At Death’s Door

by Kenyon, Sherrilyn

  “Hard and strong. I can even feel you quivering here.” She pointed to her lower abdomen.

  The sight of her hand stroking her stomach almost shattered his control. He took her hand into his and led it away before he succumbed too early to the orgasm he longed for.

  Nibo lifted his hips up, driving himself deeper into her as she ground herself against him in a way so sublime that he growled in satisfaction.

  Valynda felt so strangely free with him. She ran her hands over the hard muscles of his chest and abdomen. It was so odd to see him lying there under her, between her spread thighs. But the truth was, she loved this.

  Just as she loved him.

  He held her hips in his hands and guided her movements. But what held her transfixed was the bliss on his face. His cheeks were flushed, his eyes dark and unfocused.

  She moaned as he ran his hands up from her hips to her breasts, where he toyed with her swollen nipples.

  “What do I feel like to you, Xuri?”

  “Wet and soft.”

  “Do you ever think of any of your past lovers when you’re with me?”

  He scowled at her question. “Nay, love. How could you ask me such a thing when you know you’re the only one I’ve ever loved? In any lifetime.”

  “Because it worries me.” Especially given the numbers of lovers he was reported to have. Many at the same time. How was she supposed to ever measure up?

  He shook his head. “All are forgotten, and none ever competed with you.”

  She smiled at that. It made this moment all the more special to her. “I’m glad. I want to be the only one who occupies your mind.”

  Nibo cupped her face in his hands. “Believe me, love, you are. And none of them were ever my wife.” He pulled her down and kissed her fiercely.

  Valynda trembled at the passion she tasted, at the way he teased her lips with his and twined his tongue around hers. His muscles bulged around her, making her tremble.

  Nibo pulled back from the kiss, then rolled over with her and took control.

  Valynda arched her back as he moved faster. Harder. Every stroke brought more pleasure. Every kiss and touch reverberated through her.

  “Make me yours, Xuri.”

  He claimed her lips again as he slammed himself into her even deeper than he’d been before.

  She wrapped her legs around his hips and let his passion sweep her away. After a few minutes, he lowered his head down to her shoulder and growled as he released himself inside her.

  Laughing in satisfaction, she drew a ragged breath as he collapsed on top of her and held her tight.

  “Thank you, Vala,” he whispered in her ear. “For making me whole again.” Then, he kissed her lips in a tender caress that sent chills through her.

  He withdrew and rolled over onto his back and pulled her against his side.

  She assumed he was through with her, so it surprised her a few seconds later when he spread her legs and touched the most private place of her body.

  “Still not sated?”

  He shook his head. “I was selfish, and I want you to have your pleasure.”

  “I already had it.”

  He smiled wickedly at that. “Nay, my innocent dove, you didn’t. And I know that.”

  Valynda swallowed as his long, lean fingers delved deep into her body. She tensed a bit as they burned the tender flesh of her nether lips.

  “Don’t dry out on me, love.” He laid his body between her legs and spread her thighs wide. Then, he ran his long, tapered finger down her cleft. She shivered as he used his fingers to spread her open and dipped his head down.

  Valynda jerked as his mouth covered her. Every nerve ending in her body sizzled as he stroked her with his tongue and lips. Dear Lord, he was so incredibly talented.

  She moaned as she cupped his head to her. No longer able to speak, all she could do was feel each and every luscious lick he gave her.

  His breath was hot against her bared flesh, and when he slid a finger deep inside her and rotated it, she thought she would die.

  She looked down to see him staring up at her while he tormented her with ecstasy.

  He pulled back but left his finger inside her. A strange sensation of intimacy overwhelmed her. With a mind of its own, her body writhed to his touch and kisses.

  “Oh Xuri,” she groaned.

  And as he continued, she found herself unable to speak anymore. Unable to do anything other than feel him. Feel his tongue sliding around her, his finger swirling.

  Her pleasure built to an unimaginable height. Until she was sure that she would explode with the weight of it.

  Then, in the span of one heartbeat, she did explode. Her body splintered apart, and she cried out.

  Nibo didn’t stop. He stayed there, licking and teasing, until she’d come for him twice more.

  When he seemed content to tease her more, she begged him for mercy. “Please, Xuri,” she whimpered. “If I do that one more time, I fear I shall die of it.”

  He chuckled at her plea, then turned his face to suckle the tender flesh of her thigh.

  Valynda lay there, completely spent and weak. She breathed raggedly as Nibo gathered her into his arms and held her close. He kissed her brow and cradled her head with his hands. “I wish I could stay here with you forever. No war. No Malachai. Just us.”

  She understood exactly what he meant. She felt the same way. If only they could.

  But they had the world to try and save.

  First, they needed to get dressed.

  As soon as she had her gown in place, Valynda opened the door to find the Dark-Huntress, Janice Smith, outside. Her face heated up as she realized that Janice must have heard them. To her credit, the beautiful Trini didn’t say a word. “I left me book.”

  Valynda gulped. “Ah. I didn’t see it.”

  “I’ll look for it … later.”

  Embarrassed to the core of her being, Valynda did her best not to think of it and to wonder how Acheron was faring with his task. …

  Nibo watched as Valynda rushed off. Her embarrassment about such things had forever amused him. Both in this life and her previous one.

  Smiling, he retrieved Janice’s book and handed it to her on his way out.

  The Dark-Huntress stopped him from leaving. “Don’t you think it odd?”

  “What?”

  “If she is your fiancée returned, why now? After all these centuries? Why was she kept from you and then returned at this particular time and place? From my experience and knowledge, such things are never accidental.” And with that Janice walked away.

  Nibo sucked his breath in sharply as he realized something that should have occurred to him. But he’d been so happy and caught up in her return that he hadn’t thought about it.

  Until now.

  Janice was right. They’d been reunited for a reason. And his experience was that such things were never done for a good one.

  Shit.

  What? You have something better to do in your useless, eternal existence?” Acheron still couldn’t believe Madoc had refused his request.

  But then why was he surprised? Nothing ever came easy to them.

  Almost as tall as Acheron, Madoc had jet-black hair and eerie blue eyes like all the Oneroi, or Dream-Hunters, as they were known since they patrolled the sleep of humans and Dark-Hunters to keep them safe from preternatural predators and demons who could prey on them in that unconscious state when they were so vulnerable. Sadly, they’d all been cursed centuries before to have no emotions, after one of them had played a prank on Zeus while he slept.

  The head Greek god had never been known for his sense of humor. Instead of punishing just the one who’d done it, he’d taken his wrath out on their entire race.

  All of them had been rounded up and stripped of their emotions so that they’d never again want or desire amusement or anything else.

  What Zeus hadn’t realized was that in the dream realm, they’d be able to bond with those they visited and feel whate
ver their “host” felt. That some of them would then begin to crave or become addicted to the emotions they lacked and thus turn into their own form of demonic creature who then preyed on humanity, gods, and others. Such creatures were termed Skoti.

  And Skoti were hunted by Madoc and his crew of Oneroi, who wanted to make sure that Zeus and the others never rounded them up again for further punishment. Apparently once with the big guy was enough to ensure Madoc never wanted a repeat.

  Hence the droll stare on the god’s face as he smirked at Acheron. For someone with no emotion, he was doing a good job imitating a look of disgust. “As a matter of fact, I do. There’s been a major Skoti uprising with the Malachai. We’ve been quite busy trying to keep them from driving humanity crazy. Literally.”

  “And this is just as important. Trust me. Weaken the Malachai and your Skoti will go back to behaving.”

  “They never behave.”

  Probably true, as it was true for most creatures when given a choice between doing what was right and what was wrong. Most went left instead of right.

  Even Acheron had been known to stray down that path. Sometimes for the right reasons. To his eternal shame, sometimes not.

  However …

  “Do it for me, then, Madoc. I’ve a Dark-Hunter who could use the release.”

  Madoc grumbled under his breath, proving he had been spending a lot of time in dreams and that the residual emotions were still with him. “Fine. But you will owe me.”

  “Don’t I always?”

  He didn’t respond as they headed toward the portal that Madoc needed to take him to the mortal plane.

  But once they entered the room and went through the portal, what they realized was that finding the Malachai and his army wasn’t as easy as they thought. There was a lot of evil in the world, and the Malachai used it to mask his own. Humanity was so easily corruptible, they were going wild with temptation and making it harder and harder for Acheron and Madoc to find the ones they needed.

  Days went by as they did their best to locate the Malachai and his miscreants.

  For whatever reason, Adarian had ceased to attack. It was as if he sensed they had something on board that weakened him.

  Not even Nibo could locate the petro. They were attacking humans in concentrated waves.

  Valynda stood back to watch as Nibo stood at the prow alongside Acheron, Bane, Kalder, and Thorn. Now that was about the sweetest view what any woman could ever hope to see.

  Mara and Elf, the captain’s sister, moved to stand next to her. “Should I ask what holds your attention so?”

  Valynda passed her a knowing smile. “Methinks you are well aware. And that you share it.”

  Mara cradled her distended belly with her hands. “Aye, but there’s only one who holds my fascination.”

  “Doesn’t mean you can’t appreciate the views of the others, sweet sister.” Elf’s eyes twinkled with mischief. “’Tis a pity we can’t bronze that and make it a permanent feature for those of us what can’t lay claim to any of those fine backsides.”

  Valynda glanced askance at her. “Well, as one who does claim one of them, so long as you confine yourselves to looking …”

  Elf grinned. “No fear. I’d never do such a thing to either of me sisters.” She kissed Valynda’s cheek and danced away to go and tease Sallie as he worked to repair a sail.

  Valynda smiled fondly at the girl until her gaze was caught by what held the men’s rapt attention. “Lady Mara?”

  “I see it.”

  Slowly, all the Deadmen came up from below to mingle with those on deck so that they could see the ships that had gathered to meet the coming storm.

  “What is that?”

  “The last gate.” Mara sighed. “It’s been opened.”

  Valynda held her breath as she saw the color of two ships she knew well. Captain Barnet’s and Rafael Santiago’s. There was no mistaking them. They stood still on the water, something easy, given that there was no wind whatsoever. It was as if they’d sailed into a vacuum of some sort.

  Silence reigned. The still water didn’t move. It was like glass for as far as the eye could see.

  The sun hung on the horizon with an eerie beauty. Still and flat. Chills ran up her arms.

  This was bad.

  Gathering her skirts, she made her way to Nibo’s side. “What’s going on?”

  Captain Bane stood with his spyglass, staring out at the other ships. “I don’t see anyone on Barnet’s ship.” He lowered the spyglass. “Get us closer, Mistress Dolorosa.”

  “Aye, Captain.”

  But that was easier said than done, given there was no wind to fill their sails. That meant they’d have to rely on Strixa’s powers to move them.

  Valynda wrapped her arm around Nibo’s. He covered her hand. She could feel the tension inside him. “Is it Adarian?”

  “We’re not sure.”

  For the gate to be open, it was so strangely serene. Like the calm before a storm. Valynda had expected fire and brimstone. Lightning. Screaming Furies.

  A thousand fighting demons.

  Something.

  This was far more chilling.

  The last time a gate fell, they were battling for their lives. Not staring eye to eye with their friends across a calm sea. The dragons came up from the sea to stand on deck with them.

  As they pulled near Rafael’s ship, the pirate waved at them, then swung over to speak with Captain Bane. Ever the epitome of a swaggering buccaneer, Rafe had a shaved head with a set of distinctive tattoos that made him look as fierce as his gruesome reputation. There wasn’t anyone who sailed in the Caribbean who wasn’t familiar with the lethal reputation of Captain Cross and his ship, the Soucouyant.

  His dark skin set his amber eyes off to perfection, and they were deadly serious. “We’ve been stuck here for almost two days. No winds. How did you sail in?”

  “Magic.”

  He was unamused by Bane’s bland answer.

  Will stepped down from the railing. “Where’s the rest of your crew, Santiago?”

  Before he could answer, a fight broke out between Jake and Sallie.

  “Don’t touch me!”

  “You don’t shove me!”

  Before Bane could get to them, another fight started between Hinder and Kat. Then another and another.

  Valynda gaped as she realized what had happened to the crews of the other ships.

  They’d turned on each other.

  Nibo realized it, too. “Qeenan!” he shouted. “Show yourself!”

  There was no response.

  Yanking at one of the necklaces on his chest, he pulled it off and twisted a small coin from it. He handed one to Valynda. “Put this under your tongue. It’ll keep you from turning and hearing the voices they’ll send.” Then he handed one to Bane, Thorn, and Acheron, with the same instructions.

  Valynda obeyed.

  The moment the coin was in her mouth, she could see the spirits inside their crew. It was as if each one’s body was a thick coating over the demonic creatures who were using them like a suit.

  “Are they all right like that?”

  “Aye, but whatever you do, remember that it’s your friends inside and don’t harm them. While stabbing one or fighting them will get rid of their demons, it will also kill your friends.”

  “Noted.”

  “So, what do we do? How do we get them out?”

  Acheron shot a god-bolt into one. The blast instantly knocked the petro loa from the Deadman he was possessing.

  “That works.” Nibo winked at her. He went off to help.

  When Valynda took a step forward, she felt someone at her back. Invisible arms held her in place. Suddenly, a deep, dark voice spoke in her ear. “You didn’t get the crook for me.”

  Her blood ran cold as she realized it was Adarian.

  “I know you’ve had time. Why haven’t you done it?” His growl was fierce.

  “I refuse to betray him.”

  “Then you can mourn
him instead.”

  Valynda gasped as Adarian vanished, then appeared behind Nibo in his full Malachai form. With black-and-red-swirling skin, he had black leathery wings and horns. His red eyes glowed with fury and hatred.

  Truly there was nothing more terrifying. He reached for Nibo and grabbed him.

  Nibo tried to blast the demon, yet it had no effect on the ancient being, who turned around and slashed him with his claws, then hit him with his own surge of energy.

  “Don’t use your staff!” Acheron called as he saw Nibo reaching for it. “You’ll only make him stronger.”

  “How?”

  “It’s from the Tree of Life. It will feed his powers.”

  Nibo’s eyes widened. “Now you tell me?”

  “Never saw you fight a Malachai before.”

  There was that. Nibo ducked as Adarian went for his throat and twisted away. As he stepped back, someone tripped him.

  He went sprawling to land at the feet of Qeenan.

  “Damn you, brother!”

  Qeenan curled his lip at Nibo. “You were supposed to be on my side!”

  “And you on mine.” Nibo flipped himself to his feet.

  Valynda froze as she watched the two of them fighting and she remembered their past. Remembered the way Qeenan had once stared after her whenever he saw her with Nibo. It’d been so uncomfortable. And she’d felt so unsafe around him.

  He was a treacherous bastard.

  There was no worse feeling than to be in the home of your husband or fiancé and have that skittering sensation of danger. To be terrified of what might happen should he turn his back or you drift too far afield without him.

  No one should live in fear. Especially not in their own home or in that of their in-laws. Yet she’d never felt comfortable or safe.

  Because of Qeenan. And Nibo’s parents.

  They’d fostered that competition, thinking it was good for their sons. That it would make them more manly and strive to be better.

  In the end, because they’d refused to let their sons be and had forced them into positions unsuited to them, it’d destroyed their family entirely.

  Just as it was about to tear them apart again.

  “Enough!” She rushed between them and forced Qeenan back. She held her sword at his throat. “No more!”