Chapter 9

Nine

Later that same night…

Gideon stepped off the MTA train onto the concrete platform enveloped in a sea of humans. Excited chatter swarmed about as they all marched toward the station. Many sped passed him, thanks to his shorter legs. The four-inches added by his witchy shit-kickers helped, but only by fractions. Entering Boston's North Station, he scanned the area, absorbing the commotion within.

The echoing sound, passengers racing for their trains or passing through, some with luggage in tow along with the pre-recorded messages directing travelers, was welcome. It drowned out the ugly things in his head and gave him something else to focus on. He grinned as he trudged past the many small shops lining the interior, vendors hopeful to sell their wares to the thousands who journeyed through North Station each day.

Large groups flowed toward TD Garden, the massive arena above North Station where the Celtics and the Bruins played. He cut from the crowd and exited onto the bustling street outside where he noticed giant posters pronouncing Queen was performing that night.

Queen!He'd missed that news somehow. How he would've loved to see Adam Lambert singing live. He paused at the edge of the sidewalk near the street, weighing his options. His plan had been to head to Temple, his favorite gay club in the city, find the biggest dicked single man—or plural if the mood was right—and then proceed to have his brains fucked out as many times as physically possible.

The magical drain persisted after the boon, and he refused to grow any weaker. He stared at the massive concert poster above the entry doors, luring him to change his mind. The parade of anonymous sex partners had been fun for the first few weeks, but it was becoming tedious, prowling clubs or apps every night for another nameless, faceless partner.

If anyone heard him say that, they'd swear he'd been body-snatched.

Gideon yawned, covering his mouth with the back of his hand. He noticed the time. Eight-oh-three. Eight-oh-three on a Friday night and he was yawning? That made his decision easier. Brushing his long hair over one shoulder, he marched toward Temple for that energy boost.

The city streets were vibrant and full of people. Many stares turned his way as he stalked the street in his short skirt, thigh high tights, boots, and crop top. Luckily, it was unseasonably warm, yet the air still held a chill since the sun had set. Gideon manifested a long, soft cashmere cloak to wrap around his shoulders as he walked the few blocks to the club.

A group of men began following him as he traveled the street. He sensed their stares and an aura of negativity coming from their direction. He glanced over a shoulder, the sensation growing stronger. One of the men whistled.

"Hey,mama," his voice rang out over the city noises.

Gideon continued to walk, ignoring the catcall and the ones that followed. He knew he shouldn't waste the magic, but he didn't want to be assaulted, either. With the wave of his wrist under the cloak, he wiped his memory from their minds. He gave them another glance. The men paused, leaning against a nearby building, seeking other amusements.

Another block and he strolled into Temple, dragging the cloak off. The music was blaring when he arrived, and the dance floor crowded. He waved away the shawl, and it evaporated into nothingness in the dim light of the club as he scanned the interior, searching for prey. Christmas was soon upon them. Gawdy decorations littered the place. Even the lights seemed to be coordinated to the human holiday.

Gideon did not celebrate Christmas. Yule, which began at the Solstice, and ended near the New Year, was much more his style with garlands of pine, natural decorations, and homemade goodies. He paused at an open high-top table and picked up the little cardboard Santa resting there. Scowling, he tossed it back to the surface and rolled his eyes.

"Are you a Scrooge?" was asked close to his ear.

"It's all a wee bit commercialized for my taste," Gideon spat, turning to eye the man behind the voice. He paused when he found a big, dark, sexy guy. Glancing down, he also noted what appeared to be a sizeable package. You might do. He smiled coyly, leaning closer. "Santa Claus is derived from an old Germanic deity by the name of Wōdan, who demanded blood sacrifices as his due. Some believe he and Odin were one in the same, but he predates Odin, so I don't believe they are. Either way, people have based their jolly old, red-dressed St. Nick on a vengeful god soaked in the blood of the sacrificed."

The man eyed him oddly, tilting his head. He yelled, "What?"

"Never mind!"Gideon yelled back and smiled seductively. Why he wanted to have a philosophical conversation about where the myth of Santa sprung forth was beyond him. He was there for one thing, and one thing only.

The sexy stranger chuckled, leaned down closer to Gideon's ear and inhaled, scenting him. The corners of Gideon's lips curled at that realization.

"I'm not a fan of Christmas myself. Raised Jewish. Non-practicing now."

"Ahh,"Gideon murmured. He didn't really need to know anything about the stranger other than he smelled amazing and might be packing. Gideon leaned closer and did some scenting of his own. He lifted his gaze and glanced through his lashes.

"You like girls or boys?"

Gideon frowned. It was an odd question given where they were. "Neither. I like men—with big cocks, preferably. Is yours big?"

"Oh, yeah."The human smiled, leaning closer again. "Wanna dance, sweet thing?"

Gideon nodded and offered a hand. The man grasped it gently and led him to the dance floor. A club version of Drums by Kim Petras was playing. His dance partner gripped his hips and started to sway to the beat.

Oh, he can dance… that's a good sign. If he could dance, maybe he'd do a good job of moving his hips in the sheets, too.

After a few minutes of dancing, Gideon spun, grinding his ass into the guy's pelvis. A firm dick soon became a hard one, and there was plenty of it. After another song, his dance partner led him to the bar, where it was a tiny bit quieter, but only a bit.

The human ordered them both drinks before leaning in close and brushing his lips over Gideon's ear. "I didn't think I'd find a hot straight girl at the club tonight."

Gideon tensed. He turned to eye the human, disappointment filling him. Fuck, I should've realized. I'm too tired for my brain to work properly."What?" Did he not know where he was?

The man smiled and leaned in, pressing his lips against Gideon's ear. "I came with a gay friend. I assumed I'd be bored all night… or fending off guys, but he said straight girls came out to these clubs all the time and I might get lucky. Glad to see he was right."

Gideon sighed. "I'm not a girl."

The man's eyes widened, his mouth opening to an O.

Great. Either he runs away in gay panic, or he tests out the ‘am I or aren't I question', which still might end up with him running away in gay panic. Why bother waiting to see which it turns out to be?

Gideon glanced around for a new potential conquest instead as the man began to chatter away nervously. Across the club, a familiar face appeared amidst the sea of strangers. The man glided through the crowd as smooth as the silk suits he often adorned himself in. Deep ebony hair shone in the shifting lights of the club, framing a handsome face the same shade as the sands of his Persian home. Not that he'd been back there in thousands of years. He'd lost the rights to call it home before the common age.

Gideon turned from the human and smiled. "Haman the Agagite… it's been a while."

Haman returned the smile, baring white, perfectly straight teeth. He brushed a hand through his silky, black hair. Gideon knew just how silky from firsthand knowledge. He'd played in Haman's playground a time or two. "You know I haven't been called the Agagite in nearly twenty-five hundred years. Except by you."

"It is your human name."

"Was,"Haman said before snapping his fingers.

They were instantly transported to Haman's sanctuary, away from the noise and the humans. He glanced around the harem room with its silk drapes and large pillows tossed about the floor. A gentle breeze came in, and the sheers under the curtains danced about, gracefully floating up, exposing the desert at night outside, and back down to the marble tiled floor. Gold leaf covered the columns and decorated the edges of the colorful frescos on the wall. Across from him stood a giant bed that could easily fit ten bodies.

Gideon pursed his lips, fully aware that he was being targeted for seduction. It was a good thing he'd been on the prowl for some dick. But Haman clearly thought he was in charge and Gideon needed to turn the tables.

"You didn't even give me a chance to tell my dance partner goodbye."

"You weren't into him. I saw that look cross your face," Haman murmured.

Yeah… the human had seen feminine clothes, makeup, and long hair on a smaller form and made assumptions—even as he stood in the middle of a queer space. He'd been instantly turned off, but then, he didn't need Haman to know that.

"Who said I wasn't into him? You're making assumptions."

"He was straight, assumed you were a girl and straight, as well… and then your interest faded," Haman said, brushing back Gideon's hair from his shoulder. "Which I don't quite understand, given the fact you love being mistaken for a female."

"I do," Gideon agreed. "But in situations like that, a heterosexual man on the prowl can quickly become dangerous for a man like me. He'd yet to show signs of that, though, and you never gave me the chance to feel him out."

"You no longer wanted him. You wanted me."

"Says you," Gideon whispered.

"You forget, Azizam, I'm an incubus. I can see lust as clear as day."

"I've forgotten nothing," Gideon murmured. Azizam… Haman was turning on the charm. And thick. "When did I become your sweetheart?"

Haman smiled, his full, kissable lips alluring. "You've always been my sweetheart, Gideon."

"You forget that I'm only part human—thus immune to your powers."

Haman brought Gideon's hand to his lips, kissing it softly. "I might not be able to tempt you with my powers, but I can with my wit and charm the old-fashioned way." He pressed another kiss to the pulse at Gideon's wrist. "And the big, hard dick I have that always makes you scream."

Gideon's cock thickened at the memory. I need to get a hold of this situation before he lures me in too deep. "I've always wanted to ask you—is this a recreation of Esther's harem before she became queen?"

Haman's jaw tensed.

"Oh, I guess that's probably a sore subject… given how… you know, she was the one who foiled your little plot to massacre her and her people, which ultimately had you hanging by the neck for the effort."

Haman flashed a brilliant smile that held no humor at all. "That was twenty-five-hundred years ago, Gideon. Water under the bridge."

"But… is it?" Gideon asked, raising his voice to a squeak.

Haman pulled Gideon's neckline open and pressed a kiss to the bare shoulder. "I know you're attempting to push me away. Why I don't know."

"You're not the most open of people. After all these years, I still have questions about how you landed in Hell. Or how you convinced Lucifer to make you an incubus."

"I didn't bring you here to discuss my past. I brought you here to fuck." He rose to his full height. "That was what you were trolling the club for, right?"

"Perhaps," Gideon purred before Haman nuzzled against his neck.

"I could see it in your eyes," Haman said before pressing another kiss to his neck. "You radiated lust, and that called out to me."

Gideon smiled, closing his eyes to the gentle trail of Haman's lips up his neck. "Oh, did it?"

"It did," Haman said, sliding his hands under the hem of the top. He lifted it, sliding it over Gideon's head. It fluttered to the floor. "Am I wrong?"

Gideon cocked his head to the side, awaiting another kiss. "Nope, not wrong."

"Good."

"But I need you to say it," Gideon said.

Haman ignored him, laying more kisses.

"Haman."

More kisses.

"Haman!"

The incubus ambled back two steps and let out an exasperated sigh. "Fine. I will not steal your life force with my kiss, nor will I claim your soul tonight. I will be respectful and only touch you with your consent. I'm off the clock and this fuck is for the fun of it, not for demonic purposes." He paused, eyeing Gideon. "Will that do?"

"Yes. Now we have that taken care of."

Haman lifted a brow. "Do you consent to me touching you? Kissing you? Ramming my big cock into that sweet little bussy of yours?"

Gideon lifted his chin, ignoring the further tightening of his cock. Haman always knew how to set him off. He knew he shouldn't toy with the demon, especially considering what he'd been through in recent months, but the forbidden was always the sweetest fruit. If anyone from the coven caught him and his occasional demon booty call, he'd not be forgiven.

Not easily, at least.

Haman wasn't like other demons, though. He had a disdain for the Underworld and those who resided there. Once human, though it was millennia ago, he had longed to return to the land of the living. He'd slowly worked his way from the bowels of Hell until earning Lucifer's favor and being transformed into an incubus as his reward. What he'd done to deserve that was anyone's guess. Haman would never tell.

"I consent," Gideon whispered.

Haman closed the gap in an instant, his hands skating along Gideon's waist. He unzipped the back of Gideon's leather mini and tugged it down until it slid to the floor. Left in his panties, thigh high stockings, and four-inch boots, Gideon ran his hands under his long, straight locks to drape over his back.

Haman lifted a hand to one nipple, circling the tip. "What happened to the little tiddies you had last time?"

"A spell. It wore off," Gideon whispered.

"I liked them, my sweet little femboy."

Gideon didn't really have the power to spare, but he recited the quick incantation—more for himself than Haman. He loved a more feminine form; plus, the spell made his nipples ultra-sensitive. His breasts swelled, pert and tiny. Haman would repay him with power once they did the deed, more than any human would.

The incubus used both hands to fondle his small breasts, palms against the hardened peaks. "So lovely. You grow more beautiful each time I see you."

Gideon scoffed, knowing the words were the practiced ones of a sex demon. "Save it for the humans you'll fuck later."

Haman shook his head, his expression turning serious. "I do find you beautiful, Gideon. I think you're probably the most divine creature walking this earth. Perhaps the most beautiful to ever walk this earth." He smiled. "I've been around a long time and seen many people, so that's saying a lot."

Gideon rolled his eyes.

"Have you never asked yourself why an incubus would be willing to have no-strings-attached sex with you, knowing he could be forced back to Hell if caught?" Haman asked, his voice low and soft as he trailed his fingertips over Gideon's hard nipples. "I don't do it for altruistic reasons. You're hot as fuck, and I wanted you from the first moment I laid eyes on you. I wanted to feel you against me. To know what you tasted of. How soft your lips were."

Gideon fought the spell Haman was weaving around him. "As if you haven't said these same lines to others a million times before?"

"None that didn't end up dead by the end of it."

Gideon held his stare, sensing there might be some truth to Haman's words. "This is just sex, Haman. Nothing more. We cannot give one another more than this."

Haman smiled sweetly. "I can still find you sexy as fuck and want to be with you, even if it's simply a casual, sexual relationship, can't I?"

"I suppose so," Gideon whispered.

"I'm aware that you have a mate or two out there somewhere, and I am not amongst their number. Until you find them, I'm happy enough to share my bed with you, Azizam. I am no one's mate."

Gideon leaned into Haman, suddenly exhausted. With another snap of his fingers, Haman had them in bed, lying against one another. Haman was naked and hard. Gideon still in his thigh highs, but his panties and boots were gone.

"Your power wanes," Haman whispered against his ear. "Allow me to recharge your batteries, my sweet little witch."

Gideon moaned as Haman trailed his lips down the long column of throat attached to that ear. Hands roamed, skin caressed. Gideon slid down Haman's body, under the silk blankets, and drew the tip of his cock up. He circled his tongue over Haman's shaft, licking up the few weeping seeds of lust formed there. Engulfing the fat cock, he drew it to the back of his throat.

"Azizam…"Haman purred.

A pop sounded in the room, and Gideon recognized it as a portal. A heavy hand pushed his head down while Haman slid up on the bed.

"How did you get in here?"Haman roared. "This is my private sanctuary!"

"I have my ways," the demonic voice responded. "Why are you here and not out collecting souls? You have not met your quota for the month."

"I have an orgy to attend later tonight. I was resting beforehand. It's going to be a busy night ahead."

"Ah, good. You had best bring up these numbers or else Lucifer will not be pleased."

"Have I ever missed my goal?"

"You have not, but there's always a first time. Don't let that happen."

"Out!"Haman roared.

Another pop sounded, signaling the demon might be gone.

"It's okay. You can come out," Haman said as he peeled back the covers.

Gideon skittered out, his heart beating madly. "That was close."

"As far as I knew, lesser demons couldn't enter my sanctuary. Sorry."

"But the royalty of Hell can?"

"They can, but they don't care about me." He scowled. "I'll have to find out how he managed to get in here and safeguard this place for next time."

Gideon rose to his knees, grinning. "Quotas, hmm? I didn't know you demons had those."

"Bureaucracy is Hell. Hell is bureaucracy."

"Seriously?"

"I'd take you there and show you if it was safe. Endless rows of cubicles in the tenth circle," the demon replied.

"I thought there were nine circles?"

Haman chuckled. "There was one or two Dante wasn't allowed into."

"Ah." Gideon crawled a bit closer. "So, are we doing this or not?"

"Afraid not," Haman said, glancing at a watch that appeared on his wrist. "I was supposed to be at that orgy already—you were just too tempting. I couldn't say no."

"Yet you're saying it now."

"It took me nearly two thousand years to get back topside, Gideon. I'm not getting dragged back down there, not even for you. They want souls, and I shall deliver."

Gideon sighed. "Well, fuck. There goes my night."

"Sorry." He smiled, caressing Gideon's cheek. "I should be done in a few hours. I can meet you back at the club, if you want?"

Gideon crawled out of the bed and collected his discarded clothing. "No, I don't want sloppy seconds… or would that be sloppy eighths? How many are you fucking and stealing tonight?"

Haman barked with laughter. He snapped his fingers and appeared fully dressed, seated on the corner of the remade bed. "You know, word on the hellvine is there are a few demons missing. Demons who were lingering around Boston and Salem."

Gideon attempted not to tense, but it wasn't easy. He sat on the edge of the bed and drew his panties back on. "Oh, really? That's interesting."

The mattress dipped as Haman scooted closer beside him. He slid a warm hand along Gideon's shoulder. Fingertips slid over his mate's mark, or rather, what would become his mate's mark in the future. It was a single arching form. One day, two more would join it, hopefully.

"From what I hear, no one can track them. They're not on Earth, nor have they returned to Hell. Even Lucifer cannot find them."

His spell was strong enough to throw off the devil himself? Gideon fought a smile.

"Maybe someone mastered the Evanesce spell," Gideon shot over his shoulder. Breathe, damn it. Just breathe. He's just fishing for information.

"No witch has been able to master that in several hundred years," Haman spat. "And no, I doubt they've…"

"Faded from existence?" A shiver raced up Gideon's spine. "You never know. We all expect the day will eventually come when a witch is strong enough to wield it once more."

"Not anytime soon," Haman said.

Gideon rose, spinning to face the demon. "You speak with conviction. Do you know something I don't?"

Haman shrugged, but the look on his face spoke volumes.

Gideon searched that face, the desire to reach forward and read the incubi's memories rose within, but he hesitated. Reading Haman would add more hellish visions to the ones already causing nightmares. He'd spent much of his magic implanting false memories in those demons' minds—the very same missing demons. They weren't missing. He knew exactly where they were.

Driving carpools. Taking the kids to soccer practice. Working some boring nine to five behind a desk or in a factory. Going to the farmers market on Saturdays.

He fought the smile coming to his lips.

Haman lifted his hand and tugged Gideon's chin up. "What's got that smirk on your face?"

"Thinking about getting that raincheck and feeling that big dick of yours deep in my bussy very soon," he lied. Not that he didn't like sex with Haman. Nothing could be further from the truth. The only reason he crossed the line with the demon was the fact the sex was amazing.

Haman hissed. "Fucking Hell! He came in here and cockblocked me. Me!"

He? Haman was the only demon he used pronouns other than it for. "We could have a quicky," Gideon said.

Haman rose. "Have you ever known me to be quick?"

Gideon chuckled. Incubi could literally have sex for days on end. Twenty-four hours a day. That was another reason he kept tempting fate with the demon. Haman was basically a warm, living vibrator. Always ready to go. Always hitting the right spots.

Haman leaned in and pressed his lips to Gideon's. "No, when I fuck you, I want to give you my full attention and time. It's nearing the end of the month, so I need to get these last few in. Let me hit the orgy and if not tonight, we can try tomorrow night, hmm?"

"You know, I shouldn't be so laissez fair about you leaving me to go hunt for human souls. Maybe I should seduce you and keep you here to save those poor people."

Haman's smile faded as he rose to his full height. "Gideon…" He sighed. "I was a horrible human. The horrific things I did sent me to Hell, for good reason. There, I was tormented for two thousand years."

"I'm well aware," Gideon said, pulling his second boot on.

"Then you should also know that I would never send a righteous soul down that path."

Gideon met his gaze, stunned by the admission. He'd always sensed Haman was different, but his astonishment was no less spectacular.

"I pick the worst of the worst. Pedophile priests. The wealthy who stomp on the backs of the less fortunate to rise higher and higher and fill their coffers to overflowing. Killers. Rapists. The humans who deserve to rot in Hell."

"I thought your whole purpose was to steal the souls of the righteous? The people you mentioned are going to Hell anyway."

"Anyone can ask for forgiveness for their sins. Anyone."

Gideon shook his head, sure Haman was wrong. "What you're saying is I could go around murdering people and, on my deathbed, ask for forgiveness and I'd still go to Heaven? That's bullshit."

"That's not what I said. Not exactly. If the person asking is truly remorseful and contrite, and have the potential to be absolved, there is a chance they could make it into the Kingdom of Heaven, even after hurting countless people in their lifetime." Haman paused, grimacing. "Most never reach that far, but a true plea for forgiveness will send the damned to Judgment instead of straight to Hell. There are three potential outcomes to being judged. Hell, Heaven—or Purgatory. Heaven's probably out for most, but there's a larger chance they go to Purgatory. If they go there, Lucifer has lost that soul, a soul he had already counted as one of his own. And that pisses him off to no end. I provide a guarantee that the worst human monsters won't be able to wriggle out of their rightful place in the bowels of Hell. This pleases Lucifer, so he leaves me to it."

Gideon searched Haman's face, shaken. "Community service, hmm?"

Haman's lips curled up. "You could call it that."

"Never thought I'd witness a demon doing good deeds."

"Sssshhh,"Haman hissed. "Someone could pop in at any moment, apparently. If they heard you say that, I'd be back in Hell in a second."

"But you just said Lucifer allows it?"

"Unspoken acceptance is more like it. He has hinted that what I do brings him happiness, and few in Hell make him happy. I'm sure he'd send me back to Earth, but my time, any time, spent in the Underworld is not pleasant. I do not enjoy returning for more than the brief minutes I am forced to."

Gideon closed his lips and made the locking motion over them.

"Thank you,"Haman whispered. "Let's hurry and get you out of here before we're caught."

Another snap of the fingers brought Gideon right back to the spot and time where and when he'd been whisked away, reclothed, without any sign of Haman. The crowd on the dance floor writhed around him, sweaty and loud. He turned to see the human he'd left behind and realized he'd already lost interest. A wave of exhaustion washed over him, and he wended his way toward the exit without a goodbye, after all.

Outside, he pulled the cashmere cloak from thin air and draped it over his shoulders. Instead of walking back to the station, he hailed a passing taxi and climbed inside where it was warm.

"Where to?"

"North Station."

"That's only a few blocks down, hon," the cabbie said. "You could easily walk and save the fare."

"My feet hurt," Gideon fibbed. He couldn't explain that he hadn't gotten fucked and was low on power. With traffic, he likely wouldn't get there much sooner, but it would save him a walk.

"Fine by me," the man said before hitting the gas. A couple of minutes of traffic later, he arrived before the station.

He soon climbed onto another commuter train at North Station for the trip back to Salem. Finding a seat that was far from other commuters, he snuggled onto the bench seat, leaning his forehead on the cool glass of the window. There was no scenery after they left Chelsea station, just an inky black with dots of light in the distance or the occasional stop between. The nothingness allowed the visions to creep back in. Hellfire. Torture. He could smell the sulfur in the air. The heat burning his skin. He closed his eyes, but that only made it worse.

Finally, they reached the Salem stop and he jumped out as soon as the doors opened and raced up the MTA stairs to the road. Wrapping the cloak tighter, he traversed Bridge Street on his way to Essex. Less than six minutes later, he saw the glowing neon sign in the front window of Enchanted Ink beckoning him home.

He walked past the darkened storefronts of the other coven businesses and into the black and white tiled lobby beside the tattoo shop. Once upstairs and inside his apartment, he stripped out of his clothes and into a pair of soft pajamas.

He scanned his space, looking for something to occupy his time, realizing sleep would only bring nightmares. Glancing at the clock, he saw it was only eleven-fifteen. Shit. I'm getting old. Eleven o'clock on a Friday night and I'm home?

Grabbing his cell, he dialed a number. Luca picked up on the first ring.

"Hey, can I come over? If it's not too late?"

"Sure." Luca paused. "Is something wrong?"

"No," Gideon fibbed.

"I know when you're lying, Gid."

"My plans fell through, and…" Gideon closed his eyes, hating to make the admission he was about to speak aloud. "I don't feel like being alone."

"Come on. Daniel's been itching for a rematch. He's off tomorrow, so he can stay up late to whoop your ass."

Gideon smiled at the mention of Daniel.

"Itching for a rematch? You mean itching to bilk me out of more money. That guy's a video game shark."

"To be a shark, you have to pretend to be bad first. He's kicked all our asses the whole time, so whatever you lost to him was on your own, buddy."

Gideon laughed. "True."

"Hang up and come over already."

"Bye," Gideon said before ending the call. He left his apartment and traveled down the hallway to their apartment. He knocked and the door opened for him, though no one was there. He stepped through the entrance and exited out of a tree into their neighborhood. The coven architect, with a power boost from Luca and Cassius, had lovingly recreated Colby and Daniel's childhood home that demons had burned down months before.

Not just the house, but the entire block. It had given Daniel a sense of stability and security—the familiar—and returned something lost to them, even if it wasn't real, but magic.

He crossed the street toward their house. Luca was waiting with the front door open. "We ordered pizza earlier and have some left, if you want."

"From where?"

"Regina Pizza. Is there any better?" Luca asked.

"Yummmm,"Gideon said, suddenly famished.

"Giddy!" Daniel yelled upon seeing him. He rushed over and wrapped Gideon in a bear hug. "I missed you."

Gideon caressed Daniel's cheeks, his smile one to melt the heart. "I saw you two days ago."

Daniel nodded. "And I missed you since then."

A sudden wave of emotion hit him. After all of the ugly things he'd seen inside those demon's memories, he realized Daniel's light always shone bright against that darkness. He was Gideon's secret weapon.

Daniel hugged him close. "I love you, Giddy."

He fought off tears, reveling in Daniel's hug. "I love you, too, Daniel."

Gideon glanced to the side and saw Luca and Ash eyeing him oddly. Colby sidled up beside Ash and stared between them.

"Daniel, why don't you go warm up the video games and let Gideon get some of pizza and eat," Luca said. "Then we can all play Mario Cart. How's that sound?"

"Bad assed,"Daniel said. He released Gideon but stood inches away. "You go eat and I'll get the game ready, okay?"

Gideon smiled. "Sure thing."

"I don't want to beat you on an empty stomach," Daniel called over his shoulder.

Once Daniel was out of earshot, Luca asked, "Want to tell us what this is all about?"

He searched the three men's faces, inhaling a deep breath to hold back the emotion. "I really don't want to talk about it. Let's just say I need some Daniel time."

"What are we? Chopped liver?" Ash asked.

"Okay, some Team Daniel time. Better?"

"He is the one in charge most of the time," Colby joked.

Gideon watched as Colby rested his head on Ash's shoulder and smiled. Colby's journey to accepting his mates had been difficult. Cursed by demons without any prior knowledge that otherworldly creatures existed, he'd been left scarred and had a near death experience that had turned his world upside down. His and Daniel's. He'd been terrified and had put up walls, unwilling to acknowledge the draw to his mates existed.

Ash and Luca had to walk a fine line. Push too hard and they'd chase him away. Let go too much and it would put the pair in harm's way. Fortunately, it had worked out in the end.

"You go hang out with Daniel. I'll warm up your pizza," Ash said. "One slice or two?"

"Three. No, make it four."

Ash shook his head. "I will never know how someone as tiny as you can pack away so much food and never gain an ounce."

"It's magic," Gideon said with a wink.

"Really?" Ash asked, patting his little gut. "Because I could use that spell."

"Fuck that," Luca said. "I love your dad bod."

"Seconded,"Colby murmured before pressing a kiss to Ash's lips.

Ash looked over. "But seriously… I want that spell."

"I was talking shit. It's not magic. I've got a high metabolism."

"Got my hopes up for nothing," Ash said. He grinned. "Not cool."

Gideon grinned. "Just ask for Nix's help. His thing is body mod."

"Good thing he's a chicken when it comes to tattoos," Luca said, wiggling Ash's tiny paunch. "Cuz this is staying." He leaned in for a kiss from both his mates, one after the other.

A fourth wheel again.Gideon backed away from the canoodling trio and curled up on the couch beside Daniel.

"Gideon?"

"Oh, using my full name. This must be serious."

Daniel paused his game and turned to face him. "Are the bad men really going to stay gone?"

He wished he could tell Daniel yes, but while he had faith in his talents, there was always a chance things could go awry. He refused to lie to Daniel. "If I have anything to say about it, they will stay away forever." He pinched Daniel's arm gently. "You know you're safe here, right? No matter if they find a way to break my spell, this place has protections all around. Strong magic."

"I know," Daniel said.

Ash entered the living room with two paper plates full of pizza and sat them on the coffee table in front of Gideon.

"Why does he get to eat in the living room?" Daniel asked.

"Because he's a guest," Colby answered, trailing in with a glass of wine. He handed it to Gideon.

"You're a rockstar," Gideon said to Colby, taking the glass and draining half the contents.

Luca lowered the open bottle onto the table beside the pizza. "Free refills."

"Perfect," Gideon said. He slid onto the floor and dug into the pizza.

Daniel slid down beside him, resting his back on the couch as he played his game.

"I can eat and play," Gideon said.

"No grease on my controllers," Daniel said, slashing a hand through the air to brook no argument. "Eat. Then play."

"Fine,"Gideon grumbled, grinning as he chewed his next bite.

He finished all four slices and the rest of the bottle. Luca brought him another bottle, just in case, and he got a couple of glasses out of that, too. Seated around the living room playing Mario Cart was exactly what the doctor ordered. That and the wine. And Daniel. A little past one-thirty, Colby suggested they call it a night.

"One more game?" Daniel asked. "Pleeease."

Colby sighed. "You usually go to bed at eleven. It's nearly two. You don't want to be cranky tomorrow, do you?"

Gideon sensed how hard it was for Colby. While sometimes too overprotective of his brother—in Gideon's opinion—Colby did it from a place of love. They'd lost their parents and Colby was all Daniel had. Although Daniel had two new brothers to protect him.

And the entire coven.

"We can play again soon. I promise," Gideon whispered.

"O-kay," Daniel groused, shutting down the system.

After Daniel gave them each a hug and a "Good night," he headed upstairs.

"I suppose I should head home to bed, too," Gideon rose, and the wine hit him all at once. He stumbled a bit before righting himself.

"Why don't you stay here tonight?" Luca asked.

"It's not like I need to drive home. I can walk down the hall." He might need to hold onto the wall to do it, though.

"You don't want to be alone tonight," Luca said. "I can see it in your eyes."

"We've got a guest room. The bed's comfy," Colby added.

"And chocolate chip pancakes are on the menu in the morning," Ash crooned.

"Well, how can I say no to all that?" Gideon asked.

"Come on," Luca said, tugging his arm.

He followed the trio upstairs where he was led to a guest room, all prepared—as if they knew he'd be there. Ash and Colby wished him a goodnight and walked toward their bedroom, but Luca lagged behind.

"I can tell you're not fine," Luca said, his voice low.

"I'm not," Gideon whispered.

"What is it, Gid? You know I'll do everything in my power to help."

He hedged a moment, scared to tell Luca all.

Luca sat silently, searching his face a few seconds. "I'm worried about you."

"I'm okay," Gideon scrubbed his face. "I'm just tired. Bone tired."

"The boon should've refilled your magic."

Tears burned in Gideon's eyes. He'd held back for weeks, but he was stretched too thin. He gazed up at his friend's concerned expression, and the words came tumbling out unfettered. "I can't sleep. I have nightmares. Terrible, terrible nightmares. I see them during the day at times. If I close my eyes, I see it."

"It?"

"Hell. I see their memories, Luc. I see the torture and the torment. I took their memories away and… sometimes I think they're trapped within me, clawing inside my mind."

"What about that cleansing ritual? You said you'd let them go."

"I tried. It didn't work."

Luca sighed. "You don't have to take all this onto yourself. We're your coven. Your family." He moved closer and coiled magic into his hand—purple wisps the same shade as his hair spun in his palm. Reaching out, he pressed that palm to Gideon's forehead. "I tried to help you after the last one, but you pushed Cassius and me away. I might not be able to erase those memories, but I can offer a little solace. Get that brain chemistry back in order, perhaps? Might take the edge off."

Thank the heavens for Luca's healing magic. "Can you put my lights out, too?"

"I can. If you want."

Gideon nodded. "I want."

"Get in bed."

He kicked off his fuzzy bunny slippers and slid beneath the covers. Luca sat on the edge of the bed and drew more power into his palm.

"You can stay here as long as you want," Luca said. "I can tuck you in every night and send you off to sleep. Just so you're aware."

"I don't want to impose on the love nest. You've just gotten your third. Give me one night of sleep and I'll be square, I'm sure."

Luca lowered his hand. "Family, Gid. Stop being a precious little asshole who thinks he'll look weak if he asks for help."

"A precious little asshole?That alone is one of the reasons I don't ask for help. People see me… and underestimate me."

"Big things come in small packages," Luca said, grinning.

When Gideon didn't respond with more than a smile, he continued. "You alone trapped over a dozen demons. None of us could do that. You did that. Powerful, little Gideon Goode."

"Yeah, I did," Gideon whispered.

"We owe you big… especially since we can't seem to find the means to finish them for good. So, stay if you need help to keep the nightmares at bay. I'll fight them off right by your side."

Gideon chuckled. "I might take you up on that if I make it through the night."

"Here goes nothing," Luca whispered before pressing his hand to Gideon's forehead.

It was the last thing he remembered before his first nightmare-free night in many weeks.