Waterfall(42)

Celeste pulled from his arms. “I shall see you tomorrow, then.”

He smiled down at her. “And for the rest of our lives.”





“You failed me. I should have known better than to trust a human with a task so delicate.” The deep, dark voice crept through Hudson’s mind.

“I didn’t fail you. They were all there. All of them.”

“No. Air was missing.”

“I am certain he was behind them in the open doorway. Did you not see him?”

“If he was there, the elements would have joined and immobilized them for my taking. He was not present.”

“He was! I didn’t get a chance to finish the words. That is why!”

The voice laughed. “Words are weak. Their power alone would have captured them.”

“Could you be wrong?”

“Never. There will be no second chances. You will fall asleep, and when you wake, you will remember me. I gave you this gift, and until you succeed, your manly pleasure is mine. When they ask you to nullify the marriage to the water’s mate…you may do as you wish.”

“You told me to wed her. You promised me if I did, you would take her and the brothers, and my involvement with her would end.”

“Promised?” The voice laughed. “Why would you believe me? You know what I am, as you searched me out.”

The madness in Hudson shook thin chills through him. He wanted to attack the being behind the voice. To show him that he could not deny a duke. He struggled in his bed, trying to move to no avail. Pain ripped through the roof of his mouth, and pointy teeth extended from his gums. He hissed and thrashed.

“Your transition will continue, and painfully, without my assistance. Such a shame, as I could have offered you pleasure like you have never known.”

“Air was there, I swear.”

“Air was missing. If he was there, you would be back in London and I would be enjoying my feast. We are through. Du er løsladt fra mig.”

“Wait. Wait! I did not fail.” Pain ripped through Hudson’s cock, and then nothing but silence met his ears. He blinked his eyes. No! His eyelids grew heavy. No! He fought to keep them open but failed. The black abyss met him.



Ilmir blew under the door and out of the room in which Hudson slept. Whatever Hudson had talked to in that room was aware of the Zir. To his delight, whatever that otherworldly creature was, it could not see him when in air form. He did so enjoy snooping. He floated down the hall toward his room.

Ferrous for certain would call a family meeting. But that needed to wait. Jordan needed time with his new mate without an air of chaos. All this new information he just learned would certainly cause a fuss. Ilmir’s lips curved up. But oh! Chaos… Now that would be fun.

He would give his brother a week. Or a month, depending on how much resentment the three held toward him for being the first to find his mate; then he would tell them what new information he had found…





Chapter Ten

The man they had called friend lay beyond this door. Jordan stood with his brothers, Madoc and Ferrous, before the burgundy room. They had all mistaken him. Hudson had become an unknown. The potion and elemental power Ferrous had cast was uncertain in its outcome.

Jordan turned the handle and pushed the door wide.

With the inward swing, the stench of sweat and sour stomach bile wafted out into the hall. Hudson lay on the bed in the same position he was left in last night. He thrashed and hissed.

Ferrous and Madoc rushed forward to the edge of the bed.

Jordan stood back, leaned a shoulder against the doorframe and watched.

“He’s burning up.” Ferrous’s dark hair slid over his shoulder as he reached down and touched Hudson’s face. “No. He is in the midst of full transition. He needs blood and a calming cast.”

“Help me.” Hudson lifted his head up and, with beady black eyes, stared directly at Jordan. “He betrayed me. I-I will do whatever you wish of me to make this pain and this overwhelming dark need stop.”

Jordan pushed from the doorframe and walked into the room. Sweat drizzled Hudson’s pasty white complexion. His cheekbones distended, and gray fangs protruded from his lips.

“We will help you only if you agree to a few things.” Ferrous leaned down so he was close to Hudson’s face.

“Anything. Please.” Hudson arched his back and cried out in pain.

His agony filled the room with its energy and jittered Jordan’s senses. “First you will annul your marriage to Celeste.”

“All right.”

Ferrous turned Hudson’s chin toward Jordan and inspected his neck. “Second, you will not come after this family. The authorities are in pursuit of Jordan. You will tell them it was your desire to disappear with us for a few days.”