Syx, however, felt confident that Hex was the next up to bat. He explained that the bites marring Onyx’s body when they found him looked more animal than human or supernatural—not vampire or werewolf, he said. Hex argued that Onyx had been attacked before the new moon, so that didn’t prove anything. Syx still didn’t budge on his position.

  Echo shivered in his arms, snuggling closer. “Blanket?” Hex asked of Vapre. Soft fleece immediately covered their mate, and Hex nodded his thanks.

  If indeed it was his turn, Hex would face his challenge without fear. He had too much to lose, and failure was not an option. Dropping a tender kiss on the top of Echo’s head, Hex sighed in contentment. Things were so much easier since he’d decide to just let go and accept what his men offered. He still worried for their safety, knew Ares would exploit the gift of their love, and the love Hex gave in return. In the midst of all the chaos, Echo had completely bewitched him, heart, mind, and spirit, and there was no turning back. He’d face Ares as he faced the new moon—proud and fearless, cold and ruthless.

  “Hex?” Jinx called softly from the floor. He looked anxious, his lower lips sucked in between his teeth, and he gripped Craze’s hand so hard, his knuckles were white.

  Craze stroked his hair and kissed his temple. Hex approved. Jinx and Syn deserved a caring and giving mate. He’d had reservations that Craze could be that mate, but was happy to see the Addonexus proving him wrong.

  “Yes?”

  “I don’t want to make trouble, but I’ve been thinking.” The vampire looked paler than usual. In fact, he looked like he was going to be sick. Was Hex really that intimidating?

  “You’re a big teddy bear,” Syx teased from his other side, and soft lips brushed over his cheek. “Just hear him out, okay?”

  Hex turned his head to capture Syx’s lips. He kept the kiss brief, but poured as much love as he could into it. “You know I always do.”

  Syx’s lips drifted to his ear, his warm breath causing Hex to shiver involuntarily. “I love you.”

  Hex’s heart slammed against his breastbone so hard it made his head swim. It happened every time one of his lovers voiced their feelings. After the third or fourth time it happened, Hex decided it wasn’t such a bad thing. He doubted he’d ever tire of hearing the words. “More than anything,” he whispered back.

  “Uh, guys, this is kind of important,” Craze chastised, but he was smiling when Hex looked at him. Craze dipped his head. “I’m happy for you, but I think you’re going to want to hear this.” His knuckles skimmed down Jinx’s cheek. “I’m right here, baby. Just tell them.”

  “Echo isn’t a vampire,” Jinx blurted then scooted closer to Craze as though he wanted to burrow into the man’s skin.

  Hex failed to see how this was a bad thing. He also didn’t understand how it could be true. “He has fangs. He needs to drink from us.” Though he had a feeling they enjoyed it as much if not more than their mate. “Why do you think he’s not?”

  “Born or made, vampires cannot go out into the sun. He also doesn’t smell like a vampire. He smells…sweeter, more floral, I guess.” Jinx crawled up into Craze’s lap. “I want to bite him.”

  Hex tensed and a low growl rolled inside his chest. His warriors all sat up, similar sounds falling from their snarling lips. He finally realized why Jinx looked so afraid.

  Craze wrapped one arm around his mate and held the other up in a peaceable gesture. “He’s not going to touch him. Please, he’s scared enough.”

  “What about you?” Hex asked as civilly as possible, his eyes locked onto Syn. He didn’t think he pulled off the calm tone he was aiming for when the little man paled and scrambled over to Craze’s side.

  “Yes,” he whispered. “I won’t, but you have no idea how amazing he smells now.”

  “I have no desire to bite him,” Jet piped up, “but he does smell different since we brought him home. Not like Jinx and Syn, though. Their scent is colder, more like sugary ice, if that makes sense. If sunshine had a smell, that’s what I’d say Echo smells like.”

  “Agreed,” Gage said. He bobbed his head thoughtfully. “Like spring flowers, fresh strawberries, and sunshine all rolled into one.”

  “Exactly,” Pax whispered.

  Hex glanced around at the other demons, taking comfort in the fact that they all looked as confused as he felt. “So, what does that mean? If he’s not a vampire, what is he?”

  No one had an answer. “I don’t know,” Jinx offered quietly. “I’m sorry. I’ve never smelled anything like it.”

  “Did he smell this way before?”

  “Not exactly.” Syn scrunched his eyebrows. “It was similar, but more…muted, I guess.”

  Transferring Echo to Syx’s lap, Hex stood from the sofa and dipped his head curtly. “Thank you for telling me. If you bite him…” He left the threat hanging as he glared at the vampires.

  “We won’t,” Jinx said hurriedly. “I just thought you should know.”

  Hex nodded again then walked around the couch toward the staircase.

  “Where are you going?” Eyce called after him.

  “To see if I can get a meeting with the Oracle.”

  * * * *

  It was surprisingly easier than he’d thought it would be. After stripping out of his clothes and crawling into bed, Hex closed his eyes, thinking of the Oracle, and willing her to answer.

  When he opened his eyes again, he stood in a vast field, lush, green grass tickling his bare toes. The sun warmed his face, the sky bluer than any he’d ever seen, and the Oracle stood before him with a sly smirk on her face.

  “You beckoned, Warrior?”

  “I need answers.” No point in beating around the bush. She obviously knew why he’d sought her out, and he had little patience for riddles at the moment.

  “You have neglected your heart, your mate, and the bond between you. Now, you seek answers to questions that should have never been brought to light.” She spoke softly, kindly, but with a trace of steel.

  “How were we supposed to know Echo was going to be kidnapped and drained?” Hex grinded his teeth together to prevent the growl from escaping his mouth.

  “By your actions, you led him into danger. Not once, but twice.”

  Her words cut through Hex like a knife. If he hadn’t pushed Echo away, his mate would have been by his side instead of out in the night alone. Had he not acted like such an insufferable asshole, Echo wouldn’t have been hurt, and then Onyx wouldn’t have felt the need to go after their mate’s attacker.

  Guilt slammed into him so hard, he dropped to his knees, struggling for breath. “How do I fix this?” he pleaded.

  “You cannot.” The Oracle knelt in front of him, her eyes boring into his. “You cannot take back what has been done.” Her fingertips whispered over his cheek, and she smiled warmly. “Your eyes are lovely, Warrior, but they hold such sadness.”

  “I let them down,” Hex whispered. “I was supposed to protect them.”

  “Ah, but you take too much onto yourself. You are meant to protect one another. The war is not yours to fight alone.”

  “Will Echo be okay? What is he?”

  “Echo is stronger for his ordeal, both mentally and physically.” She smiled crookedly. “He is your mate, of course.”

  “Yes, but he’s something more. What happened to him? How can I be sure it won’t happen again if I don’t know what to be prepared for?”

  “Yes, he is something more. Though”—the Oracle laughed musically—“he always has been.”

  Hex’s head began to hurt. “I don’t understand. Please just tell me what to do now.”

  “Echo is special.” She kissed Hex’s cheek lightly before rising gracefully to her feet. “You will know more when the time is right. For now, keep him close. Keep him safe. More will come for him, but they mustn’t find him. Do you understand?”

  All he understood was that his mate was in danger. That was more than enough. “He will be protected.”

  “Do not seek answers, Warrior. They will come to you.” With that parting line, the Oracle faded away, and Hex jerked straight up in his bed.

  As always when the Oracle visited him, he now had more questions than answers. He knew one thing, though. Echo would not so much as take a piss without someone watching him until the war was over.

  * * * *

  “So, I’m not a vampire?” Echo scratched the back of his neck and frowned. “Okay, so what am I?” The minute he’d woken up in Syx’s lap, he’d thought something was wrong. After going in search of Hex and finding him naked and grumbling in his bed, he’d known something was wrong.

  “Does it matter?” Hex cupped his cheek and kissed the tip of his nose. “You’re alive. You’re healthy. I hope you’re happy, because I know I am. What more is there?”

  Of course, Hex would go all mushy on him now. “You know I’m happy. And, I guess it’s enough for now, but I’d still like to know.”

  “We’ll figure it out. Just try not to worry. Whatever you are, you’re still our mate. Nothing can change that.”

  Echo rubbed their noses together and grinned. “I never doubted that. Just confused and a little afraid. What if I’m something bad?” It was his worst fear that something evil had taken root inside him out in those woods.

  “Not possible. Our choices define us. Not what we are, but who we are. Before you met us, I’m sure you thought demons were evil.”

  Echo blushed and nodded. “Okay, I see your point. I just don’t want to hurt anyone. I mean, I feel like myself mostly, but I hate not knowing what to expect.”

  “Expect to be loved and adored, and nothing more. No sense in worrying over things we can’t control.”

  “Where is all of this coming from? You’re usually the first one to fly off the handle and go apeshit when something bad happens.” Echo kissed Hex’s cheek quickly. “Not that I’m complaining, mind you. I like this calmer side of you.”

  Hex chuckled and rolled over on the mattress to rest on his side. He pulled Echo to him until their chests pressed together, and Echo’s face rested in the crook of his neck. “I had a little visit with the Oracle. I’ve screwed up a lot where you’re concerned. I’ve probably done worse by the others. I have a lot to make up for, and I can’t do that if I let my uncertainty rule me.”

  “I’m still under surveillance, though, huh?” Echo had been more than pissed when Hex explained that he might as well get used to having a permanent shadow.

  “Just for a little while. The Oracle says you’re special, and while I already knew that, I think she means something different from my definition. You could say that I’ve been ordered to keep you out of danger. I intend to follow that command to the letter.”

  Echo chuckled under his breath and snuggled closer to his mate. “Fine, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it. You guys were already overprotective before. I can just imagine what it’s going to be like now. When this war is over, I’m going to have to have each of you surgically removed from up my ass.”

  Hex tickled his ribs, pulling a yelp from his mouth. “I thought you liked having us up your ass,” the alpha growled seductively.

  “You know what I meant.”

  “I do, and I’m sorry. You’re just going to have to deal with it for a while.”

  “Has Onyx talked to you?” Echo didn’t want to ruin the moment, but he’d been concerned about the man for days. “He hasn’t said a word about what happened to him. It’s not good for him to keep it inside like that.”

  “He hasn’t said anything to me.” Hex sighed and nuzzled the top of Echo’s head. “We’re warriors, baby. Until you came along, we never talked about feelings or stuff like that. It was just easier to pretend they didn’t exist. You can’t expect all that to change overnight. If anyone can get him to open up, it’s you.”

  “Should I go talk to him now?” Echo worried his lower lip between his teeth. “Or, do you think I should wait?”

  “He’s been spending a lot of time by himself,” Hex whispered. “I know for a fact that he’s been sleeping alone as well. I think the sooner, the better.”

  “Will you come with me? I understand why you think he’d open up to me, but it’s not the same. I’ve never tried to hide my feelings. I think he needs to know that at least one of you guys supports him as well. What do you think?” Echo hoped he was explaining it right. Unless Onyx believed all his lovers would be there for him, love him no matter what, he’d never fully heal.

  “I think you’re smart and sexy. I’ll give you a few minutes alone, but I’ll be right there. Don’t let him hide, baby. He needs us, even if he won’t admit it.”

  Echo couldn’t agree more. “Okay, but don’t take too long. Oh, and, Hex?”

  “Yes, Echo?” Hex leaned away and smirked down at him.

  “I love you.”

  “And I thank the gods for it every day.” Hex patted him on the hip. “Now, go.”

  Echo squirmed out of the bed and pulled on a pair of sleep pants. This wasn’t about sex after all, and he wouldn’t allow Onyx to distract him. He reached the door and eased it open before Hex called his name, making him pause and look over his shoulder.

  “Yes?”

  “I love you, baby.”

  Echo’s heart flopped over in his chest, and his stomach made a slow roll. He smiled like an idiot, dipped his head, and hurried out of the room.

  It amazed him that his big, bad alpha had the power to turn him to putty with those four softly spoken words. He wouldn’t trade anything in the world for it.

  Chapter Ten

  Suppressing a groan, Onyx rolled to his back and stared up at the ceiling. “Come in.” He said the words grudgingly. He didn’t want to see anyone.

  The door eased open, then closed. Still, he didn’t move his eyes from the ceiling. Soft footsteps padded across the carpet, and the bed dipped. Onyx continued to ignore whoever was in the room with him.

  A small body curled against his side, a tiny hand stroked his chest, and Echo’s long, golden hair tickled his arm. “Can I stay?”

  All resistance faded, and Onyx finally looked down into his mate’s eyes. Even in the dim light from the moon, Echo’s brilliant blue eyes shined. Turning to face his lover, he tucked Echo closer to his body and kissed his forehead. “You’re always welcome here.”

  “Are you upset because I’m different now?”

  There was so much uncertainty and fear in that one simple question, it broke Onyx’s heart. “No, baby, I’m not upset. Am I sorry for what happened to you? Yes. That doesn’t change how I feel about you, though.”

  He expected Echo to probe deeper into that statement. If Echo asked exactly how Onyx felt about him, he knew he wouldn’t be able to lie. Instead, Echo sniffled softly against his neck. “I’m sorry that I messed everything up.”

  “Oh, Echo. None of this is your fault. You didn’t mess anything up.” Onyx slipped his fingers under Echo’s chin and applied gentle pressure until the man looked up at him. “There is nothing you can do that would make me not love you.” It wasn’t nearly as scary to say the words as he thought it would be. It felt right.

  “Kiss me,” Echo whispered.

  Who was Onyx to deny such a sweet plea? Dipping his head, he pressed their lips together, slow, sweet, and tender. “You’re playing me, aren’t you?” he asked a moment later. The knowledge didn’t bother him in the least.

  “Not really. I am sorry for being stupid and getting myself kidnapped. I do worry that things will change because of what I am now.” Echo smiled and pressed their lips together again. “And I do love you, Onyx.”

  “Good enough.” Onyx didn’t want to talk anymore. He wanted to feel his mate beneath him, their bodies moving together as Echo wrapped around him like a silk glove. He wanted to hear Echo gasp and moan, calling out Onyx’s name as they both raced toward the same goal. “You have entirely too many clothes on.”

  “Do you hurt anywhere?”

  With a sly smirk, Onyx took Echo’s hand and guided it to his naked cock. “There seems to be a lot of swelling and throbbing here. Maybe you could kiss it and make it better.”

  Echo didn’t remove his hand, but he didn’t stroke Onyx’s aching length. He didn’t smile, either. “I’m being serious. Is your body healed?”

  “I’m fine. The wounds closed before the next morning, and the scars faded a day later.” Onyx slid his dick in and out of Echo’s loose hold. “Stop worrying so much.”

  “How can you say that?” Echo released him and pushed up on his elbow. “You could have died, and you tell me not to worry about that? Did you worry when I was hurt?”

  With a frustrated groan, Onyx dropped his head to the pillow and pinched the bridge of his nose. “You want to talk about this now?”

  “Yes, I do,” Echo said stubbornly. “You haven’t talked about it at all. I have no idea what happened to you. Why won’t you talk to me?”

  “Not everything is about you,” Onyx snapped. He immediately regretted his words when Echo gasped and jerked away from him. “Ah, fuck, I didn’t mean that. I’m sorry.”

  “I want to help, but I can see you’re not ready. I’m sorry if I made things worse for you.” Echo rolled away as if he planned to leave. “You know where to find me.”

  Onyx grabbed his lover’s arm and held him on the mattress. “Don’t go.”

  Echo stilled but didn’t look at him. “I thought you wanted to be alone?”

  “I don’t know what I want,” Onyx admitted. “Yeah, I’ve been fucked up since I was attacked, but it’s not because I’m scared. I’m embarrassed, ashamed.”

  His mate whipped around and gaped. “Why would you be embarrassed?” Echo crawled back up the bed to kneel beside Onyx and place a hand in the center of his chest. “You couldn’t stop what happened to you.”

  “That’s exactly it. Baby, I was born to fight. That’s what I am—what we all are. Until we escaped the Underworld, it was our only purpose. We’ve never lost a fight.” Onyx’s chest swelled a little with pride, but quickly deflated as he continued. “Until that night, I’d never been bested in battle.”