by C. L. Quinn
As much as he wanted to, Will couldn’t walk away.
“No, we’re here, and you really wanted to be out tonight. Torin’s at the bar. Why don’t we join him?”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah, sure. Come on gorgeous.”
Satisfied that all was well, Brigitte took Will’s arm and followed him to the bar, happy to see Olivia there.
“Livie!”
Olivia, caught in the circle of Torin’s arms, peeked over his biceps to see Brigitte beside Will. She smiled at her friend, but her eyes slid to Will before bringing them back to Brigitte.
“Hi, Bridge. You two are out again tonight, eh?”
“You know me, Liv, I like to play. My parents tell me that I’ll settle down some day and get something done, but so far, life’s just one long party to me.”
Carefully, Olivia pushed Torin’s arms down to his sides and turned away from him. “Looks like you might have found something to settle down for.” Her point-blank stare at Will wasn’t cloaked, she wanted to see if Brigitte was serious about Will. Needed to see.
Brigitte’s gaze followed Olivia’s to an uncomfortable Will.
“Stop it,” he barked. “No one is talking about mates right now.” But when his eyes landed on Brigitte, she wasn’t smiling, her eyes shining with moisture, locked on Will, as she reached for him.
“I don’t know, Will. I mean, no, I’m not ready to consider anything like that either.” After a pause, she continued with one word. “Yet.”
That word rocked Will. Yet. They had been having fun since she arrived, just as they had in Colorado last year. There had been no talk, no thought, of anything serious. He adored her, the sex was amazing, he would do practically anything for her, but the idea of signing on with her forever, possibly converting to vampire…it hadn’t occurred to him. This moment, though, he realized, it had occurred to her.
He didn’t know what to say. Olivia was looking at him, eyebrows raised. Torin’s grin was sly, and Brigitte’s face was flat-out serious. “Bridge…”
A second stretched into eternity before Brigitte smiled easily and lifted her hand to ruffle his hair, leaving the strands sticking out in all directions. “Relax, frat boy. I’m not ready either, but I’m not ruling out anything for the future. Now, I just want to dance. You look thunderstruck. Sit and recover. Torin, take a girl for a spin.”
She touched Olivia on the arm. “You don’t mind do you? Torin is a better dancer than Will.”
“Um, no, of course not. You two go for it.”
Torin threw a glance back at Olivia as Brigitte yanked him out amongst the frenzied dancers.
Left alone, Olivia and Will avoided each other’s gaze for a few moments, then their eyes collided as they both looked up at the same time.
To break the silence, Olivia stayed on topic. “So, it looks like you have a keeper. She’s an incredible young woman.”
Eyes still focused on hers, Will shook his head. “I didn’t know. I mean, we’ve become close friends, I am crazy about her, but...” Will trailed off as he reached for Olivia’s whisky and swallowed the several shots still left in it.
“You know more than anyone that with my history, the idea of committing to someone seems impossible.”
Olivia sighed. Her eyes hadn’t left his either. She didn’t want to, she loved looking at him, and more than that, in spite of everything, she needed to touch him.
Reaching up, she twisted her fingertips into the messy strands of his hair, then smoothed them down. “Oh, Will. Yes, I know about your past, how unkind the fates have treated you and those you loved. I know how impossible it’s been for you to understand and accept your power. Above all, I know what a generous and beautiful man you are, and that you need to love and need to be loved. It’s what you deserve, my sweet warrior. You were never meant to travel this journey alone, of this I am certain.”
Her fingers, sliding against his scalp, lingering, titillated him, even though he doubted she intended it to do so. If there was ever a moment he considered the idea of forever with someone, this was it. The innocent, simple touch of a woman who ignited his body and mind, who was out of his reach, had been all it took to take him from shocked at the idea of committing to a life with someone to wanting it more than anything.
She wasn’t his, had no interest in him, not like that. He had no need to be jealous of his friend, Olivia likely just wanted to enjoy him, to find pleasure in him, and bring pleasure to him as well. Surely it was unlikely she would fall in love with him. Gods, let it be unlikely. At this moment, he had to admit that he wasn’t, couldn’t, be in love with Olivia, but it was possible that would come.
He wanted to lean into her, then lift her and carry her to his room. As much as he knew she would be shocked, so would Brigitte.
Will let himself enjoy her touch, but when she pulled her hand back and smiled up at him, he smiled back casually. “Thank you, Olivia. You give me far too much credit, but if I ever needed someone to write my press releases, it would be you.”
“I believe in you. I always have. Don’t forget, I’ve been inside you.”
Oh, that was a mistake. He could see that she realized it as soon as she said it.
Will’s cock reacted instantly, growing hard while trapped in his jeans. I’ve been inside you… No, she hadn’t, not the way he wanted, but oh, fuck, he wished he had, could, and now.
“I, I mean…” Olivia stuttered. “You know what I mean.”
“Uh, yeah, of course.”
Yeah, he did, but it didn’t stop the desire that surged, the physical reaction. What was he going to do with this hard-on?
“Would you tell Brigitte I’ll be right back?”
“Sure.”
Will turned to find a private place to deal with his situation, stopped by Olivia’s touch, which did not help.
“Biker, I…I’m sorry.”
“Sorry?” What was she apologizing for? For causing this erection? He hoped she hadn’t noticed, then remembered that she could read him. Yeah, she knew.
“You’ve nothing to apologize for. Uh, yeah, I gotta go, Olivia.”
“I know. I wish…” She stopped. “I mean, go. Take off.” I wish I could help you with that was what she wanted to tell him.
Will strode purposefully through the crowds at the edge of the room, and Olivia watched him until he disappeared from view. A deep sigh released a long-held breath. “Oh, Willoughby, I could really take care of that for you.”
When a desperate desire to throw all caution to the wind and follow him nearly won her mental battle, Olivia forced herself to watch the vivacious, gregarious Brigitte heating up the dance floor with Torin, trying hard to keep up. It was a reminder that she must do what was right and honorable. Brigitte was an earth warrior like Will, and a great-hearted first blood. It was Olivia’s duty to protect these soldiers, and that she would do. Will was off limits.
Breathless, Brigitte led Torin through increasing dancers. “This guy can really move,” she told Olivia as she passed him back. “You’re lucky I have my Will. Thanks for the loan, Liv. Where’d Will go?”
“Gentlemen’s room.”
Torin, shiny from sweat, his eyes sparkling as he looked at Olivia, did indeed look sexy as hell. Olivia let her eyes roam over his, top to bottom, her intention clear.
“Bridge, please excuse us.”
After hooking a finger around the top of Torin’s vest, she pulled him past the dancers, past the edge of the room and into the hallway. The thudding base could be heard through the doorway that separated the two spaces.
Moving close, Olivia pulled Torin’s head down to whisper into his ear. “You’ve worked up a sweat. Care to continue?”
A brisk nod answered her query.
“Come then, and be quick about it. I’ve a terrible need to see if your moves on that floor are repeated in a bed.”
Torin had no words to respond to this unexpected moment, but he followed Olivia down into the lower levels where he knew the
vampires spent their days. He’d never been below before, but it was apparent now that Olivia had seen in him the same he’d seen in her; a partner for ancient games played on a leveled field for pleasures found no other way. He’d never had sex with a vampire, but as they moved toward her chambers, he found himself interested more in intimacy with Olivia, vampire or not. Something about her was more intriguing by the moment.
“Here,” she announced softly, as she opened a double-wide door and led him inside a place right out of a fairy tale.
“Wow,” he commented.
Olivia walked to the bed and slipped her dress over her head. “Save the exclamations. You’ll need them later. Get naked, and come show me what you can do.”
Four
Stretching, Olivia put a hand out to slide it along Torin’s back. He was incredibly attentive, but when he was ready to sleep, he always preferred to roll away, which suited her. Olivia, too, was not accustomed to someone in her bed. For the past two weeks, they’d been together most nights.
“Lights,” she said, cueing the system to bring up low lights.
He groaned. She’d discovered that Torin was not a morning person. “Tor, you have to go.”
Another groan ended in a growl as he sat up, struggling to waken. After a long yawn, he rolled over on top of Olivia. “I need some help getting my motor running.”
Olivia pushed him off her. “I helped you all night. Get moving.”
She didn’t say what was really on her mind; that he needed to get to the crystal cave to keep an eye on Will. As she’d learned more about what Will was doing there, the deep earth-magics merge, she couldn’t control her concern. She knew what he experienced when he was in one of those merges. It could be overpowering, but more than that, it could be dangerous. That’s why Ife had assigned Torin to be there with him. Luckily, Torin took his role as protector seriously.
“Okay,” he said, “I’m up.”
“I’m up,” he repeated, as if to convince himself he was, but it was another few minutes before he lifted off Olivia’s bed and stumbled to his clothes.
After he had dressed, Torin hovered over Olivia, pulled her sheet back, and kissed each nipple, ran his tongue from one to the other and back again, licking the entire path. “Will I see you tonight?”
Her eyes still closed, Olivia was smiling. “I’m not sure. Dez may have plans for us. I’ll let you know.”
“All right. I guess I’ll get gone. Sleep well.”
After he’d left, Olivia stretched out to take up most of the bed. Torin had been a delight since they’d been together. For the past few weeks, he’d shown he was creative, attentive, and amazingly athletic. She’d threatened to put in a trapeze just to see what he would do with it. He was a good lover, something she needed right now, in spite of the fact that he was close with Will.
A vampire’s imperative to sleep during daylight took over and Olivia submitted.
AT IFE’S COMPOUND
Dani polished off her third bowl of clam chowder, reminding herself once again that she wasn’t vampire and that eating like this would add unwanted pounds. So far, she’d been lucky and still kept the cute figure that brought her a lot of masculine attention these days, although still no dates.
“Dani, I need your latest update.” Ife breezed through the doorway, snatching a cinnamon bun as she moved past a buffet table to join Dani at her small table.
“Of course. Little has changed since we spoke last though. The elements of the crystals have yet to be identified. Fia’s taken the samples to four reliable facilities to see if anyone has any ideas or recognizes the composition. Will remains convinced that with these magical exchanges, he’ll eventually know their source and what they are capable of. He still feels they are here for a reason. We’re waiting for Fia’s lab in Paris. Did I tell you that they are using the same equipment that the U.S.U. uses on Mars? The units are designed to analyze off-world items. Crystals vibrate at different frequencies and these are nothing like any other observed on earth.”
“Thanks. It’s still so crazy to me that all these centuries we had no idea that the cave or the extraterrestrial crystals existed.”
“No, Ife, all these centuries those crystals have waited for us. For Will. What is happening is remarkable in ways I don’t think any of us can imagine. Honestly, I don’t know what Will will be after he’s finished with them and they’re finished with him.”
“I know. He’s not worried at all, and I’m increasingly worried.”
“We must trust him. Only Will knows what the crystal’s power feels like. He’s unstoppable in his need to continue this bonding. But I worry too. Torin says that he seems to be completely comfortable during the sessions.”
“He seems to be. I tried last week to tap into his spirit realm while he was connected, but it wouldn’t allow me in.”
“Really? That isn’t typical, is it? Cairine’s gone into mine and Dylan’s a few times with no trouble. Huh.”
“You’re right, though, Dani, we have to trust him. Will is like no one else I’ve ever met. I agree, I think he has a special purpose.”
“Each earth warrior has a place in the universe, but Will seems to be on the edge of something even grander.”
“Another grand destiny,” Ife whispered.
Unable to stop herself, Dani walked slowly to the buffet to snag one of the cinnamon buns. Oh, my ass, she thought. When she took her seat again, her fingers covered with the generous icing on the bun, she licked her thumb, her eyes on Ife. “Yes, another grand destiny.”
At the Cavern of Starlight
Torin had climbed down that ladder so many times, he knew exactly how many rungs it had and usually slid down the last five. Lately, he’d found himself whistling after he landed on the deep earth and traveled down the corridor that spilled out into the massive cavern.
His eyes moved at once to Will in his usual spot centrally located, his back, arms, legs, and head pressed into the ground, eyes closed, and checked completely out of this place. The glimpse he’d had into where Will’s mind, his soul?, went, had transformed his concept of reality. Although he’d been with Ife for three years and felt fully indoctrinated to the vampire’s world, the magic Will wielded with this living planet blew his mind.
He just hoped it wouldn’t blow Will’s. Working with so much power was inherently dangerous.
Squatting next to Will’s prone body, he checked his breathing and color. Surely this had to be finished soon. This was the thirteenth session. Torin laid a hand on Will’s forehead, which was thankfully cooler than the surrounding air.
“Doin’ okay, buddy?”
Will was deep under, Torin didn’t expect an answer, so, lifting back to his feet, he turned to walk away when Will’s right hand curled around his leg.
“Tor.”
Will’s voice was weak, the volume weaker yet. Torin went to his knees, and cupped his head. “Willy boy, are you all right?”
“Tor,” Will repeated. “Help me up.”
Usually Will came completely out of his merge, and although sometimes he needed a little help to stand so that he could regain his balance, this time, he seemed to be really out of it. Torin supported his friend to the best of his ability, but although he himself was bigger and heavier than Will, it was a struggle to keep Will upright.
“Don’t try to stand. Here, let me bring you over and have you sit against the wall.”
Not listening to Torin’s command, Will tried to remain on his feet, but he wobbled so badly when Torin let him go, he grabbed his arms again. “Will, you need to sit down.”
“But I…I have to get some…”
Using force, Torin finally got Will back onto the ground, but supported against the crystal wall. He’d chosen a section where the stones were smoothest and pressed Will back.
“Good. Stay, Will. What happened? You’re not right, my friend. You’re kind of acting drunk, but I know you’re not.”
“No...” Will drew out the word, his eyes clo
sed again, and following a deep expulsion of breath, he didn’t say anything else. Torin confirmed that he was still breathing, but other than that, he didn’t know what was wrong with Will.
After five minutes passed and Will remained quiet, not distressed, not asleep but not awake, Torin decided he had to have help. His fone in his hand, he was a button away from contacting Ife when Will’s eyes opened, dropped to the fone in Torin’s hand, and shook his head slowly.
“I’m okay. Don’t call her.”
“What can I do for you?”
“Just…stay here…with me. And, um…water?”
That was easy; Torin had a sleek water bottle up to Will’s lips at once, amazed that he drew down all twenty ounces in one swallow.
Again, Will sat motionless, but this time, his eyes were open and began to move across the ceiling. Torin, frozen beside him, concerned, but willing to trust that Will was all right and that he shouldn’t call for help, found his eyes moving upward as well.
“Are you looking for something?” he finally asked.
Will shook his head again. “No. Someone.”
“Someone? Who?”
“It hasn’t been revealed to me yet, but there is another earth warrior who can link with this cave. He or she is near and it is my job, my privilege, to bring us together here for the final meeting.”
“Wow. But you don’t know who it is?”
“It’s how this always works. We’ll find each other, of that I’m sure. What I’m not sure about is how I’m going to get back up the ladder. I feel as weak as a kitten.”
“No worries. I’ve always got you, brother.”
“Don’t say anything to Ife. She worries too much. The last thing I want is for her to think that I have to stop. This is nearly done.”
