Chapter 25
Chapter Twenty-Five
Nash had Mallor wiggling around in his talons and Abi whooping it up on his back.
Abi tightened his thighs as if Nash were a horse as they sailed through the air.
Nash wondered what he was doing, so he turned to see.
Abi had his head back and his arms stretched out as if he were on the Titanic. He seemed carefree. His dark hair flowed behind him, and his shirt billowed.
He’d never been more beautiful.
Abi could have flown on his own. He could have shifted into a winged animal, but he had flown with Nash, letting Nash carry him like always.
Nash’s chest ached. He’d never felt an abundance of anything until Abi came along.
Every emotion was amplified. He couldn’t quantify it.
He just knew it was more somehow. Even his past didn’t compare.
Or maybe it was just different. He would leave his trauma in the past if it meant he could always live in Abi’s whirlwind.
When Abi opened his eyes, their gazes met. Abi grinned and then laid his cheek against Nash’s neck. I love this.
Hang on tight, baby.
As soon as he felt Abi’s arms and legs tighten around him, he twisted in the air, forgetting for the moment that he clutched Mallor. He didn’t remember he was even there until Mallor screamed.
Abi whooped.
Nash grinned.
Nash saw the cabin amongst the trees and made the descent gradual just in case Abi put his arms out again. His little adrenaline junkie did whatever made him happy. He had Nash wrapped around his finger—no doubt about that.
Nash dropped Mallor when he was a few feet off the ground. The fall would be painful, but it wouldn’t break him into pieces. Abi would still get to do whatever he wanted. And there was no one around for miles.
When Nash landed a few feet away, Abi dismounted.
As soon as Nash shifted, Abi threw himself into Nash’s arms. Abi’s hands were in his hair, and his tongue was in Nash’s mouth.
Nash had a warlock friend who lived nearby, who warded the area against magic. He needed to keep Abi safe against anything Mallor would do in retaliation. And he was glad he did because Abi’s reaction to the flight was a huge distraction. Mallor was an afterthought.
Abi broke the kiss long enough to pull his shirt over his head. And he would have opened his pants if not for someone clearing their throat.
It was Landry. He threw Mallor over his shoulder and carried him to the house.
Everyone was there, even Raylee and Jude, who looked as though they would start fucking too if given half an invitation.
Jonik had Wren tucked under his arm.
“Clothes?” Daruss asked and pulled his boys away from the show Nash and Abi had inadvertently put on.
“There’s a bunch of stuff in the cabin. The last bedroom on the left, up the stairs. In the dresser. Stay out of the closet.”
“Why? What’s in the closet?” Daruss sniffed the air as if trying to figure out what was so special about the place. Nash hadn’t taken anyone there before, not even his Dragon Skull brothers.
“That’s my parents’ stuff.” No one had been in that closet since their death. “Make yourselves at home, otherwise. I called ahead and had an old friend stock the place with supplies. There should be plenty for everyone.”
Daruss nodded and led his boys inside.
Landry and Enzo stopped. Enzo looked at Mallor. “Does he need medical attention?”
“No. But you can start digging a hole for his body.” Nash smiled at Abi.
Enzo growled. “No, thanks,” he mumbled. Nash thought for sure he’d get some pushback. Enzo was a doctor. His instinct was to heal, not to kill. Even he could see the merit in killing someone like Mallor.
Abi met his gaze. “What is this place?”
“I grew up here. I lived with Daruss after that for most of my teenage years. I haven’t left the Dragon Skulls since then, but I’ve come back here for a week at a time. It used to be harder, but it’s gotten easier over the years. It is quiet. Peaceful.”
“Will it be those things? With Mallor here?”
“The first time Mallor was here, he killed my parents right over there.” Nash pointed to the spot.
“He took you from here?” Abi sucked in a breath and then pressed his cheek against Nash’s. “Oh, gods.”
“It seemed fitting that Mallor would die here.” Nash sighed and then pointed to the forest. “There’s a warlock coven not far from here.
About ten miles north. Mallor had been visiting.
He saw my brother and me in town with my mom at the general store buying supplies.
Followed us, watched us for weeks, and eventually took us after killing our parents. ”
Abi cupped his cheeks with both hands. “You’re right. If this is where it started, then this is also where it should end.”
Jonik came out of the cabin. “There are no supplies, Nash.”
Seryn came out of the forest. “There aren’t any wards either.”
That was the first sign that something was wrong. Very, very wrong.