“So, when is Brianne arriving?” Tristan asked.

Cailyn tried to silence Tristan’s thoughts bombarding her brain. It was a blessing and a curse to read the minds of others. Typically, the musings of supernaturals were fuzzy compared to humans, and she appreciated the blurry haze regarding Jace and the others living at Zeum. Unfortunately, Tristan’s emotions were on hyper-drive with his transition, and she could read him like a book.

She’d never met a supernatural with so much doubt. It was the total opposite of where Tristan had been a couple of days ago. That cocky, self-assured guy was gone, and now he was questioning everything about himself. It was precisely how Cailyn remembered feeling when she was a teenager. Wondering if a boy would kiss her and if he’d like her kiss. Then there was the insecurity about her weight. She was never skinny like Elsie, and growing up she felt like every guy saw her as a heifer. Luckily, she outgrew her self-criticism and learned to appreciate her curves.

Cailyn didn’t expect supernaturals to have the same uncertainties as humans and it was comforting to know their species weren’t so different, after all. She wondered what to expect after Tristan’s transition was complete. Would he be taller, more developed and with a matured personality when it was all said and done? Or worse, would he be more arrogant and boastful than before? She hoped not because he would be impossible to live with if that were the case.

“Calm doon. Brianne is set to arrive soon,” Zander informed Tristan.

Cailyn looked at Zander. The black circles under his eyes were more prominent with every day. Izzy’s absence was slowly killing him. In fact, it was affecting every member of the household. There was a dark cloud looming overhead, and she knew it wouldn’t go away until Isobel was home, safe and sound, where she belonged.

With Zander’s words, Tristan’s thoughts immediately shifted to sex, and the images running through his head had Cailyn flushing and cursing at the same time. His erotic musings were outlandish and extreme, but she couldn’t deny her own need. She craved her mate in the worst way, yet Jace remained unavailable to her.

Shaking off her thoughts, Cailyn glanced to Elsie. Her sister was standing by the stove, cooking dinner on autopilot. Only Elsie could make a meal as complicated as beef Wellington without paying one ounce of attention to what she was doing.

Elsie’s silence reminded Cailyn of another time her sister was devastated. It was after a skirm murdered Dalton, and Elsie refused to speak to anyone. Cailyn recalled that period in her sister’s life. Elsie was in a very dark place, and it took weeks before she wanted to discuss anything. She hoped that Zander was having better luck because Cailyn couldn’t get her to talk about her feelings regarding Izzy.

She tried for the thousandth time over the past few days to read her sister’s thoughts, and all she got was the same prayer Elsie recited from the moment Isobel disappeared. Her sister wasn’t super religious, but she prayed non-stop to the Goddess for her daughter’s safe return. Elsie even offered to take her place in the Underworld to save her daughter.

“Brianne will remain with you for two weeks. After that, we will have to renegotiate if you need more time. Aurora indicated that Brianne’s sister could act as her proxy if the transition hasn’t completed,” Zander continued as he paced the kitchen.

All this talk about sex had Cailyn’s lust ramping. She wanted to be up in their bedroom riding her sorcerer instead of discussing Tristan’s sex life. It was beyond frustrating to stand around talking about the stripling’s budding sex life when she was so deprived.

Although the thoughts of the men at Zeum were hazy, Cailyn knew their minds revolved around intercourse. When they could corner their mates and sneak away for a quickie, or the single guys wanting to head over to Confetti Too and find a partner for a few hours. All but Jace. His mind as far from sex as it could get.

She didn’t make it a habit of peeking into his head, but the few times she had, Jace was going over patrols, his hospital shifts, or ways to get into Hell and rescue Izzy. It was enough to make Cailyn worry the honeymoon had passed.

Growing up, she’d heard her mom’s friends talking about how the passion eventually died between spouses. Because of that, Cailyn assumed every married couple hit a point where they were more friends and roommates than lovers. Lust invariably faded after so many years with the same partner.

Naively, Cailyn hoped that didn’t occur with supernaturals. She’s met several couples that were just as hot for each other after several centuries.

Stop it! Jace still wants you as much today as the day you mated him! Her inner voice chastised.

Cailyn had to believe he was temporarily preoccupied. They were all facing an unbelievable crisis, pulled in a million different directions. The stress and depression of Izzy’s kidnapping were affecting everyone, and she had to believe it would pass.

Cailyn closed the distance between her and Jace, wrapping an arm around his waist. Electricity zapped between them where their skin touched. The weight on her chest eased when Jace’s arms went around her shoulder, and he kissed the top of her head. It was the soothing comfort she needed.

“Your fever is down today. How are you feeling?” Jace asked Tristan, and his deep timber vibrated through her chest then made its way lower, between her legs. Damn, she was worse than the stripling going through his change.

Tristan walked to the refrigerator and grabbed a Snake’s Venom, twisting the cap from the bottle. The guy loved craft beer. In fact, he turned many of the other men onto it, as well. One in particular. Snake’s Venom was the world’s strongest beer, with an alcohol content of over sixty-five percent. She found it bitter and nasty, but it had become a compound favorite. It was unclear to Cailyn if they all had horrible taste in beer, or if their interest was the fact it took significantly more alcohol to impair a supernatural and this brand provided more of a punch for them.

“My appetite is back to normal, and my body doesn’t ache as much. Please tell me that this pain will be gone before the fucking commences. I don’t want anything taking away from this experience,” Tristan admitted then added, “I want to wow this Brianne with my skills.”

“Shite. Doona be a jackarse,” Zander muttered. “You have no skills. Just because you are an impressive fighter doesna mean you are naturally good at everything. You will bumble through this,” he explained with a laugh.

“Not likely, Liege. It’s a simple concept. Insert cock and get busy. What’s there to screw up?” Tristan boasted, his cocky attitude returning with a vengeance. Cailyn knew better though. He was nervous as hell at the prospect of his first time.

“You don’t know shit if you think that’s all you do,” Elsie barked. “Poor Brianne. We should pay her more for what she’s going to endure.” Cailyn’s brow furrowed in concern. Her sister was never so callous or mean toward anyone.

“Doona worry, a ghra. Brianne is aware of Tristan’s situation. And you, motherfucker, doona finish that thought,” Zander growled.

Cailyn might pick up pieces here and there of the other’s thoughts, but Zander had a much more formidable telepathic ability. He could read humans with ease and communicate freely with supernaturals, particularly those under his rule. He was known to barrel into the minds of his warriors at any moment. One of the perks of leading the Dark Warriors.

“My mate is right,” Zander continued. “There is far more to pleasuring a female. I encourage you to use this time with Brianne to learn from her,” he explained as he stood behind Elsie, his body caging her from behind. Elsie stopped her task and leaned back into her mate. Cailyn was pleased to see a small amount of the tension ease from her sister’s rigid stance.

“You males are pussy-whipped, and that’s a far cry from my goal with Brianne. I’m a hit and quit it kinda male,” Tristan spouted off.

Jace let go of Cailyn and in the next breath, crossed to Tristan and punched his face. Tristan went reeling, dropping his beer. Without missing a beat, Jace caught the bottle, took a swig then faced off with the stripling. A smile tugged one corner of her mouth. Her mate was a badass warrior who made her even hornier.

“You’d be so lucky to have a mate. If I hear you disrespect my mate or any female in this house, I’ll put your dumb ass to sleep through your transition,” Jace threatened.

Seeing her mate defend her honor was a huge turn on. Of course, everything about Jace made her core clench and ache with desire. Tristan blanched at his comment which made her wonder about the prospect of being kept under throughout a transition.

“Why don’t you put him to sleep during this part of the transition? It seems like it would be easier for all involved,” Cailyn asked as her curiosity got the best of her. How bad could it be that Tristan instantly paled?

“Putting a stripling to sleep during the transition would not only stunt his physical growth but also, his emotional growth. They can’t access any extra abilities they may inherit during this process, either. And sexually they are under-developed. Anatomy of both sexes becomes stunted. Trust me, Shijéí, no one wants an underdeveloped male,” Jace informed her. “It’s not just about the sex. Although, that’s a major factor. To do such a thing renders a supernatural weak as a human. Tristan would never be able to complete his training as a Dark Warrior and would be defenseless in our world.”

“That makes sense given what you’ve already told me about stripling being as vulnerable as humans to injury and recovery. I never would’ve thought that sleeping through the process would impact him so severely,” Cailyn admitted.

Jace nodded his head and regarded her with warm, affectionate eyes as he crossed back to her side and enfolded her in his arms. “It’s not like being asleep through a surgical procedure. The act itself cuts all ties between the being and the Goddess, hence denying the body and mind the enrichment she bestows. Think of it as a spinal block. Nothing gets through, hence the stunted development.”

“As Elsie has said before, you guys need to make a handbook, so we don’t put our foot in our mouths,” Cailyn admitted and looked to Elsie, hoping she could pull her sister out of her depression.

Elsie either ignored the comment or didn’t hear her because she kept her back to Cailyn and continued to focus on the meal she was preparing. Cailyn’s heart broke seeing her sister so despondent.

“Doona hesitate to ask questions, Cailyn,” Zander interjected as he rubbed circles on Elsie’s back.

Elsie suddenly looked up at her mate. “Do we have everything we need for Tristan? Do I need to make arrangements for anything?” she asked.

Despite her turmoil, Elsie continued her role as Queen. The vampires couldn’t have asked for a better female to stand by Zander’s side. She always put the realm high on her priority list. Even her rage and worry over Isobel’s abduction didn’t deter her from considering Tristan’s needs.

“The room is soundproofed and secured from the outside. Nate has stocked up on protein bars and beer. And Red Vines that Brianne requested,” Zander replied. “There is nothing for you to worry about, a ghra.”

“I need something to focus on, Zander. I’m going out of my mind, and I can only cook so many meals,” Elsie explained.

“Aye, I understand, a ghra. But you canna cook enough right now when you consider the new residents at Anthru. Those stripling are in Annwyn at mealtimes. It seems you’re becoming quite the legend,” Zander stated and placed a tender kiss on her lips.

The lip-lock was brief, telling Cailyn the couple was experiencing their share of strain when it came to intimacy. Elsie glanced over, and Cailyn offered a small smile. Cailyn wanted more than anything to take away the pain she saw in her sister’s gaze. Unfortunately, the only way that would happen was if Izzy were to come bouncing through the front door.

“Okay, so tell me more about harpies,” Elsie said as she turned back to the large pot on the stove.

Zander ran a hand through his jet-black hair. “Some say Poseidon created Harpies. Some say Typhon. Regardless, one of the Gods created them. They doona look like birds with human heads as myth would have you believe. They have feathered wings, and human-like bodies and their feet become clawed when needed. Their job is to carry evil-doers to the Erinyes or fates for judgment. At some point, they snubbed the powers that be and went off on their own. They are eccentric creatures and often obsess aboot one or more items. They will go to any lengths, including theft, to obtain the object of their fascination. Apparently, Brianne’s focus is Red Vines and it doesna matter if she has an entire warehouse full of the licorice treats,” Zander explained as he continued to rub Elsie’s back.

“Don’t forget they can control the wind,” Jace interjected. “It’s one of their most notable abilities. I’ve seen harpies use telekinesis and psychometry, so it seems they possess more than the ability to control the winds.”

“Telekinesis I understand, but what’s psychometry?” Tristan asked and his brows furrowed. “This Brianne isn’t going to go loco on my ass, is she?”

“Only if you touch my Red Vines,” purred a feminine voice. Her Hispanic accent was thick, reminding Cailyn of Santiago’s brogue. Cailyn turned to the doorway and saw the female that entered.

A tall, curvaceous, black-haired beauty sauntered into the kitchen. The new comer was as tall as Illianna, but her curves screamed sensuality. She was the total package of sex appeal and seduction. Her large black-feathered wings were tipped with red, adding to her allure. Her black eyes had a thin ring of blue around the outside of the iris, making her look otherworldly. And, then there was her gunmetal armor. It was form-fitted to her voluptuous figure. It screamed don’t-fuck-with-me-or-I-will-kick-your-ass, or probably what Tristan was hoping, if-you’re-lucky-I’ll-fuck-your-brains-out. Admittedly, Cailyn had a bit of a girl crush on the woman.

“I’m Brianne. Vampire King, I presume,” she murmured as she reached Zander, offering her hand, “which means this gorgeous female is your queen, Elsie.”

“Aye,” Zander said and shook Brianne’s hand. “This is my mate, Elsie. And, this is Jace and his mate Cailyn. Tristan, as you know, is the reason we called you here,” Zander said, motioning for Tristan to come forward.

Tristan eagerly walked forward and took Brianne’s hand, staring with clear desire at the woman before him. Brianne’s wings fluttered behind her back, and Cailyn noticed the iridescent quality to the black feathers when the light hit them just right. The holographic rainbow made her impressive wings stunning.

“Damn, you’re hot,” he exclaimed.

Brianne giggled, and even that was sexy. “You’re looking much better than the last time I saw you,” she replied as she eyed him from head to toe. “And, I don’t regret volunteering. Mmmm. My sister is gonna be pissed when I tell her how well you healed. Ay Dios mío,” Brianne exclaimed and turned to Zander. “Is everything ready? I think we need to get this eager beaver into seclusion for everyone’s sake.”

“Aye, everything is as you’ve requested. I have your sister’s number in the event we need you more than the agreed time frame. If any of the supplies run out, call Nate on the house phone, and he will see to your needs right away,” Zander explained.

“I’m the Dark Warrior’s physician, and I will be here in the event any problems arise,” Jace informed Brianne. Cailyn’s ear perked up at that, hoping that meant Jace would be available in the coming weeks. She needed him with a desperation she hated.

Brianne nodded her understanding then batted her eyes at Tristan. “Lead the way, stud,” she cooed and reached for Tristan’s hand.

“Don’t wait up,” Tristan said and smiled at their group.

Cailyn watched the two as they walked out of the room to begin their nonstop fuckathon. She looked at Jace and met his gaze. His amethyst orbs lit her on fire. She smiled at her mate, praying Tristan and Brianne weren’t the only ones climaxing that night.