“Oh, for pity's sake, give me a few minutes.” Alfrigg hobbled to the kitchen on the other side of the cottage.
Samuel leaned in closer to Rook. “You sit tight. Alfrigg can be a bit peculiar and doesn’t trust many, but when you’ve lived as long as he has, you’ve likely been screwed over once or twice.”
“I’m only twenty-two and I’ve been screwed over more than once or twice.” Rook rolled her eyes.
“I’m serious, though, you need to stay here where you’ll be safe. I don’t want anything to happen to you.” Samuel was firm but gentle.
“I want to get to Biloxi.” She pinned him with wide eyes. “I want to bust Augustus for what he’s doing. Isn’t that important, too?”
“It is, but right now, my main goal is making sure that you get out of this alive.” Samuel looked toward the kitchen and lowered his voice. “You’re a key witness in what’s happening. You’re the only one that will talk. I can’t prove anything without you. If we can convince Clarence that Augustus is trafficking humans, Clarence will make sure that Augustus is taken out. He’s a pain in the ass, and I really don’t like him, but he’s fair and he’s honest.”
“You’re not going to drop the whole Augustus thing?” she asked, squinting to watch for the truth in his answer.
“Not a fucking chance,” he said with gravel in his voice. “I’ve been trying to bust him for decades, but he’s always managed to stay a step ahead.”
“Okay, then I’ll talk to this Clarence character.” Rook thought about everything she’d heard Alfrigg say about The Directive. “But I want your word that you won’t let them hurt me.”
“You have my word.” A hearty laugh lightened his bright green eyes. “It may even land you a job permanent if you want it, you know, official-like.”
Rook’s expression twisted, and she hugged her midsection before lurching forward.
Alfrigg came into the sitting area, handing a plate full of meatloaf to Samuel. “I’d have the same reaction at the thought of working for those wankers.”
Samuel grinned with a hearty laugh. “She can be a little dramatic.”
Rook groaned in pain looking up at them, her eyes were clouded over in white. She tried to speak but the pain streaking through her entire body rendered her silent.
“Oh shit.” Samuel dropped the plate on the couch and went to Rook. “What’s wrong?”
Her pleading expression tore at Samuel’s insides. She mouthed the words, “Help me,” before collapsing completely.
* * *
Rook opened her eyes, everything was hazy and blurred. She squeezed her eyes shut a few times to clear the haze. She looked around, trying to recognize where she was.
There are mountains, a large body of water and there was a chill in the air. She took a few steps to the edge of the precipice, then backed away slowly after seeing the long drop to the ocean below. She turned for the tree line in search of answers as to where she was.
The silhouette of a man appeared as a shadow in the distance. She halted her steps, remaining quiet.
As the man came into focus, there was a deep sense of familiarity overcoming her. He was tall and well built, dressed in a tunic with various blades sheathed in holsters across his chest. He flicked his blond braids back revealing his sparkling eyes, deep blue, and her being filled with warmth and comfort watching the hungry smile dance across his lips.
He stalked with purpose toward her and looped his arm around her waist, pulling her to him.
“Found you.” He rested a sultry growl in her ear, his hot breath set her on fire.
She felt as though this was where she belongs. His hand pressed into the small of her back. It drove her crazy, as though he was touching her in a place no other man could ever reach.
Moisture pooled between her legs under her skirt. She wanted him, desperately.
“So, you found me,” she replied. “Now what?”
“Now I take you,” he said, dragging his teeth from her lobe down her neck. He stood straight up, towering over her, “You’re mine.”
She nodded. “I am.” Her knees went weak and heat spiraled straight to her core.
He took her in closer, pressing his lips hard against hers, savage yet loving. Rook’s lips parted to give him entry. His tongue danced inside her mouth, exploring, circling and playing with hers. She couldn’t stop herself from biting against his full lips.
He growled and moaned with pleasure, running his hand under her skirt, up her thigh. His fingers slid between her wet folds. “I can smell how much you want me.”
Their eyes met, and she remained silent, allowing the pleasure of his touch to saturate her on a cellular level.
She jumped when he found the small bundle of nerves. “That’s the spot, you like that?”
A breath hitched in her throat. “Yes.”
His fingers explored deeper, sliding into her opening, pushing in and out with the perfect amount of force.
Her body writhed, and he lowered her to the ground on a soft patch of grass. He undressed with haste. Her eyes widened watching him reveal his chiseled chest covered in tattoos. Her mouth watered as she drank down his form. The walls of her pussy clenched at the thought to him being inside her.
He knelt, lifted her skirt and hovered over her, rubbing the head of his cock outside of her soft cleft. “You want this?”
She couldn’t speak, her only answer was her hips rising to meet him. He pulled away slightly and kissed from her mound of pleasure up to her belly, stopping at each breast, taking one puckered nipple into his teeth, then the next. The muscles in his arms flexed and jumped with his movements over her.
Rook’s back arched against the ground, writhing to take his cock into her. She was ready and needed him to fill her.
His tongue danced up to her lips and he nibbled them hungrily and plunged himself inside her. She loved the feeling of him stretching her open. He looked at her expectantly, letting her take control from the bottom. She slowly moved her hips, tilting herself into him. Her smooth wet walls rubbed against his steely length.
He didn’t want to hold back from taking her in the primal way he wanted.
Taking control, he slid himself nearly all the way out, then in again, grinding against her clit with each thrust.
Rook got lost in the ecstasy of his movements, feeling every inch of him sliding in and out. He grabbed the hair at the nape of her neck, tugging just how she liked it.
His body moved with precision, watching and matching her desire. Responding to every facial expression. When she tensed and closed her eyes, he kept going.
“Harder,” she spouted out through labored breaths.
She looped her hands around, digging her fingers into his tight ass, pulling him into her with as much force as she could muster.
He took her neck in his hands gently. “Look at me,” he demanded.
Rook opened her eyes and was lost in his gaze. A ghost of a smile lit her expression, his blue orbs penetrated her soul as his cock owned her body.
“I want you to give me a son,” he growled, spilling into her.
The warm liquid was the final piece to the puzzle of her orgasm. She came with him, whimpering loudly as she felt his body twitch out of control.
He leaned down to her, kissing her neck and he whispered in her ear, “My goddess.”
Chapter 11
Hunter watched as Camille came off the elevator and rushed to him, “How are you feeling?”
“I’m good.” He held up his hands to show her that his normal color had returned.
“How about your . . . thirst?” Camille pursed her lips.
“Controlled for the time being. Owen’s already called the airport; the jet is being fueled and a course laid in for New Orleans.”
“Are you excited?” Camille asked, pressing her hands together with anticipation.
“I don’t know what to feel. I’ve done some reading on bloodmates and what I’m experiencing definitely seems to fit.” There was sadn
ess in his voice.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, pulling up a stool in front of him.
“I can’t imagine loving anyone other than Runa.” He shrugged, ashamed of the thought. “I have only ever loved her for thousands of years. Everything I’ve done has been trying to figure out how to get back to her. It feels like a betrayal of her memory to love another woman that way.”
Camille tilted her head to the side with sadness. “Oh, Hunter, I know this all has to be really shocking to you. But Runa would not have wanted you to be alone all this time. She would want you to be happy. Being alone, isolating yourself from the possibility of ever loving again isn’t what she would’ve wanted for you.”
Hunter laughed. “You know very little about Viking women.”
“Maybe, but I know something of love.” She pressed her lips into a thin line. “If something ever happened to me, I would want Sophie to move on. I’d want her to be happy.”
Hunter considered the thought. “I’m keeping an open mind.”
“Good.” Camille put her hand on his knee. “And when we get down there, we’ll find her, and you can make up your mind then. But from what I know–”
Hunter stopped her. “I already love her.”
“What?” Camille was taken aback.
“That’s what’s so crazy about all this.” Hunter’s brow furrowed with confusion. “The moment I tasted her blood,” he waved his arms around wildly, “whoever she is, I knew I loved her. That’s what’s making it so hard. I finally have to let go of Runa to truly love this mystery girl.”
Camille let out a heavy sigh. “You don’t have to let go of Runa, she’s part of you. And your bloodmate will understand that, because she’ll understand you.”
“We can only hope,” Hunter said, raising his brow. “Did you get some more blood for the ride?”
“Yeah, we’re set,” Camille assured him.
“Dr. Webb?” a man called from the door. “Your car was here.”
Hunter pulled Camille into an embrace. “Thank you, hold down the fort while I’m gone.”
“I’m going with you. I wouldn’t miss this for the world,” Camille informed him as she started for the door.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Hunter cautioned. “What if I lose it on the plane?”
“Who better to be there than your best friend?” She smiled. “Besides, Owen has things under control here.”
“Okay, let’s get this journey started.” Hunter turned toward the lab before getting on the elevator.
He wondered if he’ll ever want to come back to this place. If he found a new true love, would he care about Valhalla? Would he abandon the idea of ever being with Runa again?
* * *
The wheels touched down on the tarmac in New Orleans, jarring Hunter awake. He’d been able to control the Thirst for the flight. It likely had something to do with the amount of bourbon Camille kept pushing on him. The flight crew was made up of supernaturals, but that didn’t mean they weren’t nervous when Hunter got on the plane.
Henry leaned forward, studying Hunter’s expression. “Do you feel anything?”
Hunter tried to compose himself, but was unable in his groggy state. “Thirst.”
“You don’t feel drawn to this place?” Henry quizzed.
“All I feel is my parched throat,” he said, trying to swallow past the dry lump.
“We’re going to need another bag before he gets off the plane.” Henry turned to Camille.
Camille nodded and unbuckled her seat belt, heading for the service area.
She returned quickly with a bag of blood. “Here you go.” She huffed a laugh.
Hunter got a gleam in his eye. “Go ahead and laugh it up.”
“I will!” Camille chuckled. “In all the years I’ve known you, I’ve never seen you without so much as a hair out of place. Now that I know you’re not dying, I’m enjoying seeing you a bit discombobulated.”
“Enjoy it while you can. Apparently, I will be even stronger after I’ve found my bloodmate.” Hunter looked to Henry for affirmation.
“It’s true. He will have more focus and power, providing he can find her.” A flash of something alarming crossed Henry’s features.
“What’s that look about?” Camille asked cautiously.
“Oh, nothing to really worry about. We’re going to find her,” Henry reassured them.
Hunter’s expression turned serious. “And if we don’t?”
Henry stood, stretching out his long legs. “Let’s not dwell on worst case scenario just yet. I’m confident we’ll find her. If she’s a rook, she’ll be even easier to find.”
“How so? I thought you said she couldn’t be tracked?” Hunter watched Henry’s eyes for a tell.
“They can’t be scented by most supernaturals. My powers don’t depend on smell for tracking. Besides, if there’s a rook in New Orleans, you can bet she’s the talk of the town. Our first stop, though, is The Directive office.” Henry straightened his shirt, ready to deplane.
“Why The Directive? Can’t we just leave them out of this?” Hunter shifted in his seat “They’re already up my ass with the lab.”
Camille eyed him suspiciously, “Is this official business, Henry?”
“How do you mean?” Henry feigned innocence or tried to.
“Are you still working for them?” she asked with an air of disgust.
“I’m still a contractor and I intend to use to my Directive ties to find his bloodmate,” he said unapologetically. “Isn’t that where the focus should be?”
“I would rather avoid any entanglements,” Hunter warned.
“I’ll be discrete,” Henry assured them both. “Are you all filled up?” He motioned to the empty bag of blood.
“As good as it gets.” Hunter ticked his head to the side. “Let’s go hunting.”
Chapter 12
Rook leaned up on her elbows and the washcloth Alfrigg put on her head toppled down to her lap. “What the hell was that?”
Alfrigg and Samuel stood over her staring with concern. Samuel leaned down closer to her. “Are you feeling better?”
Rook was still caught in the remnants of her dream. Who was that? What was that? She felt hot and satisfied. But it was just dream.
“Rook?” Samuel questioned.
“I’m better, the pain is gone, but I feel . . . foggy.”
“You look a little flushed,” Samuel said, studying her and placed his hand on her forehead.
“Foggy?” Alfrigg asked, “Like how?”
“Like I’m in a dream, as though none of this is real.” She pushed her hair back from her face and inhaled a breath to gain more clarity. It didn’t work, her mind was on the man in her dream and the amazing orgasm she had.
Samuel turned, looking back at Alfrigg. “Do you think she could be having a reaction to being here?”
Alfrigg’s expression twisted. “Doubtful.”
“Then what’s happening to me?” Rook wrapped her arms around her stomach. “I feel so . . . hungry. But I don’t think I can eat.”
“Do you have anything that could help?” Samuel’s eyes flashed toward the potions lining the walls behind the table.
“Possibly, but I don’t want to give her anything until I know what’s going on.” Alfrigg headed for the kitchen. “How about a snack?”
Rook shook her head. “No, I don’t think I can eat.” She closed her eyes. “I’m feeling better, though.”
She turned and put her feet on the floor and readied herself to stand. “I think a walk might help.”
“Are you feeling any kind of dizziness?” Samuel asked, keeping his hands at the ready to catch her.
“No, just foggy.” She pulled her lips to the side and squinted. “Sort of like when you’ve misplaced your keys and you’re trying to remember where you put them.”
“Interesting.” Alfrigg rubbed the short stubble on his chin.
“You have an idea?” Samuel asked expectantly.
&n
bsp; “No,” he replied, “it’s just interesting. Don’t you think?”
Samuel let out a frustrated breath. “Maybe we should call Vivienne.”
“That’s not a bad idea,” Alfrigg agreed.
Rook blanched at the idea, remembering she was a little angry with Vivienne.
“Oh hush, Vivienne’s a tough cookie and doesn’t put up with bullshit. She’ll help someone as long as it doesn’t get her hands too dirty,” Samuel scolded. “When she told you to go, it was for your own good . . . and hers,” he admitted.
“I’m feeling better now,” Rook insisted. “I want to go for a walk.” She put her boots on and laced them up.
“I’ll go with you,” Samuel offered and turned to Alfrigg. “See if you can come up with anything.”
Alfrigg bristled. “Like I’ll have an answer just pop out of thin air.”
“Try.” Samuel pinned him with a look.
Alfrigg called after them when they’re nearly to the door, “Watch out for the smites, it’s that time of day, and they’re hungry little buggers.”
“Got it.” Samuel rolled his eyes, knowing his skin was tough enough to handle a bite.
Rook wrinkled her nose. “Worse than mosquitoes?”
“About the same,” Alfrigg assured her and handed her a small pouch full of powder. “Just sprinkle a little of this around you if they start to swarm.”
Rook took the bag and examined it and shoved it into her jeans pocket. She exchanged a glance with Samuel before heading out the door.
She gazed in wonder at the surroundings, barely able to comprehend the hues in the enchanted forest. She turned to Samuel. “Are there many places like this in New Orleans?”
Samuel smiled at her naivety, he often forgot that she really was in many ways just a girl. She knew so little of the world that dart on the map brought her to. “Darlin’, we’re not in New Orleans.”
“Well, outside of it.” She held her hand out to catch a smite that was fluttering close to her. She studied it with amazement, watching as it glowed and fluttered.
“Way outside of it.” Samuel widened his eyes. “Hey, be careful, remember they bite.”
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