Banded Brothers 03 - To Enchant An Eagle (4 page)

Marty barely waited for Eaton to clear the room before he wiggled his fingers and toes to assess the damage. At least he had feeling. He’d panic more if he didn’t have any sensation.

“I can do this. I bet I can walk,” he muttered. With excruciating slowness, he sat up completely and swung his body around until his feet dangled off the side of the bed.

Marty’s head jerked up. He tilted his head to meet the cold eyes of Aden Gage. He should’ve heard the man approach, but his experience with the creepy human told him no one heard Aden unless he wanted them to.

“Umm, I thought I’d see if I could walk,” he said. The words had sounded stronger in his head. Somehow when confronted with Aden, Marty wanted to offer his neck like he would to a stronger alpha. Carey serving as the alpha of the house didn’t seem such a strange thing after meeting his father.

“Wow, they really do make hawks stupid. I thought it was just a rumor,” Aden mocked.
“You don’t have to stay and witness my stupidity,” Marty snapped. “I’m sure I’ll be fine without an audience.”
“If you hurt yourself further, Eaton will be crushed, and I don’t let anyone hurt my boys.” Aden let the threat hang in the air.
Marty gave a scoffing laugh. “What could you possibly do to me that is worse than this?”
“Set you on fire,” Aden replied.
The speed with which the human found an answer to that question sent a deep chill through Marty’s body. He swallowed back the knot of fear. “Um, how about you don’t?”
“I didn’t say I would,” Aden said quietly. “I said it was worse. I don’t think Eaton would forgive me if I burned you. I’d have to make sure it looked like an accident.”
The blood drained from Marty’s face. He’d stared down shifters three times his size, taken on homicidal rival gangs and more than once looked down the barrel of a gun, but none of them scared him as much as the human standing calmly before him. It wasn’t just the coldness in Aden’s eyes. It was the practicality in his voice. Marty had no doubt in his mind if he needed to be eliminated, Aden Gage would kill him and not lose a second of sleep over the action.
“I’m Eaton’s mate,” he said. Maybe that would give him the edge. If Aden didn’t want to harm the men he’d accepted as part of his little group, surely killing one of their mates would be taboo.
Aden nodded. “That’s what I heard and it’s why you’re here instead of at the bottom of Lake Washington with Lance.”
“You put Lance at the bottom of the lake?”
Aden shrugged. “He had to go somewhere, and with all the development around here, burying a body just isn’t practical. They all get dug up.”
“I-I see. Yes, that would be inconvenient.” See him talk nice to the homicidal maniac. Marty knew if he were at full strength, Aden wouldn’t intimidate him as much, but helpless and barely able to move wasn’t the best time to deal with psycho man here.
“Exactly.” Aden smiled as if pleased Marty appreciated his resourcefulness.
“Dad!” Carey’s voice broke through Marty’s paralyzing fear. He’d never been so relieved to see a human in his entire freaking life.
Aden turned to face his son and his entire face transformed. The cold-blooded killer turned into a fond father whose adoration of his offspring transformed a handsome face to a stunning one.
“How are you doing, Carey?”
The two men exchanged hugs. This close together, Marty could see the striking resemblance between father and son. Marty decided Carey’s mother must’ve been stunning. While he resembled Aden, Carey’s face had more delicate beauty than his father’s purely masculine face.
“What are you doing here?” Carey asked.
“Besides coming to see you, I thought I’d see how Eaton’s mate was doing.” Aden’s hard gaze swept across Marty. “He apparently thinks he can walk.”
“Hmm,” Carey shook his head at Marty’s stupidity.
“Speaking of Eaton, where is our eagle?” Aden asked.
Marty relaxed at the fondness in Aden’s tone.
“I sent him to check on Harris. Our bear friend has decided to work for the vamps. I wanted to make sure he chose to stay there.”
Aden nodded. “Good idea. Let me know if you think Eaton needs back up.”
Carey shook his head. “I sent him with some of the hawks. I figure they could at least determine if the situation required further action.”
Aden nodded. “Good plan. Call me if you need anything. I’ll be going out of town for a job and will be gone for a few days.”
“I think we’ll be all right. I expect Eaton will return soon and say everything is fine. Harris can handle himself if he really wanted out of there. I think it’s just a case of poor judgment in romantic partners.”
“He’s got the hots for a vamp, huh?” Aden asked.
Carey nodded. “Rohan.”
Aden threw back his head and laughed. “At least when he goes bad, he goes all the way.”
“Don’t encourage him, Dad,” Carey scolded.
Aden shrugged. “I’m not encouraging him, but you have to admit Harris doesn’t usually pick out guys to fixate on. You need to keep an open mind in case this vampire turns out to be Harris’s mate.”
Carey scowled. “I hope not. Vampires give me the creeps.”
Marty bit back a laugh. Laughter right now would hurt more than anything. Carey must’ve seen his expression.
“What? They are creepy. You don’t think a being that exists only to suck out your blood isn’t wrong?” Carey shuddered.
Marty gave in and laughed. Yep, it hurt just as much as he thought it would.
“Why don’t you take a nap? I’m sure Eaton will wake you when he returns,” Carey said.
With those words, father and son left the room.
Exhausted, Marty moved back to lie down on the bed. The nap idea sounded really good.

ome people had an innocent cast about them in slumber. To Eaton’s mind, Marty appeared like a fallen angel, taking a break from sin until he could gather more energy.

Harris had appeared quite content at the vampire coven. Those damn vamps were fawning all over the bear shifter, making sure he had whatever he needed while he sketched out ideas for their mural. Apparently Harris’s attraction to Rohan wasn’t completely one-sided.

Locking the door behind him, Eaton quickly stripped. He knew exactly how to wake Marty from his nap. A quick blowjob, then he’d call Gallen and find out how he could cure Eaton’s mate.

No way would he let Marty become a cripple or go insane just because there might be a price to be paid. Eaton liked Gallen, surely he wouldn’t ask for anything Eaton couldn’t pay.

Marty still didn’t wear a shirt. Eaton hoped that was a sign the man remained stark naked beneath the covers. Curious, Eaton reached out and

He jumped when around his fingers, trapping them in Marty’s hold.
“I thought you were asleep,” Eaton pouted. “You’ve ruined my surprise.”
“If your surprise has anything to do with your mouth on my erection, don’t let me stop you. Come show me what you can do.”
Eaton pulled the blanket down farther, revealing Marty’s thick cock filling and rising to greet him. “Part of you isn’t sleepy,” he commented.
“I sensed you coming closer. How can I rest when I know you are near but not beside me?” Marty asked.
Careful of Marty’s legs, Eaton climbed onto the mattress and settled between them. “Let me know if I do something you don’t like. I’ve never done this before,” Eaton warned.
“Never? You mean you are completely untouched?”
Marty’s tone had Eaton glancing up at his mate. “What did you think virgin meant?”
“Well, I figured you would’ve at least experimented. Maybe touched someone else.” Marty’s hand wrapped
Eaton shook his head. “Unlike other shifters, the first person I have sex with will be the one I bond with. Eagles imprint on their first lover. I’ve always been careful who I touch.”
“So if you had sex with someone other than me, you would’ve been their mate?” Marty asked, a low growl rumbled in his voice.
“No. Just because we bonded wouldn’t necessarily mean you were my mate. Some eagles actually find their mates after they already bond with someone else. Which is why eagle shifters are so rare. Those meetings usually end with someone dying,” Eaton explained.
“No wonder you’re so careful.” Marty slid his fingers through Eaton’s hair. “You don’t have to worry about that, love. I’m positive we’re mates.”
Relief rushed through Eaton. He’d heard so many horror stories when he was younger that he’d been afraid to be involved with anyone. However, he’d been unable to get Marty out of his mind after their first meeting. He used to think maybe it was Marty’s bad boy image, but in reality, it was the man himself. Marty cared about his people, and he might have a tough biker gang reputation, but he always watched out for his flock.
Eaton licked the tip of Marty’s cock. His lover’s flavor exploded across his tongue, sticky with a bit of sweetness and bitter. “Do all men taste the same?” Eaton asked.
Marty shrugged. “I wouldn’t know. I’m not much for sucking cock.”
“Oh.” Eaton sat back on his heels. “Would you rather I don’t…”
He’d assumed all men liked oral sex, but maybe he’d been mistaken.
“No, honey, you can suck me all you want. It isn’t my favorite thing to do, but I will definitely make an exception for my mate when I’m healed.”
Eaton would address Marty’s healing after he figured out what to do. Wrapping a hand around Marty’s erection, he lapped at the liquid oozing from the slit. He kept that up for several minutes until curiosity had him wrapping his mouth around the tip and giving it a tentative suck.
“Don’t tease an injured man,” Marty scolded.
Eaton responded by sucking harder. He held Marty’s hips in a firm grip to keep the hawk shifter from moving and possibly hurting himself further. Marty had more muscle mass, but with his injuries, Eaton had strength on his side.
“More, babe, just a little more.”
Eaton had one more trick to show Marty. He wasn’t the college hot dog eating champion for nothing. It had a lot to do with his complete lack of a gag reflex. Without pausing, he swallowed Marty down, letting his throat caress the long cock.
“Oh, fuck.” Liquid spurted down Eaton’s throat. He pulled back a little to allow some of the liquid to land on his tongue. He wanted the essence of his lover. Marty’s cock softened beneath Eaton’s attention, and he slowly let his mate slip from his mouth.
Eaton rubbed Marty’s hips where he would undoubtedly have bruises. “Better?”
Marty nodded, a languid smile crossed his lips. “For a newbie, you did an amazing job.”
“I’m glad you approve. Does that mean I get the position?”
“Once I’m healed, you can do any position you want,” Marty quipped.
Eaton nestled beside Marty, barely touching. Marty moved him until Eaton’s head rested on his chest and Marty’s arm wrapped around him.
“Doesn’t that hurt?” he asked cautiously.
“Yes, but it hurts more for you to be so far away,” Marty replied.
“I’m going to call Gallen and have him examine you.”
“What if he asks for something you aren’t willing to give?” Marty asked.
Eaton sat up to look his lover in the eyes. “There is little I wouldn’t give to have you whole again. You need to be able to fly.”
“You think your friend can make this happen?” Disbelief colored Marty’s voice.
“I don’t know, but he hinted he might be able to help. I’d like to hear what he might have to say,” Eaton said.
“Okay, call him, but if he can’t perform a miracle, I don’t want you to be upset,” Marty warned.
Eaton blinked back tears. “I just want to explore all avenues.”
He slipped out of Marty’s hold to dial Gallen’s number.
“Hey, Eaton, what’s up?” Gallen’s voice came over the line.
“I was wondering if you have time to come by and see Marty. I would like your magical assessment. See if maybe you can help him,” Eaton said. His voice shook at the thought of his poor hawk shifter unable to shift for months while waiting to heal.
“I’ll be by in a bit. I’m just down the hill drinking some coffee.”
“Great! I’ll make sure the gate’s unlocked.” Eaton hung up after a few more pleasantries.
“He’ll be here soon,” he told Marty.
“Good. I hate waiting.”
Another reason the wait-and-see healing plan wouldn’t work well on the hawk leader.
After calling Carey’s phone and alerting him that Gallen was on this way, Eaton dressed in his jeans and shirt, then slipped on his wool socks to protect his feet against the cold floor for later.
Climbing back onto the bed, he cuddled up against his lover. They spent their waiting time talking about casual things like the weather— rainy—and Carey—bossy—until a knock on the bedroom door had Eaton jumping off the bed to answer it.
Pulling open the door revealed Gallen standing on the other side.
“Hey, thanks for coming,” Eaton said sincerely.
“No problem, but I can’t make any guarantees until I examine him closely,” Gallen said, approaching the bed.
Eaton watched the sorcerer carefully. He hadn’t thought of Gallen as a threat when he studied beside him for hours, but now with him approaching Marty, he had to clamp down control over his eagle who wanted to shred anyone coming too close to their injured mate.
“May I touch you?” Gallen asked. He might have posed the question to Marty, but his eyes went to Eaton when he asked.
Eaton reluctantly nodded his permission.
Gallen pressed his hand in the center of Marty’s chest. Since Marty didn’t make any sounds of protest, Eaton didn’t think it hurt his mate any. After a minute, Gallen’s hand began to glow and a white light emitted through his fingers.
“What are you doing?” Eaton asked. He didn’t really understand magic. Shifters were beings of magic, not manipulators of power. Until now Eaton would’ve sworn he didn’t know any magic users.
“I definitely think I can heal you,” Gallen said after about five minutes of putting his glowing hands over different parts of Marty’s chest. “It will take a lot of energy, however.”
“What is your price?” Marty asked.
“A kiss,” Gallen said. He spun around. “From Eaton.”
Eaton gasped. “Why?”
“Because I’ve been watching you for two years now, and you’ve never noticed me before. I want a kiss in exchange for healing your boyfriend,” Gallen said.
He clasped his hands before him and waited for their response.
“Could you give us a moment?” Eaton asked.
“Of course. I’ll be right outside this door. Call me when you’re ready.”
“We will.” Eaton didn’t say a word until Gallen closed the door behind him. “I’ll do it.”
“No!” Marty snarled. “What if it’s a trick?”
Eaton shrugged. “What if it is? That still wouldn’t change what we need to do.”
“We need to make sure that bastard doesn’t get his hands on you,” Marty said.
“It’s only for one kiss!” Eaton shouted. “What is one kiss if it can stop you from being crippled?”
“What if he does something freaky and gets me killed?” Marty protested. “I think you’re putting too much faith in Gallen.”
“And I think you aren’t putting enough. I think Gallen genuinely wants to help.”
Marty scowled. “If you think we can trust him…”
Eaton walked over to the door and flung it open. “We’ve decided to take you up on your offer, but you have to heal Marty first in order to get your kiss.”
“Fair enough,” Gallen agreed.
Eaton followed the sorcerer back to Marty’s side. He clenched his fists so he wouldn’t give into his urge to snatch Gallen away from his mate. After tasting Marty, he knew Marty had spoken the truth; the hawk shifter was indeed his mate. They still weren’t bonded yet, but Eaton could feel the pull of the mating bond trying to lure him to the side of his beloved.
“I’m not going to lie, this is going to hurt,” Gallen said. “The Fae are great healers, but we’re not particularly compassionate.”
Eaton gritted his teeth. His inner eagle flicked his wings and tested the limits of Eaton’s control.
“Maybe you’ll want to step outside for this,” Gallen told Eaton.
“But.”
“Please, babe,” Marty begged, “I don’t want you to accidentally attack Gallen if I start screaming.”
Eaton thought over the chances of that happening before he nodded. “Okay. But do what you can to make sure he suffers the least amount.”
Gallen walked over to Eaton and took his hands in his own. “I will promise to give your boyfriend the very best care I can.”
Eaton squeezed Gallen’s hands tightly before giving his lab partner a small smile. “Thanks, Gallen, I do appreciate you doing this.”
“No problem.”
Eaton released Gallen and walked over to Marty. “You get healed so I can fly with you.”
Despite them both being aerial shifters, they’d never had the opportunity to fly together.
“I look forward to that,” Marty said.
Eaton kissed Marty, then walked out the door. He heard Gallen lock the door behind him, probably a good precaution.
Rubbing his hands up and down his arms, Eaton wondered if the chill going through his body was merely the drafty house or the icy fingers of premonition.