Page 41 of Welcome to Bone Town

Our steps slow to take in the sight before us. It can only be described as ethereal, like something out of a fairy tale. The hall opens into a spacious area, with a pathway along the outside and alcoves along the wall. But what’s giving everyone pause is what’s in the middle of the space.

An underground oasis.

Sunk into the floor are several pools of varying size and shape, each one surrounded by lush tropical plants and vibrantly colored flowers. Steam sits low on the surface of the water. They have to be fed by a hot spring, but I sure as hell have never seen a hot springglowbefore.

“Goddess above, it’s gorgeous.”

“Hmm,” I hum my agreement, but I’m not looking at the pools. Cora and Archer are standing side by side wearing equal expressions of awe. If this place is a fairytale, the two of them fit right in, their beauty only enhanced by the soft blue light reflecting on their faces. I’d certainly love to see them frolic through paradise. Preferably naked.

Cora catches me looking and offers me a shy smile before glancing away. “Do you think the water’s safe?”

“How ‘bout we test it?” Earnest as ever, Jax digs around in his bag and pulls out a little device that tests water, the kind people take camping.

“Is there anything you don’t have in there?” Roman asks.

“Condoms,” Jax says with that signature wink of his.

Archer’s gasps at the same time as Cora. Theirmatching expressions of shock draw a laugh out of me. Somehow, it doesn’t surprise me that Jax would say that as freely as he would talk about the weather.

“Actually, I do have a few condoms. I just wanted to see your reaction.” He brings Cora’s hand to his lips. “I’ll never pressure you to do something you’re not ready for, but I can’t wait to fuck you raw and knock you up.”

Cora’s mouth drops open. Roman sucks in a breath, but I blow one out, unable to block the image of Cora big and round with my child. I’d never make a comment like the one Jax just made, but thinking it is another matter altogether. My cock presses painfully against my jeans as I imagine Cora’s wet heat surrounding it with nothing in between.

I take a step toward her before forcing myself to stop, clearing my throat. Archer raises his brows at me. I shrug and mouth, “What?”

Jax tests the water in two of the pools with his little tool and gets the same results for each. “Not drinkable. Too much salt. But perfect for bathing. It’ll probably help ease those muscles and get us all nice and relaxed.” He winks at Cora again, this time licking his lips as if he’s imagining howrelaxedhe wants to make her.

“Alright,” Roman says with a touch of an alpha edge. “We’ll camp here for tonight. Eat. Bathe. Get some rest. Then tomorrow we can look for a way out.” He points to a pool near the back, partially covered by pillars. “Cora, you take that pool. It’ll give you some privacy. The rest of us can spread out in these front pools.”

Any other time, I would give him a hard time abouthis bossy attitude, but I can tell his alpha is riding him hard right now, so I let it go.

“Someone needs to find something we can burn so we can roast this.” Jax holds up the snake.

No one volunteers, everyone too eager to get cleaned up and rest in the hot springs. Archer’s already sitting down and untying his shoes.

“I’ll do it,” I sigh, holding my hand out for the torch. Roman passes it over. They’ll have plenty of light here by the glowing pools.

To my surprise, Archer stands back up. “I’ll come, too.”

“None of those green vines,” Jax says. “Need stuff that’s dry.”

I cross my arms and stare at him. “If I can kill a snake, I sure as hell know what makes for good firewood.”

“Fair enough.” Jax claps me on the back with a chuckle. “You’re a handy man to have around.”

We’re only a few steps away when Cora calls after us. “Nothing priceless!”

“I think we can handle it.” Archer yells back as he joins me.

There’re probably dried vines we could use as kindling back where we came from. But neither of us have any desire to go toward the snakes, so we explore beyond the pools.

“Thanks for coming with me,” I say as we pass out of sight from the rest of the group.

“Thanks for jumping down a crevice for me.”

My eyes roll up to the ceiling, remembering the horror I felt. “Fuck, you scared me.”

He takes my hand, and I stop walking.

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