Resurrection Reprise (Soulbound Universe)

by Hailey Turner

Spencer tongued at his teeth as his head was yanked back, showing off the line of his throat. His pulse kicked up, but he couldn’t decide if it was out of fear or sheer arousal. He’d always been attracted to highly competent, sometimes murderous people, whether they were human or not. Fatima had always despaired of the times Spencer followed his dick and not his brain.

The forest, all low-lit trees and black shadows, had started to bleed. The trees pulsed, bark peeling off the trunks as if they were vines, snaking through the air toward him. Spencer knew it was an illusion, but it still weirded him the fuck out to see the forest come alive like it wanted to eat him. His breath came out in frosty puffs of air, and the chill made him shiver hard enough his teeth clacked together. “If I get frostbite, you’ll have to open your own pet box of the month,” Spencer said as he ran forward, crashing through the sickly illusion.

“Oh, cool, you found my backpack,” Wade said cheerfully, the last hint of red scales fading into his skin. Spencer spared the naked teenager—no, that wasn’t right; Wade was finally old enough to drink—a single glance before returning his attention to the task at hand. By the time the demon was on its way back to hell, Wade had gotten dressed in spare clothes quickly getting damp from the rain but was still barefoot, backpack slung over one shoulder. He grinned toothily at Spencer and offered a cheeky wave. “What are you doing here?” Spencer asked. “Patrick said you got attacked by hunters, and we had to hear about it from the Seattle god pack and not you. He was pissed.” “He could’ve called. That doesn’t explain why you’re in the Pacific Northwest.” “Oh, well, Patrick sent me because he thinks you’re being dumb. Something about vampires?” Wade wrinkled his nose before his brown eyes narrowed. “Is that a hickey on your throat? Oh man, was Patrick right? Didn’t London teach you anything?”

“Please tell me Patrick sent along a credit card because I don’t have the funds to keep you fed.” “I’ll have you know it’s my credit card.”

Takoma tilted his jaw, bringing his fangs out of the bite wound he’d made before sinking them back in, slow and with enough pressure that Spencer would know just how easy it would be for Takoma to tear out his throat. The implied threat made Spencer moan, the heat of his cock throbbing against the line of Takoma’s thigh. His hips didn’t stop moving as Takoma mimicked what he wanted to do with his own cock by way of his fangs, sinking them into the wound slowly, over and over again, until Spencer came with a ragged gasp, Takoma’s name a garbled mess on his lips.

“You know, it won’t just be Patrick you’ll have to deal with if Spencer gets hurt by you.” “Do you count yourself in that effort?” Takoma asked. Wade looked up from his phone, the brown in his eyes gone, replaced by molten gold and black reptilian pupils, fiery red scales scattered up toward his temple. It was rare Takoma felt like prey, but he did just then, even if he didn’t let anyone see. “I like Spencer, and I’d steal Fatima from him if she’d let me. Given half the chance, I’d eat you to save him the grief I’m sure you’ll cause him, but Jono already said I couldn’t. So. Be nice, and you’ll never know what it’s like to be a midnight snack for me.”

“Who are you texting?” Wade asked after lunch once they were in the car. “Nadine,” Spencer muttered. “Wondering if she’d be willing to create a barrier ward for Takoma.” “Aren’t those heavily regulated?” “Yes.” “And isn’t she back in France?” “Probably.” “You think she’ll actually say yes just because you asked?” “I also offered to buy her a Birkin and a first-class plane ticket to bring her out here the next time she can swing some time off.” “Can you even afford all that?” “Takoma can.” Wade cackled, slouching in the front passenger seat and scratching between Fatima’s ears from her spot on his lap. “Holy shit, you are so gone on that blood-sucking asshole. I’m telling Patrick.” “Please don’t.” “No, no, I’m gonna tell him, but I’ll do it on a video call because his face. He’s going to make that face, you know the one I’m talking about.” Spencer rolled his eyes and sent off his text to Nadine. “I wish I didn’t.” If anything, his sulky tone made Wade laugh harder.

“Do you really think a supernatural turf war is the best answer? My agency doesn’t want that.” “What makes you think that’s not what our master will want after what happened today?” “Maybe because he’s the one they’re after. Alyona was just bait, but when Takoma didn’t leave to go look for her, they came to him when they knew he’d be at his most vulnerable. Caitlin Adler is trying to bring over a Great Duke of Hell, and usually, a spell like that requires a sacrifice. Who’s the most powerful supernatural being in Seattle? In Washington State? I guarantee you it’s not Bigfoot. The best thing any of us can do is to not give Caitlin and the Cascade Coven what they want, which is Takoma.”

“You are wasted at the SOA,” Takoma hissed. “You belong with me because you’re mine.” Spencer made a sound that maybe would’ve been words if Takoma hadn’t kissed him again. He was addicting, all fragile human flesh and a spine of steel that Takoma had borne witness to and coveted back in Manhattan. That their paths had crossed again for Takoma to have him? He was never letting the mage go again. Spencer tangled his hands in Takoma’s loose hair in a way he allowed no other and desperately kissed him back. “Yeah, yes, fuck, I’ll be yours.”

“You’re fighting with us.” Takoma made it a statement, not a question. Spencer swallowed, throat clicking. “Yeah. You’re going to need me.” Takoma nipped at Spencer’s throat. “Always. And I’ll want you just as much.” Spencer tugged at Takoma’s hair, pulling him away so the mage could kiss him, hard and quick. “You’re losing moonlight.” Takoma wrapped his hand around Spencer’s throat, thumb pressing against the underside of his chin to push his head up. Spencer blinked at him, holding still, waiting for whatever Takoma wanted. “When this is over, you’re staying.” “Okay.” “Good.”

“I’m glad you’re okay, but you still have terrible taste in partners.” “I thought you didn’t like details.” “I don’t, so shut up. Just know I’m judging you.” He was smiling as he pulled away though, clearly not judging Spencer too hard, despite his statement. He looked carefree and happy, at ease with himself more than he’d been a few years back. Spencer quirked a smile at him, grateful that he could call Wade a friend. “Thank you. For everything.” “You can thank me by giving me joint custody of Fatima.” “Not on your life. Get your bag, and get on the jet.”