Only Skin Deep: Paranormal MMM Romance, page 11
Ash moved closer, hovering behind him. Quiet strength that, for some reason, Colby wanted to lean into.
“It can be repaired. We just need time to find the right spell,” Luca murmured.
Colby could only gawk at the scars on his face… and realized they slowly crept. Incrementally moving. “What is this?”
“Luca’s magic is still fighting the curse. From what I was told last night, it’s something old and dark—and it’s so strong that it’s a constant battle. As Luca’s spell gains ground, the curse loses some.” Ash spun him slightly. Trails of swirling light moved over his back, the tattoo turning as slowly as the scars. When he looked closer, he saw the scarring fading under the light. The swirls of light formed an intricate design over his back. He stared, fascinated. But as soon as new skin formed, it decayed again.
“I wasn’t able to break the curse, but I stopped it. It won’t spread any farther, and the tattoo will keep you alive until we can find the right spell.”
“Alive?” He turned and stared at the horror show that was his face. What kind of life would he have looking like a monster?
“If we can’t find a spell to break it, we can convene the full coven and attempt to remove the curse on the next solar event. It’ll take a lot of magic to do it,” Luca said. “We’re most powerful on those days and could manage it then.”
“The next solar event?” Colby asked, confused.
“The Winter Solstice,” Ash answered.
“Which is when?”
“December twenty-first,” Daniel replied.
Colby glanced at Daniel before turning his attention to Luca. “Two months?”
“You just missed the Autumn Equinox last month,” Luca said.
“That happens in September,” Daniel said.
Colby turned to his brother. “How do you know all this?”
“Mom and Dad got married on the Summer Solstice. My birthday is on the Winter Solstice. Your birthday is on the Spring Equinox,” Daniel answered flatly. “Mom said those are special days, and we had three of them for our family, which was important. She said something special would come on the Autumn Equinox. But they died that day. That wasn’t special.”
“Did they just pass?” Luca asked, his tone gentle.
Gentle or not, the thought of his parents' passing still rubbed him raw. He swallowed past the lump in his throat. “No. Two years ago,” Colby murmured, the pain still fresh as if it had only been days. What he would have done to have them back, considering their predicament. It was hard enough to adult on a regular day. He wasn’t prepared for a situation like the one they found themselves in.
Colby smiled at Daniel. “She never told me that.”
“You were there when she told me,” Daniel said. “I remember. I have a good memory.”
“Yes, you do,” Colby murmured.
“Now they’ll save you on my birthday.” Daniel said before looking at Ash. “You’re going to save him, right?”
“We’ll try our damnedest,” Ash said. “You have our word.”
“Okay,” Daniel said. “I’m hungry.”
Colby chuckled mirthlessly. At least his brother’s appetite was still as hearty as ever.
“I can escort him down to the cafe and find him something to eat,” Gideon said.
“Wait,” Colby said, not ready for his brother to leave with a stranger. Daniel wrapped his arms around the tiny Gideon, clearly already enamored with the pretty little witch. He took a step, pain lancing his whole body.
“The café is here in the building. He’ll be safe inside these walls and with Gideon,” Luca said. “He’s been keeping Daniel company while we tended to your wounds.”
“I love Gideon,” Daniel murmured. “He’s badassed.”
He? Gideon presented femme and Colby had assumed—unless his brother had just mis-gendered the witch.
Gideon ran a hand over Daniel’s arm, not correcting him. “Aww…I love you, too, my badassed friend.”
Daniel grinned broadly, pleased with the praise. His brother had always seemed to gravitate toward people who would provide a safe space, as if he had an inner sixth sense, recognizing who he might trust. Colby had seen it time and time again.
His brother handled their situation a hell of a lot better than he, especially considering they were way off their routine. “Okay.” He pegged Gideon with a glare. “Don’t let him out of your sight.”
“I won’t.”
Once he was alone with Ash and Luca, his skin grew hotter. Not from pain, though. His heart quickened and his mind spun, sharing images of him lying in bed between the two men left behind.
Ash watched him a moment, his gaze warm on Colby’s skin. “I realize you want to leave, and we can’t stop you if that’s what you want—but—you should stay here until we can neutralize the threat. There are protective wards all over this building. The demons can’t enter. Can’t hurt you or Daniel.”
Demons. His head still reeled from that knowledge. He saw them in his head. When he’d been there, they’d looked like regular men. What he saw in his altered memory was monstrous. Horns and razor-sharp teeth. Claws and black ooze bubbling in places on their skin.
Colby stiffened. “I don’t know what to believe.”
“But how do you feel?” Luca asked, his voice scarcely over a whisper. “What does your gut tell you?”
Colby stared at them, searching their faces. He wasn’t sure he could trust his gut, especially when all he wanted was to touch them. Rub his body close to theirs. His fingers ached to trail over their skin.
He lifted a hand, eyeing his skin. “I don’t know.”
Luca gazed at Ash a moment before rising slowly from the couch.
Pain lanced him, and Colby lurched forward, his knees going out from under him. Ash caught him and helped him stay aloft.
“You need rest,” Ash said. “You almost died.”
Colby stared into the man’s eyes, sensing something there. He couldn’t put his finger on it, but there was a connection he couldn’t understand. The binds tied tighter with every passing second.
His knees failed again. Ash lifted him in two brawny arms, as if he weighed nothing. The cop carried him toward the bedroom. Colby stiffened. “Where are you taking me?”
“To bed,” Ash said.
A tremor raced along Colby’s body. “No. Not there.”
Ash cocked his head to the side, questions in his expression.
“I’ll stay, but put me on that couch. I can rest there.” Anywhere but the bed he wanted to lie in with Luca and Ash.
Ash carried him to the couch and gently laid him down. Luca brought out a sheet to cover him with—yet it was almost too painful for his right-side scars. Carefully, they got him as comfortable as possible and told him to rest, but he fought sleep. Trust wasn’t something he gave quickly, especially in that situation. Not long after they’d gotten him comfortable, Gideon returned with his brother, who soon sat on the floor in front of an enormous television playing video games with a new stranger no one had introduced him to.
Gideon whispered in a corner with Luca and Ash. They turned to look at him a time or two, so he realized it centered around him. He didn't too much care to be left out of the conversation.
Ash wandered over once they finished. “Do you want something to eat?”
He shook his head. “No. My stomach’s too in knots to worry about food right now.” He watched Ash a couple of seconds. "What were you three talking about?"
"Don't worry about it." Ash smiled. “Maybe we can get something into you after a nap. You need to keep your strength to fight this curse.”
“Don’t worry about Daniel,” Luca said before sitting on the edge of the chaise, facing Colby. “We’ll keep him entertained while you sleep.”
"I want to know what you three were talking about."
Luca glanced at Ash.
"You want me to trust you but won't share what that was all about?"
"Gideon was just... sharing more details about your visit with the demons. Making sure we had the full picture," Luca murmured. "That's all."
He searched their faces and sensed they were being honest.
"Why don't you get some sleep?" Luca asked.
“I’m too wired for that, too.”
“I know,” Luca murmured before lifting a hand to his forehead.
Darkness took Colby seconds later.
Chapter
Eight
“You can’t keep using your magic. Not when you’re not at full strength yet,” Ash murmured. Concern was mounting. Normally, Luca would’ve been stronger by then.
“He needed to rest,” Luca said, rising. He stumbled himself a bit, and Ash rushed to his side and steadied him.
“As do you.” Ash ran a palm down Luca’s chest. “Let’s get you back to bed.”
Luca scoffed, waggling his eyebrows. “Round two?”
“I meant to sleep,” Ash said. He grinned, the need for Luca always simmering within. “But I’ll offer whatever you need, baby.”
Luca’s gaze swept to his, a tiny sparkle of lust glimmering within. But more, Ash saw the exhaustion. “We should probably take Colby and Daniel home with us, get them settled in,” Luca said. “We can’t keep asking everyone to give up their free time to help us.”
While their apartment was in the same building as the shop—owned and protected by the coven—the protective wards within Enchanted Ink were the strongest. Ash opened his mouth to say just that but was cut off by Gideon.
“You didn’t ask, we offered. And they’re safer here,” Gideon said. “Why don’t the two of you get to bed? We’ll chill here for a bit—and then we can set up the cot in the bedroom for Daniel. They can sleep together there.”
“I don’t want Colby left alone,” Luca said, shaking his head. “Not all night long. He might need the tattoo redone soon.”
Ash had noted it had faded some already. It likely would need to be redone—but Luca wouldn’t have the strength to do it for another day, at least. “You’re not ready for that.”
Luca growled. “I should be by now.”
“Sleep. You need sleep.” Ash all but dragged Luca into the bedroom next to the one Colby was using. The fourth floor was a space for the core tattooists to hangout. The lounge was large, with numerous couches, an enormous television, and a kitchenette. There were two bedrooms and one playroom on that level, too, for when they needed a break between tattoos to power up—either sleep or sex to recharge. With Gideon and Oracio sticking close, helping them with Daniel as they navigated those first chaotic moments, they needed to take advantage of their help.
“I need to keep an eye on Colby,” Luca argued as Ash maneuvered him down on the bed.
“I’ll check in on him,” Ash murmured. “You can’t do anything until you get your full strength back.” He caressed the side of Luca’s face, tension rising. He feared saying the words aloud, worried about how his mate would react. “You should be in better shape by now.”
Luca frowned, his jaw tightening with anger. Ash prepared for the argument to come, but the anger faded, and ire-laced acquiescence seemed to take its place. His eyes glazed over, but the frown remained in place. “My tank was seriously empty. I was sure we were going to lose him. Hell, I almost worried I was going to lose me.”
Ash brushed back a few strands of purple hair. “You can’t help him if you’re lost. Be more careful next time. You’re not leaving me.”
Luca smiled, caressing Ash’s arm. “I’m right here.”
A sliver of worry lodged in Ash’s chest. The fact Luca was limping along worried him, especially given the danger they found themselves in. More would likely need Luca’s help, but he had none to give. “Get some rest. I’ll monitor Colby.”
“He has to make it,” Luca murmured. “We have to watch over him.”
“I know,” Ash whispered.
Once Colby had fully awakened, the bond between them had tightened. Ash had felt the stirring. In another setting, that wave of desire would’ve probably sent the three of them into one another’s arms. Only Colby wasn’t capable in his condition.
Nor was Luca, if truth be told. It left Ash feeling cagey.
“Oh yeah,” Ash agreed. “Most definitely.”
“Not the way I wanted to meet our third.”
Ash brushed a hand over Luca’s cheek. “No, but he’s here and we need to do everything in our power to keep him here and safe.”
“Yeah,” Luca murmured, his lids growing heavier and heavier.
Ash leaned in and kissed his forehead. “Sleep.”
The deep sleep spell he’d used on Colby had likely stolen the last of his reserves. He was soon claimed by the abyss. Ash watched his mate for a while, his overactive mind finding solace in the slow, even rise and fall of Luca’s chest. When that was no longer enough, he exited the bedroom and crossed to where Gideon stood at the stove.
“Can you two keep watch over Colby, Luca, and Daniel? I need to go out.”
“Didn’t Cassian warn you to stay away from that place?” Gideon asked.
“I never said where I was going.”
Gideon scoffed. “Come on, Ash… you don’t have to be a mind reader to tell where you’re going.”
“Fine… but Cassius said not to go in. I’m just going to sit outside and see who’s coming in and out.” He stepped closer to Gideon, who was grilling a sandwich the old-fashioned way, without magic. “Can you share the face of the demon who tattooed Colby? Both—the human one he stole and the true demonic one underneath?”
Gideon searched Ash’s face, clearly unsure. “As long as you promise not to go in there.”
“I just want to identify my enemy. I’m not going in. I promise.” But if that fucker steps outside, he’s fair game.
“Fine. As long as you don’t go in there,” Gideon said. He lifted a palm to Ash’s forehead and whispered an incantation. Images of a demon planted itself in his mind. He clenched his fists, murderous desire heavy in his heart.
“You’re only staking the place out, right?”
Ash nodded, avoiding Gideon’s gaze. “Yeah.”
Gideon sighed. “I’m going with you.”
“I don’t need help. I’m only surveying the enemy.”
“If Cassius knew I’d let you go alone, he’d have my hide.”
Ash lifted his chin. “You’d have better plausible deniability if you didn’t go.”
“I wanna check this place out, too—I haven’t seen it. And since you’re only going to check it out, I won’t be in the way.”
Ash glared at the witch. “Fine.”
Gideon smiled before flipping his sandwich onto a plate. After turning off the stove, he walked toward the door, shoving a corner into his mouth. Ash trailed behind, the scent of food overpowering. His stomach growled, and he realized he’d not eaten most of the day. Gideon lifted a brow at the sound. He tore the sandwich apart and handed half to Ash.
“I’m good.”
“You’d best eat something before you go. You’re going to need your strength.”
Ash hit the button on the elevator and turned to eye Gideon. “But I’m only going to watch.”
Gideon shoved the sandwich at Ash. “Take it, man. We both know full well you’re going to end up doing something stupid. Stupid works best on a full stomach.”
Ash chuckled, taking the grilled cheese half.
“I realize that’s not enough. Maybe we should stop for burgers on the way over. For fuck’s sake, Ash… did you inhale that?”
Ash brushed his hands together, chewing the last bit. “I was hungry.”
“Burgers. You’re buying.”
“You got it,” Ash murmured.
A little over thirty minutes later, they’d had two burgers and were munching on fries in Ash’s unmarked car. A steady tide of humans left the building at regular intervals—all seemingly unfazed by the demons inside. No one had entered since they’d arrived.
“These would taste better if we weren’t inhaling all this sulphur,” Gideon complained, tossing a handful of fries back in the bag. “Good thing I ate my burger on the way.”
“A lot of folks leaving, but none entering,” Ash murmured.
“Well, if they all got there about the same time, makes sense they’d leave together, too.”
“Yeah, but I’ve counted at least a dozen people leaving in just the last ten minutes. Look, here’s another pair.” Ash narrowed his eyes. “How many demons do they have working at one time?”
“I don’t know, man. We haven’t seen inside, remember?”
“We need eyes and ears in there,” Ash muttered. He reached for the handle—just as the demon Gideon had shown him exited the building. “Well, lookie who we’ve got.”
Gideon tugged on his arm. “Do not go after him.”
Ash observed the demon slip into a parked car outside Dark Arts. He righted himself and turned on the engine. “Just gonna follow and see where he goes.”
Gideon scoffed. “I knew this was going to happen.”
“Just need to see where he’s going.” Ash grinned. “Plus, I’m not going inside, now am I?”
“If you get us killed, I’m going to kill you.”
Ash chuckled, pulling into traffic a few seconds after the demon passed in his Honda CRX. “Why is he driving? Demons can teleport.”
“Some of the lesser demons can’t,” Gideon said. “Or it could simply be for appearances. If they’re trying to blend in, maybe they do things humans would do.”
Ash nodded to himself. Made some semblance of sense in a senseless situation. They followed the demon, stopping outside a Shaw’s grocery store.
“Seriously? He’s shopping for food?” Ash grumbled.
“Doing things humans do,” Gideon murmured.
“Do they even eat? They’re not exactly alive.”
Gideon shrugged. “Dunno. Maybe they do. The body is still human.”
The demon popped the trunk and pulled out a handful of cloth bags from the trunk before walking inside.
Ash turned to eye Gideon, who appeared as confused as he was. “He’s a demon—who’s worried about saving the planet?”
