Her eyes narrowed, she jerked her hands away as she snarled. “Fucking great. How the hell do I get this thing off?”
“It is on the scroll.”
She looked at him. “The scroll no one can interpret.”
“Yes.”
The look she gave him was cold. “What good will that do me?”
“When the Onyx Moon is around the scroll it neutralizes it as long as the scroll isn’t read. The necklace should fall off.”
“How do you know that if the Onyx Moon hasn’t been used in over one hundred million years? Wait a minute, a few days ago you said the Onyx Moon had taken over a warrior ten thousand years ago. What happened?”
Sanjay had been hoping she wouldn’t ask. “The memories of what happened in the past had faded, and since the Onyx Moon was thought to be safe, it was given to Jurl, the greatest Marltes there ever was. Since he traveled all over and the scroll never left Zalakar, the Onyx Moon took him over. He went crazy and they contained him.” He took a breath before continuing. “But he escaped a little over a thousand years ago. We found him near Tlian River. We had called in the other powers and Merlin for help and we killed him.”
Chapter Six
“I’m going to become the thing that killed my mother?” Tashana asked, her tone unemotional.
“Yes.” Sanjay watched her.
She stood abruptly and the color left her face. Her mouth moved but no sound came out. Standing, he pulled her to him. She pushed at him, trying to get away, but he held her firm. Her fist beat at him. Then her wail of anguish filled the air. Tears ran down her face. His heart wrenched. Nothing undid him more than seeing a fierce woman cry.
Holding her firmly to him, he listened helplessly as she wailed. Bending, he lifted her off her feet and strode up the stairs to the bedroom. Laying her on the bed, he turned to go get a cloth. Her hand flashed out, grabbing his arm and stopping him. Looking at her, he saw the determination on her face.
“Promise me that you will kill me before I turn into that thing. Promise me.”
He was reluctant to agree but, as a warrior, he understood what she was asking. Nodding once abruptly, Sanjay turned to finish his task. She let him go. Going through the lushly decorated bedroom, he went into the bathroom. Absently he noted it had the look of an oasis. Seeing a towel, he grabbed it and returned to her. She was silent with her back turned away from him. Quietly he walked up to the bed. Her eyes were closed. Laying the towel on the table, he turned to leave.
“Stay.” Her voice was hoarse.
Looking back at her, he saw her silver gaze was swimming with tears as she watched him. Going back to the bed, he slipped in behind her. Pulling her against his body, he held her. Tashana shuddered and continued to cry silently. Watching the back of her head, Sanjay made a vow that he would do everything he could to get the Onyx Moon off her.
* * * *
Waking abruptly, Tashana looked around confused. Realization dawned as her eyes landed on the man asleep next to her. She had seen Sanjay cold, angry and determined but never at rest. Something inside of her went warm . He had held her as she cried about her mother. While she cried, she thought of everything he said. It was a relief to know that the thing that killed her mother was dead. Now she had to figure out a way to make sure it didn’t happen again. Looking down, she reached up and clenched her fist around the Onyx Moon, ignoring the pain.
A hand reached over and covered hers. She met Sanjay’s grey gaze. Looking in his eyes, she turned her hand and held his. Linking her fingers with his, she rose and pushed him back gently with the other hand. Following him, she straddled him and then reached and linked her free fingers with his other hand. He watched her silently. Leaning into him, she kissed him. Gently and thoroughly. He murmured, then groaned, trying to pull away. She held him firmly getting her fill. Raising her lips slowly off his she watched his eye spark lazily with amber streaks.
"Be sure of what you’re doing, Tashana,” Sanjay warned.
“I’m sure. Fuck me, Sanjay.”
His look was intense. “This goes beyond fucking. I’m going to make you burn so deep that when I’m not with you it will be like a physical pain. A pain to have me inside of you. Do you want this, Tashana?"
Tashana’s mouth was dry. "Yes.”
Sanjay pulled his hands free and pushed his fingers into her hair, dragged her to him and sealed his lips to hers. Eyes locked with his, she watched as his eyes sparked wildly. The hunger she felt for him was like nothing she had ever felt before. Running her hands down his firm muscular side, she used her power to get rid of their clothing. When her hand touched his heated skin, she moaned. He sucked in his breath and gave his own groan of desire in return.
His tongue stroked with firm strokes along all the hidden places in her. Tashana whimpered as pleasure flooded her pussy. His fingers tightened in her hair making her gasp at the slight pain. He sucked on her tongue, then let out a growl. Tashana felt it vibrate, making her weeping slit clench. A need to be closer to him burned in her. Grinding herself against him, she felt all of his hard cock. Sanjay clamped his hands on her hips, stilling her.
Tashana growled her denial and tried to move her hips. He wouldn’t let her go. She was soaked and in need. Sanjay growled. She saw the hunger on his face. Sanjay’s hand ran down her hip to her thighs and he pulled her forward slightly and impaled her on his hard shaft. Gasping, Tashana threw her head back. He moved his hands to grab her hips firmly in his hands and pulled her back and forth against his hard cock in a pounding rhythm.
Widening her knees, she felt him go deeper. Shuddering, she rotated her hips in a motion to counter his thrust. His harsh grunt played in her ears. Smiling, she curled her back, taking him further into her. Fire ignited in her blood. He arched against her drawing another gasp from her. Withdrawing from his lips with a wet sound, Tashana placed her hand on his chest over his heart. It beat a rapid cadence. Using her hand, she leveraged herself back even more. They shivered simultaneously. His face was carved in harsh lines of need. Watching his expression, she moved her hips in a counter motion. Sanjay’s eyes rolled back in his head and the cords in his neck bulged.
"Fuck." His voice resonated around the room.
Smiling fiercely, Tashana rocked against him. The sound of flesh meeting flesh spurred her on. Arching her back, she felt the delicious tightening in her pussy.
“Yes,” Tashana gritted out.
The pleasure snatched her with angry teeth as she went over the edge. Bucking, she rode each pulse of her orgasm. Grinding herself on his hard cock, she gasped and then sank her hand into his hair. It came loose of its bindings. Grabbing his hair tighter, she pulled his head back and, dropping her head, bit his lip. His mouth opened and she plunged her tongue into it. Sanjay’s hands tightened on her hips pulling her back and forth against his cock. Another orgasm hit her, overlapping the first. Tightening her legs around him, Tashana slid up and down along hardened shaft. It was a sweet friction against her aching core.
Gasping, she pulled away from his kiss. In an agile move, Sanjay rolled them over. He grabbed her leg, pulled it around his hip and stroked deep. Gasping at the feel of him inside of her, Tashana gripped his back. With a glance up at his face, Tashana was captured by his grey gaze streaked with amber.
*
Watching the heated look on Tashana's face, Sanjay stroked into her and watched as her eyes dropped to half-mast. Her silver gaze was smoldering. Tashana rotated her hips again in a move that made him grind his teeth fighting for control. Her pussy undulating around his cock made his balls tighten. He had known being with Tashana would be special however, he hadn’t known she would devastate his senses.
Tashana arched her back, taking him deeper into her wetness. Involuntarily, a groan ripped from his throat. Her body took him with such delicious greed and demand. She undulated her hips again. With a savage curse, Sanjay pulled her leg higher as he pumped into her. Her sweet passage slid over him hot, moist, and lush—sucking him in. Pressure
built in his cock. Tightening his hold on Tashana’s leg, he felt her contract tightly around his cock then with a sinuous motion of her hips she impaled him deeper into her silken heat. Roaring, he went over into a rolling orgasm. Arching her back, she screamed her own pleasure as she joined him. His hearing went, then he went blind as his release pulsed through him. The walls of her pussy clenched, milking him, draining everything he had.
Collapsing against her, he rested his head in the base of her neck as he tried to catch his breath. Her heart and breathing were rapid. Slowly his heart slowed and his hearing returned. Her body continued to pulse around him.
After a while, he turned to look at her and said, “Tashana.”
She had a slumberous look on her face. Unable to resist, Sanjay shifted and kissed her softly. Tashana purred and he felt her body clench around him. His cock lengthened. Deepening the kiss Sanjay pumped in and out of her slowly. Her soft gasp filled his mouth.
* * * *
Leaning over and kissing her, Sanjay watched as she stirred and opened her eyes. She raised her hands and clenched them in his hair. Sinking against her, he kissed her. Her hands went down his neck and over his shoulders. She stilled and pulled back.
She looked at him. “Why are you dressed?”
He was loathe to leave her. “I have to go and report to the General.”
The look on her face sharpened. “How much trouble will you get into for telling me?”
He was hoping she wouldn’t ask. “It is at my discretion.”
She sat up. “I’m going with you.”
Pushing her gently back down. “Shh… It’ll be fine. I’ll be back in a few hours. Go back to sleep and I’ll join you when I return.”
She frowned. “You think I’ll be waiting for you in bed, pal?”
Watching her eyes, he ran his hand down her body, cupped her and impaled her with a finger. She gasped, shuddered as wetness soaked his hand.
“I hope so.” Taking out his finger, he lifted it to his mouth and, watching her, he licked it clean.
Tashana watched him, her eyes hungry. “Come to me.”
Stepping back from temptation he shook his head, smiled and walked away. A portal opened close to the door. Looking over his shoulder, he took in the sight of her lying on the bed.
Tashana grinned and blew him a kiss. “Hurry back.”
Stepping through the portal, he watched her as it closed.
Twenty minutes later, Sanjay stood before the General, waiting to see what he would do. Quinlan watched him silently. Sanjay did not shift and met his gaze calmly.
“You disappoint me, Sanjay.” Quinlan’s voice was mild in contrast to the fury in his gaze.
“It is for the best. We are isolated and that is why this has gotten out of control. It is as Zaila, the Nefer leader, said. We need to socialize more.”
“You listen to women who know nothing. Nothing of ruling men,” Quinlan roared.
“We are falling behind the other shifter clans and all the other beings. In a few more years, even the mortals will advance more than us. It is time for a change,” Sanjay roared back.
Furious, Quinlan stood in a rush. “Get out of my sight, Sanjay.”
Stiffly, Sanjay turned and strode out.
*
Watching him leave, Quinlan felt bitterness well in his throat. Sanjay was lost to them. Brainwashed by the women. Clenching his fist, he turned and punched the table. It split, crashing to the floor. Dropping back into his chair, he closed his eyes. A whisper of sound made him look up.
“Not now, Xio.”
She smiled a sweet smile. “Come now, my lord. I bring you a drink to cool your temper.”
Her bottle green eyes were fixed on him as she came towards him. Quinlan watched her lush curves as she moved. Her outfit of scarves matched her eyes. She reached him. Taking the chalice from her, he pulled her into his lap. She snuggled into him. He raised the chalice drinking deep until it was empty . He leaned in and kissed her. She moaned and returned it. Drawing back, he looked at her hunger in his gaze.
“You have no clue…” she paused and her smile went cold, “how much I hate you.”
She jumped off his lap. Reaching for her, he missed. His limbs felt weighed. Xio’s beautiful face was filled with hate. She whirled and back kicked him. He batted at her but missed. Swinging the other leg, she hit him mid-chest and toppled him out of his chair. Pain and fire filled him. His tongue was too heavy to call for help. Lying on the floor, he felt the poison seep into all his pores.
You can’t poison a dragon. Quinlan screamed silently.
Xio’s voice was harsh. “Your arrogance is your undoing, Quinlan. I can call you that now, can’t I?”
She laughed an ugly sound and then he felt her hands on him. She flipped him over. Looking up at her face, he saw his own death.
Xio kneeled on him and said in his face, “ A woman has bested the great Quinlan. Tsk. You should have listened to your seers that death was stalking Zalakar.” Her voice lowered to a whisper. “It was.” Rearing back, she hit him across the face and he tasted blood. “Foolish. We are meant to be gods. We were not meant to be hidden and secluded. The Onyx Moon is ours to use as we please. You’re too weak to do what needs to be done. I will do what needs to be done for Zalakar.”
She hit him again. “You made me your concubine but I wasn’t good enough to be your wife. No woman is after her. I will rule and it will be with the old blood spilling on the floor. Yours.” Standing, she stepped over him and went to the open door. He saw her back up as Sanjay appeared in the open doorway.
“Xio what happened?” Sanjay demanded.
“Oh god, he just collapsed. Stay with him, I will get the healers,” Xio said, her voice frantic.
Quinlan was too weak to warn him. He heard feet rush over to him. Sanjay’s devastated face came into his view.
“Can you hear me?” Sanjay demanded.
Quinlan watched helplessly as Xio rose over Sanjay’s shoulder, a look of hatred on her face.
Chapter Seven
Some instinct made Sanjay turn. Her blow missed him. He hit her with his palms outward and wrists together. The blow caught her in the chest and she flew across the room and hit the wall. Standing slowly, he watched as she slid down the wall.
Xio laughed an ugly sound. “Ah, Sanjay, you surprise me. I didn’t know you had it in you.”
She stood in a fluid motion and stalked across the floor to him. Xio stopped and looked at him, the hate filling the air. “You will die. Be thankful it is before the Onyx Dragon comes and I take my rule.”
Shock filled him. “It was you.”
“You are as stupid as Quinlan,” Xio said, then flew at him.
She moved through the air, swift and deadly. Catching her in mid-air Sanjay flipped her and punched his hand straight down. She slammed into the floor. Laughing, she sank into the floor and disappeared. Turning, Sanjay felt her arms wrap around him from behind. Disintegrating to smoke, he came back into form across the room from her. Xio was looking around for him. The sound of people running down the hall came to him. Her gaze landed on Quinlan and Sanjay saw the intent on her face. She raised her hand and a sword appeared in it. Knowing he had only seconds, Sanjay ran towards her and called his sword. He flung it at her. She brought down her sword, then at the last second turned to avoid his. She screamed as his sword cut her side.
Turning, she looked at him. “We’ll meet again soon.” Laughing, she disappeared.
Reaching Quinlan, Sanjay saw his breathing was labored. Dragging Quinlan to him, he held him. People burst into the hall. The warriors took up positions around the room, looking for the threat. Men and women crowded around them. A path cleared to let in the healers.
“Lay him down so we can tend to him.” Dionne, the head healer, said.
Holding him tighter, Sanjay shook his head. “No.”
She laid a firm hand on his shoulder. “You must, Sanjay, or he will die.”
Sanjay looked at her and
said fiercely, “Save him.”
Laying Quinlan gently against the floor, he watched as they worked on him. After a few minutes, they looked at him, pity in their gaze.
“No!” Sanjay roared.
Standing on shaky legs, Sanjay picked up his sword and turned. The others watched him silently.
Raising the sword above his head he roared, “Vengeance for the General!” They roared with him. Taking the sword, he dragged it across his palm. Hissing at the cut, he let the blood drip on his blade. Raising it, he blew fire on it and watched it light with blue flame.
Looking back at the people, he saw the warriors were already shifting. He shifted, partially extending his wings.
”Death for the killer of my father!” His roar resonated around the room. Turning, he ran for the windows and heard the warriors running behind him. Shifting to smoke, he slipped through the windows. When he was outside, he turned back to solid and then shifted to dragon. Spreading his wings, he lifted his head and roared. Flying into the night, Sanjay’s only thought was vengeance.
* * * *
“Something’s wrong. He hasn’t come back.” Tashana wrapped her arms under her breasts as she looked out the windows.
“You don’t know that, Shana,” Zaila said.
Turning, Tashana flung out her hand. “I know something is wrong. It’s been two days, Zaila. Three if you count the day he left. He should have been back by now.”
“Honey, he’ll come back. Maybe he’s following a lead,” Jaynat said.
Turning on her, Tashana snapped, “Something is wrong.”
“With all that you told us about the Onyx Dragon, he could be looking for a way to get the necklace off you. How do you know?” Zaila asked.
Looking at her, Tashana thumped her fist against her chest. “I know it in here. I have to find him.”
Zaila stood. “Fine, let’s go.”
Jaynat stood, too. “Where are we going?”
Zaila watched her. “Tashana knows.”
Tashana looked at her and realization dawned. “Back to the beginning. Naperville, Illinois.”
Onyx Moon Rising Page 5
