by Sandy James
Surfacing for air, she gasped her first breath when she saw Ian waiting on the shore. Naked.
Here was what she needed to keep her grounded—the man who held her heart. When she was with Ian she wasn’t a warrior. She wasn’t balancing the pull of Seior with her duties as an Amazon. She wasn’t worrying about the greater good or saving humanity.
She was simply Sarita.
* * *
Now that he knew Sarita was the Water Amazon, Ian didn’t panic when he once again found her clothing abandoned on the edge of water. His memories were slowly returning, although nothing more than vague recollections, all involved the tempting creature staring back at him from across the way.
She was gloriously nude—at least as far as he could see. The waves beat against her just above her waistline. Her breasts glistened in the moonlight, her nipples taut from chill. Or perhaps desire. Her smile was inviting.
There was a difference in her bearing, subtle, but there in the way she held herself. Whatever timidity she’d had was gone, replaced by a confidence so strong it surrounded her like an aura. Her spine was straight, her chin held at a haughty angle. Everything about her was sensual and elegant and full of poise.
Just when he was ready to run out into the water to fetch her, she ducked back into the water before standing again to smooth her long hair back. She strode toward the shore.
Her undergarment was nothing but a wet whisper of lace around her hips. Plastered to her body, it allowed him to savor the dark V of curls between her thighs. Sarita gracefully peeled them off, dropping them behind her on the sand as she covered the last of the distance to reach him. She stopped before her body touched his, close enough he could have easily gathered her into his arms. Instead, she stared at him, saying nothing.
Words would ruin the interlude. Once they started talking, whatever magic they’d woven to be together again would disappear. He didn’t want to think about his brother or Helen or the despicable things that had set him on this path. Sarita never tried to seek out Helen’s plots or to ask for his help.
All they shared when they stole these precious meetings was a passion so hot and deep, he knew he’d never find another like it again.
Unable to see her a moment longer without touching her, Ian lifted his hand to cup her cheek. Her smile made his breath catch in his throat. She took that last step forward to press her full breasts against his chest. Rising on tiptoes, she kissed him as she stretched her arms around his neck.
Ian swept his tongue into her mouth as he enfolded her in his arms and held her close. Her taste and the feel of her against him sent fire racing downward, making his cock swell fuller. The kiss quickly became carnal, a chase of tongues from one mouth back into the other. His hands dropped to cover the gentle curve of her backside, and he lifted her. Pulling her hard against his groin, he let her feel the hunger that had gnawed at him from the moment he’d awakened to his empty bed.
He raised her body higher so he could slip his hands down to her thighs. She got his less than subtle hint and wrapped her legs around his hips. The damp heat of her core rubbed against his erection, stealing all his self-control. He carried her to where her nightgown rested and laid her back against it before settling himself between her thighs.
Sarita reached between them, taking his cock in her hand and guiding him to her tight sheath. He didn’t hesitate, thrusting deep inside her. The wet welcome he found there said her need matched his.
There was no teasing, no taunting. Just a fast, furious rhythm that soon had him fighting against his own release. Sarita must have sensed his urgency, because she wrapped her fingers around his arms and squeezed before tearing her lips away from his. “Wait.”
Such a quiet whisper. Somewhere in his desire-laden brain, the word registered, and he obeyed. He didn’t leave her body, but he stilled and stared into her eyes.
“My turn,” she said, pushing against his chest.
“Lass?”
“On your back, jaanu.”
Her smile was so salacious he could barely conform fast enough. Slipping from her body, Ian rolled to his back. “I’m yours, loving.”
“Damn right, you are. All mine.” Sarita straddled him and leaned down, biting him hard on the shoulder.
His whole body jerked in response.
Pushing herself back, she wiggled against him, her core nestling his erection.
“Loving, I cannae take much more.”
“I shall give ye a wee taste before I take ye to paradise.” Her imitation of his brogue brought a smile to his face. Until she ground her pelvis against him again.
A groan rose from his chest.
Holding tight to his shaft, she gave him what he needed, impaling herself on him and taking his cock all the way inside her. The sheer pleasure of her squeezing him tight was almost enough to push him over the edge. She rode him.
Ian’s blinding release came a heartbeat before Sarita cried out his name. Even after his orgasm, he needed to stay connected, pushing into her in small strokes that made her hum and smile.
She collapsed on his chest, and he held her close. “I should go,” she whispered.
Although she was right, he wasn’t ready to let her leave. “We should talk first.”
She kissed the side of his neck before breaking their intimate connection then rolling to her back on the sand. “Instead of talking, I’d rather you just come with me.” Her discarded nightgown was quickly donned as she knelt at his side.
“I cannae.”
“Please, Ian. Give up this quest for vengeance. Leave Helen and be with me. I’ll take you to my home.”
His heart was torn, warring between going with Sarita and seeing his vendetta through to the bitter end. “I will have my justice.”
“There’s no justice to be had, jaanu. Come back with me. Let me explain everything. Once you know the truth, you’ll—”
“Darian!” Helen called from a distance.
“Damn her hide for interrupting.” But he was talking to no one.
Sarita had vanished, taking with her the mystery of her words.
Chapter Seventeen
“Stay together,” Johann said. “No one charges in there alone.”
Sarita nodded, although she had to wonder if her Sentinel’s order had more to do with babysitting her rather than keeping her and Gina safe. Everyone in Avalon had been walking on eggshells around her, and she’d quickly grown tired of her sisters and Sentinels watching her as though she would spontaneously sprout horns and breathe fire.
They were in a suburb of Cincinnati, having been popped to the edge of a large community park in the wee hours of the morning by an unusually cooperative Ganga. When Sarita had called to her—at Johann’s insistence—asking for a quick transport for the three to hunt down the next demon on Helen’s list, the goddess hadn’t batted a beautiful eyelash.
A moment later and here they were.
The place was deserted—exactly what they’d hoped and expected. Sarita could do her job then call Ganga to get them all right back out. She resented the unnecessary escort. This was a job she could easily handle alone. Only her concern that Helen might be setting a trap helped her keep her temper in check. Gina would watch her back.
“I could have come alone,” Sarita mumbled.
Gina gave her a friendly cuff on the shoulder, although Sarita was somehow disconnected from her sister, unable to feel what she did—probably because she’d had very little sleep in far too many days. She normally slept like a baby. Perhaps the stress of worrying about Ian and keeping the Seior in check was taking its toll.
“Nah,” Gina said. “This is great—like old times. Just two kick-ass Amazons and their Sentinel out on a demon hunt. I’m lovin’ it.”
“Enough chitchat,” Johann barked. “We’ve got a job to do.�
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“See? Exactly like old times,” Gina added with a wink to her Sentinel.
He unsheathed his sword and led the way through the park to a tall shrubbery maze. Then he followed the worn path, searching for the fountain in the center of the labyrinth. He found it in short order.
There were only two ways in or out, which would make it easy for Johann and Gina to keep watch while Sarita searched the enormous marble fountain for the demon they sought.
“When I get my hands on Helen,” Johann grumbled, “she’s gonna wish she’d never heard of magicks. Setting a shabriri loose? What was she thinking?”
“She was thinking she wants to cause us as much trouble as she can,” Gina replied. “If she keeps us chasing demons we can’t come for her.”
“At least this is a small demon,” Sarita said. “Not like that dragon Megan and Rebecca had to catch the other day.” She held up the jar she’d brought along to toss the water demon into so she could transport it out to the middle of the ocean. “This is all I’ll need.”
She opened the lid and set the jar down on the fountain. “Shabriris are pretty harmless.”
“Harmless?” Johann gaped at her. “We’ll be lucky if this whole town isn’t quarantined by the CDC while they search for what caused an epidemic.”
“At least when I catch the demon, that’ll be one more off her damn list,” Sarita said.
She sat herself down on the edge of the big stone fountain, keeping the open jar within reach. Skimming her fingertips over the surface of the water, she searched for the shabriri. She didn’t find one.
She found four.
The creatures were there, waiting on the far side of the fountain for victims to inhabit. Once those four were sure there would be plenty of human victims, they’d be calling their whole tribe. If she didn’t catch them, everyone in this town would eventually be infected. Then the Amazons would find themselves battling more than pesky shabriris—they’d be fighting blind and delirious humans.
Her first instinct was to snatch the demons up and squash them all like bugs. A bit bloodthirsty, yet horribly appealing. What she’d done the last time she captured one—just a year ago—was have Ganga send her to the ocean to set it loose. The creature was so small it would take him decades to find his way back to civilization.
She’d never enjoyed the kill—one of the reasons it took her so long to get used to beheading revenants. After so many battles, she’d shed the fear because she kept reminding herself those zombies were already dead. Megan might talk about killing a Child of the Earth, but Sarita didn’t have it in her.
So why was she so willing just to stomp these shabriris under her boot heel?
“Did you find it?” Johann lowered his sword tip toward the water.
“Don’t!” Sarita swept her hand out, thinking to spare Johann from being infected. A shabriri could run right up his sword and burrow under his skin before he could do anything to stop it.
Instead of stopping him, she somehow “pushed” him with her mind. He fell on his ass and then turned a backward somersault.
Gina was at his side in a heartbeat. She knelt next to him, trying to help him to his feet. “What in the hell happened?”
Johann ran his hand over his face before leveling a hard stare at Sarita. “Ask her.”
Sarita stared at them, unblinking. Since Freyjr had given her Seior, she’d only used it for one purpose—to visit Ian. Had her new powers evolved beyond simple teleportation? Would she eventually be able to master telekinesis like Megan?
Or would she be stronger than Megan?
A happy giggle bubbled up—one Sarita quickly squashed when Johann threw a Sentinel scowl at her.
“You’re laughing at me?” Johann shoved his sword into its scabbard and fisted his hands at his sides.
“No, no... I just... I can’t believe I was able to do that.”
Gina only took one jump to get to her. She grabbed her upper arm and forced Sarita to face her. “What did you do?”
A spark of anger ignited, pushing aside her pleasure at having a new power. “I guess I moved him. He was reaching right for a shabriri. I didn’t want it crawling into him.”
“You moved him? How?”
“Seior,” Johann said. “She’s infected with it.”
“Infected?” Sarita shook her head, trying to swallow her growing annoyance at their badgering. She’d saved Johann. Why did it matter how? “It’s not a disease, Johann. I learned a couple of tricks from Freyjr. So what? You’re overreacting.”
One of the shabriris jumped from the water, casting a quick look around and locking eyes with Sarita. Before it splashed back into the fountain, it showed her its ass—the shabriri equivalent of flipping her the bird.
Her temper rose to boiling. She jerked her arm from Gina’s grasp and strode to the other side of the fountain. She stuck her hand into the water and grabbed the demon.
It bit her.
She jerked her hand back. “Sonofabitch.” She slapped her palms against the water, instantly freezing it.
“You’ll kill it.” Johann moved to her side.
“Not it—them.”
“How many are there?” Gina asked.
“Four. So what?”
“Quit saying ‘so what’,” Johann ordered.
Gina’s gaze searched Sarita’s face. “What in the hell’s gotten into you?”
“The little fucker bit me!”
“Sarita...” Johann shook his head. “You’re out of control.”
“Don’t start with me, Johann. These are water demons—my domain.” She thumped her chest with her thumb. “Mine! You never tell Megan or Rebecca how to do their jobs. You don’t boss Gina around like you do me. You always treat me like a child, and I’m fucking sick of it!”
Thrusting her hand directly into the ice—another new ability—she grabbed each of the shabriris, plucking them like ice cubes from the fountain. After sticking them in the jar she’d brought along, she screwed on the lid.
Before she could tell Johann she was heading to dump the demons in the ocean, she stopped, listening hard. Something—or someone—was coming.
The stench hit her.
“Revenants!” Sarita shouted, setting aside the jar and unsheathing her sword.
Gina looked between the two entrances to the courtyard. “I don’t sense—”
From the entrance closest to Sarita, the first zombie charged. With a snarl, he ran right at her. His flesh hadn’t begun to decompose—marking him as a class one, fresh for the kill.
Sarita blocked his first attempt at grabbing her by slicing off his right arm at the wrist. He let out a howl and took a couple of stumbling steps back. Then he let out a blood-chilling wail and charged her.
She went on the attack, wishing she could behead him. Unfortunately he was far too tall for her to get the leverage she needed. So she plucked her dagger from where it was strapped to the small of her back and drove it into the revenant’s chest.
“What the hell?” She pulled back the dagger—and her entire hand—from where it sank into the zombie’s empty chest cavity.
The revenant didn’t give her time to process why he had no heart before he came at her again.
A quick front sweep and Sarita knocked the zombie to his knees. With one clean swing, she lopped off his head.
She whirled to ask Johann and Gina why someone had cut out the zombie’s heart. Before a word could spill from her lips, another revenant came lumbering from the entrance—every bit as fresh as the one she’d just destroyed.
“Heads up. More on the way,” Johann rushed the second zombie. He tripped it as Gina hurried behind him to remove the creature’s head.
“Shit. Why didn’t I sense them?” Gina stared down at the body. “What the hell happened to her?�
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“Let me guess,” Sarita said. “Someone cut out her heart.”
“That’s what it looks like.”
“Why?” Sarita asked. “Why would someone do that?”
Johann sheathed his sword. “I think I know, but that’s why you couldn’t sense them.”
When he didn’t immediately explain what he meant, what few threads of control Sarita had over her anger snapped. A low growl rumbled from her chest, and she had to clench her hands at her sides not to move Johann with her mind and toss him right into the fountain.
At least he could take a hint. “These revenants weren’t sent here to kill us. They were a message from Helen.”
“And what exactly was that message?” Sarita asked.
“That she’s taking things to a new level.”
“Meaning?”
“These were human sacrifices.”
“Sacrifices?” Gina looked as confused as Sarita felt. “To whom?”
Johann drew his lips into a grim line. “To Helen by the Children of the Earth.”
* * *
Sarita was sick of staring at the beheaded zombies. Everything inside her screamed to get to Ian. Dawn was only an hour away, which meant she’d lose her chance to find him on his island. Her insides churned, both with fear and longing.
Helen had upped the ante—big time. Human sacrifices?
It’s time to bring Ian to Avalon.
Now she just had to convince her sisters and Sentinels.
Artair stared at the bodies sprawled on the grass. The heads rested only inches away from the torsos of their owners. Ganga had sent them back to Avalon at Johann’s request. Why he wanted to keep the disgusting revenants was beyond her until he stripped them of their shirts. There were symbols scrawled on their arms and stomachs. Artair had immediately sent Zach to find those symbols in the library on ancient texts Zach had scanned into digital copies.
Zach came jogging across the compound, electronic tablet in hand. “Got it!” he called as he drew near.
Johann held out his hand, but Zach rebuffed him with a quick shake of his head.