10. Dante
10
Dante
S tepping silently over the worn concrete floor, Dante followed Sebastian’s lead, slipping away from the gathering with ease. The low murmur of voices faded behind them, replaced by the oppressive quiet of the hallway. Flickering light from sconces enchanted with dull magic illuminated their path, casting jagged shadows along the cracked walls.
Sebastian paused at a heavy wooden door, his hand hovering near the knob. He tilted his head, his sharp eyes scanning the corridor behind them before he reached into his coat. A thin blade etched with intricate runes glinted as he held it up to the door, whispering a spell so it was almost imperceptible.
“It’s warded,” Sebastian said, his tone clipped. “Give me a moment.”
Dante exhaled, his shoulders shifting as he tried to shake the growing tension. Every second spent here felt like borrowed time, a razor-thin margin before someone noticed their intrusion. Still, he couldn’t help but admire the precision with which Sebastian worked. The runes on the blade glowed as Sebastian’s spell unraveled the protective magic. With a click, the lock yielded, and Sebastian pushed the door open just enough for them to slip inside.
“How do you know how to do this?” Dante asked.
Sebastian cast him a sidelong glance and winked. “It’s part of the job.”
“Aren’t you a lawyer?” Dante asked, his brow furrowing.
Sebastian shrugged, his tone turning teasing. “Legal Archivist. Doesn’t mean I’m always stuck in an office.”
Dante blinked, his confusion deepening. “That explains… absolutely nothing.”
Sebastian grinned, his focus snapped back to the task at hand. “It’s not supposed to.” He stepped forward, motioning for Dante to follow.
The room beyond was dim and cramped, filled with shelves groaning under the weight of artifacts and relics of varying shapes and sizes. Some shimmered with latent magic, while others exuded a quiet menace, their purposes obscured by time and disuse. Dante stepped inside, his gaze sweeping the room, cataloging potential dangers and points of interest.
Sebastian’s hand rested on his arm, drawing his attention. “Over there,” Sebastian said, nodding toward a table near the back wall. Something about the way his gaze lingered set Dante on edge.
They moved together, weaving through narrow aisles cluttered with forgotten objects. A hum of energy prickled at his senses as they neared the table. Rolled parchments lay scattered across its surface, but one stood out among the rest. Its edges shimmered, runes etched into the fabric glowing with a rhythmic pulse, as if responding to their proximity.
Dante reached for the artifact map, his fingers brushing the material. Magic surged beneath his touch, subtle but undeniable, sending a ripple of awareness up his arm. He unrolled it carefully, revealing a sprawling network of symbols and lines, intricate patterns that seemed to shift and rearrange the longer he looked. Elemental symbols—fire, water, air, earth—glimmered in the corners, their presence more than decorative.
“This isn’t random,” Dante said. “It’s tied to the elements. Look.”
Sebastian leaned closer, his silver-gray eyes narrowing as he studied the runes. “This alignment… it’s intentional.” He reached out, tracing a finger along one of the glowing lines. “It’s a map, but it’s also a key.”
His brows drew together, his mind churning as he worked through the implications. “A key to what?”
Sebastian didn’t answer immediately, his focus locked on the map. “Something old,” he said finally. “Something they’re trying to wake up.”
A shuffle from outside the room snapped both of them to attention. Dante rolled the map quickly, tucking it into his jacket as Sebastian moved toward the door, his blade already in hand. Their brief reprieve was over. Whatever secrets they had uncovered, their time to escape unnoticed was rapidly running out.
They slipped back into the hallway, their steps muffled against the floor as the voices grew nearer. Sebastian scanned their surroundings quickly before his attention snagged on a small door to their right.
“In here,” he whispered, already reaching for the knob. The door creaked as he opened it, revealing a cramped supply closet crammed with crates and shelves of magical odds and ends. He stepped inside, pulling Dante with him and shutting the door behind them just as footsteps rounded the corner.
His back was pressed firmly against Sebastian’s chest, his shoulders brushing the other man’s collarbone in the cramped space. Each breath Sebastian took seemed to resonate against his spine, the narrow confines locking them together with no room to shift away.
The muffled voices outside drew closer, accompanied by the clink of metal. Sebastian’s hand gripped his arm as he leaned close. “Stay still,” he whispered.
“Not much choice,” Dante said, shifting as Sebastian reached into his coat. The scent of alcohol filled the air as Sebastian uncorked a small flask, tilting it over his hand and dabbing the liquid onto his collar. Without hesitation, he splashed a few drops onto Dante's jacket and mussed his shirt.
“What the fuck are you doing?” Dante hissed.
Sebastian offered a quick grin. “Selling it,” he said as he tousled his hair, leaning in until their cramped positions left no illusion of personal space.
“Might as well make it look good,” he added with a wink.
The door rattled as someone called out, “Anyone in there?”
Sebastian acted without hesitation, his smirk replaced with a cool determination. His hand settled on his chest, the touch firm as he leaned in, his breath teasing against his ear. “Play along,” he whispered, his voice husky with desire.
His heart hammered against his ribs, his pulse quickening as Sebastian’s actions left no room for doubt. He swallowed his discomfort, forcing himself to lean back against him and let their charade unfold.
His other hand reached around, undoing his zipper with a deft flick of his fingers. Before he could protest, Sebastian’s hand was inside his pants.
Dante's breath hitched in his throat as he felt Sebastian’s hand encircle him, pleasure shooting through him like a bolt of lightning. He bit back a groan, forcing himself to stay still as Sebastian continued to touch him, each stroke sending waves of pleasure crashing through him. Dante gripped onto the wind weaver’s arm like an anchor.
Outside the doorknob rattled again, and then the door creaked open.
Light spilled into the closet. Sebastian turned his head, his smirk widening. “Can we help you?” he asked, his tone lazy, as though they’d just been interrupted.
Sebastian’s free hand drifted to his chest, his fingers tracing lazy circles on his shirt as he greeted their unexpected guests. Dante could feel the heat radiating off Sebastian’s body, the tension between them palpable as they played their parts to perfection. He shifted, feeling Sebastian’s breath hot against his neck.
The rogue mage, a man with unkempt hair and a crooked grin, paused in the doorway. His eyes flicked between the two of them, taking in their rumpled clothes and close proximity. Recognition sparked in his expression as he pointed at Sebastian. “You’re that Blackthorn guy, aren’t you?”
Sebastian’s smirk didn’t falter. “Guilty as charged. Now, if you don’t mind…” He let the sentence trail off, his hand still resting on his chest, but his other inside his pants squeezed his shaft tighter and the pyromancer moaned, unable to hold himself back, his knees weakening.
Heat built between them, his spine tingling with arousal as Sebastian’s hand continued to move. Dante leaned back against him, unable to help himself as he gave in to the pleasure washing over him. He could feel Sebastian’s hard length pressed against him and shamelessly moved his hips, desperate for more friction.
The rogue laughed, shaking his head. “You’re lucky I’m not one to spoil a good time.”
With that, he stepped back, letting the door shut with a chuckle. His footsteps faded, leaving them in silence once more.
But Dante barely noticed, his heart pounding like a wild beast in his chest, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he stood on the edge, pleasure building up inside him like a tidal wave.
“That’s it,” Sebastian urged, his lips against his ear.
His hips bucked, his cock twitching in Sebastian’s grip as his words sent a fresh wave of pleasure crashing through him. He was so close, so fucking close, and Sebastian knew it.
“Give me what I want. Come on, baby, just let go…”
And that was it. His orgasm tore through him like a wildfire, burning away every coherent thought in his mind, panting harshly as he came undone in Sebastian’s arms. He bit back a moan, his jaw clenched tight as Sebastian continued to stroke him gently, drawing out every last shiver and tremble of pleasure.
But Sebastian wasn’t done yet.
He bit down right on the sensitive crook of his neck, as he rode out the aftershocks of his orgasm.
“Oh, Fuck!”
His breath hitched, his hips stuttered as Sebastian’s teeth sent a fresh wave of pleasure coursing through him. He was already spent, drained, but Sebastian’s touch could ignite him like a match to dry kindling.
Finally, Sebastian released him, and he crumbled to the floor onto his knees, the door flinging open haphazardly.
“Did-did you have to be that convincing?” Dante said hoarsely.
Sebastian’s grin widened, his eyes gleaming with mischief. “Of course.”
While Dante caught his breath, Sebastian found a rag in the storage closet, working quickly to wipe off the evidence of their rendezvous. But not before he brought his palm to his lips, his tongue darting out to taste it first.
Dante's eyes went wide, his cheeks flaming with mortification as he watched Sebastian savor the taste of him. It was filthy, depraved, utterly shameless - and yet… he couldn’t help it as a fresh surge of desire coursed through him.
When it came to Sebastian, Dante knew that he was in for a wild ride - and he wasn’t sure if he’d ever want it to end.
***
Sebastian tossed the rag aside and helped Dante to his feet, steadying him with a firm grip. With careful precision, he cracked the door open and peered into the hallway. The muffled echoes of voices reached them from deeper within the safe house, enchanted sconces illuminating the narrow corridor. Satisfied the coast was clear, Sebastian motioned for Dante to follow, easing the door open wider as they stepped out.
They moved in silence, Sebastian leading the way. His gaze darted to every movement, ready for any sudden encounter.
“This way,” Sebastian said, gesturing toward the shadowed corridor ahead. They stepped out cautiously, keeping close to the walls as the muffled echoes of the gathering carried from the larger room. Every step felt measured, the tension between them and the danger ahead palpable.
After what felt like an eternity, they reached the exit. As they approached, wards on the heavy door shimmered, a reminder of the layered protections guarding the safe house.
Sebastian’s fingers traced the runes carved into the frame. He whispered a spell under his breath, words slipping through the air like water over stone. The magic in the wards seemed to shiver before dissipating, allowing the door to open.
Dante cast one last glance over his shoulder, his amber eyes scanning the shadows for any sign they’d been noticed.
Once they were outside and a safe distance from the warehouse, Sebastian paused on the sidewalk, exhaling. He tilted his head back, letting the night air cool the lingering heat of adrenaline.
“Close call,” he said, straightening his jacket with a practiced flick of his hands.
Dante leaned against the wall, watching him with a mix of exasperation and something softer he refused to name. “Close? You’re kidding, right?”
Sebastian’s lips twitched, the hint of a grin creeping back. “It worked, didn’t it?”
Dante made a begrudging noise of appreciation. He carded a hand through his hair, adrenaline lingering even though the immediate danger passed. “You’re way too good at that. Makes me wonder just how many times you’ve pulled that shit.”
Sebastian’s grin widened, though his gaze held a rare sincerity. “Only with ones I like. And you’re welcome, by the way.” He reached out, brushing a stray lock of crimson hair from his forehead, his fingers lingering just long enough to make his breath catch.
“You know, if it’s always this entertaining with you,” Sebastian continued. His voice dipped lower as his hand slid to the nape of his neck, pulling him just a fraction closer, “I wouldn’t mind a repeat. No danger next time.”
Dante stiffened, his breath hitching as his proximity burned through his resolve. He forced a laugh, shaking his head and pushed Sebastian away. “Let’s just get out of here.”
But Sebastian caught his wrist before he could get too far, his expression shifting to something more earnest. “Just so you know. Whatever Malachi’s planning, whatever’s coming… Those Heralds? We’ll stop it.”
The conviction in his words struck a chord.
Dante nodded, his grip tightening on the map hidden in his jacket. “Damn right we will.”