The Fury

by Sloan McBride

  “He sends his regards.”

  Kur scowled at Vile. “Don’t let her die before I’m finished here.”

  “No worries,” she flicked him a kiss and tossed him a blade.

  Kur raised the blade up in front of his face and bowed to Dagan. To the death had never meant more to Dagan than at this moment. He had to stay focused. The woman he loved hung in a pool of her own blood but he couldn’t let it distract him, or he’d likely join her and the creature would win.

  Kur advanced bringing his sword in a high arc toward Dagan’s neck. Holding the hilt in both hands, Dagan did a one-eighty and blocked the move. Kur faltered, a little off balance. Dagan’s sword crisscrossed his body in a figure eight, aggressively backing Kur up until he pressed against the wall. Raising his blade at the last minute, he deflected the fatal blow. The hard contact reverberated up his arm and Dagan sliced into his forearm when he retracted.

  Kur hissed. “I’m impressed.”

  With a glint in his eye Dagan said, “I live to fight.”

  Kur’s face screwed into a mask of hatred. “Not for long.”

  Dagan and Kur performed their deadly dance across every inch of the warehouse floor. Each swing and stab, thrust and parry took chunks of skin and dotted the floor with blood.

  On one lunge, Kur slipped in some blood, skidded forward and fell to his knees cursing. It presented Dagan with the chance he’d been waiting for, so he stuck the tip of his sword through Kur’s extended knee, wrenching a scream from the dark lord. Dagan quickly spun around and brought the blade down, slicing deeply at the point where Kur’s neck connected to the shoulder. Unfortunately, he missed the jugular. Blood spurted from the wound.

  Vile raced over and sent a knife hurtling toward Dagan, who deflected it. Quick as lightning he sailed two metal stars at her, lodging one in her shoulder and the other in her hand. She screamed and dropped next to Kur before pulling the metal objects out, letting them fall to the concrete floor. Blood oozed from the wound on Kur’s neck, his fingers bloodied from stemming the flow. With a lethal glare, Vile wrapped her arms around Kur and teleported them back to the Underworld.

  Dagan rushed to Reese.

  Using the sword, he pounded the chains, cutting them from the wall, letting it fall to catch her weak form. He rested two shaking fingers against the pulse point. Her skin was pale and her lips were turning blue. She wouldn’t last much longer. Hopelessness coursed through him, stabbing his heart with its vicious attack.

  He wanted to see those blue flames glare at him and threaten to banish his ass again, needed to see her smile and feel her warmth. One more time to lie next to her and hear her sighs when they made love. One more kiss.

  “Nammu,” he cried. “Nammu, I need you.”

  The air around him grew humid and moist, a drastic difference from the frigid clime just moments before. Nammu, the mother of all the gods, shimmered to life. Her raven hair swept away from her face, showcasing her turbulent sea-green eyes which reminded him of a tropical storm, and her wide, generous mouth wore the color of a sunset. The emerald colored gown she wore was simple elegance, the bodice fitted, the full skirt sweeping the floor. Fine white lace edged the neckline and her ample bosom. A delicately arched brow hiked as she looked on him from her regal pose.

  “Why have you summoned me?”

  Fierce and wild, Dagan cast his tear-filled gaze in her direction. “She is dying. I need you to save her.”

  “You know it is forbidden to change the course of events.”

  “This wasn’t supposed to happen,” he screamed through the anguish twisting his heart.

  “How can you know this?”

  “Because I didn’t do my job, if I had, she wouldn’t be lying here on death’s door.”

  “If you were lax in your duties…”

  “Not lax,” he countered hotly. “I defied the Pantheon. Instead of turning her over to Scion, I thought to cleverly have my way, and in doing so, I put her life at risk. This is my fault.”

  He brushed a stray hair from Reese’s face and watched her chest rise and fall in shallow breaths. “I failed her,” he whispered.

  Her noble features sternly assessed him as she floated slowly toward them. “If what you say is true—”

  “It is.”

  “Then I will save her.” She raised her hand before his gratitude spilled forth. “But, it will cost you, Time Walker.”

  “Anything.”

  Lifting her hands toward the sky, Nammu chanted in the ancient language. A soft glow radiated from her palms until it encompassed Reese’s entire body. The warm light exuded energy which it siphoned into her still form.

  Dagan felt the swell and reluctantly moved away from Reese’s body, not wanting to interfere with the rejuvenation. In his desperation, the minutes seemed like hours. Slowly, the color returned and her breaths grew stronger. He placed his unsteady palm over her heart and felt the strong, hardy beat.

  With deep sincerity Dagan said, “Thank you, my lady.”

  Nammu lowered her arms and smiled at him. “She will be fine, Dagan.” In a motherly gesture, she stroked his head like one would a small child. “It is you I am concerned about.”

  “I care not for myself. That she is alive and well is enough for me.”

  “She is your blethred.”

  He slowly raised his eyes to her. “I know, my lady.”

  “The fury has everything to do with your decisions on this matter.”

  His jaw clenched. “I should have handled things better.” He lifted Reese’s head to cradle it against his chest.

  Nammu crossed her arms. “Tell me more about the Pantheon’s orders regarding the female.”

  Dagan explained everything, including his intentions to defy their order, at least until he could dispose of Kur. Lastly, he informed her of the punishment imposed on him, to return to Dilmun and work with Gilgamesh training new time walkers, while trying to live through the separation.

  She growled. “This is most cruel even for the Council. They know what toll the fury can have on our kind.”

  “They are afraid of change, my lady. While I don’t agree with their thinking, I will accept the punishment.” Nammu faded away.

  Reese gasped. Dagan kissed her forehead, her cheek, the tip of her nose.

  She opened her eyes. “Hi.”

  “Hi.” He had to fight the urge to scream to the heavens with joy.

  “What happened?”

  “Don’t you remember?” His voice was thick and husky.

  She closed her eyes briefly. “No, I don’t remember anything after that demon bitch latching on to me.”

  Blessed be Nammu. She must have erased the torture and near death from Reese’s memory.

  “Thank you, my lady,” he whispered under his breath.

  “What about Rufus?” Reese asked anxiously.

  “He’ll be fine. Got a bit of a headache, but he’s fit and ready to fight again.”

  She smiled. “That’s good.”

  “How do you feel?”

  “I think I’m all right. I guess I got knocked out or something because I dreamed of this beautiful angel with green eyes and black hair, telling me to rest and heal and come back to you.”

  “I’m glad you listened.” And forever grateful that Nammu had heeded his call.

  “What happened to Kur and the wicked old witch?”

  He cocked his head. “Wicked old witch?”

  “You’d have to know the Wizard of Oz story.”

  “I’m not familiar with this story.”

  “Never mind, just tell me what happened to Kur.”

  “We dueled. He lost.”

  Reaching her hand up, she caressed his face. “You’re my hero, you know.”

  Lowering his head, he captured her mouth in a tender but needy kiss. Her warm breath against his skin sent shivers of pleasure coursing through him.

  Dagan made up his mind. He would perform the démarr, the ritual that would bind him and Reese in mind, body,
and heart forever.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Dagan called Rufus, knowing he would worry until he reported in. After Dagan had filled her in on what had happened, Reese insisted on seeing her father and sister, so when Rufus drove up in a snazzy gray Jaguar, they went to her father’s house.

  Riley sat on the floor between Scion’s legs. Clive and Gideon recounted the attack by Venom and the zulies, and Riley filled in bits and pieces that she felt were necessary to get the full effect.

  Dagan stood behind Reese, kneading her shoulders. “Tomorrow, I’ll go to Enki and let him know of Venom’s involvement, and that there is a sorcerer or sorceress helping them. Percilious will set a new, stronger magick on this place for protection.”

  “Tell him I’d like to see him face to face this time, would you?” Clive asked.

  “I shall. I’m sure he’ll be pleased to hear it.”

  Riley leaned forward, putting her elbows on her knees. “So what will happen now?”

  “The danger is far from over. Now that Kur knows you’re all here, in this time and place, he’ll continue to send the galla back until he gets what he wants.”

  “Does that mean you’re going to stay here as well?”

  He felt Reese’s shoulders tense. “Measures will be taken to increase the magick surrounding you. Some of the doghume, like Gideon and Rufus, will be assigned to keep an eye out. Kur is recovering but he’ll be planning. He doesn’t like being defeated.”

  “And I will start learning and re-learning everything about my powers so I’m prepared should we be attacked again,” Clive offered.

  “What about the time walkers?” Riley persisted in her quest for answers.

  “We go where needed. Kur has his minions searching different time periods for more descendants.

  Riley sat up and curled her arm around Scion’s leg. “So.” She slipped her hand under his pant leg and massaged his calf. “That means you can come back here sometimes?”

  Dagan watched Scion give a lazy smile and his eyes darken. Something told him that Scion would be visiting here when his duties permitted it.

  “Yes, that’s true.”

  Reese still had not relaxed.

  A short time later, they loaded into the car that Rufus had secured for them and headed back to Reese’s house.

  He drove. She sat quietly watching the landscape whiz by, like the night they’d first met.

  Something had happened. Her clothes had been bloody and she didn’t like the fact that she couldn’t remember anything. Had he done another mind sweep? Why would he only take those few memories and not everything? It had to be bad.

  Part of her was angry because he wouldn’t fill in the missing time. He’d told her, “All that’s important is that you’re here, whole and safe. Nothing else matters.”

  But it mattered to her.

  “Dagan, why did Scion show up tonight?”

  “He came to help.”

  He hadn’t looked at her in a while. She knew by the way his hands gripped the steering wheel and his jaw clenched that he wasn’t telling her the whole truth. She wanted to punch the big jerk. How could she love someone who lied to her?

  Should she rethink that question? No, she knew it to be true.

  She loved Dagan.

  Although it had been a short time rout with demons trying to kill them and gods showing up on her doorstep, she loved him. She had fallen for him the first night when he’d cradled his body against her to keep the chills and the boogieman at bay. Then, bringing her donuts and coffee the next morning. Noble, courageous, compassionate, incredibly sexy, and the son of gods; what more could a girl want in a man?

  “Why are you lying to me?” She twisted in the seat to look at him.

  His dark eyes sought her out. “I’m not lying, Reese. Scion came to help protect you.”

  What would happen now? All the reasons she’d fallen in love with him were the same reasons he couldn’t stay. Their occupations, if that’s what you could call what he did, an occupation, were too different for them to be together. She stared at his stoic profile as he concentrated on the driving. Should she tell him how she felt? Did he feel the same way?

  Dagan wondered what was going on in that pretty little head of hers. He hadn’t lied to her about Scion, not really. He left out the part about turning her protection over to Scion and going away…forever. A minor tactical move on his part. He would rather bask in the brief time they shared than dwell on what manner of punishment Nammu and the Pantheon would deal him when he returned to Dilmun. The dictate to work with Gilgamesh, if he survived the separation from Reese and enduring whatever flaying he would receive, meant nothing compared to spending a few precious moments gazing into her beautiful eyes. Over the centuries, that memory and the warmth of her smile would stay with him.

  “Dagan, I have the item you requested.”

  Flame’s voice communicated clear in his mind.

  “In Reese’s living room by the hearth you’ll see a glass box mounted on the wall with a sacred chalice inside. Please place it on top of the box.”

  “How the hell did she get one of the Naruki chalices?”

  “I didn’t ask.” Dagan glanced over at his life mate and smiled. “I’m sure she dug it up somewhere.”

  “No doubt. It’ll be there when you arrive.” He paused briefly. “Are you sure about this?”

  “Absolutely. Thanks.”

  Bonding with Reese would unleash the fury he’d fought so hard to contain. This course of action guaranteed a painful separation and increased his risk of dying. Of course, once the Pantheon learned that he’d bonded with a human female without their consent, they may very well execute him, saving the pain of separation altogether. Either way, he was damned.

  “Will you tell me something about yourself?” she asked.

  He inclined his head.

  “Where are you from?”

  “Originally, my home is Lysara. It’s a city in the clouds where Enlil, the air god lives.”

  “I’ve never seen anything about Lysara in my studies nor heard about it in any teachings.”

  “Nevertheless, it is there.”

  “Is it beautiful?”

  “It’s the most peaceful and pleasant place.” He smiled. “My father does enjoy the opulence of deities.”

  His feelers were out before they pulled up to the house. He helped her out of the car and used his body to shield her from any attackers. Upon entering the house, he locked the door then went through every room to tightly secure it before putting the seal up for what would most likely be the last time. Prior to chanting the ancient spell, he secretly willed the items he would need for the démarr.

  She barely had her coat off before he slid his arms around her and kissed her. No words, just actions as he picked her up and headed for the bedroom. She didn’t argue or question. Did she feel it too, the overwhelming lust and sexual power? He could no more walk away now than he could the first time they had come together, only tonight would be different.

  He needed to prepare everything for the ritual. Laying her on the bed, he touched his fingertips to her temples and she fell instantly asleep. He shed his coat and shirt then went into the living room where he found the item Flame had delivered on top of the glass case. He removed the case and wrapped his fingers around the Basco chalice. In their beliefs, the four chalices were created by the original Naruki gods, Aradumas, Basco, Parsimion, and Gartyemar, to bond the brethren. When the females were created, lust ran rampant until the first male experienced the fury and died. First, they thought it an isolated incident, until the next one broke into the frenzy followed by death then the next and the next. It took thousands of deaths to the point of near extinction before his people discovered similarities in each case and started conducting massive studies. Each new discovery brought them closer to a process that eventually worked.

  One such epiphany was that the fury came upon a male when he found his life mate. Through ancient ritual, using the sacred
chalices, the Naruki males bonded to the females, unleashing the fury to consummate the joining, sometimes lasting for days. The intense drive subsided, or at least diminished to a more reasonable level and life moved on.

  Of course, those were only legends. Who knew the real reason bonding rituals had started? One certainty remained. When the fury set upon a male, if he did not bond with his female, the consequences were severe.

  The drums and raised voices of his ancestors and their gods thrummed in his head, stronger with every second that he held the chalice. He needed to hurry and complete the necessary preparations.

  Quickly he moved through the house, placing the required items in the appropriate places. When that was done, he took the chalice into the kitchen, washed it with warm water and soap then rinsed with clear, cool water to set in motion the chain of events that would, this night, bind him to Reese forever.

  Setting the chalice on the counter, he retrieved the chilled bottle of Merlot and filled it nearly to the top. With a large knife, he sliced the palm of his hand and dripped his blood into the wine. Within minutes, the cut had healed. Confident, he went back into the bedroom to begin.

  Dagan lifted Reese’s slumbering form against him and as he released her from the sleep, fell onto the bed with Reese under him. He kissed her hard. Grabbing the neck of her almost nothing shirt, he ripped it down the front to bare her breasts. He latched onto her nipple with his teeth, gently tugging it. Reese put her hands on either side of her breasts and pushed them together, offering them up to him. Shifting, he ripped apart the pants that covered her sex. Keeping one hand flat against her stomach, Dagan kissed his way down to her wet core where juices flowed and he lapped them up.

  Her scent intoxicated him and his eyes rolled back in his head when he swallowed. She would soon be his…forever. The fury swelled in him. He watched the heavy-lidded beauty as she lifted her hips and he tongued her. His hands slid beneath her to grab the sensual globes of her ass and squeeze them gently. Reese cried out as the orgasm rocked her. He purred against the sensitive button as she rode the climactic ecstasy.