Ryder had not seen that coming. He moved to kneel in front of her, “Storm?” She did not respond. He lifted her chin with his finger, a jolt of electricity ran through him the instant he touched her, but Ryder kept his voice soft and steady, “Storm, when does it happen? How?”
A tear rolled down her cheek, “I don’t know. It keeps changing now. The first time I saw it, I just saw my face, eyes wide open and staring at nothing with a trickle of blood at the corner of my mouth. Now, well, it changes.”
Roane spoke up again in that soft voice that Ryder had never heard before today. “Do you see it often? When did you last see it?” He moved to kneel beside Ryder, “I promise you, Storm, we will save you.”
Ryder looked at his fellow Immortal, nothing but love in his face for Storm, but not lust or want, true paternal affection. The kind Jasper should have shown her. Maybe Roane had told them the truth. It did not matter so long as he pledged to keep Storm safe, if he swore on the Immortal code. That would convince Ryder.
“Swear on the Immortal Code that you will keep her safe.” Ryder heard the words out of Lucian’s mouth as if they were his own. He turned to face Lucian, searching for the flicker in his eye but saw none. “Roane, if you are speaking truth then swear on the code and we will trust you in this.”
Roane stood slowly. “If I must, I will. Ryder will you do the honor? I seemingly have you to convince most of all in this.” Ryder nodded. Lucian flipped a lighter at him. Ryder caught it and flicked the flame. Roane put his hand directly over the flame, the scent of burning flesh began to seep into their nostrils. Storm began to protest but fortunately the seraphs silenced her. Ryder could not break eye contact. Roane spoke slowly, “I swear that all I have said is true as I know it, I swear on the code of the Immortal Brethren that I will protect my granddaughter, Storm Sullivan, always and I swear that I will do all in my power to help her find happiness in this world.” Ryder nodded tightly and released the flame. Roane held his palm up to Ryder, then Lucian, Kell, and Pollux. They all nodded.
“That was barbaric. And, completely unnecessary.” Storm folded her arms over her chest and glared up at Ryder. He would never win with this woman. How could she not see that he merely wanted to make sure everyone involved remained honest.
“Storm, it is our way. You have traveled; surely you have seen worse things?” Roane defending him. Ryder never thought he would live to see the day. She paused to think about it but the scowl remained.
“Perhaps we should figure out why Jasper wants her dead and how we intend to stop that from happening. Everything else becomes moot if we can’t figure that out, right?” Ryder knew he owed Lucian in a huge way for his aide on this, he’d become exceptionally skilled at redirecting dangerous conversations since this whole thing began. Perhaps he could round up a few gremlins for the training room. Or maybe a special lady, somebody with a little more fire than Angeline and a few kids less than Rosalee. That too would have to wait. Ryder felt a lengthy to do list growing in his head.
“He goes by Jasper these days? Interesting choice.” Roane shrugged, “It matters not. Based on what you have told us, I believe he has changed his plan. Rather than rule with you as his prisoner, my son intends to bind your powers to his own and then have you killed so that he can take permanent control of them. With your power he could certainly take over the supernatural world and of course, end me.”
Storm
“Why would he want to harm you? How could he? I thought it against supernatural law to harm your kin?” Storm felt the situation spiraling out of control in the worst way. Something seemed to be escaping her, something that would tie everything together. She looked up to Ryder. He smiled at her, his eyes flashing silver again. Storm looked away quickly.
“It is against supernatural laws to harm your kin, but he believes himself to be above our laws. He believes himself to be divine.” Roane’s voice had regained that flat, eerie tone again. It sent chills down her spine. He seemed to notice her reaction and lowered his voice again, “He blames me for abandoning his mother and wishes to take my immortality for himself. I am sure you have noticed that he has aged somewhat.”
“I don’t understand. If you are Immortal and his mother is a Goddess, how can he age? That doesn’t make sense.” Storm had recognized the crow’s feet and graying hair which now seemed odd given her father’s lineage.
“It is part of the magic. He is not supposed to exist therefore he has a finite time to live. While his life has been long, my son has begun to show the signs of age, more so since your birth. I have come to believe that he feels you stole some of his longevity.” Roane looked apologetic, sad even, “He wanted you to harness the power of the legendary Emerald but I do not believe he intended to bargain away any of his mortality in exchange.”
“Will I live longer than usual? Do you know what I am capable of?” Storm had so many questions, now that she could put a history to her life and sit in a room of people – okay, very gorgeous males – who accepted her, life seemed far better than it had in a long, long while. Somehow, it would all work out. She looked at her grandfather, studying his smooth face and marveling at how he could be her grandfather, they could pass for the same age.
Roane shrugged, “I cannot be sure about your longevity as I am not sure of your father’s, as for your power and what you are truly capable of, I would guess you have a fair combination of all of your ancestors. I am forbidden from sharing my unique talents, as is our way, but I am sure that with time you will figure it out. Your grandmother, as you know, is a fertility goddess. She had some other minor talents and history is filled with quarrels over her true abilities, but instinct remained her greatest asset. Damarra had a gift for the arts as well, I would guess that passed to you as well.”
“What about from my father? If I know what skills he has perhaps I can neutralize them with my own, if I possess them too?” Storm felt hands on her shoulders and went rigid in response, until she realized they belonged to Ryder, the warmth seeped into her muscles and his scent saturated her senses turning the soft flutter in her stomach into a roaring inferno.
“I could read you to see what you are capable of.” His velvety voice hit her as she registered how close his lips were to her earlobe. A flood of memories and fantasies washed over her. Storm closed her eyes and suppressed a moan but nodded in agreement. Ryder sighed and gave her shoulders a gentle squeeze. Storm registered what he was trying to tell her, he wouldn’t be able to read her in front of the others. That would mean more time alone, and the need to break away.
Storm stood and stretched. “You know what, never mind. I really don’t think I can take anymore today. I need to process all of this, it has been,” she paused for effect and feigned a small yawn, “enlightening and draining. Could we take a break and maybe I could get a little sleep? There are plenty of guest beds for all of you and I truly hope you will all stay.”
“Everybody stays. We will take turns protecting the house.” Ryder’s voice sounded foreign with such a hard edge to it, no hint of the velveteen she loved.
The Scots nodded in unison and muttered something about first shift on the perimeter. Lucian nodded and volunteered for second shift. Dan looked at her, his eyes full of many unspoken things, most of which she doubted she’d want to hear. “Shane and I will take turns outside your window, just in case.”
“Yeah, babe, I am going to catch a few Zs but I will be in the room next to you.” He looked to Ryder, an unusual hardness evident in his gaze. “If you need anything, holler.”
Storm looked to Roane, her grandfather. Maybe if she said it enough times it would sound less foreign. He smiled in response, she could see what Damarra must have seen in him. He could be dashing if he tried to be less severe. When he smiled at Storm, she saw pride and affection. How odd. “Roane, I mean, Grandfather, I – what should I call you?”
Roane laughed, a strange sound, not warm but not creepy like his speaking voice, “Why don’t you call me whatever you feel comfor
table with. I am not weary, my dear, so I will patrol with Kell and Pollux. We can speak more in the morning?”
She smiled and nodded, fatigue truly claiming her body and mind more quickly than she imagined possible. He stood and took a step forward, hesitated and started to walk out. Storm walked to him and grabbed his arm. When Roane turned, Storm put her arms about his waist and hugged him tightly. She felt his body tense and then relax into the hug. He sniffed her hair. Her grandfather smelled of the outdoors, no other way to describe it, like fresh cut grass and salty ocean air mixed with dried leaves and pine dust. When she released him, he smiled down at her, his face relaxed even further.
“Storm, you are an amazing child. I expect wonderful things from you.” He winked and walked off leaving her alone with Ryder, again. Dammit. Could she do this?
Ryder
“That was creepy.” The words came out before he realized it. Why could he not stop offending her?
“What?” She turned to look at him, fatigue etched across her face, her eyes glittering with excitement. Gods, he wanted her. Everything inside him yearned to scoop her up and have her against the bookshelves, on the sofas, the rug before the hearth – he pushed the memories aside and moved to adjust his growing arousal.
“I found it strange to see Roane behave in that manner. He has always been aloof at best.”
“Oh, I thought you said something about him being creepy.” She raised an eyebrow knowingly but half smiled at him. “It doesn’t matter, I get it. Let’s get this reading done. What do I have to do?”
“Nothing, really. I just need to touch you to be able to focus on just you and block all of the other supernaturals milling around.” Ryder really did not need to touch her now that they stood alone in the room but she did not need to know that. Just one more touch, perhaps on her bare arms to feel her soft, smooth skin, that would suffice. “Would you rather move to your bedroom so that you can go to sleep if you like? You seem tired.”
Storm eyed him suspiciously. Then she shrugged and nodded, “might as well. More comfortable up there.”
They headed for the door but before exiting, she turned to face him, misjudged how close he’d been, and they crashed into each other. She backed up, a slight dazed look on her face. Storm must have felt it as well, electricity flooded him when they touched. His arousal had returned in full force that very instant. She stood so close he could smell her. Her energy pulsed through the air around them heightening the intense attraction even further. He could not take it. Ryder wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her in, inhaling her scent deeply as her hair brushed under his chin.
“What do you think you are doing?” Storm’s voice muffled against his chest did little to hide her irritation.
Ryder loosened his hold slightly and she tried to break free but he refused to let her. Instead, Ryder turned her, moved her to the bookshelf to their left and held her against it, at just the right level. Before she could protest, his mouth found hers. Ryder started strong but not too forcefully, his hands found her hips and rolled downward until he could pull her legs up around his waist. He kissed down her chin to her neck and back to her earlobe. She moaned loudly in response. Ryder pressed against her. He never wanted anyone so much.
Storm
She moaned. Dammit. She wanted this. She wanted him. Hell, she needed him. Her skin felt like fire and Ryder’s hands and lips only fueled the burning. He cupped her bottom and pulled her in closer. She could hear herself panting with need. He stopped without letting her go.
“Storm, look at me.” That voice, not a command but a request, soft and sincere but edged with lust.
She looked. Ryder’s eyes blazed silver. “I want you Storm Sullivan. I want you to be mine. I want you in every way that a male wants a female. I have never in all my lifetimes wanted a woman as I want you. Will you have me?”
“Yes.” The word came out before Storm even realized it. Ryder’s eyes flared and then they were on the floor before the hearth, her pants long gone and his as well. The moment he entered her everything glowed gold, she exploded in ecstasy beyond anything she ever could have imagined. Crying out his name she dug her nails into his back which only engaged him further. He rolled them over so that she straddled him and instinct took over. Storm rocked in a rhythm as Ryder wrestled her shirt off. His eyes flew wide at the sight of her in the violet lace bra. He shifted her and sat up so that he could kiss her cleavage, soft fluttering kisses that caused the tension to build again. Storm pulled his shirt off and bent her head to kiss his chest, nibbling at his left nipple. Ryder moaned and she felt him tense against her. She pulled back and looked in his eyes, silver pools like small moons. Storm kissed him, sliding her tongue in his mouth to caress his. He moaned again.
Then they were up, her back against the bookshelf, his head buried in her breasts, her hands in his hair. He entered her again using the bookshelf as leverage and started a faster rhythm. She cried out his name several more times. Ryder called out her name as they climaxed together. Storm collapsed into him, her body thrumming with the after-effects. Lifting her head from his shoulder she noticed her arm glowing golden. She tried to will it away but couldn’t even cause it to fade. Trying not to sound too alarmed or completely ruin the moment, she whispered in his ear, “Um, Ryder, I am glowing.”
He kept his head nestled in her shoulder, “I know. You do that.”
“Wait, what do you mean? I have done this before?” Storm felt the panic rising in her chest, she couldn’t glow gold every time she became aroused. She looked at her arm again, still not fading. Great.
Ryder pulled back and looked her in the eye, his still that lovely liquid silver. “Yes, you did it before when we made love. Your power is simply tied to your emotions. It is not a crisis, Storm, it is part of the goddess in you. I think you can change the color if you like but I am partial to the gold myself.”
“Wait, did you say goddess? You read me?”
“You knew you were part goddess. But, yes I read you, just now while you were having a meltdown about your glow.” Ryder let her down and walked over to collect their clothes. He started dressing in silence. Storm stared at him. Gods he could be the most beautiful man she’d ever seen. She actually found herself growing aroused again, just looking at him and recalling his hands on her, his lips fluttering along her jawline, his – no, not a good idea. Instead, she put her hands upon her hips and tapped her foot.
“Somehow, that does not have the same effect when you are naked.” Ryder chuckled and approached her, clothes in hand. He slipped the shirt over her head and kissed her nose softly as she pushed her arms through. “You are lovely. I like when you glow.”
“What else did you read from me?”
He silently handed her pants and undies over and stepped backward, leaning against the edge of the sofa. “Well, other than the Sight and your affinity for witchcraft, you have affinities for nature and fertility. It is very feasible that you could take immortality from my kind. In actuality, your purpose seems to be one of balance and healing. You can right any supernatural wrongs essentially.”
“That’s it? Really? So I can’t do anything special?” Storm felt her shoulders slump. Dammit. She had grown excited at the prospect of having some real talents. What a let-down. Everybody made such a big deal about the Emerald and how much power she should have but in the end, she really was just a witch with the Sight. She felt Ryder’s hand tugging at her chin and looked up to meet his gaze. The silver seemed to have faded slightly but he looked so intent.
“Storm, you are very powerful. I am not sure how you came to possess so much magic. There is so much that it seems generalized. Your magical fingerprint is completely unique. What I saw will make you valuable to any supernatural; however, I have no intention of sharing you.” Ryder smiled, a lopsided sexy smile that made her want to jump him all over again. He released her chin and stepped back, watching her dress. Storm took her time stepping into her pants and adjusting her attire, allowing the
news to sink in.
“So, what you are saying is that I am a freak.”
Ryder approached her, cupped her face in his hands and studied her intensely. “You are no freak. You are amazing and talented and the most extraordinary woman I have ever known. Every male in this house wants you, wants to be near you simply because of the effect you have on us. Do you understand how stunning you are on every level?”
Storm felt the heat build in her cheeks. She lowered her eyes.
Ryder
Ryder gazed at Storm, her innocence and humility made her even more attractive. She really had no idea just how intriguing she could be. Beneath her hard exterior she maintained an irresistible vulnerability. Granted, he certainly did not want to spend any more time on the receiving end of her wrath. The affection on the other hand, well, that he could live with. Ryder wrapped his arms about her waist and pulled her close, relishing the feel of her body against his. Her hair smelled amazing. The golden glow seemed to be fading slightly, probably for the better since Storm seemed so self-conscious about it. She’d have to get used to it, though.
“What are we going to do about my father?” She pulled back and looked up at him, wide eyed and curious but not afraid, not an ounce of fear in her.
“I am not sure yet. We will come up with something. Any of our kind would be satisfied with his death if they knew his intentions. I could call on the brethren to eradicate him.” Ryder had thought about that initially as the only option. He could not allow Storm to kill him and Roane would have the same problem. Kin-killers were tortured and executed in the supernatural community. Since Jasper had not yet crossed that line they could not call on the supernatural authority to intervene.
“If the brethren were to start arriving he would be alerted to their presence and flee. I don’t believe that is an option. I think we need to handle this ourselves.”
He saw the truth in her statement; surely Jasper would be watching supernatural movements in the vicinity, especially now that he knew the Immortals were involved. Ryder wondered if Jasper was aware that Roane had joined their company. It would certainly give them an advantage over Jasper if he remained unaware of Roane’s involvement but they could not rely on that.
The Storm Sullivan Saga: The Emerald Seer Series Box Set Page 14