Page 13 of Unsanctioned
Chapter Six
Thesensationofcoldand warm touching his spine slowly dragged Waylon from his dreams. He chuckled as Audor nipped at his skin, as if trying to tickle him. Audor marched cold pieces up his back, as if walking toy soldiers. Waylon couldn’t stop smiling. He had never known this much happiness. Then Audor’s hands appeared in front of his face as he draped himself over Waylon’s body. Waylon gasped at the items Audor held.
“My beauty deserves pretty things. I found these too many years ago to count. All this time, I haven’t known what I saved them for. Now I do. They’re the rocks I wanted for my mate.”
Waylon’s hands shook as he took the stones. They were more than rocks. Waylon could smell them. The scent of nature lived in his blood. They were gemstones. Like genuine gems mined from stone. “Holy shit. These are likely priceless.”
Audor kissed his shoulder. “No. You’re priceless. I’m sure these have a dollar amount that could be assigned to them.”
“Not to me. They’re a gift from my mate.” Part of Waylon wanted to say he could never accept such a huge gift, especially one given so casually, but they were mated. Everything that was Waylon’s was Audor’s.
“And everything that is mine, is yours,” Audor said, finishing his thoughts. “Speaking of which. We need to decide where we’ll live. Your place is more convenient for your work. I just bought this place and have been fixing up the garage. But that doesn’t matter as much to me as you do if you’d rather stay where—”
The earth shook, cutting off Audor’s words. He scrambled to ensure every inch of Waylon was covered from any danger. The moment passed as quickly as it happened, but all Audor’s alarm bells were clanging. He leapt from the bed almost as quickly as Waylon. In a flash, Audor wore jeans and had a battle ax in each hand. “I must go to Frost. He’s my duty.”
Waylon pressed a quick kiss to Audor’s lips and turned wolf.My pack needs me.Don’t close your mind to me.
Audor gave him a sharp nod. “I love you, wolf.” He dissipated, landing on Frost’s front lawn at the same time as every guard assigned to Frost. They each held various weapons. Thankfully, dawn hadn’t quite broken. He had woken Waylon early, hoping to steal some time with him before Waylon went to work. His powers weren’t cut by the sun yet. They would be soon and Audor had no idea what danger they faced. Something unnaturalhad happened, though. It was a chill down his spine. Gemini was full leopard as he burst from the door.What’s happened?Gemini’s thoughts were as loud as a shout.
Audor ran for the door. “I don’t know yet, but it’s best we form a tight circle around Frost until we receive word things are clear.” They poured inside.
Frost stood in the middle of the living room, wearing nothing but pajama pants. He held a cup of coffee and looked too exhausted to care if the apocalypse had just begun.
“You know earthquakes are common in this area, right?”
Leif closed the door.
Fen began checking windows. “Earthquakes don’t feel like that. That’s what it feels like when a demon horde breaks the veil.”
Goddamn it. Audor knew the cold sensation down his spine felt familiar. It had been a long time since he felt this way. His gaze met Leif’s. They had been raised together. They had been best friends since they were old enough to hunt together. Leif had also been at his side during the demon wars. They had seen what demons would do to this town.
It’s a demon breach. Please be careful.
He felt the phantom sensation of Waylon caressing his mind, as if comforting him.I’m checking the town now. If I get the faintest scent of evil, you’ll be the first to know.
“My mate is checking the town. He’ll let us know what he finds.”
“Mate? It had better be Waylon, or I’ll flip this table.”
Audor flashed Frost a smile at the words. He was so damnably calm, it was catching. Plus, Waylon’s name had been mentioned. That was all Audor ever needed.
“Vampires and Weres can’t be mates,” Fen said, staring out the back door. His gaze kept moving in every direction.
Leif’s eyes were locked on Audor’s neck.
Audor stood at Gemini’s side, keeping himself bodily between Frost and the door. “This vampire was blessed with a Were mate.”
All eyes turned his way, as if that news trumped all danger.
Leif was the first to turn away. “Now isn’t the time.”
A shot of pain hit Audor in the chest. Until that moment, he had forgotten Leif had once been madly in love with a bear. The guy had been huge and cuddly. Funny and protective. It had ended badly for all the same reasons he had almost lost Waylon. Until that moment, he hadn’t realized how much of that Leif stillcarried with him. There was no denying his friend’s pain. It sat on his chest.
What’s happening? I can feel your hurt.
Audor smiled. His mind was no longer his alone.I’m fine, gorgeous. How are things going on your end?
There’s nothing. Randall and I have found a few lingering scents of sulfur, but nothing. If demons broke the veil, they didn’t stay here. I’ll keep checking until I’ve seen every pack member.
