“Well, you’re not mastering any part of me, so scratch that idea, fucker.”
“Oh, I think you’ll change your mind. I won’t even need to resort to violence to make you see my way of thinking.”
“Okay, I’ll bite,” he said, trying to keep the fear from his voice. “Why not?”
“Because I’m not Lucius Monroe,” he said, smiling. “I’m someone much, much more powerful than the pathetic human whose body I borrowed.”
The air around the man shimmered, and he changed. While the man was still tall, the bulk of muscle became slender. His facial features were refined, even gorgeous in a Goth way. He had black hair past his shoulders and catlike eyes. Every fingernail was tipped in black. He sort of reminded Noah of an evil version of Kalen.
“Who are you?”
“Ah, yes, your commander has met me, but we’ve not had the pleasure. My name is Jinn, and I’m an ancient Sorcerer of the Dark Arts. Some call me a genie, but that’s an oversimplification,” he scoffed. “I can change form to look like whoever or whatever I wish.”
“What did you do with Nix’s father?”
Jinn shrugged. “Unfortunately, the old man did not survive my borrowing his form. Such a shame, too, since he was very sincere about being a changed man. Ah, well, shit happens.”
“You fucking monster,” he whispered.
“I’ve been called worse.”
“And what do you want with me? I’m just a nurse,” he said shakily.
“No. You’re a Halfling with untapped power.” He ran a long, manicured black nail down the side of Noah’s cheek. “And you’re going to learn to love being my slave.”
“Get this straight—I’m not going to be your slave or anything else.”
Smirking, Jinn lifted his own wrist. Then he sliced a gash in it with a sharp, black fingernail. Blood welled on his skin, thick and dark as wine. Noah shuddered in revulsion, rearing back when the Sorcerer held the wrist to Noah’s lips.
“What the hell? Get that away from me!”
“Drink.”
“No!” But his eyes caught Jinn’s and he froze.
Suddenly everything in him wanted that drink. Craved the offering. He realized the Sorcerer was compelling him to obey, and his heart wept as he bent his head and tasted the blood.
The flavor was a wicked detonation on his tongue. It was sheer, liquid fire that arrowed to his cock, hardening him instantly. He wanted more. Needed it. The Sorcerer’s free hand stroked the back of Noah’s head as he latched on to the wrist and drank deeply, taking his fill.
“There now,” Jinn crooned. “That’s nice, isn’t it?”
Yes. So delicious.
“You want more. Take what you want, whenever you want it—that’s the first rule of the Dark Arts.”
He did. God help him, he couldn’t stop even though his soul screamed at him that this was a betrayal of his mate.
“A betrayal?” The Sorcerer chuckled. “You mean of the mate who won’t even claim you? The one who humiliated and rejected you time and again?”
Tears streamed down Noah’s face. That was true, every word.
“Why would you want that weakling, who refuses to allow his wolf to claim you? He lost his right to you. And I’m here for you now.”
Noah’s arousal was almost unbearable. By the time Jinn detached his wrist from Noah’s grip, Noah was close to coming. The bastard knew this, and kept him wanting.
“Soon, pet. See, you’re already mine. We’ll make our union official soon enough. In the meantime, you’re ready to move someplace much more comfortable for the two of us.”
Jinn untied Noah’s ankles but left his arms bound behind his back. Then he led him, now unresisting, out of the dank room and upstairs to a bedroom—one with a large bed, where he tied Noah to the frame.
“Don’t worry, I’ll return soon.”
After Jinn was gone, Noah lay in the gathering darkness, confused. Heartbroken. The once-golden thread of his fledgling bond with Nix was paper-thin and black. Sticky, as though coated in tar.
Now that the Sorcerer wasn’t in the room, his head was clearer. But another session or two like that one, and he’d be the bastard’s slave no matter how hard he fought.
Oh, yeah. He was in so much fucking trouble.
Nix. Please, find me.
* * *
Nix paced the conference room, aware that his friends’ earlier anger had morphed into worry and dread. He didn’t care about anything but getting his mate home safe and sound. Where Nix would spend the rest of his life making up for his horrible behavior.
Soon the sheriff strode in with Nick. He headed straight for Nix, expression grim. “I was told you’re not going to be sorry to hear this, but your father, Lucius Monroe, is dead. Probably since this morning, given the state of the body and the fact that the hotel manager in town had talked to him a few hours ago.”
Nix stared at him. He had to admit, a tiny part of him wondered if Noah had been right about the man changing for the better, and wanted to feel sad about his loss. But right now he had his mate to think about.
“Then . . . who kidnapped Noah? How the hell are we going to track him down?”
“I have the answer to that,” Nick said. “Everybody remember Jinn, the dark Sorcerer who got away from us? He killed Lucius and took his form, then kidnapped Noah to taunt us.”
“How do you know that? Did you see it in a vision?” Nix demanded.
The commander nodded. “Jinn has Noah. A Halfling like your mate would make the perfect slave for a creature like him, because he’s just come into his power and he’s malleable. Plus he’s been rejected, and Jinn will use that pain as a lever to take over Noah’s mind, get him on his side.”
Nix couldn’t comprehend the terrifying ramifications. “Christ, that’s what Noah meant when he told me on the phone that he sensed power coming from Lucius—only it was Jinn in disguise. We have to stop him. Do you know where he is?”
“No, but if you have a hairbrush or comb that belongs to Noah, Kalen can help track him. He needs something organic, like some hair.”
“He’s got something in my bathroom. I’ll get it.” Hoping against hope, he dashed for his quarters. By the time he returned with the hairbrush, Kalen was ready at the conference table.
Standing back, the others watched him work. The Sorcerer plucked a piece of blond hair from the brush and placed in in the middle of the table. Then he waved a palm over it, chanting a few words. In an instant, the hair vanished. Kalen stood silent for a moment, eyes closed. When he opened them again, he nodded.
“Got his location. Ready?”
The team assembled quickly, and was on the road in seconds. Nix rode in Kalen’s vehicle and wasn’t reassured by what the man was saying.
“You guys remember Jinn—I sure as hell do, since the bastard nearly killed me once. There’s no way you can battle him, so leave that to me. You guys spread out and find Noah.”
He didn’t have to repeat that order to Nix. As much as he longed to kill Jinn for touching his mate, even he wasn’t stupid enough to think he could battle a dark Sorcerer and survive.
The drive took less than a half hour, and they found themselves near an old, abandoned house that Jinn was apparently using as a base. They got out, the Pack fanning out around the house to do surveillance. From his position in the trees, Nix could see that Jinn was the only one moving around. That wasn’t much consolation, considering the creature’s power.
Nick gave the signal and they moved in closer, tightening the net around the house. Nix slipped from window to window, determined to find his mate. And he finally spotted the slim, blond figure bound to a bed in a back room.
The sight enraged his wolf, and he wanted to kill the one who dared treat his mate this way. Who dared touch him.
Suddenly, a deafening explosion rock
ed the house. He knew Kalen had made his move, and the fight was on. Nix’s only job was to get Noah out of there, fast. Changing to wolf form, Nix ran full speed toward the window. He smashed through it, landing in the middle of the floor next to his mate.
“Nix! The ropes!”
Rushing over, he worked on the bindings with his teeth and claws. They were his best tools, but it still took precious minutes to get Noah untied. When he was finished, he led Noah to the window, urging him up. The noise from the battle was horrific, and smoke was beginning to fill the house.
“We have to get going,” Noah said urgently.
Nix shifted back to human form. “You hurt?”
“No. Just scared of what that creep was planning to do to me.”
“He’s not going to do shit. Kalen’s taking care of him.”
Once Nix helped his mate out the window, he stopped only to tug on his jeans. Then he took Noah’s hand and ran for the safety of the forest, and the SUVs beyond. But when he looked back to see if the others were following, he saw Aric running in his direction, yelling.
“Kalen’s down! We need help!”
Nix turned to his mate. “Stay with the vehicles! We’ll be back!”
Somehow, he knew Noah wasn’t going to listen. He was right.
As he reached the front of the house, he saw Kalen and several other injured Pack brothers lying on the ground. Aric, a Firestarter, was trying to torch Jinn, but the bastard just laughed and directed the flames back at him. His friend barely got out of the way in time to keep from getting fried.
Jinn disappeared into the burning house, and Nix followed. And tried real hard not to think of Nick’s vision.
“Looking for me?”
Whirling, he spotted the Dark Sorcerer standing in a plume of smoke. It was like looking at the freaking devil, and his heart clenched in fear. But he wouldn’t show it. Instead, he launched himself at Jinn in a direct attack. The Sorcerer met him in the fight, but just as he reached Nix, he changed form and transformed into a huge tiger. Even bigger than Leo, who’d nearly killed Noah.
Nix quickly changed into his wolf, but he had no chance against Jinn. Leaping, he clashed with the bigger predator, going in low, for his throat. But he was simply overmatched. The tiger swatted his wolf like a fly, sending him crashing into a table. Something cracked in his side, and pain flared. But he went on the attack again, heedless of the fire raging around them. Of the fact that he was fighting a losing battle.
Every cut, gash, broken bone. The tiger bit him, slashing again and again, until there was nothing but agony. He felt himself weakening, and at last, his wolf dropped.
Jinn hovered over him, grinning in triumph. “Your team will never take me down. I’ll just keep coming back.”
He raised a claw-tipped hand, but just as he was about to deliver the killing blow, he looked up and his eyes widened. Beyond the fire, Nix saw Kalen rising, uttering a spell. He flung it at Jinn, but the Dark Sorcerer disappeared for good before it could strike him. Then Kalen fell again.
“Nix!” someone screamed. “Nix, where are you?”
With great effort, he changed back to human form. But he couldn’t move. Could hardly see now. He was more dead than alive, broken and soaked in blood.
“Nix?” Then his mate was there, cradling his head. Sobbing over him. “Oh, God. What have I done? I caused this.”
“No.”
“I did. I ran, and if I hadn’t—”
“Not your fault. Listen to me,” he managed over the roar of the fire. “It’s time. Nick’s vision.”
“What?” Blue eyes locked with his, devastated. “No, I can’t. Please.”
“Use your gift. You don’t have a choice. Zan can’t fix me. If I die this way, it’s over. For good.”
“Nix.”
“Trust me. Trust in us. Do it now.” Nix held Noah’s gaze, pushed down his own fear. He hoped all the feelings he didn’t have time to express were there in his eyes, for his mate to see.
Please, let my love get him through what’s to come.
Shakily, Noah stood. Smoke billowing around them, he focused his power. Slowly, Nix’s body began to rise as his life drained away.
“Nix, I love you,” he sobbed.
“Love you too . . . angel. Wait for me.”
In that moment, just before Noah flung him into the fire, Nix drew his last breath.
* * *
Noah’s hands were shaking as he watched Nix’s body rise from the dirty floor. Fire was consuming everything around him, and would take him, too, if he didn’t hurry.
His mate’s broken body was limp, hair streaming like a bloody banner under him.
“Nix, I love you.”
“Love you too . . . angel. Wait for me.”
Nix’s eyes closed, and he drew a deep breath—
And Noah pushed his palms out, flinging his mate, his one true love, into the fire. In horror, he watched Nix’s body ignite, mouth open in a soundless scream.
But Noah’s screams weren’t soundless. They went on and on as hands dragged him backward, keeping him from joining his mate on the other side.
“No! Nooo!”
“Kalen! Is Kalen conscious? Get him over here!”
“Nix! Phoenix!” Noah thrashed, the horror of what he’d done completely overtaking him. He was lost to it, a deep well dragging him under.
Then Kalen was there, battered and grim. Waving a hand over his face. “Sleep.”
And he did. For a long, long time.
7
Three months.
Twelve weeks of pure unfettered hell on Earth.
Noah couldn’t keep food down. Couldn’t sleep. After the first two weeks spent basically in a medically induced stupor to keep him from screaming, Noah had promised to be quiet. He’d been as good as his word.
He hadn’t spoken since. Not to anyone.
Especially not to Melina. The one who’d given Nix drugs to prevent their mating.
Mackenzie tried to comfort him, explaining that if they had completed their mating, the bond might have suffered irreparable damage when Nix died. But she didn’t actually know, so Noah ignored her.
Nothing mattered now, because Nick had been wrong. No, not Nick. He, Noah, had made the wrong choice.
He’d murdered his own mate on the off chance that some crazy old witch knew what the fuck she was yammering about.
And now he was doomed to be alone forever. He couldn’t live without Nix. Couldn’t live with what he’d done.
Especially with Jinn, drinking his blood. Almost giving in to temptation. The black tar on his bond with Nix was gone now—but the bond was dry as dust. Dead. A shriveled vine leading nowhere, like his heart.
Burying his face in Nix’s pillow, he cried himself dry for the last time. Then he calmly slid out of bed and sat on the floor. He reached underneath the bed and pulled out the metal box he’d found last week. He lifted the lid. Took out the Glock that was nestled inside.
Loaded the cartridge. One in the chamber.
One was all he needed.
Stop! Wait for me, baby.
Noah shook his head, and stood. Must be going crazy. Finally. Not that it mattered.
Shoving the gun in his waistband, he pulled the hem of his shirt over it and left the room. Something he hadn’t done much of lately and gained him too much attention for his liking now. But he guessed it was closure of sorts. He was sure everyone would understand.
Would any of them deny they’d do the same, in his position?
A few of his friends said hello, and he managed small smiles and some simple answers. Brief, polite talk that meant nothing, but made them happy because they thought he was finally healing.
Healing? No. But he was going to be okay. At last.
As luck would have it, he ran into Melina halfway acros
s the yard on his way to the trailhead. “Going for a walk?” she inquired, stopping in front of him.
She was trying. It really hadn’t been her fault. He knew that. She was Nix’s doctor, and he’d been her patient. “You could say that.”
She cocked her head. “Where to?”
“Down the trail. It’s a nice day.” The silence grew heavy for a moment. Then he said quietly, “I forgive you, just so you know.”
For the first time since he’d come to the compound, tears filled her eyes. “I’m so sorry. I wanted Nix to tell you the truth.”
“He was scared. I get that, and I don’t hold it against you anymore.”
She nodded. “Thank you. For the record, he told me the day before you were kidnapped that he was done with the drug trial.”
Noah’s throat closed with a wave of emotion. “Really?”
“Yes. He wanted to quit, for you.”
“But at the barbeque . . . why did he throw it in my face if he’d already decided to quit?”
“I think he was lashing out. His fear got the best of him, and I know he regretted it immediately.”
Thinking back, Noah could see that. He nodded. “Yeah, you’re right.” Stepping forward, he gave her a quick hug. “Anyway, no hard feelings now. Remember that.”
Giving her a wan smile, he started around her. She grabbed his arm.
“Noah. Are you going to be all right? Really?”
“Yeah. I really am.”
Something in his eyes must’ve convinced her, because she let him go. If only she knew.
In minutes he was strolling down his favorite trail, remembering when he and Nix came this way together. He’d loved watching his wolf run and play. Wrestling with him.
He’d loved making love with his mate by the creek.
I loved that, too. Wait for me, please!
“Going nuts,” he muttered, and kept walking.
Finally, he reached the secluded spot by the creek. It was as beautiful as he remembered, but there was no beauty to be found anywhere without his mate to be his rock. His light. The gun was heavy in his hand as he pulled it from his waistband.