by Tina Holland
“Absolutely not.” Mike grinned.
“But we are going to search for a cure,” Nizhoni quickly interjected.
“A cure. There’s nothing wrong with me.”
“You are a monster.” Mike said it with such conviction Z almost believed him.
“Not any more than you or her. Normally shifters eat humans as well; just because you haven’t doesn’t mean that you won’t.”
Nizhoni blushed and stared at the floor.
“This isn’t about us.” Mike growled, baring his fangs.
“Yes, it is. You can’t accept the fact some monsters aren’t real. I have never killed a human or shifter without cause. I haven’t turned anyone since I escaped. Don’t judge me because you can’t accept what you’ve become!”
“It’s not--” Mike’s voice was broken by the loud wail bouncing off the concrete walls. All three of them covered their ears.
“What the hell?” Mike mouthed to Nizhoni
“I don’t know!” she screamed back.
Suddenly the alarm stopped. Mike stood still, nodding in the direction of invisible people. The compound ghosts seemed to be at work relaying information to Mike. Mike was a strong medium before becoming a hypocrite.
“There’s something burning down the doors, and it looks like it is coming this way. Damn! It’s the phoenix. She’s come for him.” Mike nodded toward the cell.
“Let her come. I’m not afraid of her.” Z welcomed death. If his demise brought him to Tierra, so be it.
“Well, I am,” Mike whispered.
It wasn’t long before the door on the end of the hallway burst open. Z couldn’t believe his eyes. There in the doorway stood Tierra, holding a fireball in her hands.
“Nizhoni, let Max go.” She raised her arm.
“I don’t think so,” Mike snarled.
“You still have no idea what you are dealing with, do you, wolf?” Suddenly she lifted her hand and tossed the fireball down the hallway.
The couple ducked.
“We still aren’t letting him go.” Mike stuck his chin out.
“Really? I don’t recall wolves reacting well to fire.” She lifted her fingers, revealing flaming fingertips, and with her other arm motioned for Mike to come to her. The werewolf was powerless against her lure.
“STOP!” Nizhoni’s piercing cry stopped Tierra’s fingers from grazing Mike’s nearby throat.
“Let Max go.” Tierra swallowed hard, raised her chin, and daringly met Nizhoni’s gaze.
Nizhoni rushed to the wall and pulled a lever, opening the gate.
Tierra released her hold on Mike, and the wolf rushed down the hall, pulling Nizhoni possessively against him.
Mike shook his head and growled, “This isn’t over.”
“If you don’t want me to come back and burn this building to the ground, I’d reconsider your threat.” Tierra sauntered down the hall to stand at the opening of Z’s cell.
Before Z could walk out, Mike raced over and pushed her in. Nizhoni pulled the lever back down, sealing them in the cell together.
Tierra turned around growling and tossed a fireball at him. It barely missed Mike.
“Get her under control, Maximilian, or I’ll suck the oxygen out of these rooms. We both know you can take the lack of air, but can she?” The corners of his mouth lifted up in a sneer.
“Princess, come here.” Z held his hand out to her.
Tierra turned. Her eyes still glared with burning disapproval, but she walked toward him nonetheless. Z’s arms closed around her. Tierra was warm to his touch, the sweet aroma of her sex bringing his cock to attention.
“Much better. I’ll leave you two lovebirds alone.” Mike strode down the hall.
Tierra lifted her arms and wound them around his neck, running her tongue along his throat.
“You look like death.” She rested a hand on his cheek, the skin chilly beneath her fingertips.
“I missed you too.” He choked back a sigh. His skin had returned to its grayish tone after arriving at Fifty-One. The minimal food had not allowed him to heal from the numerous tests.
She began to run her fingers over his chest. He shivered despite the warmth of her hands.
“Stop.” He grasped her wrists.
“Why?” Her green eyes held a bewildered stare.
“Because people watch.” He nodded to the cameras surrounding his cell.
“Is that all?” Tierra turned away. She tossed fireballs at each camera, and they melted. The plastic dripped down the concrete walls.
“You were saying?” Tierra turned back to Z and firmly kissed him.
*
“Is it really you?” Max cupped her chin in his hand.
“Yep.” She caressed his chest.
“How?” His cloudy gaze searched hers.
“You saw what I did?”
“Yeah.”
“I’m a phoenix--a witch who doesn’t burn.”
At his baffled look, she continued. “For almost a hundred years I’ve been burnt at the stake. It’s the only way for my power to pass to the coven. We’ve done it for almost a thousand years. All the phoenixes before me were witches and became human following the burning at the stake. I’m able to rise and repeat the cycle again at the next lunar eclipse because of my werewolf blood.”
“How old are you?”
“Almost ninety-five. I’ll live around five hundred years, and then the next phoenix will be born.”
His arms closed around her as he took her down to the bed. His kiss was ferocious in its intensity.
She loved this man and his strong arms and cloudy gaze.
“I can smell you.” His nostrils flared as he trailed kisses down to the apex of her thighs. He came back up, ripping open her shirt to reveal pert breasts arched for his fingers.
“And I you.” His scent was a smoky tonic. She ran her hands over his bare chest, reveling in the faint scars which would be gone once he slept. In many ways he was a phoenix too, rising from a sex-induced sleep with silver eyes and smooth skin.
His hands easily slid her leather pants over her hips, pausing only to remove her boots. When he returned his lips to hers, she clutched the waistband of his pants, pulling him closer. She dipped her hand below to find his bulging cock waiting for her nimble fingers.
He moaned against her sensitive ear, sending a course of magnificent currents to her womanhood. She gripped his tool tighter and he gasped.
Max carefully took her hand away from his organ as he removed the last of his clothes.
Tierra could do no more than stare dumbfounded as he revealed his gorgeous form, wide chest with narrow hips and a shaft destined to bring her pleasure to a near breaking point. He was truly beautiful in spite of the scars running over his tinted flesh.
Max closed the distance between them, pushing her back onto the bed. His body covered hers, and she was even warmer, though he was so much cooler than she. Tierra suddenly worried she could hurt him with her magical abilities so renewed and her emotions lying beneath the surface. She placed her hand tenderly against his chest.
“What, my love?” His dead eyes searched her face even as his hands quit exploring.
“I love you, Max.” Her voice trembled as she thought of harming him.
“And I you.”
“I’m not in complete control of my powers, and I fear what I may do.” Tierra was sick with the struggle within her.
“The fire?” he asked
“Yes.” She lowered her lashes hoping the tears would not ruin the mood more than her words did.
“Do you not remember awaking by the fire the night I stole you from the skin-walker?”
Tierra nodded. She couldn’t forget the smell of his flesh burning, and the mere thought of her doing the damage caused her to swallow hard.
“Princess, I cannot die by fire. My skin merely rejuvenates, and I continue. I’d prefer you not char me to the bone, but your flames will not harm me.”
Tierra ran her hands gently ove
r his scarred skin. She worried her lip. Tierra wanted him, yet a flutter of apprehension rushed through her.
Max took the choice away when he pulled her roughly to him and captured her lips with his own. She couldn’t stop the moan escaping her. His callused fingers pressed into her flesh as if trying to leave a mark. Tierra arched into his forceful handling, granting access to her hot core. His digits delved into her nether lips, massaging her slit until she rocked against his rhythm.
“You’re so hot.”
The statement caught her breath. Tierra wasn’t sure if he meant her looks or if she was heating up. She didn’t care in the next moment, when he plunged two fingers into her. She moaned against his neck.
Max grabbed her hands away from his erection and placed them above her head.
Tierra gave him a question gaze.
“I don’t want you burning me there.” His gaze was attentive.
He nudged her thighs apart with his knee. Max moved his fingers from her sex to his mouth. She watched, bewildered, as he licked her scent from his finger.
“Tasty.” His voice rumbled in his chest, and she pressed her breasts against him. Tierra craved contact.
His thick cock slid along her wet slit. Max didn’t enter her immediately, teasing her until she thrashed beneath him.
“What, love?” His look was innocent but she knew better.
“I want you,” she cried out.
“Why?”
“Because I’m in heat?”
“Why?” he persisted.
“Because...” Dare she say it? It would not be the first time she spoke the words, but somehow now they were more important, permanent.
“I await your words.” His hard shaft lingered at her entrance.
“You’re my life mate and I love you.” She whimpered.
“I love you too.” He thrust, completely filling her body and heart in a way no other had. In her mind, Max truly was perfect.
*
Z thrust into her; the first trembles of her orgasm coursed along his erection. Her body shivered delightfully beneath him. She was his life mate. He would do anything for her. Z was pleased she was a phoenix so he need not worry about enemies at every corner. Sadly, she might protect him more than the other way around.
In this moment, he didn’t care. She felt so good and tight beneath him. Tierra allowed him to hold her down. Z wasn’t deluded into thinking he was stronger than she.
She was beautiful as she writhed and shifted beneath him. Tierra was a radiant image of fire, passion, and love. Her breasts pressed against his chest. Her pebbled nipples grazed against his flesh.
Tierra convulsed beneath him, and her cry stimulated him to move faster within her heat. Z released her wrists. She ran her fingers over his back; the heat seared his flesh. He wished somehow her mark on him remained so all knew the First was loved and not the dark creature Mike believed him to be. Her words meant more to him than she might ever realize. He had never been loved, and he had long believed he was incapable of returning the emotion.
He couldn’t hold back as his passion took control, and she whispered beneath him, “I love you.”
He came hard into her velvety channel as her fingers traced his skin.
“What are you burning into my skin?” he asked before rolling off her.
“Hearts,” she whispered.
“I love you,” he whispered the words before sleep took him.
Chapter Nine
The thought, “I’m coming for you, princess,” awoke Tierra before the alarms deafened the small cell.
“Max.” She nudged her lover as he slept.
He didn’t move.
They needed to escape. Limikkin had arrived for her. She ran to the bars, gesturing the switch on the opposite side to lift.
She was trapped.
Tierra screamed, “Open the damn doors!”
There were muffled noises above, but she had no idea what had occurred. She turned once again back to Max. He was still unconscious.
“Too late.” Tierra knew the familiar voice. She pivoted back on her heel. Limikkin held Michael immobile.
“What do you want, skin-walker?”
“You, of course.” His gaze was hungry as he stared at her naked form. Tierra didn’t delude herself for one moment and think it was her body he wanted. No, Limikkin only wanted her power.
“Burn him,” Michael whispered at her.
“Shut up.” Limikkin’s fingernail extended out and nicked Michael’s throat.
“You think I care about him?” Tierra asked, raising her hand and allowing the fire to grow.
“You’re right.” The skin-walker hit Michael over the head, knocking him unconscious. “However, I think you care about him.” He nodded to the bed where Max lay asleep. “Who is he?”
“He is none of your concern.” Tierra gave in to the urge and tossed a fireball at him.
He jumped out of the way.
“Now, princess, this is one of my favorite skins. Take care not to wreck it.”
Limikkin was beautiful with his golden hair and perfect skin. A little lean for her tastes, but Tierra had come to appreciate the rough and scarred Maximilian.
He waved his hand, and the lever released, opening the cage door. His presence made the cell seem even smaller. Tierra watched as he walked over to Max and began to run his fingers over him. She dare not move for fear Limikkin would sense what Max meant to her.
“What is he?” he asked.
“A mercenary.”
“Did he steal you?” She watched his expression turn even cooler.
“No.” She answered fast. “My cousin and the werewolf over there retrieved me. The mercenary stole me from them.” She would not give Limikkin an excuse to harm Max.
“For who?”
“Unknown. The Vegas Vampires? Perhaps you?”
“I didn’t hire him. Why are you in here with him?” Limikkin finally took his eyes off Max and fastened them on her. His hands lingered on Max’s shoulder. Tierra hesitated before the intelligence of his stare. She swallowed hard, searching for a plausible explanation.
“We were caught together after the lunar eclipse, and I think they”--she nodded to Michael’s body--“thought it would be easier.” Tierra shrugged her shoulders for effect.
“But you didn’t need to sleep with him, Tierra.”
She released the breath she was holding when Limikkin lifted his hand from her lover and walked toward her.
“True. I tried to make the best of the situation. Besides, if I give him what he wants he might return the favor.”
“How?”
“Like get me out of this cell.” She gestured to the walls.
“Walk out.”
“What?”
“The door is open. Walk out. I will deal with your captors.”
“I don’t trust you.”
“Come with me, and I’ll let your friends alone.” He laughed. It was an eerie sound. Shivers ran up her spine.
“Let me get dressed.” Tierra walked over to where her tunic and pants were puddled on the floor and began to slowly put them on. What to do?
As she finished putting on her top, a sound drew her stare to the bed. Max was awake. Damn!
*
“What’s he doing here?” Z stared at the powerful skin-walker.
“I’ve come to retrieve what was stolen.” Limikkin pierced Z with an unnatural gaze.
“You’re too late.” They both looked out the cell to see Mike pull the cell lever down, closing the door.
“Michael, let me out,” commanded the skin-walker.
“You might be able to shift, Limikkin, but even you can’t walk through bars,” Mike said from the other side of the metal uprights.
“You can’t hold me forever.” Limikkin’s voice sounded calm, but his eyes glowed and his fists were clenched so tight he drew his own blood.
“That’s true.” Mike said tapping his index finger on his jaw. “But I think we can strike a deal.”
/>
“What do you want, wolf?” Limikkin grabbed the bars, pressing his face up against the steel rods.
“Oh, I’m not bargaining with you. I’m making my deal with the phoenix.” Michael nodded toward Tierra.
“Go on,” she said with a nod.
“I’ll let you go.”
“And Max?” she asked.
“Him too.”
“What do you want?”
“Burn the skin-walker beyond repair.” Once Michael had placed his request, he dashed down the hall.
“NO!” Limikkin turned to her. “You’ll kill your lover.”
“I can take the heat, baby,” Z spoke softly shrugging his shoulders. “Hell, you can take all the oxygen out of the room and I’ll live.” He smiled sardonically at the skin-walker.
“Max.” Her beautiful green eyes turned to him. His princess was scared.
Z got up from the bed, unworried about his nakedness. He wrapped his arms around Tierra and turned her back towards Limikkin. The skin-walker shifted enough to wedge his neck through the cage. He continued to contort in an effort to escape. For now he was trapped. Z kissed the back of Tierra’s neck and whispered in her ear, “Burn, baby, burn.”
She raised her arms, and heat emanated from her. Z moved against the back wall and tipped the bed up in one swift motion. He needed to make sure there was enough of him to save. Tierra turned into pure fire, and the room became an inferno. Z continued to throw things across the room, putting a barricade between him and Tierra.
He noticed a large metal trunk in the corner. It was barely big enough for him to fit in. He dragged the trunk behind his makeshift barrier, into the furthest corner. The flames danced along his skin, charring the surface layer. He crawled into the trunk, and the lock mechanism clicked shut. It was airtight. Good thing he didn’t need the air. He listened. He heard unearthly screams outside and the hissing sound of flesh. The box got hotter, and Z hoped he wasn’t wrong. He’d survived fire before, but nothing like this. Z’s blood boiled in his body; it bubbled up through his muscles. The pain was unbearable. But Tierra was alive, and she was all he cared about. Z closed his eyes and let the fire consume him.
Chapter Ten
