Page 53 of Beyond Fate

“We need somewhere safe, but I smell humans inside this building. Last time Elouan attacked, we were ambushed by a swarm of vampires.” Damon saw the worry in Casimir’s eyes as he carefully lifted him into his arms. “How was your ride, ceutyâ nétya?” he asked.

Damon gave him a thumbs-up. “As you can see, totally uneventful. Nothing but a chill time. Now if we could just get my dad out of here, everything would be peachy.” He scowled. “He gave too much blood when I needed to feed.”

“Oh no!” Elvine rushed over to Kalen, her concern evident on her face. Jax’s intense gaze followed her every move, as if worried she might trip and fall in her haste. “We have to move him if there’s going to be an attack!” She grabbed his muscled arm with both hands and tried to yank him up, but even in his weakened state, Kalen easily pulled her close, nearly causing her to lose her footing.

Damon watched as Jax jerked forward slightly, as if he could catch her from ten feet away if she fell.

“Fly home with Raidh, young lady.” Kalen breathed heavily, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. “You both need to protect your beautiful wings, sweetheart.”

“Then who will protect your handsome butt?” Her meadow-green eyes shimmered as she placed a trembling hand against his bearded jaw.

Jax growled softly, but Damon knew that sound was because she cared about their dad and not from Elvine having a tender moment with Kalen.

“We all leave, or we all fight.” She patted Kalen’s chest affectionately. “Well, except for you and Mr. Baby Belly. But don’t underestimate my tiny stature.” She leaned in closer and whispered, “Am I allowed to use my magic, Dad?”

She was being cheeky, but pride shone in Kalen’s blue eyes as he weakly smiled at her. His dad truly adored her. “Help defend our family, young lady.”

Then his eyes rolled back and he passed out, landing on the ground with a loud thump.

“Dad!” Damon tried to wiggle from Casimir’s arms, desperate to check on his father, but his mate refused to let him go. “Put me down,” he snarled. “I need to make sure he’s okay.”

Kalen shifted into his wolf, causing Elvine to stumbled backward. Jax shot across the small distance and caught her, his arms wrapping around her so she could regain her footing. “Can’t have you hurting your tush, brat.”

His hands lingered on Elvine before he abruptly pulled away.

“I’ll go get Mason,” Jaytee said. “We need to find a safe place for Dad.” He looked at Raidh. “Stay by my side, Moonbeam.” He surveyed their surroundings warily. “I can sense something dark in the air.”

Just this morning Damon had prayed all the bullshit was behind them. Swear, one day he was going to learn to keep his thoughts and words to himself. They always seemed to come back to bite him in the end.

But there was one thing Damon didn’t think would ever happen—regret giving up a power. But right about now he wished Aldrin hadn’t taken away his power to create a portal. It would have been incredibly useful in this dire situation.

“Feed me.” A growl rumbled deep in his chest as he tried but failed to turn in Casimir’s arms. “I need to get back to full strength so we can take down this bastard.”

Casimir glared at him. “You’re not fighting, nékah,” he stated firmly. “You’re carrying our pup. You’ll stay with Kalen and the small fae and watch over them.” His tone made it clear the conversation was over and Damon had better not try to argue.

Gnashing his teeth in frustration, Damon retorted, “He’s coming to kill you, and we don’t know who he’ll have with him. You’ll need all the help you can get, or have you forgotten the chaos I pulled you out of the last time he attacked?”

Damon was torn. He knew his warrior was right, but he also didn’t want to leave his mate to fight on his own. Damon could hold his own against vampires or anyone else Elouan brought with him. He didn’t want to be stuck on the sidelines while his mate fought for his life.

“If you fight, my attention will be divided,” Casimir reasoned, placing a gentle kiss on Damon’s forehead.

The soft brush of his mate’s lips sent shivers through him.

“Please, stay with your father and let me handle Elouan.”

The pain in Damon’s stomach intensified. “I need to feed.” He clutched his stomach. “Our little one is hungry.”

Jaytee returned with Mason, who effortlessly lifted Kalen into his arms. “I called for backup and closed down the restaurant. I’ll take him inside.” He looked at Casimir. “Bring your mate as well.”

Unable to wait any longer, Damon turned his head and sank his fangs into Casimir’s chest, right over his heart. His mate grunted but kept walking as Damon drank. He would have preferred privacy, but that was in short supply at the moment.

As they entered the restaurant, Damon licked the pinpricks closed. It seemed since their mating, when Damon’s wolf had joined them, Casimir’s blood no longer drove him insane. He could now feed from his warrior without trying to drain him.

Mason gently placed the huge wolf on the floor behind the counter. “Sorry I don’t have anything more comfortable for him to lie on.”

“We appreciate any help you can give us,” Jaytee said, shaking Mason’s hand.

“We stick together,” Mason replied. “The Frosts have always been valuable members of our community. You helped me get this place ready when I bought it, without expecting anything in return. Now I can finally repay you.”

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