Forged by Fate (7 page)

She’d fallen into a nightmare. Literally. And she held on—for dear life—to another creature. Nothing like the fanged-out monsters who’d kidnapped her, but not human, nonetheless.

Superfast. Superhuman strength. It didn’t escape her how those creatures cowered when he’d stridden in to where she’d been detained. She’d heard them gasp.

Power wafted off this being she held on to so tightly. He scared her more than anything she’d ever encountered. Yet so far, all of his actions had been focused on her. Saving her.

“Justin!” His voice bellowed off the walls.

“Meet you at the entrance!”

The bike raced forward so fast, the darkness blurred into nothing. Silence filled her ears despite riding such a powerful vehicle. And the wind whizzing by her should have made some sort of noise. But she heard nothing.

She’d often taken rides to clear her mind, to relax, or just for the rush of speeding up and down the curvy mountain roads, but at this moment, it wasn’t working to settle her.

She buried her face in Theo’s back and squeezed her eyes shut. Everything in her world had changed. Starting four days ago with the marking, and now this. Whatever
this
was.

Hell. Creatures. Whatever Theo was… She felt her life slipping away, changing beyond repair. She’d been set, had her future planned out. She was even set up to have two weeks off after graduation and before starting her new job to investigate a lead in Colorado about her parents.

Shit!

“You can open your eyes now,” he said.

She did and saw that trees surrounded her. Faint light from a pole a distance away didn’t do much to cut through the darkness.

His powerful legs held the bike steady in an empty lot just off Hiseman Street. Holy hell, they were only a mile from campus.

She gulped down the panic congregating in her throat. What to say? What could she say?

A warm hand massaged hers where they were clamped together, resting against Theo’s firm stomach.

“I’m sorry, love. You’ve been thrown so much so quickly.”

She yanked her hand from his touch and leaned back. “Don’t call me that.”

His body tensed, but he said nothing. He tilted his head back and drew in a deep breath. An uncomfortable silence weighed on her. So many questions whirled, yet she couldn’t grab one. More like she didn’t want to hear the answers.

It was too much.

“Are you injured?” he asked.

She took mental inventory. “No.”

The creatures had threatened to pierce her with their nails but never did. She glanced at her forearm, which hours earlier had been sliced nearly to the bone.

She shivered. Midnight in May, though in the low desert there was still a chill in the air.

Theo reached behind and tugged her hand so she leaned against him. She flexed, resisting.

“I will not have you shivering. Use my warmth.”

“Take me home.”

“I can’t do that, love.”

So much for him not calling her that.

“You rescued me only to hold me hostage?” Her muscles tensed, preparing for a fight. She’d handled herself against those creatures back there, even stabbed one. “What were those things?”

“Demons. Vanquished to Hades for eternity.”

“Obviously not. The one with the red eyes who seemed to be bossing around the others came and got me.” He’d appeared directly in front of her a quarter mile from campus. He’d moved so fast and so unexpectedly she’d had no time to fight.

“I’m not sure how Aggie gets out. I’ve banished him three times now.”

“Aggie’s a wimpy name for a demon.”

He laughed, and his entire body vibrated the bike. The sound caressed her ears like a familiar tune she’d heard her entire life.

“He hates it when I call him that. His name is Agares. He was a vicious human and is even more so as a demon.”

“I’d say.”

“But you weren’t cut? They didn’t harm you?” He peered over his shoulder. Swirls of orange circled his black pupils. His chest swelled and jaw clenched as the air around him vibrated with electricity. Power.

“No.”

“You’re not to run again, you hear me?” He pivoted at the waist, and she was able to get a better look at him, at least what she could see in the dim light.

“Well, shit. What’d you expect me to do? You—” Black lines on his neck caught her attention. “Hey. What’s that?” She nodded to his neck.

He held her gaze for another long second, then shifted his attention to her lips. Her heart hammered at the intensity of his scrutiny, and she felt an unexpected twinge of desire.

In one swift motion, he scooped her up and settled her on his lap so she faced him. Heat steamed her cheeks with embarrassment, and she palmed his chest to keep distance between them.

How’d he move that fast? And he lifted her as if she weighed less than a rag doll.

“Let me show you.” He tugged down the neckline of his dark T-shirt and revealed a tattoo. One exactly like hers. As in same size, same…everything.

She was pretty sure he hadn’t had that when she first saw him in the diner. No, it didn’t just appear. Did it?

The corner of his mouth curved upward. “Be calm, love.”

She huffed.

“My Mark etched into my skin when we made contact.” Finally, his curving lips formed a brilliant, full smile. It filled his face, lit his eyes, and she realized his spiced cinnamon scent overwhelmed her. It beelined for her stomach, too. In the most pleasurable way.

She shifted back. Distance. She needed distance. Straddling him so intimately wasn’t right. Yet it was, and she felt it all the way to her core.

No!
This was not happening. What she felt was because of what had just happened. He couldn’t just barge into her life and boss her around.

“Sadie,” he said.

Her name sounded absolutely perfect coming from his full lips, which shone as if he’d just licked them. Smooth, tawny skin reflected the moon above. He damn near glowed. She shook her head free of the thoughts.

“Do you remember?”

As if the question triggered it, the memory of when she’d touched him at the campus security offices came storming into her mind. He’d grimaced while holding her, but not until she wove her arm around his neck. Their skin touched. She remembered the silky warmth of it, and the ends of his hair tickling her forearm.

“I see you do.”

She slid a lazy gaze over his firm jaw, along the curve of his neck, where she saw the beat of his pulse through his thin skin, to the tattoo.

“It’s our Ahavah brand,” he said, tightening his hold on her.

She resisted, though. Despite how much her body wanted to settle against his. “A what?”

“A-ha-vah.”

“I ask
what
again.” She tried for sarcasm, but it sounded pretty pathetic.

He eased forward until only inches separated their faces. She told herself to lean back, but her traitorous body disobeyed. Despite the lack of light, she made out his hazel eyes.

The orange swirled around both of his irises now. Like streams of fire. Intriguing. Intoxicating. Addicting.

His hand found the nape of her neck, while the other slowly slid around her waist, urging her forward. Logic and arousal warred within her mind.

Total stranger.

Honorable.

Not human.

Strong.

Scared.

Trustworthy.

He captured her gaze once again. A swirl of cinnamon wrapped around her senses, and she took a deep breath, drinking it in.

His breath was warm against her lips. What would he taste like? At that moment, nothing else on earth mattered. She had to know.

She closed her eyes and leaned forward.

“Hey, guys!” Justin yelled from behind Theo.

His body tensed beneath her hands, and her eyes shot open. He’d stopped less than an inch from her mouth.

What was she doing? She shouldn’t be here, wanting to kiss this…this…
creature
the way she did. It was absurd. Insane.

But God, she wanted it.

“Damn it, Justin,” he said, barely louder than a whisper.

His eyes closed, and he shook his head. His grip around her tightened even more, but it wasn’t in passion. More frustration. Anger maybe?

“Am I interrupting something?” Justin slapped Theo’s shoulder.

What was she thinking? She cleared her throat, willing away the hold lust had on her brain—and her body. “Take me home. Now.”

“I’m sorry, Sadie, you can’t go back there.” Theo released his grip, but not before she saw a flash of hurt dart through his eyes.

So expressive. So old. It both soothed and scared her, if that was possible.

“And why can’t I go home?”

Justin snickered and crossed his arms over his broad chest.

“I can do without the snickers, Justin.” She kicked her leg over the bike and took several steps back. She wanted to bolt again, but that’d gotten her nowhere fast last time. “I’m waiting, Theo.”

He smiled as if pleased she’d said his name. He remained on the bike, but set the kickstand.

She glanced around to find trees behind her and a row of houses on the other side. The street dead-ended to her left, then went for miles north. But she was only about a mile from campus, maybe—

“Please don’t run again,” Theo said. “The results were not very pleasant last time.”

He must be able to read minds, too.

“As to why you can’t return home, the answer should be obvious.”

“Color me dumb, then.”

“You’re far from dumb.” Theo smiled again. Damn, that earth-shattering smile could crack a fissure in the ground. “Eighteen years old, already done with undergraduate studies. A degree focused on chemical engineering, no less. Slated to sign with Bendz Chem upon graduation.”

Her jaw dropped.
Who is this man?
No, not a man.

“So, give me some credit, love. You’re not dumb.” His eyes softened. “But I understand your confusion.” He rubbed his neck. “You remember when I held you at the station?”

She nodded, not ready to chance speaking yet.

“Your touch triggered my transformation. Yours was a few days earlier. Four maybe?” He pointed to her shoulder, and she cupped it with her hand. “Your Ahavah Mark appeared.”

“First comes the female’s, then her Mate’s once they touch.” Justin shifted his weight as he scanned the area. “I’d really like to get out of here, considering splices seem to be opening so easily nowadays.”

“Don’t worry, brother, I can sense them when they come.”

Sadie stared at Theo. “Them…”

“Demons from Hades. Where you just were.”

Justin smiled. “They’re all around humans, hidden from sight, doing their soul-stealing thing.”

“But how can they leave…Hades?” She couldn’t believe she’d just asked that.

Theo nodded. “It starts with a human signing over his soul, becoming a demon on earth. That’s where Hunters come into play. Hunters are humans chosen by The Great One and given extraordinary powers to vanquish demons. If the demons gather enough strength to breach Hades to get to earth, I’m alerted and step in. Make their stay a little more…permanent.”

“Except this bastard Aggie.” Justin punched his palm. “Something’s up with him.”

“Not just him. But yes, we do need to figure out how to dispose of him, permanently, before he gets his hands on my Sadie.” Theo glanced at Justin, then back to her. “And we need to find out what the hell is going on in Hades.”

Sadie gulped through the lump in her throat and looked at Theo. “What are you?”

“I’m the Gatekeeper of Hades.” He bowed his head. “And you…are my Mate.”

Chapter Thirteen

“Nice, Theo. Nothing like throwing it at her full force.” Justin inched toward Sadie.

Theo raised his hand, commanding him to remain where he was. He saw a flicker of realization ignite in Sadie’s eyes amid the confusion, and caught the scents of fear and anger as well.

But there was a hint of acceptance, however small, too. Maybe even on an unconscious level. Yet she stood, staring at Theo, unblinking.

“Sadie. You were taken by Aggie, a very nasty demon, who somehow broke through my binding. He’s marked you as a target. He won’t stop, Sadie. Not until he finishes his task.” Slowly, Theo swung his leg over the bike and stood.

She puffed out her chest, straightened her arms, and fisted her hands. A fighter, indeed. Had it been anyone else and they hadn’t been so small and…human, he would have taken it as a challenge.

But not with his Mate. No, it filled him with pride that she stood her ground. He fought the urge to rush forward and wrap his arms around her. Such a tiny girl, barely five feet tall, yet her presence didn’t reflect that.

She remained in her fighter stance, fists tight. Muscles bunched along her arms as she flexed, or maybe she was shivering. That’s when he realized her sleeves had been torn off.
Damn those demons for touching my woman.

“Why me?” she asked through a tight jaw.

“Because you’re mine. They can’t kill me, but they can prevent me from uniting with my Mate.”

“Mate.” She huffed as she slouched. “You’re insane. I don’t even know you. You—I—I’m only seventeen, this can’t be happening.”

“Eighteen on Friday when you graduate.” He inched toward her, and she didn’t bolt. Progress noted. “You can’t deny what you saw.”

She stopped breathing. Literally.

“Sadie. Do you trust me?”

“Hell no.” She threw her focus to the ground, then to him.

He probed her mind and found a sense of trust despite her denial. Yes. She did trust him. Again, it might be only on a subconscious level, but still. He picked it up. He would show it to her. Prove it.

“Tell me about when you ran. How did Aggie capture you?” He stopped with five feet between them.

Something about Aggie and the demons’ behavior didn’t add up. The demons knew Theo dominated their realm because of his creator, The Great One, but despite that reality, he sensed a confidence in their ability to overcome him.

Especially in Aggie.

Sadie shifted away until she met the curb beside the Ninja. She glanced down, around, then back to him. “I ran. Like a complete and total idiot. No phone. No supplies. No destination.” She shook her head. “I know better than that. My sensei taught me better.”