The Council (Darkness #5)(31)

“This place is madness,” Tim breathed.

“Let them out, Sasha. They’ve suffered enough,” Stefan said softly.

I was already on it. I agreed with Tim wholeheartedly. This place was terrible and I just wanted to go home. But we weren’t home free yet.

***

We all laid low for the rest of the night, each staying to our rooms, no one venturing out into the halls. The trial period of proving ourselves was now over, thank God. Or so the rules stated.

The next night, I awoke to a soft kiss. Stefan stood beside the bed, dressed and ready to get moving. His dark eyes stared down at me. “We’ve got a backer, of sorts, which means we’re free to leave. Toa thinks you’re still a target—which means we’re taking that pass and getting out of here. I’m going to talk to a few people, including Dominicous. I want everyone to know why we’re leaving.”

“Can’t we just write a few notes?”

A smile flickered on his full lips. “Unfortunately, no.”

He sobered. “I want you to pack everything and get ready. Stay in the room until I come back, okay? I don’t know what’s going on with the Council, but you’re still a target. And possibly hated since Cato has sided with finding humans important. Plus, there is Andris to think about.”

“Got it. Stay here. Does this mean I can get Charles to serve me breakfast in bed?”

Stefan frowned at me in warning. “Flashing the hired help? No. He might forget you’re mine and try to jump in. And then I’d have to beat him senseless.” I got a wink.

I giggled and snuggled under the sheets. “Fine. Come back in for a moment? I’ll be quick…”

“I should go. Get things ready.”

“Plllleeeaasssee?” I begged, throwing a pouty face at him. It worked half the time.

Stefan minutely shook his head, a smile warring on his lips. He half-turned to leave, and then stopped. Fast as lightning, he unbuttoned and stepped out of his jeans and boxer briefs. He had his shirt off a second later, his glorious body cut and defined, perfect right down to the last bump of muscle. His large erection bobbed as he slid into bed, covering my body with his warmth.

“Someday I’ll learn to say no to you,” he growled, sliding his length against my quickly-dampening sex.

“What would be the fun in that?” I breathed, leaning my head back against the pillow, savoring the feel of him.

“Hmm.” He captured my lips as he aligned himself, thrusting forward and filling me in one push.

“Ohh, goodness.” My legs tightened around him.

“Just a quickie,” he spoke against my lips, pace fast but steady.

I didn’t bother to nod, just focused on the warmth pooling in my core. On the tightness spreading through my body. Tingles and shivers worked my ardor higher, his girth filling me, his friction spreading glorious pleasure throughout my body. His kiss got harder and more insistent, his thrusts less controlled. My h*ps swung up to him. Our bodies crashed together. Waves of delight rocked through me, my breath coming out in fast pants.

He pushed harder and faster, the bed squeaking below us. The slide of him inside me felt so natural. So good.

An explosion tore through my body. My limbs quivered and my eyes rolled back in my head. Stefan finished a moment later, shuddering against me.

“I love you, Sasha,” he whispered into my ear. He kissed me tenderly, connecting eyes for a moment before getting up. “Stay safe and I’ll see you in a few hours.”

“Thanks.” I stretched languidly, admiring his shiny and cut body. “For the ride.”

I could hear his chuckle as he left the room.

***

I sighed as I stared down at the not-delicately-packed suitcases stacked near the edge of the bed. We had a wardrobe to go back to; I no longer cared if my clothes got wrinkled. I strolled to the side of the room and pushed aside a heavy curtain. The world waited below me, nothing more than a few twinkling lights in a void of black. I had known the weeks would be hard here, but I had hoped to find a bit more of a toehold. Regardless, I couldn’t say I wasn’t happy to head out.

Heaving another sigh, I turned back to the center of the room. Then sat on the bed, staring at nothing. Conceivably, I could turn on the TV. Instead, I glanced at one of the packed suitcases, where I stupidly stashed my e-reader.

Rolling my eyes at myself, I pushed off the bed and bent down. As I was fumbling with the zipper, a hard rap sounded at the door. Leaving my suitcase, I did a quick peep through the peephole just to be sure. Jonas would bitch if I seemed surprised by his presence.

Blane, one of Tim’s shifters that rarely spoke to me, waited outside. He was kind of a quiet guy, hanging out in the rafters, waiting for Tim to give orders. I opened the door with raised eyebrows. “Hey, Blane, what’s up?”

“They got Ann,” he gushed immediately. “Charles said not to get you, but we need magic to fight them off!”

Cold water trickled down my back. “Them, who? Who’s got Ann?”

Blane shook his head in quick jerks. “A bunch of guys. They want to have fun with her. I tried to fight them off. I got Charles but he said not to get you. But they had more magic than Charles—”

“Okay,” I said, stepping out of the door. “Where?”

Blane took off at a jog, going down a floor and cutting toward the back of the complex—a place I hadn’t been before. The hallways were regularly active at first, but as we moved further toward the back, things quieted down. Only a few lovers tucked into the corners and the stray wanderer crossed my sight.