Lion's Quest

by Eve Langlais

  “But on the upside, it has me!” she announced.

  “Was that the bonus?”

  She pressed against him. “Are you saying I’m not the best prize?”

  His hands went to her hips and tugged her close. “I can’t think of a better one actually.”

  “Good answer.” She leaned up and kissed him.

  He might have enjoyed it more if he wasn’t imagining them starting to glow. “Let’s find somewhere nicer to finish that.”

  “This way.” She pointed.

  “How are you choosing?”

  “Well, the next clue was the icy fields. Meaning cold, putting it north of us.”

  Her simplistic reasoning had him pointing out a flaw in it. “How can you tell where north is?”

  “Instinct.”

  “You mean you’re just guessing?”

  She laughed. “No, but your reaction was awesome.”

  “Then how are you choosing our route?”

  “Mouse tracks.”

  “We lost those two intersections ago.”

  “Glad to see you noticed. That’s when I switched to following directions. She pointed to the markings at the next intersection. “It’s written here.”

  “You read Russian?”

  “No, but I did a summer bootcamp over here and learned some basics.”

  “What kind of bootcamp?” he asked. Because that sounded kind of fucked up.

  “The kind that didn’t have flutes or canoes.” She winked. “More stairs. How far down does this place go do you think?”

  Far enough that even he had to wonder what they’d stumbled upon. A secret installation for hiding nuclear waste?

  The stairs were flanked by a ramp layered with rubberized grooves. At the bottom, a forklift, derelict and dusty.

  Farther in were more abandoned machines, some of them stripped for parts. Those that acquired them didn’t have the same neglected look. They were parked against a wall, clean, looking ready to fire up with a few cranks.

  “This doesn’t look fully abandoned,” Nora stated, eyeing the closed bay doors.

  “Was it the working lights that gave it away?” Because it wasn’t their torches or windows illuminating the space. He extinguished his tusk.

  She glanced overhead at the stringed bulbs. “That explains the humming I’ve been hearing.”

  “What humming?” Because he heard nothing.

  “Generators running. There are people using this place.”

  “Are you sure? Because the mouse shit is back.” He proudly pointed out the grime he spotted running along the back wall.

  “Let’s see what’s through that curtain.” She referred to the strips of plastic hanging down, only partially separating the space.

  They entered a loading dock, flanking a rail system that tracked into a wide tunnel.

  “Do you think it works?” she asked, eyeing the carts linked together, scuffed and rusted by age.

  “Shouldn’t the first question be, where does it go?”

  She pointed to the markings over the tunnel’s opening. “North.”

  “And of course, you think we should follow.”

  “Don’t you? It’s where the mouse is leading us.” The shit did indeed seem to border the track and enter the maw of doom.

  “Or there are more of them in there, waiting for gullible meat to feed them.”

  “Don’t worry, I’ll keep you safe from the mice,” she taunted before heading for the carts and peeking inside them. “Empty mostly. But I smell fish?” She sounded confused.

  “Fish? Are you sure?” He got close enough that even he caught the faint trace. “Could be illegal fishing being smuggled via that tunnel. It would make sense if this track reaches the sea. Boats could bring in their goods. They bring them in under cover using these carts. Once here, someone trucks them into Siberia, and they’re sold on the black market.” The presence of the tunnel and carts also explained how the radioactive shit got there, too, without the world noticing it. More than likely the installation used to serve a different purpose before the smugglers took over.

  “We found the way to the ice fields,” Nora crowed.

  “We found something,” he corrected even as he questioned his sanity in following the clues in a book written hundreds of years ago. But he’d come too far to give up now.

  “I wonder if we can figure out how to get these suckers moving.”

  Before either of them could search, there was a faraway clanging as of old machinery. Like maybe some bay doors.

  Nora stiffened. “Shit. Someone is coming. Hide.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  As Nora hissed a warning, she pulled Peter by the hand, guiding him past the line of carts to the tunnel of darkness. Not his first choice, but probably their best one. She stubbed out her torch on the way.

  They entered the rail tunnel and flattened themselves against the wall. He heard the rustle of plastic and the rapid-fire speech of two people, a man and woman by the sounds of it. One of them whistled as if for a dog. More talk then the rumble of an engine that turned into a scream of metal as the gears for the track started to chug.

  “What do you say we catch a ride?” Nora whispered as she tugged him farther into the tunnel, well out of sight of anyone watching. The carts, still gaining speed, trundled past, and she threw herself into one.

  He jumped into the next and gripped the edge of it. He could see nothing.

  “Why are you all the way over there? Hold on, I’m coming.”

  “Wait? What?” He might have said more, but he could hear her climbing from her cart to his. “Be careful,” he exclaimed just as she landed.

  “Please, I’ve done that with roller coasters going full tilt. I can handle this kiddy ride.”

  “You think we should stay on it? We don’t even know where it goes.”

  “Guess we’ll find out. In the meantime, let’s get comfy.” She tugged him down beside her. He shifted his pack off his back. Given the chill, he grabbed his thin but thermal-rated blanket. He leaned to spread it over her and felt her warm chuckle.

  “I’m not cold.”

  Indeed, she radiated heat. “I’m chilly so humor me and share.”

  “You need me to heat you up?” she teased. It didn’t matter he couldn’t see her in the dark. He could practically see her smile.

  “Not sure now is the time.”

  “Why not?”

  He could have given a list of reasons. But that wouldn’t give him what he wanted.

  Her.

  He twisted and felt for her in the dark, his hand finding and cupping her jaw to draw her to him.

  They kissed, a soft press of lips that turned passionate. Her mouth clung to his, open and inviting. His tongue said hello. His hands roamed all over her body.

  They were in the most awkward place, and yet it didn’t matter. She ended up in his lap, straddling his thighs, hands cupping his face. She licked the seam of his lips, nibbling on him, making noises to drive him wild.

  His hands palmed her ass, squeezing it through the athletic material of her leggings. He was so fucking hard he thought he might burst out of his pants.

  “I wanna lick you again,” he groaned.

  “I think that sounds like a fine plan. Scooch down a little and use your pack as a pillow,” she suggested as the rustle of fabric indicated clothes coming off.

  He scooched and had to bend his knees since his feet hit the far end of the cart. He was at an angle and the perfect height, as it turned out. While still kneeling, she thrust her mound against his face.

  “Lick me,” she ordered.

  He obeyed, spreading her plump lips with his tongue, tasting the sweetness that was all her. Salty, too, to give it a hint more depth. She rose over his face and mouth, moaning as he brought her to the edge. He maneuvered a hand close enough he could thrust a finger inside her.

  She clamped down hard on it and whimpered. “Fuck me.”

  He wanted nothing more. “Sit on my cock.” />
  Her turn to obey as she practically tore open his pants to get at his dick. Her eager hands grabbed him, and he grunted, hips thrusting into her grip.

  “Look at you, big boy. This is gonna be fun.” She pressed the tip of him against her, and he managed to gasp.

  “Condom!” He had some. Somewhere. Fuck, he was so close.

  “Don’t worry about that. I’ve got us covered.”

  She sat down hard on him. He almost exploded. The intense fisting of her pussy around him had him sucking in for air, his body rigid. And when she started to move, he couldn’t help but dig his fingers into her hips.

  She knew how to grind against him and give his cock that tight, loving care it craved. She flexed her muscles and stroked him so hard he soon gasped, “Can’t hold on. Can’t.”

  As if his words were a trigger, she came. Hard. Tight. Flexing his cock. Milking his orgasm and drawing it out until he almost screamed with the intensity of it.

  She collapsed on him.

  They both panted.

  It was so fucking incredible. Mind blowing. So when she said, “Wanna do it again?”

  His very coherent reply? “Un-hunh.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Time passed slowly and too quickly in that dark den where they explored each other’s bodies by touch and taste alone.

  Peter’s stamina didn’t quite match hers but proved impressive for a human. As a lover, he satisfied her more than she could have imagined. If she had to resign herself to three times a day, then so be it.

  He dozed in the bottom of the cart, his body curled around hers. Dressed because danger wouldn’t wait for them to put on garments. Or so he claimed.

  Nora had a feeling it had more to do with the fact he felt the deepening chill as they reached their destination. To her, it was still comfortable. The difference in what they could handle was more than she wanted to examine. She had to treat his delicate constitution more carefully than she would her own.

  He’d flip if she ever said that to him, though. He had pride. Even if she explained her differences, she had to wonder if he’d still be so accepting of her. Right now, he didn’t seem to mind her expertise, but what if she continued to surpass him?

  Not all men could handle it. Was it wrong she’d hoped for someone who could handle her?

  She woke him as the tunnel finally began to lighten. “Come on. This is where we get off,” she whispered.

  He didn’t say a word but gathered his bag and blanket and, as the cart slowed, followed her over the edge before they could be spotted by someone waiting at the end of the track. They inched along the tunnel, crouching as they neared the entrance, and the voices.

  More Russians, yelling, talking, doing all kinds of loud shit while they waited. And waited.

  In the movies, everything seemed to happen quickly. The reality involved a lot of patience. Eventually the carts went chugging back up the tunnel, heavily laden with fish and other aquatic delicacies: lobsters, crab, even some seal. The smell made her hungry. She really regretted giving up her cheese puffs. She could have popped them into her mouth and sucked them until she could swallow without a crunch. Taste that salty goodness.

  She was head back, almost moaning, when he whispered in her ear. “You better be thinking of me.” His arm came around her, and his hand slid between her legs. Rubbed against her and she writhed against his hand.

  Wrong time and he knew it. He was teasing her on purpose. He fired her blood and made her hungry.

  The carts had clacked out of sight, and so she had to bite her tongue as he slid a hand inside her leggings. He stroked her, fingered her clit in a way that had her rocking against his hand. When she turned, it was to kiss him, and keep kissing him as he finger-fucked her, making her come on his hand. She clutched him and force herself to hold back lest she hurt him. She stifled it and almost passed out from the exertion. When it was done, she leaned her forehead against his while he stroked her back.

  She’d managed to once more hold back instead of letting go and getting too rough with him. But how long would she be able to keep doing that before she forgot and lost control?

  His fingers pulled away, and she focused back on the present with its fading voices as the people left with a clang of metal as of doors closing. The mouth of the tunnel grew quiet. She waited a bit longer before slipping to the entrance and peering out. Unlike the platform where they left, they’d arrived in a massive ice cavern with a watery slip sloshing waves onto a dock covered in ice. The water didn’t look warm.

  In the corner of the cave sat a few large metal containers, interlocked with tunnels. From the roof of one, smoke emerged. Not everyone had left, and she didn’t see any icy fields. “I think we’ll have to get out of the cave if we want to see anything.”

  Exiting meant exposing their presence to the container habitats. Only two of them had windows. Two too many if anyone watched.

  No one raised an alarm, and soon they were maneuvering the slick rocks at the mouth of the cavern. The water had formed a layer of ice that sent a deep chill through the skin.

  Once past the first few feet, it got easy to climb. Not that she had any issues, and neither did Peter. He kept showing a surprising resiliency. He’d be formidable if he had even half the gifts being a shifter gave her.

  The entire climb, he wore a grim expression. So sexy. Pity he’d probably balk at a quickie while halfway up their climb.

  When they reached the top, he paused, hands on his thighs, breathing heavy. Whereas she hadn’t even broken a sweat.

  She did squint, though. “Wow is it bright.” A sheet of white glinted as far as the eye could see, refracting and bathing the world in the purest of light.

  “A diamond field. Just like the story.” He shook his head.

  “Are you starting to believe in our quest?” she asked.

  “I will admit it’s been pretty fucking wild so far. And all because of you. You’ve got a really good sixth sense for this stuff.”

  More like a good nose and a heavy dose of curiosity. Already this mission had born fruit. Arik would want to know about the illegal fishermen. The preservation of denizens of the sea was of high importance to cats. They loved their surf and turf.

  “In the book, he emerged at noon and the world was blinding,” she said, pivoting to look around. “But he could see one thing.” She pointed.

  “The edge of the world,” he stated. “Looks like the ice ends in a cloud.”

  They headed for it, moving as quickly as they could on foot. She knew he had to be cold, and yet he didn’t complain. Just marched with determination.

  Still, she couldn’t help but worry. Frostbite was a very real threat to him, as was hypothermia. Shifters ran hotter and weren’t as affected.

  At least they didn’t have too far to go. The clouds got closer, and as they did, she said, “The air is getting warmer.”

  “I think we found the volcano,” was his reply.

  Soon enough, the humid mist enveloped them, and she caught Peter by the arm before he stepped off the edge.

  “You might want to find a path that doesn’t result in you diving to your death,” she suggested.

  He knelt and glanced down, muttering, “There has to be a path.” He was the one to find a ledge leading down and then into the volcano and curving and swirling, bringing them lower. He held her hand, and his excitement hummed through her.

  They were almost there. At the end of the tunnel, they’d find the treasure.

  Oh, and one last thing.

  An abominable monster.

  Chapter Fifteen

  “Oh my God!” Peter exclaimed.

  “Ditto,” Nora squealed. “Isn’t it just the cutest!” She clapped her hands in glee.

  The Russian yeti rose in a shaggy ball of white-gray fur. It flashed an impressive array of teeth, thrust its horns, and uttered a big, “Grawr.”

  “I want it!” Nora exclaimed. She would hug it and love it and call it Fluffy.

  �
�You do realize that thing is eyeing us as its next dinner,” he declared.

  Indeed, it waved its paws and did its best to appear fearsome. “It’s so fluffy!” She had two weaknesses. Sherpa sweaters and big cuddly yetis. She’d even gone to the Rockies a half-dozen times in the hopes of finding one. At last, her dream was coming true. “You’ll be my best friend.” She threw herself at the yeti, only to miss.

  She missed! It was so rare that she lay there stunned for a second before she looked up, and up some more, past the fluted foot of a pedestal.

  “I found it!” she squealed. In her excitement over the stuffed toy come to life, she’d almost forgotten the real reason for being here.

  She sprang to her feet and glanced over the ornate box inlaid with bright metal but, oddly enough, showing no slot for a key. Which might explain the pile she spotted past the pedestal. All kinds of keys in a heap mixed with bones. Lots of bones. They were not the first ones to come here.

  “I think the treasure might be cursed,” she told him.

  “Well, duh. Big monster guarding it,” Peter said as he slid his bag from his back.

  “Hardly a monster. Fluffy is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.” Nora smiled as she whirled and caught her soon-to-be pet trying to give her a hug. “Come here, cutie.” She reached out and snared its arms and dragged it close.

  “Are you hugging that monster?”

  “It’s adorable. I’m gonna keep it.”

  “You cannot keep it. You don’t even know what it is.”

  “Russian yeti.”

  “I don’t think there’s any such thing as a Russian yeti.”

  “Then what would you call my new friend?” She gave it a shake. Fluffy squeaked.

  “Not a friend for starters,” Peter huffed, edging sideways. He had his tiny little knife in hand.

  “Don’t you dare poke my Fluffy.” She shoved the yeti behind her and huffed. Hot misty air in. Tangy. And smelling burnt. Odd how it wasn’t hotter, though. The arctic sea and ice must be keeping the temperature down.

  “Are you trying to get eaten?” he declared, waving the knife.