that damn lab since I can remember. I’d like to think if I had a goddess for a mother, that wouldn’t be the case.” The warriors exchanged glances, and Echo wanted to scream. He thought he’d been damn understanding and accepting of demons, werewolves, vampires, and the fact that he himself was now something beyond the norm. No way in hell would he believe that his mother was the goddess of love and beauty. How fucking stupid did they think he was? Echo snorted. Aphrodite indeed. “We’ll keep searching for something else,” Syx said after a long pause, but he sounded more patronizing than anything. “You do that. I’m going to go do…something.” He wasn’t sure what he was going to do exactly, but if he sat there for even a second longer he was going to lose it. Jumping to his feet, he marched over to the door and jerked it open with more force than he’d meant to. He really needed to get himself under control. “I’ll be around.” “Don’t go outside,” Vapre warned.

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“I’ll be around.”

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Chapter Six “What made you think of Aphrodite?” Myst glanced up at Vapre and shook his head. “I don’t know. It just kind of popped into my head. I really wasn’t even paying attention to what you were talking about when I thought of it.” He would have loved to give them a detailed account of his thought process, but he’d told the truth. He’d been letting his mind wander, thinking about food of all things, when the name popped into his head. Then he’d blurted it out before he could think better of it. Lucky for him, it seemed to have been a good response. “Wherever it came from, I think you might be on to something.” Syx leaned back in his chair and linked his hands over his stomach. “I’ve been trying to piece together what all these residents in the facility have in common besides their extra abilities. When we thought it was just some government thing, that was enough. Then we added Ares to the mix, and it felt like there should be more.” Myst didn’t have a clue what Syx was talking about. He really hated being stupid sometimes. “Syx, you know I don’t get it. Can you please just get to the point?” “Goddamn it, Myst!” Syx jumped to his feet so fast that his chair zoomed backward and crashed into the wall. “How many times do I have to say it? You. Are. Not. Stupid!” “What?” Vapre looked appalled. He hurried across the room and sat down beside Myst on the sofa, reaching out to touch his face. Myst batted his hand away. The last thing he needed was this nurturing bullshit. “Look, I know I’m not as smart as the two of you, and I’m okay with that. I’m not a complete idiot. I mean, I can at least

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tie my fucking boots. I’m just not good at riddles and shit, so can you please just simplify it to common English?” His earlier good mood spiraled away, and he knew he would seek out Onyx later. Myst cut the thought off before Syx picked up on it and started yelling at him again. He didn’t need Vapre’s babying, and he didn’t need Syx screaming at him. He just wanted some answers, and then he’d get out of everyone’s hair. Syx scrubbed his hands over his face roughly and resumed his seat with a sigh. “What if all of the residents in that compound are offspring of Aphrodite?” “Then I’d say she gets around a lot.” Syx chuckled under his breath. “If the stories are true, I’d say you’re right about that.” Myst looked at Vapre and huffed. The man was still fluttering about him, his eyes shining with concern. “I’m fine, Vapre. Stop worrying about me.” “Why would you think you’re stupid?” Vapre spoke quietly, his voice tense and filled with pain. “Did I ever do anything to make you feel that way?” Oh, for fuck’s sake. “Vapre, listen to me.” Myst shifted in his seat so that he could face the demon. “I don’t think I’m a complete moron, though you have to admit, I do screw up a lot.” With a bit of shock, Myst realized he spoke the truth. He didn’t think he was completely stupid. He did have some pretty good ideas sometimes—even if they were few and far between. “Stuff like this, I just don’t get. That’s okay. That’s why we have you and Syx.” The more he talked, the better he felt. Maybe he wouldn’t have to find Onyx later after all. He’d never been able to talk about his feelings before, but Echo had shown up and changed all of that. He could be honest with his men now. Who knew just talking could be so therapeutic? That didn’t mean he was going to turn into some ninny

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that had to share every damn thing, but he could give his men a little more than he had been over the years. “I don’t know why these riddles are easier for me and Syx, but that’s just it. No one else gets it either. They pretty much just leave it to us. So, you’re not the only one that gets lost when we start talking.” Myst bobbed his head. “I get that.” Now, he added mentally. “It’s just hard sometimes, because I want to help, I just don’t know how.” Myst fisted his hand in the front of Vapre’s shirt and dragged him forward into a heated kiss. “I’m glad we have you two on our side.” He looked over at Syx to include him in the statement. “It’s a lot of pressure,” Syx said quietly. Suddenly, Myst felt like an ungrateful and petulant child. More than that, he felt about two inches tall. He’d been so wrapped up in his own self-loathing that he hadn’t stopped to think what it must be like for Syx and Vapre. Hex was their leader, Eyce their beta, and Fiero was more or less their enforcer. Hex dealt with the big decisions, but everyone went to Syx, and to a lesser extent, Vapre, for answers. “I didn’t think about it that way. I’m sorry.” Syx waved him away. “Don’t be sorry. I’m just trying to explain that I know how it is to feel like you’re not good enough, or that you might let someone down.” And that’s exactly how Myst felt. It never occurred to him that the others might feel the same. Wow, I’m a selfish prick. “It helps me to think that no one in this house is as confident as they let on,” Vapre added. “Not even Hex.” “You should go talk to him,” Syx said just above a whisper. “I know you’ve been putting it off, but I think it will make you feel better.” Myst wanted to jump up and run out of the room, but he remained seated. “You were saying something about the lab. We need to work through this, come up with something.”

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“Let me and Vapre deal with this. We don’t really have any answers right now.” Syx shook his head. “I’m not saying that we couldn’t use your help, but I think it’s more important that you go make things right with Hex, as well as everyone else.” “Are you sure? I can help.” Vapre chuckled and kissed him on the temple. “We know you can, and we’ll expect it later. Go do what you need to do.” Myst jumped up from the couch and bolted out of the room. He couldn’t do much in helping to figure out the prophecy, but he could find his men and apologize for being such a douche bag. Taking the stairs two at a time, he jogged down the hall and banged on Hex’s door. He didn’t even wait for an answer before charging right in and slamming the door closed behind him. The room was empty, but he heard the shower turn off, so he headed toward the bathroom. Hex stepped out of the shower just as Myst walked in, and he almost forgot what he had come to say. Sweet hell, the man was gorgeous. “Hey, Myst,” Hex said casually as he wrapped a towel around his waist. “What’s up?” “I’m sorry,” Myst blurted. His lover’s eyebrows drew together, and he cocked his head to the side. “What?” Myst took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I’m sorry about what I did in the club, and it won’t happen again. I’m sorry that I’ve been acting like such a dick. I’m sorry that I pissed you off or made you think that you couldn’t trust me. I’m sorry for a lot more stuff, and I’m sorry for stuff that I haven’t even done yet. I just can’t take you being mad at me anymore.” A crooked smile appeared on Hex’s lips. “Come here.” Myst took two long strides and pressed himself against Hex. Myst wasn’t little by any stretch of the imagination, but he was the smallest

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of the group. All the warriors stood at least a good four inches taller than him, but Hex was just huge. “I’m not mad,” Hex said quietly. His arms twined around Myst’s waist and tugged him closer. “I don’t understand the things you do, or why you feel you need to do them, but I’m not mad. I just worry about you.” His nose crinkled and one side of his mouth curled upward. He looked a little confused, as though he couldn’t believe he’d said the words. Myst melted, though. He could damn sure take care of himself, but it was nice to have someone worry about him. “I need to tell you something.” “No you don’t.” Hex tucked Myst’s head under his chin and sighed. “I know about Onyx.” His big hand smoothed down Myst’s back when he tensed. “I don’t like it, and I want it to stop. It’s not only bad for you, it’s bad for Onyx. He doesn’t want to hurt you, babe.” “He doesn’t.” “He does, and it’s killing him.” Hex paused, and his next words came slow and deliberate. “How bad does it get?” “That depends on what you mean. How bad is it to feel like such a fuckup? Or how hard do I need him to whip me for me to forget about it?” Myst felt like shit the minute the words left his mouth. Hex shuddered and released him, taking a step back to look into his eyes. “Both.” Reaching out to take his lover’s hand, Myst tugged him toward the bedroom and over to the bed. He sat down heavily and patted the mattress beside him. “This might take a while, so you should probably sit down.” Hex did as instructed, easing down to the edge of the bed, and turning to face him. He didn’t speak but looked at Myst expectantly. “I’ve always felt like something is missing inside of me. I can fight. I know that, but once we left Tartarus, I didn’t need to anymore.

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It’s the only thing I’m good at, but I don’t even have that anymore. So, where does that leave me?” Hex remained silent, waiting for him to continue. Myst appreciated it. If he was going to get it all out, he needed to do it quickly. “Then this fucking prophecy, and these tests, and there’s a war coming. You’re going to hate me, but I was happy at first. Finally, something I’m good at.” “I don’t hate you.” Myst bobbed his head. “Well, then there were all these riddles. I’m not good at shit like that, and it makes me feel stupid. Echo comes along that same night, and he’s so small and fragile, I don’t know how to be around him. That makes me feel like an asshole.” “I get it. Keep going.” “I try, but I just feel like I’m always messing something up. We’ve all played with Onyx before, but that’s all it was—playing.” “So when did it turn into something more than that? Onyx says the night Echo made his bargain with Ares.” “I knew from the beginning that my test wouldn’t be about fighting with my hands. It’s going to come down to wits, and let’s face it, I don’t have a whole lot of those.” The muscles in Hex’s jaw ticked, but he didn’t speak. “If we lose him, it’s going to be my fault. I can’t live with that kind of guilt.” Myst sighed and dropped his head. “I found Onyx that night. By the end of that week, I was going to the playroom almost every night, but it wasn’t enough. I needed more. When Onyx said he wouldn’t do it, I told him I’d find someone who would.” Myst hated himself for playing that card with the warrior. He’d seen the hurt in Onyx’s eyes, but he’d also seen the resignation. He’d latched on to the latter and pushed the rest from his mind. “Why are you telling me this? What’s changed?”

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Now seemed like a good time to test out Vapre’s theory. “Tell me something, Hex. Do you have all the answers? Do you ever worry that we’re not going to win this thing?” “Every fucking day.” “That’s what changed. Syx and Vapre finally got it through my thick head that I’m not the only one with doubts and concerns. I’m not the only one that doesn’t have all the answers, and that’s okay.” “We’ll find the solution together,” Hex replied quietly. Myst nodded. “Once we escaped the Underworld, we could have all gone our separate ways, but we didn’t. We’re supposed to be together. I’ll fight for my family.” Hex gathered Myst into his arms and kissed him with so much passion it was a wonder the room didn’t catch on fire. “We’ll fight together, baby. You’re not stupid, and it doesn’t make you weak to need someone to talk to.” “Yeah, I know. More than that, it wasn’t fair what I did to Onyx. I don’t know if he’ll forgive me.” There was his biggest fear. He’d crossed the boundaries with Onyx, and he didn’t know how to get back to the other side. “He will.” Myst didn’t want to travel down that road just yet. “Can I ask you something?” “Anything.” “Why wouldn’t you fix my nose when Echo broke it?” Hex chuckled and moved to sit with his back to the headboard. “Well, first, I wasn’t exactly feeling friendly after watching you let that waiter rub all over you. Secondly, Echo didn’t break your nose. Your clumsy ass was able to do that all on your own.” Myst’s breathing sped, and his cock began to fill. Hex looked at him and smirked. “What’s this?” Groaning, Myst shook his head. This part still made him feel like a freak. “I like when you guys are jealous.” “It’s nice isn’t it?”

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Myst’s head snapped up, and he gaped at the alpha. “What?” “It’s probably not rational, but I like feeling that I belong to someone. When you guys get possessive, it turns me on.” Hex shrugged, not in the least bit embarrassed about his desire. “So, I’m not a freak?” Hex snorted. “Well, if you are, so am I. Now, about your nose,” he continued as though he hadn’t just pulled Myst back from the abyss. “The other reason I didn’t fix it was because I won’t get in between you and Echo, or any of you for that matter. I’ll step in if it gets to be a big deal, like this thing with Onyx. Otherwise, I don’t take sides, and you know that.” Myst dipped his head. “So, are we okay now?” “We’re always okay. Do we understand each other a little better now? Yeah, I think so.” “What do I do now?” “Babe, I’m not a gypsy with a crystal ball. I don’t have all the answers, and I can’t decide for you if I did. What do you think you should do?” “I should probably go talk to Onyx.” “Then that’s what you do.” Myst crawled up the mattress and kissed Hex’s lips. “Thank you for listening and not making me feel like a crazy person.” “We’re all a little crazy, Myst. It comes with the territory. I just wish you would have trusted me enough to talk to me about this earlier.” “It wasn’t trust. I didn’t want anyone to know—which is another reason I need to find Onyx and apologize. It wasn’t right for me to make him keep this a secret.” Hex kissed him again and swatted his hip. “Then get out of here. I’m going to take a nap. If anyone needs me, tell them to fuck off.” Myst laughed all the way out of the room.

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Chapter Seven Fiero was beyond pissed off as he stormed down the hallway looking for Myst. He found the warrior coming out of Hex’s room, laughing his fool head off. In three strides, he reached the man and shoved him up against the wall. “I want to know what’s going on, and I want to know now. If someone doesn’t start giving me some goddamn answers I—” Fiero was abruptly cut off when Myst grabbed the back of his head and plunged his tongue into Fiero’s mouth. Fiero couldn’t help but respond. Damn, Myst kissed like a dream. They disengaged long minutes later, each panting and clinging to each other. “I’m a stupid son of a bitch, and I put Onyx in a position that you should never do to someone you love. I made him whip me until my back and ass were raw, but he refused to ever make me bleed.” Myst narrowed his eyes. “Don’t you dare be pissed off at him, either. He did it because he loves me, and he knows I would have gone out and gotten what I needed somewhere else. This is my mess, so be pissed at me.” Fiero felt like someone had clubbed him over the head. It was one thing to learn about Myst’s little kink of liking to make them jealous. This went beyond kink, and straight into the realm of disturbing. Furthermore, guilt stabbed him right in the heart for not seeing it before. What kind of lover and partner was he, anyway? “No more,” he mumbled. He couldn’t seem to find his bearings, and it unnerved the hell out of him. “Never again.” “Nope. I had my doubts that I could make it through this damn war without the playroom, but I don’t think I need it anymore. I’m

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starting to see that I’m not the only one with problems, and oddly enough, it helps.” Winding his arms around Myst’s back, Fiero dragged the man into his arms and hugged him fiercely. “I’m sorry I let you down.” “You didn’t let me down. I let myself down, and I let all of you down. I can’t promise I’m just going to change overnight, but I’m working on it.” “No more,” Fiero repeated. “I’ll give you whatever you need.” “I know. I’m glad Echo finally gave us a kick in the ass to make me see that.” Fiero chuckled softly and kissed Myst’s forehead. “Yeah, me, too.” Life had been good before Echo arrived. They’d all gotten along, held a mutual respect for one another, and the sex had been amazing. It was nothing compared to how he felt these days. The simple thought of anything happening to one of his men was enough to drive him to his knees. They were connected, and he doubted any of them could survive without the other. “I love you.” Sighing heavily, Fiero leaned forward and rested his forehead against Myst’s. “I love you, too.” He brushed their lips together. “So, why were you laughing?” “Because Hex said he’s taking a nap.” Fiero didn’t really see why this was funny. His confusion must have shown on his face, because Myst started laughing again. “Echo thinks he’s coming downstairs to talk to Vapre and Syx about the new moon and all that.” Falling against Myst, Fiero laughed until his sides hurt. Oh, gods, he couldn’t wait to see Echo’s face and witness the ass chewing Hex was going to get. Myst stopped laughing suddenly. “Have you seen Echo?” The tone of Myst’s voice cooled Fiero’s amusement as well, and his eyebrows drew together in concern. “No. Why, what happened?”

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“Syx thinks Echo’s mom could be Aphrodite.” Fiero jerked back and gaped. “You’re shitting me?” Myst shrugged. “It’s just a theory at this point, but Echo didn’t take it very well. I’m not sure if it’s the idea that he could be a demigod, or if it’s the fact that he has a mother and she abandoned him. Either way, he stormed out of the office, said he’d be around, and I haven’t seen him since.” “Have you looked?” Myst shook his head. “No. I came straight up to talk to Hex. I figured I’d give Echo a chance to work through some things.” “So why are you worried now? He’s not stupid, babe. He knows better than to go outside alone.” “That’s just it. When Vapre reminded him, he just said he’d be around. I was kind of having a mini-meltdown at the time, so I didn’t really think much about it. What if he was upset enough to leave the house?” “He’s not stupid,” Fiero repeated with more conviction than he felt. No, Echo wasn’t stupid, but he was often rash and impulsive. How many times had his temper gotten him into trouble already? Fiero thought of all the places Echo could be before closing his eyes and groaning. “I think I know where he is.” “The pond,” Myst supplied. Fiero opened his eyes and grinned. “Right on the money. Why would you ever think you’re not smart?” Myst wrinkled his nose and looked away. “I’m not that smart. I just know him.” Taking Myst’s chin in his hand, Fiero turned the warrior’s head back to look into his eyes. “Being able to solve those fucking riddles that make my head hurt, or knowing how to take care of your men— which one do you think is more important?” Stretching up, Myst pressed his lips to Fiero’s. “Good point. I told you I’m working on it. Thank you.” Fiero captured the man’s plump lips again. “No, baby, thank you.”

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“Let’s go get Echo before he gets himself in trouble. I’ll freeze his stubborn ass and carry him back on a gurney if have to.” Stepping away and giving Myst a light tug to get him moving, Fiero laughed as he followed his lover to the stairs. Yeah, they were going to be just fine. **** Pacing back and forth along the banks of the small pond, Echo waved his hands around wildly as he muttered under his breath. He couldn’t see Eyce, but he knew the man was standing just inside the trees watching him. After all the things they’d been through, he knew it wasn’t safe for him to be alone. He appreciated the demon giving him his space, however limited it was. He refused to believe that Aphrodite was his mother. It didn’t make a damn bit of sense. More than likely, the lab had paid his mother to birth him and turn him over. That would make him feel a hell of a lot better. At least then he wouldn’t be hurt and confused about a mother that had left him to that hell because she didn’t love him enough to keep him. If she’d been paid, it would have just been a job. People walked away from jobs all the time. Someone stepped through the trees, and Echo spun around with a snarl on his lips. So much for Eyce giving him his space. To his surprise, it wasn’t the demon that walked toward him, but Gage. The werewolf sauntered over to where he stood on the banks and plopped down in the grass without a word. He leaned back and pulled a cucumber and a small knife from the pocket of his cargo pants. Opening the blade, he began peeling and slicing the cucumber, tossing pieces of it into the pond. Long, scaly fingers snatched the treat from the top of the water, pulling it below the surface.

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With a deep sigh, Echo plopped down on the grass and held his hand out to Gage. The man pulled another cucumber from his other pocket—how damn big were those pockets anyway? He passed it to Echo, along with another pocketknife. They sat there for a long time until all four of the cucumbers Gage had brought with him had been sliced, tossed, and consumed by the kappas. Neither of them said a word the entire time. “Do you think it’s true?” Gage leaned back on his elbows and stretched his feet out in front of him. “I don’t know. I’d tell you if I did, but I honestly don’t know.” “When did Ares start working at the lab?” “I never saw him until a few months before you disappeared.” Echo thought back to his time inside the facility. “That seems about right. I saw him once in the hall, but I hid inside one of the storage closets before he could see me. I didn’t know why I was so afraid of him at the time, but everything in me just said to hide.” “Those instincts have kept you alive so far,” Gage said casually. “I’d keep listening to them.” “Uh, Gage…” Gage waved his hand and snorted. “You know what I mean. I don’t think that has anything to do with instinct. If Athena said it was supposed to happen, I don’t reckon anyone could have stopped it.” “I like your accent. Why do you hide it?” “I’m workin’ on learning to be myself. You’re not the only one who has stayed alive by hiding.” Echo bobbed his head. He supposed that was true enough, and he figured he had no right to pry. “Can I ask you something?” “Doesn’t mean I’ll answer, but sure.” “How come you’re not freaking out about all this gods and goddesses stuff? And you were even okay with Hex and the others. I mean, I would think that even to a paranormal, demons would be a hard pill to swallow.”

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“Who do you think created us?” Gage closed his eyes and tipped his head back on his shoulders. “We were all birthed by the gods in one way or another.” Echo snorted. “But you freaked out about Sony and Mac having powers. Why is that?” Gage opened his eyes and smiled. “I didn’t really spaz out or anything, but I figured they had to be something beyond human. It drove me nuts when I couldn’t figure out what it was. Yeah, I thought you guys were a bunch of freaks at first, but that’s just because I never knew humans could do things like that.” “Why are you here?” Echo blurted. He bit his lip and looked down at his hands. Well, that sounded rude as hell. “I figured you could use a friend that wouldn’t hover over you or expect you to talk.” “Thank you. I don’t know if I’m supposed to be angry, or hurt, or what. Right now, I think I’m just confused and hoping that Syx is wrong.” “How often have you known that man to be wrong?” Echo sighed and shook his head. “Never when it really counted.” “Well, then I guess you need to work out how you feel about that. I don’t know a lot about the world, Echo, but I do know one thing. You’ve got seven damn fine men that love you more than anything on this earth. If that’s not enough, I don’t guess I know what else you need.” With a small smile, Echo nodded. “I think you’re right.” “Well, it’s nice to hear someone say so. Sony and Mac don’t ever think I’m right.” They laughed together for a few seconds, and Echo finally looked out over the clearing to the tree line. “How many are here?” “Eyce, Fiero, and Myst were here. I sent them back. They didn’t like it, but they eventually agreed.”

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No, Echo imagined they hadn’t liked that at all. The thought made him smile even wider. “I guess I should go talk to them before they wear holes in their heads worrying about me.” “That’s probably a good idea, though I think Fiero and Myst just want to see you lay into Hex.” Echo’s brow scrunched, and he tilted his head to the side. “Why would I do that?” “He’s taking a nap.” “He was supposed to come downstairs after his shower,” Echo said indignantly. Gage just grinned. “Yep.” Pushing to his feet, Echo brushed the grass from his backside. “Thank you for letting me talk.” “Anytime,” Gage replied pushing to his feet. “Sometimes we just need to get it off our chest without being offered advice on how to fix it.” “Exactly. None of the others seem to get that.” “They just worry about you, kid. Don’t take it personally. Those men would do anything in the world to make you happy.” “I know, and I feel the same about them.” Echo winked impishly and jerked his head toward the direction of the house. “So, let’s get back so I can talk to Hex. I would hate to deny Fiero and Myst their fun.”

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Chapter Eight He took a deep breath to steady his nerves and rapped his knuckles against the door. It swung open almost immediately, and Onyx stood in the doorway dressed only in a pair of loose-fitting boxers. His eyes widened when he saw Myst, then a guarded expression came over his face that made Myst’s chest hurt. “Hey,” Onyx said cautiously. Myst couldn’t blame the man for having reservations about his presence. Myst had done nothing but use and abuse his lover over the past weeks. “Can we talk?” He hesitated for a moment, but finally Onyx nodded and stepped away to allow Myst entrance. “I won’t do it anymore, Myst.” Myst stood with his back to Onyx and closed his eyes, the hole in his heart stretching wider. “I wasn’t going to ask you.” “Then why are you here?” Hanging his head like a whipped dog, Myst tried to rein in his runaway emotions. What did he expect from the warrior after all he’d put him through? Still, it hurt to hear the coldness in Onyx’s voice. Myst would do anything to make it disappear. “I came to apologize,” he mumbled. “I’m sorry, Onyx. I never should have asked those things of you. I had my head so far up my ass, I didn’t realize how I was hurting you. I know it’s not an excuse, but it’s all I have. I’ll do whatever you want to fix it.” Onyx didn’t say anything, and Myst swallowed past the lump in his throat. Had he really broken things between them that badly? “I’m so sorry,” he whispered. “I knew what I was doing was wrong, but I

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couldn’t stop myself. I just needed everything to go away for a little while, and I didn’t know any other way to make that happen. It was the only thing that helped.” Myst sighed and shook his head. “I’m a fuckhead.” Onyx still didn’t say anything, but strong arms wound around Myst’s waist, pulling him back against the bare expanse of Onyx’s chest. “Believe it or not, I understand what you’re saying. I don’t like hurting you, though. Please don’t ask me to do that again.” Shaking his head firmly, Myst took one of his lover’s hands and moved it up his chest to rest over his heart. “I promise.” Soft lips drifted over the back of his neck, causing him to shiver. “Then we’re fine. I miss the old you, Myst. I need you to find that guy and bring him back.” Turning in the warrior’s arms, Myst pressed his lips to Onyx’s mouth and sighed. “I’m working on it. I don’t know if I want to be that guy exactly. The old me had a lot of issues as well, but I’m starting to see that I’m not the only one, and that helps. It also helps that I have seven gorgeous men that love me and are willing to put up with my shit until I get my head on right. Just give me a little time, okay?” “I’ve got nothing but time, babe. Not going anywhere.” His heart melting inside his chest, Myst kissed Onyx once more. “I know,” he said with conviction, feeling for the first time in his life that the words were true. “Thank you.” “What the hell are you doing?” a voice yelled down the hall. Myst pulled back from Onyx, and they looked into each other’s eyes with goofy grins on their faces. “Echo’s back.” “And Hex is in trouble.” Myst’s smile grew bigger. “Yeah, let’s go watch.” “Are you sure you want to be in the crossfire on this one?” Onyx lifted an eyebrow, looking too sexy to be legal. Myst thought it over for a minute and winked. “I’ll risk it.”

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**** “I was trying to sleep until you came barging in here, screaming like a freakin’ banshee.” Echo crossed his arms over his chest and glared at Hex. “I thought you were supposed to go downstairs and talk to Syx and Vapre when you were finished with your shower. What happened to that?” “I changed my mind.” Echo bit the inside of his cheek to keep from smiling. He really wasn’t mad at the guy, but Myst and Fiero expected a show, and he’d hate to disappoint them. Still, he did wonder what had made Hex retreat to his bed instead of seeking them out in the office. “Did something happen?” “Nah, just tired.” Hex’s eyes shifted to a point over Echo’s shoulder, and they softened just a bit. Glancing over his shoulder as well, Echo spotted Myst and Onyx standing in the doorway. He turned back to the alpha and lifted his eyebrows in question. Hex nodded a little, his eyes still trained on Myst, and Echo understood. “Thank you,” he mouthed when Hex finally looked at him again. Hex shrugged, but Echo understood how much the conversation with Myst must have upset the big man. Judging by the way the two were looking at each other, however, the discussion had ended on a positive note. “I really think you need to talk with Syx,” Myst said quietly from the hallway. “It’s kind of important.” Hex sat up a little straighter and pinned Echo with his burgundy gaze. “What happened?” Damn Myst for bringing it up! Echo so didn’t want to talk about it. He was still trying to work through his feelings about the information, if indeed it was true. Now that Myst had opened the proverbial can of worms, he knew Hex would hound him until he

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finally spilled what he knew. “Well, we might know who my mom is.” “That’s great, baby.” Hex’s face split into a wide grin, which only made Echo feel worse. He must have not done a good job of schooling his expression because the smile slid slowly from Hex’s lips. “Isn’t it?” “Well, if you consider that my mom might be a goddess, and she just dumped me here on earth in a research facility great news, then I guess yes.” Hex looked dumbstruck for a whole minute before he finally found his voice. “Your mom is a goddess? Which one? Athena?” “Myst, Syx, and Vapre seem to think it could be Aphrodite.” The alpha’s eyes swung to Myst. “Why?” Myst shuffled over to the bed and eased down on the edge of the mattress. Echo looked over his shoulder again for Onyx, but the man had disappeared. Echo didn’t blame him. He’d vanish, too, if he had the option. “The name just popped into my head, and I blurted it out,” Myst confessed. “Syx seemed excited about it, though. I think you need to talk to him about the details.” “Okay, wait.” Hex threw the blankets off his lap and jumped out of bed to begin pacing. It was a testament to how upset Echo was that Hex’s naked body did nothing for his libido. “What were you talking about when all this came up?” “Those born of the first,” Echo mumbled. “I had this idea that it must mean something more, and that the whole red moon thing would come before that. It just kind of spiraled from there.” “Okay, I’m lost. What does Aphrodite have to do with any of this?” “Syx says she’s technically the first goddess.” Echo shrugged. He still wasn’t sure he was buying any of it. It seemed so ludicrous. Shit like that did not happen to people like him. Yeah, like people don’t die and come back with a taste for blood.

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How messed up was that he could get past that, but not the fact that he might have a divine being for a mother? Hex continued to pace with a deep frown on his face. “Okay, we’ll come back to that. So, what do we think the moon is about then?” “Not a clue,” Myst responded. “Syx and Vapre are working on it, but they were convinced it was the war. Now, they’re back at square one.” Pausing mid-stride, Hex whirled around to face them and shook his head. “I’m not dismissing the fact that Aphrodite may be Echo’s mother, but I still think this firstborn business—” “Born of the first,” Echo corrected, cutting him off. “Whatever.” Hex waved his hands around in agitation. “I still think it will be the next test, and the red moon refers to the war.” Hex went to his dresser, pulled out a pair of boxers, and tugged them on. “I’m going to talk to Syx.” Then he left without another word. Echo turned to look at Myst with raised eyebrows. “What was that all about?” Myst shook his head. “He’s scared and thinking just because he wills something to be one way, that’s the way it will be.” “What do you think?” Myst looked startled at being asked his opinion on the matter. Flopping down beside his mate on the mattress, Echo didn’t speak, but waited expectantly. Myst had good ideas, he just needed to see that for himself. “I think Hex is right,” Myst finally said. “I think Ares’s army will come for you on the new moon, and that will be the beginning of the war.” “What about the equinox?” “I think that will be the final standoff, not the beginning.” Echo chewed the information over with as much vigor as he currently chewed on his bottom lip. “Why are they coming for me?

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And the prophecy said they’d kill the ‘ones’ born of the first. Doesn’t that mean more than one?” “I don’t have any idea what Ares’s hang-up is with you, but I do think it all circles back to Hex. And I think we can safely assume by now not to take the prophecy too literally.” “You’re right.” Echo rolled his eyes when Myst looked stunned. “Love, you really do need to give yourself more credit. You might not look at things the way the others do, but that doesn’t make it wrong or stupid. I had an idea, and it was wrong. Do you think I’m stupid?” Myst shook his head quickly. “Not at all. We’re all trying to work out this clusterfuck and what it means.” Echo looked at Myst pointedly. “So, even if you’re wrong, how does that make you any less intelligent than the others?” “You fight dirty, but I see your point,” Myst finally relented after several minutes of silence. “So where do we go from here?” “We need to find out what connection the lab has to all of this. I think it’s more than just Ares building an army. I’d like to know if Aphrodite really is my mother.” “Why is that so important to you?” There was no judgment in Myst’s voice, merely curiosity. “If my mother was the goddess of love and beauty, I want to know why she dumped me here.” “Maybe it was to protect you,” Myst offered. Echo appreciated his mate trying to comfort him, but he highly doubted it had been for his own protection. “Protect me from what? And if it was really to keep me safe, that vile lab doesn’t exactly seem like the way to go about it.” “If you’re so upset about it, talk to her.” Echo gaped. “It’s not like I can just call her on the phone, Myst. How the hell am I supposed to talk to her?” “The same way we talk to Athena.” Myst shrugged. “It’s worth a shot. What have you got to lose?”

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Echo thought back to his conversation with Gage. He had seven men who adored him. Did he really need to know who his mother was? On the other hand, if this cockamamie scheme worked, maybe she could help. If nothing came of it, he was exactly where he was now, and he’d lost nothing. “I’ll try,” he said slowly. “Will you stay with me? I never sleep very well by myself.” Myst leaned over and pressed his lips to Echo’s forehead. “You never even have to ask.” He stood and stripped out of his clothes before crawling under the blankets. Holding one corner up, he waited for Echo to chuck his clothes as well and slip into the bed beside him. “I’ll be right here,” he whispered, tucking Echo closer to his chest. Echo knew this of course. “You get some sleep as well. You look exhausted.” “I won’t argue that.” Myst sighed happily and snuggled closer. “You make everything okay.” Echo didn’t know exactly what that meant, but he was happy he could help. Resting his head on Myst’s shoulder, he closed his eyes and waited for sleep to claim him. When his eyes opened next, Echo almost growled in frustration that it hadn’t worked, until he noticed the woman standing to the side of the bed. Myst was still wrapped around him, snoring quietly. Was this a dream? “No,” Athena whispered. Tears streamed down her soft cheeks, and she looked at him as though her heart was shattering. “This is not a dream.” “Why are you here?” Echo whispered the words, not wanting to wake Myst. He didn’t understand, but it felt important that he have this conversation with the goddess alone. But why had she come to the mortal world instead of his dreamscapes? “I wish I could help you more. I’m sorry, Echo.” No one had ever looked at him the way Athena was. Not even his mates held that soft glow in their eyes when they gazed in his

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direction. There was something comforting and almost familiar in the way she stared at him. Even with her eyes swollen and red, she was still the most beautiful woman Echo had ever seen. Her eyes were the same shade of blue as his, almost an exact replica in shape and size. Though her hair was dark, she had a slight curl on one side—the same side that his curled. Her lips were full and pink, the perfect shape with a defined dip in the middle of her upper lip—just the same as Echo’s. The longer he studied the goddess, the more Echo’s heart ached to reach out and touch her. He stayed where he was, though, his back pressed to Myst’s chest and just watched her. “Why?” “To alter the course of destiny requires sacrifice. You were mine.” “But why that horrible place?” “I’m so sorry, Echo. You will understand in time. The war is almost over, little one. You have come so far, but you are running out of time. Show them the way, Echo. They cannot win without heart.” She took a small step away from the bed and bowed her head. “Wait!” Echo said a little too loudly. He stilled and bit his lip when Myst stirred behind him. Finally, the warrior settled, and Echo looked up at Athena. “You said I’ll understand. Does that mean I’ll see you again?” He hated the pleading in his voice, but he was so close to finding the answers he so desperately wanted. “You will see me again.” The smile that lit her face told Echo he’d asked the right question. “Do not let them fail, Echo.” Then she faded away. Echo lay there for a long time, smiling as tears pooled in his eyes. He really couldn’t settle on one emotion, and decided he didn’t have to. He could feel whatever he wanted to feel. After a long while of just staring at the space where the goddess had disappeared, Echo closed his eyes, snuggled into Myst’s arms, and drifted back to sleep.

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Chapter Nine “Can I talk to you?” Echo spoke quietly, uncertain of his welcome. Syx’s head snapped up from where he was watching some documentary on the History Channel. They were alone in the living room, just as Echo had planned. He’d sent the others out on errands— either to town for supplies, or down to the pond to feed the kappas. He had a suspicion they understood what he really wanted because Fiero hadn’t even argued about feeding the little water sprites. Echo felt a little guilty about sending them out so close to dark, but hopefully his conversation with Syx wouldn’t take too long, and his mates would be home before the sun fully set. “Sure,” Syx said hesitantly. He sat up slowly and placed his feet on the floor to make room for Echo on the sofa. His eyebrows drew together, and he eyed the armchair across from him. “Uh…” Without a word, Echo crossed the room and plopped down on the sofa next to his mate. Wrapping his arms around the warrior’s waist, he cuddled close, rubbing his face over Syx’s cotton-covered chest. He knew he’d hurt the man, but it hadn’t been intentional. All week he’d kept his meeting with Athena a secret. Partly because he wanted it to belong to him for just a little while before he had to share it with his men. Mostly, though, it was because he needed time to work out the meaning behind her words. She hadn’t spoken many of them, but there had been a lot of information there. He’d just needed time to understand it. That meant he’d also been avoiding Syx for the past four days. With Syx’s ability to see inside his mind—and Echo too emotional to

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hold up his shields—it had been the only thing he knew to do. Even if he’d been able to put up those mental barriers, it would have clued Syx into the fact that he was hiding something. Then the questions would have started, and Echo hadn’t wanted to travel that road until he’d had time alone with his thoughts. It took him several minutes to realize that although he was draped around Syx as close as he could possibly get, the man wasn’t embracing him back. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “What did I do?” “Oh, love, you didn’t do anything.” He explained to his lover about needing time to think, and not wanting to be bombarded with questions. “Why didn’t you just say that?” Syx sounded angry, and Echo couldn’t blame him. “I’ve been wracking my brain, trying to figure out what it was I did to piss you off. Every time I tried to talk, you’d just disappear like I wasn’t even in the fucking room!” It wasn’t often that Syx let his temper get the better of him, so Echo knew his actions had cut the man to the quick. “I’m so sorry. Please, just let me explain.” Syx sighed and scrubbed his hand over his face. Echo could practically see the apology on the tip of the warrior’s tongue and held his hand up to stop it. “Don’t. I messed up this time. I didn’t handle the situation well. Don’t even think about apologizing to me.” “I didn’t mean to snap at you,” Syx said quietly, and his arms finally found their way around Echo, clutching him tightly. “I said don’t.” Echo bit his lip to keep from laughing. “You just can’t help yourself, can you?” “I didn’t apologize,” Syx argued, but he had a smile in his voice. “So, are you ready to tell me what was so important that you needed to avoid me all week?” Echo sighed and rubbed his cheek over Syx’s chest again like a kitten seeking attention. He didn’t deserve Syx’s easy and forgiving

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nature, and he knew it—which only made him all the more grateful. “I talked to Athena.” Syx’s leaned back against the cushions, pulling Echo with him and combing his fingers through Echo’s hair. “You had a dream?” “No, she was here.” The demon’s fingers paused for a heartbeat then continued their gentle stroking. “That’s different.” “Syx, we were wrong about Aphrodite.” “I know.” Echo bolted upright and stared at Syx with wide eyes. “Why didn’t you tell me?” “I tried.” Syx quirked an eyebrow and smirked. “You were too busy hiding from me.” Echo sucked his bottom lip between his teeth when he felt his cheeks begin to heat. “When did you know?” “The minute Myst said it.” “Then why didn’t you say anything?” Echo tilted his head to the side and worried his lip again. Syx sighed and shook his head. “Myst is already battling his selfconfidence. I didn’t want to make him think that his ideas aren’t good or important. It was a good idea, but it just doesn’t fit.” Echo melted. Leaning forward, he pressed his lips to Syx’s and hummed. “Thank you.” They were silent for a minute before Syx cleared his throat and sat up straighter. “So, what happened with Athena? Did you learn anything important?” “I think so, but that’s why I wanted to talk to you. Maybe I’m reading too much into it, but I don’t think this “born of the first” thing is about me at all.” “I’ve been considering the same thing.” Syx nodded thoughtfully. “I don’t know what or who else it could be referring to, though. This whole war is centered around you. It doesn’t make sense for it to be about anyone else. I mean, who could it be about if not you?”

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“You really don’t know?” Syx frowned and shook his head. “I can see you have an idea, though, so why don’t you just tell me and save us from all of this dosi-doing.” “You and the others.” Syx shook his head again. “No. I can’t see that being the case.” Echo wanted to roll his eyes, but he refrained. They’d come back to that when Syx was feeling a little less stubborn. “Athena said something else.” “She usually does.” “Well, it was something similar to what Myst said. Myst thinks that the next new moon will be the beginning of the war and lead us to a final stand at the equinox.” Syx seemed deep in thought for a long time. “You don’t think that’s the case, though?” “Well, I did at first, until Athena told me that the war was almost over. I still think that we’ll have our final showdown with Ares on the equinox, but all these challenges, battles, whatever you want to call them—I think this whole thing has been the war.” Groaning, Syx smacked himself in the forehead. “Gods, that makes so much more sense.” Echo was pleased his lover agreed. He’d been afraid he was way off base. “She also said that you would need heart to win the war, and that I needed to show you the way. She’s said that to me before, but I don’t know what it means. I don’t know how to help. All she would tell me is that I would understand in time.” “Then you will,” Syx said simply. “I have no doubt that you’ll find the answers. I know it’s hard to wait for them to come to us, but sometimes that’s what we have to do.” “You’re being awfully calm.” “On the outside, maybe. Inside, I’m a complete wreck. I don’t know how to help any more than you do, but the others are counting on us. That’s a lot of responsibility. We can’t let them down.”

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“Yeah, no pressure or anything,” Echo mumbled sarcastically, but he understood what Syx was trying to tell him. If he was meant to be their secret weapon to win this struggle, then he’d have to step back and examine things in a different light. He didn’t have the luxury of falling apart. It sucked, but everyone had their role to play. His just happened to be the starring role. “Did Athena say anything else?” “She said that altering the course of destiny requires sacrifices.” Echo clamped his lips closed before he could say more. He didn’t know why he was reluctant to share the news of his ancestry with his mate. It couldn’t be kept a secret forever, but he wanted to hold on to the secret for just a little while longer. Somehow, knowing Athena was his mother wasn’t quite as unsettling as when he’d thought Aphrodite had birthed him. He’d have to examine why that was later. “Rarely do the gods give anything without asking for something in return. I don’t know what sacrifice she could mean, though.” Syx pulled at his long hair, his brow wrinkled, and a small growl rumbled in his chest. Ah, hell. Echo couldn’t stand to see the frustration and worry on Syx’s face. He opened his mouth to reveal the truth, but before he could speak, the sound of a vehicle approaching cut him off. Syx jumped up from the couch and started for the door. “I need to talk to Vapre.” Of course he did. Why would he talk to Echo? It wasn’t as though he’d been forthcoming with information. It hurt to be dismissed, but Echo figured he deserved it. How many times had Syx felt the same way he did over the last few days? Before he could get himself too depressed, Syx was back, leaning over him and plundering the depths of his mouth. His tongue licked inside, swirling around Echo’s and demanding a response that Echo happily gave. The kiss lasted until the sound of the front door opening and a strangled moan drew their attention. Syx released Echo’s swollen lips

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and gave Vapre a quick smile before returning his attention. “I’m not dismissing you.” He leaned closer to Echo’s ear. “Vapre’s just better at this stuff than I am, but don’t tell him I said so.” Echo snorted. He didn’t think that was strictly true. “I didn’t mean I needed to talk to him alone,” Syx continued. “I got a bit ahead of myself. I’m sorry.” Echo smiled up at his mate and shook his head. “Go be brilliant with Vapre. I’ll help unload the car and put away the food. You know where I am if you need me.” Syx brushed his lips over Echo’s again and sighed. “Always need you, baby.” **** “First I have to feed those ugly little water monsters, and now I get stuck doing this?” Echo rolled his eyes as he helped Fiero put away the groceries. “You should have stayed gone longer.” “I’ve been thinking.” “I’ll send Hades a jacket,” Echo responded without missing a beat. He yelped when something hit him in the back of the head. Whirling around and rubbing at the sore spot, he looked down to find a bag of mini bagels at his feet. “What the hell was that for?” “Implying that hell would freeze over because I was thinking. It was rude.” Fiero crossed his arms over his chest and smirked. “I think you should apologize.” Echo snorted. “I’d have to buy Hades a parka before that happens.” “You really are an arrogant little shit.” Whoa! Where had that come from? Fiero sounded majorly pissed off. Gone was the smirk and his easy stance. His face began to turn a mottled red, the vein in his temple pulsed, and his hands clenched into fists at his sides.

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“Fiero?” They’d always joked around and poked at each other. Surely the man knew he’d been only kidding. Right? “Forget it,” Fiero spat. He spun around and reached into the bag on the counter, pulling cans out and slamming them against the granite. Echo took a cautious step forward and placed his hand in the center of Fiero’s back. The demon was shaking so hard it was a wonder Echo couldn’t hear his bones rattling. “What just happened? You know I was only joking.” “I know,” Fiero answered tightly. “I’m sorry.” “Hey, what’s going on?” Echo pressed closer, molding himself to Fiero’s back and nuzzled against him. Slipping his arms around his lover’s lean waist, he pressed his palms flat to Fiero’s stomach and held on tight. “I don’t know,” Fiero mumbled. “I didn’t mean that.” Slowly, the shaking stopped and his body began to relax. “I’m fine. Just give me a minute.” “Do you want me to leave?” “No.” They stayed that way for a long time, but Fiero eventually turned in Echo’s arms and kissed his forehead. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I got so angry, or why I said that shit. You are the least pretentious person I’ve ever met.” Echo opened his mouth to tell Fiero he forgave him, but Syn chose that moment to burst into the room. Echo was getting damn tired of people interrupting him when he had important shit to say. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, oh damn it!” Syn breathed heavily, his face flushed, and he wrung his hands together. “I got mad at Craze, and I forgot, and I just let it slip, and oh, gods, don’t kill me.” Echo smiled up at Fiero. “There’s your answer.” Then he turned to face the distraught vampire. “What pissed you off so much that you lost control of your power?”

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“Craze is leaving.” “Where the hell is he going?” Fiero demanded. “He says he has to make things right. I don’t know what the bloody hell he’s talking about, but he won’t listen to me or Jinx. Stubborn fool is going to do something right stupid. I just know it. Please talk to him.” Echo and Fiero exchanged looks, and Fiero dipped his head before hurrying out of the kitchen. “Everything’s fine,” Echo assured his friend. “Craze isn’t going anywhere alone.” “Alone? I don’t want him going anywhere period.” “Syn, you know as well as I do when these guys get something in their heads, it’s impossible to persuade them. Besides, I think I know where Craze is going, and it’s time we dealt with the problem anyway.” “Where is he going?” Syn looked scared, as though he already knew the answer but hoped Echo would dispute him. “You and Jinx aren’t the only vampires in the area. I guess he’s decided to finish what we started.”

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Chapter Ten Fiero barged up the stairs and through the attic door without knocking. It was his house, damn it. He could go where he wanted. “Knock much?” Craze asked casually. “Were you just going to disappear again without telling anyone?” Fiero shoved his hand through his short blond hair and paced the attic. Craze sat on the edge of the bed, watching him with a slight smirk on his face. It annoyed the hell out of Fiero, and he snarled. “You can’t do this on your own. You said so yourself. There are too many of them!” His voice rose with every word until he shouted the last. He wasn’t concerned about Craze’s safety. If the asshole did anything to endanger Echo, though, Fiero would rip him apart slowly. A quiet whimper drew his attention to the bed. Jinx huddled near the headboard, his knees pulled up to his chest, and his arms wrapped around his shins. He looked back at Fiero with wide eyes, his bottom lip sucked between his teeth, and his entire body trembled. Craze lost the smirk and glared at him before turning to his mate. “C’mere, baby.” He stretched out the arm closest to Jinx, and the vampire launched himself across the mattress to curl around his side. “Jinx doesn’t like it when people yell,” Craze said softly as he stroked Jinx’s red hair. Fiero felt like an ass. He hadn’t even realized Jinx was in the room. Though he didn’t know the vampire’s story, he’d seen enough over the past few months to know Craze spoke the truth. Jinx was usually the first one to apologize—even if he’d done nothing wrong. Unless he was defending Syn, the man barely spoke, and often startled like a frightened kitten if one of them addressed him.

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“I’m sorry, Jinx.” Not only had he scared the shit out of the man, but Fiero knew he’d have one unhappy little mate on his hands if Echo found out about this. He almost wanted to ask Jinx to keep it a secret, but that was just childish. He wasn’t afraid of Echo. Much. “Can we talk about this later?” Craze asked. He glanced down at Jinx, then back to Fiero with a pointed look. “Maybe in the morning?” “No,” Fiero answered flatly. “I almost took Echo’s head off because you pissed Syn off to the point that he let go of his powers. I’m sorry, man. I know you want to protect them from this. I’d do anything to keep Echo safe. The war is coming, though, and we can’t stop it. They can help, so let them.” “He’s right,” Jinx whispered. “Let us help you, Craze. I can show you where they dumped me in the woods. I can lead you back there. Just let me help.” “I won’t risk it.” Craze pulled Jinx to straddle his lap and crushed him against his chest. “I’ve lost you twice. I don’t intend to do it again.” “You stubborn fool.” Jinx licked up the side of Craze’s neck. “Maybe I can persuade you,” he crooned seductively. Fiero chuckled. “And that’s my cue to take a hike. Don’t do anything stupid until we talk. Then you can be as idiotic as you want.” Craze was busy pulling Jinx’s shirt over his head, and Fiero doubted the man had even heard him. With a shake of his head, he slipped out of the attic and shut the door behind him. The loud moan that reached his ears through the wood made his dick twitch, reminding him it had been several days since he’d received any attention from his own mate. Hell, it had been so long since he’d sunk his cock into something warm, he imagined he’d blow like a firecracker at the first touch. Seven men and not a one of them willing. It was unfair and a damn shame.

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“Fuck this.” With a new determination, Fiero marched down the stairs and called Echo’s name. Echo bounced into the living room and grinned. “Yes?” Syn shuffled in behind him with his head bent. “Craze and Jinx need you,” Fiero said and just barely managed to sound human. Syn jerked his head up, his eyes went wide, and darted out of the room and up the staircase. “Where is everyone?” Echo’s smile grew wider, his eyes flashing with a mischievous light. “They’re around. Why? Is there something you needed?” The little imp was playing with fire. “I need you naked in about two seconds.” Echo’s head tilted to one side and then the other as his eyes raked over Fiero’s body. He zeroed in on the sizeable bulge behind Fiero’s zipper and licked his lips, pulling a strangled groaned from Fiero’s mouth. Damn, the runt was a tease. Normally, Fiero didn’t mind a little playfulness, but his cock was hard enough to pound nails and was currently trying to break through the denim that held it confined. It had been too fucking long, and he needed Echo now! Sidling up to him, Echo rubbed himself against Fiero’s chest, purring like a kitten. “Is someone feeling neglected?” Then he stepped away. “You can have whatever you want, love.” He winked. “If you can catch me.” He bolted for the stairs and was halfway up them before Fiero could shake off the lusty haze around his brain. “Echo! Get back here.” A cute little giggle was his only response. With a rumbling growl, Fiero stalked after his mate. If Echo wanted to play, Fiero knew a few games. “I’m going to paddle your ass when I get my hands on you!” “Promise?” Echo called, already up the stairs and out of sight.

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Chuckling under his breath, Fiero jogged up the steps two at a time. His little mate had no idea what he’d just started. Fiero knew the perfect way to end it, though. **** Stripping out of his clothes as he ran down the hallway, Echo barged into Hex’s room and dove onto the bed between him and Myst. Oh, gods, they were both gloriously naked and smelling of a recent shower. Echo could just picture the things that had gone on in that bathroom, and it made his mouth water and his cock pulse. Ignoring their raised eyebrows, he burrowed under the covers and peeked out to look up at them. He pressed a finger to his lips and smiled innocently. Hex rolled his eyes. Apparently, he wasn’t buying it. “I’m going to paddle your ass when I get my hands on you!” Fiero called up the stairs. “Promise?” Echo yelled back then ducked under the blankets again. He waited until it became hard to breathe then flipped the blankets back again. “Where the hell is he?” Fiero chose that moment to step through the doorway, but he wasn’t alone. Echo swallowed hard and crawled up toward the headboard. “Hey guys.” He gave his most winsome smile. “How’s it going?” Leaning closer to the alpha, Echo hissed at him. “Hex! Do something.” Hex only chuckled and stood from the bed. “I’d guess you’ve been a troublemaker. I’m staying out of this.” “Echo.” The deep, commanding voice reached his ears, and Echo shivered visibly. His cock throbbed and flexed at the sexy quality of Onyx’s voice. “Yes?” he squeaked. “Yes what, little one?” Echo cleared his throat. “Yes, sir?”

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“Come with me.” Without waiting to see if Echo would follow, Onyx turned and left the room. Fiero crossed his arms over his chest and grinned like a Cheshire cat. Echo stuck his tongue out at the demon and slowly climbed down from the huge bed. “You didn’t have to tattle.” “Echo!” He jumped at Onyx’s summons. “Crap,” he breathed. Then in a louder voice, “Coming!” “Not yet,” Fiero murmured silkily, “but you will. Several times if I have my way about it.” Echo closed his eyes and groaned, reaching down to grip his leaking cock at the base. “Thank you,” he whispered reverently. Sweet hell, he needed this. Fiero brushed the hair back from his shoulder and bent to kiss the side of his neck. “You know I’d do anything for you. Whatever you need, it’s yours.” “Echo!” With a slight yelp, Echo stepped back from Fiero on unsteady legs and made his way to the small door hidden behind the attic steps. It wasn’t until he stepped into the room that he felt the warmth at his back. Peeking over his shoulder, he found Fiero, Hex, and Myst, all naked, all hard, and all staring at him with passion and need in their eyes. “Pick your restraints,” Onyx ordered. Echo head snapped back to face the room, almost swallowing his tongue when he found Onyx had disrobed as well. His gorgeous cock jutted from its nest of dark curls, pulsing and dripping pre-cum from the tip. Surveying the room, Echo bit his lip as he inched forward. Peering up toward the ceiling, a slow grin spread over his face, and he pointed. “That one.” “Paddle or flogger?” Onyx asked casually.

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“Hand,” Echo challenged. He knew the punishment for arguing with Onyx, and he couldn’t wait for it. Onyx cocked an eyebrow and crossed his arms over his chest. Then he turned away and walked toward the tables pushed against the walls, but not before Echo saw the corners of the demon’s lips twitch. “Get him ready.” Though his other mates had come to play, this was Onyx’s domain. He ruled inside this room, and no one thought to argue with him. Fiero gave Echo a little nudge, ushering him to the center of the room where two chains dangled from the ceiling. Hex grabbed the wooden block from under the padded table and placed it at Echo’s feet. They had to make a few adjustments since Echo was so much smaller than his men, but those had been relatively minor changes. Stepping up onto to the block, Echo lifted his arms over his head, his body quaking when warm hands immediately began roaming over his flushed skin. Fiero wrapped the leather cuffs gently around his wrists and kissed the back of his neck. “Too tight?” Echo shook his head as he struggled for breath. The restraints, the paddles, the crops—none of those things made him uneasy anymore. Under Onyx’s skillful hand, he’d come to love his time spent in the playroom. He looked forward to it, even. “Should I take the edge off?” Myst asked as he rolled Echo’s balls with his long fingers. Echo started to answer in the negative, but Onyx beat him to it. “No. He won’t come until he’s told. Right, baby?” “Yes, sir,” Echo panted. It wouldn’t be easy. He was so primed, so ready to shoot. He’d do anything to please his men, though. The serious doubts in his ability to hold back his orgasm didn’t begin until two slippery fingers slid along his crease, separating his ass cheeks, and caressed gentle circles around his hole. Rocking back and forth as much as his restraints would allow, Echo arched his back and tried to capture the digits. “Please,” he begged.

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“No coming,” Fiero reminding him, then pushed in roughly with both fingers. As though his prostate were a homing beacon, Fiero’s long, thick fingers found it on the first try, and lights exploded behind Echo’s closed eyelids. Grinding his teeth together, Echo breathed deeply through his nose, desperately trying to hold his climax at bay. “Need, need, need,” he chanted over and over. “Quiet,” Onyx chided him lightly, and Echo immediately sucked his bottom lip into his mouth and bit down on it hard. “Open your eyes.” Echo’s eyelids flipped open instantly. Onyx held his gaze as he reached down and gave Echo’s cock several languid strokes. Using his other hand, Onyx tugged on Echo’s chin until he released his hold on his abused lip. “Beautiful,” Onyx whispered, and Echo’s canines exploded through his gums, causing him to gasp in surprise. “So beautiful.” Onyx ran the pad of his thumb over one of Echo’s fangs. Echo moaned in pleasure. Who knew teeth could be an erogenous zone? Onyx pressed a little harder then moved his thumb down to rub over Echo’s tongue. The sweet nectar of his mate’s blood blasted over his taste buds, and Echo groaned again. Clamping his lips together to trap the appendage, he sucked greedily, closing his eyes and swirling his tongue around the warrior’s thumb. Onyx allowed it for only a second before he pulled his hand away. Echo whimpered in protest, trying to follow, but the cuffs around his wrist held him in place. Fiero’s fingers continued to pump into his hungry hole, pushing him closer to the edge with every glide. “Suck him,” Onyx ordered. Myst dropped to his knees and enveloped the head of Echo’s straining cock in one swift motion. Crying out before he could stop himself, Echo’s hips bucked, pushing his needy length further into the demon’s mouth. Looking over Echo’s shoulder, Onyx gave a quick dip of his head. Then he met Echo’s eyes again and smirked. “Remember. No coming until you’re told.”

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“Yes, sir,” Echo managed to get out around a groan. His body burned, his balls ached, and his heart knocked against his ribs in a rapid staccato. Two fingers became three, the suction around his cock increased, and a heavy hand landed on his right ass cheek. Echo squeezed his eyes closed and prayed he wouldn’t disappoint his mates. Gods, he was so close, though. Remaining quiet was nearly impossible when Fiero set up a steady rhythm, thrusting into his hole with the fingers of one hand, then spanking his ass with the other on each outward stroke. “Please,” he whimpered. “Let it out, little one,” Onyx whispered. “Scream as loud as you want, but no coming.” He tapped Myst on the top of his head. “Enough.” Myst slid off of Echo’s dick with a naughty slurp and pushed up to his feet. Shoulder to shoulder, Onyx, Hex, and Myst stood watching him. Their eyes devoured his body, and Echo could feel it like a physical touch. Sweat began to bead across his skin, his breathing came in shallow pants, and his cock jerked with each swat to his burning backside. The three demons before him palmed their erections, stroking themselves slowly. “Please,” Echo begged again. Fiero’s hand landed on his ass, harder than any of the ones before, and Echo threw his head back and yelled to the ceiling. When Fiero finally extracted his fingers and stepped around to stand with the others, Echo could barely breathe. His dick throbbed until it was painful. His sac had become so tight it felt like his balls were being crushed. Sagging limply, the metal chains hanging from the ceiling were the only thing keeping him from sliding to the floor in a puddle of mindless, lust-filled goo. His arms protested the position, but his legs were too wobbly to keep him upright.

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Onyx stepped forward, wound an arm around Echo’s waist to support his weight, and palmed his swollen cock. He stroked quickly, twisting his wrist to give a delicious friction around the head of Echo’s cock. “You did so well, baby.” “Thank you, sir.” Echo rested his forehead on Onyx’s shoulder, desperate to know how much longer the torture would continue. He wouldn’t ask, though. Onyx had never let him down or pushed him beyond his limits. He trusted the warrior implicitly. Another heartbeat, and Onyx mumbled the words that Echo needed to hear. “Come for me, Echo.” With a mingled cry of relief and indescribable pleasure, Echo snapped his hips, pushing his cock through Onyx’s tight grasp, and detonated. The intensity of his orgasm stole the breath from his lungs and made his head swim as copious amounts of creamy cum spurted from his slit with enough force to take the remaining strength from his legs. By the time he’d come down to earth, his cuffs had been removed, and he sagged limply in Onyx’s arms. “Thank you,” he breathed. Onyx lifted him gently, cradling him against his warm chest, and carried him across the room to the sofa. Hex beat him there, falling onto the cushions and spreading his legs wide as he drizzled more lube over his thick cock. Echo found himself in Myst’s arms and smiled dreamily up at his mate. He was still floating on cloud nine and had no desire to let go of his buzz just yet. This was way better than booze, and the only thing he’d feel the next morning was a pleasant ache in his ass. Myst chuckled and kissed Echo’s lips. “Watch.” Turning his head, Echo watched as Onyx insinuated himself between Hex’s thighs and sat back to impale himself on the alpha’s huge cock. Echo groaned, his dick swelling in excitement once more. “I want,” he mumbled. “I know, baby.” Myst chuckled again and moved closer to the sofa.

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Once Onyx was fully seated, he slung his legs over the outside of Hex’s knees and leaned back against the demon’s broad chest. “Mmm, you feel so good.” Hex’s hand roamed over Onyx’s chest, pinching at his nipples then moving lower to palm his jutting length. He gave it a few good strokes with his still-lubed hand, slicking the shaft and lingering a bit until Onyx began to writhe and moan. “Take what you need,” Hex cooed to him. Echo didn’t know which swelled more—his heart or his cock. At the moment, all the blood was rushing south, so he decided he’d focus on the latter and worry about his heart later. Myst lowered him into Onyx’s waiting arms, and they worked together until Echo was seated in the warrior’s lap with Onyx’s throbbing cock lodged deep inside his clenching passage. “Are we crushing Hex?” Everyone chuckled. “I’m fine, baby,” Hex answered. He gave a hard upward thrust of his hips, driving into Onyx’s hole and sending Onyx’s cock deeper into Echo’s tunnel. Myst chose that moment to drop to his knees and engulf Echo’s rock-hard prick to the back of his throat. “Oh, fuck!” Echo dropped his head to Onyx’s shoulder, pressing his back more firmly against Onyx’s slick chest. His legs were spread so wide to accommodate both Onyx and Hex, Echo couldn’t get enough leverage to move. He needn’t have worried, though. Onyx was more than capable of taking care of all of them. Onyx planted his heels on the edge of the sofa, wrapped an arm around Echo’s torso, and began a hard, fast grind. Echo felt Hex’s hand land on his hips, holding him tightly as the alpha began to thrust furiously into Onyx’s welcoming ass. The suction around his cock grew stronger, and faint vibrations traveled down Echo’s shaft and straight to his balls when Myst

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groaned. Prying his eyelids back, Echo licked his lips as he watched Fiero feed his beautiful cock to Myst’s hungry opening. When everyone was finally settled, the fun began. Fiero drove into Myst like a wild animal, growling and snarling, plunging into him punishingly. Onyx held both himself and Echo up with his powerful thighs, while Hex jackhammered into Onyx’s snug channel. Echo’s eyes rolled back in his head, and a primal yell built in his throat. The fullness in his ass, the wet heat around his cock—it all sent him spiraling out of control. “Mine!” Hex roared, and Echo had only a moment to wonder who Hex was referring to when he felt Onyx go tense beneath him. The scent of blood filled the air, and Echo’s canines shot through his gums once more. Glancing over his shoulder, his eyes rounded as he watched Hex bite into Onyx’s neck. A feral growl drew his attention to the pair in front of him just in time to see Fiero lean over Myst and sink his razor-sharp fangs into Myst’s shoulder. Fucking hell, it was the hottest thing he’d ever seen and sent his lust careening into overdrive. Myst pulled off of Echo’s cock, grabbed Fiero’s wrist, and sank his canines into the supple flesh. Before Echo could react, the room filled with primitive sounds. There were teeth everywhere. Everyone was biting everyone. They were claiming each other, and Echo thought his heart would leap out of his chest with joy. A sharp pain began in the crook of his neck, dissolving almost instantly into pure pleasure, and his cock erupted without warning. Pearly seed shot from his tip, painting Myst’s face. Damn, that was sexy. Onyx pulled his fangs free of Echo’s neck and licked over the claiming bite. He nuzzled his face into Echo’s hair, groaning deeply as he pulled Echo tightly against his groin, and molten lava filled Echo’s convulsing passage.

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In the blink of an eye, everyone was moving again. They took Echo in turn, making love to his body, and claiming him inside and out. They made love to each other. They claimed each other. They sucked, stroked, licked, kissed, and all but consumed each other. And when Echo felt his fourth orgasm speeding toward him, he looped his arm around Myst’s neck and pulled his lover down over him until their chests pressed together. Myst continued an easy glide in and out of Echo’s hole, staring into his eyes as though he couldn’t believe his luck. “I’m the lucky one,” Echo whispered. He licked a lazy path up the side of Myst’s neck and sucked the salty skin into his mouth. “Come for me,” he demanded, then sank his teeth into the yielding flesh, marking Myst as his. More cum filled his ass, leaking out around Myst’s cock, and Echo tumbled over the edge once more. They lay together, sweaty, panting, and completely exhausted. Well, Echo didn’t know about his mates, but he doubted he’d be able to walk right for a week. Hell, he didn’t think his legs would even support him long enough to shower. He wouldn’t take a second of it back. It had been almost perfect. The only thing that had been missing was three very important people. “We need Syx, Vapre, and Eyce.” “Don’t worry, sweetheart.” Myst pulled Echo to his chest and kissed his temple. “This changes everything, and we’re not leaving anyone behind.”

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Chapter Eleven Myst was good to his word. The minute they had Echo cleaned up and tucked into Hex’s bed, he and his new mates searched out the missing trio of their group. Without words or other preliminaries, they simply pounced. A lot of groaning, grunting, and growling ensued, combining with the sounds of skin slapping against skin in a sinfully delicious harmony. When they’d finished ravishing their lovers, claiming them, and begging to be claimed in return, Myst thought he’d be able to sleep for a week straight. He didn’t know what had come over them. They hadn’t attacked each other like that since the early days of their relationship, when things had been new and exciting. It was also the first time all seven of them had come together without Echo since the little imp arrived on their doorstep. Somehow, Myst didn’t think their mate—their smallest mate— would mind. It was a heady feeling knowing he now had seven mates to watch over and protect. Oh, he knew they could take care of themselves, but his protective instincts had been slammed into overdrive. He didn’t know how long the feelings would last or if they would ever fade. He’d always loved and felt possessive of his men, but with the new bond they now shared, it went beyond desire and love and into a clawing need to keep them safe, keep them happy, and keep them as his own. When Gage walked into the living room the next morning and clapped Hex on the shoulder, six demons jumped to their feet and

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snarled in warning. Gage removed his hand slowly, and held both of them up in surrender. “Uh, good morning?” Myst snapped his lips closed and shook his head. “Sorry about that.” Good gods, had he been that bad with Echo? “I think we moved past this initial possessive stage before anyone else arrived,” Syx answered with a tight smile. He turned to the werewolf and dipped his head. “We’ve mated.” The smug grin on Syx’s handsome face had Myst wanting to pull the warrior into his arms and kiss the breath out of him. “It’s new, and the bond is strong. We’ll be a little territorial over the next couple of weeks, so it would probably be best to keep your hands to yourself until then.” Gage’s eyes went wide as he glanced around the circle. “All of you?” “It was long overdue, in my opinion,” Eyce answered. He rubbed at the mating mark on the back his neck. “I feel amazing.” Murmured agreement went around the room, and Gage smiled hugely. “Congratulations, guys. You deserve to be happy, and I have to agree. I wondered when you’d get your heads on straight.” “We just needed a little push in the right direction.” Fiero glanced up toward the ceiling, looking for all the world like a lovesick teenager. “Echo showed us the way.” Syx went very still. As though in slow motion, he turned to face Fiero and then followed his gaze toward the ceiling. Myst didn’t know what was going on, but Syx had that look on his face he always got when he was working through something big. “What do you know?” Hex asked. “It was something Echo said to me yesterday. I’ve talked to Vapre and Eyce, but you guys kind of attacked us before I had a chance to fill you in.” Myst didn’t feel sorry in the least. There would always be time for words. “So, tell us now.” “I think we need to get Echo. It’s more his story to tell. I’ll fill in the gaps to the parts he doesn’t know or understand.”

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Gage glanced at his watch and shook his head. “It’s almost noon. What the hell did you do to him last night?” Myst smirked, proud and cocky. He noticed similar looks on his mates’ faces. Funny how he fell right into calling them that. It felt natural though. It felt…right, like it had always been that way. “Did I hear my name?” Echo bounced down the stairs and into the living room. He graced them all with his beautiful, heart-stopping smile and clasped his hands together in front of him. “Good morning.” Myst rushed across the room, swept Echo into his arms, and whirled him around in circles. Then he hitched his mate up higher so he could claim those perfectly luscious lips with a kiss that made him dizzy. “Thank you,” he panted long minutes later. “Thank you for everything.” Had there ever been a time in his very long existence when he’d felt this happy? He doubted it. Everything he’d ever wanted, and some things he never thought he could have, had been laid right at his feet, offered to him for the taking. And all because of the gorgeous, warm-hearted, and amazing creature in his arms. He was one lucky son of a bitch, and he’d never take the gift for granted. Echo palmed Myst’s cheek and rubbed their noses together. “I love you, Myst.” Swallowing past the burn in his throat, Myst held Echo a little tighter and sighed in contentment. “I love you, too, sweetheart.” Echo wiggled a little, and Myst reluctantly sat him on his feet. He missed the contact immediately. “So, you wanted to talk to me?” Echo asked. “We never got around to telling everyone about your visit with Athena.” Myst gaped at Syx before turning to glare at Echo. “Aren’t you the one always bitching about us keeping things from you?”

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The little shit just rolled his eyes. “I needed to work through it before I told anyone. I told Syx last night, but there hasn’t been time to tell the rest of you.” “That sounds suspiciously like you’ve been keeping this to yourself for a while. A few days or more, I’d guess.” Hex rested his hands on his hips and lifted his eyebrows in question. “What the hell, Echo?” “I’m sorry, okay?” Echo threw his hands up and stomped across the carpet to stand beside Syx. “It’s not every day you find out that your mom is the goddess of battle strategy!” **** “So, Athena is really your mom?” Echo had related all the details to them about his conversation with the goddess, and this was the part that Myst insisted he focus on. It was kind of cute and reminded Echo of the Myst he’d fallen in love with. Yes, he much preferred the happy, goofy side of his mate. “Yes.” “You mean, like really your mom? As in she shot you out of her…her magic baby box?” Echo blinked twice. “Excuse me?” “You know…” Myst trailed off and glanced down at his groin. “You mean her vagina?” Myst balked. His face paled, and he looked a little green around the edges. To know that his big, tough warrior was afraid of girly bits was the most hilarious thing Echo had ever heard. “Vagina, vagina, vagina,” he taunted. Slapping his hands over his ears, Myst started shaking his head. “Okay, I get it!” Everyone exploded into laughter at Myst’s antics. “So, you’ve never been interested in women?” From what Echo had learned of his lovers’ pasts, they had always been together. He’d never really

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questioned their sexuality. They weren’t gay, straight, or bisexual. They simply loved each other, and that was enough. But, now he was curious. “No.” Myst shook his head firmly. “I don’t like girls.” He gave an exaggerated shudder. “They have cooties.” Pushing up from the sofa, Echo hurried over and threw himself into Myst’s lap. Wrapping his arms around the demon’s neck, he placed a hard kiss on Myst’s mouth. “Gods, you’re adorable. Love you, big guy.” Myst chuckled and rubbed their noses together. “There’s that beautiful smile. Love you, too, baby.” Yes, Echo definitely preferred this side of Myst. His heart beat faster and his body felt tingly. Then Syx had to go and ruin it all. “So, if you were her sacrifice, and she did it to alter the course of destiny…” With a regretful sigh, Echo shifted around in Myst’s lap so he could see the others in the room. He didn’t release his hold on the man’s neck, though. Myst didn’t exactly need him in that moment, but he needed Myst. The warrior’s mellowness soothed him, calmed him, and made bad news a little easier to digest. “And if she gave you to us to bring us all together…” Vapre trailed off and looked at Syx. They both had excitement in their eyes that Echo just couldn’t match. Hell, he didn’t even know what they were going on about. “Not just in battle, but in this relationship,” Syx took up Vapre’s thought. “And if Echo was meant to die at Ares’s hands…” “So, he could not only come back stronger than ever but actually have the means to unite us all.” Syx looked at Echo with a beaming smile. Echo was so lost. “What? Why did I have to die to unite us or whatever?”

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“You had no way to claim us,” Vapre explained. “Once you returned, you made us each yours and started the events that would lead to us claiming each other.” Myst’s palm smoothed up and down his back. “He has a point.” His soft lips pressed against the shell of Echo’s ear. “They’ll get there in a minute. You know how they are,” he whispered. “Just be patient, sweetheart.” “So, what are you trying to say?” Patience was definitely not one of his virtues. “You told me that Athena said the war is almost over?” Syx sat forward on the edge of the sofa. Echo nodded. “Which leads me to believe that each test so far has been just one battle in the war. It’s already begun, and the last meeting with Ares on the equinox will be the final one.” Echo nodded again. They’d already discussed this in length. He wished the man would just spit out what he was trying to say. The longer he beat around the bush the more nervous Echo became. “We’ve each had our own test or challenge. Myst’s will come with the next new moon.” “Syx!” Echo yelled. “Just tell me!” “I think the final battle will be yours.” “No.” Echo shook his head adamantly. “I don’t have any special powers. I’m not strong, or brave, or fearless like you.” He waved a hand around to include everyone in the room. “The last battle cannot be mine. How the hell am I supposed to fight Ares?” “Sacrifices must be made,” Hex mumbled under his breath, but Echo heard him. Flying out of Myst’s lap, Echo fisted his hands on his hips and glared. “I already fucking died, Hex! What more do you want me to sacrifice? I don’t have anything left! The only thing I can give Ares is you, and that’s not going to happen!”

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His chest heaved, his blood thundered in his ears, and bonenumbing cold settled over him. Is that what they expected of him? To give up everything he’d ever wanted? To just walk away from the life they’d been building together? To hand over everything they’d fought for on a silver platter with a nice shiny bow? “I won’t do it,” he repeated softly. “Well, I would hope not.” Fiero jumped to his feet as well and crossed the space between them in two long strides. Picking Echo up in his arms, he cuddled him close, rubbing their cheeks together. “You are the bravest person I have ever met. If you’re supposed to face Ares, you’ll do it and win. Plus, you have all of us right behind you.” It was exactly what he needed to hear. He knew his men so well. He understood exactly what they needed and when they needed it. Until that moment, he hadn’t realized how well they knew him. Syx and Vapre pushed him to be better. Myst made him laugh even when he didn’t think anything could. Eyce was his protector, always ready to jump in and save the day. Onyx gave him an escape from his thoughts. He usually went to Hex when he needed someone to listen and not cast judgment or tell him what to do. Fiero. Fiero gave him strength. He didn’t offer platitudes or sugarcoat things. He didn’t exactly push Echo to be better—he simply expected it. “I thought Athena was supposed to be the virgin goddess of Athens?” Fiero looked over Echo’s head and snorted at Eyce. “That woman is hot as hell. You really think she hasn’t gotten laid in a few thousand years?” Echo choked and slapped at Fiero’s chest. “That is my mother you’re talking about, asshole!” “Sorry, baby.” Fiero kissed the top of Echo’s head. “Your mom is fucking hot, though.”

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Ewww. Echo so didn’t want to hear this. Yes, he thought Athena was beautiful, but Fiero just made it sound dirty. He shuddered dramatically and slapped at his mate’s chest again. “Cut it out.” “Hey, can’t I appreciate a nice set of ti—oomph!” Fiero coughed and sputtered when Echo’s fist caught him right in the gut. “No talking about the mom,” he managed to choke out. “Got it.”

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Chapter Twelve “So, you’re Echo’s mom, huh?” Myst looked the goddess up and down, gauging the similarities between her and his mate. “He looks like you.” “Thank you.” She smiled softly at him. “He is my light.” “Then why did you send him off to that shithole lab?” Myst snapped his lips closed to contain the growl that rumbled inside his chest. “It was for his own protection.” “Yeah, because they took such good care of him there.” Myst rolled his eyes and turned away from Athena. “He’s been there his entire life. Don’t you even care about the things that happened to him?” “He arrived at the laboratory when he was eighteen.” Myst spun around and gaped at the goddess. “He has memories of being a child in that place.” He crooked an eyebrow. He wasn’t about to let her play the mystical shit with him anymore. It was time for answers, and by the gods, she would give them to him. “He was submerged in the Lethe River on his eighteenth birthday and taken to the mortal world.” The river of forgetfulness. “His memories of childhood were implanted.” “Why?” Myst growled. “Acts of greatness require sacrifice.” “Oh, no. You’re the one that brought this down on us. You brought the war to us. Everything has been your fault. I get that

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you’ve tried to help us, but it’s time for some real answers. Why does Ares want Echo?” “It is not Echo he desires.” “Hex.” Myst nodded curtly. “We all assumed it was Hex he wanted. Why go to war after all this time, though?” “That is not for me to divulge. Hex must remember. It is your only hope of defeating my brother.” Myst roared out to the gorgeous blue sky. The woman was fucking infuriating. “What’s with this ‘born of the first’ crap? I’ll fight whatever comes, but it would be nice if I knew what or who they were coming for. If Echo is your son, then I don’t know how that makes him born of the first anything.” “Giving up Echo was my first selfless act of sacrifice.” Athena’s eyes shimmered in the bright sun with unshed tears. “Hex was my first selfless act of compassion. I cannot tell you more until the last task is complete. I’m sorry, Warrior.” “Then tell me this.” Myst pushed both hands through his shaggy black hair. “Does Hades have any part of this? I’m seriously beginning to think this is all some big game between you and Ares, and we’re just the pawns.” Athena ducked her head and wouldn’t look at him. “Hades supports my brother. He is otherwise unconcerned with your actions.” She looked up at Myst pleadingly as tears streamed down her cheeks. “Protect Echo. He is more important than you can imagine.” “Thank you,” Myst found himself saying. No matter the woman’s faults, or whether she’d gotten them into this mess, she’d given them a great and precious gift. “We shall speak again, Myst. I’m sorry I cannot help more. To divulge answers would be a cruel disservice to you. I must go. Wake now and know you have the power to defeat your enemies.” She stepped forward and kissed him on the cheek. “I have chosen well. Take care of my son.” Then she vanished.

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Myst blinked a few times, staring out over the lush field, and wondered how he was supposed to get out of this dream. Should he spread out in the thick grass and try to go to sleep? He didn’t feel tired. “Well, crap,” he muttered. The sweetest voice he’d ever heard whispered his name. With a sappy grin on his face, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He’d follow that voice anywhere. When he blinked open his eyes, he was sprawled out on the sofa in the office, and Echo’s beautiful face hovered just inches from his own. “Hey, baby.” Smiling, Echo leaned down and pecked Myst’s lips. “Hey, yourself. Good nap?” “Better than good. I need to talk to the others, especially Syx and Vapre.” “Athena?” “Right as usual. She said some things that everyone needs to hear and a lot more that I didn’t understand. I think it’s best to let the brains handle this one.” “Myst,” Echo said warningly. Myst shook his head and chuckled. “I didn’t mean it like that. If I’m good enough to have you in my life, then I guess that’s more than I deserve. I’m not worried about being able to figure out all the answers anymore. I just want to love you, my warriors, and get on with life.” During the course of his little confession, Echo’s expression changed from peeved to awestruck. His eyes started leaking, and Myst closed his own eyes and groaned. “That wasn’t so supposed to make you cry. I’m sorry. I’m not good with words.” “That was the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard.” Echo sniffled, and before Myst knew what was happening, he suddenly found his arms full of one hundred and ten pounds of weeping man. “Oh, Echo. And here I thought Syx was the sensitive one.” He chuckled lightly and kissed the top of his mate’s head. “So, is there a

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reason you came to wake me up? Or did you just miss me that much?” he teased. Echo sniffled a few more times and kissed the underside of Myst’s jaw. “Your news is going to have to wait for a bit. Craze called a meeting in the kitchen. They’re trying to decide what to do about the vampires.” “What do you think we should do?” Echo eye’s rounded, and he scrambled off of Myst. “I don’t know anything about fighting battles, Myst. I’m just here to look pretty and smack you guys around when you step out of line.” Pushing to his feet, Myst rolled his eyes, gripped Echo’s face, and kissed the pout right off of his lips. “Your mother is the goddess of wisdom, warfare, strength, and battle strategy. I imagine you have something going on in that pretty little head. Don’t be afraid to speak up.” Echo snorted. “Yeah, like I’ve ever had that problem.” Myst knew he would eventually have to tell Echo that he hadn’t always lived inside that lab. Maybe it made him a coward, but he was damn thankful for Craze’s meeting. He knew the information was going to crush his lover, and he couldn’t stand to see the little imp unhappy. “Let’s go see what Craze has to say, and you can tell everyone your plan.” “Myst,” Echo whined. Squeezing Echo’s hand, Myst gave him a light tug and led the way to the kitchen. “Tell me you don’t have even the slightest idea what you think we should do, and I’ll drop it.” When Echo bit his lip and didn’t say anything, Myst started to laugh. “See. I knew it.” “You don’t have to sound so smug about it.” “Hey! How often am I right about something? I think I deserve to gloat just a little.” Echo snorted and pushed up on his toes to kiss Myst’s jaw. “You’re a goofball, but you’re mine.”

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And that was good enough for Myst. What did he need with those brain cells Syx and Vapre seemed to have? He had the meaning of life wrapped securely in his arms. “Thank you.” “What on earth are you thanking me for?” “For seeing past all my faults and loving me anyway.” **** “I say we go in during the day, just like we did last time.” “They’ll be expecting it.” Hex huffed and shook his head at Craze. “I’m sure they’ll have more protection set up this time.” “Well, we can’t go in at night. We’re already outnumbered. Without the advantage of the daylight, we’re going to get our asses handed to us.” “We could call Lorcan,” Eyce offered. “See if we can get the pack in on this again. They were a big help last time.” “Lorcan lost six of his men the last time,” Hex answered sadly. “I don’t think he’s going to be in any hurry to rush back into the same situation.” “Well, we can’t just do nothing.” Craze pounded his fist on the kitchen table. “I’ll admit it’s partly about revenge, but they have to be stopped. If we don’t do something, they’re going to overrun the damn town. People are disappearing left and right.” “I agree that we need to do something,” Hex said in a placating tone. “I get that you want revenge as well. I’d feel the same way if it had been Echo. We can’t just charge in there without a plan. We barely escaped by the skin of our teeth last time.” “Wha’ good is havin’ all these damn powers if we don’ use ’em?” On and on it went. Echo sat beside Myst, chewing on his bottom lip until it felt numb. He wondered why Craze’s southern accent always seemed to creep in when the man was upset. They all assumed that Craze’s drawl was fake, something he did to get on their nerves. Now, Echo wasn’t so sure.

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“How long did you live in the South?” Echo blurted out of the blue. Craze’s eyebrows drew together. “Uh, since before the Civil war. Why do you ask?” Echo shook his head. “Nothing.” He waved a hand at Hex. “Continue.” And they did. The two were off again, arguing over the best way to infiltrate the vampire fortress. Echo snorted quietly into his hand at the thought. It reminded him of one of those old black-and-white films where the villagers stormed the vampire’s castle with pitchforks and torches. As they continued on, their voices rising, Echo blocked them out and went back to pondering the enigma that was Craze. If the man had lived that long in the South, it seemed likely that his speech would have adapted to the cadence and syntax of the region. So, was his accent fake or genuine? And why the hell did it matter? “Do you really have an accent?” he blurted again, interrupting whatever Hex had been yelling. Everyone turned to stare at him. Echo shrugged. He had a question that at least someone could answer. “I mean, do you put on that accent just to annoy people? I haven’t heard you use it lately, except when you get angry. Why is that?” Craze smiled for the first time since they’d sat down at the table. “I lived in the South for a long time, Echo. You pick up things. Besides, it makes it easier to fit in. I guess I just fell into it.” That sounded very similar to something Gage had told him, only the opposite was true for the werewolf. He hid his accent to blend in. “So, you feel more comfortable talking that way? Does it take a lot of work to not use it?” “I’ve lived all over the world. I can imitate about any accent there is. But after calling Georgia my home for so many years, I guess the answer is yes. It’s more comfortable for me.” “Then why don’t you use it?”

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Craze glanced up at Hex and smirked. “Well, I was laying it on extra thick just to get on the boss man’s nerves. He prefers that I don’t use it, so fine. It’s not a big deal either way.” Echo understood what Craze hadn’t said. The man wanted to be accepted. Though he’d done little to endear himself to the residents of the house upon arrival, he’d made considerable progress in trying to remedy that. Echo thought everyone should cut him some slack. And that brought up another question. “How long have you been alone?” Craze wouldn’t meet his eyes. He didn’t answer the question either. “Are you finished?” Hex asked with a slight growl. Echo shrugged again. “Sure.” Then the two dumbasses went right back to arguing. Soon everyone started jumping in, offering their two cents, and the volume in the kitchen rose to deafening levels. Myst was the only one who kept his mouth shut. He watched the fight with a slight smirk on his lips as though he found the entire thing amusing as hell. Echo reached over and squeezed his hand. At least one of them had some damn sense. When the argument finally came to a standstill, and everyone returned to their chairs and pouted, Echo had to clap his hand over his mouth to keep from laughing. He could totally see why Myst found it so funny. They looked like little boys. He fully expected one of them to jump up from the table and announce that he was taking his ball and going home, then uninvite everyone to his birthday party. The last thought sent Echo into peals of laughter, drawing several glares his way. Myst laughed along with him, though. “Are you guys done?” Myst leaned back in his chair and chuckled some more. “Or did you plan to whip your dicks out next?” Vapre was the first to lose the scowl on his face and break up into laughter. It didn’t take long for everyone to realize how ridiculous they were acting and follow suit. Once they’d quieted down, Hex

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stood from his chair and began his usual pacing. “Okay, I get that we’re acting like a bunch of adolescent assholes. But we still don’t have a plan.” “Echo does,” Myst answered. All eyes turned to him again, but instead of angry, they looked expectant. Echo groaned and elbowed Myst in the ribs. “I do not,” he whispered vehemently. “Echo, just tell them. I know you have something going on inside that head.” Then the demon decided to fight dirty. “Either tell them, or Syx will just dig it out of your brain.” Well, that’s a pleasant visual. Echo had no doubt that’s exactly what would happen, though. With a heavy sigh, he met each man’s eyes…and sighed again. “I don’t think we should do anything,” he finally said. “I have a feeling that they’ll come to us when the new moon rises.” No one spoke for a long time. Echo turned to Myst to tell him he’d known his idea was stupid, when Syx spoke first. “That makes sense. They are our enemies. They’ll be seeking…someone.” Here, he faulted. His eyebrows drew together, and he stared at Echo with a quizzical expression. “I still don’t get how this pertains to you.” “Echo was Athena’s first selfless sacrifice,” Myst said quietly. “Hex was her first selfless act of compassion.” “How do you know that?” Syx held his hand up almost before he finished speaking. “Never mind. Dumb question. So, did she say anything else?” “She said that Hex needed to remember.” “Remember what?” Hex stopped his pacing and turned to Myst. Myst shrugged. “Not a clue, man. I think it has to do with Ares, though. Oh, and she said that Hades is backing Ares, but this isn’t really his fight, or something like that.” Hex groaned, and Echo sympathized. Why couldn’t his mother ever tell them anything without the riddles?

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As though Myst had read his mind, the demon waved a hand around. “And before you start bitching, I asked about the riddle thing. She said that it would be a disservice to us for her to say more. I don’t know what the hell that means, but there you have it.” Everyone looked confused except for Vapre and Syx. “I would guess that means it would break some kind of covenant if she were to give us the answers. We’d probably be slapped back in Tartarus before we could blink.” Echo’s mouth dropped open, but Myst shrugged again. “In that case, I’m good with riddles.” Hex snorted. “I think we all are. Besides, we’ve been doing okay, right?” Everyone nodded their agreement. “So, did she say anything else?” Echo didn’t miss the quick glance Myst threw his way. The demon looked nervous, which instantly put Echo on alert. “What did she say, Myst?” “Nothing. That was it.” “You’re lying.” “Am not.” Oh, it wasn’t fair for the man to look so cute when Echo wanted to be pissed at him. “Myst, there is nothing you can say at this point that would shock, surprise, or upset me. Just get it over with.” Echo bit his lip and waited. “You were only in that lab for about five years.” Echo swallowed hard. He’d been wrong. Apparently, there were still things to learn that had the power to do all three. He was surprised because he couldn’t remember ever not being in that lab. He was shocked that Athena had actually divulged the information. It upset him because it was like a knife to the heart. He didn’t have a single real memory of his childhood. Any happy memory he may have possessed at one time had been taken from him. “Thank you for telling me.” He rose from his seat and started out of the room.

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“Echo, wait,” Myst pleaded. Without turning around, Echo paused and held his hand up. “I’m not mad at you, love. I just need a minute to process this.” Then he left the kitchen without a backward glance.

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Chapter Thirteen “Can we go cheer him up now?” Myst sat on the love seat in the living room, staring blankly at the television. It had been nearly three hours since Echo left the kitchen, and they hadn’t heard a word from him since. “Let’s give him a little more time,” Syx suggested. “How would you feel if you realized that your entire life had been a lie?” Myst understood, but then again, he didn’t. “He has us now. We love him enough to make up for all those lost years.” “We love him,” Eyce agreed. “I don’t know if that’s enough to make up for this, though. Not yet anyway. He’ll come around. Just let him have this time to work through his thoughts.” “I don’t like seeing him hurting.” “None of us do.” Fiero scrubbed a hand over his face. “I think Eyce is right, though. It’s just going to upset him more if we try to make him talk before he’s ready.” “Can we send Gage?” Myst didn’t know how the ex-guard had accomplished it, but he’d gotten Echo to open up down by the pond. Maybe he could do it again. “I think this is different.” Hex paced the floor. It was no wonder the man looked good enough to eat and didn’t have an ounce of fat on him. He never fucking sat still. It gave Myst an ulcer just watching him, so he redirected his attention to Eyce. “Please?” “The worst he can do is not open the door, I guess.” Eyce looked to Hex. “We could give it a shot. I hate knowing he’s up there hurting with no one to talk to about this.”

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Hex shook his head. “If he confides in anyone, it should be us. I’m glad he feels like he can talk to Gage, but I’d rather he talked to us.” Myst felt the same way, but he wasn’t so sure Echo would talk to them. Still, he couldn’t take it a minute longer. He needed to make sure that Echo was okay. More than that, he wanted confirmation that he hadn’t fucked things up between them. Damn it, he hated being the bearer of bad news. “I’d rather talk to you as well.” Everyone swung around as Echo stepped down from the last stair and walked into the living room. His eyes were clear and there was a smile on his face. “Echo, I’m so sorry.” “Stop it,” Echo chastised lightly. “I told you I wasn’t mad at you. I just needed a little while to wrap my head around everything. I’m better now. I don’t know if I had a great childhood or not. I don’t even know where I grew up. But while I was sitting in my room alone, I realized something.” “What did you realize?” Vapre asked. “I realized that I didn’t want to be up there alone. It doesn’t matter what happened in my past—only what happens in my future. And this”—he waved his hand around the room—“you, are my future.” “Is it wrong that I really want to fuck you right now?” Echo threw his head back and laughed. “It’s never wrong to want to fuck me, Myst.” He pulled his shirt over his head then shimmied out of his jeans. “Am I going to do this alone?” No one needed to be told twice. They all jumped to their feet and began ripping their clothes off at top speed. Myst was the first undressed, and he dove for the end table, ripping the drawer open and fumbling through the contents. “Fuck! Where’s the lube?” Echo laughed again. “There is lube all over this house. Surely, you have another hidey place somewhere.”

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Myst wracked his brain but with all the blood in his body rushing south to pool in his groin, he couldn’t think. “Someone find the goddamn lube!” The warriors scattered, spreading out and tearing the living room apart in their search for the magical little tube of slick. Three minutes into it, and Myst was convinced that someone was hiding it purposely. None of his men would be stupid enough to do something like that, which only left one of their houseguests. He blamed Craze. “Well, I don’t know what you’re going to do between yourselves, but I’m ready.” Echo sashayed over to the sofa, knelt on the cushions and leaned over the back. Myst damn near swallowed his tongue. The base of a large, electric-blue butt plug was nestled firmly between Echo’s rounded cheeks. It was the prettiest thing he’d seen all day. Loud groans went around the room, but Myst barely heard them. Crawling across the floor to his mate, he reached out and stroked the soft skin around the flat silicone base. Echo shivered at his touch, pressing back into his hand. “I still think we should find the lube.” “We’ll manage.” Hex knelt beside Myst and began stroking Echo’s back and hip. “So soft,” he murmured. His fingers moved over Echo’s upturned bottom and gripped the toy, wiggling it inside Echo’s snug hole. Echo groaned and began rocking his hips. “Don’t tease,” he whimpered. Myst had no intentions of teasing. Batting Hex’s hand away, he pulled the plug from Echo’s ass, knelt on the cushions behind him, and lined up the leaking tip of his cock with Echo’s slick entrance. He pushed forward with light but steady pressure until just the crown popped through the quivering muscles and paused. His fingers wound tightly around the base of his dick, and he closed his eyes, trying to steady himself. Echo was having none of it, though. Bracing his arms on the back of the couch, he pushed back, impaling himself on Myst’s thick

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length. The sudden grip of Echo’s tight heat around his throbbing cock almost undid him. “Move your hand,” Echo demanded with a sexy growl. Praying he’d last longer than two seconds, Myst did as instructed. He released his hold on his shaft and moved his grip to Echo’s hips. Echo didn’t give him a chance to acclimate himself to the intense pleasure before he began riding Myst’s cock in hard, fast, and jerky movements. It was obvious that Echo needed this. He needed to take back some control, so Myst remained still and allowed his mate to take what he needed. It wasn’t exactly a burden. Lost in the overwhelming sensations, he didn’t notice the man standing on the cushions beside him until a dick slapped him in the face, smearing pre-cum across his cheek. Opening his eyes, he smirked up at Vapre. “Something you want?” “Suck my cock,” Vapre rasped. The heat in his dark gray eyes was almost enough to light Myst on fire. He licked his lips once, dove forward, and engulfed Vapre to the root, while keeping a firm grip on Echo’s hips. Mmm, he loved sucking cock. He couldn’t explain it, but it made him feel powerful to know that he could bring his lovers so much pleasure with just his lips and tongue. Echo continued to ride his cock, slamming back against him, taking Myst as deep as he could go. Vapre began a gentle thrust in and out of his mouth, and Myst relaxed his throat, shut down his brain, and allowed his mates to take what they needed from him. Though they were the ones doing all the work, he felt a great satisfaction to know they took pleasure from his body. He’d do anything for them—be anything they needed him to be. “Just you,” Syx whispered against the side of his neck. “That’s all we need you to be.” Two slippery fingers traced his crease before

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pushing through the muscled globes and zeroing in on his fluttering hole. “Found the lube,” Syx said with a breathy chuckle. Two fingers pushed slowly into Myst’s passage. Syx gave him a moment to adjust then began pumping in and out in slow, tender movements. “Love this ass. Love the way it just sucks in my fingers and squeezes them. You’re going to look so gorgeous wrapped around my cock, baby.” Myst groaned as his head began to spin. He was never going to last if Syx kept it up. The man knew all the right things to say to send Myst spiraling out of control. He swore the demon could coax the clouds from the sky with just a whispered word. Those thick fingers eased out of his needy hole, strong thighs bracketed his own, and Syx’s hard cock tapped at his entrance. He eased in gently, so slowly it felt like he’d never bottom out. When he finally did, though, he didn’t retreat. Grinding his groin over Myst’s ass, his hands began roaming Myst’s chest, stoking the flames inside his belly until he felt he’d combust. Syx eased out just as slowly as he’d entered until barely half the crown remained inside Myst’s hole. Myst squeezed his inner muscles, his greedy ass begging to be filled again. Lucky for him, Syx didn’t disappoint. His fingers dug into Myst’s hips, and he drove home in a powerful lunge that sent Myst’s aching cock slamming into Echo’s tight passage. Echo’s muffled cry mirrored his own, and Myst cracked his eyes open just far enough to watch as Fiero palmed the back of Echo’s head and began thrusting into their mate’s mouth. The sight alone sent Myst careening over the edge, and he jerked off of Vapre’s cock, roaring out his climax. His cock swelled inside Echo’s ass, and he jerked the smaller man back as he poured copious amounts of creamy seed into his mate’s clutching channel. Seconds later, Syx groaned, filling Myst’s ass with his own wet release. It didn’t stop there, though. Syx eased out of his hole, and strong arms wrapped around his torso, dragging him off the couch.

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His still-hard cock slipped from Echo’s body, and he found himself on the floor, his back and shoulders pressed into the carpet as Hex hovered above him. “I have to have you,” Hex panted. He looped his arms under Myst’s knees, pushing his legs back and spreading him open wide. His massive cock plunged into Myst’s depths with enough force to move them across the carpet. The alpha snarled, his eyes blazed with a wild light, and he set a hard and demanding pace. Over and over he plowed into Myst’s hungry ass like a man possessed. “Mine!” Myst’s eyes went wide, and he nodded rapidly. “Yours. Always yours.” “Mine!” Hex roared again. His hips snapped faster, sweat beaded across his body, and his upper lips curled over his elongated canines. Myst realized what would happen a heartbeat before Hex struck. His sharp fangs sank through the flesh at the apex of Myst’s neck and shoulder, and he stilled completely, his body going rigid. Howling loud enough to wake the dead, Myst fisted his hands in Hex’s hair and held him to his throat. “Yes!” Wet heat filled his hole once more, and Myst’s eyes rolled back in his head as he sprayed the space between them with ropes of creamy cum. Similar sounds of completion reverberated off the walls—Echo screaming louder than them all—and Myst sighed in satisfaction. Hex’s extracted his canines and licked lazily at the mark. “You okay?” “Perfect.” “I know I got a little rough.” “I’m not made of glass, Hex.” Myst opened his eyes and smiled. “You can be as rough with me as you want. I love it.” “I just don’t want to hurt you,” his lover persisted. Myst rolled his eyes. “You didn’t, and you won’t. Now shut up and kiss me.” “I love you, Myst. You know that, right?”

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It seemed like once they’d all uttered the words, a dam had broken, and thousands of years of pent-up emotions came pouring out. Myst couldn’t count the number of times he heard the words a day. Not that he was complaining. “I do. And I love you, too, but if you don’t kiss me, I’ll find someone who will.” “I volunteer!” Echo called. Everyone chuckled, including Hex. He was still smiling when he bent his head and claimed Myst’s lips in a kiss that made the room spin. **** “I don’t know about this. The boss man is going to be thoroughly pissed off, dude.” Fiero wasn’t afraid of Hex, but that didn’t mean he wanted to tangle with an enraged demon. “It’s the only way I know how to keep them safe,” Myst argued. “The new moon is tomorrow night, and I can’t let anything happen to them. I need to do this, Fiero. Please, just this once, back me up.” Fiero rubbed his hand over the top of his head and groaned. “Fine, but if he breaks through that door, you’re on your own.” Myst just chuckled. “I’m getting pretty damn good at this. I think I can handle it.” He dropped his eyes and smiled sheepishly. “I was practicing with Echo earlier, so I still have a lot of his power.” It was Fiero’s turn to laugh. “Did you throw up?” “The first time,” Myst answered with a hint of shame. “That shit sucks, man.” Fiero nodded in sympathy. “You bet your sweet ass it does.” He had already given Myst his support, but he needed to ask one last time, just to be certain. “Are you really sure you want to do this?”

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“I have to, Fiero. By tomorrow night this place is going to swarming with angry vampires—all of them looking for Echo, Hex, or both of them. I’ll die if anything happens to them.” Since Fiero felt the same way, he had no choice but to step back and nod. “Then do it. Have you told the others?” “No.” Fiero wasn’t surprised. “Do they have everything they need?” “I put a fridge in there with food for them. Echo has Hex if he needs to feed. There’s a bathroom and a bed.” Myst ticked them off on his fingers as he went. “Am I missing anything?” “Water?” “In the fridge with the food.” “Then I guess that’s it.” He heard the water from the shower shut off and jerked his head toward the open door behind him. Stepping out into the hall, he waited for Myst to follow then shut the door behind them. “How did you get them both in there at the same time?” “I told Echo that Hex had a headache.” Myst shrugged. “It wasn’t a lie. I could see it in his eyes.” “He worries too much.” “Well, hopefully, it will be over soon. I don’t know how much more of this shit I can take. I can only imagine what it’s doing to Hex with him being in charge.” Footsteps shuffled toward the door, and Fiero cleared his throat to get Myst’s attention. “If you’re going to do it, now’s the time.” “I hope to hell this works.” Myst closed his eyes and breathed deeply. Nothing happened that Fiero could see, and he almost felt disappointed. The door swung open, and Hex looked at them curiously. Fiero opened his mouth to make up some excuse as to why they were hanging around outside his door, but stopped when Hex took a step forward and bounced backward. “Cool!” Myst beamed. “It worked.”

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Fiero didn’t know what he’d expected, but the invisible barrier blocking the entryway wasn’t it. “How the hell did you do that?” “I don’t know. I’ve never been able to do it before, but with Echo’s little jolt of power, it’s almost easy.” “What the fuck is going on?” Hex demanded. His hand shot forward toward the doorway, only to be knocked back. The murderous look on their alpha’s handsome face almost had Fiero reconsidering their plan. “Myst, let me out of this room.” “Hey, you did it.” Echo appeared beside Hex, grinning broadly. “That’s awesome!” Myst smiled back, but it looked a little strained. “There’s a little fridge with food and water over near the dresser. I’ll let you out after the new moon. I’m sorry.” Echo smirked. “You can’t hold this when you go to sleep.” “I don’t plan on sleeping.” “You can’t fight vampires without sleep.” Echo’s cocky look turned to one of concern. Fiero wasn’t happy with the information, either. “You’re not serious. You’ll be exhausted by the time the sun goes down tomorrow. I want to keep them safe, too, but not if that means risking your life.” “Myst,” Echo said slowly. “You’re going to need my help tomorrow night. I know that you want to keep me and Hex safe, but this isn’t the answer. You can’t just lock us behind closed doors and expect everything to go away.” “The door’s not closed,” Myst argued, looking adorably pouty. Fiero knew the other warriors, and even Echo, agreed in his assessment. Though big, muscular, and sexy as sin, there had always been something about Myst that was cute as hell. Maybe it was the man’s dimples when he smiled. Maybe it was his boyish charm. Or maybe it was how his bottom lip protruded when he didn’t get his way. Whatever it was, Fiero loved it, and he hoped it never faded.

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Echo stepped forward, but stopped before he reached the threshold. “Myst, love, look at me.” Myst appeared reluctant, but he eventually lifted his head to peer at Echo. “I have to keep you safe.” He tone sounded almost pleading. “I know, babe. I have no doubt that you’ll do just that. This isn’t going to help, though.” Fiero was impressed. Echo didn’t shout, demand, or get angry. He spoke calmly, soothingly, and with a great deal of love. “I don’t know how else to protect you, though.” “We’ll figure it out, together. We still have more than twenty-four hours to work through it.” Something flashed across Myst’s face too quickly for Fiero to identify. Then the warrior smiled and dipped his head. “Okay.” That was too easy. Myst was up to something. Echo held his hand out in front of him, smiling gently when it passed through the doorway and out into the hall. “I promise we’ll figure this out together, and nothing will happen to me or Hex.” Fiero glanced up at their leader. The man hadn’t said a word throughout the entire exchange. He was gazing at Myst with his eyebrows drawn together and a frown on his face. He didn’t look angry, though. He looked speculative. His eyes cut to Fiero, and some kind of silent communication passed between them. Hex knew Myst was up to something as well. Now they just had to figure out what it was before it was too late.

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Chapter Fourteen The weeks had flown by and, though he’d practiced some with Echo, Myst felt as unprepared as ever. So many things had happened to lead up to this point he’d barely had time to worry about it. Now, the sun was sinking slowly toward the horizon, and his anxiety had shifted into overdrive. Why had he let all those things distract him? He should have worked harder, done more to prepare for his test. Echo had needed him, though. All the shit heaped on his little mate was enough to break the strongest of them. So, he’d pushed his challenge to the back of his mind and done everything he could to make Echo forget as well. Now, he was fucked. He wasn’t without his resources, though. He had a plan, and though it made him queasy to deceive the men he loved, he couldn’t let anything happen to them. “Hey, Echo, could we practice once more before dark?” he asked as he stepped inside Echo’s room. “Yeah, I think that’s a great idea. Did you want to go outside, or just do it here?” “Uh, here’s fine. It’s not like I can make it rain or cause an earthquake.” Echo smiled and held his hands out, palms up. “Do you want to practice that protective shield we’ve been working on?” They’d practiced it twice. Echo made it sound as though they’d worked on it for weeks. Fortunately, it was exactly what he wanted. “I think that would be a good idea. I also think I need to try splitting my

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mind. You know, putting up a shield with part and moving or freezing things with the other part.” “That’s a lot of power, Myst. Are you sure you want to do that?” “I’m positive. I know it’s going to feel like I stuck my finger in light socket. Let’s just get it over with, okay?” He placed his hands inside Echo’s and squeezed. Closing his eyes, Myst waited for the jolt that always came from Echo’s energy. “I’m sorry,” Echo whispered. Electricity slammed into him like a runaway freight train. Clenching his teeth, Myst struggled to breathe through his nose as lightning ricocheted inside his body. His frame shuddered violently, even as his joints locked into place. It seemed to go on forever, and Myst felt for sure there would be smoke pouring from his ears when Echo had finished with him. Finally, the feeling of being roasted alive began to dissipate, and Myst pried his eyelids open to look down at Echo’s guilty face. Sucking in oxygen to his aching lungs, he sat down on the edge of the bed and gripped his head in both hands. “Give me a minute.” Echo petted his hair back from his face lovingly. “I really am sorry, Myst.” Waving his hand, Myst pushed to his feet. He waited for a moment to make sure he was steady on his feet and strode across the room to the door. “Where are you going? I thought you wanted to practice.” “I am practicing,” Myst mumbled. “I’m sorry, too, Echo.” He looked past his mate and out the window to the darkening sky. “It’s the only way I know.” Realization lit Echo’s eyes, and he ran for the door. “Myst, no!” Using the new surge in his powers, Myst slammed the door closed with his mind before Echo could reach it. Guilt slammed into him as he listened to Echo beat against the wood and scream his name. Closing his eyes, he pressed his palm to the center of door. “I’m sorry, Echo. I can’t risk it, though. There is nothing in the world I

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wouldn’t do to keep you safe. And locked behind closed doors is the only way I know to do that.” He whispered one last apology then hurried down the hallway to find Hex. **** Echo paced and seethed. He pounded on the door. He stared out the window until the sun sank below the horizon. Several times he tried to use his own powers to break the hold Myst had on the door. He’d given the warrior too much of his strength, though. For once, Myst was actually stronger in his abilities. He’d just begun pacing again when loud screams pierced through the night and right into his room. His entire body locked down in fear, and he stood frozen for several seconds before he could break through the paralysis. His eyes went directly to the far wall. Myst hadn’t bewitched the window, but it was a two-story drop to the front lawn. He’d probably break his damn neck, but Echo was desperate. If he didn’t get to Myst, and something happened to the demon, Echo would die anyway. Just as he turned to cross the room, the bedroom door burst open, slamming back against the wall with a loud crack. Echo only thought he’d been afraid before. For the door to open, and with that much force, something had gone horribly wrong, and Myst was in trouble. Bone-numbing terror filled him, and he began to shake as he sprinted out of the room. Flying down the stairs, his only thought of getting to Myst, he didn’t see Hex until he barreled right into the man. Hex caught him before he fell on his ass and gave him a rough shove toward the living room. “Outside and hurry.” Echo didn’t stop to respond. He ran as fast as he could toward the backdoor with Hex right on his heels. His hands shook so violently

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that he couldn’t get the doorknob to turn, though. Hex’s massive hand covered his, and once the door was open, Echo launched himself onto the back deck. What he saw almost dropped him to his knees. Everyone he loved was locked in a deadly struggle with at least three vampires apiece. Even Mac was there, dipping, dodging, and throwing punches at every opening. “There’s so many.” He estimated at least forty vampires littered the field behind their house. He wondered if there would be more coming. “There’s no time to be afraid, Echo. We have to do something.” Echo didn’t know what to do, though. He watched Hex shift and leap off the porch, throwing himself into the fray. Standing there, trembling and afraid as he watched his men battle for their lives, Echo had never felt more worthless. “Shine the light, my love. Show them the way.” His mother’s voice whispered inside his mind, but Echo didn’t even know what that meant. He didn’t know the way. He didn’t have the answers. Gods, there were so many of them! Each time one vampire fell, two more would take its place. Men and women, young and old, they just kept coming. He vaguely wondered if there were any humans left in the small town down the road. “Shine the light, Echo. You have the strength, my child. Shine the light.” He didn’t know if he had the strength or not, but he wasn’t about to stand on the sidelines when he was at least another able body willing to fight. If he could distract the vampires long enough for the warriors to focus their powers, they might have a chance. Assuming he was the one they’d come for in the first place, he didn’t think it would be too hard. “Looking for something?” he shouted. It was like magic. Every last vampire froze and turned to look at him as one. A few went down for their momentary hesitation, but the

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majority rushed as a huge mass toward Echo, snarling, snapping their teeth, and looking utterly insane. **** Myst’s head snapped around when he heard Echo’s voice, loud and taunting. If the runt didn’t get himself killed, Myst was going to finish the job. The filthy bloodsuckers swarmed past them, moving too quickly for anyone to catch them, and sprinted toward the back of the house where Echo waited on the porch. Fury like he’d never felt boiled his blood, and Myst roared loud enough for the earth to tremble beneath his feet. The rage fueled his energy, wrapped around his power, and squeezed until it exploded into an uncontrollable force. The wind whipped around him, echoing his anger. The ground shook more violently. Thunder cracked overhead, and rain poured from the sky. None of it fazed him. It became peripheral as his vision and senses narrowed to exclude everything but Echo. His little mate jumped down from the back deck, but a strong gust caught him up before his feet landed on the ground below. As though Vapre had lassoed him with an invisible rope, Echo floated over the bloodsuckers’ heads. The vampires watched his progress until he touched down right between Vapre and Eyce. There was a collective sigh of relief that lasted less than a second before their enemies charged them once again. “Myst!” Echo screamed. The sound pierced his remaining doubt and punctured it. He’d promised to keep Echo safe no matter what it took. With every ounce of strength he had, he thrust his powers toward the horde of angry vampires.

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Half of them froze in place, unable to move, but that still left at least twenty sprinting toward them. Some had their eyes locked on Echo, some on Hex, but they all shared the same manic gleam. Myst sent out another wave of power, though much weaker than the first. Only three froze this time, and Myst began to panic as the remaining mass drew closer. Not knowing what else to do, he lunged forward, placing himself between the vampires and the men he loved. They were on him immediately. Biting, scratching, and screeching, they dragged him to the ground to continue their assault. A bloodcurdling scream rent the night air as Myst fought to ward off fangs and claws. He felt the thundering footsteps vibrate the ground beneath him and shouted for everyone to stay back. He wasn’t concerned for himself. He’d gladly lay down his life to protect them all. “No!” Echo’s voice sounded low, guttural—almost malevolent. “Jinx! Syn!” someone screamed moments before a bright, blinding light illuminated the field, and Myst squeezed his eyes closed as the intensity of it burned his retinas. The bodies crawling over him heated, and the screams rose in volume, taking on a painful quality. The putrid smell of smoke and burning flesh hit his nose, making him roll to his side and gag. The horrible sounds, the nauseating smells—it all seemed to go on forever. Then it stopped. It didn’t die down or taper away. It simply stopped as though it had never been there. When Myst finally blinked open his eyes, he found their backyard covered in smoldering ashes. As relieved as he was that they’d defeated their enemy, an ache began in his chest when he realized he’d not been the one to accomplish the feat. “You did it!” Echo cried, falling on top of him and smothering his face in kisses. “I have never seen anything more brilliant!” Cupping the side of Echo’s face with his sooty hand, Myst smiled weakly. “Baby, you did it.”

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Echo shook his head, the smile never leaving his face. “I didn’t. I don’t know how you did it, but you’re the one that created that light. You did it!” That’s when Myst noticed the slight glow that radiated from his fingertips. Pulling his hand away from Echo’s face, he turned it one way and then another as he stared at the soft light in awe. “How?” “Not a clue,” Hex answered as he crouched down beside them. “That was damn amazing, baby.” He leaned closer until his lips brushed over Myst’s ear. “I’m so fucking proud of you.” Swallowing down the lump in his throat, Myst slumped back to the ground and grinned. “I did it, but how?” he asked again. “I gave you my power and strength,” Echo replied, the goofy grin still in place. “All of it? You can’t do that can you?” Echo lifted an eyebrow at him. “I can do anything I want, thank you very much.” Myst chuckled. “That’s not what I meant, brat. How could you give me your light?” He would be forever grateful for it, but he just wanted to understand it. Was it temporary? Would he always be able to produce the dazzling white light? More importantly, would Echo still be able to use it? “I was so worried, love. I got nervous when you asked to practice earlier, and I gave you a bigger jolt than I meant to.” He crawled up Myst’s chest and straddled his hips. “I won’t apologize for it, though.” Leaning over him, Echo pressed their lips together. “You are extraordinary. You saved the day, Myst.” A sudden thought occurred to him, and Myst began to panic. “Jinx and Syn, are they okay?” “Shh,” Echo whispered. “They’re fine. They made it into the house. They’re wicked fast, remember?” Echo giggled a little and winked. Brushing the hair back from Echo’s face, Myst felt so giddy with relief that he thought he’d pass out from it. “What is it?”

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“The light?” Echo shrugged. “I’m not sure.” The other warriors in the field converged on them, touching and kissing them everywhere, but Myst still stared up at his mate. “I guess it’s a gift from the gods.” “Then take it back, because they already gave me more than I deserve.” Echo sat up and tapped the center of Myst’s forehead with his finger as he arched an eyebrow. “Your powers?” “No,” Myst whispered. Wrapping his fingers around the back of Echo’s neck, he dragged him forward until their noses almost touched. “You.” **** “Can I hug you?” Athena smiled at him and opened her arms. “I would like that very much.” Echo wrapped his arms around her slim waist and squeezed hard. “I’ve never had a mom before.” “You’ve always had a mother, Echo. I’m sorry that things are hard right now, but you will understand soon. You’ve done well, my love. I’m so proud of you.” “What was my real name? I mean, before I went to that lab.” “Aaron.” “That’s lame. I think I like Echo better.” His mother smiled at him and caressed his cheek. “It fits you.” “So, we won. Are you going to tell me what’s going on now?” Echo didn’t want to ruin the moment with the goddess by arguing, but he had so many questions, and he needed answers. “Not yet, but the time is coming.” “Is it true? Will the last battle be mine?” He couldn’t say he was exactly prepared, but if it was meant to be, he’d face it with courage. “Yes, Echo, but it will not be yours alone. As you have stood beside your lovers, they will stand beside you to face Ares. You have

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a special gift that my brother will never hope to possess if he cannot let go of the anger inside his heart.” “Why does he want Hex so much? I’m trying to understand and be brave, but I don’t know how to fight him. Please, help me.” Athena smiled sadly. “That is for you to find out on your own. Know that you can defeat him, though. It is not about physical strength, but the strength that rests in here.” She placed her hand over Echo’s heart. “You have everything you need to win.” “You said that I needed to make Hex remember. I know you won’t tell me what he needs to recall, but how do I do it?” Echo knew his time was drawing to a close with the woman, and he didn’t want it to end. Maybe if he could keep her talking, he’d have just a little longer with her. “You know the way, my love. Hex can heal a great many things, but only you have the power to heal his heart.” She took a step away, but Echo latched on to her hand. “I thought I already did that. He loves me. He loves our mates. Why does his heart still need to be healed?” “You have everything you need,” she repeated in a whisper. “I must go now.” “Please,” Echo begged. “When will I see you again?” “When the war is over, and you have fulfilled your destiny, we shall be together if you wish.” She looked sad again. “Will I have to leave them?” “There is always a choice, Echo. Remember that, and you will do well.” “What about the lab?” Echo asked frantically when she began to fade away. “Why did you send me there?” “All answers in time.” Her voice was hollow and far away, and then she disappeared completely. Echo hung his head and sighed, staring down at the bright green grass that tickled his bare toes. “In time,” he mumbled under his breath. “Heal his heart.”

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His eyes popped open, and Echo found himself snuggled in bed between Hex and Eyce. Pushing into a sitting position, he looked down into Eyce’s smiling face and felt some of the tension drain from his tight muscles. “Hello, love.” “Good nap?” Eyce asked, maneuvering so that he sat beside Echo and leaned against the headboard. Echo glanced down at Hex’s sleeping face. “I spoke with my mother.” “Do you want to talk about it?” Echo shook his head. “Not yet, but soon.” Eyce kissed his temple. “Okay, baby. I respect that, but don’t wait too long. You know I worry about these things.” “I know, and I promise. I just need to think through a couple of things before Syx and Vapre start hurling questions and crap at me.” Chuckling, Eyce kissed him again. “Yeah, I can see that. Do you want to sleep a little longer?” Without a word, Echo inched back down the mattress, and tugged on Eyce’s arm to do get him to do the same. Dragging his lover’s arm around him, he held it firmly to his chest. “I love you, Eyce.” “I love you, too, Echo. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for you.” “I’ll tell you one thing, but you have to promise to keep it to yourself until I’m ready to talk to the others.” Soft lips brushed against his bare shoulder. “Only if you want to tell me.” “I don’t think this is a war for the heart.” Echo pointed at his chest to indicate he meant himself. “I think it is a war of the heart.”

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Chapter Fifteen “Guys, I don’t know about this.” Echo threw a wink over his shoulder as he pulled Myst through the parking lot. “I do.” “Don’t you remember what happened last time? I really don’t think this is a good idea. How the hell did I let you talk me into coming here?” Echo turned and crossed his arms over his chest. “Because you love me and want me to be happy.” He licked his lips, his eyes drinking in the gorgeous sight of Myst decked out in black leather. “I really think I like this more than the cowboy look.” Pressing up against Myst’s chest, he rubbed against him and purred. “You are the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.” “What about me?” Fiero huffed indignantly. Smirking, Echo pushed away from Myst and squirmed against Fiero. “You know you are gorgeous, but just look at him.” He waved a hand toward Myst. “Tell me he doesn’t look damn good.” Fiero’s amber eyes darkened with desire as he stared at the warrior. “Okay, you have a point.” Hex cleared his throat. “Are we going in or not?” Taking Fiero’s hand, Echo tugged him forward. “I’m looking forward to it.” Out of the corner of his mouth, he whispered up to Fiero. “Is everything set?” “Yep,” was his only response. When they pushed through the doors of Silver City, Echo was struck with the same sense of awe he’d had on his first visit. He saw

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several of the same patrons, as well as all of the staff. The music, the lights, the entire atmosphere was perfect. “When does the show start?” Vapre checked his watch. “In about ten minutes. You want to go sit down, and I’ll bring you a drink?” He glanced out of the corner of his eye at Myst and smirked. “I’ll take good care of him,” he said for only Echo to hear. “I’ll stick around.” Echo’s whole body thrummed with excitement. He and Hex had already scoped out the perfect spot out back in the alley, and he couldn’t wait to make one of Myst’s fantasies come true. A warm weight molded to his back, and Echo peeked over his shoulder to smile up at Eyce. The warrior gave him a lopsided grin as his hands drifted down Echo’s sides and over his hips to cup his ass. Echo gasped and wiggled out of Eyce’s hold. “Stop that.” “What’s the matter, baby?” The wicked glint in the man’s eyes said he knew exactly what was going on. Wiggling his ass, Echo tried to reposition the butt plug in his hole without actually touching it. All he succeeded in doing was making it nudge against his prostate once more. His dick throbbed inside its denim confinement, making a valiant effort to burst through his zipper. A strangled groan, followed by a pathetic little whimper escaped his lips when Eyce swatted him on the ass. He just hoped the music was too loud for anyone to hear him. Myst leaned close, bumping their shoulders together. “You okay, sweetheart? You look like you swallowed your tongue.” Not yet, but Echo imagined he was damn close to stripping his clothes off and attacking his mates right there in the middle of the bar. “I’m fine.” “Fuck!” Myst spat. “What’s Ian doing here?” Echo’s eyes went wide as he peered up at his mate. “Who’s Ian, and why are you so jumpy?”

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“Ian is the waiter you fired last time we were here.” Myst scrubbed his face with one hand and pointed to the young man with his other. “I don’t know who let him back in here, but I’ll take care of it.” He actually started forward, but Echo grabbed him around the elbow to halt his progress. “Slow down there, big guy. I gave him his job back. Well, I called the manager and told him to give Ian his job back. It was technically your fault that he got fired in the first place, though. You should probably go apologize.” “I don’t think so.” Myst shook his head firmly. “I am sorry about what happened, but that’s not a good idea.” “Don’t trust yourself around him?” Echo teased. “He is gorgeous.” Myst growled. “Shut up. He’s okay, but it’s not about that. Not even Hex has a jealous streak like you do. I go try to apologize, and you’ll probably end up canning his ass again.” Echo opened his mouth to refute the statement, but snapped his lips closed. Not because Myst was right, but because it played right into his little plan. Oh, the big warrior wouldn’t know what hit him. “I’m fine, Myst. Go apologize to the man, and I’ll get us something to drink. You want a beer?” “Can I confess something?” Echo widened his eyes and nodded. “What’s up?” “I hate beer. It has to be the nastiest thing I’ve ever put in my mouth.” He gave a full body shiver. “Disgusting.” Echo laughed, though he agreed wholeheartedly. “Don’t worry, I won’t tell. You want a mixed drink?” Myst made a face. “Do you think the guys would ever let me live down that shit if they saw me with some kind of foo-foo drink?” “I like mixed drinks.” “Yes, but you’re…” Myst trailed off, and he looked as though he’d rather be anywhere than where he was at the moment.

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“You really don’t want to finish that sentence.” Echo crossed his arms over his chest and glared. “No, I really don’t. Just a Jack and Coke is fine. Thanks, baby.” He kissed the top of Echo’s head. “You’re the best.” Echo rolled his eyes. “Suck-up.” He patted Myst’s incredibly sexy ass. “Good thing for you, it works. Now, go apologize, and be sincere. Maybe flirt with him a little, so he feels better?” Myst choked. “Are you serious? That’s what started all this shit in the first place. I’ll just go shake his hand and say I’m sorry. How about that?” Echo shrugged unconcernedly and turned toward the bar. “Whatever makes you happy, cupcake.” He could hear Myst muttering about being compared to cake, but he ignored him. Damn, he loved that man. Looking past Myst, his eyes locked with Ian’s, and he nodded. Ian dipped his head in return and plastered a brilliant smile on his face as Myst approached. Before Myst could even open his mouth, Ian molded himself to the man and began wiggling against him. Echo couldn’t hear what they were saying, but he’d paid the waiter damn good money to make it good. He could just picture the look on Myst’s face, and it made him laugh. Turning to the petite female bartender, he ordered a bottle of water. Myst wouldn’t need that Jack and Coke. Not for a while anyway. Hex leaned on the bar beside him, his gaze never leaving Myst and Ian. “Are you sure about this?” “Absolutely.” Echo thanked the bartender for the water, twisted the cap off, and took a long swallow. “He needs this. Look.” Echo pointed to where the two were standing. “He’s trying to push him away.” “Well, that’s new.” Echo nodded. “I think he finally realizes that he doesn’t need to make us jealous to know that we love him. It’s nice. Still, he loves it

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when we get possessive. It’s a huge turn-on for him, and I can kind of see why.” “Yeah, I see what you’re saying. I’ll admit that I like it when you guys get jealous and possessive as well.” “Exactly. We’ll let Ian do his thing for another minute, then we’ll swoop in and show Myst precisely who he belongs to.” “You are a manipulative little shit,” Onyx said as he slipped onto a stool on Echo’s other side. Echo kissed the demon’s lips and winked. “You know you love it.” Onyx’s arms wound around his waist and pulled him closer. “I never said I didn’t.” Then he attacked Echo’s mouth with such enthusiasm, Echo’s legs began to shake. Yanking his mouth away, he gulped in the much-needed oxygen and panted. “You ready to do this?” “Yes,” Fiero growled. “I don’t mind playing games, but if that little asshole doesn’t quit pawing at Myst, it’s not going to be funny anymore.” Echo turned his head to hide his smile. “Then let’s go get our man.” As one, all seven of them crossed the bar to stand behind Myst. Hex cleared his throat. “What’s going on here?” Myst whirled around, still fighting off Ian’s hands. “Nothing, I swear! I just came over to apologize, and he started attacking me.” He slapped Ian’s hand away when the waiter began stroking his chest. “Stop that!” “Myst, I thought we talked about this?” Syx said with mock sadness. “We told you what would happen if you kept this up.” “I didn’t do anything!” He pushed Ian’s hand off of him again. “Echo told me to come apologize, and that’s what I did.” He captured Ian’s wrist and flung the man’s hand away from him. “Would you fucking stop it?”

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“Get lost,” Fiero snarled. Apparently, the warrior was tired of playing. Echo would have liked to continue the game for a bit longer, but Fiero wasn’t the only one getting restless. The longer Ian continued to try and grope at Myst, the louder the snarls and growls around their little circle grew. Oh well, at least they were getting into the spirit of things. “Myst,” Echo said firmly. He had to bite his tongue to keep from grinning when the demon turned to look at him with pleading eyes. “Come with me.” “I said fuck off,” Fiero snapped at the little waiter. Ian’s eyes rounded, and he bobbed his head before hurrying off. Echo sighed and rolled his eyes. They were really going to have work on Fiero’s communication skills. He knew he’d had a similar—maybe even more violent—reaction the last time, but he wasn’t going to count that. Giving Myst one last lingering look, Echo spun on his heels and marched through the crowd toward the back of the bar. He didn’t glance behind him. He knew Myst would follow with the others right behind him. Pushing through the back door, he stepped out into the cool night air in the dimly lit alley. The minute Myst was past the threshold, Echo fisted his hands in his mate’s shirt and shoved him up against the wall. “You are mine. No one gets to touch you like that, ever.” He put more force behind the words than he really felt, but Myst seemed to be eating it up. His eyes flashed, his body trembled, and he licked his lips. “Yours,” Myst whispered. “Ours,” Hex growled right in the demon’s ear. “I will destroy anyone that touches you.” Echo could feel Myst’s heart hammering rapidly beneath his hands. He felt the rock-hard mound between Myst’s legs as it pressed

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into his belly. It wouldn’t take much to set the man off, and the knowledge made Echo smile wickedly. Stripping off his jeans right there in the alleyway, he kicked them to the side and reached for Myst’s zipper. “Maybe you need a reminder of who owns you?” Myst nodded dazedly, his eyes locked on Echo’s thick cock where it flexed and strained between his thighs. “Whatever you want, baby.” “That’s right. Whatever I want, and I want you.” He got the button undone and the zipper pushed down. Reaching into the tight leathers, Echo extracted Myst’s pulsing dick and stroked it lazily. “Do you want to fuck me, Myst? I want you to fuck me.” Myst nodded again, a deep groan rumbling in his chest and up through his parted lips. Echo didn’t wait for a verbal agreement. Pushing Myst’s pants farther down his hips, he climbed up his lover’s body and attacked his luscious mouth. “Need you,” he panted. What had started out as a way to give Myst a taste of one of his fantasies had suddenly become much more. Echo had been rock-hard since they left the house. Seeing the heat and desire in Myst’s eyes pushed his lust to the boiling point, and he needed to be fucked, sucked, and all-around ravaged, and he needed it pretty damn soon. Myst’s hands gripped his ass, moaning loudly when his fingers encountered the base of the toy. “You planned this,” he accused. “You bet your sexy ass I did. Now are you going to complain or fuck me?” With a feral growl, Myst pulled the plug from Echo’s hole, and spun them around so that Echo’s back and shoulders slammed into the bricks of the building. Myst’s arms looped under his knees, tilting his ass and spreading him wide. The first rough plunge into his quivering channel felt like heaven. Echo dropped his head back to the wall behind him and moaned like a high-priced whore. He gripped at Myst’s shoulders, digging his fingers in and holding on for dear life.

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His lover drove into him hard and fast with no concern to whether he was hurting Echo. It was perfect. His men were always so careful with him, but he wasn’t breakable, damn it! Sometimes he needed a rough fuck as much as anyone, and Myst was delivering just want he craved. “Yes!” Echo cried when the tip of Myst’s cock nailed his sweet spot on the next plunge. He should probably try to remain quiet since they were out in the open, but the unbelievable pleasure coursing through him wouldn’t allow it. “Come for me, baby,” Myst demanded harshly. “Squeeze my cock with this sweet ass. Show me I belong to you.” Echo’s eyes snapped open, his upper lip curled over his teeth in a slight snarl, and he growled at his lover. “That’s it, baby,” Myst encouraged. His hips snapped forward harder, more demanding. “Do I belong to you, Echo?” “Mine!” Echo screamed the word loud enough for an entire city block to hear him. Then he tangled his fingers in Myst’s hair and jerked him forward, sinking his teeth into his lover’s throat. The sweet rush of blood over his tongue sent his head reeling and his cock throbbing. The next draw on the wound, and his aching balls pulled tighter to his body. By the third mouthful, Echo wasn’t sure where he ended and Myst began. “Mine,” Myst breathed just before biting into Echo’s shoulder. Extracting his fangs from Myst’s flesh, Echo clutched his mate tightly and cried out to the dark sky. “Aaaah!” Immense pleasure like nothing he’d ever felt before washed over him, leaving him momentarily blind and deaf as his cock exploded to fill the space between them with never ending ropes of cum. “Oh, shit. Oh, shit.” Myst buried his face in Echo’s neck, his body tensed, and his heated release filled Echo’s twitching passage to overflowing. Suddenly, everything came rushing back, and Echo blinked open his eyes to take in his surroundings. He felt a little disoriented, but at

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least he could see and hear again. Myst still held him anchored against the wall, but his other mates stood in a tight circle around them with their dicks in hand. “Why?” Myst had demanded all of his attention so it wasn’t until that moment that he realized none of the others had joined them. “That was one of the hottest things I’ve ever seen,” Vapre breathed as he tucked his limp cock back into his pants. “I swear I could feel it like I was sinking my own dick into your tight ass.” “Same here,” Eyce agreed. “I have never felt anything like that, and no one even touched me.” “I think I went deaf when I shot my load.” Fiero was still panting as he put his clothes back to rights. “I don’t think I would have survived if anyone had actually touched me.” “It was that intense,” Hex agreed. Echo didn’t know what it meant, but as long as everyone was happy, and no one felt left out, then he was good. “So, we’re okay, right?” Myst slipped out of his quivering hole and placed him on his feet with a quick kiss. “I can’t speak for everyone, but I’m better than okay. That was amazing,” Onyx said reverently. Murmurs of agreement went around the group. “There will always be time when we get home,” Syx added. Echo groaned and his legs began to shake again. “Can we go home now?” His mates laughed. “Both times we’ve come here, you’ve wanted to leave within half an hour.” Hex stepped over and kissed the top of his head. “How about we dance, have a couple of drinks, dance some more, and we’ll rent a hotel room for the night.” “I’ve never stayed in a hotel before,” Echo confessed. He really, really wanted to, though. “Can we get room service?” “Anything you want,” Myst whispered to him, skimming his nose along Echo’s jawline. “I really want that.”

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“Then this is your lucky night,” Eyce said with a wink. “No.” Echo shook his head, his eyes filling with tears as he drank in the sight of his lovers. “The night I knocked on your door was the beginning. Everything after that was more than I could have ever hoped to have. It’s not luck. It’s fate.”

End of Book 8: Behind Closed Doors To be continued in Book 9: Reckoning WWW.GABRIELLEEVANS.COM

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: Midnight Matings: Fire and Ash Siren Classic ManLove: Midnight Matings: Myth and Mischief Ménage Amour ManLove: Midnight Matings: Fantasy, Legend, and the Guardian 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 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 Siren LoveXtreme Forever ManLove: Fatefully Yours 5: Shades of Black Siren LoveXtreme Forever ManLove: Fatefully Yours 6: Hypnotic Healing Siren LoveXtreme Forever ManLove: Fatefully Yours 7: The Hunger

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