Evans, Gabrielle - Upon Crimson Waters [Fatefully Yours 2] (Siren Publishing LoveXtreme Forever ManLove) by Gabrielle Evans

his lungs. He couldn’t fix this—didn’t even know where to begin.
    “This is bad,” Vapre murmured as he stepped up on Eyce’s other side. “Look at the fish.”
    Eyce was looking. He’d ever seen anything like it. A dozen or so dead fish floated on top of the water, bloated and unmoving. The stench was almost enough to drive him to his knees. The water looked thick and syrupy, the current slow and sluggish.
    “What do we do?”
    Eyce hated the waver in Echo’s voice. He wished he had the answers for his mate. “I don’t know,” he admitted. He looked at his lovers hopefully, praying someone would have a solution.
    “Let’s go back,” Syx said after a minute. “We need to see how many of the lakes and ponds are affected, find out if this has spread to the drinking water, and do some more research.”
    It wasn’t the answer Eyce had looking for, but at least it was a course of action, and a hell of a lot more than he had at the moment. The seriousness of the situation crashed down on him, robbing the breath from his lungs and making his knees shake. This was his battle, his test, and he had a horrible feeling that he was going to fail.
    “Stop,” Echo whispered as he clutched at the little sapphire teardrop hanging from the leather braid around his neck. “You can do this. We’ll find the answers.”
    Wrapping his arm around Echo’s neck, Eyce pulled the little man to him, resting his chin on the top of his head, letting his mate’s closeness calm him. They’d given Echo the necklace for Christmas, promising that no matter what, he’d always have a shoulder to lean on. It was time for Eyce to man up and get his shit together. “I hope you’re right.”
    “For the record, I’m always right.” Echo snickered softly. “It’s just that no one ever listens to me.”
    “We listen.”
    “Right.” Eyce could almost hear Echo’s eyes rolling. “Do you think this is localized? I mean, is it only happening here because this is where we are?”
    “No clue.” Eyce shook his head and released his hold on Echo. “I guess that’s the first thing we need to find out.” The idea that this could be widespread phenomenon didn’t sit well with him. The enormity of his task overwhelmed him already. How was he supposed to combat something on a larger scale?
    “I’m pretty sure it’s centralized to our location,” Syx offered. He squeezed Eyce’s shoulder and gave him an encouraging smile. “This may be your test, but you’re not alone.”
    Eyce didn’t comment, but he knew the truth. His lovers could only help him so far. At some point, he would have to face this on his own. He only hoped he’d be ready.
    Crouching down on the edge of the lake, Eyce reached out to touch the water, but small fingers wrapped around his wrist, halting him.
    “Don’t touch it.”
    Squinting against the sun as he looked up at his mate, Eyce shook his head. “I just want to see if it’s as slimy as it looks. Maybe we can take a sample to the college.”
    “Then get some gloves. Besides, you don’t have anything to carry a sample in.”
    Eyce held up his hand and smirked.
    “Gross, and no.” Echo shook his head in finality. “Whatever that is, it killed all those fish. You’re not touching it.”
    “Echo, I’m a demon. Not to mention, I think the fish probably died because they ingested it. I don’t plan to eat it.”
    “I don’t care. This is a disgusting cesspool. You’re not touching it.” He slid his bottom lip out and widened his eyes. “Please, can we just go home now?” Echo asked quietly. “It reeks out here and my feet hurt.” He pointed a finger in Eyce’s face when he opened his mouth. “And I don’t need you to carry me.”
    Pressing his lips together firmly to keep from laughing, Eyce nodded. The man could be so damn stubborn sometimes, but at least he wasn’t a doormat. Eyce didn’t know what he’d do with a mate who just let them walk all over him and bowed down to their every