The Demon Who Fed on a Shark (10 page)

someone in the heavens must have been on his side because a few

moments later, Skylar finished the conversation with his son and left the room. Now was the time. Any moment now, Morgan would

probably come here, and Alexis didn’t want to see the other man. He

couldn’t look at his lover, not after knowing what he’d done.

Stirring, he turned toward Layton, who gave him a startled look.

“Alexis. Thank God. How do you feel? I’ll get someone.”

Alexis grabbed Layton’s arm before the seahorse could flee the

room. “I don’t need anyone else,” he purred.

He allowed his power to flow from him, over into Layton.

Layton’s eyes widened, and he snatched his arm away from Alexis’s

grip, but Alexis was ready for the motion. He moved with Layton and

pounced on him, trapping Layton under his weight. Courtesy of his

parentage, Layton was much stronger than he looked, so Alexis only

had the element of surprise on his side and a single chance to make

this work.

With no hesitation, he crushed his lips to Layton’s, pouring all his

power into the kiss. Layton stopped trying to push Alexis away, but

deep inside, he still resisted Alexis. Relentless, Alexis prodded

forward, invading Layton’s mind with sinful images of lustful

passion. It was a horrible betrayal, and he knew it, but Layton was the only one who could get him out of here. Alexis would never dare to

do this with Morgan’s parents or grandparents, and the only other

person with enough authority, other than Morgan, was Layton.

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Layton put up a good fight, his bond with his twin stronger than

Alexis expected. It just made Alexis feel guiltier. He hoped that after all this was over, all blame would fall on him and Layton and

Morgan’s relationship wouldn’t be damaged.

Finally, Alexis broke the kiss and stared at Layton. The seahorse

gave him a dazed look. “Mmmm,” he said as he licked his lips. “That

was nice. Let’s do it again.”

Even through the material of Layton’s pants, his erection was like

a brand against Alexis’s naked hip, and Layton’s arousal reached out

to his hunger, tauntingly familiar, and yet, so foreign. Alexis

swallowed against the knot in his throat and smiled coyly. “I’d love to,” Alexis said, “but we can’t get any privacy here. What do you say to a small visit in town? No one has to know.”

Doubt flashed through Layton’s eyes as he was clearly trying to

shake himself from Alexis’s influence. “I…can’t. Morgan…”

Hastily, Alexis squeezed Layton’s cock through his pants. “Come

on, lover,” he purred. “What does your brother have that you don’t?

I’m sure you can show me a good time.”

He showered Layton in sexual heat and felt exhausted when

Layton finally nodded. “Okay. But hurry. We have to go before

anyone else shows up.”

Quickly, Alexis obeyed and pulled his clothes on, remembering at

the last minute to grab his cell phone. Still under the trance, Layton took his hand and dragged him out the door. As Layton guided him

through the house, Alexis sent a wordless good-bye to Morgan.

Morgan might not know it, but today would be the last day they’d see

each other.

* * * *

Morgan stalked back into the house, spine ramrod straight, fury

and pain swirling inside him. He could feel all the eyes on him, all the people who loved him and loathed Alexis because of what he’d done.

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67

Skylar intercepted him in the hallway. “No luck,” he whispered.

Morgan shook his head. “We found Layton’s car and traced

Alexis to the subway, but from there, nothing.”

Skylar didn’t reply, but his eyes were filled with an understanding

Morgan hated. He himself still couldn’t believe what Alexis had been

capable of. Out of all the possible outcomes of this trip, the one he faced now was the worst he’d ever have expected.

Alexis had seduced Morgan’s brother into providing him a safe

and discreet way out of the Cunningham mansion. Once that was

achieved, Alexis had left Layton behind with nothing more than

confused and shameful memories. Morgan and his father’s troops had

already scoured half of LA trying to find him, but it was no use.

Morgan felt torn between heartbreak, guilt, and a deep feeling of

betrayal. He could not believe that Alexis had put Layton into such a position, but he knew in his heart that the fault was only Morgan’s.

He’d pushed Alexis to go to extremes Alexis would have never

reached otherwise.

But Morgan refused to accept his lover’s disappearance, just like

that. He knew of only one place where Alexis could have gone. He

didn’t trust Alexis’s family, but the Whitakers would seem like the

last solution for Alexis, who probably now felt hunted and pretty

betrayed himself.

It was what kept Morgan going now, the knowledge that he still

had places to go and to look in. He refused to give in. He wouldn’t

allow Alexis to leave him so easily. It wasn’t in his nature to give up.

Morgan might have scared Alexis with the claiming bite, but the way

Alexis acted suggested the incubus meant their separation to be

permanent. Morgan refused to accept that.

“Dad, I need you to give me the address of the Whitakers,” he told

Skylar slowly.

Skylar didn’t look surprised. “I’ve been trying to get to them all

morning,” he replied. “Everyone I speak to just shuffles me around

without giving me an answer.”

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Morgan could understand that. Shape-shifters and magical

creatures still shied away from each other, but Morgan knew his two

fathers had somehow contacted the Whitakers in order to ensure their

cooperation with the Academy and have Alexis brought in. Surely,

there had to be a way to do it now.

Skylar hugged Morgan. “We’re pulling some strings now. Don’t

worry, Morgan. The Whitakers aren’t half as slick as they think they

are. If Alexis is with them, we’ll find him eventually.”

Eventually. Morgan wanted to be optimistic, but for him,

eventually wasn’t good enough. He wanted, no, he needed his lover

now. Nevertheless, he knew he had to be mature about this.

“Thank you,” he said between gritted teeth. “You’re right. We

will find him.”

He only hoped his will was stronger than Alexis’s because he had

a feeling Alexis didn’t want to be found.

* * * *

Alexis gathered his knees to his chest, trying to gather as much

heat as he could muster. The cardboard box he used as shelter hardly

qualified to keep him safe from the cool weather, but he didn’t have

much choice. Sighing, he stole a look toward the street, unsurprised

when he didn’t see any familiar vehicle closing in. Oh, there were

plenty of cars rolling around the area, humans seeking for some illicit fun. But Alexis didn’t want any part of that. He’d rather be mistaken for a hobo than a whore.

He’d abandoned Layton’s car a long time ago. It was too eye

catching, and he knew the Cunninghams were probably looking for

him already. He’d used the crowd in the subway to make sure the

shifters lost his trace.

Unfortunately, he’d been unable to reach his parents through the

call, but the employee who’d taken his message promised to relay it

as soon as possible. Alexis had been forced to leave the phone behind

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69

as it could give away his location, so he couldn’t exactly call back.

He’d named a place for the meeting, somewhere Morgan wouldn’t

think of looking for him too soon. Now, however, Alexis found

himself forced to wait in an area that was more than a little dangerous, and in a skimpy outfit that made him look like he was cruising for

johns. The last thing he needed now was to be picked up by the police for prostitution.

In spite of the barrier he tried to put up, he was approached by

several humans. They didn’t seem deterred by his scar, so Alexis used his power to direct them to other people. Thankfully, they obeyed his silent power and left him alone. Alexis didn’t know how much longer

he could keep it up. He generally hated to use his power to manipulate others, and he still felt drained from his fight with Layton’s will.

When he finally saw the familiar black-clad figure of his father

approach, Alexis thought he was dreaming. There was no way either

one of his parents would demean themselves by coming to a place

like this. But here he was, and his mother followed closely behind

him.

They didn’t speak a word as they reached him. His mother

gestured to another man, and the guard helped Alexis up and dropped

a jacket on his shoulder. Alexis didn’t expect much from his parents, so he was surprised when his mother reached for his hand. It was

warm, and after the chill dragging through his bones, that warmth was more than a little welcome.

They led him to a big limo, the slick luxury classical and familiar

to Alexis. The guards took position in the front of the vehicle and in other cars while Alexis slipped into the biggest one with his parents.

He felt self-conscious about staining the flawless expanse of the

limousine seats, but he didn’t have much choice.

The car started, and for the longest time, they just sat there in

uncomfortable silence. Finally, his father deigned to speak. “You will go to our mansion in the countryside. You will stay there until given further instructions and until your face heals. You will be allowed a
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companion of my choice during this time. You will have the ability to contact outside world, but should you choose to do so, we will not

help you again. Any questions?”

Alexis’s voice was low and weak when he answered, “None,

Father. Thank you.”

As he looked outside through the window of the limo, the sight of

the sad city made him think back to what he’d left behind.
Oh,

Morgan. I’m so sorry. Will I ever see you again?

The Demon Who Fed on a Shark

71

Chapter Four

A few weeks later

“How much longer are you going to stay around here and sulk?”

Alexis looked up from the book he’d been pretending to read and

gave his brother Rhys a tired glance. “I’m not sulking,” he answered, his voice a raspy croak.

Rhys plopped down next to him on the couch and awkwardly

wrapped an arm around his shoulders. They’d never been too close,

but they’d now ended up under the same roof since their father had

assigned Rhys to babysit Alexis. It wasn’t something Alexis had been

very happy about at the time, but now he appreciated the company.

Rhys might only be his half brother, but it was better than nothing, and he’d been nice with Alexis so far.

“Then what is this thing you’re doing?” Rhys inquired. “How

much time has it been since you’ve fed?”

“I fed this morning,” Alexis mumbled. It wasn’t true, but it wasn’t

quite a lie, either. He hadn’t actually fed since his last coupling with Morgan and hadn’t touched anyone sexually since Layton.

Thankfully, he’d managed to keep limits on the situation with Layton, and it hadn’t escalated beyond limits the seahorse would later have

problems to surpass. But now, for Alexis, that issue wasn’t the more

urgent one. Alexis couldn’t eat, and masturbation and wet dreams

might be able to satisfy a younger incubus, but not him, especially not now.

He rubbed his belly in a discreet gesture he hoped to hide from his

brother. Over the past weeks, he’d begun to suspect his time with

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Morgan had left him with more than just memories. It should have

been impossible, but apparently not.

“Your own hand doesn’t count,” Rhys told him. “You need to sate

your hunger, Alexis. We have plenty of people who’d be more than

willing to touch you. Come on. Accept their help.”

Nausea roiled through Alexis just at the thought, and it summoned

his earlier sickness. Alexis broke out of his brother’s hold and rushed to the bathroom. Dropping to his knees in front of the toilet, he

promptly threw up. God, the situation was getting worse with each

day that passed, and he didn’t know how to deal with it. As a rule, he hated vomiting, but especially now since he didn’t actually have

anything to throw up, not even real food. It was all just gastric juices, which made his hunger rear its ugly head and his stomach hurt. Shit,

he needed to do something about it. At this rate, he’d lose his baby, and that was something he absolutely could not accept.

A shadow obscured the light coming from the open bathroom

door. “You have to tell Father. He and your mother should at least know.”

Alexis struggled to his feet, not meeting Rhys’s eyes. “There’s

nothing to tell. I’m just a little sick now. I’ll get over it.”

“You’re pregnant, Alexis,” Rhys told him. “I’m not blind, you

know. You might be trying to hide it from me, but only an idiot would miss it.”

Alexis took a deep breath, his heart starting to beat faster. Truly,

he shouldn’t be surprised Rhys had noticed. It had been only a matter of time until it happened since incubus and succubus pregnancies

were very obvious.

“It’s none of your business,” he told his brother.