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"I would ask for a favor, Demonas Amatés of my
brethren."
Gabe and Nick glanced at Clagh.
"What sort of favor?" Nick asked.
"The day of Jack's birth is in a few days. When I
questioned him about it, he dismissed it as if it was of no consequence. He said
he had not celebrated a birthday since the passing of his mother when he was ten
years old. His father did not celebrate them."
"Bastard!" Nick snapped. "I don't understand how the fates
could have granted that man a chance to reproduce. He didn't deserve it."
Clagh couldn't agree more. Barrel Aniston had filled
Jack's head with horrible, hateful things that had caused Clagh to almost lose
his Demonas Amaté. Trying to kill Jack had been the worst of the man's
transgressions, but not all of them. Clagh was glad the man was no longer in
Jack's life. Jack deserved better.
"I wish to celebrate this birthday with him. I want to do
something special, something he will remember, but I am unsure of how to go
about it."
"Oh." Nick's eyes began to twinkle, which made Clagh very
nervous. "I think we can help with that."
Gabe shot him a look. "We can?"
Nick grinned. "I have the perfect idea."
Clagh swallowed tightly and took a step back. Maybe he
should have kept this request to himself. The mischief flaring to life in Nick
and Gabe's eyes was enough to make Clagh wish he was facing off against a band
of Shayatin with his hands tied behind his back.
"What is this idea?" he asked hesitantly.
Clagh wanted to make up for every birthday Jack had ever
missed. The man was so in need of love and acceptance, he practically vibrated
with it. Clagh wanted to be the one who filled that need.
He wanted to do it without death or mayhem.
"It'll be epic."
Clagh lifted an eyebrow. "Epic?"
"Something he will never forget."
* * * *
Nick stared down at the note in his hand. "He really needs
me to go to his parent's farm?"
"Yes, Demonas Amaté," the warrior replied. "He
asked for me to escort you there personally." There was a lot of pride in that
statement.
""Okay." Nick couldn't understand why, but he always
enjoyed going to the farm. He adored Clagh's parents, especially since his own
mother was dead and his father was a complete ass. "I'd better let the others
know where I'm going."
They worried.
"We must go now, Demonas Amaté."
Jack glanced back toward the clan compound. He really
didn't like the idea of leaving without telling to someone first. "I really
should tell someone where I am going."
It wasn't like he didn't trust the warrior, but he was a
police detective. He had learned to be wary, especially considering that the
Shayatin were still an issue. While they had been able to stem the flow of
the drug Lust into Jinnistan, rogue demons could still attack.
"We must go, Demonas Amaté."
Jack growled as he turned. "Someone needs to know where we
are going. Clagh would have my hide if I didn't tell someone where I am going."
The man was crazy possessive like that.
"Clagh is waiting for you."
This was a really bad idea.
"Fine," Jack said as he started walking, "but if I get
into trouble, I'm throwing you under the bus."
The warrior frowned. "What this bus you speak of?"
Jack rolled his eyes. "A really large carriage pulled by
about two hundred horses."
The warrior's eyes rounded. "That's a lot of horses."
"It's a really big carriage."
Nick had seriously considered purchasing an encyclopedia
set and bringing it down to Jinnistan just so the warriors who were being
trained to fight on the surface world would know what to expect.
Jack was a little more prepared to go through the astral
gate this time than he had the last time he went to visit Clagh's parent. He
knew what to expect. His stomach still did a little flop when he landed on the
other side.
He took a moment to breathe then looked out around the
village. It was certainly a nicer picture this time around than the first time
he had come to Amberbad. People were laughing and playing and going about
their daily business. No bodies littered the ground. Jack liked it much better
now.
He smiled when his gaze landed on the tall Djini
warrior waiting for him at the bottom of the steps. He loped down the steps and
into the demon's arms. He leaned into the kiss Clagh placed on his lips.
If someone had told him a year ago he would be standing in
the middle of a market square, kissing another man, he would have punched them.
Now, he couldn't imagine living any other way. Clagh was his life.
"Hey, sexy, come here often?" he asked once Clagh lifted
his head.
"I was born here."
Jack chuckled. Some things from the surface world really
did not translate well. "So, why did you need me to come to the farm so badly?"
"Could I not simply want to enjoy your company?" Clagh
asked.
"Yes." Jack's grin grew. "Are we going to the farm?"
"We are." Clagh nodded. "But I have something to do
first."
"Oh?" Something sparkled in Clagh's dark eyes when he
smiled. It wasn't a bad sparkle, but damned if Jack knew what it was. "Is
something wrong?"
"Not at all, Demonas Amaté."
Despite Clagh's assurance, Jack still felt unsettled.
Clagh was acting weird, and considering the man was a Djini, that was
saying a lot. He was a demon who fought rogue demons. He lived in a world that
could only be reached by using an astral gate. He could control the earth
elements.
It didn't get much weirder than that, which was what made
this so strange.
"Are you parents okay?"
Clagh patted his hand. "They are fine, Demonas Amaté."
Jack frowned, not sure if he believed his mate. Clagh
sounded happy enough, even if his voice was a little strained. Something was
definitely going on, but damned if Jack could figure out what it was.
The walk from town to Clagh's family farm was a quick one.
Jack had come to realize his speed and stamina had increased since he mated with
Clagh. According to Nick and Gabe, it was a side effect of mating a Djini.
So was Jack's ability to manipulate the earth elements. he couldn't do things on
the scale that Clagh could, but he could move soil and help things grow.
It was very cool.
Jack frowned when the family farm came into view. He
expected to see people moving about, working and such. The place was always
busy. "Where is everyone?"
"I believe they had a celebration to attend."
"Oh." Jack's heart sank. He had really been hoping to see
Clagh's parents. He frowned when Clagh started leading him past the house and
barn. "Where are we going?"
"Down by the lake."
Jack's spirits lifted. He liked the lake. He had fond
memories from their time spent there. It had been the place where he had fully
accepted Clagh as his mate. He sighed happily when the beautiful crystal clear
lake came into view.
"I love it here."
"Yes, I do as well, Demonas Amaté. I was
considering asking my parents if we could build a small cabin along the edge of
the lake, a place for just you and I to visit. What would you think of that?"
"Really?" Jack turned to look up at his handsome mate. "Do
you think they would let us?"
Clagh smiled. "If the gods will it."
Jack turned back to gaze out over the lake, scanning the
shoreline. "Where should we build it? Do you have a specific spot in mind?" When
Clagh didn't answer him, Jack turned. His jaw dropped when he saw Clagh down on
one knee. "Clagh?"
Clagh reached out and took his hand. "I am told that this
is a very important ritual in your world."
Jack gasped when Clagh pulled out a box and flipped the
lid open.
"I give myself into your care, Jackson Anistan. All that I
am, my life, my loyalty, and my honor is yours. My body to your body, my heart
to your heart, my soul to your soul. No other shall come before you. I bind
myself to all that you are. Thus, I am bonded. Will you do the same? Will you
bind your life to mine?"
Jack's hand trembled as he reached for the ring in the
little box. It was different than the golden vine ring Clagh had given him when
they mated. This one was more ornate. While the vines were there, a small golden
dipped flower sat on top with a chocolate diamond nestled in the center of it.
His gaze flickered to Clagh. "Are you asking me to marry
you?"
"Yes, that is the word. Marry. Will you marry me?"
The emotions that rushed into Jack were overwhelming,
bringing tears to his eyes. He never thought he'd find someone to love him as
much as Clagh did, nor did he ever think he would ever have enough courage to
come out as one man loving another.
He never dreamed he'd get married.
"Are you sure?" He didn't think Djini actually got
married.
"You are my Demonas Amaté, but more than that, you
are the man I love. It would bring me much joy to bind your life to mine in the
ways of your world."
Jack smiled through the tears that began to slide down his
cheeks. "Yes, Clagh, I will marry you." He could think of very little he'd like
more.
"Now?"
Jack gulped. "Now?"
Clagh grinned as he stood. He grabbed Jack's arm and
started back toward the farmhouse.
"Where are we going?" Jack asked. He kind of thought they
were doing the romantic thing down by the lake. He was hoping for a little
action to go with that romance.
"You will see, Demonas Amaté."
When they reached the barn, instead of walking past it and
heading for the house, Clagh paused by the door and turned to Jack. "Are you
ready to make a birthday memory with me?"
Jack frowned. "What?"
"It is the day of your birth, Jack. I want to make it one
you will never forget."
"Clagh, I don't celebrate my birthday. You know that. I
told you."
"That is why I want to give you something good to
celebrate."
Jack's draw dropped when Clagh reached over and pulled the
large barn doors open and he got a good look inside. The aging wine barrels
still lined the walls, by they had been draped with vines and flowers in every
color imaginable.
The wine making machines had been removed. Rows of white
chairs sat in their place. White chairs filled with all the friends and family
Jack had made since coming to Jinnistan. Candles covered almost every
conceivable surface, giving a beautiful glow to the inside of the barn.
At the far end stood a man dressed in long flowing gown,
kind of like a priest, but not. He was definitely from Jinnistan, but
Jack was pretty sure he was some sort of spiritual leader of some sort. Nick and
Gabe stoof off to one side of him, Tehmper and Storym on the other.
"Well, Demonas Amaté?" Clagh held out his hand.
"Will you celebrate your birthday with me?"
Jack smiled as he took Clagh's hand and walked down the
aisle with him. He couldn't think of anything he wouldn't do for his earth
demon.
The End
* * * *
See how
Jack and Clagh got together in
Earth Demon
(Elemental Demon 3)
EARTH DEMON
Elemental Demons 3
Detective Jackson Aniston
was pulled into a world he never knew existed kicking and screaming. Demons were
real, and one of them swore they were mates. No matter how handsome or
intriguing the Djini warrior was, Jack wasn't gay. It could never happen,
no matter how many times Clagh kissed him.
Clagh had spent hundreds of
years doing his duty to Jinnistan and his people. When his fellow
warriors found their mates, he began to hope he would be granted the same gift.
His Demonas Amaté was a welcome surprise. Now, if he could just get the
handsome detective to see that they belonged together.
The threat to Jinnistan
is greater than ever. The Shayatin are coming out in greater numbers,
attacking indiscriminately. It's up to Clagh and Jack to find a connection
between the rogue demons and a lethal new drug on the streets of both worlds
before time run out.
http://www.bookstrand.com/book/earth-demon
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