“I know. I didn’t get to talk to Rose because she was dead, and Kimberly was away.”

  “The rose locket is a timekeeper relic,” Dallan said, setting the plate before Hansel and pouring him some wine. “Did Kimberly have it?”

  “My grandmother thought Kimberly had been killed for it,” Dory said.

  “That relic must have moved on,” Dallan replied. “It’s one that was enchanted to prevent demons from taking it. It’s a nature timekeeper’s relic.”

  “What do you mean?” Dory and Hansel asked at once.

  “Women’s mysteries—famous female witches, their contributions, their best spells, their abilities. That knowledge is sort of like the Mage for timekeepers. It’s important that women’s power isn’t erased,” Dallan said.

  “The Mage is a men’s book?” Dory asked.

  “It’s a unisex book that contains info on magic and herbs as well as colors,” Dallan explained.

  “My grandmother was worried the book would be lost along with something called the Case of Earth. What is so important about them?”

  “They’re powerful items that would tip the balance in evil’s favor,” Dallan answered.

  “My grandmother said the guardians are power centers,” Dory said. “How does that work?”

  “Power grids are normally places, but some are people too. Certain relics are imbued with power, and the keepers of those relics take on the power of the relic and become living representations of the power grid or the lei lines.”

  “What happens when they die?” Hansel asked, frowning.

  “According to my grandmother’s stories, the guardians become the power point, not a grid but a power node that if used right is a battery for witches around them. They can use their magic and never run dry.”

  “The witch or the node?” Hansel asked.

  “Both,” Dory said with a shrug. “I imagine it would have to be the same for the Mage’s key, right?” He slanted a look at Dallan and so did Hansel.

  Hansel had felt different when the guardians of the Mage had been killed. However, he was no power node.

  “The node has to learn to balance the power in order not to flame out, but the node is a powerhouse of energy. He or she is almost like a supercell storm,” Dallan said, meeting Hansel’s gaze, and Hansel knew this was part of what Dallan had been keeping from him.

  He’d never told him just how powerful he could be. How powerful he should be now with the latch.

  “A lot of power,” Dory said. “Like a monster blizzard.”

  “Exactly,” Dallan agreed. “The watch will become a part of you, something you can’t remove.”

  “My grandmother did.”

  “Because she was merely a guardian, meant to pass it on to the warrior who would harvest it,” Dallan said. “Do you have a journal from your grandmother?”

  “Yes.”

  “Read it. It’ll tell you about the watch. It might seem like ramblings at first glance, but the real story is encrypted. Read with intent, and you’ll see.”

  * * * *

  Gretel leaned back on the sofa in the living room of their home, one she admitted she really liked despite having demons around all the time. In the last three weeks Jox had tapped into all of the contacts the human whose body he’d climbed into when the human died had.

  Well, most of them, and he was using them to grow their social and professional network.

  Aaron, the human whose name Jox used in public, was a lawyer from a wealthy family and had already amassed a decent-sized financial start for them to use. It didn’t hurt that Jox had more than enough experience in the law.

  Jox slipped into the living room wearing a frown, and she watched him advance.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “A demon just told me Murlog is killing timekeepers,” Jox told her. He sat down next to her, the blue of his eyes turning hard. “We can’t afford to have him doing that.”

  “Why do we care?”

  “The timekeepers aren’t all good witches. Some of them are black, and they keep knowledge, Gretel, not time.”

  “So?” She knew that. She also knew about their counterparts, the females, called the rose-keepers.

  She’d found the locket along with a small journal among her mother’s things after her father had died. The book had been encrypted and the power that had emanated from the locket had been mild, but Gretel had sensed there was so much more.

  So, curious, she’d researched both. The book was gone now, vanished, but she still had the locket.

  “So, there is only one reason to kill any of them dark or light,” Jox told her. “Information and power. Power to change what was before it can be. Imagine what would happen if the Mage falls into his hands.”

  “I’m sure the wizard has it well guarded.”

  “Not just the Mage,” he said. “There is the rose locket, your grimoire, and the bronze grimoire.”

  “Lost,” she said. “Mine is locked now.”

  “Now, but if he gets any of those books?” His brows rose. “He could alter time and allow himself to get all the books and devour the power inside. He’s a devourer of powers, knowledge. Gretel, I won’t be able to stop him.”

  “Which book would be his first target?” she asked calmly despite the fear rolling off her lover in ripples that made her nauseated.

  She didn’t fear anything but losing. No fight was too nasty or bloody, no opponent too strong. As long as she believed there was a way to win, she’d walk into any battle with the intent to bring defeat.

  “He’s killed the guardians of the rose locket,” Jox told her. “And Murlog already has people in the city. His siren can use her song to force dark witches to work with them.”

  “You’re a little fearful, honey,” she said and straddled him. “There is no reason to be.” She kissed him. “Murlog might be dangerous, but he’s nothing we can’t deal with.”

  Jox tensed beneath her and his eyes clouded. “You could be wrong about that.”

  “Let’s call the wizard. If Murlog is after the watch keeper, maybe he can help us find him or her.” She kissed Jox and climbed off him to grab her cell phone from the coffee table.

  Gretel made the call to Dallan. She didn’t want to waste time discussing magic with her brother. Whatever had him obsessed with keeping the wizard from straying wasn’t important right now.

  “Hello?”

  “Gretel, why are you calling Dallan?” Hansel asked.

  “Why do you have his phone?” she countered. “Are you turning into an obsessed clown? If a man strays, he strays, and you leave him or kick his ass back in line. You don’t use magic to keep him put.”

  There was silence.

  “Hello, Gretel,” Dallan said, and she mentally kicked herself.

  Now, her brother would have more romantic issues to deal with when he needed to be focused.

  Shit.

  “What’s up?” Dallan asked in a patient tone that made her wonder if he had expected Hansel to do something as stupid as use a spell on him.

  “We were talking of a possible threat, Murlog. He’s killing timekeepers.”

  “All timekeepers?” Dallan asked.

  She put the phone on speaker.

  “Yes,” Jox said. “He’s after all the relics, but he’s hunting for one in particular. The one who moves through time.”

  “Shit,” Dallan muttered. “I wondered what his end game was especially—fuck.”

  “What?” Hansel asked.

  “He’s coming here for the timekeeper,” Dallan said.

  “We can’t allow him to get his hands on it,” Jox cried. “He could wipe out all his enemies—good witches and demons who’d move against him.”

  “We’re going to have to meet,” Dallan said. “Changelings attacked the timekeeper today. Murlog already knows where he is.”

  Chapter Nine

  Hansel was still a little on edge after Dallan finished his call with Aristotle. He could tell Dory had been too, but Dory had retreated to his room after a coffee.

  Hansel closed his bedroom door and went to look out the window. Dallan was still downstairs, probably upset about what he’d heard and that Murlog character.

  He hadn’t told them what had him so concerned about the demon, and it bothered Hansel. As it was, he still harbored a fear that Dallan wasn’t being completely honest with him especially about the Mage.

  He still didn’t have access to the Mage’s power, and the Mage was in Hansel’s care, not Dallan’s. Not only that, Hansel didn’t understand how Dallan could block him from it when Hansel was the designated keeper of it for now.

  A cool draft came in behind him, and he turned from the window, deciding not to hide or try to pretend he hadn’t known what Gretel was talking about. He prayed rather than hoped Dallan hadn’t taken her seriously.

  Dallan slowly closed the distance between them, a grim look on his handsome face. His chocolate-brown eyes were enigmatic, and his muscular body was tense. His black hair gleamed almost blue in the light.

  How was he going to convince him to stay?

  “Is Dory okay?” Hansel asked.

  “Fine,” Dallan said and slipped his hands into his pants pockets. “Gretel amazes me.”

  “How?” He trembled as he took a step toward Dallan.

  “She doesn’t seem to have any fear,” Dallan replied, amazement in his gaze. “Jox’s voice trembled at least once.”

  “Maybe he’s afraid of the demon,” Hansel said as he drew closer to Dallan.

  “Could be. He has a lot to lose if he goes up against Murlog and loses.”

  Hansel nodded, dropping his gaze to Dallan’s mouth. The lush lower curve had him aching for a taste of it, so he closed the distance between them. When he was in front of Dallan, he reached up and traced his thumb along that enticing mouth.

  And just like that, heat ignited in his blood and curled through him, making his cock stiff and his entire body crave Dallan’s against him. Dallan’s chocolate stare darkened with his own carnal awareness.

  “There’s no telling, but how can demons fear?” Hansel asked.

  “How can he love? That’s a better question, but he does,” Dallan answered, and Hansel rested his hand on Dallan’s shoulder, allowing it to curl around to his nape.

  “Touch me,” Hansel urged softly. “I want you.”

  If Dallan touched him, and he knew he wouldn’t, he would still wonder what was going through his mind, but Hansel would be able to believe it had nothing to do with what Gretel had said.

  Dallan claimed Hansel’s mouth and Hansel’s lips parted, allowing Dallan’s tongue entrance. The tang of coffee lingered on him as Hansel’s tongue stroked against Dallan’s and Dallan deepened the kiss.

  Hansel groaned and pushed his fingers into Dallan’s hair to drag his head closer. Dallan closed his arm around Hansel and pulled him against him, backing him to the wall, and Hansel sighed in relief.

  Dallan pressed him against the firm surface next to the curtains and rested a hand next to him. Hansel stroked a hand over Dallan’s chest, eager to get rid of their clothes. He needed nothing between them as they once again affirmed their love.

  Dallan broke the kiss and his lashes fluttered up, revealing dark eyes lit with hunger. “You’ve got me, Hans,” Dallan rasped out. “You own me, heart and soul.”

  Hansel leaned on tiptoe to press a kiss to Dallan’s throat.

  Hansel trailed kisses down the column, and Dallan groaned. His hands moved down to cup Hansel’s ass.

  He traced kisses along Dallan’s jaw before claiming Dallan’s lips for a slow kiss. They tasted each other slowly, and Hansel’s hand moved between them to work the belt of Dallan’s pants free. He unfastened the button and dragged down the zipper to push Dallan’s pants open.

  Hansel broke the kiss, dragging air into his lungs. “I need to be naked with you.” Hansel tugged at Dallan’s button-down. He ripped it from his pants and quickly undid the buttons. “You’re so hot I can hardly keep my hands off you.”

  His hands glided over a broad chest sprinkled with dark hair. Hansel lowered his head and traced his tongue along the collarbone. Nipped hard and sucked.

  “Hansel,” Dallan said breathlessly. “I want you, too, sweetheart.”

  Hansel licked one nipple as he pinched the other, drawing a hiss of pleasure from Dallan. He flicked his tongue over the flat nipple again before scraping over it with his teeth.

  Dallan moaned roughly, and Hansel sucked the flat disc into his mouth while teasing the other nipple. He lifted his head to circle the tight bud before sucking it again then moving to the twin. Hansel licked and blew a soft stream of air over it.

  “Fuck, yeah.” Dallan moaned.

  Hansel flicked the nipple again before catching it between his teeth. At the same time, he pushed his hand inside Dallan’s briefs. His fingers wrapped around the erect flesh.

  Dallan sucked in a breath as Hansel’s thumb stroked over the tip of his cock. “Damn, that feels good.”

  Hansel watched Dallan. His eyes were half-mast as he stroked him. Heat slithered through Hansel, pushing his own desire higher.

  He released Dallan’s shaft to kiss a path over the hard plane of Dallan’s chest and down to his stomach. He licked over the hairless skin and nipped at his defined abs before licking over the navel and down to his lower belly.

  Hansel sank to his knees before looking up at Dallan. His eyes glowed with passion and emotion that took Hansel’s breath away. That the man could love him still left him dizzy.

  “Suck my dick, baby.”

  Hansel grasped the thick length and swirled his tongue around the mushroom head. With the point of his tongue, he licked slowly down to the shaft and over his balls. He glided his tongue back up as he tightened his grip on Dallan’s dick.

  “Damn, your mouth is lethal,” Dallan cried as he pushed his fingers into Hansel’s hair. Hansel sucked Dallan deeper into his mouth, taking him to the back of his throat. He drew his head back slowly and sucked the head as he pumped the part of the shaft not in his mouth.

  “Shit!” Dallan grimaced, expression tight with pleasure. “You’re killing me, sweetness.”

  Hansel lowered his head on the thick prick, sucking, his head bobbing up and down.

  “Enough.” Dallan urged him up.

  “Not yet,” he protested, and Dallan chuckled and pushed him against the wall.

  “I’m going to fuck your tight little ass,” Dallan told him and claimed his mouth. The kiss was searing, burning Hansel. “God, let’s get rid of these clothes.”

  He tore Hansel’s shirt open. Then, he glided his hands down to push Hansel’s lounge pants down. The pants fell down around his ankles, and Dallan kissed him again before lowering his head to circle a nipple while using the finger of his free hand to tease the other.

  Hansel thought of a spell and wiggled his fingers. The nightstand drawer opened and a tube of lube floated up. Dallan grabbed it from the air and shoved it into his pants pocket.

  “Damn, you’re a little eager tonight,” Dallan teased. “I told you, you have me. You don’t have anything to fear.” He turned Hansel around and smoothed a hand over his ass before delivering a stinging tap. “Stop doubting me.”

  “I—”

  Before he could speak, Dallan dropped a hand on his ass again. “Trust me,” he said in Hansel’s ear.

  “I do,” he said breathlessly.

  Dallan struck his ass again and pushed his hand into Hansel’s hair and tugged his head back. He bit his earlobe. “Don’t do another spell on me, Hans, or my response won’t be this nice.” He hit him again, the sting sending ripples of pleasure through Hansel.

  A moment later, Dallan used a damp finger to circle Hansel’s anus before slipping inside him. The digit breached the tight ring of muscle, and Hansel swallowed tightly as Dallan pushed it deeper.

  “Damn,” Hansel cried and ran his hand up the wall. The deliciousness of the caress had him moaning.

  Dallan worked his finger deeper, withdrew, and pressed it back in with company before gliding out and thrusting back in.

  “Yeah.” He could barely stand, his knees were getting weaker, and his skin was a flash-fire he swore would ignite any moment. Then, Dallan pushed his fingers deep to work his prostate.

  “Shit!” Hansel screamed, almost losing his load. “Dallan, I need you now.”

  Dallan pulled his fingers free and delivered another tap to Hansel’s ass. Hansel hissed and Dallan hit him again.

  “Baby,” Hansel moaned. “That feels so good.”

  “Then, you should enjoy this,” Dallan rasped out.

  A moment later, the bloated head of Dallan’s cock pressed to the entrance of his ass, and Hansel closed his eyes, the anticipation coursing through him, a burning desire.

  Hansel braced his hands on the wall as Dallan took him in two hard thrusts.

  “Mine,” Dallan growled in his ear. “No man could fit me as tight as you.”

  “I know,” Hansel whispered.

  Dallan took him in slow rhythmic strokes. Hansel groaned as he moved with him. Each thrust pushing him higher, driving him closer to that rush of pleasure that he’d found only with Dallan.

  Dallan drew out, the drag of his cock drawing a moan from Hansel. Dallan pressed Hansel against the wall and drove into him. Hansel closed his eyes as Dallan took him with deep, slow strokes. Hansel rocked against him, reaching back to caress Dallan’s thigh.

  He felt so good, Hansel never wanted this to end. He bit down on his bottom lip at the shift of Dallan’s hips and the slip of his cock deep into his ass.

  Dallan rubbed Hansel’s hip and kissed the side of his neck. “You’re so precious to me, Hansel, a gift I want to keep forever.”

  The words brought tears to his eyes, and fear and love warred inside him with something darker and colder. That darkness had a strength he found hard to fight and a lure he could hardly resist.

  “Hans.” Dallan’s whisper drowned out the darkness, and the pleasure of Dallan’s cock pumping in and out of him grounded him.

  “Uh-ah!” Hansel let out a hard cry as his orgasm took him over.

 

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