Awakening Storm

by Larissa Emerald

  Something was up. When he came upon the tree, he halted. Theodora was lounging beneath it. She extended her scepter overhead and stabbed at the tree’s branches. “I thought you’d come running,” the sorceress murmured.

  He glared at her. “Why don’t you go back to your world, Theo?”

  She shot to her feet. “You’re itching for a fight, are you? Just call me that again.”

  “Seems we’re going to tangle no matter what I say,” he said with a sneer.

  “Just hand over the female and I’ll be on my way.”

  He scoffed. “Not going to happen.”

  “Ah, sweetie, don’t be like that.” A burst of energy pulsed from the ornate orb on the top of her scepter. “I need more females. This one is mine.”

  He watched the magic flying toward him and lifted his foot in the air. The powerful ball of fire landed precisely where his boot had been.

  The Divine Tree whirled its branches, hitting Theodora in the shoulder. She sidestepped, laughter bubbling from her lips. “Is that all you have? Really?”

  Do not get drawn in by her, Custos warned.

  It’s a game she plays, he replied.

  Not this time. There’s something more.

  “What? Not including me in the conversation?” Theodora asked. “Not nice. Not nice at all.” She shot another ball of energy into a stand of pines and splintered them into firewood.

  “Go home,” he demanded through clenched teeth. “The girl is mine to do with as I choose.” Even he was surprised at the word—he hadn’t planned on saying that—but possession was a sentiment Theodora understood. He was also shocked at the feelings of protectiveness of and connection to Rhianna that stirred within him.

  “No, Guardian. I don’t play that way. Hide her if you will, but if I catch her, she will become a ward of my kingdom. And she will not enjoy it.”

  With that, the sorceress disappeared.

  Despite the threat, the tension in Aidan’s muscles eased. He slung the satchel over his shoulder again and walked through a secret entrance into his home.

  He hated that Rhianna was stuck in the middle of the feud that was brewing between good and evil. Perhaps it was time to call his brothers and apprise them of what was going on here. Only one side would win. And although he didn’t doubt it would be his side, he also understood there would be many casualties before the battle was over. He couldn’t let Rhianna be one of them.

  •

  Rhianna was in the kitchen fixing herself a cup of coffee when he entered. She glanced over her shoulder at him, saw the satchel, and turning, balancing on one foot, threw her arms around him. “Oh, you wonderful man!”

  Every nerve in his body responded to her touch as a spark zinged through him. She lowered her eyelids and looked into his eyes, making him believe she felt it, too. He slid a hand to the middle of her back and held her steady.

  “I figured you may need something inside.” Closing his eyes, he inhaled her scent, realizing the soap from his bathroom smelled different on her than it did on him. He took a second whiff, reluctant to let her go as she ended the embrace and took a step back.

  She swallowed nervously as she lifted the cup she was working on when he’d entered.

  From beneath his lashes, he watched her take a sip of her coffee. He gently tossed the bag on the table.

  “Easy,” she said.

  He raised an eyebrow. “If it breaks after that, then it’s not worth anything.”

  “It has my equipment inside. Well, it’s not really mine, but still.” She turned to put her back against the counter and held the cup with both hands.

  “What’s it for?”

  “I’m here as part of a reality show. I was supposed to live alone on the island for three weeks and document my experience. We were hoping to discover why so many people have disappeared in Dragon Vortex. And if I make it the entire time, then I win a cash prize.”

  “A reality show?”

  “Yes. They film it live and then put it on TV later.”

  He nodded. “Well, then I’m not sorry you failed. I don’t want my island on television.”

  She straightened her spine. “I haven’t failed yet.”

  “What are you talking about? We’re getting you off this island as soon as possible. You have your belongings. You can contact your people tomorrow.”

  “But I’ve been thinking . . . What if I just hang around here until my three weeks are up? Get enough footage to make the director happy, and then they get their show and I get to learn more... ” Her lips pressed together.

  He narrowed his eyes. She seemed to be keeping something from him...he sensed there was another reason. “You’re hiding something. What?”

  She shrugged. “Nothing.”

  “Tell me.”

  “I’m here to discover more about my heritage. My great-grandfather disappeared somewhere around here. I was hoping to figure out what happened to him.”

  “That was a long time ago, correct?’

  “Yes,” she said dejectedly. “Maybe he was lost in a ship crossing. Or eaten by a tiger.”

  “Humph. I’m the only tiger in these parts. And I assure you, I didn’t eat him.”

  “But...you wouldn’t have been around then, right.”

  He dipped his chin and glanced at her past his hooded brows.

  “Wait. I understand. You were alive back then. Wow.”

  “And what do I get if you stay?” He approached her, staring at her mouth, then eyes.

  She looked at him long and hard, as if measuring what she was going to say before she spoke. He could hear her pulse kick up to a rapid pace, revealing her lack of confidence.

  “You will get a companion for a three weeks.” She gave him a beguiling smile.

  Her words were a punch in his gut that he hadn’t seen coming, and desire flooded every part of his being. His brows shot towards his hairline. He stepped closer and put his hands on her shoulders, drawing her near.

  “A no-frills c-companion,” she stammered, scooting backward. When there was a bit of distance between them, she crossed her arms over her chest.

  He caught her reluctance and, with a slow smile, matched her stance. “You’ve known me all of . . . six hours and this is your plan?”

  She shrugged and shifted her weight.

  He had to admit her proposal was damned tempting. No one had been on the island for that length of time. Not even the crazy archangel, Seth, stayed for long.

  Three weeks.

  He filled his lungs with air and held the breath until his heart hammered against his ribs, then released it with a controlled exhale.

  “Before being so quick to stay here, let me share with you that I ran into Theodora again while I was getting your satchel. She seems quite intent on claiming you.”

  “And if I don’t want to go to this universe of hers?” she countered.

  “Like I told you before, it’s not exactly an invitation. More like an abduction.”

  “Don’t you have any authority over this island?” She gave a circular wave of a hand. “Can’t you stop her with your shape-shifting powers and all?”

  “I don’t think so. I . . . I don’t know. I’ve never tried. My duty has always lain elsewhere.”

  Her gaze narrowed on him. “Do you mean you’ve simply allowed her to take the others?”

  “It was none of my affair.”

  “And now?” She stepped right up to him, chest to chest, challenging.

  In one swift movement, he cupped a hand behind her head and drew her to him until his mouth firmly took hers in a searing kiss. To his delight, she kissed him back, opening her lips and meeting his tongue as he tasted her.

  Abruptly, he came to his senses and released her. She fell back a few steps, catching herself against the counter.

  “I don’t want to see you get hurt or taken. You should leave first thing tomorrow.” He spun on his heel and headed up the spiral staircase to the library. It had the only other bathroom in the place,
plus a sofa to crash on. Not that he’d be able to sleep.

  * * *

  Rhianna touched her fingers to her lips, trying to hold back a smile. That had been extraordinary. She couldn’t believe the way her body responded to Aidan’s touch, his kiss. She’d gone all mushy inside.

  She stood rooted in place and listened to the click of his steps until their tone changed. He must have reached the landing. Finally, she stepped back on rubbery legs. Geez, it was warm in here. She fanned her face.

  As she ambled to the bedroom, she admitted he was right and she probably should call it quits. She hadn’t been totally honest about her reason for staying. It wasn’t the money. In truth, she came on the show to get answers. She’d gotten some of those—to an extent. If she wanted to learn more, she had to stay.

  An image of her grandfather dying without her invaded her thoughts. Was it worth not being with him? She might as well go home and spend the little time she had left with him. But something inside was begging her to stay.

  She dropped, exhausted, on top of the covers, and his scent enveloped her. It was his bed after all.

  From upstairs she heard a piano playing. Intrigued, and even though she was tired, she rose and followed the music. At the top rung of the stairs, she paused, trying to view past a bookcase into the room. She moved as quietly as she could. It reminded her of when she was a child and she used to hide behind the recliner in the living room to eavesdrop on her parents. She didn’t want to be caught sneaking around by Aidan, but she was so curious.

  “You can come in,” he said without pausing in his playing. “I know you’re there.”

  “I don’t mean to interrupt. I just heard the music. It’s beautiful.” She walked over to the nearest chair, sat, and folded her feet beneath her bottom.

  She looked around, immediately falling in love with the room. It was lined with tall, overflowing bookshelves, and in the center of the room was a grouping of furniture—a sofa, one chair, a coffee table, and an end table. Like downstairs, it seemed built for personal use as opposed to entertaining.

  In the corner, Aidan was playing a grand piano. Her presence didn’t seem to bother him, those large hands mastering the keys perfectly, his body swaying with the intensity of the piece. A longing stirred in her belly. Music did that to her. Hell, he did that to her, the voice in her head admitted.

  When he finished, her heart was pounding. She clapped.

  He angled his large frame sideways on the piano bench and stared at her. Slowly, he lifted a whiskey glass from the top of the piano and drank.

  Rhianna stood and strolled over to him. She stopped short of touching the piano, even though she wanted to. “I’m amazed. You’re very good. How did you get a piano here?”

  “Where there’s a will there’s a way,” he recited. “Ships can carry anything. But getting it in here was another matter. I had to partly disassemble it”—he ran a hand lovingly over the wood—“and put it back together.”

  “Given what I’ve seen of your workroom, I guess that was a piece of cake for you.”

  He angled his head, obviously confused by the saying. For someone who read so many books, he was sure missing some modern idioms from his vocabulary.

  “I mean that it was easy for you,” she explained.

  “I wouldn’t say it was easy, but doable.”

  Her gaze slid past him, noting a violin and guitar sitting on stands. “Do you play those also?”

  He shrugged. “I have a lot of time on my hands.”

  “Will you play something else, please?” She gave him an encouraging smile.

  He nodded, placing his fingers on the keys.

  Thirty minutes later, she was wondering again if packing up and leaving as he’d suggested was the best idea. Her heart yearned to spend just a little more time with him. Perhaps stay on the mainland and visit for a while. That would give her more time to investigate about her great-grandfather.

  She shook her head at the way she was justifying her reasoning.

  No, no. She was thinking like a lovesick teen.

  “Thank you for letting me listen. I enjoyed it,” she said, hoping he couldn’t see her flushed face as she stood to go back downstairs.

  She closed her eyes tightly and groaned inwardly. How could she be attracted to a loner shape-shifter who lives in Japan? Nothing could ever come of it.

  But it would be one hell of an adventure. One hell of thrill. One hell of a memory.

  “Anytime,” he replied. “Sleep well.”

  She nodded. “Good night, Aidan.”

  As she descended the stairs, she wondered why she always fell for the wrong men. Then she corrected herself. He wasn’t just a man, was he?

  •

  When Rhianna awoke the next morning, she’d seen enough of golden eyes throughout the night in her dreams to predict that staying on the island wouldn’t work. She knew it was just her brains working while she slept, but it felt like more. Could he have some special power over her? She shivered. Or was it her imagination working overtime? Even her curiosity couldn’t sustain her for an entire three-quarters of a month under his watchful stare. Really, she must have been delusional last night when she’d proposed the idea.

  Aidan was sitting in the living room when she entered. “Do you want to eat something before we leave?” he asked.

  “No. Just coffee,” she mumbled. She rolled her sleepy eyes. Evidently he was the chipper sort in the morning.

  She plopped into a chair, and he delivered a piping hot cup to her. She took a sip. It was just right. “How did you know how I take my coffee?”

  “I watched you last night. Plus, my keen sense of smell helps.”

  She angled her head, lifting a brow. “Is that because of your tiger?”

  “Yes. Good guess.”

  She chewed on her fingernail for a moment. “It’s still hard to believe . . . shape-shifting, I mean.”

  He nodded. “I imagine it seems impossible . . . Now how can you contact your team?”

  His focus on getting her out of there stung, but she tried to ignore it. “I have satellite phone. The director and some other members of the crew are stationed on a ship not far away.”

  “After you finish your coffee, we’ll go topside and call.”

  With a nod of agreement, she closed her eyes and drank. The warmth touching her mouth reminded her of his kiss last night. When she opened her eyes again, the same eyes that had haunted her sleep were watching her. She finished the last of her coffee in one more gulp and stood. “I’m ready,” she announced.

  A sadness pressed on her heart as she collected her satchel and met him at the entrance. They didn’t speak as he led the way. She noted as they went the beauty of his home and everything he’d accomplished. She admired him for that. Which made her departure weigh heavier on her.

  The next thing she knew, they were aboveground near the great tree. She still didn’t know the whole story about the tree. “You know,” she said, “if you chat on the ham radio or the Internet, perhaps we can keep in touch.” Then one day he’d share everything with her, she thought.

  “Uh, sure,” he said.

  But his response was without conviction. And it certainly wasn’t filled with any of the passion she’d felt in his kiss. There she was again, back to that inescapable moment. She wondered now if she’d merely imagined the exchange or perhaps attributed more significance to the act than he’d intended. She decided it must be the latter.

  Aidan stopped in a clearing up ahead. “You should have better reception here without the trees for interference.”

  She dug in her bag, pulled out the sat phone, powered it up, and dialed. She paced while it rang. He stood off to one side, waiting. No one picked up, so she ended the call and tried again. “Nope. I’m not sure it’s going through.”

  “Let me see.” He accepted the phone that she handed him and stared at its screen, reading the information there. “The signal strength seems okay. Sometimes the satellites go down, tho
ugh, and an entire area is taken out.”

  “I don’t know much about them,” she admitted. But given his remote location, she guessed that’s what he used on a regular basis.

  He moved farther away from her and climbed a rocky bank, pointing the phone’s antenna toward the sky. “I’m going to text them. Sometimes that gets through when a call doesn’t.”

  “Okay.” Rhianna hugged her arms around her middle. She watched as he manipulated the device, and she thought of all the gadgets and machines he had in his workshop.

  Without warning, something lifted her feet off the ground and floated her forward. A scream ripped from her throat and the unnatural sensation made her feel as if she as enveloped in something, inside some kind of bubble. She turned her head to search out Aidan, but his attention was still on the phone.

  “Help!” she yelled.

  “It’s too late,” an icy voice sounded from within a haze.

  Rhianna snapped her head around to find the sorceress, dressed in black, fitted garb with a flowing midnight-blue robe layered on top. An ornate warrior’s breastplate showed beneath as well as a decoration of some kind of spiked armor over her left shoulder. In her right hand, she extended a scepter that was emitting a florescent blue-green glow. Her power source, Rhia guessed.

  They were both moving into a swirl of blackness. Rhianna tried to tug free, straining in the opposite direction.

  It was as if rock and dirt and trees created a funnel and she was about to be sucked into the whirlpool.

  Again, Rhianna screamed for help. She looked toward Aidan. Finally, she appealed to him with her mind instead of her voice.

  His eyes lifted and widened. His lips curled into an agonizing grimace, and he called her name. His feet raced forward as he tried to close the distance. His fist cut through the air, and then he transformed into a tiger and ate up the distance.

  It was a futile effort, though. Both Theodora and Rhianna were traveling too quickly to be stopped. They passed into the darkness and the swirl of earthly hues closed in, smaller and smaller behind them.