“Yes, it will because you’re our woman. You were meant to be with us.” Neil drew his fingers across her cheek.
“I’m meant to be with you? I don’t believe you.” She took a step back from them, pressing against the car.
“We know our mate when we meet them. The Branal know their mates, as well. Don’t you recognize the signs? Or do your eyes always glow?” Isaac asked.
She turned, stepped forward and knelt next to the side mirror. She stared for a moment. Her hand rose to her cheek.
“It can’t be. You’re not Branal.” She straightened.
Isaac smiled. She apparently hadn’t paid attention when her mentors talked about mating. A Branal could mate a human or other as easily as they could a Branal. Or maybe she’d deliberately ignored it. He knew of a couple Gargoyle who had done that out of sheer stubborn determination to do things their way.
“No, we’re not, but you won’t be the last Branal who mates Gargoyle. In fact, I’ve heard a few rumors that your present leader will have mates who will be Gargoyle.” Isaac knew that his leaders had seen her when she spoke at a conference. They’d recognized her even though the Cims’ bond hadn’t formed in full strength yet. Sin and Bram had to find the third male for their bond.
The woman’s lips twisted. “She’s temporary.”
Well, that showed some definite attitude. The Branal leader had made an impression on their woman. When he considered the attitude she’d shown, the leader told her no and caught her in a scheme. Their pampered little princess would have a few lessons to learn.
The sound of music burst through the evening air. Before she could answer it, Neil stepped forward and grabbed her purse. He fished in the bag and brought out a bright pink phone. He rejected the call. His finger swiped over the screen obviously scrolling through the texts.
“Hello, Naomi.” Neil smiled.
She grabbed for the phone. Neil pulled it away from her easily. Isaac stepped forward. He took her arm and turned her to face him. She focused so much on denial of the truth that she hadn’t thought about what could be between them. A future with men who were meant for her.
“So you found out my name from my phone. It doesn’t change anything.” She glared.
“Look at me. Can you tell me that you don’t feel attracted to us, beyond the arousal brought on by our scent?” Isaac asked.
He mentioned the scent because he didn’t want her to be able to throw that in their face later once she knew more of them. Their pheromones would enhance her desire and make her hot, but it wouldn’t force her to do anything that she didn’t want to do.
She looked down at the ground. Sand sprayed as she kicked at it. Naomi apparently didn’t want to answer the question. He wouldn’t let her avoid it.
“Answer him.” Neil eased up on the other side of her.
She pressed her lips together before exhaling a long sigh. “I’m attracted. It doesn’t mean anything though.”
“It means we’re meant to be together.” Isaac drew his hand down her cheek. “Give us a chance.”
“I want to go home.” She bit her lip.
“Your home is with us now.” Neil drew her into his arms.
She shook her head.
“If you’re sure that you don’t belong with us, would a kiss or two hurt?” Neil raised an eyebrow in challenge.
Ah, tempting her and maybe prodding that bit of arrogance that resided inside her. That might work. Once she touched them, the pull between mates would keep her from drawing back. Fear allowed her to maintain the present distance.
“I could kiss you, but why would I want to?” She tilted her head and stared at him.
“She’s afraid. She might like it and not want to stop.” Neil’s tone turned taunting.
She glared at Neil. “I’m not afraid. If you must see that your kisses mean nothing to me, then by all means I can show you that.”
She walked over to Neil and pressed her hands against his chest. Neil remained still. Isaac knew that was hard to do. He wanted to grip those hips as he slipped in behind her. Much too soon to do that. She had a long way to go before she wouldn’t panic if they pressed her between them.
Her hand moved up to his cheek. She tilted his head a little as she rose on her tiptoes, stretching up to kiss him. He lowered his head. Neil didn’t want to scare her by being aggressive.
Her mouth opened over his. Isaac watched her body relax into his. She had underestimated this. The pull of a Gargoyle to his mate. Neil probably fought the urge to pull her close. Isaac wanted to hold her and all he’d done was watch her.
He held back. They’d have time. When she saw that she couldn’t resist the attraction between them, she’d settle into their life.
Neil kissed her back. Their mouths joined in a languorous and thorough connection. A little jealousy flashed through Isaac. He wanted to touch and hold her, but he’d get his chance. She’d remain with them regardless of what she thought.
As the kiss deepened and she wrapped her arms around Neil, Isaac edged a little closer. He couldn’t stay away when her arousal scented the air. It called to him. She moaned and pulled Neil closer to her. One of her legs hooked around Neil’s.
The move sent blood rushing to Isaac’s cock. She opened herself for their touch. His hand clenched. He wanted to take advantage of that unrestricted access, but wouldn’t until she gave him the invitation she offered Neil.
Neil lifted his head, pulling back from her. “Why don’t you show Isaac exactly how little this matters to you?”
Isaac grinned as Neil turned her in his arms. He didn’t think they needed the subterfuge. The desire held her captive and any thoughts about what her purpose had been in the beginning had flown from her mind. Isaac held his arms out in invitation. She took a step forward and slipped her hand over his chest and up to his shoulder. He put a hand on her arm. He didn’t want to scare her away.
She didn’t notice. Her lithe body pressed against his. He lowered his head and hoped she’d give him a kiss. The desire wouldn’t solve all of their problems, but it offered a starting place.
Soft pink lips brushed across his. He didn’t take over even though he hungered for more. She opened her mouth beneath his. Her tongue swiped across his lips. He opened for her, eager to know if she tasted of cinnamon and cream and smelled of it, as well. He caught the spicy taste of cinnamon the moment that her tongue swept into his mouth. Damn, he could become addicted to that.
She leaned into him. The hard nubs of her nipples brushed against him through the fabric of his shirt and her dress. He wrapped an arm around her, afraid that she’d pull back from him. She didn’t tense when his palm flattened on her back. He deepened the kiss, pressing harder.
Her hand grazed over his chest. He savored the warmth of her palm as it flattened against him. It skimmed up and down over the fabric. His shirt spread as she undid the buttons on his shirt. When her fingers touched his skin, he tensed. He hadn’t expected that. He drew his hand over the curve of her ass. She lifted against him. He slipped his hand beneath her bottom, raising her as she seemed to want. His cock pressed against the mound of her pussy.
She hooked her leg around his, opening her for a more intimate contact. The scent of her arousal rose, increasing the scent of cream. He wanted to taste that. Her mouth left his. She pressed kisses on his cheek and down his neck. Something brushed against him. He glanced down and saw a large hand cupping over Naomi’s breast. He looked past her and could see that Neil had moved in behind them. Isaac didn’t know if this would startle her.
“Do you like this, Naomi?” Neil asked. His fingers unbuttoned her dress. A hot pink bra lay beneath that red fabric.
Isaac gazed at that pretty fabric, wanting to rip it out of the way. Along with it, he wanted the rest of the clothes off her, especially the dress blocking his view of sweet body. He resisted the urge. She deserved more than a quick fuck on the beach. But damn, if he’d let the opportunity to explore a little pass him by.
Neil
flicked open the front catch to her bra. It opened revealing the small mounds of her breasts. Not full and lush, but enough there to play with and taste. Isaac couldn’t wait to explore her sweet body.
“Do you like it, Naomi?” Neil pinched her nipples.
She straightened and moaned. The move pressed her breasts into Neil’s hands. Her eyes closed and she looked blissful.
“Yes, I love it.” She wrapped her other leg around Isaac’s waist.
Isaac’s eyes crossed as her mound pressed against the hardened ridge of his cock. He hadn’t expected that reaction, not this soon. He’d thought she’d pull back a little at finding herself in another man’s arms, regardless of the pull. That surprise or sudden fear was natural.
She slanted her mouth over his again. Isaac kissed her hungrily. He rocked her against him. She moaned.
Chapter Four
Pain ripped down Isaac’s back. He almost dropped her. He leapt forward. She clung to him. When he landed he looked back and saw the gaunt sunken face.
Pasty white skin gleamed in the moonlight. Although the being had a physical form, the Appari’s spiritual powers held more strength than the physical. Blood trailed down his back, leaving a warm, sticky trail from where the creature’s claws had raked over him.
How long had it been here? How had they missed it, because those things didn’t hide?
“Baby, get behind us and stay there.” Isaac lowered her to her feet.
His gut tightened and he clenched his fists. Fear churned through him. As Gargoyle, they were strong and fierce, but they had problems dealing with the Appari. Because they were mostly spirit, claws didn’t do much damage. The Appari didn’t live as other creatures did. Mages who’d turned to the dark arts for greed created the Appari.
Neil took position at his side. They stood in front of their woman. They’d do their best to protect her. The Appari floated toward them. He pulled the dagger he always wore from beneath his jacket. It wouldn’t outright kill the thing, but if they could do enough damage to it, it would flee to save its life.
Isaac advanced and knew that Neil would try to slip around behind the thing. Working together, they could inflict more damage and end this faster. The frail looking female creature floated toward them.
He slashed the blade forward. It sliced the thing’s arm. The flesh opened, but nothing came out. The creature lashed out. Its hand hit Isaac’s chest. His energy flowed out of him through the contact of her hand against his skin, but he knew her claws hadn’t penetrated. His knees grew weak. That creature somehow drew something out of him. He tried to wrench away, but couldn’t. His strength drained with each passing moment.
Neil dashed forward and slammed into the Appari. The hag shrieked as someone tore her away from Isaac. Isaac fell to the ground. He drew in harsh breaths and tried to get up, but collapsed.
“Cim Sin! Cim Bram! We need help!” Isaac yelled. They weren’t far from the compound. Someone should hear even if their leaders didn’t.
He turned his head to see how Neil held up in the fight while he tried to gather his strength. Neil stabbed at the Appari. The dagger stuck into the creature’s side. The Appari shrieked and slashed her hands down Neil’s chest. He tried to scramble back, but the creature advanced enough to keep contact, draining him of energy. The creature dropped Neil, but didn’t pursue him. It straightened and began heading for Naomi.
“Run, Naomi!” Isaac rolled and tried to get to his feet. He had to protect her. He wouldn’t lose her now that he’d found her.
Naomi turned and ran. The creature pounced, raking her hands down Naomi’s back. She screamed and wrenched away from the Appari.
“Agali Calista, please come help me!” Naomi screamed as the gaunt creature grabbed her.
A bright light burst, blasting away the darkness for a brief moment. When it faded, a blonde woman stood on the beach. She saw them, but her face seemed blank at the sight. She turned and darted forward when she saw Naomi in the creature’s grasp.
The blonde pulled a dagger. He blinked, not quite believing his eyes. That blade glowed. She stabbed straight into the beast. It screeched and tried to rip off the blade. The woman advanced in an unhurried glide, somehow keeping the blade within the Appari. A white mist surrounded both the woman and the created monster. It seemed to wrap misty coils around the gaunt creation.
Isaac had never seen anything like it. The sound of wings in the air drew Isaac’s attention. He watched as two dark gray skinned Gargoyle landed between Naomi and the woman. Even in the darkness he recognized the Cim, their leaders, Sin and Bram. They didn’t interfere. Isaac pressed to his hands and knees. His arms and legs shook, but he managed to get to a kneeling position.
The wispy tendrils surrounded the mage-formed creation, but it shrunk in on itself. He blinked. A Branal could do that? When he’d seen them fight, they’d used knives and fire. Of course, he’d never seen one take down an Appari.
The withered shell crumpled to the ground and broke apart, quickly becoming little more than dust in the light breeze. She stepped back and turned to face them. Her entire body seemed to glow with a lingering white light.
“Naomi Hardin, was there only one and where is your blade?” The blonde female stepped to the side until she could see Naomi. Her green eyes narrowed on their woman. She didn’t look happy.
“Only the one. I didn’t have my blade. I was with some human friends and they would have questioned me wearing a blade or having one in my purse.” Naomi stood straight with her hands fisted.
The woman took a slow breath as if she fought to keep from yelling. “Whenever you leave your home, you’re supposed to be prepared to defend yourself and those who can’t defend themselves. You failed. They could have died, and you would have been sucked dry. The one hope you had would be if someone got your soul back before it weakened. Why didn’t you use one of their blades? They would do in a pinch.”
Naomi folded her arms across her chest and shook her head. “I’m not a killer. I’m studying to save lives. Warriors and those like you are supposed to handle the threats.”
“Your family didn’t do you any favors by instilling that attitude. They’ve made you a victim.” The woman tossed her blade. It landed near Naomi’s feet. “Better start practicing. Especially since you’re with them right now. Someone’s sending those things after them and has been for a while. This isn’t the last time you’ll see one of them.”
Naomi looked down at the ground. “You won’t hold your position forever.”
“No, I won’t, little girl. My brother will take his place when it’s time. And if anyone tries to take it from me before then, well, they’ll learn the hard way why my family has led multiple groups of Branal for generations.” The woman smiled, but nothing friendly remained in that curve of the lips. “If your brother or uncle decides to go forward with their plan, they won’t get another chance.”
Part of that sounded like a threat. Isaac straightened and stepped in front of his woman.
The Branal leader looked over to Sim Bram. “One of you contact me later. We need to arrange the return of some of your peoples’ souls.”
Bram nodded.
The woman disappeared in another flash of light. Isaac stared at the spot. He wouldn’t test that woman’s ability to keep her position among the Branal. He saw the determination in that fierce woman.
Bram walked over and picked up the blade the woman had left. He flipped it in his hand and extended it to Isaac. “She’ll need to practice using it. Her Agali was right. She needs to be prepared to take care of herself and others in the case of another Appari attack.”
Isaac took the blade. It seemed like a normal blade at the moment, although it radiated more warmth than he’d expect. He held onto it. They’d have her practice with it later. At the moment, he wouldn’t put it in her hands. She might try something desperate to get back to the life she knew. He had a feeling that some of what her Agali had said stung.
“How did you both get disable
d?” Sin stepped forward.
“We were distracted.” Isaac grimaced. It had been stupid for them both to get involved. Especially when they knew there had been recent attacks by Appari. Not that any had happened here.
“Better keep the distractions to the safety of the protected areas within the compound or your home.” Sin glanced around the area. “We’ll step up more patrols, but until we stop whoever is behind this, everyone will have to be more careful. Get her to your car and take her home.”
“We will.” Neil nodded and began leading Naomi back to the car.
“You found her at that theater?” Bram frowned. “I do not want to have to deal with her Agali because you two took her from somewhere else.”
“Yes, she was there. You can ask Leif. He got her into the office so that we could discover what she was. She emanated some power, but I didn’t identify it as Branal.” Isaac watched Neil usher her into the back seat and then slide in beside her.
He frowned when he realized he’d be driving and not able to pay any attention to their woman. It might be a short drive, but he didn’t want to give up that opportunity.
“Good. Was she with anyone?” Sin asked.
“Some humans. They’ll be told that she left. Her leader should be able to figure out where she was if she tracks down those people.” Isaac nodded. Not that he wouldn’t have taken her from Branal territory if he’d recognized her there. He would have been much more careful though and done it at night.
“Go home. Seal the bonding, but keep watch over her. She won’t easily accept that her place is with you.” Sin nodded.
Isaac gave a last nod and got into the car. He took the keys and drove them to their home within the compound. To any humans, it appeared to be one of two selective, huge gated communities next to each other. They both housed Gargoyle, but they’d built the second community a few years ago.
“Don’t worry. You’ll be safe at our home,” Neil said.
“I don’t want to be safe with you. I want to be at my place.” She scowled at Neil. “I don’t know why Agali Calista left me here.”
Capturing Their Flame [Stone Passions 1] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) Page 3
