by Storm Savage
“I’m surprised Hatch didn’t follow you,” Raef commented.
“Hatch barely survived the road trip. I think he was relieved to hang back at the hotel while I took a hike.”
“Speaking of Hatch…” Naami raised her brows. “How did you convince him to let you get away again and alone with this sexy stud?”
“Hatch and I broke up.”
“Oh…that’s too bad.”
“I broke it off. He does not accept who I am and he was a pain in the ass during the entire Satellite ordeal.”
Naami’s gaze shifted between Flame and Raef. “And tall, hot, and blond here just happened to be waiting in the wings.” She shook her head and laughed. “You never did have trouble picking up hot guys. They swarm around you like flies to honey.”
“Must be all the sweet water I drink from the falls,” Flame teased with a modest smile. “Besides, I was not trying to pick up guys. You know Raef has been a good friend to me.”
“Oh yes, he’s the one who guarded your blades and saved your backside.”
“Hey, you go on the road and fight, see how easy it is. Our highness would’ve granted me another pair.” She turned warm eyes on Raef. “But I’m glad she didn’t need to, because then I’d have had to hunt down the first set. Raef was smart, quick, and intuitive.”
“I’m sure he has many impressive qualities.” Naami gave him a less than subtle appreciative once over.
Flame wrinkled her brow and directed her attention toward the pond with its crystal water and sparkling waterfall. Green lily pads floated carelessly around the edges where golden cattails grew in abundance.
“The moon is high. We should call upon the Supreme Lioness now.”
Naami took the hint. She stepped away from Raef to kneel beside the pond. Flame joined her and they bowed their heads in silent prayer. A short while later a hazy apparition began to manifest over the pond. The image of her heavenly ruler came into view quickly. Her sublime beauty was beyond compare. Flame never lost that awestruck feeling in her glorious presence.
“You may rise,” the Lioness spoke in her sweet voice. “I see you have brought a guest.”
Flame bowed her head in a show of respect. “Yes, my lady, this is Raef, the man who safely returned my daggers to me.” Raef inched to her side and took her hand into one of his. She squeezed it lightly, happy that he was with her.
“You survived a very trying battle. I am pleased. Your strength and bravery have earned you the right to run for the title of queen when Naami’s term ends.”
A tiny gasp escaped Naami.
Flame smiled. “I am honored. However, I’d prefer to stay in the field. I am not good at politics and my social skills are lacking.”
Naami breathed a sigh of relief.
Flame knew the reigning queen did not want to surrender her post and Naami would not want to run against her because she’d most likely lose. Flame had no desire to be queen.
“I did not think you would accept,” the Lioness said with knowing eyes. “Even so, the offer stands should you change your mind.”
“Thank you.”
“Now why have you come to me tonight? You should be celebrating your victory.”
“My spirit is unsettled. I had a vivid nightmare following the battle. It felt very real.”
“Go on, please.”
Flame drew a deep breath, feeling a bit nervous about revealing the night vision in front of Raef. But she’d made the decision to bring him and didn’t want him to feel more out of place than he probably already felt with Naami panting over him.
She launched into the telling of her bad dream.
“I was crouched on the ground and looked around, but saw nothing but soot. A fiery volcanic mound loomed over me. I was crying and shaking with fear when a vaporous cloud enveloped me. Ominous black eyes glared at me from within the cloud.
I asked the creature what it wanted.
It replied, Flame...we want the woman with the flaming Sai.
I crawled desperately through the dark, seeking an escape. Shadowy hands grabbed at me. I ducked and swerved to avoid their grasp. Just ahead lay the open highway. I remember thinking, If only I can reach the road before they trap me then I would be free. Something caught hold of my boot and dragged me backwards. Hatch stood on the roadside beckoning me, his long blond hair blowing in a strong wind. Then suddenly he disappeared.
Another voice spoke to me, one I recognized. He said, you can’t have him.
I looked up to see Von Calder standing over me. His dark eyes stared straight into my soul. I wiped ash from my face to focus.
Why not, I asked.
Von smiled coolly and replied, He belongs to another.
No, he belongs to me, I said.
Von suddenly vanished and Ian took his place. He glared at me with angry eyes. Fear engulfed me and I felt his fury. He was enraged that I had killed his wife. Ian grabbed me by the hair and dragged me up a mountainous pit. Looking down, my eyes burned from the staggering heat rising from inside. The stench of sulfur stung my nose. Molten rock bubbled deep below. Then I saw Hatch standing on the opposite side.
I called for him to get down.
He ignored my plea and let himself fall into the burning sulfur. I screamed in horror and sobbed over the loss of my husband…in the dream I was married.
You’re next, Ian said, and proceeded to throw me in. He let out an evil laugh and added, we’ll see you in the Twilight.
I was falling...falling. Out of nowhere, strong hands grabbed me. Faces flashed before my eyes as I began to rise from the pit. When I was safely on the ground, I found myself staring at Von once more. This baffled me. I couldn’t stop my tears from falling.
You’re in the Twilight Realm, babe, Von said.
I just stared at him, bewildered and I muttered, Hatch is gone.
Not really, Von told me.
I threw myself to the ground and wailed. When I glanced up, Von, Ian, and Hatch stood around me in a circle. An evil laugh echoed through the dark just before the three men vanished into a thick, heavily scented mist, leaving me alone…in a place they’d called the Twilight Realm.
I started screaming again then woke up.”
She looked to the Supreme Lioness for clarification. However, her ruler appeared deeply troubled.
“I am worried, my lady.” Flame stole a quick glance at Raef then turned back to the apparition floating in the mist just to her front. “Am I experiencing guilt over breaking up with Hatch, or do I still have feelings for him that I am denying?”
“Neither. Hatch has not let you go. He is holding on so tightly that your subconscious is feeling his refusal to accept your decision.”
She heard Raef breathe a sigh of relief. She affectionately squeezed his hand again.
“What is this Twilight Realm? Is it just something I dreamt to cope with my encounter with the supernatural?
“I’d rather not speak of it at this time.” Warm green eyes met hers and Flame sensed the Lioness’s reluctance to reveal anything more in front of the others. “You must leave at once, my brave one. Return to the west coast. Your friend Ian is in trouble.”
Deep concern filled Flame’s heart. She feared something might happen to Cassie’s baby. Knowing not to inquire further, she lowered her eyes and nodded.
“Be careful, Flame. Come to me after you help Ian so that we may speak privately.”
“I will, my lady. Thank you.” Flame knelt on the grass.
Raef did the same as did Naami. The mist above the pond faded and took the Supreme Lioness with it.
“Thank you for not taking my throne,” Naami said. “I am in no way meant to become a warrior. My hope is to bear offspring, as they will have royal bloodlines.” She shifted her weight nervously. “I was going to wait until tomorrow, but since you must leave right away there is something I want to ask of you.”
“What is it?”
Naami’s gaze went to Raef. “Since your friend is not bound, I hoped he would li
e with me tonight so that I may conceive. Tonight I am fertile.”
Raef took a step back. “I don’t work that way. I’m sorry.”
“But you are free and obviously carry great genes.”
“He said no, Naami. You are very young, only in your twenties. There is plenty of time for you to bear children.”
“You would prevent a perfect breeding?”
“With him, yes. He does not want kids.”
“He would not need to do anything more than plant his seed. You know that the women who breed send the males away once conception is confirmed.”
“Naami…we said no. Do not force my hand on this issue, and don’t you dare pull rank.”
“I am disappointed in you, Flame, that you will not share this fine stud with me. You cannot reproduce. His seed will be wasted.”
“His seed wants to be wasted!” Raef blurted out.
Flame covered her mouth to stifle a laugh. Naami’s heated glare revealed the sting of rejection. She bowed ever so slightly then whipped around and stomped up the hill toward the main house.
“She’s pissed.” Raef’s gaze followed her as she walked out of sight.
“Yeah…” Flame turned to him with a smile, then slid her arms around his neck. “Don’t worry. You won’t be banned from the village. Even as queen she is limited. She cannot reject anyone I invite.”
“What about the rank issue?”
“It was a warning. She knew if she chose to challenge my decision we would be required to fight. There is not a woman in this colony who would willingly fight me.” Flame stared into his worried eyes. “Don’t worry, baby, there was no way I’d allow her to use you for breeding.”
“Your sisterhood has a peculiar side to it. The enchanting environment disguises the fiery women who live here.”
“Exactly.” She reached up and kissed him. “I was so looking forward to making love with you here tonight.”
“But duty calls, right, angel? We must help Ian.”
She nodded.
He playfully touched the tip of her nose with one finger then brushed his lips over hers. “No worries. Perhaps you will bring me back again one day.”
“Yes…I will.”
Chapter Twelve
Ian paced impatiently as he waited for Raef’s phone to pick up. Still, only the voice mail kicked on. No one in the pack had seen Raef, Flame, or Hatch since their last meeting after she killed the Satellite. He worried something bad happened because Hatch was in a very foul mood when Flame left him behind to take off with Raef—destination unknown.
“Damn, where are they?” he muttered. “They’ve been out of touch for days.”
After an unexpected early delivery, Cassie lay in bed nursing their newborn child. “Don’t worry, they are probably partying somewhere. You know how carefree Raef is.”
“Yeah, but I can’t get hold of Hatch either. Nobody knows where Flame and Raef took off to.”
“So what, maybe he’s out riding or something. Why are you so worried about where those three are all the time?” She sounded a bit agitated.
“Sorry, love, but I worry about them. After all, while you were in Asia relaxing, we were fighting creepers and helping Flame find the Satellite. And don’t forget, she succeeded in killing the Satellite for us.”
Ian was a little more than tense, as Cassie had refused to make love since their reunion. Her rejection baffled him. Plopping into a chair, he watched her coo and fuss over the baby. When she finished feeding their new son, she rocked the infant to sleep. Her over protectiveness of the child added to his stress. He began to feel isolated. Not only had Cassie refused his affection, but she also selfishly guarded their child.
“I am sure Flame can take care of herself. Honestly, you, Raef, and Hatch fuss way too much over that woman.”
Ian looked at her questionably. “I thought you liked Flame.”
“I do, but I think she has the three of you wrapped around her finger with all the warrior shit.” Her sudden bitterness shocked him. He blinked in surprise.
“It’s not shit—I saw the creepers and Flame saw everything just as we’d foretold.”
Cassie rolled her eyes and sighed. “Whatever.”
Her blasé attitude angered and frustrated him. “I’m going for a walk. Take a nap or whatever it is you do these days. It’s not like you include me.”
Ian strolled along the boulevard thinking about the past events. He suddenly missed his best friend. Raef had been the only one who truly believed his theory about the Satellite from the very beginning.
When Cassie first announced her pregnancy, he thought the void in his life would finally be filled. Since the death of his first angelic wife, emptiness plagued him. Now with Cassie behaving completely out of character the loneliness had returned. He glanced back toward his house before rounding the corner and caught sight of Cassie leaving with the child.
Where could she possibly be going? Quickly he changed direction and followed. He wondered where on earth she would be taking the baby at sunset.
Keeping a safe distance, Ian tailed her as she walked down to the beach behind their home. She appeared to have a destination in mind. When she finally stopped walking, he hid in a rocky cove to observe.
He could not believe what he saw and he wondered if this was a hallucination. Maybe my friends were right. Maybe my obsession with the Satellite has finally taken its toll.
Cassie put the baby in a basket and pushed it out into the water. Just as he was about to shout and run after his son, a ring of fire sprang up from the ground to surround her. Stunned, Ian jumped behind the rocks again. Tears filled his eyes and forced their way over his hot cheeks while he watched his son float out to sea. He wanted to run into the water and save him, yet by some unseen force, he was trapped and frozen in fear.
Quietly he crept closer, carefully concealing himself behind the rocks on the beach. What he saw next knocked the wind out of him. A tall man walked out of the ocean and approached Cassie. Her long black hair blew in the breeze. Ian marveled at how mystically beautiful she looked at that very moment wearing a white gauze dress. As the man drew closer, Ian saw he wore blue jeans but no shirt. Long black hair hung loosely over his bare shoulders. He walked straight through the fire and took Cassie in his arms.
She’s having an affair? Where is my child? He could not make sense of it. He had to know more. Ever so carefully, he inched as close as possible to hear them without being seen.
“Oh dear God…no,” he muttered to himself when he saw the man’s face.
Cassie welcomed the man with open arms. He kissed her deeply while lowering her to the sand. Ian could not mentally grasp what was playing out before him. There on the beach, his supposed future wife lay making love with another man. But not just any man. Somehow Cassie had become involved with the Satellite and now she chose to join with him!
His stomach churned and he retched in the sand. After composing himself, he listened closely.
As painful as it was to watch Von mate with Cassie, he needed to know why. When Von finished his almost cold, ritualistic mating, he stood up and turned away from Cassie. She seemed frustrated—upset. The circle of fire dissipated.
“Why are you so different this time?” Cassie implored of him.
Von laughed sadistically. “You played your part. Now I am restored with even more power. I have no use for you now. It’s the warrior woman I seek to be my forever mate.”
Cassie slapped him hard across the face. “You bastard! I loved you!”
“Go back to Ian, darling. You have fulfilled your purpose to me. You will need him now, to keep yourself alive.”
“What?” A shocked expression crossed her face.
“I did forget to tell you about that, didn’t I?” He released a taunting laugh. “Since you have given birth to my seed and returned me to my own, you must mate once a month to stay alive.”
“And what of us?” The intense longing in her voice made Ian cringe. He balled his fis
ts.
“Us? There was never an us. You’re distant connection to the master who cursed me gave me everything I needed to gain more power. But it’s the Sai warrior woman I want. She is the only one who can break this hellish curse that your family placed on me.”
“What about our child?” Cassie cried bitter tears.
Von smiled coolly. “He is me. It was an exchange. I planted my seed in you because of your heritage. Only a woman of your bloodline could carry my child to term. I needed a backup plan just in case and as you can see, I was right. Had I not needed your life force, you would be destroyed. Since you gave me what I needed, you may live, but as a cursed woman, which is fitting retribution for what your family did to me.”
Cassie fell to her knees and sobbed. “I can’t believe you deceived me. You promised that I’d be yours. You used me just to get to Flame?”
“It was your ancestor who cursed me! Wise up, woman.”
“Well, you better watch out for those flaming daggers,” she snarled.
Von laughed again. “No, not me…you. By having my child you have given me more power and taken on my weakness. Flaming daggers cannot kill me now, but they can kill you.”
“Why her? Why not me?” She cried, clutching his arm. “She hates you! She even killed you!”
“Please…spare me the drama. You weren’t tearful when I made love to you the first time. You begged me to take you, remember? Only the warrior woman can satisfy the burning desire in my soul. Do you think I am fulfilled by you or any other common woman? I needed only your heritage, simple as that.”
Cassie glared at him through her sobs. “I hope you burn in hell!”
“Little chance of that now.” He smirked. “Nobody knows how to kill me. I will have my queen at last. Finally my sexual frustration will be sated.”
“She belongs to Hatch and is love with Raef. You will never have her.”
“Semantics. Those mortals are no match for me.”
“You seem pretty cocky for a man who needed a woman’s help coming back.”
His expression deepened and Ian could see his fury even from the rocks. “I will take care of the two playboys. But as for you, don’t forget…once a month you must seduce a man to stay alive or join the other creepers in hell.” He paused with a wry grin. “And Cassie…watch out for those flaming daggers.”
