Page 99

98

Summer

A lice and I arrive at the Morningstar House just after 7AM to make sure the boys are up and nearly ready to leave.

Alice claps her hands as we enter the house. “Who’s excited for Dr?culea?” All the boys are in the living room except Connor, and I’m surprised that Ashley is also here. Connor comes from the kitchen and glances at me, his eyes shining with hurt and concern.

I dump my bag on the ground and walk over to him. I brush my lips over his, but he doesn’t kiss me back. “Can we talk for a minute?”

Connor nods stiffly. I slide my hand into his and lead him upstairs to his bedroom. When the door closes, I turn to look at Connor.

“What did you want to talk about?” he asks, dropping my hand.

I move in closer and cup his cheek. “About why we need to go to Dr?culea today. I couldn’t send it over text, and I know you were busy with your brothers yesterday.”

“Oh?” Connor asks, relaxing slightly.

I had spent the night hemming and hawing about how much to tell Connor, but I knew he wouldn’t stand for not knowing anything. That would be asking too much of him.

“You know how they caught the murderer yesterday?”

Connor nods, watching me.

“Well, it turns out he’s a noble in the fae court, so the fae king is visiting today. The headmaster didn’t think it was wise for me to stay on campus given how different I am.”

“The fae king?” Connor asks, the surprise clear in his voice.

I nod. “I need to know that everyone important to me isn’t on campus. It’s said he is quite the tyrant.”

Connor exhales and pulls me against him. “It’s hard sometimes for me to be on the outside.”

I wrap my arms around his neck. “I know. You are so fucking patient with me, and I am endlessly grateful.” I run my fingers through his hair. “I know it doesn’t seem like it, but I’m trying.”

Connor nods and leans in, brushing his lips over mine, the kiss feather-light.

“I missed you yesterday,” I whisper, sliding my tongue along his bottom lip, teasing him.

“I missed you, too,” Connor groans, deepening the kiss.

“Summer! Let’s go!” Alice yells up the stairs, and I pull back, licking my lips.

“Later?”

Connor squeezes my ass, his eyes darkening. “Definitely.”

I slide my hand into his and lead him downstairs. “Gods, let’s go already!”

Everyone glares at me, and Connor chuckles from behind me. Alice rolls her eyes and flicks her fingers, extending her black claws. She pierces her chest, opening the portal to her birthplace. Connor and his brothers look through the doorway with wide eyes. Alice and I walk through confidently. I am more than used to the realm after spending so much time here over winter break, barely phased by how it feels like it was frozen in the year 1500. The guys follow, Connor in the lead, always the leader and protector.

Zach pulls Ashley against his side as they step onto the cobbles. “This place gives me the creeps.”

Everyone else is quiet, but Luke is obviously feeling uncomfortable, and he moves closer to Connor.

Connor slings his arm around my shoulders and looks at Luke. “Stay close, baby Luke.”

“Okay, my band of warrior angel bodyguards! Follow me!” Alice says, smirking as she leads us through the streets.

“So what’s the plan, Al?” I ask when we get to the end of the street.

Alice grins at me. “Well, you said torture was off the table, right?”

Rafe snorts. He’s hanging at the back of the group, but I can tell he’s more at ease here than the others.

I give her a hard stare, and she smiles back at me. “Well, okay, then! Let’s go to the beach,” she says, skipping forward.

“You have a beach? Here?” Zane asks, looking at the murky gray sky.

Alice turns to face us, walking backward. “What do you think we are? Animals? We even have jet skis.”

Zane punches his fist in the air. “Oh, hell yeah!”

The streets are relatively empty as we walk through town. The few vampires we see scurry away at the sight of us. I’m unsure if it’s Alice and me, and the memory of our tirade over the winter break, the blonde Valkyrie, or the five hulking angels that scare them off, but whatever it is, Alice is delighted.

The beach looks untouched. There are no footprints in the white sand, and the brush surrounding the shore is completely overgrown, shielding us from prying eyes.

“Does anyone use this beach, Al?”

Alice laughs. “Just me.”

Though the star that Dr?culea orbits never breaks through the thick atmosphere, it is still warm here next to the water. I take my shoes off and marvel in the feeling of the soft grains of sand filtering through my toes.

Alice drops her bag. “I brought swimwear for everyone, and you can change in that cubical.” Alice strips down to a blood-red bikini and runs toward the ocean, plunging straight into the waves. I squint at the water, noticing there is a slight tint of red to it.

Zane undresses with no care for modesty or concern for who sees.

“Ah! My retinas!” I yelp, covering my eyes.

“Your ass is whiter than Connor’s,” Zach quips.

Ashley tilts her head. “Huh. So you guys definitely aren’t identical.”

Zane flips everyone off and rifles through Alice’s pack. He pulls on blue swim trunks and bolts down the beach. Instead of charging for the water, he heads straight for the shiny black jet skis moored on the peninsula.

Rafe grabs a pair of shorts and disappears into the cubicle. He emerges in just the swim trunks, his body littered with bruises and cuts. He spreads the towel out on the sand and sits down with a soft sigh. Luke sits next to him, and I can feel his desire to heal his brother. But it is obvious, for whatever reason, that Rafe is not allowing him to.

Ashley and I choose bikinis from the bag and change in the cubical before returning to the boys. I lay out a towel on the other side of Rafe and sit down.

“I’m going to grab a surfboard,” Connor says, looking longingly at them.

“Kiss first,” I demand.

Connor leans down and kisses me before running off to change. He emerges a few minutes later and jogs down the beach toward the boards.

“I could just heal them a litt—” Luke says, hopefully.

“No,” Rafe growls. He sighs, his tone softer when he says, “Go enjoy the ocean, Luke.”

Zach and Ashley walk toward the water, and Luke follows behind them, looking extremely dejected.

I look at Rafe. “Why do you do that?” I ask.

Rafe sighs again, not looking at me. “What?”

I nod toward Luke. He is standing in the shallow waves, staring out over the water.

A muscle clenches in Rafe’s jaw as he watches Luke. I don’t think he’s going to reply, and I’m about to shift away when he stops me with his words. “I need to feel it, to feel something.” His voice is quiet but hard, and there is such pain in his words.

“I get it,” I say, leaning back on my elbows and watching them all play in the water. Truthfully, Rafe and I aren’t so different. Neither of us belongs in this happy family. Not truly.

“He won’t ever get it,” Rafe says. “I don’t ever want him to.” I follow his gaze to Connor, who has just fallen into the water and is climbing back on his surfboard. His smile is so wide and joyful that I can’t help but smile, too. His happiness is infectious, even this far away.

“There are times I worry that my baggage will affect Connor. He is the sunshine, and I am… the abyss.” The words flow from me freely. Unlocked by Rafe’s similar candor.

“He’d go with you. Into the depths. If you asked.”

My smile falters. “I’d never ask that of him. He’s too good for me. Too bright and full of love.” Connor whoops as he stands up on the board. “I’m not saying this because I want you to make me feel better.” My eyes flick toward Rafe, and I stare at his profile. “I’m saying this so you know that when I say I understand. I truly do.”

Rafe continues to watch Connor, and through his pain, I can see the protective love glowing in his eyes. “I know he’d go for me, too, but he’ll never understand, Summer. Some darknesses swallow even the brightest of lights.”

I look back at Con. “I love your brother, Rafe.”

Rafe nods. “I know. But it’s borrowed time. We’re all on it.”

I frown at Rafe. “What do you mean?”

Rafe finally looks at me. There is an intensity in his eyes I’ve never seen from him before. “There will come a time when we’ll both have to decide. Will you drag everyone down into the darkness with you? Or will you let them go?”

My frown deepens. “I don’t think those are the only options. Or at least, I need to believe there is a third option.”

Rafe laughs bitterly, turning back toward the water. “Let me know if you find it. I haven’t.”

I watch Connor playing with his brothers. The waves are bigger now, and Connor, Zach, and Ashley catch one farther out. Their boards skim the water, sliding into the curl of the wave. As they move closer to the shore, the gloomy light pierces the red wave, revealing the silhouette of an enormous creature. Rafe and I sit bolt upright. “The fuck is that?” Rafe demands. The beast moves within the wave, getting closer to them.

“Connor!” I shout, scrambling to my feet and running toward the ocean. I throw my hand out, opening my extremely clunky runic wheel and sending a shock of power toward the creature. The beast’s head breaches the water, and my blood runs cold when I see the thirty-foot-long sea serpent. It moves beneath them and flicks its tail. I hear Connor yell as he tumbles into the wave. “Connor!” I scream again, sending another bolt of power toward the monster.

Alice emerges from the sea, rage and fear radiating from her in hot waves. Zane is still on the jet ski, trying to support them from the water. Zach dodges the large head as it breaks through the water again. He is only able to do so because Ashley is its current target. It tosses her into the air and disappears beneath the surface when she falls back into the sea. The moment Ashley emerges, Zach grabs her, and they swim to the beach as fast as they can.

Rafe snaps his wings out and launches into the air. He hovers over the waves, searching, and then plunges into the water. I follow his lead and dive into the water to find Connor. It’s not difficult. Connor is unconscious, and the serpent is playing with him like he would a ball. Rafe summons a blade and plunges it into the beast. I throw another wave of power, managing to slice the beast in half.

Rafe grabs Connor and kicks toward the surface. I turn to follow him, but something grabs me by the ankle and yanks back. I look down, and dread fills me. Severing the serpent was a mistake. There are two of them now. Struggling against its hold, I pull my free leg back and kick it between the eyes. I throw another spell at it, pushing even more power into it this time. My ball of energy slams into the beast’s face and it screams, the sound making the water shudder. The serpent’s eyes explode, and its body goes rigid before sinking into the depths. The other creature spins and flees. I swim to the surface, my lungs aching for air and fatigue pulling at me.

I struggle from the waves and run toward Connor. He is lying on the sand, and Luke hovers over him, his hand glowing bright white. I stare at his chest, searching for any signs of life. I clamp my hands over my mouth, trying to hold it together when I don’t see any. We all stand vigil, waiting for Luke to do what he does best and sending prayers to all our gods. Fear binds my body like a cocoon, lodging a sob in my throat.

It seems like hours pass before Connor chokes and starts coughing up water. I exhale on a sob and drop to my knees, pressing my forehead to his chest.

“What the fuck was that?” Rafe snarls at Alice.

“I do not know!” Alice replies.

Connor pants and we all relax a little, knowing he will be all right. I cup Connor’s cheek, my heart pounding.

“Ow…” Connor groans.

I press my forehead to his. “You scared me.”

“That hurt,” Connor says, rubbing his chest.

Luke says nothing, but his hands continue to glow. Fear grips me again, wondering just how badly Connor had been hurt.

“What is it, Ash?” Zach asks. I look up at her to see her staring out at the water.

“I’m going to check the perimeter,” she says. I barely recognize her voice. It is devoid of the cheer and pep I have come to expect from her.

Zach looks up and down the beach. “I’ll go with you.”

Ashley’s wings appear and she launches into the sky, followed closely by Zach.

“What was that?” Connor asks.

“A hydra. A big one,” I reply, pressing small kisses all over his face.

“Take a deep breath for me, Con,” Luke says, sitting back on his heels.

Connor takes a deep breath in.

“Feel okay?” Luke asks.

Connor nods, and I keep kissing all over his face.

Connor pulls back and tries to sit up. “I’m good babe, promise…”

I pull back and help him sit up.

Ashley lands nearby with Zach on her heels.

“There’s a school just past those rocks. We’ve runed it off.” She gives Zach a wry look. “Well, I did.”

“Wow,” Zach grumbles, but his lips are curled in a small grin.

Ashley wraps her arms around him and kisses him hard. “Your rune work is terrible,” she says, but relief that he is all right softens her voice.

He growls and snaps his teeth at her. “Harpy.”

Connor wobbles a little, and I steady him. “Al. Why don’t we go to your lake house? Is it close?” I ask, remembering Alice talking about it once.

Alice nods, still looking a little shaken. “Yeah, let’s go.” She glares at the water, watching it as if something is watching her back.

Luke comes up on Connor’s other side, and we support him as we walk toward the lake house. I loved the soft sand earlier. Now, it just makes things more difficult. Rafe walks behind us, a silent sentinel at our backs. His gaze constantly moves, and his wings are still out.

“You’re going to have to prove to me how okay you are when we get there,” I grumble, tightening my arm around his waist.

“Yes, ma’am.” Connor brushes his lips against my head. “I’m sorry for scaring you.”

When we make it to the house, Connor stumbles toward the couch. I shake my head and lead him to one of the bedrooms.

“You trying to get me alone?” he asks with a flirty grin.

I nod and help him down onto the bed before straddling him. “Hello, big guy.” The fear still overwhelms me, and all I know is that I need to feel him.

Connor slides his hands up my thighs.

“I know you’re worn out, but all you need to do is lay back, get hard, and relax.” I reach behind me, tugging at the string of my bikini top until it comes off. Connor’s eyes darken as he watches me. His gaze locks on my breasts, and my nipples harden. I know I should let him sleep, but I almost lost him, and I need to feel something other than that crippling fear.

Connor chuckles. “I was hard the second you led me in here.”

I bend, kissing him deeply as I tug at the ties of my bikini bottoms, leaving me completely naked on top of him. Connor’s hands slide over my thighs and cup my ass, squeezing and kneading the lush curve. I reach between us and push his swim trunks down enough to free his cock. It springs free, and I stroke down his length, moaning at the weight of it in my hand.

“Impatient?” Connor asks, pulling me down to nip at my lips.

“I’m horny for my boyfriend, who almost died on me. That okay?” I ask, squeezing his shaft and eliciting a groan that sends a wave of heat straight to my core.

“Fuck yes,” Connor moans before claiming my mouth, his tongue flicking mine playfully.

I tilt my hips, sliding the tip of his cock through my slick folds, moaning as he grazes my clit.

“Fuck, babe.”

I smile against his lips. “I thought I was the impatient one.”

“Be more impatient,” Connor groans, digging his fingers into my ass and trying to tilt my hips to line his cock up with my opening. I grant him his wish and take the tip inside, letting him feel how warm and wet my cunt is. I shiver and slide my tongue along his bottom lip.

“So hard for me,” I whisper.

Connor moves his hands to the backs of my thighs, and the touch is so possessive and sexy that I can’t hold back anymore. I slam my hips down, taking his cock to the hilt.

I cry out, my pussy quivering, trying to adjust to the sudden stretch. Connor releases a short shout, and I dig my nails into his chest as I start riding him. All thoughts of teasing are lost to the craving for the pleasure only he can give me, desperate to override the fear of losing him. I sit up so I can take his cock even deeper. He moans, his gaze drifting down my body to settle between my legs. His eyes lock on the place where we meet. I lift my hips and drop them again. The feeling of my arousal sliding out of me every time his cock invades my tight pussy makes my eyes roll with pleasure.

Connor grabs my hips and takes charge, moving me on him at the pace he craves, and I meet his dark gaze. Both of us are lost in this passionate coupling, needing the proof that we’re alive, both here, both together. The pleasure overwhelms me, and I bend, kissing him again. I need to be closer, craving the intimacy. The second my tongue brushes his, the second I taste him, it’s over. My orgasm ruptures through me. Connor follows almost instantly, and I swallow his yell of rapture.

I slow my hips, riding the last waves of my orgasm, and press my forehead to his. Our chests collide as we pant, breathing each other in. “Can’t lose you, Con,” I whisper.

He shakes his head. “I can’t lose you, either,” he says, still trying to catch his breath.

I close my eyes. “I love you, Connor.”

“I love you, Summer.”

“You should sleep. I’ll go check on Luke,” I say, smiling and nuzzling my cheek against his.

Connor’s voice is already thick with exhaustion. “Rafe, too. He used his wings…”

“I will,” I whisper, brushing my lips over his once more before climbing out of bed to check on the clan.

My clan.