Dead by Midnight Read online

  A pain in the ass mate wasn’t what Eilam expected on his first day on the job as the head of Midnight’s security. Life would’ve been much easier without, especially since his mate refused him and his brother bear, Noah.

  Especially since his mate is the King of Midnight.

  Adriel, Son of Theral, has felt the connection to Eilam from the moment the bear shifter walked into his throne room months before. He refused the man then and there, and refused to meet “the other one,” knowing full well he couldn’t handle two bear shifters in their prime and still walk away unclaimed.

  But when Eilam is attacked and on the brink of death, Adriel comes face to face with his feelings, as well as finally confronting Noah—the man he’s denied for months. Add in the whole assassination plot and a vast conspiracy, and Adriel’s had better weeks.

  Surrender could mean the end of their world. Adriel is torn between the two men he can’t ignore and the needs of the many. Will his duty to Midnight prevent his happily ever after?

  Dead by Midnight

  Midnight, Mississippi, Book 3

  by

  Kelex

  GAY, MMM, MÉNAGE, PARANORMAL, SHIFTERS, BEAR SHIFTERS, WITCHES, WARLOCKS, EROTIC ROMANCE, SCENES OF VIOLENCE, AND MAGIC

  Twisted E Publishing, LLC

  www.twistedepublishing.com

  A TWISTED EROTICA PUBLISHING BOOK

  Dead by Midnight

  Midnight, Mississippi, Book 3

  Copyright © 2017 by Kelex

  Edited by Marie Medina

  First E-book Publication: December 2017

  Cover design by Cover by K Designs

  All cover art and logo copyright © 2017, Twisted Erotica Publishing, LLC.

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.

  All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

  All characters depicted in sexual acts in this work of fiction are 18 years of age or older.

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  Table of Contents

  Prologue

  One

  Two

  Three

  Four

  Five

  Six

  Seven

  Eight

  Nine

  Ten

  Eleven

  Twelve

  Also By Kelex

  About the Author

  Wrought by magic, dark and light, witches rule and shape this world apart. Sheltered within, the otherworldly will exist in harmony…

  Yet strife will come.

  If the witch surrenders, Midnight will fall.

  -Zarros the Great

  1653

  Prologue

  “Send the edicts on to the council for me,” the king ordered his servant before turning to Eilam. “There. That’s done. What is it you wished to speak with me about?”

  Eilam had been trailing behind the king—at His Majesty’s request—for three hours, awaiting his turn to speak. The king had done so purposefully, Eilam was sure of it, as a punishment of sorts.

  The king had done it before…

  No longer.

  He waited until the servant left the room to speak his peace. As soon as the door closed, he spun to face the regent.

  “Do you have any idea how busy a man I am?”

  The king turned to face him, anger in his stare. “Watch your tone.”

  “I’ve wasted a quarter of my day chasing after you, awaiting the moment you deem to pay me a moment’s attention so we can finally get around to the important issues pertaining to your security. I have men to train, inspections to perform, checks to make, and am I doing those things? No, I’m chasing after you because you’re a spoiled, impudent child who likes to piss me off.”

  The king lifted a hand, ready to send a blast of his power—forgetting his magic had no effect on Eilam. “How dare you,” he seethed, lowering his hand.

  “I dare—did you know we’ve had rumors of another assassin coming for you?”

  The king’s ire faded a moment, but his bravado was back in full force seconds later. “Many have tried. All have failed.”

  “Not when the King’s Guard was so undermanned. Not when the king has the head of his security stuck following him for three hours… Not. Doing. His. Job.”

  The king had the nerve to look haughty. “Fine. I’ll do my best to cater to your needs instead of my kingdom.”

  “If you’re dead, you won’t have a kingdom to rule.”

  The king glared at him, but Eilam didn’t care. The warlock was his and Noah’s mate—even if the king refused them. Eilam wouldn’t allow harm to befall the man. He’d give his own life for his king.

  If he had to step over the line to make the man see reason, so be it.

  “Then go,” the king blasted. “Go keep me safe from harm.”

  “Gladly,” Eilam said as he strode toward the door. He paused, holding the knob. “Are you truly so bloodthirsty?”

  “What?”

  “What you said to Hart about Garret and Solomon—did you really wish to see them fight over the human?”

  “I said it was a joke.”

  “You don’t joke,” Eilam said, lifting one brow.

  “Perhaps I am just that bloodthirsty. You don’t know me as well as you think you do.”

  “Then perhaps I’m glad you refused my claim.”

  The king glared at Eilam. “As am I.”

  Something shimmered in the middle of the room. Eilam sensed it before he actually saw it. He raced toward his mate, instinct taking over.

  The assassin materialized in the middle of the king’s chamber, sending out a blast of dark magic just as Eilam crashed into him. They landed on the floor, a tangle of fists. Eilam fought the strong male—at least he assumed it was a male.

  He wore all black, including a face covering, to hide his identity.

  “Get out of my way!” the king screamed.

  Eilam rolled off the attacker—and the king sent a burst of dark magic.

  Which simply bounced off the attacker and vanished into the wall. Before Eilam could react, the assassin sent another burst of energy at the king. The king ducked seconds before the magic could hit him.

  Half shifting, Eilam let his bear surface.

  He clawed the assassin’s gut, ripping a hole into the man.

  As the assassin slit Eilam’s throat.

  The attacker fell to the ground as Eilam lifted a hand to his neck. Warm blood coursed out faster than his body could heal. He dropped to his knees and fell to the floor, the blood loss making his vision blur.

  The last thing he remembered seeing was the king’s terrified face.

  * * * *

  The king lifted his hands, casting a healing spell over Eilam and watching it fade into nothing. “Help!” he screamed toward the door. “Help me!”

  The door was shaking, had been shaking since the attack had begun. There must be a spell on it. He waved his hand—yet the door still wouldn’t open.

  He’s going to die!

  Summoning up all his strength, the king sent a blast, ripping the hinges off the doors. They flew through the air and landed a few feet from them. He held a hand to Eilam’s throat, panic setting in.

  My magic doesn’t work on him… by the gods, he’s going to die on me!

  He can’t die…

  He can’t…

  He held a ha
nd there, trying to stop the bleeding as his guardsmen rushed in. “We were attacked. Eilam’s neck has been slit. He’s bleeding out.”

  “Eilam! You listen to me, you bastard… you won’t die. Do you hear me? I don’t give you my permission. You can’t die.”

  You can’t die… because I love you.

  Healers raced into the room and took over. The king looked down at his blood-soaked hands… hands that could control the world but were worthless to save the man he loved.

  He watched as the healers worked feverishly to save his life.

  “I’ve lost a heartbeat,” one of the healers said.

  The king stopped breathing for a moment.

  “No, there… there it is,” the healer said. “Weak… very weak… but it’s there.”

  “We need to get him to the hospital,” the first said.

  “I’m going with you,” the king said.

  “Your Majesty,” Theis said to him. “You must stay here… where we can protect you. What if there are others?”

  “They got to me. In my private chambers… which I bewitched with my own powerful magic. Nothing should’ve ever come through here. Whatever’s coming for me is coming, no matter where I am. I won’t sit here and wait to die while Eilam’s dying in a hospital without me.”

  Theis met his stare. “Then we’ll come with you. Wherever you go.”

  The king nodded and followed his bear…as the man was rolled out unconscious on a gurney.

  He has to live…

  Chapter One

  A few weeks before…

  “I worry about you, nephew.”

  Adriel, Son of Theral and King of Midnight, sat back in his chair and lifted his stare to his uncle, Ralnur. “And what has you so worried?”

  “You don’t take your duty as seriously as you should.”

  Adriel cast a hand over the desk where he sat. The surface was covered in parchments as it always was. “I spend my days listening to the needs of my people. I do what I can to ensure those needs are met. What else would you have me do?”

  “I sense a threat coming to your door… and I just want you to have your eyes wide open. Instead of spending your nights cavorting with courtiers who only tell you what you wish to hear. Now is not a time for parties and frolicking.”

  Frolicking? The man is absolutely primeval. Adriel lowered his quill and sighed. He pinched the bridge of his nose and collected his thoughts before he exploded with anger. Ralnur had been like a father to him after his own had passed. Without his uncle, Midnight would’ve fallen, and he was forever grateful.

  But in the fifty years that had passed since then, Adriel had grown into a man with a mind of his own…

  Ralnur had the best of intentions, he knew, but he had someone new in his life that liked to be the voice of reason and the moral compass of the castle. He didn’t need two.

  “I appreciate your concern, uncle, but be assured I am taking care of Midnight.”

  A gentle knock came to the door, a welcome distraction. “Yes?” Adriel called.

  The door opened a crack and Eilam, his head of security, looked inside.

  Well, there’s my Jiminy Cricket right now.

  Eilam scanned the room and saw Ralnur. “I apologize… your secretary wasn’t at his desk. I’ll wait.”

  “No,” Adriel called out. “Bring me whatever news you have.” The king turned to his uncle. “If there was nothing else?”

  Ralnur shook his head slightly. “No… I can see you are quite busy. Please consider my words.”

  His uncle left his study, pausing at the door to nod to Eilam. Eilam murmured something before nodding and closing the door once the man passed.

  Adriel felt his body tense. Being alone with Eilam was growing harder by the day. He picked up his quill and leaned over his desk. “Make it quick. I’ve had too many interruptions today as it is.”

  He sensed the bear shifter move closer.

  “We’ve had several reports of an increased vampire presence inside Midnight,” Eilam said as he sat across the desk from the king. “They’re not coming through the terminals, or we’d have them on the logs. They’re likely using an illegal portal somewhere in this city.”

  Adriel listened to the bear shifter seated opposite him without lifting his stare. His lack of attention wasn’t out of rudeness or lack of time, but a knowledge that one look in the man’s direction would cause his cool, calm exterior to shatter. From the corner of his eye, he saw enough to make his pulse race, his breathing quicken, and his cock thicken.

  “Come now, Eilam… you must know by now that there are illegal portals springing up all over this city. It’s one of the reasons I have to employ men like you to protect Midnight,” he said as he made a note on one of the parchments on his sprawling, ornate desk.

  Even without looking, he could sense the ire coming at him in waves from Eilam.

  “I am aware,” the man said, his tone slightly lower and darker. “I only meant that we might want to focus our efforts on closing more of them. A task force, solely focused on the illegal movement of people in and out of this city. I might need to hire more men… though I have a few in mind from the Midnight PD. I need your approval to make it happen.”

  “Hire as you like,” Adriel said, waving a hand before making another note. “If there’s nothing else?”

  Eilam grew silent. Adriel was finally forced to lift his stare. Across from him, Eilam was livid, his eyes glowing brightly. Even with that anger brewing on Eilam’s face, meeting the man’s stare was enough to set off the lust simmering within Adriel.

  “Hire as I like?”

  Adriel leaned back, frowning. “I gave you what you want… so why am I suddenly the focus of your anger?”

  “I’ve been trying to bring in new king’s guards for months now and you refuse them all. I’ve made recommendations for re-organizing the police department and making it more productive. I’ve made dozens of suggestions, only to have most of them refused.” Eilam rose to his feet and placed both fists on the desk, looming over Adriel. “I would love to be able to do my job effectively, but you make that impossible.”

  Adriel looked up at Eilam, his body throbbing with want.

  Succumb and he’ll win. I am ruler of this world. I won’t be controlled.

  “I still don’t understand your anger… I just gave you what you asked for, yet I get attitude in return. I am particular about my guards and have every right to be. My king’s guard is at my side, day and night.” Adriel rose to his feet as well, refusing to cower. “And I think you may forget yourself and to whom you speak.”

  Eilam snarled for a moment before lifting his chin arrogantly. “I would never place someone on your personal guard I did not trust completely. My only desire is to protect you.”

  Since you won’t let it be me who protects you…

  Eilam hadn’t spoken the words, but they might as well have been. They hung heavily in the air between them. Adriel wanted to escape… to put distance between him and this man who thought Adriel was his mate.

  I am.

  I belong to him.

  But to succumb would show weakness.

  If the witch surrenders…

  “I am aware how… dedicated you are to your job,” Adriel murmured lowly, trying to control his raging emotions. “But as I said… I have a right to choose my guardsmen.”

  Eilam released a slow breath. He plastered on a smile that didn’t reach his beautiful eyes. “You do. You’re right. I apologize for my reaction, Your Majesty.” Adriel watched as the strong, powerful man bent at the waist. He lifted his stare as he rose, capturing Adriel’s.

  “The police force and the terminal guards—they are yours to control as you see fit. Make your changes, if you must—” Adriel lifted a brow. “Happy?”

  Eilam calmed some. He stood to his full height. “I am. Thank you.”

  “Is there anything else?”

  “There is,” Eilam said, holding Adriel’s gaze.

  No
man from their world would be so bold as to hold the king’s gaze so long. No man but Eilam. And Adriel found he couldn’t look away—and that fact bothered him greatly. “Must I drag it from you? I don’t have all day.”

  “The dinner you plan to hold in Hart’s honor. I would like to bring my brother bear, Noah, along with me as my guest.”

  The other one. Adriel had refused to meet Eilam’s better half for months now, knowing if he was in a room with both of them, he’d struggle even more to contain the need pulsing through him. Bear shifters mated in triads… two strong betas grow alongside one another as strong as brothers and one day they would come across their third.

  Me.

  “No. I’ve told you he is not welcome here.”

  Eilam glared at him, his brows furrowing. He didn’t say a word, but the rage within Eilam was obvious. His eyes glowed brightly with the strong emotion. Finally he lifted his head some and stared down the bridge of his nose. “Others in your employ are allowed to bring their significant others. Why am I any different?”

  “You know why!” Adriel spat.

  “No. You’ve never given me a legitimate reason why my brother bear is banned from your presence.”

  “Because I do not wish to meet him.”

  “Because you know we are your mates! And you know you cannot handle being in the same room with both of us and continue this lie of yours.”

  “No!” Adriel roared back. “I do not lie. I am not your mate.”

  Eilam stiffened, almost looking as if he was in pain.

  “I will not surrender to you,” Adriel seethed, quivering with his own rage.

  Eilam stared, silent for a few moments before looking away. Adriel was finally able to breathe after the bear’s fierce regard turned from him.

  “Unless you have anything else for me, I will take my leave and get to work seeking out these portals.” Eilam stared at the floor, yet the king could feel the heartbreak from across the desk.