Page 26 of Shadowed Spirits

Bishop clenches his jaw. He spins me around so I’m facing the bed and hauls me back against his hard chest. Leaning down so his lips brush my ear, he rasps, “You’re lucky you’re still a virgin, Isabel. Otherwise, you’d be sleeping with my cock in your pussy all night for disobeying me. Take off your panties.” I hesitate. He moves his hand up to collar my throat, squeezing lightly. “Now. I have no problem punishing you in front of your other mates if that’s what you want.”

I shake my head, knowing from our activities earlier that he’s serious about punishing me. Pushing my undies down my hips, I let them slide soundlessly to the floor.

Cain, Archer, and Levi look at me with varying degrees of surprise at the news that I’m a virgin.Thanks for blurting that out, St. James.I know they were bound to find out eventually, but it’s still embarrassing that they all know now.

“Good,” he rumbles. “Now get in bed.”

“You’re kind of a dick when you wanna be, St. James,” I grumble as I crawl into bed. I settle myself facing Archer, sliding beneath the super soft sheets and sinking into the cloud-like bed. There’s a gap between Levi and me, which is where I assume Bishop is planning to sleep.

Bishop barks out a laugh. “I’m aware, sweetheart. I try to keep a handle on this side of me, but I can’t right now. Not with how I almost lost you today.”

My heart hurts hearing the raw emotion in his voice. Fear, anger, heartbreak, and maybe even love war for dominance in his words. We still haven’t talked about him telling me he loves me, which is absolutely fine by me. Emotions and I aren’t a great mix. Never talking about my feelings for him sounds like a fantastic plan.

He walks on his knees across the dark blue comforter until he can climb under the covers behind me. Bishop curves himself around me, wrapping one arm around my waist and putting the other under my head. Rustling sounds behind me before the lights turn out, plunging us into relative darkness. The only light in the room comes from the large window across the space. This realm must have moon or stars or something to light up the night like this.

Once everyone gets settled in bed and stops moving, Bishop trails his hand down from my waist to my legs before pushing under my shirt. Covering my bare pussy with his palm, Bishop shoves two fingers inside me.

I squeak in surprise and try to turn to look at him, but he holds me still with his arm across my front. “Stop moving and go to sleep.”

“With you, um, inside me?” My voice is higher than usual as I squirm around, trying to adjust to the intrusion. Although his fingers are only an inch or two in me, I still feel uncomfortably full. I’m not sure how I’m supposed to sleep like this.

“Yes.” Bishop’s tone is final, leaving no room for argument.

I look up at Archer with wide eyes, who’s amused by this whole thing, if the grin on his face is anything to go by. I narrow my gaze at him, and he smiles more broadly at me. “You okay there, sunshine?”

“Just fucking peachy, sunny boy.”

“Glad to hear it.” Archer leans in to press a lingering kiss to my forehead before pulling back. He grabs one of my palms and intertwines our fingers before resting our hands on his chest. “Night, Izzy.”

“Night Archer, Luca, Cain, Levi, and St. James.” I get a chorus of goodnights from everyone. While I thought Bishop’s strange sleeping position would keep me up all night, my lids get too heavy to keep open within a few minutes.

Who knows what tomorrow will bring? Doyle could remember what I am, the council could arrest me, a blood-soaked goddess could murder me, and a million other awful things could happen. But right now? I’m safe with the five men who I’d happily give my life for. With that last morbid thought, I drift off into a surprisingly peaceful sleep.

CHAPTER 14

CAIN

“You summoned us, your royal pain,” Isabel calls as we enter the throne room. We’re heading back to our realm today, which is a strange statement. I never imagined other realms existed, much less that I would visit any of them. While outside the castle looked alien, with the saturated colors and different species, inside is much like Earth.

Glancing around the room, I notice fifty or so soldiers, all in the same black and purple uniforms. The guards who weren’t here yesterday are staring at Isabel with wide eyes and slack jaws. Some of them even advert their gazes, perhaps not wanting to see my mate get torn to shreds by Hades.

Even if Hades did wish to harm her, he would have a difficult time. Isabel’s inherent power level is so strong that even a wolf like me can feel it electrifying the air. Combined with all of us backing her up, it would be a challenge for Hades to best her.

Our shoes clack against the pitch-black marble as we make our way to the fearsome throne of bone that towers over everything else. Hades is waiting for us at the bottom of the stairs, along with Persephone, Zeus, Poseidon, and a black-haired woman. The woman with raven hair, red eyes, and sharpfeatures is glaring at us as we approach. She’s close to six feet tall, if her height in relation to Persephone and Hades is any indication. Memories of another stern, dark-haired woman try to surface, but I ruthlessly smother them. Now is not the time.

Hades snorts. “I’m pretty sure that’s not how the saying goes, earthling.”

Isabel shrugs as we finally come to a stop in front of the five people watching us. “I’ve heard it both ways.” The corners of her mouth twitch up as she tries to suppress her smile. She does finally smile when she meets Persephone’s warm gaze. My mate doesn’t see it, but her great-grandparents are already taken with her, understandably so. There’s something about Isabel that pulls people in and makes them instantly devoted to her. I think it has something to do with how pure and good she is.

“Is this him?” the black-haired woman asks, her face twisted in a sneer as she looks me up and down.

I fight to keep from nervously pulling down the cuffs of my navy button-down or smoothing the perfectly pleated creases of my gray suit pants. Her judgment is so reminiscent of my mother’s that I struggle to remain in the present, fighting against memories that are best left buried.

Sensing my discomfort, Isabel presses herself against my side. She wraps an arm around my back and fists my shirt, anchoring me to the present. If my mouth weren’t suddenly dry and my heart weren’t in my throat, I’d tell my angel how much I appreciate her unwavering support. As it is, all I can do is stand there, rigid as stone.

“Yep. This is the psychotic hellhound who almost became the ruler ofInfernuslast night. Mira, meet Cain. Cain, meet Mira. She’s a liaison from the hellhound leadership.” Hades gestures between us, and I try for a friendly smile that comes out more like a grimace. Mira’s glare only intensifies, so I blank my face.

Mira scoffs. “I am on the conclave. I’m more than just a liaison. From what you said, I thought he would be more… impressive.” She stalks forward until she’s standing directly in front of me, her red eyes filled with hatred. I struggle not to flinch away from her.

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