Elliot

Three months later…

I really should stop. It's not healthy, but it’s the only thing that keeps me semi-sane. She’s magnificent, so fucking young and innocent. Her golden, wavy hair tickles the top of her cleavage in the snug royal-blue V-neck, as she gracefully rounds the track. Jolene's grey eyes appear to focus on me and my testosterone levels skyrocket, even though I know she can’t see me. I’ve imagined taking her so many ways.

When she's on the track, I catch her. Pinning her arms and ripping those tight black shorts off that have taunted me time and time again.

When she’s in the coffee shop. I pull her into the restroom and fuck her from behind, bending her over the sink.

When she’s in class, I am the teacher, and she is the naughty student. I imagine lifting her skirt and spanking her until her cheeks are red. In my mind she likes it, begs for more.

In reality, she’s never seen me. Jolene Rivers doesn’t even know I exist.

If she did, there’s nothing to say she wouldn’t run for the hills at the sight of me. Sure, I’m handsome enough at first glance, but horns and fangs are not human qualities. They may be loved by a number of species, but humans don’t like different. Never have, never will.

After months of observation and plenty of cold showers. I’ve been so close to saying fuck it. So many times I’ve nearly thrown caution to the wind.

This moment is no different. The urge to touch her, taste her, explore every inch of her skin rides me hard, but I can’t. To do so would be a death sentence to both of us. I could kill her with my strength. Especially during sex. When it's hard for me to control myself, or my lifestyle would put her in jeopardy. Too many enemies on my radar.

Being a demon, you only get one true mate and if you lose her; the pain is so great, many off themselves just to stop the suffering. Like a gnawing ache, it eats at your body, mind, and soul. Day in and day out. The wolves are similar in this way. In fact, me and Grayson have many things in common. I used to tell him everything, but this I can’t.

She pops the cap off her bottle, downs half, and pours the wrest over her head. I watch, fascinated, as my horns begin to straighten.

Fuck! The phone buzzes, and I reluctantly catch it on the third ring.

“WHAT!” I answer with evident annoyance, keeping my focus on Jolene.

“Need your help, like now!”

Its Grayson. I can hear the unmistakable sound of fists hitting flesh in the background. If that wasn’t enough, His grunts are a good indicator. He needs my help.

“What about the girls?” I suggest.

Glass shatters in the background and Grayson chuckles.

“Rosa, Amanda, and Austin are all in faery. Some kind of faery court thing.”

I sigh, knowing damn well I have to leave.

“Elliot now! They called for backup, so teleport.”

I shoot her one last longing look, memorizing every detail until I can be near her again. I vaguely hear Grayson rattle off his location.

“Hold your horses, I’m coming.”

We make quick work of the rogues. My angst is a useful tool, every hit is balm to my soul. I’m angry, been angry since I found out my mate is human. The gods must not favor me to play such a twisted joke and I wonder what I’ve done to earn their ire. After we clear the place, I teleport directly to the dive Austin used to call a second home pre-Amanda. This place has become my regular watering hole. I drink until I’m numb. Unfortunately, the bartender is the only attractive female in the place. Which speaks multitudes of its integrity as a strip joint.

I’ve drunken enough to put out a football team before I start to feel something. Demon brew would be my preferred drink of choice but the hangover isn’t worth it. When I check the time, hours have passed. Fuck me. I’ve got two minutes to make the meet...

The moment I enter the room, Jacob turns his nose up at the smell of whiskey rolling off me. It earns me a scolding look of disapproval. He pulls his attention away, for now.

“I trust there were minimal issues with the rogues?”

Jacob taps his fingers on the table, impatiently waiting for an answer. That’s always his tell. He must have something important to discuss.

“Actually, it got hairy fast. Jace chased a newbie down the alley and one of them hid, calling for backup… I had to call Elliot in.”

Jacob gives me the look, and I know what he’s going to say.

“Why weren’t you already there? Where were you?”

Not this again. How was I supposed to know there were more than a few...? Fuck, he’s right. I’ve been more of a liability than a help.

“I had errands to run... It won’t happen again.”

Jacobs’s not convinced, nor is the discussion over. He moves on. I can literally feel the anger rolling off him. I know he’s only saving me the embarrassment, and as soon as the room is cleared, I’m getting an ear full. Jacob looks back to Grayson.

“Rogues don’t have crews… was our information wrong?”

Grayson shakes his head.

“They were definitely freshly turned, but organized.”

He’s not wrong. There’s no mistaking their bloodshot eyes, abnormal strength, and engorged veins. I look over at Estevan instinctively. He looks concerned with the information, only confirming my thoughts.

“Tally, I want you to do some research. See if you can bring anything up on past rogue alliances or anyone with a history of using them.”

Jacobs in full command mode. She nods, completely silent. Not typical Tally behavior. No sighs or smart-ass remarks. Even I notice she’s not herself.

“Austin, any luck on the whereabouts of that ring?”

Austin’s head snaps back to Jacob. He’s always fondling some part of Amanda, lucky fucker. She’s smoking hot and literally needs sex to live. She’s not Jolene, though. Picturing Jolene begging me to-,

“Not yet. Trust me, we’ve been searching, but it keeps moving.”

Austin’s impatient tone jars my thoughts. I’ve got to get my head in the game... Funny how Lucifer failed to mention the ring keeps itself hidden by moving to the ends of the earth whenever the hell it wants to. Tricky bastard.

“Let's talk about the Elephant in the room.”

Jacob looks us all down dramatically.

“Lucifer and the angels are at war, and we are in the middle. We can’t take a side even if we wanted to. Let’s face it, we’re indebted to both sides and trying to align with one or the other is dangerous. That trick we pulled in the dreaming dimension was risky. If we break spiritual laws and either side declares them… We could all be exiled.”

The mood turns dour, and my gut churns in reaction. To be fair, it could partially be the whiskey.

“I’ve got no info on the angel or Robert. Either I’m being left out strategically or something went south. My guess is the heavens no longer trust us with dire information or they’re planning something were not privy to. I want all of you to tread cautiously and no deals without discussing with me first. Got it?”

For once, I’m not to blame. I’m not dumb enough to make any deals. I nod agreeing anyway, he’s obviously irked so there’s no need to push him.

“One last thing, I heard through the grapevine there’s a human practicing some potent magic. I need one of you to check it out. It's probably misinterpreted, but if there is a powerful witch without a coven, it's our job to protect her. Besides, she could be useful at a time like this.”

The room is silent. No one wants to volunteer for such a menial task. Everyone knows any witch with even an iota of knowledge or power has a coven. It’s a dummy run, a complete waste of time.

“Fine, Elliot, you’ll do this one.”

What the fuck? Okay, I deserved that. I’ve been a jerk lately but seriously, couldn’t Tally? I try not to seem to put out. It’s not often I’m on Jacob’s unpleasant side.

I look around to see if anyone’s noticed Jacob singling me out and catch Grayson staring back at me. His evident concern is almost as bad as Jacob’s annoyance, and I can't wait to hit the bottle.

Pushing my chair in, I go to leave, but Jacob stops me with an arm to my chest. I pause and wait until the room empties. Fuck! Here we go. Pulling my chair back out, I plop down and get comfy. I’m about to get my ass chewed. When Rosa shuts the door, Jacob turns his attention to me.

“What is going on with you? Everyone has noticed.”

How do I answer that when I can’t even explain it? There’s no way I’m telling him about Jolene. I just want this over with. I need a drink.

“I’m sorry. My head’s a little messed up since this Robert thing. I’m getting better, I swear.”

He doesn’t look convinced, but he stops the speech by shaking his head.

“No more drinking, you got it? Don’t think I haven’t noticed.”

Fuck! That I can’t promise, but what he doesn’t know…

“I want you training with me tomorrow morning. Six am sharp and if you 're hungover… You're out!”

He can’t be serious? A nervous sound escapes me. My thoughts must be written on my face because he replies as if I’ve said them out loud.

“No more chances, don’t fuck up.”

I didn’t think I pissed him off that much. I watch him walk away, a little shocked at the threat. We’re family. Life without this would be… empty. Who am I kidding my life is empty but it could be worse?