When I meet her eyes again, her features are flushed. Red streaks across her cheeks. Those eyes snap with suppressed fire, and a hint of gold sparks in them. She knows I am trying to arouse her in front of everyone.
I'm taking advantage of the fact that she can’t leave the room.
I chuckle, unbidden; but she hears it and throws a look at me across the table. There's a promise of retribution in her gaze.
Then Ariana walks into the room, and I glance away, deliberately breaking the connection.
It's a brief reprieve for both of us.
If just looking at her without hiding my need has raised our desires to fever pitch, how will it be when I let myself touch her?
9
Tara
The mayor takes her seat at the head of the table. She looks around pointedly, waiting until the rest of the team sits down; all except Cyrus, who walks around to stand behind her.
Even at this distance, I feel the tension between them. Cyrus's eyes drop to Ariana, sliding over her shoulders. Those dark black eyes of his shine with emotions.
I’m not the only one caught in a relationship I can make no sense of.
"Kris." Ariana turns to him. "What did your attackers want?"
All eyes on him, Kris folds his hands over his chest.
"Me," he replies. "They want me."
"You?" Ariana snaps, indigo eyes blazing blue fire.
Getting to his feet, Kris leans forward and places his palms on the table.
Gone is the passionate male who'd just brought me to a fever pitch by just looking at me. Once more he's an Ascendant, the devil I know so well.
"The reason they came after me is because they know my real identity," he says, voice flat, all emotion leached out of his face.
Mikhail chuckles. "Real identity? You’re Kris, fellow immortal. An Ascendant like me who grew up in a hermitage in the Himalaya Mountains. At twenty-two you were sent to Bombay. A year later I left for London."
Kris turns his gaze on Mikhail. "It’s time to tell them, Mikhail. You don’t have to cover for me.” He looks back at the rest of us as Mikhail gives a nod. “The Ascendants knew me only from the time Brahma brought me to the hermitage. I had a life before that. I was five when he rescued me from the remnants of a hotel bombed by a terrorist attack."
"The 2008 attacks that shook this city?" Ariana's voice trembles. She's pale beneath her tan, her mind racing as she tries to put the pieces together.
But nothing prepares us for what Kris says next.
"I was too young to understand what was happening, the only survivor among the hundreds killed that day. Brahma was one of the soldiers who came to the aid of the victims. He found me and realized I wasn't ordinary. He brought me to the Himalayas and left me there with our teacher." He pauses as he drops his head. The devil has never been good at sharing about himself.
"Did you not miss your family?" Ariana turns to Kris, eyebrows slashing down, voice hard. The air fills with a heavy tension, her barely leashed anger making it difficult to breathe. She may not be a shifter, but our mayor is very much an Alpha female.
A muscle leaps to life at Kris's temple. He holds the mayor's gaze for just a second too long. Then he tilts his head to acknowledge her.
"I missed my mother, and my sister especially. But I knew I should do as Brahma said. He told me that if I went back to my family I'd die. The only way was to go with him to the hermitage. It was high in the mountains, and I'd be safe from the floods there. He told me it was my duty to do this. For I had to live to undo the mistakes my family would make."
"You believed him?" Ariana asks.
"I had no choice," he says, voice flat. "He showed me the images of what was to come. It left no room for doubt."
Silence.
Tension hums through the room.
"You were so little," Leana cries. "That was so unfair, burdening a little boy with the responsibility of saving the future of this city."
"The curse of an immortal." Kris's lips turn up at the corners in the semblance of a smile. "You're born an old soul."
The mayor leans forward, her movement abrupt. She knows what's coming and needs every bit of courage to face what he’s going to say. "Who are you?" Ariana asks.
"I’m Ruby's brother."
10
Kris
"Kris...Krishna?" Ariana gasps. "You are Ruby Iyer's brother?"
"You knew Ruby?" Tara blurts out. She leans forward, fingers pressed into the table, teeth worrying her lower lip. The thought of those lips on my skin sends my pulse racing.
Damn!
I just revealed my identity. I should be worried about the Council's reaction. Instead, all I can think about is how much I want to sink my fingers into that lush hair, to capture those pouty lips, those curves that slither as she walks, hips swaying. They’re just the right size, those hips, to fit into my palms. I want to bite her on that rounded butt, to bend her and take her from behind. Audience. Be. Damned.
It's as if now that I have given myself the permission to share who I am, there is no holding back. The image that springs up in my head is so vivid it shocks me. Reminds me where I am.
I slam down a shield on all my thoughts. For now, I retreat to the role I know best, to being a warrior. Just a soldier.
"I know you are immortal and age at half the rate that humans do. But how...how old does that make you?" The words tumble out of the witch's mouth.
"In human years, I’m thirty-two, only a year older than Mikhail here."
"Can someone explain what's happening? Is this another trick you immortals are playing on us?" Cyrus's voice cuts through the tension in the room. He looks from Mikhail to me, eyebrows slashing down over his face.
"You are Jai's blood?" Ariana's voice quivers for a second. "You're related to me?" For a second, she's a lost soul. Then in a gesture watched by the entire room, she puts her hand on Cy's, holding onto it for support.
After another beat, she straightens and drops her arm back in her lap. When she speaks, her voice is stronger. Once more she's the leader.
"The sword that Leana carries belonged to Ruby," she swallows, "to Jai's mother. It’s the same sword she used to trigger the tsunamis of 2014. The storms swept away many cities, giving rise to the world as we know it today. What many don't know is that Ruby had a brother, Krishna...Kris, who was thought to have died in the terrorist attacks of 2008 on Bombay. His mother never got over his death. Overcome by bitterness, she wanted to destroy the city.
"It was never confirmed, but by all accounts, Kris and Ruby’s mother used the help of shifters and vampires to do so. So caught up in taking revenge for Kris's death was she, that she ignored Ruby, her surviving child.
"It's why Ruby ran away from home. She found the sword that belonged to her ancestors and used it to defend her city against her own mother. Except—"
"Except Ruby triggered the tsunami that wiped away her own city." Cyrus completes Ariana's statement. He looks around the room, eyes narrowed. "Why the hell did she do that? I never did understand."
"Ruby always was impetuous. She had to follow her heart, her instinct." I don't realize I said it aloud until I hear my own words.
It betrays how often I've thought about the fallout from my sister's actions.
"It didn’t occur to me when I left my family, saw what was to come, that my family made those mistakes because of my ‘death’ and the grief it caused to my mother. It was all because of me. If Brahma hadn't taken me that day...if I had gone back home..." I can't bring myself to complete the sentence.
"There are no if's or but’s. No past or future. There is only now,” Ariana replies. “The tsunamis were always meant to happen. If not Ruby's action, something else would have triggered it. When something is meant to be, it just is." The mayor's voice is matter of fact. She doesn't attempt to soothe me.
Leana makes the first move. Jumping up from her seat, she runs to me and throws her arms around me.
Ignoring a possessive growl f
rom Mikhail, she exclaims, "You are family! I always thought there was something so familiar about you. But I put it down to your being an Ascendant like my mate."
She throws him a glance over her shoulder, one filled with enough love to pacify Mikhail. "I never wanted the sword, but then I realized it came to me for a reason. I drew upon its power to destroy Daniel, the vampire leader. With that, the vampires now have a place in this city." Pulling the scabbard with the sword off her back, she holds it out. "It's your turn now. Who better than Ruby's own brother to take on the sword, use its power to conclude the chain of events she set in motion many years ago."
Even Brahma couldn't have prepared me for this. He told me I'd return home to fulfill my purpose. When I came to help Mikhail, I had a sense of his prophecy closing in around me. I didn't know it meant having to face my past so soon.
"Leana and Mikhail helped rid the city of Daniel's evil." The shock on Ariana's face has worn away; in its place is weariness. "When Ethan took over, I hoped we had turned a corner, that vampires, shifters, and humans would live in peace. Now I know better. For when one evil dies, another will rise in its place.
"I’m exhausted from living up to Ruby's promise, the one she took from her son Jai, binding him to this city. After Jai's death, as his mate, I felt compelled to stay on and protect this city in his stead. What I hadn't counted on was losing my son to the power of the sword. I don't have the strength to face whatever it brings next."
She looks at me, gaze unwavering. "Take it, Kris, harness its power and rid the city of this new threat."
I don't want this sword, yet I’m drawn to it. As much as I am to Tara. Both forbidden; both could become an addiction.
She's more lethal than the blade.
Leana places the scabbard on the table in front of me. Inside is the weapon responsible for the new world we live in, the one that ties me to my bloodline.
"You came to help me, yet all along there was a bigger reason," Mikhail says. "Did Brahma predict this too?"
Mikhail always was the strategist amongst the Ascendants. Even now as he looks at me, his eyes narrow. He's already joining the dots, putting all the pieces together in his head.
I know the exact moment he understands the full picture, for his eyes widen. He doesn't say anything though, waiting for me to speak.
"Brahma told me I'd return to the city of the birth and that it would be the biggest mission of my life. Only when I faced Noah did the true meaning of his words sink in."
I turn to Mikhail. "You are the architect of the psychic weapon that Daniel was after. He wanted to use Leana and the power of the sword to amplify the weapon, to use it to control the minds of humans and shifters. That was nothing. Noah is more dangerous than any threat the city faced. He's an Ascendant like us."
"Another? You never did tell us how many of you there are." Cyrus growls.
"Seven," I reply, "including Noah and the youngest who left when he turned eighteen."
"What does Noah want?" This from Ariana.
"Noah is Brahma's son," I say. "It was Noah's birth that convinced Brahma that there were others like his own child, immortal children who needed to be trained to save the new world. He knew the tsunami was coming, that it would bring new threats to accelerate the division between the species.
"Except Noah never saw eye to eye with his father. His mother died trying to birth Noah's brother. Brahma was too busy trying to help this city survive the tsunami. He didn't notice how his own wife grew weak during the pregnancy, not until it was too late. Noah blamed his father for his mother's death."
"And the child?" Leana asks.
"The baby was too weak to survive."
"How awful," she whispers, eyes shimmering with unshed tears. Her palm creeps over her flat belly.
My eyes dart from her to Mikhail, who pulls her close. His eyes meet mine, in them a plea to keep their secret that way a little longer.
When I look around, it's to find all eyes still on me. No one else notices Leana's instinctive action.
"Noah wants to make me harness the power of the sword to control this city."
"But why?" Ariana asks.
"Revenge," I reply. "He holds me responsible for the death of his mate. This city is my birthplace and Brahma's vision of the new world. Control this city and he taints Brahma's dream. In one stroke, he makes a mockery of my past and of the future that Brahma dreamed of."
"It's only during the blood red moon that you can activate the sword. Isn't that right?" she asks.
"There is another way." My eyes slide to Mikhail, who nods, giving me permission to reveal a secret that only the Ascendants know. "When we Ascendants harness our power, there is a good chance our combined energy is as powerful as that of the blood red moon."
"Powerful enough to activate the sword?" Ariana snaps.
"It's possible," I reply.
"We have to stop Noah before he forces the Ascendants to combine powers. He will use it to harm those you care about; he’s said so already." All eyes swivel to Tara. She meets the scrutiny head on. She doesn't scare easy, my female.
"He's immortal, not that easy to kill," I warn.
"If the combined strength of the Ascendants is needed to activate the sword, then surely you can also harness your collective powers to stop him," she retorts.
"You sure you haven't had military strategy training?" Mikhail chuckles.
"Just street sense." She folds her arms over her chest, her tone confident.
In that instant, she feels more grown up than her years. It strikes me then that I too underestimated my female. Is it possible she can hold her own against me? I can't wait to find out.
"Tara's right." Ariana snaps those indigo eyes to me. "We should take the offensive. Get the remaining Ascendants here. Then activate the power of the sword and destroy Noah."
Mikhail's glance runs across the others before coming to rest on me. "Kris and I are the most powerful of the Ascendants," he says.
"If we join forces with the three other Ascendants we just might be able to thwart Noah's plans." Even as I say it, I know that it's the only way out.
I must claim Ruby's sword and use its power to save the city of my ancestors.
11
Tara
It's as if revealing his identity gives Kris the courage to pull out the sword. After sliding it out of the scabbard, he holds it up.
A streak of sunlight hits the blade and the light bounces off the blue stone embedded in it, scattering blues and pinks on the wall.
It looks right on him.
His shirt stretches across his chest. Biceps flexing, he looks magnificent, like the warrior he is.
"I will not fail," he says. "I will protect this city."
Mikhail adds, "You are not alone, Kris. I’m with you."
"And me," says Ethan.
Sliding the sword into the scabbard, the devil then slings it over his back.
Ariana rises to her feet. "One last announcement before we break up," she says, her voice casual. "I’m stepping down as mayor of the city."
Silence. Then a chorus of voices rises, only to quieten when she holds up her hand.
"My decision is final," she says. "I am exhausted. I have done all I can to carry out Jai's promise to his mother to guide the future of this city. It's time for new blood, for fresh ideas to take things to the next stage. The Council will vote for a new mayor. But," she pauses, looking at Leana. Her features soften. "I nominate you as my candidate."
"Me?" Leana blinks. "I hardly have the experience. Besides, wouldn't Kris be the right person for the role? He's Ruby's brother. More seasoned than me."
The devil shakes his head. "I am a warrior, not a politician. You, on the other hand, have the makings of a leader," he addresses Leana. "The shifters already accepted you as their Alpha after you defeated Daniel. Besides, you have Mikhail by your side. He's a master tactician. His experience and his love will steady your leadership."
"So, it's settled then." The mayor'
s voice is smooth, final. She's taking no more arguments on this one. "Nothing like learning on the job," she tells Leana. "You have Mikhail and Ethan. And Tara." She acknowledges me. Another surprise. "Between the four of you, Leana has the support of all the main species in this city. Besides," she adds, "there's another reason you make the perfect candidate."
"There is?" Leana asks, her eyebrows shooting up.
When the mayor doesn't elaborate, Leana's eyes skitter to Mikhail.
At his nod, she concedes. "There is."
"What?" I can't stop myself from asking. "What is it?"
She turns to me. "I wanted to tell you, Tara..." She hesitates, her cheeks staining red.
"You and Mikhail are getting married?" I burst out.
She grins, her smile radiant. "Mikhail proposed to me a few days ago."
Wow!
Closing the gap between us, I throw my arms around Leana. "You and Mikhail are already mated. But you're getting married feels so right."
As I feel the happiness radiate from my best friend, my spirit lightens.
She hugs me before stepping back.
"Would you believe it if I said the wedding's this evening?" She reddens again. "It was meant to be a secret, except Ariana found out and insisted we not delay. She also wanted to make it a public event. Now I don't have anything to wear." A look of pure feminine panic flashes across Leana's face. She clutches my shoulder. "I was hoping you could go right now and help me pick out a dress. You'll help me, right?"
"Anything for you." I touch her face.
Mikhail slips his hand around his bride and pulls her close. "I'd be lying if I said I'm not relieved that Leana no longer has the responsibility of the sword. I can't think of anyone more fitting than Kris to take it on."
He brushes his lips over her hair, the light in his eyes so passionate and tender, all of it meant for her.
For a second I’m part of their universe; then I’m pulled out by a sinking sensation, a hollow inside me which grows and widens until it consumes me whole.
Claimed: Paranormal Romance (Immortals, Vampires and Shifters) (Many Lives Book 4) Page 4
