Chapter 4
Snake
Snake Vinter glanced warily overhead as he walked toward the crumbling shack Horatio called a cabin.
The clear sky offered little comfort. Danger could fly overhead at any second.
The worst part of the mission, however, was saving a former friend—one who’d abandoned Snake when he needed him the most.
His cell rang, and the name on the screen made his balls shrivel. “Hello, darling. To what do I owe the pleasure?”
Sugar’s tone froze his ear. “Two of Meridian’s guards are in Middleton as we speak, offering the local barflies cash for information. You’d better hustle.”
Snake gnashed his teeth. The whole crew had been mistreating him for mysterious reasons—but he should hurry?
“Well, I’ve just decided Horatio is Earth’s problem now.”
“But you love him,” Sugar snapped.
Snake’s body went rigid. “Love him? Have you lost the plot completely, Sugar?”
“Three weeks ago, in your sleep, you hugged me close and whispered, ‘Horatio, I love you,’ right into my ear.”
While Snake enjoyed Horatio’s company—the man was intelligent, amusing, and a superlative fuck—he did not love Horatio Slice, or anyone else, for that matter.
“You’re angry about something I muttered in my sleep? That’s ridiculous beyond comprehension." Snake rubbed at a stabby sensation under his ribs. “Maybe I said, ‘Horatio, I love fucking you?’ That sounds more like something I’d say.”
“I know what I heard. Besides, it’s impossible to bend the truth while in a sleep state. And you do spend every waking moment with him.”
“Which didn’t bother you until—bloody hell.
” Snake groaned. Twenty-one days prior, the crew had become insufferable, giving both Snake and Horatio the silent treatment along with the occasional narrow-eyed glare.
“I knew his excuse about writing poetry was complete bollocks. He moved out because you all hate him.”
“Yet Seven and I surrounded his rental property with a portal shield and a dozen security cameras.” Sugar’s voice dripped acid.
“Maybe you’re in love with him, then?”
“Instead of continuing this futile argument, how about you find your favorite piece of ass and make sure he isn’t dead?”
The visual of Horatio’s bloody corpse left a painful ache in Snake’s belly, and he had to let out a mournful sigh before he could reply. “Fine. I’ll go fetch him. But if I get eaten, promise you’ll avenge my death in the most spectacular of ways.”
“I promise nothing.”
Keeping the call connected, Snake did a perimeter sweep. The front and sides were clear, but the backyard held a surprise: a six-foot-wide circle shining in the patchy grass. “Have you ever seen a portal that glowed green or crackled like a log in a fire?”
“None of that’s normal, but since Meridian claims Horatio is back on Earth, the portal must have been created there.”
“But Earth people lack the capability!”
“Except for one of them, apparently.”
Snake shuddered. “This took on a new level of gobsmacking. Who knows what evil lurks on the other side? What should I do?” But his lover didn’t answer. “Terrible time to give me the silent treatment, Sugar!”
Snake’s callback didn’t connect. He stuffed the phone into his coat pocket and inched closer. The sizzling grew louder. Golden sparkles danced around the perimeter.
“You’re a pretty thing, but I don’t trust you one bit.”
He was about to turn away when a question popped into his head.
If the tables were turned, what would Horatio do?
“He’d jump in with both feet if I needed saving.” Snake groaned. “The stupid git.”
He took a deep breath and pushed the toe of his boot past the edge.
With a gut-wrenching lurch, he was sucked into a spinning void.
After floating forever, he crash-landed and swore his bones shattered on impact.
The stench of mold and old socks confirmed the worst. Horatio had, indeed, landed back on Earth.
And, unfortunately, so had Snake.
“Bollocks,” he groaned.
“Snake? Holy shit! Is that you?” He’d found Horatio.
“Yeah, mate, but I might be dead.”
“How could you be talking to me then?” Horatio’s voice changed in tone. “It’s cool, Gunner. I know this guy.”
Snake rested his forehead on a bent knee. “That wonky portal tried to murder me.”
“But you’re alive to complain about it.”
Snake turned and laughed. “Happy to see your cock again, Hor. And the rest of you.” He regarded the other nude young man, who was sitting on a decrepit sofa. “And who’s this? A friend from your former life?”
“Oh, we just met,” Horatio blurted.
“Hi. I’m Gunner.”
The lad glowed with the blush of youth and had eyes that could kill a man. No wonder Horatio had already seduced him out of his knickers.
“Very nice to meet you, indeed.” Snake pointed to the guitar Horatio had clutched by the neck. “Stow that thing, will you?”
“I’m surprised to see you, Snake.” Horatio hung the instrument from a peg on the wall. “You didn’t even say goodbye when I left.”
“I’m only here because Sugar insisted.”
“Sugar also hates me.” Horatio’s brows furrowed.
“I suppose neither of us wants your blood on our hands.” Snake stood.
The swishing of his leather coat didn’t muffle the sound of Gunner’s gasp.
Snake chuckled. At six-foot-six and devastatingly handsome, he was used to gasps.
Untangling a few of his ankle-length braids, he feasted his eyes on both men and wished for an extra hour or ten.
“My apologies for interrupting what I'm sure was a steamy interlude.”
“I was at the best part, too.” Horatio sat next to Gunner, hand on his knee as if claiming him. “Can you come back in an hour?”
“Or next Tuesday?” Gunner mumbled.
“I just said I was here to save your ass.”
“Save my ass from who?”
“Meridian, of course.”
“Meridian’s coming here?” Gunner’s slouch disappeared.
“You’re familiar with him?” Snake asked.
“I gave Gunner the condensed version of where I’ve been for the past two years.”
“Guess I don’t need to introduce myself, then. Horatio must’ve told you enough about yours truly.” The lad glanced at Horatio, then back at Snake. “Really? You told him about your greatest adventure and didn’t include me?”
“A conversation about you would require a few hours and a bottle of something expensive. Besides, my mouth was busy.”
“And I’ll need full details about that later.” Snake checked his watch. “Tick tock, gentlemen. According to Sugar, Meridian’s hot on your trail. Find your britches, and let’s go.”
“You’re taking him back?” Gunner stood, fists balled at his sides. “Why?”
“Not taking—rescuing the both of you.” The boy’s confused expression raised Snake's hackles. “Would you rather stay here and face Meridian alone?”
“Oh, hell no.” Gunner gathered his clothing.
“I’m confused. How did you know I was back on Earth, and more importantly, how did Meridian find out?”
“I’m not at liberty to say, exactly.” Horatio shot him a death glare. “Fine. The cameras were Sugar’s idea.”
“You’ve been spying on me?”
“No. Looking out for you! Did you really think we’d let you live in the wilderness alone while a madman hunts you for sport? You’re smarter than that, Horatio.”
“For a self-proclaimed uncaring bastard, you actually care a lot.”
“The crew cares, not me. They installed security cameras around your place the day you moved in. We get pinged when any movement is detected, even the slightest stroke.”
Snake paused to enjoy Horatio’s blush before describing what he saw on the security feed. He didn’t mention how his throat tightened when Horatio vanished or how a sudden emptiness clawed at his chest, unfamiliar and unwelcome.
Horatio rubbed his forehead. “But how did Meridian find out?”
“He hacked us and your security feed. Claimed I helped you. Seven shut him out, and I hightailed it to your place. Imagine my surprise when I found a still-active portal.” Snake raised an eyebrow at Gunner. “I’m assuming this gadget created it?”
“Yeah. But it was closed on this side until you showed up.”
“Portals can be unpredictable, but yours defies all logic.” Snake poked at a still-warm battery. “What sort of person are you?”
“I’m just a college student.”
“You sure? This gadget is otherworldly, and I don’t say that lightly.
It’s obviously a DIY project, and I’m surprised it’s not held together with chewing gum, but this thing made the strongest portal I’ve ever seen.
Besides which, you cracked open the Earth Gate—a gate Meridian sealed exactly two years ago today. ”
Gunner touched his necklace. “How can one guy close off a whole planet?”
“After Meridian stole Horatio, he locked Earth with an ancient device called the Master Key. Nobody could portal in or out—until you made that machine.”
“How could I override a device I’ve never heard of?” Gunner slipped his shirt on.
“Blimey, you ask a lot of questions. We’ll ponder it all later, over a few pints.” Snake clicked his tongue at Horatio. “What about you, then?”
“You watched me fall through a hole in the ground. Naked. Without a suitcase.”
He smirked at Horatio’s irritation. “You’ve been naked a lot lately.”
Horatio stared Snake down and purposely opened his thighs, giving Snake an eyeful of his beautiful… everything. “I’ve become a nudist. And, as you already know, I enjoy jacking off outside with the sun on my dick.”
“That explains why you fell through my ceiling with an enormous boner,” Gunner muttered, deadpan and wide-eyed.
“It’s a thing of beauty, isn’t it?” Snake asked.
“Damn skippy.” Blushing harder, Gunner pulled on pants Snake considered much too large. “Will we be able to come back here?”
“Doubtful,” Horatio said. “Meridian will lock up Earth again. Do you have a duffel bag? If I’d known I was leaving home, I’d have packed a few things.”
“Good idea. I shouldn’t leave my laptop behind, for, um, reasons.”
“Bring what you need but be quick.” While Gunner stuffed a few belongings into a worn rucksack, Snake checked his phone. “No word from Sugar. That’s a good sign. Perhaps.”
“Isn’t Meridian terrified of Earth?” Horatio asked.
“Yes, so I’m sure he’ll bring backup.” Snake twisted his wrist in a circle. A normal portal bloomed, vertical as an open door.
“How did you conjure that out of thin air?” Gunner shrieked.
“Magic.”
“What?”
“I’ll explain later. You go first, Horatio. Show your friend how it works.”
Horatio gave Gunner a warm hug. “Snake’s surly, but you can trust him.” He plucked the guitar from its hook. “I’m borrowing this. Where are you sending me?”
“Graphica. The usual meeting spot behind Ting’s shop.”
“All right, see you dudes on the other side.” With a smile, Horatio disappeared, and so did the doorway.
“That’s how portals normally work. Are you ready?”
“Nope.” Gunner hung his pack over one shoulder, looking as though his skeleton might escape via his mouth at any second.
“This won’t hurt a bit.” Snake conjured another portal. “Hop on through.”
Gunner stood frozen, eyes darting.
“You’d rather stay and face an untimely death?”
“This is my home.”
Home. The word poked a tender spot Snake forgot he had. “None of us thought Horatio would ever get back here, but you made it happen, right? You’ll figure out a way.” He patted Gunner on the shoulder. “Let’s get the fuck out of here, yeah?”
“Yeah,” Gunner nodded.
Snake twisted his wrist, but nothing happened. “What the bloody hell?” Before he could try again, a menacing voice rang out behind him.
“Don’t move a muscle, Snake Vinter! It is I, your King, and I command you to hand over Horatio Slice this instant, unless you and your accomplice wish to die by disembowelment.”
Snake whirled around. Across the room, a vertical gateway shimmered. Meridian stood inside, flanked by a pair of Reptilian guards. Since two portals couldn’t share the same space, Meridian’s canceled his out.
Cool as ice, Snake shoved his hands inside his coat pockets. “You’ll never be my king, Meridian. Just the fool who lacks the physical and mental fortitude to best me.”
“You silly space pirate.” Meridian gave a saucy toss of his hip-length scarlet hair. “Such a flair for the dramatic.”
The chinless voice didn’t match his ferocious appearance.
Meridian’s tall, slender body was encased in red latex with an oversize codpiece designed to intimidate rather than titillate.
Today’s face was fleshless, with a hole where his nose should be and black sockets for eyes.
His mouth stretched across a wider-than-usual-mandible, revealing too many jagged teeth.
A short black horn curved up from the center of his bony chin.
“You and your pint-sized friends should run away before I humiliate you,” Snake said.
“You’re the one who’ll be mortified unless you give me Horatio Slice.” The monster clenched his fists and shrieked, “Where is he?”
“None of your fucking business!” Gunner shouted, pale-faced and quaking.
“How sweet. The burly rock god needs a cute little twink to stick up for him.” Meridian shot a look at each guard. “Get them, you worthless peasants!”
Both Reptilians drew swords but didn’t move, clearly terrified of the universe’s most fearsome pirate. Snake chuckled.
“You should’ve brought seasoned guards instead of these junior cadets.
Judging by the polish on those blades, they’ve never seen battle, let alone left the safety of their mother’s bosom.
” Snake guffawed. “Come here, lads. I’ll teach you both a lesson before I rip out the throat of your fledgling king. ”
The guards shrank back.
“Amateurs!” Meridian yanked their swords away. “If I want anything done, I have to do it myself.” The blades shimmered as he held them high. “Prepare to die, bitches!”
“This git’s forgotten who he’s dealing with.” While Snake distracted them with a middle finger salute from his right hand, he reached into a pocket with his left and pulled out a black marble. “Remember, Meridian, I’m the villain in this story!”
The sphere hit Meridian squarely in the chest and exploded, covering the trio in a cloud of smoke that left them doubled over, coughing and wheezing.
“Time to go!” Jaw slack, eyes staring, Gunner was almost catatonic with shock—unblinking even after Snake shouted into his ear. “Fine. Stay here and meet your fate.”
Snake turned to run, but something tugged at him. Not pity or guilt. Just the vague notion that leaving the lad behind was a despicable choice.
“Consider this your lucky day.” Snake tossed Gunner over his shoulder as a pale hand clawed through the smoke.