Corrupt Cravings (24 page)

Within minutes, they were all seated at the new table. Silence filled the air, and it was as thick as the truth she was about to lay down. No one but Jason looked up from eating. As their eyes met, he nodded her on.

“Donavon.” Marcella whispered his name, not at all sure how to begin.

“What’s wrong?” A sad look shadowed his face.

“This isn’t working.” The words tumbled from her mouth, and she regretted them almost instantly.
Well, that was a bad way to start off.

His mouth parted, and he stood from the table. “Excuse me.” In four strides, he closed the bedroom door behind him

Jason groaned. “Start over. You’re stressed. Have you looked in the mirror lately? You look like hell, Marcella. It can’t be good for you to be in this form for so long. I’m starting to feel physically sick, too, and I have no doubt it’s because of what’s you’re feeling.”

“Thanks, Jason.” Standing, she went after Donavon. He was lying on the bed, his arm covering his face. The ache that rested in her chest was for too many reasons to even process. Shutting the door, she made her way to him. “We need to talk.”

“You’re not happy. I knew you’d want to eventually leave me.”

“It’s not what you think.”

His arm lifted and he sat up. “Isn’t it? You miss your other lovers. Correct?”

“Of course I do. I won’t lie to you. But I miss my home just as much. There are people there depending on me. Donavon, it’s time. You have to come with me.”

“Unbelievable. You want to move me in with your other men? The gall for you to even ask just amazes me.”

“You don’t understand. I love all of you. But I have responsibilities that make it impossible for me to stay here. And I can’t just leave you.”

“Sure you can. Go! I fucking knew this was going to happen.”

Jason opened the door and walked in. Donavon growled low in his throat at the intrusion. The horrible threat the sound emanated sent chills down her body.

“I never said you could come in my room. Why is it every time Marcella and I argue or try to have a private conversation, I find you in the area, hovering?”

“Because I’m her protector. I won’t risk you hurting her.”

Donavon froze. “So you do know each other?” Slowly, he brought his gaze to her. The accusations in that one look took her breath away.

“He’s one of my knights, Donavon. As are you.”

“Knights?” He whispered the words, shaking his head as if immediately dismissing it. Paleness took over his tanned skin.

“Yes.” Marcella stood and let her collector take over. As the tattoos began to appear on her arms, Donavon’s breathing increased. He was crawling across the bed and against the wall just as her transformation was complete.

“I’ve wanted nothing but for you to remember me since I’ve been here, but that doesn’t seem to have happened. I’m sorry it had to be this way, but I can’t wait any longer. I must leave.”

“You’re her? You’re…I’m not losing my mind?”

“No. I am your queen, Donavon. And you, like Jason, are one of my knights. There are people depending on me, and my time here has run out. I’ve tried to ease you into this and let you adjust, but I’m afraid we’re going to have to do this the hard way. You’re too possessive, and I fear what will happen when you are confronted with my other men. Do I have a reason for the uneasiness I feel?”

Donavon rubbed his eyes and shook his head back and forth. Fuck. He didn’t seem to be taking this well, but what choice did she have? The collector in her couldn’t pretend anymore. If he was ever going to come around, he needed a dose of reality. Without him having to face the truth, he’d never remember. Maybe she should have done this sooner.

“Jason?” Donavon said the name with resentment. He looked back and forth between them and put his head down. “I knew there was a connection between the two of you, but when he said“ Her wolf mate shot his eyes to the other man. “It’s my mate you wish to eat? You were talking about Marcella, weren’t you?”

Tattoos began to cover Jason’s arms, and his eyes turned golden. Donavon took a ragged breath.

“It’s not my wolf that wants to eat her. It’s the creature that chose me, my dragon. Marcella and I are able to turn into any paranormal creature there is. No matter which one I shift into, my dragon takes over my thoughts. I was telling you the truth.”

“Wait.” Panic took over. Jason couldn’t be serious about not wanting to be with her again. Fuck, she couldn’t take this right now. She shot him a glance, letting him know she wasn’t happy. “We’ll talk about all of this later, Jason. Donavon,” she gave her attention to him. “Come. We must leave.”

“But, I can’t. Luis?”

“We’ll worry about that later. Right now, we go.” She turned. “Jason, you take Aaron, and I’ll get my wolf mate. Meet me in my tower.”

Marcella didn’t give Donavon any time to disagree. With a lunge forward, she grabbed his arm. They appeared on the bed, in her tower. She was thankful the room was empty of Ambrose and Dominic. Maybe she could calm him before they arrived. Jason appeared, and she barely noticed as she took in the familiar settings. Home.

“God.” Donavon ran his fingertips over the silk comforter while he looked around.

“Are you okay?” Marcella moved in closer. “I’m sorry if what I did scared you, but I need you with me.”

“The room is the same. Exactly the same.”

“You mean, you remember?” Marcella scooted even closer to him.

“I remember a lot, but I thought maybe I was losing my mind. This place shouldn’t exist in this time.”

Well, hell. She could understand how he thought that. A fortress the size of hers wouldn’t exist anywhere around here in this day and age. Maybe overseas, but not in the US. Taking his hand, she gave it a squeeze.

“You’re right. Dominic, my other mate—”

Donavon cut her off. “The man at the motel?”

“Yes. He’s the one who made this possible. He’s great at materialization.” She quieted her voice. “You also need to know that he’s your leader.”

“I don’t have a leader. No one is in charge of me.” Blue and gold eyes blazed.

“He is, Donavon. And you will listen to him. This isn’t about what’s best for you, but for everyone. We’re a whole here. Do you understand?”

“No. I don’t understand a Goddamn thing.”

Shit. This was going to be a long night. Looking at Aaron and Jason, she waved them over and took a deep breath. She might as well start at the beginning and tell them everything she knew. It was the only way they could move forward. She just prayed Donavon would come around afterward.

* * * *

Samael paced his penthouse while he fought the urge to go back to the fortress. Marcella was there. Every move she made caused him to walk even faster. The fact that she had returned was great, but knowing she was one step closer just didn’t sit well.

Weaving his fingers through his shoulder-length hair, he stared out of the large window and let his gaze cross the expanse of water. But it wasn’t the placid gulf that rested before him. Blood. Her blood, was all he saw. That frail, lifeless body still haunted his every waking moment. And here they were, doing this all over again. How could he have been so fucking selfish? He should have just dealt with the pain of missing her. Now, he’d have to watch it happen all over again. The guilt ate at him. Just looking at her was pure agony. Those fucking angels were going to ruin it. He could feel it in his very bones.

Growling in frustration, he began to trail the distance of his room again. What could he do to save her this time? Hell, he wasn’t even sure who the damn enemy was anymore. At first it was his father, but now Nemmy and his fucking obsessive ways had him thinking differently. The guy hadn’t left the fortress all week. This was the most fucked up situation any one person could be in. Especially him.

Samael closed his eyes and tried to calm himself. His connection to Marcella instantly pulled him to her bedroom. So clearly, he could see her explaining the situation to Donavon. The man wasn’t taking it well, but he’d always been a pain in the ass, different from all the other men. Maybe that’s why Samael liked him.

As the wolf popped off all kinds of questions, Marcella’s anxiety became one with Samael. They all wondered why he was in such a bad mood when he came around. Well, hell, he could feel what their queen did, and her burden was weighing down both of them.

Tuning out the emotions as best as he could, he studied her beautiful face. Dark circles shadowed under her eyes, and she looked physically tired. But other than that, the face he’d always loved still glowed from underneath. Fuck. Why did he do this to himself? He was forever going to be caged in his own hell. Plus, it wasn’t like he deserved her, anyway. He’d always known that.

Marcella’s heart nearly stopping had him focusing back on the room. Dominic and Ambrose stood in the open doorway. The fear she felt at the situation was well justified. Samael vanished without thought.

Appearing in Marcella’s room, the atmosphere practically sizzled against the tension. Ambrose and Jason stood on alert, staring between the men. Heavy pants came from Donavon as his fingers dug into the blankets. The moment Samael knew what was going to happen, he watched, horrified as a howl came from the man’s mouth and his palm shot out, connecting with Marcella’s chest.

The loud cracking at the contact left her flying through the air right in his direction. Samael caught her, looking up just in time to see Donavon’s body thrash against the beast who dominated him. Within seconds, the man transformed into a large, tan wolf covered in muscle.

Samael watched, captivated as sharp nails tore and snagged the silk with every step Donavon took toward the end of the bed. The distance between the two was closing in, and with it, the volume of his growling increased.

A deep intake of breath accompanied by coughing brought his attention back down to Marcella.

“Quite a hit you took there. Good thing I was here to buffer your fall.”

Golden eyes connected with his. The leap of his heart made him want to curse. A look, that’s all it ever took with her.

“We can’t let them fight.”

She tried to get up, but he held her down. “You have to let them handle this between themselves. It’s the only way Dominic is going to show him his place.”

Samael pulled Marcella up to lean against his chest. The need to wrap his arms around her body and over her breasts took his attention from Dominic’s red glowing eyes. He settled for holding onto her arms. At least there was a dress there to buffer the link they had. Flesh on flesh nearly killed him. It would take hours to make his cock stop throbbing after he felt her skin.

“Come on, Donavon. Get it out now. You want this, and here I am.” Dominic smiled evilly as he said the words. Samael knew that look. It was in both of their natures. Their demons thrived in bloodlust. No matter how much they liked or disliked it, the feeling was something they couldn’t control.

The muscles in Donavon’s legs flexed, and Samael braced himself for what was going to come. Thank God he had Marcella in his grasp. If all went to hell, he’d be able to keep her safe.

The wolf lunged from the bed, all razor-sharp teeth and nails. Dominic’s smiled broadened as he dipped down just in time and uppercut his brother. Samael wanted to laugh. Too many times he’d seen them go at it. Some things never changed.

The impact against the wall did nothing to shake the beast. He bounced back quickly and charged, taking out the demon’s legs. Jason, Aaron, and Ambrose circled around the two, looking confused on what to do. Their gazes shot to Samael for some sort of answer. Waving them over, he gripped tighter to Marcella’s arms as she tried to move forward.

“I said let them handle this.” He whispered the words in her ear. The smell of her hair hardened his cock just as badly as any touch would have done. Groaning, he adjusted her in his lap.