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M alacour flew fast , his wings struggling in a strong headwind.

He’d finally received a call from the male he trusted most in all of OneWorld. No packed bags. No tearful goodbyes. He left after they had talked, only stopping off at Lucian’s encampment to leave a few instructions for two Scourge followers.

Praevus, who had stirred up all this shit, had been a minor and accidental character in the game. He’d been nothing more than a gofer for Serita, an honored member of the rebellion. Malacour was fortunate the Rat’s screw-up hadn’t messed with his chance to advance in the cause, but his trusted ally who was high in the ranks still had faith in him.

He cast a worried glance over his shoulder. No one was following.

When he’d seen the ice-winged assassin in his bar, he thought for sure he’d get nabbed. But no, he’d dodged the Feard by hiding out at a different place each night.

Then the trusted caller told Malacour it was time to disappear, to take up a new job. An exciting one, he’d said. Malacour was ready for his reward. The caller had instructed him to escape from Angor through the passageway. All was set up for his safe exit.

Though Malacour was a trustee nearing the time of his release, he had taken risks out of duty to the Immortal he respected, the one to whom he would always pledge his allegiance. Besides, he suspected he’d never fit in back in Vast. He liked this life. Cutting corners. Being his own boss. Yeah . Can you say recidivism? He’d never make it in the dimension of flowers and blue skies.

Rebellion was a better fit.

Not having traveled far for some time, Malacour’s wings were weak. He threw them into overdrive, though, determined to escape. He could collapse later.

He flew above the Rushing River of Blood, Harpy Plains, and Hallucination Woods. He climbed the high Razor Mountains. Beyond them was the ocean and the exit from Angor.

The gateway shimmered in front of him. Drawing a deep breath, Malacour treaded air. He’d either get out of this dimension or fry. Time to see how much power his trusted ally had.

He soared into the flickering current of wind. With ease, he flew through the passage. He was free. On the other side, he punched a fist high, humming with the confidence that his deeds would be justly rewarded.

“Null, here I come,” Malacour shouted into space. “It is time for new leadership. The OC has had his turn.”

Before he could celebrate, a blinding spark shot toward him. As it coalesced into a shape, Malacour beat his wings hard, zipping across the sky away from the light. But the Immortal blocked his path. “Michael.”

“Malacour.”

Unable to escape the Bearer of Death, he confronted him. Malacour faced Michael like the warrior he was. With honor and pride.

“A few questions,” said Michael.

“Some I may answer. Some I may not.” He wondered if his escape from Angor had been a ruse. Was the Bearer of Death part of the rebellion sent here to extinct Malacour because he had allowed Praevus to fuck up?

No .

The male to whom Malacour owed allegiance would not do that. Would he?

Michael’s questions were simple. “What is your role in the rebellion?”

Was this a loyalty test?

If so, Malacour failed. Light shining from Michael ate through his flesh, the pain unbearable. “I coordinated rebel activities in Angor as instructed.”

“How did you get Madeline?”

He screamed. The pain was searing. “I received her from an Immortal inside the gateway and gave her to Serita to care for through the transition.”

“What transition?”

“To hybrid-Scourge.”

“So, it was known from the beginning that the human would change?”

“I suppose.”

“The name of the Immortal who gave her to you.”

Malacour steered the conversation away from the name. “I arranged for Remi’s attack above the Razor Mountains to divert him from Serita’s cabin where Praevus was hiding. I sent Scourges to recapture the human from Dom. That didn’t work out. Of course, I didn’t extinct Ike or Praevus.”

“Who is the Immortal who gave you Madeline?”

“Followers are awakening. I know names.” He rattled them off but still held back the name of the male he felt honor-bound to protect. He owed him. Pain loosened his lips but didn’t destroy all of his pride.

Michael was dogged, though. “The Immortal?”

When the Bearer of Death pointed the tip of his sword toward Malacour, his flesh burned until he could no longer bear the torture.

Malacour revealed the name of the one male in all of OneWorld who meant something to him. But he withheld a secret. At the gateway, he’d been given not only Madeline but another human as well.

Michael let loose his sword and, with one blow, sliced off his head. The last words Malacour heard were, “May my blade bring you peace.”

The sensation was odd. He felt the cold steel of the Bearer of Death’s sword slide into his neck. He even felt part of his body crumble to ash.

His final thought was “Have I failed the loyalty test? Hence, extinction?”

Then nothing.

****

W hen Dom strode into the bedroom, Maddy was showered and shiny. Not bothering with a nightie, she’d eased herself against the headboard, her breasts perky and one leg cocked up, giving him a great view.

“Fuck,” said Dom, hopping on one foot to remove a boot. Then the other. He stripped off his pants and ripped his tee over his head. Naked and horny, his cock saluting his mate, he prowled toward her. “What do you want, mate?”

“I want joy, an orderly life, and sun on my face.” She reached toward him. “Mostly, I want you.”

Dom had his own plans. He grabbed onto her bent knee and made room for himself between her thighs. He glanced up at her and grinned. “I can give you me.”

“What are you waiting for then?”

He groaned, lowered his head, and flicked out his tongue. When he licked between her folds, with lazy, slow strokes, she squirmed. He pressed a hand on her stomach to hold her still.

Maddy’s fingers tangled in his hair as she guided him where she wanted.

He sucked and nipped on her clit. Flipping his gaze to Maddy’s lust-soaked eyes, he licked faster. When he moved his hand off her stomach, she jacked her hips off the bed, screaming out his name.

But he continued to torture her until her fingers unwove from his hair and her arms fell lifeless to the side.

Dom backed off, asking, “Good?”

She opened one lid. “Incredible.”

He prowled up her body to seize her mouth in a rough, claiming kiss.

Maddy’s tongue slid inside to brush against his as her hands caressed his back, her palms soft and warm against his skin.

Having other plans, he released her lips. Dom raised onto flexed arms so she could see his cock. “Go on. Put me where you want.”

Madeline reached between them and grasped onto him. She moaned, nudging her entrance with his shaft.

Dom rocked forward, inching into her wet warmth. “You’re mine.”

She latched onto his hips, driving him deeper. “And you’re mine.”

Being in the mood for slow and torturous, Dom resisted her urging.

“Please,” Maddy begged. So sweetly. So urgently.

“Please what?”

“I want all of you, Dom.”

He jammed his hips forward burying himself deep, his flesh throbbing inside Madeline. He pulled out to the tip of his cock and hammered back in, lost in the feel of his mate. He withdrew. Pushed in. Out. In. Faster. Harder.

Dom’s rhythm was steady but rough. No more slow and gentle. “Bite me,” he ordered.

When she paused as if uncertain, he raised his voice. “Do it.”

Maddy’s tiny fangs sank into Dom’s neck. He jerked from the pleasure as she fed on him. About to lose it, he whispered, “You better come now, mate.”

She did, releasing his neck, locking her feet around his thighs, and digging clawed fingers into his muscled shoulders. “Yes. Yes.”

That was all Dom needed. He hammered his hips. Up. Down. Faster. He threw back his head, his balls tightened, and he spilled into Madeline, roaring his release. His stygian wings swooped out uncontrollably, curtaining them in shadows, protecting their bodies and hearts, shielding the bond that united them.

****

M adeline loved lying in bed with Dom after sex, her cheek to his chest, his heart a steady beat, and his wings sheltering her. But her thoughts were weighty. “Dom, I’m afraid.”

“Of what, Maddy.” His voice was still raspy-raw from sex.

“Of what I’m becoming.”

He stroked her hair. “You’re becoming you.”

She rolled to the side, propping her head in a palm, her elbow bent. “Me on steroids, maybe. Life and death are heavy for a mere librarian.”

He grinned. “You were never a mere anything. I’m sure of that.”

“Thanks. My ego appreciates the boost, but you know what I mean. What if I accidentally kill someone? How do you deal with all your powers? How do you keep from slipping?”

“You’re most concerned about the ability to extinct others?”

“Of course. Healing is cool, but the flip side is evil. I’m like a black mamba or a poisonous scorpion.”

“Maddy, you’ve always had the ability to kill others. Guns. Swords. Hammers. You didn’t then, and you won’t now.”

“But it’s easier now. I need some Immortal wisdom.”

Dom curled an arm under his head. “Hmm. Never thought much about it before. Our gifts are like muscles, I guess. We flex them. Extend them. Retract them. Doing anything out of the ordinary, though, requires a conscious command. You don’t accidentally slap someone, do you?”

“No.”

“The same with your powers. They don’t jump out of you willy-nilly and do whatever. If you want to perfect them, train, but you won’t kill someone unintentionally, Maddy.”

“I don’t want to kill anyone at all.”

“That’s good because you won’t be joining the assassins.”

“Fine by me. The OC promised me a job in Angor’s library. I intend to make sure he follows through.” She rested her cheek on Dom’s chest again.

After they lay silent for many moments, she said, “I need to contact my sisters. They must be worried.” It was time to reach out to Fia and Darya, though she was still unsure what to tell them.

“Ohngel has a lot of dealings on Earth. I’ll see if he knows an easy way.” He closed his lids to contact Indigo’s fire-winged mate.

When he opened his two shocking green eyes, he lifted an index finger. “Just a minute. Wait here.” He climbed out of bed to drag on his pants before heading toward the salon.

She heard voices. Dom returned with something in his fist. A cell phone. “Ohngel says this will do the trick.”

“It’s an iPhone. Does he have some kind of a deal with Apple? Like a cell tower in Vast and Angor?”

Shucking off his pants, Dom slipped into bed, leaning his back against the headboard. “He keeps up on Earth shit. Has friends there.”

“What about you?”

“Not so much. I watch some Earth TV. Not since you arrived and not as much as Remi. He’s obsessed with television and the movies. Quotes shit all the time.”

“You have a television? Where is it?”

“Wherever I want it to be.” He snapped his fingers, and a widescreen television appeared on the bedroom wall. It was tuned to a cooking show.

“Hmm. I wonder how ... never mind. It’s magical or technical. In either case, I don’t want the particulars.” She palmed the phone. “Should I punch in their usual area code? Is there an international number?”

“I don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about. Try.”

“Simmer down. We can’t all use telepathy.” Maddy scooted upright in bed.

“Don’t see why not. And you’re stalling.”

“True. I didn’t ask about phoning them before because I wasn’t convinced I’d live. It was better to let them believe I’d disappeared. Cruel but kind. Now, I’m not sure what to tell them.”

“The truth.”

She snorted. “Ha. They’ll think I’m crazy.”

Maddy punched in the country code and number for Darya. She smiled at Dom when the phone rang, but she listened to a message that said the mailbox was full. “Strange. Never happened before. She’s not deleting her voicemails.”

Dom’s lips curved into a smirk. “Still not sure what you’re talking about.”

Entering Fia’s digits, Maddy waited. “Now I am concerned. Both boxes are full? Something’s wrong. Maybe they’re looking for me. They must be worried sick. I have to reach them. Can we go to Earth?”

Dom angled his head toward her. “Not a good idea yet. Fangs. Wings. Blood urges.”

“Yeah. I need to be sure I have control. How about Indigo or Ohngel?”

“Worth a try.”

Dom went still.

When he relaxed, Maddy asked, “Well?”

“I told Ohngel you couldn’t reach your sisters. Something about their voicemail being full and them not answering their phones. He told me he had the entire U.S. Army at his disposal and would get back to me.”