Haven (25 page)

A tear escaped and rolled down Leo’s face, making him mad. Damn
the man, he was right. He’d have never believed his mother over Ranolph. His
world had revolved around his father and the Amanda. Loyalty for both ran deep.

“Well, we’ll see how your plan pans out. With Queen Kaylin dead,
it leaves the king free to mate again. Perhaps this will all be moot.”

“You are still first born.” Ranolph’s stubborn confidence pissed
him off. His father stepped forward and Leo swatted his hands.

“Don’t touch me. And pray I get over being pissed at you before
your grandson is old enough to move out on his own.”

“No, Leo.” Ranolph attempted to grab his arm.

Leo side stepped him and rushed from the room.

***

Rugaba paced his atrium, his ceremonial robes billowing behind
him as he turned to change directions. His brother had contacted him an hour or
so ago his time to say the soul had arrived. Knowing his brother’s technique,
impatience wouldn’t let him relax. Not many withstood Azra’s torture and he
imagined the scorned female he’d sent to death would be no different. The first
few hours of a Demi’s arrival to Azreal was the best time to question the soul.
They would be still in denial, trying to bargain their way out of hell. He
wanted the names of her compatriots and he would make a trip there himself to
obtain them if he needed to.

“Luckily that won’t be necessary.” Azra loped into his atrium.

“Stay out of my head, brother.” He snapped half-heartedly. “What
did you find out?”

Azra held out a black stone, a white cloud of magic swirling
inside.

“We’re still working on her. I haven’t been able to get anything
save a few names. I’m giving her a little more time to savor my methods.”

Rue held up the stone and smiled grimly. “You will get to meet
these names, presently.”

“She mentioned the death of the Mina who inhabited the elder
tree.”

Rugaba reared back in surprise. “What did she say?”

Azra crossed his arms over his chest. “Remember the shit I gave
you about prophecy? She was killed so she could be replaced with someone a
little less helpful with regards to handing out prophecies. The new inhabitant
supposedly can be persuaded to give out false prophecies.”

“What?” He reeled. More than one governing body used prophecy to
make decisions which impacted their realm. To know deliberate misinformation
could be given out…how deep did this conspiracy go? He would talk to Eminzu
about replacing who so ever occupied the elder tree. He didn’t want to risk
them being corrupt. He nodded in thanks to his brother for the information.

Giving him a jaunty salute, Azra disappeared. Rue unlocked his
brother’s stone and lay it on a sheet of parchment. A tendril of smoke wafted
up as the names were burned onto the page. Rolling up the sheet and discarding
the stone, Rugaba opened a portal into Haven.

He found Leo as he was leaving Xavier’s office. He was happy he
didn’t have to hunt him down. He tapped him on the shoulder. Leo jerked to
attention, his eyes dazed for a moment. He blinked at Rugaba and cleared his
throat.

Sympathy for the male made him cringe. Exhaustion was clearly
written across Leonalph’s face, but he needed these people found. He tossed the
parchment and Leo snatched it from the air.

“I have one last job before you can rest.”

Leo scanned the names on the list and nodded. “Your will be
done.”

***

The silence was the hardest part. Not the hard bench in her
cell, or the relentless cold, no. It was how eerily quiet the Amanda holding
cells were. Verity shuffled for a more comfortable position cursing as her
elbow knocked the wall. She wondered, not for the first time, how long she
would be required to stay in the cells. She’d been picked up trying to sneak
back into the surveillance room. She needed information on both the shaman and
the Cagyn’s disappearance, and she had hoped her contacts there would be a lot
more forthcoming.

The members of the guild were antsy when they realized Beatrice
was missing. Even more so, once gossip reached them that she’d been picked up
by the Eminzu. Speculation had run wildly as to why she was missing. Most
centered on the death of the eldest Marcolev daughter as the reason. Arian
Marcolev was making the social rounds, telling anyone who’d listen how her maid
had been responsible for her daughter’s tragic death. If it were true, then
Beatrice was not just missing, she was dead. The guild had wanted to be
certain, so she’d been sent back to Haven to find out.

And promptly sold out by her contact.

She wasn’t too worried. The most they could have on her was some
form of trespassing, maybe bribery. She’d slid a few gold coins to ensure her
entrance into their surveillance room. At the most, she’d probably be in the
cells for a few more hours until she was sent to Xavier for her punishment.
While she wasn’t looking forward to what he doled out, she was confident she
could handle whatever it was. She’d most likely be suspended from the Atlanta
Haven for a few years. She rolled her head, shrugging her shoulders. No big
deal.

A sound broke through the oppressive silence and she perked up.
A key turned in the lock on the outer doors and she strained her ears listening
for the footfalls of a guard.

Nothing.

She frowned, knowing she’d heard the jingle of a key at the door
up front. Laying her head back against the wall, she closed her eyes.

“Hello, Verity.” Leo’s deep voice startled her.

A questioning smile tilted her lips. She’d not expected Xavier
to send his brother. “Mated only a couple of weeks, and already you’re reduced
to menial tasks.”

He chuckled, the dark sound grim. “No, I’m here to do the job
I’ve had these last centuries.

Her heart started thumping. If that were the case…

“You’re here for me?” She whispered. “On what charges?”

“Not my concern in the end. You helped Prince Kedric get rid of
Lady Marcolev’s, for that alone you deserve to die.”

She waved away his words. “That’s not a death offense. I didn’t
do anything to the girl.”

He pursed his lips and shrugged. “Well, there were plenty of
crimes on the Oras Sergio was helpful in supplying to choose from.”

Her head swam with the implications. Damn Sergio. Dead some
days, she wished she could go back and make his death all the more painful.
Though, from his screams the spell they’d used was plenty painful. Now she
would meet his same fate.

His hands started working in what she could tell was a portal
spell. She swallowed hard, closing her eyes when a bright light flashed and
swallowed her. She blinked rapidly when her knees landed on a hard surface.
Wriggling her hands, she found them bound behind her back in lead lined ropes.
She panicked and looked around, her stomach plunging in dread as the Eminzu
council room came into focus. Her sick feeling multiplied as she spotted
members of her guild kneeling with their hands bound. Her heart pounded, fear
acrid and boiling in her throat. She turned to look at the council, the robed
figures hazy and out of focus no matter how she squinted. Rugaba sat at the
head of the table, his energy haloing around him in a light too bright for her
to look at for too long.

She knew what was next.

Her thoughts went to her family. Yes, she would pay for her
crimes, but her family would as well. Regret for that was a bitter taste. She
thought briefly of begging for her life, she didn’t want to die yet. Rugaba’s
voice filled the chamber as he listed their crimes individually and she knew
then asking for lenience was out of the question. She snuck a final glance at
her partners wondering if any of them would attempt to fight. Their sentences
were announced…death. She lowered her head as once again, in a flash of light a
portal was opened. This one into a realm from which she’d not return.

APPROACHING ON SILENT FEET, Rugaba watched Oya as she stood over
her scrying well. The sharp pang of longing that stabbed through his heart
shouldn’t have surprised him, but he was shocked by its intensity. She was no
longer his, but the passing centuries still offered no solace from the need.
Too many arguments and harshly spoken words lingered between them. Enough
perhaps to keep reconciliation an impossible dream. He dreamed of it
nonetheless.

Her shoulders slumped and she turned to him, a resigned look on
her face. They stared, their gazes locked, and as usual, a battle of wills
commenced. He sighed.

“I’ve not come to cause trouble.” He held out his hands, showing
her the stones Azra recently brought to him.

“Your presence has heralded bad news lately.” She clasped her
hands in front of her.

The corner of his lip lifted in a smile that held no amusement.
“War has been stalled.”

“At least for now.” Was her quick reply.

He nodded. She was right, it was only stalled for now. Where one
group disappeared, another would take its place. It was the way it went.

“I have some information for you.”

She eyed the stones. “From Azra?”

“Do you want it or…”

She growled and held out her hand. She was so dramatic. He
chuckled, dropping the stones into her palm.

“There has been activity in and around the place where your
village used to dwell.” He said offhand.

“I’m aware. The Ajo you allowed to live have been actively
searching for my old temple.”

“We both know why.” He debated his next words, unsure of how she
would take them. An offer of help to anyone else would’ve been met with
gratitude. Oya’s mood changed like the winds she controlled, so there was no
way to know what she’d say. He settled with a passive…

“If you need me for anything...”

Her look of scorn amused him. One of those days then. He waved
and left her realm. He’d done what he needed to do, delivered the information
he felt she’d find useful. It was up to her what she did with it. Arriving on
his realm, he chucked his ceremonial robes and decided rest was in order. For
now, crisis was averted. One couldn’t ask for much more than that. Until the
next disaster, he’d take the reprieve and use the time to prepare for the next.

****

A full week had gone by.

A week.

His brothers had not seemed worried. In fact, during what Xavier
called her ‘debriefing’ his tone had been all business. Liliana chewed on the
hang nail on her thumb, her feet curled beneath her on the sofa in their living
room. She was going out of her mind with worry, and all Xavier wanted to do was
wrap up Kita’s case. The details were no prettier now, than when they’d
happened. She’d lost both Kita and Bea to Queen Kaylin’s scheming. She hoped
the woman died a miserable and painful death. While shocked by Bea’s betrayal,
a part of her missed her. Xavier had played the video of Bea confessing her
part in Kita’s death, and even after seeing it, she still couldn’t find hate
for the woman.  According to Bea, the guild had found out about her part in
Kita’s death and blackmailed her into working with them. She knew Bea wasn’t
evil at heart, but her confession still hurt. Watching Bea admit to the things
she’d done didn’t impact her in the way it would’ve had Arian not already told
her.

The malicious way in which her mother had imparted the news
still made her nauseous. So many things about her childhood were answered by
Arian’s hateful words. Bea being her biological mother explained much about how
the woman had treated her. She’d always felt closer to Bea than her own mother.

Liliana sighed.

Perhaps the first step in healing would be to stop thinking of
Arian as her mother. Clearly the woman didn’t want the title. She pulled the
blanket Bea had knitted her when she was a child tighter around her. She jerked
to a sitting position as the keypad at the door beeped. Leo was home. Scrambling
to stand, she fought to get her legs out of the blanket. Part of her wanted to
rush into his arms, the other part wanted to play it cool. Once he came through
the door, all thoughts of downplaying his arrival flew from her head. He looked
exhausted and defeated. She raced to his side.

“Are you okay?” She touched his arm lightly.

He stared into their living room, not moving from the door.

“Leo?”

He blinked and looked down at her. “I’m fine.”

She nodded, unsure of his mood. Clearly something was wrong. She
could nag it out of him, but instead, opted to wait. It had been a week since
she’d last seen him. Starting their first evening together with a fight was
just ludicrous. She stood on her toes and kissed his cheek. The hum of his
energy she usually felt along their connection was quieted. He needed power for
certain. She guided him into the armchair closest to them.

“Are you hungry?”

She didn’t bother waiting on an answer. Keeping one eye on him,
she called down to the kitchens and ordered an early dinner be brought to their
room and left in the hallway. At the same time, using her magic she started
warm water in the bath tub. Coming up behind him, she wrapped her arms around
him. Tension rode his shoulders.

“Let’s go.” She ordered, walking around the chair. She held out
her hands and helped him up.

Leo passively followed her through their bedroom and into their
bathroom. Pulling candles from the cabinets, she set about lighting them. She
lit three, lining them at the foot of the bathtub. A low thrum started in the
air, as the energy from the candles filled the space. She turned and started
unbuttoning his shirt. He blinked, his gaze focusing on her hands. It was a
predator’s look, full of hunger. His eyes glowed, the magic around his form
wavering. His human skin disappeared, and his Eshu form took over. He swayed as
she removed his shirt. Alarmed, she checked their connection and realized just
how low his energy was. His skin was cool to her touch as she lay her palms
flat on his chest. Calling forward her magic, she pulled Leo down for a kiss.
She poured power into the kiss, feeding him until his skin warmed under her
hands.

He pulled back, separating their lips. “Enough,
ina
. You
can’t afford to give me too much.”

Ignoring his concern she pulled him into another kiss. “Open for
me, my mate. You’re shielded too tight for me to help.”

He sighed as her lips skimmed his jaw, his fingers flexing on
her arms where he held her. She kissed down the column of his neck.

“The baby.” He murmured, his grip tightening.

She bit down on his shoulder. “Will you trust me, please?” Her
tongue circled his nipple. “Let me in, my love.”

He hissed, pulling her closer. His erection bumped against her
stomach as she scraped her teeth across his skin. He groaned and dropped his shields.
His hurt poured into her hot on the trails of bone deep exhaustion. Her heart
ached for him. What had happened in the time when he was gone? Betrayal and
confusion littered his aura. Pulling in energy from the candles she’d lit, she
used her magic to amplify it and push it into her mate.

A hungry growl left his mouth right before he leaned down and
devoured hers. His tongue speared between her lips dueling with hers. He nipped
at her lips and lifted her body. She arched her back as they separated for air.
Magic filled the room, and she funneled it to her mate, gasping as his claws
ripped through her tank top. He used the sharp tips to cut through her bra. Her
moan echoed around them as he plumped her breast, sucking her nipple into his
mouth.

He set her body down on the sink and she wrapped her legs around
his waist. Hazy smoke clouded the room, the power from the candles surrounding
them, tingling across her skin. Shaking hands hindered her as she fumbled to
open Leo’s pants. She wanted him inside, needing to release the energy building
in her body. Her hair was alit with her magic, the strands blowing and dancing
around her face. He growled in frustration at her attempts and batted away her
hands.  He made short work of their clothes, shredding first his, then her yoga
pants. He gripped her hips, careful of his claws. His skin writhed, the whorls
on his marbled skin coming to life.

“Yes.” She hissed as he positioned his cock at her opening. He
pushed into her in a single stroke, as her body tightened around him, against
the invasion.

“Gods, the feel of you.” He whispered, catching her earlobe in
his mouth. Her stomach tumbled at his words, warmth filling her.

“Faster.” She canted her hips to take him deeper. Energy
suffused her body, and she threw her head back, drunk off the power. She fed it
to her mate, his magic rising up and melding with hers.

“Mine.” He growled, his strokes erratic as they both neared
their climax. Her body tightened and pressure gathered in her womb as he
suckled one nipple while pinching the other against the back of his claws.

The edges of her vision dimmed, as an orgasm swept through her
body. She exploded, power rippling across their connection. Leo growled, his
release heating her womb. Their harsh breaths was the only sound in the room.
She waved her hand, dousing the candles and plunging the room in dim darkness.
Light from Leo’s skin painted the walls, the amber light dimming with each
breath he took as he reigned in his power. Her hair lay across her back in a
damp curtain.

He kissed her softly, lifting her from the sink, still inside
her. He walked to the tub, sinking and withdrawing within her with every step.
By the time they reached the tub he was hard again. He stepped in the bathtub,
and rested her back against the wall. Their lovemaking was slower this time,
his strokes leisurely as he kissed her breathless. Their magic steadily
climbed, the sex feeding them both energy until orgasm swept through their
body.

He sighed his pleasure, his teeth raking down the column of her
throat. “I love you.”

“I love you too.” She whispered.

He pulled out, lowering her legs from his waist. Turning her, he
moved her hair to the side as they both sank into the welcoming warm water.
Silence filled the bathroom, the only noise coming from their shifting in the
water.

“How did you do that?” He asked moments later.

“Do what?” A yawn surprised her.

“I’m going to assume the candles.” He lifted her hands and
nibbled on her fingers. “Not as effective as a Haven club night, but certainly
a good amount of power raised.”

“Oh…that. Yeah, they’re not made to replace a feeding, but they
do come in handy when you’re on the run, low on energy and can’t get to a
Haven. That’s the most power I’ve ever raised with the candles.”

“Sex helps.”

She chuckled, yeah, sex definitely helped boost the power in the
candles. That’s something she didn’t have the luxury of trying while she’d been
on the run. She kissed his hand.

“I’m happy you’re home. Does it always take that long when
you’re out?”

He snuggled her closer, water slipping over the side of the tub.
“How long was I gone?”

“You don’t know?”

“Time moves differently in each realm, so depending on where I
pick up my charge, and the time I lose in the realms of Azreal, I can never
keep up.”

She shuddered. “I don’t like it.”

“It’s part of the job,
ina
.” He trailed kisses along her
neck.

“I know. I still don’t like it.” She sighed. “I know how much
you love your job. You’ll have to forgive the occasional nagging about it.”

He smiled against her skin. “If I can come home to this, feel
free to nag as much as you see fit.”

She pinched his leg. His laugh warmed her heart. Especially
after the riotous feelings he’d had earlier.

“What happened, Leo? Your emotions were all over the place.”

He stiffened and growled in aggravation. “I ran into my father
on the way in here.”

“What did he say?”

“Everything I believed about my childhood was a lie. I’ve
treated my mother in a deplorable manner, and every excuse I’d used to justify
it was a fabrication.”

She could relate to the sense of betrayal something like that
would cause. “Sharine is still here, there is time to repair the hurt.”

He was silent, his fingers tracing absently along her skin.

She let it go. He would contact his mother when he was ready.
“It seems we both have faced hard truths these past few days.”

“Speaking of hard truths. Kedric was sentenced to death.”

“What?” She whipped around the face him.

“He was a part of a guild that was actively working to free
Ofeeree. He was named with a few other very high ranking Demis.”

Gods. She put her hand over her mouth in complete shock. “Why
would he do something like that? Why choose them over running the kingdom?”

Leo brushed a hand over her shoulders. “Well, with Kita gone, he
wouldn’t get the kingdom. His mother nearly lost their family the crown by
taking so long to reproduce. A sterile king would never be allowed to take the
crown.”

“Gods, I never thought of that.” She whispered.

“I know we couldn’t punish him for the death of your sister,
hopefully this will give you some closure.”

“I don’t care why he died. He’s dead, I can live with that.” She
turned back and resettled in his lap. She ran the information around in her
mind, waiting to feel something. Some kind of vindication. There was nothing.
She sighed. “I can’t even work up a proper reaction after everything that’s
happened this past week.”

“What happened while I was gone?”

She sighed and told him about her visit to her father’s house,
and watching Bea’s confession. He hugged her tight.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t here for you,
ina.
”

“You’re here now.” She turned a little and brought his head down
for a kiss. “I’ve spent the past week in and out of Xavier’s office. I’ll be
happy to not step foot in there for a while.”