Brim tugged her along and she needed to jog to keep up with their larger strides.
“I’m laying good odds on a traitor to our kind letting them slip through.” Slade's tone was grim.
“We need to gather everyone we can to fight, and quickly, before their numbers grow too great.”
“I’ll contact all the dragons and outer realm creatures I know living in the Human Realm.”
Kaden led across the dusty yard, and past a large homestead with a wrap-around veranda to a large, weather-beaten, old shed. Pushing the old double doors open, they entered into a surprisingly modern, air-conditioned dining and rec room.
“Beauty, we have guests,” Kaden called and a small, pretty, sandy blonde woman popped her head out from behind a door.
Her hazel eyes widened in surprise and the rest of her followed as she joined them. It was clear from her distended stomach, she was in an advanced stage of pregnancy. Kaden quickly pulled out a chair for her, the complete adoration in his eyes telling of a man much in love.
“Brimstone, Slade—welcome back.” Her gaze fell to Amber, and she smiled warmly, her smile widening when her eyes dropped further to where Brim kept a possessive grip around Amber’s waist. She raised a questioning eyebrow at Kaden.
“Brim found his mate. This is Amber. Amber, my Antoinette.”
“Just call me Terrie, everyone, but Kaden does, but congratulations to you both. Have you come to say hello and goodbye before you head home then?”
“Unfortunately, no. We have trouble, love,” Kaden explained.
Her smile fell. “What kind of trouble?”
“End of the world kind of trouble.” Slade's grin was positively cheerful.
“Many demons to kill,” added Brim.
The men exhibited a bloodlust gleam in their eyes which made Amber again wonder what the heck she got herself into. Terrie, on the other hand, wasn’t too fazed and Amber could only guess she was more used to this stuff than she was.
“Oh, I see. Guess I’ll need to make some more lemonade if you’re going off to call in the cavalry. Will you help me, Amber? I’m a bit short on helping hands this weekend, with all the lads off on a break.”
Amber relished the chance to do something other than worry. “I’d love to help.”
“Thank you, beauty. We need to move quickly.”
“Go, go. Amber and I will be fine here.”
Kaden leaned and kissed his wife while Brimstone grabbed Amber and pulled her in, lifting her off her feet and branding her with his searing kiss. “I hate leaving you, but you’ll be safe here. I’ll be back soon.”
“Don’t worry so much about me, Brim. Go out and do what you need to do to kick some demon ass.”
Brim's own brand of adoration shone in his gorgeous, ruby eyes. “How’d I get so fucking lucky?”
Amber shrugged, but grinned. “I don’t know, but we’ve got centuries to find out.”
Another quick kiss, and he let her loose from his arms, following after the other dragons who already left. She stared after him and sighed; the same kind of empty, lost feeling welled within her chest when he was no longer in sight.
A feminine chuckle made her turn her head and she felt her face flush beet red.
“Dragons really are a breed of their own. It can be a bit overwhelming at first.”
“Oh, you got that right. I got slammed so hard, I hardly know which way is up anymore.”
Terrie laughed. “Help me up and we can make the lemonade and compare dragon stories.”
Amber chuckled, filled with eagerness to listen to their tales. She helped Terrie to her feet and followed her into another surprisingly modern, commercial kitchen. “I’d love to hear your story of how you and Kaden met.”
“Of course, but only if you tell me yours,” Terrie bargained in good humour.
Amber liked this woman. She didn’t have many friends, but felt she and Terrie would be good ones. “Deal, as long as you give me permission to write it afterwards.”
“You’re a writer?” Terrie reached for a basket of fresh lemons. “Grab the sugar on the top shelf over there, please.”
Amber followed Terrie’s instructions. “Yes, I write romantic fiction mainly.”
“Nice. Are you published?”
“Ah, yes. I was on holiday with my uh, now ex, a kind of celebration with my royalties when I met Brim.”
“I recently read a few books by Amber Anderson. Kaden’s been rather overprotective since we fell pregnant and not letting me work out in the yards. He bought me a Kindle and I’ve been ploughing through book after book. Do you know her?”
A thrill of pleasure ran through Amber. “Uh, that’s me. Amber Anderson.”
Terrie squealed in excitement, and Amber found herself gripped into a hug. “You’re Amber Anderson! I love your stories. Those hot tiger shifters, phew!” She let Amber go and fanned her face. “If I didn’t have a sexy dragon husband to help me out when I get horny after reading them, I’d combust.”
Amber laughed and at the same time, she felt her cheeks heat.
“I’m glad you like them. Most of it came from my imagination. I never really knew sex could be that good, well, until Brim.”
“Dragons sure know how to please in the bedroom and beyond.” They both giggled. “Let me guess, you’ll start writing dragon stories now.”
Amber eagerly nodded. “Kind of hard not to; I’ve got so much first hand research. Heck, when I first met Brim, I thought he stepped off the pages of one of my stories. I actually asked him to be my hero! Everything’s been a dizzying blur after that.”
Terrie’s body shook as she laughed. Amber couldn’t help but join the hysterics, and it took a while for them to calm down.
“Let’s finish this lemonade before they bring back the army.”
Amber, still grinning, felt really good. A new man who is a dragon, new friends, and so much in her head, she wanted to write about which would keep her busy for years. All they had left to do is fight off a demon army, and save the world.
* * * *
With the lemonade set on the table along with plates of cake, the first of the makeshift army started to gather.
A slim, wiry man with dusty brown hair strode in, followed by a taller man, both dressed in blue jeans and black t-shirts. Amber was startled by the taller man’s stark white hair. He also had pointed tip ears and lavender coloured eyes.
Terrie climbed to her feet to greet them.
“Terrie, my love, you’re looking positively radiant. Oh, is this your famous, homemade lemonade?”
Terrie laughed. “Of course, Darren, I always keep it on hand for you.”
“And me.” The white haired man came in to hug Terrie and glanced down at her swollen belly. “Good god’s woman, you’ve swallowed a planet.”
Darren rolled his eyes. “She’s pregnant, you twit.”
“But she’s huge.” The white haired man gestured to her stomach with both his hands.
“Darren, I think you need to switch Slazz to decaf.” Terrie didn’t look offended, she grinned.
The slim man with dusty brown hair, hazel eyes, and a grin slapped the back of Slazz’s head. Slazz glared and growled, flashing white and pointed sharp teeth at Darren, but he took no notice.
“Way to go, Slazz. Don’t insult the woman with lemonade, you don’t know one end of a kitchen from the other.”
“Of course I do, love, with you bent over each surface, maybe I should try getting you pregnant.” Slazzamar didn’t even try to hide his suggestive tone.
“TMI, Slazz, TMI.” A blush crept over the handsome, young man’s cheeks.
Terrie laughed. “C’mon, meet Amber. She’s mated to Brimstone. Amber, this is Darren and Slazzamar. If you haven’t already noticed, they're a couple.”
“Uh, not to sound rude, new to all this paranormal stuff, but—”
“What am I?” Slazz grinned. “I’m the baddest mother-fucker this side of any realm,” Slazzamar boasted, with a wicked gleam in his purple eyes.
Darren snorted, but his gaze dropped to Slazzamar’s arse as he turned and walked off. “He’s really softer than a marshmallow inside, and to answer your question, half-demon, half-elf.”
“Elf?” Amber’s head spun, though at the same time, she wanted to reach for her pen and paper.
“Amber’s an author,” Terrie announced.
“Really? How cool. I’ve met gods and vampire kings, but I’ve never met an author before.” Darren plopped down into the seat next to her. “Lovely to meet you.”
“And she writes sexy, romance stories,” Terrie added with a grin.
It was Amber’s turn to flush bright red.
Darren chuckled. “Even better, not enough of it if you ask me. If you write sexy, erotic gay, let me know. I’ll be your number one fan.”
The door swung open and two more large men came in, one holding a bubbly looking brunette between them. She wore a lovely, flowing, sky-blue dress, highlighting her curves.
“Here is the infamous trio. That’s Jax and Dar, both dragons, and their mate, Sky.” Terrie introduced.
“I don’t know why we’re here. We got kicked out of the Dragon Realm,” Jax whined.
“Because both realms are going to be overrun with demons if we don’t. Anything which threatens our mate, we deal with, dumbass,” Dar pointed out.
Sky rolled her eyes, and headed to the gathering of women and one gay guy. Terrie embraced Sky before turning their attention back to Amber.
“Meet Amber Anderson.”
“The author?” Sky’s eyes widened. "My boys bought me a Kindle and I can’t get enough of those sexy, erotic stories. Terrie's been sending me the links.”
“Hey, aren’t we enough for you babe?” Jax’s arms slid around Sky’s waist.
“Amber meet Jax, one of my horny dragons.”
“One of?”
Sky giggled. “Yeah, I got lucky and have to deal with two mates. The one talking to Kaden over there is Dar.”
“Deal with? I’m wounded, babe.” He kissed her neck and winked at Amber.
Sky twisted in his arms and patted his chest. “Go play with your friends, and let the women have their chat.”
“A dragon’s work is never done,” he grumbled, but mirth shone in his green eyes. He released his mate, casually striding to where the men were standing, talking.
“Damn, I’m missing out on these books, aren't I?” Darren said, reaching for the lemonade and pouring the glasses, handing it out to the women first.
“You’ve got to read these, they’re hot.”
“I love a good romance. Mine and Slazz’s story is one to tell.”
This piqued Amber’s attention. “I’d love to hear your stories. All of them.” Her gaze swung around the room. It looked like a cover model convention.
Terrie squealed as another woman entered, preceded by another tall man with pepper grey hair. She raced over and they embraced, talking hurriedly to each other.
“Alistair and Leah,” Darren supplied, pouring himself a glass of his favourite lemonade. Two men suddenly appeared in the centre of the room. Amber needed to blink to realise despite the different length in hair and clothing, they were identical.
“The gods have arrived.”
Amber’s eyes widened and she stared at Darren casually sipping his cool drink. “Gods?”
Darren rose to his feet. “Sumerian moon gods. Not too much power now, but fucking amazing fighters.” He got to his feet, walking over to greet the twins. Their eerily golden eyes took in everything around them before they shook hands with Darren in warm greeting.
Kaden strode back in, followed by Brimstone, Slade, and three more strangers. Brim bee-lined to Amber, his red eyes drinking her in like water to a man dying of thirst. She jumped to her feet, her focus on him alone.
He pulled her into his arms and she sank against him, loving his strength.
“You alright, baby?” He kissed the top of her head.
“I’m good, Brim. Is this everyone?” She surveyed the gathering.
“Everyone who could be spared. Apparently, there’s more trouble in other parts of the Human Realm, some place called London.”
“Right everyone, listen up.”
The one called Neman spoke up, and everyone quieted and turned their attention to him.
“Sin and I have checked out the situation Brimstone and Slade alerted us to. I always feared this may happen, that demons would seek other avenues to get through into the Human Realm, since, well as you know, my wife and sons sealed them in. It’s a sizable army.”
“We’ve faced and fought bigger,” Slazz stated, sounding almost bored. Some of the men rumbled in agreement, including her Brim, who hadn’t let go of her.
Darren moved to rejoin Amber along with Sky, Terrie, and Leah.
“I’ll explain what he means later,” Darren whispered for her benefit.
“We need to move before dusk in a little over two hours,” Neman said. “Demons are always stronger at night. If we take this to them now, they will be at their weakest. So, armour up and make preparations. We’ll move as one unit in twenty minutes. Once we’ve broken through the main mass, Slade, I want you to head through the portal and get word to your King. Hopefully, there will be no demons guarding the other side. The dragon army can mop up any stragglers trying to get back through your portal.”