Authors: Gabrielle Evans
The door to the basement creaked open, and footsteps treaded lightly down the stairs. Eyce appeared first, followed by the other warriors, and all seemed to sigh as one when they found Echo cradled in Hex’s arms. “He’s okay?” Eyce asked.
“He woke up long enough to drink. He seemed fine, though. We’ll just have to take it one day at a time.”
“Go on and get some rest.” Eyce cupped the side of Hex’s head and smiled. “You look a little pale. I don’t think he should drink from you again just yet. Me and Fiero will stay today. We’ll talk when the sun goes down.”
Hex didn’t want to let Echo go yet, but the worry and anxiousness on their faces told him that his lovers needed time with their mate as well. Placing Echo gently in the center of the bed, he brushed the hair back from his sleeping face and smiled.
Things would be different. He’d make sure they were. No more hiding or thinking he knew what was best for everyone. The fear and desolation that filled him when Echo had gone missing finally drilled into his stubborn head exactly how much he stood to lose. He couldn’t allow that to happen.
“How long until sunrise?”
“Forty minutes or so,” Vapre answered.
“Can you guys get him cleaned up and changed? I need a minute alone with Myst.” Hex needed to make his peace with everyone, had a lot of groveling to do with all of his lovers, but he knew Myst needed to hear the words first.
Syx walked around the bed to lift Echo into his arms. Carrying him out of the room, he paused by Hex’s side and dipped his head. “You made the right choice,” he whispered. “That man has been going out of his mind.”
“It doesn’t mean I need him more than any one of you,” Hex said just as quietly.
Syx smiled crookedly. “I know, boss man. We’ll talk later, okay?”
Hex kissed Syx’s temple and stepped away. “We will. Now, hurry, and have Echo back before the sky even begins to lighten. I won’t take any chances.”
With that, the warriors hurried up the stairs and out of the basement, leaving Hex alone with Myst. The demon looked nervous but resolute, as though he expected to be punished but agreed with the sentence.
“Come here,” Hex said to him. How did he let things get so bad? Myst looked like he was walking to the electric chair as he crossed the small space to stand in front of him. “Now, look at me.” With a visible shudder, Myst lifted his head to look into Hex’s eyes. “Hey.”
Myst’s eyebrows drew together, and he frowned. “Hi?” he said uncertainly, making the greeting sound like a question. Hex would never say it out loud—mostly because he liked his head right where it was—but Myst looked adorable in that moment.
Lifting his hand slowly, he curled his fingers around Myst’s cheek, smiling happily when the demon leaned into his touch. Then Myst’s eyes widened, and he snapped his head up quickly. “You wanted to talk to me?” he asked with more roughness in his voice.
“Not really.” Hex chuckled under his breath at the confusion on his lover’s face. Instead of expounding, he slid his fingers into Myst’s hair and pulled the man to him, crushing their mouths together and thrusting his tongue through Myst’s parted lips. The sweet groan that spilled into his mouth made Hex’s heart hammer in his chest and his naked dick throb painfully.
Myst leaned into him, settling his hands hesitantly on Hex’s hips. Now, that just wouldn’t do. There should never be any apprehension between them. He’d fucked up royally, but he’d make things right before either of them left the dank basement.
Pulling out of the kiss, he held Myst to him as he rested their foreheads together and panted for breath. “Missed you.”
“Missed you, too,” Myst whispered.
“I need to tell you something, okay?” Hex leaned away so he could look into his lover’s eyes. He wanted Myst to see the truth when he spoke the words. “I’m sorry I’ve been such a prick. It won’t happen again. I hate that it took this happening to Echo for me to pull my head out of my ass, but I finally see what I have right in front of me.”
Myst licked his lips nervously. “And what is that?”
Hex brushed their mouths together tenderly. “You.” He did it again. “Echo.” He flicked his tongue over the seam of Myst’s lips. “Syx, Vapre, Eyce.” His hands roamed down Myst’s back, urging the man closer to him. “Onyx and Fiero,” he finished before claiming his lover’s mouth once again in a toe-curling kiss. “Forgive me,” he panted a moment later. “Forgive me, and I swear I’ll make it up to you.”
“If you lie to me, or keep things from me again, I’m going to kick your sexy ass.”
Hex chuckled, feeling lighter than he had in longer than he could remember. “I expect nothing less.”
“Why now?” Myst demanded. “I mean, I get what you’re saying about worrying we would lose Echo, but I don’t get it. What changed? How do I know you’re not going to go back to being a complete shithead again tomorrow?”
“I’m too tired?”
Myst just glared at him. “I love you, but you’re already being a prick again.” It took about two seconds for Myst to realize what he’d said, then his lips pressed together, his eyes widened, and he began shaking his head.
Hex thought he’d pass out right there on the concrete floor. He knew Echo loved him, remembered clearly when his mate had spoken the words. It had been more than enough, but to know Myst felt the same was overwhelming.
“I’m sorry,” Myst mumbled. “I shouldn’t have said that. I know warriors aren’t supposed to have these feelings. We’re supposed to be cold and ruthless, and…I’m just sorry, okay? I won’t say it again.”
“First,” Hex said clearly, “I don’t think there is a rulebook that outlines how warriors are or are not supposed to act. Secondly, do you really think any of us are cold and ruthless?”
Myst shook his head, and the corners of his mouth twitched. “No, and especially not since Echo arrived. We’re like putty in the little guy’s hands.”
Hex nodded his approval. “Third, you never have to be sorry for saying what you feel or think. And last…” He trailed off and smirked.
“Last?” Myst croaked.
“I’d be very disappointed if you didn’t say it again.”
“Really? Why?”
“Because I love you, too, and I plan to say it as often as I can.”
A goofy smile spread over his lover’s lips, but before Myst could respond, the basement door swung open again, and Fiero carried Echo back into the room. Hex kissed Myst on the forehead and stepped back. “Go get some rest.”
Myst nodded dazedly as he brushed past Eyce and headed up the stairs.
“What the hell did you do to him?” Eyce turned to watch the man leave and laughed. “He looks like he got clobbered over the head.”
“Oh, Hex,” Echo said quietly, and Hex only then realized the man was awake again. “You didn’t do something stupid again, did you?”
Smiling like an idiot, Hex crossed over to stand beside Fiero and dropped a kiss on Echo’s lips. “Not this time, baby.”
“Good, because I’m tired, and I don’t feel like kicking your ass right now.”
Hex threw his head back and laughed as Fiero eased Echo under the blankets on the bed. Then Fiero and Eyce began undressing, preparing to sleep through the day and be there for Echo if the man needed them.
Sitting on the side of the bed, Hex cupped his mate’s face and smiled. “How are you feeling?”
“Tired, sore, confused, take your pick. What happened to me?”
“Just sleep, and we’ll talk when you wake up, okay?” Hex knew he couldn’t dodge the answer forever, but so far Echo seemed to be oblivious to his new status in the paranormal world. If Hex could keep it that way for a little longer, maybe he’d figure out a way to explain it to his lover.
“Okay, but tomorrow, I want answers. My brain feels fried, and I can’t think straight. I feel weird, though, and I know that the sun is coming up in exactly nineteen minutes. How do I know that?”
“Because you’re a bloodsucker now,” Fiero said with a teasing glint in his eye. Hex wanted to deck the bastard.
“Don’t use that word,” Echo scolded half-heartedly. “I may be a vampire now, but I’m still your mate. Don’t be rude.”
Hex’s mouth fell open, and he gaped. Well, there went his theory that Echo was oblivious to what he’d become.
Echo rolled his eyes and snorted. “Close your mouth, Hex. I’m not stupid. My throat burns, I have fangs now, and I want to sink them into your neck as we speak. I don’t understand a lot of it, like how I know when the sun will be up, or exactly what being a vampire entails. I’m sure Syn and Jinx will help me, though.”
“How can you be so calm about this? Aren’t you scared, or at least mad?”
“Honestly, I’m not sure how I feel about it right now. Ask me again tomorrow, and I’m sure my opinion on the matter will change a dozen different times between now and then. It’s done, though. It can’t be changed. I still have the men I love, and you don’t seem to mind, so that’s enough for now.”
Bending over his mate, Hex kissed Echo’s cheek and trailed his lips to the man’s ear. “You are amazing.” He paused for a second, gathering his courage. “I love you.”
Echo’s small hand came up to rest against the side of his neck. “I know, love.” Hex sat up to see his mate’s face. Echo smiled softly. “You look like hell. Go get some sleep. We’re going to need you running on all cylinders when it’s time to talk.”
“Sweet-talker,” Hex teased. He kissed his mate again and rose from the bed. “I’ll see you when the sun goes down.”
“I have no doubt you’ll be pacing the kitchen well before then. Try to sleep, though.”
Hex bit the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing. The little runt knew him too well.
* * * *
The next time Echo woke up, he was feeling a hell of a lot better—besides the burning ache in his throat. At least he knew what it meant this time. With no windows to see out of the basement, he didn’t know what time it was, or how long his lovers had slept. Judging by his still-damp hair from his shower, it hadn’t been long. He didn’t want to wake Eyce or Fiero, but the longer he stared up at the ceiling, the worse the raw, burning need became.
Strong arms wrapped around him, pulling him up against Eyce’s chest, and Echo whimpered as his nose pressed right along his mate’s jugular. He gritted his teeth together, hissing when his fangs pierced his bottom lip.
Stupid fangs.
Weren’t the damn things supposed to retract when he wasn’t using them?
Eyce moaned in his sleep, cuddling Echo closer, urging his face to the crook of his neck. Echo’s entire body began to shake violently as he fought not to sink his fangs into the supple flesh.
“What’s wrong, baby?” Eyce mumbled drowsily.
Echo whimpered and shook his head. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to drink from his mate—boy, did he—but he figured it would be a pretty shitty wake-up call to open your eyes and find someone snacking on your neck. That was exactly what was about to happen, though, if Eyce didn’t stop rubbing against him the way he was.
Then Eyce tilted his head back, baring his throat. “It’s okay, baby. That’s why we’re here. Take what you need.”
With a loud moan of relief and gratitude, Echo curled his fingers around the back of Eyce’s neck, clamped his mouth around the pulsing vein in his throat, and bit. He didn’t take much, not nearly as much as he needed, but he’d never do anything to hurt his men. Until he knew how much to take, he’d rather suffer a little than risk drinking too much.
When he tried to extract his fangs and pull away, however, Eyce wouldn’t let him. One muscled arm locked around Echo’s waist while the other hand came up to cradle the back of his head, keeping him firmly in place. “Drink,” Eyce demanded raggedly.
Echo grew concerned at Eyce’s labored breathing and the rough quality of his speech until he felt the hard ridge of Eyce’s weeping cock sliding over his belly. Oh, his mate liked that!