Evans, Gabrielle - Hell's Tempest [Fatefully Yours 4] (Siren Publishing LoveXtreme Forever ManLove)

Fatefully Yours 4

GABRIELLE EVANS

Copyright © 2011

Chapter One

“For the right to pass into the Elysian Fields.” The answer seemed so clear, Echo didn’t know why he hadn’t seen it before.

“Wait a minute.” Hex sat fully upright in bed and pushed a hand through his hair. “I thought we were fighting to stay here in the Top World. Now, you’re saying that we are trying to pass into Elysium. Echo, that doesn’t make sense. We’re demons. I’m not even sure we have souls. Only the virtuous are allowed to roam the Elysian Fields.”

Echo wanted to roll his eyes, but he refrained. The idea that his lovers didn’t have souls was laughable. They honestly didn’t see themselves clearly. Before he could argue his point, however, a knock sounded at the door, and Vapre eased into the room. “Morning.” He gave them all a beaming smile as he walked over to stand at the foot of the bed.

Mmm, even first thing in the morning, his hair mussed, and his eyes still heavy with sleep, Vapre looked good enough to eat. Echo couldn’t deny that he had the seven most gorgeous men on the planet. Vapre looked like he had something to tell them, but all Echo could think about was convincing his men of a little morning romp between the sheets.

Licking his lips, he batted his eyes up at Vapre and smiled. “Good morning, handsome. Care to join us?” He pushed the blankets down his body until his morning wood bounced free, coming up to slap against his lower belly. Skimming his hand down his bare chest until he reached his straining cock, he palmed the length and stroked it lightly.

Vapre groaned, closing his eyes for just a moment before he refocused on Echo. “Stop,” he pleaded. “I came in here to tell you guys something.”

Echo knew this of course, but whatever news came at this unholy hour in the morning couldn’t be good. He didn’t want to listen to bad news. So, he continued to stroke himself, his eyes never leaving Vapre’s as soft moans bubbled up from his chest. “Please?”

Vapre had a hungry look in his eyes that told Echo he was about to get exactly what he wanted. Unfortunately, Hex, being the good leader that he was, whipped the blankets over Echo’s lap and thumped him in the back of the head. “Behave,” he admonished lightly before turning to Vapre. “What’s going on?”

“Mac saw something,” Vapre answered tightly. His voice sounded strained, and he continued to stare at the blankets covering Echo’s lap. He shook his head as though trying to clear it, and moved his attention to Hex.

Sighing in defeat, Echo released his aching cock and slumped against Fiero’s side. “They’re mean,” he mumbled.

Fiero chuckled softly as he wrapped an arm around Echo’s shoulders. “I’ll take care of you later. I think someone needs to be tied up and spanked,” he whispered against Echo’s ear. “Would you like that, baby?”

Echo shivered and moaned, pressing more firmly against Fiero’s side and grinding his throbbing dick against the warrior’s hip. “Please,” he whimpered.

“Ouch!”

Echo jerked his head up to see Fiero rubbing the back of his head and glaring daggers at Hex. “What the fuck was that for?” he demanded.

Looking over his shoulder, Echo saw Hex roll his eyes. “Behave, or I’ll paddle both your asses.”

Echo trembled again, his moan mixing with Fiero’s. “Promise?” they asked in unison.

Hex groaned as he pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’m going to ignore them,” he mumbled under his breath. Then he did just that. He shifted so that his back was partially to them and looked up at Vapre.

Vapre’s attention, however, was focused on Echo and Fiero, and Echo felt a thrill run through him at the heated look in his demon’s eyes.

“Vapre!”

Jumping and hanging his head like a child that had been caught in his wrongdoing, Vapre spun around and faced Hex. “Sorry, but what do you want me to do? Just look at them!” Aww, he sounded so whiney that Echo just wanted to crawl up Vapre’s body and kiss the poutiness right out of him.

“Oh, this is no good.” Hex growled as he shoved the covers away and stood from the bed. Snatching his boxers up from the floor, he tugged them on and shoved Vapre’s shoulder to get him moving. “We’ll talk outside.”

“No!” Echo called. For all his complaining about bad news, he really wanted to know what was going on. “I’ll stop. Please, I want to hear this.”

Hex eyed him for a long time as if he doubted the truthfulness of Echo’s promise. Rolling his eyes, Echo pushed away from Fiero and leaned back against the headboard, crossing his arms over his chest. “Better?”

Dipping his head once, Hex resumed his seat on the mattress beside Echo. He waved a hand, motioning for Vapre to sit at the foot of the bed. “Okay, now what did Mac see that has you in here at seven o’clock in the morning?”

“He says more are coming.”

“Good guys or bad guys?” Echo asked.

Hex gave him a look, and Echo huffed. It sounded like a perfectly logical question to him, but Hex had been in a mood ever since Fiero’s little run-in with…well, whatever those monsters had been out by the kappas’ pond. Echo shuddered as he thought about them.

“Good guys, he says,” Vapre answered his question.

“Okay.” Hex nodded slowly. “We knew more would be coming before the equinox. I don’t see the emergency, though. This couldn’t have waited?”

“He says they need help.”

“Another rescue mission?” Fiero sat up straighter and swung his legs over the side of the bed. “More residents from the lab?”

Vapre shrugged. “Mac doesn’t know who exactly.” A wry smile twisted his lips. “He got kind of hostile when I asked and told me it didn’t work that way.” He waved a hand around to dismiss this. “Anyway, I guess these guys are lost in the woods. They’re trying to make it this way, but the storm last week got them all turned around. One of them is hurt,” he added quietly.

“Does he know where they are?”

“Not far from here according to Mac.”

“Okay, then what are you waiting for?” Echo struggled out from under the blankets and stood in the center of the mattress. “Go get them.”

“Does it really require all of us?” Fiero asked as he pushed to his feet beside the bed.

Hex remained seated, his eyebrows drawn together while he thought over the problem. “I don’t think so,” he said finally. “If one of them is hurt, then I need to go. Fiero, you’ll come as well. Vapre, you stay here, but go round up Gage, Onyx, and Eyce.”

“I’m coming, too,” Echo announced, leaping off the bed to the carpeted floor.

“No, you’re not.” Hex’s voice held such command Echo froze in his tracks and looked up at his lover with his mouth hanging open.

Hex sighed dramatically and reached over to cup Echo’s face in his palms. “We need you here, okay? This has nothing to do with you being weak. Plus, this could be a trap, a way to lure you out into the open so they can take you back to the lab. You’re too important for that.”

“I hate it when you go all logical.” Echo crooked a finger for Hex to lean closer then dropped a quick kiss on his lover’s cheek when he did. “Fine, but bring me back something good.”

Hex chuckled softly and kissed Echo’s forehead in return. “Did I mention that you are trouble?”

“Occasionally.” Echo waved his hand to shoo them out of the room. “Go rescue something and come back in one piece. I will be very put out if you get hurt.” Crossing his arms over his chest, he glared at Hex and Fiero. “Very put out,” he emphasized.

* * * *

“I’m going with you.” Mac fisted his hands on his hips and glared up at his mate.

Vapre bit the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing. Gods, the small ones were feisty. Mac reminded him so much of Echo, though Echo could be even more of a handful when he got a full head of steam up. His mate didn’t take shit from any of them. It was frustrating as hell, but also refreshing, and even a little endearing.

“It’s not safe.” Gage huffed out an exasperated breath and scrubbed a hand over his face. “You’re too…” He trailed off, his eyes darting from side to side as though trying to come up with a word that wouldn’t be too offensive.

“What?” Mac asked dangerously. “Small? Weak? What exactly are you trying to say, Gage?”

“Nothing. I’m saying nothing, except that you’re not going.”

“I think he should go.”

Vapre swallowed back a groan as he looked over his shoulder to see Echo entering the room. His blond eyebrows were drawn together, and he had a little frown on his plump lips. Damn, even when agitated, the man was gorgeous.

Gage wasn’t as successful in hiding his displeasure. A low growl rolled from his snarling lips, and Vapre immediately stepped in front of Echo, crouching low in a protective posture. “Watch it,” he warned the werewolf. He’d come to think of Gage as a friend over the past few weeks, but no one threatened his mate.

“Can we dial back the testosterone?” Echo huffed, his slim fingers curling over Vapre’s shoulder. “He’s not going to hurt me. Relax, big guy.”

Standing straight, Vapre nonetheless kept his eyes trained on Gage. The former guard seemed to have come to his senses because he was shaking his head and looking almost confused. “Shit,” he breathed. Then he looked up at Echo and dipped his head. “I didn’t mean to growl at you.”

“I know.” Echo gave him a radiant smile as he moved gracefully across the room to stand beside Mac. “I still think he needs to go. If these are residents from the lab, then they’ll be grateful to see a familiar face. They might also try to run if they see you.” He dipped his head at Gage. “The guards didn’t exactly inspire confidence.”

“Maybe Myst should come,” Hex said thoughtfully as he trotted down the stairs. “I don’t want to be chasing these assholes across half of Montana.”

Echo threw a quick wink at Vapre before turning around to address their leader. “That’s a great idea, Hex. That’s the reason you’re in charge.” His voice sounded so syrupy sweet, Vapre had to wonder what the little shit was up to. From the look on Hex’s face, the big demon was having the same thoughts.

“What do you want?” he asked around a sigh.

“Who said I wanted anything?” Echo opened his eyes wider and pushed out his bottom lip. “Can’t I just pay you a compliment?”

“No.” Hex stood on the bottom stair and crossed his arms against his chest as he peered at Echo over the banister. “I know you want something, so spill it. We’re leaving in ten minutes.”

“You wound me.” Vapre had a feeling Echo was trying for indignant, but the slight twinkle in his eyes ruined the effect. “I was just trying to tell you how much I appreciate that you take care of us and make all the hard decisions. You’re so smart and fierce. I don’t think I could ever do your job. You’re very brave.” Echo dropped his head, his chin resting on his chest.

“Oh.” Hex looked like someone had clubbed him over the head. Then his eyes softened, and he hurried over to wrap Echo up in his arms. “I’m sorry, baby. I didn’t mean to be such a dick.”

Vapre rolled his eyes and snorted. Echo had played the demon like a fiddle, and Hex had fallen for it hook, line, and sinker. Hell, Vapre could see the sly little grin playing at the corner of their mate’s lips. What exactly was he after?

“Excuse me!” Mac waved his hands around to get everyone’s attention. “What about me?”

Echo extracted himself from Hex’s embrace and stepped over to stand in front of his friend. “I’m sorry, Mac. I know that you could be a lot of help because you saw exactly where the guys were hiding.” He reached out and took Mac’s hand in both of his. “And I know that you might even be able to see something else that will help.” Echo looked up and smiled dreamily at Hex. “But Hex is in charge here. He’s our leader because he knows what to do and how to keep us all safe. If he says it’s too dangerous, then I trust him. You have to trust him, too.”

Hex puffed out his chest, looking mighty pleased with himself. “Mac, can you show us where these guys are located?”

Mac nodded eagerly. “I know the direction, and I will recognize that place when I see it. They’re hiding, but I can find it once we make it to the general vicinity.”

“Okay, grab a small backpack and bring only the essentials for…” he trailed off and seemed to be doing some mental configuring. “…we’ll say three days. You’ll have to keep up, and I don’t want to hear any complaining. You’re a soldier now.”

Mac looked like Christmas had come early. “Yes, sir!” Then he disappeared up the staircase.

“Are you kidding me?” Gage yelled. “He’s too little, Hex! He’s going to get hurt.”

“He’ll be fine.” Hex clapped Gage on the shoulder. “Pop your titty out of his mouth, and let him be a man. He can do this. Show a little faith in your mate,” Hex chided.

“Un-fucking-believable,” Gage muttered under his breath before spinning around and storming up the stairs after his lover.

“If Mac’s going, so am I!” Sony yelled from the top floor.

“The hell if you are,” Gage returned heatedly.

“He-ex!” Sony whined the word, drawing it out into two syllables.

“He’s big and strong when he shifts, and he could look after Mac,” Echo said very quietly. “It’s a hard decision. I’m glad I don’t have to make it.” Then he batted his lashes at Hex.