“I’ll drink any form of spirit you care to offer, Reese.”
Yep, a long night indeed.
She filled the mugs with coffee and added two dollops of whiskey. Leaving the Johnnie Walker Black on the counter, she walked over, handed Dagan his cup and pushed past him to the living room. After snuggling into her favorite chair before the roaring fire she said “Okay, I want to know what the hell is going on. Who were those…things, and what do they want with me? And,” she pointed a finger at him, “I’ll warn you not to lie. I’m already pissed.”
He cocked his head. “I’ll tell you the truth,” he said most earnestly.
With everything she’d seen tonight, she hoped he would. “Fine, begin then.”
Dagan didn’t speak at first. Instead, he chugged the coffee. Reese stared at the corded muscles in his neck and the bobbing Adam’s apple as he swallowed. Even the simplest thing like taking a drink suffused her with hot, wicked imaginings. It was almost as if she knew him and yet she didn’t. Like they were supposed to be here together, doing what?
His incredible eyes captured her attention. She took a shot of coffee which burned going down but settled nicely in her already tense stomach.
“You are descended from gods. Your bloodline is rich in heritage and power,” he said.
“Gods? I’m descended from gods?”
“Yes.”
“You’re crazy. What gods?”
“A Pantheon of ancient gods known by many names in many cultures.”
“Naturally,” she replied dryly.
“Why do you think Sumerian and Babylonian mythology interests you so?” His right brow rose. “Because you’re descended from those on high.”
Certain now that he was a nutcase, Reese decided to get rid of him before something else happened. Besides, she knew the truth behind why she immersed herself in work, to keep her sanity, to keep from falling apart.
She had been swept away by his masculinity. That definitely couldn’t happen again.
“You’re directly descended from Enki, the water god, which is why Kur wants you so badly. Enki is his most hated enemy.”
“I know the stories of the water god.”
He inclined his head.
“How do you know this anyway?” She gestured skyward with her hands. “That was centuries ago. How can you possibly tell me that I’m descended from Enki?”
Dagan’s eyes narrowed with intensity radiating from them. “I smell it in your blood, in your body’s essence. It’s what led me to you, and what draws Kur.”
“This is absurd.” She rose from the chair and went to the front door. “You need to go.”
She felt his body before he said anything. “No. This fight isn’t over.”
“How do I know you didn’t stage the whole thing? You could have arranged this charade to throw me off guard and gain my confidence.”
“Then what?” he asked quietly.
“Then—I don’t know what,” she stammered. “Dammit.” She pulled away from him. “Who are you?”
She moved to stand before the fire then sat, deflated, on the floor. Suddenly, she felt very cold. “You asked about my family earlier.”
He inclined his head but his eyes never left hers.
“Are they in danger?”
“Yes.” He crouched beside her and picked up a lock of her hair to roll between his fingers. “I had Rufus send someone to keep an eye on your father’s house and one of our operatives in Europe will be keeping watch over your sister.”
He grasped her forearms so that she looked into his eyes. “They are very good at what they do, Reese. Your family will be protected.”
She felt the tears welling but tried hard not to let them fall. One slipped out of the corner of her eye and cascaded down her cheek. “Thank you.”
He helped her rise.
“I just find it hard to believe.”
“Believe what you want or not, but tell me you didn’t see the galla on your front porch. That you didn’t feel the blood of the creature try to burn through your skin.”
“Point taken.” She offered him a slight smile, which was all her ragged nerves could handle at the moment.
“Now, go change so we can leave.”
“Where are we going?” she asked as she removed her arms from his grasp.
“It’s a bar on the east side.”
“A bar?”
“Well, more of a nightclub really. You’ll like it.”
She doubted it. The woman in her scolded, the bookworm in her laughed. Still, she hadn’t been dancing in a long time and it did sound intriguing. Who’d of thought you’d find a god in a nightclub? Better yet, who’d of thought gods really existed on this planet?
Reese flipped on the light in her bedroom and went through her walk-in closet to find something suitable to wear. The walls on either side were lined with racks of garments. They were divided by season then grouped for either work or casual. She passed over numerous business suits, ones she wore to make a good impression for the museums and collectors she dealt with. They were too straight-laced and not the kind of thing you wore to a nightclub. As she kept digging, she happened across a little black dress that she hadn’t worn in forever. It would be the right thing to wear on a night like this unless they had trouble. The shoes would be a problem if she needed to run for her life.
With a sad sigh, she moved on down the row hoping to find something more suitable in case she met with unexpected trouble.
On the other side of the closet, she found a pair of black stretch jeans. “That’ll do. Now what to wear with it?”
She slid hangers, discarding choices until she rested on a baby blue blouse that wrapped around her waist and dipped in a V between her breasts.
After plugging in the curling iron, she gathered her make up and went into the bathroom to fix her face. The deep blue and silver eyeshadow made her eyes shine and she lined them heavily. With a Kleenex, she dabbed and smudged the liner to give it a smoky look. Next, she blended the two tones of blusher into her skin. Last, she used a lip liner and rose-colored lipstick.
Perfect.
Her mood had brightened. Using the curling iron, she gave her hair a little lift and added extra-hold hairspray to guarantee it would keep for a while. She tugged and hefted the tight jeans over her hips. Well-placed soft cups molded her breasts and lifted them slightly. She circled her waist with the bottom of the blouse and tied a neat knot at her side before repositioning the slit. Teardrop diamond earrings made her ears sparkle. She finished off with a matching diamond pendant and her favorite Passion perfume. Black Timberland boots completed her ensemble, and fit the bill for both the weather conditions outside and a fast escape should it be called for.
Reese questioned her motive for the transformation. She could reason that it wasn’t a giant leap, but she’d be lying. The feminine part of her wanted to get a rise out of Dagan and she couldn’t wait to see the look on his face.
After Reese left the room, Dagan willed himself a change of clothes. He traded his duster for a bomber jacket but kept his boots. They were his favorites and he wanted to be comfortable tonight just in case they ran into more trouble. Amazingly enough, the sword that Pyre had made for him fit securely across his back and the loose-fitting jacket accommodated the weapon. His cell phone rang.
“Yeah.”
“You going out?” Rufus asked.
“We’re going to find Nazi. Did you handle the other things I asked?”
“Yes, it’s done. I have Gideon watching Clive Whittaker and Angelique keeping an eye on the sister in France.”
“Good.”
“What are you doing with Reese?”
“I’m taking her with me. I don’t trust her to stay put.”
Amused, Rufus said, “Yeah, I’m sure that’s the only reason.”
“Stay close in case I need you to get Reese to safety, smartass.”
“I’m your shadow,” he said and hung up.
He bent to strap the
dagger to his knee when Reese sauntered into the room.
“So you’re going in armed?”
When he glanced up, his stomach plummeted. The black jeans fit her like a second skin, leaving little to the imagination. Her eyes were mesmerizing the way she had them done up, and if he didn’t know any better, he’d swear the color changed. Her earrings glittered in the light and drew your attention to the column of her neck and the too much bare skin everywhere. Damn. She smiled and he lost all thought.
“Did you suddenly go mute?”
“What?”
“I said you’re going armed?”
“Uh, yes. I never go anywhere unarmed.” He adjusted his dagger. “It comes with the territory.”
“Right.”
She rifled through the small black purse she carried. At the door she turned. “Shall we?”
“I am not pleased with this news.” Kur declared, his features spread tight with rage.
“He had another with him this time. We were not expecting it,” the galla hissed.
Strolling by the table on which lay various knifes, swords and other sharp instruments, Kur glanced toward the covered alcove and winked at the bound and gagged Ereshkigal. Smiling, he picked up a twelve-inch long short-handled knife admiring the way it gleamed in the firelight. With practiced precision Kur swung around, beheading the galla from behind.
Ereshkigal screamed but the sound was muffled by the gag. The other galla dropped to their knees just as Feral strolled in with an amused grin on his face.
“I see you’ve gotten their report.”
“Yes, and a sorry one it is.”
The captain walked through the dark dust on the floor. “What are your instructions?”
Kur set the knife back on the table. “I think this merits some personal attention. I will go myself.”
Feral bowed. “As you command. We will be close.”
Waving his hand Kur said, “Leave me.”
The rest of the galla who had been kneeling rose and hurried out of the room followed by their leader. Kur turned his attention to Ereshkigal.
“Alone at last, my queen.” He snapped his fingers and classical music blared throughout the room.
She scrambled on tiptoes, trying to back away from him. Kur chuckled. “I have special plans for you. Something we both will enjoy.”
He walked over to the table where various instruments used for pleasure and pain glowed in the dim candlelight, like a soft spring day. He picked up a pair of tongs then went to the fire and pulled out a long needle with a half-inch circumference. The tip glowed red hot and sizzled when he blew it softly.
Kur swaggered back over to where Ereshkigal hung. After ripping the white shirt down the front to expose her nipples, he leaned forward and sucked one rosy tip into his mouth. He ran his tongue across it, pleased to see it harden and thrust out.
“That’s it. I grow hard already.”
He tugged the nipple with his teeth then bit it. She whined.
“That didn’t hurt. I’m going to pierce your nipples today. Soon, you will wear rings through them that dangle and tease me. I will suck and pull on the rings while I’m fucking you. You will scream with ecstasy at my hands.”
Tears fell from her eyes and she shook her head, silently pleading with him not to do what he’d promised.
“Don’t worry, Ereshkigal, my sweet. It will be over before you know it.”
He used the tongs to grab the nipple and pull it out before thrusting the searing tip of the needle through. She’d passed out before both breasts were finished. He gently washed her with cool water and antiseptic herbs. Two pure silver rings adorned with rubies and diamonds were slipped through the holes.
“Perfect.”
Kur kissed each breast, but couldn’t stop there. With reverent awe, he uncovered the rest of his wife’s body. He kissed the valley between her breasts then continued down her flat stomach to the juncture between her thighs. He inhaled.
“So sweet,” he murmured. Opening the soft folds, he proceeded to lave her slit. She awoke bucking against his mouth. This made him smile. “Soon, I will take you in every way possible and you will worship me and the things my cock will do to you.”
He stood, unzipped his pants and released the aforementioned appendage. Turning sideways, he held his cock out to its full length for her to see. “This is all for you.”
She fought the chains that held her. Kur laughed as he left the room planning the next move against Reese Whittaker and anticipating the power her life force would provide.
Chapter Six
Dagan and Reese drove through the dark night in relative silence and in a sleek, silver-toned Porsche.
“One of my toys,” Dagan explained.
Venturing through back streets and portions of the city she’d never been in, Reese wondered whom these people were associated with, and where, exactly, this bar could be located. He’d only said the east side. This was way east, almost to another state.
Insanity didn’t run in her family that she knew of. And yet here she sat for the second day in a row with a man she did not know, allowing him to take her to strange places. At the first real opportunity, should she try to call Joe or Geoffrey? No. Besides, Geoffrey had gone camping. She needed to get through this night and figure something out in the morning. Of course, she still had the option of calling the police, but how would she explain bringing her attacker home? She didn’t understand it herself.
“So tell me about these people you have guarding my father and sister. And what about Rufus? How does he fit in?”
“Are you going to batter me with questions all night?”
“Yes, until I get the answers I require.”
Dagan sighed heavily. “Rufus is what we call a doghume. They are humans with extraordinary abilities.”
“Humans?”
“Uh, huh. Then there are the nephili, who are half god and half human. It’s sort of like your version of Hercules, only they have limited powers at certain times.”
“What kind of powers?”
“It differs. Are you going to let me finish?”
She frowned at him.
“Last, we have the purebreds, which are those like me and Flame.”
“And what’s so special about you?” she asked, sliding an accusatory glance his way.
With a devilish grin he said, “We are the first born of gods and the best defense against the creature.” He turned his concentration to the dark road.
Loud music drifted out the doors and across the parking lot as they pulled up. A Temptations song greeted them when they got out of the car. On the outside, the place looked like a huge warehouse made from old wooden boards salvaged from dilapidated buildings. An enormous sign hung above the door. She couldn’t see it clearly, but as they drew closer, the words came into focus. Slow Burn. Underneath the name in gothic lettering it said, Into the fires of hell ye be walkin. Was that a warning?
Reese looked over at Dagan.
“What?”
“Interesting. Should I be worried about this place?”
“You have nothing to fear here,” he assured her. “Neither Kur nor his followers can enter this place. It is protected by several powerful spells. That is why my kind can come here and relax without worry.”
“Okay.” She wasn’t relieved at all, but she’d give him the benefit of the doubt.
“Dagan? I’ll be damned.” The burly man standing guard at the door had a deep burr to his voice.
“Hey, Seamus.”
The bouncer looked like a brick building with arms the size of CO2 canisters, the big ones. His dark skin shined and he had an enormous tattoo that started at the wrist on one hand, went up his arm, disappeared under his shirt and came out of the sleeve on the other side, stopping at his other wrist. She had no idea what the tattoo represented but it reminded her of ancient writing she’d seen on tablets in a museum a long time ago.
“Haven’t seen you around these parts in about fifty years. You
had one of those redheaded nymphs from Lysara as I recall.”
Reese turned her questioning eyes in his direction. His arrogant demeanor kicked in and he winked at her.
“Yeah, Bethany liked this place too.”
The other man turned his attention to her. “So who’s this sexy number?” He moved up close to her and sniffed.
“I’m Reese.” She moved back a step. “Are you sniffing me?”
Dagan laughed.
“Human?” Seamus asked.
“Yes,” Dagan replied. “Reese, this is Seamus. He’s a blood hound, literally.”
“Nice to meet you,” she said then frowned at Dagan.
Seamus took her hand and kissed it. “Pleasure. You have some powerful blood flowing through your veins, miss. Best watch who you hang out with.”
“Thanks for the warning, Seamus, but you do see the company I’m keeping at the moment, right?” she all but yelled over the music.
Seamus broke into deep, resonating laughter.
“Come on.” Dagan gently shoved her through the metal doors.
“So what did you mean he’s a blood hound?”
“I’m not at liberty to say. I can’t reveal all our secrets to a human.”
She stopped walking and narrowed her eyes on him. He clasped her fingers in his and urged her forward.
When they got inside the place opened up and bodies gyrated to Beatles’ music. A semi-circular purple stage stretched onto the dance floor about three feet. It had a long horizontal walkway with platforms on either side. On the raised platforms were three-sided cages where blond girls in white go-go boots danced. In front of the cages but down another level sat large green disks with stairs leading up to them so that showcase dancers could strut their stuff. Down another level lay the very crowded wooden dance floor. Beyond that were tables and chairs to sit, and on both sides of the seating area were bars that ran approximately sixteen to eighteen feet. Four different bartenders handled each side and they seemed to carry the burden of the crowd with ease.
“This is amazing,” she said over the music blasting from several floor to ceiling speakers.
“I know, that’s why we love coming here.”
The Fury Page 6