My heart sank. "They… Is he…" I swallowed hard.

  "He was alive when I saw him last," Kane whispered.

  My head spun and I felt faint. Zeta didn't tend to keep shifters alive, from what everyone had told me. They couldn't siphon off their magic, and they couldn't breed a male in the same way they could with a woman.

  "How?" I whispered.

  He shook his head. "They surrounded him. Shot him with a tranquilliser dart, or something…" He leaned against my shoulder and sobbed a couple of times.

  I glanced toward Matt. "We shouldn't have left."

  "If we hadn't, we would have been taken too," he replied.

  "We might not." I looked away from him and held Kane tight.

  "Kane has suggested you could help him to get settled here," Ridgeway said after an uncomfortable silence.

  "Of course. I'll show him where the uniforms are." I grimaced.

  "Here's your room assignment and classes." Ridgeway handed him a sheet of paper and a new phone. "I assume you've misplaced yours?"

  Kane smiled slightly. "Yeah, it's back in the city with my car. It's probably been towed by now. Thanks."

  Ridgeway nodded and waved us out. Only Matt stayed behind. I didn't bother to ask why. I doubted he'd tell me anyway.

  I gripped Kane's hand and led him around to the uniform storeroom.

  "So what's the plan?" I asked.

  "Matt said he'd meet us in the common room after dinner," Kane said, his voice low.

  "What?" Ariana asked. "Why?"

  I frowned at her for a moment. "Because we're going after Dyson."

  She formed an O with her mouth. "Isn't that dangerous?"

  "Of course, but we can't leave him with them," I replied. "If they'd wanted him dead, they wouldn't have used a tranquilliser. They must need him for something. We need to get him out before that happens." Whatever that was. It didn't bear thinking about, but Cerberus sprang to mind. Maybe they wanted a legion of magic dog soldiers. If that was the case, they'd take blood from Dyson, lots of it. Hopefully they would need him for long enough for us to save him first.

  Although, would blood be enough? I could easily picture him coming, but not in a cup and not while under duress.

  I shuddered.

  "Are you okay?" Kane asked softly.

  "I should be asking you that," I told him. "What happened to you?"

  He shrugged. "After they caught him, I followed for a while, but I got tired. I lost them when I landed in a tree, so I spent the night there, fending off possums. First thing this morning, I flew here." He looked rueful. "I might have gotten lost a time or two."

  I squeezed his hand. "At least you got here." I glanced around. This would normally be where someone like Xav would appear and make derogatory remarks about Kane being unsafe because of me. I even prepared a retort, but he was nowhere to be seen. Good, I was in no mood for his bullshit.

  "Yeah." Kane sighed.

  "We'll find him and bring him back," Ariana said firmly. "There's no way those bastards will beat us."

  "Exactly," I agreed. "Although Dyson is probably telling terrible jokes as we speak."

  "Right," Kane said with a half smile. "They might let him go so they don't have to listen to him anymore."

  "If anyone could make that happen, it would be him." I leaned against Kane for a moment and reminded myself that if the guys hadn't been escorting me here, they would both be safe. I should have tried to get here alone. They would have taken me instead, but they wouldn't stop until they did that anyway. Maybe Xav was right, I was a liability to everyone here.

  "He might even turn up before we can plan," Ariana said. She opened the door to the storeroom and rummaged through the shelves for pants and shirts for Kane. "They don't stock underwear," she said apologetically.

  He shrugged. "I'll just go commando. It wouldn't be the first time."

  I forced a smile. "It really wouldn't be. He likes to let it all hang loose."

  While Ariana had her back turned, he let the blanket slip and wiggled his hips. His cock flapped back and forth.

  I held back a laugh. Before he pulled his pants on all the way, I ran my fingertip down his length to watch it rise.

  "Tease," he mouthed.

  I gave him my best innocent-but-not-that-innocent smile and took a shirt out of its bag.

  "It's a shame to cover those," I said about his abs. Damn, his body was as gorgeous as the rest of him. Abs I could do washing on, a firm V that slanted down his hips like an arrow pointing to his groin.

  "I'll put it on so you can take it off later," he told me.

  "Count on that," I replied.

  "I will," he replied. "Isn't what those skirts are for?"

  I grimaced. "I don't think that was the original intention, no." Guys and their schoolgirl fetishes. If he had a thing for girls in short skirts, it was overshadowed by his thing for wanting to have sex in front of other people. Fortunately it was a thing we shared.

  "Gods, I miss jeans." Ariana turned back and handed Kane a jacket. "I'll grab some for Dyson too. He's about the same size, right?"

  "More or less," Kane agreed. "I'm bigger in the dick." His face was deadpan, but I smiled, remembering Dyson's fondly.

  They were about the same, but I wouldn't be so mean as to say so. Let him have his moment.

  "There are no socks either." Ariana handed him a pair of shoes.

  "I'll make do." He sat and pulled them on, while trying to catch glimpses up my skirt. No luck there, boyo, Ariana had spare panties that fit me. They were pink, with some kind of cat slash unicorn, but they were better than nothing.

  "All right." He stood. "I guess I have to go to class and pretend I'm not worried about my brother."

  I gave him a hug and kept one arm around him while we headed back toward the classrooms. "If you're lucky, they will have set up a lab for you science geeks."

  8

  "So, what's the plan?" Ariana settled into one of the ancient but surprisingly plush chairs.

  I was about to sit beside her when Kane pulled me onto his lap and sat with his hands right over my sex. I swallowed hard and resisted the urge to writhe with the warmth of his touch.

  Matt flopped into a chair opposite and rubbed his face. He looked worse than I felt.

  "When did you sleep last?" I asked gently.

  He shrugged. "I don't know. I'll sleep after this." His mouth pressed in a tight line and I knew that was all I would get from him.

  I leaned back into Kane and rested my head against his chest.

  Movement in the corner of my eye caught my attention.

  Hamish stuck his head into the room and smiled tentatively. "Hey, can I help?"

  Matt groaned. "Who invited him?"

  "I did," Ariana replied. "Come in Hamish, of course you can help."

  "The more people who know about this—" Matt shot her a warning look.

  "He's the only one I told. I trust him." She moved over to give Hamish space.

  "You'd better be right," Matt muttered. He crossed his arms over his chest and scowled.

  I was about to ask what he was waiting for when Nash stalked into the room and closed the door behind him. He had changed into track pants and a t-shirt which hugged his torso in a way that made me want to drool.

  He gave me a half smile and perched on the edge of the chair beside Matt.

  "For the record, I would prefer none of you were in on this," Nash said. His brow furrowed.

  "If not us, then who?" Matt asked.

  "I know people," Nash said tersely. "Unfortunately they're currently too far away to be much help." He ran a hand over his hair. "That leaves us. However, if any one of you want to opt out, now is the time." He looked at each of us in turn, his attention lingering on me.

  "I'm not changing my mind," Ariana said firmly.

  "Me either," I agreed.

  "I'm certainly not," Kane said. His fingers tightened on the inside of my thigh.

  I knew it was from anxiety, but it still sent a jolt of heat to my belly. What was wrong with me that dangerous situations didn't diminish my libido? In fact, it seemed to have the opposite effect. I forced myself to stop thinking with my groin and focus. Dyson needed us right now.

  "What do you want us to do?" I asked.

  I saw in his eyes that he was itching to say, "Stay here, out of trouble," but knew that would get him nowhere.

  "There are a few places in the city they might keep him," Nash said. "We need to find out which one it is first. We'll split up into teams and look, then come back and discuss tactics." He squinted at us. "We have two hybrids, two witches, an owl shifter and—" He raised an eyebrow at Hamish.

  "Just a regular wizard, sir," Hamish replied. He looked as though he'd stepped into the lion's den, but only now realised the danger. I gave him credit for not running away. Yet. He must really care about Ariana.

  "Right," Nash nodded. "Kane, you'll be good at reconnaissance, but you have no power, defensive or offensive, to speak of." That sounded harsh, but accurate. Nash was teaching him to fight the way normals did, but that wouldn't help against guns. "You'll work with me."

  "Yes, sir." Kane sounded a little disappointed. He might have been hoping to be paired with me, but he was safer with a dragon. Nash wouldn't let him come to any harm.

  "Ariana and Hamish, you're together."

  They both looked pleased at that.

  Matt looked less pleased when he realised he was paired with me. His lip curled and he gave me a quick look through half-lidded eyes.

  "I'm just as thrilled as you are," I said tartly.

  "I could go with Kane," Matt said. "A gargoyle hybrid is only slightly less badass than a dragon."

  The corners of Nash's mouth twitched. "If I worked with Peyton, I would get distracted."

  "Same here," Kane said. He ran his hand down the inside of my thigh.

  "What makes you think she wouldn't distract me, too?" Matt snapped.

  When I glanced at him in surprise, he snorted. "The same way a mosquito bite on the ass is distracting."

  I rolled my eyes. "Maybe I should just go by myself. Or take someone friendly, like that Xav guy."

  "No one is going alone," Nash said firmly. "You two have worked together twice before and lived to tell the tale. You can do it again."

  "They will," Ariana said. "So Dyson can live to wag the tail."

  I snorted with laughter.

  Matt groaned, but he was holding back a smile. Even Nash looked amused.

  "Yes, exactly so. I left a bag outside the door with changes of clothes. I expect UA won't want you creeping about in their uniform." Nash rose.

  "Please say there's some jeans in there," I said hopefully.

  Nash opened the door and tugged it inside. "See for yourself. I'll see you all tomorrow at dawn."

  "We're not leaving now?" Ariana asked.

  "Nothing says suspicious like us all sneaking around in the dark," Nash said dryly. "No, we'll draw less attention during the day when places are busy. The noise will cover us if we need to become invisible."

  "I guess so." Ariana sighed. "I suppose we should…um…go to bed then?" She looked meaningfully at Hamish.

  "Yes." He shot up out of his chair. "Bed. For, um sleep." He offered her his hand and they slipped out the door.

  Matt followed closely on their heels.

  "Thank you," I said to Nash as I opened the top of the bag.

  He gave me a nod and Kane an envious look, then he, too, left the room. The door clicked shut behind him.

  "So, I guess we should see what might fit us in here, hmm?" Kane let me up, then knelt beside the bag. "You know you're going to have to take your clothes off before you can try on anything."

  "I thought I might," I replied. "So do you."

  "That's awful." He grinned. "Maybe we could help each other?"

  "That sounds like a good idea." I nodded slowly, then gave him a slow smile and crept closer. He wasn't wearing a jacket or a tie, so I started on his shirt buttons first.

  While I teased them through the holes, one by one, he returned the favour with mine. We almost tangled arms pushing them down each other's shoulders.

  I laughed and pulled off my own sleeves while he did the same with his.

  He leaned forward to kiss my mouth and unhook my bra. Without breaking our lips apart, he threw it aside.

  He cupped my breast while his tongue traced the outline of my lips.

  He broke off and took my hand to help me to my feet. Smiling slightly, he led me over to the window. The UA mansion was bathed in darkness, except light which glowed in several windows. Anyone looking out would have a full view of us.

  Kane faced me toward the window and worked my skirt and panties down my hips.

  I had no idea if anyone was watching, but the idea they might be sent my heart racing. I never thought I would be an exhibitionist, but here I was. Part of me wished there was a face in the window so I knew someone saw Kane run his hands from my neck, over my breasts and down to my sex.

  He parted my legs and rubbed lightly over my mound and down toward my clit.

  Did I imagine seeing a figure in a window near the top of the mansion? They stopped and looked down toward us.

  Well, enjoy the show.

  Kane turned me around so he faced me, but wasn't blocking too much of the window. He ran his hands all over me, while I wound my fingers around his erect cock.

  He moaned, cupped my ass and lifted me so I was pressed against the wall beside the window.

  "I didn't want to rush," he whispered, "but I need you."

  "I need you, too," I said. "I want you inside me." Gods knew I was already wet.

  No sooner had I finished speaking than he drove his cock into me.

  I gasped aloud at the suddenness. After a moment I relaxed and let him push himself in deeper.

  He closed his eyes and exhaled deeply for a few moments. Then, as if by some silent signal, he began to thrust with increasing rhythm.

  I glanced toward the window. Whoever was watching from the mansion still stood, backlit in the glow of the light. Evidently they liked what they saw. Was it Nash? I didn't think so, but it might be easier to pretend it was. I doubted Nash would be shy. He'd watch and not hide that he was doing it.

  Kane put his hand on my waist to guide me to keep the rhythm.

  I put a hand to my own breast and rubbed my nipple to drive myself closer to the edge.

  He moaned. "Gods, you are so hot."

  "You too," I panted.

  He dipped one hand between us to rub my clit in time with each stroke.

  I half closed my eyes, but cast another look at our watcher. I would almost swear I saw a hand full of cock, sliding up and down as they observed. Just when I thought this couldn't get more hot, it did.

  I cried out as I crested for the first time. As I was coming down, movement outside caught my eye. Someone, maybe more than one, had stopped outside to watch.

  Gods, I was as aroused as ever.

  Kane moved faster inside me and rubbed at the same time. "I want you to come again," he panted. "Come for me."

  So he had noticed them, too.

  I arched my back so they got a better view of my breasts and rock hard nipples. A bit of me wanted one of them to join us, to run their hands over me. Knowing they saw me would have to be enough.

  "You too," I said, my throat in my mouth.

  He moaned. "I'm going to…"

  Desire rose again, almost as fast as the first time. I bucked against his hand so hard I was on the edge again in moments.

  I toppled over at the same moment he grunted and came with me. He pounded a few times, then stilled as he spilled himself into me.

  We fell into each other's arms then, both holding each other up so we didn't fall in a worn heap on the floor. On the edge of my consciousness I thought I heard applause, but my pulse was louder.

  After a while, we lowered each other to the floor.

  "Can I ask you a favour?" he asked shyly.

  "Of course," I said. Right now I might give him the world if he asked. As long as he didn't ask me to choose. I wasn't ready for that.

  "Can I take a photo of you?" he asked.

  I smiled slowly. "Like this?" I glanced down at my naked body.

  "Yes. I swear I will never send it to anyone else." He propped himself up on one elbow.

  I licked my lips. No one had ever asked me for anything like this before. After a while, I nodded.

  "Okay, but if it ends up online without my permission—"

  "I promise it will only go on the net if you put it there," he assured me. He pulled the phone out of the back of his pants and focused on me.

  I sat with my legs together, but at an angle where my breasts would be clearly visible. I blinked as the flash went off.

  "Perfect," he declared, "just like you."

  I doubted that, but he went a long way to making me feel sexy.

  9

  "I know it's only been one day, but I missed jeans." I toyed with the hem of my black t-shirt and tried not to appear as if I was looking over Matt's shoulder at the building behind him.

  He shrugged. "It's better than those uniforms." He was back to head-to-toe black. His eyes scanned the road behind us. No, he didn't look suspicious at all.

  "What, you don't think the short skirts are cute?" I cocked my head at him.

  He squinted at me. "No."

  "Why not?" I pressed.

  He looked uncomfortable. "They remind me of high school."

  "Ah." I nodded. Did anyone have fond memories of high school? "Yeah, that makes everything about a thousand times less sexy, doesn't it?"

  "At least that much," he grunted. "Are you sure this is the place?"

  I pulled a piece of paper from my pocket and checked the address. "Yeah, number one hundred and thirteen. I don't suppose Nash would have sent us somewhere Zeta wouldn't be?"

  Matt frowned, but I knew he was thinking the same thing. "If he did…"

  "You'll write him a sternly worded letter?" I suggested.

  He looked surprised, then barked a laugh. "Something like that. Maybe we should go—"

  "Wait," I said quickly. A gate beside the building groaned open slowly and a black SUV pulled out. "Oh look, a cliché."

 

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