KyriakisTriumph Read online

  When put like that, did she have the power to stand up to Gage? “But you were a full blood seraphim and he killed you.”

  “It’s because I let him. I fought him long enough for your mother to escape but I figured that if he took me down, it would satisfy his greed long enough to hide your existence. In hindsight, I would have kept fighting but I did what I thought was right. You fight for the people you love and that’s what will give you the strength to defeat this monster. So Anisa, what will it be?”

  * * *

  Fortier had him pinned to the ground and unable to move while simultaneously holding Dante down. He laughed maniacally. “You stole her from me while I was helpless to do anything about it, Kyriakis! How does it feel to be powerless? Where’s your warlock? Did you think this vampire could save you against me?”

  Unlike the other Hunters who they’d fought through, Fortier seemed to be much more powerful. There was something different about his magic. It was more focused. Paris could only move his head and he could see that Dante was immobile as well.

  How long do you think you’re going to hold us both? That’s a serious amount of power you’re exerting, Paris projected his thoughts into Fortier’s mind.

  “As long as it takes, dog. I want you to feel what I felt. My Camille will never love you. You used and abused her. I saw all of her thoughts and she hates you. You’ll never have her.”

  And neither will you. She hates you, too. I may have made a big mistake but yours was a 26-year long one. And now, you’ll never have her because you’re one of Gage’s mindless minions.

  “I’ll find a way to save her again. I have you to thank for taking care of Gage’s army. I’ll figure out a way to defeat Gage and me and Camille will disappear and you’ll be dead dog!” Fortier taunted.

  He’s can’t perform another spell while he’s pinning us both down, Dante entered his mind.

  What do you suggest?

  Egg him on. Taunt him until he’s forced to release one of us. He’ll probably zap you but it will distract him enough to allow one of us to break free, Dante explained.

  Good idea. Here goes nothing. Paris turned his attention to Fortier. It’s interesting that you think that Anisa would want you after you’ve totally been emasculated by Gage. He’s not even a real warlock and you lost to him. Anisa won’t even see you as someone worth being with.

  “Shut up, dog!” Fortier gritted his teeth.

  Paris felt the force of the warlock’s hold tightening on him and it felt like his organs were compressing. But that meant that his taunts were working.

  What’s the matter, warlock? Do you think you’ll be able to easily defeat Gage when he’s already made you his bitch? You’re unworthy of Anisa and you know it. She’ll despise you because you’re a vulture, a coward lurking in the shadows rather than doing battle like a real warrior. You’re pathetic.

  “I said shut up!”

  Just as Dante had predicted, Fortier shocked him with a bolt of power that Paris could feel in his bones. One minute he felt as if he were being torn apart, the next second it was gone.

  He looked to see a freed Dante pounce on the warlock. The vampire started to rain blows on Fortier before punching a hole in his chest.

  Don’t kill him just yet. I want to look in his eyes when he dies, Paris communicated to his friend.

  “With pleasure.”

  Fortier gasped for air as the vampire slowly squeezed his insides. Paris moved close enough so that his snout was almost pressing against the dying warlock’s face.

  I want this dog’s face to be the last thing you see. I want you to know that when I save Anisa, you’ll only be a footnote in her life. And, I’ll make sure she never thinks about you again. My friend is going to end your life because you’re not even worth it to me.

  He then turned to Dante, Do it.

  Dante yanked out the warlock’s heart and crushed it in his palm.

  With Fortier taken care of, it was time to take out Gage. He slammed his body into the double doors sending them crashing open.

  It was obvious that he surprised the Hunter because he was able to knock Gage off his feet and claw into his chest. Unlike Fortier, however, Gage’s recovery time was quicker and he was stronger.

  Gage threw Paris off sending the wolf crashing on his back. As Paris sprang to his feet, he noticed Anisa’s lifeless form on the ground. She wasn’t moving, not even to breathe.

  Paris whimpered. He wanted to go to Anisa and demand she wake up. He could see his life flashing before his eyes as a blinding rage took over and he sprang toward Gage with his teeth bared. He aimed for the throat but Gage swatted him away with an invisible hand that threw him across the room.

  Paris sprang to his feet coming at him again but once again, Gage thwarted him. It turned into a vicious cycle of Paris trying to get to him and Gage deflecting him.

  Gage started to laugh. “You, filthy dog. Do you really think you could get the best of me? I will kill you like I killed her. And then, I’ll come for the half-breed and there’s nothing you can do about it.” He shot a jolt of lightning that Paris barely managed to dodge.

  Gage teleported next to him and punched Paris in the snout. Gage then dissipated and reappeared. “Can’t catch me,” he taunted.

  Paris raced to the Hunter only for Gage to appear behind him. Gage grabbed him by the tail and slung him across the floor. For several minutes, this game of cat and mouse continued until Gage appeared next to Anisa’s body. “When I killed her, she made the most high-pitched cry. She was in a lot of pain.”

  An anger beyond anything Paris had ever experienced tore through him. Perhaps, it was the rage or Gage’s overconfidence but Paris knocked the Hunter to the ground and bit into his chest.

  Gage screamed in agony before disappearing. He appeared on the other side of the room, clutching his chest. Paris had bitten so deep that the Hunter’s bones were exposed. “I was going to make your death quick, but now, I’m going to make it slow and painful. I’m going to make you hurt worse than your bitch did!”

  Before Paris could react, he felt himself being lifted off the ground. Gage had one hand raised and his eyes were burning a bright red. Paris fought against this gravitation but he was helpless. And suddenly, he felt something pulling on his limbs and tail as if an invisible force was going to rip him apart. The bones in all four of his legs cracked. Even his internal organs felt as if they were being shredded. This was the greatest physical pain he’d ever felt but it couldn’t compare to losing Anisa.

  He could feel his world getting black.

  “I bet you’re wondering why your friends have come to your rescue,” Gage taunted. “I put a ward on this sanctum that only allows my men or you to enter. And if you brought along a warlock or a witch, which I’m sure you have, it’s going to take them a lot longer to get through the warding than it did for them to get into the lair. Now, you can join your bitch in death, dog. Die!”

  Paris squeezed his eyes tight. Anisa, I’ve failed you.

  No, you haven’t, Anisa’s voice entered his mind before a blinding light flooded the room, temporarily distracting Gage.

  The light grew smaller and entered Anisa’s body. Her body shifted into a golden wolf. She rose to her feet as light radiated from her golden body.

  Paris fell to the ground as Gage lost his focus.

  “Why aren’t you dead?” the Hunter screeched as she stalked toward him.

  Paris attempted to stand but he was broken and so weakened he could barely raise his head. Gage shot electric charges from his hands but they didn’t seem to have any effect on Anisa who sprang at him her teeth bared.

  He watched in shock and surprise as Anisa ripped into the screaming Hunter’s throat until no sound came out. She tore his body to ribbons digging into and around his injured chest with her claws and pulling chunks of his body apart until his eyes stared sightlessly at the ceiling. A large dark mass exploded from the remains of the now dead Hunter’s body and the room began to shake. />
  Anisa rushed over to Paris. I think this underground fortress is going to collapse. The only thing keeping it together was Gage’s black magic.

  My beautiful Anisa. You’re alive.

  No time to talk. Let’s go!

  Can’t move, Paris answered back. The pain didn’t matter. All that did was Anisa. She was here with him.

  She pressed snout against this body. Heal, Paris.

  The golden light that still radiated from Anisa’s wolf transferred to his body, warming his insides. Paris could feel the healing magic and it felt a lot like love.

  As Anisa worked her magic, Dante burst through the room.

  “We have to get out of here before this place collapses around us.”

  I think I can move now, Paris wobbled to his feet.

  But you’re not completely healed, Anisa argued.

  I’m healed enough to get the hell out of here. Let’s go! His legs were a little unsteady but they would get the job done. As they raced out of Gage’s room, they were met in the hallway by the rest of the group.

  Paris checked to see that his party was still intact. He breathed an inward sigh of relief to see Constantine and Aries. Everyone else seemed to be accounted for as well but he didn’t have time to celebrate because the ceiling started to cave in.

  Paris was happy to escape this den of evil but he was even happier that Anisa was by his side.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  “So my friend, what are you going to do now that Gage and his band of Hunters are no longer a threat?” Dante asked Paris as they stood in front of the boat that would take the vampire off the island.

  After they all escaped the collapsing lair, it literally imploded into the ground, creating a black hole. Sasha and Steel made a portal back to Circe. Once all of the group was through it, Paris accounted for everyone. Though they didn’t lose anyone, a few of the members were severely injured. Anisa and Sarah, however, were on hand to heal them.

  Paris took a heavy sigh of relief that he felt he’d been holding in for years. “I honestly don’t know. I’ve been dealing with this threat for so many years, I’m not sure how to conduct my life anymore.”

  “I felt the same after my family took down Adonis and his minions. It’s a difficult adjustment going from being on high alert for most of your life to be able to relax and enjoy your family. You’ve earned this rest. Take all the time you need. Travel some, spend time with your pack and your family. You have your first grandpup on the way so I’m sure you’ll be happy to spend time with him or her without the threat of Gage hovering over your heads. And most importantly, you have time to focus on Anisa,” Dante suggested.

  Paris was looking forward to all of those things but now, Anisa had no reason to remain on the island. While they were back in Gage’s lair that moment he thought she’d died, he wanted to die as well. But knowing she was safe and out of harm’s way changed things. All he wanted was for her to be happy. He hoped that she could be happy with him but if not, maybe it was time to set her free.

  “More than anything, I want to be with her. But I realize that most her of life, she’s had her choices taken away from her. I don’t want to do that to her. I want her to choose me.”

  Dante raised a brow. “Is that a risk you’re willing to take?”

  “I love her. It’s the only card I can play.”

  “Well, Paris, I saw the way your wolves interacted back at Gage’s and I saw that connection between the two of you. If I didn’t see love in her eyes when she was healing you, then I don’t know what love is.”

  “Dante, it’s time to go,” GianMarco Grimaldi approached them.

  Dante nodded. “Okay. I’ll be there in a moment.”

  Paris nodded toward GianMarco. “Thanks again for everything and give my regards to your bloodmate and the rest of your family.”

  GianMarco smiled. “Will do. As always, it’s a pleasure. Anytime you need my help, I’ll be there.”

  “We’ll all be here for you,” Niccolo walked over with Sasha in tow.

  “I couldn’t have done this without either one of you, especially you Sasha,” Paris thanked the vampire and witch duo.”

  “Black magic is a scourge on us all. Whatever I can do to help eradicate it is my pleasure. But any ally of my family is a friend of mine,” the witch replied.

  Paris shared a hug with Dante and waved the rest of the Grimaldi clan off. Steel had already left and all the warriors had retreated back to their homes leaving him on the beach alone.

  With a heavy sigh, he headed back to his house, taking the long way. When he was home, he headed straight to his room where he shed his dirty clothes and headed straight to the shower. He washed away all the grime, the dirt and the stink of Gage’s death from his body. He didn’t want to leave the hot spray of the water beating down on his skin.

  All he could think of was that once he left his shower, he’d have to face Anisa and he didn’t know if he was ready to see the rejection in her eyes, yet again. He was so deep in thought that when he heard the shower door open, he jumped in surprise.

  Paris was even more taken aback when Anisa stepped in. She stared at him boldly.

  “Anisa? What are you doing here?”

  “Taking a shower. Do you want to wash me?”

  Paris shook his head. She was so damn beautiful. Her body was perfection. Her hair hung down her back like a black cape. She stared at him with big doe eyes and he wanted to melt. His dick jumped to attention and more than anything he wanted to slam her against the wall and fuck her senseless but he couldn’t be used again. He didn’t think his heart could take it.

  “Anisa,” he shook his head. “I can’t.”

  She raised a brow and ran her finger down the center of his chest, not stopping until it reached the crest of his cock. She grinned. “It looks like you can to me.”

  Paris grabbed her wrist to prevent her from touching him again. “Stop Anisa. This is serious. We can’t keep doing this.”

  “Why not? I know you want it.” She pointedly stared at his erection.

  “Of course, I want you. But it’s not just my body that wants you. My heart, body, and soul want you. And if you can’t give me your all, I can’t do this. I love you too much. If that means no more sex, then so be it.”

  She raised a brow. “So no sex, unless I’m willing to give you my heart?”

  Paris nodded sadly. “That’s the way it’s got to be, Anisa. I’ve waited too long for you to come back into my life. Yes, I’ve made some mistakes and I’ll do whatever it takes to win your heart but I can’t do this because you mean the world to me. And, it fucking hurts to know that you hate me. I know it’s what I deserve but I can’t help the way I feel. If I have to let you walk away right now, then so be it. Just so you know, I do intend to win your heart even if it takes another century.”

  Anisa didn’t speak right away. Instead, she pushed past him and stood under the water, allowing the spray to cascade over her body. “Hand me the soap, please?”

  Paris groaned. His cock was so fucking hard that he was willing to set aside his principles, especially with the way the water crested over her nipples, hardening the blackberry colored tips. He could smell her arousal. Her pussy was intoxicating but he had to resist temptation.

  “What are you doing, Anisa?”

  “Cleaning myself.”

  “You have your own private shower.”

  “But, I prefer yours.”

  Paris’s resolve grew weaker, the longer he stayed in such close proximity to her. “Anisa…” he growled.

  “I’m not asking you to have sex with me, Paris. I just want you to hand me the soap.”

  With an impatient huff, he handed her the soap. When she rubbed it over her body, it took every ounce of his willpower to not touch her.

  “Anisa, I deserve a lot but this cruelty is too much for me to handle.”

  “That’s too bad that you have to go because I think we have so much to talk about.”

  �
�What do we have to talk about?” Paris demanded, feeling slightly annoyed by her taunting as she rinsed her body. Anisa rubbed her hands down her breasts. Her skin glistened like brown silk.

  Paris shook his head and turned his back and was about to get out of the shower when Anisa said, “I wanted to talk about how much I love you.”

  He stiffened. He had to have heard her wrong. “What did you say?” Slowly, he turned to face her.

  “I said, I love you. I always have and always will. When I saw you battling Gage and I thought you were going to die, I realized how foolish I was being. I was so caught in my own pain and fear that I didn’t want to give us a chance. There’s so much I missed out on in my life and there’s so much I want to see and do. But, I want to do all those things with you.”

  Paris closed the distance between them and cupped her face in his hands. “Do you mean this, my beautiful Anisa? You love me?”

  “Yes. No matter how hard I tried to fight it, you were always in my heart.”

  Paris covered her mouth with his, not wanting the kiss to end. Anisa wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her body against his.

  He gripped her rounded bottom and lifted Anisa off her feet. She wrapped her legs around his waist.

  Anisa turned her head away and buried her face against his neck, raining kisses all over his wet flesh. “I want you…but I understand if you don’t want to make love.”

  With a growl, he pressed her against the wall and slammed his cock into her hot cunt. It felt like a tight fist gripping him in a vice.

  “Oh, Paris, I missed this so much,” she moaned.

  Paris remained still, savoring the sensation of their bodies joined as one. “I’m sorry, Anisa but this time I won’t be able to take it slow.”

  “I don’t want you to go slow. Take me hard and fast. We have the rest of our lives to make slow sweet love.”

  “I like the sound of that.” He began to move, thrusting in and out of her. The pleasure was so much more intense than the other times because he loved this woman and she loved him back. For so long his heart had been torn had been in pieces and finally, it was mended because he finally had the other half of himself.