Page 5 of Unsanctioned
Audor laughed for real. They both knew the real and biggest reason Audor had been sent to this town was because of Riku. He was Lucifer’s unclaimed mate. The only reason Audor knew was because Jonathan would never leave him blind to what he was up against. No one knew what would happen when the day came that Lucifer’s patience snapped. Riku might be Jörmungandr’s discarded creation, but he was his creation nonetheless. Some believed Jörmungandr would be the one who brought on the end of the world. Between that and Lucifer’s hatred of everything and everyone, their mating could mean the end of times. It might also mean a dozen other things or nothing at all. If Audor actually flirted with Riku, he would likely be dead before the words fully left his ripped-out tongue. It was scary how much that fate didn’t sound so bad.
“Sometimes, I build a huge, roaring fire on the mountain.” Riku sounded so quiet and low that Audor had to stop and stare. Riku looked at nothing as he spoke, as if only seeing the images in his head. It looked as if fire danced in his eyes. Audor had never been more awed, and he served the golden king. “I’ll sitas closely as possible, telling myself the snake inside me needs the relief the warmth brings.” Riku looked his way. The embers of fire glowed hotter and danced faster. “But I know the truth. I’m trying to decide if I should step into it. What would happen if I did? Would I die with honor the way the vampire do? Maybe nothing at all would happen beyond ruining a set of clothes. Or perhaps I’ll set Lucifer free, and this town can take a breath with the threat of me gone. Only the not knowing stops me.” The embers died. “A lot of your kind have found a home here. You should pick one to go with you to Frost’s. I daresay a lot of us feel the same weariness from the unending march of time.”
A sad smile tugged at Audor’s lips. “Maybe I will. Wisdom is welcome wherever it comes from. I appreciate the advice. For the record, though, fear of Lucifer wouldn’t stop me from pursuing you if my heart was whole.”
A smile snapped to Riku’s lips. “I don’t doubt it. Now, tell me your plan for this garage so I can help. My life is tedious as hell. I’m game for anything.”
A warmth spread through Audor’s chest. For the first time since his move, Audor didn’t feel either alone or like he waited for the other shoe to drop. He could choose to be Riku’s friend. That was a choice that was his and real. He would start there. Then Audor would take back his life. He used to be someone else before the years of loneliness crushed him. Audor would find that man again. He didn’t need a wolf to survive.
Chapter Three
Waylon’snerveswereacomplete mess. After days of not seeing Audor, and the feeling of going out of his head worsening by the second, Waylon turned up first at Frost’s for the barbecue. He pretended to be fine. The way he always did. Waylon chopped vegetables and chatted. His face hurt from the faked smiles. Then, one by one, other people arrived. Waylon sat in the corner with a beer and held his breath each time the door opened. Everyone Frost invited, including a few he hadn’t, had already shown. No Audor. He waited ten more minutes and then headed outside to hover over Jacen at the grill.
Jacen flashed him a smile. “Hey. You look tired. Do you ever get a break?”
Waylon tried to hide his emotions, even though it would be impossible with Jacen. His wife Deidra and he were fairies. They could read and control the minds of animals. That wasthe biggest reason the people of Wulfe had tried to steer clear of them when they moved to town. But Frost had immediately struck up a friendship with the pair, and they had slowly grown on everyone else.
“There’s only one of me, but I try.”
Jacen nodded. “Do you mind watching these burgers for a second while I grab a beer?”
A genuine smile snapped to Waylon’s lips. Fairies asking for a favor was a genuine honor. No matter how small. “Sure. Take your time.”
Waylon took over Jacen’s spot and focused on the chore. It was nice to empty his mind for a second. Jacen was back too soon. He had a beer in each hand.
He handed one to Waylon. “Here.”
Waylon nodded his appreciation. While everyone knew not to accept food or drinks from fairies, Jacen had manned the grill at every one of these get-togethers in the past six months. None of them had gotten stuck in the fairy world yet or lost their ability to eat anything other than the guy’s cooking. Waylon assumed they were safe.
A familiar voice caressed his ears, as if Waylon had been waiting to hear its tune. “Sorry we’re late. Fen had a meeting with the king this morning he couldn’t miss.”
Waylon tempered himself as he turned. His fur already stood on end. He feared himself when he saw how closely the Fen guy stood to Audor.
Audor was all smiles.
Frost looked as if he fought himself, swinging between being a proper host and upset on Waylon’s behalf. Audor had brought a fucking date.
“I don’t think we’ve met,” Frost said, obviously trying to cover his reaction.
Fen held out his hand. “Fen Baird.”
Fuck. He had a Scottish accent.
Frost shook. “Frost Leo.”
Fen dipped his chin. “I know. You’re the reason I’m here.”
Audor jumped in, as if Fen needed him to clarify. “Fen is one of Scotland’s king’s personal guards.”
“Was,” Fen clarified with a laugh. “Your safety is a top priority now. To the heedful seldom comes harm.”
Frost officially looked uncomfortable. Gemini came to his rescue and Audor led Fen to the nearby lawn chairs. It was a nice day, and everyone felt the same itch of spring on the horizon. Waylonopenly studied Fen. He was tall, with red hair and unnaturally bright green eyes. As much as it hurt his chest to admit it, he was a gorgeous guy. He was also a vampire, exactly as Audor needed. Waylon chugged his beer and headed inside for another. He couldn’t watch Audor be with someone else. He grabbed another beer from the fridge and stood at the kitchen counter, staring at nothing.
Warm arms encircled him. Lips brushed his nape, sending chill bumps down his spine. Waylon’s eyes fell closed at the sensation. His chest hurt. While the humans in this town weren’t technically part of his pack, they were still his responsibility as their sheriff. He had lost two today in a horrific car accident. Teens, driving too fast for the lack of experience. Their parents’ faces haunted Waylon’s mind. Audor’s touch soothed him.
“You’re a good man. This town is obviously favored by the gods to have you, but you need a break sometimes too.” Audor’s lips skimmed his skin with every word, making Waylon’s breathing deepen.
“I wouldn’t even know where to start.”
