“Let me put her to sleep and we can start this.”
Morrigan nodded, still stunned by the revelations. Fairy offspring grew faster. They lived longer. What was next? They have magic cum? Morrigan blushed as she remembered Brook’s tale of how she met Carrick. They definitely had unique fairy flavor. Bad turn of thoughts. Cum made her think of cock and that made her think of Whisper. Damn bastard was always in her head. She frowned, moved to the table, and plopped into a chair.
****
Morrigan stared down at it, at him. She tilted her head to the side and could not take her eyes away. It was a freaking leprechaun. She waited behind Brook as this tiny older man appeared, complete with beard, green suit, and pointy shoes. It would have been comical if not for the fact it was real. She was almost afraid to ask what else was real. Vampires? Werewolves? Ah, hell, if they were real, she was moving into a castle and never coming out. They had a quick meeting here with the leader of the leprechauns. This little guy had a wandering eye too. Morrigan smothered her laugh.
Brook was doing well as a leader. She was talking to different species on truces and living together in peace. They had arrived in this grassy clearing only a few minutes ago, and the conversation went from nervous movements to a calm friendly chat. Apparently, leprechauns and fairies have been friends for decades, but the recent strife with the trolls and the fairies’ small number nearly pulled all that apart. Here was her cousin making this bond strong again. Morrigan was so proud she could hug Brook but not now.
After she got control of her amusement from seeing a leprechaun, she went back to scanning the area. Thame was in the sky. Whisper was somewhere in the forest, and she was beside Brook. There was a handshake and a smile. The leprechaun gave Brook some sort of round medallion that looked like gold and then he tap-danced his way back into the forest. What a strange creature. “All good then?”
“Apparently the trolls have been trying to take over their lands too. The leprechauns kicked their asses, and then the trolls decided to go for the fairies.”
“Nasty little fuckers,” Morrigan commented, her eyes scanning the tree line.
“Now we have them on our side, and if things get too crazy, they’ll send backup to help us. They’re also offering to help us rebuild for gold.”
“Good.” Morrigan caught sight of movement. She held her arm up and blocked Brook’s path. There to her left. She stared in that direction and heard a deep grumble of a laugh. Whisper.
“Idiot,” she mumbled before putting her arm down and looking at the short walk back the kingdom.
“Whisper?”
“The man…fairy is annoying as...” Whisper swooped down before she could finish. He pinched her butt and quickly took to the air. Morrigan spun around, pulling her gun free and aiming. “Fucking piece of...I’m going to shoot him!”
Brook tried to hide her laugh but failed terribly. “He likes you,” she said, covering her smile. “He’s usually not so...engaging.”
“He can go right back into the hole he crawled out of.” Morrigan frowned, put the gun back in the holster, and returned to the trek home. “And don’t laugh. It just encourages the freak. Why the hell is he bothering me anyway? You’re queen. Tell him to fuck off.”
Brook laughed harder.
Morrigan’s frown deepened. This was harassment, not a late-night comedy show. Thame flew past them. He scouted their path with precision. She could almost see the kingdom. The willow tree wasn’t far off, and in a few moments, the dome towers that were still standing came into view. “So what’s the plan for today?”
Brook sobered and it bothered Morrigan that most of the time the light in Brook’s eyes was gone. She wanted to make another joke just so her cousin would laugh again.
“I have Thame and Flance on forest patrol. I wanted you and Whisper to go to the caves that the trolls frequented. They’re empty now, or at least, last time we checked. I want you to blow them up, create a cave in.”
“Block their path to a safe retreat.” Morrigan thought about this plan then nodded. “That is a damn fine idea. However, I am not going with him.”
Brook rolled her eyes. “He’s the best warrior we have!”
“I’d rather do it alone.” Which was a bad idea but she wasn’t about to admit that aloud. “Or have Bray come with me.” There, not a stupid plan but still not having to deal with Whisper. Damn it, she had to stop thinking his name. It sent a shiver down her spine every time.
“Bray is on baby duty. Breena gave birth last night.”
“Oh, hey, good for her.”
“Bray will be watching them, and the others will be patrolling the city. I also have the leprechauns stopping by to check out the damage, and I’m trying to pull a meeting together with the banshees.”
Morrigan faltered. “You’re kidding me?”
“Well, they are descended from fairies. I know they have a bad rep but maybe it’s just a story. Did you know there’s a banshee battle goddess named Morrigan?”
“No, I didn’t but, Brook, they’re supposed to be angry women who kill without remorse.”
“A story!” Brook tilted her head.
Morrigan rolled her eyes. “Don’t think I didn’t notice you changed the subject.”
Brook gave her best innocent look and turned as Thame landed. “Whisper knows where the caves are. Get it done and get out. If you’re not back by mid-day, I’m sending in a search party.” Brook placed a hand on Morrigan’s shoulder and squeezed. “Stay safe.”
“I will but I may just shoot the idiot,” Morrigan muttered. She watched Thame pick up Brook, and they both flew down toward the kingdom where remains of the big battle still lingered.
“I do have a name, you know,” the dark fairy said from the shadows of the forest.
“Yeah, idiot.” Morrigan frowned, something she seemed to be doing a lot of lately. “How far are the caves?” There was no way she was letting him fly her there. She didn’t want his hands anywhere near her body. Not really, but her core clenched at the thought, and her nipples hardened beneath her shirt. She walked to the forest edge, keeping her distance from the dark shadows Whisper liked to frequent.
“Several miles,” he said in his deep voice directly above her.
Morrigan looked up and watched him land before her. “Five? Ten? Twenty?”
“About ten.” He held out his hand.
Well, shit. She could jog at least two and push herself for five but ten was out of the question. “If you pinch my ass again, I will shoot you, even if we’re in mid-air.”
Whisper chuckled, not opening his lips. He nodded his head in a sort of bow.
Morrigan’s body was cooing at the idea, but her mind was sending up warning flags. Walk the damn ten miles! She reached out and placed her hand in his. Whisper’s skin was warm against her palm. She stiffened when he reached around her and gripped her waist firmly. Her body felt tense, on edge, as if she was on the ledge of a skyscraper with nothing to prevent her fall but a thin thread of yarn. The ground fell away from her feet. Whisper’s grasp tightened and his black wings fluttered.
Apparently, not all fairies flew the same. Whisper was fast. Treetops whizzed by, and the wind was like a force against her skin. She held on tighter, her mind going from lust to fear as Whisper wove in and out of trees. They were lowering already, heading toward the ground, and Morrigan caught sight of the caves. It was a line of dark entrances. They hugged the cliffs with the waves crashing just beneath.
Whisper brought them down to the ground, but once she landed, he didn’t pull away. The lust was ever-present. She tried to imagine bloody battles and taking a bath in mustard. None of the images hindered the rising fervor. Morrigan pushed him away, and his dark eyes followed her every movement. She felt his warm breath upon her face and tried her damnedest to hold the quiver.
“Look at me,” he ordered, his voice intense and dark.
“I’m too busy watching our backs,” she muttered but the quip had no heat. Morrigan pushed at
his chest and finally he moved away. She glimpsed at his face. Was that a grin?
“Your back end is well-watched.” He leaned close, his front pressing into her rear. “I will not let anything happen to you.”
Morrigan spun on her heel. “Listen. I am not interested, so these flirty things you’re doing aren’t working. Back off.” Whisper didn’t respond. He only watched her. His blue hair was mussed by their trip and a few strands went wild and fell into his eyes. “Got that?” she added for bravado. Maybe that would set him straight.
Whisper growled before quickly leaning down and kissing her.
Morrigan protested for all of two seconds. His lips worked magic. They parted her mouth and his tongue delved inside. She felt something sharp, pointed, and pulled away before the kiss could undo her resolve. This time she pulled out her gun. “I am done playing. One more move, and I’ll tell Brook you were a casualty of our plan.” It was an empty threat, but he still tilted his head and then stared at the caves. Without a word, he began walking toward them. Morrigan let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. What the hell had she felt in his mouth? They couldn’t possibly be...no, she couldn’t even think it, but what else would explain it? And why the hell would a fairy have fangs? Morrigan licked her bottom lip and struggled to follow Whisper along their rocky path.
The wind was warm but brutal. It pushed her forward with vengeance. She trailed Whisper to the edge of the cliffs and gazed at the small narrow path that led to the opening. Beyond that ledge was a long drop and a lots of wild waves. Morrigan swallowed hard.
Whisper held out his hand and Morrigan ignored the offering. She traversed the narrow path with her chin high and her legs steady. She did not need his help. Although she did glance at him as he pursued her with a frown on his lips. The first cave was, well, a cave. It was dark despite the daylight and smelled vaguely of stale water. She wrinkled her nose and eased into the entrance. The floor was sticky and she placed a hand on the wall to find that surface slippery. Wonderful. Morrigan frowned and waited as Whisper landed beside her.
“The bright sparkles on the walls...” He indicated with a tilt of his head.
Morrigan leaned closer to the repugnant wall and saw there were sparkling flecks beneath the dirty surface. “Is that...”
“We strike each side with our sword. It will ignite and we fly from the cave while the rocks fall.”
“It’s magnesium?” Morrigan said as she leaned closer to the wall.
“I do not know the name.”
It had to be that stuff. One strike with a blade would ignite it. This should actually work. Morrigan put her gun in the holster and snapped it shut. She retrieved the knife from her ankle strap and nodded toward Whisper.
“Strike then quickly make your way out of the cave. I will then hit the wall and fly out. It will be enough to explode the entire web of caves,” he explained.
Morrigan nodded, glancing at the way his black wings seemed to shrink closer to his back in the confined space. “Will this be far enough in to...” The heel of Morrigan’s shoe slid. Her knee landed in a pile of foul smelling water, and her hand scraped along the wall. “Fucking piece of...” There was a sharp splintering noise as she stopped cursing. Her eyes went wide as she looked at the wall her knife just struck.
“Go. Now.”
Morrigan went for some creative cursing as she ran toward the exit. She heard the hiss of Whisper’s blade along the wall and suddenly he was behind her. His arms wrapped around her waist. He lifted her off the ground and Morrigan reached back to grab any part of him she could. They leapt from the cave. The water below them churned angrily, but it didn’t rise up to meet them. Or rather, Morrigan wasn’t falling toward it. Whisper held them up, and there was a loud sucking sound before an echoing pop. Rocks and dirt collapsed from the top of the cave. The entrance was pummeled by boulders, pounds of dirt, and grass.
Whisper flew them to the edge of the forest, and they landed with a gentle thump. His hands were still on her hips, and she glared up at him ready to reprimand. There was a sizzle in the direction of the caves and another collapse. Their actions must have sent the entire circuit of tunnels up. More boulders tumbled from the cliffs into the waters below and dirt began to pour into every crevice. The ground beneath them rumbled, and Morrigan found herself struggling to stay upright. Whisper’s hands were once again around her waist, and they shot off into the sky like a rocket. Her hair was plastered to her head, and she felt the cool breeze shift down her billowing shirt. Once at the treetops they came to an abrupt stop.
Morrigan glanced down. The ground was broken and uneven. Talk about a cave in. She frowned and looked at Whisper. “Sorry.” Morrigan hated saying that word, but considering what she just set off and nearly got them both injured, she said the damn apology.
“I’m not. I got to hold you again.” His voice was low, and his eyes were trained on her lips.
Damn it, she would not play with this fairy. Whisper tilted his head and leaned closer. His breath fanned her cheek and his fingers caressed her hips. She would have pushed away if it weren’t for the long fall beneath her and her lack of wings, but that protest began to lose strength as his lips brushed over her check. Gentle and tender. She swallowed hard. This was a horrible mistake. This would turn out to be such a catastrophe.
Whisper pressed his hand against her throat, his fingers digging into the delicate column of her neck. His lips were on hers and strength left her like a deep breath. Whisper’s kiss was consuming. His lips and tongue forced her to open her mouth wider. She tilted her head further to the right. The passion was so intense she closed her eyes and gave over to the command of his touch. His hand tightened. Could he feel her pulse pumping wildly beneath his palm? Pleasure made her womanhood come alive and she squeezed her thighs together, flexing her inner muscles. Something sharp rasped across her tongue and the sting only added to the growing lust.
Just as Whisper swept her from the world, he pulled away. She felt the loss of his lips like a hammer to her heart. Her lungs were burning and she took a deep breath as he released her neck. His eyes were boring into her, black as night. Morrigan swallowed the small drops of blood on her tongue. She wasn’t crazy. He did have fangs!
“We must return,” he said quietly.
Morrigan nodded, stunned, confused, and horny all in one. She held onto his waist as they flew away from the destroyed caves. His muscles flexed beneath her palms, and the warmth from his body increased her zeal. She wanted him like no other, but the dominance he displayed scared the crap out of her. What if he was just as ruthless in bed? Would he tie her up? Would he fuck her until she screamed out in abandon? Did she really want such a thing? Thoughts ruined the moment, and she fought down the desire as they made their way over treetops toward the fairy kingdom.
The sun was still in the sky as they passed the willow tree and descended into the area. She was still awed by the demolition of this place. There were leprechauns running all around. She counted at least ten as they flew toward home base. Morrigan watched them scurry this way and that. She was stunned by how friendly and rather cute they were. It was a quick flight before they were beside the waterfall. Morrigan hesitated to let go of him, and when she realized how her hands lingered, she quickly pulled away. He smiled down at her, keeping those fangs hidden. When she reached the door, Whisper held it open for her. It was old-school, what a true gentleman would do, and she hid the small smile on her face. This was not time to be thinking about sexy fairies and getting laid. This was a war! Now if only she could tell her emotions that.
“How did it go?” Brook asked.
Morrigan jumped as if she were caught with her hand in the cookie jar. Technically she was. Morrigan jerked her sight from Whisper and addressed her cousin. “Complete. They’re destroyed.”
She perked up. “No issues?”
“Nope.” Well, no troll issues, but the kiss between them had added a completely new complication.
“Good. T
here’s more caves to the south. I’d like you both to head there next. That’ll give them nowhere to hide but the forest.” Brook turned on her heel but spoke over her shoulder. “When you return, you should think about getting sword lessons.”
“Sword?” Morrigan cocked a brow.
“That magic weapon you hold did not help you last time,” Whisper said from the door. “I can teach you.”
Great, just what she needed. The sexy, dark fairy teaching her to wield a sword when all she could think about was sucking his “sword.” Morrigan hung her head as she went back out into the sunshine. She shivered as Whisper held her close and tried not to get hypnotized by his eyes. They were back in the air, heading toward the second set of caves. It didn’t take long. She could have probably jogged the distance, but they landed a few feet away. Once again, there was a narrow path, but this one widened to disappear into a dark cave. Below this entrance was a sharp cliff that ended with a hard landing upon a jagged, rocky beach. Morrigan peeked over the edge and frowned.
“You remain here. I will destroy it.”
She was going to protest but she did screw up their last plan. Morrigan nodded, pulled out her gun, and watched the surrounding area as Whisper flew to the cave entrance. She couldn’t help but be sidetracked by the sight of him. He wore light, flexible armor, and his black wings were fluttering quickly. His blue hair was bright in the sunlight, almost as if he had highlights. Morrigan shook her head as he faded into the caves darkness. Her head was once again not in the moment.
This time it cost her.
Chapter Five
Something smelly and bulky came out of the forest. It slammed into her side and knocked her to the very edge of the cliff. Morrigan cursed as she rolled from the brink and slammed the gun into the troll’s head. “Stupid. Smelly. Fucker.” Morrigan pulled the trigger. The proximity blew a gaping hole in the troll’s head. She spun and found another one charging toward her. There was an inhumane roar and the next thing Morrigan knew, the troll charging her cried out. Its head parted from its body with a single blow from Whisper’s sword. She turned toward another stampeding beast. Apparently, they had just stumbled upon the trolls’ hideout.
Fairy Prey Page 3