Chapter Three
There was no time to waste. Lysander was recharged.
He had claimed his mate, and now he saw everything Stone did.
While Lysander might be just a fairy to other creatures, their species shouldn’t be overlooked.
The magic they wove through the world was a powerful thing.
He wasn’t afraid to fight. Lysander had once been a soldier for his people. He could be that warrior again.
Lysander dressed as a human would before appearing at Frost’s door. Alarms blared, and vampires appeared, surrounding him. They looked fierce and ready to kill any enemy. Lysander did his best to remain as sultry as possible. Nothing disarmed men like lust.
Leif was the first to lower his sword. “Lysander, hey.” He eyed Lysander for a moment. “You don’t look sick to me.”
“I’m well.”
The deep line between Leif’s eyebrows didn’t relax. “I thought Stone was with you.”
Before Lysander could speak, the front door opened. Stone stared out at him. “I take it the perimeter alarm was a false one.”
His eyes were different. Even Leif looked confused by him. He wasn’t Stone. Things were worse than Lysander feared. The dark one obviously lived Stone’s life like nothing had changed. Was this a ploy to get close to Frost? Would he hurt Celina? Lysander couldn’t let that happen.
“I thought you were still in Faerie.”
Stone shrugged at Leif’s statement. “I got back a few minutes ago.” His gaze latched onto Lysander. “I assume you’re here for Frost.”
Lysander nodded along, keeping the lie going. “I—”
“Lysander! Come in. You’re on your feet.” Frost’s timely appearance saved him. Lysander had a feeling Stone’s hijacker planned to find a way to turn him away.
Lysander passed Stone as if they barely knew each other and walked with Frost back to the clinic section of his home. “Yeah, I thought maybe I should get the once-over to make sure there’s no lingering damage.” Can you hear me?
Thankfully, Frost seemed accustomed to having his mind steamrolled. “Yeah.” He dragged out the word, as if signaling he responded to the spoken statement and the mental inquiry. “We should definitely do that. You were frighteningly close to passing into the next life.”
He felt Stone on their heels, listening to every word. “I’ve never gotten that bad before. I still feel a little queasy.” Don’t react. Stone is currently possessed.
“This is new territory for me, but I appreciate the chance to study this phenomenon. I find fairies fascinating.” What do we do? Should I alert the other guards?
Play this calmly. “I’m always up for being used in the name of science.” Lysander threw as much sexual innuendo as he could behind the claim. He couldn’t let Stone suspect anything.
Frost motioned for Stone to stay put as they reached the door of the clinic. “Doctor, patient privacy and all that. I’ll have to ask you to wait here.”
Stone’s eyes flickered Lysander’s way. “Of course.”
Lysander didn’t breathe too much in relief when the door closed between them. He knew Stone would still hear every word.
“Just let me grab my stethoscope. I need you to take some deep breaths for me.” Frost pretended to listen to his heart and lungs. Tell me. “Just breathe in and out.”
His mind is hijacked by a dark fae, making him extremely dangerous.
I don’t think the dark one always has control, though.
You can tell by his eyes. They’re not his eyes.
I can see inside his mind and see the beast behind the mask.
I don’t know why this is happening or what the fae seeks. But I need you to help me fix him.
Frost froze. “Your heart and lungs sound fine.” How can I help?
Lysander paced away. Celina was awake in her bassinet, chewing her hands. She would be stunning one day. Where is Gemini?
“Your pulse seems strong too. I’d like to get some bloodwork.” I told him to take a nap. He was up with Celina all night.
Lysander smiled. His eyes returned to the baby he hovered over. “She’s such a good baby. Quiet.” She might also be in danger. I don’t know, but Gemini should take her away from this place.
Frost’s eyes flashed in a way Lysander had never seen before. I’m the most dangerous being in this house. No one will harm her. Power practically radiated from Frost.
Just the same. I think it’ll take both of us to pull this beast from Stone. Please. I want my mate back.
Sympathy crossed Frost’s features. I’ve asked Gemini to get Leif. Then he’ll come for Celina. We have a plan.
Lysander nodded. “It’s odd to see such a small human, but she’s beautiful.”
“Do they have babies in Faerie? I’ve never thought to ask, but now that I think about it, I can’t recall ever seeing a single fairy child.”
Lysander chuckled. He couldn’t help the lust-filled tinge to the sound. “Faerie isn’t a child-friendly realm. Every day there is a sexual feast. To answer your question, though, no. Fairies are born from magic fully formed and return to pure magic when we die.”
“Huh.” Frost sounded unnervingly calm for the situation they were in. “That’s fascinating as hell. How do you define families, then? Deidra is your cousin, and there’s a royal family.”
Lysander wished he could think clearly. Inside, he was a mess. “There’re different lineages of magic. It’s not all equal. Most enchantments are born from nature, like the air and the trees. I was born of water. Our king—”
A soft knock interrupted them.
Frost didn’t hesitate. “Come in.”
Gemini poked his head inside. “Is it safe?”
Lysander laughed. “Don’t worry. I’m dressed, but my natural form is so much better.” He couldn’t let Stone suspect him of being anything other than himself.
Gemini stepped fully inside the room. He had Stone and Leif on his heels. Leif closed the door behind them. On the sly, he touched the door. Since Leif was a Druid vampire, Lysander assumed he used his magic to secure the room.
Gemini picked up Celina. He kissed Frost. “Grandpa is demanding time with his granddaughter.”
Frost gave him a sharp nod. “We can’t have him missing his grandbaby.”
Lysander assumed Frost understood Gemini’s code.
The room seemed to hold its breath as Gemini headed to a room Lysander suspected was Frost’s office.
Frost focused on Stone. A kind and professional smile sat sturdy on his features. “I haven’t thought to ask how you are this morning. It’s not every day you meet your mate.” Wrap your arms around him. I’ll need you to hold him.
Stone didn’t look suspicious. That was good. “I’m fine.” He sounded completely unmoved. Zero personality. No care for Lysander's existence.
Lysander molded against Stone’s back and wrapped his arms around Stone’s waist. He kissed Stone’s shoulder. His throat swelled. There was only a black hole where Stone should be. He forced a chuckle. “Yeah, he is.” Lysander’s voice dripped with sex. I’m ready.
Frost moved closer.
Without warning, the room turned so dark and oppressive that a chill ran through Lysander.
Lysander immediately braced for a fight.
He could smell the evil in the air. Then Lucifer walked into the room from the same room where Gemini had disappeared.
Lysander nearly failed Stone. His knees weakened.
Lysander was born of light magic. This was the actual dark one.
Oddly, he was also the most beautiful man Lysander had ever set eyes on.
That was what gave him strength to squeeze Stone against him.
He could pretend he wasn’t in the presence of pure evil.
No one else seemed the least bit surprised or scared.
Eyes that looked exactly like a summertime sky at noon flashed with irritation as he crossed the room.
“You’re interrupting my Papaw time. No one takes me away from granddaughter.
” That was all the warning they had before Lucifer’s glowing hands reached inside Stone like dipping his hands into water.
The scream that roared from Stone was the most pain-filled sound Lysander had ever heard in his life.
As quickly and easily as plucking a tissue from a tissue box, Lucifer held a human-shaped shadow. “Ah. There you are, my little spellcaster. Tell me why you cursed my son.”
An evil laugh vibrated from the darkness. “You’ll have nothing from me.”
Lysander had no fucking clue what Lucifer meant. All he knew was the darkness was gone from Stone.
Lucifer pulled him forward, going nose to nose with the phantom form, as if he saw something no one else could.
A terrifying smile spread across Lucifer’s deceptively beautiful face.
“I see.” Lucifer snorted. “Return to Bodhi. I want him to feel the crushing blow of knowing my family is united now. He failed.” During the speech, Lucifer had sounded almost normal.
But at the name Bodhi, Frost gasped. Lucifer’s voice hardened as his grip tightened on the nearly translucent shadow.
“And if he ever comes for one of mine again, there’ll be nothing left of him to be reborn.
I will not play this game with you again.
” With a solid shake, Stone’s hijacker vanished.
Lucifer sighed. The sound was a tired one. “Ridiculous.” His gaze found Frost, as if no one else existed. “Come with me.”
Frost didn’t hesitate.
Until the choking oppression disappeared, Lysander’s mind didn’t clear enough for him to remember he held Stone’s slumped body. A shot of panic hit him before he realized Stone was alive. He was just unconscious.
Leif rushed to help as Lysander moved Stone into the lone hospital bed. “What can I do to help? I know your magic is stronger than mine, but I can lend a hand.”
For a moment, Lysander simply stared at Leif. Leif should hate him. He had once tried to win Leif’s mate just to prove to himself Stone had no hold over him. Now the vamp offered his magic. That was the highest compliment among his kind.
“Thank you.” Lysander sounded as sincere as he was. “He needs to be warded against possession. Stone is vulnerable now. Once one being finds its way in, a trail is left to follow for others.”