KyriakisTriumph Read online

  Aries took them to his spacious living room where a woman with bronze skin and long black hair lay on the couch, seeming to writhe in agony. Paris was at her side, holding her hand.

  “Hang in there, Nina. Help is here,” the Alpha assured her.

  Anisa stepped closer to the woman who turned to her with feverish eyes. Sweat beaded Nina’s skin and she looked as if she had the chills. Her teeth were chattering. Immortals didn’t get sick by nature so this had to be the work of dark magic.

  It was strange to see Nina, who she’d only known as Pet, in human form. She was definitely a beauty. Reluctantly, Anisa placed her hand on Paris’s shoulder. “I need you to move aside. I don’t know how I can help her but I need you to stand aside.”

  Paris, who had been kneeling, looked up and Anisa. “I’m glad you came,” he said softly.

  She nodded without saying anything else to him.

  Paris looked as if he wanted to say more but instead, he released a heavy sigh and stood up. He stepped away from Nina and moved to the other side of the room.

  Aries replaced his uncle and dropped a kiss on Nina’s lips. “Everything will be okay, now, siren. Someone is here to help. You remember Anisa, don’t you?”

  Nina turned her fevered gaze in Anisa’s direction. “Is that really you?”

  “Yes. I’m here now. I hope, I can help you.”

  “I hurt,” Nina whispered.

  “I’m so sorry you’re going through this. I’ll do what I can.” Anisa turned to her daughter. “Sarah, I think I’m going to need you to guide me through this. You’ve had some success with healing. Aries, we’re going to need our space.”

  The Beta nodded. “Okay, just do what you must to save her.” He stood up but didn’t move too far away from them. His face seemed to be frozen with fear as he watched his mate writhe in pain.

  Sarah knelt next to Anisa. “Nina, where does it hurt?”

  “All over,” the sick woman replied.

  Anisa placed her hand on Nina’s forehead. She was burning up. Her heart went out to this woman because of all she’d been through. Gage had used Nina as his personal punching bag for years, had stripped her of her identity and used all of her resources until he couldn’t anymore. The fact that she’d survived that was a testament to Nina’s strength. Anisa was determined to see her through this ordeal.

  “Could you tell me where it hurts the most, Nina?” Sarah asked again.

  “I’m not sure, it all kind of feels the same but…it feels as if my heart is about to explode. It’s pounding so hard.”

  Anisa frowned. It was. She thought she’d been imaging the rapid sound of a drum pounding. She leaned over and pressed her ear against Nina’s chest. Her heartbeat was going faster than anything she’d ever heard. If Nina was human, she would have had a massive heart attack. With the way her heart was going off, Anisa wasn’t sure if Nina wouldn’t have one.

  “Where else do you feel the pain? Concentrate, if you can,” Anisa said gently.

  “My head. It’s almost like being kicked in the skull over and over again with hard-tipped shoes. You witnessed how Gage treated me. I can tell you right now, that the pain he inflicted me doesn’t come close to what I’m feeling right now.”

  Anisa’s heart dropped at the description. She had indeed witnessed some of the things Gage had done to Nina when she was Pet. Once, when he’d come home from an unsuccessful hunt, he’d pulled out this nine-pronged whip and electrified it with his magic. He proceeded to flay all the fur off of Pet’s back. The All Black wolf had howled in agony and Anisa’s heart broke with each hit of the whip. Gage was an absolute monster. Shifters healed quickly by rule, however, it took weeks for Pet’s fur to grow back after a beating by Gage.

  She kept her hand pressed on Nina’s forehead. “Could someone get some cool wash clothes and a bowl of ice? Until I can figure out how these powers of mine work, the least we can do is cool her down a bit. I know she’s shaking, probably from the chills but her skin is fiery.”

  “I’ll do it!”

  “Please hurry.”

  Aries was already gone.

  “Sarah, place your hand over Nina’s heart and keep it there. I don’t know what I’m doing but I think we should apply pressure at her most painful points.” Anisa didn’t know why she knew that but that seemed to be the right thing to do.

  “It’s going to be okay, Nina,” Sarah assured her friend as she followed her mother’s instructions.

  “I don’t know what it is, but the pain is not so bad as long as you’re touching me,” Nina whispered.

  “Hmm.” Anisa lifted her hand from Nina’s head to see what would happen.

  “No!” Nina moaned. “Please put your hand back.”

  Anisa exchanged a look with her daughter as she complied with Nina’s wishes. She’d never used her touch to heal before but Gaspard always used to tell her that her touch soothed him. Maybe he’d found a way to tap into her abilities without telling her. She wouldn’t put it past that manipulative bastard.

  Nina groaned.

  It was then Anisa realized something. Her thoughts were controlling this ability. As soon as she focused her mind on Gaspard, Nina had made a sound of pain.

  Thankfully, Aries returned with items Anisa had asked for. She thankfully took them. “Nina, I’m going to have to remove my hand for a moment.”

  “Please don’t. Your touch has been the only thing to make this pain bearable,” Nina pleaded as a tear cascaded down the side of her face.

  “I promise, I’ll be quick,” Anisa guaranteed. She went about the task of taking the damp cloth and wrapping the ice inside of it before returning her hand to Nina’s forehead and using the cold cloth to wipe all of Nina’s exposed skin.

  “Sarah, could you please raise her top? I want to cool her down a little bit more,” Anisa instructed.

  She and Sarah worked in tandem to make Nina feel more comfortable. Finally, Nina closed her eyes.

  “Nina!” Aries shouted in a panic.

  “Take it easy, Aries. She’s only resting. I don’t know how but we’ve somehow managed to get her to sleep. Her heart rate has slowed down which is a good sign. Now, Sarah and I need to figure out how to activate these powers.” She looked to her daughter. “Sarah, it’s my understanding that you’ve used your abilities before. Do you remember how it happened?”

  “Well, the first time it happened, was with Persephone. She was stuck in her wolf form. Everyone was saying their goodbyes to her while she was still in her right mind. When I hugged her, this glow came from my hands and then my entire body. I felt this surge of power, unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before. And the next thing I know, Persephone was in human form and I had passed out.”

  “And you didn’t do anything else?”

  Sarah frowned. “Not that I can think of.”

  “How about when you helped Nina the first time?”

  “That time was a little different. When I originally placed my hands on her, nothing happened and just when I was about to take them off, that glow happened again but this time it was brighter. And then something else happened. I felt all the pain and torture she’d suffered. Even though the light was blinding, I could still see the darkness. I think I absorbed her pain and just like with Persephone, she changed into her human form. Apparently, that wasn’t enough.”

  “Were there any words you chanted?” Anisa demanded. “Please think hard because it’s important that you remember for Nina’s sake.”

  “Well, I think all I said was that I wished…”

  Anisa gripped her daughter by the forearms and gave her a light shake. “What, Sarah? Please remember.”

  “I said I wished that she’d heal. Oh, my goodness!” Sarah gasped. “When I was hugging Persephone, I said that I wished that she was okay. I think this works with the will of our desire.”

  “Well, there’s no harm in trying. How about I place my hand on her forehead, and you put yours on her heart and we’ll hold each’s free hand
.”

  Sarah nodded. “That sounds like a plan.”

  Anisa gently placed her hand on Nina’s forehead and Sarah did as she was told. Once their hands were locked, they looked at each other. “Let’s say it together,” Anisa whispered.

  “Okay.”

  “We wish you would heal,” mother and daughter spoke in unison.

  Nothing happened at first but after a few seconds, however, a white glow came from Anisa’s fingertips and slowly spread through her hands and up her arms. She noticed the same thing was happening to Sarah but before she had a chance to linger on what her daughter was doing a wave of dark power hit her. The same thing Sarah had described racked Anisa’s body. But she managed to hold on to Nina.

  She distantly heard Paris calling out her name but she blocked it. The only thing that mattered at that moment was seeing that Nina was completely healed.

  Pain raced through her and she saw images of Gage’s face. She released a scream as a powerful force sent her hurtling backward. Sarah must have felt it, too, because she let go of Anisa’s hand as she also stumbled.

  “No, we have to stop them,” Paris shouted. When he moved toward them, Anisa shook her head. “No. It’s almost done. We have to purge the rest of the dark magic from her. Keep in mind she was with Gage longer than any of his captives so he’s done the most damage to her. We have to do this now.” She looked over at her daughter who slowly rose to her knees. “Sarah, can you still do this?”

  “Yes. Let’s do this.”

  They resumed their positions and again, the healing strength of their power shot through Nina’s being as they absorbed the remnants of black magic within her system.

  Anisa gritted her teeth as she tried her best to ignore the pain. Finally, a light so bright it almost blinded the occupants filled the entire room. Her entire body began to glow and just as suddenly as it appeared, it was gone. She looked down at Nina who was still sleeping peacefully. Anisa was almost certain the healing had worked. She placed her head against Nina’s chest and her heartbeat had slowed down to a normal pace for a shifter.

  She turned to Sarah who had slumped over. “Sarah?”

  Her daughter lifted her head but she seemed to be on the verge of passing out.

  Constantine walked over and pulled his mate to her feet before scooping her up into his arms. “Healing takes a lot out of her. I’m going to take her back to our house so that she can rest.”

  Anisa nodded. “I’ll be over there shortly.” She then turned her attention to Aries and gave him a smile. “I think she’s going to be all right.”

  Aries took the spot Sarah had vacated. “Thank you, so much. This means the world to me. I don’t know how I can repay you.”

  She patted him on the shoulder. “Just be happy, okay.”

  “Trust me, I will. I’m going to take her upstairs now so that she can be more comfortable.”

  Aries lifted his mate off the couch and carried her out of the room leaving Paris and Anisa alone. She’d done a pretty good job of ignoring him when she had something else to occupy her but now, she had no option but to acknowledge his presence.

  He closed the distance between the two of them and held out his hand to her. Reluctantly, she took it and allowed him to help her to her feet. When Anisa stood up, however, her legs nearly gave out on her.

  “Whoa!”

  “Careful!” Paris swiftly wrapped his arms around her.

  She pushed away from him. “I’m fine, thank you.”

  “Are you worn out as well?”

  “It did take a lot out of me but I will be fine after a little rest.”

  “I wonder why it affects Sarah the way it does and not you.”

  “Possibly because I have more seraphim blood in my veins. I don’t know for sure but that’s my guess. Well, excuse me, I think I’m going to head back to Constantine and Sarah’s house.” When she attempted to walk past him, he grabbed her by the wrist halting her progress.

  She looked at his hand pointedly. “Let go.”

  He shook his head. “No. We need to talk.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  “We have nothing to talk about, Paris. I’ve said all I needed to say to you.” Anisa challenged him.

  Paris stared at her in frustration. She’d told him that she wasn’t the same woman he used to know and she wasn’t lying. This Anisa was fiercer and more defiant. She had a confidence about her that she hadn’t displayed before. And yet, he could still tell that sweetness was there by the way she interacted with Sarah and Nina. It turned him on how she’d taken charge of the situation and even though she’d been unsure of her powers, she had still been willing to help at all costs.

  He found himself falling for her even harder but apparently, the tables had turned. Now, she was the one who apparently wanted nothing to do with him besides as an outlet for sexual frustration. Though he wouldn’t tell Anisa out of fear of angering her, he’d tapped into her thoughts as they were having sex. He knew it was a violation to go inside her head without her permission but he had to know why she felt this animosity toward him. Once he realized she was still angry over being used and mistreated for most of her life, he understood why she felt so much animosity toward him. It was the reason he allowed her to have control in the bedroom. Anisa was strong as most shifters were but he was an Alpha and could have easily overpowered her at any time.

  Paris understood that she needed that moment. But on the beach, the way she’d so callously dismissed him, fucking hurt. She made him feel cheap and used and the final punch to the gut had been when she’d flung what he did back into his face. She could have said any number of things to him but that by far was the worst.

  She had every right to be angry with him but it didn’t mean he’d let things remain the way they were without a fight.

  “I’m glad you got everything you needed to off your chest, Anisa because I have plenty to say. I think it’s best we took this conversation to a more private location. Perhaps, my house?”

  “I’m not interested in talking with you right now. I’m exhausted. Whatever happened with Nina took a lot of my strength and right now, all I want to do is rest. As you’ve already witnessed, Sarah was drained so I think she needs me.”

  “Sarah has Constantine and maybe you should give them the space they need. I know that the two of you have a lot of time to make up for but if you ask me, you’re being selfish. Constantine and Sarah are freshly mated and they’re expecting their first pup. They need to spend as much time together as possible. Sarah doesn’t need her mother coming between them.”

  Anisa gasped. “Coming between them. Sarah wants me there and I want to be there with her. You have no idea how I felt that day when Gage’s minions came after us. I could have lost her. I did lose her. For 26 years. You had all the time in the world with your offspring. I did not. So, don’t you dare try to tell me that wanting to spend time with my daughter is coming between her and her mate.”

  Paris sighed. “Look, it’s not my intention to argue with you but I need you to see reason. These past several years have been a tumultuous time for the entire pack. Sarah was tracked down by Hunters and my son saved her. My daughter was ambushed by one of Gage’s men and was infected with Malum. My nephew’s mate has been through something no ordinary shifter can endure but yet, she managed to survive. My pack and its allies have had battle after battle with Gage’s men and yet, somehow, we all manage to find some measure of happiness with the strength of our loyalty and love for each other. When I say that you’re coming between Sarah and Constantine, I’m not saying that you’re trying to divide them. I’m saying that you’re taking away the precious time they have together during a time when we have so little peace.”

  “I just want to spend time with her.”

  “And you’ll have plenty of time to do so. All I’m saying is that you need to give her space. You’ll still be on the island together. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to see her. In the meantime, you can stay at my house. I
have plenty of rooms.”

  Anisa rolled her eyes. “Is my not wanting to stay with you is what this is all about? I see your arrogance knows no bounds. You’re trying to bend me to your will by guilt tripping me.” She yanked her hand out of his hold and stormed past him.

  It wasn’t until she was several feet away when he finally caught up with her. “Wait up, dammit!” He caught her by the arm again.

  “Would you stop manhandling me? Do you always have to resort to brute force when you can’t get your way? Just leave me alone!” She pushed him away forcing him to release her again.

  “It’s funny. You’re weren’t saying that when you were sucking my cock, earlier.”

  She turned around stormed back toward him with her fist raised. It looked as if she had every intention of punching him in the face.

  “Go ahead and do it. At least it would finally be an honest emotion from you.”

  She lowered her hand. “What are you talking about?”

  “I admit that you deserve to be angry with me. What I did to you was unforgivable but don’t pretend you have no feelings for me whatsoever. We’re bond mates, whether you accept that or not. You are mine.”

  “This again? You don’t own me, Paris Kyriakis.”

  Paris could see that Anisa would take whatever he said the wrong way and if he returned her aggression, then it would only escalate the situation. He took a deep breath. “Anisa, it doesn’t work one way. I belong to you, Anisa. I’ve belonged to you from the moment you looked at me with those big brown eyes of yours. You took my heart and body. But my mind wasn’t quite ready and I paid the biggest price for that. You may think you hate me but I can prove to you that you don’t.”

  She snorted, “Why because we fucked? So what! We’re sexually compatible. I’m sure there are plenty of men I’d enjoy having sex with.”

  Even though he knew she was only trying to rile him, she’d managed to push the right buttons. He gripped her by the neck and yanked her against him. “You will not be with any other men!” He roared. In his anger, he could feel his canines extend as he bared his teeth. The heat from his eyes indicated that they were glowing.