Blaze of Secrets (Asylums for Magical Threats)

by Donovan, Jessie

  Sinclair’s contacts inside the research facility—Ramirez amongst them—had told him about Gio’s attempt at interrogating the woman captured in Edinburgh. Apparently Giovanni had lasted no more than a few minutes with the woman before he’d administered an overdose of rowanberry juice and killed her. While he appreciated the enthusiasm, he couldn’t have a repeat performance in Hong Kong. If the elemental abilities of first-borns were changing, Sinclair needed to know about it as soon as possible so he could adjust his strategies.

  He glanced at the time, aware that the offer from Gio’s contact was only open for a few more hours. That would give Sinclair just enough time to put a few fail-safes in place to keep an eye on Giovanni and avoid any disasters; he was counting on Giovanni’s eventual failure, but he couldn’t let it happen too soon.

  Sinclair picked up the phone and called in his first favor.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Jaxton rubbed his thumb against the back of Kiarra’s hand and wished for the thousandth time that she’d wake up. It’d been two days since he and Darius’s team had escaped the research facility, yet Kiarra remained unconscious.

  Remarkably, the bruises on her face and the cut on her lip were gone. If he hadn’t seen them heal right before his eyes back at the research facility, he never would’ve believed it possible.

  He still didn’t understand exactly what had happened. One minute he’d lain dying, begging Kiarra to leave, and the next he’d been jolted out of unconsciousness to see her glowing a soft orange-red, the exact color of firelight. He’d been weak from blood loss, his head clouded with pain, so a lot of what had happened was a blur, but he did remember the warmth spreading across his throat, stinging at first, but soon bringing relief. By the time Kiarra had fainted, he’d never felt stronger.

  If not for Kiarra’s stubborn refusal to leave his side, he probably would be dead right now.

  Well, that and the discovery of his own latent ability. It wasn’t what he would have chosen if given the choice, but being a Screecher was better than being nothing at all. He could at least short out technology and incapacitate other Feiru with the vibrations of his voice.

  He brushed the hair from Kiarra’s forehead and smiled, wondering how she’d take the news of his abilities. She would probably tease him about never raising his voice again, just as a precaution. He needed to test his ability later and judge if that really was the case. Not being able to argue or raise his voice with Kiarra was not an option.

  Especially now, when he had a thing or two to discuss with her.

  From what he’d heard, Kiarra had gone to meet Gio’s people alone, with no backup. Even with her abilities, that was tantamount to suicide. She’d spent fifteen years inside the AMT, and he would never try to truly curb her freedom, but he needed to drill some common sense into her.

  Especially as word of her legendary abilities started to spread.

  Speaking of which, he’d expected to hear from Neena or Aislinn by now. Neither one would answer the phone, nor did Neena respond to his dreams. He knew they were busy, probably off locating another Talent, but considering their search would mean nothing if the Fire Talent died, he’d expected some help.

  But it wasn’t just Kiarra he was worried about; Jaxton didn’t know what had happened to Millie. Before Darius had burst into their room back at the research facility, Vanessa had spoken to some people she knew on the inside and confirmed that Millie was no longer there. Some people had said she’d died, while others had thought she’d been sent away. Darius seemed to trust Vanessa’s words, though Jaxton had yet to find out why. Darius and Vanessa had disappeared shortly after securing Kiarra and Jaxton in their current location.

  Jaxton brought Kiarra’s hand to his lips, kissed her knuckles, and willed her to wake up. He needed to find his sister, but he couldn’t do anything until he was sure that Kiarra would live. He had people searching for Millie in the meantime, but that wasn’t enough. Jaxton hadn’t just found his brother after five years to now lose his sister.

  He let out a frustrated sigh. Sitting around, doing nothing, was not his style. He’d been patient and attentive over the last few days, but it was time to try a different approach with Kiarra. He poked her in the side gently a few times, and she moved a little. Maybe this would work.

  He pinched her hip lightly and said, “Get up, lazybones, we’ve work to do.” He rose halfway from the chair and leaned down next to her ear. “Both in and out of the bedroom.”

  He nipped her ear and Kiarra gave a half-hearted swat before mumbling, “Leave me alone.”

  Jaxton stilled, then relaxed as he said, “Never. Now, get up.”

  His heart pounding, Jaxton waited to see if Kiarra would wake up. Kiarra rubbed her head against the pillow, and all of the sudden, Jaxton was jealous of an inanimate object.

  He needed to touch her.

  Brushing her cheek, he said, “Please, pet, wake up.”

  One eye cracked open. “You only use the word ‘please’ when it’s something I don’t want to do.”

  At her words, a rush of warmth went straight to his heart. Until now, he hadn’t realized how scared he’d been that his little Fire Talent would never wake up again. Jaxton wanted—no, needed—to hold her in his arms. He swatted her side. “Make room for me.”

  She looked at him with an unreadable expression before her eyes widened and darted to his throat and back to his face. “You’re alive.” She tried to sit up, but she grabbed her head and sank back down onto the bed. “Why am I so lightheaded?”

  “Woman, after sitting here for two days, wondering whether you were going to live or die, I’m not going to tell you a bloody thing until you move over so I can hold you in my arms.”

  She blinked for a second then scowled, although the smile in her voice lessened the effect. “Fine, just this once, I’ll do as you say.”

  Kiarra moved over and held up the blanket in invitation. Jaxton slid under the covers, and as soon as he pulled Kiarra close, his bravado melted away. “Don’t ever do something daft like that again, do you hear?”

  She rubbed her head against his chest before hitting him with her fist. “You’re one to talk. You were bleeding out, right in front of my eyes. If I hadn’t been able to heal you…”

  Kiarra started to cry and he hugged her tight. “Sssh, love, I’m here now.”

  Her tears went straight to his heart, but no matter how much he murmured affirmations, interspersed with kisses to the top of her head, she wouldn’t stop crying.

  “Can’t lose you…too many…people I love…” Kiarra choked out.

  Jaxton’s hand stopped mid-stroke as he processed what she’d just said.

  Kiarra knew she was being an idiot, but once the tears started, she couldn’t seem to make them stop. Even with Jaxton holding her close and murmuring reassurances, she clung to him for dear life, afraid that she’d wake up to find it had all been a dream.

  He’d almost died, and it was only when she saw him whole again did she realize just how scared she’d been. A lot had been taken away from her over the years, but Jaxton had been the one to coax out her secrets and fears, introducing the concept of trust back into her life. If she lost him, she wasn’t sure she could find the strength to recover.

  She’d lost too many people she loved in the past; she would fight till her last breath to make sure it didn’t happen again.

  Her tears were slowing, but it was the cessation of Jaxton’s hand on her back and the tensing of his chest under her fingers that finally brought her out of her fit. Transitioning to survival mode, she tried to calm down her emotions. She strained her ears and listened for signs of danger.

  Jaxton’s heartbeat drowned out everything, so she tried to sit up, but Jaxton’s arms were like a steel prison and kept her from moving. “What’s wrong, Jaxton? Did you hear something?”

  “What did you mean when you said you’d lost too many people you love and can’t lose me?”

  Had she spoken her thoughts aloud?
It was entirely possible.

  A vulnerability she couldn’t explain gripped her. She hadn’t meant to say it, but she couldn’t take it back. Plucking at Jaxton’s shirt, she hoped he’d understand her silence and let it go. She could barely admit her feelings to herself and she wasn’t ready to discuss them with the man in question.

  But she knew better. Jaxton attacked everything head on. “Kiarra,” he said before leaning back and tilting her head up with her fingers. “Look at me.”

  Inhaling a deep breath for courage, Kiarra met his green-gold gaze. There was no fear, no ridicule, only tenderness. “Yes?” she asked.

  He stroked the skin just below her lower lip and said, “Tell me what you meant, pet.”

  She couldn’t tear her eyes away from the force of his gaze. Words started coming out before she could stop them. “I-I can’t bear the thought of losing you.”

  He smiled, never stopping the strum of his thumb against her skin. “And why is that, love?”

  Love. Not pet, not Kiarra, he’d said “love.” The endearment gave her the courage to say, “Because I love you.”

  He grinned and the transformation knocked the wind out of her lungs. She had trouble focusing on anything but his mouth when he said, “Good, because I’m never letting you go.”

  His gaze grew heavy and his mouth descended on hers, the playfulness and tenderness from the other night gone. His tongue demanded access to her mouth and Kiarra opened on a groan, snaking her arms around his chest to clutch his shoulders and press her body against his. Between his near-death and the admission of her feelings, Kiarra needed to feel his hot, naked skin against hers.

  Reading her mind, Jaxton rose to his knees, shucked his shirt, and unzipped his black cargo pants. As he shimmied out of them, Kiarra’s hungry gaze darted to his erection, jutting long and hard from his body. She’d have to ask him to go commando more often.

  She reached to draw Jaxton down, but he brushed aside her hands to fist the hem of the long black t-shirt she wore and yanked it up over her head. In a flash, her panties were gone too. Jaxton settle his body on top of hers, the weight and heat of his touch sending even more dampness between her legs.

  He murmured, “I promise to go slow later,” before ravishing her mouth again while he stroked her between her thighs. Kiarra raised her hips in answer, her sex throbbing, needing him to slake the ache.

  He positioned his cock at her entrance and slammed it to the hilt. He gripped her breast hard and Kiarra moaned, raking her nails down his back to cup his ass as he thrust into her, over and over. She raised her hips in time to his, wrapping her legs around his waist to allow him to penetrate deeper.

  The pressure built, but remained just out of reach. If only he would touch her, but then his hand was pressing and rubbing against her bundle of nerves, and after a few more hard thrusts, the world shattered and her sex clenched greedily at his cock. She maintained eye contact, wanting to see his face as he came. She watched as Jaxton groaned before he stilled, the cords of his neck visible, and she knew he was spilling inside of her.

  He soon lowered down, kissing her gently before lying back on the bed and pulling her close. He flicked the blanket over them, and as she listened to the rapid beat of his heart, she felt him kiss her forehead and nuzzle the top of her head.

  Jaxton stroked Kiarra’s hip and drew in another deep breath, savoring the smell of her hair. As her fingers played with the hair on his chest, her words kept echoing inside his head: I love you.

  After the whole mess with Garrett and Marzina five years ago, Jaxton had never expected to trust any woman enough to care for her more than his own life. But he’d been wrong; when push came to shove, the thought of Kiarra dying had been unacceptable. It was more than the world needing her because she was a Talent. No, the world needed her heart, her stubbornness, her ability to go against incredible odds.

  In other words, the world would be a worse place without her.

  He hugged her close, the softness of her breasts against his chest a comfort. There was a lot to be done, many obstacles to tackle in the coming months, but he would be selfish for a little while longer and simply hold the woman he cared about more than his own life.

  The words were on the tip of his tongue, but all of the confidence he’d amassed over the years failed him. He was as nervous a teenage boy, aware that a few simple words would forever change his life.

  But then he thought about going back to a life devoid of Kiarra’s arguments, her humor, her intelligence, and the picture was bleak and lonely.

  It was time to step up, time to fight for what he wanted.

  “Kiarra.”

  She adjusted her position, tilting her head up toward him, and he tried not to feel smug at her look of contentment. “Hmm?”

  He ran his hand up from her hip until he could cup her cheek. “Before reality intrudes, and it’s still just you and me here in this bed, I want to tell you something.”

  She searched his eyes with her own, the longing in them the final push he needed to say, “I love you, Kiarra Melini.” He leaned closer, his breath a whisper. “But only on one condition.”

  Kiarra blinked. “A condition?”

  He leaned in close, a hairbreadth away from her lips. “Just be careful not to char off my bollocks.”

  Kiarra laughed. “We’ll see about that. Someone has to keep you in line.”

  Jaxton rolled her onto her back and pinned her hands over her head. “Did you not hear what I just said, bloody woman?” He gave her a half-lidded gaze. “I love you.”

  The laughter in her eyes changed into something fiercer. “I love you too.”

  Jaxton growled before he kissed her and took his time showing her how much she meant to him.

  Epilogue

  Several weeks later

  Kiarra shifted her feet for the hundredth time inside the car, positive that they’d gone more than the necessary ten miles by now. She stole a glance at Jaxton in the driver’s seat, and without a word, he reached out to squeeze her hand.

  His touch helped, but not enough to ease all of her nervous energy. Kiarra decided to focus on something other than their upcoming meeting of doom. “Are you sure no one’s following us? We’re in the middle of nowhere and pretty easy to spot.”

  Jaxton raised an eyebrow and slid his gaze to Kiarra before focusing on the road again. “Would I ever knowingly put you in danger?”

  “No,” she answered without thought. “But after recent events, I can’t help but be a little paranoid.”

  He glanced at her again. “I know you’re worried about Millie, but she’s alive. She’d call us again if she needed our help. As for the rest, Neena and Aislinn have things in hand. Neena ordered us to take two days’ rest, and unless you want another scary visit from her, I wouldn’t disobey her orders.”

  “Hmph.” Kiarra had almost forgiven Neena for drugging her unconscious. The woman had been scarce of late, unwilling to give them much help and only contacting them to let Kiarra and Jaxton know that they would be in charge of a new operation.

  “I know you’re not really upset with Neena,” Jaxton said. He squeezed her hand before shifting as the car slowed down to make a turn. “As I’ve said many time before, don’t worry. She’s going to love you.”

  “You’re obligated to say that,” she murmured, “but I’m not sure I believe you.”

  Jaxton’s hearing was keen. “Well, I look forward to you apologizing to me later, love. We’re here.”

  He pulled in front of a small single-level cottage with bushes and flowers decorating the yard. There was even a garden and two benches off to the side. It was exactly how she pictured the British countryside—slightly aged, but quaint and charming.

  Kiarra gave her hair a final run-through with her fingers before exiting the car and joining Jaxton. Even with his arm around her waist, all Kiarra could think about were her doubts.

  What happens if she doesn’t like me? What then?

  The front door of the
cottage opened and revealed a medium-sized woman with hair more gray than brown. The woman smiled and walked toward them. When she finally reached them, the woman pulled Jaxton down for a hug, her embrace fierce with love. “Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes,” she said, her voice muffled against Jaxton’s chest.

  When the woman finally stepped back, she kept a hand on Jaxton’s chest and turned her green-gold gaze to Kiarra.

  Kiarra started sweating. The time had come.

  The woman patted Jaxton on the chest and said, “Aren’t you going to introduce me to your lovely companion?”

  Jaxton placed a hand on Kiarra’s lower back and said, “Mum, this is Kiarra Melini.” He gave Kiarra a look of encouragement and said, “Kiarra, this is my mum, Ellen Ward.”

  Kiarra put out a hand to shake. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Ward.”

  Ellen Ward ignored Kiarra’s hand and pulled her into a tight embrace. “Dear, I’m American, and we hug.”

  Kiarra stopped breathing. Not because she was still adverse to touch, but rather because of the ease of Ellen’s acceptance.

  Ellen pulled back, keeping her hands on Kiarra’s arms. “And call me Ellen, Mum, Ellie, or anything you like that doesn’t make me sound a thousand years old.”

  Kiarra smiled. “Ellen, then.”

  “Right,” Ellen said before situating herself between Jaxton and Kiarra and looping an arm around each of their waists. “Let’s have some tea and I’ll bring out photos of Jax as a lad.” When Jaxton made a sound to interrupt, Ellen shushed him. “I’ve been waiting a long time for this day, Jaxton Oliver Ward, so don’t you dare deny me this opportunity.”

  Kiarra leaned forward and saw the resigned look on Jaxton’s face and couldn’t help but grin. Ellen Ward was fantastic.

  As they made their way up the walkway, Kiarra felt another link tethering her to her past shatter. Even though her future might be uncertain, her gut told her that the Ward family was her family now too, and she never had to worry about being alone ever again.