Jericho Junction (7 page)

“Oh, you’ll do it all right.” She gave him a cheeky grin. “The three of us click, no doubt about it. And though you may be a lumbering, big old bear—”

“Hey.”

“—you’re full of power. We’ll fuck and give our energy to Seino, who’ll then cut Serena’s head clean off. Good enough?”

“Nicely put.” Seino laughed at the stunned expression on Jericho’s face. “I like the way she words things. Very succinct.”

“I’ll say.”

Seino grabbed Jericho’s and Anya’s hands. “We need to find the evil first. This may take some time.”

Anya shook her head. “Read my mind. She touched me with her magic, so I have some residue. Find her through me.” The cat clearly knew how to harness magic.

“It might hurt.” He didn’t like the thought of distressing her, especially after her ordeal just hours ago with the sorceress.

“I’m stronger than I look.”

“Let’s hope so,” Jericho muttered. “Because you look like a stiff wind could blow you over, cat.”

She glared at him. “You’re one to talk, Mr Stiff.” She smirked at his arousal. “You might not like me much, but your body knows different.”

“I like you. Well, I don’t know you that well, but I like what I know.”

She softened. “You should. I’m as good as it gets.”

Jericho rolled his eyes but smiled.

Seino allowed his mates the brief respite. So much had happened so fast. Now they were expected to bond with each other and with him, and in such a way that they’d never be able to separate and live, not after this spell. Something Jericho would no doubt take exception to.

“Well, Seino? We don’t have all day. Let’s go kick some sorceress ass.”

“I like that.” Anya nodded.

Seino sighed. “Jericho, we really need to work on your tendency to try to take charge.”

“Try?” Jericho chuckled. “I did take charge. Let’s go, demon.”

Reminding himself to fix Jericho’s dominance issues later, Seino called on the power in each of them and joined it. Then he sifted through Anya’s blood and bone and memory and drew the lingering essence of Serena into his mind.

It took more power than he liked, but he found Serena in the human plane. Just outside the Great Forest in Alaska. She’d built herself a den of sorts, a fort made of rock and shifter blood. Impenetrable and surrounded by cursed hounds and walking dead shifters, all missing their hearts.

Seino quickly teleported near her domain, but far enough away that he and his mates wouldn’t be noticeable. He then said a spell to not only camouflage their presence, but magically shield it as well, away from Serena’s prying eyes.

Jericho and Anya released their tight grip on his hands, no doubt feeling the strain of his power.

“I’ve found her. But before we work our magic, we need to know more about her plans.” He studied them both and chose Jericho. “You can take a bear’s form.”

“Ah, yeah. I’m a bear. Thought we’d established that already.”

“No, you’re Kin, first and foremost. The bear is in your blood, but it’s not all of who or what you can be.”

Jericho groaned. “Understanding you gives me a headache. Just say what’s on your mind.”

“I want you to follow my instructions and shift into something small and unnoticeable. A small bird perhaps. Flight would give you the ability to come in from the air and maintain a low profile in Serena’s keep.”

Jericho’s eyes went wide. “Flight? You seriously think I can become a bird?”

“I’ve done it.” Anya shrugged. “It’s not that hard. But it’s not anything close to being feline.”

“Yeah, but you’re more Kin than I am. Don’t think I didn’t notice those cute pointy ears. Besides, your sexual power kind of broadcasts your tie to the athmae. I’ve been bear my whole life. I have a few visions now and again. That’s it.”

“Because the rest is trapped inside you,” Seino explained. “Don’t fear the unknown, mate. Do what feels natural.”

“Why can’t you just use those birds you tapped before, in your realm?”

“Because they only exist there. This is the human plane. Now stop avoiding your magic and feel.” He ignored Jericho’s frown, more determined than ever to reinforce the structure in their relationship. Commands had to be followed without question, and his bear needed to learn his place. But right now they needed to stop a sorceress before she killed again, so Jericho would have to learn as he went.

Seino handed Jericho his sword and let the magic within the blade and their bond connect and flow.

Jericho’s eyes widened. He tilted his head, as if listening to what the magic told him. “No shit. That’s really possible?”

“Doable,” Seino corrected. “Now follow the instructions. Call upon that bundle of energy inside you that connects you to your bear. Use it, shape it. Sprout feathers and wings and be one with the air.”

Why was he not surprised to watch Jericho slowly shimmer into a red-tailed hawk? No small song bird, but a bird of prey with a wingspan twenty-five inches long. But at least he wouldn’t look out of place in the sky, since they were native to the region. “You’re small enough, I suppose. Now find a way inside and learn what you can, then fly out as soon as you’re able. The amulet you wear will protect you from her magic.” He gripped his own amulet and drew from Anya as well. He sent the large well of power into Jericho, who screeched at him and flapped his wings.

“I apologise, but the energy is necessary to ensure your survival. Now go.”

Jericho glared and said a few more uncomplimentary things.

“I speak avian, Jericho. Don’t think we won’t discuss your lack of respect later.”

Anya watched Jericho fly off with her mouth wide open. “He’s really powerful. It took me five tries before I could become anything more than a sparrow. But I don’t think he knows what he can do.”

“He doesn’t. It’s up to us to teach him.”

She turned her golden eyes on him. “So this mating. It’s taken root, hasn’t it?”

He nodded.

“No undoing this.”

He shook his head, again feeling the pain that sat heavy in her heart.

“So we’re stuck together.” She sighed. “And I was really starting to like you two. Well, you did this. I refuse to take the blame when it all goes to hell.”

“Anya?”

“Never mind. No one ever takes my advice anyway. No point in telling you you’re going to die since you think you’re invincible.” She gave him a half-hearted smile. “I guess it was time I took a mate anyway. I just hadn’t counted on two, for however long it lasts.” Her smile turned watery.

“It will be okay, sweet. Whatever has happened in the past is past. Banathmae willed us together for a reason. Not to die, but to live for a purpose.”

“Nope. You never listen. It’s like your cock sucks all the intelligence from your brain.”

He frowned. “Disrespect will not be tolerated.”

She grinned, surprising him, and he noticed a dimple he hadn’t seen earlier. “Oh goody. Discipline. I can’t wait.”

He chuckled. “You’re going to be a handful.” He immediately sought her breasts.

“No, two,” she said, reading his thoughts.

They both grinned.

“Well, it could have been worse.” She tilted her head, a naughty smile still on her face. “You’re a Protector at least.”

“Oh? How could it have been worse?”

“Jericho could have been a wolf.” She scrunched her nose. “I hate the smell of wet dog.”

Jericho flew and thought it the most amazing thing. For years he’d taken strength in the massive muscles and power of his bear. It felt a part of him, the essence of the change ingrained in his blood. But this. Flying. He’d never felt anything like it. The rush of wind through his feathers. His incredible eyesight able to detect any movement on the ground.

Distracting him, a mouse raced under some sticks on the ground and he almost forgot himself and dived for it. But at the last minute he drew on his discipline and sought refuge in the sorceress’s high tower, under the eaves of the roof. He had no problem flying in and rested on a thick wooden beam. But to his discomfort, he experienced a tingle under his claw, the sense of shifter blood staining the beams with dark magic.

He listened but didn’t hear her. So he did what came natural and opened that door in his mind wider. Absorbing the power Seino had lent him, he used a tendril of it to connect with Serena. A backblast of evil snaked around him and pulled him across to the other tower.

A quick glance around showed no one paying him any attention. The undead guards standing watch over the lower entrances only looked for threats from the ground. The hounds barked at something in the woods. But other than that, he was free to move.

Jericho quickly glided to the next tower and held tight to the girder. She was here; he could feel her cloying presence. He cocked his head and listened. Movement directly below. He hopped down onto the joints holding the beams together and resisted his urge to squawk in disgust. Pieces of bone stuck out from the wood. A true house of horror.

From far below, he heard her voice. He couldn’t see much past the floor below him, just a few pieces of furniture. So he eased out into the air again and floated down to the next landing. He stood on a stone ledge and peered inside. There. Serena paced over the cobbled floor, having a long conversation with several undead humans and two athmae. Or at least men that looked athmae. They were both black and had white hair, despite the daylight hours.

“I want him dead. But not before he watches me bleed out his brother.” She squeezed a fist, and droplets of blood trailed on the ground behind her. From each drop, another hound grew.

Nasty fuckers.

“Yes, my queen.” The athmae bowed. “The price of a beloved’s passing is a hard one to bear.”

“Price my ass. That bitch deserved to die. But I should have been the one doing the killing.” The contrast of such an innocent-looking face and evil intent was strangely fascinating. “All her power seeped back into the earth instead of into me. She was my sister, my blood. Mine.” She turned and wiped a stray tear from her eye, her gaze fierce.

Jericho wanted to call her cold, but he could feel the swell of her despair. Though Serena was evil to the core, some part of her had actually cared for her sister.

The athmae with her bowed their heads.

The taller of the two spoke. “Well do we know the price of power. We serve, great lady, for that very reason. To learn from you, that you might help us defeat our enemies.”

“Yes, yes. I know all that.” She waved a hand, dismissing them. “Your king and that nasty little mage. Master Fel. I’m more interested in making Fenris scream while Anson watches. Tomorrow we’ll strike. At twilight, when my power will be at its strongest. Bring the prince and Anson to me, then we’ll march on their Great Forest and raze it to the ground.” Her gaze narrowed. “You know, killing two werewolves and the sorcerers with him will fill me up. Enough to help you with your king right away, if you like.”

“It will be an honour.”

She smiled prettily. “How much of an honour?”

She lifted her skirt, and the athmae bowed before her. One knelt and shoved his face into her pussy while the other moved behind her and tugged at his trousers. He shifted and bunched her skirt up around her waist. And then he bit her hard on her shoulder.

Jericho knew what came next, and he didn’t want to watch any longer. He had until twilight tomorrow. The sun had already set behind him. It didn’t leave him and his mates—companions, he thought to ease the stress—much time to work. But they’d make do. They had to.

Jericho returned, still basking in the rush of the air over his body. Such intensity, such sheer power as he rode the currents in the sky. His eyesight sharpened and he spotted Seino and Anya by a small fire. Anya looked asleep while Seino paced back and forth. Interesting. In the short span of time Jericho had known him, he’d rarely seen the Kin jittery.

He landed by Anya and released the form of the bird. His limbs felt heavy and his heart thundered as he balanced on human legs once more.

“Damn. That was fun.” He’d taken the straightest route home, though he’d still circled high above a few foxes and rabbits. The thought of sinking his claws in and jerking prey from the ground had appealed to him more than he’d liked. Hell, his buddy Gibson was a fox. What if he accidentally tagged a friend for dinner?

“Where were you?” Seino asked, his voice cold.

“I was up there.” He jerked a thumb at the sky. “As ordered by you—Lord Demanding.”

Seino didn’t smile. “You should have been back long ago.”

Jericho frowned. “I wasn’t gone that long.” He’d listened in and returned rather quickly, or so he’d thought. Though a glance at the dark sky made him wonder…

Seino stalked into his personal space and pulled Jericho tight against him.

Jericho’s traitorous body leapt at the feel of the Kin. He tried to ignore Seino’s erection pressed against his belly, even as his own cock responded.

“What’s going on?” Anya woke from her nap and stretched, still wearing nothing. His body hardened like a rock. All over.

“You really need to get her some clothes.” He stared into Seino’s eyes, mesmerised by the flaming glow of anger, lust and control. Now black-skinned and white-haired again, he resembled a demonic statue of vice and temptation no living thing could resist. And certainly not Jericho. He glanced over at Anya again and felt his heart race even faster. I’m so screwed.

“You need to learn your place, mate.” Seino didn’t move. “And you will. But first, tell us what you found.”

Jericho relayed Serena’s words and finished with, “So we have until twilight tomorrow. That’s if she was telling the truth and not suckering us into moving too late. What if she knew I was there all along?” He tried to pull back but Seino wouldn’t release his hips. “Ah, this is awkward.”

Seino jerked him hard into a kiss that stole Jericho’s resistance, not that he’d had all that much to begin with. Seino’s lips plundered and he thrust his tongue deep, shoving into Jericho in clear mimicry of what Seino’s cock would soon be doing.

“Yes, in your hot mouth. Soon, bear.”

Then Anya was stroking his ass and prodding Jericho to widen his stance. When he did, she cupped his balls and he jerked, nearly ready to come.