“We are being guarded from sharing information with you, because it is not our place to tell you Shikar secrets. The Elder will explain all you need to know. Aren’t you a little curious about why you have been chosen to lead the life you do?” Obsidian asked.
“You mean in a cosmic sense? I always figured it was just bad luck.”
“It would only be bad luck if you lacked the skills necessary to meet these monsters in battle. Gifted as you are—psychically and physically—haven’t you ever wondered how or why you’ve been so well equipped for fighting The Horde?”
“Sometimes,” she admitted.
“Then come with us. Meet The Elder. And wonder no more.”
“How do I know I’ll be safe? How can I trust you? I don’t know you—and so far all you’ve done is attack me in my home, and bully me into following your orders.”
“You attacked her?” Edge asked, shock in his voice.
Obsidian ignored him. “I give you my word that no harm will befall you when you go to meet Tryton.”
“But not during or after my meeting? No. Forget it,” she sighed, weary all of a sudden. “I can take care of myself, if it becomes necessary. Let’s go see Tryton.”
“Traveler, take us home,” Obsidian commanded.
Everyone but Cady stepped forward at once to lay a hand upon The Traveler’s now outstretched arm. Cady watched the men for a few heartbeats, unmoving, until she felt the heavy weight of The Traveler’s gaze as he turned his head towards her.
“You must touch me if you wish to come with us.” His voice was dark and smooth, like a moonless night.
Cady stepped forward cautiously, and laid her hand upon his. A vibrant jolt of electricity seemed to race from his flesh to hers, and for a single heartbeat she thought she could see his eyes beneath the deep cowl he wore. They were the color of darkest, blackest night—like windows to an infinite nothing.
With a gasp she looked away and met Obsidian’s golden gaze. For a moment she felt safer, until his gaze heated and she remembered how they’d begun the night—in each other’s arms. Before she could think on it further, however, the ground fell out from beneath her feet.
Seconds later she looked around, only to find herself standing within a great stone chamber unlike any she’d ever seen before.
Chapter Seven
“Welcome, little warrior, to our humble home,” came a deep voice from behind her.
Cady turned towards the voice and beheld the sight of a man with platinum blond hair, dressed entirely in black. Standing before an immense fireplace, he was tall and proud in bearing, with broad shoulders and thick muscles. His face had an untamed, leonine quality, and his eyes were bright yellow.
He was obviously another Shikar.
“Where are we?” she asked. Though the question was aimed at no one in particular, she felt curiously deferent to the yellow-haired man before her and looked to him when she spoke.
“You are far beneath the Earth’s crust, though if humans were to dig to find us they could not. This place lies in a realm between worlds, safe from any harm that might be visited upon it otherwise.”
“Like another dimension?”
“Precisely.” The man eyed her closely, as if she were a puzzle he wanted to solve. “So you are the mortal warrior we’ve heard so much about. You must have many questions that warrant answers—but for now Obsidian will show you to the rooms we have prepared for you.”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa—wait a minute! I don’t need any rooms prepared, I just want to see this Elder guy and clear a few things up. Right here, right now.”
“But surely you must feel ill-dressed for the occasion,” the man said, gesturing to her filthy clothes. “A bath and some fresh attire will see you more prepared for your meeting.”
She did feel scruffy, and meeting the obviously important Tryton in her present condition might put her at a disadvantage. “All right,” she conceded and turned to look at Obsidian, who seemed far too interested in the exchange. “Lead on, Sid.”
The blond man coughed. Cady would have sworn it was to cover up a bark of laughter. Obsidian’s eyes heated angrily at her continued use of the nickname, and she tried valiantly not to smile at him in devilish glee. He was proving to be so much fun to torment.
“Follow me,” he growled.
* * * * *
When Obsidian and Cady had departed from the chamber, Tryton turned to dismiss Edge and Cinder, but motioned for The Traveler to stay behind.
“I assume you witnessed the night’s battles, my friend. What do you think of her?”
“She is far more talented than we had guessed.”
“Did she display much of her psychic gifts during the battle?”
“It’s difficult to say. She’s faster and stronger than most mortals I’ve encountered. This was more than evident. But as for the other…I saw none of it tonight, but that does not mean the skills are not there.”
“Perhaps she just needs training to learn the use of it?”
“Perhaps. There is, however, an unexpected development.” The Traveler turned and removed the cowl from his head. His dark hair gleamed with blood-red highlights in the firelight. “She is a Hunter.”
“She can track the Daemons psychically?” Tryton’s voice was surprised, and thoughtful.
“As well as any Shikar of the Hunter Caste.”
“This was unforeseen. Indeed she is gifted, to possess so many Shikar qualities. We must convince her to join with us. We have much to learn, each from the other.”
The two men stared long into the flames, each consumed with his own thoughts concerning the human woman Cady Swann. And her future role within their army.
* * * * *
Cady looked down at the massive sunken tub with a wry grin. If the Shikars took baths in similar tubs every time they got into a skirmish with a Daemon, it stood to reason that their water bills were outrageous. She laughed at the thought of a Shikar warrior doing something so mundane as paying a utility bill. She doubted such a thing existed here in their world.
Obsidian had left her to her own devices after leading her to the rooms in which she now found herself. He’d escorted her through the vast, winding stone hallways in complete silence until they’d arrived at their destination.
“These are your apartments. I trust you will find everything in order within.” After biting out those words, Obsidian had bowed slightly and made to leave.
“Wait. You can’t just leave me here. How will I find my way around?” she’d asked.
“I will escort you to Tryton after we have both bathed and clothed ourselves. There is no need for you to wander about, and a good possibility that, should you do so, you will become quite lost. So I suggest you enjoy your bath and await me as patiently as you can.”
“Pendejo…worthless jerk,” she’d growled irritably as he’d left her standing there outside the door to her ‘apartments’. Within she’d found an opulent three-chambered suite consisting of a large living room, bedroom and bathroom—complete with a sunken tub the size of a swimming pool.
Not knowing how much time she had to clean up she quickly undressed and slipped into the already filled bathtub. Finding a cake of floral scented soap and a washing cloth in a basket near the tub’s rim, she lathered and scrubbed at the muck clinging to her body.
Wishing for some normal, everyday shampoo, and seeing none at hand, she resigned herself to using the cake of soap to cleanse her hair. When she felt confident that there were no stray pieces of Daemon gunk in her hair she rinsed and emerged from the filthy bathwater.
She found a neat stack of clean towels near what she assumed was a commode, though it was a little different looking from the ones she was accustomed to. It was only after she’d dried and wrapped her body within a towel that she realized she had no clean clothing to change into. Her earlier attire was hopelessly ruined. No amount of scrubbing would make them presentable, and even if she could hand wash them in the tub they wouldn’t be dry befor
e Obsidian came to retrieve her.
Just as she thought of Obsidian she heard a knock at the door. Tightly securing the towel around her body, she opened the door a crack.
“Are you done with your bath? I’ve brought you clean clothing,” Obsidian said, nudging her aside and entering the room as though he owned the place. He looked as though he’d come straight from his own bath to meet her. His hair was damp, and unbound it fell to his waist.
He looked delicious.
“Come on in, Sid. Make yourself at home,” she muttered.
“Sarcasm ill becomes you, Cady—“ the rest of his words cut off abruptly as he got his first good look at her. His eyes immediately heated and roved over the exposed flesh of her shoulders and legs.
Cady strived not to feel completely nude before his hungry gaze, but the way he was looking at her, as if he would gobble her up in one gulp, was making it difficult to act unaffected.
“Your skin looks like melted caramels,” he said in the sexiest, most masculine voice she’d ever heard.
“Well you can thank my father. I get my coloring from him.” She laughed softly. “Do you even know what a caramel is?” she asked, trying to lighten the situation a little. She felt like she was swimming in waters too deep for her to tread.
“Of course. They’re the sweetest, stickiest candies I’ve ever tasted. I can’t help but wonder…will you taste as sweet? Will you grow as sticky if I warm you with my hands…my mouth?”
Her heart thudded, but he didn’t give her a chance to reply. Instead he moved forward—faster than she could see—and swept her up into his arms. He slammed his mouth down on hers, wrapping her up in a passionate kiss, as he strode towards the bedroom. Cady couldn’t think, could only feel his mouth on hers, and then she was flying through the air.
She landed softly on the bed, a huge canopied bed with deeply piled pillows and covers. Obsidian came down upon her, divesting her of the towel—her only covering—with a tug. His eyes devoured her exposed form, lingering on her full breasts and hips.
“Who would have thought such a lush bounty was hidden under your clothes,” he breathed in pleased wonder.
“I always wear a good sports bra. It wouldn’t do to have my breasts swinging about during a fight, you know.” She averted her eyes. “And my hips have been wide since puberty—no matter how much I exercise I can’t slim them down,” she whispered, uncomfortable under his intense stare.
“It is a crime that such magnificent breasts be bound, and your hips,” his hands gripped the body part under discussion, “your hips are just fleshy enough for a man to grab hold of when he rides you. Men like a little meat on their women, and I’m certainly no exception.”
“I’m by no means a svelte Seventeen model. I’m just boring ol’ me.” Had she ever cared before this moment? Not that she could remember, but there it was—she was uncertain. She wanted him to like her despite what society would see as her physical flaws.
“You are so beautiful it hurts my eyes to look upon you,” he said, and though his words were meant to be light he couldn’t keep his voice from turning dark and passionate.
“That was the most perfect thing to say,” was all she could manage.
“You shave your mons,” he said, his eyes burning her there.
“My mons?” She laughed at the word. “Yeah, I do. Is that a problem?”
“No, I love it,” he vowed, still staring in fascination.
With those last words he swooped down and sucked a plump nipple into his mouth, sending her senses reeling. His hair fell about them, caressing her like thousands of tiny fingers, cool against her heated skin.
His mouth fed at her, making slurping noises against her breast. He nipped and tongued, licked and pulled until she felt swollen and feverish. He laved his tongue in a hot, wet trail down the crevice between her breasts, moving his hands up from her hips to squeeze and knead them. His head moved downwards, his lips nipping at her stomach, his tongue delving into her navel.
He breathed hotly over her hips before he brought his teeth to bear against her hipbone. With an impatient growl he brought his hands down to spread her legs, fingers digging into the flesh of her inner thighs to hold them apart. Cady gasped as she felt his hot, velvety tongue flick out to taste her exposed center.
He licked her pussy lips, suckling and nibbling at the folds of her labia. He buried his face against her and breathed deeply of her scent. Intoxicated with her, he speared his tongue into her slit, gathering as much of her fluids as he could before drinking them down.
He came up long enough to mutter darkly, “You taste far sweeter than caramel,” before he dived for her flesh once more.
She cradled his head to her sopping wet core, fingers buried in his dark hair. Her body arched uncontrollably against his mouth, and she groaned like an animal. His tongue now moved in long, firm strokes against her clit, making it swell and pulse. She gasped and writhed as he licked her, and her orgasm took her in a rush, wracking her body with exquisite release.
Her body trembled as she came down from her climax, and she felt Obsidian give her one last, lingering lick. He suckled her clit as if in reward for her response to his attentions, and released it with a loud popping sound. Two long, strong fingers slipped inside of her, testing and stretching her.
“You’re so tight. So hot and wet. I can’t wait one more second,” he growled.
“Don’t wait,” she begged shamelessly. “I want you to fuck me so hard we’re both bruised by it,” and she meant every word too. She’d never been so aroused in her entire life, and even though she didn’t really know this man, she wanted him to pound into her until it didn’t matter anymore. If there were to be regrets she’d have them later. For now she would indulge in the best sex of her life.
Her words seemed to drive him crazy, and her body writhed in response when he pulled back from her and began to remove his clothes. Within heartbeats he was as naked as she and it afforded her the first glimpse of his magnificent body.
He was fashioned like a god.
Obsidian raised himself up above her and positioned the great purple head of his cock against her wet slit. But he didn’t immediately enter her. Instead he took her lips in a hot, wet kiss. He brought his lips, teeth, and tongue to bear against her mouth and fed there as though he were starving for her. She tasted herself in the kiss and went wild, arching her cunt up against him, trying to force him to slip into her where she needed him most.
His mouth smiled against hers, and he was pleased that she was so responsive to him. She felt like silk and fire in his arms, and where his cock rested against her he could feel the wet heat of her arousal. She let out a growl like some wild animal and moved her hands down to tug his hips closer to hers.
“Are you ready then?” he asked with a chuckle, knowing full well that she was.
“Yes. Now,” she demanded.
“As you wish,” he said and thrust to the hilt, his balls coming to rest against her buttocks.
Cady’s breath left her on a gasp. She felt stretched, full to bursting. Her flesh burned where he filled her, and his cock reached deeper into her than she ever would have thought possible. It felt like she’d been spitted on a tree trunk. It was wonderful.
Obsidian’s vision was hazy in his passion. He’d never been inside a woman who was as tight or hot as Cady. Never wanted one with such an all-consuming urge to conquer and possess. Her pussy walls pulsed and gripped the thick flesh of his cock, fitting around him as if she were made just for him. Only for him. He wanted her to feel just as affected by their joining as he was, and vowed to give her the ride of her life.
Bracing his hands on either side of her head he started to move within her. Slowly at first, then increasing the pace. His hips pistoned against her, and the force shook the frame of the bed beneath them. Struggling not to lose control as he approached one of the greatest orgasms of his life, he went a little wild and thrust into her wet heat with a jarring force.
“D
id I hurt you, baby?” He paused, not wanting to harm her further if it were so.
Cady had never been so aroused, so sexually charged. She loved the power of his thrusts, and the barely contained violence behind them. In answer to his question she gave a feral grin, and rose up to sink her teeth into the strong muscle of his shoulder. He roared his response and pummeled her with his body.
Their bodies made wet, slapping sounds, but the noises only spurred them on. Cady raked her nails down his back, then kneaded the firm, flexing muscles of his buttocks as he pounded into her. Obsidian brought her ankles up and over his shoulders. She felt his cock pulse deep inside of her, and came on a scream.
Obsidian groaned at the exquisite feel of her honeyed walls gripping at his dick. He thrust twice more, before pulling his cock free of her body and shooting his come onto the soft swell of her stomach. After he’d bathed her in his sperm he collapsed at her side, breathing harshly into her ear.
After a few moments Cady found her voice. “Why didn’t you come inside of me? I’m on the pill, you don’t have to worry about pregnancy.”
After a weighty silence he answered, eyes averted, “I never spend myself in a human woman. Its not acceptable among my kind to spend our seed in such a way.”
Cady tried not to feel stung by his words. She’d known not to expect anything from their joining. After all, they barely knew each other. But it still hurt to have the truth of it rubbed in her face.
“Well next time try to shoot your load somewhere besides all over your partner. It’s no fun being creamed on and having to clean up afterwards, I can assure you.”
“You needn’t get offended. I’ll be happy to bathe my seed from your skin,” his eyes flashed hotly at the prospect. “I normally wear protection to avoid this type of situation…but I’m sure that neither of us were prepared for such an encounter tonight.”
Ravenous Page 5
