The memory ended abruptly. Talaith released Maya’s hand.
“So much hurt,” Maya whimpered, reaching for Soren’s comfort.
Talaith glanced at Kailen, a soft expression on her face. He understood the message. Her training was truly complete. She was ready to engage and handle evil. She’d returned knowing what to expect, and that made her stronger. If he respected her full-fledged sorceress status, he’d have to step out of her way and let her flight begin.
Despite all his years in the New York area, he’d never joined Soren and Brant on their missions to the notorious downtown bar. The interior of the nameless watering hole was as shoddy and dirty as Maya had described. A lack of illumination combined with a layer of dust and the smell of rotten beer enhanced the overall dinginess.
Kailen explored the ancient creaking loft as if he were walking on thin ice. He certainly didn’t want the wood to give under his weight and to end up on the main floor butt first. Brant, who sought every opportunity to tease him, would remind him until the end of days.
He surveyed the room again. There was nothing of importance up here, only a few distressed tables and chairs in need of retirement. Ironically, much had occurred in this sorry-looking space. Soren, Brant, and others had spent long hours ensuring supernatural clients kept their true nature and magic covered in glamour and played nice with the humans. In fact, on this humble spot, the Sterling-Alain conspiracy had been discovered.
There were no drinking patrons in the bar tonight. No sounds of coins, clinking glasses, hushed conversations, or cash registers opening and closing. Soren had ordered the bar permanently closed, and if tonight he found the security markers moved, he’d burn the place down with a controlled fire powerful enough to destroy all evidence of magical creatures, but not so strong as to burn adjoining buildings. Kailen didn’t agree with or understand Soren’s reasoning. But trying to convince the Titanian to change his mind was a wasted effort.
He was finished here. Tucking his compact light sword into the side pocket of his field pants, he descended to the floor below.
Downstairs, Brant searched through liquor bottles lined against the bar mirror. A jittery Patty watched his every movement. Her eyes darted from the shuttered door to the bar, then back around again. Thinking she should have stayed home, yet keeping the thought private, Kailen moved to the flood of light coming from the office door. If any clues or information were to be found, this was the room.
The scant office furnishings were as tired and as old as everything outside. Oscar hadn’t invested a dime in modernizing or updating his business. Soren skimmed his palm along the bottom of the desk, searching for secret compartments. Maya examined every item she pulled out of the drawers. Eyes closed, Talaith stood in the middle of the room without moving. Anyone would think she was doing nothing. He knew better. The tips of her hair floated a little as if affected by static electricity, an impossibility in the bar’s warm, humid environment. Yet the slight lift showed her level of concentration. Every sense in her was an open receptor ready to absorb the smallest ethereal stimuli.
Kailen walked softly around her.
“Anything?” he whispered next to Soren.
Soren shook his head, then tapped Maya’s leg.
She mouthed, Nothing.
Quietly, he stood, scanning the side of the room neither Soren nor Maya had yet searched. A soft glint on the top of a corner table caught his attention. In another time, the table had been intended as a decorative piece. Now it was one more surface to hold papers, books, and…
A round silver frame had been placed facedown. He picked it up. The color photograph showed a pretty blonde smiling.
Instantly, Talaith whirled, pointing at the frame. “Kathy. Hillsborough. Alain’s sin.”
Maya looked up from the drawer and gasped. “That’s her face, the drone we fought. But…”
“Looks like the drone, but it’s not quite the same woman,” Soren finished for Maya.
Holding up the frame, Kailen strode to Talaith. “Concentrate. What else do you see?”
Talaith pressed both palms to her temples. “The direction is a ruse, a false trail.”
“Talk to me, a stór,” Kailen insisted in a softer tone. “Does the lady speak to you?”
“Nooo.” A hair-raising wail escaped her lips. “Forgive me, love. I wish… Nooo.” She stumbled. Kailen grasped her waist, steadying her on her feet. Tears bathed her face. But whose tears? Talaith didn’t cry.
“It’s okay, sweetheart. Come back,” he murmured, wiping her cheeks. “I got you.”
She opened her eyes. Her lavender irises had turned translucent. Her expression was calm, but half a second later, panic disfigured her face.
“Kathy’s last memory. Gods, I saw it. It’s so confusing and blurry. Yes. They know his plan. A trap is set. Nooo!” she wailed.
“Let me join with you.” Maya held her hand. “I can help.”
Talaith shook her head. “Not this time. You can’t. They’re not coming to New York. Alain awaits in Asheville. It’s the meeting place.”
He looked into her eyes, hoping to infuse her with comfort. “Tell me, a stór, who’s not coming?”
“Dubtach and Oras.”
A wave of electricity crackled. Several lightbulbs shattered, and the rest shut off, unable to handle the energy onslaught. The entire bar was plunged into darkness. A gust of icy wind barreled from room to room, loose papers flew, bottles fell, and hanging pictures crashed onto the floor. Out in the main room, Brant cursed, and Patty yelped. Walls and roof shuddered and creaked, threatening to implode on them.
Talaith stiffened her fingers. “Cease now. Away. Away!” Her contralto thundered as her hair floated higher and a luminous nimbus formed about her. Once, she had said her ancestry was a mystery. Here was proof of origin: the blood of the old gods ran in her veins. She was beautiful and terrible, and in full command of her powers. When she raised her arms, the wind stopped, the few surviving lights turned on, and her demeanor returned to normal.
“All right, that was the proverbial last straw,” Soren grumbled. “This place can’t go on existing. It’s too well known to remain neutral ground. The constant traffic of supernaturals has left remnants of magic behind, a combination that has become unpredictable and unmanageable.” He looked at Maya. “If there’s anything of importance you’d like to investigate further, take it now. We’re leaving. Everyone, gather in the main room.”
Kailen grasped Talaith’s hand and exited the office. Standing together, Brant and Patty waited for instructions.
“Now what?” Kailen asked.
Soren waved an arm. A portal began to form. “Once you’re all ready to teleport, I’ll set slow flaming points all around, then text the authorities. By the time they get here, it’ll be too late to extinguish the fire. When the place burns, any trace of magic will dissipate.”
“I can help. Make this go faster.” Kailen pulled out his laser sword, his meaning clear.
“Thanks. Light up the far corners in the office and don’t linger. Come out right away.”
Kailen sent a quick glance at Talaith. She nodded once.
He dashed to the office and fired out two low-intensity beams, one to each corner. Ravenous flames flared to the ceiling. The ancient wooden structure was a tinderbox that would be consumed in minutes. When he exited, only Talaith, Maya, and Soren stood inside the portal. Flames engulfed the loft and bar below.
“Where are Patty and Brant?”
“They left already,” Maya said.
“Let’s go, then.” He jumped in the circle, Soren raised a hand, and the downtown bar disappeared.
By the time their small group returned from Manhattan, a faint rosy line clung to the horizon. Soren and Maya entered the home without delay. Talaith hesitated. Kailen waited, hoping to, if not read, at least guess her mood or maybe her thoughts. Chin lifted, she glanced toward the quickly darkening skies, showing no emotion or expression. She wasn’t going to make this easy for
him.
His own behavior confused him. He was caught between a rigid decision and melting resolve. And even though his intentions had been good, for the sake of her welfare, he now wished he hadn’t been so hasty in Germany. Her nearness was irresistibly seductive, soft, and stirring at once. Images of Talaith trembling in his arms, offering herself to his caresses, and responding to his desires filled his mind. His soul admonished him quietly: Your choice. You did this.
“The night is with us.” Her childlike voice, deceptively sweet in this moment, intruded in his thoughts.
He stiffened. “Yes. Are you ready to go inside?”
“Not yet, Kailen. I’d like to stay out a little longer. After the city and bar smells, the fresh clean air makes my lungs happy. Soon the stars will be out.”
“Are you cold?”
Shaking her head, she began to pace along the garden. “No, it’s perfect. I understand if you’d like to go inside. Don’t feel like you have to keep me company.” She smiled. “This feels good.”
He didn’t argue. Made sense she wanted to stay out and recover. The memory she extracted from the photograph and the magical reaction in the bar had shocked everyone and forced her to act quickly. The sudden exertion of energy to repel the attack must have diminished some of her magic.
“Who is Kathy? Can you talk about it?”
“Oh.” She lowered her gaze to the ground. “Poor lady. Kathy was an innocent human, kidnapped after a quarrel with her lover. Her regret was painful, but her fear was worse. She knew what was coming…” Her voice broke.
“Are you all right?”
“I am. But not poor Kathy. Alain was there. He gave the order.”
“That bastard is going to pay,” he grated. “You said Hillsborough. Is that where it happened?”
“Yes. But he’s gone. I don’t know where. And there’s something else… A trap. She said they know his plans. I lost it because it’s too blurry, but maybe I could scry…”
“Easy, take a deep breath. You must be very tired.”
“Yes.” She sighed.
“How does it work…to summon all that power? I spent years in Oberon’s court, witnessed the fairies work their spells, and never cared. But my interest was piqued when I saw you in action.”
“That’s a hard question to answer.”
“Can you try? I would like to know.”
She frowned. “When the need is dire, the magic rises on its own. I don’t have to call it or think it. Imagine a match striking a flint or hard surface. It’s like that, except for me, there’s no heat, only a bright spark that saturates every part of me.”
“And?”
“Mentally, I choose a corresponding shape to counter, like I did when Khnurn’s shades attacked, then… I launch.” Talaith turned to him, “It was different tonight. You know, he’s very powerful.”
“Do you mean Dubtach?” Kailen grasped her forearm.
“Not him. Oras, the second mage, is worse. He’s deeply malevolent. The bar served as an open conduit for him. I spoke his name, and he heard me. The response came from afar, and still I felt the power. Soren’s decision to burn the site was correct.”
He tightened his grip on her arm. “You’ve agreed to undertake a dangerous mission. But you’re not going anywhere without me.”
Talaith glanced from his fingers to his eyes. “I appreciate the concern, but Khnurn trained me for this. Besides, we may have to split up anyway.”
“Khnurn didn’t prepare you for Oras. I’ve seen what he can do. And we’re not splitting up. You’re not going anywhere without telling me first. That’s that.”
“Goodness, you haven’t mellowed at all. Still the same domineering male.”
“I don’t mince words, and you know it. There’s an abyss between theory and practice. I don’t doubt your talent. It’s one thing to fight against magical shades and another to go face-to-face against Astarot’s high mages.”
“But—”
“You’re not listening.” He shook her arm. “I speak from experience. Before you even think about going near the mages, you tell me first. From this moment on, I’m your backup. No one is going to hurt you, not even Oras. Do you understand?”
“I do.” She smiled.
“Promise me.”
“Okay, I promise. I won’t seek out the wizards,” she said. “I agree, both males present a serious problem to the safety of supernaturals and humans. They came to conquer and enslave. I’m concerned about Khnurn tackling them by himself. We’re going to need all the firepower we can get.”
“Should we recruit Brysys?”
“Why not? After she recovers from the exile realm, we can ask.” She shrugged. “If, as you say, Eachann despises her, it’s going to be tricky. Hell may return to Earth when he learns she’s back. Then again, after so many years, he could ignore her. That’s a risk we’ll have to take. Our options are limited. Do you think we can count on Zuberi to fight?”
Her arm trembled under his palm; her skin rose with tiny bumps.
“Enough. We’re going inside. It’s been a busy day for you, and I can tell you’re cold.”
“So bossy,” she muttered, but she didn’t resist him.
He guided her through the conservatory in silence. They entered the main hallway and he paused, releasing her arm. “Are you ready to retire, or would you like something to eat first?”
“No, no food. I’d rather sleep. I’m pretty exhausted.”
“Of course, you are. I’ll walk you. You’ll feel better after a decent rest.”
Moments later, they stopped before her room. She looked at him without moving or trying to hold the handle. Cocking his head, he opened the door. Still, she didn’t move. Her gaze locked with his, and he was caught in the lavender spell. A rush of emotions battered him from every direction. He exhaled, attempting to maintain a control that was long gone. The battle was lost when her plump lower lip trembled.
Kailen cupped her soft cheek as he slipped his thumb to test the fullness of her lip, lowered it a little, enough to reveal her pearly teeth and the tip of her tongue underneath. The sight dizzied him. Arousal overtook him, and he descended on her mouth, capturing, opening and tasting, learning her secrets and warmth to the fullest.
Talaith answered, tangling her arms around his neck. She returned every caress he gave, and desire swept his sanity away. He moved forward as she pulled him backward, advancing until a wall stopped them. He moved down to her neck, kissed, pulled at her skin in an insane desire to inhale her if only he could. As he lost himself in her, she tugged his Henley out of his slacks, slid her anxious hands below the shirt, exploring, feeling his stomach, his chest, then down to the clasp of his zipper.
She fought with the fastening, and a measure of reason returned to him. Holding her hands in his, he stepped back from her, shaking his head.
“You can’t,” she exclaimed. “Don’t do this.”
“I’m sorry, a stór. It’s best for you.” To himself, he sounded pitiful and unconvincing, so why should she believe him?
“Who says?”
“I do. You don’t want someone like me in your life.”
“When did you become the boss of me? How dare you, Kailen. You can’t feel my heart, my emotions.”
“Try to understand.”
“But I do. You don’t want me. It’s as obvious as daylight.”
He extended his hand.
Talaith recoiled, stepping farther inside her room. “Don’t. I can’t handle your pity.”
“Are you crazy? There’s no pity in me.” He followed her. “I want you. You’ve no idea how much.”
“Then show me.”
Grasping the neckline of her dress, she tugged down hard, tearing the material. The mangled gown rustled to the floor. She thrust her chest out in defiance, clasped his hand, and pressed it over a breast. Her creamy skin glowed with an eerie light.
“Damn you, show me,” she repeated.
He tried to swallow and couldn’t. He contr
olled his intimacy, always, and never allowed any deviation. But this magical creature, wild, demanding, and powerful, beautiful in her anger and desire, had taken over. And for this moment, this one evening, he’d give in to her lust because he couldn’t hold his own, and may the gods forgive him.
Sighing, he scooped her up in his arms and placed her on the bed. She lay one arm over her head, an alabaster goddess waiting for her tribute. Luscious hips, cradling her soft belly, jutted upward, and the platinum triangle covering her mons captured his attention. He undressed, unable to look away. His mouth watered in anticipation of the first taste.
Kailen stepped out of his pants, allowing her hungry gaze to study him. She paused on his erection, and her eyelids flickered.
He smiled. “As you wish, a stór. It will be my pleasure to give you everything you want.”
CHAPTER FIVE
“Good morning.”
Kailen’s deep voice slipped through the clouds of sleep, stirring Talaith awake. She rolled on her side, blinking at the tall French window facing her. A soft pink hue washed through the glass pane. It took her another minute to process the mass of surfacing thoughts, where she was…how she got here…Kailen’s mouth trailing across her skin…
She flipped on her back and pulled up the sheets, covering her bare shoulders. He stood next to the bed, wearing his robe, a silver pin, and a sardonic smile. His fathomless eyes sparkled. Instantly, scenes of her wanton abandon in his arms crowded and pushed at her mind. She glanced away as heat rushed to her face.
“Aw, are we feeling bashful?”
He sat next to her and she groaned under her breath.
“Not after last night, I hope.” Kailen continued, ignoring her embarrassment. “Where are you hiding my demanding and irresistible companion? I’d like to enjoy her again. She was utterly delectable.”
“Ugh, you’re a fiend.”
“Me? A fiend?”
“Yes, and hateful, plus, you’re making fun of me.”
The Last Danann (Titanian Chronicles, #2) Page 12