Page 54 of Beyond Fate

“That’s not why we help when it’s needed,” Jaytee replied.

“But thank you,” Damon added weakly.

“Thank you for sheltering my family,” Casimir added before he looked down at Damon. “Can you stand, nékah?” He rubbed Damon’s back in comforting circles.

“Not yet,” Damon admitted. “Your blood needs time to circulate through my body. Just set me down next to my dad.”

As Casimir gently lowered him, Damon heard Jax yelling.

“You are not fighting!” Jax shouted at Elvine. “You’re staying in here with my dad, Raidh, and Damon!”

“Don’t tell me what to do, Mr. Nippy Nose!” Elvine shot back. “You heard Papa Frost. He said to help protect our family.”

“He was delirious,” Jax countered angrily. “He wouldn’t have wanted you to fight, young lady.”

“Don’t call me that!” Elvine huffed. “I will fight until my last breast!”

Jax’s choke was audible. “It’s breath, not… Jesus, get it right.”

Damon couldn’t see them from his position on the other side of the counter, but he could picture them glaring at each other. “They need to get a room.” He chuckled then winced.

“Why would they—” Casimir’s brows shot up. “Why haven’t they acknowledged their bond yet?”

“I don’t think they knew until Arion showed up,” Damon replied. “That’s when everything started happening.” Which was very strange. Elvine had been buzzing around for roughly two weeks. Sometimes preternatural didn’t feel the pull of their mate right away, but Damon had never heard of a two-week delay.

It should have been obvious from the way Jax and Elvine constantly bickered.

“Who is Arion?” Casimir looked genuinely confused.

“The vampire you tried to turn into a part of this building.” Damon was starting to feel better, the dizziness subsiding.

Casimir’s expression darkened, his jaw clenched. “He set me up to be killed. If I see him again, I will erase him.”

Jax growled, and Elvine let out a snarl. Damon looked up at his mate. “I wouldn’t advise doing that.”

Casimir’s eyes began to glow that cerulean blue that always captivated Damon. “They’re almost here. Promise me you’ll stay inside, ceutyâ nétya.”

“Why are your eyes glowing?” Damon asked. “I thought you said that would stop once my wolf claimed you.” Not that he minded the sight of Casimir’s glowing eyes. In fact, Damon found it breathtaking, just like his warrior.

“The swirling mist won’t return, but the glowing is part of my commander status.” Casimir stood tall over Damon. “I’m going to intercept Elouan before he reaches this building. I also want to see who else is with him.”

“I’m coming too,” Elvine said firmly from over the counter.

“No way in hell,” Jax growled.

Casimir glanced down at Damon. “This should be interesting.”

Damon completely agreed.

Chapter Sixteen

“Keep it together,” Casimir said as they walked out of the building. “I don’t need you two going at each other’s throats. We need to stay focused.”

“I’ve been in my fair share of brawls,” Jax retorted. “I don’t need you to tell me to keep my head in the game.”

Casimir stopped walking when they reached the edge of the parking lot, causing Jax, Elvine, Jaytee, and Mason to stop as well. “You can be as upset with me as you want, Jax. Up until now we’ve been cool, but your mate set me up to be butchered by a horde of vampires. If it wasn’t for your brother flying me out of there, I would have gotten an eviction notice on life.”

Jax bared his canines. “I get what you’re saying, but did you hear Arion when he said things aren’t always what they seem? How would you feel if you watched someone slam Damon into a building and then try to choke him out?”

---