At Year's End (The 12 Olympians) (14 page)

“Here, let me put this on your plate.”

Jaxon sliced his ribeye in half and held his plate up so they could trade. Elijah took a bite of the meat and smiled.

“That’s good.”

“So is the curry.” Jaxon nodded in appreciation as the lamb practically dissolved in his mouth.

“So, you gave me a key.”

Jaxon nodded.

“
You’re serious about wanting me now? No more pushing me away?”

Jaxon put his fork down and regarded Elijah. He sighed heavily and met
the curious gaze.

“Yes, as egotist
ical as it sounds, I missed you flirting with me. I missed that you wanted only me — and the thought of you having a boyfriend?” Jaxon shuddered.

“There will never be anyone else for me but you, Jaxon. I don’t care what Carl did to my head
; obviously it didn’t work.”

“
As much as I hate to say this, I don’t think they’re done yet, Elijah. They
really
want you and your powers. Which means you will have someone on your ass all day every day until Carl and his merry band of fuckwits is dead.”

“Fuckwits?” Elijah grinned.

“Yes, fuckwits.”

“You know,” Elijah leaned forward and locked eyes with Jaxon. “That
is
kind of sad and pathetic that you missed my flirting.”

“I’m so going to punish you for that.” Jaxon narrowed his eyes.

“Please?” Elijah waggled his brows.

Jaxon laughed.

Dinner was nice
. They talked more than they ever had. Elijah was in heaven. After all the time he’d spent lusting over the middle Salvatore brother, to know that Jaxon wanted him just as much?

Priceless.

They walked down the beach hand-in-hand for a little while. The sun was still up, even at nine at night. New Zealand was beautiful and Elijah couldn’t wait to come back. He dragged Jaxon into one of the corner drugstores and perused the aisles.

“What are you looking for?”

“I know we’re taking it slow, but I’d still like to be prepared.” Elijah stood in front of the condoms and lube. He eyed Jaxon and grinned. “So, Trojan Man. What size?”

Jaxon chuckled and leaned into Elijah’s ear. “I’m a werewolf
; I don’t get sick and I can’t catch anything.”

Elijah’s eyes widened. “So we can…we can…”

Jaxon nodded. “Bareback.”

Elijah shivered at the thought. Jaxon Salvatore buried in his ass to the hilt
— bare? Oh holy hell and shit.

“Lube?” Elijah cocked an eyebrow at Jaxon.

“It’s a must.”

“Flavored or
non?” Elijah waggled his eyebrows.

“Both.”

Elijah laughed.

The lounge was pumping music as they got back to their hotel room. It was kinda nice,
like having their own soundtrack. Elijah felt arms come around his waist and sank back into hard muscle as Jaxon’s lips nibbled along his throat.

“Do you know how hard it’s been for me to keep you at arm’s length?” Jaxon whispered huskily into Elijah’s ear. “I’ve wanted you so much.”

Elijah turned in Jaxon’s embrace and lifted his face. A warm hand settled on his cheek and soft lips feathered across his. His fingers dug into Jaxon’s hips, pulling them together.

“I want to taste every inch of your skin, find out what makes you moan
— what makes you scream.”

Elijah shivered.

“I want that, too,” he whispered.

Elijah lifted his arms as Jaxon pulled the hem of his T-shirt up. The cotton
tee fell to the floor and Elijah gasped as Jaxon’s mouth covered one of his nipples. He moaned and let his head fall back as Jaxon nibbled and teased him. Curling his fingers into Jaxon’s hair, Elijah let the sensation of Jaxon’s touch wash over him.

Jaxon’s mouth moved lower, across his abdomen and to his
navel. Elijah’s legs shook as Jaxon’s fingers deftly unzipped his pants and pulled them down, along with his boxers.

“Damn,” Jaxon breathed. “You
’re so beautiful, Elijah. I’m going to go slow, okay?”

“Can’t stand
,” Elijah panted.

Jaxon stood and picked Elijah up
; he carried him to the bed and they both fell back onto the comforter. Elijah’s hands were trying to unzip his pants and Jaxon stilled them.

“I’ll get them.” Jaxon leaned in and kissed Elijah softly.

Jaxon undressed and then resumed his position over Elijah. He searched Elijah’s eyes and saw the need, but also fear. He smoothed Elijah’s already sweat-soaked hair back and kissed his temple.

“We’ll go
slow, remember? If you want me to stop, just say so.”

“I don’t want you to
stop; I’m just scared I’ll get out of control.”

Jaxon teased Elijah’s bottom lip with his tongue
; he slid inside and kissed him slowly, licking and sucking on his tongue. His fingers crept between Elijah’s thighs and brushed his balls. Elijah whimpered and gripped Jaxon’s hair, pulling him deeper into the kiss. Jaxon gently massaged one ball and dipped his finger to Elijah’s perineum. He rubbed it with his thumb and pressed on it gently. Another low moan rose from Elijah and Jaxon slid his finger lower, rubbing across Elijah’s hole.

“Jaxon.”
Elijah broke from the kiss panting.

“
You’re safe with me.” Jaxon locked eyes with Elijah. “Do you want this?”

Elijah nodded.

“Hand me the lube.”

Elijah grabbed it from the table and handed it
over. Jaxon slicked two fingers up, and then resumed his position over Elijah. He dipped his head to catch Elijah’s lips again as his finger slipped inside to the first knuckle. A mewling sound escaped Elijah as Jaxon pushed in a bit deeper, crooking his finger.

“Is that okay?” Jaxon asked.

Elijah nodded. “More.”

Jaxon smiled before taking Elijah’s mouth once more. He slid in another finger and stretched Elijah as he looked for the spot that would make Elijah whine.
Jaxon used his free hand to jack off Elijah as he pushed in a bit deeper; he bent his fingers and brushed the bundle of nerves he’d been seeking. Elijah’s back arched and cum shot from his slit, coating his chest. Jaxon’s eyes widened as Elijah just kept coming.

“Oh
God, oh God, oh GOD!” Elijah’s body shook from the force of his release and sweat slid from his forehead. His hands tingled and his eyes widened. “Shit, shit, shit!”

Jaxon back
ed away as fire burst from Elijah’s chest. In the next second, he was looking into the eyes of a phoenix. He put his hands up in defense.

“I wouldn’t hurt him.”

The phoenix eyed him closely, and then it flapped its wings and disappeared. Jaxon sat down on the bed and heaved a huge sigh of relief. Damn, Elijah had one hell of a defense mechanism.

“Are you okay?” Elijah whispered.

“I’m fine,” Jaxon turned back to Elijah on the bed. He looked scared, as if he thought Jaxon would leave. Jaxon pulled Elijah into his arms and held him, inhaling his scent. “That was so cool!”

Elijah blinked. “What? You’re not ready to run screaming from me? A phoenix just popped out of my chest.”

“Yeah, but it was a small one,” Jaxon chuckled.

Elijah leaned back a bit
, staring at Jaxon. “You’re one hell of an exceptional man, do you know that?”

“So are you, Elijah.”

Elijah cupped Jaxon’s face in his hands. “We were meant to be together, weren’t we?”

“What makes you say that?”

“I feel this pull to you. I don’t know how to explain it, but it’s like I ache without you.”

“I have to tell you something,” Jaxon sighed. “I think whatever Carl’s doing to you, it’s embedded in your sub-conscious.”

“What do you mean?”

“
The other night, you were crying and I held you. You said I was going to hurt you. I think that’s what Carl’s plan is, to make you think I hate you.”

“But you don’t.”

“No, and I never could, Elijah.”

Elijah sprawled out on the bed and covered his face. Jaxon leaned over him and peeled one finger back.

“What’s wrong?”

“I can’t believe I came like that. You must think I’m so stupid.”

“Look at me, Elijah.”

Elijah removed his hands and peered up at Jaxon.

“I would
never
think that. Got it?”

Elijah nodded.

Jaxon rose from the bed and went to the bathroom. He grabbed a washcloth and wet it. Taking it back to Elijah, he cleaned him up. Once he was done, he threw the cloth in the bathroom and came back to bed. He pulled Elijah into his arms and held him tight.

“Yes, Elijah. We were meant to be.”

“So you’ll be mine forever?”

Jaxon kissed Elijah tenderly. “Always.”

Elijah closed his eyes as the Seattle sun enveloped him. As much as he missed New Zealand, he was glad to be back. As they approached Skylar’s house, the door opened and Skylar flew out. Elijah smiled and was almost bowled over when his friend slammed into him.

“You’re back!” he shouted.

Elijah hugged Skylar back tightly. “I’m home.”

Ryder ran out to them and got in on the hug. The hair on the back of Elijah’s neck stood on end as power seemed to emanate from the three of them. Ryder and Skylar seemed to feel it
, too, as they backed up and shook their hands out.

“Whoa.” Ryder shook his head clear.

“Elijah!”

Elijah turned to see Stone running at him. He readied himself for the impact of Stone’s now much bigger physique. Being a football player had definitely changed Stone’s body type.

“I missed ya!” Stone hugged him tightly.

“I missed you
, too.” Elijah glanced over at Skylar and Ryder. With Stone also being one of the children of the gods, the power between the four of them was rising. Stone stiffened and backed up a little, wiping his forehead.

“Wow, what was that?”

“My animal magnetism?” Elijah offered. He heard a soft snort from behind him and looked over his shoulder at Jaxon. “Shup.”

“Well? Come on inside!” Skylar almost shouted.

Ryder, Stone and Skylar went back inside as Jaxon got their bags from the car. He shut the trunk and made his way up the walk. He stopped midway and looked up on the roof. Elijah turned to see what he was looking at and saw a raptor perched on the rain gutter.

“Killian.” Jaxon nodded.

“Killian?” Elijah’s brows furrowed. “Oh, you mean the shape shifter?”

“You told him?!”

Elijah looked back up at the roof and started. Killian was glaring at Jaxon.

“Don’t get your panties in a twist there, lover boy
,” Elijah drawled.

Jaxon chuckled.

“You are not going to tell Stone, are you?” Killian asked.

“We’re going to let him in on who he is
,” Jaxon answered.

“Do not tell him who I am!” Killian almost shouted.

“Why not?” Elijah frowned.

“I cannot protect him if you do.”

“Ah,” Elijah nodded. “You don’t like each other.”

Killian snorted.

“Uh huh.” Elijah grinned.

Killian shifted back into a raptor and glared at them.

“That is so cool.” Elijah sighed.

Elijah took his suitcase from Jaxon and they trekked inside the house. Elijah went to his room to drop off his suitcase. He looked around
the room with a smile. He had a home, and a boyfriend.

Strong arms encircled his waist and Elijah leaned back against Jaxon.

“Hey, “Jaxon said softly.

“Hmm?”

“Maybe Friday you can stay with me at my house?”

Elijah tu
rned in Jaxon’s arms and studied his face. “I’d love that.”

They headed back downstairs
where the group was sitting around the dining room table. Justice hugged Elijah and shot a look at his brother.

“
Everything go okay
?”

Jaxon nodded.

Skylar coughed and clasped his hands together. The group took their seats and Skylar took Nate’s hand. He had adjusted well to their group, but Skylar had known he would. He fit in with them perfectly. As a child of the streets himself, Nate understood what they had all been through.

Justice’s arm came around
Skylar’s shoulder and he relaxed into the warmth of his mate.

“We ne
ed to tell you all a few things,” Skylar began. “First off, let me begin by saying you’re not alone.”

Nate eyed Skylar. “Meaning?”

“Remember when I told you I was the son of Poseidon?”

Nate nodded.

“Well, let’s just say I’m not the only child of a god here at this table. Ryder and Elijah are as well.”

Stone’s mouth dropped open. “W-what?”

Skylar turned his attention to Nate and Stone and took a deep breath. “You two are also the sons of gods.”

“Okayyy
,” Nate drawled. “Which one am I?”

“You
’re the son of Dionysus,” Skylar explained. “And Stone is the child of Apollo.”

“Well, that’s not something you hear every day.” Stone
flopped back in his chair, looking dazed.

“Come on, Stone!” Elijah bounced in his chair. “Didn’t you think it was weird you could heal animals?”

Stone’s brows furrowed. “I don’t know, I didn’t think about it like that. I always thought maybe they weren’t as injured as I first thought.”

Nate’s brows were pinched in concentration. “Wait, I’m the son of a god who represents wine?”

Jaxon chuckled. “And ecstasy.”

“Well that makes sense
,” Nate chuckled.

Stone’s eyes widened as he looked at Elijah. “Wait, does that mean…?”

“Yep, I’m the son of hepatitis.”

“Hephae
stus,” Jaxon corrected.

“Whatever.” Elijah waved his hand in the air.

“And I’m the son of Zeus,” Ryder said proudly.

“So, wait a minute,” Stone searched all their faces.
“How many of us are there? Is Dasan one, too?”

“Nope.”

They all turned to see Dasan at the front door with his guardians, Hayden Cox and Jude Brooks.

“I’m a werewolf
,” Dasan finished.

“
A huh?” Nate cocked his head to the side.

“A werewolf,” Elijah repea
ted it. “Just like Jaxon and Justice are.”

“And us.” Hayden lifted his hand in the air. “Hi guys. Heard there was a meeting.”

Nate banged his head on the table. “Okay, this is too weird.”

“Tell me about it.” Elijah leaned into Jaxon for comfort.

“Well, let me get dinner started and we can fill you guys in on everything.” Skylar stood and looked from Stone to Nate. “Welcome to our world.”

After dinner, they all sat around in the living room. Caden and Kellan had come over as well.

All in all, Stone and Nate
had taken the news quite well.

Elijah
was nestled in Jaxon’s lap as they all laughed and joked about what it meant to be a child of the gods. Of course, the rogues had to be explained and Justice went into great detail about them. The boys had to know what they were facing.

“But, we’re powerful, right?” Nate asked.

“Together, yes. I think individually, we won’t know what your powers are until you’re forced to use them. Like Ryder did in the alley at Cuffs and Stuff.”

“God! The look on that guy
’s face when Skylar asked him if he wanted to find out what would happen if we both went at him!” Ryder laughed.

“Make no mistake,”
Jaxon cut in. “Carl is dangerous. You guys need to watch out for one another.”

“We always have.” Skylar hugged Nate
, whom he had known when each was forced to turn to hustling sex to survive on the streets.

Elijah yawned and snuggled into
Jaxon’s neck. “I’m so tired.”

“Jet lag.” Jaxon pulled Elijah up and put an arm around him. “
Night, guys.”

Jaxon came out of the shower and into Elijah’s room to find him completely sacked out. He smiled and climbed into the bed. Holding Elijah close, he breathed in the scent of the man who had caught his eye and captured his heart two years ago. If anything were to happen to Elijah, he wouldn’t survive it. He knew it as the day was long.

“
Night, Elijah,” Jaxon whispered.

~*~

School was hard the first few days. Trying to get back
into the groove of things was proving harder than Elijah thought it would be. His mind was constantly on Jaxon. He couldn’t concentrate for shit. The worst part was that he had reverted to acting like a twelve-year-old girl. He’d find himself doodling ‘Elijah Salvatore’ on his paperwork. Ryder chuckled and Elijah realized he’d done it again, but this time there was a heart around his and Jaxon’s names.

“Aw
w,” Ryder whispered.

“Shut up!” Elijah whispered back with a grin.

Something flew by his face and he swatted at it.

Concentrating on his paper again, Elijah eyed the Spanish
assignment. Something flew by his nose this time and Elijah looked up. A fly was buzzing him. He frowned. Weren’t flies dead during the winter? Was this uber-fly? It landed on his desk and Elijah grabbed his sheet to smack it. His mouth dropped open as the fly seemed to stand on its back legs and cross its arms. It almost seemed to be glaring at him.

“Killian?
” he whispered softly.

The fly
threw its front legs in the air as if to say ‘finally!’ and hopped closer. Elijah bent his head as close as he could get, and put his paper up so no one could see him conversing with an insect.

“What?”

The fly seemed to be pointing toward the front of the room.

“Stone?”

The fly pointed again with its front legs.

“
What? I don’t do charades,” he hissed.

Elijah was startled by his
teacher’s voice as she rose from her chair.

“Okay, class! I want you all to go to the library and find a book in
Spanish. We’re going to read a chapter out of each book.”

Elijah grabbed his backpack and looked over his shoulder. Ashton was right behind him, and he didn’t look
well at all. Stone made his way to the back of the class with Ryder.

“Hey, Ashton?” Elijah knelt next to him. “Are you okay?”

“Don’t feel so good,” Ashton moaned.

Killian was now buzzing his face and Elijah stood up. The class was gone, but his teacher still stood at the front. A slight breeze whipped through the room and that’s when Elijah noticed the window was cracked open. He whirled to look for Killian but he was gone.

“Um, Mrs. L? I think Ashton might need to go to the nurse.” Elijah turned to see Mrs. Lopez walk to the classroom door and lock it.

“Oh, I don’t think that will be necessary. You see, I gave him something at lunch. Quite powerful
, actually.”

“What do you mean you gave him something?” Elijah pulled
Stone and Ryder toward himself. He tried to lift Ashton, but the kid weighed twice as much as he did. “Come on, Ashton! We’re in trouble!”

“Yes, you really are, son of Hephaestus
,” Mrs. Lopez grinned.

Elijah’s eyes widened and h
e tried again to pull Ashton up. Ryder and Stone tried as well. The seriousness of their situation was dawning on them. He pulled Ryder and Stone close to him and they formed a circle around Ashton’s desk.

Mrs.
Lopez tapped her fingernails on the door and right before his eyes, they elongated into long claws.

“Petey want
s you alive, but you know I never was good at directions and demands.”

“What did you do with Mrs. L?” Elijah asked.

“What we do with all of them,” she grinned.

“Which one are you? Dopey or
Asshole?” Ryder drawled.

“I’m going with seriously stupid.” Stone narrowed his eyes.

“So am I.”

Stone whipped around to see the Killian guy standing in the back of the class.

“I’m prepared to take you on.” Mrs. Lopez began walking toward them.

“I’m not alone
,” Killian grinned.

The window shattered as a werewolf jumped through it, landing on Mrs. Lopez. It snarled in her face and snapped its jaws.

“Do not kill her, Dane.” Killian began walking toward the front of the room. “We need to take her in — or him, whichever sex it is.”

“Dane?” Ryder whispered.
The werewolf was massive. Ryder’s eyes widened as he recognized the coat color.

Killian lifted the rogue off the floor and glared at it. “Where is the teacher?”

“Oh, relax! I didn’t kill her; she’s just drugged.”

“What is the meaning of this
?!” Killian roared.

“Petey’s proving a point. We can get
to them anywhere at any time, and if we can’t recruit them…” the rogue grinned.

Elijah whipped around to Ashton, who seemed very pale. “What did you give him?”

“A slow acting poison; Petey wanted to see if it worked.”

“
If
it worked?” Elijah shouted.

“Dane, go take care of the child.” Killian
walked to the windows and glanced back over his shoulder. “We have more guards around the school, you are safe.”