The pungent aroma filled the room, waking Cailyn’s taste buds and mind. Her feet shuffled as she moved about the kitchen, grabbing a mug and her beloved hazelnut creamer. She was addicted to the stuff but had to limit herself lest her waistline would continue to expand. Too bad the DNA change to her genes didn’t make her immune to weight gain like it did all human diseases. She could eat sticks of butter and ribs every day and not worry about clogged arteries, but she’d need to buy new jeans. It wasn’t fair.

She grabbed the sugar-laden creamer and reminded herself that she couldn’t have any more today. She preferred not to consume so many calories at the wee hour, but it was inevitable when her thoughts kept her awake. Hopefully, she didn’t have a repeat of the past week where she forgot her vow to watch what she ate.

You don’t need to. You’re perfect as you are Cailyn's inner voice reassured.

She thought the days of insecurity and doubt were behind her when she found her Fated Mate. But Jace was a doctor and a Dark Warrior which translated to little time together as a couple. In fact, they rarely saw each other over the past several months. At that moment, Jace was asleep in their bed while she was downstairs drinking coffee because she couldn’t stop her reeling thoughts.

Cailyn knew Jace loved and was dedicated only to her, but it had been so long since they’d been intimate. Her old insecurities reared their ugly head and pushed doubt where confidence reigned. And seeing the other mated couples didn’t help matters.

Zander and Elsie were mated the longest in the compound, and he couldn’t keep his hands off Elsie whenever they were in a room together. Admittedly, Zander spent a good deal of time at Zeum, which gave them ample opportunity, but still, he seemed more infatuated with each passing day.

Orlando and Santiago worked outside the house and took patrols as Dark Warriors, but they seemed to manage time with their mates. Cailyn sighed, wishing her man would get a clue from the other warriors.

She couldn’t remember the last time she and Jace had sex. Cailyn was certain her hymen grew back. Okay, that might be a stretch, but she ached for her mate. In the beginning, he’d barely given her a moment’s peace, tossing her onto the bed and ravaging her several times a day.

Her mother always said the shine wore off in marriage and things changed, becoming complacent. Cailyn stupidly believed that wouldn’t apply to the sexy supernaturals she and her sister fell in love with. It hadn’t for Elsie, but it sure had for her and Jace.

“Body like a back road, drivin' with my eyes closed. I know every curve like the back of my hand. Doin' fifteen in a thirty, I ain't in no hurry,” crooned a deep masculine voice.

The timber was pleasant and whoever was singing could carry a tune. Cailyn sat on her stool and watched Cade enter the kitchen, belting the catchy lyrics. The warrior was in his own little world, shaking his hips and moving his arms up and down as if caressing a woman. It was a sensual solo dance that made her squirm in her seat. It didn’t help that he wore tight boxer briefs and nothing else. The massive gourmet kitchen suddenly felt small and intimate as she watched Cade dance.

The temptation to slip out the door was undeniable, but the sight kept her rooted in place. She was a hot-blooded woman, and there was a sexy man giving her a private dance show. Dollar bills. She needed dollar bills, she thought with a mental snicker.

Cade’s body was a lot like Jace’s. They were both fit with muscles bulging all over their body, but they weren’t the body-builder type like Bhric.

Cade wiggled his hips and the way the muscles of his ass clenched and unclenched made Cailyn’s mouth go dry. It had been way too long since she’d felt pleasure if she was sitting in the dark ogling another man. No, that wasn’t what Cailyn was doing. She appreciated the beauty before her. She lusted after Jace, not Cade.

Suddenly, Cade threw an arm up and out to the side while the other went across his face as his head dropped. Unable to hold back, Cailyn burst into laughter.

Cade jumped and turned, fists in a fighting position. “What the fuck?” he barked while his cheeks turned pink.

“It’s just me,” she explained and adjusted her robe. She didn’t expect the company this early in the morning and didn’t bother changing into something more appropriate.

“Sorry. You were singing that seductive song and your dance moves matched it until you tossed in the dab. That was unexpected,” she confessed.

“The dab is the perfect way to end any dance. Kinda like dropping the mic. It’s a statement. What are you doing sitting here alone in the dark? I would’ve expected you to be in bed with your mate,” Cade replied as he composed himself.

“I couldn’t sleep. Again. Patrols must not have been productive tonight if you’re back so soon,” Cailyn observed. The war against demons had changed after Izzy's kidnapping and the entrances to Hell sealed off.

The thought of Izzy made Cailyn’s gut twist and her chest ache. Her niece was being held captive in Hell, and there was nothing they could do about it. Her sister sat in the nursery crying all the time, and Zander rarely left her side. The Dark Warriors were determined to find a way to rescue Isobel, but no one had located a solution yet.

“Yeah. There are no fucking demons to be found. Cael and I searched for hours and didn’t see shit. Not even one measly skirm. Where are the fuckers when you need answers from them?” Cade asked as he opened the refrigerator and pulled out a pitcher along with some Tupperware.

The light from the fridge illuminated Cade’s face, and Cailyn could see dark circles under his blue eyes. It seemed all the Dark Warriors had dark circles under their eyes lately.

“They’re in hiding, I’m afraid,” she informed him.

“The citizens haven’t been told the Princess is missing, and for a good reason. But there have still been reports of missing children, so I suspect you’re right about the demons hiding. Mind if I put on some music? I’m wired, and it settles me,” Cade asked as he scooped some leftover stew into a bowl.

“Sure, go ahead. So, kids are still being taken? Isn’t Crocell gone? No way she allowed a minion to deliver the grand prize to Lucifer,” Cailyn mused as she watched Cade bend over to turn on the sound system in the kitchen. She acknowledged he had a shapely backside then shook off her wandering thoughts.

“I don’t know if Crocell is here or in the Underworld, but she doesn’t have to be here to have her minions kidnapping stripling,” Cade stated as he selected a Latino station then popped his bowl into the microwave.

“Don’t forget a cover,” Cailyn advised.

“Thanks, hun,” he countered and began moving his body to the upbeat tempo. His gaze met hers, and she swallowed thickly.

Ignoring the tension, Cailyn went back to the topic at hand. “If Crocell went back with Izzy, why does she need the kids? Won’t Lucifer just send Cresil back to her?”

“If he even needs them anymore. Izzy can set him free and then this entire planet is fucked,” Cade told her with a frown.

She got up to refill her coffee and held the carafe out to him. “No thanks. I’m sticking with water,” he stated.

“I refuse to believe Izzy will set him free. We will rescue her first. And, don’t you dare tell me it’s not possible,” Cailyn growled.

“Wasn’t going to,” Cade said with his hands in the air.

“Is the new facility done yet?” she asked as she moved to the large window that opened to the enclosed patio.

She didn’t possess the enhanced vision of the supernaturals, but she’d seen the workers in and out for the past couple weeks. From where she stood, the building looked complete, but she hadn’t seen the inside since they hired a crew to finish the job. No one’s heart was in the project since Izzy's abduction.

He came to stand beside her, bowl in hand as he scooped a mouthful of stew. “Yeah, it’ll be ready within a few days, but Zander insisted we get the stripling moved in by tomorrow. We can’t lose any more kids. When I get my hands on that blue bitch I will tear her head from her shoulders and shit down her throat,” Cade spat.

Cailyn glanced over to see his broad chest heave as his emotion escalated. Cailyn wished it made him look frightening rather than appealing. Why was she even noticing such a thing? It didn’t matter. She didn’t want him. She tilted her head to the ceiling as thoughts of Jace filled her head.

“I better make sure Nate ordered everything the kids will need. Are you and Cade going to stay in the building until the kids and Nikko get settled?” she inquired.

“Yeah, we’re going to help him organize and set up a daily routine. Nikko hasn’t found all of the teachers he needs for classes. And, we haven’t outlined how we will be identifying Dark Warrior prospects and how we will handle those recruits. This method is a radical shift from how Zander gathered warriors thus far,” Cade explained.

“How were they done before? It seems to me everyone here has a story about how Zander discovered them and made them Dark Warriors,” Cailyn observed.

Cade ate another spoonful then wiped his mouth with the back of his arm. “Nearly every Dark Warrior was discovered by Zander. When he found my brother and me, he told us the Goddess led him to us. I know Nikko has found some Dark Warriors, as well. I suggested having Nikko and Zander meet all the kids and spend time watching them to see if they are right to move into the east wing of Athrú. Not sure if they will do that. They want to formalize a system that has worked perfectly for over seven hundred years.”

“It might work better if there is a formal process with qualifications outlined, so everyone knows what they need to apply,” Cailyn replied.

“You aren’t in the human world anymore, Cai,” Cade said with a sympathetic rub of the shoulder. “There is no way for anyone to quantify what is needed to become a Dark Warrior. It’s something Zander and Nikko know when they see it. Only special individuals are called upon by the Goddess to serve. Not many are suited for this life, and yet a significant percentage of the citizens would apply for their children’s sake. Being a Dark Warrior is a vaunted position in our society.”

“I never considered that, but it makes sense. I think the Goddess had a hand in this program, as well, so I have no doubt new warriors are slated to move in. I’m just glad the construction noise is over,” Cailyn said with a smile.

“Ha. Don’t expect quiet with a boatload of striplings roaming the property. They have endless energy. Imagine Tristan times twenty. Kiss any peace and quiet goodbye,” Cade advised.

“Good thing I love children,” Cailyn replied with a chuckle. “At least the contractors finished soundproofing Tristan’s room. He’s next door to us, and I don’t want to hear his upcoming activities.”

“What’s he doing now? Tossing more furniture down the stairs?” Cade declared.

Cailyn thought of the fits the poor kid had been throwing. He’d become increasingly agitated and was developing flu-like symptoms. The witch joined their family after a particularly awful battle against Crocell and Cresil. Tristan was gifted and a valuable asset to the team, but he struggled as his transition neared.

“No, he’s going to be too busy soiling them,” Cailyn joked, still shocked by what was happening with the young man.

“Did they find someone to ease his transition? I hadn’t heard. Are we going to be housing another witch?”

“They found someone, but she isn’t a witch. She’s a harpy. I don’t know much about them, but Zander said she’d be able to withstand his lusts. It’s all so confusing to me. When I first heard about how your transition, I thought it was similar to when humans go through puberty. And, in many ways it is. I remember always complaining or crying before I got my period. Not the easiest person to get along with, but what you go through is on a completely different level. My parents never would’ve brought in a guy to have sex with me,” Cailyn expressed.

“A harpy, huh. That’s a good choice. Harpies are a lusty lot. Tristan’s a lucky male with a lot of steam to let off. I hope he gets through this quickly. We need him patrolling the streets,” Cade declared and set his empty bowl on the counter then drank his entire glass of water in one gulp.

“You don’t find it weird that Zander brought in a female to have non-stop sex with the guy?” Cailyn asked. It boggled her that this was so commonplace for the Tehrex Realm.

“No. If we didn’t do that we’d have a ton of transitioning youth out on the prowl. No way would we have kept our secrets from humans. We can’t suppress our sexual needs, Cai. Once sexual maturity hits, we need it, and we need it often,” Cade informed her.

Not everyone, she thought. She wished Jace was transitioning. Maybe then she’d get laid.

The radio station switched to a different song, and Cade blurted, “This is my jam, girl. C’mon, dance with me,” he urged and grabbed her hands.

“Oh, no. You don’t know what you’re saying. I have two left feet,” Cailyn countered and tugged her hands, but he held them tight.

“Well, this is your lucky day, chica, because I’m a great teacher. Now scoot your cute butt closer and let’s get a groove on,” he coaxed and pulled her flush against his chest.

Too much bare flesh for her to think straight. She backed up, creating some space between them and Cade smiled knowingly. “I get it. Twelve inches,” he muttered, and she immediately looked down to his groin. “Not that twelve inches, hun. I meant that I needed to back off and not invade your bubble,” he said and winked,

For the love of Mary, she was flustered. She didn’t know where to look or where to put her hands.

“Relax, Cai, I’m not going to make advances. This is just a dance. Now, follow my lead. Watch my feet and hips. Feel the rhythm and move however it feels right. There’s really no wrong way when it comes to dancing,” he explained and put his hands on her waist, guiding her movement.

It didn’t take long before their bodies found a groove and Cailyn had to admit she was enjoying herself and feeling carefree.

“I think you were pulling my leg before. You’re a fantastic dancer and a natural at salsa. I’ll give you the addresses of a few clubs I frequent. Maybe Jace can take you on his day off,” he offered and met her gaze.

Cade’s blond hair was sun-kissed just like his skin. He was handsome and would make some woman very happy one day. If nothing else, his moves on the dance floor would keep women flocking to his bed until he found his Fated Mate.

“Thanks, that would be great. Speaking of, I should check on Jace. He might be awake by now,” she stated and slipped from his hold.

Anxious to get to her mate, Cailyn turned to leave, but Cade engulfed her in a big hug and kissed the top of her head. “You know where to find me anytime you want another lesson.”

Was he still talking about dancing? His eyes held something sinister that she couldn’t explore. Shaking off that dangerous thought, Cailyn quickly headed up the stairs. She wanted her sexy mate so bad she could barely stand it. By the time she got to their bedroom, Cailyn was so horny she thought she’d climax from the friction of her panties alone.

The room was dark, but the bathroom nightlight provided just enough glow for her to see Jace sprawled across the big mattress. His long, black hair fanned across the pillow, and he was face down, his bare ass peeking from under the sheet. She wanted to bite that sexy ass.

Removing her robe, she crawled into bed and curled up beside him. “Is it time to get to the hospital already?” Jace asked groggily and looked at her through narrowed eyes.

“No, it’s quarter past three. You have four more hours until your shift at the hospital,” Cailyn informed Jace as she rubbed her breasts against his back and moaned when her nipples hardened from the contact. She hiked her leg over his hip, hoping he felt how wet she was. Damn, she needed this man in the worst way.

Jace turned and wrapped an arm around her waist pulling her close. Hell, yes. This contact was what she’d needed. She leaned in and greedily kissed his mouth, but he didn’t return the affection.

Instead, he murmured, “Thank the Goddess. I have got to get a few more hours, or I’m going to be useless in ER.”

Cailyn flushed red and wanted to crawl into a hole. She and Jace had their issues in the beginning, but since Lady Angelica’s spell broke there hadn’t been a time when he rejected her advances.

“Get some rest,” she whispered.

“Love you,” he murmured. Seconds later, Cailyn heard the familiar rumble of his snore.

Conflicting emotions ran through her head. She wanted to jump naked on the bed, shouting that he was missing the best sex of his life. And then demand he quit his job. Being overlooked was nothing new but she never expected it from her mate. That’s what hurt most of all. He was the one person that should never put her second. The Goddess told her their mating stone protected their eternal union, but it seemed that was a big fucking lie.