His heart beat wildly. He’d done his share of bungee cord jumping as a youth and enjoyed rock climbing–but this?
He let Chance slip a harness about him, and then like that, he hung over the raging ocean, holding on for his dear life.
“No worries, mate.” Chance slapped him hard on the back. “My sister will take care of you.”
Josh grunted. Yeah, but who was going to take care of her? Out in the middle of the ocean his fire powers were useless.
Maya was already down inside the yellow inflatable, and had calmed a yard wide circle of the ocean. The motor hummed by the time he dropped off the cord and into the cold water. He swam to the side of the boat and rolled up and over the rubber edge.
It was strange to have the wind whip wildly about his face, and yet the ocean calm as bathwater under them.
Beads of water rolled down Maya’s face as she stared at the GPS. He took the handle of the small motor, and she went to the front of the boat where she lay on her stomach with one hand over the side.
For hours, they moved at what seemed like a snail’s pace and the GPS coordinates hardly changed. On the map, the chore seemed much less daunting. After four hours, he wondered if they’d make it. After six, he knew they wouldn’t.
As Maya’s tight control on the ocean lessened, they rode giant waves like an awful roller coaster.
“How much longer?” she asked though gritted teeth.
“Almost there,” he lied. In truth, there was another hour, maybe two. He wished like hell he could share his strength.
He stretched one foot out and placed it on her thigh.
Her body relaxed a bit, and the ocean once again calmed. He was able to keep a shield of fire overhead, and the driving rain sizzled atop of it.
He had all but given up hope of ever seeing the barge. Once her power gave out, they’d capsize and drown in an instant. At least it would be fairly quick. But being a fire power, he didn’t fancy drowning. If it came down to having to choose the method of dying, he’d probably try to instantaneously combust.
With those thoughts in mind, he hardly believed his eyes when the long dark rectangle appeared on the horizon.
“Maya, we made it.”
She cried out, “Thank God.”
Within minutes, they were on deck.
*
Exhaustion overwhelmed Maya. She’d used up most of her energy trying to keep the storm from consuming them. Now on the deck of the old aircraft carrier, she could barely keep her legs from collapsing beneath her.
She clutched a railing as the storm raged around them with near hurricane force winds.
“Lean on me.” Josh wrapped an arm around her shoulder, holding her upright.
Men in white rain slickers swarmed them, apparently security. It took Josh several minutes to convince them that they needed to speak with the Council.
On shaky legs, and still in their wetsuits, they were brought below deck and into a long rectangular room. Florescent lights cast an eerie blue over the thirty men and women who sat around a long gray table.
Her father was one of them. He stood when she entered.
“Maya?” His bushy brows turned down, clearly displeased.
“What’s the meaning of this?” A large, barrel-chested man slammed his hands down on the table, looking indignant.
“We’ve come to warn you,” Josh said, tightening his grips around Maya’s waist. “We have evidence that Gregor Uragan and a Doctor Alex Williams are responsible for the storm.”
“Impossible,” someone muttered.
“They’ve broken Council law coming here,” said someone else.
A man in his late twenties with dark brown hair and similar features to Josh stood. This had to be Jack Fialko, the leader of the Iesco clan. His pictures online didn’t begin to capture his magnetism.
“If my brother says he has evidence, I believe him. Let him speak.” Like Josh, the centers of his eyes glowed red when pissed off.
“We think–” Josh started again.
“You think or you know?” A woman stood, eyes narrowed.
“We know,” he said, his voice steady and full of authority. “Williams has been using low level and half-breed witches to alter the weather.”
The room broke in a series of mutters and curses.
“We also know that she is working with Gregor Uragan. We didn’t know the extent of it until we spoke with one of Williams’ grad students. I believe Gregor is aware of this location and plans on using the storm to bring down this ship.”
Maya saw the skeptical looks directed at Josh. They didn’t believe that it was possible, and if they weren’t careful, their arrogance would be their downfall.
Her body shook uncontrollably, her heartbeat slowed. Coldness enveloped her until she could feel nothing. She knew the symptoms–she was in shock from the depletion of energy.
Still, she needed them to see the danger that they faced.
“We were out there in the middle of it,” she said, her voice hoarse. “Step outside and you’ll feel the power surge. I don’t know how they’re doing it, but I can guarantee this is only the beginning. Gregor will sink this ship and everyone on board.”
To her mortification, her knees gave out on her then. Her vision went dark, but she heard the chaos around her.
“She needs a healer.”
Large arms wrapped around her, lifting her. Josh. His scent, mixed with the saltiness of the sea. She inhaled deeply and let herself sink into his warmth.
“Bring her to my cabin. Follow me,” a female voice, with an American accent said.
Maya barely registered the activity around her as she drifted between consciousness and sleep, aware only of healing energy pouring into her. Eventually the darkness won.
Chapter 16
“Maya,” Josh’s voice drifted through the fog of her brain.
Lying upon a narrow bed, she opened her eyes. Two other cots, with tight corners in navy blue wool sat along an opposite wall. Glass cabinets, filled with ancient metal tins, lined the top half of the walls. Oddest of all was a stovetop, complete with whistling teakettle.
“What happened?” she asked the hovering faces.
“Energy burn. But you’re alright now.” A pretty, dark-haired woman in her mid-twenties, smiled down at her. She laid a hand on Maya’s forehead.
“You’re a healer?” Maya savored the woman’s therapeutic energy flowing through her veins.
“A hybrid. Both healer and air witch…well, fire too, now that I’m mated to Jack.” She winked and held out her hand. “I’m Zoe, Josh’s sister-in-law.”
Maya shook it, taking in more strength as she did.
From the corner of the room, Jack gave a sharp nod, while continuing to speak intently on a ship phone.
Sitting on the edge of her bed, Josh sat grimacing as he sipped some tea. He looked as if he’d fought a tropical storm and lost.
She licked her dry lips, tried not to imagine what she must look like, and pushed her palms against the rough green blanket to sit up fully.
“Here. Not too fast.” Josh handed her a plastic cup with a straw.
Sweet tea mixed with juice soothed her parched throat. “Did they believe us?”
Josh nodded, solemnly.
It was Jack who spoke. “They’re attempting to locate Gregor’s ships, but it’s nearly impossible. The storm has knocked out most of our communications.”
“What’re we going to do?” She swung her feet over the bed and tried to stand. Dizzy, she sat back down.
“You’re going to do nothing but rest.” Josh handed her a plate with a sandwich.
Ravenous, she took a huge bite of cold beef and lettuce on toast. When was the last time she had eaten?
She swallowed and said, “I should help. I need to go out there.”
“You can’t do anything until you regain your full strength.” Josh ran his fingers through his disheveled hair.
“Josh is right.” Zoe gave her a small smile. “Th
is ship contains the most powerful witches on earth. And thanks to you we know what we’re dealing with.”
Maya wasn’t convinced.
“We’ll leave you so you can get rest.” Jack took his wife’s hand and led her out of the cabin.
“I’ll go too,” Josh started to follow.
Maya grabbed his wrist, stopping him. “Stay. Please.”
She hated begging, but she really didn’t want to be alone.
A small fire flashed in the center of his eyes. “All right.”
She itched her scalp and realized her hair was tangled and hard from the wind and salt water. She stood on wobbly legs, pulling her shirt over her head, then peeling off her pants and underwear.
“What are you doing?” Josh rushed to the door, locking it. “Someone could walk in.”
“I need a shower.” She shrugged, unclasping her bra.
He watched her, mouth open. She’d always been so self-conscious about her body, but the way Josh looked at her made her feel beautiful.
“You could use one too.” She trailed her fingers down his chest, pulling at the edge of his shirt.
“Maya,” he groaned, when she unzipped his pants. His hands were in her hair, his lips crashing down on hers a moment later.
They were both exhausted, worn, but she needed him, now more than ever. She was desperate for his touch. She ached for him like she’d never ached for anyone.
She dragged him into the tiny shower, shivering when the cold blast of water sprayed down on them.
Josh must have used his powers because the room instantly heated up, until the goosebumps on her arms disappeared.
His lips moved down her throat to the rose of her breasts, taking the nub between his teeth.
She barely restrained the small cry that formed in her throat.
“Josh,” she moaned, arching toward him when his mouth dipped lower, past her naval, to the sensitive bud between her legs.
She tangled her fingers in his hair, tilting her head back and closing her eyes. Every touch, every kiss, was a pleasure all of its own. She shook her head, feeling her senses rushing out of control.
Slow, deliberate licks, teased and stroked her until she was crying out with pleasure. Her pussy throbbed and ached, ecstasy pulsing through it. Her orgasm rose inside of her, until she could do nothing but ride the waves that pulsed and overrode her senses.
Josh murmured a growl of approval.
Her legs felt like they would give out on her, but Josh held her up until her body recovered.
He stood slowly, kissing her stomach, her breasts. When he looked at her, confidence and arousal danced in his dark eyes.
The hard length of his cock pressed heavily against her stomach.
“What do you want, Maya?”
“You.”
“Say it. Tell me what you want.”
“I want you inside of me.”
At her request, he gripped her thigh, wrapping it around his waist. The tip of his cock rested against her entrance. She squirmed against him. Was he going to make her beg?
“Please.” She gripped onto his biceps as he pushed her back against the shower wall.
Cupping her ass with his other hand, he thrust inside, filling her with one swift motion.
Her head fell back, eyes closed at the pure pleasure of it. His cock stretched her, burned her with an ecstasy she couldn’t fight.
“You make me crazy,” he panted in her ear.
If her body wasn’t exploding with sensations, she would have laughed. He was the one making her crazy.
She was starting to wonder how she was ever going to let him walk away. But she would have to. And soon.
He was her match, her mate, but she knew he would never accept her. How many times had he told her it was just sex?
Still, she couldn’t stop herself from hoping for more.
He kissed her roughly, and she took it. Took everything he gave her. She reveled in the taste of him, the hardness of his body against hers.
Warm water sprayed down on them, caressing her already sensitive skin. She held on, matching him stroke for stroke, hips moving on their own accord as he thrust with wild abandonment.
She let him drive her harder, faster, until she was screaming his name.
Waves of intoxicating pleasure rushed through her system, crashing against her senses, pushing her to the brink of release.
“Josh,” she cried out his name, and collapsed against him, feeling each pulse of his cock as it shuddered inside her.
She buried her face in his chest, unable to move. She barely registered him turning off the water and carrying her to the small bed.
“Don’t leave,” she whispered, when he laid her down.
He crawled in beside her, and she rested her head on his shoulder. It felt so right. He was the other half of her, and she knew there would never be anyone else after.
Losing him was going to destroy her.
She closed her eyes and tried to ignore the sense of impending loss. Right now, he was here.
It was enough. It had to be.
Chapter 17
Spent and exhausted, Josh held Maya in his arms on the small bed. In sleep, her long legs wrapped around him. Her head rested on his chest, and he could feel her warm steady breaths.
Despite his attempt to keep her at arm’s length, he’d already come to care about her. He was fooling himself thinking it was just sex between them. But he wasn’t ready for this. He doubted he’d ever be ready.
She hadn’t said she wanted more, but what woman didn’t?
Once the fight between the Council and Gregor was over, he had to break it off. Go back to Jersey. It was for the best, for both of them.
The boat rocked violently, causing his stomach to twist. The storm was getting worse.
A loud knocking at the cabin door jolted him.
Maya sat up, her green eyes wide. “What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know.” He stood and shuffled into his pants, then threw her clothes on the bed. “Get dressed.”
She frowned up at him, but started to obey.
The knocking continued.
When Maya was decent enough, he opened the door. His youngest brother, Jace, stood on the other side, his face stony under a yellow PVC hood.
“You need to get your ass up on deck now.”
“What’s going on?” The boat rocked, and Josh braced himself in the doorframe.
Jace grabbed onto a hook, outside in the hall. “We’ve located one of Gregor’s vessels, but the storm is out of control.”
He glanced at Maya. “Stay here.”
“You’re kidding right?” She pushed past him and held out her hand to Jace. “I’m Maya. You must be Jace.”
Jace shook her hand and grinned. “About time my brother found a mate with some spunk.”
“We’re not mates,” they said at the same time.
“Right.” Jace raised his eyebrows and snorted. He pointed to rain gear hanging outside their door. “You’ll need that.”
“Let’s go,” Josh muttered, ignoring the pained look Maya gave him as she zipped up her yellow jacket. What? She’d said it too. She had no right to be hurt.
“Do you know where my father is?” she asked, as they followed Jace through the narrow halls, up metal ladders, suited for naval personnel.
“He’s on the west side of the ship with the other water powers. It appears that Gregor is tapping into that element the most. Makes sense, since we’re in the middle of the fucking ocean. But along with your father, we only have two other water witches on board. We’ve been able to counter with air, but until we get closer to the enemy’s ship, fire can’t do much, and earth is essentially useless.”
“I can help.” Her hands snapped the large hoodie under the chin, making her seem even more small and vulnerable.
“We’re banking on it,” Jace raced down the hall.
“What do you expect her to do?” Josh bit out, a little too forcefully. The thought of her in
danger made his chest constrict.
“Fight.” Jace stopped at a large metal door, hands on a center wheel. “You ready for this?”
Josh shook his head, already too warm in the plastic coat. He didn’t like it. They should be working to get people off the boat, not moving closer to the eye of the storm.
Maya gave a small nod and together Jace and Josh put their shoulders to the door.
He wasn’t ready for what met him. Maya was practically blown backwards into his chest. The sky was black. The sun swallowed up by the thick, dark clouds above them. Floodlights were their only source of light.
“Follow me.” Jace grabbed at a rope serving as a railing, and indicated they should do the same. He latched them in with a metal clip around their waist. Hand over hand, they made their way to the edge of the deck.
He could barely hear Jace over the noise level of a freight train. Power hung so thick in the air, it was almost tangible. This was unlike anything Josh had ever experienced or even studied.
They found Maya’s father with the other water and air witches, hands outstretched over the barge’s railing. Jack and his wife Zoe were also with them, using their combined air power to curb the hurricane-like winds. Together they spun a huge violet tornado that seemed to be stolen and eaten up almost instantly by the storm.
Shit. This was really bad. Worse than he’d thought.
“Dad,” Maya unlatched, and ran to him.
Her father squeezed her shoulders, then quickly attached her harness to the railing, yelling something Josh couldn’t hear.
“You need to come with me,” Jace screamed through the wind, motioning Josh to follow.
He glanced over at Maya who now stood hands out, palms down, calming the roaring sea.
Josh pointed to her. “I’ll be right back.”
She gave a small nod as her attention focused on the storm before her.
It wouldn’t be enough. Nothing would. The storm was already too powerful.
Jace led Josh to the stern. Within the brutal wind, his feet barely stayed on the deck.
Inside a metal hut on deck, the Council members and clan leaders that weren’t outside in the storm argued. His normally timid sister-in-law Terra was with them, shouting to maintain order.
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