by Rue Allyn
“Get back in the trees, Tera. I’ll take care of this.”
Instead, her black boot collided in a powerful roundhouse kick with Zeth’s face. “I got it.”
Although Sodor was bound by the flora that Tera had commanded, he was a fierce fighter, and eventually broke free. Sabin threw his fists back and forth between the two remaining Knights, keeping them both occupied.
Tera’s Knight, Zeth, slowly got up from the ground, taunting, “You’re a naughty one. Do I need to punish you?” Zeth leered at Tera and Sabin saw red. He’d seen Zeth with enough women to know how rough and violent he was.
She reached out and maced Zeth to shut him up. “Damn, I never realized how far a can of this baby could go,” she said as she flashed a wicked smile, and Sabin calmed as he realized she was more than capable of handling herself. Gods she was beautiful.
Sabin took the opportunity to reach into his pocket and pull out a pair of handcuffs and slap them on Rowen. In an instant, Rowen disappeared. Sabin pulled another pair of handcuffs from his leather pants. Just as Zeth launched an attack on him, Sabin slapped the magical cuffs on him. Zeth too, disappeared.
Turning to apprehend the third and last Knight, Sabin was just in time to see Tera duck to avoid a punch to the face. He grabbed Sodor by the fist and clinked on yet another set of handcuffs. “Traitor!” his friend hissed before that Knight too disappeared, leaving Sabin and Tera alone once again.
“What the heck?” Tera’s chest still heaved from the excitement of the fight. Her hair tumbled down her shoulders, messy and disheveled from being pulled, a couple of leaves nestled deeply into the mahogany tresses.
“Are you okay, Tera?” Sabin reached out and plucked a leaf from her hair, dropped it on the ground, and then trailed his hand down her arm. A pain stirred deep within his chest, but it wasn’t from the agony of the astral bullet wounds. Sabin realized it was leftover fear from seeing the Dryad so close to danger.
• • •
The concern weighing in the warrior’s eyes was enough to knock Tera on her butt. She had thought him a brute, and even a hero perhaps, but not actually one to be so concerned about her. “Me? You’re the one that was shot. Twice.” Tera glanced down at Sabin’s stomach, his new shirt soaked in crimson.
Sabin pulled up his shirt revealing clean abs, not even a trace of blood on them. “I have done nothing against my duty, and so their bullets could not do as the Knights intended. Rowen seemed conflicted, but I swear the others meant to kill me. Something is not right. They are being controlled by another force because this violence is not the way of our order.”
Tera stared in silence at Sabin’s clean, hard stomach.
“You see, as an immortal, my body is self-healing, self-cleaning. Even the blood that was left on my skin has already dissipated. Did you not notice after our earlier battle that the blood on my face disappeared?”
Feeling a bit foolish that she hadn’t noticed, Tera countered, “Well, maybe if you hadn’t been smothering me with your caveman-esque lust . . . ”
Smiling, revealing brilliant white teeth that nearly matched his shoulder-length hair, he finally pulled his shirt back down. “I guess this is not inconspicuous anymore. Does this mean I get to take it off?”
“Oh my goodness, we need to get you a trench coat or something.” She threw her hands up in the air. “All right, take it off. We’re not that far from the Red Victorian anyway.”
Tera was seriously weak in the knees as the magnificent Knight took off his shirt once more. She could have sworn he was purposefully doing it in slow motion, carefully pinning a look of sheer sensual lust on her the entire time. Sabin tossed the cloth on the ground nearby.
“Hey, no littering.” But as she went to pick up the blood-stained shirt, the Alcatraz souvenir dissipated into nothingness.
“We leave no traces of our presence.”
“Does that go for gum wrappers, too? Just remember, no trashing my town.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it, Dryad.”
Tera tried to avoid his gaze as they walked through the dark, tree-filled park. Geez, how does this guy walk without looking where the hell he is going? “So what’s with the magical leather pants?”
For the first time, Sabin looked confused at her question.
“You know, the never-ending supply of mystical handcuffs.”
“As law enforcement officers, we have great use of those. After placing the handcuffs on the individual, they are transported to our jail.” He shook his head and his eyes grew dark, more gray than blue. “Rowen is a close comrade, and the other Knights and I are bound by the same code. Something dark is behind this, and I think the Nunanish might only be the beginning of a very intricate plan.”
The ominous tone in Sabin’s deep voice hinted to an evil that she couldn’t even fathom. His words shook Tera to the core, and for the first time in many years, she was afraid.
Chapter Ten
Back in the Divination Room, Sparrow and her aunts had long since passed out and moonlight shimmered against the colorful stained glass window. But as Sparrow dreamed, there was no color, only darkness.
The dark sky above San Francisco was a swirling mass of clouds. Through the dense nighttime fog, Alcatraz swarmed with violence. The city in the near-distance slept, completely unaware of the war being fought on the island. On the rocky ground near the vacant prison, gnarled, black demons, red-skinned beasts, and swarms of other nightmarish creatures collided together in reckless abandon. Towering warriors fought hand to hand with the monsters, and nearby, a vampire decapitated a winged demon.
Amid the swarm of chaos, Sparrow saw her Aunt Melissandra’s hands, her fingers stiff and crooked as power coursed through her. The killing spell. The red-scaled, fanged gargoyle that leapt toward her aunt dropped to the ground, twitching as death seized its final breaths. From behind Melissandra, a demon of soaring height slashed a long talon across her back, sending the Wiccan to the ground. Sparrow screamed but she couldn’t escape the nightmare.
The image of Morgana was no better, as she was thrust to the ground by a succubus demon. The pale-skinned, naked creature flicked a forked tongue down her aunt’s cheek before a large black jaguar pounced from the fray on top of the demon. The giant jungle cat sliced with large claws, and the demon hissed before turning to eat the jaguar. Still, the dream showed Sparrow no mercy. A haze of fog swirled endlessly above the blood-soaked ground until finally resting on an image. Sparrow lie on the ground, feathers and blood scattered ominously around her. Her frantic eyes were large, round and filled with fright. The glaze in her eyes reflected someone who had seen the worst kind of nightmares come true. As Sparrow’s limp form lie on the ground, she knew her body was too broken to move.
Clutching her chest with long purple fingernails, Eris, the Goddess of Chaos laughed merrily. This Knight of the Fog was full of surprises indeed. The cheeky little Dryad, too, for that matter. Sabin was proving to be quite insightful, even suspecting interference when he was attacked by his own Knights. He had taken the astral bullets as he protected the Dryad, and Eris suspected that it was above his duty.
“He is developing feelings for her. Damned Dryad whores.” Eris snarled as she took in her own appearance in the mirror. Coiffing the hair near her blood-soaked gold crown, she smiled once more. “It seems I am faced with a prime opportunity to spite Artemis. Filthy, dirt-worshipping wench.”
Sure, Eris and Artemis had successfully comingled on many occasions in the realm of the Gods, but the Goddess of Chaos couldn’t pass up the opportunity to wreak havoc. She had long desired to get back at Artemis after her failed attempt in 1200. Now it was unfolding. Returning to her onyx mirror, Eris dipped her fingers into the Hedone Realm, the realm of pleasure creatures and demons. A smile crept upon her lips as Eris found her instrument. “Oh, this will be good.”
• • •
All the shops on Haight Street had long since been closed, so when Tera and Sabin walked into their Redwood Forest room, Sabi
n was still shirtless. “You’re immortal, so you don’t need sleep, I’m guessing.” Tera pointed to the chair in the corner of the small room as Sabin shut the door.
“Only for pleasure. Just like bathing.”
With that, Sabin slowly removed his pants, not the least bit discouraged by Tera’s jaw-drop, and sauntered toward the washroom.
Commando, really? I couldn’t get stuck with a Knight of the Fog who wears boxers?
Tera tried to regain her composure as she watched steel-cut buns disappear into the restroom. Sure, it wasn’t the first naked man she had seen. Sparrow’s aunt had quickly corrupted Tera with films showing a naked Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt. But this was different all together. Sabin’s body had been absolutely glorious. Hearing the shower come on, she realized she had to figure out just how to handle the situation. Well, she’d be sleeping in her clothes, that was for sure.
Tera plopped down on the bed, mentally exhausted from the long, strange day. Reaching into the pocket of her leather jacket, she pulled out her cell phone, which had been powered off. With Sabin in the shower, it seemed like a good idea to update Sparrow on recent events.
Inhaling deeply, she noticed an intoxicating scent wafting into the room. Surely the hotel shampoo couldn’t smell that good. The salty, rosy smell of gardenia was both masculine and feminine, and an utterly sensual scent. Since when do I label scents sensual?
She rolled back onto the bed. Her head lolled back against the soft sheets, and the way the bed molded against her body felt sinfully good. Suddenly, she felt much too confined within her leather coat and slowly peeled it off as she lazed against the bed.
Sabin walked into the room, but Tera only half noticed his presence; she was still focused on the bed’s perfect comfort and the sweet scent lingering in the air. Kneeling in front of the bed, Sabin ran his hands over her knees hanging over the edge. Pushing her legs apart, Sabin eased himself upon her. She must have been very sleepy because as she looked down her body at the Sabin’s, it didn’t seem awkward at all for him to be naked, or on top of her. Running his hands roughly from her thighs, up her stomach, and over the soft fabric covering her breasts, Sabin’s face was only inches from her own. The scent became stronger and stronger and Tera became overwhelmed by the intoxicating seduction. Actually, if she didn’t know better, she would have thought she was drunk.
Maybe she was drunk, because as Sabin’s eyes raked over her body, she could have sworn they looked red. In a flash of movement, Sabin took her lips captive and thrust his tongue inside her mouth. She tasted metal, but instead of refusing him, she became dizzy. The sound of tearing fabric rang in her ears. With her head sunk deep against the bed, she could only barely see Sabin tear her turtleneck down the middle revealing her lacy black bra. This isn’t right.
When she finally gained the strength to look down her chest at Sabin to tell him no, she saw his eyes. They were fully red, and as he smiled, a forked tongue flicked out, tickling her lips. Tera screamed, and Sabin grabbed her arms, forcefully holding them to her sides as she bucked against him.
The door to the bathroom crashed open and the real Sabin charged in, an image of fury. The sex demon smiled at him and turned to its true form. Tera recoiled. Blue skin stretched across long ropes of thick muscle and the demon’s eyes flickered a deeper and deeper shade of red. Long, crimson horns erupted from a mass of raven-colored hair. The incubus hissed against Tera’s bare stomach, “So Knight, what do you think I should do with my horns?”
Tera’s eyes went wide in panic and Sabin was across the room in an instant, tackling the demon. The impact of the two men nearly crushed Tera before they collided off the bed and landed on the floor.
“I hope you are watching.” Sabin said in a low, dangerous tone, so only the Goddess of Chaos could hear, his knees holding the demon down, his hands firmly grasping the incubus’ neck. “Do not ever seek to harm what is mine.” Without further warning, he decapitated the monster with savage speed. The horned head dropped on to the carpet of the quaint room, the forked tongue limp against the Berber carpet. And then, finally, the body dissipated, leaving only a goopy black mess on the floor near the bed.
The scent of gardenia and sandalwood faded in the air and reality rushed in on Tera. She grabbed the shredded remains of the sweater and held it against her chest. Sabin sat down and took her hands within his own. Tera hadn’t realized it, but was trembling.
“You’re okay.” She heard his relief, but couldn’t help but be shaken. Sabin lowered himself to the level of her eyes, forcing her to look at him. His jaw was set, and his turquoise gaze was a storm of emotion. “These are the eyes of the Knight, of the man, who would never let harm come to you. Do you hear me, Tera?”
“I . . . I think I knew it wasn’t you. But I didn’t do anything. I was weak and foolish.” Her voice broke with shame.
“No, the incubus emits pheromones, a scent that induces a dream-like state in its victim. You were a captive, Tera. I know you as a brave woman, do not doubt that.” He let go of her hands, and softly caressed her cheek where she had released a single tear. “I have seen many beings of all kinds in the Portal Realm, and I already knew that you were special. But tonight, seeing you held by another who would harm you awakened the feelings that had already begun simmering within me. You are precious to me, Tera.” Wet, silvery hair clung to fair skin framing Sabin’s aquamarine gaze. His eyes were tender and honest.
A slow peace crept upon Tera, catching her by surprise. She wanted Sabin. Looking down from his powerful gaze, Tera shifted her eyes to his body. The nude masterpiece of man standing before her was still damp from the shower. Beneath her gaze, Sabin grew hard for her. The chiseled warrior was the kind of creature that only existed in dreams, myths perhaps. Gently, she placed her hand upon his thigh. In turn, he immediately gripped her shoulder, signaling he felt the same. Tera trailed her soft fingertips up Sabin’s skin, across his hard stomach, up his chest, his neck, and then she framed his eyes as she cupped his face. “I want you, Sabin.”
Chapter Eleven
Sabin’s vision hazy with passion. “You’ll have me, Agrotera.” Putting his palms on her cheeks, they held each other as he gently laid her down on the bed. Tera never took her eyes off Sabin, her gaze working like an aphrodisiac to urge him to even more anticipation. Sliding a hand under her, he held her up firmly by her round bottom. With an expert hand, he unbuttoned and removed her pants.
Now that her legs were free, he finally released his eyes from her face and moved his lips down to her legs. Holding her ankle, he began pressing kisses to her skin, weaving a seductive trail upward. She shivered as his lips hit her skin. The sensual pressure vibrated within her virginal body. He continued kissing the inside of her leg and up her thigh until he reached the V of her body. Replacing his lips with the palm of his hand, Sabin moved his mouth to Tera’s.
Her lips were full and soft and met him with ready need. Sabin groaned as Tera arched herself nearer to him, giving herself in to the passion completely. Devouring her lips, his tongue tasted her, the flavor of mint and pine, and the essence of the forest.
“You are my goddess. I’m going to worship you tonight, Tera.” He slid his thumb under her thin, black thong and felt her core throbbing in heat. Circling the bud, Sabin nearly lost himself to the passion on her face.
“Sabin!”
“Oh Gods, yes.” He crushed his lips to hers once more, his body pressing hers into the mattress, his palm cupping her, encircling her, leaving her wriggling with need. Tera gasped as Sabin dragged his lips down her neck and pressed open her thighs. Pushing her flimsy panties to the side, he dragged his tongue across her wet slit, and laid a gentle kiss upon her bud. Tera screamed out, and he licked at her more, driven by her cries of pleasure.
“Lay back, Agrotera.” Sabin used his free hand to relax her back against the mattress. “Rest my sweet, and take all of the ecstasy that I will give you.”
Sabin took his own pleasure in the smile that lit up Tera’s
face as her eyes shut in ecstasy. But he knew her relaxation was only momentary, because in just a moment, his licking and encircling her would have her nearing climax.
Pressing his fingers firmly against Tera’s bud, he whispered of things to come. “This is what you need, sweet Dryad.” He slipped a finger into her tight, wet heat and her core trembled on all sides of his fingers. He had never wanted anything more than seeing her face reflect the climax he’d brought her.
His vision spun against the bliss of reality. Her body sank against him, and he glowed with pleasure. Crawling up so that their faces were touching, he drank in her emerald eyes. “Tell me you’re ready.”
“I’ve never known pleasure like this, Sabin. Let me have more.” Her voice was nearly a pant, still reeling from her first orgasm. His body ached with the need to satisfy her command.
When their lips met with crushing desire once more, Sabin sank his hard length into her. Her wet heat welcomed the warrior, and Sabin shuddered. Just as Tera began to slip off her bra, he reached around her back and unclipped it. His hand gripped her back, bringing her body against his so that he could claim her lips completely. As the softness of her chest met with the hardness of his, she moaned against his lips.
“Are you okay, Tera?”
“Mmm, yes.”
Although it was her first time, she didn’t seem pained as he slowly entered her. The pleasure he had made explode within her left her body primed for the next round of ecstasy. The slippery entrance welcomed him in an exotic dance of pleasure. His hands massaged her as he continued the slow glide in and out, the long, slow movements bringing him deeper and deeper within her. Tera’s breath caught in a moan of pleasure. Gods, this is so right.
• • •
Tera lost track of time as Sabin’s lips continued to devour hers, their tongues stroking each other passionately. With each slow plunge, she became more ready for all he had to give. Somehow, he knew as he moved his lips to Tera’s neck, sucking in a place that made her eyes open wide with pleasure as she stared at the forest canopy painted ceiling.
