Possession of the Soul (13 page)

Tabatha frowned as she wrapped a towel around herself. “Well, excuse me… I swear it’s like you’re two different people, Ben.” She yanked open the bathroom door to yell at her brother, but he was gone. “One moment he’s the same as I remember, and the next, he’s a freaking nut case,” she muttered and slipped into her room.

She flung open the closet and pulled out a winter slip-on dress. The long, black dress hugged her body.

 
He knew about our heritage and Mom’s and Dad’s lives beforehand, but I don’t know shit. Everything they told me was a lie!”
Tabatha pulled open a dresser drawer and grabbed a thong. She jammed one leg through, then another.

 
“You know, I could always eat him for you, but then again he’d most likely give me stomach problems.”
Chax’s laughter filled her mind.

 
This isn’t funny, Chax, but I’ll keep it in mind.
Tabatha couldn’t help but smile. “It’s not like they lied to my brother! No, just me. Who the hell were you, Mom?”

 
“Quit talking to yourself and get out here, Tabby. We’ll deal with your brother later.”
A slight brush of invisible fingers touched her cheek.

She stared at her reflection in the mirror. She knew she looked more like her mother than her father, but that’s all she knew. Sighing, Tabatha opened the bedroom door and walked into the hallway.

As she approached the living room, voices reached her. She trembled in anticipation.

She stopped and stared at her old boss, Kenneth. Two demons held him as he tried to wrestle free.

Kenneth raised his head. He had a crazed look in his eyes. “You stupid slut! You couldn’t have just fucked me like I wanted? Oh no, you had to fuck these freaks!” Spittle flew out of his mouth like a rabid dog’s.

Goose pimples rose on her arms. Chax came to her and drew her close, blocking her view of the man.

“Ignore that piece of shit over there, baby. He can’t hurt you anymore.” He kissed her forehead and stepped to her side with his arm still slung around her waist.

As soon as Chax moved aside, a stranger twice his size stepped in front of her. With hair black as night, bright green eyes, and a smile that she swore froze her blood, Tabatha could only blink up at him.

Caym laughed, and his gaze scanned her from head to toe. “I can see why you want her. She is delectable,” he stated as he moved away. “The master sent you a present for your ceremony.”

She scooted closer to Chax. The smell of sulfur filtered into the room, as did the sound of exploding firecrackers, followed by three more demons appearing in her home. They walked toward Tabatha and Chax.

Chax laughed, guiding her toward the three huge demons.

The shortest one glided forward and shook Chax’s hand.

“It’s great to see you, Derk,” Chax greeted him.

Hoyt moved to her other side as Chax introduced the demons, who were his brothers.

“We’ll have their added protection now,” Chax said with a big grin on his face. He looked down at Tabatha. “They can make a home in the small building out back.”

His brothers leaned down one at a time and kissed her cheek, and then each one sized up Hoyt as they each shook his hand.

Derk moved in front of them, scanning her from head to toe.

“We welcome you to the family, little sister and brother. We’ll protect you with our lives,” the very tall one stated. He turned and glared at Kenneth before the man disappeared.

Tabatha followed Derk’s gaze and noted his frown. One minute Kenneth was there, the next he and the two demons holding him were gone.

She looked up at Chax. “Where did they take Kenneth?”

He squeezed her arm. “He is now out of our lives forever, so don’t worry about it. I told you I would take care of him.”

“Well,” Caym stated, “I need to go and give the master your present. I’ll see you around, and make sure you take care of your new mate. She’s a keeper.” He reached out a hand to travel within an inch of her skin, down her face and to her neck.

Chax bared his teeth and snarled. Caym laughed and disappeared.

Tabatha sighed in relief, thankful he’d left.

Outside, the sun lowered, setting a glow in the room that matched the sun’s orange color. She turned, reached for her purse, pulled her keys out, and took the key to the little cabin off the ring. She handed it to Derk; at least she hoped it was Derk. Chax had rattled off their names so fast she didn’t know if she was right or not. All she knew for sure was that he was Chax’s youngest brother.

He turned to her and looked at the key in his hand.

“You’ll need to get some bigger beds for the back cabin’s three bedrooms,” Tabatha said, “but for now, the furniture there will have to do. I’m going to make us all some brunch, so why don’t the three of you just stay here and eat with us? This way you can catch up on things with your brother. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll go start breakfast.”

She turned to walk toward the kitchen, but Hoyt had followed her into the hallway and grabbed her from behind. He slid his hands into the front of her dress and massaged her breasts as he kissed her neck.

“I’ve called the detective and told him I’ll be taking over the case,” he told her. “We don’t need you to go to the station.” He rolled a nipple between his fingers. “I have four of my men right now at your apartment. They’re packing your things, along with Melody’s, to move everything here.”

His other hand skirted along her form to the dress’ hem and then under it. Slowly opening her folds, he pushed his fingers into her pussy, then withdrew them to repeatedly finger fuck her.

“I thought you would like to have our ceremony when Melody and Shane have theirs. We could have it out by the lake.”

Tabatha couldn’t think as he drove her body higher and higher.

“My mother and father will be here,” he continued. “I would like my father to perform the ceremony, if that’s okay,” he whispered into her ear.

Her body began contracting with her orgasm. On cue, he picked up speed and pushed his fingers into her. Tabatha groaned, trying to be quiet. Her juices soaked his fingers. He pulled his hand away, bringing his hand to his mouth and slowly licked her fluids from them and sighed.

“Why are you asking, when it’s already done? I’m sure you’ve already set up everything,” Tabatha whispered. “I would love to share my ceremony with Melody, but won’t it take away from their special day? I mean, you’re the Alpha, so shouldn’t you be performing their ceremony?”

“My father can perform both. Also, with the pack house being moved up here, we’ll have more protection and more room to run. In the city we had to drive over an hour to run. This will be a nice change.”

“Well, then, you do have everything planned. I don’t have to worry about anything.” Tabatha pushed away from his exploring hands. Walking into the kitchen, she stumbled on her feet a little, still weak after the unexpected orgasm.

Melody had already started making bacon. She moved back and forth from the stove to the refrigerator, passing the kitchen table.

Noticing the table, Tabatha instead focused on the food cooking in the skillets, her cheeks warming with her erotic memory.

“I want us to have our ceremony together, please.” Melody shrugged. “And before you ask, I can hear things I couldn’t before now that my mates have changed me. I guess we’re both going to have to get used to all these changes, Tabby. You’re my sister now for real, and I love you.” She hugged Tabatha, shooing Hoyt out of the kitchen with her hand.

“Okay, we’ll do this together. And I know what you mean. I could actually hear the crickets outside an hour ago. I’m so glad you’re going to live next door. We can explore our new world together,” Tabatha said.

Stepping to the potato bin, she stopped and glanced around. Something wasn’t right. She could felt it in her bones. She studied her surroundings. “Hey, Mel. Do you sense anything wrong or amiss?”

Melody stopped what she was doing, looked around the room, and tilted her head. “I don’t sense anything, but then again I don’t have that sixth sense you do.”

“Maybe it’s just me being too sensitive with everything else going on.” She reached for the bin’s lid. Lifting it, Tabatha froze. At least six different poisonous snakes lay wrapped around the potatoes.

One snake, a black mamba, lifted its body and seemed to look her straight in her face. Its hiss paralyzed her with fear. In the next instant, it struck her cheek. The cold venom pumped into her, and Tabatha jerked, falling backward knocking the bin over. Out of the corner of her eye she watched the snake rear up ready to strike again.

 
Chax, Hoyt…

The potato bin lay tipped over at her feet, and one of the snakes slithered over her bare leg.

She heard the sound of screaming as pain and fear clouded her mind. Through her fear she scanned the room without moving.

 
Snakes! Where are they?

One minute snakes moved around her, and the next, they were gone.

 
“It’s okay, baby, they’re gone.”
Chax appeared next to her, his words comforting in the storm of emotions and terror stomping through her. Her body numb, she dropped her arms to her sides and closed her eyes. Footsteps alerted Tabatha there were others in the room.

Kneeling, Chax said, “Don’t move, Tabatha, let me get the poison out.” Chax kissed the tip of her nose.

She opened her eyes, gazed up at him, and whispered, “I’m so tired, Chax. Can’t they just leave me alone?” A single tear slipped down her cheek to his hand that covered it.

His magic sucked at her cheek, drawing the venom out. Sharp pain shot through her face. Everything around her started to spin and grow dark, but she refused to pass out.

“I don’t know, Tabby, but we’ll end this. I promise.” He sighed.

 
I know you’ll try. Thank you, Chax.

She shook as a cold breeze moved over her body.

Slowly, she reached out to Hoyt, who kneeled on her other side.

“I swear, when I catch these assholes I’m going to eat every one of them!” Hoyt snarled.

All of a sudden the chills disappeared, and her body warmed. Beads of sweat ran down her forehead, her clothes stuck to her body, and her mouth went dry.

Hoyt wiped her forehead with a cool rag. “You’re going to be okay, Tabby. Chax is almost done.”

Tabatha’s stomach tightened, and cramps like she’d never experienced before attacked her.

 
Ugh! If this is what it’s like to have a baby, I’m not doing it!

She tightened her hand around Hoyt’s. Her fear of snakes intensified.

 
Hoyt, only my family knew about my fear of snakes. Whoever did this has to be someone close to me.
She studied him as tears dripped down her face and onto the tile.

“It’s done.” Chax leaned down, kissing her lips softly. “The poison is gone from your system, but I’m afraid you’re cheek is going to be sore for a few days. The pains in your stomach should be easing up now, too.” He stood with a thunderous expression on his face. “I have to go, but I’ll be back.” He disappeared from her side.

Hoyt lifted her, hugging her to his body.

Tabby glanced around to find Melody, Shane, and her brother in the kitchen with them. Melody’s men held her tightly, but she reached out, touching Tabitha’s arm.

“The snakes...” Tabitha tried to focus her attention on Hoyt as he carried her straight to her bedroom. “Are they gone?”

“Yes, they’re all gone.” He shut the door with his foot and moved to the bed where he laid her down. “You’re going to rest, and I’m going to just hold you, Tabby.” He stripped off her clothes, rubbing every inch of her body. “I never want to be that scared again. Do you see any gray hair?” He smiled, shaking his head. Hoyt scanned her body from head to toe. “You’re so beautiful that I sometimes think I’ll wake up and you’ll be gone,” he murmured. Stripping out of his clothes, he let them drop to the floor.

All she wanted was his arms around her, to feel safe at least for a little while.

Hoyt slid an arm under her and scooted close. He covered them both with the blanket.

“Are you hurt anywhere else?” Hoyt questioned as he checked every nook of her form.

“Where did Chax go?” She asked, disappointed that he’d left.

“He needed to find out who did this to you. He’ll be back,” he mumbled, hugged her tightly and gently kissed her neck.

Tabatha brushed the hair out of his eyes.

“I’m okay, Hoyt. I’m still scared. But I don’t think I will be able to go into that kitchen for a while, though.” Tabatha tried to laugh, but she couldn’t. Pesky tears formed in her eyes.

 
Why does something always go wrong for me?
She raged.

Tabatha curled up closer to Hoyt, resting her head on his chest. Everything that had happened the last 48 hours came crashing down on her.

Hoyt stroked her back and soothed her while she cried. A strong sense of rage and concern surged through her, and she sensed Wol-itelm had just found out what had happened.

 
I’m fine, so stop worrying. There is nothing you can do from where you are.
She sighed.

 
“I hate being this far away and not being able to use my powers. Now I know why we have to have someone monitoring us when we are joined with our mates. I’m so angry I could kill everyone within a thousand miles of where you lay.”

“Even though I don’t know you, please stop worrying. Chax and Hoyt are here.
Tabatha looked up at Hoyt.

“I don’t understand all this violence. I can change now, so why are they still trying to kill me? I’m normal, right? There must be something else,” she mumbled against his bare chest.

“I don’t know why they killed your family or why they are still after you, but we’ll find those responsible, I promise.”

Chax’s enraged growl could be heard everywhere in the house. Storming into the room, Chax took a deep breath, clenched his hands at his sides, and blinked hellfire-red eyes.

Chax lowered his head. “I failed.” The tension from his shoulders disappeared as they slumped forward. “I’m so sorry, baby. I couldn’t catch them,” he whispered.