Panahasi Read online

  Demon Warriors 5

  Panahasi

  Ten thousand years ago Panahasi made a deal with the keeper. It was a deal that not only brought about the creation of the demon warriors, but paved the lonely road he walked on a daily basis. All of that soon changes when he finds two wolf shifters to call his own.

  But his happiness doesn’t come without a price. The universe must keep checks and balances. And for Panahasi, his balance is Jaden, a creature whose very presence causes wars and famine—and now the man has his sights set on Panahasi’s mates.

  Growing up in foster care, Drake knew from a young age that Casey was his. But when he meets a tall, lean stranger on a dark country road, the one person who matters most to him may be the one person he loses.

  Casey loves Drake with every breath he takes. The shifter has been there through thick and thin, through good times and bad. But when he finds he has a second mate, Casey makes room for one large and very handsome warrior.

  But Panahasi has a very dark secret. It is a secret that if found out, will destroy an entire race. Genre: Alternative (M/M or F/F), Paranormal, Vampires/Werewolves

  Length: 59,790 words

  PANAHASI

  Demon Warriors 5

  Lynn Hagen

  MENAGE EVERLASTING MANLOVE

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

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  copyright monetary

  A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK IMPRINT: Ménage Everlasting ManLove PANAHASI

  Copyright © 2012 by Lynn Hagen E-book ISBN: 978-1-62241-518-2

  First E-book Publication: November 2012

  Cover design by Les Byerley

  All art and logo copyright © 2012 by Siren Publishing, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.

  All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

  PUBLISHER

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  Letter to Readers

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  The author and the publisher work very hard to bring our paying readers high-quality reading entertainment.

  This is Lynn Hagen’s livelihood. It’s fair and simple. Please respect Ms. Hagen’s right to earn a living from her work. Amanda Hilton, Publisher www.SirenPublishing.com www.BookStrand.com

  PANAHASI

  Demon Warriors 5

  LYNN HAGEN

  Copyright © 2012 Prologue

  Panahasi strode toward the entrance of the underworld, wondering why the keeper was summoning him once more. He was still pissed off that the gods wanted to create human beings—a mistake in his opinion. The way the gods spoke, it was a brilliant plan, one of epic proportions. They claimed that human beings would worship them, bow down in reverence, and forever be grateful for their lives.

  Panahasi knew better.

  The gods had also spoken of giving these humans free will. It was a disaster waiting to happen. The creatures of the demon realm had free will, and that was turning out to be one big-ass headache.

  The inhabitants of Serenity City were too terrified to leave their homes. The once-beautiful city was now filled with demons who not only sucked souls out of other beings just for the pure rush it gave them, but for the powers they could steal. There were also hell hounds who terrorized any unfortunate soul unlucky enough to cross their paths, biting them and either killing them, or making them wish they were dead. The gates of hell were unguarded now, allowing any evil dwellers to come and go as they pleased. Times were dark, dangerous, and deadly.

  The city was in chaos.

  If it weren’t for the citizens that he treasured so dearly, Panahasi would level the damn place and start all over again. It wasn’t his call, but he could make it his call if things didn’t change soon. If the gods got pissed at him, that was their problem. There was only one that Panahasi answered to, and that was the primal source.

  No, adding humans into the equation was not a bright idea in Panahasi’s opinion. Although the gods planned on placing the humans in another realm, somehow he knew the two realms would find a way to intertwine.

  The perfect species was a myth. Give a creature free will and they always found a way to screw things up.

  And the gods would unfortunately figure that out…the hard way.

  These human beings would be modeled after the shifters in their non-animal forms, but not have the power to change into animals as the shifters could. They would not possess the special abilities demons were born with, either. They would possess no specialties whatsoever. But somehow Panahasi knew they would find a way to become just as evil and corrupt as those creatures that dwelled in the darkness.

  The road leading to the bowels of hell was paved with blood and lost souls, not good intentions. Why couldn’t the gods see this? Why did they always think that they were doing the right thing? To Panahasi, they turned a blind eye to what was going on in the demon realm, deeming it a lost cause, and trying to start over with these human beings.

  Trying to right a wrong with another bad idea was not the route to take.

  But trying to tell this to the gods was like trying to make a hell dweller into a model citizen. It wasn’t possible. The gods were filled with self-importance and inflamed egos, something Panahasi could not compete with, nor did he want to.

  “Greetings, Panahasi,” the keeper said as Panahasi entered the underworld. The place was a vast wasteland of lost souls, those who had died and had not earned their way into paradise. A few dark shadows brushed against Panahasi, but he waved them away. The lost souls were continuously trying to possess any living entity they came across. Thankfully Panahasi was older than dirt, able to keep them at bay.

  “What is it you seek from me?” Panahasi strained his eyes to see in the utter darkness of the underworld. Normally the darkness was not a problem for him, but true darkness bathed the air of the underworld. The dark shadows almost blended into the background perfectly save for the glowing red of their outline. They were some creepy-ass creatures to look at.

  “Always straight to the point.” The keeper walked until they reached the room the being used for spells and enchantments. This place wasn’t any better. Th
e dimly lit room held bookshelves everywhere with skulls and candles placed haphazardly on top of books that were either open, or in stacks, seeming ready to topple at any moment.

  And he wasn’t even going to look at the various jars that held items ranging from strange green liquid to eyeballs floating in smoky gases.

  “I have spoken with the gods.”

  It seemed like a day for it. But mentioning those pompous, selfrighteous beings made Panahasi dread what was coming next. It couldn’t be good.

  “They agree that something needs to be done about the demon realm. Things have gotten out ofcontrol.”

  No shit.

  “I proposed turning the underworld into a prison where the guilty would live out their contemptible existence being tortured with what they had done to the innocent.” The man sounded giddy. Panahasi had never heard the keeper sound so damn pleased and excited. It worried him.

  “And how will you capture the guilty?” Panahasi started to sit on the edge of the desk, but decided against that idea when something moved around the scrolls that were strewn about the keeper’s desk.

  “Demon warriors.” The keeper walked to one large bookshelf, grabbing a heavily bound book and dusting it off. “I can cast a spell to create only the strongest of the demon race. They will be the meanest, toughest, and surliest of the lot.”

  “That only sounds like the evil things already running around the city.” How would these warriors be any different? The weight of the keeper’s words was starting to feel heavy on Panahasi’s shoulders. Somehow he knew he was about to be sucked into the keeper’s plan.

  “No, they will stand out among the rest.” The keeper laid the book on his desk and then opened it, scanning the pages with interest. “These demons will have the bloodiest of backgrounds, the most deranged upbringings, and the harshest of lives.” The keeper looked up from the ancient writings. “But they will be the bravest, the most honorable, and have the most morally sound characteristics of all creatures, even if they don’t know that themselves.”

  Panahasi glanced around the room, wondering if these demon warriors were the answer the demon realm needed, or if they would only prove to be even more deadly than what inhabited the city already. Something had to give. He was only one being, and there was a plethora of evil creatures to battle with. There was only so much he could do to help the citizens of Serenity City.

  “So be it.” The decree had not come lightly. Panahasi knew there were challenges ahead. With these demon warriors’ creations, a price would have to be paid. There was always a price. The universe believed in checks and balances. He knew all too well about checks and balances. Jaden was living proof that the universe kept the scales even. Panahasi only wondered at the heavy cost for peace to reign once more.

  “Do not hurry with your willingness,” the keeper said as he waved a hand over the candle nearest him, adding a glow to his withered face that did not help his appearance in the least. “There is a price.”

  “I would expect nothing less from you.”

  “Bringing peace back to Serenity City is a heavy task, and a heavy price must be paid for this. The price for the creation of these warriors is your mates. You will walk a lonely road filled with grief and sorrow for ten thousand years, Panahasi, maybe more, maybe less. I cannot say for certain. It will be a road filled with the bloodiest of fights, yet you will have no one to console your aching soul. You will yearn desperately for what you do not have and watch as others find their happiness.” The creature’s eyes glowed an eerie red as he looked at Panahasi. “Once you agree, your memory of this bargain will be wiped clean. Only the creation of the warriors will you remember. I won’t have you carrying that burden or knowledge around inside you of what you sacrificed.”

  Shocked that the keeper had said mates, Panahasi walked to the shelves of books, clasping his hands behind his back as he gazed at the books, but didn’t see them. He was lost in thought, his heart filled with joy that he would have two mates to keep his bed warm and his heart light, but filled with utter despair that he would not know their touch for so many millennia that he wanted to curse the gods. He knew it was their stipulation. But, the keeper had not said he wouldn’t be allowed those mates, only that he would sacrifice ten thousand years without them.

  Could he pay that high of a price to keep everyone safe? Was he willing to forgo his happiness to restore Serenity City to its former beauty? If he did not, then he would have two mates, but they would live in chaos. He knew he didn’t want that for them. He wanted their happiness above anything else. His memory of this conversation would be wiped clean. He would not remember that he would be without a heart for ten thousand years.

  Panahasi turned, gazing over at the keeper’s withered form. “And the loneliness?”

  “It can be lessened. It will be buried so deep inside of you that it will haunt you no more. But be warned that as you approach your tenthousand-year mark, you will begin to feel the loneliness again, and it will be greater than anything you have ever felt before.”

  As long as he didn’t have to feel the emptiness inside of him that he carried around constantly, Panahasi knew he would agree to the price.

  “Think carefully, my friend. Once the decision is made, it cannot be undone. You have warriors to train, and chaos to extinguish, but are you willing to pay me the price that I haveasked for?”

  Panahasi knew that it was the gods who demanded the price, but he had never hated anyone as much as he hated the keeper at that very moment. The creature had asked for the one thing that Panahasi longed to have the most. And to find out that he would have two mates instead of one only sharpened the blow.

  But he would soon forget.

  And that brought a sliver of comfort to his aching heart.

  Lowering his head, Panahasi let out a long breath as he closed his eyes and gave a reluctant nod, feeling a laceration to his very soul at what he was giving up.

  “Agreed.”

  Chapter One

  Ten thousand years later… Panahasi walked down the back roads of Pride Pack Valley, something he did from time to time to clear his head. As old as he was, there was plenty up there to keep his mind going even while asleep.

  Another one of his warriors had found his mate, and Panahasi was truly happy for Takeo and Kamiko, but it only drove home the fact that he was still alone. It shouldn’t bother him. He had been alone for so long that he should be used to it by now.

  But he wasn ’t.

  It seemed the more mates that popped up, the lonelier he became. It was starting to sour his mood, turning him into a grumpy bastard. He longed to have someone at his side, sharing their most intimate secrets and a life together.

  But that was a double-edged sword.

  Having a mate also meant more risk. If his enemies found out, that would leave Panahasi vulnerable. Once again Kamiko’s question came to mind.

  And he knew the answer this time. Panahasi would do whatever it took to protect his mate. He wasn’t even sure if he would ever find his mate, but a strong, protective instinct welled up inside of him at the thought of whoever it was being hurt. He would destroy the world to keep his mate safe.

  He had the power to do so. And he prayed that he never had to choose between his unknown mate and humankind.

  His steps slowed as he heard voices. It was three in the morning, on a long and deserted country road. Who would be out here? He listened more closely, distinguishing that there were two voices. And they were arguing. For some reason, he was drawn in by the light, musical lilt in both of their voices.

  “I told you we took a wrong turn, but you never listen, do you?”

  “How the hell do you take a wrong turn on a straight road, jackass?”

  “Call me that again, and I’ll knock you on your ass. We should have gone south. I don’t have a damn clue where we are, and it’s pitchblack out here.”

  Panahasi watched as two men came into view. He stepped off of the road, backing onto the soft shoulder as
the two men walked down the center of the road. They hadn’t even noticed him.

  Normally he would have disappeared before being seen, but the pair intrigued him. He wasn’t sure why, though.

  “I’d like to see you try. The last time you attempted to knock me on my ass, you were the one picking yourself up.”

  Panahasi watched, feeling a smile tug at his lips as they pushed each other on the shoulders. He could tell by the way they acted that they really wouldn’t hurt each other, but they were very entertaining.

  “I’ll give you what for if you don’t shut up and leave me alone. Every time I listen to you, we end up lost or in trouble. I don’t know why I even bother.”

  “Because I’m cute,” the other one replied arrogantly. “You know you want my body. Say it.”

  “I want you to grow the fuck up, too, but does that happen? Noooo.”

  Panahasi chuckled. It had been a while since he was this entertained. It was a simple spat, nothing major, but for some reason he couldn’t quite name, Panahasi couldn’t take his eyes off of the pair.

  They both stopped talking as their eyes grew round, finally noticing him standing there. He knew he was an intimidating sight. At nearly seven feet tall and a lean and lethal frame, he must look like a monster to them.

  Neither of the pair could be more than five foot seven. And they were both slim and wiry. He could feel his cock filling out in his pants as he stared at a set of whiskey-brown eyes and then a pair of dazzling blue.

  He was interested in them in the worst sort of way. It had been ages since anyone had appealed to Panahasi the way these two did. They were both sprite-like, both looking as though they could cause quite a bit of trouble.

  In the bed, that would be fabulous, outside of the bedroom, not so much. Panahasi was used to his solitude, and he wasn’t sure taking on these two men was worth the headache he knew they could bring.

  “Who the hell are you?” the whiskey-eyed man asked from across the road. “And where the hell did you just come from?”