Chapter Thirteen
Not all warlocks lived in groups. Most preferred solitude. Thomas liked having others he could count on and those he could call his own. He loved living amongst other paranormals and missed being around his kind. Not that he'd ever tell anyone that, especially Hacen. Despite Hacen's gruff exterior, that bit of news would hurt his feelings. Hacen and Jules were similar in that aspect.
He wished he were with them the second he saw who the warlocks were.
It had been years since Thomas had seen Ekalis last. Thomas took in his cool smile, and the smug look he had always wore like armor. If Ekalis were startled by Thomas’ presence, he didn’t let it show. He kept his dark hair cut shorter than he’d kept it the last time Thomas had seen him, but that arrogance remained firmly in place.
Ekalis had two of his inner circle with him. Jory had always been reasonable, but time could have changed that. Jory was a tall, thin man with long blond hair and sadness in his eyes that held a story Thomas had always wanted to know but never had the guts to ask. Jory nodded in greeting. The other man, Patrick, had always been impulsive at best and had been cruel at times. Given the wicked look in the warlock’s cool blue eyes, he saw nothing had changed.
Ekalis would keep Patrick in check. At least in front of Ramsey and Ladon.
Thomas stood behind and to the left of Ramsey as they entered the Somerset kitchen. He kept his hands behind his back.
By the gods, he wanted to go back to the cabin in a bad way. Any place but standing in front of his ex-coven members. He'd take Jules' smart-mouthed comments and Hacen’s scowl all day long for a solid month if it meant he could leave in the next ten minutes.
"Thomas." Ekalis nodded his head as if they had only seen each other last week.
Ladon gave him a side stare, shooting silent questions at him.
Thomas did his best to ignore Ladon. "Ekalis."
Ramsey turned to him. "You know each other?"
Ekalis was the one to answer. He smiled in that familiar smug way. "Intimately."
Ramsey turned back, not keeping his back to the strangers for long.
Thomas wouldn’t take Ekalis’ bait as he had in the past. He kept his face as blank as he possibly could. "A long time ago."
Ekalis grinned. "Indeed." His eyes were so dark they looked almost black, and at one point in Thomas' life, those eyes would have driven him crazy with lust.
Thomas unclenched his hands when the door between the living room and kitchen swung open. He heard Penny giggle before he saw her enter with Shawn. She had her arms wrapped around his neck, and he locked his arms around her knees.
"Please Shawny. Will you ask Gabriel for me? He'll listen to you."
Shawn snorted out a laugh and shook his head. "Not this time, honey."
"Aw, come on. Mark Johnson is the cutest boy in my grade."
Thomas would think about his little sister dating boys and let it creep him out later when the other warlocks no longer posed a threat.
"Tommy!" Penny wiggled around on Shawn's back until he set her down and then she was on him, hugging.
He held her tight and turned, so she wasn’t as visible to the others. He’d still be able to keep an eye on the threat, though. He deliberately kept his tone light and playful, not wanting to scare Penny if he didn’t have too. "What's this I hear about a date?"
"Ugh. Not you too." Penny let him go and pulled back. "Don't worry. Gabriel isn't going to let me go." She turned and batted her eyelashes at Shawn. "Unless someone will help me talk to him."
When she waved at the three warlocks, Thomas nearly put a shield around them. Ekalis didn’t acknowledge her greeting, though, or even show he knew she was in the room.
"I can't believe you’re talking about boys already." Thomas shook his head, wanting to keep her distracted. She was oblivious to the danger, and that’s the way he intended to keep it.
"Not just boys, Tommy. Mark. He's so cute." She put a hand on her chest and got a dopey look on her face. "Anyway, when you go back home, can I come? I miss Jules."
Thomas smiled at that last sentence. "Don't you have school?"
"School's canceled until Monday on account of the battle."
"If it's okay with Gabe and Shawn." Thomas looked over at Shawn, pleading silently with his eyes to take her out of the room.
Thankfully, Shawn understood.
Ramsey took the warlocks into the office as if he sensed Thomas’ sudden tension. He held the door open for them but addressed Thomas. "Join us after you finish."
Thomas nodded and refocused on Shawn. Thomas kept a hold on Penny’s waist as he closed the distance between them. He leaned into to Shawn, whispering. “Take her to the cabin immediately. It’s shielded from other warlocks. She’ll be safe there.”
Shawn nodded and then averted his gaze, staring off into nothing. He must be talking to Gabriel through their bonding link.
Penny stiffened next to him. “Is that whats-his-face from our old coven?”
Thomas opened his mouth to speak, but Gabriel came through the kitchen door. Penny went right over to him without a word. “You’re sure the cabin’s safe?”
Thomas nodded. “As safe as I can make it. He won’t be able to step a foot on the front porch. I wouldn’t leave either of my mates so vulnerable.”
“Let’s go pack a bag. You can spend the night.” Gabriel guided her out of the room. He held the door open for her but stopped, turning to Thomas. “She won’t leave my sight until she’s safely in the cabin.”
“Thank you.” Thomas breathed a sigh of relief.
He would have headed to the office to join the conversation, but Shawn grabbed his arm, gaining his attention.
“How’s Jules doing?”
"Frosty. Very frosty."
Shawn chuckled. "Good for him. I thought for sure he'd make it easy on you guys. Glad to know he's not. You and Hacen don't deserve easy."
Thomas might have taken offense if the words weren’t true. "I know we don't."
Shawn nodded his head to the closed office door. "Better get in there. Ramsey and Ladon obviously need you if they asked you to come."
"Right." Thomas moved to the office door and knocked twice before entering.
Ramsey sat in a chair behind the desk, while Ekalis sat opposite him. The other two warlocks stood behind him. Ramsey gave him a relieved look as if while waiting for Thomas the silence had grown awkward.
Thomas walked over to Ramsey and stood next to his chair, supporting him the only way he knew how. Given that he didn't know what the warlocks wanted from them, Ramsey may need him for protection.
Ekalis looked at Thomas with curiosity. "I see you're doing well."
Thomas folded his arms over his chest. "Well enough."
Ekalis sighed. "You've found your mate."
Thomas just nodded, not wanting to tell Ekalis about his personal life. Their past had been full of sex and arguments, and not much else. They had never really had what one would call friendship, and Thomas wouldn't start with their little reunion.
"Congratulations are in order." Ekalis smiled, and for the first time, he looked as if he meant it.
"How can the Saint Lakes clan help your coven?"
"I've recently learned my coven leader, Ballard, is working with Nicolono Stavros."
Thomas wasn't surprised. He moved closer to Ramsey, whispering, "Ballard is an ass but no real threat."
Ramsey nodded without taking his eyes off Ekalis. "I don't expect every coven and clan to be on our side."
"That's understandable. And I wouldn't be here if he had the coven's best interest at heart. But Ballard has other motivations that don't include anything but money."
"Okay. So your leader is siding with Stavros because he's getting paid. I can see why he would want a coven of warlocks on his side. It's an advantage. Your kind are powerful." Ramsey leaned back in his chair. "That still doesn't explain why you're here."
"Draigh Morelli is why I'm here."
Thomas didn't bother to whisper. "Draigh is a very influential warlock. He's not very powerful, but he knows all the right people to have good backing. He used to be a good guy."
Ekalis nodded. "Exactly. Ballard will get the entire coven killed."
Ramsey raised his eyebrows and opened his mouth to say something, but the door opened, and Fane walked into the room, closing the door behind him. Ramsey's stoic looked changed immediately, and his body seemed to relax. He unfolded his arms when Fane closed the distance between them, sitting on Ramsey’s lap.
Ramsey's arms came around Fane and held him close. He addressed Ekalis. "How can we help you?"
"I think all of us here know Stavros won't stop without a fight. I know he's down in numbers, but he has someone backing him—"
"Delano." Ramsey cut Ekalis off. "He's a former vampire council member and, I suspect, the one with the numbers. Our battle barely caused a dent in them. You're right to be scared. If you have a strong leader, you'll have my backing."
Ekalis' shoulders slumped. "There is no one."
Fane chose that moment to speak up. "There's you. You're here which means you care about those your leader is putting in harm's way. That's all you'll need."
"I'm not strong enough to defeat Ballard in a challenge. We don't have a coven member who is. Not anymore." Ekalis looked at Thomas when he spoke that last sentence.
Fane and Ramsey both looked at him at the same time.
Thomas sighed and shook his head. "I won't join the coven."
“All I need is to get Ballard out of power. The second he is Draigh will back off. I’m hoping he’ll help me find a suitable leader as I don’t want the position. And the request for assistance will go a long way to restoring good relations.”
“Fine. I’ll fight, but I’m doing it for the betterment of everyone, not for your coven.” By the gods, Thomas would have to leave Saint Lakes. "Hacen and Jules will be pissed.”
It was still Ramsey who commented. "Hacen's scary when he's pissed."
"Not as scary as Jules and he's the one I'm worried about the most."
"You'll have to pack a bag." Ramsey stood, getting Fane to his feet. "We'll go to the cabin with you. Fane can talk to Jules."
"I'm not scared of Ballard, who is a powerful warlock in his own right. I know I'll defeat him. But I need backup to talk to one little human." Thomas chuckled and shook his head. He met Ramsey’s gaze. "Ladon’s right. Jules does have me wrapped around his finger."
Ekalis cleared his throat. "Your mate is a human?"
"One of them. Yes."
"More than one mate? How is that possible?"
"Long story." One he wasn't willing to share with an ex-lover. He didn’t trust Ekalis. The less information Thomas gave him, the better. He’d already said too much.
Thomas’ saving grace was that Penny took Jules' attention, which just meant Hacen had a clear shot at arguing with him uninterrupted. But he’d take Hacen over Jules any day.
"Give me one good reason why it has to be you. Either send someone else or let all those bastards die." Hacen's grip on Thomas' wrist tightened to the point of almost painful. Thomas reached over with his free hand and gently pried Hacen's fingers away.
Hacen immediately wrapped his arms around Thomas' waist and drew him closer. Hacen buried his face in the crook of his neck. "We haven't been apart since bonding."
"I know. It's not easy for me either. Not with my relationship with Jules so rocky and then there's the fact that we can’t talk to each other internally yet. Not without mating with Jules.” Thomas sighed. “I grew up in that coven. Most are good warlocks. They don't deserve death because their leader is a narcissistic bastard."
"You're just going to leave me here alone? With Jules. His smart mouth will be the death of me, and it will be your fault." Thomas could feel Hacen's lips turn up into a smile against his skin. Just that one act made him shiver with pleasure.
Thomas smiled. "Maybe you can put his mouth to better use. Shut him up."
"We can hear every single thing you two say." For a human, Jules had ears like a cat.
"I can't hear them." Penny lay on the bed next to Jules, carefully avoiding his bad leg.
Jules ignored Penny and glared at Thomas.
Thomas smiled at him and winked. "I'll miss you. Feisty, little human."
Jules' eyes narrowed even further, but the corners of his mouth turned up. "You can't sweet-talk me."
"Really? Are you sure?" Thomas pulled out of Hacen's arms but kept a hold of his hand, pulling him to the bed. "Penny. Go outside and talk to Ramsey and Fane for a while."
"Why? I want to be with Jules." Penny moved closer.
Jules reached over and ran his hand down Penny's hair. "When you come back, I'll teach Hacen how to braid your hair." Jules gave her a shy smile. The shyness wasn't something Thomas had seen in quite a while, and Thomas wondered at its appearance. "Hacen will make a good braider. Don't let his scowl and big hands fool you."
Penny's gaze scanned over Hacen, assessing his capability. "You'll braid my hair?"
Thomas turned to Hacen, who winced but nodded. "I guess."
Jules blushed. "If you do, then maybe I'll put my smart mouth to better use."
Thomas snorted out a laugh. Yep, Jules had heard every word alright.
Penny's lips screwed up in disgust, and she scooted to the end of the bed. "Eww. And also, yuck. I'll go find Fane."
Thomas snorted out a laugh. "Stay close to Fane and Ramsey. I don’t trust Ekalis and his goons."
Penny made it to the door and had her hand on the knob before she turned and met Jules’ gaze again. "And I have to tell you about this boy at school."
Jules gave her a shy smile again. "Boy talk is my favorite."
Penny giggled and left the cabin. As she was stepping onto the porch, Thomas heard her say, "Fane, will you help me pick flowers for Jules?”
“No leaving the porch, Penny,” Thomas yelled and then met Jules’ gaze again. "You have a best friend there, don't you?"
Jules shrugged. "Penny's special."
Thomas sat on the side of the bed. "As special as you."
"If you don't return in three days, I'm sending Hacen and my family after you." Jules gave him a no-nonsense look.
"That's fair." Thomas turned to Hacen. "Something will be wrong if I don’t make it back in that amount of time."
Hacen cursed under his breath. "I fucking hate this." Hacen headed for the door.
"Glaring at the warlocks outside will make him feel better." Jules chuckled. The sound of it was as gentle as his shyness. There was a contrast between all that gentleness and the way he bossed them around.
“My parents died, and it wasn’t even a full month after that the leader of my old coven kicked us out. He used Penny as an excuse. She didn’t have magic, and that was a good enough reason for some. Others fought for us to stay but Ballard had a good backing. He had just taken over leadership, and I was coming into my own as a warlock. It didn't take much for him to discover my magic was stronger than his."
Jules took Thomas' hand and laced their fingers together.
"The only time I've ever felt comfortable leaving her is with the Somersets."
"So you're going there to kill this Ballard guy? Because he's an idiot, who sided with Nicolono?"
Thomas smiled. "Pretty much. Yes."
"Can I ask you to do something for me?"
Thomas nodded. "I'd do anything for you." He brought there joined hands up to his lips and kissed.
Jules looked at Thomas from beneath his lashes. It was such a provocative look, Thomas almost changed his mind about leaving. He'd much rather fuck Jules into the mattress and then cuddle until they were ready to go again.
“Don’t trust anyone. You’ll die if you do.”
Thomas leaned in, letting go of Jules' hand long enough to draw him into a hug. He kept it brief. "Premonitions. It’s what you’re trying to tell me, right. That you have them, I mean.”
Jules shrugged. “I don’t know. I’ve had dreams my whole life, and some of them come true. My grandma died. Mr. Evil took me. Now, you might get hurt. Things happening to Hacen. And myself.”
“There’s a spell on the property. You’ll be safe here. Hacen too.”
Jules cupped his cheek. “What about you?”
“Now that you’ve warned me I’ll put a spell on myself that will prevent anyone from causing me serious injury.” Thomas smiled and decided to lighten the mood. “Now, I have a favor to ask."
"What?"
Thomas pulled back just enough to dig his phone out of his pocket. He handed it to Jules. "Record Hacen attempting to braid Penny's hair."
Jules snorted out a laugh. "He's gonna be great at it. You just wait. He's good at all that domestic crap. I would never have suspected that but it's true."
Jules didn't take the phone, so Thomas laid it in his lap.
"I want you to be able to call for help if you need it."
Jules shook his head. "It's the only phone we have between the three of us.”
“I'll stop somewhere and get one of those pay as you go phones. I'll call you as soon as I do, so you'll have the number."
Jules nodded. "Call right away. And call twice every day after that."
"I will, baby. I promise." Thomas leaned in for a kiss, pressing their lips together.
Jules locked an arm around Thomas' neck and held on as if he were afraid Thomas would disappear. Jules deepened the kiss, working Thomas' lips open until he felt Jules' tongue get a taste of him, moving along the seam of his lips.
That was all it took for Thomas to forget about everything else but Jules. He moved until he straddled Jules' lap. The blankets covering him made it impossible to feel anything the way Thomas longed too, so he lifted just enough to remove the barrier without breaking the kiss.
Thomas moaned when he felt Jules' thighs against his ass. He stayed away from Jules’ bandage.
Jules gripped his hair in his fist and angled his head, demanding things Thomas never expected. A part of Thomas wanted to stop, knowing Jules may freak again.
Thomas lifted the hem of Jules' shirt, needing to touch his skin. The heat from Jules' body radiated through his hands. Thomas explored with his fingertips, moving from Jules' flat stomach to his chest. He ran his fingers through the few hairs in the center of his chest, needing to memorize everything about Jules by just touching.
Jules moaned when Thomas touched his nipples. He arched his chest, wanting more, which Thomas gladly gave him. He lifted the shirt all the way to Jules' neck and broke the kiss.
It was as he moved down to lick Jules' nipples that he heard yelling coming from outside.
He pressed his forehead against Jules and sighed. "That's Hacen."
Jules' breath moved across his face as he panted. "We should go see what's happening."
"Yeah." Thomas moved his hands down Jules’ body, feeling his smooth skin. "I'm hard for you, baby."
"Me too." Jules let go of Thomas' hair, running his fingers through it. “I think I might want to bond.”
Oh yeah. That’s what Thomas wanted to hear. Thomas kissed Jules again. He was just getting ready to deepen the kiss when Hacen yelled again. "Get back. There's no way you're going near my mates."
Thomas moved off Jules then, instantly alert. "That's his pissed off voice."
"He has a different way of speaking?"
Thomas leaned in and kissed Jules on the forehead before straightening, standing and walking to the door. "Good point. That's his more pissed off voice."
Thomas pulled open the door and met Hacen's back. Hacen folded his arms over his chest, and Thomas saw the muscles jump in his jaw. "Get away from the cabin before I kick your ass."
Ekalis stood only feet away, just on the edge of the barrier Thomas had created. He met Thomas' gaze over Hacen's shoulder. "You got a protective mate here. Can't get past him."
Thomas ran his hand down Hacen's back, needing the physical contact. "He has good reason," he explained, thinking of Jules inside and all Stavros had put them through.
"I just wanted to ask how much longer you'd be. I'd like to get underway." Ekalis made it sound like a demand, which put Thomas' on edge. "When you're ready, of course."
"Of course." Thomas looped his finger in one of Hacen's belt buckles and tugged just enough to get Hacen's attention. "I'll be just a couple minutes more."
Ekalis nodded and turned away.
Hacen walked back into the cabin behind Thomas, shutting the door behind him. "I don't like that guy."
"Do you like anyone at all?" Jules' big brown eyes sparkled with mischief.
Thomas turned to see Hacen's reaction. The corners of Hacen's mouth turned up in a surprising, but barely there smile. "I like you." Hacen met Thomas' gaze. "And you."
Thomas took the step to get to him, wrapping his arms around Hacen's waist. "I have a protective barrier in place. Ekalis knows it. He was just baiting you.”
“Yeah, well. It worked and he’s an asshole.”