by I. T. Lucas
Eva closed her eyes and sighed. “I can’t wait to meet her.”
Bhathian pressed his forehead to hers. “I know of a sure way to do it. She presides over all marriage ceremonies.”
“I’m not ready for that.”
“I know. But I’m getting you used to the idea. The more I talk about it the better chance I have of you actually saying yes one day.”
Eva looked up at him. “Thank you. For your patience and for your determination and for just being you. Day after day, in a thousand little and big ways, you prove to me that my past does not need to equal my future and that you’re a better man than I thought possible. You give me hope.”
Her words were both a precious gift and an impossible challenge. He wasn’t human, but he wasn’t a god either, and even they had been far from infallible. There was no way he wasn’t going to disappoint her at some point.
“I’m not perfect, Eva, and I’m going to make mistakes, and you’re going to get mad at me for this or that. All I can promise is to always love you and to try my best. But please don’t expect me to never disappoint you because I will.”
She kissed the hollow of his neck. “I know that. And your honesty and humility prove to me more than anything that I was right to take a chance on you.”
Chapter 53: Roni
“Are you almost done?” Roni’s new handler asked.
“Not even close, Barty. Go get yourself a beer and come back in three hours.”
The guy didn’t like working overtime. Which was fine with Roni. Those were the perfect hours to work his magic on nongovernment private projects. The ones he was getting all kinds of payments for. Not money, that would have been caught right away, but favors. Like Andrew helping smuggle Sylvia in so they could have a few private moments without his handler hovering over them.
Not to mention sex.
Oh, boy, the sex.
Roni didn’t have anyone to compare her to, but Sylvia was a goddess. The things she was teaching him. The things she was making him do. Roni shifted in his huge swivel chair and adjusted himself. Easy to do since he was wearing training pants—his everyday attire since he’d started working out.
Sylvia had liked him even when he was scrawny, but she liked him better with some muscles on. And what the lady liked, he was going to deliver—to the extent of his limited abilities as someone who was under indefinite house arrest.
Fifteen years to be exact.
Three served and twelve to go. The thing was, Roni was pretty sure they weren’t going to release him even then. They’d find some trumped-up charge to accuse him with and keep him working for the government, paying him the miserly government wages even though his skills were worth millions. Hell, to the right people he was worth billions.
Roni was the best, and it wasn't arrogance. It was the truth. He’d been one of the best when they’d caught him, but he’d improved by leaps and bounds since.
Glancing at the thick glass separating his private kingdom from the rest of the large office, Roni saw Bart leave. The guy wouldn’t be gone long. He always returned early to try and catch Roni doing something he wasn’t supposed to. It was so ridiculous that he wanted to howl with laughter. As if Bart had any idea what Roni was doing. He could be coding a hack into the President’s private computer, and Bart wouldn’t have a clue.
Roni only needed a few minutes to load the flash drive with the software Andrew had given him. It turned out Andrew knew a guy who was as good at programming stuff as Roni was at hacking into it.
The guy had the software, Roni had access to enormous data, it was a match made in heaven. He would’ve loved to meet the guy in person and share notes.
Matching faces on driver’s licenses was simple. The sophistication lay in the facial recognition capabilities of what the guy had designed. Supposedly, it was much better than the crude version the government had. More accurate and faster.
Andrew’s objective was to identify licenses with the same pictures but different names. Probably to catch terrorists, which was Andrew’s job, but Andrew refused to say. It was highly classified information he couldn’t share with Roni.
Still, Roni found it odd that the agent had brought in an outside, unapproved software. It was a big no-no. But Andrew had said it was the best and that he needed it to do the job.
Anything to keep the homeland secure.
Roni didn’t really care about the why. Once he delivered the matches, Andrew was going to sneak Sylvia into Roni’s apartment and let them spend most of the night together, instead of the hour he’d allowed before when he’d needed a favor.
With Andrew’s program running in the background, Roni went back to the work he was actually supposed to do.
Bart returned less than an hour later. “When are you going to be done?”
“I still have a lot to do. Get someone to replace you if you need to go home.”
Bart hoisted his pants up and planted his fat ass in his chair. “I’ll stay. The overtime pay is worth it.” He pulled out his cellphone, a set of wireless earphones, put his feet up on the desk, and started watching what must’ve been a comedy show since he kept bursting into peals of laughter every couple of minutes or so.
Roni shook his head. Having this guy shadow him was such a waste of government resources. He was doing absolutely nothing.
Four hours later Roni decided to call it a day. Bart had fallen asleep with his feet up on his desk and his head hanging back from his neck, snoring loudly enough to cause an earthquake.
How the guy hadn’t been fired for sleeping on the job was a mystery. Everything that happened in every room in this building, except the few that were off limits, was under constant surveillance. Didn’t anyone see Bart sleep?
Roni shook his head and checked on Andrew’s project. He couldn’t leave until that was done. As soon as it was, he was going to download the matches to a flash drive and erase all traces of it ever going through the system.
The timer showed twenty more minutes to go.
Curious, Roni decided to check what the software had found so far. Turning his enormous swivel chair around, so the tall back blocked the monitor he was using from the surveillance camera’s view, he started scrolling through the results. The program was almost done, and yet there weren’t many matches.
Not really paying attention, he kept going until one caught his eye. Roni stopped scrolling and leaned closer to get a better look, then quickly enlarged it as big as it would go.
“Fucking hell!” He slapped a trembling hand over his mouth and leaned even closer to check the dates.
It can’t be. No way!
The end
Eva & Bhathian’s story continues in Book 13
DARK GUARDIAN’S MATE
Dear reader,
Thank you for reading the Children of the Gods series.
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Book 13 in The Children of the Gods Series
DARK GUARDIAN’S MATE
THE CHILDREN ON THE GODS
Series reading order
Kian & Syssi’s story
1: Dark Stranger The Dream
2: Dark Stranger Revealed
3: Dark Stranger Immortal
Amanda’s story
4: Dark Enemy Taken
5: Dark Enemy Captive
6: Dark Enemy Redeemed
Kri & Michael’s Story
6.5: My Dark Amazon Novella
Andrew’s Story
7: Dark Warrior Mine
8: Dark Warrior’s Promise
9: Dark Warrior’s Destiny
10: Dark Warrior’s Legacy
Bhathian & Eva’s Story
11: Dark Guardian Found
12: Dark Guardian Craved
13: Dark Guardian’s Mate
OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES
1
&
nbsp; Dark Stranger The Dream
Book 1 In Syssi & Kian’s Story
Syssi's paranormal foresight lands her a job at Dr. Amanda Dokani's neuroscience lab, but it fails to predict the thrilling yet terrifying turn her life will take. Syssi has no clue that her boss is an immortal who'll drag her into a secret, millennia-old battle over humanity's future. Nor does she realize that the professor's imposing brother is the mysterious stranger who's been starring in her dreams.
Since the dawn of human civilization, two warring factions of near-immortals - the descendants of the gods of old - have been secretly shaping its destiny. Leading the clandestine battle from his luxurious L.A. high-rise, Kian is surrounded by his clan, yet alone. Descending from a single goddess, clan members are forbidden to each other. And as the only other immortals are their hated enemies, Kian and his kin have been long resigned to a lonely existence of fleeting trysts with human partners. That is, until his sister makes a game-changing discovery - a mortal seeress who she believes is a dormant carrier of their genes. Ever the realist, Kian is skeptical and refuses Amanda's plea to attempt Syssi's activation. But when his enemies learn of the Dormant's existence, he's forced to rush her to the safety of his keep. Inexorably drawn to Syssi, Kian wrestles with his conscience as he is tempted to explore her budding interest in the darker shades of sensuality.
2
Dark Stranger Revealed
Book 2 In Syssi & Kian’s Story
While sheltered in the clan's stronghold, Syssi is unaware that Kian and Amanda are not human, and neither are the supposedly religious fanatics that are after her. She feels a powerful connection to Kian, and as he introduces her to a world of pleasure she never dared imagine, his dominant sexuality is a revelation. Considering that she's completely out of her element, Syssi feels comfortable and safe letting go with him. That is, until she begins to suspect that all is not as it seems. Piecing the puzzle together, she draws a scary, yet wrong conclusion...
3
Dark Stranger Immortal
Book 3 In Syssi & Kian’s Story
When Kian confesses his true nature, Syssi is not as much shocked by the revelation as she is wounded by what she perceives as his callous plans for her.
If she doesn't turn, he'd be forced to erase her memories and let her go. His family's safety demands secrecy – no one in the mortal world is allowed to know that immortals exist.
Resigned to the cruel reality that even if she stays on to never again leave the keep, she'll get old while Kian wouldn't, Syssi is determined to enjoy what little time she has with him, one day at a time.
Could Kian let go of the mortal woman he loves? Would Syssi turn? And if she does, would she survive the dangerous transition?
4
Dark Enemy Taken
Book 1 In Dalhu & Amanda’s Story
Dalhu can't believe his luck when he stumbles upon the beautiful immortal professor. Presented with a once in a lifetime opportunity to grab an immortal female for himself, he kidnaps her and runs. If he ever gets caught, either by her people or his, his life is forfeit. But for a chance of a loving mate and a family of his own, Dalhu is prepared to do everything in his power to win Amanda's heart, and that includes leaving the Doom brotherhood and his old life behind.
Amanda soon discovers that there is more to the handsome Doomer than his dark past and a hulking, sexy body. But succumbing to her enemy's seduction, or worse, developing feelings for a ruthless killer is out of the question. No man is worth life on the run, not even the one and only immortal male she could claim as her own…
Her clan and her research must come first…
5
Dark Enemy Captive
Book 2 in Amanda & Dalhu’s Story
When the rescue team returns with Amanda and the chained Dalhu to the keep, Amanda is not as thrilled to be back as she thought she'd be. Between Kian's contempt for her and Dalhu's imprisonment, Amanda's budding relationship with Dalhu seems doomed. Things start to look up when Annani offers her help, and together with Syssi they resolve to find a way for Amanda to be with Dalhu. But will she still want him when she realizes that he is responsible for her nephew's murder? Could she? Will she take the easy way out and choose Andrew instead?
6
Dark Enemy Redeemed
Book 3 in Amanda & Dalhu’s Story
Amanda suspects that something fishy is going on onboard the Anna. But when her investigation of the peculiar all-female Russian crew fails to uncover anything other than more speculation, she decides it's time to stop playing detective and face her real problem—a man she shouldn't want but can't live without.
6.5
My Dark Amazon Novella
A Kri & Michael Novella
When Michael and Kri fight off a gang of humans, Michael gets stabbed. The injury to his immortal body recovers fast, but the one to his ego takes longer, putting a strain on his relationship with Kri.
7
Dark Warrior Mine
Book 1 in Nathalie & Andrew’s Story
When Andrew is forced to retire from active duty, he believes that all he has to look forward to is a boring desk job. His glory days in special ops are over. But as it turns out, his thrill ride has just begun. Andrew discovers not only that immortals exist and have been manipulating global affairs since antiquity, but that he and his sister are rare possessors of the immortal genes.
Problem is, Andrew might be too old to attempt the activation process. His sister, who is fourteen years his junior, barely makes it through the transition, so the odds of him coming out of it alive, let alone immortal, are slim.
But fate may force his hand.
Helping a friend find his long-lost daughter, Andrew finds a woman who's worth taking the risk for. Nathalie might be a Dormant, but the only way to find out for sure requires fangs and venom.
8
Dark Warrior’s Promise
Book 2 in Nathalie & Andrew’s Story
Andrew and Nathalie's love flourishes, but the secrets they keep from each other taint their relationship with doubts and suspicions. In the meantime, Sebastian and his men are getting bolder, and the storm that's brewing will shift the balance of power in the millennia-old conflict between Annani's clan and its enemies.
9
Dark Warrior’s Destiny
Book 3 in Nathalie & Andrew’s Story
The new ghost in Nathalie's head remembers who he was in life, providing Andrew and her with indisputable proof that he is real and not a figment of her imagination.
Convinced that she is a Dormant, Andrew decides to go forward with his transition immediately after the rescue mission at the Doomers' HQ.
Fearing for his life, Nathalie pleads with him to reconsider. She'd rather spend the rest of her mortal days with Andrew than risk what they have for the fickle promise of immortality.
While the clan gets ready for battle, Carol gets help from an unlikely ally. Sebastian's second-in-command can no longer ignore the torment she suffers at the hands of his commander and offers to help her, but only if she agrees to his terms.
10
Dark Warrior’s Legacy
Book 4 in Nathalie & Andrew’s Story
Andrew's acclimation to his post-transition body isn't easy. His senses are sharper, he's bigger, stronger, and hungrier. Nathalie fears that the changes in the man she loves are more than physical. Measuring up to this new version of him is going to be a challenge.
Carol and Robert are disillusioned with each other. They are not destined mates, and love is not on the horizon. When Robert's three months are up, he might be left with nothing to show for his sacrifice.
Lana contacts Anandur with disturbing news; the yacht and its human cargo are in Mexico. Kian must find a way to apprehend Alex and rescue the women on board without causing an international incident.
11
Dark Guardian Found
Book 1 in Eva & Bhathian’s Story
What would you do if you stopped aging?
&
nbsp; Eva runs. The ex-DEA agent doesn't know what caused her strange mutation, only that if discovered, she'll be dissected like a lab rat. What Eva doesn't know, though, is that she's a descendant of the gods, and that she is not alone. The man who rocked her world in one life-changing encounter over thirty years ago is an immortal as well.
To keep his people's existence secret, Bhathian was forced to turn his back on the only woman who ever captured his heart, but he's never forgotten and never stopped looking for her.
12
Dark Guardian Craved
Book 2 in Eva & Bhathian’s Story
Cautious after a lifetime of disappointments, Eva is mistrustful of Bhathian's professed feelings of love. She accepts him as a lover and a confidant but not as a life partner.
Jackson suspects that Tessa is his true love mate, but unless she overcomes her fears, he might never find out.
Carol gets an offer she can't refuse—a chance to prove that there is more to her than meets the eye. Robert believes she's about to commit a deadly mistake, but when he tries to dissuade her, she tells him to leave.
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Copyright © 2017 by I. T. LUCAS
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A Note From The Author
This is a work of fiction!