Dead by Midnight Read online

  Adriel lowered into his chair before his knees went out under him. He grabbed his quill and looked down at the parchment on his desk, not reading a word scribbled over it. “That is all,” he muttered, trying to sound as unaffected as he could.

  He sensed the large man backing away and turning for the gilded doors of his private study. Once the doors were closed and he was once again alone, he threw down the quill and sat back into his chair. His body was raging with need—a need that could never be fulfilled.

  Over the months, the desire within rose with each day. Each moment spent in the man’s presence was hell. He’d only found one way to calm his aching body. With the snap of his fingers, he was no longer in his study, but standing on a length of white sandy beach.

  Crystal clear water spread out before him as far as the eye could see. A sky of robin’s egg blue rose above the sea only to transition into the galaxies beyond. It was both day and night, the shimmering planets and stars overhead still brilliant even with the bright blue beneath it. The beauty was stunning and he could stand there and stare at it all in wonder for hours… but not today.

  He turned and saw the mansion surrounded by swaying palm trees. Almost every wall was made of windows, facing out to the beach and the water on nearly every side. Thick, verdant life filled in around the house, making it a tropical heaven. He’d built this place with his magic as a young boy. Of course, originally it had been a vacant space, not much bigger than he was. As he’d learned to control his gifts, the space had grown. This was his oasis—his private space he’d built himself to escape to when he needed to think.

  Or had other needs.

  After taking off his shoes, Adriel crossed the sands barefoot. The sand squished between his toes as he walked, bringing a smile to his face. He soon entered the open doors into his home away from home. It was quiet but for the sounds of water lapping at the shore behind him. He marched up the stairs and onto the second floor—which only held a large bedroom and bath. This place was his alone, his sanctuary. He had no needs for more.

  With the wave of a hand, a cupboard opened and revealed the only thing that would make his ache any better. Another wave and the machine came to life. A machine of gears and metal underneath flesh and magic. The cyborg came to life. It rose from the cabinet, stepped outside, and stretched its powerful body. It then turned to face Adriel with glowing, familiar eyes.

  Dark, thick hair lay just like the man of his fantasies. Muscles bulged in a perfect shape. A huge cock grew hard for him—although that part was Adriel’s imagination at work. The rest was a carbon copy of the man he wanted and could not have.

  No matter how much it looked like Eilam… no matter how much magic Adriel poured into the machine… it lacked something that was wholly Eilam.

  The need.

  The desire he had for Eilam nearly swallowed him whole. The sex cyborg didn’t have that piece of the puzzle and Adriel couldn’t manufacture it.

  But the cyborg was better than nothing. And fucking the machine wouldn’t spell the demise of Midnight.

  “Disrobe me,” Adriel said flatly.

  The cyborg moved forward, stalking closer with the grace of a cat. It appeared human in every way, acted as a lover should. But it was simply sex, with no emotion.

  It kissed Adriel’s shoulder as he slid down his tunic. The cyborg caressed every inch of flesh as it was revealed, yet the king struggled to find the same desire he once had.

  The first time he’d fucked the machine, it had been earth-shattering. But as the weeks marched on, that lacking puzzle piece became too obvious.

  “Make me forget,” Adriel whispered. “That you’re not him.”

  The cyborg frowned slightly. “I don’t understand.” It cupped Adriel’s cheek. “I am him.”

  No. You’re not. But I desperately need you to be.

  The cyborg’s lips pressed against his, and Adriel did everything in his power to trick himself into thinking he was in Eilam’s arms.

  As they fell into the bed together, he kissed back harder, refusing to see the truth. Later, when the cyborg’s cock drove into him, he moaned, crying out Eilam’s name.

  They writhed on the bed together, Adriel pinned under the big shifter.

  By the end he’d forgotten for a few moments. He came, delirious in his pleasure, and thought for those few precious seconds he was with the man he’d fallen in love with.

  And then the cold, hard light of day returned and he felt just as empty as he had before.

  His body was sated, but his mind and spirit were not.

  Adriel sat on the edge of the bed, staring out the window, feeling more alone than ever.

  * * * *

  Eilam opened the door to his apartment and kicked the door closed behind him. The anger he’d held on to since seeing the king had only slightly evaporated and he was doing everything in his power to contain it. He marched straight to the refrigerator and yanked it open, and scanned the interior. It was a bad habit, but irritation led to stress eating.

  “You’re home early,” a voice said behind him. “I haven’t started dinner yet.”

  Eilam looked over his shoulder. “I needed to get out of there before I destroyed something.”

  Noah was silent a moment as he folded the want ads onto the counter. “Let me guess. A five foot nothing warlock piss you off? And now you’re looking for some poor piece of meat to tear apart and take vengeance on.”

  Eilam closed the fridge and spun around. “He’s so gods-damned…” Eilam fisted his hands in the air. “Shit, where do I even start? Mule headed. Arrogant. Dismissive. Hateful. And lastly… blind to the truth.”

  “You asked him about me again, didn’t you?”

  Eilam let out a sigh before leaning back against the fridge. “There’s a dinner he’s planning where I will be a guest. All other guests are allowed to bring their mates or significant others. Guess who isn’t?”

  “He won’t be able to deny us forever,” Noah said.

  “You don’t understand how hard it is to be in his presence, knowing what I know and unable to touch him. Unable to share him with you.”

  As Noah had never met the king face to face, he didn’t feel the overwhelming need to claim. Until they met, Eilam was the only one of them who experienced the torment.

  “Do you think me knowing our mate is within reach and being denied is easy?” Noah asked as he took a step closer. “It’s not.”

  “I didn’t mean it is,” Eilam said, reaching out to grab Noah and drag the male closer. He pressed his lips to his brother bear’s and instantly, most of the anger he felt faded. The rest of it shifted into the need for Noah. “I’m sorry. Forgive me?”

  Noah reached up and brushed a few strands of Eilam’s hair from his eyes. “There’s nothing to forgive. I know it’s hard for you to see him and not be allowed to touch… likely harder than what I feel.”

  “Thankfully I have you to come home to,” Eilam whispered.

  “He has no one to turn to. In time, the need he feels will overwhelm him.” Noah frowned. “Though, I had expected him to break by now.”

  “As had I,” Eilam said. He ran a palm over Noah’s chest. “Why don’t we go out tonight?”

  “A break from my role as your cute little housewife?”

  “I might have a better job for you,” Eilam said. Eilam had wanted Noah as a member of the king’s guard, but the king had denied it. When he’d been refused, they’d waited, knowing the king would eventually relent and Noah could move into the role. Weeks had turned into months, months that had left Noah climbing the walls.

  And finally now job hunting.

  “Oh? Do you have some investigative work I can do?” Noah had been occasionally working on the sly, helping to find information for Eilam. They’d had to be careful so no one would find out and share it with their monarch.

  “The king has given me complete freedom to choose a new task force. Vampires have been growing in number, yet we see no sign of them on the termina
l registers. We need to shut down all illegal portals into the city.”

  “But you need to find them all first,” Noah said.

  “Exactly,” Eilam said. “You up to the task?”

  “If it keeps our mate safe, then absolutely,” Noah said.

  “Good.” Eilam cupped Noah’s cheek. “I’m glad. Knowing you’re there running things will allow me to focus elsewhere.”

  “Running things?”

  Eilam met Noah’s smiling eyes. “Who better to lead the investigation than you?”

  Noah’s smile grew. “I appreciate the vote of confidence, but I’m sure there are those better familiar with this city. We’ve only been here a few months.”

  “Without your legwork these past months, I doubt I would’ve been half as effective as I have been. In that time, you’ve uncovered things about Midnight I would’ve never known and learned a great deal about this city. I owe you a great debt. And an even bigger one if you agree to lead this new team.”

  Noah smiled. “Will I have a say in who you hire?”

  “Of course,” Eilam said. “Though I do have a list of men I’d already vetted for the king’s guard that our king refused. Most of them are Midnight PD and appear to be stand-up guys—I’d like you to take a look at them.”

  “But if I meet with them and don’t feel they’re a good fit, you won’t be angry?”

  “Absolutely not… they’d just be a good starting point for you to make your choices.”

  Noah smiled. “Then you have a deal. We can discuss a plan of action over dinner.”

  Eilam drew Noah closer before spinning them both and pinning his brother bear against the fridge.

  Noah let out a low, throaty chuckle. “I thought you were hungry?”

  “I am,” Eilam said. “Dinner can wait until I’ve feasted on something else.”

  “Good plan,” Noah said before Eilam captured his lips.

  Chapter Two

  The night of the king’s dinner…

  Eilam made his way through the bevy of dinner guests on his last sweep of the castle. He tugged at the tight collar of his tuxedo shirt, trying to get a little space. As a member of the party, he would be expected to dine with the king and the guests, all while trying to keep a watchful eye on the king’s guard—all in a tux. He spoke briefly to a few members of the court as he passed, and even saw his brother, Max, along with Max’s husbands.

  Best to avoid that conversation. His elder brother could be a huge pain in the ass. Max was the one who’d tapped him for his current position—one Max had originally held. Max had wanted to move into the more lucrative corporate security business within Midnight to rebuild their family’s fortune. Max now wanted his help in the corporate world and had spoken at length of having one of their brothers, Judah, take his position.

  And take him away from the king.

  Not happening.

  Eilam focused on his duties for the night and not all the drama surrounding him. He was on his way to check in with one of the guards, Valen, when he was stopped.

  “Good evening, Eilam,” Tremayne, one of the king’s distant cousins said.

  “Good evening.”

  Lord Tremayne smiled. “I don’t think you’ve met my husband, Jean Pierre.”

  “I haven’t had the pleasure,” Eilam said, offering a hand to a beautiful, slim male who, if Eilam was correct, had to be an incubi. He felt a blast of sexual energy sent his way and was suddenly sure of it. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  Jean Pierre made no effort to hide his admiring gaze. It moved up and down his body as he gripped Eilam’s hand tight. “Tremayne didn’t tell me just how handsome you were. Had I known, I would’ve come to court much sooner.”

  “This one is taken, my pet,” Tremayne said, lifting one delicate brow. “He has a mate. And will I have the honor of meeting your mate tonight?”

  Is that a fishing expedition, trying to find out if the rumors are true? “I’m unmated,” Eilam murmured.

  Jean Pierre moved closer and trailed a hand down Eilam’s chest. “Oh, but you’ve met your mate, haven’t you, bear shifter?”

  Eilam tried to back away slightly, confused. “Why do you say that?”

  “You wouldn’t be able to see anyone but me had you not already met your mate,” the incubi whispered, before spreading a palm over Eilam’s chest. “That bond makes it harder for me… but I love a good challenge.”

  Eilam took another half-step back, trying to clear himself from the tangle of Jean Pierre’s hands. He lifted his stare to Tremayne. “I do have a brother bear, Noah, and no—he is unable to attend tonight.”

  Tremayne’s brow rose again in an overdramatic expression. “Oh, that’s right—I forget you bears travel in threes. Your brother bear. I’m sorry to hear he won’t be here tonight. I’m starting to think you’re hiding him away from us.”

  “If he’s half as handsome as Eilam, I could understand why,” Jean Pierre said, moving closer to Eilam again.

  “I’m sure you’ll be able to meet him some day,” Eilam said, pulling his hand from Jean Pierre’s grip. From the corner of his eye, he saw someone he’d much prefer to be talking to—Midnight’s lone dragon shifter, Solomon. Honestly, almost anyone would’ve been better than his current company. “I’m sorry, there’s something I must attend to. I’m doing double duty tonight. If you’ll excuse me.”

  He quickly escaped the cloying warlocks and had a quick word with Valen. Once he was satisfied the castle’s security was running smoothly, he eyed Solomon again. The dragon was staring upwards at the steps, a dreamy look on his face. Eilam checked the stairs, seeking the source. Hart, one of the humans who’d recently arrived in Midnight, was descending. He was also the guest of honor for the night, a human, although the king was sure the man also had some natural abilities. The king had taken a liking to the newfound witch and given him a suite in the castle.

  Hart likely wouldn’t be staying long. His fate appeared to be leading him elsewhere.

  If Eilam guessed right, Solomon was Hart’s mate. From the look on the dragon’s face, he was almost certain he was right.

  But he’d also sensed Hart was bound to Garret, one of the king’s guards.

  Which would cause some problems, to be sure. Garret and Solomon were not friends. Nowhere close. Eilam wasn’t sure how that would ultimately pan out.

  Just as he neared the dragon, a trumpet sounded. Eilam paused, as was custom, and watched as the king made his way down the stairs. Several members of court strode before him… blocking Eilam’s view, but then he caught his first glimpse of that violet stare. Eilam’s heart began to beat a little faster, as it always did when the king was near.

  His body quickened, no matter how hard he willed it not to. Months of being denied had begun to take a toll on him. He admonished himself mentally, demanding that he look away. But like a fly caught in a spider’s web, he was powerless to stop the need that slammed into him.

  As usual, the king had dressed the part. He seemed to love wearing outlandish clothing. Perhaps it was the attention he received from it. Tonight, he wore a velvet tunic and doublet over hose. He looked like he’d just walked out of the middle ages… but then, parts of his castle were of the same style, one the king seemed to appreciate.

  It was much different than the more modern style Eilam and Noah favored.

  All told, the king could’ve been wearing rags, for all he cared. No matter what, Adriel, son of Theral, would be the most handsome male in any room. As the king met his stare across the bannister, Eilam felt his body tense all the more. Those violet eyes held his, making it nearly impossible to breathe. His bear roared deep within, but the sound seemed to grow weaker as time passed.

  A shifter, denied his mate too long, would slowly begin to wither.

  Eilam dragged his gaze away, sensing the king would be the death of him.

  Remembering his duty for the night, he moved his stare to the two king’s guardsmen, Garret and Cannon, who trailed behind the
ir monarch. One at a time, they met Eilam’s gaze, nodding that all was well. Eilam slowly spun away, trying to ignore his king as best as possible. His body—and the shifter spirit within him—couldn’t take much more.

  Turning his attention to Solomon, he saw the dragon wore the same look the male had given Hart. But he was now eyeing Garret. Eilam smiled, curious at what he was now seeing. Solomon and Garret had always appeared to hate one another. Was there more to the ire between them? Attraction disguised as ire?

  Or would the two of them tear one another apart in their mad desire for Hart? Not that he made a habit of getting into his employees’ and friend’s personal lives, but the king’s guard was already understaffed. He didn’t need Garret’s focus elsewhere.

  Life would be so much easier without dealing with mates, he sometimes thought. His life would certainly be less stressful without his.

  The dragon’s attention was so rapt, he hadn’t even seemed to notice Eilam’s approach. He smiled to himself. He liked the dragon. Solomon was a good man who deserved happiness. “He looks good in his armor, doesn’t he?” Eilam murmured lowly.

  Solomon turned. “I was looking at our king.”

  Eilam chuckled. “No. You weren’t.” He turned to look at the scene before them. While he wanted to be closer to their king, he didn’t mind being left out of the pageantry. That was the only good thing about the stinging denial. Again, his thoughts forced his stare to fall on the king.

  His body stiffened with a need he struggled to control more and more each day.

  “Why were you watching me when your own mate was coming down the stairs?” Solomon asked.

  Eilam’s jaw clenched. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  Solomon smiled to himself. “See—we all have lies we tell ourselves to make it through the day. Leave me to mine and I’ll leave you to yours.”

  Was he that transparent or had the dragon read his mind? “That won’t change the fact that you and Garretson are at each other’s throats, demanding the chance to win your mate.”