“Tired, pussycat?”
“Shut up, Derrick.”
“Make me,” he says in a childish tone.
I throw a stick at his head, missing by a few inches. “Easy now, killer. I was just kidding.”
I laugh, then turn serious. “I know. I have just been stressed with Neeko always disappearing. I feel like I’m fighting a losing battle against his work.”
“He loves you, Gabby. You know that. It’s just that things have gone crazy with the demons. They have become more active and he is trying to find the reason behind it.”
“Why won’t he talk to me about it then?”
“He thinks he is protecting you.”
“Well... What?”
Just then, we are surrounded by demons. Derrick grabs me and places me between him and a tree behind him, trying to protect me. There are just too many.
“Derrick, just flash us out of here.”
Before he can, one of the demons shoots him with some type of electric gun and Derrick falls to the ground, unconscious.
“Derrick, get up!” I scream, my voice breaking with terror at the knowledge that I’m all alone with demons.
I start to shake as they close in on me. I lean against the tree to keep my balance. My body starts to feel as if it’s absorbing the tree’s energy. Suddenly, I feel like the tree is giving me knowledge of what I can do. I place one hand on the trunk of the tree and turn my other towards the demons. I close my eyes and will the plants and trees around me to do what I ask. I hear gasps and shrieks. I open my eyes to see the demons, the ones who didn’t flash to wherever they came from, hanging from the trees by vines. The vines have wrapped around them, holding them tightly. I bend down to check on Derrick. He is still out cold. I have got to try to flash because those vines are not going to hold them for long. I grab Derrick’s hand and close my eyes, trying to focus on Neeko. I feel the breeze and open my eyes. We are in the library.
“Help!”
Neeko comes running in and sees Derrick lying on the floor. “What happened?!” He rushes over, checking Derrick for a pulse.
“We were jogging in the woods and got to the half-way point to rest. We were attacked by about 12 demons. They shot him with some kind of electric current and he went down. I used my magic to get the trees to help me stop them, then I flashed us here.”
He looks at me like I’m crazy. “You did what?”
“I know it sounds crazy. I will give you all the details and show you after we get Derrick fixed up.”
Neeko sends guards out to check the area, and calls more Immortals into the room Derrick is already coming around.
“Will he be alright?”
“Yes, baby, he will be just fine. They just knocked him out.”
He instructs them to take Derrick off to the hospital wing. I collapse into Neeko’s arms. The adrenaline from the fight was long gone and was replaced by sore muscles and tiredness.
“Can we go lay down, Neeko? I don’t want to be alone.” I blink back tears that have suddenly appeared. I feared for mine and Derrick’s lives. Now that’s it’s all over, it’s hitting me pretty hard.
“Yeah, come on, baby.” He bends down and picks me up. I lay my head on his shoulder and snuggle up to his neck. “I haven’t spent enough time with you lately.”
He walks us to our room and gently lays me down on the bed. The instant our bodies are not touching, I feel hollow, like I am missing a piece of myself. He slides into bed and I snuggle as close to him as I can. I just need to feel him against me, and all the thoughts and details of the day disappear. He is the only thing that remains. I have fallen in love with this man and now I can’t live without him. I breathe in his scent and relax. It doesn’t take me long before I am asleep.
I wake up still snuggled in Neeko’s arms. He didn’t leave me. A warm feeling spreads throughout my body. I peek up at him and smile. “Well, hello, beautiful. I was getting worried you would sleep the day away.”
“Sorry... I must have used a lot of energy yesterday.”
“Yeah, I have got to see this. Plus, we need to check on Derrick.”
“Oh my... How is he?”
“I heard he was awake and asking about you. You two have gotten close. Maybe too close.”
“Oh, Neeko. It’s not like that. He is like a big brother to me.”
“He better be. I would hate to have to kill him. He is my best friend and most trusted ally.”
We walk down to the hospital wing, which is really tiny. It should not be called a wing. We walk into the tiny room and Derrick is nowhere to be seen. Neeko walks over to what looks like a nurse and asks where he went. “He went to go see about the demons.”
“I sent my best men out there but, of course, Derrick would want to go check for himself.”
“Should he be up and moving so soon?”
“Yeah. He is Immortal. He was fine when you brought him to the library. They just wanted to check him to make sure the demons didn’t poison him. Demon blood is poisonous to us. We are not sure if it’s the angel blood, the demigod blood, or a combination of both. Listen, I am going to go get him. I don’t want you out there.”
“Ok, but bring him back here”
“Ok.”
Neeko walks off. Maybe I should have gone with him. The demons could still be out there. I pace the floor until they come back. They walk in the door, laughing.
“Well, look who it is. Apparently, you saved my life with some magic trees?” He crinkles up his forehead and laughs.
“Ha, ha. Joke’s on you. It was my magic. When you’re up to it, I’ll show you.”
He smiles and starts walking to the door. “Well, let’s go.”
“You’re not ready to go yet! You just fought demons!”
“I’m not human. I am just fine. Quit stalling and let’s go.”
“Fine.” I huff and fold my arms across my chest dramatically.
Chapter 12: Agrokinesis
Gabby
We walk outside and to the edge of the woods. “Show me.” Derrick bows and gestures to the trees.
I close my eyes and focus. They are going to make fun of me if I can’t do this. I let all the times Derrick has picked on me run through my head, giving me the ammo I need. I whisper into the wind. I hear Derrick start yelling, “What the hell?!” I open my eyes to see Derrick, red-faced and dangling upside down from a vine. Neeko is staring at me like I grew a second head.
I start jumping up and down. “I did it!”
I can’t help but laugh at Derrick. His face has gotten even redder and he is trying to untangle himself, but that only makes the vines tighten. I whisper and ask them to let him go. Slowly, they ease him down. He lies on the ground a few seconds, then slowly stands up. I figure now is a good time to hide behind Neeko. “Wow, that was awesome, but maybe next time you can ask them to have me upright. Too much blood went to my brain.”
“Really?” I peek out from behind Neeko. “I thought you would want to kill me.”
“Nah. You were just giving me what I asked for.”
Neeko turns and looks at me. He hasn’t said a word. He leans down and brushes a kiss on my lips. “You amaze me every time I turn around. Now I am going to have to look in the books to see what this is,” he says as he points from me to the trees.
“You and those books. Do I need to get rid of them? You spend more time with them than me.” I crinkle up my nose.
“Well, you can go with me and look. That way, I am with you and the books.” He gives me a big goofy grin and holds out his hand. I put my hand in his and we walk to the house. Derrick excuses himself to go...well, wherever it is that Derrick goes. We walk to the library and I sit in the first chair I find, knowing this is going to be a long stay.
To my surprise, he finds an answer in the first book he picks up. “‘Argokinesis is the ability to manipulate plants’. Last recorded person to have this ability was in the 1700’s.”
“I don’t manipulate them. I ask them and they do
it, not me. I am not sure that is what this is.”
“That’s what my people have it recorded down as.”
“Ok, that’s what you can call it then but, for me, it’s not that.” I stand and walk to him. “I don’t want to fight about this.” I kiss him gently on the cheek.
“Alright, I’ll call it ‘Argokinesis’ for historical purposes only.”
He grabs me around the waist and pulls me to him, planting a panty-soaking kiss on my lips. He lets go and I try to reign in my libido. He walks to the door, but instead of walking out, he closes and locks it. My pulse picks up a notch, as he walks back over to me. “I need you, Gabby. You turn me on with every step you take, and I need to be in you...now.”
He places his hand on my cheek and rubs his thumb across my lips. I open my mouth and nibble the pad on his thumb. I suck it into my mouth and swirl my tongue around it. He lets out a sexy growl. I let his thumb go and he wraps his hand in my hair, pulling my head backwards and giving him perfect access to my neck. He nibbles my ear, his breath tickling my neck. My heart is beating through my chest. He slowly nibbles down my neck, swirling his tongue along the way. When he gets to the base of my neck, he sucks and my knees start to give. He wraps his arms around my waist and continues his torture.
He kisses his way back up to my ear and whispers, “I love how I can make you melt in my arms. Let’s see how hot I can get you before you explode.”
He pulls my dress above my head and throws it to the floor, leaving me standing there in my matching black bra and thong. He slings me over his shoulder and swats my ass. I may very well have juices dripping down my leg. He walks to one of the oversized couches and slides me down his body. I feel every groove, every muscle. He sits me on the couch, and drops to his knees in front of me. He grabs my foot and nibbles on the bottom. I giggle and squirm. “Oh, I found a tickle spot.” He does the same to the other foot. “You taste so sweet. I wonder where else you taste sweet.”
My heart jumps into overdrive. He kisses all the way to my thigh, stopping at my panties. He softly bites on each side of my underwear. I sling my head back and grip the couch, letting out a moan. He teases me by blowing on my hot core through my underwear. I gasp and shiver. I hear a ripping sound and feel the material of my panties brush my legs before flying to the floor. He bends his head and blows on me again. Without the underwear, I get the full blast of warm breath. I bite my lower lip to keep from screaming out. “Come on, baby. Let me know what I’m doing to you. I want to know how good I make you feel.”
He dips his head further and grabs my thighs, bringing me where he wants. He takes his tongue and licks, causing me to jerk. He takes my nub in his mouth and sucks. “Shit, Neeko...” is all I can get out.
He slips a finger inside, while continuing to suck and nibble. I squirm under the building pressure. He knows exactly how to bring me quickly to the edge. “Oh, baby. You taste just as sweet as I thought.” He dips his tongue in to join his finger. Then licks his way back up to my nub and gently sucks. He adds a second finger. I moan and grip the couch. He uses his expert fingers to torture me with pleasure.
I explode around his fingers and scream, “Oh god, Neeko!”
“That’s right, baby. Give me all of you. You taste so sweet.” He looks up at me and licks his lips. I slump back against the couch, satisfied and sated. I close my eyes, enjoying the feeling. “Oh no, you don’t. I’m not done with you yet, baby.”
He stands up and slides his shirt over his head. I stand and rub my hands over his sculpted abs and around to his muscular back, leaving kisses where my hands have been. I reach his front again and stand up onto my tiptoes to kiss his succulent lips, tasting a little of myself. I lick my lips and grab his hand he uses to torture me. I slide his fingers in my mouth and suck, swirling my tongue. “Yum, I am sweet.”
His pants become tight around his erection. I reach my hands in the front of his jeans and lightly brush his length. He gasps and steps back. He unbuttons his jeans and slides them to the floor. “Commando again? I love you naked and ready for me.” I run my hand up and down his length, then around to his beautiful ass. “This is all mine, Neeko. All mine.”
His length hardens even more. “Yes, baby. Use me and abuse me.”
Those words cause me a brief hesitation and I still. He notices my reaction so he grabs me by the waist, attacks my mouth, and all is forgotten. He pushes me up against a wall. “Wrap your legs around me and hold on tight. This is going to be rough and fast.”
I do as I am told. He holds my thighs and lifts me up and down, slamming me onto his length again and again as fast as he can. We explode at the same time. Slinking to the floor, I lay on his chest, listening to him breathe while trying to come down from my high. “I love you, Neeko.”
He looks straight into my eyes. His are glistening with unspoken words. “Love is not a strong enough word for what I feel for you, Gabby.”
Chapter 13: Cruise Date
Gabby
I am woken up by my alarm, which I set so I can have breakfast with Rebecca and Amy. I haven’t gotten to spend much time with them so I figure I better have breakfast with them before we leave for four days. I dress quickly and head down to the kitchen. Amy is waiting for me. “Hey, girl. We are going to eat outside on the swing. That ok?”
“Of course. It’s a beautiful morning.”
I follow her to where Rebecca is sitting on the swing, already eating. “Thanks for waiting for us,” Amy says with her hands on her hips.
“Well, it took Gabby forever and I was starving.”
“Sorry. I set my alarm and got dressed as quickly as I could.”
“I still can’t believe you have a tattoo. Why can’t I have one?” Rebecca whines.
“I don’t know. Maybe I am a different type of Immortal than you.”
“Neeko hasn’t had you tested?” Amy says, surprised.
“We have been busy. He will. It’s not that important,” I lie and wave it off.
“I guess he thought you were one of us until this tattoo showed up. It has only been a day. I guess there hasn’t been much time to check,” Amy says.
Rebecca pipes in, as if the light bulb just went off, “If he thought she was one of our kind, he wouldn’t have tested her. The only reason to wonder is because of her tattoo, stupid. Duh.”
I start to say that we thought I was a human, but Derrick shows up at the door before I can. “Hey, Gabby, can I see you for just a second?”
“Yes, Derrick, but only a second. I don’t have a lot of time to spend with the girls before I have to leave,” I say, confused.
He looks annoyed. “It will only take a moment.”
We walk into a small little office. “There is something I need to tell you. Neeko should have told you before.” He shakes his head and his face turns sad. “You cannot tell anybody that we thought you were human.” He holds his hand up to stop me from interrupting. “Our people do not mix with humans. Humans are week, plain and simple.” He looks pained. “Neeko is our leader. If he was seen with a human...even worse, mated to one...our people would turn on him and they could kill him. If they find out he thought you were human, they would question everything he does. Thank god you’re not because Neeko would be in danger. So, please, just keep it a secret.” He rubs his eyes.
I put my hands on my hips and look him straight in the eye. “Why didn’t he tell me this? I don’t understand. If you and your people hate humans so much, why do you protect them?”
“I don’t hate humans and I don’t think Neeko does, either. It is the older people here that would cause the trouble. If we don’t have Neeko, everything would go straight to hell...literally. He is the only thing keeping the demons from taking over. He is the only one strong enough to protect us.” I can tell by his expression that he is not exaggerating.
“I just don’t understand.”
“We protect humans to keep the balance,” he says as if I should just take that and be done with it.
I
take a deep breath. “Would Neeko have been with me if I was only a human?”
“I don’t know. He would have to answer that for you. I’m sorry to drop this on you.”
“It’s ok, I guess. I needed to know. I’m going back to eat, then up to the room.” I walk back outside, a little stiff.
“What was that about?” Amy and Rebecca ask at the same time.
“Oh, nothing. Just about the cruise time and stuff. Making sure I know when we are leaving and what I’ll need.”
We finish eating and chat awhile longer before I head up to the room. I need time to think. Neeko might have chosen his people over me, and he still could. This is exactly why I don’t stick myself out there. The doubt will kill me. I’ll talk to him about it when we get to our room on the ship.
It’s ten and Neeko hasn’t showed up yet. Derrick knocks on the door and steps in. “Neeko told me to take you to the cruise ship and check in. He will be a little late. He will flash in later.”
“What is he doing? He has been spending a lot of time away from me,” I whine.
“He is the leader of a lot of Immortals. That takes a lot of work.” He looks at me like it’s common knowledge.
“Oh, ok. I was just wondering if I did anything wrong.”
He shakes his head and picks up my bags, grabs my hand, and flashes us to an alley by the ship. He hands me my ticket and starts walking toward the ship. “What are you doing?”
“I have to pretend to be Neeko. He will flash in when he is done.”
I follow him to the boat and we check in. Apparently, he has a passport with his picture, but Neeko’s info. He leads me to our huge room with a tiny window.
Missing Pieces (The Pieces Series Book 1) Page 7
