Tempting Flame (The Jendari Book 1)

by DJ Michaels

  They'd taken her on purpose. The only motivation she could think of was her connection to her Jendari. She and Tallis had been as careful as they could be during the hospital visit, but—non-disclosure agreements or not—people talked. An innocent comment here, a whispered secret there. It wouldn't take much.

  Part of Jaz wanted to believe the betrayal was innocent, but it seemed more likely the information had been deliberately sought. Nut jobs abounded in the anti-alien camps and plenty of them protested loud and long. She dismissed most of them as rabble, the squeaky wheels that received more than their share of attention.

  But there were other, more measured voices. Men and women of substance, educated and powerful, who could mount an argument so reasonable Jaz found herself nodding along even though they held diametrically opposed views. They were the ones who were truly dangerous, in her opinion. Anyone who could wrap hatred, racism and bigotry in the flag of patriotism was a threat to any decent-minded society.

  There were half a dozen anti-alien organizations that had the will and the resources to kidnap her off the street.

  She understood that her outing with Tallis could make her a target, that her captors might view her as a source of first-hand information. What she didn't understand was why she hadn't been interrogated. Why go to all the trouble of taking her and holding her in a cell, only to completely ignore her? It made no sense and that lack of logic made her captors impossible to predict.

  She couldn't guess at their motivation and she had no idea what their goals might be. Whatever was going on, she was sure it wouldn't have a good outcome for her. The truth was, she was shit-scared and there was nothing she could do about it.

  Then the lights went out and Jaz experienced a whole new level of mindless panic.

  Hugging the blanket around her she leaned back against the cold wall, drawing her legs up tight to her chest. Huddled into a terrified ball she sat in the absolute dark, her eyes glued to the area that housed the only exit from the room. Her heart raced like a jackhammer and she swallowed against the nausea that roiled in her belly.

  The minutes crawled by, each one slower than the last as the sensory deprivation sawed at her already-shot nerves. No sight, sound or smell, and she was too paralyzed by fear to get off the cot.

  A loud bang sounded just outside her cell and she jumped, slamming her hand over her mouth to hold back her scream. She sensed the door open, alerted by the faint squeak of hinges and the waft of cool air. Her body started to shake and her chest grew so tight she could barely breathe.

  Then, in the pitch black, she saw two neon-green glows and heard a faint purring sound. "Itohan?" she whispered.

  "Jaz." That was Tallis's voice. "Are you hurt?"

  She tried to answer, but her throat closed up and she couldn't speak. Stupidly, all she could do was shake her head in the dark.

  Two large, warm hands settled on her shoulders. "It's all right now. I've come to take you home."

  Operating on instinct rather than skill, Jaz released her hold on the blanket and launched herself into Tallis's arms. He gathered her close, not minding when she wrapped her arms and legs around him and clung like a monkey. Positioning her more securely, he tucked one arm under her butt and used the other to anchor her around the waist. "Hold tight," Tallis said, turning and moving off at a quick pace.

  Jaz didn't protest. Perhaps she should have demanded to walk out under her own steam, but she just didn't have it in her. Her captivity had left her hollowed out and vulnerable in a way nobody should experience. And she felt safe in Tallis's arms. Besides, the hallways were dark and she was barefoot. She was also shaking so badly she wasn't sure if she could walk on her own.

  "Did you come here by yourself?" she asked, her voice a quiet hush.

  "No. I have some friends with me. Don't worry, you’re perfectly safe."

  That wasn't what prompted the question. She'd been more worried about him walking into a dangerous situation alone. The men who'd held her captive seemed like the type who weren't afraid to fight, and some of them had been armed.

  "I can't hear any gunfire." She didn't know if that was a good thing or not.

  "It's unlikely you will. My friends are very efficient."

  Jaz didn't have the courage to find out what "efficient" meant in this context. Deciding to imagine her captures bound and gagged rather than dead on the ground, she snuggled into Tallis. For the first time in her adult life, she handed herself completely into someone else's care.

  She trusted him to get her home. So much so that she didn't even question where they were going or how he was going to get them out safely.

  They exited the building not long after and Jaz breathed a deep lungful of fresh air. The moon was low and thin, providing just enough light to show gradation in the shadows. She sensed no movement and could detect no noise. It was eerie enough that she tightened her arms and legs around Tallis.

  "It's all right, Jaz. You're safe now."

  Resting her head against his, temple to temple, she whispered in his ear. "How did you find me?"

  "You and I are friends as well as lovers. The emotional and physical links allowed me to track you." He placed his lips on her jaw, sneaking a kiss. "And Itohan helped."

  "Thank you." She sighed and let her head drop to his shoulder. "Thank you both."

  "I will always come for you, Jaz, should you need me."

  The trouble was she did need him, all the time. Just not in the way he meant or in a way he would allow.

  Eventually Tallis stopped and tapped her on the butt. "Hop down."

  Reluctantly Jaz unhooked her ankles and loosened her arms. Sliding down Tallis's tall, hard body, she came to rest on wobbly legs. He kept one hand on her arm to steady her and reached past her with the other. When Jaz heard the sound of a car door sliding open she turned to face the darkened interior of a large SUV. It had two bucket seats in the front and two bench seats in the passenger area.

  "Climb in. Back row."

  Jaz clambered into the designated seat with Tallis following so closely behind, he crowded her. Squeezing herself into the corner she turned and immediately understood why he was so close. Itohan pressed in behind them, wedging himself into a space that was far too small to hold his body. His haunches remained on the floor but his upper half sprawled across the seat and over Tallis's thighs.

  She was trying to wriggle further into the corner when Jendari-sized figures appeared out of the shadows. One opened the driver's door, allowing a me'hendra to precede him. The big feline made itself comfortable in the passenger seat while the rhe'hashan got behind the wheel. Another warrior slid into the middle bench seat, followed by another large cat. Movement outside the windows showed a second SUV being similarly occupied.

  The doors closed quietly, the engines started, and they were moving—sans headlights.

  At this point Jaz didn't ask any questions, she simply assumed that whoever was driving could see in the dark. Once they hit the main roads the drivers turned on the lights and they merged into the very early morning traffic.

  Itohan growled and Tallis let out a grunt and what sounded like a curse in his own language. The next thing she knew she was scooped up and Tallis slid to the edge of the bench before settling her in his lap. Wrapping his arms tight around her waist he nuzzled her neck and breathed deep. "Much better."

  Yes, it really was.

  Jaz indulged herself for the rest of the drive. She shut off her mind, opened her heart, and reveled in the warmth and safety of Tallis's arms. Everything else sat on the periphery. The other Jendari in the vehicle, the increasing noise and busyness of the city traffic, and the lingering questions about who took her and why.

  She didn't stir until Tallis gave her a little shake. "We're here."

  They'd slowed to a snail's pace, and when Jaz straightened up to look out the window she could see they were in a well-lit underground car park. "Where?"

  "The tower."

  The SUVs pulled into parking spac
es and the lights and engines were cut. Without a word they exited the vehicles, Jaz still locked in Tallis's arms. When he finally lowered her to stand on her own two feet, she was reluctant to move away. She relaxed a little when Tallis's arm snaked around the back of her waist.

  "Jaz, I'd like you to meet my friends. This is Deasun and his me'hendra, Piala." The rhe'hashan had mid-brown, messy hair and an easy smile. His feline friend had the same thick fur and upturned ears as Itohan, but this me'hendra's pelt was gingery-red with brown spots. "Kasim and Shallamar." Kasim looked like a stern Viking god, all blond hair and neatly trimmed beard. His me'hendra was a dusty brown, with long facial fur which made it look like she sported a beard of her own.

  Jaz nodded and smiled politely, trying not to look intimidated as Tallis continued the introductions.

  "Lioth and Rishana." Lioth nodded, his amber-colored eyes more curious than wary. His almost completely black me'hendra pressed close to his side. "Hadar and Kotiri." Hadar had golden brown skin, silvery hair and the most extraordinary colored eyes she had ever seen. Under the harsh garage lighting, they were unmistakably purple. His me'hendra was a sandy color with black dots and swirls.

  And all of them, men and cats, were staring at her. Swallowing down her nervousness she nodded in greeting. "It's an honor to meet you all. I don't know how to thank you for coming to my rescue."

  None of them acknowledged her thanks, and when Hadar turned to Tallis he only said one word. "Ready?"

  "Yes."

  Jaz made to walk forward, assuming they were ready to leave, but Tallis kept a firm hold on her.

  Lioth leaned down and unzipped a bag. He pulled out her purse—which they must have found during the rescue—and a long swath of material. He handed them both to Tallis.

  Dumping her purse on the ground, Tallis took the fabric and shook it out. "Put this on." The material was actually a hooded cloak which he draped around Jaz's shoulders. Tugging the hood over her head he spoke to his brothers. "Can we have a moment?"

  Without a word they moved away from the vehicles, the me'hendra—including Itohan—padding after them. Jaz could feel Tallis tense against her body, and she had a sinking sensation about what was coming next.

  "We risked a great deal to rescue you—"

  "I know, and I'm so grateful."

  Tallis smiled and pressed his lips to hers, all too fleeting. "No guilt, shamira. We came for you because we wanted to." He stroked his hand up and down her back in drugging sweeps. "But now I'm going to ask you to do something for me. Something that you may not want to do, even though it's necessary."

  She knew it. "I'm listening." What else could she say?

  "I want you to allow me to sing you to sleep."

  "What, like a lullaby?" Surely that couldn't be right.

  "Sort of." He cupped her cheek in his hand, his thumb drifting over her skin in a barely-there caress. She leaned into the warmth of his touch, instinctively seeking the comfort he offered. "As you know I have healing gifts, and I can use that gift to sing you to sleep. If you allow it, you'll go to sleep in my arms now, and wake up when we're safe in my home."

  Jaz wasn't a rocket scientist, but she could do the math. "There's something you don't want me to see."

  "Yes." He closed the distance and took her lips in a soft, slow kiss. "I've shared more than I should with you already." Another kiss. "Not that I regret that choice one bit." A nibble at the corner of her mouth. "But the more you know, the more danger you and my people are in."

  Jaz titled her head so they were forehead to forehead, creating a small distance between their lips. Tallis was her drug of choice, and when he kissed her she couldn't think properly. Not that standing in his arms was offering her much clarity.

  She tried to give his request due consideration, but the truth was she was a liability to him and she knew it. The fact that he and his friends had come for her—while wonderful—proved her relationship with Tallis made him a target.

  The rhe'hashan had risked a great deal to save her, the least she could do was agree to Tallis's request. It didn't frighten her or make her angry, because the truth was she trusted him with everything in her. She knew he'd never deliberately put her in danger.

  "All right, Tallis. Sing away."

  A warm hand cradled her head and he eased her against his chest as he began his song. Soft, warm, and sweet, it washed over her and carried her away into peaceful dreams.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Tallis wrapped Jaz in the dragon-skin cloak and picked her up, cradling her against his chest. His brothers formed up around him as they made their way to the elevators.

  "I've taken care of surveillance," Hadar said, gesturing to his wrist strap.

  "Thank you." At the push of a button the device could freeze an image on a surveillance feed, turn it to snow, or black it out entirely. Questions would probably be asked, but as Borini was head of security at the tower, the small group wouldn't suffer any blow back.

  Silently they rode the elevator and emptied out onto sub-basement three. Accessing the transit pad, they went their separate ways. Lioth, Rishana, Hadar and Kotiri headed back to the settlement in Washington state. Kasim and Shallamar returned to his city apartment.

  Deasun and Piala stepped up to the pad, but Dea didn't sing straight away. "Do you need help with Jaz?"

  "No, thank you." Tallis's arms locked tight around his precious cargo. "I can take care of her from here."

  Dea cocked his head to one side. "Take care of her for tonight or for longer?"

  "There is no 'longer' for us." He wouldn’t allow himself that indulgence. "The Elders would never sanction a rhe'hashan taking a human lover."

  "That's true. None of them would risk the safety of the clans, no matter how deserving the human in question might be." Deasun began his song, and just before he and his me’hendra disappeared he looked Tallis in the eye. "I'm so sorry, my brother."

  Tallis was sorry, too. His feelings for Jaz ran far deeper than they should, his pull towards her more powerful than anything he'd ever experienced. There was a part of him—a growing part—that wanted to wrap around her and never let go. But his duty and allegiance didn't belong to himself or Jaz, it belonged to the clans. When he became rhe'hashan he swore an oath to put the welfare of his people above any other consideration. He swore to sacrifice everything—even his own life—for the benefit of the Jendari clans.

  There was no question he'd have to give up his human, for her sake and for his. It was the right and responsible thing for him to do. And he would, he swore it to the Goddess.

  But not yet. Not when he'd come so close to losing her forever. Not now, when she was soft and trusting in his arms.

  Please, Badria, just give me one more night, he prayed. Give me a little more time before I have to give her up forever.

  Of course his Goddess didn't answer him, that wasn't Her way. So Tallis was forced to rely on his own instincts, or in this case, his own needs. Placing his duty and obligations aside just for tonight, he resolved to make the most of his stolen hours with Jaz. If he was going to leave her with a memory, it would be one of joy and passion, not sadness and recrimination.

  Stepping onto the transit pad Tallis waited until Itohan sat neatly by his side. Holding a clear vision of his penthouse, he sang to activate the transfer. A moment later they exited the hidden room in the walk-in robe and Tallis carried Jaz to his bed. Laying her down on the thick comforter he tucked a blanket around her before heading to the bathroom to fill the tub.

  Itohan stretched out on the floor next to the bed, keeping watch until Tallis was ready to take over.

  Once the bath was underway he headed into his dressing room and removed his weapons, placing them in a safe hidden in the wall. Then he stripped to the skin and walked back into the bedroom. Bending over to lay a hand on Itohan’s head, Tallis sent love and gratitude through their link.

  Thank you, my brother. I would never have found Jaz without you.

  Itohan rumbled
in satisfaction and pushed against Tallis’s hand. You mine, she mine.

  Yes, we are. For which Tallis was endlessly grateful.

  Safe now. Itohan rolled to his feet and headed into the dressing room. Me need to hunt. He paused for a moment in the doorway, pinning Tallis with baleful green eyes. Hunt prey I can actually eat. And with that grumpy admonishment, he disappeared from view. A moment later the transit pad activated, and Tallis was finally alone with Jaz.

  Moving to kneel on the floor by the bed, he sang her awake.

  Her eyes snapped open and she jerked into a sitting position, the residue of fear in her body overtaking the evidence before her eyes.

  "Shh." He laid a firm hand on her thigh. "You're in my apartment. You're safe now."

  Her head snapped around at the sound of his voice, her blue-green gaze locking onto him. "Tallis." She took a deep breath and he could see the effort she was exerting to regain control. "I'm okay."

  "Yes, you are." Or she would be, in time. His human had the heart of a warrior and Tallis had no doubt she would eventually prevail. "Let's get you out of these clothes. I'm running a bath for us."

  One light-brown eyebrow rose. "Us?"

  He smiled, silently inviting her to play. He wanted them both to have a happy, uncomplicated memory. "It's a very big tub. It seems a shame to waste all that space."

  "I see." Leaning back to recline on one elbow, she used her free hand to stroke over his hair, petting him as she did when he was in cat form.

  Pushing into her hand Tallis purred. "Did I presume too much?" This time his smile was sly. "Do you want to bathe alone?"

  "Not really." She tugged the tie from his hair and let her eyes travel over his body. "Looks like you got a head start."

  Her gaze was hot, skating over his skin in a phantom touch. And it wasn't just desire he saw in her eyes. She looked at him with a degree of ownership that set his cat into paroxysms of joy.