“It’s all right,” she cut him off and got to her feet. He joined her, shame burning the back of his neck.
“I’m sorry. Maybe we should take a shower instead, and are you hungry?”
Her lip curved into a smile, making his heart somersault. She didn’t seem upset, but vaguely amused.
“A shower sounds like a good idea.”
Taking a step forward, Prudence turned on the faucet again. Water sprayed down on them. She moved closer, pressing her naked body to his. His arms went around her automatically.
“Pru?”
She rested her head on his shoulder. A shudder racked her body and he tightened his hug. Her lips touched his neck, a current of desire zapping through his system and echoing on his cock, which stiffened.
“Prudence.”
“Killian,” she murmured, kissing him again.
He slipped his hands to her ass, flexing his fingers there.
“Fuck me,” she whispered, nipping his ear.
Killian drew back and cupped her face, staring at her. Her eyes glittered, the silent emotion in their depths replenishing his soul with hope. He kissed her. Every fiber of his being pouring into the meeting of their lips, into every stroke of his tongue against hers.
“Prudence, I love you.”
He tugged on her bottom bow and she gasped.
“Fuck me,” she pleaded, the urgency in her tone giving him pause. “Please.” Her voice cracked.
Killian nodded. He couldn’t deny her anything. He made to pick her up, but she turned around. Grasping her hips, he pulled her back into him, nudging her cunt with the head of his cock. Prudence moaned and pushed against him, searching for more. Killian swatted her ass and then sank into her, inch by glorious inch. Her body arched, a tremor coursing through it.
“Killian,” she murmured.
He withdrew and reentered, building a steady rhythm. Water cascaded on his back and steam rose around them, mystical rivulets floating around them. Reaching around Prudence, he found her breasts, squeezing them. She whimpered and ground against him. He dipped into her pussy and replaced her hand over her clit with his.
“I’ve got you, love.”
“Yes.” She hung her head, her hair hiding her face and muffling her cries of pleasure. Killian picked up his speed. His balls tightened and rose.
“Love.”
“Yes, I, Killian, I,” she screamed. Her orgasm drowned out her words and brought him crashing down with her.
Chapter Eleven
Prudence woke up with a start. The room was quiet. The sound of Killian’s heavy breathing almost a lullaby. She closed her eyes then reopened them.
Barcelona.
The words burned behind her retina. She struggled to remember what she’d been dreaming, for dreams were gateways into pathways and discoveries. One thing was certain: it had to do with the city. For some reason, Barcelona had been coming up repeatedly during the last twenty-four hours. It called to her. Echoing in her veins like the invisible thrumming of a drum, it tugged at her to go there.
‘Killian.” She shook his shoulder. He grasped her wrist in a painful grip and she yelped.
“Sorry,” he replied, immediately releasing her. “It’s an automatic reflex. Are you okay? What’s wrong?” He ran his thumb across her skin in a feather-light touch.
“I’m all right. You didn’t hurt me. I was just surprised.”
“What’s wrong, though? It’s not morning yet.”
“We need to go to Barcelona,” she blurted.
Killian switched on the light and appraised her. His countenance was serious, the lines on his forehead more pronounced and the line of his lips grim.
“Why?” he finally asked, the nerve in his jaw ticking.
“There’s something there. It calls to me.”
“What do you mean?” His eyes narrowed with suspicion. Prudence sighed. This was part of what had always kept them apart. Understanding each other and the worlds they came from. He was a seasoned warrior, used to planning and seeing danger on every corner or at every touch, whilst she worked on hunches and intuition, spurred on by magic.
“In the last twenty-four hours, I have lost count of how many times the city has been mentioned,” she said.
“So? Coincidence?”
“No, there’s something more. I feel it. It vibrates within me.”
Killian pursed his mouth. “I don’t think it’s a good idea, Pru. Our mission here is complete, so we should, and I will regret saying this, head back home. You’ve gone through quite a shock.”
“I’m not infected. The girls checked on me.”
“I know, but—”
“I’m going to Barcelona,” she declared.
“Pru.”
The warning in his tone was unmistakable.
“You can’t stop me, Killian. I would love it if you came with me, but I will go with or without you.”
Killian rubbed his face. “If you think there’s something in Barcelona, we should alert the Human Guardians. Heck, they probably know already.”
“No. I have to go there.”
“Prudence, the Sins are probably pissed at our little heist. The last thing we should be doing is going to a big-ass city to look for a hunch which you can’t fully explain.”
“I can’t really explain my magic and yet it’s there. I can’t explain our mating but here we are.” She entwined their fingers together. “I know I haven’t been the best mate, and we’ve been apart a lot, but try to understand me, Killian.”
Killian stared at her. His face was unreadable but the blue depths of his eyes spoke volumes to her. He yearned to comprehend what she was saying, but he was worried, afraid even.
“In times of war, patience is a virtue, Prudence.” He spoke slowly, punctuating every word. “Jumping to conclusions, investigating without a plan can lead to fatal consequences.”
“Then help me make a plan. I will follow your lead. We will be unbeatable.”
Killian flopped back onto the bed, covering his face with the back of his arms.
“You’re impossible,” he groaned.
She peered at his face, biting back the urge to kiss him, to tell him she loved him. God, how the words burned her tongue. The pain was real, tearing her apart from the inside. She’d been close earlier when they were making love in the shower, but she hadn’t been able to do it. How could she when they’d be heading back to their ordinary lives and not see each other until the next solstice?
The battle tonight had made her appreciate the magnitude of her love for Killian. It was the reason why she’d decided to remain a while longer at his side. Loving Killian was something she took for granted. They were predestined mates, after all, but the truth was, without him, her life’s meaning would diminish to nothingness. The mere idea of losing him froze all her senses.
Unfortunately, she’d also been a witness to how important their work was. Without them, Spain would have undoubtedly fallen in the hands of the Sins. The worst was they had only really made a small dent in the battle against evil. It wouldn’t be enough. They had struck the government, but what about the citizens? The Sins and their minions steadily gained terrain against them. Humanity and the balance would be a distant memory without their aid. They couldn’t allow the Sins to continue spreading. They had to do something, even if it meant sacrificing everything else.
“Please,” she begged. “I need your help, Killian. I don’t know how to navigate the human realm as well as you do.”
“Fine,” he snapped. “We’ll go, have a look around, and then come back. No more than a night. And I’m informing Jose and Noah of our whereabouts.”
“Okay. Okay.” Prudence clapped her hands in elation. “Thank you.”
Killian flipped her over and she squealed in surprise.
“You know the price to pay,” he said, eyes glittering.
Prudence smiled. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pulled him down for a kiss. Perhaps she couldn’t tell him how much she c
ared, but she could show him.
“And I’m more than willing to pay,” she murmured.
****
Pru stepped out of the subway station and glanced around her. It was fascinating how one city was so incredibly different from the other even though they were in the same country. The air was tinged with the smell of the sea and the wind was bitter, light rain splashing against their faces. Where Madrid was narrow, Barcelona appeared to be wide and spacious, as well as more crowded. People of diverse backgrounds walked through the city, some oohing and ah-ing at what there was to see, others grumbling at passersby, and others too busy on their devices to care. She stared at the buildings, marveled by the art present. Twisted opera masks in one, glittery contraptions in another, and metalwork in yet another. Even the street lights were heavily ornamented and shaped like wrought-iron candelabras.
“It’s as if they worship art.”
“Indeed,” he replied without looking up from the map. “This way.”
They hurried down the street without speaking. Killian took long strides which she struggled to keep up with as she tried to take in her surroundings at the same time. His jaw was fixed, his eyes set on the map and missing the started glances of other people as they caught sight of him. Guilt gnawed at her gut. He clearly didn’t want to be here and had only accepted to come because she’d coerced him into it.
“This is it,” he announced, abruptly stopping in front of a building with white lettering printed on glass, welcoming visitors in several languages. He took a step forward but she grasped his forearm, stopping him.
“Love?”
“Killian, if you’d like to return home, I would understand.”
Killian’s jaw dropped and his eyes widened. “Do you really think I would leave you alone in a strange city? One mentioned by a mmamonár and which almost feels like a trap about to be sprung?” he whispered in an angry hiss.
“But, I know you would rather not be here. You’re furious.”
As if she’d flipped a switch, Killian’s shoulders drooped.
“True,” he said. “But I’d rather be here with you than anywhere else in the world.” Tugging her into his arms, he tipped her head back and kissed her gently. “I’m not angry. I’m worried, Prudence. These wide-open spaces don’t give me confidence, and I’m used to being more prepared. We’re treading through unknown terrain, but whatever happens, I’m not leaving you, love.”
Prudence’s throat clogged with emotion and she nodded, dipping her head to his chest so she could hide her face. I love you. It was all she wanted to say, all which felt right, but how could she do that to him? It was better if he thought she didn’t care as much. Besides, she needed to focus on work, on the reason why they had come.
“Come on, let’s get a room for tonight and then figure out what we’re going to do,” Killian said.
She blinked, refocusing on him and following him inside. After checking in at the front desk, they headed to their room on the ninth floor. It was smaller than the one in Madrid, but equally comfortable. She glanced out at the city sprawled before them, teeming with life, a heartbeat of the world which vibrated through her. The closer they had gotten to the city, the greater her sense of urgency. There was something in this place. Living. Breathing. Controlling. The knowledge burned in her core, spreading heat and fire through her limbs. More. More. More. It sang a song of ravenous desire. More. Taller. More. Wider. More. Gold. More. Windows. More. Ornaments. More. Gold. More. More. More. It pounded in her brain like a hammer on an anvil. Building, growing, becoming the center of all eyes. More. More. More. Better. Greater. A cult to him. A glint of gold flashed behind her lids and she toppled backward. Killian caught her and helped her sit on the bed. He crouched in front of her.
“Take a deep breath,” he ordered.
A shudder racked her body and she shook her head, aiming to dissipate the never-ending song of the unfulfilled.
“Inhale. Exhale, love. I’m going to get you some water. You’re burning.”
She nodded. Glancing down at her hands, she was surprised to find them red, her palms marked by her own nails. Her mind reeled. This had never happened to her before. She had gone into a trance a few times, but never to the point of hurting herself physically. She shivered. Greed. He was here. In Barcelona. His song still echoed in her brain. Killian reappeared at her side and handed her the glass. Her hands shook and she spilled some of it on her lap.
“Slowly,” he said, placing his palm over hers. “Don’t rush it.”
She took a sip, the cool liquid soothing her. Little by little, she finished the glass. Her mind cleared with every gulp. Killian sat down beside her and placed his arms across her shoulders, pulling her into him.
“Ready to tell me what happened?” he asked after a few minutes.
Prudence’s heart raced. Should she tell him what she knew? Killian was her mate and she’d dragged him here. He deserved to know. However, she also knew what his reaction would be. He’d want them to leave immediately and if she refused, he was quite capable of picking her up and carrying her home. No. This was a breakthrough. Greed was in the city, but she had to find out exactly where before they left. If she could go back home and report his exact whereabouts, they’d be able to weaken him and restore the balance in one fell swoop. Excitement coursed through her. No. She had to keep the truth from Killian for a while longer.
“I’m not sure,” she lied. “One moment I was admiring the city and the next I was somewhere else. I lost touch with reality.”
“I noticed. You gave me a scare but I assumed something metaphysical was going on.” He smiled, but she didn’t miss the concern in his gaze.
“Yeah. I’m not sure how to explain it. I could hear a song, a vibration. Power. It swept through me and—” She left the sentence hanging.
Killian caressed her back in soothing circles.
“It’s all right, love. You don’t need to go into detail. Do you want to stay here and rest for a while?”
Prudence took in a deep breath. She couldn’t rest knowing Greed was out there at the touch of her fingertips.
“No,” she said. “I’d rather go out and have a look at the city, see if anything calls to me again.”
Find him.
Killian frowned.
“All right. Let’s have a look at the map and decide where to go.”
Chapter Twelve
Killian was not happy.
The idea of grabbing Prudence and dragging her home grew with every step they took. There was something wrong with Barcelona. It made his skin crawl and had all his senses on alert. Perhaps it was the low number of Inferum crawling throughout, or the width of the streets, maybe even the sea air. Whatever it was, he couldn’t pinpoint it and the fact just made him more uneasy.
Unfortunately, he knew Prudence well enough to know once she’d made up her mind about something there would be no derailing her. Furthermore, if he even tried, he risked losing the sense of intimacy they had gained in the last few hours. They were finally acting as he’d always dreamed: like a couple.
They’d left the hotel hand in hand and had cruised the city as if they were nothing more than tourists. Unlike him, Prudence had seemed to relax once they’d acquired tickets to the Sagrada Familia church and had taken to the streets with an eagerness which surprised him.
He’d imagined she’d be on edge, searching for the pull of magic which had brought them to Barcelona, but she seemed unconcerned. More than once, she’d taken him by surprise by squeezing his hand or giving him a kiss, and expressing delight to the little things they saw, which were different to the ones in their hometown. He couldn’t help wondering if she was turning around to their mating. Maybe she would realize they could spend more time together regardless of their work. Both things weren’t incompatible and could easily be complementary. For the better part of the morning, hope tugged at his heartstrings. He didn’t want it to end, but as with everything in life, it did. They’d barely finished their lu
nch when she’d asked for the time. As if he’d smashed a hammer against glass, her countenance had changed. She’d hurried him through lunch and had him racing to the temple of the Sagrada Familia.
It stretched before them, its sandstone and granite towers spiraling to the sky along with construction cranes. It was a structure meant to be looked at and admired. Prudence stopped and shielded her eyes from the sun.
“It’s incredible, isn’t it?”
“It’s certainly something, if a bit excessive, don’t you think?”
“That’s the point,” she said with a shake of her head. “Let’s go inside.”
They made their way closer to the temple and stood in the entrance line. The hair on the back of Killian’s neck stood. The sense of impending danger gave him a chill.
“Prudence,” he whispered. “Why do you want to visit this place so badly?”
“It’s a top tourist attraction,” she replied without looking at him.
“I know, but don’t you feel it?”
“No.”
Killian sucked in his cheeks. She was lying. The blush spreading across her cheeks and down her neck made him suspicious. Rubbing her ring finger against her thigh gave her away.
“Siguiente. Next.”
The guard at the door checked their ticket and ushered them inside. Killian clasped Prudence’s hand and led her to one side, away from the throng of people entering the church.
“Prudence.”
Her gaze finally found his, dilated pupils giving away a sense of excitement he lacked.
“I don’t know why you have lied to me,” he said.
“I haven’t.”
“Let me finish,” he said softly. “I don’t know why you’ve lied to me, but we’re here now. I will not let you go.” He lifted their joined hands. “I will not let you out of my sight. I will follow you to wherever you choose to go. I understand you don’t trust me. We’ve spent too much time apart, but—”
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