Chapter 15
What the hell is that dirt-bag pansy-ass Trayan doing sneaking around the Goddess House?
Fury boiled Duncan’s blood as he observed the God of Lust hiding in the bushes directly underneath Ava’s bedroom window. After returning from the Dark Realm, he rushed to the Goddess House, intent on finding Ava and protecting her from the Dark Lord’s wrath. It appeared now that the Dark Lord wasn’t the only one his mate needed protection from.
His skin burned—a precursor to the eruption of scales. A fire raged in his throat. Words beyond his capability at the moment, he stalked toward the preoccupied god. He had witnessed Trayan’s last words as he left the Hawg the night of Ava’s judgment. The idiot threatened her and would pay dearly.
At least Trayan had done him a favor and returned to Earth. Duncan hadn’t been looking forward to retrieving him from the Celestial Realm. The unwitting god was so engrossed in staring at her window, he didn’t hear Duncan’s approach. Anticipation at the confrontation increased with each step he took. This would be way too easy.
“Trayan!”
After turning to face Duncan, Trayan’s eyes all but popped out of his head, and his mouth fell open.
“You dare to violate the peace accord between the realms? You should not be here, skulking around the Goddess House like some peeping-ass pervert. Prepare to pay for your indiscretion.”
Duncan grabbed Trayan’s sky-blue polo and twisted it around his neck. The Celestial’s sickeningly sweet cologne smelled like a combination of maple syrup and cotton candy. He turned his head to avoid gagging.
“You smell like a little girl. You act like a little girl. And soon you are going to scream like a little girl.”
“I’m leaving,” Trayan said, sniveling.
Duncan could see the fear in his eyes, the slight tremble of his lips, and the racing beat of his jugular. Disgust swelled within in him, inciting his rage to the point of frenzy.
“Yes, you will be leaving momentarily . . . in pieces.”
“No . . . please . . . I promise to never come back.” Sweat dripped from his brow as he tugged on Duncan’s fists without success.
“You make me sick. You threatened my woman, and yet when confronted by a worthy opponent, you grovel and beg like a whiny coward.”
At the words ‘my woman,’ Trayan’s skin paled. Duncan hoped the god didn’t piss himself and mess up his favorite black leather boots.
Flinging Trayan against the side of the house gave him an immense sense of satisfaction. The Celestial fell to the ground and raised his hands to cover his face.
“I’m sorry, man. I didn’t know she belonged to you,” he wailed.
“She doesn’t belong to me. I don’t aspire to own others as you Celestials do.” He placed his boot firmly on Trayan’s chest. “If you ever come near her or any of the others living in this house, I’ll toss you into a portal to the Dark Realm and let the blood wraiths feast on your undersized dick.”
He hadn’t thought it possible, but Trayan’s skin paled even more, like pristine snow after a winter storm.
“Get out of this realm and never return.”
“No problem, Guardian, I’m leaving.”
A portal appeared before Trayan, swirling and creating a vacuum. In one last act of justice, Duncan fisted his enormous hand and slammed it into the god’s pasty, self-important face, sending the Celestial sailing into the mist.
Satisfied with his effort, Duncan watched the portal snap shut. As much as he would like to destroy Trayan, the resulting conflict with the Celestial Realm kept him from doing so. As terrified as the simpering worm appeared to be, he doubted the god would have the balls to show his face in the Mortal Realm again.
Now that he had dealt with the Celestial, he returned to his original mission, keeping an eye on Ava. Half tempted to charge into the house and physically remove her to the safety of his suite at the Dragon’s Lair, he opted instead to keep an eye on her from a distance a little while longer.
He understood the shock of being bound to him. He also understood the perceived loss of independence, but he had no intention of squashing her free spirit. His goal wasn’t to change her but to keep her safe.
Soon, if she chose not to believe the obvious and accept his protection, he might have to force the issue, whether she liked it or not. For now, he could only hope she returned on her own.
~ ~ ~
The sentient incubus in the deserted alley behind the Hawg never knew what hit him. The demon didn’t even have a chance to make itself invisible. With one swipe of his sword, Duncan severed its head. The creature hadn’t the time to scream much less disappear. Only a pile of ash remained, that and the intended victim who had no clue how lucky she was.
Satisfied, Duncan sheathed his sword, turning to the young woman. Petite with short-cropped blond hair and an air of innocence, she stared at him, eyes void of understanding.
Duncan lifted her chin and spoke to her.
“You will remember nothing of this night up to this point. Go back to the Hawg and tell your girlfriends that you have a migraine and need to go home.”
The young woman nodded with understanding as Duncan continued speaking. “Once your friends take you home, you will stay there and go to sleep. Do you understand?” He gently turned her toward the bar.
“Yes, I understand,” she said. As though nothing strange had happened, she walked down the alley and turned the corner toward the bar.
Duncan let out a long, exasperated sigh. Tired of shadowing Ava’s every move, he planned to confront her tonight. She was inside, and he needed to be near her, to touch her, and to convince her to give him a chance.
The separation between them left him edgy with a hair-trigger temper. Only she could scratch the itch that promised to turn him into a crazed madman. Being near her left him in a continuous state of need and frustration.
The sounds of measured clapping broke through the silence. Startled, Duncan turned to face the source. A smile came to his lips. Dressed in a violet leather halter that matched her eyes and tight leather pants, Carman strode toward him, a look of admiration in her eyes.
“Well done, Dragon.” She stood in front of him, chin tilted up to meet his gaze.
“Carman, it’s not safe out here. After your ordeal the other night, you should know better than to be out here alone.”
“I know . . . I should know better. I saw the girl leave the bar with that creep. I wanted to check on her, but I kept my distance.”
“Leave the demon-fighting to Llion and me.” At the mention of his friend’s name, a spark flashed in her eyes, and a smile came to her lips. He offered his arm and she took it.
“Let’s get you back inside.” They walked toward the bar in silence until Duncan could hold in his question no longer.
“Carman . . . how is Ava?”
“Still confused.” She shook her head. “She’s been pining away in her room—wouldn’t come out until I dragged her here tonight.”
“Really? She’s pining for me?”
“Not that she’d ever admit it to you. And don’t even think about telling her I said that.” Carman shook her finger at him.
“What should I do?”
“Some major groveling would be in order.”
“I need to make her understand.” His voice sounded harsher than he intended, but by now Ava should realize true mates belonged together. She should feel the same intense yearning for him that he did for her—the all-consuming craving that never subsided, the unfulfilled desire that kept him awake at night. “I’ll make her see reason.”
“Don’t go all caveman on her. That alpha-male shit won’t work on her. Perhaps you should try a gentler approach. You know, take her out on a date, bring her flowers . . . seduce her.”
“She won’t talk to me, Carman. How do I do that?” Duncan never had problems communicating with women before. They either followed his direction or found someone else to play with. In the past, this approach worked because he didn’t care one way or another. With Ava, he did care, perhaps too much for his own comfort.
As they reached the club entrance, Carman playfully punched him on the arm. “Figure something out, Guardian, and do it quick. She’s driving us all crazy.”