Chapter Eight

Cary

He held on tight to Gage’s fingers when his boyfriend tensed. Cary couldn’t see with Gage blocking his view but with how Gage was responding, this wasn’t their rescue.

“Don’t pass the barrier.”

Cary was really tempted to look around to see who was talking but wasn’t brave enough. It might have been a little dumb running to the rescue when he didn’t even know how to rescue Gage. He should have at least brought Mal and Adam with him.

“Took you long enough,” Gage spat. “It’s cold down here.”

“Don’t worry about that,” someone said. “We just need a little of your blood. To send to your demon. That way we can make our demands.”

Gage gave his fingers a quick squeeze before holding his arms out. “Come and get it then. I dare you!”

This wasn’t good.

Cary gripped the back of Gage’s shirt.

“That is very brave, boy. We don’t need your cooperation though.”

Cary really wished he knew who was threatening his boyfriend. He didn’t like it. If he could conjure up a fireball or some kind of weapon, he would have. Dang it! He should have insisted his grandma teach him magic.

“A gun?” Gage shouted. His entire body shook. “If you kill me, then my mate won’t do anything you want.”

“I’ll just shoot you in the foot.”

That was enough. Cary stepped out from behind Gage. “No!”

Six men that Cary knew from town, including the mayor and sheriff, stood on the other side of the barrier. The sheriff was the one holding the weapon.

“How’d you get here?” Mayor Stevens demanded.

“Magic,” Cary quipped. It wasn’t a complete lie. He’d been given the vision after all.

The mayor snorted. “Funny. Since I control all the magic in this town, I know that isn’t true.”

“You’re a mage?” Gage asked.

That was new information. Cary thought they were all human.

“That’s right, boy. I’ve been working with Fisher for decades for control of this town. If you think I’m going to let a couple of snot-nosed kids ruin everything I’ve worked hard for—”

Gage barked out a laugh.

Cary wasn’t finding any of this funny.

“Stan Fisher is in hell,” Gage said. “You’ll be joining him very soon. Our mate won’t stand for this.”

“We should have sent you away when you first became attached to that human!” Mayor Stevens shouted.

Cary took offense to that. “Hey!”

“Shoot the human,” Mayor Stevens demanded. “Either of their blood will work. This is all his fault anyway.”

“No!” Gage leapt in front of Cary.

“Move!” Sheriff Jones ordered.

“Enough!”

That one word that was roared, echoing around the room.

Cary smiled.

Gage gasped.

“Get away from my mates!” Lucifer demanded.

“He’s got a gun,” Gage said calmly. “They’re trying to shoot Cary.”

Cary peered around Gage. Lucifer, Asmos, and Bel were blocking the exit. Spread out. They had dropped their glamour, with their full demon appearance on display. It was awesome!

“You’re in trouble now,” Cary sing-songed.

Lucifer glanced over and winked before he strode toward the sheriff. “You would threaten my mates?”

“Careful,” Gage said. “The mayor is the one wielding the magic.”

“Is that so?” Bel sneered. He lifted both hands and thrust them in the direction of the mayor.

The mayor didn’t move.

Uh-oh! Cary darted back behind Gage.

The mayor’s nasty laugh rose. “That’s right, demon! I have been chosen by God to have my powers. Your wickedness doesn’t stand a chance against my magic!”

Lucifer’s laugh boomed, covering over the mayors.

“God!” Lucifer mocked. “I am a favored son of your God! I left my paradise and took on a responsibility that no one else wanted. I sit at a table with your God every month and you think he would give you more power than me?”

Oh, he totally had to see this. Cary peeked back around Gage. This time Gage wrapped his arm around Cary, holding him against his side. Lucifer, normally tall, had grown over another foot. His gorgeous milky-white skin had turned red with four-inch black horns sprouting off his forehead.

“Is this who you think I am?” Lucifer asked.

Even his voice had dropped to become beastly.

“You think me the devil? Let me show you what the devil can do!” Fire flew from his fingertips.

The others, except the mayor and sheriff, in the room made a run for the door. Cary didn’t blame them. His sexy mate was terrifying. So cool!

Bel threw some kind of net around them. The net had just appeared in Bel’s hands. Oh, Cary wanted to learn to do that. He could corral Gage when shifted. It was really hard to catch the cat when Gage didn’t want to be caught.

“It looks like you’re on your own,” Gage said. He strolled up to the barrier and tapped on it. “Hey, mate! Can you let us out?”

Lucifer narrowed his eyes at the barrier. It became visible. “Step back please, mates.”

Gage pushed Cary to the wall and covered his head.

There was a crumbling sound.

“You should be safe,” Lucifer called.

Cary popped his head out from under Gage’s arm. Yep, the wall was down. It appeared to be little pebbles. Weird. Kind of cool.

“Stay where you are!” the sheriff ordered.

And the gun was being pointed at him again. Cary sighed. So unfair.

Lucifer roared.

The gun melted in the sheriff’s grip. The sheriff cursed and dropped the twisted metal and plastic.

“Serves you right!” Cary told him. He raced over to his mate. His demon mate. “You look very scary. And hot.” Cary barely came to Lucifer’s belly button.

“Thank you, Cary,” Lucifer said. His voice still deep and low.

Cary shuddered. “I’m totally turned on right now.”

Arms wrapped around his waist, pulling him back.

“Maybe let our mate finish things up here?” Gage whispered in his ear.

“Oh, yeah, sure.” Cary slumped in Gage’s arms. “Continue, please. But I’m hungry.”

Lucifer winked at him before returning his attention to the mayor and sheriff, who were trying to be sneaky and edging away. Cary wanted to laugh. They weren’t so brave now that they were dealing with a nine-foot red devil.

“I banish you from the human realm to face judgement,” Lucifer declared. He waved his hand and a black portal opened behind the mayor and sheriff.

A tall good-looking man stepped from the portal with four large black dogs. No, hellhounds! Those totally had to be hellhounds!

Gage yelped, pulling Cary closer.

“It’s okay.” Cary patted Gage’s hand resting on his stomach.

“Thank you for coming, Bo. Please take these two for judgement,” Lucifer said to the stranger.

The stranger, Bo, bowed his head.

The dogs moved forward when Bo snapped his fingers.

Lucifer was suddenly blocking Cary’s view, but he could clearly hear the screams of the mayor and sheriff. In front of his eyes, Lucifer shrank and returned to how he normally looked. With his pale skin, smaller horns, and wings.

“You were amazing, but I like you better this way. I can reach you to give kisses,” Cary told him. He jumped and Lucifer caught him easily. He peppered Lucifer’s face with kisses.

“I got kidnapped,” Gage groused. “I should get kisses.”

Lucifer moved Cary to his side as he held his free arm out to Gage. Gage sidled up to Lucifer’s side and tilted his head back.

Cary’s kisses had been playful but the kiss that Lucifer gave Gage was scorching. He liked watching that very much. He’d been turned on earlier but now, hmm, Cary wiggled, rubbing his erection against Lucifer’s side.

The portal closed and the screaming stopped.

That was much better.

A loud pop sounded and the ground shook.

Cary clung to Lucifer’s neck.

Lucifer lifted his head from kissing Gage. “The hold on the magic here has been released.”

Gage frowned. “What does that mean?”

“I’m not sure,” Lucifer answered. “The mayor had a stranglehold on this entire town for a long time. I’m not sure what repercussions there will be.”

“I will stay,” Bel stated. “I can keep an eye out while you return home with your mates.”

Lucifer nodded. “I would appreciate that. This is Gage and Cary’s home. I’d hate to miss something. Again.”

“Of course,” Bel said. “Is it okay if I remain at the house?”

Cary nodded. “Please consider it your home while here.”

Bel placed his hand over his heart before bowing his head. “Thank you.”

“What do you say? Shall we return to my home?”

Gage looked around the old basement. “We’ll come back?”

“Yes, soon.”

“Maybe after Christmas,” Cary suggested. There was an entire room filled with toys that he couldn’t wait to get his hands on. Plus, there were no telling how many more letters awaited them.

“Christmas,” Lucifer repeated.

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” Cary reminded him.

“Yes, yes, it is.”

* * * * *

Gage

They showered in different bathrooms even though Cary tried to talk them into sharing one shower. Gage had nearly given in since he didn’t want to be away from his mates, but Lucifer had suggested they shower and then share a meal before any nakedness took place.

Gage had been relieved with Lucifer’s suggestion. And the magic of the house provided what they needed. Gage had chosen the bathroom with a light blue decor that calmed him.

The show that Lucifer had put on in that old basement had been fascinating. It had been to mostly scare the mayor and sheriff but also to show Lucifer’s power. Gage understood why Lucifer had done it. Appreciated it even. But being whisked away just hours after being kidnapped by people he’d been around his entire life didn’t sit well with him.

He quickly toweled off before he pulled on a pair of sweatpants and a long-sleeve T-shirt. Back in Lucifer’s personal realm it was much cooler than at home. Lucifer’s snowstorm had been raging since they’d left. Lucifer had promised to get the fireplaces lit in the house. Honestly, Gage hadn’t been warm since sitting in the basement for hours. Even having the water as hot as he could stand hadn’t helped.

Exiting the bathroom, Gage found himself stepping into Lucifer’s bedroom. They’d only shared the space for one night, but Gage recognized all the little touches by Lucifer.

Cary sat on the bed, obviously waiting on him.

“What’s going on?” Gage questioned.

“Are you okay?” Cary asked.

“Fine.” Gage crossed the room. “Is dinner ready? Or are we just going to magic it up?”

“Lucifer’s working on it,” Cary said. “I told him I would wait on you to get out of the shower.”

Spotting the clock on the bedside table, Gage winced. “Sorry. I didn’t realize that I’d taken so long.”

“I almost came in to check on you. Lucifer assured me that you weren’t passed out or anything.”

“You were worried.” Gage sat on the mattress next to him.

“You were kidnapped from in front of my house. By someone we’ve known all our lives,” Cary pointed out. “Yes, I was worried.”

“Yeah.” Gage rubbed the back of his head. He didn’t feel any effects from the stunner any longer. There was just something uneasy in his gut.

“We were betrayed by everyone we know,” Cary said.

“I know.”

“They could have killed you,” Cary told him. “Taken you away from me before we ever had—”

“I know!” Gage pushed off the mattress.

“Gage!” Cary exclaimed.

Gage paced away from his mate. His boyfriend. He hadn’t meant to yell. Gage never yelled but especially not at the only person that cared about him.

The bedroom door opened.

“Is everything okay in here?” Lucifer asked as he joined them.

And now his other mate was there to see Gage close to losing control.

“It’s fine,” Cary said.

“No, it’s not!” Gage shouted. “I yelled at you. I shouldn’t have yelled at you. I don’t do that! It’s wrong. You should be respected. Not only because you’re my mate but—”

“Hey! You can yell. I can take it. Just because I’m human doesn’t mean that I can’t handle it. Just because I regress doesn’t mean that I’m a big baby. Stop trying to protect me all the time,” Cary yelled back.

“It’s my job to protect you!” Gage argued.

“Says who?” Cary threw his hands up in the air.

Something exploded and Gage ducked.

“Oh shit!” Cary covered his mouth with his hands. Then dropped his hands to stare at them. A lamp. The lamp on the table next to Gage.

“Uh, maybe we should calm down.” Lucifer strode to the middle of the room. Between them.

“I…I don’t know how that happened,” Cary said.

“Emotions are running high right now. From what Bel has reported, it appears that the mayor was stealing magic from the town ley lines. With magic resetting in your town, it is no doubt affecting you both.”

Gage couldn’t look at his boyfriend. Guilt consumed him. This was all his fault. He’d upset Cary and now his boyfriend was blowing things up? “I should go.” Gage looked around desperately. Where would he go? Was it safe to go back home? Would his parents be there? What kind of person didn’t even ask after their parents? He was a terrible son, boyfriend, mate—

“Hey now.” Strong arms wrapped around him and lifted Gage off his feet. “Whatever you are thinking about is upsetting you.”

Gage buried his face in Lucifer’s neck. His mate smelt of sulfur, cinnamon, and vanilla. Not a scent that Gage would have put together on his own, but it definitely fit his mate. He breathed deep, hoping the scent of mate could calm him.

“It’s okay.” Lucifer’s large palm cupped the back of his head. “You don’t have to be in control right now. You can scream and shout. Fight if you need to. I have you. Cary is here with us. It’s okay.”

Gage shook his head. It wasn’t okay. He couldn’t lose control. His responsibilities were too big. Cary could be hurt if Gage wasn’t paying attention. It didn’t matter how he felt.

“Cary isn’t going anywhere. We’re safe here.”

Gage had thought he was safe with the pizza guy. He squeezed his eyes tight. He hadn’t been friends with Josh, but Gage knew him. Josh had talked about wanting to go off to college. Gage had waved anytime he saw him in town. They could have been friends if Gage hadn’t spent his entire life trying to hide away from his parents.

His throat tightened. Gage’s eyes burned.

“The magic won’t let anyone near this house,” Lucifer said.

Gage sniffed.

“You can let go here, with us.”

That was all it took. Gage wailed into Lucifer’s neck. He raged, cried, cursed, and the entire time Lucifer squeezed him hard. Held him together. Kept him from flying apart.

The longer that Gage released all his built-up emotions, the more his body deflated until he wasn’t even strong enough to lift his head. He was just exhausted. The soft mattress under his back jerked Gage back into the present.

“Shh.” Lucifer wiped the tears from cheeks while leaning over him.

That meant that the two hands wrapped around his left fingers belonged to Cary. Gage turned his head to see his boyfriend lying next to him. “I’m sorry.”

Cary had tears in his eyes as well. “I’m not. You needed that. You always let me cry on your shoulder. I feel tons better afterward. I didn’t realize until Lucifer held you that I never offered you the same. I should have.”

Gage rolled over, resting his head on Cary’s chest. Reaching behind him, Gage grabbed Lucifer’s arms, pulling him to cover his back. “I’m cold.” So cold.

He heard a fire roar to life.

Cary kissed the top of his head. “The house made a fireplace, and Lucifer did his magic hand wave to get the fire going.”

That hadn’t been what Gage had needed. Lucifer’s heat and Cary’s warmth were filling him with love. Pushing the coldness away. He didn’t want to correct his boyfriend though. “You can do the hand magic thing too,” Gage mumbled.

“I think I can. I haven’t done it on purpose.”

“You will,” Gage told him.

“Gage is right. You can do it on purpose. The house will modify to any wish you have. In addition to that I’ve already considered which mage we can reach out to if you’d like to learn more about practicing magic.”

Gage rubbed his cheek on Cary’s chest before he peered up at his mate. “Would you like that?”

“To be able to use magic like my grandma?” Cary asked. “I think I would. Can I think about it?”

“Of course,” Lucifer said. “You can take your time deciding.”

“Thanks.” Cary brushed Gage’s hair from his forehead. “Do you feel better?”

“I do,” Gage admitted. “Tired though.”

“How about dinner in bed?” Lucifer suggested.

Gage sighed. “I’d like that.” He really didn’t feel like moving. He was just now getting warmed up.

“We should have soup,” Cary suggested.

“And bread,” Gage added. “Remember on the first day of fall how your grandma would always make us soup with homemade bread? It didn't matter if it was hot or cold outside.”

“Yep, the first day of fall. We always celebrated the same way.”

“I like that tradition,” Lucifer said.

Gage entwined his fingers with Lucifer’s. “I want you to be a part of our traditions, and us to be a part of yours, and for the three of us to make our own.”

“Me too.” Lucifer nuzzled the back of his neck. “You know that we’re not bound to this realm, right? We can spend time in your home as well.”

“Cary’s house,” Gage corrected. “I still live with my parents. We aren’t allowed to move out until we marry.”

“It’s your house too,” Cary told him. “You grew up there the same as me. You spend every night in our bed.”

“That’s right,” Lucifer said. “Home is where the heart is. Whether it’s here or in the human realm. As long as we’re together, that is where home is. But we can have multiple houses.”

“Maybe after Christmas?” Cary said. “I was really wanting to be an elf this year. There are so many toys.”

Gage snorted. “You do know that elves are real, right? Paranormal.”

“Oh.” Cary pushed his bottom lip out in a pout.

“But you can still be my little helper,” Lucifer told him.

“That’s right!” Cary wiggled. “I’m a little helper. Emphasis on little.”

Gage yawned. It was getting harder to keep his eyes open.

“I need to feed us all before Gage falls asleep.” Lucifer nudged him.

He grunted. “Too late. Sleepy now.” His eyes closed so easily.