Authors: Hazel Gower
He gazed down at the woman he loved and his heart swelled at her words. Gently caressing her cheeks, he winked at her. “Fine. We’ll go out to dinner and a movie tomorrow. Then Sunday we can find one of those beaches you haven’t seen.”
Her smile took his breath away and she plastered her lips over his. “Thank you.”
She didn’t have to thank him. Lucian knew then that she needed her freedom. He trusted her not to run again.
Plus
, he thought as he took her lips again,
she’ll have at least three guards.
The movie, about superheroes, had been good. Lucian had groaned and moaned at some of the scenes and Tessa heard Balthazar and Xore, who sat behind them, do the same. Tessa didn’t mind, though, she thought they were funny. She was sure the other patrons didn’t feel the same but she knew none dared come up to the three menacing men.
They now sat in the back of a fancy restaurant, Xore and Balthazar trying to act like they weren’t listening to her and Lucian’s conversation.
“Can you give me a job? Maybe I could have my old one back. I’m so bored out of my mind sitting in your office, Lucian.”
“You don’t have to come to the office, you can stay at home. Balthazar and Xore can stay there with you.” The two in question groaned and Lucian shot them a
shut up
look.
Shaking her head, she smiled at Lucian. “I want to work. I need money.”
“No, you don’t. I have more than I’ll ever use even if I do live forever.”
Narrowing her eyes, Tessa gritted out, “I told you I’m not that type of woman. I don’t want to live off your money.”
Lucian growled just as his phone rang. He threw it to his brother. “You are my mate. It is not my money anymore, it is
our
money. I do—”
“Lucifer, Seth is out front with Michael and Jacob,” Balthazar interrupted.
If looks could kill the one Lucian shot at Balthazar would have. “Why the fuck are you telling me? Go get them.”
Balthazar didn’t seem fazed by Lucian’s anger when he got up and walked towards the entrance of the restaurant. Tessa watched as Balthazar opened the door and stepped out for a moment, coming back in with three men who all looked just like Lucian but with slight differences. Demon genes must be strong.
The four men walked to them and Lucian stood, embracing the three men. “It’s good to see you. Come, I’ll introduce my mate.”
Lucian came back to her and gathered Tessa up, standing her in front of him. “Seth, Michael, and Jacob, I’d like you to meet Tessa, my mate.
One of his brothers—Jacob she thought—held out his hand but retracted it as soon as Lucian growled.
“Well, well, what do we have here? A family reunion. I think we are missing one,” said another man. The newcomer, standing close with a bunch of guys behind him, shrugged. “No matter. We’ll find him and wipe you all out.”
Lucian’s arms around her tightened and within seconds she couldn’t see anything because his brothers stood in front and to her side, blocking her view.
“Gabriel, I’ll give you a warning. Leave now before my brothers and I kill you and your followers.” She felt Lucian’s voice vibrate with his anger.
Tessa gasped in shock when she peeked through her guards and saw a white angel. He was beautiful, all blond and glowing.
“I’ll leave, Lucifer, when you show me what has caused this joyous family reunion.” The angel smirked.
“What do you care, Gabriel? Are you scared the prophecy is true?”
“Seth,” Lucian growled at the brother to her left who’d taunted Gabriel.
Gabriel’s beautiful face turned into an ugly mask of horror and anger. He fluttered his feathered wings up and that’s when Tessa got her first real look at the angel. Gabriel’s grey eyes widened until they were pure white, and a look of utter hatred came over his features before they turned to shock when they saw her stomach. He let out a roar that shook the ground.
Lucian, Xore, and his brothers all changed. She now had five massive demons in front of her and a ginormous red dragon at her back. Holy shit. Tessa couldn’t help but stare at Xore—he was a dragon, but her gaze kept going to the big red demons surrounding her. Tessa thought she should be scared, but all she felt was safe and loved.
Gabriel roared again, “I’ll kill her and those things growing inside her. Don’t get comfortable.”
Then, as quickly as it all happened, it was over. Gabriel and his group left.
“Do you want us to go after them?” Seth asked Lucian.
“No. I want you to stay. Protect Tessa. She is more important than killing them.” They all nodded and changed back to men. “Until I have more to fight, I want you with us to protect Tessa. Nothing can happen to her or our babies. Yes, you heard she is having twins.” His three brothers looked shocked, but all nodded their agreement.
Tessa’s head was swimming with all she’d just seen and heard. “Those
things
want to wipe out humanity? He wants to kill me and my babies?”
Lucian gathered her to him, kissing her forehead and both cheeks before resting his lips on hers. “Yes, but I promise I won’t let anyone or anything hurt you or my young. I love you.”
Wrapping her arms around his neck, she believed every word he said and knew he wouldn’t let anything happen to her or their children. “I love you, too. Now let’s eat. Your babies are starving.”
****
They’d spent the morning at a beach two hours away, one Tessa hadn’t been to, and were now going to visit the faulty humans. Tessa was eager to see them. She was worried about them and he wanted to show her they were safe.
Something wasn’t right, and his demon rose to the surface. Earlier Lucian had put all the faulty people in a large compound. He hoped by doing it this way all the shifters watching them could work together to protect and kill any angel that came at them. Shifters worked better in packs. Leaving the faulty humans separated made them easy pickings for the angels. The angels were killing them one by one. So he brought them all together with their shifter protectors.
He got out of the car and Tessa went to follow. “Stay in the car, kitten.”
Screams and the sound of fighting met his ears. Balthazar, Seth, Jacob, and Michael got out of the other car. Darting a look at them, he transformed into his demon form. “Call back up. Balthazar, stay with Tessa and this time make sure you protect her with your life or you won’t have one,” he growled. Turning back to the compound, he saw Tessa staying at him wide eyes. “I told you to stay in the car.”
Lucian watched as Tessa cleared her throat several times before she rolled her shoulders back. “I’m coming with you. I can help.”
“No. Ther—”
“They know me. I promise I’ll stay out of the way.” Before he could argue with her again, she turned from him and walked to the compound.
In demon form, Balthazar wacked him on the back of the head. “I like her.”
Hurrying to catch up with her, he and his brothers circled her as they walked to the door. Four angels came swooping down from the roof. With Tessa close his strength and power seemed off the charts. Conjuring his swords, he threw one at a coming angel’s head and stopped it before it got any closer. The angel fell to the ground, and as he passed Lucian cut the head off. His brothers easily disposed of the other angels.
Before they entered the compound he turned to Tessa, handing her one of his swords. “I hope you never have to use this.” Tessa nodded and grunted as he let the sword go and she got the full weight of the sword.
Turing back around, Lucian opened the doors. They saw a bloodbath when they entered. The shifters watching the faulty humans were being slaughtered by angels. The dogs that watched out for the humans were fighting to keep a group of children safe.
“Oh, my God,” Tessa muttered behind him. She touched his back. “The children. Lucifer, get me to the children.”
He circled his wings around her, using them as a shield as he fought his way through the angels to get to the cowering children. When it was safe enough he unfurled his wings, letting Tessa help them. Lucian planted himself in front of Tessa and the children.
Lucian couldn’t believe Gabriel had not only come himself but brought so many angels to kill a group of humans, most of them children. Gabriel must really have lost it. Why would he risk so many angels for this? Seeing the prophecy coming true must have spurred him to fight harder. No matter, he was now in a losing battle.
****
Tessa gripped the heavy sword as she crouched down to the children. “It’s okay. The good guys are here now.”
Zane threw himself into her arms and she dropped the heavy sword, wrapping her arms around him. “I knew Lucian would come. I told them he wouldn’t let the bad white wings get us. He’s my hero.”
Her heart constricted at the trust and certainty in Zane’s voice. “You’re right, Lucian will save us all.” Tessa let go of Zane, picked up the sword, and pushed him behind her to join the others.
The sight broke Tessa’s heart; there were bodies strewn everywhere, angels in masses. The demons and remaining shifters were outnumbered, and as she looked around more angels seemed to appear.
Lucian fought eight angels from getting to her. He was swift and brutal, using his wings claws and his sword. Glancing around, Tessa saw the angel Gabriel from last night inching toward them, his gaze focused straight on her. She searched for help but no one was free or able.
Terrified, she raised the sword. Gabriel eased himself just out of her reach and grinned, showing his canines dripping with blood. He raised his once white wings that were stained with blood and pointed a claw at her stomach. “Die. They will die,” he roared before he charged at her.
Bracing herself, Tessa dug deep for all her strength. No one threated her babies. All of a sudden she started floating and a black mass floated from Gabriel to her stomach. She looked up to see the horror on Gabriel’s face.
Oh, my God
. Her babies were eating Gabriel’s sins. While Gabriel was distracted she brought the sword up and shoved it forward into a surprised Gabriel. The sickening sound of the sword digging into Gabriel’s chest almost had her vomiting, but she stayed strong for her children, Lucian, and everyone who counted on her. The black fog stopped and Tessa screamed as she pulled the sword out and, using everything she had, swung it up and across Gabriel’s throat.
“No one threatens my children!” she yelled.
When Gabriel’s head and body fell to the ground the world around her seemed to pause. She looked up in time to see Xore and a bunch of demons and shifters swarm into the compound. Turning to her right, she saw an enraged Lucifer flying to her as a pissed angel came towards her. Raising the heavy sword again, she braced for impact but nothing happened. Lucian made it to her before the other angel. Exhaustion started to set in as the adrenalin wore off. She watched Lucian dispose of anything that came close to her, he was like a crazed, mad demon.
It wasn’t until Xore and Balthazar come towards Lucifer in human form with their arms raised that Tessa dropped the sword and slid to the ground.
“Lucifer, you need to calm down. They’re all dead,” Xore said.
“Brother, stop growling. We aren’t going to hurt her.” Balthazar took a stepped towards her but Lucifer roared.
“Lucifer, Tessa is safe,” Xore said, trying to get to her, but Lucifer wouldn’t let him.
Groaning, she dragged herself closer to Lucifer. “I’m okay.” He didn’t even look at her. Sighing, she tried a softer approach. “Lucian, come back to me now.”
This time Lucifer turned and transformed into Lucian. He gathered her into his arms as his brothers and friends gaped at Tessa.
“Holy shit. She just commanded the king,” Seth muttered.
Tessa gazed over her shoulder and pointed to the children. “Balthazar, Xore, check and help the children.” Knowing they would do it, she turned back and snuggled into Lucian’s embrace. “Let’s go home. I’m tired and your brothers can handle this.”
Lucian didn’t say anything besides grunt. She took that as a yes and closed her eyes.
****
They came home and he stripped her and himself before getting in the shower. Lucian helped clean her and then fell asleep in each other’s arms.
Later Lucian woke, watching Tessa sleep for hours. He wouldn’t leave her, what she’d done had been amazing, unbelievable. She had killed the king of the angels. She’d protected their children. Capturing her mouth to his, he couldn’t wait any longer. He needed to make love to her. His hands ran up and down her naked skin, loving how soft she was. Her eyes snapped open and she deepened the kiss.
Tearing his mouth from hers, he panted, “Kitten, you were amazing.” He trailed kisses down her neck, nipping and nibbling.
“Lucian, I need you.”
“I need you, too. You were so sexy protecting our children.”
He reached her breasts and sucked one in before repeating with the other. Lucian’s hands glided over her body and rested between her thighs. He dipped a finger into her wet pussy. “Ah, kitten, you’re soaking.” He circled one of her nipples with his tongue and she moaned.
“I’ve been against you and anytime I touch you my body becomes alive with need.”
Lucian swapped back and forth between her breasts, circling them before he gently sucked in the tip of each one. He kissed his way down her body, resting between her legs. The first swipe of his tongue had her thighs shaking in anticipation. He nestled in closer and moved his lips back and forth over her clit before snaking his tongue out to lick her nub. She bucked against him and he sucked her nub, in letting his canines out to scrape along it.
Her breathing came out in gasps, which urged him on. She spread her legs further apart and he sunk his tongue into her wet core as his finger pumped in and out. He sucked her clit in and felt her quiver. He added another digit and he pumped them in and out of her faster. Tessa moved with his motion, searching for the high she knew only he could give her. His teeth scraped over her nub and he scissored his fingers. She ground against him and he sank his teeth into her as she screamed her orgasm.