by Ivy Barrett
“You can’t kill me,” he gritted out the words as his face turned gray. “You’re a healer.”
“I’m not!” Fury roughed Matt’s voice as he reached around her and snapped Drey Fon’s neck.
Serena released Drey Fon and let him slump to the ground. Energy faded from his strands, flickering for a moment then dissolving completely. She’d never seen a person die before, but she had to know that it was really over.
Matt turned her around and pressed her against his chest. She wrapped her arms around his back and his soratti brushed her legs. “You’re all wet.”
“I dove into the river as soon as I saw his hands around your throat.”
“You came across the river for me?”
“Why does that surprise you?” He eased her back and kissed her forehead. “I told you no power in the universe will keep us apart.”
A pulse of energy arced over their heads. “I wouldn’t be so sure about that.”
“Petra, you really need to get a life,” Matt said. “You’re wealthy, attractive and you have files on all the powerful people. Why can’t you let this go?”
“She’s as obsessed with you as Drey Fon was with Serena.” The demon walked past them, advancing on Petra with obvious menace. “All she had to do was wait a few more days and I would have delivered Drey Fon into Kapali’s trap.”
“Stay away from me.” Petra punctuated the command with a blast from her weapon as she backed away.
“There’s only one cure for this sort of obsession.” A blue nimbus formed around Kapali. His body trembled and a groan escaped his throat. The haze coalesced in an instant, shooting through the middle of Petra’s abdomen before disappearing into the night.
Petra’s mouth gaped, her pulse pistol tumbling from fingers gone slack. She pressed both hands over the wound in her belly and sank to her knees. “It wasn’t…supposed to end…like this.”
Serena covered her mouth with her hand as Matt knelt beside the dying woman. Hyalee rushed across the river, reaching Kapali as he sank to the ground. Matt eased Petra onto her side and stroked her hair back from her face.
“Tamara.”
“What did you say?”
“You must protect Tamara.”
“Petra, your daughter is…” Matt seemed to realize the futility of his argument and he said, “I’ll protect her. You don’t need to worry about a thing.”
“She’s not dead.” Petra caught his wrist with her hand, smearing his skin with blood. “Cephus found her when he found you.”
“You hired Cephus. Shit. Where is she?”
“d’Arrest.”
“She’s at Shardrake University? Isn’t she too old to—”
“Professor. Take her to Jericho…Jones.”
Matt smiled despite the grief filling his eyes with tears. “You want me to stash her with the competition?”
“Promise me!”
“I promise. No one will harm Tamara.”
Her fingers slipped off his wrist and her head lolled to the side.
Serena closed her eyes and said a prayer for Petra’s passing.
Rhythmic chanting filled the air, drawing her attention to the riverbank. Healers surrounded Kapali now. Hyalee cradled his head in her lap as the others fed him energy. His soul strands were still faint, but all traces of the demon were gone.
“Will he recover?” Matt asked.
“I believe so.”
Two priests rushed past them, moving farther into the jungle.
“Where are they going?”
“To burn Drey Fon’s possessions,” she explained. “The demon might not have been his only source of tainted energy.”
“Can the demon find another host?”
“It doesn’t work that way. Drey Fon summoned the spirit from one of the outer dimensions. The link was severed with his death.”
“Have you ever—”
“No! Disturbing the outer dimensions is forbidden for a reason. We are taught the fundamentals as a warning.” She glanced at Petra’s prone from, feeling only relief. A belated pang of shame reminded her that all life was precious, regardless of how corrupt. Petra’s dying thought had been for the safety of another. Some fragment of humanity had remained within her. “Is Tamara alive, and who is Cephus?”
“Cephus is the henchmen for a group of ruthless criminals. No one hires him unless they’re willing to sacrifice a piece of their soul.” He held a small object in his hand and used his soratti to wipe off the blood. “As for Tamara, I don’t know. Petra gave birth when she was fifteen, long before I met her. She’d run away from home and fallen in with all the wrong people. Typical downward spiral. There was a darkness in Petra that craved danger and drove positive influences away. Even with a baby on the way, she refused to contact her family. She eventually made up with her sister, but she despised her parents.”
“Did she give the baby up for adoption or try to raise it on her own?”
“She kept Tamara with her until the girl was about five, but Petra had a way of pissing people off. I always thought Tamara had been killed by one of Petra’s enemies. If what Petra said is true, it sounds like she staged Tamara’s death then arranged for her daughter to have a new life.”
He kept fiddling with the tiny device, so Serena asked, “What is that?”
“The remote to Petra’s shuttle.” He looked at Petra and sighed. “I can activate autopilot and the shuttle will return to the Dark Star. I hate to do this to her, but the best way to ensure Tamara’s safety is for Cephus to learn that Petra is dead.”
“If Petra’s body arrives at the Dark Star, won’t you be blamed for her death?”
“Cephus might be the only one who knew why Petra was here. She tended to be very secretive.”
“Will Cephus come after you?”
“His business was with Petra. He has no reason to involve himself further if she’s dead.”
“Which brings us back to Tamara. Once Cephus learns of Petra’s death, is Tamara still in danger?”
“I don’t even know if she’s still alive.”
“But you need to find out.”
He nodded.
She wrapped her arm around his waist, torn between joy and torment. “You promised you would protect her. You have to honor your word.”
“I promised to protect you too.” He framed her face with his hands and brushed his lips over hers. “How do I do both?”
“I’m no longer in danger. How long will this take?”
“A couple of days, no more. I’ll be back for your final assessment.”
“Promise?”
“I promise.” He sealed the vow with a lingering kiss.
Epilogue
Serena stood at the window to her cottage and stared at the full moon with a heavy heart. Night had fallen and Matt had yet to return. She had no doubt that he would, but she longed for him to share in this monumental event.
Someone tapped on the door and she released a frustrated sigh. Hyalee would escort her to the sacred clearing and the ceremony would begin. Time had officially run out.
Pulling open the door, Serena found Orillia waiting for her. Confusion knitted her brow and she asked, “What are you doing here?”
Orillia laughed. “I love you too.”
“I was expecting Hyalee.”
“We sent her on ahead to explain that there’s been a slight delay.”
Completely confused now, Serena shook her head. “What delay and who is we?”
“I have a surprise for you.” Orillia moved to one side and Miranda stepped into view.
“Miranda!” Serena threw her arms around her older sister, hugging her tightly.
“You get squeals of delight, and I get ‘what are you doing here’. That doesn’t seem quite fair.”
They filed into Serena’s cottage, leaving the door open to the breeze. “I can’t believe you’re actually here. This is wonderful.”
“And Orillia had absolutely nothing to do with it.” Miranda pointed out with a
smile. “We had to set down inside the wilderness reserve to get Matt here in time.”
“Matt is here?” Serena headed for the door, a beaming smile parting her lips. Her sisters pulled her back.
“The priests are preparing him to participate in your celebration,” Orillia explained. “He’ll meet you in the clearing.”
Tears blurred her vision and Serena hugged her sisters, an arm around each one. “My heart is going to explode.”
Miranda chuckled. “I hope that’s a good thing.”
“I have never been this happy.” Serena stepped back and tried to regain some semblance of composure. “Do you know if he…accomplished what he set out to do?”
“He refused to explain, but he seemed satisfied with the result.”
“Good.” She couldn’t stop smiling. “This is the most wonderful night of my life.”
“No, this is the beginning of your new life.” All playfulness left Miranda’s expression and she shot Orillia a meaningful glance. “Your future is wide open. It can be whatever you want it to be.”
The final assessment was meant to solidify her life path. She would accept her calling and spend her days in service to the tribe. “I’m a soul seer. My gift belongs to the people.”
“Bullshit.”
Orillia laughed at Miranda’s profanity. “I have a confession to make.”
“A confession you should have made years ago,” Miranda insisted.
Serena looked from Miranda to Orillia as tension gathered in her belly. “What is this about?”
“I started seeing soul strands the first time I had sex,” Orillia admitted. “Unlike Miranda, I had no desire to leave the valley, but I sure as hell wasn’t going to become a slave to the Order. It was selfish of me to deny my gift. I will be glad to help anyone who needs my help as long as Hyalee and her minions leave me alone.”
“What she is telling you,” Miranda stressed, “is that you are free to follow your heart. If you leave the valley, you are not robbing the tribe of its only soul seer.”
“Does anyone else know about this?”
“Mother knew. And Fyn has been teaching me some basic control principles.” Orillia’s secretive smile hinted at other lessons as well.
Serena threw her hands up in the air. “What am I supposed to do now? The whole Order is waiting in the clearing, expecting me to finalize my calling.”
“What do you know?” Miranda’s brow arched in subtle challenge.
“I know I love him.”
“What do you feel?” Orillia joined in.
“I feel whole when I’m with him. I feel important and strong.”
“And what do you want?” Miranda asked.
“I want to make him as happy as he makes me. I want to spend the rest of my life by his side.”
“Then the rest is easy,” Orillia told her. “You stand before the Order and tell him everything you just told us.”
“Will you come with me?” It wasn’t that she needed support—she wanted to share her happiness.
Miranda shook her head. “Neither of us is welcomed by the Order. We’ll be waiting here when you get back.”
After another round of hugs, Serena set off toward the sacred clearing. When she’d made this trek at Hyalee’s side, she’d been filled with apprehension, now her heart soared with anticipation and joy.
Torchlight flickered in the distance. She inhaled the verdant scents of night, smoke, rain-washed vegetation and rich fertile earth. The Deity was generous and understanding. She was truly blessed.
The ring of priests and priestesses parted, admitting her to the clearing. Her gaze immediately located Matt, tall, distinct and ruggedly handsome. Her pulse leapt and desire sizzled through her bloodstream. He’d donned a ceremonial headdress and a solid red soratti.
Kapali stood on one side of Matt, Hyalee on the other. The high priest motioned her closer. “We have gathered to celebrate Sister Serena’s final assessment.” His voice lacked its usual power. He’d been in seclusion for the past few days. Serena was thrilled to see how well he’d recovered. He gazed into her eyes, his expression solemn as this part of the ceremony dictated. “Are you ready for the ceremony to begin?”
She started to say that the ceremony was canceled, when his soul strands flared to life. Appalled by the damage left behind by the demon, she postponed her explanation. She would use this night to purge the last of Drey Fon’s taint.
“I am ready,” she said.
“Have you chosen a person with whom you will give and receive pleasure?” Hyalee asked.
Serena looked at Matt and smiled. “Oh yes.” She held out her hand toward him.
“Let us witness your offering.” Kapali’s voice rang out across the clearing and the priests and priestesses began to chant.
Matt took her face between his hands and brushed his mouth over hers. “I told you I’d be here.”
“I missed you.” She rubbed against him and parted her lips for his tongue. He helped her out of her robe and shed his soratti without breaking contact with her lips. His hands moved boldly over her body, cupping her breasts and rubbing her back.
“Is there some particular way we’re supposed to do this?” he whispered against her lips.
Anxious to share her news with him, she decided to speed things along. “I say we give and receive at the same time.”
“I’ll never argue with that suggestion.”
He pulled her with him as he lay down in the grass. She turned around and arranged herself on top of him, her knees straddling his face. His hands grasped her hips and drew her pussy down to his mouth before she could rock forward and capture his cock.
She created a private haven with her hair, allowing him to enjoy her attention while minimizing the actual display. His shaft rose hard and heavy, ready for her attention. Parting her lips, she took him into her mouth and sucked firmly on the flared tip. Desire coursed through her. They were concluding one stage in her life and launching another.
His lips moved over and against her as his tongue delved between her folds. She loved the way he held her firmly as his mouth devoured her. It was as if he couldn’t get enough, as if she sustained him with her cream. She shivered and rocked against him, thrilled by his enthusiasm.
She took him as deeply as she could, using her tongue to drive him crazy. Sucking and swirling, she felt him grow harder.
He settled his mouth over her clit as he pushed into her with his finger. She tightened her inner muscles. No, that was two fingers. Still not nearly enough. Fucking her gently with those two long fingers, he soon had her lunging into each stroke, desperate for more than this teasing hint of penetration.
Working his cock with ruthless determination, she sucked hard and used one hand while she held herself up with the other. The chanting grew louder, an occasional cry indicating the others’ active participation in their offering.
Suddenly, Matt switched his approach. He thrust his tongue into her core, and rolled her clit with his fingers. An orgasm detonated within her. She cried out around his cock as hard, rhythmic bursts ricocheted through her body.
As the last spasm passed, she scooted onto his chest and concentrated entirely on his pleasure. The new angle allowed her to move more freely and take him deeper. He throbbed against her tongue and arched as his climax neared. Knowing the others needed to witness his release, she tossed her head and sent her hair flying.
An unfamiliar taste announced his impending orgasm and she pulled her mouth away. She pumped him fast and hard with her hand and fluid burst from him like a geyser. A chorus of cheers followed his eruption and she climbed off his chest.
He reached immediately for his soratti, confirming her suspicion that he was doing this because he loved her. She dressed as well and waited for Kapali to ask his next question.
“Are you ready to demonstrate your abilities as a soul seer?”
“I am.”
“Part of the value of a soul seer is their ability to know who needs their h
elp even when they don’t come forward,” Hyalee said. “Look around you. Is there anyone here who would benefit from your help?”
“There are many.” Serena softened the boast with a playful smile. “But I see one in particular.”
“Please proceed.”
She took a deep breath and approached Kapali. Everyone here knew of his recent trauma, but she didn’t want to embarrass him. “I never got to thank you for what you did for me. Will you please allow my assistance?”
He closed his eyes for a moment then inclined his head.
Summoning his soul strands, she found the areas most mangled and moved closer to the high priest. “I won’t actually touch you, but you’ll sense my presence in an unusual way. Is that acceptable?”
“Yes.” He kept his eyes closed.
She slowly eased her fingers into his soul stream. Expecting a furious rush of volatile emotions, she was pleasantly surprised by what she sensed. Much of the emotional chaos had been dispersed by his own well-disciplined mind.
Untangling the worst of the snares, she felt a sudden burst of fury. Disjointed images revealed the degradation he had endured in Drey Fon’s lodge. She meticulously suppressed her reaction and focused entirely on Kapali. Working the strands into their natural pattern, she held them cradled between her palms.
“Is that better?” she whispered.
He blew out a shaky breath and nodded. “Much.” Without having to be told, he absorbed the sensation, unraveling several smaller tangles in the process.
“Very good.”
Reality faded as she worked. She meticulously reworked his strands, repairing the damage and strengthening the weave. After a long time, his hands closed around her wrists and she looked up into his eyes.
“You’ll exhaust yourself,” he said with a smile.
She nodded and stepped back, allowing his soul strands to fade from view.
“Her skill is undeniable,” Kapali said in a strong voice.
“I bear witness to her skill,” Hyalee added with a beaming smile.