King of Tides (The Immortal Iron Brothers #3)

Chapter 11

Unexpected Guests

“ D o you need anything? How are you feeling this morning?” I ask as Kai enters my office.

“I’m fine. Still a bit shaken up. Gü? only worked for us for a few weeks. Why would she give up her life for me? What was she doing there? Better yet, what was she that I didn’t know she was a super, and where did her body go? Could she have been some type of fairy?”

“All great questions. It’s not uncommon for some to hide their identity when it comes to lower-level others. No offense.”

Kai wouldn’t have felt what Bradan and I were able too. I can’t blame her for not knowing she had an other around who was hiding their identity. It really wasn’t her place to.

“None taken. Amadeus said I could hire help while he was gone. I thought she was a human.”

“This is my fault. I was supposed to tell you she wasn’t about two weeks ago. Reilly and I are going to head down to the warehouse to see what we can learn. I will inform Amadeus of what’s going on.”

“What about Candido? He wants to get in touch with Amadeus in order to strike a deal up because you guys will never agree to what he’s asking for,” Kai says with concern in her voice.

I scoff. “He won’t have to worry about what we won’t agree to. He’s cut off. No one under our charge is to do anything for him. No one,” I say firmly.

“I’m fine with that. Fucking prick was going to shoot me in the head. He’s lucky I don’t break into his place and put Octo poison in his food.”

“Not a bad idea. Let’s keep that on the table for now,” I chuckle.

I would love to watch Candido take his last breath. I don’t care for his brother either. He fears us too much to summon us as much as his brother does, but he has asked for things in the past.

He usually has a laundry list, so he only has to summon us once until the next time his coward ass gets up the courage to call for us again.

Kai’s stomach grumbles, pulling me from my thoughts. Her cheeks glow as she bites her lip and holds a hand to her stomach. I give her a warm smile.

“Hungry?”

“Yeah, it’s been a while since I’ve had anything. I was too wired to find something once I arrived last night.”

I stand from my desk. “Come with me. I’ll get you something to eat and we can talk some more.”

“Okay. Thanks.”

We exit my office and head to the main hall. Once there, we get Kai something to eat, and she finds a corner to sit in. I’m about to go sit with her when I see Bradan with a tiny woman clinging to him.

So he’s found himself a new fairy. I grin as I watch the two. However, I make note that she’s not a fairy at all. My curiosity gets the better of me.

“Kai, you eat as much as you want and stay for as long as you like. I’d prefer to have you here at the clubhouse for now. At least until I speak with Amadeus. I’ll check in on you later,” I say as I start in the direction of my brother and the mystery woman.

“I’m cool. You don’t have to worry about me,” Kai calls after me.

I lift a hand to acknowledge her words. There’s something about the look on Bradan’s face that’s holding my attention. This little woman is more than a warm body that has filled his bed.

This will be interesting , I tell myself. Could this be his mate? If it is, I was right to walk away from Billy last night. Her confession of her attraction was the final straw. I had been ready to strip her bare and devour her.

If I hadn’t put an end to things when I did, I would have taken things too far and hurt her in the end. She may not be my mate, but I have more respect for her than to do something like that to her.

When I get closer to my brother the first thing to hit me is the woman’s scent. It’s so familiar. I can smell her human blood, but there is something else, like Kendrick’s mate Ray and … Billy. That’s what was different last night.

That hint of something other. I had ignored it because of the high from the joint and my hope to finally find my mate. There’s something sweeter about the way they smell, with a hint of something familiar.

Could I have been with my … no.

Billy

“Hello,” I groan into the phone as I snatch it up from the nightstand.

“Billy, we need to talk. Can we meet up?”

“Carson?”

“Yeah, I can come to you if you want.”

I palm my forehead as my head clears, and I begin to become alert. Last night comes back to me. I remember crying myself to sleep after letting Ardan out.

That’s so not like me. It had to be the weed. I don’t smoke often.

I’ve had a few smoke sessions with Carson and Eddy when we were younger, but I haven’t smoked much since. I thought it would help me get my mind off things last night.

Boy did it, but what the hell was the rest of that. I haven’t cried over someone leaving me behind in years. I shake it off and focus on what Carson has asked.

He wants to come by. Bile rises in my throat at the thought of him running into Ardan or Ardan seeing him entering or leaving my place. I don’t want to come off as petty—because he rejected me or worse as some slut—who jumps from guy to guy.

Not that it should matter. I just can’t get the feeling out of my head—Carson and Ardan should never meet. I grow protective of Carson and shake my head as if he can see me.

“No, no. I’ll come to you. I’m just waking up, so give me an hour or so to head your way.”

“I’m already up and on the move. I can be to you in twenty.”

“No. I’ll meet you at your place. I have errands to run anyway.”

“I can bring you coffee and breakfast. It’s no big deal. If I stop for breakfast, that will give you more time to get ready,” he pushes.

“Carson,” I huff. “I’ll be ready in thirty and we can go to breakfast together. How does that sound?”

“Perfect. I know this place you’ll love. The food is great. We can talk in the car on the way,” he says with way too much hope in his voice.

I frown. There’s something off about the way he sounds. It’s not just the eagerness. Something is different in his voice.

As my Spidey senses go off, I decide to use our secret code. Mack made us come up with it years ago so we’d be able to let the other know something was wrong. As runaways it was a necessary precaution.

“Car?”

“Yeah?”

“Not my blood …”

“But always my family,” he responds.

I blow out a relieved breath. Thank God. I have enough weird shit going on.

“Text me when you arrive, I’ll come down to meet you. See you in a bit,” I sigh into the phone.

Hanging up, I then flop back against my pillow and close my eyes to think. I don’t allow myself to think of last night or Ardan. I need to get my head together to figure out this mess I’ve gotten Carson and me into.

I growl and punch the bed as I kick my feet. This is why I never ask for help. The one time I do, I get Carson into some shit and we could both end up losing our badges.

“Fuck me,” I groan as I open my eyes and stare up at the ceiling.

I was so focused on nailing Candido I didn’t think about how this could blow up in my face. Yes, we saved that woman’s life, but how do we get out of this without me ending up in a straitjacket.

“Why me?” I mumble and force myself to get up and head for the shower.

I smile as I remember Ardan coming to fix the water pressure for me. Immediately, I frown and chide myself for my thoughts. I mean, I confessed that I was attracted to him.

I was expecting him to flirt back or something, not rush to leave. I’m not begging for anyone’s attention.

I don’t know what his problem is, but I guess it’s for the best. I don’t need to get involved with him anyway. He could be a potential suspect.

I make quick work of taking my shower. Then I jump out to lotion my skin before I throw on a pair of jeans and a loose-fitting T-shirt. Looking in the mirror, I decide to leave my curly waves out.

I run a hand through my locks and pull them to the right side, then go to plug in my flat iron to set my part. Once I have a clean part and my hair is resting to the right on its own, I blow out a breath and head to the kitchen to find something to drink.

I glance toward the lockbox where I keep my guns, but my stomach growls and acid rises in my throat. Damn, I didn’t realize how hungry I am. I can’t wait for breakfast with Carson. I need something to eat now.

I move into the kitchen and go to make some toast. Once the bread is in the toaster, I decide to grab the kettle to fill it with water for some tea. As the water runs, I stare at it, filling the clear glass. My vision begins to ripple.

I gasp as the head of that dragon from the other vision rises from the water in the kettle. My hand shakes as I place the kettle down in the sink. Covering my mouth, I try to hold my scream in.

Its whisker-looking things curl at the tips as they float through the air and glow with a light of their own. Its blue skin looks almost iridescent. Yet, it sits there as if it belongs.

What the fuck was in that shit we smoked last night? I’m never smoking again. When it seems like it tilts its head to study me, I nearly laugh. This is some crazy shit.

“What the fuck?” I breathe when I finally calm myself.

The dragon remains silent at first as it looks me in the eyes with its deep-blue ones. I take a few steps back, bumping into the island behind me.

The dragon becomes larger and places its forearms against the edge of the sink as if it were an old friend leaning in to have a chat. Its elbows look hard and sharp, like horns or something. I shake my head as if that will be enough to clear it and make the vision go away.

“Don’t be alarmed. I have not come to harm you but to join you. It is time, young master.”

“Time for what?”

“Time for you to connect with your inner self, the part of you that has the power to accept me. Time for you to find your strength within so my place can be prepared. You and I will connect at the core.

“They are coming, and you will need to be ready, young master. Soon, you will learn to count on others once again. When you return home, you will fully understand,” the dragon says.

I can’t believe I’m standing in the middle of my kitchen talking to a fucking dragon. Scratch that, a dragon who has half its body sticking out of my damn tea kettle.

“Return home? This is my home.”

“Yes, but not the home I speak of. You were touched with power; it is time for it to awaken. Water and ash are within you. Your power is pushing at the surface. Just reach for it,” it replies.

My toast pops up in the toaster, breaking the vision. The dragon disappears, leaving me baffled and confused. I really need to have my head examined.

Muttering to myself, I change my mind about the tea. I’m no longer interested. I’m grabbing the butter for my toast when there’s a knock at the door.

I roll my eyes. Carson never listens. Good thing he didn’t arrive a few moments ago.

That shit would have freaked him out. I wonder if he would have seen it in the first place. This could be my own brand of crazy.

Lost in thought, I head for the door to answer it before someone sees Carson in the hall. Nervously, I bite my lip as I think of him and Ardan running into each other.

“I told you to text me,” I say as I open the door to rush him inside.

I’m taken by surprise as I’m pushed back into my apartment by three large guys. I stumble back in shock. However, it only takes a second for me to snap into action.

I turn for the lockbox to grab a gun, but I’m grabbed by the back of my hair. This guy is huge and so much taller than me. The tight grip he has on my hair causes me to panic for a second.

My heart races as I think of how this can all go wrong. I bet these guys belong to Ricci. He’s finally going to finish me off. I wonder if he knows I’m his daughter or if he even cares.

I throw my head back as I’m lifted off my feet, hoping to connect with this bastard’s face. When I don’t make the connection, I begin to panic more. He starts to head for the door with me still in tow.

My instincts begin to kick in. If they get me outside of this apartment, I’m fucked. The vision from the kitchen comes back to me. Maybe this has nothing to do with Ricci.

These guys seem a bit off and uncharacteristically tall. I really start to panic as I think this could be some unnatural shit happening to me.

I kick at the guy nearest me, and he stumbles back. I then kick out at the one holding me and connect this time. He drops me and I spin to kick him again.

As I drop him to his knees, the third one comes at me. That’s when I get this feeling to just hold out my hands. As soon as I do, an axe and shield appear in my palms. I don’t know how, but I know exactly what to do with them.

I twirl the axe in one hand as I hold the shield in front of me with the other. The first guy I kicked recovers and throws a bolt of light at me. I knock it away with the shield and throw the axe at him.

It catches him in the forehead, and he falls back. I grin with satisfaction as his body drops to the floor. The one who grabbed me is now back on his feet and looks like he’s about to toss an orb of light at me.

I block the attack just in time as I cross my arm in front of me. The orb bounces off my shield and returns to the sender. The asshole bursts like a water balloon and falls to nothing more than a puddle on the floor.

With a quick glance, I note that my axe is now sitting in a pool of liquid as well. The guy whose head it was lodged in is now gone. The last one comes at me, but my fighting skills kick in and I kick his ass using my shield like a weapon instead of a guard.

I tire him out quickly, then wish the shield had a sharper edge so I could slice his throat and be done with it. As I hit him in the side with the shield, it comes away with blood on the edge. I narrow my eyes and see the edge gleaming like the edge of a sword.

I take a chance and swing for his throat. Suddenly, his neck is slashed and then he too bursts like a water balloon and falls to the floor in a puddle.

I bend at the waist, panting. My mind is reeling and now my heart is racing ten times as fast as it was when I was fighting for my life. I knit my brows in confusion and reach to clench at my T-shirt.

My veins feel like they’re on fire. My skin feels like it’s going to peel right off my bones. I may have bested those assholes, but did they slip me something to kill me?

This is madness. I’ve gone twelve rounds in the ring and have never been this winded. My mind races for answers.

What the fuck is wrong with me? I start to become lightheaded. That’s when a slow clap begins from behind me. I turn quickly to find Ardan standing in my living room, looking back at me. I hold my hand out and the axe comes to me.

“Did Candido Ricci send you and those fucks to finish me off?”

He tilts his head to the side and studies me. “I’m not here to do Ricci’s bidding, baby girl. I’m here for you.”

I snort, then freeze. “Hold on a minute. Did you just stand there and watch me get jumped?”

“I stood here and watched you take them down without batting an eye. Impressive. I wasn’t going to allow them to hurt you, but I got the feeling you would have fought me if I jumped in,” he says as he looks me over with a heated gaze and amused smile.

As my adrenaline starts to come down, I can think more clearly. I jerk my head back as I stare across my apartment at him, leaning against the wall with his arms across his chest. None of this is making sense.

What the fuck just happened? How did I get these weapons in my hands? I don’t know how I know they will, but I drop my hands to my sides and allow the axe and shield to vanish.

Placing my hands on my hips, I speak my thoughts as I try to get my heart rate under control. “How did you get in here? You didn’t come in with them and you couldn’t have come through the front door.”

“You pulled me to you. I didn’t need to come through the door.”

“Ardan, what the hell are you talking about? Am I tripping off that shit you gave me last night?” I say with a grimace as I reach to rub at my chest.

One minute, he’s across the room, leaning against the wall. The next, he’s in front of me and has me pinned to the wall behind me. My heart begins to race more and not because I’m afraid of him.

“You feel the fever too,” he says against my lips.

“What?” I ask in confusion.

“For me, it’s like a punch to the gut. My powers are humming to break free. It’s a high that comes with pain and excitement.

“So much excitement because I know it’s you. Baby, my veins feel alive, my heart is beating double time. If I thought I wanted you before, I’m sure I’ll go insane if I don’t have you now,” he breathes into my mouth as he has a hold of my throat.

I shake my head. “I don’t know what’s going on, but you lost your chance. You left last night after I told you how I felt. I’m over it.”

He snorts a laugh into my ear. “You. Will. Never. Be. Over. Us,” he says as he kisses his way down my neck and pushes my chin up with his thumb.

“Get over yourself. I was over you the moment you walked out.”

“I only left because I didn’t know you were my mate. I should have felt it from the first time we met. I didn’t want to hurt your feelings when my true mate arrived.

“I also thought you were only a human. If you were, not much could’ve happened between us. I would have torn you apart,” he says as he nuzzles my neck and inhales.

“Mate? What the hell are you talking about?”

“Everything you’re feeling is because you’re my mate. You will be able to handle me because you were made for me. I’ll never walk away from you again.”

He’s driving me crazy with his sensual kisses against my neck. I stifle a moan as my body reacts to him. Frustrated with myself, I push at his shoulders, but he brings his face to mine and takes my lips.

All my fight fades as he devours me. In one swift motion, he has me wrapped around his waist as he holds me tightly in his arms. My pussy begins to pulse for him.

As he swirls his tongue in my mouth, I whimper and lock my fingers in the top of his hair. His mouth is cool and tastes of cool mint.

I don’t know what I was expecting, but his kisses are making my toes curl. I get lost in the kiss and begin to grind against him.

The more he kisses me, the more I begin to feel complete. However, I force myself to pull away. His blue eyes seem to glow as he looks back into mine.

“Wait, this is moving too fast. I don’t even understand what’s going on. What are you? How am I not human?”

“From what I’ve learned, your father is human. However, you’re something else entirely. We haven’t figured that part out yet. Your scent is familiar, yet it’s not. Each of you has this slight variation.

“I’m not sure if it’s because you’re part human or if it’s just unique to each of you as individuals. It’s odd but alluring. Almost intoxicating,” he says.

“Ardan, what are you rambling about? Each of who?”

“Your sisters. Two of my brothers have found their mates in your sisters, Ray and Taylor.”

“You’ve met my sisters?”

“Yes.”

“Hold on, wait,” I say and slide down his front.

I push at him to get some space to think clearly. It’s no use. I need him near to subside the racing of my heart and this nauseous feeling. As soon as I put space between us, my stomach pitches and I groan as I begin to feel faint.

As if knowing just what I need, Ardan wraps his arms around my waist from behind and tugs me back into him. I don’t miss the bulge digging into me as he rains kisses down my neck once again.

“I can’t think while you’re doing that. Can you please stop?”

“We should seal the bond. It will help you feel better,” he groans as he palms one of my breasts.

“Listen, buddy. I have no idea what you’re talking about. I’m not sealing anything until I know what’s going on,” I bite out.

He reaches around me to tilt my head back, then brings his lips to mine. I squeeze my thighs together, trying to stem off the throbbing happening between my legs. I don’t know whether to be happy or frustrated when he doesn’t connect our lips.

“You are my mate. You feel the fever as much as I do. This need to be inside you, to have me inside you. It’s only going to increase until we accept the bond and seal it.

“I am a demigod, and you were chosen for me. I’ve lived a very long time waiting for you. I want to bend you over right here and take you now, but I can sense your nerves.

“I never want to harm you, Billy. Everything I do will be to protect and pleasure you. I know we will be perfect together, like water and ice. One can be rough the other can be soothing, but they will come together as one in the end.

“Allow me to show you how we flow together. I’ll taste you first to let you get used to the idea that you’re mine and only mine,” he breathes against my lips, then flicks his tongue out to lick them.

I whimper and shiver in his hold, my knees nearly giving out. I’m so wet right now, I bet there’s a stain on my jeans. He growls.

“Ardan, please,” I whisper, not sure which I’m pleading for more—answers or for him to put out this need building inside me.

“Billy, I will answer all of your questions once I’ve fucked and claimed you. I promise, baby girl.”

His words come out strained and tight, as if he’s doing all he can to get them out without demanding. I turn in his hold and look up into his eyes. They’re still glowing.

“How do I know you’re not using some type of magic to trick me into sleeping with you?”

“If I go down on you, it will curb the lust for now. We can go back to the clubhouse and your sisters will confirm what I’ve told you. They have sealed their bonds already,” he says with a pained expression.

There is a knock at the door, and I know for sure it’s Carson this time as he croons out my name. I look up at Ardan with wide eyes.

“You have to go. That’s my brother. He won’t understand any of this.”

“I’m good at explaining away situations to humans. Or I can make him forget,” he says with a grin.

I think back to when Ricci tried to have my memory erased. Could that really have been Ardan? He did just say he’s lived a long time.

I shake the thought off as something else to ask later. Right now, I need him out of here. My gut keeps telling me that him and Carson meeting is not going to fly.

“No, you need to go.”

Carson knocks again. I begin to panic. All he needs to do is test the knob and he’ll find the door unlocked.

“Billy, if I leave, you’re going to be in pain. The closer I am, the better you will feel.”

I groan. “Then make yourself invisible or something. You can do that, right?”

He scoffs. “Yeah, but?—”

“No buts, be gone. I’ll get rid of him and then we can talk or whatever.”

He rolls his eyes at me and vanishes before my face. I heave a sigh of relief and turn to answer the door. A growl fills the air, and my jeans change to a black pair of sweats instead of the light blue jeans I had on.

“Thanks,” I whisper and shake my head.

I need him gone, not just invisible, but I like that he doesn’t want to leave me in pain. My mind is reeling as I run the last ten minutes through my head.

I have so many questions for Ardan. I don’t know whether to feel crazier than ever or to feel relieved because I’ve found a source for some answers.