by Anna Hackett
“Hold on, baby.” She wanted to race outside and destroy each of the Tempest Winds. But all she could do was offer him this gift of healing. “I’ve got you.”
He collapsed beside her, his head sinking to her shoulder. His chest rose in ragged breaths.
“I worshipped my father.”
She understood. She’d loved her mother so much too.
“The Tempest Winds escaped my uncle and my father was Warrior of the North Wind. He led the fight. The North Wind is always the one to have five sons to inherit the powers of the winds. He fought so hard, fought to protect me…”
She held him tighter. “It wasn’t your fault, Lorenzo. You were a child.”
Goddess, she hated that she’d done this to him. She pressed her cheek to his hair and closed her eyes. Tears slid from her eyes.
“Please, bella, don’t cry.”
“I’m okay.”
“It must be someone else crying then.”
His voice sounded steadier and she lifted her head. “You’re all right?”
“The memories are still there.”
She brushed his hair back from his forehead. “They always will be.”
“But they don’t hurt like they did before. I remember, but the wounds are closed.”
He’d carry the scars from those wounds for eternity, just as she would. They’d made him who he was, but now they wouldn’t haunt him. She inhaled his spicy male scent. The biggest miracle was that in healing Lorenzo, her own pain had dimmed. She thought of her mother and for the first time in years, it was her Ma’s pretty, smiling face she remembered, not her death.
She knew her mother would be happy she’d used her legacy to heal this man.
Suddenly a distant rumble of sound filled the room. Riley felt a flow of power rush over her and she frowned.
Lorenzo sat up, his face hardening. Naked, he climbed out of bed and hurried over to the French doors. Riley pulled the sheet off the bed, wrapped it around her, and followed.
In the distance, she saw a red glow.
He straightened. “It has begun.”
Oh, God. The volcano had erupted.
She heard a scream of sound outside. Suddenly, Lorenzo leaped at her, tackling her to the floor.
The glass doors exploded, glass shattering around them, and a brutal wind screamed inside.
It ripped at her hair and the sheet, chilling her skin. She felt the malevolence it carried, the wickedness, the need to hurt and harm.
Lorenzo rose, pushing through the wind to pull on some clothes. Black jodhpurs and a black shirt.
The Tempest Winds were making a bid for freedom.
Lorenzo spread his feet, standing tall. He lifted his arms.
Another wind raced inside and she felt like she was caught in the middle of a hurricane. She felt his power rise up. She saw his face turn cool and focused. She rose. The wind inside died down, but outside, she saw it racing across the island.
She watched some fence posts tear out of the ground and fly through the air like missiles. They slammed into the side of one of the stables.
Lorenzo snatched out his cellphone. “Luca, it’s begun.”
As he talked with his brother, Riley darted out of his room, careful of the broken glass littered across the floor, and rushed into her room. She yanked on some clothes and shoes. When she returned, Lorenzo was shoving the phone in his pocket and pulling on his boots.
He skewered her with a look. “Stay here and lock yourself in.”
“No.”
“I don’t have time for this, Riley.”
She set her hands on her hips. “I’m not leaving you to face them alone.”
“It is my duty.” He strode up to her, pulling her close. “I don’t want you hurt.”
“I can help.” He opened his mouth to argue, but she cut him off, rising onto her toes and kissing him.
The kiss turned wild, fueled by fear. She pulled back. “I’m coming, Lorenzo. End of argument.”
Chapter Seven
Lorenzo stepped through the doorway to the enclosed stalls, Riley close behind him. The wind still howled, but the Tempest Winds, entrapped in their equine bodies, were silent. But he felt the power humming through the air.
They were waiting for their moment.
He flexed his hand, prepared for anything. One of the horses gave an angry scream, and the sound was eerily human. It kicked against the walls. The other three joined in, smashing their big bodies against their enclosures.
He raised a hand. “Calma.”
But the winds didn’t settle. Instead their frenzied actions increased. He ground his teeth together. “Arresto!”
No reaction. The screams and smashing continued. Then four dark winds flew out of the stalls, squeezing through the air slits. They flew into the room, chaotic and angry, like wild bees on a rampage.
When the darkness flew toward Riley, Lorenzo’s chest contracted. No! An image of her broken, bleeding body flashed into his head and adrenaline surged through him.
He wouldn’t let them take her, too.
He jumped in front of her, threw up his hands, and urged his own power forward. The wind stung his eyes and skin.
Air crashed into air, birthing a small storm packed with primal power.
Madre di Dio! The Tempest Winds were stronger than he’d guessed. All this time, they’d been building their strength beyond what he’d thought possible.
If they were freed…his mind shuddered at the horrible possibilities. He had to stop this.
A plank of wood vibrated off the wall and flew at them. Before he could react, Riley lunged in front of him and the plank smacked into her shoulder.
“Stay back!” he yelled. She had no right to put herself in danger.
She shook her head, her scar stark against her skin. “We’ll fight them together.”
The stables rattled with the force of the wind. Breaking wood screeched overhead. The lights flickered, then went off.
Riley held her hand up. When he saw the ball of fire resting on her slim palm, the flames licking up her arm, his mouth dropped open. Another plank flew at them, illuminated by the firelight.
She threw the ball and the board disintegrated into ash. More debris followed, and each time she burned them to dust.
No one other than his brothers had ever stood at his side. No one had ever tried to stand between him and danger.
With Riley beside him, Lorenzo twirled his hand in the air. A spiraling whirlwind developed in front of him, his power singing through his veins. He thrust out his arm, and directed it toward the dark winds.
A groan of wood filled the air. A beam crashed down from the roof and landed a few feet from them.
“They’re tearing the stables apart.” Riley shot another streak of fire. “We need to free the horses and get out of here.”
Another beam crashed down. It glanced Lorenzo’s shoulder and he staggered under the force. White spots danced in front of his eyes and he fought back the pain.
“I can’t leave.” He was the only thing keeping the winds from escaping. “It’s my duty.”
“Screw your duty.” Riley grabbed his arm. “You can’t do anything if you’re dead!”
***
Riley felt the fear of the terrified horses beating at her. She tried to tug Lorenzo toward the doors, but suddenly the wind died away. It was like stepping into the eye of a hurricane.
Lorenzo slid an arm around her and pulled her closer.
“What’s going on?” she asked.
A frown marred his face. “I don’t know. A new tactic, maybe?”
She stared hard at the stalls. Why had the winds backed off?
Then Lorenzo cried out and dropped to his knees. He pressed his hands over his ears. “No!”
Riley’s heart kicked into overdrive. “What is it?”
“Make them stop!”
She dropped beside him, afraid to touch him. Pain was etched on his face. “Goddess, Lorenzo, tell me what to do.”
“They won’t stop.” His voice cracked.
Now she heard them, four voices carried on the air. The whispers were taunting.
Do you remember when we ripped your father from you? The voice was loud and harsh. You did nothing. We killed him. You should be angry. Let the anger through.
“No…no.” Lorenzo shook his head side to side.
Do you remember staring at your father’s broken body? A different voice this time. You lost your childhood and his love. You deserved better.
Lorenzo was gritting his teeth. Something had nicked his face and blood slid down his cheek.
Riley dropped down beside him. The fucking winds were tormenting him. “Shut up, damn you.” How could she fight them? Wildly, she glanced at the horse stalls. There had to be something she could do to stop this.
Do you remember your life before? Love. Laughter. Fun. This voice was wistful, then turned hard. Do you remember that after it was pain, anger, and duty? Didn’t you want more?
Do you remember the first time you kissed a girl? The first time you were with a woman? This voice was seductive and edged in malice. There was no father to offer advice. No father to care.
They were shoving at his worst wounds. No, you fucking don’t. She’d healed him and she wouldn’t let them drag him back. She gripped Lorenzo’s face and forced him to look at her.
“I’m here with you, Lorenzo. I’m here and I care about you.” She wanted to protect him.
Do you really think you can heal him?
Riley’s head jerked up. A frigid breeze swirled around them and for a second, she thought she saw the shapes of men forming in the wind.
You don’t want to heal. The voice sounded faintly amused. Remember your mother, the stench of her burning flesh. Remember her screams.
Riley’s stomach roiled, bile rose in her throat like acid. Lorenzo wrapped an arm around her.
You did well to embrace your fury. The harsh voice was flooded with approval. It festers and lives inside you. Hold onto it.
Despite Riley’s efforts to remain in control, rage oozed inside her, charring her insides. She did remember, as she had every day for the last twenty-eight years.
You killed them all. Your hands are coated with their blood. They deserved it for what they did to your mother, to you.
Lorenzo lifted his head. “Riley.”
You aren’t worthy of love. He’ll never love you. His duty will always come first.
“Fuck you,” she screamed into the wind.
Lorenzo’s hands tightened on her shoulders. “Leave. I’ll try to stop them.”
He was crazy. Here he was being selfless, like her mother had been right up to the moment they set her alight. True love was sacrifice. True love was being there for the person you loved.
“Forget it. I’m not leaving you.” And screw these mind-messing winds.
She stood and called the Flame. It ignited on both her palms, burning red hot. It chased out the sorrow of her memories. She tossed the flames at the stalls.
“No,” Lorenzo yelled.
The wood caught fire. The flames licked hungrily at the stall and the horse inside squealed. The winds picked up again, tearing through the stables and extinguishing the fire.
Lorenzo snatched Riley up and she found herself tossed over his shoulder. With an arm wrapped around her, he raced for the entrance, fighting the windstorm with each step. Around them, wood splintered and horses screamed.
“The horses.” Riley struggled against him. She could feel the fear of the horses beating at her, warring with the need to get to safety.
He cursed and lowered her to the ground. “We need to get out.”
She couldn’t leave the horses. She pressed a hand against his chest. “Please.”
He muttered a curse, then unlatched the nearest stall’s door. She reached for the next one. Horses thundered out, heading for freedom.
When the last animal was freed, Lorenzo grabbed her hand and they raced outside. The strength of the cold gale tore at them with savage claws.
There was a crash of sound and she saw a patch of roof tear off a building. It flew toward them. Lorenzo dived at her, knocking her to the ground. They rolled across the grass as wood and tiles swept past them.
“Come on!” he yelled.
Holding hands, they ran toward the villa. An uprooted tree rushed at them and they dodged. Next, a fence post swung through the air and they ducked.
Riley realized they weren’t going to make it to the house. “They’re tearing the island apart!”
“The old stable.” Lorenzo waved at the closest building. It was old, but solidly built, and made of stone.
He held her close to his side as they ran. Once inside, he crashed the wooden doors closed.
The sound dulled, but the fury of the winds still roared outside. The empty stable was dark and reeked of rotting wood. Moonlight made a courageous attempt to penetrate the grimy windows.
“What can we do?” she asked.
Lorenzo shoved a hand through his hair. “I can’t stop them by myself. I need my brothers.”
“How long until they arrive?”
His face turned grim. “Too long. I can’t allow the Winds to attack the village or get off the island.”
She swallowed. “So what do we do?”
He lifted his chin. “We do nothing, but I can slow them down and keep them busy until my brothers arrive.”
Dread solidified in her belly. “Sacrifice yourself, you mean.”
He yanked her close and kissed her. “I’ll do whatever I have to do to keep you safe.”
“Lorenzo.” She kissed him back, pouring all her feelings into the kiss.
Suddenly the wind outside cut off, leaving a deafening silence.
“Stay safe, Riley,” he murmured. “You have to stay safe.”
Before she could respond, he turned, striding across the stable. He opened the doors and stepped outside. His gaze caught hers, then he slammed the door closed behind him.
Riley hurried over. Damn, the man. He wasn’t doing this alone.
That’s when she realized he’d barred the door and locked her inside.
Oh, no you don’t. Her eyes narrowed.
Chapter Eight
Dawn’s weak light was creeping over the island as Lorenzo strode out into the open. It illuminated the mess the Tempest Winds had wreaked.
Lorenzo stared at the trees and wreckage strewn across the ground. The roof of the main stable was torn away.
His heart thudded dully in his chest. He would face the winds here, and he knew they were more powerful than they’d ever been.
But he felt different, too. His senses felt more acute, the power in him hotter. Riley had changed him and he felt more alive.
The specter of losing his father still hid in the back of his mind, but it didn’t hurt quite as much. Riley had given him that. He realized the emotion didn’t make him weak, it made him feel stronger. Dio, was this bright, bursting feeling love?
Suddenly a horse broke through the doors of the adjacent stable with a furious scream. The black stallion was big, and its eyes glowed demonic red. It was the one infected by anger.
Lorenzo’s heart hammered, hard and violent. He raised his hands and called his power. He sent it streaming at the horse. The stallion reared and screamed in anger.
Three more massive beasts moved up behind the black stallion—a bay roan, a gray, and a white stallion.
Wind swirled around him like a terrible tornado, picking up speed. He felt sticks and rocks prick at his skin.
The raw power of the Tempest Winds clashed with his wind. His jaw clenched. Too. Strong. He shoved his arms out but his wind was falling under the tempest of his foes.
Suddenly he heard the crackle of flames and the creak of wood. He spun and saw the old stable door was on fire. Riley stomped through the flames like a goddess on a mission of vengeance. No.
“Do not ever lock me in again.” She strode up to him.
“I
want you safe.”
“So, let’s fight these bastards…together.”
The black stallion screamed and rushed forward. Riley ran to meet it, leaping between the horse and Lorenzo.
“Riley!” He knew what she was trying to do. Trying to connect with the beast, even knowing what lived inside it. Trying to reach the poor creature that had become evil’s prison.
It wouldn’t work. The horse’s rage flooded the air with the need to conquer and destroy.
Sharp hooves slammed close to Riley. Time slowed, like some god had messed with the clock. Lorenzo charged and knocked her out of the way.
They stumbled but Riley spun and thrust her hands out. Flames flickered on her arms, and a searing flash of red light blasted out. For a second, Lorenzo thought he heard the distant symphony of voices raised in chant. The light was so bright he had to shield his eyes.
His vision cleared and he saw the black horse standing there, docile and dazed, tears streaming from its red eyes. He knew it wouldn’t stay quiet for long.
“Riley—”
“Don’t tell me to run. We fight.” Her gray eyes blazed with flames.
He nodded. He poured all the power he had into the wind and beside him, Riley sent ball after ball of flames at the circling horses.
Lorenzo had no idea how long they fought. He spun, dodged projectiles carried on the wind, watched Riley sear several of the Tempest horses. She was incredible, a pint-sized superhero who never once faltered.
But exhaustion was threatening and he saw Riley’s fire was losing power. Her sweat-damp hair was slicked back against her head, her face pale. His own muscles were burning from exhaustion, and his wind was sluggish to respond.
They couldn’t hold them back much longer.
You thought you could protect her? You thought we would let you keep what you love?
The whispers were like a dark frenzy in his ears. No. He turned to look at Riley, but for a second, he was a boy again, watching his father ripped away from him.
A funnel of wind appeared and caught Riley. She screamed and was lifted off the ground.
“Riley!” He sprinted toward her.
