by I. T. Lucas
DARK Enemy Redeemed
The Children Of The Gods
I. T. LUCAS
Book 6
Contents
The Children of the Gods
CHAPTER 1: AMANDA
CHAPTER 2: ANDREW
CHAPTER 3: AMANDA
CHAPTER 4: SYSSI
CHAPTER 5: AMANDA
CHAPTER 6: SYSSI
CHAPTER 7: ANDREW
CHAPTER 8: AMANDA
CHAPTER 9: DALHU
CHAPTER 10: SEBASTIAN
CHAPTER 11: KIAN
CHAPTER 12: ANDREW
CHAPTER 13: AMANDA
CHAPTER 14: DALHU
CHAPTER 15: KIAN
CHAPTER 16: AMANDA
CHAPTER 17: ANDREW
CHAPTER 18: AMANDA
CHAPTER 19: ANDREW
CHAPTER 20: SEBASTIAN
CHAPTER 21: AMANDA
CHAPTER 22: KIAN
CHAPTER 23: SEBASTIAN
CHAPTER 24: AMANDA
CHAPTER 25: DALHU
CHAPTER 26: AMANDA
CHAPTER 27: DALHU
CHAPTER 28: AMANDA
CHAPTER 29: SEBASTIAN
CHAPTER 30: KIAN
CHAPTER 31: SEBASTIAN
CHAPTER 32: KIAN
CHAPTER 33: SYSSI
CHAPTER 34: KIAN
CHAPTER 35: AMANDA
CHAPTER 36: ANANDUR
CHAPTER 37: DALHU
CHAPTER 38: SEBASTIAN
CHAPTER 39: KIAN
CHAPTER 40: SYSSI
CHAPTER 41: ANDREW
CHAPTER 42: AMANDA
CHAPTER 43: KIAN
CHAPTER 44: DALHU
CHAPTER 45: AMANDA
CHAPTER 46: AMANDA
CHAPTER 47: DALHU
CHAPTER 48: AMANDA
CHAPTER 49: KIAN
CHAPTER 50: AMANDA
CHAPTER 51: SYSSI
CHAPTER 52: ANDREW
CHAPTER 53: ANANDUR
CHAPTER 54: DALHU
CHAPTER 55: KIAN
CHAPTER 56; AMANDA
CHAPTER 57: SYSSI
CHAPTER 58: ANDREW
CHAPTER 59: AMANDA
DARK WARRIOR MINE
Prologue
Chapter 1: Andrew
Chapter 2: Sebastian
Copyright
The Children of the Gods Series
Kian & Syssi’s story
Book 1: Dark Stranger The Dream
Book 2: Dark Stranger Revealed
Book 3: Dark Stranger Immortal
Amanda’s story
Book 4: Dark Enemy Taken
Book 5: Dark Enemy Captive
BOOK 6: Dark Enemy Redeemed
Andrew’s Story
BOOK 7: Dark Warrior Mine
Coming Soon
BOOK 8: Dark Warrior’s Promise
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CHAPTER 1: AMANDA
“Are you sure? Not a single karaoke machine?”
Freaking Lana probably hadn’t bothered to even look for it.
“Niet, I found one in a bar, but the owner not want to sell.”
“How much did you offer?”
“Two thousand.”
“You should’ve offered more.”
“We buy the vodka and the fish you want, and this was all the money left from what you give me.”
While the Anna moored for the night in Avalon harbor, Amanda had sent Lana and Sonia with instructions to buy supplies and find a karaoke—whatever the cost. Because c’mon, a party wasn’t a party without one.
Especially since this one would be missing the most important element—hunky guys.
Regrettably, though, twenty-three hundred and some change in cash had been all she’d had on her, and the Russians had refused to take her credit card.
The obvious solution would’ve been to go with them, but she preferred to stay on board—not only because their company was such a dubious pleasure, but because she dreaded encountering horny males and their lustful, leering looks.
Which was sure to happen if she were to grace the streets of Avalon.
There was a price to be paid for beauty, and enduring leering glances from men wasn’t even the worst of it—heck, most of the time she didn’t mind.
Topping the list were the resentful looks from other females, followed closely by the presumption that all beautiful women were airheads.
Come to think of it, most people, males and females alike, found her looks intimidating.
So yeah, she had been enduring leering glances since she was scarcely a pubescent girl, but they hadn’t bothered her before—on the contrary, most times she’d found them arousing.
But nothing was as it used to be.
She was horny, but at the same time felt nauseated by the prospect of a meaningless hookup. And earlier, during her afternoon nap, when she’d given self-pleasuring a halfhearted try, it had been more of the same.
Because there was only one male she was able to fantasize about, but the guilt and loathing associated with her attraction to Dalhu wasn’t exactly conducive to that particular activity.
Shit. It was hell, and it seemed she was going to be stuck in this purgatory for the foreseeable future.
Oh, well, there was nothing to be done about it, except giving it time.
Besides, as the Anna swayed gently on the pull and ebb of the tide, lying on a lounger on her top deck wasn’t exactly a torment. And the fishy, salty smell of the murky waters wasn’t all that bad either. Actually, it could have been quite pleasant if not for the diesel fumes wafting up from the boat’s engines.
Fates, how she missed the era of old-fashioned sailboats. The experience had been completely different—the ocean had smelled wonderful—unpolluted.
On the other hand, there was something to be said for the speed, luxury, and modern amenities of the Anna.
This was the thing about life—nothing was ever perfect, and to gain one thing you often had to sacrifice another.
And wasn’t that an inconvenient truth.
She’d found spending the day with a good book relaxing and would’ve loved to keep on reading, but the sun was getting low on the horizon, and even though the drop in temperature wasn’t all that significant, it was getting too chilly for lounging in a string bikini.
With a sigh, Amanda closed her book and padded inside.
Back in her cabin, she eyed her laptop. Maybe she should check her email to see if the design ideas for Syssi’s wedding gown were ready.
Joann had been amazing, as always, and had contacted all of her designer friends, asking if they’d be willing to do a rush job. But with less than two weeks from idea to final fitting, only two had accepted the challenge of creating an original, breathtaking masterpiece for Amanda’s best girl.
Nothing less than spectacular would do for Syssi.
With a frown, Amanda wondered if anyone remembered Kian. After all, the groom also needed something new and fabulous for the event. Unless, her brother was planning on showing up at the altar in his fancy Regent robe.
Yeah, right, she chuckled. In her opinion, he looked dashing in it, regal, but she was well aware that Kian detested the thing.
Maybe she should call him and suggest the robe. At first, Kian would blow up, but then he’d realize it was a joke and they would have a good laugh about it.
Or maybe not.
Amanda plopped down on the king-sized bed and crossed her arms over her eyes. She was dimly aware that the suntan oil she was covered with would leave a sticky imprint on the sheets, but she just
didn’t give a damn.
Who cared about bed linens when she was contemplating the depressing prospect of never regaining the easygoing, loving relationship she and Kian had enjoyed prior to this whole ugly mess.
Her hand reached for the phone, and she was tempted to hit his number.
But what would she say to him? Ask for his forgiveness?
If she believed it would mend things between them, she would’ve done it in a heartbeat. Pride, or who was right and who was wrong, was of no consequence when the stakes were so high.
Amanda just wanted her brother back.
Instead, she selected Syssi’s number.
“Just a sec,”—Syssi answered after the first ring—”let me get someone off the other line.”
“Take your time.”
Syssi came back after a few moments, puffing as if she’d been running. “I’m all yours.”
“What’s going on? You sound harried.”
“You think? You try planning a wedding for six hundred guests. Neither your mother nor I have any experience in organizing events. And before you ask, no wedding coordinator worth her salt will take the job on such short notice. Ugh, it’s going to be a disaster.”
Amanda smiled. “Who’s the drama queen now? Relax, it’s going to be amazing. It shouldn’t be all that difficult to arrange for good food, lively music, tasteful decorations, and most importantly—a gorgeous wedding dress.”
“Yeah? The way things are going it seems Okidu will have to cook, decorate, and sew the dress. Because every caterer and florist I’ve called has practically laughed in my face. I had no idea these people are booked months in advance—some even years.”
“This is actually a splendid idea. Between Okidu and Onidu and my mother’s two, the Odus will have no problem pulling it off. All you need to do is give them a menu, including the recipes, show them pictures of how you want it to look, and they will take it from there.”
“You must be kidding, right?”
“I’m dead serious. They can do all of it, except for the dress, which I got covered.”
“Oh, yeah? Do tell.”
“Hold on, I’m checking my email. Joann, bless her soul, found not one, but two designers who were willing to take on the challenge, and I’m waiting for the initial sketches.” She quickly scrolled through her inbox, but there was nothing from Joann. “Nope… nothing yet. As soon as I have something, I’ll forward it to you.”
“That’s wonderful, thank you. Joann has impeccable taste, I trust her completely.”
“Good, I was afraid you’d hate me for not checking with you before talking to her.”
“Nah, after outfitting me with an entire wardrobe of fabulous, I trust her to come up with something I can’t even imagine. I’m all for letting the pros do their thing. One less item to worry about.”
“Poor Syssi, you sound as excited about this wedding as if it was somebody else’s.”
“I know, right? I hate big events, and being at the center of one is my personal idea of hell. If it were up to me, it would’ve been just Kian and me, you, Andrew, and Annani. That’s it.”
“Really? What about your parents? And my sisters Sari and Alena? And the Guardians? And William and Bridget?”
“Okay, them too, but that’s it, no one else.”
“Oh, sweetie, don’t you see? You might be happy with only our immediate families and the few people you know and care for witnessing your joining, but Kian wants, needs, each and every member of the clan to be there.”
“I know. That’s why I’m still here and not running off screaming.” Syssi let out a huff.
“By the way, speaking of Kian, did anyone remember to get him fitted for a tux for the wedding? If you leave it up to him, he’ll show up wearing one of his old business suits.”
“You’re right, God, I can’t believe I didn’t think of it.” Syssi heaved a sigh. “Just another reminder of how little I know about the man I’m going to marry in thirteen days.”
“You know everything that really matters, and you have endless time to learn the rest. So, stop fretting. Kian is a great guy—bad temper and all.”
“Yeah, I know…but speaking of your brother’s sunny predisposition”—Syssi switched to a whisper—”Kian spent the entire evening with Dalhu and came back…well, I wouldn’t say happy, but not enraged either. I think it’s an encouraging sign.”
Amanda chuckled. “I guess it is—by Kian’s standards. Did you ask him what they’ve talked about?” She wasn’t curious, not at all…
“He gave me no chance, planting one hot kiss on my mouth and heading straight for his office to grab a file for his next meeting. But I’ll grill him later tonight and report to you tomorrow.”
In spite of herself, Amanda felt her heart give a little flutter. Kian must’ve been in at least a decent mood if the first thing he had done after spending hours with Dalhu was to kiss Syssi.
“Deal. First thing in the morning.”
“Are you sure you want me to call you that early? You might be too hungover to talk after your drinking party with the Russians.”
“Oh, please, I’ll be fine. I’ll have them drunk and singing in more ways than one before I’m even tipsy.”
Syssi snorted. “If you say so.”
“I’ve got it covered.”
Well, almost. Without the karaoke, she would have to make a playlist on her phone and hook it up to the sound system in the grand salon, then hand out printouts of the lyrics to the girls.
Russian songs would have been the best, but unfortunately, although she spoke it with decent fluency, Amanda never bothered to learn to read the Cyrillic script—and mastering it in a span of a couple of hours was a feat that even she couldn’t pull off.
CHAPTER 2: ANDREW
As Andrew knocked on the clinic’s door, it crossed his mind that it was late and chances were that Dr. Bridget had already gone home.
Disappointed, he gave it one last go and knocked again, then waited. After all, he was already there, and it wasn’t as if there was somewhere else he needed to be.
Calling it a night and heading back to his empty house was no more appealing than standing in this deserted corridor and waiting for a woman that might not even be there to let him in.
Kind of pathetic.
The life of a bachelor was not everything the married guys believed it to be.
True, he was free to shag whomever he was able to seduce—and there was no shortage of those—but most nights it just meant that he ended up going home alone.
That’s why Syssi’s news about the wedding hadn’t been such a big surprise—not for him anyway—he’d been expecting it. Though maybe not so soon. He could empathize with Kian’s desire to end his lonely bachelor life the moment he’d found the right woman to spend eternity with.
Andrew couldn’t even imagine what it must have been like for the guy, spending endless years without someone to share his life with.
He was happy for them, he really was, but he couldn’t help feeling a little jealous—even though his single status wasn’t anybody’s fault but his. And the excuse of his chosen occupation precluding meaningful relationships was just that—an excuse. Somehow it hadn’t stopped his comrades from tying the knot.
Problem was, he’d never dated a woman he could imagine spending his life with, and not because none was good enough. Andrew suspected that the flaw was within him—he was either emotionally stunted or just too picky.
Another minute passed, and he was about to turn on his heel and head back when the door finally opened to reveal a surprised Dr. Bridget—the red handbag clutched under her arm betokening that she was on her way out.
Wow! Can you say sexy?
Gone was the conservative doctor, and the woman that had taken her place was hot. Bridget looked ready for action—with her wavy red hair loose around her shoulders and her curvy figure encased in a pair of skin-tight jeans and a clingy red T-shirt. But what had really done it for him were the red, fuck-me he
els.
Evidently, Bridget loved to flaunt her red.
Trying hard to look into her pretty eyes and not glance down to peer at her ample cleavage, Andrew ran his hand over his mouth. Who could’ve guessed the petite physician had been hiding all of this under her doctor’s coat?
“I’m sorry, I should have realized it was late. I’ll stop by some other time, earlier in the day.”
Her eyes widened and she grabbed his hand, giving a strong tug. “Nonsense, you are coming with me.” She pulled him behind her as she went inside and flipped the lights back on. There was a sly little smile on her lovely face as she turned around and looked up. “I’m not going to waste the opportunity of you coming to see me of your own volition. I thought I’d have to drag you here by force.”
Andrew was about to snort at the ridiculous idea of her forcing him to do anything, when it occurred to him that although tiny, she might be stronger than him. He hadn’t resisted when she’d pulled, but still, it had been one hell of a tug.
Did it make her any less appealing? Hell, no, quite the opposite. “You underestimate your charms, Dr. Bridget. There is nowhere I’d rather be than here, with you.”
A lovely blush blossomed over her pale porcelain cheeks, and she glanced away. But that sly smile was still there when she returned her eyes to his face. “Quite the charmer, aren’t you? I bet you make all the ladies swoon.”
Andrew chuckled. “Hardly.” He let her lead him to an examination table and sat down.
“Take off your jacket and your shirt,” she said and reached for her stethoscope.
“What? Already? I was hoping for a nice dinner and a pleasant conversation before you get me to undress for you,” he teased as he shrugged off his jacket, folded it, and put it beside him on the table, then tackled the buttons on his shirt.
Bridget smiled, the pink blush refusing to abandon her face. “I’ll take you up on the offer of dinner and flirtatious chitchat, but first, I’m going to check you out.” She winked, her blue eyes sparkling with mischief.
“I’m all yours, Doctor.” Andrew shrugged his shirt off, making sure to suck in his gut and flex as he exposed his torso to her gaze. He was in good shape and carried no excess fat. Nevertheless, he didn’t have the body of a twenty-year-old either. Not to mention the many scars—some small, some large—scattered over his chest and abdomen as well as his back. And the sparse hair on his chest wasn’t enough to hide even the smaller ones.