Chapter Twelve.
Mitch
Holy crap, Ness had eaten him. Mitch scrambled across her tongue to grab a tooth.
Ness was not freaking swallowing him! Ness’s tongue shoved him over, and Mitch realised she was nudging him into the hollow of her cheek.
Mitch crawled into the small space and wrapped his arms around a molar.
He couldn’t exactly say it was pleasant, but when he became aware of the speed she was swimming at, Mitch was grateful.
As Ness attacked those opposing her, he endured every blow.
Jesus, Ness was beyond mad. She twisted and turned in the water, and an occasional surge soaked him, but Mitch held on. He had no intention of becoming her meal. Mitch sensed her flippers hit the ground, and then he was spat out.
Soaking wet and drenched in a liquid he didn’t want to name, Mitch tried to get his bearings.
Ness was rolling over on something that had tentacles, and Mitch recognised it as the creature who’d snatched him. “Kick its ass!” he hollered at Ness, who released a bellowing roar. Movement made Mitch glance left, and he noticed people racing towards them.
“Ness!” one yelled as they came near.
Absolutely not! Nobody was berating his Ness. Mitch grabbed a branch, and as a guy drew closer, Mitch struck at him. “Stay away,” Mitch warned.
Ness let out a squeal, and Mitch glanced back and saw the creature was on its feet again and slapping at her with its tentacles.
A woman approached, and Mitch lashed out at her.
“You won’t harm her!” Mitch snarled.
“Ness is my sis—”
“I don’t give a toss. Back the hell up and leave Ness alone!” Mitch roared.
Two guys raced forward, and Mitch swung, smacking one around the head, who went staggering, and the other tackled him. Mitch began swinging as he fought to climb to his feet. He landed a lucky blow, shoved the second guy aside, and scrambled up.
“Enough!” a woman shouted, and everyone paused. Mitch immediately backed away and stood in front of Ness, who dwarfed him. They may have looked stupid, but Mitch didn’t care.
“Griffin, this is on your head, you impetuous fool! You were sent to reconnoitre, not start a damn fight!” she chided.
“Maeve, I—”
“No. You insulted us when you doubted our word, and now you’ve overstepped the line completely. I’m disappointed. Tisiphone, perhaps you ought to take your team home? As clearly, we can’t be trusted,” Maeve continued.
Another woman bowed her head. “You have my apologies, Maeve. Griffin, like Poseidon, is a hothead.”
“Indeed, and we’ve corrected Poseidon’s behaviour over the years. I saw exactly what happened. Those bullets weren’t directed at Griffin or Jess. They were aimed directly at Mitchum,” Maeve replied.
“Mitch, please. Mitchum is Alexander’s son, and that’s not me,” Mitch interrupted. Why he needed to make a point right now, he was unsure. But Mitch didn’t want to be called Mitchum.
“Apologies, Mitch. Ness, shift, we won’t hurt your mate,” Maeve promised.
Ness hissed, and Mitch smirked. His woman remained pissed and didn’t care who knew. Maeve quirked an eyebrow and, in response, Ness settled on the shoreline and glowered at everyone, swinging her head back and forth. When one of the strangers got too close, Ness immediately swung at them.
“Mitch, please reassure Ness, you’re okay and safe,” Maeve asked.
“Why would I do that? He tried to drown me!” Mitch demanded, pointing at the tentacled creature.
“Shift back, Jase!” Maeve ordered, and he glowered but did.
“I know you, Jase Monroe,” Mitch snarled, his eyes narrowing.
“You aren’t the only rich one here,” Jase retorted.
“Ness, please shift back; everyone else apart from you has,” Maeve asked. Mitch laid a hand on Ness’s throat, and she craned her neck to peer down at him and crooned.
“Babe, I’m okay,” Mitch said, patting her.
Ness released another growl and swung her head again before shifting. Jess tumbled into Mitch’s arms, and he held her tight.
“You stink,” Jess complained.
“Try brushing Ness’s teeth in future. I nearly shit myself thinking you were about to eat me.”
Jess laughed. “That wouldn’t happen. You’re not that delicious.”
“Oh, I think I’m more than tasty enough,” Mitch teased in return.
“Do you mind?” Jase snapped.
“Nope. In fact, take a hike, Monroe,” Mitch retorted.
“Rein it in, Jase,” Maeve ordered. “And you, Vladimir.”
Another man bristled. “Maeve, this is our home. Jess brought a Hunter here.”
“I’m not a damn Hunter.” Mitch sighed, exasperated.
Vladimir began, “You come from a line—”
“Do you think I’m blind? Did I sleep for the last thirty years?
I was the kid who lived it and the teen who escaped it.
I’m well aware of what monsters my family are.
Trust me, I fucking know firsthand. There’s no way I’ll ever develop into what they are; I’d rather die than become a Weideman,” Mitch snapped.
“I can arrange that,” Leon said, stepping forward.
“Don’t go there, Ericks,” Mitch warned. “Lamia has a child; does that mean we should judge that kid by what her mother did?”
Lanie bristled, and Mitch turned to her. “And you’re pregnant. According to you lot, your kids have to be accountable for your alleged crimes.”
“Are you threatening my wife?” Mac commanded, stepping forward.
“She’s your wife?” Mitch mused. “Guess you need to pay too, as you’re guilty by association. What, you don’t like it? Being judged isn’t nice, is it?
“What would you know about being damned?” Leon demanded.
“About as much as you. You’ve been judged since you were changed. I’ve been criticised from the moment I was born. At least you had a period that you were able to live in peace,” Mitch shot back.
Leon opened his mouth and then closed it. Mitch guessed he’d made a relevant point.
“Stop fighting, everyone. He is Jess’s mate. Mitch, please come to the castle,” a quiet voice asked. Mitch turned to spot a delicate woman standing there.
“Andie,” Jess murmured, and Mitch frowned. Who was Andie?
“Mitch is what he appears to be. Jess’s mate is completely in love with her.
He’s not a threat to anyone. So quit the angst and arguing, and please, can we go inside?
” Andie continued. Mitch caught her gaze, and there was something about her that he trusted.
She held her hand out, and Mitch took it.
“You’ve a beautiful soul,” Mitch said, startling those around him.
Andie smiled back sadly. Mitch longed to wipe that emotion from her eyes. This woman should only know happiness.
“She’s Pandora,” Jess whispered, and Mitch jolted. Pandora, as in Pandora who freed the Sins? Andie slowly released his hand, acceptance on her face now. Mitch knew who she was.
Mitch shook his head. “And despite all that, you’ve stayed true; I can sense it.”
Surprise radiated off everyone as they glanced between Mitch and Andie.
“Andie carries the Sin of Hope,” Jess explained.
“So not even Pandora escaped?” Mitch asked.
“No,” Andie said ruefully.
“Damn, those Sins were harsh and not picky,” Mitch muttered.
Andie laughed, and those around her appeared surprised again. “You’re not wrong, Mitch. Come, let’s get tea.”
Jess/Loch Ness Monster
As soon as Andie made her move, everyone else fell into line.
Although Pandora was their betrayer, they were beginning to realise that something was off with the story they’d trusted.
Andie was holding on to secrets of her own.
Everyone had been giving Andie some leeway, but lately Andie had lost weight and looked incredibly pale.
Despite living with them, Andie hadn’t been accepted for millennia.
Some of the shifters still treated her like a leper, and Andie tended to avoid them. Jess rarely had anything to do with her, but she appreciated the fact that Andie had stuck her neck out for Mitch.
Andie led the way back into the castle, and Jess noted that Mitch didn’t even look around himself. He was placing his trust directly into Andie’s hands.
“Come this way; someone will fetch drinks. We need to check that wound,” Andie said.
Jess stiffened and rushed forward. “What injury? Is Mitch hurt?” she began patting him down, and Mitch tried capturing her hands.
“Who harmed you?” Jess seethed momentarily, flashing between the Loch Ness Monster and human form.
“Jess, I’m fine, it’s a scratch from a bullet. I received it tackling Griffin,” Mitch said, pulling Jess tight against his body and kissing her.
Usually, Jess would allow herself to be distracted, but not today. “You were wounded saving Griffin?” she shrieked.
“Baby, I’m not shot, and it’s a graze,” Mitch tried reassuring her.
Jess wasn’t having any of it. As they reached a long table, Jess backed him against it and yanked Mitch’s shirt out of his trousers and ripped it open. She gasped at the six-inch abrasion along Mitch’s ribs where the bullet had scraped him.
“I didn’t expect to do this in front of everyone else, but hey, if we’re getting naked,” Mitch teased, trying to lighten her mood. Instead, Jess scowled. Griffin and his crap had nearly got Mitch killed.
“This could get infected!” Jess exclaimed. “The lake water, being in my mouth, oh no!” Jess was bordering on panic. As they were unmated, the mate bond did not yet protect Mitch. Mitch fought against her hands, and Jess caught his wound, making him groan.
Jess froze, allowing Mitch to grab her.
“Look at me,” he ordered.
Jess peered into his eyes, and Mitch smiled. “I love the fact that you’re worried about me. It’s wonderful that you care so much. But I’m okay, baby, it’s a graze. I suffered worse as a kid.”
A growl came from deep inside Jess, and Mitch looked like he shouldn’t have said anything about his childhood. “Look, honey, can we go to your quarters so I can shower this off me and then maybe we can dress the wound?”
Jess grabbed Mitch’s hand and pulled him back through the great hall. “Andie, meet at my apartment,” she tossed over her shoulder.