The Wicked
Page 36
For a long moment Sydney lay on her back, staring up at the gray, foggy sky and the third-story ledge where she’d been minutes—or was it hours—ago.
She was so sore she didn’t think she’d be able to walk for a week. She barely had the strength to yank her hair out of her glasses so that she could see out of both eyes again.
After she’d caught her breath, she pushed herself to her feet. She wobbled a bit and grasped the railing to steady herself.
Sydney glanced down.
Conlan stood on the ground two stories below, a glint in his eyes and his mouth quirked into a smile.
If you want to break your neck…
He’d been watching her this entire time.
She would kill him the moment she had the opportunity. She wished she could do it right now.
There was no doubt in her mind he’d just watched what was now the most embarrassing moment of her life. He could have helped her at any time. She was sure he’d been waiting for her to fall before he’d swoop up and catch her. But she’d saved her own butt.
Conlan was a huge D’Danann warrior with a broad chest, a very fit, muscled body, long hair that dusted his shoulders, grass-green eyes, and a dimple in his chin. He wore black leather, from his sleeveless tunic to the pants tucked into his boots. He’d just arrived from Otherworld for the first time, so they hadn’t had a chance to outfit him in human clothing.
Ooh, he’d look good in a pair of jeans and a tight-fitting T-shirt. Almost as yummy as he does in all that leather.
Conlan’s features usually showed a hint of a smile and a teasing glint in his eyes. She’d known him for only a few days, but the man had already gotten under her skin.
It irked her to no end because he wasn’t her type. So why did she fantasize so much about him?
With me. In bed.
After giving Mr. Wings-and-smile a glare that should have melted steel, Sydney whirled around—
And found herself face-to-face with Darkwolf and the evil god’s eye.
2
Before Sydney had a chance to throw up a spellshield, Darkwolf snaked his magic ropes around her, pinning her arms to her sides.
The warlock jerked her through the open sliding glass door and into the shadows where he’d been hiding in the hotel room.
She screamed in surprise and fear as she stumbled and pitched forward, almost hitting her head on a bureau.
With no way to catch herself, she twisted her body in mid-fall so that she wouldn’t hit the bureau or end up on her face, not to mention crunch her glasses. She landed on the carpeted floor on her side, hard, knocking the breath from her.
When she rolled onto her back, she looked up to see Darkwolf standing beside her but not looking at her. Blood rushed in her ears. Darkwolf had her. What would he do now?
The stone eye hanging from a chain around his neck wasn’t blazing crimson like she’d seen it before. No. it was quiet and covered in a thick, purple, magic shield. Why was it shrouded like that?
Incredibly handsome, Darkwolf had black hair that curled at his collar, sensual dark eyes, and high cheekbones.
He wore a royal blue T-shirt tucked into snug, faded Levi’s and a pair of pricey jogging shoes.
None of the gray-magic D’Anu witches let the warlock’s good looks fool them. He was the biggest traitor and criminal the witches had ever known. And right now he held the key to a god’s power.
A key they desperately needed to retrieve and keep safe.
The eye.
Sydney’s blood pounded through her veins like mad. She followed Darkwolf’s gaze and saw Conlan standing on the balcony.
The warrior had already drawn his sword and had folded his wings so that they vanished beneath his black tunic. Gone was the playful expression of just moments ago.
In its place was the fierce expression of a Tuatha D’Danann warrior.
* * *
Conlan’s blood boiled. He knew by the stone eye hanging from a chain around the man’s neck that this must be Darkwolf, the Balorite warlock the witches and D’Danann had been searching for.
Darkwolf had the witch helpless. The bastard was touching her with his filthy dark sorcery.
Conlan held back a snarl. He tightened his jaw and raised his sword high, his biceps taut and ready for battle. His thigh muscles bunched beneath his black leather pants as he stood on the balls of his feet.
He would behead the warlock and be done with it, and Sydney would be free. Conlan was a good ten feet from the pair. He started to charge Darkwolf.
Darkwolf made a small movement with his hand, and a glittering purple wall appeared between them.
Conlan slammed into the shield. The force of hitting something with such magical power propelled him backward to the railing, but he regained his footing with the grace of the Fae. Ramming his body against the surface of the shield hadn’t hurt him, only infuriated him.
Veins coursing with fire, Conlan commanded, “Release the witch.”
Conlan saw Sydney struggle against her bonds, but apparently the warlock’s sorcery was too powerful.
His gut churned. He had known Sydney for only a few days, but those days had been enough to give him a taste of her power and brilliance. He hated seeing her rendered helpless by this—this piece of filth.
Darkwolf’s magic ropes wrapped her from her shoulders all the way to her hands. Conlan had learned that D’Anu witches had to have use of their hands to practice most of their magic. If only he could free her hands, she would fight like a tigress.
“It’s not likely I’ll be letting either of you go.” Darkwolf gave an almost friendly grin that caused Conlan to narrow his eyes. “Since you’ve found us, Elizabeth and I need to find a new place to live, without your help.”
“Not Elizabeth,” Sydney said with a snarl. “You mean that sick demon, Junga, who stole Elizabeth’s body.”
The warlock’s grin faded to a scowl as he looked down at Sydney. “As I was saying, Elizabeth and I will search for a new place to stay. For now, I’ll have to make sure you two are out of my way.”
Damnation. He plans to kill her!
Conlan growled and swung his sword at the magic barrier. He hacked at it again and again, hoping to find some kind of weakness. Each time his sword bounced against the magic shield, the power of his own strokes reverberated through him.
Darkwolf simply crossed his arms over his chest and watched.
Godsdamn. Conlan’s rage doubled. I must save the witch!
When he could find no weaknesses in the shield, Conlan took a step back.
Sydney’s heart had chilled when Darkwolf said he needed to make sure they were out of the way, and she swallowed hard.
With Darkwolf’s magic ropes binding her, from shoulders to the tips of her fingers, she wasn’t exactly in the best position to defend herself. And Conlan would never be able to get through Darkwolf’s shield.
But her legs were free.
When Darkwolf turned to face Conlan, Sydney rolled onto her side. She pulled her left knee to her chest. With everything she had, she slammed her foot into the warlock’s ankle.
Darkwolf dropped. He grunted, a look of surprise on his features as his feet flew out from beneath him and he landed on his ass.
His focus on the barrier wavered and the shield fell.
No doubt his hold on her didn’t weaken because she was closer to him. She lashed out again with a hard kick to his thigh.
Admiration for Sydney surged through Conlan as he charged the warlock, crossing the ten feet between them.
Darkwolf flung a fireball at Conlan.
Conlan blocked the spell with his sword, and the fireball ricocheted across the room. The headboard burst into flame before the magical fire died. The smell of burned wood was strong, and smoke floated from the hole.
Darkwolf slung another fireball at Conlan. Again, he deflected the magic with his blade. The fireball hit a bedside lamp and shattered it, the shards scattering onto the bed.
Conlan
was aware of Sydney trying to get into position to kick Darkwolf again, but the warlock had moved out of her range.
When Conlan reached Darkwolf, he cut his sword through the air. The warlock crouched, dodging the blow.
He raised the palms of both hands, and a purple bubble shielded him and Sydney. Conlan’s sword bounced against the warlock’s shield, and he cursed in the old language of his people as he regained his footing.
After dodging another kick from Sydney, the warlock shook his head, sighed, and pointed his finger at her. More of his purple ropes of magic wrapped around her, binding her all the way to her ankles.
A combination of anger and fear raged through Sydney, powerful enough to make her tremble.
Conlan swore again in Gaelic, and it sounded like he was making some dire threat.
Sydney growled in frustration. A fat lot of good she’d just done. But she had the satisfaction of having caused the warlock some pain.
Darkwolf sat casually on the carpet with one knee bent, his forearm draped over his knee, his injured leg stretched out. He observed Sydney. He didn’t look mad or annoyed, just...amused.
What the heck?
His gaze cut to Conlan, who appeared so furious his face was red, his green eyes blazed, and his muscles trembled with obvious desire to cut the warlock down.
Darkwolf shook his head again and eased to his feet, the bubble shield rising with him. “I should have known better than to allow a D’Anu witch any freedom.”
Sydney wondered if it would do any good to roll straight into his legs. Maybe that would knock his feet out again—
The warlock bent and grasped Sydney around the waist. As he rose, he threw her over his shoulder. She cried out in surprise as her head hit his strong back. Her stomach churned with fear as he turned and headed out the door of the hotel room.
Read more of One Breath!
Also by Cheyenne McCray
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The McLeods
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Country Thunder (coming 2019)
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The McBrides
Branded For You
Roping Your Heart
Fencing You In
Tying You Down
Playing With You
Crazy For You
Hot For You
Made For You
Held By You
Belong To You
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“Riding Tall 2” Series
The McBrides Too
Amazed by You
Loved by You
Midnight With You
Wild for You
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“Rough and Ready” Series
The Camerons
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Lace and Lassos
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Luke
Clay
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Playing with You
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The Forbidden
The Seduced
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About Cheyenne
Cheyenne McCray is an award winning, New York Times and USA Today Best Selling author of upward of 100 novels and novellas. Chey grew up on a ranch in the southeastern corner of Arizona, and enjoys building worlds her readers can get lost in. She lives in a small AZ town with her hubby and a growing menagerie that includes two dogs (Checkers and Nikki), three ducks (the neighborhood celebrities), and five chickens named by the kids (Taco, Detective Spunky, Bubblegum, Zazu, and Dumpling). Find out what Chey is up to these days—cruise her website, follow her on Facebook and Twitter, and even drop her a line or two.
To catch up with Cheyenne
www.CheyenneMcCray.com
chey@cheyennemccray.com
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