She reaches across the table and shoves my shoulder. “Get out! That can’t be true.”
I smile. “So certain, are you?”
“Come on, Seth. Something like that would make the evening news . . . The Disappearing Dinner Caper.”
My laughter makes her smile broader. I love her smile. “One day, you shall see, when we are free of this place, just what I can do — perhaps even before.”
She leans forward in her chair, clasping her hands in front of her. “Show me now.”
“All right,” I say, exhilaration pulsing inside me. “Think of a restaurant, a delicacy you’ve had making you salivate at the mention. I’ll get it for you.”
She licks her upper lip, looking beyond me toward the door. “Justine got take out when we lived in Vegas. The place had the best lemon chicken I’ve ever had.”
She seems to have a fondness for chicken. I must remember this. “What is the name of the establishment?”
She taps her chin a few times. “I always got it confused with another one that sucked rusty buckets . . . Golden Dragon . . . no, no. That’s not it. Why can’t I think of the . . . Ming’s Palace!” She grins. “Lemon chicken, Ming’s Palace!”
The excitement in her tone fills the room and my heart. I conjure a bell and swing it until the chime rings out. “Coming right up.”
She smiles before she slaps a palm against her forehead. “Ooh, don’t forget the wontons.”
A steaming hot plate of lemon chicken with a side of wontons appears in front of her.”
Her eyes widen in surprise, while her mouth falls open. She rushes to my side. “Holy cow! It smells just like the stuff.”
I lean back in my chair, taking a sip of apple juice. I’ve become fond of the drink since Amelia arrived. “What are you waiting for?”
She picks up the chopsticks and scoops up a morsel. It’s in her mouth in an instant. Her eyes close, and she moans before lifting another bite to her lips.
My heart pulsates with satisfaction I have never known. I shall endeavor to discover all her pleasures.
She continues, bite after bite without saying a word, so I take the opportunity to eat my salmon. Hers smells better.
“May I?” I ask, and her eyes focus on me.
“Sure.” She scoots closer and holds up a piece for me to take. I lean toward her and open my mouth. The chicken is deposited gently across my lips. Subtle flavors of sweet and salt merge on my tongue. “Thank you. It is very good.”
She nods. “The best.” She tucks her bottom lip between her teeth, hesitating. “Can I try your salmon?”
“Of course.” I lift a forkful to her lips.
After a moment of chewing, she smiles. “That’s good, and I don’t even like fish.”
I laugh, and so does she. As much as I would love to spend the evening conversing and enjoying her company, we have much to prepare for. I have already been away too long. I wait until she’s finished to broach the subject for tonight’s mission. “There is something I need to discuss with you, Amelia.”
She tips her head back and stretches. “Why do you sound so official right now?”
I shrug. “There are times when frivolity is not appropriate. Much could go wrong.”
Talk about a killjoy. Seth’s expression is downright dismal, which doesn’t give me much hope for our team.
The truth is I’m eager to see Maybell again and to check up on Kelsby. He was in awfully bad shape the last time I saw him.
Seth whisked me away to my own dream world for a little relaxation — or not. My cheeks flame thinking about that little dip in our pool. Just as quickly, a darker image takes over my mind. I can’t stand having my world tainted, but one thing is for sure. As much as I love it, I don’t want to go back there any time soon. I just hope I can convince Seth to call me somewhere else first.
I still don’t quite understand how the Dreamscape works, especially the Oneiroi part. How do they send dreams? How do they know what to transmit in the first place? Somehow, I don’t think the Erobos have an actual plan. They seem more like the spoiler type.
“Fine,” I tell Seth. “Get on with spreading the depression.”
He frowns, which makes me want to smooth away the lines around his mouth. You’d have thought I would have had enough of him last night, but all I can think about right now is kissing him . . . for real. Somehow, the dream version isn’t quite good enough anymore.
Too bad we have other things to worry about because I’d love to see how lemon chickon and salmon mix. He stands and holds a hand out. My fingers curl into his, and he pulls me from my chair. He holds my hand while we walk into his chamber. I’m deposited on the couch, while he takes his place in his chair that looks suspiciously like a throne. Thing is it’s comfortable, so how can I blame him for not having a recliner?
He crosses his ankle over a knee and sighs. “With Peter out of commission, for the time being, Zed, Ian, and I will have to take over his duties.”
If he’s this dismal about our odds, it really is something to worry about. “Okay, so what does that mean for me?”
“I’d like for you to assist Maybell in extracting Eros from Peter.”
I try not to stiffen. I’m all for helping, but those suckers hurt. Now I understand why Seth tried to get me to leave Kelsby to fend for himself. Even so, I want to do my part, and it seems I have the ability to draw Eros out of people. Yay for me. I lift my brows and toss him a halfhearted smirk. “Done. Where are we going to meet?”
He smiles. “I appreciate your eagerness to get back into the Dreamscape, but I would like for Maybell to work with you in learning control and how to shift while in the dream state. With the Erobos knowing who you are, you must learn to conceal your identity.”
Even though I try to keep it out of my voice, disappointment infuses my words. “So I won’t even see you?”
He smiles, seeming to enjoy my frustration. “The likelihood of you finishing with Peter before I have accomplished my tasks is remote at best. For now, I’d like to keep you at headquarters. You have much to learn, which can be accomplished there.”
I groan. “Does that mean I’m going to have to go to sleep again? I’m not even tired.”
“The Erobos threat has made your safety paramount. We need to limit your interaction with them while maintaining a strict training schedule. Trust me, Amelia, you shall not be bored.”
Taking his word for it isn’t so easy for me. Unfortunately, if I refuse, he’ll just leave me here. I’d rather have my mind focused on something useful, instead of how lonely this place is. After a moment, I nod.
The pendulum hanging from who knows where continues to sway back and forth behind us in a hypnotic rhythm. Seth’s place confuses the heck out of me. Supposedly, the suspended gear came with his curse, but I still don’t know the significance. I’m not even sure if he knows what it’s all about.
Seth moves beside me and takes my hand into his. The warmth of his fingers is a balm I need right now. He looks at me before he glances over his shoulder toward the cavern behind the barrier. When the firewall is activated, I can almost pretend the gaping hole isn’t there. It’s such a bleak contrast to the fine, old-world furnishings that make up his living quarters.
“What’s back there?” My voice is barely above a whisper.
I have to strain to make out his answer. “Parts of my realm now lost to me. Other things I’d rather not discuss.” His sadness seeps into me. I stroke his fingers, trying to reassure him, but the truth is we’re waging a losing battle. Something epic needs to happen for us to win, and I’m going to figure out what that is and how to manage it.
Seth is the best guy I’ve ever met. He doesn’t deserve to spend eternity locked up because some chick hornswoggled him. “We’ll get them back,” I say, determination in every word. “We’ll get out of here. We have the first part of the key. It’s just a matter of time.”
He pats my leg. “Time never waits, no matter how much I wish it would.” His
gaze sweeps over me before he glances again at the black void beyond the fire pit. “Are you ready?”
I stand up. “Pretty much.” We make our way back to the library in silence, but as we pass the conservatory, Baltek comes to mind. “Where’s your dog?”
He laughs. “To think you once told me you do not like animals.”
“A person can change,” I tell him, hoping that’s true.
His voice shifts low and serious. “I’m counting on it, Amelia.”
I stop him. “What do you mean?”
Eyes alight with determination, he stares at me. “I’ve been thinking perhaps we have focused on the wrong thing to win our war with the Erobos.”
Trepidation fills me. Despite the excitement in his tone, there’s an undercurrent of uncertainty in his words. “How’s that?”
“Seeing you draw the Eros from Kelsby gave me the notion.”
A sudden chill ripples along my body. “Why don’t I think I’m going to like your idea?”
He laughs. “Without you, it is pointless.”
It’s not hard to see where he’s going with this. “So you want me to try to extract Eros from someone else?”
He nods, but holds up his hand to stop my response. “Not until we are certain you can help Peter. Once he is recovered, I would like to explore other avenues with you.”
“Who?” Please don’t say Daegan. Please don’t say Daegan.
He rushes on, oblivious to my anxiety. “Acquiring Daegan could be a fatal blow for Volos.”
I barely manage to hold in my groan. He had to say Daegan. Fear pulsates from my hairline to my toes.
I was really hoping to never have to face him again. “What if he manages to turn me before I can change him?”
Seth runs a finger down my arm. “He won’t have you, Amelia. You have my vow. Using you as bait is not ideal, but it is our best option.”
I glance up at him, still wary. “But first we have to make sure Peter’s okay?”
Another nod. “He is the priority.”
A loud bark ricochets through the corridor. I turn as Baltek crashes around the corner. He’s got something huge sticking out of either side of his mouth. It doesn’t take me long to see it’s a tree branch the diameter of Seth’s leg. More horse than dog, he lopes to us, drops the branch, and barks again.
Seth doesn’t even have to bend down to pat his head. I have to lift my arm a bit.
“Sorry, boy,” says Seth. “Play will have to come later.” Baltek barks again, as if he’s not going to take no for an answer. “Come,” says Seth. He turns to head toward the conservatory.
Fine by me. I’d be happy if I never met up with Daegan again, and delaying is the first step to reaching the goal. Seth follows Baltek into the conservatory, waits for me, then closes the door.
It takes all of two seconds for Baltek to throw an absolute conniption. Another dog, same breed, stands near the forest I created without even knowing it when I was here last.
“Go on,” says Seth before he smacks Baltek’s rear.
The dog leaps forward, making it to the other one in a few seconds, tops. They sniff and nip, bark and growl. The other dog takes off. Baltek follows, his bark eaten up by the trees.
I smile, happy he has someone to keep him company now.
When Seth reaches for me, I blanch. That didn’t waste near enough time for my liking. It doesn’t take long for Seth to usher me out of the conservatory and back toward the library.
Each step I take becomes harder, until I stop altogether.
“What’s wrong?” asks Seth, facing me.
I want to pretend everything’s fine . . . I’m fine, but I’m not. I still haven’t gotten over my nightmare.
I hate bugs.
My breath infuses my words until it’s barely discernible. “I don’t want to wait for you in my world.”
His frown shows a disturbed edge. “Nightmare?”
Doing my best, I manage to hold my shiver inside. “It’s more than just a bad dream. It’s like I don’t have control of the place anymore. What if Brock shows up again?”
Seth smiles, his expression filled with mischief. “Flirt with him.”
Amelia scowls at me, her eyes aflame as if I just asked her to give up chocolate. I hold up my hands, attempting to get my smile under control. “You’re very charming when you want to be.”
She inches closer until she stands under my nose. “And you’re insane if you think I’m going to chum up to that dick.”
I feign offense. “Well, I should hope not!” She grits her teeth before her eyes fly wide in alarm, apparently catching the meaning of what she said. My laugh bursts out of me. “I didn’t say you had to seduce him . . . just flirt.”
Her expression stiffens. “You’re a sicko — mind in the dirt-ridden gutter much?” She rushes on, barely taking a breath. “By the way, I don’t flirt. If you want him so badly, you kiss up to him.”
I press closer, backing her toward the wall. “You seemed to manage the deed fine the first time I saw you with him. In fact, I’m quite sure you were attracted to him. If I could ask them, I’m positive every single person at Charlotte’s party would agree.”
Her mouth drops open as she fumbles for words. Only bite sized sounds escape.
I laugh again.
“You’re such a jerk! How would you know that, Seth?”
A smirk takes shape on my mouth. “You don’t seem to be denying it.”
The hair haloing her face puffs out with her huff. “That’s not the point!”
She shoves my chest, which only manages to give me leverage to get closer. “The point, Miss Amelia, is you are capable of many things you might not be comfortable doing. Consider it a job, nothing more.”
Her heartbeat distracts me until all I can focus on is her turbulent emotions. Even though I should move away, I lean in to taste her lips.
A sigh floats from her as I wrap her in my arms. My body coils, thought giving way to feeling. She inflames me. After only a moment, she responds to my kiss with a passion setting mine to roar. Our teeth collide, so I tip her head back for better access.
Her hands press against my back, and her fingers fumble with my shirt until her skin alights near my waistband. I groan and lift her against me until she straddles my waist.
We crash against the wall, and I can’t seem to stop myself from exploring every inch of her. I find a gap under her shirt to stroke her back.
Her moan disappears into mine. Heat spreads through me until I become need.
She doesn’t complain when I pull her tighter against me and stumble for the library. I only make it to the lobby before I’m too overcome to take another step.
Her mouth moves along my jaw, placing butterfly kisses against my skin. Hot breath bursts in my ear, making me nearly trip with her in my arms.
She laughs, the sound exciting me even further. Finally, I make it to the sofa, where I gently lower her to the cushions.
Her hair spreads out beneath her as her half-lidded eyes caress me. She is exquisite. When I lower to her, she wraps her arms around my torso.
I bury my face into her neck and breathe in the scent of her. Taking my time, I press my lips to her soft skin before lifting myself onto my elbows. Her dark lashes contrast against the glow of her face. I trace a line down her jaw and brush my thumb over her swollen bottom lip.
Greedy, I shake my head. “I was wrong.”
Her green eyes find mine. “Mmm?”
“Do not ever flirt with Brock.”
She opens her eyes fully to study me. “Why? I thought you said—”
“He can’t have a single drop of you,” I assert. “You’re mine.”
A twist of a smile settles on her mouth. “Is that so?”
I press my knee between her legs to settle closer. “Do you deny it?”
To my surprise, she stiffens.
I clasp her hand and hold it to my lips. “What?” She doesn’t answer, and I’m left to worry over her thoughts. “
What’s wrong with me wanting you? What’s wrong with making a commitment?”
“Oh.” She huffs. “Is that what you were doing? Because it really seems to me you were staking your territory, like I’m your property.”
I shake my head. “You’re my treasure, Amelia. How can I not be possessive of you? I need you; I love you; I want you.”
Her stare hardens into stone. “You don’t own me.”
Not able to stop it, a frown finds my mouth. “Perhaps not today, but someday I hope to fill every corner of your heart until there is no room for another.” I press a kiss against her palm. “You own every part of me.”
Her body has stiffened so much I am sure she desires me to move, yet she isn’t telling me to do so. Why?
When I lift myself off her, she sits up. I take the cushion beside her, hoping we can discuss this further. Women have become complicated. There was a time they wanted to be consumed in a relationship. Relying on old traditions will not help me win this particular woman, though. I need to change tactics, but what to do escapes me. “I cannot apologize for wanting you as my mate, Amelia. One day, hopefully soon, I shall show you just how much I want you in my life.”
She remains silent for an agonizing moment before she says, “It’s a lot to handle. You’re really intense, and I don’t know if that’s healthy.”
I laugh.
“What?” she asks, giving me a frown resembling a pout.
“Healthy? Amelia, what could be healthier than a loving, committed relationship between two people who can’t get enough of each other?”
Glancing away, she ducks her chin. Her hair falls forward, veiling her face.
Sometimes it’s difficult to remember the harsh upbringing she had to endure. Moments like this remind me. Her hesitance to manipulate Brock is understandable. Considering how her father treated her, it’s no wonder she has no desire to seek more information about her origins.
Unfortunately, I can’t let it go. We have to find if she is Sibylline. If the unthinkable happens, and she comes from the Orphic, I do not know what I will do. The thought of losing her shrouds my mind in darkness.
Tainted (Netherworld Book II) Page 4