Cimmerian Shade: A Limited Edition Paranormal Romance & Urban Fantasy Collection

by Kiki Howell

  One thing I did notice about the situation however, was that although everyone knew that Anwar was gone, and that he had interloped on a conversation between Nooma and myself, no one had any idea why. What was the goal? Surely there had to be a reason. Was he here to get information? Was he here as part of an advance team of some sort, or part of a group whose other members had not been identified yet? Was he supposed to be able to get others in later? Were others already here? What was he doing here at all? And why risk being caught by Nooma?

  Her comments to me about prices and prizes niggled at my brain. But more than that, my basic understanding kept tripping over the lack of motive. What was he really after? Did he get it? And, if he did, was he able to communicate it to anyone else? Did he actually need to, or was he not really alone to begin with at all? Without having the information to understand the full scope of the situation, any recourse could be misdirected. Or, was that the actual plan?

  Scenario after scenario ran through my head at odd moments. Other than Abe, who I had confided the myriad questions I could not answer to, no one else seemed to be stumbling over the lack of information. As an extremely logic driven individual, this void of anything close to logic, never mind reason, was an exhausting paradigm. That I had not seen Nooma in more time than I could count, was frosting on the crap cake everyone was served, and most were seemingly eating gladly. I hate frosting. How could they live this way?

  If there was anyone who could distract me from the situation, and the inconsistencies that kept cropping up, it was Arce. Where Abe was my sometimes confidant, Arce was something else altogether. While obviously brothers, Arce had that little something extra that just wasn’t there with Abe. Before long, it was obvious to me I was not the only one who recognized the draw between us.

  It started innocently enough, a casual brush against me here or there, or seeking me out to do things without Abe present. Soon enough, it was no longer innocent. I don’t believe it was by mistake that we were lost in the labyrinth alone on more than one occasion. Each time, the distance between us shortened, until the time when there was no space at all.

  I could feel the heat of him, encroaching the bubble of my personal space. It was sensory overload, just as it was as necessary as breathing. Part of me wanted him to take a step back, and warred with the other part of me, the larger part of me, that needed him to come closer. I was not naïve, or new, but the insistent urges were more powerful than they had ever been. I couldn’t quite find the place where I would reach up to draw him in, but I knew I would not be pushing him away.

  We found ourselves in a small alcove. In retrospect, I realize now that it had been intentional that we arrived there, but at the time I didn’t notice. The small space was ringed with lamps that had already been lit. It was not the first of its kind that I had seen. Reaching the center, the inevitable finally occurred.

  Arce could only have been closer without clothing. Soon enough, we were, though I can’t recall the process that got us there. My heart thundered in my ears and my pulse leapt. Gazing at him, whatever he saw in my expression was enough. My skin burned and ached everywhere he touched me. The trail of his hands down my back coaxed me to shiver and my body to pool ahead of his path.

  “I want you Asa.” He whispered as I melted.

  I couldn’t find a way to respond that didn’t sound like a romance novel gone wrong. Instead, I reached up to loosen the tie at the nape of his neck, setting his long tresses free in my hands, fisting bunches of the silk between my fingers. His responding growl started the knot in my stomach to tighten.

  “Tell me you want me too, or tell me no.” He said as he pulled back. “I’ve waited as long as I’m willing to wait otherwise.”

  I reached between us, to where his erection stood proudly between the soft skin of my abdomen and the softly furred surface of his. Grasping it firmly, I gave it a long, determined stroke. “Does this answer your question?” I responded teasingly.

  I saw his eyes roll up just before the lids closed. When he opened them again, there was no doubt that whatever he was, his inner predator was awake, and I was the only prey he had in sight. “Yes. It does.”

  Before I knew what was happening, I was burning. If he had two hands, he had ten thousand. I felt his firm caresses in places, and the rake of long nails in others. We were on the floor without me having a clue when we’d gotten there. He was everywhere at once, and at the same time, I was in agony wanting more.

  His kisses were drugging, even as they were intermittent. He was over and above, down and back across my body with no pauses between, or notice of where he’d be next. I felt the flush of my skin before, during, and after he was at any one point. The inferno he was building was unlike any I’d ever experienced, and this was only the prelude. I wondered if I’d survive the consummation.

  Perched on the precipice of my release, he stopped. I blinked up at him trying to focus. His look was more than predatory...it was...Goddess, I didn’t have a word for it. I didn’t need a word for it. I knew I was either going to be dead, or not walking later. I was okay with that.

  I watched him slowly move off of me, dropping to lie beside me. He eased me over onto him, looking up intently. “Bring me your sex, Asa.” He commanded as he pulled, urging my hips up his torso.

  I was already wet. I knew without checking. The evidence was running down the inside of my thigh as soon as I was in the superior position to his prone form. If the orgasm had only been held at bay by the position change, it nearly thundered through me an instant later as I watched him take a deep scenting breath. His eyes closed and reopened. This time, when they stared back at me, they were full black. The leading edge of my release threatened with several full-body contortions from the intensity. His approving smile was fierce. “That’s my girl. Now, give me what is mine.”

  How I managed to get into position, I have not a clue in this world. I know I did though. As soon as I was there and he started, an orgasm like I’d never known ripped through me, stealing my voice. I was screaming air as wave after wave crashed over me. That was the beginning. I had no coherent thought. I had no opportunity to wind down either. Arce laid my soul bare with his tongue and the most exquisite torture I could never possibly do justice to describe.

  There was no high and low, there was only high, and higher. With each new orgasming crest, it became the building base for the next. His arms had come over my thighs and held me banded to him. With no alternative, I rode his mouth trying to slake the need he was culling. All it did was push the next wave. I was lost in the vortex.

  When he added a deep vibrato growl to the mix, I was done for. As if I hadn’t already released more times than I could count, I was poised at the edge of the mother of all orgasms...waiting to splinter and fracture apart, completely irreparable for good. He knew it too...it was as though he had waited for this moment to demonstrate exactly how many ways I was his now.

  He wouldn’t let me rock against him. I was momentarily frustrated, until I understood why. Without warning, I was marked...in the most intimate of places. He bit and held while the maelstrom of my release shot through me with more force than a cannon blast. I caught the scent of blood. I knew it was mine. Mixed with the permeating, lingering, thickly sweet smell of my releases...it took me over and I shattered once again.

  My head swam. I was limp and replete, but we weren’t done. Arce finally let me come down instead of push me higher. It was temporary. I was surprised when I found myself momentarily airborne. Before I had my bearings, he resumed...but from behind me, where he had seated himself and sunk deep before I recovered. The pace was furious. I didn’t try to keep up, instead letting him push or pull as he needed for the motion. He had full dominion over my body. I gave it willingly.

  The slap of skin against skin was loud bouncing around the small space. I felt myself winding tighter, gearing up for yet another forceful orgasm, though how I had any more left I couldn’t fathom. His rough, rumbling growl pushed me over lon
g before he was done. The slap of skin against skin changed to have a definite wet element to it as I heard it between pants, screams, and breaths.

  I felt his nails dig into my hips as he neared his release finally. One hand reached up to pull my torso back by my shoulder. I was disoriented, but had no voice left to ask questions between panting. I didn’t need to wonder. With a final, impossibly deep thrust, he clamped down on my shoulder with his teeth, marking me yet again. I shuddered on his length, before falling apart one last time.

  Half-lidded, I knew I was lying down again. I could hear him behind me, but didn’t have the strength to roll over and look. Blinking, I tried to confirm what I thought I saw on the far wall. Before I could make sense of it, Arce was moving. “Stay here.”

  Catching Smoke

  HOW MUCH TIME passed before my brain came back online, I have no idea. Somewhere during the time between, I had reached out and recovered the staff that contained the Una-Mor, draped a leg over it, and essentially passed out. I was uneasy to realize when I came to, that I was still alone.

  Cleaning up was not an option. I dressed quickly and headed out, hopeful that I would find another person, or my way back. It would not be the first time, or the last, that I was lost in the labyrinth of tunnels. I was not yet distressed, but was growing increasingly troubled that Arce had not returned. What I had seen before he left, was a shadow on the wall between one of the lanterns and the far surface. I should have been alarmed at the time, but had been so wrung out, my brain refused to engage the scenario.

  It took far longer to find anyone than I liked. When I found one however, I found everyone, and it was not by intention. I rounded a corner and walked into the main communal area of the camp without realizing I was there. I went looking for Arce. He was nowhere to be found. Finally, I did manage to find Abe. When I did, his eyes flashed, and his nostrils flared.

  “So you’re his.” He asked more than stated.

  “What?”

  “Arce. He has marked you. And, he has claimed you. I couldn’t mistake it if I tried.” He challenged, seeming agitated.

  His tone was not accusatory, but it was not accepting either. If Abe had believed there would be something between us, he was the only one of us who thought so. Either way, I didn’t have time for hurt feelings right now. “Yes, yes. He marked me. He claimed me. That’s not important right now. Have you seen him?”

  Abe’s eyes narrowed at my question. “No. I have not. Why? What else has happened?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “What do you mean, ‘you don’t know?’” He demanded.

  His posture was rigid. I didn’t have time to ease the aggression. I needed to figure out what was going on. “I mean, I. Don’t. Know. He told me to stay put, and disappeared. He hasn’t returned. So, have you seen him?”

  “I already said no. Where were you when this happened?”

  “I don’t know that either. Somewhere in the tunnels. I couldn’t find it again if I tried. I’m not sure how I found my way out. I still don’t know how to get around to all the places here. I thought I saw a shadow on a wall, and the next thing I knew, he told me to stay there.”

  I was quickly coming to believe that Abe and Arce were, at least in part, the same as Nooma. As I watched, Abe’s eyes flashed red, and bled out to black. What in the hell were they? I’d have to find out later. “Can you sense him? Or scent him?” I asked, hopeful.

  Abe was visibly vibrating. The thrumming energy was creating shockwaves as I stared at him. A small eternity later, the motion stopped as he got control of himself. His eyes also started to return to normal. “No I cannot sense him, though you should be able to. I can scent him though, at least enough to track him, if I can find where he was. Show me where you came from.” He demanded.

  “I’ll do as best I can, but I have no idea how I got here.”

  “That’s not really helpful Asa.” He said with a hard hiss. “Where did you come into the main camp from? Do you at least know that?” He accused harshly.

  I turned and led him back through the main area to where I had entered, or at least, where I thought I had entered. Without so much as a word, he pushed me behind him and began to draw in large lung-fulls of air through his nose. I could only assume that he caught my scent to follow backwards. He didn’t speak, only took off at a quick pace, leaving me to follow, or not.

  Eventually, I was stunned to arrive back at the small alcove. Once again, I was irritated to realize that I could not have found it on my own, nor that I’d likely be able to find it again. Abe took in the area, inspecting the air, and space, by quadrants. It didn’t take long. He glanced at me over his shoulder, not exactly pleased, but slightly short of disdain, “Let’s go.” He said before stepping off.

  We took more twists and turns than I think I had accumulated in my entire time so far. Eventually, we took one last turn and emerged from the side of the mountain. Wherever Arce was, he was no longer in camp. What, or who had led him out, remained to be seen. Abe turned back to me. “This is not good. We need to find Nooma before we go any farther.”

  “Why?”

  “Seriously? The trail leads not only away from camp, but out of the mountain altogether. Arce would not have left, with no word, for no reason. Someone else needs to know what has happened, and where we have gone before we leave.”

  “Do you think...?”

  “Right now, I don’t think. I either know, or I don’t know. What I know, is that he has left the mountain. Why, with whom, or to what end...I don’t know.” He said flatly as he retraced his steps back the way we had come, to go in search of Nooma.

  It occurred to me as we walked that Abe had listened to my myriad questions, but never actually offered anything other than a factual response when he had one. I had never noticed this black and white disposition. I debated my next question carefully. The tension string was already pulled tight. I was either going to pluck it and make it sing, or it was going to snap. I wasn’t sure I was ready for either option, but I pressed on anyway. “How are you related to Nooma?” I dropped as casually as I could manage.

  Abe came to an abrupt halt in front of me before he turned. “I’m not.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “I’m positive.”

  “Okay,” I put my hands up in mock surrender, “then answer me this, do you agree someone else was in the alcove?”

  The incredulous look on his face should have said it all, but he answered anyway. “You have so much to learn. Yes, someone else was there. Before, during, or after, I have no idea. But, it is why Arce left, and proceeded to leave camp altogether. What it means, I don’t know. But, I will not be speculating. When we know, we will know.”

  I was incensed. But, I also was not of this world, at least not recently. “Of course I have much to learn Abe. How could I possibly know this stuff? Who would have taught me? I was removed from this world, on purpose, so I wouldn’t know it. That you, of all people, would infer that somehow I should magically just have full realization of everything, everyone, and everywhere because I’m here now, is pompous and arrogant. I thought we were friends. Or was that only until your brother claimed me as his?” I spat.

  “You need to learn faster.” He dropped casually before turning, taking off again.

  “I tell you what, since the trail leads back to the rest of the world, where I do know things, I’ll just figure it out, and take my chances there where I have less to learn. Tell Nooma whatever you wish.” I shouted at his back before I turned away and headed to the escape I had been looking for since I’d arrived. I was more than a little surprised when he didn’t come after me.

  War Cry

  I WAS OUT, WELL BEYOND the mountain before reality set in. Insulated by my anger, I did not realize how cold I was, until I realized how cold I was. Time had passed with no distinct markers while at camp, and thus, I had no idea of when it was, not to mention where I was. What it was however, was really freaking cold.

  Clad only in je
ans and a long sleeve, I was abruptly debating going back to get something warmer to wear. I knew quickly that was not an option. Once I had left, I was no better than the shadow-walkers, presumably persona non grata. Not to mention, getting in, finding my way to my quarters, and getting out again, would be virtually impossible. If I managed to find the communal area again, it would be, as before, completely by accident. Even then, anyone I encountered may have already become aware that I had left. Lose-lose were the two options.

  I noted absently that I could not smell the salty sea spray. I knew I needed to find out where I was, and quickly. I also needed to find either shelter, or a way to get more something, anything, to insulate me against the deep cold that was making my bones ache. Frozen would not help me find Arce.

  Without warning, a robust, angst-filled cry bubbled up and emerged. Even to my own ears the sound was pained. Strangely, I debated the reason why. Leave it to me to go and get involved with a male, get claimed by said male, and then debate whether or not there was more there. Was I in love with him? Not that I could discern. Did I have any clue what love actually entailed, or meant? The only example I had to draw from was the Brigands, and somehow knowing that everything else about that life was a lie, I couldn’t make myself believe their relationship had been anything more than part of the fallacy.

  For how bitter the wind was, the ground was soft and loamy, squishing and sinking under my weight as I walked. The dichotomy was not lost. One of two things had to be true; either where I was, defied the laws of physics as I knew them, or when I was, was at the tail end of the deeper cold season and the ground had already started to thaw. Neither option made me hopeful.

  Busy with my thoughts, I hadn’t considered much else. Shivering, I was surprised to hear my stomach roar, which was just fabulous. If there had been anything nearby, it was probably long gone after my vocal outburst. Now, I was cold, and hungry. Great, just great.