Twin Shift Read online

  Gideons continued to thrust hard as he leaned down to her ear. “I want to be so deep inside your body you will never get me out,” he growled.

  Emily had tensed up at their continued forcefulness. She relaxed. “I never want you out. I need you inside me. I love you both,” she said, pushing back against Gideon.

  He bit her hard. Blood trickled down her neck before her shifter metabolism sealed the wound.

  She orgasmed, clamping down on the men, forcing them to go over the edge with her.

  She lay quiet for a minute. When neither of them moved she pulled off the blindfold. “What's going on?” there was a moment of silence before she realized they were communicating. “Talk to me. I can't hear you.”

  “Sorry babe. We aren't used to that yet,” Gabe said.

  “I don't want to get used to it,” Gideon said.

  Emily sighed. “Can we please talk about this?”

  Gideon pulled out of her slowly, helping her to stand.

  Gabe grabbed her hand. “I'm sorry honey. We were too rough with you.”

  “No, you weren't, but you seemed... almost desperate.”

  Gideon sighed. “It's my fault. I feel like I’m going to lose you. I'm affecting Gabe.”

  Emily grabbed his hand. “You’re never going to lose me.”

  Gideon looked at Gabe. “Call Donovan. We need more information about this curse.”

  “On it.” Gabe grabbed the phone and headed for the kitchen.

  Gideon inspected his bite mark. She saw the tick in his jaw. His disgust. “Honey I'm fine,” she said.

  “THAT is not fine. I bit you too hard, it hasn’t healed yet,” he growled.

  “You were excited, that’s all.”

  “It wasn't just that. I was trying to hold you to me.”

  Emily hugged Gideon, kissing his chest. “Is there something I can do to reassure you?” she said, winking.

  Gideon's smile was small but it lightened her heart. “You can kiss me and whisper all the things you want me to do to you while Gabe’s in the other room.”

  Gabe returned. She tilted her head to the side and laughed. “Too late.”

  Gideon looked at his twin. “What did you find out?”

  “Nothing good. The curse amplifies one’s weaknesses. Your ultimate fears. So, if you’re a drug addict your likely to overdose. If you’re an adrenaline junkie you will die jumping out of an airplane. Something along those lines, anyway.”

  Emily faced the silent men. “Hey, we are speaking out loud from now on, right?”

  Gabe shook his head. “Sorry honey. We know what our weaknesses are but we don't know how they will be used against us.”

  “What are your weaknesses?”

  Gideon sighed. “I can't be locked up.”

  Emily squeezed him. “That's understandable since you were imprisoned for so long. But I don't see how that could be used against you?”

  “I don't know. Gabe was thinking of a fear that could be used against him.”

  Emily turned to Gabe. “And?”

  Gabe looked away before returning his gaze to his brothers. “When Julius took you and you cut our psychic connection. I felt guilty for going hunting with Doc. I was weak. I stopped eating, spending most of my time in wolf form, running from the fact that I had failed you.”

  Emily felt Gideon tense. “We were seventeen. It was a miracle you were able to get me out of there.”

  Gabe rubbed his head. “It wasn't a miracle. It was Donovan.”

  Gideon stepped from Emily's grasp. “What!”

  “You were blocking me. Donovan found me sniffing around one of his houses. I didn't know one vampire from another back then. I confronted him. He said he knew who had you and that he could cause a distraction but I would have to get you out myself.”

  Gideon growled. “A vampire you had never met helped you out of the kindness of his very black heart?” he said sarcastically.

  “This is why I didn't tell you. You were a mess after your ordeal. You still have anger issues but at least you’ve managed them since Emily.”

  “Tell me.”

  “Julius told you shifter blood was special to vampires but he didn't tell you why. Shifter blood gives them the ability to walk in the daylight for a few hours after consumption.”

  “Then why kill our parents? Julius could have had three donors?” Gideon snapped, his anger over his parent’s death still prevalent.

  “Because they were past their mating cycle. It only works for them when we are fertile,” Gabe said sadly.

  “You’ve been giving Donovan blood all this time, haven't you?” Gideon accused.

  “No. He arranged for me to give it to another vampire. I did, and he distracted Julius the night I rescued you. I helped him one other time. That time it was for him. It was in exchange for a future debt. I called that debt in for Beth.”

  Emily put her hand to her chest. “I’m so glad you did.”

  Gideon grunted. Both she and Gabe knew Gideon couldn't talk about that time in his life.

  Gabe looked worried. “You okay bro?”

  “Emily, why don't you take a shower. I will order your favorite Italian dish and we will join you in a minute,” Gideon said.

  She knew he was deflecting. She planned on getting him to talk but a shower sounded amazing and food would ease the tension. “Will you order me a salad as well, please.”

  “Of course,” he said.

  As she turned on the water she heard male laughter. It was the Bokor.

  Emily turned off the water, turning quickly, holding her towel to cover her body. The laughter died, leaving her alone. She tip-toed back into the empty bedroom. She was confused by the change in the carpet. The red and black pattern had always been a distinct pattern. Now it was a blurry sea of moving shapes circling her feet. She didn't comprehend what was happening until the multicolored haze moved up her leg.

  The towel was overrun by the red fire ants the moment it hit the floor. She screamed.

  They were everywhere. Biting. Stinging. Their tiny pincers nipping into her skin. She scratched and flailed, smelling iron in the air as she lacerated her skin in an attempt to dislodge them. She heard the men shout, knowing they would be there in seconds. The pain increased followed by Gregory's maniacal laughing. Emily... She lashed out with her claws, tissue ripping beneath them. Satisfaction welled up as she heard the grunt of pain.

  She cringed at having the Bokor in her head. It was more violating than the vicious creatures attacking her skin. She surrendered, allowing the carpet of black and red to engulf her, knowing her men would soon come to her aid.

  An instant later she looked at Gideon’s slashed chest and the immaculate pattern on the carpet. “No!” she placed her hands over her face, sobbing.

  “Emily. What just happened?” Gabriel asked calmly.

  She breathed unevenly. “There were fire ants all over me. I couldn't get them off. Gregory said my name and laughed. I thought I was fighting him. I'm so sorry,” she stuttered.

  Gideon wiped his chest with his hand, looking down at the blood. “He's in your head. He's manipulating you. But why fire ants? Were they painful? You looked terrified.”

  “I hate bugs. So, does Beth. We lived in several places growing up that were less than sanitary. One had an ant infestation that eventually erupted from a wall. They were only carpenter ants but I still fear them.”

  Gabe rubbed his head. “This is how it works. Gregory uses our worst fears in an attempt to divide us.”

  Gideon clenched his fists. “He won't divide us. I don't care if he forces Emily to cut us to ribbons, we’re going to find this monster and dispose of him.”

  Emily let Gideon’s words sink in. Gregory was using her to hurt the men. She was their only weakness. They had hunted down an ancient artifact, defeated a powerful vampire. Together they were unstoppable. Only she stood in their way. They wouldn't protect themselves from her when the Bokor invaded her thoughts.

  “He will use me to
hurt you and it will only get worse,” she said.

  “We will find the priestess and them him,” Gideon said.

  Emily nodded. “I have every faith in you. You will find him. You will just do it without me.”

  Chapter 3

  Gideon felt fear squeeze his heart. “You’re not leaving us!”

  Emily sighed. “Gideon I’m not leaving you. I didn't mean it that way. Gregory is messing with my mind, using me to hurt you. I’m removing myself from the situation for your safety. You can track down the priestess. I’ll stay here.”

  Gideon slipped his hand behind her neck, pulling her face close. “I don't care if you rip me to shreds. You go where we go and that’s final!”

  “Don't snap at me, Gideon. I am just trying to keep you in one piece while you find this woman,” she said in her tough voice.

  Gabe, always the peacemaker, placed his arms on their shoulders. “Hey now. Let’s take this down a notch. This is what Gregory wants. We’re stronger together. Let’s relax and talk about this.”

  Emily's eyes flashed before resuming their emerald green color. “Sure.”

  She still believed she would be staying without them. One of the few things Gregory trusted was his brother. He messaged Gabe telepathically. Fix this!

  Gabe glanced at him before turning to Emily. “Honey we have hunted monsters our whole adult life. We won't leave you unprotected. We can't. You hold our heart. Our soul. Please understand.”

  “What if he tricks me again. Finds new ways to hurt you?” he heard the fear in her voice.

  Gabe ran a hand down Emily's face. “We’ll watch out for you...and you’ll watch out for us…right?”

  “Of course,” she replied hugging him.

  Gabe winked at Gideon. He felt the vise in his heart loosen. He could never admit he needed his brother now more than ever.

  Emily released Gabe and hugged Gideon. “For now, we stick together but if Gregory tricks me again you stay back until I am in control.”

  There was not a chance he would listen to orders. He nuzzled her neck.

  Emily's face was all business. “How do we find the priestess. It's not like there will be a voodoo section in the phone book?” she said.

  Gabe rubbed his chin. “I’ve been thinking about that. Beth said she owned her own shop but was moving. Maybe she reopened here.”

  “It's possible. Do you know the name of the store?” Emily asked.

  Gabe sat at the desk and opened Gideon's laptop. “Yeah. Madeline's Books. I will check now.”

  He typed into the keyboard. “There isn't a business by that name...but there is one called Madeline’s Unique Gifts.”

  Emily huffed. “Are the gifts the kind you buy or the kind that make you forget parts of your childhood?”

  Gideon rubbed her back. “Beth was protecting you.” I never thought I would see the day I defended a vampire.

  “I know. I didn't mean to sound bitter it's just that the priestess took my memories but not Beth’s. I guess I should be surprised she helped her at all.”

  Gideon kissed her forehead. “We don't know her story yet but we will find out.”

  Emily looked at him with a pained expression. “What if she won't help us?”

  Gideon’s face hardened. “She won't be given a choice.”

  Emily pursed her lips. “You won't harm this woman.”

  “Of course not. I am going to have Gabe charm her,” he said.

  Emily slapped his chest. “You’re not pimping out your brother!”

  Gideon startled. “What! No. She is probably in her late sixties by now,” he said rubbing his chest. He looked at his smirking brother. “Are you going to help me out here?”

  Gabe smiled. “Hell no. This is great entertainment.”

  Gideon squinted at his twin. “You’re such a dick.”

  Emily sighed. “Stop squabbling and tell me what you're planning.”

  Gabe arose from the desk. “We’ve used this particular ploy for so many years it's become second nature. I think it will be easier to show you.”

  Gideon held the private elevator door open as Emily and Gabe entered the Garage. They chose the Escalade.

  Gideon got into the driver’s seat, turning the key. There was a clicking noise.

  Gabe walked to the front of the vehicle, popping the hood. He inspected some wiring before lowering the hood. “I can't see anything wrong. It could be a dead battery. We can take the jeep or use it to jump this one.”

  Gideon got out, motioning Emily to do the same. “Let's take the jeep.”

  Gabe got into the driver’s seat as Gideon opened the door for Emily. Gabe turned the key. The engine struggled, grinding away without starting “What the hell?” Gabe said.

  Emily got out. “Is this the curse or someone tampering with your vehicles?”

  “Our vehicles,” he hated that Emily still considered everything he and Gabe owned as theirs. She had even considered going back to work. That comment had her on her back for three days before Gideon's wolf was convinced she was exhausted enough to reconsider her career aspirations. He grabbed his cell phone. “I'll call a cab.” It had no service so he went back to the elevator to use the landline. After calling the cab he returned to his brother and mate.

  Gabe leaned on the jeep with his arms crossed. “I just had the jeep serviced last week. I can't see anything wrong.”

  “We’ll sort the vehicles out later. This just proves we need to act sooner than later to get this thing done.”

  They waited for half an hour before Gideon called the Taxi company. He was furious when he returned. “They said they never received a call from me or this address. Fuck!”

  Emily pulled her jacket tighter around herself. “What are we going to do?”

  Gideon looked over at the red sports car. “Let’s try the Ferrari.”

  Gabe rubbed his forehead. “Why don't we let Emily drive.”

  “She only learned to drive a stick last week.”

  “The vehicles didn't start for us. Let's see if does for her,” Gabe said.

  Gideon opened the red sports car’s door. “Come on Emily.”

  She got behind the wheel.

  Gideon motioned towards the car’s pedals. “Push the clutch all the way down like I showed you and turn the key.”

  The engine roared to life immediately. Gideon looked over the roof at his brother. “You might as well shift now. There’s no way I’m going to be a lap dog.”

  Gabe laughed as he started removing his clothes.

  He was feeling jumpy by the time he got into the passenger’s seat with Gabe lying on his lap. The wolf almost as big as the man, made the car extremely confining. Gideon rolled down the window. He inhaled deeply.

  Emily touched him. “Are you okay?”

  “I feel like he’s trying to imprison me in my own home.” Gabe’s tongue licked the side of his face. He would have been mad but in wolf form, it was the nature of the beast to console one's packmates. He heard Emily laugh. “You think that's funny?”

  Emily pursed her lips. “A little,” she admitted.

  She smiled as Gabe settled on Gideon’s lap. Gideon looked out the window. His hand resting on Gabe's back. She accelerated, shifting and grinding a gear in one motion. “Sorry.”

  “It's just a car, Emily,” he said.

  “Yeah, a really expensive one. You should get me an inexpensive car.” she said, concentrating on the road.

  Gideon turned. “Your days of cheap cars...and clothing are over.”

  She huffed. No longer intimidated by Gideon’s antiquated thinking. “Don't be such a prude. I am still going to the thrift store whether you like it or not.”

  “Like hell,” he said.

  “I like the people and…”.

  “Stop being a dick!”

  “I beg your pardon?” she said.

  Gideon flicked Gabe in the head. Gabe growled and snapped at his twin.

  “What are you two fighting about now?” she asked.
/>
  “The asshole asked me to scratch behind his ears. Like I'm his fucking manservant or some shit,” he said in disgust.

  Emily reached over with one hand, scratched Gabe’s ears and allowed him to lick her hand before returning it to the wheel. “It isn't a big deal. Fur is itchy sometimes.” She was catching on to Gabe’s patterns. When Gideon's temper flared, he distracted his brother. Gabe had been redirecting his brother’s emotions so long, it had become a habit.

  She continued slowly in the run-down area of Seattle. She knew this area well. Her old apartment building was coming up on the left. She saw the large sold sign as they passed her old property. “Wow, someone finally bought it. I hope they fix it up.”

  Gideon cleared his throat. “We bought it.”

  Emily was surprised. “Why? You hated my apartment. You sent Gabe to get my clothes because you didn’t want me to set foot in there again.”

  “I do, but Donovan asked me to hold onto Beth’s things and her place until she can make her own decisions about her living arrangements,” he said.

  “But why buy the whole building and not tell me?” she knew the answer immediately. He still fears I’m not committed to my new life.

  “If there’s any chance Beth would live there again you would insist on fixing up the place yourself. I’m taking care of it.”

  “It’s hard to say whether she would go back but you're right. I’m going to fix it up and you’re going to help me.”

  Gabe’s tongue lolled out.

  Emily's eyes remained on the road. “You’ll be helping too, Gabe.”

  Gabe snapped.

  She wasn’t sure why but knowing her dingy little apartment was still hers comforted her. “I'm really happy you bought it.”

  “It has commercial zoning. We could turn it into a profitable office building someday,” he said.

  "If you wish to keep your mate you will fix it up and leave it as affordable housing,” her anger flared. She loved the residents of that building. While poor, they worked together to help each other out. She missed the community.