by Elle Lewis
“Try to sleep,” said James.
My eyes drooped. I could see the ocean behind my eyelids. I pictured James on his sailboat, gazing over the water, his heart obtaining a moment of peace. Within a few minutes, I was sound asleep.
CHAPTER TWENTY ONE
NYX
Darrow roared. It shook the walls of the antechamber. He began tearing the room apart, piece by piece. Darrow proceeded to break all four standing mirrors, throwing each one into the wall. His mighty fists pounded the stairwell. He tore the railing off and reduced each step to rubble. Finally, the entire edifice crumbled, casting dust into the air. Black electricity burst from his hands. He growled and threw his arm out, sending a ball of it into the black chandelier. It exploded. Crystals fragments fell like dark rain.
I huddled against the wall, attempting to make myself as small as possible. After several more minutes of volatile destruction he stood still, breathing heavily. He turned and glared at me. I braced myself.
Darrow grabbed my shoulders and slammed me into the wall. He then then lifted me up, so that my feet dangled above the floor. His black eyes bore into mine. I forced myself to look back, glaring into the darkness.
“Aleo suspects what I already know,” he snarled. “I have heard whispers. The Four have been consulted and Inigo…,” he said the name with revulsion, “Is now within this planet’s atmosphere.” He put me down and began pacing in front of me, back and forth.
“I will not make the same mistake twice. I know what I must do, to tip the balance in my favor. He must agree. He must know why this is so important.”
Darrow passed by the red flower and examined it, as if seeing it for the first time. He reached his hand out, moving to stroke one of the petals. “The Warriors will take you,” he said. “Most likely as soon as your eyes open.”
“Don’t touch it,” I demanded.
Darrow narrowed his eyes at me. He knocked the flower off the table. It fell to the floor, shattering into hundreds of pieces. I jolted, sudden pain searing across my chest. Darrow advanced on me. He grabbed me by the arm and threw me down. I landed on my side and then cried out as he kicked me directly in the stomach. He began raining blows down on me. I curled into a ball and cradled my head, desperately trying to protect myself. Darrow continued hitting me, his fists slamming into my ribs and any exposed area he could connect with.
Finally, he turned me over, forcing me onto my back. “This is not over. I will take you from the Warriors. You will be mine.” And with that ominous promise, he plunged his hand into my chest.
I screamed as his hand cracked through my sternum. Darrow wrapped his hand around my heart and squeezed. My heart burst, like an overly ripe fruit being squished. Blood oozed out of my mouth. He began laughing. I felt my life slipping away, his black eyes filling my vision.
*
I woke up screaming. Darrow had killed me. He had reached into my chest and crushed my heart like a savage. There was nothing left but shredded muscle, strands of bright red ribbon lying somewhere within my rib cage. I kept my eyes closed, afraid that if I opened them, I would still be in the antechamber. I sensed the presence of someone hovering above me. I lashed out, terrified.
“Sloan!” Strong hands wrapped around my wrists. “Open your eyes! Sloan! It’s James!”
My eyes snapped open. “James?”
“Are you okay?” He was on top of me on the couch. It was morning. Bright light streaked through the windows. I blinked a few times and gradually relaxed. James let go of my wrists. Tears sprang to my eyes.
“What happened?” James asked.
I shook my head, unable to speak. James stayed quiet as I tried to regain my composure. After a few moments, I noticed a red mark on his cheek. “Did I hit you?”
He grinned. “You have a decent right hook.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t worry about it.” He caressed the side of my face. “Do you want to talk about it?”
“No.”
“Okay,” he frowned. “If I could protect you, if I could stop all of this...I would.”
“I know,” I whispered.
Our eyes met. Gratitude for him filled me, like warm water pouring through my body. I laced my arms around his neck and pulled him to me. I kissed him sweetly, my lips brushing his gently. The kiss deepened, igniting with need. I wanted him.
While still kissing him, I leaned forward and gently pushed myself up, adjusting us into a sitting position. I straddled his waist and then threaded my hands through the soft waves of his hair. James kept his hands pressed against my back. I could feel him holding back, being respectful. I slipped my hands underneath his shirt, running my fingers along his well-defined abs. Once again, I ran a finger beneath the waist band of his boxers, caressing his hip. I let my fingers roam, finally stroking him softly.
James moaned deep in his throat and then pulled away. His eyes searched my face, full of desire.
In a sultry whisper I said, “Take me to the bedroom.”
I didn’t have to ask twice. James ran his hands up my legs, over my hips, and then gripped my waist. He stood, kissing me with longing as he carried me to the bedroom. James stood me next to the bed and then peeled my clothes off slowly, his strong hands caressing each newly exposed area of my skin. My hair fell down my back, brushing against my bare skin. James kissed me long and hard and then pulled his clothes off in two quick movements. I drank in the sight of him, desire burning throughout my entire body. He was six-foot-four inches of perfect. We tumbled into the bed, quickly becoming entwined underneath the sheets.
James was gentle, yet passionate in a way that engulfed every part of me. I was gone, in a completely different place, my mind filled with euphoric pleasure. I explored every inch of him, my hands and lips needing more. I pushed on his shoulders and then twisted my body, rolling us over so that I could be on top. James gripped my waist, his fingertips pressing into my skin as I moved my hips with him. Sounds of pleasure rumbled deep in his throat. I wanted to go slowly, but my need for him made me move faster and faster. It drove him crazy.
James grabbed my hips and then rolled us again, his hands entwined in my hair, his lips on my neck. Our love making became fast and vigorous. I began to moan and whisper his name. His lips found mine and the taste of him filled my mouth. One of his hands gripped mine, over my head. The other was wrapped beneath my thigh. James began to move into me fast and hard, the sensation so good it was overwhelming. A delicious scream began to build in my throat as I felt the pressure within my body build. James kept up the same fast hard pace, moving his lips to my earlobe. Undiluted euphoria broke across my entire body and I let out a long moan that fell away into a breathless sigh.
James smiled, his caramel eyes blazing with satisfaction and heat. He kissed me deeply, his movements slowing for a few moments as we savored the taste of each other. James broke the kiss and our eyes locked as he began to move his hips forward faster. I gasped and twisted my fingers in his hair. He licked and then gently bit my lower lip, his mouth moving down my jaw and then to my neck. James began to moan, a sexy rumble in his throat. I kept pace with him, rolling my hips in synch with his deep movements. He bit the top of my shoulder and then moaned in a final moment of absolute pleasure. This time, it was my turn to smile.
We were both breathing heavily. James placed a hand on the side of my face and kissed me over and over.
“You’re gorgeous,” he said.
My smile deepened. James propped himself up on his elbow so that he could look down at me. “…And sexy.” He ran his fingertips down my stomach, trailing them over my hip. “…And perfect.” His warm fingers continued to move further, until they slipped inside of me. I sighed, arching my back.
James took me again, slowly this time. He held me close, kissing me as he moved into me in deep unhurried thrusts. We lost ourselves in each other. Time stopped. There was only pleasure. We climaxed together and then fell apart, lying beside each other in bed.
He stroked my skin, running his fingers from my shoulder to my hip, and then back up again.
Heat flooded my cheeks.
“Can I make you something to eat?” he said.
I smiled, my stomach grumbling at the mention of food. “Please.”
We got dressed. James waited for me to french braid my wild hair. I followed him into the kitchen. The clock on his espresso machine read 2:00 p.m. James whipped up two ham and cheese omelets. I watched him cook, feeling perfectly content, a small smile twisting my lips.
James filled two small white cups with fresh espresso and then looked up at me, that crooked grin on his face. “Don’t be impressed. I can only cook breakfast. If it doesn’t have eggs in it, I’m lost.”
My smile widened. He handed me a plate and an espresso cup. “Want to eat on the deck?”
I nodded. “Sure.”
We sat side by side on the deck chairs, eating in amicable silence. The omelets were delicious, the espresso potent and wonderfully bitter. The weather was cold and crisp. I realized that it was the first of November. The weather would continue to get colder as Winter approached.
The view was incredible. The Olympic Mountains rose in the distance, surrounded by an emerald green forest. The water was still, like liquid glass. For the moment, the sky was clear, a perfect robin’s egg blue. I wished for an easel and paint.
I thought about the terrors of last night and the joys of this morning. It was a mind-boggling contrast. It felt as if I was playing hop scotch between parallel realities. I halted my train of thought. I wanted to enjoy this moment. I needed to. Darrow would return for me. And next time, I might not be as so lucky.
“Do you want to take the sailboat out? Around sunset? Provided the day remains normal,” James said.
“Provided the day remains normal, I would love to. But maybe you should get your head checked out first?”
“I’m fine,” he said.
“You could have suffered a minor concussion or something.”
James smirked. “If I forget my name at any point today, I’ll consider going to the E.R.”
I frowned.
James smiled. “You’re sexy when you frown.” He ran his thumb across my bottom lip. “It makes those full lips fall into a pout.”
“Don’t try and distract me.”
He laughed.
My frown deepened. “You really could be hurt.”
That crooked grin appeared on his face. “This morning would say otherwise.”
“Uh, first, you’re a guy. And secondly—please? It would make me feel better.”
A soft expression crossed his face. “Alright. I’ll clean the dishes and then we’ll go.”
“Thank you. Do you want some help?”
James kissed me. “I got it. Enjoy the view. I’ll be right back.” He gathered up the empty plates and espresso cups, and then went back into the house.
I stood and leaned against the railing, taking in the scenery. Damn it’s beautiful here. My eyes trailed along the tree line, resting on a snow-capped mountain peak. I imagined how I would paint the ridgeline, sweeping white paint across the canvas. I breathed in the cold clean air, reveling in the moment.
Finally, I turned, about to go back into the house. I stopped. Fear pooled in my stomach. There was something big in the sky, and it was headed this way and moving incredibly fast.
Please be a freakishly large eagle. I shielded my eyes with my hand, blocking out the sunlight. After a few moments the shape solidified, revealing a set of massive gold and white wings. I sprinted across the deck, adrenaline pumping through my veins.
I threw open the sliding glass door. “James, get the rifle quick!”
I heard a dish break and then saw James running down the hallway. “What is it?” He grabbed the rifle that was still lying on the coffee table. He rushed out onto the deck.
I pointed to where the figure was in the sky. James put the gun to his shoulder, gazing down the sight.
“Fuck,” he cursed vehemently. “It’s one of them, one of the warriors.”
“We have to leave!” I said.
James gritted his teeth, the muscles in his jaw standing out. “No. I’m sick of these fucking things. Attacking us on the streets is one thing...” He squinted and aimed. “Get behind me and cover your ears.”
I did what he said. James exhaled slowly and then squeezed the trigger. An explosive crack pierced the air. I watched the warrior tumble in midair, easily dodging the shot. James refocused, the muzzle of the gun following its movements. He pulled the trigger again and again. Smoke wafted from the muzzle, the smell of gun powder distinct. None of his shots connected. The warrior avoided each one with ease. Panic crept up my throat as it careened towards us. I wanted to run but James was still gazing down the sight of the rifle, determined.
The warrior tucked in its wings and did a nose dive, closing the rest of distance in seconds. It then changed the angle of its body, feet first, the wings expanding to their full width. They billowed in the wind, the gold and white alternating feathers glinting in the sunlight.
James continued to fire rapidly as it descended. My ears were ringing from the earsplitting gunfire, and then I heard click-click, and everything went quiet. I realized with dread that the gun was out of bullets. The warrior soundlessly landed on top of the deck railing, balancing effortlessly on the three inches of wood. My eyes widened. The warrior was a woman.
She snatched the rifle from James with a lightning fast movement and then held it at her side. Her skin was the color of honey. She was dressed in white denim leggings, a silk gold halter top, and gold gladiator sandals. The color of her eyes was shocking, a piercing lavender. Combined with perfectly defined silver eyebrows, the effect was striking. Her hair was a grayish purple that hung in a straight curtain to her collarbones. Her facial features were exquisite, reminiscent of a Greek goddess.
“Stand aside,” she commanded. Her voice held a feminine bell like quality but was full of powerful authority.
“Fuck you.” James balled his hands into fists.
Her lavender eyes flashed. She squatted, still balancing on the three-inch railing, her eyes now level with his. “Listen carefully, human. I am here to protect her. Hindering me only endangers her more.”
“I don’t give a shit why you’re here, or why you want her,” James responded angrily. “You’re not touching her.”
He backed up, pressing me against the sliding glass door, his body taking a protective stance in front of me. I didn’t know what to do, so I stayed quiet, my hands gripping his arms.
The warrior folded her wings, tucking them behind her back. “I do not have time for this.” She jumped from the railing, landing soundlessly on the deck. Now that she was standing on a level surface, I noticed how small and petite she was. She was maybe five-three, if that.
She rushed forward, stopping just inches from him. “Move aside. I will not ask again.”
James planted his feet and stared her down. “Go to hell.”
Things were quickly spinning out of control and I didn’t see a way out of the situation. This was going to end one way and one way only, with her taking me. The question was—how hurt would James get in the process?
“If I go with you, will you promise to leave him alone?” I tried to step out from behind James, but he wouldn’t let me pass.
“Sloan stay where you are,�
� he demanded.
“You have my word he will not be harmed,” the warrior responded. Her lavender eyes met mine. It was like looking at a cluster of lilacs.
I took in a deep breath. “James, she is going to take me. You don’t have to get hurt, just let me go.”
“No, fuck that.”
The warrior rolled her eyes in exasperation. “Enough.” James suddenly disappeared from my line of sight. I was face to face with the warrior. James was nowhere to be seen.
Fear gripped my heart. “What did you do to him?”
She lifted a shoulder nonchalantly. “He’s fine.”
I heard a splash. I ran past the warrior, coming to an abrupt stop at the railing. James was in the water, swimming frantically back to the house.
I spun, facing her. “You threw him in the water? You said you wouldn’t hurt him!”
She crossed her arms. “The human is alive, isn’t he?”
“It’s freezing out there! He could get hypothermia you bitch!”
She narrowed her lavender eyes at me. “If Aleo didn’t command that I bring you back unharmed…”
“You’d what?” I snarled. “Hit me? Torture me? What’s fucking new?”
The rifle was lying on the deck. I knew it was empty and that was fine. I didn’t want to shoot her. I wanted to smash it across her face. I made a quick move, grabbed it, and swung.
The warrior caught it with one hand, anger exploding in her eyes. She ripped it away from me and then snapped it in half, the metal screeching. She dropped the pieces and then advanced on me. I threw my elbow out, aiming for her jaw. I hit air.
“Stop this, now!” she yelled.
I tried to strike her again. She blocked it and then grabbed me by the shirt, lifting me off the ground. She twisted and then threw me into the side of the house. The back of my head smacked against the wood and I slumped onto the deck, the edges of my vision blurring. The warrior stood over me, her wings unfurled.
