by Rosalie Redd
For several minutes she studied her warriors, observing as they trained. The strength and aggression on display would come in handy in the impending battle. Noeh wasn’t stupid. He’d bring warriors to the ceremony, but he had no idea of the size of her army. A shiver of delight raced over her arms.
“You called for me.” Theron’s low voice rumbled through her chest.
Mauree’s pulse sped, and warmth spread over her skin. With a sense of giddiness she hadn’t felt in a long time, she turned to face him. His brown eyes narrowed beneath his furrowed brow. He crossed his arms, his biceps bulging under the edge of his black T-shirt.
She purred in admiration. “So glad you could join me.”
“What do you want?” His attention never wavered.
“The question is—what do you want?” She uncoiled the rope around her robe and slowly opened the folds, exposing her nakedness.
The muscles in his arms and shoulders visibly tensed. His focused attention roamed from her breasts to her feet before returning to her eyes. The lines around his pursed mouth indicated his distaste, but his dilated pupils said otherwise. “I’m not interested,” he rasped.
She laughed, rewrapping herself in the robe. “Well, now. I like your spunk.”
She tapped her finger against the side of her lip, then peered at the battlefield once again. An idea formed in her mind, and a wicked smile pulled at her lip. “Come here. I have something to show you.”
He raised his chin, but didn’t move.
Her smile faded. She placed her hand over her shawl’s pocket. “Do I need to pull out the stone?”
A tic started at the corner of his eye.
Good, I got to him. She raised an eyebrow and crooked her finger.
He placed his hands at his sides, yet took a step forward. Anger radiated from him in waves, the heat burning straight to her core.
When he was close enough, she pointed to the warriors below. “That female warrior, the one with the braid. Kaelyn…is that her name?”
She looked at Theron. His gaze was on the female in question, a tic pulsing in his rigid jaw.
Mauree trailed her finger down his arm. “I think she’ll be a fine warrior, fighting against Alora’s troops. I’d hate for something to happen to her, wouldn’t you?”
He turned on her faster than she thought possible, pulling her to him. One hand held her around the waist, the other gripped her throat.
A tendril of fear coiled in her chest. She pushed against him. “Let me go!”
The tendons in his neck flared and his arm shook, but he didn’t squeeze her throat. His eyes widened. He released her and stepped back.
She rubbed her neck. Her skin was unharmed. Zedron’s protection…he can’t hurt me. The proof left her breathless. She smiled. “So, about Kaelyn—”
“What do you want?” His rigid body shook, and with his arms firmly at his side, his hands clenched into fists.
“I think that’s obvious.” She ran her fingers over his chest and down his arms, stopping to squeeze his firm biceps. “Let’s go inside, shall we?”
His lips pulled into a frown, but he complied. Her chest expanded as she escorted him through the doorway into the master bedroom. Time for a little fun.
CHAPTER 35
Tanen bent down on one knee, sinking into the soft carpet. One by one, he picked up Sheri’s books, placing them back on the shelf. She’d had neither rhyme nor reason for her organization, and normally, that would’ve driven him crazy, but instead, warmth filled his chest. Her disarray and clutter were a part of her. Maybe a bit of chaos was good for the soul. Despite the niggle of worry that gnawed at his heart, a well of love for her rose inside.
Coop sat down next to Tanen and cocked his head.
Tanen stroked Coop’s fur. “What do you think, boy? Are these in the right place?”
Coop barked, as if in agreement, and his tail beat against the rug.
Coop’s happiness wore off on Tanen and he relaxed. As he inhaled, the scent of the aged paper reminded him of the Hall of Scriptures at the Keep. His mind wandered to the strange cuneiform writing he’d discovered on Roan’s Rock and the mysteries within.
* * *
Lemuria. My homeland.
Energy…
Strongest…equi…
Beware blue…warp…power.
Those…spill blood…falter.
…pure of heart…stop…wrath.
* * *
What was the message? Something tickled the back of his mind. He picked up another book and ran his hand over the cover. The words on the front were meaningless, but they reminded him of an old text he’d read in the Keep when he’d looked for the scripture on treason. In the ancient text it was something about… He strained to remember, but the elusive passage teased him, the connection just out of reach. His blood pressure spiked, flaring his heartburn.
Coop nudged his nose under Tanen’s elbow.
“You’re a good boy, Coop.” Tanen ran his palm over the dog’s head and down his back. Tanen understood why some people preferred animals over human companions. Pets never judged, were loyal to a fault, and loved you no matter what. He longed for the same. Coop woofed, as if in agreement.
Sheri, come home. She’d fled in her car. Unable to slow her, he could only watch as she drove away. After everything she’d been through in the past few days she was scared, and rightfully so. He clenched his jaw. This was his fault. For a fleeting moment, he wished he’d never sought shelter in her small shed, but deep inside he knew that was a lie. In confirmation, his marking for honesty pulsed. With a quick exhale, he peered around the room.
A small book partially hidden under the couch caught his attention. He slid the work out of its hiding spot. His heart picked up speed. The small brown cover with the dragon on the front was the one Sheri had read to him—The Hobbit.
Burned into his memory, she’d handled her precious book with a look of reverence. With care, he riffled through the pages, remembering her sweet voice as she’d read. A page slid from between the sheets and floated to the floor. He picked it up, holding the treasured page between his fingers. A new resolve built in his chest.
He glanced to the window. The tiny glue bottle sat on the sill. A beam of morning sunshine passed through the vial, turning the adhesive a vibrant shade of green. In order to obtain it, he’d have to reach across the sunlight. Without a second thought, he headed for the window.
The warmth of the sun beat on the sill and heat resonated from the pane. The hair on his arms rose.
Coop whined.
“She’s worth the pain, Coop, so worth the pain.”
As his hand crossed through the sunlight, pain radiated up his arm, smoke curling from the wound. The stench of burnt flesh seared his nose. With clenched teeth, he focused on the bottle, his tie to Sheri. His fingers grazed against the glass, and he clutched the prize in his grasp. He jerked his hand back and raised the bottle in the air.
A shot of adrenaline coursed through his veins. Success!
Red and raw, a swath of scorched flesh marked a path across the back of his arm. With his Lemurian blood, he’d heal in a matter of hours, and the pain focused his mind.
Tanen looked at Sheri’s companion. “Now, we can get started.”
With the book in one hand and the glue in the other, Tanen sat at the kitchen table and fixated on his task. He glued the spine, repairing each torn and tattered page. Coop watched his every move, a soft whine easing from his throat now and then.
The consuming task didn’t deter Tanen, and he noted the passage of time by the waft of sunlight as it moved across the carpet. During the day a scab formed over the burn, easing the misery to a dull throb. When he was done, he straightened the rest of the room, replacing the couch cushions, picking up every last shard of glass, and situating the papers and magazines on the shelf under the coffee table. As he assessed his handiwork, a passage from an old text filtered through his mind.
* * *
Alone at t
he rock that bore his name, Roan kneeled in the wet grass. “Alora, save us from ourselves. I came upon the carnage too late. We lost twenty warriors. When in the enemy’s hands, the power in the blue sunstone can…”
* * *
Tanen stilled.
The passage from Roan’s journal jolted his memory. While searching for the scripture on treason, he’d glossed over the small section. Unfortunately the ending was gone, the bottom of the page torn, but its meaning hit him between the eyes, and he put the pieces together. The blue sunstone…Mauree…Roan’s Rock…the Ostrum ceremony.
A massive weight settled onto his shoulders. If Mauree could harness the power of the blue sunstone, she wouldn’t just go after Noeh. She’d kill them all. That can’t happen.
He peered out the window. Dusk settled among the trees, the waning rays of the sun showering the clouds in rich copper tones. The Ostrum ceremony would start in a few hours. Acid burned up his throat. As much as he wanted to stay, he couldn’t wait any longer for Sheri to return. Every minute he delayed put the Keep and all its residents at risk. He needed to beat Mauree to Roan’s Rock and warn Saar and Noeh of the danger.
He ran his hand over his lapel, tracing the engraved silver emblem. The pin defined him, but meant nothing compared to his love for his female. He took off his coat and tossed it onto the couch, where it hung precariously over the back. With both hands, he unhinged the tough clasp, removing his most treasured piece of jewelry.
The book…
He glanced at the kitchen table, where he’d left Sheri’s favorite story, the one about a hobbit, a dragon, and the goodness in the human spirit. He picked up the worn paperback, placed it on the coffee table, and laid his pin on the cover.
As he headed for the door, Coop issued a short bark and followed. “No, Coop. Stay here. Take care of Sheri.”
Coop tilted his head, and a short whine rumbled from his chest. A lump formed in Tanen’s throat, but he forced it down. He loved Sheri like he’d never thought possible, but King Noeh and the Keep’s inhabitants took precedence. I’ll come back for you, Sheri. I promise.
When he saw her again he’d convince her to go with him, help her acclimate to her new world at the Keep. Did he think he had a chance for something more? No. He wasn’t worthy, not after all the chaos and havoc he’d brought into her life. She’d never bond to him as his mate, but somewhere along the way, she’d stolen his heart, and wasn’t that fitting? Before he could change his mind, he opened the door, welcomed the night, and raced to save his kind.
CHAPTER 36
Sheri killed the motor and turned off the lights. Soft pings echoed from under the hood as the engine cooled. She gripped the steering wheel, her fingers turning white from the pressure. Leaning her forehead against the back of her hand, she closed her eyes. Her arms shook, the tremor increasing until her whole body hummed from the movement. Somehow, she’d put up a front and said goodbye to Matt before racing from the building. Lucky for her, she hadn’t ended up in a ditch.
She took in several deep breaths until her muscles relaxed. This was crazy. Michael couldn’t be Ram, could he? Yet, he’d known about Sam’s Hof Brau, and had called her by his special term of endearment, “bug.” Goosebumps raised the hairs at her nape.
The soft glow from the entry light lit up the front door and the small steps that graced the entrance to her home. When she’d left before sunrise, Tanen had raced alongside her car, running until she’d sped away. Tanen…
Memories of his low, husky voice, his deep blue eyes, and his endearing smile caused her chest to clench. She ran her tongue over the smooth surface of her teeth. Normal. Yet, she couldn’t forget how the urge to bite him had overwhelmed her. Tears filled her eyes, blurring her vision. She hit her palm against the steering wheel, once, twice, three times.
“No. I don’t believe it, any of it. I’m fine, perfectly fine.” She had to reach Seattle, start her new life. Everything would work out, it must. A few rain drops pelted the windshield, and the wind rustled the nearby pines, showering her vehicle with small twigs and pinecones.
She pulled her coat collar tight around her neck and bolted from the safety of her car. As she fumbled with the key, she paused. The last time she’d done this, intruders had been inside. Her pulse quickened, but only the wind whistled in the trees.
The curtains in the front window fluttered. Coop’s paws clicked against the pane, and his bark reverberated in the house. If an intruder were inside, Coop wouldn’t be at the window. She let loose a stilted breath.
Gritting her teeth, she pushed open the door. Coop’s nails clicked on the entryway’s hard grain, and her pet nuzzled her hand. A soft chuff eased from his throat. She ran her hand through his fur, plopped her purse on the entryway table, and shoved her keys in her coat pocket.
With a quick flick of the switch, she turned on the overhead light.
Her stomach lurched. Someone had been here.
She took a tentative step back.
Her living room furniture was in its usual place. Against the wall, the couch seemed normal, except for the stuffing protruding from the claw-like tears in the material. The broken glass from her mantle vase no longer littered the carpet. She swallowed and looked at the bookcase.
When she’d left, the cabinet was empty, the books strewn across the floor. Hardbacks and paperbacks alike were stacked in rows, the spines in perfect alignment. She brought her hand to her mouth, stifling the sob, hope welling inside.
“Tanen?”
Only Coop’s soft whine filled her empty home.
Before she could stop herself, she ran to the bookshelf and traced her fingers along the edge, admiring his work. A tear crested over her lashes and splashed onto her cheek. She glanced at the coffee table. A solitary book lay on the surface.
As she approached, an object on top of the book twinkled in the light. She blinked. Tanen’s pin. The beautifully engraved pendant had been placed on her book so the symbol aligned with the title—The Hobbit.
Her throat constricted and tears threatened once again. She seized his pin and held it against her chest. He’d left his precious adornment for her, reminding her of his gentle touch, his soft kisses, and the caring way he’d listened as she’d read to him. An ache built in her chest, and she’d never felt so cherished, so loved. A tear tracked over her cheek. I miss him…
With shaky fingers, she picked up her favorite book, turned it over, and examined the spine. Instead of the awful split down the middle, the back was firm. She flipped open the cover and scanned through the pages. All were attached, glued together with the utmost care.
She brought the book to her lips and kissed the cover. Even through the smell of fresh glue, the slight scent of pepper permeated her senses. She collapsed to her knees, cradling the book and his pin together.
Tanen…
Warmth bubbled up in her chest. She cared for him, more than she’d been willing to admit, but with this seemingly simple gesture, the truth burned in her soul. She loved him.
He’s not human…and now, neither are you. Ram’s haunted words replayed in her mind. Perhaps he’d told the truth. Her throat constricted, and she struggled to catch her breath.
If not human, what was Tanen? More importantly, what was she? The veil of doubt lingered and an old, scared part of her wanted to run, flee to Seattle as she’d planned. What do I do?
Tanen had returned, demonstrated his love for her by cleaning her place, fixing her book, and leaving his beloved pin. She took a deep breath and straightened her spine, repairing herself the way Tanen had repaired her book.
I choose to trust him…
The words solidified, emboldening her courage, and a new resolve built inside. She needed to find Tanen, find out who and what he was, and what she’d become. Wiping the tears from her eyes, she laid the book and pin back on the table, the way she’d found them. Where are you, Tanen?
Absently, she started to pick at her fingernail but stopped herself. He’d never said where he’
d come from. Think, Sheri, think. She paced between the coffee table and the bookshelf, a headache building at her temple. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted something out of place.
The light brown material of Tanen’s jacket peeked from behind the couch, the edges just visible. She ran to the sofa and slid to the soft carpet, wrapping the coat in her arms. As she inhaled, his unique scent of pepper filtered into her lungs. Her chest constricted. I have to find him, see him again, but how?
Coop rubbed against her shoulder and his wagging tail batted her thigh. She gave him a quick pat. “Oh, Coop, we—” Her words bottled up in her throat.
Coop was an ex-police dog, trained to track by scent. Her stomach fluttered as hope flared to life. She rubbed behind her pet’s ears. “You want to find Tanen?”
As if he understood, he barked. She placed Tanen’s jacket under his nose. “Get a good whiff, Coop.”
He snuffed the jacket, his nose twitching back and forth. With a quick bark, he whined and wagged his tail.
“Good boy, Coop!”
She tossed the coat on the couch, and ran into the kitchen to grab a flashlight. As she headed for the front door, she caught a glimpse of herself in the entryway mirror. Strands of hair had freed themselves of her bun, sticking out at odd angles. She shook her head at the deranged woman in the mirror, but her eyes were light with hope. Maybe I am crazy. But she’d made up her mind—she had to find Tanen.
What about the strangers who’d wrecked her home? Would she find them, too? Despite the niggle of fear that chilled her skin, she wouldn’t back down, not this time.
She hefted the flashlight and the weight comforted her, spurning her on. “C’mon, Coop.”
As she opened the door, the book and pin on the table caught her attention. Her chest constricted. She couldn’t leave them behind. After picking up the special objects, she placed them inside her coat pocket.