I nodded, and his dick nodded with me. Or… did he just straighten up? Because I was fairly certain that even Shadow’s dick didn’t have an ability to bob around independently from the beast himself.
“Sunshine, have you heard a damn word I’ve said?”
I finally managed to tear myself away from where I’d been cockmerised, blinking up into his golden eyes. “Yes, right. Circle of death. Got to practice. I mean, what exactly does one wear when creating a circle that might possibly destroy us all? Red?”
Shadow’s irises filled with flames, the gold swallowed in an instant. “Red works for me.”
I was just taking my first step toward him, all cylinders of my brain and vagina firing and ready to go, when his power held me immobile, stopping me in my naked tracks. He strolled toward me, and I managed to plaster a glare across my face.
“Sunshine,” he drawled. “We don’t have time for what your scent is begging me for, but since you tempt me like no other has or ever will, I can’t leave you naked and pleading.”
His hands skimmed along my sides, and when he sank to his knees before me, his magic lifted my body so my pussy was level with his face. The moment his mouth attached to my clit, his lips and tongue sliding over them in the most delicious dance a mouth could do, I cried out and managed to push through his power to thread my fingers through the short strands of his hair.
In general, it bothered me that there was always so much giving of pleasure and never time for me to give back, but I was starting to see that was Shadow’s way. And only an idiot would complain abouthis way.
The orgasm, which started as an early morning slow build, quickly turned into a steam train, slamming into me much faster than anticipated. I screamed, my body jerking as my head hit Shadow’s wall of power behind me. My mate didn’t ease up as I rode out the orgasm, and when the flicking caress of his tongue increased on my clit, and his fingers slid into my pussy, I screamed again, rocking against him faster and faster, like that would help deal with the sensation.
It didn’t help, or at least it didn’t prevent the next orgasm, and I was so fucking satisfied when he finally swallowed the last of my release. His tongue cleaned me more thoroughly than any shower ever could. My eyes closed as he released me, and I sank down to the floor completely wrecked.
“I’ll see you outside, mate,” he said, his gaze heated and possessive as he stared down at me before he turned and left.
Well, fuck.
On weak, wobbly legs, I managed to pull myself up and find an appropriate outfit for saving the world, which included a red tank, black jeans, black biker boots, and a thick, fur-lined black jacket. My shirt and hair were the only two pops of color in my somber ensemble, but that felt appropriate. I also shoved my parchment in my pocket after shooting off a quick message to Simone.
In the bathroom, I used the facilities, brushed my teeth and hair, and braided back the thick strands one more time. After leaving Shadow’s room, I reached through my bond to Midnight, hoping that by some miracle, my mist might be ready to talk. I got angry static in return, and no matter how I attempted to get through to Midnight, there was no give in its barriers.
I’d been trying so hard not to mourn over what had happened between us, hoping that it would work itself out in time, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was losing a part of myself I’d never get back. The ragged trails of our bond, which were all that remained between my mist and me now, were enough to almost destroy me.
I couldn’t let that happen yet, though. I had to focus on Dannie, and maybe, once we’d sorted out her shit, I’d have the time to figure out a plan to pull my mist from the library system. With that in mind, I hurried from the lair, making my way into the Library of Knowledge.
The others were already gathered in the largest open space near the center of the room. Angel was there, quietly waiting off to the side, her molded gold-and-black armor fitting every inch of her body to perfection. Her hair was braided as well, much neater than mine, her wings tucked behind her.
Reece was once again part of our group, but he was on the opposite side of the room to my best friend. His eyes were on Len and Alistair, who were bickering over the best way to position themselves for this to work, but I sensed that Reece was very aware of Angel and every move she made. His fury and deep-seated resentment toward her had gone nowhere, still seeping from the desert deity as he crossed his arms, one shoulder nudged into a nearby shelf.
Shadow distracted me with a scorching gaze as he took in my outfit. I shot him a sassy smile, but before I could torment him further, the group noticed my arrival.
“Mera’s here!” Len exclaimed. “Let’s get started. We’re wasting daylight hours when we could be hunting a Danamain.”
Galleli gave me a very respectful nod, similar to how he’d greeted Shadow. I returned the favor, hoping one day he’d respect me for more than just being Shadow’s mate. One day I’d prove myself and my worth to him.
“Okay, you’re all going to have to explain exactly what happens today,” I said, forcing myself to sound calm and determined. “Because I’ve never heard of a fortress of binding power, and I don’t want to be the weak link that will fuck it up.”
There was a beat of silence, like they couldn’t decide who was going to break the news to me. Shadow ended up being the one, since they were likely guessing I’d take it best from him.
They’d guessed wrong.
“We believe it’s best if you sat this out. Your power is too similar to Dannie’s, and she might be able to figure out how to counter it if it’s part of the fortress.”
The smile that appeared on my face was not a nice one. “You’re her actual son, Shadow, so maybeyoushould sit it out and I’ll take one for the team.”
If they came at me with a legitimate reason for why I’d be a negative influence on this cage they were creating, I’d listen and respond accordingly. But I just knew this was about Shadow trying to protect me.
I loved him for it, but that wouldn’t work in this sort of war. We didn’t have the manpower to leave anyone behind, especially when it was a woman. Womanpower was always the most important. Pretty sure there was a meme about that somewhere.
Shadow released a deep breath. “Okay, how about… you have no idea what you’re doing and you might get yourself or one of us killed.” This time, he was blunt and honest. “As I told you earlier, it would usually take months to perfect this sort of cage because it has to be completely secured on all angles. Even the smallest sliver of a gap between our energies and Dannie can burst through it. We’ve all studied and trained in this sort of shielding before. You have not. And your power isn’t even fully available to you as the two sides of your essence fight for dominance.”
I swallowed roughly.Dammit.There he went with that legitimate reason I’d been searching for. My wolf poked her head up as well, as if she wanted to remind me she was part of our dual nature causing this issue.
