These were definitely the weirdest and best people I'd ever met in my life. In the space of an afternoon and evening, I'd been made to feel more loved and accepted than the cumulative whole of anytime preceding this. The oddness and sorrow of that thought had me smiling sadly as I watched Asher cook dinner for everyone. We were on Asher's floor,' where he reigned as king of food.' I didn't know what he was making, but it smelled fantastic. My mouth was watering as I helped set the table. I had no idea what I was doing, but I was following Kiema's lead, so hopefully I didn't make too big of a fool of myself. She sent me a smile and a wink. Sunshine. The woman was fricking sunshine. How she grew up in Feuer Tower and turned into the woman who stood before me was a head scratcher. But by the goddess was I glad she was a good woman. "Hey, sweetie, I'm Taryk," the glowering man with the beautiful brown skin said. His bald head reflected the overhead light. I dipped my head.
"Just over here," Scarlet said in one of the softest voices I'd ever heard in my life. She wasn't being shy or coy. Her voice was just that quiet. I'd had to strain to hear anything she said at the dinner table. I could tell it bothered her, too. Her face would go varying shades of pink or red when someone asked her to repeat herself. A blush would slide over those pink cheeks, a pinch at the corners of those green eyes, and those rosy red lips would pull down at the corners with a grimace. "Sure thing, sweetness." I wanted to punch myself. I'd never had a hard time treating women with the respect they deserved. Or showing that respect. But these two women in my life now, everything in me just wanted to tell and show - hell, I wanted them to feel - how loved they were. After my mother died early from hard work and exhaustion, I never underestimated the power of a woman. Nor had I ever bothered to coddle them. Women were strong in ways men just weren't. I feared Kiema's wrath a
I smothered the chuckle that tried to breach my lips. I don't think I've ever seen Taryk so still as he was under my brother's gaze. Hell, I wasn't sure Taryk was even breathing. Scarlet was trying to make herself as small as possible, her face losing all color. She looked like a ghost, trapped between the two men. Facing the back of the truck as she was, I could watch her facial expressions. She seemed a little torn on which one to settle for. Fear, annoyance, joy, excitement. They all rushed over her face in quick succession. Her expression tightened. Annoyance it is. I settled back in my seat, crossed my arms over my chest. I was going to enjoy the show.Scarlet closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and began turning around to face Asher.Just as she opened her mouth, Asher cut her off. "You bailed on kitchen duty," Asher said, drilling an icy glare at Taryk. The laughter I'd been holding back exploded from me. The sound pierced my eardrums in the confined space of
I lay on the cold cement floor of the CPI labs. Everything inside me sizzled and fizzled like water dancing on a hot skillet. Anda had vanished back inside me with the magic bomb I'd somehow managed to set off. "You have excellent instincts, Kiema. Remember that," she said from inside me somewhere. "Then I'd really appreciate those training lessons you said you'd give me. If I don't even know when Asta shows up, how am I supposed to save and protect my family?" I retorted. "The answers will come to you, little sister. Do not fear. Your time is coming soon." With that, she once again disappeared. I rolled to my side, my head and body aching with each breath. "Thanks a lot for nothing.""Well, that's a little rude, luv," Lukas said as he helped me to my knees. "I was doing the best I could, considering I was smashed face first into the floor."I chuckled. "I was talking to Anda. Not you. Thank you, Lukas, for helping me up." He glanced over me quickly before turning to At
"Watch the bloody holes, luv. My spleen can't take much more of your shite driving.""I've never driven before, so be glad you're still alive, you bonking wanker."I smiled. She had picked up my slang faster than I could have imagined, but I was pretty sure she didn't really understand what she was actually saying. "I still don't understand how I got stuffed on the floor while you get to ride pretty as you please up there," I said from my hiding spot just behind the driver's seat of the truck. "Because they'll recognize your face. Except for Ferria, Juan, and Aeron, no one here should know who I am. And you can keep my magical signature from flaring. Hence, I get to see what's going on. While you get to sit back and wonder. You know, like when you left me under a rock for hours on end." I sighed hugely. "Just hurry up. But try to get us there in one piece. This is the worst plan I've ever been a part of. You just want Ransom and Saint to kill me before Atlas gets a chance
I shut the door with a soft click. "Oh thank Gaia. I don't think we were seen." I slumped against the door in petrified joy. Turning, I felt that joy ooze away as fear strangled me once again. The man was as tall as Saint, even if he was slimmer. His muscles were clearly defined - especially the ones in his arm. The ones locked around Lukas' neck? Yeah, those were deliciously outlined in the soft lighting. My body went warm and liquid. I brushed it aside. This man had one of my family. No matter how much I wanted to take him in my mouth, bathe in his scent, he didn't get to do that to one of mine. I really hoped he wanted to be one of mine. I could definitely get on board with that idea. Then I wouldn't have to punish him. Or I could let him punish me."For fuck sake, Kiema, get your bloody head out of your knickers and do something," Lukas said, his voice a strained whisper. He was pulling on the man's arm, trying to get some room for his neck, probably needing some extr
Glaring at the beautiful woman in my arms, I rolled my eyes. Could no one follow a simple ancient prophecy these days? Must they always run around indulging their own whims while eons of history are tossed aside like so much trash? She stirred. The potion I'd blown at her should have kept her under far longer than a handful of seconds. I gritted my teeth. Something else she's screwing up for me. With a sigh, she curled against my chest. My lower body tugged. I dismissed the sensation. There was much more at stake here than just my raging body in need of satisfaction. Moving to my little area at the end and around the corner of the lines of shelves, I set her down in my chair. I went back and retrieved the male. Another complication I hadn't planned on. They were making me out to be a fool, and they didn't even realize it. The main door slammed open. I snarled as I glanced over my shoulder in the direction of the entrance. Did no one recognize the books? There were literally
I kept my tears to myself, knowing instinctually this man was going to hate me for what I was doing even if it was saving him. I didn't need to add insult to injury by letting him see my understanding that his structured and disciplined life held no love. Over his head, I could see Lukas trying to get up to his hands and knees. My brother made it, barely, but he was making his way towards us. His desire to help, to protect, even in his slightly damaged state, was something beautiful to watch. "What the fuck did you just do to me?" the man between my legs snarled at me."I made you whole. Welcome to the fucking family." Levering myself up against his chest, I pushed to my feet. The hollow emptiness between my legs...I brushed it aside. I needed to get this odious man and Lukas out of this hell hole before Ferria or Asta found us. Grabbing Lukas under one of his arms, I helped him to his feet. The man who unhappily completed my mate ring was already on his feet. He was boun