A Harmony of Hearts: Reverse Harem Siren Romance (Spellsinger Book 3) Page 17

  “The spellsingers,” I whispered as I pushed away from Gage. “No; they wouldn't do this, not to family. Aoide even wanted me to call them and ask them for help.”

  “I agree. I don't think it's them,” Declan said gently. “I'm just saying that there are other possibilities. This may not be related to recent events at all. It could be someone from your past.”

  “Like the manticores,” Gage noted. “You killed an entire pride; that's vicious enough to inspire a vendetta.”

  “I'm a fixer,” I said to him. “I'm not ashamed of it; I choose my cases carefully and try to use my magic for good. Those manticores were eating people in Las Vegas; they needed to be stopped.”

  “You do help people, but to do that you have to do bad things to other people,” Declan said. “Don't look at me like that, El. I find your profession to be terribly sexy. I'm merely pointing out that your fixing things for some people may have felt like torture to others... other people who are strong enough to open portals and wrangle monsters.”

  “Like blooder kings,” Banning whispered.

  “Can Sorin open portals?” I asked.

  “He has enough money to hire someone to do it for him,” Banning said. “My father is good at delegating.”

  “Shit,” I snapped. “Then the list is endless.”

  “Which is why we need to take a look around,” Declan added as he waved the letter. “And there's another clue in this that we haven't noted.”

  “What's that?” Banning asked.

  “He—or she—said that Cerberus was worm-food, Aoide was a demon's whore, and Banning was sucked dry,” Declan pointed out. “This person released the monsters and then left. They merely assumed that their targets would be destroyed.”

  “But they weren't,” Gage added.

  “The shit that went down in Vegas was covered by news reporters,” I murmured. “Anyone with a TV would know that the death worms were dealt with.”

  “And anyone plotting revenge would want to see verification that their plan was working,” Banning murmured. “So, why don't they know that it isn't?”

  “Because they only come to the Human Realm to torture me, then they leave and don't return until it's time for the next round,” I concluded. “That's the only way they wouldn't know.”

  “I believe you're right.” Declan nodded. “They tipped their hand with that taunt, and if they got sloppy once, maybe they'll screw up again. Maybe they've even left us another clue that they didn't intend to leave behind.”

  “I need everyone to search the grounds!” Banning called out to his gura; they were all standing on the veranda, watching us. “And do it carefully,” he added when they began to run off in all directions.

  “Carefully?” One of the blooders called back. “What does that mean, Gheara?”

  “You've all seen CSI!” Banning snapped. “Make like a crime scene detective and look carefully. Use some flashlights and tweezers for fuck's sake!”

  The blooders scurried off.

  “And put anything you find in a Ziploc!” Banning shouted after them.

  “CSI?” I asked Banning and laughed.

  “Well, do you want the four of us to have to cover all this ground alone?” Banning shot back.

  “No, Gheara, I don't.” I smirked. “Especially since I don't have any Ziplocs on me.”

  “Or tweezers,” Declan added with a chuckle.

  “Assholes,” Banning muttered as he shook his head and turned to stalk away from us. “I'm surrounded by assholes, and it's really starting to stink up my air.”

  Declan and I laughed hard enough that Gage joined in, and there; standing on scorched earth and beneath the pall of potential doom, I felt a weight lift from my shoulders, and hope fill my heart.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  We searched the entire grounds surrounding the Crouching Lion Country Club and some of the bordering forest as well. There were no other clues. I even tried singing again and got the same result; the trail ended in the Veil. But at least now we knew the culprit wasn't just jumping realms in an evasive tactic; they were going home. The problem was; there were numerous realms and the clue that I had wronged this person didn't narrow down the suspect or location list enough. I could probably rule out Torr-Chathair since Gage had come from there, and he was the first griffin I'd ever met. There were a few other realms like his, where no one associated with anything I've ever done exists, but the rest of them were up for debate. Most of the beneathers who lived on Earth originally came from another realm, and honestly, I don't remember every job I've ever done.

  Still, this had the feeling of something recent. This person expected me to know what I'd done, and that doesn't say “centuries-long vendetta” to me. I was leaning toward a shining one. King Galen wasn't the only one on the losing side of the Sapphire War; he'd had lots of supporters. I just needed to figure out who I'd made “writhe in agony” and go from there. Shit; that list was pretty long too; I'd been ruthless under the relic's influence. In fact, I'd nearly lost myself to it. If it wasn't for Torin... nope; can't go there right now. I had to focus on saving the people I loved.

  But before I could save my loved ones, I needed to take some advice from a stewardess and save myself. I couldn't help anyone if I were dead. And saving myself meant getting to know Gage. Oh, the hardship.

  After we settled things in Kansas, Declan went home to Alexandrite, Banning remained with his gura to strengthen their defenses (whatever that meant), and I took Gage with me to Hawaii. I had an oceanfront home there on the Windward side of the island. I took Gage straight into my living room, and then we just stood there, staring at each other. So much had happened in such a short time that it felt awkward. I knew him, but I didn't.

  “Do you like coffee?” I asked.

  Son of a centaur; I didn't even know if he liked coffee!

  “We don't have that beverage on Torr-Chathair, but I've heard the witches talking about it,” he said. “Is it good?”

  “Depends on who makes it.” I shrugged and headed into the kitchen. “I do an okay job.”

  Gage followed me, looking around the room with interest. He picked up kitchen appliances and frowned at them, then tugged on their power cords. I watched him out of the corner of my eye as I set the coffee to brewing. Then I went to root around in the fridge. It had been night in Kansas, but it was only late afternoon in Hawaii, and it had been mid-morning in Alexandrite when we left. My body was a little confused, but it knew one thing for certain: it was hungry.

  The blender started, and Gage gave a startled shout. I turned to see him standing back two feet from the kitchen counter, one hand out defensively and the other on the hilt of his sword, as he stared at the blender like it was a demon. Actually, worse than a demon; the demons hadn't spooked him. I chuckled and pushed the Off button. The blender whirred down, and Gage relaxed.

  “Please don't kill my appliances,” I said with a smirk.

  “What do you use all of these machines for?” He asked and then started sniffing the air eagerly. “And what is that smell?”

  “I use them for preparing food,” I explained, and then pointed to the percolating coffee pot, “and that one is making us coffee—the lovely aroma you're inhaling.”

  “I think I will like this drink.” Gage grinned.

  I just stared at him.

  “What?” He lost his smile.

  “Nothing,” I said as I turned away. Then I muttered, “You're just really hot when you smile.”

  “Maybe you can make me smile more,” he said softly as he came up behind me.

  I sighed and leaned back into Gage's solid body as he nuzzled my face. He was warm and smelled like clean, male sweat. I don't know how else to describe it. They say that when a man's sweat smells good to you, it's a sign that you'll make healthy babies together. You're attracted to his pheromones, which is nature's way of saying “Hey girl, this guy is perfect.” Well, Gage and I were compatible because one whiff made me want to rub myself all over him
until I smelled like that too. But I didn't have to resort to sex kitten tactics; Gage was doing the job for me. I'd even have his scent in my hair by the time he was done.

  I turned around and placed my hands on his chest, easing Gage back a little. “This is great, but we've already established that we're attracted to each other. I need to get to know you, and vice-versa, or this is all for naught.”

  “No pressure or anything,” he teased.

  “Right?” I laughed. “How do you think I feel? I'm the one whose life is on the line.”

  Gage's expression went serious. “You're my mate, Elaria; I think we can say that with certainty now. Love is a certainty as well; I already feel connected to you, and I will not let you die.”

  “I like you too,” I whispered.

  Then, very slowly, Gage lowered his head, keeping his stare locked with mine. His lips were a whisper away; his breath tickling my skin. But Gage waited, letting me make the decision. I leaned forward against him, and he groaned, gathering me tight to his chest as his mouth opened over mine. The choice had been made, and he was done holding himself back.

  There was so much to feel at once. Gage's searing tongue slashing and demanding, then soft and tempting. The strength of his hands, kneading and sliding over my body. That amazing scent filling my head until I felt as if I might swoon like a Victorian lady. My knees were giving out, my body completely overwhelmed by him. Where was a fainting couch when you needed one? But it turned out that I didn't need any furniture; Gage caught me and lifted me onto the counter. I could feel the heat of the coffee bubbling at my back, but Gage was setting my blood to boiling, and we were making our own steam together. I moaned into him, wrapping my legs around his waist and wishing that I hadn't worn jeans. That was the thought that brought me back to sanity. I had to do this right. If I failed, it wouldn't just mean a broken heart for me; it would be a dead one.

  I pulled away reluctantly, and we stared at each other as we panted our way back to calm. Gage's eyes were nearly entirely gold; the fresh green burned away beneath the molten metal. His chest rose and fell steadily, brushing against mine with every breath he took, and his hands were still clenched tightly on my hips. He looked as turned on as I was, but he nodded.

  “You're right to pull away,” he murmured, his voice gone even lower than usual. “One more minute and I would have taken you on this cold floor. And that is not how I want our first mating to be.”

  “Good,” I whispered and slid off the counter. “Me either; I'm especially uninterested since you used the word 'mating.' Now, ease back before I change my mind, Conan.”

  “Conan?”

  “The barbarian... never mind; it was meant to be a compliment,” I muttered. “Mostly. You're way hotter than Arnold; no offense to the Terminator.”

  “I fear that I'll have to immerse myself in human culture to understand you.” Gage chuckled and stepped away.

  I took a deep sigh of non-sex scented air and got some mugs out of the cupboard. I went into the fridge for cream and realized that I'd forgotten all about food. I took out some sandwich fixings along with the cream and put it all on the kitchen table.

  “Have a seat.” I waved a hand toward the wooden dining set, placed within the curve of a bay window.

  Gage sat with a smile and started prodding the food. I set a mug before him and filled it with a little cream, then added a spoonful of sugar. I figured he could start with that. Then I grabbed the coffee and filled our cups. I set the pot on a trivet before I went to grab some plates. All the domestic activity was helping to slow my racing heart. When I returned to the table, Gage was sniffing his coffee, and damn it all, but that simple action made me want to jump his bird-boy bones. What the hell? I was fine before. I mean; I thought he was gorgeous, but I didn't have problems with my panties starting to fall off every time he looked at me. Was it simply the fact that Gage had finally agreed to be with me? The unattainable can become more attractive for its elusiveness, but something wonderful within reach has the potential to become irresistible. Gage was getting to be damn difficult to resist.

  I cleared my throat and focused on the mundane.

  “The cream tones down the bitterness”—I pointed to the cream—“and the sugar”—another point—“sweetens it. You can add as you like, or if you decide you want it more bitter, you can dump it out in the sink, and start fresh.”

  “It's a lot like tea,” he said. “The adding of cream and sugar, I mean.”

  “Yes, like tea, but stronger in flavor.”

  “I don't know, there are some strong teas out there,” he said dubiously, then sipped. His eyes widened, and he set the cup down. “I take it back; this is stronger.”

  Gage added some cream, and I chuckled as I fixed my coffee.

  “Are you hungry?” I started making a sandwich.

  “Food would be appreciated.” He nodded, looking over the process of sandwich creation avidly. “More meat, please.”

  “I should have known.” I rolled my eyes. “You don't eat like a bird, huh?”

  “A griffin's lower half is lion.” He beamed at me.

  “And that's where your stomach is.”

  “Among other things.”

  I looked up at him in surprise and found his lips twitching and his eyes full of mischief.

  “Oh, yeah; we're going to get along just fine.” I put the sandwich down in front of him.

  Gage picked it up, took a bite, and nodded. “Yes, we are.”

  “Men.” I rolled my eyes again. “Just wait till you meet Cerberus; you're gonna love him.”

  “First, I need to love you,” he said seriously.

  “First, you need to eat,” I corrected. “Then I'll show you around my home, and after that, maybe the island. Hopefully, the rest will just follow naturally.”

  “Well, you'll doubtlessly fall in love with me by the end of the day, but I may be harder to win,” Gage said it with such a straight face that I didn't realize he was joking until he winked at me.

  “Dear gods,” I groaned. “I'm dating Cerberus' long lost brother.”

  “This Cerberus must be the finest of men.” Gage smirked.

  “I take it back; I'm never introducing you.”

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  “How did you know that the chupacabras were in Kansas?” I asked Gage.

  We never made it out of the house. We'd eaten, then I gave him a tour of my home, and then we had started talking... I mean talking; that deep, intimate sort of conversation that makes people feel like they've known each other forever. We just clicked. Eventually, we'd made our way out to my private strip of beach. Gage had taken off his leather tunic (and those wrist guards), leaving him clad only in his leather pants. We sat together on a blanket we'd spread over the sand, watching the waves roll lazily in. He had to be uncomfortable in that leather—warrior wear was not made for Hawaiian weather—but Gage didn't show any discomfort. He just basked in the sun and breathed deeply of the sea air.

  “My father contacted me and told me of the incident.” Gage squinted at the horizon, watching the sunset. “He located the animals in Kansas.”

  “How did he manage to follow them past the Veil? You have them tagged or something?” I asked in surprise.

  “Magically collared.” He nodded. “We may not have been prepared for this particular scenario, but we were prepared for the possibility of a monster escape.”

  “How do you contact your father?” I asked.

  “Telepathy.”

  “Telepathy?” My eyes widened.

  “Are you unfamiliar with it?” He lifted a brow.

  “No, I know what it is. This is just the first time that I've heard of it used for communication between realms,” I said, intrigued. “I always thought it was limited by distance.”

  “It is in most cases,” Gage said. “But ours is a shared mind-link, not a path directed into some random person's head. We are bound by blood and magic, and so we can contact each other when we need to.”
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br />   “Handy,” I huffed. “I use a charm.” I pulled the barite communication charm over my head and handed it to him by the chain. “You put the narrow end in your ear and then you can contact anyone who has another one of these.”

  “Yes; I've seen them before,” he said with a smile. “We've had visitors from other realms. It's just been awhile since any of us have come to Earth.”

  “You've had visitors?” I narrowed my eyes at him as I took back the charm. “How recent?”

  “The last one was maybe forty years ago.” He shrugged. “Nothing recent enough to arouse suspicions.”