Banded Brothers 03 - To Enchant An Eagle (3 page)

After a few minutes, the searing agony faded. “You took it, didn’t you?”
A new crease formed on Eaton’s forehead. “I took some of your pain. Not all,” he rushed to correct. “I don’t have that kind of ability.”
“Oh, babe, I don’t want you hurting. Next time, let me suffer. I never should’ve turned my back on Lance.”
“But I’m the reason you were in the situation to begin with. If you weren’t trying to leave the flock, Lance wouldn’t have attacked you,” Eaton protested.
Marty sighed over his own stupidity. “I thought he’d just take the flock and move on. I didn’t think he’d try to take over the bar, too. It doesn’t make a ton of money. Hell, it barely covers expenses. I only bought it so the hawks could have a home base. I wanted us to have something to come back to. It wasn’t until I met you that I realized how important that had become to me.”
Eaton’s smile brightened the entire room or at least it did for Marty.
“Sorry to interrupt.” A new voice broke into Marty’s fixation on Eaton.
Blinking, he sought to change his focus to the newcomer. The interloper had the smell of an avian shifter and the movements of one, too. Most flyers had almost twitchy movements from time to time in their human form, a habit from having to move constantly while in flight. The man before them had rather plain features, but kind eyes and dimples. Marty judged him to be a young doctor, probably in his early fifties.
“Sorry, Carey let me in,” the man apologized in a thick German accent.
“Welcome, Doctor.” Eaton jumped off the bed to shake hands with the man. “Doctor Frennem took care of a gunshot wound for Aden a few years ago. He really specializes in shifters, but he’s a good doctor all around,” Eaton concluded.
Marty didn’t like how the doctor’s eyes followed Eaton, but he couldn’t blame the man. Eaton was like visual crack, looking once only made you want to go back for more.
“Nice to see you awake.” The doctor nodded toward Marty. “I’ve reviewed your x-rays and I’m sorry to say the results are not good. It will take a long time before you will heal. I wouldn’t recommend shifting for at least five months and even then there is the risk of permanent wing damage. I can provide you with drugs to help hold back your urge to shift, but I’m afraid it might drive your hawk mad if you suppressed him for so long. The choice is, of course, yours to make.”
The doctor’s sympathetic look hurt almost more than the words he spoke.
Marty swallowed back the lump in his throat. “So you’re saying in order to possibly heal and fly again, I might end up destroying my animal half. Are there any other alternatives?”
Frennem shrugged. “You could shift now, but your bones as a hawk will more than likely crumble and you’ll be unable to ever fly again. Taking time to heal will at least give you a chance.”
“Oh no!” Eaton’s heartbroken whisper conveyed Marty’s opinion of the tragic news.
Marty tilted his head back, blinking rapidly. Either way, he’d have to give up his precious mate. He couldn’t let Eaton bond with a broken man.
“So you’re saying if my hawk turns insane, I might snap and shift anyway?” Marty asked. He could barely believe the news was even worse than anticipated. Even if he managed to suppress his hawk in order to heal, it might be pointless in the end if he went insane.
Frennem stood silent for a moment, as he appeared to consider Marty’s words, maybe translating them in his head before responding.
“Yes,” he said finally. “I’m sorry I couldn’t be of more help.”
Marty nodded. He wanted to say something sharp and cutting, but the compassion in the doctor’s eyes stopped him. Frennem might admire Eaton, but the man hadn’t stepped one toe out of his professional setting.
“Thanks, doc.”
“Wait,” Eaton called to the doctor when Frennem turned to leave. “Could a Fae save him?”
The doctor frowned. “From what I’ve heard of the Fae, they have abilities far greater than any other species. Whether you could find one willing might be a different matter. I’ve never met a Fae, but I have heard they are excellent healers. However, the one warning I have is the Fae always extract a price. No Fae can give you anything without asking for something in return, it goes against their nature. For the Fae there always has to be an equal balance. They never do anything for free.”
“Okay, thanks for the warning, doc.”
“You’re welcome,” Frennem said. With a last, lingering look at Eaton, the doctor left the room.
“I probably should’ve shown him out,” Eaton said, shrugging. “I never remember all those social niceties. I’m kind of awkward that way.”
Marty dredged up a smile for his mate. “Honey, I run a biker gang, we aren’t exactly up on our manners.”
Eaton chewed his lip for a few seconds as if contemplating something that took a great amount of thought.
“Gallen offered to help you, but I didn’t know about the price thing. Do you think he knows about that?”
Marty rubbed the back of his naïve young mate. “I’m betting he does, sweetheart.”
Eaton turned guileless eyes up at Marty. “What do you think he would want in exchange for your wings?”
Marty smiled a sad, bitter smile. “Nothing I’m willing to give him. I might be broken, but I wouldn’t give you up for the sun and the stars, much less the ability to fly.”
“Don’t be an idiot,” Eaton growled. “You need to rest. I’m going to call Gallen and see what he can do, if anything. Maybe the doctor was wrong and you’ll heal faster than you think.”
Marty had no doubt that Frennem knew what he was talking about. The physician had a competent air about him. Marty doubted the man ever made mistakes.
“Oh, I’ll fly,” Marty said, putting determination in his voice. “There’s no way I’m going to be landbound for the rest of my life.”
He hoped he hid the fear well. Eaton worried enough without him knowing the terror rushing through Marty at the thought of never flying again. On the road, he’d occasionally met avian shifters who’d lost their ability to fly. They were shadows of their former selves. He’d rather end his life than become one of those sad imitations of his previous existence.
“I won’t let you,” Eaton vowed.
For a moment, he wondered if Eaton had read his mind, but then he reviewed his words.
He offered a slight smile to his mate. “My head would feel better if you came and snuggled with me.” He hoped he put just the right amount of sadness in his voice. He really yearned to feel Eaton’s body beside him.
“Umm. That isn’t going to happen. You’re not up to whatever you think you’re going to do.” Eaton’s scolding voice lightened Marty’s mood. The longing in his mate’s eyes had Marty push a bit more.
“Come on, Eaton, you know you’re my mate,” Marty coaxed. “I’ll heal faster if you’re beside me. Besides, a romantic like you can’t resist saving his love.”
Eaton threw back his head and laughed until tears ran down his cheeks. “What makes you think I’m romantic?”
Marty’s mouth dropped open as he stared at the eagle shifter. “Because you came to my rescue. Only a romantic would save his man with guns blazing.”
A smile teased the corners of Eaton’s mouth. “I hate to ruin this illusion you have, but I don’t have a romantic bone in my body. I just protect what is mine, and you are mine.”
“For a guy who didn’t know we were mates, you’re awfully protective,” Marty said.
Eaton kicked off his shoes and began to climb on the bed.
“Sorry, this is a no clothing zone,” Marty protested.
“You’re wearing clothes.” Eaton pointed at Marty’s long-sleeved T-shirt and sweats.
Marty nodded. “That is a problem. You should help me with that. After all, you should take proper care of your mate.”
“Oh, I’ll take care of you.” Eaton’s eyes darkened until they resembled burnished antique gold unlike their usually shiny color.

aton stood beside the bed. He knew Marty couldn’t do anything too adventurous. However, Marty’s erection definitely needed some attention, and as Marty’s mate, Eaton felt he should definitely take care of that big problem.

Stripping quickly, Eaton approached the bed only to have Marty point at the door. “I don’t want an audience.”

“Oh, good point.” Who knew if the hawks would choose to drop in during an awkward time? Eaton didn’t mind stripping in front of others for shifting, but he wasn’t an exhibitionist at heart. He had no wish to have the hawks or even his roommates watch him have sex, no matter how limited. He walked over to the door, then shut it firmly before turning the lock. The doors stuck sometimes, and if it wasn’t closed completely, the lock wouldn’t engage.

“Just to remind you, eagles mate for life, which is one of the reasons I’ve never dared have sex with anyone before.” Eaton’s parents had bonded young and had never really loved each other. Eaton had no intention of becoming a mate of someone just because they had sex. “I’m not going to throw everything away because I want you so badly. I still have to finish graduate school no matter what you decide to do with your flock.”

Eaton ran his hand through his hair as he gave Marty his boundaries for their relationship. Eaton had never had a relationship before. He didn’t really do anything except hang out with his friends and go to school. If Marty were indeed the one he was fated to be with the rest of his life, he planned to start how he meant to go.

His education was something he cherished. No one paid his way through school, and luckily, a scholarship covered most of his expenses so he didn’t have to get a job to pay for books and classes. The money he received for playing with the band was put into the household coffer with his friends. Denton still put in his money because he said he still had his crap there and didn’t want the others to be caught short. Carey made enough now, he told Denton he didn’t have to contribute, but the croc shifter insisted. They all felt connected to the old house on Queen Anne. When your childhood memories were caught in something, it became difficult to let it go for any reason.

Eaton out of his thoughts.
“Oh, sorry.” Eaton shook his head.
Approaching the bed, he let his gaze slide across
Marty’s bare chest. Luckily, shifters rarely scarred
and none of the scratches were a problem with
Marty’s health. It was the broken bones. Both his
legs were broken and his lower back had snapped
in three places; the vertebrae were shattered.
Besides that, his arms were shattered.
Because he was a shifter, Marty’s bones had
fused enough to be barely attached on the surface,
but not enough to put weight on his body or shift.
If his bones were not solidly connected in places
where they were supposed to be, when he went
from human to bird, it could prevent him from
ever flying again.
“Don’t look so worried, babe. Come make me
feel better,” Marty coaxed.
A sharp pain speared Eaton’s heart. “I wish I
could make you feel better,” he whispered. He could bleed off some of the pain while they
made contact. Eagles were the best at touch
healing, but Marty’s wounds were too extensive
for Eaton’s skill. He should’ve suspected
something when Denton let Marty stay there. He
bet the croc shifter had known Marty was Eaton’s
mate.
He made a mental note to yell at his friend
later.
“Denton should’ve told me,” Eaton complained
as he climbed up beside Marty. Immediately, the
slide of his skin across Marty’s settled his eagle. A
contented sigh slid from him as his eyes closed.
He hadn’t
kidnapped. “Remind
murmured. Marty laughed. “See? I knew you were a
romantic.”
Eaton smiled. “I’m tired. Hold me while I
sleep?”
“Always.”
He tumbled into darkness between one breath
to the next.
slept well since Marty had been

“Baby, wake up.” A deep rumble vibrated beneath Eaton’s ear. He snuggled closer.
A delightful scent filled his nose. Nestling nearer to the source, Eaton absorbed the warm skin beneath him. He rubbed his cheek across the flesh and frowned as he decided this person needed more of Eaton’s scent.
His
.
Eaton’s inner eagle screamed his agreement.
“I’m more than happy to be marked, but you have to wake up,” the annoying voice continued.
Why would it say such stupid things? Of course Eaton didn’t need to get up. He was right where he needed to be.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Eaton jolted up. “What the hell is that?” He tried to unscramble his thoughts as the noise continued for a few more minutes.
“Eaton, if you don’t answer this door, I will take it down,” Carey shouted.
Eaton scrambled out of bed and rushed to get the door. Swinging it open revealed Carey with two hawks standing behind him.
Carey raised an eyebrow at Eaton.
“What? I was sleeping, Mr. Poundy.”
“I was worried about you. You left your papers all over the table and you weren’t answering my knock.”
“I could’ve been having hot sex,” Eaton replied.
“Then you are the quietest ex-virgin ever,” Carey replied, folding his arms over his chest in a move eerily similar to his father. Eaton resisted the urge to mention Carey was becoming more like his dad every day. He liked his ass un-kicked, thank you very much.
Eaton sighed. “I was sleeping.”
“Sorry, but I got a call from Harris. He said he’s going to spend a few days with the vamps. I’m working on a project for Broden, so I can’t leave right now. Could you head over there and make sure he’s there under his own power?”
“I thought he took some hawks with him.” Eaton frowned, trying to pull the memory from his sleep-drugged mind.
“He did, but they came back saying he’d agreed to stay. I’m worried they don’t know Harris well enough to tell if he’s under someone else’s influence or not,” Carey continued.
“True.” Eaton didn’t want anything to happen to Harris because he was too lazy to drive over to the vampire coven and check on him. “Okay. I’ll head over there in a bit.”
A relieved smile crossed Carey’s face. “I appreciate that. Denton is at a job site, and I didn’t want to pull him off unless you couldn’t go.”
“No problem. I’ll get dressed and go,” Eaton promised.
“Thanks.”
Eaton nodded and began to close the door when a hand popped between the door and the wall.
“I don’t think you want to do that,” Carey warned the idiot who intercepted.
Eaton whipped the door back open to glare at the hawk shifter standing in front of the others. “What?”
The hawk shifter bit his lip before he spoke. “We want to go with you.”
“No.” Eaton began to close the door again.
“Eaton!” Marty shouted from the bed.
He looked over his shoulder at the injured hawk shifter. “What?”
“You take some people with you,” he demanded.
“But I don’t want to,” Eaton whined. Damn, he sounded just like Harris. That thought only made his scowl harder.
Marty frowned. “I don’t want to be worrying about you the entire time you’re gone.”
Eaton sighed. Marty didn’t need additional stress, not when Eaton could see the stress on Marty’s face over his injuries.
“Fine, I’ll take you.” Eaton growled. He slammed the door closed and didn’t feel the least bit guilty when the hawk had to yank his hand out of the way at the last minute.
“Next time, could you please dress before you answer the door?” Marty asked.
“Why? It was only Carey and some hawks. Carey’s seen me naked tons of times and somehow I doubt your hawks are shy,” Eaton reasoned.
“It could’ve been anyone,” Marty argued.
Eaton rolled his eyes. “Fine. I’ll try to remember to keep my clothes on. Do you want me to dress before coming to bed, too, or are you okay seeing my sinful, naked flesh?”
Marty smiled. The sight of which had Eaton’s heart skipping a beat. Surely if his mate could still find amusement in things, he would be all right. “You can be naked with me any time you want.”
“As long as there aren’t others around,” Eaton finished.
“Exactly,” Marty agreed.
Eaton thought about it for a bit. “As long as it isn’t right before a shift, I can agree to those rules,” he said after a moment of contemplation.
“Good. Now get dressed and going. The quicker you go, the sooner you can come back to me,” Marty ordered.
Eaton approached the bed. He kissed Marty with all the pent-up passion he had concealed inside. He hoped his mate healed quicker than the doctor anticipated or soon his balls would be glowing so blue they’d distract planes circling overhead.
He dressed quickly and gave Marty one last kiss before yanking on his shoes.
“Bye, love. Stay out of trouble.”
Marty flashed a devilish grin. “What would be the fun in that?”
Eaton shook his head and walked out the door. He had the uncomfortable sensation that his mate was just showing Eaton what he wanted to see. Eaton made a note to call Gallen later. Any price would be worth having Marty walk again.