by Rue Allyn
“Good morning again.” Tera grinned like a lovesick schoolgirl. Lovesick? She came to an abrupt halt. It’s just sex. Really, really good sex. Mind-blowing sex. The sun streamed through the sheer white drapes. “You know, the Nunanish demon could be at the Grand Canyon by now.”
Sabin grinned, obviously not concerned enough to move past the lazy bliss of the moment. “Feel like a vacation?”
Laughing once again, Tera smiled as she turned her body to cuddle deeper into the hard body of the warrior. “Do you even know where the Grand Canyon is?”
Like a gentle giant, Sabin nuzzled his nose against Tera’s playfully. “I know what you speak of. There is a portal there.”
Drawn to the handsome planes of his face, Tera began to press soft kisses against his skin. One kiss. Two kiss. Three kiss.
“I’m addicted to you, Dryad. Perhaps I should let the Nunanish escape so that you and I may spend a lifetime hunting it.” The sincerity in his voice took Tera aback. Was he just as drawn to her as she was to him? Was it more than sex? Tera decided to change the subject.
“Speaking of hunting Nunanish demons, I should probably turn my cell on and update Sparrow. I’m sure they think I’m in the middle of the forest hunting with Artemis about now. Her aunts could help us scry for the demon’s location. We could exterminate it while it tries to hide from us. Then all would be well in the Bay Area once more. The media will find some crazy excuse for the strange occurrences; they’re good at that kind of stuff.”
Sabin’s strong hand gripped the soft flesh of her stomach as he pulled her even harder against his body, as if he had no desire to let her go. Tera’s heart swelled between her lungs, her tiny body barely able to contain the pulsing organ. At that moment, she was in love. She knew that after Sabin returned to the Realm of the Fog, she would dream about him. Recalling every crevice of his hard body, and every shade of silver and blue in his eyes. The way his shoulder-length hair felt as she grasped his head wildly as she climaxed. And most of all, the way his hands clung to her right now, as if he intended never to let go.
Yes. She was completely in love with him.
Tera suddenly became sad, because she knew that he would be leaving soon, and even if he wasn’t, she could never have love with an immortal. Finding the strength to pull away from Sabin, she reached for her leather jacket lying on the floor, and pulled out her cell phone.
While she waited for her battery to turn on, Sabin kissed her shoulder, as if he knew the thoughts plaguing her. Tera saw that she had a voicemail, but instead of listening to it, she called Sparrow directly.
“Tera!” Sparrow’s voice was both happy and surprised. “It’s about time you turned your phone on.”
“Yeah, sorry, you’re not going to believe what happened. It wasn’t the Goddess Artemis.”
“Yeah, we know. We all saw your torrid love-hate affair thing you got goin’ on with a stud muffin.” Sparrow rambled excitedly. “Cupid must be visiting the human plane or something because we have vampires with shape shifters, dryads with portal beefcakes, and it seems like only I am unmatched.”
“Huh?” Tera laughed, lost in Sparrow’s flurried update. “You and the aunts peeked in on me? You saw Sabin?”
“Well, yeah, we figured something was up when SF 7 news started talking about radioactive fog inducing violence. Sheesh, what do they think, we were born yesterday?”
“And what are you talking about, vampires and shape shifters? Did some shape shifters come through the portal?”
“Portal? Oh no. I’m pretty sure Michelle was born here. I haven’t gotten the chance to talk to her just yet in depth. I’m going to call her tomorrow and tell her she’s hired.”
“Hired?” Tera’s jaw dropped. “What do you mean hired? As in my coffee shop? What the heck did I miss, Sparrow?”
“This young lady came in this morning, her name is Michelle, and we sensed she was a shifter. And guess what . . . ”
Tera waited on the other end of the line patiently for Sparrow to continue, but only silence followed. Finally, she gritted, “What?” to satisfy her.
“The aunts and I aren’t the only ones that sensed her. Our friendly neighborhood vampire had taken notice of her as well. I saw him try to spit some of his venom into her coffee this morning.”
“That leech. Maybe I was wrong in letting him stay. I had never seen him take someone against their will.”
“But it didn’t work on her, and Michelle seemed wary, and hot for the guy, but who wouldn’t be.”
Sabin listened intently, his body emanating comfortable warmth next to Tera. “Leeches annoy me as well. Is there one in need of punishment that visits your establishment?”
Tera nearly dropped the phone as she witnessed the glint of danger in Sabin’s dark eyes. His gentle presence next to her didn’t distract from the fact that the man was very much a hardened warrior.
“Is that him?” Sparrow’s voice leaked through the cell. “Oh man, talk about testosterone overkill.”
“Shut up, Sparrow.”
“Whoaaa, was it that good?” There was a pause before Sparrow continued. “Okay, I’m officially jealous.”
Sabin expelled a laugh, and as Tera took in the sight of him, she reveled in his utter beauty as he smiled. “So anyway, Sparrow, I need your aunts to scry for the location of a Nunanish demon. The demon specializes in infecting violence; that’s why Sabin is here. He’s a Knight of the Fog from the Portal Realm.”
“Man, you even went all official title on me when talking about your boy toy. Are you in love after one night of hot sex, Woods?” Sparrow giggled and Tera nearly shredded the cell phone within her grip.
“Go ahead and hire the shifter. We can keep an eye on her that way.”
“Oh, she’s harmless.”
“Sparrow, have your aunts scry and get right back to me. We’ll be in the city.” With that, she hung up on her best friend, still reeling from the humiliating accusation.
“So Tera, are you in love with me?”
Flushing, she tried to distract the warrior by trailing her fingers across Sabin’s hard stomach down to his groin, encircling his hardened manhood. “I may be somewhat innocent warrior, but I know the different between ecstasy and love.”
“Don’t be so pessimistic, Dryad. It doesn’t suit you. I have lived long enough to tell you. There is no true ecstasy without love.”
• • •
Hours later, Sabin and Tera had dressed, paid for another night, and headed deeper into the metropolis. All seemed fine in the city by the bay. It was nearly three o’clock and a thick fog still hung low on the city, the sunshine solely for those at the top of the high-rises. With his silver locks and aquamarine gaze, Sabin looked like an ethereal being amid the tourists strolling through the fog. Back on the Embarcadero, Tera and Sabin wandered around the, waiting for Sparrow to get back to them with the Nunanish’s location.
Tera could feel the eyes from women and men alike on Sabin’s broad back, but he seemed to pay them no attention. Surely Sabin had to know just how much he stood out, but he gave no hint of discomfort. As they walked past Pier 39, a bush being leapt out in front of them and grabbed her.
In a flash, Sabin gripped the foliage-covered beast by the neck and hauled it high above the ground. Sneaker-covered feet dangled above the ground as Sabin’s crushing grip held the bush creature. The foliage croaked as it gasped for air.
“Sabin, stop!” Tera was shocked at his careless display of violence. “Put him down. He’s just the bush guy. He hides and surprises tourists who stroll by.”
Sabin assessed the creature’s eyes. He’d see she was correct; the poor guy had the eyes of a human. A terrified human as a matter of fact. Slowly setting the man’s feet on the ground, Sabin released his grip, leaving a red ring around bush guy’s throat. Turning to Tera, he ordered simply. “Give this disguised man some cash then, and we will continue on our way strolling this pier.”
Tera was dumbfounded for a moment. But finally, she
decided to do as he said and pulled a couple of twenties out of her wallet. “Sorry about that, buddy. It’s his first day in San Francisco. He’s from Greenland,” she said by way of an apology.
The bush man nodded, obviously irritated, but satisfied to have the cash. Tera couldn’t help but laugh after she and Sabin walked away. The look on the foliage’s face had been priceless when Sabin unexpectedly accosted the would-be tourist trap.
“You laugh now, Dryad,” Sabin smiled, his mesmerizing blue eyes glinting like steel. “But we have many beings just like that back home that travel through the portals.”
“Well, then, wouldn’t they adore me? After all, I can communicate with nature as you’ve witnessed.”
Sabin ran his hands back through his hair, as if contemplating. “These aren’t just mystical foliage demons, dear, they’re mischief mongers. The mischief demons take the form of however they may best surprise someone—a bush, or a tree to hide, or a wicket monster. It’s hard to know what they will be next. They get power from the shock, surprise, and dread they can instill in other beings. A bunch of them escaped several hundred years ago, and that’s when many popular bedtime myths came to circulate. Monsters under the bed and such.”
“Well, that explains why I never seem to have a matching sock.”
This time is was Sabin’s turn to chuckle. “You mean that your Wiccan friends have not gifted you with an ever-replenishing sock drawer?”
Instead of laughing with Sabin, she mentally stored away the idea for her next birthday wish list.
Sabin’s head suddenly whipped toward the fog-hazed sky. His eyes turned gray, slitted with realization. “I sense the Nunanish.”
She tensed. “Here?” Looking around, there weren’t many tourists, thanks to the news announcements advising the public to steer away from the Embarcadero. But the few joggers and stragglers appeared to be perfectly fine, uninfected.
“No, not close. You must help me navigate toward the creature.”
As if on cue, a Pedicab pulled over to the curb where Sabin and Tera stood. The lanky young bicycle driver smiled charmingly. “How about a ride?” For tourists, the bicycle cabs were a fun way to navigate the area, but Sabin assessed the young man and sneered.
“This scrawny boy will not be able to take us to our destination,” he said to Tera very matter of factly. Then turning toward the young man, he nodded, “We thank you for the offer, but we will seek other means of transportation.”
The twenty-five-year-old with a North Face sweater simply raised a brow as if he was used to dealing with douchy travelers and said, “Sure thing, buddy. Enjoy your time here in the city by the bay.” Before the biker sped off, he smiled and winked playfully at Tera.
She grinned and patted Sabin’s rock-hard shoulder. “You know, if he were a lesser man you could have hurt his feelings.”
A dangerous glow entered Sabin’s aqua-gray gaze. “A lesser man?” Tera took in the sight of the larger-than-life man before her. Obviously someone was feeling a bit possessive.
“No need to get all jealous.” She adopted the tone of voice that Sabin had chided her with earlier. “Jealousy doesn’t suit you, Knight.”
Sabin turned his whole body to confront her. His strong arms grabbed her and pulled her body against him and passion claimed them both. The kiss was hot enough to ignite fire. When he finally released Tera, her lips were swollen and her eyes couldn’t hide her desire.
“How does kissing me suit you, Tera?” Before awaiting an answer, he was all business once again. “Now we must go before the Nunanish escapes farther. I sense it across the water, north, surrounded by forest.”
“North, across water, within trees? How do you know this?”
“The demon has come out of hiding. I can smell its surroundings.”
A mix of confusion and concern twisted across Tera’s expression. Her voice was barely a whisper. “I hope it’s not where I think it is.” Her hand shot out to hail a cab passing by.
Luckily, the cab was empty and excited to gain a passenger. “Where to?”
Tera sucked in a breath as Sabin watched her with obvious concern. “To Muir Woods, please. And step on it.”
“I think they’ll be closing soon, miss.”
For the first time, she felt herself glare with malicious desperation. “Just take us there.”
Whether by coincidence or sinister influence, the Nunanish demon had found itself in Tera’s birthplace, the Muir Woods. Sabin clutched Tera closer to him. “Don’t worry.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead as the cab sped around the Presidio and toward the bridge that would carry them toward the Muir Woods.
• • •
Eris gnashed her teeth and her astral form flickered as it strolled down the prison hall. The mystically enforced prison held no real guards since prisoners were automatically teleported free once their sentence was fulfilled. Now her image was in search of a willing minion.
“Ah, my favorite breed of able-bodied troublemakers.” The Goddess of Chaos licked her lips as she glanced into a cell full of Quetzalem. Inside the cell were a female and two males. Eris’ eyes immediately went to the large male with blue scales the color of a Greek sky; his wings, although tucked in, would be large and strong when spread for flight. His face was smooth, his skin a pale shade of blue with eyes the color of gold. A warrior fit for a goddess.
“You, blue dragon-demon. I have need for you.”
But it was Azra who spoke up first. “We prefer the term Quetzalem.” Her voice was pure annoyance, with no respect for the Goddess whatsoever.
She didn’t take her eyes from the blue-scaled Quetzalem. “I will take you from the jail and you will have the love and appreciation of a Goddess if you do my bidding.”
The fiery golden eyes locked on her did not waver. “I think not, Chaos.”
A low voice cracked from the dark cell. “I’ll do it.” The rugged dragon demon with frayed copper scales glared at the Goddess. “Get me out of here.” The voice was both dangerous and determined.
Eris smiled slowly. “Psychotic and broken is probably more effective than handsome anyway.” She beckoned with a long, crooked finger. “Come with me, dragon. I hope you feel like setting some things on fire.” Nero approached the Goddess and the moment he neared her grasp, they both disappeared from the cell.
Chapter Fifteen
As the taxi drew nearer and nearer to the forest, Sabin became more and more suspicious of the situation. A feeling of dread curdled in his stomach. The Nunanish’s escape only to go into hiding had already been curious. Now for him to sense the demon from within Tera’s birthplace . . . evil was practically oozing from the forest. He only hoped that she could not sense it.
“Sabin, something doesn’t feel right.”
Damn. He gritted his teeth. He had grown to admire and care for Tera. Love Tera. The worry in her voice stopped the flow of his blood. He didn’t relish the thought of leaving her, but Sabin swore that he would return her world just as it had been before he arrived. So far, minimum damage had been done since he arrived, but now he began to fear the worst.
The taxi pulled up to an entrance to the closed Muir Woods. Tera stilled as she stared into the darkening forest through the window. Sabin put a calming hand upon her shoulder. Crooking a finger under her chin, he pulled her face gently away from the window and pressed a reassuring kiss to her lips.
When the kiss ended, Tera sucked in a breath. She seemed distracted. Unease passed over her beautiful features. But then she handed a wad of cash to the driver for the lengthy trip. “Don’t wait for us.”
As soon as the cab pulled away, Sabin pulled his gun out of the inside pocket of Tera’s jacket. He felt her shiver.
“Are you cold, my—” Sabin broke off before finishing. “Dryad?” The awkward break lingered in the silence. Sabin knew that Dryad was not the term of endearment that nearly escaped from his mouth.
“No, just unnerved I guess.” Luckily, she didn’t seem to notice his near slip. In
stead she seemed focused on the woods that loomed around her.
A sudden wind gust rushed past them as they stepped past the barrier and into the forest. A mix of gold, red, and green leaves swirled around Tera, her mahogany hair and green eyes the very image of her home. Sabin could have sworn he heard a whisper riding the gale. And then a haunting sound shook the forest.
A pained cry split Tera’s lips in an echoing scream as she fell to the ground. Sabin knelt by her side, instant fear rocking his body to the core. “Tera! What’s wrong?” Pushing back her hair from where it was heaped on the ground, he noticed that she was sobbing. The next thing he noticed was blood pooling on the ground. “What the hell is going on?”
But she couldn’t speak past the sobs that racked her body and caught in her throat. He gently picked her up from the ground and cradled her in his arms. A deep gash was sliced near her rib. “Tera, stop crying, and tell me what’s going on.”
He was overwhelmed with the need to protect, but he sensed no invisible foe near them, and the Nunanish was at least half a mile away. Since she still wasn’t speaking, her tears frightening him into indecision, he set her on the ground to treat her injury. Ripping the shirt from his body, he tied the cloth against her wound to halt the blood flow. Damn the woman for sending away the driver.
“My redwood.” The words escaped lightly across Tera’s trembling lips. “You must get there and stop them.” She let out another pained cry, not from her injury but from desperation. “They have an axe.”
Realization hit Sabin and his vision clouded with a silvery haze of fury. Her next words nearly drove him over the edge. “Leave me here.”
He scooped her into his arms once more and cradled her to his chest. “I will never leave you. Never, Tera.” With that, he tore through the woods with his woman in his arms.
• • •
The Goddess Eris arrived at her desired location within the Muir Woods in astral form once again, mostly for her own comfort. With her newfound Quetzalem in tow, she ran a transparent hand down the bark of a large redwood tree. The hollowed base was wide enough for a person to sleep inside, but she knew that the Dryad belonging to this tree was not at home. Yet.
