by Anna Hackett
Luca grabbed the bars of the cage and yanked. Nothing. He put all his enhanced strength behind it, trying to bend the metal. Still nothing.
“It’s made of silver?” Rayne asked.
Luca nodded, leaning his head against the bars. It was the only thing that could hold a Warrior.
They were trapped.
Chapter Seven
Rayne watched Luca prowl, his powerful body tense. He stopped and kicked the bars.
“I should have sensed the trap.” He muttered a curse. “I know how cunning Caecius can be. I possess all my ancestors’ memories. I’ve seen every horror the Tempest Winds have inflicted.” Luca gave the bars another swift kick. “I should have seen this!”
“Contrary to popular belief around the Venti Enterprises office, you aren’t a god and you aren’t infallible.”
He shot her a withering look.
Rayne looked at her nails and then polished them on her shirt.
He made a growling sound. “You infuriate me sometimes.”
“That’s because I’m not afraid of your temper, and I don’t automatically quiver and do as you order.”
“It’ll be too late.” He spun, his hands on his hips. She saw the icy blue forming in his eyes. “Caecius is out there, turning Venice into a bloodbath. People will turn on friends, kill loved ones.”
Her gut tightened. She moved now and placed a hand on his arm. “We’ll stop him.”
“It’s my fault.” Luca touched a finger to a scrape on her arm. “I hurt you. I almost killed you.”
“Luca—”
“I’m no better than your stepfather. A monster filled with anger.”
“You are nothing like my stepfather. Nothing like him.” She stepped into the circle of Luca’s arms, her hands sliding up his strong biceps. “And I’m here to make sure you don’t become a monster.”
He shrugged her off and stalked away. “I shouldn’t need help.”
“Why? Because you’re a Warrior of the Wind? Because you’re the oldest brother? Because you’re Luca Venti?”
He shot her an icy look she was sure had sent underlings scurrying.
“Everyone needs help sometimes, Luca. Being strong is about knowing when to ask for it.” She held out her hand, her palm lit by a lonely shaft of moonlight that managed to find its way down into the tower. “Accepting help doesn’t make you weak. My mother refused to ask for help. Refused to believe that she needed it.”
Luca closed his eyes. His face was partly hidden in shadow.
“Let me help you.” Rayne heard the raw emotion in her voice. “Because I’m not going to stand by and do nothing.”
His eyes opened. They were the brilliant blue she was starting to adore. He stared at her for so long, she was afraid to take a breath. Then his hand closed around hers.
“Honorable and brave.” He reeled her in until she was plastered against his chest.
She smiled. “Don’t forget strong and smart.” She winked at him. “And sexy.”
His lips quirked. “We need to get out of here.”
She studied the bars. “Ideas?”
“I think you’re right. I think it’s time I asked for help.” He looked upward. “My brother Soren is close, in Como. He’s been searching for Apeliotus.” Luca fell silent for a moment. “Soren is suffering badly, and the greed is dragging him under.”
“And he’s the youngest,” Rayne murmured. “You’ve always protected him.”
Luca shot her a look. “How did you know?”
She smiled sadly. “Because I have a younger sister. I’ve always tried to shield her from everything, but I failed. Sometimes we have to trust them to stand on their own, and to help us in return.”
Luca nodded and lifted his hand. The North Wind streamed into the bell tower, it’s icy touch stirring their hair and ruffling their clothes. Then he thrust his arm upward.
The wind burst away and was gone.
“It might take him a few hours to get here.” Luca’s jaw tightened. “Enough time for Caecius to cause a hell of a lot of damage.”
Rayne wrapped her arms around Luca. “Not your fault, remember? Think of the people we’ll save once we stop him.”
“It’s my fault. It’s my duty to protect, and to stop him.”
Luca broke away and started pacing again. The man was terrible at waiting. But as he paced, she felt the air in the tower start to cool. She glanced over and saw the bars icing over.
“Luca?”
He spun, his eyes an icy white again. “I can’t do nothing.”
“I know.” And she admired him for that. “But you need to control the anger.”
“I…I can’t.” His hands curled into fists. “It is still growing, churning, raging.” His cold gaze locked with hers. “Rayne…” A muscle in his jaw ticked. “Help me.”
Warmth bloomed in her chest. She walked straight to him, no hesitation in her steps. She leaned into him and pressed her lips to the side of his neck. “Try not to think for a bit.” She felt him go still, tension throbbing in him.
“What should I do?” he murmured.
She nipped his jaw. “Feel.”
He leaned down and captured her mouth with his. There was nothing tentative or sweet in his kiss. She wrapped her arms around his neck, rising up on her toes. The kiss turned wild, primal.
With teeth, tongues and lips, they devoured each other. There was nothing cool, just fire, heat, and a frenzy of need.
Luca lifted her up and took two steps. Her back hit the bars, the shaft of moonlight cutting across her and leaving him in shadow.
“I want you.” His mouth traveled down her neck, kissing, nipping. “I need you.”
Desire exploded through her. She felt her nipples harden and her panties grow damp. “I want you, too.”
He growled against her collarbone. Then he was ripping her tank over her head, her bra quickly following. His mouth clamped over one breast.
Rayne arched her back. She let go of him and raised her arms, curling her hands around the silver bars.
His hands cupped her buttocks, holding her there like some offering to appease an angry god. Except Luca was no god. He was a man, with the same strengths, weaknesses, and needs as any man.
He looked up her body, and his eyes were burning hot. All the iciness had melted away. Rayne felt a hit of power. She did this to him. This powerful man needed her.
His lips traveled to her other breast and he gave that one the same attention. She let her head drop back against the bars. She looked upward, to the top of the tower, and wondered how high he would take her. Through the night, he’d fucked her again and again, but now she knew Luca Venti wouldn’t just leave a mark on her body, but also on her heart and soul.
He let her legs drop for a moment, only to slick her trousers down and tear her panties away. Then she was naked, while he was fully clothed. She was in the silver light, while he was still shrouded in the darkness.
He lifted her again and now she wrapped naked legs around his lean waist. Felt the large bulge of his erection nestle between her thighs. She moved her hips, teasing them both.
He growled. “Temptress.”
“I’m just getting started.” She moved again, loving the way his gaze skimmed up her belly, lingered on her breasts. “If you’re going to drive me wild, I’m going to return the favor.”
“I think you might just be perfect for me.”
She blinked but didn’t have time to ponder his words because at that moment he ran one hand down her belly. Her muscles contracted at his touch. He dipped a finger in her navel before tracing the curve of her hipbone.
Then his fingers sank into the dark curls between her legs. His touch alternated between light and teasing, and a hard flick that barely grazed the tiny knot that wanted more. Soon she was writhing, her hands clamped tight on the bars.
“Luca!”
“Don’t let go of the bars.” One thick finger teased her entrance then sank inside her.
She jerked
, her cry echoing around them. Another finger stretched her, then pulled away.
“Hold tight.”
She heard the rattle of a belt buckle and the rasp of a zipper. God, she wouldn’t survive this.
He stepped between her splayed legs, his hands sliding under her and lifting her hips. The light caught him now, illuminating his long, thick cock.
Oh, she wanted him. “Luca, hurry—”
Without a word, he tilted her hips. The head of his cock nudged her, then with one strong thrust, he filled her.
God. She squeezed the bars, fighting against the intense pleasure-pain of having him fill her. Stretch her.
“Rayne.” His voice was a harsh rasp.
“Move, Luca.” She let one hand go, and swiped it down the buttons of his shirt. They scattered across the floor and bared his hard chest to her. “Now.”
He pulled himself out of her, then slammed home. Rayne reared up, cries torn from her throat.
Luca couldn’t think, couldn’t talk. All he could do was feel.
Rayne’s body was hot and slick around his cock. Dio, she was so tight, so perfect. He cupped her shapely bottom in his hands, kneading her flesh.
She looked amazing. Her breasts high and full, topped by red nipples. Her skin looked silver-kissed by the moonlight, and she looked like she was some goddess of the night.
He slid back inside her body and as her cries rang in his ears, he changed his tempo. He hammered into her, desperate to find the cascade of pleasure he knew they generated together.
Suddenly, she came again, her back arching.
Her body clamped down on his and with a groan, he slammed into her one last time and came in a potent rush.
Air sawing in and out of his lungs, he dropped forward, trapping her between his body and the bars. He pressed his lips to the racing pulse in her throat, the scent of sex and Rayne filling his senses. A perfect combination. He wanted more of it. Much, much more.
But reality was a nasty prick in his side. They had to get out of here and stop Caecius.
He reached up and pried her fingers off the bars. She slumped against his chest and he held her close. “Dio, Rayne. I’ve never felt like this…so…” Complete. Merda, he’d never been one for feelings and pretty words.
She nuzzled into him. “It’s okay, Luca. I know.”
Dio, he didn’t think his legs had the strength to hold them. He pulled her to him, turned until his back was to the bars and slid to the ground, Rayne snuggled in his lap.
One thought rattled through his head. Did she feel the same as him? With one finger, he tilted her face up. “You said earlier that you didn’t want to be used by the Warriors. Didn’t want to be a warm body—”
“Luca—”
“Let me finish.” He slid his hands into her hair. He wanted the right words, to tell her how he felt. Instead, all he could manage was to keep it simple. “You aren’t.”
Her eyes shimmered. She brought his head down and kissed him.
Something broke through the spell that had woven around them. Something carried on the wind. Luca pulled back, even though he wanted to keep kissing her.
“What is it?” she asked.
“I sense the taint of anger.” Luca’s stomach roiled. “Caecius has started his assault on the city.”
And Luca was fucking stuck here. Useless.
A hand touched his arm, and the anger receded and his head cleared. He blew out a breath. With Rayne by his side, he could do this. He would beat Caecius.
Then he sensed something else. He looked up the tower and smiled. “You need to get dressed. Soren will be here soon.”
“Jesus!” She scrambled to grab her clothes.
Luca turned and watched with great disappointment as she covered her naked body. He scooped up his own clothes. His shirt no longer had any buttons, so he let it hang open.
A few minutes later, a warm, humid wind spiraled into the tower. A tall, lean man materialized on top of the cage in a crouch.
“Mio fratello.” Luca raised a hand.
Soren gripped it through the bars, his grasp tight. Dio, Soren looked bad. Grooves dug deep into his cheeks and his gray eyes were dull. It had only been a few days since Luca had seen him, and in that time, Soren had lost weight.
“How are you doing?” Luca asked.
“I’m holding.” Soren flicked a glance at Rayne. “Going to introduce me?”
“Rayne, this is my brother, Soren.”
Rayne stepped forward. “Soren Vulturnus Venti, Keeper of the East Wind. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Soren’s eyes widened, and he studied her intently. “You’re Aurae?”
She nodded.
“Amazing.” He looked back at Luca. “I’m stunned my do-it-himself big brother is accepting help.”
Rayne shrugged. “I didn’t give him any choice.”
The faintest smile crossed Soren’s face. “We need to talk.” Then the smile vanished. “I take it Caecius trapped you in here.”
Luca scowled. “You’d guess right.”
Soren stood. “How about we get you out?” He glanced at the heavy lock. “I’ll be back.” He leaped into the air. The warm, humid East Wind streamed upward, lifting him high as he flew to the top of the tower.
“He needs help,” Rayne murmured.
Luca stared after his brother. He knew she didn’t mean help to open the cage. Helplessness cut through Luca’s gut. “I can’t help him until I defeat Caecius.”
“Until we defeat Caecius.”
He looked at her. At the woman who matched his every step, who didn’t back down, and who made him want things he’d never thought he wanted before. “Until we defeat Caecius.”
The minutes ticked by and finally Soren returned. He was holding a lock pick. He crouched down and set to work.
Then, with a groan of metal, Soren opened the lid of the cage. “Venice is burning.”
Luca pressed his lips into a hard line. “Not for much longer.”
“I will do what I can to help you…”
As Soren’s voice drifted off, Luca heard the unspoken words. Soren was losing his battle. “I will help you, Soren. We’ll win against the Tempest Winds.”
Soren’s lean body shuddered, but he nodded.
Rayne stepped forward. “Let’s go and show Caecius that he picked the wrong city to mess with.”
Luca wrapped his arms around her waist. He summoned the wind and holding her tight, he leaped into the air.
Chapter Eight
Rayne loved this. Flying through the air, being the wind itself, was exhilarating. Or maybe it had something to do with the sensation of being one with the Keeper of the North Wind. Something told her that she wouldn’t enjoy flying quite as much if she wasn’t with Luca.
She sensed Soren close by. His wind was hotter and laden with moisture, like it wanted to carry everything it could. It rippled over her senses—edgy, needy. He was close to succumbing to the greed.
Then she smelled something else.
Smoke.
Ahead, flames rose into the night sky.
They materialized on top of a building on the Campo San Polo. The second largest square in the city was filled with a volatile crowd. Some people fought hand-to-hand, others were throwing bottles, many were shouting. Several bodies littered the ground. At one end of the campo, polizia in riot gear engaged the crowd, lobbing tear gas.
Rayne’s heart gave a solid thump and she pressed a hand to the base of her throat. She’d seen violence up close, saw the horror of it reflected in Skye’s pale eyes every day. But Rayne had never seen anything like this.
“We have to help,” she choked out.
“We will.” Luca’s face was set like stone.
She knew he’d do everything he could to stop the chaos. If she’d learned nothing else about the man, it was that he’d die fighting Caecius if he had to.
When she’d first come to Venice, she’d believed Luca to be nothing more than the vice that simmered ins
ide him. But he was so much more—a loving brother, a dedicated Warrior of the Wind, a passionate lover.
“I can’t stay, Luca.” Soren’s gray eyes were solemn, his veins stark under his skin. “I can hear Apeliotus’ ugly whispers. Promising me things.” Soren pressed a palm to the side of his head. “Things I want so much.”
Luca clasped his brother’s shoulder. “Go back to Lake Como, mio fratello. I’ll come as soon as I can. Thank you for your help.”
Soren drew a shaky breath. “Don’t worry about me. Just fight your own battle.”
Luca shook his head. “I’ve learned that I’m not alone.” His gaze stopped on Rayne. “Sometimes we need help.”
Soren’s mouth opened, then closed. His gray gaze moved to Rayne. “Take care of him.”
She nodded. “I’ll talk with the other Aurae. Maybe someone can help you.”
He gave her a tired nod. “Good hunting, Luca, Rayne.” He took one step and leaped off the building in a graceful dive. She watched as he dissolved into the wind.
Luca was tense, staring after his brother. She wrapped her arms around him from behind and pressed her cheek to his back. “We’ll find a way to help him.”
Luca put his hands over hers and nodded. “But first, we have to save Venice.”
She stepped up beside him, focusing her gaze on the fighting crowd and the burning buildings.
Luca pointed into the square. “Caecius is down there, somewhere. Stirring up the violence.”
“We should split up—”
“Too dangerous.”
“Luca.”
His chin dropped to his chest and he released a long breath. “I know, I know, you can look after yourself.”
She touched a hand to his strong jaw. “Trust me.”
“I do.” He pressed a kiss to her lips. Then he scooped her into his arms.
She slid an arm along his shoulders. Oh, yeah, she could get used to this. He leaped over the side of the building and landed below in a crouch.
In the middle of an angry mob.
Luca set Rayne on her feet and eyed the irate crowd.
She pushed forward, thrusting two fighting men apart before ducking to avoid the punch of an enraged woman.
