Hunter Forsaken (Wild Hunt #2) (18 page)

Chapter Twenty-Six

Ian found himself in the same cell he’d been confined to before. Rage gripped him, but without his tie to the Wild Hunt, he felt only the anger, not the all-consuming need to ride and seek retaliation for those who’d been wronged. The only consolation of his current imprisonment was that he could move.

He peered out the opening of the door, hoping to catch a glimpse of his mate, but finding none. The rough-cut hallway stretched a dozen feet in either direction before curving. Nobody had passed through it in the time he’d been awake. Granted, he didn’t think much more than an hour had gone by, but he’d expected Tegan to come to him.

She hadn’t, and he couldn’t help but wonder if Arawn was right. He dropped his forehead against the bars of the cell door and tried once more to connect with her. Their tie still bound them. She was a part of him, but he couldn’t reach her. He suspected the reason why had to do with the gnawing emptiness inside him.

He was too weak to touch her mind.

The power he’d siphoned from her was gone. He prayed it was because he’d used it to heal. The other alternative chilled him—that it was a normal response, and he’d have to engage in sex daily. Maybe even multiple times a day to meet his needs.

It’d be damn hard to do without Tegan.

A soft tinkling sound reached his ears. He glanced into the hall. A woman with silver swirls around dark gray eyes approached. She wore a long white gown with a veil. A few feet away, she flashed him a smile.

“Hello, son.”

He gripped the bars and glared at her. “Minerva.”

Her smile faltered. “I was hoping you’d call me Mother.”

“My mother died years ago when her throat was ripped out by a redcap.”

“She was merely your surrogate. I am—”

“Save it, goddess. If you came to me with some messed-up notion that we could get to know each other or become close, you can forget it. As far as I’m concerned, I don’t ever want to see you again.”

She stepped back and blinked at him. “But I am your mother. I sacrificed for you. I—”

“You left me floundering in the dark. I nearly killed my mate because I didn’t know how to control myself.”

“A mate you wouldn’t have if it wasn’t for my intervention. At least Tegan was able to withstand your loss of control. Had your lover been human, she would’ve died permanently.”

He shuddered but pushed the thought aside. It hadn’t happened. That was all that mattered. “Thank you for bringing us together. I—”

“You are welcome, son.” She beamed. “I could do so little for you while trapped in Hell.”

Ian felt the first stirrings of sympathy for the woman smiling at him as if he were her greatest accomplishment, but knew it wasn’t enough to forgive her. She’d dropped him into a sham of a life without knowledge or warnings of the danger he posed. He frowned at the thought and wondered if she’d exaggerated how deadly he could’ve been. “I slept with lots of women before I dreamed of Tegan. None of them ever got hurt.”

“You weren’t mature then.”

Immortals matured at twenty-seven. He’d learned that from Harley. And his first encounter with Tegan had occurred on his twenty-seventh birthday. Son of a bitch. Minerva had manipulated them. “What would’ve happened if Tegan hadn’t gotten out of the fairy prison?”

“You would’ve continued to meet in the dream realm and lived out your human life. When you died, your soul would’ve been returned to me.”

“To be placed in another human body?”

A nod answered him.

He clenched his fists. “I would’ve gone mad.”

She flinched but didn’t respond.

He pointed in the direction she’d come. “We’re done, goddess. If I ever want to speak with you again, I will seek you out.”

Tears filled her eyes. She dipped her head. “So be it.”

With that, she spun on her heel and strode away. He almost called her back but didn’t. It took more than supplying an egg to be a mother. Someday, he’d talk to her again, but not anytime soon.
Let her suffer alone for a while. Tegan and I did for long enough.

Silence stretched for several minutes before the thump of footsteps reached him. He gripped the metal slats, ready to tell Minerva to leave, but then another thought surfaced.

Tegan. She’d come to him.

Breath caught, he waited for her to round the corner. Instead of her beautiful face, a man with a wide, flat nose and horns poking through his brown hair appeared. Another man with similar horns sprouting from his bald head followed behind him.

They opened the door. Ian stepped back, unease slithering down his spine.

The first one dipped his head. “Ian, son of Lucas, we’re glad you’re awake.”

The mention of his demon father intensified the sensation spreading over him.
What? Is it meet-your-fucked-up-parents day and nobody told me?

“And why is that?” Ian asked.

“Lucas has ordered us to bring you to him. Carrying your unconscious body through the Underworld would’ve made you appear weak. His other son, Zachariah, is not exactly pleased with your appearance. He’d exploit it.”

Ian couldn’t argue with their reasoning and had no desire to engage his half brother either. “I’ll have to visit with Lucas another time. I need to find my mate.”

The bald man stepped back and motioned him out. “Tegan has been looking for you. If you hurry, you might be able to catch her.”

The mention of Tegan forced him to move. “Where did you see her?”

“At the Haven. We’ll take you there before going to Lucas’s home.”

The brown-haired demon grinned. “You look hungry anyway. It’s never good to let yourself starve.”

“They serve food at the Haven?”

“Oh yes.” The bald guy took several steps the way he’d come. “Many varieties. You’ll be sure to find something pleasing.”

The brown-haired demon pushed Ian forward, a hand between his shoulder blades. He went with them. It beat being locked away. Besides, if it gave him a chance to reconnect with Tegan, he didn’t care whom he followed.

The winding corridor spilled into a long hallway. The signs of civilization he’d seen the last time he’d walked down the passage appeared. He took in the details as he’d done then, surprised by the normality of the building and its lack of brimstone and suffering.

At the split in the hall, they led him deeper into the fortress. The wide walkway gave way to a courtyard with cobblestone roads and tarp-covered tents. People ranging from those with human appearances to distorted monstrosities meandered in the space.

All stopped and faced him. He froze. An elbow to his back moved him forward.

“Keep walking,” the bald demon murmured. “Do not appear weak.”

Ian let his gaze touch on the men and women he passed. A slew of reactions shone on their faces. Lust, fear and hatred included. He ignored it all and held his head high.

They stopped at a set of wooden doors. A man stepped out. The sounds of music and laughter, along with the scent of sex and sweat, drifted from the room behind him.

Ian cut a sharp look to the bald demon. “What is this place?”

“The Haven.” The brown-haired one shoved Ian forward. Caught off guard, he stumbled through the opening and entered his personal hell.

Couples writhed, women moaned, and men grunted as they pounded into their partners. Ian took it all in and pivoted on his heel. The succubus who’d tried to touch him when he was enraged and confined to his cell stood topless in front of the closed entryway.

“What a pleasant surprise.” A grin spread over her face. “Did you change your mind about fucking me?”

Ian backed up. He didn’t give a shit if it made him look weak. He wanted to get away from the sex demon. The hungry part inside him looked at her and licked its lips.

Fuck no. He wouldn’t do it. “Out of my way.”

“But I’ve just fed. I can share my strength with you.”

“I don’t want anything from you.” He motioned toward his eyes. “I have a mate who will be happy to see to my needs.” He hoped.

“Really? Where is she?” She blinked wide eyes at him. The innocent look was lost on her. “You’re hungry and alone. I’d say that’s grounds for seeking out another female.”

“Not in my world.”

Another woman wrapped her hands around his middle and pressed her body against his back. The demoness at the door sauntered closer. She slid her hand over his chest. He snatched her wrist and would’ve growled at her as he’d done last time, but the animalistic quality the Hunt had given him was gone. All he had left was the first stirrings of lust and a gutful of shame.

She pursed her lips. “Are you going to pretend to be the faithful mated male who is seduced?”

The female at his back nipped his neck. “I like playing games. So does Sara.” The demoness he held at arm’s length nodded. “I can be your whore, Ian. Your mate doesn’t need to know. It’ll be our little secret.”

The women behind him popped the button of his jeans and reached for his semierect cock. The first stroke stirred it to life. He cursed and let go of Sara, then grabbed the other demoness’s hand, yanking it away from his damn dick that had a mind of its own.

“Don’t fucking touch me.”

Sara moved in, locking her arms around his neck and kissing his upper chest. The demoness at his back matched her, licking and nipping at his skin. He grabbed Sara’s hips, ready to toss her off.

“Ian?”

Tegan’s voice carried over the moans and screams in the room. He shoved the women latched on to him away and pivoted on his heel.

His mate stood near a hallway. The look of hurt on her face gave way to anger. She turned and fled down the corridor behind her.

“Tegan, wait.”

She was gone, and if he didn’t soothe her, she’d abandon him once and for all.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Tegan fled down the corridor, escaping deeper into the Haven. There were alternate exits. She needed one. If she didn’t get out, she’d either succumb to the tears blurring her vision or the anger squeezing her chest. Neither could happen. She refused to give Ian the satisfaction.

She’d searched the demons’ sexual lair after her run-in with Arawn. Relief had washed over her at not finding her mate among the fornicating couples. She’d planned to expand her search to include the rest of the demon territory. Ian had saved her the effort.

And proved her fears valid. He’d broken his vow. A day after making it.

She growled and kicked the door open, leading to the next section of the Haven, the private booths. The sounds of sex were muffled in the space. She glanced at the closed doors and wondered if Ian had occupied any of them. Or would.

A male incubus stepped out of the one in front of her. He grinned. “Did you lose your lover? Or are you looking for a new one?”

She let her alternate form peek out and bared a mouthful of sharp teeth at him.

He raised his hands and stepped out of her way. “Come back if you change your mind, little Hunter.”

She snapped her teeth together and barely resisted snarling at him. She hated them. They were no more than a race of prostitutes.
And I foolishly mated one.

She entered the hallway to the next set of rooms. Plusher carpet covered the floor and decorative paintings hung on the wall. The booths in this section of the Haven served the elite of the Underworld. More demons lingered in the passageway. The males and females alike turned at her entry. Elite or not, they still needed to feed and had to lure partners into their beds. She kept her gaze locked on the exit at the other end and strode forward.

Halfway into the hall, she stumbled and braced a hand against the wall. The evidence of her mate bond, the silky second skin Ian had wrapped around her heart and soul, tingled. Warmth infused her. He was close. Her body reacted to his nearness, readying her for his intimate touch. She gave up on saving face in front of the demons.

She ran.

A whiff of cinnamon filled her lungs. The pounding of feet carried over the cries from the Haven’s patrons. She increased her pace and stretched a hand for the door at the end. Her fingers fell short. Ian snaked an arm around her middle and yanked her against him.

“Going somewhere, my mate?”

The demons watching them gasped. She ignored their shock. Like Lucas, all hoped to entice the Hunters into mating them. Once free to roam the mortal world, they could grow impossibly strong on a near-endless supply of lovers.

Humans wouldn’t know what they were fucking. In Hell, their partners were fully aware of what their lovers were. Many resented it, even if the experience was memorable. Others, though, craved what only a sex demon could give—ecstasy beyond anything they’d experienced. Groupies, they were called. Or addicts. Tegan had been one of them.

And what am I now? Pathetic. That’s what. I still love him.

She shoved against his arms, hating herself and him. He’d made a fool out of her, exactly as Bjorn had. “Let me go.”

“Never.” He stepped closer, pushing the thick evidence of his arousal into her back.

She closed her eyes and did her best to ignore the achiness low in her belly. “Do not make me repeat myself.”

“Didn’t you feel what Arawn did to me?” He pressed his nose to her neck and inhaled. His shaky exhale heated her skin. “He took my Hunter’s mark and killed me, angel. Considering you are the reason for it, aren’t you even going to ask how I am?”

She swallowed hard. Guilt choked her.
It was necessary. Arawn needed to know of Lucas’s threat to his holdings.
The reminder helped ease the churning in her gut. “First time’s always the hardest. You get used to it. I know I did.”

He tightened his grip on her waist. “Do not remind me of all the times you’ve suffered.” He spun her and pierced her with his tortured gaze. “I hate knowing that I never knew about it and couldn’t have helped you even if I had.”

She fell into his mesmerizing eyes. Part of his draw came from his incubus side, luring his feeding source closer. Part came from the hold he had over her heart. Combined, she could only stare transfixed into his dual-ringed eyes.

He cupped her face between his hands. “Or that I went about my life thinking you were a figment of my imagination.”

The reminder of how he’d spent his time in another woman’s arms returned. It didn’t matter if he and Cynthia had sex or not. He’d touched her the same way he had Tegan. Except she had no doubt Cynthia had orgasmed for Ian.
Had come all over his tongue and fingers. Rubbed her slick cleft all over his face.

Tegan groaned.
Why am I even thinking about the past?
But she knew the answer. The past haunted her, both Ian’s and her own. Every time she thought she’d made progress in moving forward, something happened to make her doubts surface.

“I am sorry Arawn lashed out at you and took the mark of the Hunt back.” She shoved Ian’s hands away. “But he did you a favor. Now you have nobody to answer to.”

“I do.” He reached for her. “You.”

She stepped back. He let his hand drop.

“You just proved you don’t have any problems replacing me.” She motioned toward the erection straining against the confines of his jeans. “I merely interrupted your feeding. Go back to them.”

He glanced over his shoulder. Longing to do as she suggested? She curled her fingers and fought the hurt.

He twisted the handle of the nearest door and glanced inside the empty room. Without looking at her, he snagged her wrist and tumbled her into his arms. She gasped but didn’t get the chance to resist. He lifted her, an arm around her middle, and carried her inside. The slamming of the door rang out. He covered her mouth with his a second later and kissed her hard.

She bit at his lips, shoved at his chest and squirmed to break his hold. On a moan, he lifted her higher, never breaking their lip lock. He twined his tongue with hers, leading her into a kiss she didn’t want to fight. She met him, kissed him harder and punished herself for the feelings bouncing around her heart.

The relief at holding him in her arms took over. The anger and jealousy subsided for the moment—not gone, only pushed back. She needed the confirmation he was alive and healthy. No matter what he would’ve done or had done, she loved him. It made her the world’s greatest fool.

A second time.

Hadn’t Bjorn done the same thing? Cheated on her, and she’d cried over him, grieving his death. A fool, such a fool. For the time being, she didn’t care. She sifted her fingers through Ian’s hair, relishing the fact that she didn’t have to mourn his death.

He danced his tongue with hers until she gave up on any pretenses and reached for his pants. He broke the kiss by turning his head. His rough exhale against her cheek sent tingles skipping across her skin.

“I didn’t come to the Haven for sex. I was lured here with the prospect of finding you.” He brushed his lips over her jaw. “I was trying to get those demons off me.”

She brought the memory back. He might’ve been ready to push Sara away or simply about to draw her closer.
“Trust him.”
Rhys’s order came back to her. Easier said than done. “Where were you before coming here?”

He slid his hands to her bottom and massaged. “In the cell where I was confined before. I expected you to come to me, and I was…” He dragged in a rough breath. “I was too weak to reach out to you. I need to feed again.”

“As Lucas’s child you’re more…” She searched for the right word to describe his power. “You’re more potent. The lust will be harder to control.”

“I’ll learn.” He backed her into the room.

She fisted his shirt. “From who? Lucas?”

He flashed her a smile that heated every inch of her body. “From you. You’re the woman I love, the only one who I’ll take pleasure or nourishment from.”

He turned her in the loose circle of his arms. The sight of the room stopped her heart. Full-length windows lined three of the walls and overlooked the Haven’s main gathering area. The jutting box set the occupants on display for the entire roomful of patrons. It wouldn’t take long for the demons below to catch sight of them.

“Ian, we can’t stay here.”

Hands on her hips, he lifted her and set her next to the leather couch which sat directly in front of the glass. He kissed her neck. “Don’t see why not. I am the Demon King’s son. I should have special privileges, don’t you think?”

Her breathing quickened. “But I—”

He slid a hand up her shirt and covered her breast. A tweak of her nipple stopped her words. “I know you hate being interrupted, angel. I wouldn’t normally do that, but I don’t have much time.” He trailed the tip of his tongue along her jaw. “And I know that’s the only thing that’ll earn your trust.”

There was a hint of worry in his voice that spiked hers. “What happened?”

“Allie. I saw her. Craig was going to draw her out of his fairy ring. Make her into his puppet. We fought. I killed his sluaghs, but he pushed Trevor into the fairy realm.” He fumbled with her bra. His hands trembled, but he unhooked the clasp. Her breasts tumbled from their tight confines. He caressed them, gently and reverently. Her heart did a little flip in her chest.

“I’m going in after them,” he declared.

She glanced over her shoulder. “You can’t. Only Harley or Calan have a shot of getting them out. I checked with Arawn.”

“I don’t think they’re the only ones who can. I reached over the ring. I held Allie’s hand and drew her partially out. A sluagh tackled me and broke my hold. Don’t you see? The Huntsmen are all connected to Calan and Harley.”

“You’re no longer part of our Teulu.”

“No, I’m not.” He cradled her face in his hands. “But I’m yours. Will you save your mate after I go in?”

She stared at him for a long moment. Her agreement should’ve been instantaneous, but fear choked her. She’d heard too many stories of the fairy realm. Ian might be a demigod, but his body was human. She didn’t know what would happen to him. She couldn’t risk him.

A long sigh escaped his lips. He dropped his hand and turned away. “So be it.”

No!
She grabbed his arm. The mate mark on her hand tingled. “I will go in, not you.”

“Like hell you will.
You
might regret mating
me
, but I don’t.” He yanked her against him. She fisted his shirt. He leaned over her, forcing her to arch into him. “You see, angel. I love you. Always will. Whether you feel the same is up to you. And I won’t fucking risk my mate’s life, for mine or anyone else’s.”

“I do love you.” Her words came out as a whisper.

He closed his eyes. His nostrils flared on a deep breath. Finally, he met her gaze. “But you don’t trust me not to fall for some damn illusions the fairy realm will deliver, is that it?”

Was it? She wasn’t so sure. She simply knew that if either of them was going into the fairy realm, it’d be her. She was the Hunter, not him any longer, and she would protect him from all things. Never again did she want to feel the rush of fear that had gripped her when Arawn had lashed out at Ian.

“You’re not going, so it doesn’t matter.” She raised her chin.

“Why?”

She scrambled for a safe reason that wouldn’t hurt his pride. None came to her. “Because.”

He snorted. “Fine, be stubborn, but how about answering this question. Will you ever trust me?”

“Yes, of course.”

“When’s that, angel? After a millennium? Or won’t we make it that long?” He stepped closer, forcing her to move with him. Her back hit the couch. “Arawn said he had a way to break our bond. Why don’t you take it? Rid yourself of your mistake. Then you won’t have to worry about me cheating on you.”

She glared at him. “I don’t want to break our bond. Did you hear me when I said I love you? I just need time to work through my issues.”

“Time you don’t have.”

She agreed. Her chance to meet the Triad’s challenge was slipping away. She curled her hand. He glanced at where her balled fist rested against his chest. With a curse, he snagged her wrist and peeled her fingers back. Her heart stuttered. The mark had grown even longer in the hours since she’d spoken with Rhys.

“Fuck, Tegan.” He gave her a little shake. “You’re failing. Dammit, angel, I don’t want to lose you. That’s what’ll happen, isn’t it? You’ll go back to that hell you escaped.”

“I won’t fail.”

He kissed her hard. Desperation fueled it. She felt it in every thrust of his tongue and heard it in his moans. Arms wrapped tight around his chest, she matched his passion. He finally pulled away and captured her with his gaze. Determination simmered in his multihued eyes.

“I’ll save you, angel. I’m your key. I won’t fail you. You hear me? No matter what, I’ll be the man you need. Just, just…” He pressed his forehead to hers. “Just don’t abandon us. We’re in this together.”

She curled her fingers around the back of his neck and cradled him close. Needs flared deep within. She didn’t fight them. “Take me, Ian. Right here, right now. I need your cock, your love, your soul.”

He slid his hands to her ass. “You have it. Everything. All of me.”

His words turned her heart over. She nipped his jaw. “Good, now show me.”

His breath escaped in a rush. He fumbled with her jeans. The button gave way, and the zipper opened. Cool air bathed her bottom. She closed her eyes and waited for the glorious moment when their bodies became one. It didn’t happen. He dragged his knuckles over her drenched center instead. The caress teased her.

She wiggled, trying to stimulate herself more. “Touch me. I need to feel you stroke me. I ache.”

“We don’t want that.”

With a steady push, he slipped his fingers inside her. In and out, he moved them. He added a twist and spread his digits, loosening her muscles and prepping her for his possession.

“You’re wet.” He licked the rim of her ear. “So damn wet for me.”

“I crave you, my mate. Please make love to me. Don’t make me wait.”

He turned her face for his kiss. She twined her tongue with his. All the while he worked her with his fingers. Her muscles tightened. Heaviness settled low. An orgasm built with each thrust and twirl.