“Right. Okay.” Donal felt as though he was driving through oatmeal. Not just the typical Austin traffic, which was shit even on a weekend. The emotions, both his own and Marcus’ hammered at him, fracturing his focus. In order to keep from denting his pride and joy he resolutely shut down all external pressures, a trick he’d learned from his great-grandmother, focusing only on the road in front of him.
Marcus sat beside him in the car, almost vibrating with his own angst. It bounced around in the car from one man to the other until Donal could barely breathe. Even though it was a lousy place to go, Donal dropped off the highway right at the second university exit. He headed for the Hispanic grocery store because it was the closest thing he could see.
Pulling into the parking lot, he jerked the car to a stop and got out. He winced when he slammed the door. But he had to have some air—some space—some damn relief from all the waves of emotion. He paced back and forth for a few minutes, glancing up only when he heard the other door open.
“What is it?” Unfortunately now the waves of emotions from Marcus had ramped up with a thread of “Oh shit, he’s got to calm the fuck down. I need him.” That didn’t sit well with Donal so he snapped at Marcus.
“We need to calm down. We both need to calm the fuck down so we can think for a minute. Take a deep breath, okay?” As Marcus followed his direction Donal moved to the trunk of the car. Marcus met him there where they gripped each other’s forearms. As they stared at each other Donal felt his anxiety level dropping. He could tell that Marcus’ was too.
“Better, right? That’s better?” Donal waited while the other man’s breathing evened out.
Marcus furrowed his brow in puzzlement. “Yeah. What the hell is going on?”
“I guess I should have told you this earlier but I’m extremely empathic. And those bracelets you’re wearing, well, they seem to enhance my empathic nature. Now we need to stay calm. We can’t even think about doing any major working if we’re both off the chain.”
Donal waited for it to sink in. Once Marcus understood what he meant, he might freak out. Yeah, he understood magick but how well? How much did he want to learn this fast? His response shocked Donal.
“You’re right. You’re absolutely right.” Marcus moved one hand up to cup Donal’s jaw. “Thank you.”
“For?” Donal mirrored the gesture. He couldn’t help but smile at the slightly prickly feel of Marcus’ beard. Seeing as how he kept his own mustache neatly trimmed, it was always a joy to him to experience the roughness of a beard on another man’s face.
“For taking the time to help me. You sure as shit don’t have to.” The smoothness of fingers tracing random patterns caused Donal to catch his breath. It was such a tender gesture.
“Yeah, I kinda do since I’m the reason you’re here now. If I hadn’t been stupid enough to attempt a calling on my own you’d still be trapped over there. Now it’s up to both of us to fix this.” Pulling Marcus closer, he put his forehead against the other man’s, allowing himself to breathe in his scent. “We will fix this. I know it.”
Marcus backed up, taking a deep breath. “Okay. Now let’s go find Marielle.”
“Right. I put her address in my phone before we left the house. Let’s see if she can help us with this mess like Lloyd thinks.” He smiled at Marcus who flashed him a crooked grin in return. Donal’s belly did a slow roll at that sexy look. He sternly reminded his body that they were not going there. He didn’t think his body heard a word he said.
They started to get back in the car then Donal remembered Marcus’ reaction to it when they’d first entered the garage. With a grin he opened the trunk then started removing the T-top on his side. Marcus popped back out of the car with a matching grin, helping him stow the panels in their bags in the trunk. With the promise of the wind blowing the rest of their anxiety away, Donal typed the address he’d saved into his GPS then they headed back to the highway toward west Austin.
When they arrived Marcus was out of the car almost before Donal had put it in park. He had to get to Mari, had to see her, touch her. The sidewalk in front of the old house was just as he remembered it but it seemed as though the house had been repainted. Marcus stopped as suddenly as he’d started at the bottom of the stairs.
“What? What’s wrong?” Donal had caught up to him then gripped his elbow.
“I can’t go any farther. There’s some kind of barrier. Can’t you feel it?” He tried to shove forward again but whatever it was wouldn’t budge.
“No, Marcus, what are you talking about?” Donal walked past him then turned on the steps to look at him before coming back to stand beside him. “There’s an energy rush but that’s normal for house wards.”
Marcus didn’t get a chance to say anything else as the front door opened. All the breath left his lungs as his baby sister appeared in the doorway. She was so beautiful, so alive. She stared at him, seemingly as unable to speak as he was. She put one hand out to him. Just as she started toward him a man appeared behind her.
Marcus found his attention snared by the dark-haired man. Something was definitely off here but it had nothing to do with whatever barrier was keeping him from his sister. When he realized what the wrongness was he bellowed, “Marielle, get away from that thing!”
“Mari-girl, don’t go near him.” The voice whipped out—cold and flat.
The accent grated on Marcus’ ears like nothing else. He sounded just like that bastard who’d been torturing him for the past seven years. Then he knew, he just freaking knew, that the other man was from that side. With a roar he pushed against whatever barrier kept him from his sister while keeping her near that damn Demonae. The barrier heated up, burning his skin but he continued to try to cross it. He had to get to his sister. She needed him.
Marielle moved toward him as the other man took her arm. To Marcus it looked as though he held her back, and that gave him even more strength. He had to help her, had to get through to his sister, had to save her. He felt someone moving behind him, so he turned to face this new threat. Just before he moved he saw Donal’s eyes widen dramatically.
That gave him pause, but only for a moment. As he turned back to where his sister and the Demonae had been he only had time to think, How the fuck did he move so fast?
The fist came out of nowhere, catching him just right, ringing his bell. The last thing he saw before slumping to the ground was the dark-haired man standing over him.
“Ros, what the hell did you do to my brother?” Donal knelt beside the unconscious Marcus as Marielle shoved the man aside, going to her knees beside them as the man she’d called Ros stood over them breathing hard.
“Brother or no, he reeks of Demonae. He couldn’t cross the wards, Mari-girl. He’s dangerous.”
“He’s my brother!” she shouted before turning her attention to him. “Who are you?”
Donal was still fighting his instinctive urge to clock the man who’d hit Marcus. He intentionally modulated his tone from pissed to easygoing. They needed her help. “I’m Donal Graves. I’m, well, a friend of your brother’s I guess. We’ve got a bit of a situation.”
“Help me get him in the house, will you?” Marielle started tugging on her brother’s arm. Ros tried to pull her away.
“Mari…”
She slapped his hand away with a scowl. “Not now, Ros. You proved your point. You knocked him out. Now help me get him inside.”
“He’s not coming in.” That stopped her cold. Donal was very glad he wasn’t in that particular man’s…hmmm…well, bare feet.
“Excuse me?” The frost in her voice caused Donal’s blood to thin a bit. He could just imagine how that guy felt. He wondered if Marcus ever got that cold kind of mad. He doubted it. Marc seemed more like a fire-breathing kind of angry.
“Love, he couldn’t cross the wards. That means he’s more Demonae than human.” The guy used a soothing tone complete with trying to touch this woman who was having none of it.
“Ros, this is my brother.My brother who I haven’t seen in seven fucking years! Bring him in my house. Now! Do whatever you have to do to feel safe but bring him inside.” She stood up. With her hands on her hips she gave Ros a look that made Donal feel sorry for the other man. Then he looked at the reddening mark on Marcus’ chin and he felt far less charitable.
With a heavy sigh accompanied by a glare directed at the woman, the guy murmured a few words in a language Donald couldn’t understand then bent down to do her bidding. Without another word he yanked Marcus into a sitting position then hauled him up into an over-the-shoulder hold to carry him inside. Donal stood there with his mouth open for just a moment then followed the others.
Glancing around as he went into the gorgeous house, Donal saw that they passed two open doors on the first floor before going into a room near the back of the house. Comfortable couches next to overstuffed chairs mixed with a wide-screen TV on one wall showed this was a room where they must spend a lot of time. The house was a mixture of antiques and modern pieces. He saw various figurines as well as other accoutrement of a working witch.
Ros dumped Marcus on one of the couches then stepped back before crossing his arms over his chest. “One wrong move from him and I’m putting him out again.”
“You can damn sure try.” Marcus’ voice was strong, even steady, as he shook his head then sat up. He turned his attention to his sister as he opened his arms.
“Mari.” She grabbed him and the siblings hugged for a long time, both of them crying and talking at the same time without seeming to remember the other two people in the room.
Donal knew he wasn’t going anywhere and he didn’t think Ros was either. As uncomfortable as this reunion was to watch, no doubt it was even tougher for the two of them. Finally the siblings let go of each other, wiping each other’s tears away before sharing another hug then sitting back. By Donal’s watch it had taken them a good two hours to catch up.
Marc sat back, looking at Ros, keeping Marielle’s hand in his. “Why is this fucking Demonae here?”
Ros snorted. “You’re one to talk. Whose soul did you splinter?”
Marcus got quickly to his feet, going chest to chest with Ros, both of their auras flaring wildly as the temperature in the room rose noticeably. Donal got slowly to his feet prepared to do…something, even if he wasn’t sure what that would be.
He was spared, however, as, with a simple flick of her hand, Marielle separated the two men, sending them stumbling back to chairs on either side of the sofa. Donal nearly laughed at the look of disgust on the dark-haired man’s face mirrored by one of utter disbelief on her brother’s.
“Knock it off, both of you. Ros, leave my brother alone. Marcus, stop going against my husb—”
Marcus interrupted with a horrified glance at Donal. “Husband? You married a Demonae?”
“Sit down. Right now!” Younger sister or no, her voice carried power. Donal found himself sitting down too. She flicked a glance his way before telling them a story that had his breath catching as he watched all the color draining from Marcus’ face. Ros interjected his own side here and there.
A story about a legacy, keys that unlocked hereditary power, and a Demonae who had been bound to a house before being freed by the woman sitting in the room with them. A Demonae who had taken a human name when he’d married her.
Donal didn’t know what to say, apparently neither did Marcus. They all sat there staring at one another until Marielle turned to her brother. “Where exactly the hell have you been?”
“In the Demonae realm, held captive by Ze…by one of them. I was tricked into doing a summoning spell and got caught by it. Donal took me to an elder who said we needed to do a specific spell. He said you might be able to help. He gave me this book.” Marcus handed her the tome Lloyd had given them. “It was the Blazing Star rite, Mari.”
Ros sucked in a deep breath as Marielle turned the book over in her hands. “Wow, this is some powerful stuff. I don’t think even Dad would have done this one.”
Ros nodded. “He was a right old bastard, your dad was, but he’d never have done that rite on his own. Hell, he wouldn’t even have done that with my help.”
Mari looked at Marcus as she got to her feet. “First, I think we need to see if Dad left anything here for you, anything to help us unlock your powers. Then we’ll see what we can do about getting your soul back in one piece. You’re staying here, both of you, at least for tonight.”
With that said in a tone that brooked no argument Marielle took her brother’s hand, pulling him to his feet. “Come on. We’ve been at this for a while. Let’s go into the kitchen. Ros is an amazing cook. We’ll have an early dinner and talk then. Together I’m sure we can figure this out. Who tricked you into doing this particular spell?”
“James LaPierre.”
All forward motion stopped as an honest-to-gods growl came out of Ros’ throat and Marielle stared at her brother. The ice in her voice made her earlier anger seem like a mere hint of winter.
“LaPierre? That bastard! Well, now I’m sorry I didn’t do more than just strip him of his power.”
With that little bomb dropped into the middle of the conversation, Marielle swept out of the room somehow knowing that all three men would follow her. Donal found himself bringing up the rear as Ros and Marcus jostled each other to get closest to Marielle. He couldn’t help the grin that stole across his face as he watched them. They so obviously cared so much for Marielle and didn’t care at all for each other. It was going to be an interesting evening.
Several hours, three bottles of wine with a truly amazing meal later, they all admitted to being pleasantly buzzed. Though Marcus knew he and Ros might never be best friends, they were united in their desire to keep Mari safe.
Marcus took a final sip of his wine as he looked around the dining room. His father’s influence was still in some of the rooms, at least what he remembered of him from before their family had been split up.
Mari kept telling him there had to be something in the house to unlock his powers as they’d unlocked hers but Marcus was strangely reluctant to search for whatever those keys might be. He wasn’t sure he wanted to embrace any more power until he knew his soul was his own.
He glanced across the table at Donal and saw that neither of them was in any shape to drive back to Donal’s place. Ros had gone outside with him earlier to put the top back on the car before they moved it around behind the house to the garage. Donal met his gaze with a smile. All Marcus could think about was the kisses they’d shared, both on the stairs and in Donal’s kitchen. He wanted more of that…soon.
“I repeat, you’re staying here tonight, both of you. Marc, your old room is all set up as a guestroom. The two of you should be comfortable there.” Hearing the teasing note in her voice, Marcus look at his sister.
“Mari, we’re not…I mean…” He glanced at Donal to see that slight flush on the man’s face again. “We’re not a couple, hon.”
“Oh my mistake. I just thought…I mean the way the two of you look at each other… Okay, I’m shutting up now.” Mari finished her own wine then rolled her eyes. “You know, when you have a Hedonae Demonae as a husband you just sort of pick up on any sexual vibes and you two, well, you’re off the charts!”
“And you’ve had more than enough of that wine, Mari-girl.” Ros took the glass from his tipsy wife, drawing her to her feet.
“Let them find their own way, love.” Without looking at the two men Ros wrapped his wife in his arms and drew her out of the room. “Leave the dishes, I’ll take care of them later. Much later.”
Marcus looked across the table at Donal and they both laughed. “Well, that was awkward. She’s right, though, neither of us is in any condition to drive back to your place.”
“Right. Um. What do you want to do about… Well, you know.”
“Look, there’s no doubt we’re attracted to one another. I’m not in the best place right now to be starting anything and I for damn sure don’t want to endanger you, but…”
Donal licked his lips as he set his glass down. “But?”
“But I really want to go upstairs with you. I really want to kiss you again. I really want to be near you, even if that’s all we do.”
“I’m really glad to hear you say that, because it’s what I want too.” They both stood, meeting in the middle of the room. This kiss wasn’t the chaste one they’d exchanged in the kitchen earlier that day nor was it the explosive one they’d shared on the stairs. This one felt almost comfortable. They broke apart on a deep breath. Marcus led the way to his old bedroom with a smile on his face and anticipation in his body.
Donal followed closely enough for him to feel the heat from him. He toyed with the idea of stopping suddenly. Yeah, no. Any sex in what was now his sister’s home needed to happen behind closed doors. Still, it felt like forever before they reached his old bedroom.
It wasn’t what he remembered, the furniture was all new. The tall queen-sized bed looked damn near perfect. He knew the bedside lamp that gave a soft glow to the room, it had been in their parents’ bedroom. He didn’t remember it casting everything in an almost romantic light. Just one picture on the wall was left from when he’d slept here as a child. He’d forgotten all about it. Then he forgot all about everything when he turned around to look at Donal.
The expression on the other man’s face held a question. Then Marcus locked the bedroom door. That snick of the lock sliding home sent a shiver through Donal. Marcus reached out, tentatively stroking Donal’s chest. Donal leaned into it like a cat. Then Marcus tugged at the hem of Donal’s t-shirt. That simple gesture seemed to unlock both of their libidos, turning things frantic.
Both shirts hit the floor. They stared at each other for a moment then came together. Skin on skin, Marcus rubbed his nipples against Donal. He felt as if he were going to catch fire. Marcus shivered as Donal tilted his head to bite his trapezoid. The feeling of Donal’s teeth nipping his shoulder nearly sent Marcus over the edge. He moaned as Donal released him to step back.
“More clothes have to come off.” Donal’s voice was gravelly. Marcus hoped that was the same lust he was feeling. Donal hooked his fingers in the waistband of Marcus’ sweats. Marcus helped him tug them off. Then Donal’s jeans followed in a similar unified effort, along with their remaining clothes For a moment they hesitated as they stood there naked to each other. Then Marcus wrapped his hands around Donal’s neck to pull him in for a long, hot kiss.
Their tongues explored each other. Donal dragged one of Marcus’ hands down to his nipple. Marcus moaned into the other man’s mouth as he began tweaking the sensitive tip.
Hands streaked over skin, breath came faster and they somehow found their way to the bed. Still lip-locked, Marcus wrapped his hand around Donal’s hard cock, felt Donal grab him. They rolled onto the bed with a mutual sound of masculine lust. Marcus drew his head back for a moment. The lamp’s glow turned their skin golden. He watched as his hand circled Donal’s cock. The way the skin rippled up then smoothed back down got him harder.
Using a thumb, he circled the head, using the pre-cum to smooth a firm touch. He stroked Donal the way he liked to be jacked off. Pressure coming up then loosening just a bit on the downstroke. It was perfect. The feeling of velvet-soft skin rolling over the engorged penis in his hand. He watched Donal lick his lips and knew Donal wanted to have a cock in his mouth. Marcus wanted that too but this felt too good to stop.
It was perfect. There was no adjusting of tension, they seemed to know just exactly what the other needed, wanted, liked best. As they came closer to reaching their peaks, Marcus rolled Donal on to his back. He used one arm to hold himself above him. Donal looked up as Marcus leaned in to claim his mouth again.
Dominated by Marcus, Donal thrust up into his hand. It caused Marcus to brush against his own cock. Donal groaned as Marcus tugged him hard. His balls contracted so tightly he thought he might explode.
“Put your cock against mine.” Donal felt Marcus pulling at his fingers. He encased his cock and Marcus’ with his fist then whimpered when Marcus moved his fingers to his mouth. He sucked on them, looking into Donal’s eyes. Then Marcus reached down to rim Donal’s ass with one hard, wet fingertip. Donal bucked up, driving their cocks between their bellies. His hand was trapped as the heat flared again.
When Donal’s mouth was once again covered by Marcus, he lost control. Suddenly it was hips thrusting against each other, hands tugging at cocks with tongues and teeth entering the battle. They nipped at each other’s necks, growling with need. Donal didn’t know which sounds came from whom. War raged between them. It wasn’t a fight for supremacy. No, this fight was simply greed and need taking over. The sounds of their lovemaking built but he didn’t care. He wanted this man bad.
Donal came first, groaning his satisfaction into Marcus’ mouth before tightening his grip, dragging Marcus with him over the edge. Hot cum splashed between them. He laughed when Marcus ground his belly against him. The feel of their passion slick on them made him just want more. He wrapped his arms around Marcus as he rolled him over. Now that he was on top Donal smoothed a hand through his lover’s hair.
“Hi there.” Marcus’ voice was ragged.
“Hi yourself.” Donal laid his head down next to Marcus. They lay there for a moment. Donal felt strong hands on his back smoothing down to his ass then back up to massage his shoulders. He lightly bit the shoulder that tempted him then soothed it by feathering kisses across the sweat-soaked skin.
“Wow.” Donal’s voice came out on a deep groan. Marcus couldn’t help the chuckle that left him.
“I couldn’t have put it better.” Another kiss and Marcus let go of Donal so he could roll onto his back. He turned his head to see Donal in the same position and then stared up at the ceiling. “I wasn’t expecting that. Must be your empathic side.”
“No, I don’t think so. At least I don’t remember anything being that way. Ever.” Donal turned his head again to look at Marcus. “Maybe we should give it another shot to find out?”
Marcus laughed. “I’m game. Let me get a washcloth first to clean us both up. Give me a minute, handsome.”
Donal snorted as Marcus got off the bed. Handsome? Yeah, that was sex talking.
Marcus looked back at him. “Oh shit…no condoms.”
“So we’ll be inventive.” Donal propped his head on his hand as Marcus ducked into the adjoining bathroom. He heard a door opening and water running then nothing. After a few minutes he couldn’t stand it. Then he realized he couldn’t feel Marcus.
“Marcus? You okay?” When there was no answer Donal got to his feet fast. He moved to the bathroom door, which stood slightly ajar. He asked again but got no response. Then he looked in.
Marcus stood in front of the mirror. He white-knuckled the sink. His face was frozen in an expression of terror. Donal saw his eyes locked on to his own reflection. When Donal looked at the mirror he saw it as well. A horrifying horned face with splintered teeth showing in a black-lipped mouth. In that split second Donal remembered what Marcus had said about the mirrors giving the Demonae a way to spy through them. Donal forced himself to look away.
Yanking a towel off the rack near the shower door, he leaned over Marcus. It took some doing to get the edge of it tucked behind the mirror with his eyes shut but he managed. When he heard Marcus gasp he used his hips to force one of Marc’s hands off the sink. He wedged himself in front of Marcus, turned off the water then pulled the stricken man into his arms.
“It’s okay. It’s okay. He can’t get you. I’ve got you now. You’re here, with me. It’s okay,” Donal murmured as he massaged the steel-tight shoulders. He maneuvered them into the bedroom away from the mirror, keeping up the soothing patter. Finally he eased Marcus down to the bed. Marcus sat statue-still for another ten minutes. Donal continued stroking and talking to him.
“I’m here. You’re here. You are safe.”
Marcus suddenly jerked to life. His voice jittered in fear. “No. I’m not safe. You’re not safe. Mari’s not safe. He’s coming after me. He’s trying to find me. When he does he’s going to kill me. He just told me. I heard him. If he could have reached me…”
“No, Marcus, we won’t let that happen. I swear we’ll figure this out.” Donal hugged him tightly. “I’ll be right back.”
He brought a warm washcloth back from the bathroom to finish cleaning Marcus up before wiping himself down. Then he gently pushed Marcus back on the bed. He pulled the covers over them both then wrapped his arms around the now-shivering man.
Sex went out the window, comfort was all Donal had in mind right now. He kept up a soft murmur of words, clasping Marcus right up against his own body. Donal waited until the other man was sleeping soundly before following him into sleep.
Zepar pulled away from the mirror in his study, cursing as he raked his claws down the wall. He’d almost had the human, had almost zeroed in on his location then someone had interfered. No matter, he knew where that stupid witch LaPierre was now and he would use him. Use him then kill him. Slowly and with great relish. In fact he might just see how long the witch could live as he tortured him, feeding various non-vital parts to his minions.
He was going to find Marcus Greenlea and get his missing soul back. Then he would kill everyone who mattered to that damn human, starting with the blond who had just interfered with his location spell. He’d let Marcus live though. Yes, he thought he would leave him until last. That way he’d know everyone had died because of him. Zepar would feed on that anguish as he fucked Marcus to death.