Jayde shrieked. “You should never have had them. I would have ruled, but you had to get in heat over that pitiful human. Imagine, you mating with him and bringing him here. It was so easy to slip a little something in his drink and watch him die.”
Pain swamped Kalina, nearly crippling her. They had all assumed her father had died of natural causes. None of them had suspected anything else. The heartache increased along with the wind. The devastation was plain on her mother’s face, her eyes unseeing from it.
Jayde laughed. “How was I to know you were already breeding and pregnant with his brats? I had to bide my time. You are a trusting fool, Niya. It was so easy to kill your husband and children and turn the one left against you.”
The fury in the room paused then a shock ran through her mother. Kalina saw the calculation in Jayde’s gaze a second before she struck. Her hand flashed out and she hit Niya across the face. Niya looked at her, the promise of death replacing the pain. Kalina shivered at her expression.
At the sound of running footsteps, she glanced towards the door in time to view the other Amazonian Warriors filling the room, all brandishing weapons.
Jayde shrieked at them. “Help me.”
They lowered their weapons, and one stepped forward. “We follow Mother Earth, not you.”
Jayde shrieked again. “I have been your leader for centuries. She has done nothing for you. All she does is mourn. Give me your loyalty and I will let you rule with me.”
The Warrior stared at Jayde and smiled grimly. “You like to think you lead. You cannot rule with deception, Jayde.”
The woman turned her attention to Kalina, then nodded, and stepped back with the rest of the Amazonian Warriors. Warmth and pride filled Kalina when she recognised her childhood friend, Tempest, and returned the nod. She had always known Tempest would turn out to be a leader. Kalina focused on her mother. She still held Jayde steady. Jayde, realising she would get no help, lashed out, hitting Niya across the face again. Niya let her, saying nothing.
The roar of the wind increased and whipped around the women, blocking them from view. Only the sound of the wind howling filled the room, then suddenly it subsided as quickly as it rose—flowing out the windows. The silence it left was eerie.
Her mother stepped over the prone, bloody body of her aunt and came towards her. Kalina clenched her fists, aching to take her own retribution on the woman who had betrayed them. She could no longer even think of her as family.
Niya’s face was contained when she approached Kalina and took her hands. “Daughter, I’m sorry for all you have suffered. Go now, while we handle this mess, and I will speak with you later.”
Kalina protested. “Mom, I have to—”
“Shh…” Niya silenced her. “No. We’ll straighten it out later. Go now. The only clue I have of Eve is a riddle. ‘Where bay meets Lindbergh, and hits below the belt, will Eve be found and risen on the place of Thomas’.” Her mother touched Kalina’s hair then her cheek. “That is all I know. Use it, find the Book and Eve.”
Kalina touched her mother’s cheek in return before turning to go. She took Ryne’s hand, then went to the door.
“Niya, you bitch.” Jayde’s voice ripped through the room.
She turned just as she heard the whistle of a blade slice through the air. Jayde flew backward a dagger embedded in her shoulder. Blood blossomed at the site of the wound. Jayde stared at them, hate in her eyes. She would live.
“God, I always wanted to do that,” Tempest said.
Kalina met Tempest’s gaze.
Tempest grinned. “I heard you’re a big shot over there in Phoenix Intelligence Agency. Why don’t you give me a job?”
Kalina smirked. “Pass the training programme and I will.”
Tempest’s smile widened. “Expect to see me real soon.” She went to help the others with Jayde, who had started to shriek again.
“Don’t raid my warriors for your Agency, Kalina.” Niya said firmly.
Kalina focused on her mother and smiled. “I’ll only take those who want to come and pass the programme.” She glanced at the assembled people.
The Warriors turned to look at her. Niya sighed, shaking her head. “Christ, you always were a troublemaker.” Niya laughed and waved her Warriors to proceed. She walked to Jayde and stood over her. “Let’s talk about your plan and all your misdeeds, oh sister of mine. Take her to the Hall of Mirrors. “
Jayde wailed.
Kalina led Ryne out the door. Jayde’s screams increased.
“What is the Hall of Mirrors?” Ryne moved closer to her.
She looked at him. “It will display everything she has done tenfold. They will lock her in there forever.”
“Why didn’t your mother just kill her?”
“A true warrior gives a punishment that meets the atrocity done to you.” Kalina, even though she hadn’t spoken to her mother for centuries, knew the way she thought. She looked at Ryne. “She is like you in her beliefs of putting blame where it belongs. Besides, death is too painless a punishment for all Jayde has done.”
“You’re wrong.” He stopped her with a touch on her arm. Ryne raised his hand to her cheek. “She would be a bloody shell by now. I would have killed her for all the pain she caused you.”
At the sound of fury in his voice Kalina leaned into him. His grip on her arm tightened. She lifted her face to his, meeting his cold, blue gaze, and knew he spoke the truth.
“Ah, you make me all warm inside, ready to kill for me,” Kalina teased.
His lips twitched. “Yeah, you’re rubbing off on me. Take us home.”
He leaned in and kissed her. Kissing him back, Kalina transported them back to their home. Ryne pulled away and glanced at their bedroom.
Ryne sighed, then looked longingly at the bed. “I wish we could. But we have to figure out the riddle your mom gave us.”
He turned away, but Kalina grabbed his arm. He glanced at her, a question on his face. She answered with a kiss.
Chapter Eight
Ryne banded his arms around her. Kalina turned them and pushed him onto the bed. He fell back and she stripped him with a thought. He stared at her, with a smile on his lips.
“Mine.” Ryne’s power tingled against her skin as he made her clothing disappear. The hunger in his gaze made her pulse quicken. Kalina lifted her hand and loosened her hair, letting it drop around her.
Ryne’s eyes heated in reaction. Staying focused on him, Kalina placed a knee on each side of his body and dropped down on all fours. Ryne leant back on his arms and studied her. Kalina crawled up his body as he scooted back on the bed, stopping when his head hit the pillows. Kalina kept going until her face hovered over his. He lay beneath her, his inky black hair spread below him, his pale blue eyes flashing with heat.
Smiling, Kalina dropped her lips to his. Ryne rolled them over. Startled, she looked at him with wide eyes.
He smiled, a devilish sparkle in his gaze. “My turn.”
Kalina moaned as he slipped inside her with a deep thrust. Lowering her eyes, she watched his face as he moved into her waiting heat. His expression was fierce, yet his motions were lazy. Ryne twisted his hips, setting off devastating sensations. She put her hands on his shoulders, gripping them as he moved in and out. She clenched her pussy. Ryne looked into her eyes. Kalina’s breath caught at the tenderness in his gaze. Ryne smiled and pumped his hips into her. Putting her legs around him, she moaned as he slid deeper. She gasped and he groaned.
Kalina screamed as her release slapped her over the edge with a force that left her breathless. Ryne continued to pump into her as she undulated around his hard shaft. His thrusts set off another orgasm, and another, and they overlapped each other and she screamed in reaction.
Hearing Kalina’s cry, Ryne increased his thrusts, driving on her release, more and more. He hissed as she tightened around him. Kalina ground down against him, taking him deeper into her wetness.
“Kalina,” Ryne panted.
“Ryne,” she moaned in respons
e.
The pressure in his sacs released as his cock pulsed with his orgasm. He roared rocking as Kalina clenched around him. Her fingernails scored his shoulders, making him hiss. She screamed again. He twisted his hips and another orgasm ripped through her. He kissed her, swallowing her cry of passion.
Kalina gripped his back and pulled him deeper into her. He pumped faster and another release gripped him. His cock pulsed, filling her up. She continued to grip him, her hold harsh. She kissed him wildly. Grunting, Ryne slumped against her. Her kiss gentled and she released him. Sighing, he snuggled his head against her breast, listening to her heartbeat, a rapid tattoo.
Kalina stroked his hair, lulling him to sleep.
* * * *
Hands pushing at him woke him and blearily, he looked up at her flushed honey face.
“Give me a minute.”
Kalina laughed. “No. I was thinking of the riddle.”
Ryne groaned and rolled off her. He shivered at the feel of leaving her pussy.
“What about the riddle?” He yawned, exhausted.
Kalina sat down cross-legged. “My mom said the only clue she knew of Eve was, ‘Where bay meets Lindbergh, and hits below the belt, will Eve be found and risen on the place of Thomas.’ I was thinking of it, and I wondered what the hell it could mean.”
Ryne sat up then crossed his legs under him, and faced her. He could almost see her mind was racing, wheels turning. He thought of the clue then in moments the words connected, and he looked at her, seeing the same dawning realisation on her face.
“Lindbergh Bay in St. Thomas.” They said it simultaneously.
Kalina flew off the bed, her bare butt flashing in his face. He touched the soft globe.
Kalina glanced over her shoulder and grinned. “Later.”
Chuckling, he got off the bed and waved his hand to don his clothing. Kalina did the same and in seconds was dressed in her hunting clothes. He took in the fitted vest that partially covered her navel. He went closer then trailed his fingers along it and she shivered in reaction. She blinked briefly then her amber eyes met his. He held her and shimmered.
Soon enough, they were looking at the rolling surf of Lindbergh Bay in St Thomas. Ryne turned his head towards the group of people standing in a semi-circle a little distance away.
One of the men turned his attention to them. “You’re too late.”
It was then Ryne felt it, the rush of power. He searched for the source then registered a woman almost hidden behind the man. She held the Book.
The woman murmured, “Uststst eheheh ststst Risiieii Evee sususus.”
Ryne yelled to Kalina. “Get the Book and stop her.”
Kalina nodded and flew at the female. The male reached for her, but she dodged out of the way and hit the woman, knocking her back. The man turned to grab her.
Ryne streaked over to them and stopped in front of him, punching out as he did so. The man flew backward, then flipped in the air, landing on his feet.
Ryne spared Kalina a brief glance. She was locked in combat with her adversary. He winced as the woman kicked Kalina in the stomach. She took the woman’s foot, pulled her up, flipped her and punched out.
The woman skittered across the beach, falling in front of the man. Kalina glanced at Ryne and held up The Book of Terra, the sun glinting off the golden pages. Kalina materialised a sack and put the Book inside, then strapped it over her body. She looked at him and nodded. As one, they turned to face the man and woman.
Side by side their opponents rushed Kalina and Ryne. He grabbed Kalina’s hands and swung her in the air. She kicked out with her legs, knocking both adversaries back. The man flipped in the air, falling hard on his face. The woman skidded across the beach and groaned. Ryne lifted Kalina up and over his head, settling her on his shoulder. He spread his fingers wide then pushed his hands out, bringing up a shield to close off the entire beach area so they could not escape. He glanced up, noting Kalina standing on his shoulders, mirroring him. Energy crackled as she pushed a surge of power into the barrier. He focused back on the male and woman who staggered to their feet. The man rushed them.
“Ailllellelell Detetetethhh Crulliiie!” Kalina sounded her war cry as she flipped off his shoulder and into the air. She flew over the man and hit the woman’s body. They catapulted back down the beach. Ryne waited for his adversary to come at him. He rushed Ryne, and he moved his hands in a fast circular motion, driving his adversary back.
He punched out hard and whispered, “Die.”
The man shuddered and fell, his eyes glazed over. Ryne stepped over him then feeling the wetness on his face he wiped his mouth. He looked at his fingers and saw the blood glistening on the tips. Shaking his hand free of blood, he walked away.
A wash of power made him stagger and fall to his knees and the energy held him immobile. Turning his head, he met the pale yellow gaze. Ryne studied the unfamiliar woman’s devastating, rich honey-toned face—a face carved by a master artist—with a sloping forehead leading to sharply defined cheeks, an aristocratic nose, full lips and a firm chin. The look in her slightly tilted eyes promised death. She smiled, displaying a sharp set of teeth.
“Who has awakened me from my slumber?” She eyed him and licked her lips. “Whose sweet blood touched my lips?”
Ryne realised the spell to summon Eve had succeeded. Even as the thought formed she moved to him in a blur and clamped her hand around his throat. Slowly, she raised him closer, rubbing her nose over his face and breathing along his skin. She moved closer her eyes closed and sniffed.
She opened her eyes, their eerie yellow colour flashing with red. “Firebird, have you come to welcome me home?” She leaned in to kiss him.
“Bitch, you better let go of my mate,” Kalina yelled over the sound of the surf.
The yellow-eyed woman flinched, then looked behind her. Kalina appeared behind her, raising her sword and slashing down. Eve flicked her hand, throwing him down the beach. He shook out his stupor and watched in fear as she turned, catching Kalina’s sword as it descended, and saw the stranger smile. Getting up, Rynne pushed away the feeling of weakness before he ran towards them.
Dispassionately Kalina observed the flash of death in the woman’s yellow eyes. Eve gripped her neck with one hand, wrenching her sword out of her grip with the other and pitching it away. Eve slashed down, claws extended. By instinct Kalina raised her arm. Nothing happened. Eve’s attention was on the bracelet she wore. Kalina curled her fist and punched out, hitting Eve. She winced as pain shot through her hand. The other woman didn’t even flinch.
She peered at Kalina curiously. “You wear my bracelet yet attack me. Why?”
Kalina gaped at her. “Eve, you’re going to destroy the world.”
Eve looked at her, shocked, then her eyes lit with laughter. “Who told you such a foolish thing?”
Kalina looked at her, confused. “You’re Armageddon.”
Eve shook her head. “Are they still telling that old fib?”
She chuckled. Kalina stilled, watching her cautiously. Her eyes had changed to a soft whisky.
“Let her go, Eve,” a harsh voice sounded behind them.
Eve turned in a graceful motion, moving with Kalina in her hold. Kalina was glad her mother strode down the beach with all of her Amazonian Warriors armed for battle following behind her. With the energy signature coming off Eve they needed all the help they could get to defeat her.
Eve gasped. “Niya, what are you doing here?”
Niya stopped a little away from them, raised her hand and flung a bolt of lightning. Eve caught it. The lightning raced up her arm, across her shoulder and into her mouth. She sucked it in. Eve stared at Niya.
“Why is everyone fucking attacking me?” Eve waved her hand shaking Kalina in the process like she was a doll.
Niya brought up another lightning bolt. “Let go of my daughter.”
Eve looked at her. “She’s your daughter? Oh Niya, your child.”
Niya growled. “Let he
r go.”
Eve looked at Kalina before she let her go. “Oh, yes. So sorry.”
Kalina collapsed on the sand and stared up at the woman. Eve looked bemused as she stared back at her.
“Get away from her, Eve,” Niya growled.
Eve stared at Niya, confusion on her face. “Why do you act so cold, Niya? I thought we were friends.”
Niya appeared bewildered, staring at Eve, bewildered.
Eve’s expression matched Niya’s. “Ah…my spell worked too well, erasing all the memories of me from everyone.”
Eve opened her hand and blew on it. A pale yellow mist rose into the air, drenching them. Niya staggered, then righted herself.
When she turned her attention to Eve, Niya had tears in her eyes. “Oh God, Eve. Why did you do this? Wipe away all my memories of you and our friendship?”
Eve looked at her, a sad smile on her lips. “I didn’t mean to be gone so long. I couldn’t bear life without Adam and I had to heal. I never thought it would be so many millennia. Can we continue our friendship, Niya?”
Eve held out a hand to her mother. Niya hesitated then walked forward, linking her fingers with Eve’s. She smiled at Eve and pushed their shoulders against one another.
“You always liked to show you were more powerful,” Niya grumbled.
Eve laughed. “Of course, since I am.”
Niya looked at her. “I’ve had millennia on you. Don’t forget it.”
Eve waved a graceful hand. “Whatever. How is Phoenix?”
Kalina, watching them, interjected. “You know each other and Phoenix?”
Eve turned to Kalina and smiled gently. “Of course, child. I built it to protect humanity.”
Niya nodded. “Yes, I remember now. She did want protection for her children.”
“Yes. I left it with you, Niya,” Eve said. “How is it doing?”
Kalina’s eyes narrowed as she looked at the guilt flashing on her mother’s face. “You’re in charge of Phoenix Intelligence Agency?”
She shifted rubbing her hand on her ear, a gesture Kalina recognised and it made her know it was true. “Not really. I let Christos have free rein.”
Indigo Rain (Phoenix Intelligence Agency) Page 8