Running in Fear: Ghost Warrior Read online

  “Nikola, bring Lissa’s friend here, make sure everything she’ll need is brought as well. We can set up one of the outer buildings.

  As a reporting station.” Dominic pulled Suzanne into his arms.

  “I think the first interview should be with Remi. There are many humans that already know him, and trust him for all the work he did during the flooding last year. It will help for them to see a familiar face.” Dominic glanced at Lissa.

  “Who is this person you want to bring here and how is she going to react to all of us?”

  He smiled, when Lissa glanced up at him searching for reassur-ance. Nikola pulled her into his arms and nibbled her neck. “Tell them, Lissa. We’ll protect her, if she is a friend of yours.”

  “I met Leda Brandywine before the Bloods took me, over fifty years ago. We used to go everywhere, and yes, she knew all about me. I could trust her, she used to tease me all the time. Her father was a Senator, and her mother is a Congresswoman.” She changed the subject real quick, glancing up at him, her cheeks turned a nice shade of pink.

  “What did she tease you about Lissa?” He needled her, and she tried to elbow him.

  She shrugged. “She always accused me of getting the men, because I used my vampire mumbo jumbo on them.” Lissa giggled for the first time. Her face lit up, her body relaxed in his arms as she remembered. “I’ve lost so much time. She has part of my blood in her, Leda was attacked one night, she would have died if I hadn’t saved her.”

  Nikola handed her a cell phone. “Press one, and it will dial her number.” Lissa took the phone, and called her friend. She moved out of his arms towards the back of the room.

  Adonis and Pierre crowded around Jaycee, as he spoke with Dominic. Lissa laughed, but her eyes were on Pierre and Adonis.

  Nikola knew about Pierre’s ties to Jaycee, as it seemed Lissa did too. She turned around and walked toward the outside door talking to her friend. “Lissa, stay inside please.” Castor glanced over at him. “I’ll take her outside if she needs to go.” Castor moved towards the door, but Nikola placed his hand on his shoulder. “No Castor, she needs to face it.” He nodded to Pierre and Adonis with Jaycee, and Castor realized what Nikola wanted Lissa to do.

  Lissa shut the phone and stood facing the door, before she slowly turned and glared at him, but she didn’t move to leave.

  Pierre stood, with Adonis laughing at something Jaycee had said, when both men glanced over at Lissa. Her gaze flew to theirs and back to his. “I can’t.” She whispered and flung open the door behind her, making her escape to the outside.

  As Nikola made his way to the door with Castor, Pierre and Adonis were a head of them, and they all watched Lissa move toward the woods. Every step she took, Lissa would touch the plants surrounding her. Her body now relaxed, Lissa moved deeper into the woods and he could tell she forgot everything around her. He knew in her own way, she was working through Pierre’s involve-ment with Jaycee.

  “Lissa talk to me.” Pierre slid in behind her, and took her hand into his. “Jaycee is my sister-in-law, and she will always be important to me but Lissa, you are my future.” He kissed her hand.

  Lissa stopped and turned to Pierre. “I know Pierre, I just needed to work through this.” She glanced back at all of them. “I still can’t believe all four of you are mine, but all of you have been with others, loved others.”

  She glanced down at the ground and a single rose grew and sprouted up to her. Lissa bent down smelling the flower. “Until these past two days, I haven’t been with a man sexually, that I wanted, well since before…”

  Pierre scooped down and picked her up carrying her towards the main home. “Don’t you think we know this Lissa? We all are trying to give you the time you need, but this does not give you the excuse to place yourself in harm’s way.” He lowered her down onto the large back porch, setting her in front of him. Pierre cupped both of her cheeks.

  “We must leave for a few hours. Castor is staying here with you, but Lissa, no more taking off. If you need something ask us, because the next time you put yourself in danger...” Adonis moved in behind her swatting her ass.

  Lissa jumped, but Pierre held her still. “That is only a warning, next time you will receive a full spanking on that cute ass. Is that understood?” Pierre asked staring at her.

  She nodded, but Nikola knew something was going to explode, as soon as Pierre let go of her. “Pierre watch…” Nikola cringed.

  Pierre went flying backwards, and Adonis ended up having Lissa’s fist planted in his eye.

  Nikola appeared behind Lissa, and wrapped his arms around her, holding a screaming Lissa. “Don’t you ever come up behind me, and scare the shit out of me! What if I didn’t know it was you?

  I could have hurt you, you fool!” She shouted, glaring at Adonis.

  Taking a deep breath she slumped in his arms. “You can release me, Nikola. I won’t attack him, but all of you have to understand, until I can get past what has happened to me, don’t scare me. The only reason Adonis isn’t wearing one of my knives, is because I knew Pierre would never let anyone who was a danger to me near me, but that does not mean I won’t react.” Nikola loosened his hold of her, and glanced behind him. Ten of his warriors stood off to the side waiting for them, all of them hiding the smirks on their faces. “Lissa, we have to leave now, but please promise us you’ll stay near Castor, until we get back.” Nikola wrapped her long hair around his wrist and tugged on her head, drawing her attention to him.

  “Be careful, all of you please.” Lissa whispered, and slid her arms around him, hugging him tight. “Don’t leave me too.” Her voice hitched and he knew she was ready to cry. He released her hair and rubbed her back.

  “I’m not going anywhere, Little Butterfly.” He leaned down and whispered in her ear. “I still have too much to do here. I mean you are not the perfect little sub, now are you?” Nikola knew he would get a reaction out of her, but he didn’t expect what he got.

  “This Little Butterfly can’t wait for you to come back and try…” She laughed and sent him flying on his ass off the porch, totally unprepared for her move. His men laughed behind him. Pierre offered him a hand, as he came up next to him.

  “It seems our lovely mate needs a lot more work than we thought, but I’m so looking forward to it,” Nikola said accepting Pierre’s hand. Never once taking his gaze off Lissa who smiled and leaned back against Castor.

  “Come back to us, all of you, and I look forward to your lessons, Nikola.” Lissa turned to Adonis and grabbed onto his arm, as he started down the stairs of the porch.

  He turned just as she flew into his arms, hugging him. “Please be careful.”

  Lissa pulled back a little, with a smile on her face, she reached up and pulled his face down to hers. “If you want to spank me, it’s best to do it when I have no clothes on.” She kissed his lips quickly and started to back away, but Adonis pulled her back into his arms.

  “That was not a kiss, this is.” He bent her back taking control, his hand slid up her shirt squeezing her breast, while his tongue did the flamingo with hers.

  “I hate to break you two up, but we need to get going if we plan to be back by tonight.” Pierre grabbed onto Lissa, after Adonis let her go, and kissed her hard. “Be good. We’ll be back tonight and then we can go get your friend.”

  * * * *

  Lissa turned, strolling into the large castle-like structure, her stomach doing flips, but she knew all of them had a purpose in this war and she would not hinder her men. Lissa shook her head and stopped in the middle of the hallway, realizing that not only had her body recognized her men, but so did her heart. All four men were truly hers: Pierre with his joking manner; silent but deadly, Adonis who had eyes that could melt any woman, or send a shiver down an enemy’s spine; Castor, ruler, a man once broken, now showed his heart to her and only to her, waiting to see if she would rip it apart, as it had been in the past. Nikola, a man who was born to be a warrior, lover, and ruler of his world, but ye
t, he had given her all that he had, waiting, holding her when she needed comfort, protecting her at all cost and driving her crazy. Lissa laughed, glancing up at Castor who looked down at her, waiting for her next move.

  “Everything okay?” Concern filled his gaze, and she melted knowing tonight would be special.

  She stepped up to him and wrapped her arms around him. “I think for the first time I’m going to be okay, thank you.” Lissa kissed the middle of his chest.

  “I want to talk to Suzanne, but after that could you show me to the nearest tub? I’d like to take a nice hot bath.” Lissa took his hand and turned to find Dexter standing in their way.

  Lissa’s sixth sense screamed in the back of her head to be cau-tious. “Dexter, I’m really sorry about your mom…” Lissa reached behind her back and wrapped her hand around one of her many hidden weapons. “You weren’t her son, were you?” Castor slid in front of her, as Dominic and Granger moved in behind Dexter. “I thought you decided not to come with us to the island? Your sister knew what would happen if she betrayed me, are you here to join her?”

  Dexter was a few inches shorter then Castor’s six foot frame, and grinned. “Not at all, I just wanted to inform your true mate that there were no hard feelings. Kimberly choose poorly, and for that she got what she deserved, but you should know Caster father has decided to take sides with the Bloods. The old man might be from the old time, but he can still be vicious. From what I’ve been taught, he’s also a great strategy planner when it comes to war.” Dominic’s taller frame slid next to Castor’s, but she caught Dominic’s wink at her, before he turned all his attention to Dexter.

  She shook her head and released the weapon, knowing there would be no way the men would allow anything to happen to her.

  “Don’t they just take all the fun out of everything?” Suzanne nudged her and made her jump.

  “Damn Suzanne, don’t do that. You scared the crap out of me.” She laughed. “God, am I out of practice, no one used to be able to sneak up on me.” Lissa grabbed her braid and slowly untwined it.

  “Please, you were just thinking, and after finding out you have four mates, who wouldn’t be zoned out.” Suzanne grabbed her hand, and led her around the men through another door off to the side. “Now spill it, how are you doing? I know it’s going to be rough, especially since it has been such a short time since you’ve been free.” Suzanne reached into the fridge and handed her a bottle of juice.

  Both of them sat down at the large kitchen table when Jaycee, Cecil and Shelly joined them. Lissa had always been a quiet person, but lately these women had become close to her. Shelly with her flash temper and dry humor, Cecil cooking up a storm, making things that melted in your mouth, and who could weasel any con-fession out of a person with her food. Jaycee and Suzanne, though were the two she felt as if she could talk to about anything.

  Lissa sat back in her chair and glanced around the table. “I’m not going to lie. I’m scared half to death. I hadn’t been with anyone since I was freed from that place over a year ago. But I realized something yesterday, if I want a life I have to fight for it and well.

  Let’s just say I won yesterday’s challenge and tonight I’ll win another.” She took a drink of juice.

  Jaycee patted her hand and Suzanne nodded. “It’s as if all four men are already part of me, but yet I haven’t been with all four.

  There has been no bonding or anything like that. Well Castor and I now have a blood bond, but…” She ran her hand through her hair pulling it to the side. “It’s like they have been there all my life, that I’m part of them.”

  Suzanne snorted, and took a drink of her juice, while Cecil put a plate of rolls and butter in front of all of them. “I think its nature’s way of changing things, balancing them. Jaycee, have you talked to Giai? I mean she is after all Mother Nature herself, maybe she knows why all of us have this reaction to our men.” Cecil sat down tearing apart a roll, and dipping it into the warm butter.

  “No, but I gather we’ll find out more tonight, since Empusa will be here. Which reminds me, do we fix a formal dinner for them?” Jaycee asked Suzanne and Temmra.

  Cecil stared at Suzanne who busted out laughing. “Jaycee you couldn’t cook if your life depended on it. But, no they won’t be able to stay long, they don’t want to draw the attention of others, and their powers will do that. Cecil is right; things are changing here on Earth. Temmra even noticed it with the animals around her.

  They’re more guarded, hiding, as if preparing, and it has nothing to do with the fact winter is right around the corner. Hell, we have Christmas in ninety days, plus your due date is here in the next two months. I think all of us need to watch for any signs. As for your reaction to your men Lissa, let them in. I know it’s going to be hard, but they’ll do anything for you, as any of our men would do for us.” Suzanne grabbed a roll and nibbled on it.

  “It’s weird, most of our men are very dominant. Hell, Dominic is used to having slaves around him, yet with all this going around, all four of my men have surrounded me giving me anything. I hate to say it…” She leaned in close to the center of the table, all of them moved closer.

  “I even went so far as to disobey each one the other day, I even put hot sauce in the eggs Cecil gave me to give Dominic the other morning, but nothing. Hell, it’s been three weeks, and not a one of them has spanked me!” Suzanne pouted.

  “I mean, how am I supposed to concentrate on things, when I’m thinking of ways to get them to, well, return to normal a little?

  Rather, what’s normal for them?” Suzanne mumbled the last part, slumping back in her chair.

  “You’re not the only one. Tug and Rory both have been acting different, as if I’m going to break. Jeez, I’d like to take a frying pan to their heads.” Cecil laughed. “I did the hot pepper sauce in Tug’s beer the other night. He just laughed and said. “Nice joke.’” Cecil slumped down in her chair.

  Jaycee tapped her fingers on the table. “Shelly and I have the same problem. Well me. more so with the babies. Even Marsha has gone out of her way to tell all of my men I’m fine, and it’s okay to have normal sex for us. But no, nada, nothing.” Lissa listened, then frowned. “Do you think maybe with all the stress that they, you know, can’t do anything right now? Damn, and I wanted to…” Suzanne shook her head.

  “No they can perform, they just choose not to be on the rough-er side with us. They save that for their other mates.” Suzanne snarled. “They’re putting us on a shelf, like we are some fragile things. I’m surprised they haven’t come barging in here looking for us. But don’t worry. Temmra has blocked them from hearing what we’re talking about.”

  “Maybe they need to hear what you’re saying.” Lissa grabbed a roll, took a bite, and moaned. “Damn, Cecil these are amazing. If anything we could have a giant orgasm on her food alone. “ Jaycee grabbed another roll. “Shit, I think I already did when she made the chocolate mousse last night, but Suzanne is right. I’m tired of the shelf life, I want more, damn it.” The door to the kitchen slammed open, Remi and Dane came in. “You want more what? What are you complaining about now?” Dane frowned and glanced around the room. “What has all of you in an uproar? The hostility in this room is thick.”

  “We shouldn’t have to ask or beg, but damn it, what the hell is it with you guys? I swear ever since we got to Michigan, all of you have been acting like we’re made out of porcelain or something.” Jaycee snarled, and bit down on a roll.

  Dominic, Tug, Rory, Granger, Clayton, Bo and Castor joined the other men in the kitchen and surrounded their chairs. Lissa smirked and relaxed back in her chair, waiting for the shit to fly.

  “Don’t you smirk, Lissa, just you wait. I bet all of your men will treat you the same way. Maybe we need to find some men that are willing to give us…” Suzanne jumped out of her chair and ran around the table as Dominic snarled and tried to catch her.

  “You even think of getting another man, and I’ll tie you to the bed, do you hear me?�
� Dominic nodded and Blair captured Suzanne, throwing her over his shoulder, swatting her ass.

  “Well then damn it, stop treating me like a doll! When was the last time you spanked me, or even flogged me?” Suzanne whispered the last words.

  “Don’t you want me anymore? I thought I was supposed to be your slave?” Blair yelled and dropped Suzanne, as she ran for the door. Blair ran as he patted his ass, smoke filled the room. “Never make a female dragon pissed.” Suzanne laughed, and then tore out of the room. Her mates ran after her.

  “Oh I’ll give you a spanking, just wait till I catch you.” Blair yelled in the distance, and Lissa grinned, as did Cecil sitting across from her.

  “Did you know that Shelly and I got a good look at Kimberly’s chamber last night?” Cecil leaned over the table and pretended to whisper in her ear.

  “My son was asleep, my men asleep, so I met Shelly in the kitchen and we saw Kimberly leave her room. We snuck in there.

  My god, that woman had a mean streak in her. She had video after video of sexual mutilation on so many different men.” Lissa reached up and grabbed Castor’s hand, squeezing it, before she glanced over to see Tug and Rory. They moved towards her with Clayton behind Cecil.

  Bo cornered Shelly against the counter. “What the hell were you thinking? What if she had brought someone back to her room?”

  Shelly didn’t get to say a word. Bo swung her up into his arms and stormed out of the room. Tug, Rory, and Clayton were right behind him with Cecil.

  “Well that leaves you and me Lissa. Since Remi is being so nice, I’ve decided he will be the first one your friend can interview tomorrow. I mean it’s only right, after all, he’s supposed to be some big hotshot, ya know.” Jaycee winked at her, using the table to stand going to the fridge.

  “I’m always eating, I swear these little ones are going to be huge by the time they come out of me. Did you know there are fourteen different positions you can have sex in while pregnant…