At Year's End (The 12 Olympians) (10 page)

“I’m good.” Elijah turned toward the kitchen and sniffed. “Smells good.”

“Let’s eat.” Skylar motioned to the table.

Jaxon watched Elijah carefully during dinner. Whatever had happened to him, it wasn’t showing towards Caden and Kellan. It was
showing towards him, however. Elijah sat across from him at the table instead of beside him. He didn’t make eye contact and completely ignored him during dinner. Jaxon fought the urge to scream the entire time.

Once dinner was over and the dishes
were cleaned, Caden and Kellan said goodnight to Elijah, who went upstairs. Jaxon sat down with a sigh and regarded the two men.

“Anything from the hallway cameras?” he asked.

“Whoever it was, they were invisible,” Caden sighed.

“
So, black magic once again.” Jaxon stood up and paced. “How am I supposed to protect him from shit I can’t see? And in the middle of the day? At a school?”

“Chance is still working on a few spells. We
’ve come a long way from the beginning,” Kellan pointed out.

“True, but I’m taking Elijah out of here on his birthday. I’ll need your jet, Caden.”

“Done.”

“We’ll keep a close eye on him. That’s all we can do for now. He’s close to graduating. Let him have that
,” Kellan pleaded gently.

After saying goodnight to Caden and Kellan,
Jaxon went upstairs. He stood just inside the door to Elijah’s room.

“Elijah?”

“Hmm?”

“Are you angry with me?”

Elijah’s brows pinched in thought. “It’s like I’m supposed to be, but I don’t know why.”

“Can I come to bed with you?” Jaxon asked quietly.

Elijah lifted the blanket and made room.

“Let me get cleaned up and I’ll be right there.”

Jaxon took his time showering. What was going through Elijah’s head? He seemed fine with everyone but him. Jaxon washed his chest and looked down at his cock. It was flaccid. Until he figured out what was going on with Elijah, there’d be no sexual thoughts. Besides, he had four days until Elijah turned eighteen. Jaxon got out and dried off. He brushed his teeth and smoothed his hair back.

He
knocked and heard Elijah’s faint ‘come in.’ He walked in and climbed into the bed with Elijah. Elijah turned off the light and turned his back to him. Jaxon rolled to his side and placed a hand on Elijah’s shoulder. Elijah flinched, but didn’t pull away.

“Is everything okay?” Jaxon asked.

“Yes. Goodnight, Jaxon.”

A faint moan woke him up three hours later. Elijah was whimpering and thrashing about in bed. Jaxon grabbed him and pulled him into his chest.

“Hurt me…” Elijah mumbled.

“No one will ever hurt you,” Jaxon assured him, rubbing Elijah’s back in small circles. “I would never let anyone hurt you.”

“Jaxon…”

“I’m here, baby. Right here.”

“You’ll kill me
,” Elijah mumbled.

Jaxon stiffened in the bed. “
Is that what they told you, Elijah? That Jaxon would kill you?”

“He’ll hurt me
; I’m dangerous.”

Jaxon lifted Elijah’s face to his. His eyes were closed, and his breathing had become erratic.

“Listen to me, Elijah. I will never hurt you, do you understand me?”

Elijah nodded slowly and Jaxon pulled him in close again. Dammit, how was he supposed to stop whatever was happening? They were already on Elijah all hours of the day and the rogues just kept finding ways to fuck with
his mind. A soft sigh escaped from Elijah and Jaxon kissed his head, holding him close. He’d kill whoever was messing with Elijah.

Even if he died in the process.

~*~

The next three days were a little better. Elijah went to school and Killian went with him. Jaxon couldn’t be inside the school, but Killian could. It killed him to know he couldn’t keep Elijah safe the way he should. Friday afternoon, Jaxon sat at the kitchen table with Skylar and Justice. Killian had left for school with Ryder, Stone and Elijah that morning. They’d found out from the shape shifter that Ashton Banks had come back to school Wednesday claiming to have fallen down a flight of stairs. Caden had already called James to look into Ashton’s father.

“Talk about
being a fly on the wall,” Justice chuckled.

“He’s an actual fly on the wall
,” Skylar guffawed.

“Killian
gets coolness points.” Jaxon nodded. He checked the time and stood. “I’m going to pick them up.”

Justice reached into his pocket and threw Jaxon a set
of keys. “Put some gas in the Jeep, eh?”

“Who had it last?” Jaxon put his hands on his hips.

“Jesse and Noah.” Justice grinned.

“Ugh! It better not smell like spunk!”

Ever since his little brother had gotten mated, Jesse and Noah were having sex in every spot imaginable. Jaxon understood it — to an extent. They had been forbidden to be together for so long, they were making up for lost time. But did they have to do it in the damn car?

Skylar cracked up. “Bye, Jaxon.”

“Later.”

Jaxon pulled up to the school and parked in the turnabout. School was just letting out and kids were pouring out the doors. Jaxon’s eyes caught Elijah’s jacket by the front doors, and he wasn’t alone. Jaxon narrowed his eyes at the kid talking with Elijah. Stone, Ryder and Dasan made their way to the car, shouting over their shoulders at Elijah. Stone jumped in the backseat and set his backpack in his lap.

“Who is that?” Jaxon motioned to the kid
with Elijah.

“That’s Elijah’s boyfriend, Cal.”

“He called him his boyfriend?”

“No, Cal called himself that
,” Stone explained.

The rest of the kids piled into the car and then finally Elijah made his way over. He sat in the front seat and stared straight ahead.

“Elijah?” Jaxon took his hand. Elijah took his hand back and turned to look at his friends. “Club tonight?”

Stone blinked and shot a glance at Dasan and Ryder. “Um, yeah. Of course.”

“Good, I’ve already got a ride.” Elijah reclined the seat and closed his eyes.

Jaxon gripped the steering wheel and put the Jeep in drive. He bit back a growl and drove back to the house without saying another word.

~*~

The center was decorated to the nines. R
iley stood with Mateo in the corner along with their twins, Matty and Maggie. They would be turning one in May. Jaxon grinned as Maggie spotted him and giggled, waving and bouncing. He waved back and winked at her. She had Riley’s face and his chestnut hair color, but Maggie’s hair was curly. Matty was replica of Mateo with dark hair and hazel eyes. Jaxon found Elijah toward the back where they had decorated an entire section of the center for his birthday. He was smiling at Caden and Kellan. Funny, he couldn’t seem to send a smile Jaxon’s way, which just proved something was wrong once again.

“
Hey, you look like shit.”

Jaxon glanced over his shoulder. Nikolai Mar
kov approached with his boyfriend, Colin Greystone. Nikolai had some ridiculous thing on the top of his head. Red hearts waggled atop springs every time he moved his head.

“Markov.” Jaxon nodded. “
I see you had a hand in decorating again.”

“I
swear I still have glitter in my hair,” Nikolai sighed.

“Don’t be silly
; that’s my cum,” Colin grinned.

Jaxon almost spit his punch out. As it was, he doubled over in laughter. Colin smacked Nikolai’s ass and winked. He turned back to Jaxon with a frown.

“Why isn’t Elijah hanging all over you?”

“Because somehow, they got to him again.” Jaxon leaned against the wall with a weary sigh. “Every time they do something to him, it takes days to get him back.”

Nikolai balled his fists. “Damn I want a piece of this guy!”

“That’s what I say every time I see Ross.”

Jaxon didn’t even need to look to know Cole Ryker was standing behind him. The guy had a huge boner for Ross Collins. Ross was a werewolf — and Special Forces, which just seemed to turn the fireman on more.

“Still avoiding you, is he?” Jaxon grinned while sipping his punch.

“Ever since the striptease he avoids me even more,” Cole sighed.

“Well,” Nikolai crossed his arms. “He did have his ass in your face.”

“And vice versa,” Colin pointed out.

“Best night of my life
,” Cole chuckled.

The lights went down and Jaxon made his way over to Elijah’s side of the room. A huge birthday cake was rolled out and Elijah’s eyes went wide.

“Oh wow, this is too much!” Elijah stood transfixed. The cake was in the shape of vinyl records, and microphones had been transformed into candles. “I love it!”

Elijah turned to the men in charge. Riley hugged him, as did Wayne and Caden. He wiped at his eyes as everyone began to sing happy birthday.

“He’s eighteen, bro.” Jesse nudged his brother.

“I know,” Jaxon
caught Elijah’s eye and winked at him. Elijah’s cheeks turned a lovely shade of pink and Jaxon couldn’t be happier for his advanced eyesight. Maybe, just maybe, tonight was the night he’d finally make Elijah his.

Once Elijah had finished
unwrapping all his gifts, Jaxon sought him out. He was laughing with Skylar and Ryder as Jaxon approached. He cleared his throat and all three turned to look at him.

“Um, Elijah? I thought maybe we could go get your favorite ice cream before the club?”

“How do you know what my favorite is?” Elijah narrowed his eyes.

Jaxon balled his fists.
Dammit, here we go again.
“Rocky road on a waffle cone. It’s what you always get.”

“Oh
. Well, I can’t.” Elijah stood up and ran a hand through his hair. “We really should get to the house and change for the club. I’m just going to go say goodnight to Riley and the others.”

Jaxon leaned against the wall with a frustrated sigh as Elijah passed him. A hand landed on his shoulder and he glanced over to see Skylar with a sad smile.

“He’s not himself, Jaxon.”

“I know. I’m going to make sure he’s safe from this point on. Trust me on that one.”

“Oh, I do. I know how much you care about him.”

“I don’t think anyone knows the extent of what I’ll do for Elijah, Skylar.”

Skylar patted Jaxon’s back as he walked away. He turned to look at his fiancé.

“He’s going to kill someone.”

Justice nodded.

Elijah checked his hair once more and zipped up his jeans. He grabbed one of his shirts and threw it on. Making his way down the stairs, he caught the rest of the guys leaving for the club. Skylar took him aside and crossed his arms in front of him.

“Why aren’t you going with us?”

“
I am. I’m just waiting on Cal to pick me up.”

“We can take you.” Skylar pursed his lips. “I’ve never met this guy.”

“Well, you will tonight. I’m eighteen, Skylar; I’m not a kid anymore.”

Skylar sighed.
“I know, I’m sorry. I just worry about you.”

“I’ll be fine. I’ll meet you there, okay?”

“Okay.” Skylar hugged Elijah. “Happy birthday, Elijah.”

Jaxon stood on the back deck and looked over his shoulder. Killian was crouched low in the trees, staying out of Stone’s sight.

“I’m sure they are
not
dating, Jaxon,” Stone assured him. “I know Elijah has a thing for you, he always has.”

Thanks
, Stone.” Jaxon tried to smile. “What about you? Anybody on your radar?”

Stone shook his head. “No.”

“No? What about Killian?”

“He doesn’t know how to be polite
,” Stone snorted.

“Maybe you could teach him?” Jaxon grinned as a soft groan came from where Killian was hiding.

“Why should I? He says I’m short and my eyes are too far apart!” Stone scoffed. “He’s so…”

“Hot?” Jaxon provided with a chuckle.

“Yeah, he’s seriously sexy, but, ugh!” Stone waved a hand in the air. “I have to go.”

Jaxon waited for the sliding glass door to shut before turning to Killian.

“Did ya hear that?”

“How could I miss it?” Killian came out of the shadows.

Jaxon eyed the shape shifter. Stone wasn’t lying. Killian Tenebris was at least six-four and looked like a UFC fighter. His long trench coat swept around his combat boots.

“You
okay tailing Elijah for me?” Jaxon asked.

Killian nodded. “You will watch Stone for me?”

Jaxon looked over his shoulder. The kids were putting their jackets on. Stone Marinos was about five-foot-eleven with penetrating dark eyes and hair to match. He was built. As a football player in the high school, Stone had beefed up.

“Uh huh, I can watch his ass
— I mean him,” Jaxon laughed as Killian growled low in his throat. “I’m kidding, big guy.” Jaxon slapped Killian’s arm. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were jealous.”

Killian’s brows furrowed.

Jaxon stepped back and eyed him.

“Oh my God!
You are!”

“I am not
,” Killian scoffed and turned his back to Jaxon.

“Are too!” Jaxon laughed as Killian shifted into a
raptor and flew off. “Uh huh. He is.”

~*~

Carl narrowed his eyes as Elijah opened the car door and slid into the seat. He’d been working on the kid for too long to just back off, but he couldn’t set off the cell phone tone now. It was too suspicious; he knew Jaxon was catching on to what was going on.

“Hey, Cal.” Elijah leaned over and placed a kiss on Cal’s cheek. They hadn’t really done anything. They weren’t exclusive and hadn’t even kissed. Elijah knew he wasn’t ready for sex — especially since he was saving himself for an older man.

“Any problems?” Ca
rl put the car in drive and pulled away from the curb. He was very aware of all eyes on them as he drove.

“Nope. They were a little upset I wasn’t
riding with them.” Elijah looked out the back window. “Although I don’t see why. They’re right behind us.”

Ca
rl gripped the steering wheel tighter. Dammit, his plan was going to have to be modified.

“You look good
,” Elijah smiled at him.

Tonight was the night at Cuffs and Stuff; he was finally going to sing a solo song. He, Skylar, Ryder, Dasan
, Stone and now Nate Valentine, had become kind of a group. Although Nate didn’t really sing much just yet, he was part of their singing group nonetheless. Someone had to do the na-na-na’s. Elijah smiled at the memory of the six of them trying to come up with a name for their group. It was actually Dasan who had tossed out the idea of ‘Barely Legal,’ and they had run with it.

Elijah kept an eye on Cal as he fixed his hair. The guy was a senior and a football player, so when Cal had asked him out, Elijah had been wary of the offer.

They’d been hanging out for almost four months now; Cal was helping him with his Spanish. Elijah knew it would never really go anywhere. One, Cal was possessive as all hell, always having to keep tabs on where he was and what he was doing.

Two?

He wasn’t Jaxon.

Elijah brought up an image of the
middle Salvatore brother and almost sighed. He’d been enamored of the man since the age of sixteen. Elijah frowned, remembering Jaxon’s words to him: They’d never be together because Elijah was too young.

Whatever.

More than once, Jaxon had acted as if he cared and Elijah could swear he’d seen Jaxon around his house at night. He’d also seen a wolf at night; he’d even spoken to it. Elijah grinned at how that sounded, even in his head.

“We’re here.”

Cal’s voice interrupted his thoughts and Elijah smiled at the brightly lit club. Cal parked in the back and Elijah got out of the car. A hand snaked around his waist and Elijah was hauled into Cal’s broad chest.

“You look edible
,” Carl growled playfully in his ear. Ugh, if the little shit wasn’t Hephaestus’ son, he’d fuck him.

“Um, thanks.” Elijah extracted himself from Cal’s arms with a slight smile.

They approached the booming club and Elijah smiled at Jesse by the front door. The big guy had recently gotten together with his longtime love, Noah King. His happiness showed all over his face.

“Hey, squirt
,” Jesse winked.

Elijah frowned. “Um, I’m eighteen now, ya know?”

“Yup,” Jesse nodded. “But you will always be squirt to me. And you still have to stay away from the booze.” Jesse eyed the kid next to Elijah. “Who’s this?”

“Oh
— Jesse, Cal. Cal, Jesse. He’s my boyfriend.” Elijah smiled wide.

Jesse tried to contain his shock at the words. Somehow, Elijah was back under the mind control. That had to be it. He thrust his hand out.

“Nice to meet you, Cal. I hope you’re taking extra good care of Elijah here. He’s very special to us.” Jesse’s skin made contact with Cal’s and electricity jolted up his arm. He kept the shock off his face and a smile in place. Something was not right with ‘Cal
.’

“Are the guys here?” Elijah peeked into the club. It was packed again
, and his stomach rolled in nervous knots.

“Sure are. They j
ust got here and are in the back office. Go on back.” Jesse turned to Cal with a smile. “Would you like a drink?”

“Just water, please.”

Jesse maneuvered through the crowd and up to the bar. “PJ, a water please,” he shouted. Jesse turned his attention back to Cal. “So, have you and Elijah been together long?”

“Who’s with Elijah?”

Jesse started, then leaned back against the bar looking over his shoulder. Jaxon stood with his arms crossed.

“Oh, hey, Jaxon. This here’s Elijah’s boyfriend, Cal. Isn’t that nice?” Jesse motioned to the kid in front of him.

“Boyfriend?” Jaxon came around the bar and stood in front of Cal. He narrowed his eyes at the kid. “How old are you?”

“Eighteen,” Ca
rl leaned forward. “Why? You got a problem?”

Jesse cleared his throat and grabbed Jaxon’s bicep.
“Back off, bro. You don’t know the whole story. I think Elijah’s back under the influence.”

“Fuck that!”
Jaxon growled
. “I don’t like this kid. Something’s off about him, and if Elijah’s going around saying he has a boyfriend, he’s definitely under the influence.”

Ca
rl smiled at them both. “Something wrong?”

“We’re just used to Elijah being single
,” Jesse assured him.

“Yes, and
innocent
,” Jaxon added.

“Oh
, I haven’t deflowered him.
Yet
.” Carl grinned and stepped away from them. “I’ll just be headed toward the stage now. Really nice meeting you both.”

Jaxon growled and made to follow Cal. A hand gripped him hard and pulled him back.

“Don’t, Jaxon. I know you; you’ll kill him before you can stop yourself.”

“Good,” Jaxon seethed. “That kid has no right touching Elijah!”

Jesse eyed his brother closely. Jaxon was about to lose it in front of everyone.

“
You need to calm down, Jaxon.”

Jaxon turned and glared at
his brother. “I’m trying! I think that kid has something to do with Elijah’s mind control shit. I don’t want Elijah to be violated! Elijah is special, he’s, he’s….”

“He’s what? Yours?” Jesse grinned at Jaxon’s flushing cheeks. “If you want him, then do something about it.” Jesse raised his hand when Jaxon’s mouth opened in protest. “Don’t bring up the age thing or I swear I’ll slap you. Age is just a number Jaxon
; get over it!”

“That wasn’t what I was going to say!” Jaxon balked.

Loud cheering interrupted them and Jaxon looked over at the stage. Ryder, Skylar, Stone and Dasan had stepped out into hot, bright lights.

“Good evening gentlemen!” Skylar walked across the stage and stopped. He smiled and winked. “And a few ladies. We have a special treat for you tonight. Elijah Newma
n will be singing for you!”

The crowd went crazy clapping and whistling.

“Now, I know all of you will be respectful, won’t you?”

Chuckling milled through the crowd and then a male voice shouted out.

“I love his ass!”

Skylar grinned. “Yes, we all do. Now, put your hands together for Elijah Newman!”

Elijah walked out onto the stage amid cheers and catcalling. He turned and shook his ass. The crowd went crazy and he turned back to face them. He caught Cal standing right in front of the stage and winked at him. As he looked out into the audience, his eyes landed on Jaxon Salvatore. The big man looked pissed. Elijah turned back to Skylar and leaned into his ear.

“
Let’s make this one good.”

Skylar nodded and went back to the karaoke machine.
As the music began, the rest of the guys took their places behind him. Elijah took a deep breath and began. As Chris Brown’s “She Ain’t You” blared from the sound system, Elijah stared at Jaxon as he sang, changing the ‘she’s’ to ‘he’s.’

God, he knew he was being blatantly obvious, and he hoped Cal didn’t pick up on it.
Even though they were friends, he knew Cal wanted more. He could have kicked himself for introducing him as a boyfriend. He was a friend and boy, so it wasn’t quite a lie.

Elijah found himself smiling as he sang. His eyes locked with Jaxon’s and his body went haywire. There’d never be anyone for him but Jaxon.

Truth be told, he would never get over Jaxon. The man had captured his attention — and his heart — at their first meeting. Jaxon was making his way closer to the stage, pushing the more rowdy patrons back as he did. The crowd was in a frenzy as Elijah walked back and forth across the stage, Stone and Dasan belting out the na-na-na’s.

“Please welcome Olivia Stetson to the stage!” Elijah shouted.

The crowd went ballistic as Olivia Stetson’s voice filled the club. Her boyfriend, firefighter Sean Knight, was clapping and whistling as she pumped out vocals. Elijah bent down and stroked a hand though Cal’s hair as he sang. Cal smiled up at him and Elijah blew him a kiss as he backed up, merging with his backup singers.

Jaxon narrowed his eyes at Cal standing in front of the stage. Someone pushed past him and he grabbed their bicep, pulling them back. A very drunk man teetered in his grip.

“Back off
,” Jaxon snarled.

Jaxon’s head snapped back to the stage as the word ‘sex’ caught his attention.

“Don’t worry,”

Jaxon glanced to the side to see his brother, Justice, grinning at him.
“I’m sure it’s just the lyric and not Elijah actually having sex.”

“Shut up
,”
Jaxon growled.

Justice looked up at the stage and winked at Skylar.
“If you want him, make your move, Jaxon, before it’s too late. Are you not even listening to the song? ‘He Ain’t You?’ Jesus, does a building have to fall on your head?”

“Are you about done?”
Jaxon moved to the side of the stage.