Shadow Dance

by Taige Crenshaw

  Yadira sighed. “The two of them together is a bad idea.”

  Dimitri laughed. “It’s too late. They already have Jordis’ approval to work on research together. Besides, Dominic accepted it.”

  She could hear the surprise in his tone.

  Something occurred to her. “Is Isis Dominic’s bond shadow?”

  “No.” She opened her mouth then closed it as he shook his head. “No. I’m not going to tell you. It is Dominic’s decision whether or not to tell you.”

  Gritting her teeth, she replied. “Fine.”

  Dimitri chuckled and kissed her nose. “You’re so nosy.”

  Yadira growled. “I hate not knowing.”

  “Live with it.” Dimitri leaned in and kissed her.

  Yadira kissed him then, feeling the chill, looked around. They had moved. Taking in all the cold landscape Yadira could grudgingly admit it was breathtaking. The hills, moss and tiny lichen were topped with snow creating an illusion of a wonderland. Sighing, Yadira adjusted her body temperature. Looking back at Dimitri she sighed again.

  “Let’s go.”

  Silently, they set out across the snow-covered area. Yadira trudged through the snow and felt it soaking onto her boots and calves. She didn’t feel the cold but shivered anyway at the atmosphere. After some time they reached an open area. Turning her head, she opened her senses and felt the area.

  Swearing softly, she rebuilt her shield. “It’s not here. Let’s get out of this cold place.”

  She turned to leave but Dimitri’s hand on her arm stopped her. Yadira saw the hunger in his gaze and the sparking.

  “Uh-uh, it is too damn cold for that.”

  “Why do you have this aversion to the cold? You can control your body temperature and can’t feel it.”

  Yadira shook her head. “It doesn’t matter if I can’t feel it. I can still see it.”

  Dimitri chuckled, pulling her closer to him. “Let’s see if I can change your mind about the many wonders of the cold.”

  Yadira lifted her neck and let him kiss along her pulse as she moaned, “It doesn’t matter. It’s still cold.”

  Dimitri chuckled against her pulse, causing shivers to rack her. His fingers opened her coat then slid inside, pushing it gently over her shoulders. Dimitri kissed up her neck then across her jaw to her lips. Yadira felt his lips settle on hers gently. He stroked inside her mouth, touching off a firestorm of sensation. Yadira tightened her grip around him, murmuring her pleasure. One moment she felt clothing, the next bare skin. His skin burned with passion. Yadira shuddered as her bare body touched his. She sucked on his tongue as she swallowed his groan. Using a push of power Yadira jumped up and wrapped her legs around him. She gasped as he shuddered at the feel of himself pressing against her aching wetness.

  His hand settled on her hips holding her tight against his rigid member. She cupped his face and ate at his mouth while rubbing her pussy against his cock. They both shivered at the delicious torment. Dimitri shifted his hold and pulled her slightly away from him then he surged forward, embedding himself in her wetness. A gasp ripped from her at the sensation of his cock filling her. Yadira stroked her hips against his thrust. He shuddered and his knees buckled. Yadira hung on to him as he dropped to his knees, then began to move her hips in a countermotion to hers. He groaned and ripped his mouth free of hers.

  The sounds they made echoed in the cold stillness. Watching his face through slitted eyes, Yadira rotated her hips again and saw the muscle in his neck bulge in reaction as he roared. She widened her legs to take more of him in until he was embedded fully. Filling her up to overflowing. She whimpered at the feeling while he shivered. Curling a hand around his neck Yadira unlocked her legs from around him, planted her feet flat against the snow and rose slowly off his cock then slammed down, tightening her pussy around him in a hard vise. His eyes rolled back in his head and he roared again. Yadira repeated the motion. He quivered then groaned. Smiling, she settled on him and bucked against him, riding his hard shaft. Up and down she impaled herself while his hands held her hips.

  Dimitri groaned. “Yadira.”

  It spurred her on as she rode him. He muttered in his language, words flowing together so fast they sounded like a chant. Yadira moaned as the motion of her undulating hips set off fiery pleasure. Up and down, faster and faster, she felt the pleasurable tightening coming from deep inside waiting to burst out. She arched her back, sinking down. His long shaft nudged her womb very pleasurably. Dimitri countered her motion, sending her over the edge.

  Lifting her head back, Yadira looked at the snow-laden hills above them as her orgasm burst over her. It washed her vision in bright yellow. Closing her eyes, she screamed as the orgasm raked her with claws of pleasure. Dimitri bit her pulse point, sending off even more waves of pleasure. Rearing up, Yadira lifted off him until he was almost out of her, then slammed down onto his cock. He bit her harder and Yadira felt another orgasm rip over her, overlapping the first. Hanging on, she rode it as it burned through her. Her pussy contracted wildly over his cock while her body ground against his.

  Holding her tightly, Dimitri sucked on Yadria’s pulse point. It fluttered under his teeth, racing as her heart did. His own heart beat a wild rhythm to meet hers. She clenched around him fiercely almost making him come. Pumping his hips into hers, he felt the snow below his knees but was oblivious to the cold. He grunted as he held her hips firmly in place while his cock pounded into her clutching pussy. He grabbed her firmly as she bucked her hips riding him and he guided her up and down his shaft. The feeling of her gripping cunt on his cock was driving him out of his mind. Feeling her pulse under his lips Dimitri growled low in his throat and pumped his hips again.

  She screamed again. It echoed around them, ringing a sweet symphony in his ears. His whole body shuddered as she bore down, taking him. His control shattered and his release slammed over him with a force that made the breath stall in his lungs and his heart stop. Yadria’s heart slowed to join his, then as the pleasure reached its peak the pressure in his cock burst from him. Pulsing out. Filling her. His heart pounded franticly as his cock moved inside her gripping cunt. Yadira gasped and he felt her heart thumping with the same urgency as his own. She widened her legs once more and her clit rubbed against the base of his shaft setting off even more explosions of sensation.

  With his hands behind her back he felt power flare out from him into her then back again. Her back arched as she let out a soundless scream. Watching her face etched with harsh lines of ecstasy Dimitri roared his own pleasure. A white light washed over him and spread to enclose her. Yadira shuddered and bucked as it touched her. Dimitri gasped and his eyes slammed closed as his shadow apex hit him. Even as his mind screamed it was too early, his body embraced it. Roaring, he felt his cock pulse in time with the power that hit him. It went on and on. Orgasm after orgasm racked him. Yadira clenched around him, tumbling over into another and another climax. He held her close and let it come, drinking it down. She tasted like the sun. Strong, heady and addictive. Her climax washed over his skin, infusing into him. He heard Yadira scream and his eyes flashed open.

  She was glowing red, then orange then a pale yellow. Power swelled and he felt it lash out at him. Throwing back his head he roared as it ate through him. Fire filled his veins, electrifying all his nerve endings. Yadira’s back was arched, her face alight with pleasure and pain. Her screams filled the area, echoing in a panoply of wild, uncontrollable music. Dimitri pumped his hips, pulsing out his seed into her. Her pussy clenched around him, milking him of everything and demanding more.

  He gave and gave it as her body took it. Spent, his head fell against hers. He tried to catch his breath and control his rapidly beating heart.

  “What was that?” Yadria’s voice was hoarse.

  “My shadow apex. I got more power.”

  Yadira gave him an exasperated look. “Are there any more surprises you have for me?”

  Looking at her he, leaned in and kissed her nose. “A
few.”

  Yadira chuckled.

  Looking past her shoulder, Dimitri smiled. “Look.”

  She looked around and her eyes widened. The area around them was totally melted.

  She looked back at him. “I still don’t like the cold.”

  Dimitri laughed and she joined him. Yadira slowly separated from him. Dimitri hissed at the feel of her sliding off his cock.

  She stood and looked down at him. “Now that you’ve had you way with me let’s get back to work.”

  Reasonably sure his legs would hold him, he stood. Yadira looked at him and smirked. With a thought she cleaned them then waved her hand and dressed them. Turning, she strode back the way they had come. He followed her, watching her ass swing, then caught up with her. He couldn’t resist. He smacked her lightly on the butt. She wiggled her hips then looked at him and threw him a grin. Resting his hand on her ass he walked with her stride for stride. Suddenly she stopped, stiffened, turned her head to the right. He stopped with her and looked where she was looking. It was the same woman who had attacked Yadira yesterday. He frowned. Yadira took a step forward. The woman sneered and disappeared.

  Yadira bristled and swore. “She is stalking me.” She turned to look at him her eyes blazing. “Next time I get near her she is mine.”

  He heard the promise in her voice. Nodded his head. Watched as she calmed herself. She looked at him. Touching his hand, she shimmered them to the next place on their list to look for the Eye of Ra.

  Yadira looked around Alaska and groaned. “Christ, is there no place on the list where it is warm?”

  Dimitri laughed. She pushed him then stomped off. Walking after her he wondered if he could entice her into a little more fun in the snow. Speeding up his step, he planned to give it his best shot.

  Chapter Six

  As she stumbled, Yadira felt his arm wrap around her and hold her up.

  Tiredly, she looked up at him. “Thanks.”

  He took her weight and led her to the couch. After lowering her onto it, Dimitri flopped down beside her. Yadira toed off her boots with a groan and let the tension in her body ease.

  “We’re being led in circles,” Yadira said.

  “Yes,” Dimitri agreed.

  Yadira saw the same tiredness and frustration on his face as she felt. They had been at it for six days and each time they felt they had gotten somewhere it was nothing. With a glance around, Yadira took in another plush Rarities Incorporated house. They had them all over the world. Although they were set up with all the comforts one could possibly need she was tired of seeing them. Dimitri took her legs and swung them into his lap. Yadira groaned again as he set about rubbing her aching feet.

  Watching him through eyes lowered in pleasure, she took in his contained face. In these last few days she had come to know his moods and gotten used to his care. He always made sure she ate, rested and slept. Where she was prone to keep going until she dropped, he made them stop and take a break. It galled her to admit that he was usually right. After they rested they were able to think more clearly and plan their next move. He rubbed along her feet hard, making her back arch and a moan come from her lips. Dimitri chuckled. Lazily, she looked at him. They had sex all over the place and she never tired of his touch. The boxed-in feeling she usually had when in a relationship hadn’t gripped her. It was more like she couldn’t get enough of him.

  Dimitri’s eyes sparked hungrily. Yadira leaned forward and kissed him thoroughly. He murmured and sucked on her tongue. Pulling back, she waggled her foot in his lap. Taking her silent order, Dimitri continued to rub her feet. Yadira sighed as she watched him and let her mind wander. After a few moments she spoke.

  “What is going on? Something is bugging me about this. I just can’t put my finger on what.”

  Dimitri was looking at her. “Yes. It is as if we are being led somewhere.” His expression went thoughtful then shuttered.

  “What?”

  He shook his head. Frustrated, Yadira leaned back and huffed. She knew it was useless to press him for an answer until he was ready. She closed her eyes and let her mind drift. His hand ran up her leg, creating a sexual spark. She felt him shift closer, lifting her legs over his. Opening her eyes, she saw he was almost close enough to kiss, so she leaned forward and kissed him again. Dimitri murmured, bringing her closer to him. Yadira felt the air touch her skin a second before he slid into her firmly.

  She held his hands, lacing her fingers through his, resting against her thighs. Yadira rolled her hips, taking him in. He moaned and pumped into her lazily. Yadira held his hands and watched his eyes. As she squeezed her pussy walls around him she heard the moan rip from him. Growling low in her throat she worked her hips, taking all of his hard cock into her core. Dimitri’s head fell back and he roared his pleasure as she milked his cock. Yadira licked along his neck and set her teeth on the pulse fluttering in his throat. Biting down hard, she felt his cock pulse as his release continued to fill her. It triggered her own orgasm and, arching her back, Yadira rode it, clenching against him. She looked at him and saw the mark of her teeth on his neck.

  Dimitri sighed and collapsed against her. Leaning back against the couch, she touched his head where it rested against her breast. She stroked her fingers through his hair and felt him relax. Yadira continued to stroke his hair knowing that he would be asleep in a minute. Meanwhile she tried to clear her mind.

  Something niggled at her then suddenly she sat up, pushing at him.

  Dimitri groaned. “Gimme a minute.”

  Yadira chuckled. “Get up.”

  Dimitri opened his eyes. They were still sparking lazily. “What? You’re insatiable.” He smiled. “I like that.”

  Yadira pushed on him. “No. I think I know where The Eye of Ra is.”

  Dimitri looked at her and stood. He dressed them and looked at her. “Where?”

  Yadira smiled. “Where this all started.”

  Taking his hand, she felt a wrench then looking around, she took in the cave.

  “Why are we in New Orleans?” Dimitri asked.

  Yadira looked at him. “On my last case I found the Blue Giant of the Orient here but I also found some vamps and that woman Rilan. When we went to the Rockies she was there again. It has been bugging me why would she be here and there. At first I thought she was stalking me but it was too convenient.”

  Looking around the cavernous area, Yadira dropped her shields and opened her Maji powers. As the shields dropped she gasped, feeling it. She walked over to the same hole she had taken the Blue Giant of the Orient from and waved her hand over it. Cocking her head she heard it, a humming sound. Yadira drew back her fist. She punched the wall and it crumbled. Reaching further into the hole, Yadira felt her fingers brush something. As the wall crumbled she gripped it, the thing it had been hiding, and pulled it out. In the light she saw its blinding blaze. She closed her eyes against the glare then reopened them slowly and breathlessly stared at The Eye of Ra.

  The shape depicted a sun and in the center was a blood-red ruby, while around it were triangular shaped chrysoberyl cat’s-eyes. Enclosing it was an intricate filigree design. It was beautiful and delicate. She let the chain trail through her fingers to test it. It seemed delicate, but she could feel the strength in it. The Eye of Ra caught the little light in the cave, bathing the area in reddish-gold glow. She looked at Dimitri. Holding it for him to see, she heard a sound behind her. Yadira frowned, turned and reached for what had fallen at her feet.

  “What is Aphrodite’s Girdle doing here?” Picking it up, Yadira heard the tinkling of gems and gold.

  Laughing, Yadira took it and enclosed it in a pouch from the cave. She went over to Dimitri. “Claude will be glad to know we found it. We’ve been looking for it for weeks.”

  Dimitri looked at her a look on his face. “You know Cupid?”

  Yadira looked at him. “Only people who want to piss him off call him that. He prefers Claude.”

  Yadira looked up at him.

 
Dimitri looked at her again and asked, “You seem very familiar with him. How well do you know Cupid?”

  His look finally registered and she stifled a grin. “Aw… You’re jealous of Cupid. There is no need to be.”

  Dimitri growled and dragged her into him. “I’m not jealous of that blowhard.”

  “You could have fooled me.”

  Dimitri leaned down and kissed her. Laughing, Yadira returned his kiss. The sound of retching made her stiffen and draw away.

  Yadira looked and sighed. “God, she is stalking me.”

  Rilan stopped pretending to vomit and looked at her. “You flatter yourself, Maji.”

  Yadira looked at Dimitri “I’m tired of her and this time she isn’t getting away.”

  “She isn’t following you. She is following that.”

  Yadira looked at where he pointed. Looking at The Eye of Ra, Yadira remembered what Dilana had said. It led to the path of the City of the Dead. Taking the chain she put it over her head. It fell against her shirt between her breasts. It was warm.

  Yadira stepped forward and flicking her hand she uncurled her whip. “You want it so badly, come and get it.”

  Rilan looked at her, smiled and came at her. Flicking her whip, Yadira caught her. Rilan screamed and Yadira spun her around and flung her into a wall. Hearing a sound behind her she looked back and saw Dimitri was fighting off some vamps and shifters. Yadira took a punch in her chest, flying across the room and hitting the opposite wall. Furious at herself for getting distracted, Yadira shook off the pain and stood. Rilan looked at her and grinned, raising her hand. Yadira saw she held The Eye of Ra. Touching her chest, Yadira confirmed it was gone. Yadira ran across the cave at her. Rilan laughed and spun out of the way and swung her into the wall. Using the wall as leverage, Yadira flipped back at her then kicked out with both feet, knocking Rilan back into the wall.