“A man, sick with Incola, came charging out of the shadows, foaming at the mouth and bleeding from his eyes. Darcy panicked and ran off. After the rabid guy attacked me, he was taken out by a single shot to the forehead. I figure that’s what scared Jefferies off.”
Rage seeped through Gryke’s veins. Darcy had run off like a coward, leaving Fiona to fight off an infected male. “Did he harm you?”
Fiona shook her head. “I’m fine. Besides, I’ve been vaccinated.”
“The gunfire is not responsible for Jefferies’s escape. I was in the water when the shot sounded. Jefferies was already gone when I arrived.”
“It makes no sense,” Fiona murmured, opening the back of the vehicle to check on her brother. “Why did he leave Brant alive?”
Chapter Fourteen
“Brant?” Fiona murmured, gently touching her brother’s face. “Can you hear me?”
The eye that wasn’t completely swollen shut cracked open to peer up at her. He lifted the fingers of his hand and motioned her closer.
Fiona leaned into the back of the Humvee far enough to rest her ear next to Brant’s lips. “What is it?”
“Jeff—Jefferies. Not…alone,” Brant whispered in a barely audible voice.
Fiona heart began to pound. “He has help?”
“Mi—Military…”
“The military is helping him?” Fiona questioned, lifting her head enough to see her brother’s face.
“Kerik,” Brant managed to get out before going limp once more.
Fiona slowly stood and met Gryke’s penetrating stare. “Kerik helped Jefferies escape. This isn’t good, Gryke. Not good at all.”
“Who is Kerik?” Gryke inquired, searching her gaze.
Melvin rounded the back of the Humvee with Braum in tow. “Gerald Kerik is the secretary of defense. He controls our military.”
“He’s helping Jefferies,” Fiona blurted.
Some of the color left Melvin’s face. “Are you sure?”
Fiona nodded. “Brant just told me that Kerik is the one who helped Jefferies escape.”
“Why would they leave your brother alive?” Melvin asked, already retrieving his cell phone from his belt.
Fiona lifted a shoulder. “We’ll have to wait until Brant’s strong enough to talk before we get any answers.”
“Get me the president,” Gryke demanded, pressing the cell to his ear.
A man driving an ATV with a cart attached to the back pulled up next to the Humvee. He climbed off and waited for Melvin to finish his call before speaking. “The ATV is gassed up, sir. There’s two extra cans of fuel on the side with food, blankets, and weapons in the back.”
Melvin nodded his thanks before stepping in closer to where Fiona and Gryke stood. “The president is moving Hauke and Abbie to a nondisclosed location for their protection. He urges all of you to return to Aukrabah at once for your safety.”
“I will go with Hauke and his mate,” Braum announced. “I do not like the idea of leaving them alone on the surface.”
Braum held up his hand when Gryke would have argued. “It is only for a short time, while Abbie works on the vaccine needed to stop the Incola virus.”
“I do not like it,” Gryke growled, resting a hand on his hip. “But it is the right thing to do. Hauke must be protected above all else.”
Reaching up to clap Gryke on the shoulder, Braum glanced at Fiona before spinning on his heel and disappearing into the night.
“He will be fine,” Melvin assured them. “Let’s get your brother into the cart. The longer we tarry out here, the more vulnerable we become. God knows where Jefferies and Kerik will turn up or how many men they’ll have with them.”
Fiona quickly stepped back while Gryke and Melvin transferred her brother to the makeshift bed attached to the back of the giant ATV.
“Take this.” Melvin handed Gryke a phone. “If you need me for anything, get to the entrance and press the number 1. I’ll do what I can to help.”
Fiona climbed onto the ATV and waited for Gryke to board behind her.
Gryke retrieved the scrolls from the Humvee and tucked them next to Brant’s feet before adding his great weight to the back behind Fiona.
She gave a quick wave to Melvin and eased the ATV forward, careful not to bounce her brother around too much.
Taking the ramp at a snail’s pace, Fiona breathed a small sigh of relief as they entered the entrance to Aukrabah without mishap.
The cave’s floor was fairly smooth, making driving a hell of a lot easier than the rough terrain of the surface. At least her brother wouldn’t suffer any more than necessary.
Gryke’s thighs occasionally squeezed the outsides of her own, sending warmth seeping through her jeans.
Fiona wanted to lean back against him and relax in the comfort of his arms. But she couldn’t. She had no idea how he would react.
“Perhaps it would be better if you allowed me to operate the ATV. You can rest and keep an eye on your brother.”
Fiona let off the gas and waited for the four-wheeler to come to a stop. “Do you know how to drive one of these?”
“I am certain it is not that difficult. I watched Anthony Vaughn operate the one we took to the surface. I am sure I can manage.”
“Okay.” Fiona threw her leg over the side and positioned herself behind Gryke’s large form.
Wrapping her arms around his waist, she leaned in close and inhaled his masculine scent. He smelled of man and something else she couldn’t name. Something seductive…enticing. I’m so in trouble.
The ride seemed to take forever. Fiona alternated between checking on Brant and forcing her eyes to stay open. She lost the battle.
Resting her forehead against Gryke’s back, Fiona succumbed to sweet, blessed sleep.
Chapter Fifteen
Gryke felt the moment Fiona slumped against his back. He slowed the ATV to a stop, turned in his seat, and easily lifted her sleeping form.
She mumbled something he couldn’t understand, but didn’t fight him as he brought her around and laid her across his lap.
The feel of her in his arms, her face resting against his neck, felt far better than it should have.
With a growl of frustration, Gryke adjusted her more securely against him and returned to the job at hand of getting them safely into the belly of Aukrabah.
Tightening his jaw, Gryke fought to keep his gaze on the path in front of him, but to no avail. His eyes wouldn’t seem to cooperate.
Fiona sighed against his neck, wrapped her arms around his waist, and snuggled close.
The breath left Gryke’s lungs in a rush, every inch of his body hardening with lust. The hand holding her against him brushed against her breast with every bump of the ATV.
Gryke lowered his head and softly nuzzled her forehead with his cheek. She had the softest skin he’d ever encountered.
He nuzzled her again, his hips lifting without conscious thought to press against her backside in sweet torment.
It took a moment for Gryke to realize the ATV had stopped, and another to grasp that he’d tilted her head back and his lips were descending toward hers.
Brant suddenly moaned from his position in the cart behind them, pulling Gryke out of the seductive pull he found himself in.
Jerking his head up, Gryke clenched his jaw and returned his attention to the ATV. He had a long, torturous ride ahead of him with Fiona on his lap. And no relief in sight.
* * * *
Gryke stopped the ATV outside the room Fiona had previously stayed in and threw his leg over the side, taking her with him.
She immediately stiffened in his arms. “What are you doing?”
“Taking you to your quarters,” Gryke snapped, unceremoniously setting her on her feet.
Fiona swayed slightly before righting herself and immediately scrambled to the cart where her brother lay. “Brant?”
The moan that came from the cart told Gryke that Brant had survived the trip to Aukrabah.
�
��I will notify Zaureth of our arrival,” Gryke murmured, moving to the other side of the cart and gripping Brant beneath the arms.
Another pained sound came from the injured man, but he didn’t resist.
Gryke tossed him over his shoulder, nearly running into Fiona in his haste to get Brant to her room.
“Do you have to be so rough?” Fiona demanded, stepping aside to allow Gryke to pass.
He carried the heavy human to Fiona’s bed and laid him in the center before turning to face her. “Would you prefer I carry him as if he were a child? Trust me when I say I doubt he would appreciate that.”
“When will Zaureth arrive?”
Gryke shrugged, glancing at the doorway. “I have called for him. He will be along shortly. I have also notified Naura of our arrival. She—”
“Mommy!” Andrew cried, running into the room and throwing his arms around his mother’s legs. Naura followed close behind.
Gryke watched as Fiona lifted the boy high against her chest and held him tightly. He could see the tears she fought so hard to hold back swimming in her golden eyes.
“Mama’s here,” Fiona crooned, running her hand up and down the child’s narrow back.
Long moments passed before Fiona set her son on his feet. “You should be in bed,” she teased, touching the tip of his nose with her finger.
Andrew’s eyes grew large as his attention strayed to the bed. “Uncle Brant?”
Fiona nodded, obviously attempting to hide her apprehension from her son. “Uncle Brant isn’t feeling well. You can visit with him after their healer takes a look at him.”
“What’s a healer?” Andrew asked in a small voice.
Fiona took a deep breath as if searching for words the child would understand. “A healer is like a doctor. He makes you all better.”
Andrew shuffled closer to the bed. “Can I lay down with Uncle Brant?”
Brant’s head slowly turned in the child’s direction. He made a pained sound and weakly patted the mattress with his bruised and bloodied hand.
Zaureth called from the doorway as Andrew climbed onto the bed next to Brant. “May I enter?”
“Yes, please,” Fiona breathed, quickly moving aside to give Zaureth a wide berth. “My brother needs your help.”
Zaureth strolled past Fiona without acknowledging her. The tight set of his jaw told Gryke all he needed to know. The healer was angry with Fiona, and rightfully so. She had, after all, knocked his mate unconscious and stolen the ancient scrolls from the catacombs.
Fiona touched him on the arm. “I’m sorry, Zaureth. I—”
“Gryke?” Zaureth barked, cutting off Fiona’s attempted apology. “Hold this for me.” He handed Gryke a sharkskin bag.
Accepting the bag, Gryke noticed Zaureth’s gaze soften as he glanced at Andrew. “Would you mind lying on the other side so that I may see to your uncle’s injuries?”
Andrew nodded and scrambled to do Zaureth’s bidding.
Without another word, Zaureth took a seat near Brant’s hip and laid his open palms on either side of the guy’s head.
A soft humming sound filled the room as Zaureth’s body began to vibrate. No matter how many times Gryke witnessed his healing abilities, he would never get used to it.
“I wish that I could do something to help,” Naura quietly confessed. “But the child I carry…”
Fiona touched her on the hand. “No, I know. I am just grateful that you took care of my son in my absence. I’ll never be able to thank you enough.”
Zaureth’s palms continued to move down Brant’s body for several minutes, sending healing energy into him. He finally pulled back and nodded to the bag that Gryke held. “Hand me the jar that contains blue liquid.”
Gryke retrieved the jar, uncapped it, and passed it to Zaureth.
Placing his hand behind Brant’s head, Zaureth lifted, placing the concoction at the guy’s lips. “Drink.”
Brant did as he was told, wincing as he swallowed the foul-smelling stuff.
Zaureth pulled back and stood, recapping the medicine and reaching for his bag. “He will sleep now.”
“Is he going to be okay?” Fiona anxiously asked.
Without looking at her, Zaureth turned toward the door. “Some of his ribs are broken. I will come back and wrap them. He will heal while he sleeps. See that he is not disturbed.” He left without another word.
“Thank you,” Fiona called out to his retreating back, only to be met with silence.
Gryke glanced at Naura, recognizing the pity he saw swimming in her eyes. “Would you ready another room for Fiona and her child?”
Fiona shook her head. “I’ll stay here with Brant. He might need me during the night.”
“As you wish,” Gryke murmured, shifting his gaze to an already sleeping Andrew. “I will return the scrolls to the catacombs. You should rest. The king will want an accounting of what has transpired when he rises in the morning.”
Chapter Sixteen
Fiona watched Gryke go with more than a little trepidation. She would have to face the king in a few short hours to answer for her crimes.
“My father is not an easy man to like,” Naura announced, obviously reading Fiona’s mind. “But he is fair. Or at least what he deems to be fair.”
“That’s what I’m worried about.”
Naura motioned for Fiona to follow her into the foyer. “If it had been one of Klause’s children that had been taken, he would have done the same thing that you did. He will understand, Fiona. Trust me.”
“I hope you’re right, Naura. Because I would do it again to save my child or my brother.”
“As would I,” Naura responded with a small smile. “I shall go and let you get some sleep. If you need anything, do not hesitate to call upon me.”
“Thank you, Naura.”
Fiona wasn’t sure how long she stood there, watching the door long after Naura’s departure.
She trailed back to her bedroom, wincing at aches and pains she hadn’t truly noticed until that moment.
Glancing around for the bag she’d left there in her haste to escape with the scrolls, Fiona bent and pulled out a pair of cotton shorts, a tank top, clean undergarments, and a pair of running shoes.
She glanced at the bed where Andrew and Brant lay sleeping before quietly making her way to the doorway. The bathhouse was only a few yards down the hall.
Slipping silently from her room, Fiona hurried to the bathhouse, hoping against hope that no one would be bathing in the middle of the night.
Relieved to find it empty, Fiona stripped out of her clothes and stepped into the soothing warmth of the pool.
A sigh escaped her as the heated water seeped into her skin to relax her aching muscles.
She snatched up the cake of strawberry-scented soap and went to work on cleansing her body.
Fiona finished her bath and took a seat on the bench along the side. She wasn’t ready to give up the pleasure of the water just yet.
Laying her head back against the side of the pool, she closed her eyes and inhaled the fragrant steam circling around her.
“You should have told me that you would be here,” Gryke growled, startling Fiona out of her relaxation.
She quickly sat up before remembering her state of undress. Her arms automatically crossed over her chest. “What are you doing down here?”
“Taking a bath,” he rumbled, unlacing his vest.
Fiona’s mouth fell open. “With me? Can’t you at least wait for me to leave?”
“You may leave at any time.” He tossed his vest to the floor and moved to the ties of his sharkskin shorts.
Unable to move, Fiona stood frozen, her gaze locked on Gryke as he peeled down his shorts and stepped out of them. His impressive shaft sprang free.
Gryke leisurely trailed over to the pool, muscles rippling with every step he took.
Fiona’s mouth went dry.
She snapped out of her frozen state and swam to the pool’s edge, grabbing up her towel
and scrambling from the water.
What an ass, she thought, wrapping the towel around her body and snagging her clothes from the floor. She marched from the room, flustered and angry.
Fiona stopped as soon as she cleared the bathhouse and leaned her back against the wall. She couldn’t seem to catch her breath.
Gryke’s unclothed image played behind her eyes in torturous detail. She’d never seen a more intimidatingly seductive creature in all her life.
He had to be close to seven feet in height, with enough muscle to lift a truck. But it was his eyes that drew her in. Those emerald-green, mesmerizing eyes.
She wondered about his facial hair. None of the other Bracadytes beards or even a five o’clock shadow. Yet Gryke sported a closely cropped beard that looked amazing on him.
And the tattoo. She’d wondered about the tat many times since first coming in contact with the fierce giant, but had always refrained from asking.
Well, she wasn’t about to ask now. Not while his state of undress made her want to run her hands all over his body.
“What am I doing?” she murmured aloud, pushing off from the wall and scurrying off. “He’s not even human.”
Fiona’s mind wandered to the women who had fallen in love with Bracadyte males. Were they content to live below the surface in caves? Aukrabah was as primitive as it was beautiful.
Entering her room, Fiona stopped in the foyer to dress. Why was she dwelling on life with the Bracadytes? It wasn’t as if she would consider it for herself. Would she?
After pulling on her clothes, Fiona made her way to the bedroom to check on Andrew and Brant. They both slept peacefully with Andrew snuggled in close to his uncle’s side.
Fiona skirted the bed and crawled in behind her son. She pulled a blanket up over them for warmth before rolling to her back to stare up at the ceiling.
Thoughts of Gryke continued to torment her mind, leaving her agitated and restless. It seemed an eternity passed before her eyelids grew heavy and sleep finally overtook her.
Chapter Eighteen
Gryke: A SciFi Alien Romance (Enigma Series Book 6) Page 6
