She didn’t think so. She hoped not, but she couldn’t say for sure.
“So, what should I do with you now? They’ll come back for you.” Kayla frowned. “Why are you so sick? What happened to you?”
“I am bound to Tamoanchan. They attacked it to weaken me. Otherwise Epizotal could not best me.”
Kayla didn’t want to ask, but the drive to protect the weak and innocent drove the question. “What will it take for you to get well?”
The other woman leveled a searching look at Kayla. “Time and welcome in this place,” she said finally.
“That’s it? Rest and recuperation?”
“Not just anywhere. Here. In your domain.”
Kayla’s forehead wrinkled in confusion. “I don’t get it. What’s so great about here?”
“What is planted here thrives, but especially those tied to the Ba of Iteru.”
“The what?”
Itzpapalotl stared. “You do not know?”
“Would I ask if I did?”
“Iteru, the great river.”
“The Amazon?”
A shake of her head. “The great river of life, the river of the desert. They call it The Nile now. Ba is divine spirit.”
Kayla was reminded of the oddly Egyptian appearance of cartouches in the writings they’d discovered and the theory the one archeologist had come up with that Egyptians had traveled to South America. “Why would people tied to the Ba of Iteru find my territory particularly beneficial?” Her territory. That concept was becoming easier to wrap her mind around and accept. Not just accept, but claim. Her territory. Her people. Her responsibility.
“Because you are Sobek,” Itzpapalotl said, as if that explained anything.
“I’m what?”
“Sobek,” she repeated because repetition always makes things clearer.
“What’s a Sobek?”
“You are. That is your nature, your Ba.”
This conversation was growing no less confusing, but it seemed Kayla finally had someone who had a few answers about her nature, answers that she could explore. But first she had to figure out what to do with Itza. She was Kayla’s problem because Nietzche-cheese and his buddy Zappy would come for her again, and Kayla had the only weapon that could stop them. A weapon she wasn’t going to turn over to anybody else. It was too dangerous. Then again, having this Itza stay in Portland was dangerous.
Life was dangerous.
“What happens when you recover?”
“I will hunt and kill Epizotal.”
“And her two goons?”
“They as well.”
“What’s to stop them from attacking this Tamoanchan place again to hurt you?”
“You.”
“Say what?”
“Your protection of me will extend to Tamoanchan. If I am welcome here, they can no longer hurt me that way.”
Well, hell. That pretty much sealed it. Kayla couldn’t see sending her out of Portland in such bad condition. She’d be a sitting duck, and her death would be on Kayla’s head. Add in the fact that the Itza-pop’s sole chance at healing lay here in Portland, she couldn’t say no.
She sighed. “You can take the room upstairs at the end of the hall,” she said finally. “I can help you clear it out later. But just to be clear, if you start any trouble or hurt anybody, you won’t be welcome here anymore.”
The god nodded. “I will not.”
“Kayla? Can I talk to you? In private?” Ray didn’t wait for an answer, grabbing her elbow and drawing her away into the dining room.
Oh great. Their first fight as a couple. That didn’t take long. Kayla braced herself for the argument.
Ray pulled her around to face him. “I know you have to do this and I get why, but I’m not letting you live here alone with her. She lives here, so do I.”
His brows rose, waiting for her to protest. Like that was going to happen. Have him with her every night? Sounded like Christmas morning to her.
“Are you going to wrap yourself in a bow, too?”
“What?”
“That’s what you do with presents, right?”
His slow smile made her stomach flutter. “If you want me in a bow, you’ve got it.”
“We may need a bigger bed. I’m not sure we’ll both fit in mine.”
He put his hands on her hips and pulled her against him. “I’m okay with tight quarters.”
She put her arms around him. “Come to think of it, so am I. But I still want a bow. You can leave off the other wrapping.”
His grin widened. “Why, Kayla Reese, I like the way you think.”
“But there is one thing I need you to do,” she said soberly.
His smile faded. “What’s that?”
“I need you to train with your magic. Raven said if you had some, you wouldn’t have been hurt like you were.”
“The past few days have convinced me I need to get my shit together and do it.”
“Really?”
“Really, but you’ve got to do something for me, too.”
“Anything.”
He brushed his knuckles along her cheek. “No more hiding in the shadows. No more keeping secrets from me, no matter how bad you think they are. There’s never going to be anything bad enough to make me walk away.”
“You two going to take all day?” Zach asked from the doorway.
Ray glared. “Do you not know the meaning of privacy?”
“Sure. But I also know it’s rude to leave guests standing around without any refreshments. I’m hungry. Came to tell you I rifled the fridge and I’m going to fix us all something to eat.” He glanced at a nonexistent watch on his wrist. “That gives you kids forty-five minutes to do . . . whatever.” He grinned. “But take it upstairs, will you? I don’t know how thin the walls are, and the last thing I need is to be scarred for life by hearing you two getting down and dirty.”
Ray flipped him off. Zach laughed and headed into the kitchen. Ray looked back at Kayla.
“Much as I’d like to carry you upstairs, I’m not going to rush through our first time like teenagers in the back of a car, and I’m sure as hell not going to have Logan hanging around.”
Kayla’s cheeks flushed. “Your way or the highway?”
His lips curved, and he slid his hands under her shirt and pulled her tight against him. His lips brushed hers. “Our first time is going to be private, and we may not leave the bed for days.”
Shivers ran over her skin where he touched. “We might get hungry.”
“Sometimes you have to make sacrifices.”
“Talk about sacrifices . . .” Kayla pulled away reluctantly. “I’d better put that sword some place safe.”
He kept hold of her hand. “You’re really going to be okay with me moving in? If this is going too fast for you, we can take this slower. I can move into another bedroom. We can spend time getting to know each other again.”
Her head cocked. “Is that what you want?”
“I want you to not have any regrets.”
Kayla smiled, reaching up to smooth the furrow between his brows. “I have regrets, but being with you isn’t going to be one of them.”
His fingers tightened, his eyes searching hers. “You’re sure?”
She nodded. “I want this.”
“Good.”
He pulled her tight against him and kissed her. It was raw with need, yet tender. He explored her, his lips and tongue asking and giving at the same time. His hands roved over her, his body quaking with the force of his emotions. Everything about his touch promised things Kayla never thought she could have. Not with him, not with anyone. A connection so deep and sweeping she didn’t know if she could contain it.
Kayla held t
ight to Ray, her body melting into his as heat scorched through her. Her mind spun, and she couldn’t manage a coherent thought. It was like riding fireworks into space, going higher and higher, racing for the explosion of color and light. She wanted him to know just how much she wanted him, how much she trusted and loved him. She pressed closer, trying to show him all she felt. One of his arms clenched around her lower back while the other hand twisted into her hair and held her as though he never meant to let her go.
She didn’t know how long the kiss went on before he pulled back, his dark gaze boring into hers, his breath warm against her lips.
“Holy shit.” It sounded like a prayer.
He brushed his lips against hers again as if he couldn’t stop himself. She made a little annoyed sound when he pulled away again, her fingers digging into his hips as she tried to keep him from moving away. He smiled with satisfaction, his gaze dropping to her mouth.
“We don’t stop now, I’m not sure I won’t have you naked on the table in the next minute or two,” he said roughly.
She caught her breath, his words sending ropes of electricity zinging through her. Goosebumps ran down to her heels, and desire tightened in her belly. She couldn’t help glancing at the table, imagining what it would be like to have Ray inside her as she lay back on it.
“I wouldn’t complain.” Her own voice came out low and hoarse.
“Don’t fucking tempt me. I’m holding on with my fingernails here.”
“You’re the one who suggested it.”
“It wasn’t a suggestion.”
“Could have fooled me.”
He groaned and wrenched himself away, taking a step back. He ran his fingers down the side of her face as if he couldn’t resist touching her. “Help me out here, Kayla. I really don’t need Logan offering his critique of my performance.”
She giggled. “He would, too.” She raised her hands in defeat. All right. I’ll behave. But just for the record, you’re the one who started it.”
From the kitchen came laughter. Three days ago she’d never have imagined she’d have guests—friends—in her house. Three days ago she’d never have dreamed she’d talk to Ray again, much less be moving in together. Loving each other. Three days ago she’d almost skulked off into the fog and given up on herself again.
Not anymore.
Ray held out his hand, and she took it, walking with him into the kitchen. Izta sat beside Raven at the breakfast bar while Zach chopped vegetables.
“A cop, a witch, a technomage, and two gods walk into bar . . .” Kayla murmured. It sounded like the beginning of a joke. But it wasn’t a joke. It was her life. And dammit, she liked it.
The End
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Acknowledgments
When I was a kid, I had a shirt that said, “I’m too lazy to work and too nervous to steal.” I think of that from time to time when I’m writing. Sometimes it feels almost lazy (in fact decadently so) to be a writer because I love the job so much. Sometimes it’s painfully hard work, too, but I try not to dwell on that. The point is, I couldn’t do this amazing job without readers like you who buy my books and recommend them to libraries and tell your friends and write reviews. You are truly the best readers in the world. I thank you so very much.
Writing in my house doesn’t happen without the support of my family. They pick up the slack when I am deep in the work zone, and they bring me food and tea when I imprison myself in my office. I am so lucky to have such wonderful children and an amazing husband.
With all my books, I send a draft out to my beta readers who will read and give me honest feedback. With this book, I struggled with some of the elements and desperately needed that feedback. Thanks to Christy Keyes, Donald Kirby, Adrienne Middleton, Theresa Johnson Miller, and Heather Osborne.
Every good book needs an editor, and mine is fabulous. Deb Dixon is generous, understanding, and helpful, but on top of that, she’s an amazing editor. She understands what I’m going for and helps me get there. Thank you for always being such a great support, Deb!
A lot of work in books goes on behind the scenes. Though I do the heavy lifting of writing, others help me focus, help me stay on task, talk out plot threads with me, and so many other things. Devon Monk, you are the best writing partner ever! The Word Warriors so helped motivate me. R.J. Blaine bribed and coerced me, and I love her for it. Lucienne Diver helped make this book possible.
I want to also thank all the staff at Bell Bridge, who do so much for me. I love you.
I know I’ve missed thanking some people, and I apologize for that. I sometimes have the memory of a steel sieve. Know that I appreciate everything you’ve done and continue to do for me. I’m so blessed to have so many good people supporting me. You’re the best.
About the Author
DIANA PHARAOH FRANCIS is the acclaimed author of more than a dozen novels of fantasy and urban fantasy. Her books have been nominated for the Mary Roberts Rinehart Award and RT Magazine’s Best Urban Fantasy. Find out more about her at dianapfrancis.com.
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