by A and E Kirk
“Hmm. Very romantic,” I nodded thoughtfully. “Even more so if we have the skeleton join us.” He squeezed one hand against my waist in a vicious tickle. I jumped and squealed. “Fine. It all sounds so romantic.”
“Sarcasm. Great,” he said, rolling his eyes. “Anyway, we’ll set up far away from said skeleton because I have a plan.” His eyes glinted with devilish mischief as he gathered me closer. “I realized something especially perfect about the sanctuary.”
I cocked my head. “Which is?”
His lips found my neck. Shivers — the hot kind — trickled up and down my spine as he spoke softly between kisses.
“My powers don’t work there. Which means…” His words trailed off.
“You’re in danger?”
His voice dropped to a husky rumble and his smile turned downright indecent. “Oh, most definitely.”
His mouth moved along my jaw, down my neck, working hot, sweet magic, driving away any chills, making me forget the drama of the day, safe and secure in his arms, wanting nothing but to be near him. My head fell back, reveling in his touch, feeling passion rise, skin tingling. My hands started to roam over his body, but then I hesitated.
Ayden had issues when it came to his physical attraction for me. When things got hot between us, we could literally both go down in flames. Well, just me. Fire couldn’t turn him to ash.
He was getting lessons on how to control it—from his mom—but he still made sure to shut things down before they, he, we, got out of control. So this, his lips, his tongue, his hands, all caressing me, was a welcome delight. I sighed at the thought of being alone with him in the sanctuary. But we’d still have to be careful since—
Oh, wait. Wait one hot minute. A fever of anticipation washed over me as I understood.
CHAPTER 16
I licked my lips and took a raspy breath. “If your powers don’t work, you can’t light me on fire.”
His face lifted, eyes smoldering with ember flecks, his roguish smile full of promise. “In one sense, that’s true.” He raised one brow. “But in another, I intend to try very, very hard.”
The intensity of his gaze, the desire in those dark eyes, radiated a blush to my cheeks. Holy Hottie. Ayden and me alone without the worry of combustion to keep us in check. That, hmmm, that was exciting.
And scary as hell.
When I looked away, his fingers traced down my temple, then his palm cupped my cheek. He dipped his head, let his forehead rest softly on mine, his lips hovering just a sliver away, his breath ghosting in and out across my skin.
He moved. Slow and tentative. Brushing his lips on my cheek, closer and closer, each kiss a whisper, until his mouth touched the corner of mine. Then he paused. Held back. I could hear his breathing. Feel his hot breath. He fought for control. Hesitated. Waiting.
Heat drizzled across my shoulders and down my back, behind my knees. Tension rose, building in waves between us until I thought I’d explode. I licked my lips. Moved my head just a fraction toward him.
Our lips touched. Ayden jumped. I thought his mouth would crash onto mine, but he paused, jaw muscles springing to life, still holding back. I slid my hand up his arm, a thick rope of fine wires bound together, straining, ready to snap. My hand moved up his neck, my palm skimming across the soft stubble on his jaw.
At a deliberate, aching pace, Ayden came closer. Our lips met in a kiss soft and delicate as butterfly wings.
“Hey.” Ayden’s voice was silk. He traced his thumb across my lower lip. “You’re trembling. Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“I’m not scared.” I was so scared.
“I didn’t mean that we…” He hooked a knuckle under my chin and raised my face to his. “I said we’d take things slow and I meant it. The sanctuary, the picnic. We don’t have to go. I just wanted some time alone. I didn’t mean that we, uh, I’m not trying to, you know…I don’t even want to.”
My head jerked up. “What?”
“I mean I want to.” He rubbed his forehead. “But more than that, I want to wait. To do everything right. This is important. And I’m not going screw it up over…that, and it’s not because your dad pinned me down for his whole guys-will-be-guys-love-lust conversation.”
I groaned and slumped against the wall.
“Don’t worry,” he raked his hand through his hair. “My parents did the same thing—without the life-threatening vibe, that is.”
Double groan.
“No, seriously.” He forced me to face him. “We’ve got a lot of stuff going on. As usual.” After a deep breath, he smiled and moved one hand to cup my cheek. “So we take things slow.”
“You said that.”
“Did I?” He scratched his jaw. “The point is we take the time to figure it out, because I don’t want to lose anything in all the craziness.” He had me in his arms again. “Especially you.”
His last word was like a caress moving over my body. Slow. Smooth. Sensual. Heating me from the inside out. My body relaxed against him, molding into his. Then my hands slipped into his hair, and I didn’t hesitate. My lips found his. He pushed me against the wall, moved into me, holding me, kissing me.
Waves of pleasure materialized from deep within, a froth of tingling that gained momentum and spread a sweet, delightful path, showering my body with glorious sensations. I slid my hands inside his open shirt, feeling his smooth, warm skin, dug my fingers into hard muscle, pressed him closer and—
“Aurora!” Lucian came out of the garage. “Have you seen—oh, yuck! Gross! You two stop. Just—” he made a gagging sound and turned away. “—stop! Or I’m telling Dad and he’ll—”
“Lucian!” I snapped. A lovelife and little brothers simply did not mix.
CHAPTER 17
Ayden and I broke apart, me using the wall for support, Ayden threatening some violent damage to my brother. Then he gave me an apologetic look. “Sorry, didn’t mean that.”
“If you didn’t, I did,” I said. “Don’t know which is worse, him or Aunt M yelling ‘sex kills!’ ” I smoothed my hair and patted my flaming cheeks. “Lucian, what do you want?”
“Can I look now? Because I don’t want that seared into my head any more than it already is.” He peeked over his shoulder, then turned around, a hand to his forehead. “I’m scarred for life. Why is he naked?”
“He’s not naked, he’s— Oh, shut up. Why are you here?”
Lucian gave me a sneery face, then smiled at Ayden. “Call for you. Tristan said you weren’t answering your phone.” He smirked at me. “Gee, wonder why.” Then he was back smiling at Ayden, so he missed the tongue I stuck out at him. “And he wanted you to know he would handle the airport, but Jayden’s waiting on the delivery. He said you’d know what that meant.”
“I do. Thanks.” Ayden smiled tightly.
Lucian hovered.
“Message delivered,” I said. “You can go now. Shoo.”
Lucian gave us a sly look and lowered his voice.. “But tell me what’s going on. Is this another mission? It is, right? Come on, give me something. I’ve got another bet going with Luna. I could use the additional cash.”
“What?” I said, my voice rising too quickly. Ayden and I shared a concerned look. “We don’t do missions,” I assured my brother.
Lucian nodded like we were all in on some nefarious conspiracy. “Sure. Course you don’t. Look, I promise I won’t tell. You can trust me. Remember how well I did when the sheriff showed up looking for you?”
“That was Aunt M.”
“But I’m the one who got Aunt M.” He pointed a finger to his temple. “Quick thinking. You could use someone like me.”
I shook my head tiredly. “I think Aunt M’s paranoia has rubbed off on you.”
“Okay, okay.” Lucian folded his arms. “If that’s the way you want to play it, but I know something’s up. I’ll figure it out. Eyes like a hawk, mind like a steel trap.” He backed away toward the garage pointing his index and middle finger first at his eyes then at
us. “I’m watching you. Ya feel me?”
“Feel you?” I said. “I feel sorry for you.”
“Uh-huh, uh-huh, sure,” he said, still doing that thing back and forth with his fingers as he backed up.
He was headed for the open door, but seeing that he was “watching us” rather than where he was going, he backed into the edge of the door frame, tripped and fell on his butt, landing half in, half out of the garage.
I laughed. “Bet you felt that.”
“Shut up!” he yelled then disappeared from view. A moment later the door into the house slammed.
“Great,” I said. “My brother’s playing Sherlock. Like I haven’t got enough to worry about.”
“At least I’ll deliver Jayden the evidence and get him cracking on finding answers,” Ayden said. “First on my to-do list.”
“Thanks,” I said, bitterness seeping into my voice. “But then I still have to worry about some demon, the missing Sicarius team, the traitor, stupid snoopy Lucian, my grades, and…ugh!” I closed my eyes and rubbed the lids. “Let’s see, what else? Oh, yeah, is Heather getting tortured in Novo because of me? Has she remembered what happened that night? Do I really want to know? Do I care if she’s being tortured? And if I don’t, does that make me evil, or just human? Or just an evil human who—”
My eyes flew open as Ayden's lips captured mine in a sudden, passionate kiss.
My breath caught. My thoughts jumbled into a mess. His hand at my back slipped under my shirt. Warm fingers dug into my skin as his wide palm spread across my back. Nerve endings sprang to attention, and that meandering heat trickled down my sides, clenching my abdomen. I pressed my hips into his. My hands traveled up over the rigid muscles of his arms and were about to wrap around his neck—
He pulled away and stepped back.
I rubbed my lips. “And what was that?”
“What I realized was actually the first item on my to-do list.” He flashed a devilish grin. “And a precursor to our night alone in the sanctuary. If you’re, you know, interested in that sort of thing.”
I used the garage wall for support and glowered.
“But like I said…” He hooked a thumb over his shoulder. “Got your Black Death to deal with.”
“Still makes it sound like I’m dying.”
“Whoops. You know what I mean.” He smiled again and bowed low. “I am but a humble servant to the great Divinicus Nex.” Then he stood and backed away, clutching both hands over his heart. “Parting is such sweet sorrow, but duty beckons me to dispatch the wretched remains of death for milady. Adieu.”
I rolled my eyes. “Get out of here.”
“As you wish.” He flipped back the tails of his open shirt, rolled one last hip thrust, blew me a kiss, and headed out.
“Big jerk,” I muttered. Hot, sexy, adorable jerk, to be sure, but…jerk.
So why was I smiling?
CHAPTER 18
The full moon shines bright as I stand on the shores of Gossamer Falls Lake wearing a long, sheer gown of white which flutters in a soft breeze. The toes of my bare feet curl into the damp, chilly sand. Mist rises off the lake’s smooth surface like delicate strands of the palest lace.
On my left, smoke curls from the charred remnants of the boathouse, but the dock and boats are gone. Before me, the empty expanse of black water shimmers, distorting the reflection of moonbeams, and a narrow strand of silver surges from below to create a walkway just beneath the surface.
I move forward, my feet splashing softly into the icy liquid as I leave the sand and step onto the glittering mercury path which reaches out toward the darkest depths of the lake. Far ahead, ripples move in a soft rhythm. Then, as if heating over a flame, the surface churns and bubbles with a growing ferocity.
In a turbulent rush, the water gathers together, then rises into the air, morphing into a vague human shape. There is no depth or detail to the form, but in the silence of the night, a low hissing emanates from the swirling mass of darkness.
The sound builds into a collection of inviting whispers. There are words hidden in the murky sound. I cannot understand them, but I want to. They call to me, so I keep moving forward.
“Aurora!” snaps The Voice, but this time he sounds harsh, not soothing.
I turn, but see nothing other than the shore shrouded in fog. Then the black, roiling mass of liquid calls to me again in haunting shadows of sound. I reach out to touch its undulating body and—
“Aurora, no!”
A hand on my shoulder grips hard and yanks me backwards where I’m swallowed into the ghostly vapors of the night as I scream for—
I jerked awake, sucking in a hard breath. The sheen of sweat on my body felt especially cold because most of my covers were missing. Must have kicked them off during the dream. It was weird to have The Voice show up. The guy of my dreams usually only appeared in nightmares, helping me overcome some sort of horror, but this time, he’d been the scary one.
I glanced at the clock and saw it was nowhere near time to get up. That was irritating. A body squirmed against my back. Probably Selena, although it felt bigger. She was notorious for stealing blankets. I let out a sigh of surrender, sat up, and lifted the comforter off my uninvited guest.
Terror choked in my throat.
Lying on his back, asleep, was the ski-masked henchman who’d held a knife to my throat.
Oh, God! Run! Get away! I struggled against the sheets, but my body only tangled further. Then behind the slits, his eyes flew open.
He bared his teeth. “Found you.”
“No!” I screamed, but it was too late.
He shoved the barrel of a gun in my face and pulled the trigger.
Bang!
Hot pain pierced my shoulder, sending it into jolting spasms. I cried out—
“Aurora!” Luna’s voice cut through my nightmare. Her hand vigorously shook my shoulder.
My eyes bugged open. I jolted up in bed and frantically scanned for danger.
“Whoa, freak,” Luna said. “You need to ratchet down the crazy town.”
I was in my room, but was I really in my room? Awake this time? I hoped so, because it was entirely devoid of assassins. I wiped away the curls plastered onto my soaking wet brow and gulped in air.
Another dream? Yikes. It had seemed so real.
Bathroom’s all yours,” Luna said as she headed out of my room. “You’ll need a shower. Talk about sweaty. And wow, you’re such a screamer.”
“Bet that’s what Ayden says,” Lucian snorted as he came in.
“Lucian!” I yelled as Van Helsing jumped on my stomach and started batting at the umbra stone around my neck. “Helsing! Knock it off.”
The obnoxious twins laughed.
“Look at Miss Hoity-Toity,” Lucian said. “Wearing jewelry to bed.”
“Thinks she’s royalty or something,” Luna added.
Weird. I was sure I’d taken it off last night. Whatever. I needed more rest. I shoved off Helsing and pulled the comforter over my head.
“Get up and start moving,” Lucian said. “We need help getting everyone ready. You’re on Selena duty. Mom’s still in Chaos Cooking Mode because of yesterday’s trauma over you.”
“Plus,” Luna said, “we want to hear all about the latest Hex Boy mission or we’re eating your cinnamon roll.”
“There is no mission, and don’t you dare.” I steadied my erratic breathing and eased myself slowly through the aches and pains from last night’s miserable adventures. Even my super-fast healing powers never seemed fast enough, but all in all, it wasn’t too bad. “And you’d better leave me extra cream cheese frosting or my new mission will be taking you two out.”
They smirked, Lucian muttering, “Like she could.”
If they only knew.
CHAPTER 19
The Gothic monolith of Gossamer High was built over a hundred years ago by Nathan Flint. It stood tall as an impressive edifice of stone and glass, its spires and turrets reaching for the sky. Stone gargoy
les perched atop the uppermost towers kept a vigil watch over the lands. I never got tired of looking at the massive building, but the real excitement was exploring it. The school was full of hidden doors leading to a labyrinth of tunnels that were part of an intricate and expansive underground network.
I sat next to Ayden at one of the tables on the vast, well-manicured lawns of the old estate. The morning mists were long gone, but a chill lingered despite the sunshine. Spring flowers bloomed in abundance, making the air fragrant. Ducks quacked good-naturedly in a nearby pond, dipping their heads for a quick bath.
But it wasn’t the scenery which brought us outside for lunch. We’d decided to forego the cafeteria so we’d be away from prying eyes and ears. Not that anyone would believe what we were talking about. While we waited on Matthias, Tristan went over the info on the Sicarius team again.
I should’ve been studying for a history test. Oh well.
Tristan handed us each a stack of files. “Even with my skills, info is hard to come by. They’re all highly trained with a variety of weapons, expert marksmen known for a ‘shoot first, ask questions later’ attitude.” He opened the top file, and we all followed suit with our own copies. “Let’s start with Horus, the wind hunter.”
I looked at Horus’s photo stapled to his file. “Does he ever eat?” Under shaggy brown hair was a pale face so gaunt his cheekbones seemed ready to break through the skin.
Tristan shrugged. “No idea. His background’s like a black hole.” He opened another file. “Next, Nitara. From India. Water hunter, but loves using knives.”
“Which she has hanging off the end of that long French braid down her back,” I said with a shudder.
Blake said wistfully, “Babe, it’s like you met a celebrity.”
“If by ‘met’ you mean barely avoided being captured by her in Paris, then sure.” I didn’t need an encore. But she could be a celebrity. Flawless, dark olive skin, big black eyes. Deadly weapons. The perfect Bond Girl.
