CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Four days later
– AZALEA –
Turning the page of the old book on my lap, I try to make sense of the legend.
Karev explained it to me a few days ago, but it still blows my mind.
I mean, being descendants of gods is one thing.
Supernaturals are special beings with each their own bloodline, background, and all that shit.
Though, not everyone is tied to something history books write about.
My finger traces the words as I murmur, “The one who conquers the heart of a feared avenging goddess, and faces his enemies unremorsefully, will be rewarded with a powerful hierarchy change.” A little growl of frustration gets stuck in my throat before I raise my voice to add, “What kind of shit is this?”
The couch dips next to me and at the same time I hear Triton’s voice, “The kind that explains shit. Legends are meant to inspire and to blend the imagination with the truth. They preserve history but also serve as a warning.”
I glare at the man. “You do know the stuff you just said makes it more insane, right? I mean, Drexel somehow got his hands on a book and thought...oh, this is about me. I should go and woo a girl, then kill her daddy, and boom...king of the world.”
“Underworld. King of the underworld,” Triton corrects me with a straight face, making me turn the evil glare up a few notches.
Shifting my body in his direction, I grit, “Like I said; what kind of shit is this?”
Triton mimics my move. “Shit Drexel took the wrong way, because he didn’t conquer the heart of a feared avenging goddess.”
My head whips in the direction of the hallway when Karev rumbles in a harsh tone, “Get the fuck away from my old lady.”
A snort leaves Triton before he says, “Dude. It’s not like I’m whipping out my dick or anything. We’re just talking.”
Flames light up in Karev’s eyes and his fingers turn into fists by his side as he takes a menacing step in our direction. “If you had your dick out, I wouldn’t have used fucking words, and you wouldn’t be able to voice fucking shit ever again.”
Triton moves away from me. “Again, no need to threaten me. I’m pretty sure your avenging goddess would turn my cock into red mist if I would...”
I cut his reply off by saying, “In the blink of an eye.”
He rears his head back. “You can rip something apart by blinking?”
“There’s a first for everything.” With a head tilt I ask, “Wanna try?”
Triton jumps up and moves away from me. “VP, your woman is scarier than you.”
Karev barks out a laugh and holds his arm out. I get to my feet and close the distance between us. Pressing my body to his, he pulls me close and places a kiss on the top of my head. I inhale his scent and feel as if an elastic band snaps, giving me more room to breathe.
Being seen, heard, desired, treasured, treated as an equal, and so much more is a first for me.
Not to mention, Karev’s protectiveness makes me feel special.
Being the one thriving on jealousy, feeling a mere hint in the air to feed my powers?
It warms my heart, and with it desire starts to seep into my veins.
Karev inhales and a low rumble vibrates inside his chest. His hand wraps around my throat and he uses his thumb to press on my jaw, tipping my head back. Our eyes lock and I can see my desire mirrored in his eyes.
“Keep it in your pants big guy. Church, remember?” Triton says and stalks to the room they call church.
Karev sighs and brushes his lips against mine. “You have no idea how badly I want to be inside you right now.”
“Probably just as bad as I want to feel you deep inside me,” I whisper back.
“Fuck,” he grunts and pulls me along with him. “Later. We’ll ignore the whole damn world later.”
The table is filled with members of this MC. Over the past few days I’ve gotten to know every single one of them. They’re all kind and engaging, such a stark contrast when it comes to my own family. Karev takes a seat and places his hands on my waist to easily lift me onto his lap.
“Any update?” Sevrin asks Triton.
The warlock shakes his head. “Nothing. If I scan for Drexel, I only get our clubhouse, the Nowalk clubhouse, and Calvania’s place.
Which makes no sense. The DNA is entwined, so we know our clubhouse pinpoints Karev, Nowalk is his half-sister, and Calvania’s place must be due to the interaction he had with Alora.
There’s no other explanation because we checked his place. ”
This information is new to me. They went to my father’s place to see if Drexel was there? Without me? I turn to watch Karev’s face and raise my eyebrow.
He only gives me a short glance along with the whispered words, “Not gonna risk you getting hurt, cookie,” as he gently squeezes my thigh.
His words and actions are due to the deep instinct to protect me.
Yet, I’m not as vulnerable as a dolphin shifter.
Zara truly died that day, even if she regenerated.
It’s why I don’t say anything but do huff out a frustrating breath to let him know I’m not happy about being left in the dark.
The corner of his mouth twitches and I get another squeeze on my waist.
I watch his strong jaw as he replies to a question one of the others asks him.
Ugh. This man has released so many feelings inside me, pulling me into his life and surrounding me with many others who care, or at least let me feel like I’m welcome.
At times my father didn’t even acknowledge me living in his damn house.
The way we’re discussing Drexel, Karev’s half-brother, shows every family has their own fucked-upness. Is that even a word? I frown at my own thoughts and catch Croc staring at me.
“What?” I mouth.
To my surprise he states loud enough for everyone to hear, “You two are cute as fuck, and I’d never thought VP would find a mate, let alone turn into a lovesick puppy.”
I can feel my cheeks heat while Stingray snickers and says, “Did you seriously just call a hellhound a puppy?”
“Fuck off,” Karev replies, his voice lacking heat.
“We need to get back to the issue at hand, because Drexel is somewhere licking his wounds. Four days isn’t enough time for his head to grow back.
So, we need to damn well find him now, while he’s still recovering.
How the hell isn’t he showing up when you search for him?
You have the witch’s scent too and could still get some hint of where the fucker is... still fucking nothing.”
“Aren’t you stronger? I mean, you could beat him in a fight if he does grow his head back, right?” Shock asks.
I ignore the conversation that follows, because for damn sure my mate is stronger than Drexel.
My mind is still stuck on what Karev just said which makes me blurt, “Did you guys search the cabins behind the house?”
“What cabins, what house?” Sevrin asks.
“My family’s place. The werewolves, and other staff members, have small cabins on the property. Not all of their spouses are werewolves. Our cook for instance is a turtle shifter.”
“A turtle?” Stingray snorts. “For real? A turtle and a werewolf?”
I roll my eyes. “She’s married to the butler who’s also a turtle shifter.”
“Any of your father’s staff a witch?” Triton grits.
“No, I would have told you straight away if I knew one of the staff was a witch. Though, I haven’t met all the people living there and some also have children my age.
” I tip my head back to glance at Karev.
“We should go back and check everything. Why wouldn’t my father tell you guys to check them in the first place? ”
Karev grimaces. “Let’s just say he wasn’t all too happy when we showed up on his doorstep with half the MC.”
My father would definitely shit bricks if people showed up to search his home. A smile is about to break free when it abruptly vanishes due to the sharp stabbing pain in my chest. It feels as if someone is ripping my heart right out of my chest. I gasp and grip the fabric of my dress.
“What’s wrong? Lea, talk to me, what’s going on? Are you in pain?” Karev’s worried voice makes my gaze collide with his.
My vision turns blurry when my thoughts go in one direction...the only logical explanation since this isn’t the first time I’ve felt this pain.
“My sister. Something has happened to one of my sisters,” I croak.
More excruciating pain hits me. This time it feels as if a burning rod is being shoved into my heart, making me scream in torment. I can’t breathe, my throat feels raw as black smoke enters my vision. Jumping to my feet, I rush out the door. I have to get to my sisters.