by April Wood
“How will we find her? I mean we’ve been hundreds of miles now and no sign.” She stepped off of the motorcycle. Now she knew what they meant by saddle sore. She’d never ridden anything this long. She stretched out her legs and rubbed them lightly. It was a complete turn on for him. He decided to just watch her for a second. He didn’t want to get off of the bike and reveal how much she could affect him.
“We are getting close. I promise I won’t make you ride any longer than I have too.” He took off his helmet and stretched his body. She saw riding wasn’t easy on him either. She watched him closely as he bent over to stretch out his back. The curvature of his butt in those jeans made her warm. She didn’t think her body could handle sex right now, but his body was driving her nuts.
“Good cause that thing may be fun, but it hurts after a while.”
“We can eat dinner here then get back on the road. That will give your delicate rear a break.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the diner. It was the same diner he had eaten breakfast in while she was sleeping. He knew they would both feel her presence soon. He just needed to stall. He stopped at the door and put his left hand around her waist pulling her in tightly. He wrapped her hair around his wrist and pulled it gently effectively opening her mouth for a kiss. He kissed her passionately until her stomach made itself known. They had gone far too long without eating. He always forgot how she needed food. He could go for days. She would be able to soon. A Prin could last a month on very little. Humans didn’t have that luxury.
“Time to eat.” He took her hand and led her into the diner. They took a corner booth. The waitress brought them some water and took their order. She ordered a cheeseburger and fries. Chances were they couldn’t mess that up. Darian ordered the same.
“So how do you know we are getting closer?”
“It’s a little trick I’m sure you will remember in time. Demons love to possess witches and vice versa. Witches can use their power but only if they know how.”
“Then you have run across witches before?” He didn’t answer her right away because their food was being put on the table. It smelled like grease, but she was starving. She dove right into the fries while he answered.
“Hundreds. So have you. Since our job is to wrangle rogue demons we run across them quite a bit.”
“And what is it that you think she can do?”
She took a big bite out of her burger. The grease started to run down her chin. Darian reached over with a napkin and wiped it up before she could. Then he took a bite out of his own. He was a little more graceful than she.
“She can give you back your wings.” He winked at her as she took another big bite. She needed to distract the thoughts going through her head.
“How is that possible? I mean I cut them off then killed myself.” Over the last few days she had come to accept the few things she knew to be true. This being one of them.
“You should know by now that anything is possible.” He was chuckling in between enormous bites. There was no embarrassment for him.
“Then what?” He waited for a moment before answering her. The waitress had come back over to check on them.
“Then we go home, together.” He kept eating as if their conversation wasn’t a big deal. Her heart was hammering again. She wasn’t sure if going home to a controlling father was what she really wanted to do.
“Are you forgetting my father?” She was suddenly over taken by the fear of what her father could do. Her memories were sporadic at best, but she could still recall the frigid way he threw Darian out of Spire after discovering their love.
“How could I forget Lord Malaicom? He’s the reason I have been walking this cursed earth for so long.” Darian nearly broke his glass slamming it down on the table. She didn’t realize he had such anger.
“My father’s name is Malaicom? I thought it would be Lucifer.” She was not trying to intentionally distract him from his anger, but it seemed to be going that direction.
“You are confusing man’s folklore with reality. They like to change names they can’t pronounce or understand. Your father is the Lord of the underworld, I assure you.”
“I guess I never really thought about it. You know my memories are still spotty at best.”
“I am hoping she can clear that up too.” He touched her hand. A spark of electricity passed between them. It was something they both felt. She gulped. Just the touch of his hand made her excited.
“You certainly have a lot of hope resting on this woman.” She smiled and wiped some ketchup off his chin. She hadn’t finished her burger, but he was waving for the check already. She shoved a few bites in her mouth before he answered.
“I have too. You are the only one who knows how to get back in.”
He threw some money on the table and took her hand. She was more than a little stunned by his statement but he didn’t give her time to respond. Still chewing her dinner, he handed her helmet. They got back on the bike. She closed her eyes and let the wind hit her in the face. Then she was struck by an odd sensation. It was almost like hunger pains, but deeper. She squeezed Darian tighter as he pulled over.
“I feel it too.”
“What is it?”
“She is close.”
“Oh.”
“We walk from here.”
“Into that?” There was nothing but dark forest in front of them. Athena’s heart started to hammer again. This time it wasn’t passion, it was fear. She had never been a big fan of dark places.
“Yep.”
He smiled and held out his hand for her. She bit her lip tentatively but then slung the bag over her shoulder and took what he offered her. This was the darkest place she had ever been. Athena grew up in a city. Going out to the woods was not something she had ever aspired to do. Darian, on the other hand, seemed to be right at home in this environment. He led her through the tall grass and over a barbed wire fence. He wasn’t fazed by an obstacle they came across. Once they reached the tree line she could no longer see the bike. It was there, but there was no evidence of it from that distance. Darian puffed out his chest and led on.
“You know I can hear your heart thumping madly.” He let out a little chuckle.
“I am sorry, but I am a mere mortal still.” She swatted his behind for laughing at her.
“I know.” He turned around and kissed her cheek hoping that would calm her nerves a little.
“Are we nearly there?”
“Nearly. Shh…” He put his finger to her lips. She tried to steady her heartbeat and breathing. He crouched to the ground and she followed suit. It felt like they were soldiers on some secret special ops mission. This was her creative imagination hard at work, but they were being extra stealthy. Duck walking behind him trying not to laugh, she noticed the smoke. There was a fire ahead of them. Then she was hit by stronger pains in her belly then before. This pain was much stronger then when they were on the road. It made her want to cry out. He must have known as he turned and covered her mouth before a sound could come out. She tried to calm herself.
Her entire body was alive. It knew what it wanted. It wanted blood. The instinct to draw a sword was so strong she had to fight her hand. It was moving on its own. She couldn’t help but feel this was what she was meant to do. He slowly took his hand away as she gained control. He motioned for her to stay low. Then he bolted around the fire. She had never seen anyone move that fast. He was behind the woman with a blade to her throat before she could blink. Wanting to hear, she moved closer.
“Darian, nice to see you again.”
“I bet, Sheila.” He kept the blade tight to her throat as they spoke.
“What can I do for you?”
“I need your help.”
“Then I guess you should take your blade away from my throat.” This was all theatrical presentation for Athena’s sake. Darian wanted it to seem real, but it wasn’t. It appeared to Athena this sort of thing happened to the woman a lot. She was awfully cool for someone being threat
ened.
“Are you going to behave?”
“Define behave?”
She couldn’t see her face yet, but she was sitting on a stump next to the fire. She was wearing a purple gown tucked in between her legs like pants. It was obvious it was a dress because of the length in the back. It did appear she had a nice figure.
“I don’t want you pulling your usual tricks. You must swear you will not.”
“Really! Do I have to swear?”
“Yes.”
“Fine, I swear I will do you and your friend no harm this night.” She ran her hand across the blade. She took his hand and they shook.
“You can come out, Athena.” Darian was looking straight at her. Her hiding place must not have as secret as she thought it was. She stood up and marched over to the fire. Darian stepped toward her, but never took his eyes off of the mysterious woman.
“What the hell was that?”
“I had to have her swear, otherwise she could be dangerous.”
“Blah, blah. Nice to see you again, Athena. Please have a seat.” Sheila was not a good looking woman. Her hair was like black straw and her face had been hardened by the sun. Guessing her age would have been a mistake. She could have been fifty or a hundred and fifty. Whatever it was she moved around the fire with the grace of an acrobat. She stood and pointed to a stump.
“We’ve met?”
“A month ago.” The woman watched Athena wipe off the stump and take a seat. She waited until Athena was comfortable before returning to her seat Then it hit Athena all at once. This was the woman that kidnapped her a month ago. She was the reason the people of her town thought she was nuts. She was suddenly full of rage.
Sheila’s face was starting to show a considerable amount of concern. Darian turned to look at Athena. Her eyes were nearly all red. It wouldn’t be long before something incredibly bad happened. He had to act quickly.
“Calm her down before she does something stupid.”
“You worry about you.” Darian looked at Sheila for only a second. Then he turned his full attention to his woman. “Athena.”
“Yes.” Her teeth were clinched and bared. She looked like a wild animal ready to pounce.
“We talked about this. You know she only did what I asked. If it weren’t for Sheila we would not be together now.”
“But she made me look crazy!”
“To a bunch of mortals, which we are not.” Darian rubbed the top of her hand hoping the contact would bring her back to reality. Her eyes were slowly going back to blue. When they were finally the right color Sheila took her opportunity.
“Now, what can I do for you, Darian?”
“I need you to make Athena whole again.”
“Whole?”
“Yes. She is a Prin.” He sat beside Athena so he could face Sheila directly.
“Where are her wings?” Sheila haphazardly stoked the fire. She seemed almost bored by the conversation.
“Therein lies the problem.”
“How did she lose them?”
“She cut them off.” Darian said this as if it were no big deal. Her reaction was quite the opposite.
“WHAT!?!” Sheila was on her feet and moving rapidly away as reality sunk into her.
“Sit down. Are you trying to get us all killed?” He stood up and moved toward her.
“Do you know who this is?” She was now pacing the fire anxiously. Athena was a little lost, but it was clear Sheila knew exactly whom she was dealing with.
“Of course.”
“You want me to restore Lord Malaicom’s daughter? Are you insane?” She stopped dead in front of him. Her anger was radiating but he was unmoved.
“No I’m not. We just want to go home.” He was simply stoic in front of her. It was as if this was an everyday conversation. Sheila’s body language wasn’t backing down in the slightest.
“No.”
“What? Why not?” Athena finally found her voice. Sheila was stunned by her sudden utterance.
She turned toward her and pointed her finger. “Let me explain something to you sweetheart, your father is not someone I care to piss off. He can end my worldly run with a finger snap. I have no desire to stop breathing right now.”
“So you are saying you won’t help me because of who I am?”
“I can’t.”
“Why not?” Darian moved over toward her. He was using his considerable height to make her feel small. It was working.
“I already told you. I can’t risk it. I’ve already pissed people off by helping you. You really think I have a death wish?” She was wringing her fingers tightly. Her concern was obvious. She was literally afraid for her life.
“I think if you don’t help us you will die anyway.” Her fear didn’t move him in the slightest. He drew his blade again. He was standing leaning over the fire. His intentions were also very clear.
“So now you are going to threaten me into helping you?”
“I will. You witches are a dime a dozen. I will hunt your entire coven down until one of them helps me. You will have all your sisters’ blood on your head.”
“You wouldn’t dare!”
“Wouldn’t I? Need I remind you who I really am?” Athena wasn’t sure what she was missing, but it must have been something big. Sheila changed her tune very quickly after that comment.
“No.”
“So will you help me?” Athena was standing next to Darian now. She held his free hand and pleaded with the witch. She wanted to go home. Darian was her forever. This was how it was going to work for them.
After a moment of silence, Sheila looked at Athena. Darian was still holding his threatening position to her left. Her eyes fell on Athena’s. Something in them must have changed her mind. Her features softened just before she spoke. “It will take more than just my power to give you back your life.”
“How much more power?” Darian backed away from her a little.
“I will need three members of my coven to perform the ritual. It will take me a few days to gather them here.”
“You have twenty four hours.”
“I can’t possibly!” She stood up and actually stomped her foot like a petulant child. If the situation hadn’t been so intense it would have been funny.
“You will!”
“Fine.”
“We will meet you here in twenty four hours. You will be here with only those you need or I will be here with a compliment of soldiers willing to take out some witches.” His confidence in his words was tangible. Athena was not sure what he meant, but if a threat was what it took count her in.
“You wouldn’t?” The look of panic on Sheila’s face was priceless. She knew he was being deadly serious right now.
“Try me.”
He grabbed Athena’s hand and pulled her back toward the bike. Her mind was clearly reeling from what she just witnessed. They didn’t speak all the way to the bike. She put her helmet on and wrapped her arms around him. He took off back toward the town they just left. There was a little hotel just on the outskirts. She was sure that was where he was headed, but they blew right by it. He pulled down a dirt road instead. They traveled down the road for a mile before she saw a beautiful old farm house. He pulled in front of it and shut the motor off.
“Home for the night.” He took his helmet off and smiled.
“Where are we?”
“This is a friend’s house. They have gone to Florida for a few days.” Darian was lying to her again, but he couldn’t hurt her. He wasn’t sure how she would react if she knew he had fathered children. It wasn’t something you surprised on someone the day before they were going to be changed forever.
“A friend?”
“Yes. Would I have a key otherwise?”
He swung open the door to reveal the inside matched the outside. It was decorated with antiques and some of the oldest wallpaper she had ever seen. He led her to the staircase and pulled her up the stairs. It was so dark she tripped on the last step. He waited until he wa
s in the doorway of the bedroom to turn on the light. The room was extraordinary. It was simply dressed with antiques and a queen size bed with a handmade quilt on it. It wasn’t the finest on the planet, but it certainly looked comfortable.
“Let’s get this off of you.” He slid her jacket off. Then he grabbed the bag and set it on the floor.
“Why don’t you get comfortable?” He had walked over to the bed and sat down. The springs let out a horrible noise as they took on his weight. It was clear this room hadn’t been used in a little while.
“Do they have a tub?”
“Sure.”
“I could really use a hot bath right now.”
“Here let me.”
He walked through the door in his stocking feet while pulling his shirt over his head. She heard him turn the water on. She took some time to look around the room. She couldn’t believe Darian knew the people that owned this house. It didn’t seem to suit his personality at all. The pictures on the wall showed an older couple. There were a few with children in them as well. They all seemed to have familiar faces but she couldn’t put her finger on it.
“It’s ready.”
“Good.” She kicked her boots off and headed toward him.
He was sitting on the side of a bear claw tub. The water was steaming and full of bubbles. It amazed her how well he knew her. Scanning over him she noticed his abs looked fabulous covered in moisture. His animal magnetism was driving her crazy.
She could have sex with him now, bath be damned. Her desire for him was growing stronger by the second. She decided to make him feel a little of the torture she was going through. Darian watched from his perch as Athena tried her best to do a strip tease. It was not something one would see in a strip club, but it meant more because it came from her heart. She dropped each item off her body one at time while dancing around the room. It amazed him how talented she was. There was no music playing, but it was clearly going in her head. He was smiling at her the entire time. Finally naked, he took her hand and helped her into the tub. She sat down slowly as the water was scalding hot.