by Calinda B
“I’m sorry. I told you, I’m seriously scared of heights, and we’re pretty high up here. I have to deal with heights all the time. That doesn’t mean I like them.”
“Just close your eyes, then, and imagine you’re being rocked in your crib.” I shake my head.
“Where are we headed?” Rafe hugs Sober to his chest.
My brave dog isn’t trembling like the last time he took a ride on Chiara. He’s grown in the last few days. He’s becoming a strong, confident, warrior dog. He’s turning into a Light Rebel’s dog.
“Hmm,” I say. “I hadn’t thought that far. I hadn’t thought we’d escape so suddenly. Since we’re fugitives, as you put it, the only place I can think of is to head to Brazil. We can rest, recuperate, there are plenty of people to service your needs…yes, I think Brazil is the place to go.”
“Okay, boss. Whatever you say.”
Rafe’s trying to make light but I can tell the guy’s an inch away from losing it. It’s a bit of a flight - 14 hours - even on this quick flying bird. I’ll have to find ways to keep the guy calm - this guy that I barely know. Why is it always leap first, look later, with me? All I know is that we’re out of the goddamned psych ward. I’m going to free my dark and dangerous lover from wherever he is and then we’ll deal with his father.
Chapter 12
Oodles of hours later, I pry open my eyes. Rafe, Sober, and I were dumped into the pool behind my very remote house, nestled high on a hill, in a jungle far from Sao Paolo, Brazil last night. Chiara took off to wherever she goes, leaving us in her wind-swept wake. We climbed out of the pool, completely exhausted. We made our wet and dripping way upstairs to my room, climbing up the private stairs to the open-aired landing off the bedroom that looks out over the pool and the jungle beyond, and collapsed onto the huge bed. Before we fell asleep, I warned Rafe that under no circumstances was he to touch me in the night. It was hard enough to keep from touching as we balanced on our winged carrier. He promised to keep his hands to himself and sleep outside the covers. And yet now, as I awaken next to my sleeping pal, the covers are on the floors, his leg is draped over mine, and his pants leg has pushed up slightly over his calf. Skin on skin. Arousal like you wouldn’t believe. I imagine Daniel’s rage, and slowly, oh, so slowly, slide my leg out from under Rafe, wincing, longing, wanting more.
His eyes pop open. A delicious smile forms on his face. “I just had the most delectable dream.”
“Did you?” I say, moving as far away from him as I can.
“Yes. I dreamt that I was lying in bed with the love of my life. It was a beautiful dream. And then, I open my eyes and here we are.”
“Here we are.” I slip out of bed and turn away from him, trying to quash the need for “innocent” - right - unbridled passion with Rafe. “You find yourself lying in bed with the woman who is soul bound to and completely in love with the Night Numen and you realize it was just a dream.”
“But was it just a dream?” he says, right next to my ear.
“Oh!” I jerk, startled. “How’d you do that?”
“Do what?” he asks, an angelic smile spread from cheek to cheek.
“Get next to me without my knowing.”
“Stealth Numen, remember? And 21 hours of no drugs.” He taps my cheek with his fingertip and wanders to the other side of the room to look outside.
I press my palm to the place on my cheek that burns with the memory of his touch. Even something as simple as a tap on the cheek elicits unbelievable yearning. “You can’t keep doing that,” I say, not looking at him.
“Doing what?” he asks.
I know he knows what I mean. “The touch.”
“I probably shouldn’t,” he agrees. “I could get into trouble. But the thought of trouble seems to appeal to me. Especially with you.”
“Rafe,” I say.
“I know, I know. I told you, a guy can hope. I can fantasize all I want.”
I close my eyes. I have a guilty need to connect with my dangerous lover. Daniel? My thoughts are drenched with felonious regret.
What? He snarls in my head.
There’s so much force behind his single word I am taken aback. He must know what’s going on. My guilt spikes. Are you okay?
Are you?
Yes, I’m…we…I…Crazy Betty helped me escape last night.
Did she? That’s fantastic, dulzura! Where are you?
We…I came back to Brazil. It seemed like the safest place to come.
Good. That’s good. I put several protection spells in place on your property there.
How could you do that? We left Brazil together.
I went back.
When? A weighted silence falls from my mind. You and your secrets, Daniel. More silence. I’m convinced that whatever realm he commands has different time parameters than I live by.
If only I could be by your side.
Deflection.
I apologize for my sharp retort. I’ve been arguing with my asshole father.
Distraction.
There’s too much to explain. I’m not used to explaining myself.
Ah. So you get to experience the downsides of being soul bound, too.
I didn’t say it was a downside. I only said I’m not used to it.
I shake my head. We need time to sort things. Loads and loads of time. And now is not the time for sorting. Is your father in there?
No! He’s somewhere, holding vigil in whatever he’s doing to seal me in here. He’s no match for me, I assure you. I just haven’t figured out my new powers yet. I want to make certain that I don’t…
Silence. Don’t? I prompt. More silence. I sigh. This man must be president of the Secret of the Month Club. So some sort of mind-to-mind argument?
Yes. The prick thinks I am no match for him. He doesn’t know that I seized El Demonio’s powers. He’s telling everyone that he did so he can feel like a bad ass with a fucking hard on.
I heard your mom’s whisper poem. It gets extremely quiet inside my head.
“Everything alright over there? You in a trance?” Rafe calls.
“Everything’s fine. Just thoughtful over here.”
“I’ll be down by the pool. I know when I’m being ignored.”
“I’ll be down in a second.” I swiftly turn my head. There’s something in Rafe’s voice that sounds off.
“Promises, promises,” Rafe mutters, somewhat good naturedly. He disappears down the stairs that lead to a paradise oasis.
Daniel. Did you hear me say I heard your mom’s whisper poem?
Yes, I heard you. So she’s alive. Thank the Holy Mothers.
I don’t know. All I said was I heard your mom’s whisper poem.
If she wasn’t alive, you wouldn’t have heard it. She’s the one who whispered it.
It’s my turn for silence. There’s so much about this magic and sorcery business that I just don’t get.
Dulzura. Are you still there?
Yes.
My mother…we can never let my father get to her. What did her poem say?
Something about sacrificing her heart for yours. At least that’s what some of the Numina interpreted.
So she knows.
She knows what?
She knows what my father is planning.
How do you know that?
You’ll just have to trust me on this one. I know that she knows. My mother is a good woman. My father is a bad man. She stole away from him one night. No one knew where she went. I was outraged at my father. That was the beginning of the end for him and me. First, I had lost my mother. Then, Josephina. I feared that good women were never to be part of my life. That they’d always be ripped from my life through violent means. Until you showed up. Dulzura, you mean the world to me. Life without you can never be. I’ll wander to the ends of the Earth to be a part of your life.
I let his words, his intention melt my heart.
My mother - escape from my clever father would have been extremely difficult. She must have worke
d hard for months to cloak her thoughts so that my father couldn’t read them. Part of soul binding is granting access to your beloved.
Even if they haven’t been asked if they want a binding? My hackles rise sharply, like pointed sticks aimed at my lover.
This again. I thought we put this topic to rest.
Yes, this again. No, I guess we haven’t. My blood still boils.
This isn’t the time for an argument, cariño. I’ve got to find a way out of here before my father does whatever he intends to do.
What does he intend to do?
He intends to harm me in the best way he knows.
Which is? This time the silence stretches thick and long. Come on, Daniel. Stop keeping me in the dark. The irony of what I just said doesn’t escape me.
He wants to get to me through taking the one thing that matters to me.
And what is that?
Cariño, you must know the answer.
A warm sensation floods my heart, like sweet, creamy, liquid heat. It rolls down between my belly, pools in my core, and my legs start to buckle. I swear, the way this man makes me feel, even from wherever the hell he is, is incomparably delicious. It makes Rafe’s skills seem like child’s play and folly. I want you to tell me. Don’t make me guess.
He wants to get to me through you.
The sweet cream pushing through me coagulates. Now it feels like sour milk. I have a sudden urge to vomit. Get to me, how?
However he can. And I’m not there to protect you. There’s one other thing that keeps me here.
The silence is smothering. In addition to the nausea, I can barely breathe, the quietude is so thick. What is that?
It’s me. I…I’ve changed. I’m changing every day.
An icy shudder snakes up my spine. How so?
More darkness. More power. More…
More what?
More…I can’t explain. You’re going to have to see for yourself. I’m going to have to show you. And I don’t want to.
The icy shiver becomes a calving glacier. Daniel, you’re scaring me. My mouth turns into a desert. I swallow hard, trying to coax moisture into my mouth. What are you saying?
Only that I…oh, God, cariño, I never want to hurt you.
Why would you?
Because I don’t know what I’ve become…what I’m becoming. I don’t know who I’m turning out to be.
Desperate longing swamps my thoughts. What is he saying? That we’re not going to be together? We’ll find out together. I know we will. Daniel, who you are is more than enough for me. Suddenly, being soul bound seems like a rope of safety, even to me. You can’t keep away from me. I love you, Daniel. I love you. Do you hear me? Our hearts are bound together.
Yes. Yes, they are, dulzura. I told you, you’re the only thing that’s keeping me alive. And yet…
And yet, what? Daniel, you’re freaking me out. A wave of hysteria flows through me. Calm. Stay calm, I urge myself. Where are you?
Dulzura, I can’t…you’ll have to use our connection to find me, to source me. Are you saying you’ll come for me?
A wave of velvety warmth pulses between my legs, replacing my terror. Both meanings strike me head on. Oh, I’ll come for this man, as sure as the day is long. Yes. I’ll come for you. I…I’ll have help. I send this thought swiftly with a prayer of innocence.
I don’t think that’s a good idea.
Too bad, buddy. Too bad if you think it’s not a good idea. You’re not my boss.
It seems as if he’s laughing. Okay, my head-strong Light Rebel. Who will help you?
A guy named…I stop and swallow. A guy…
A guy, who? Who will help you?
Sweat beads on my forehead. A guy named Rafe. The Stealth Numen. Do you know him? I am greeted with silence so cold I start to shiver. Daniel? What’s going on? The cold turns into the heat of rage.
The Stealth Numen, you say?
I can picture his face right now. I can guarantee that it’s not a happy face. Yes. He was in the same mental hospital as I was. I helped him escape. I…it was…
Is he your little friend, now?
Maybe. I barely know him.
Then you don’t know what he’s capable of.
I know some things.
You know what he’s capable of sexually?
Kind of…
And how do you know this? I have no intention of sharing you. You’re mine.
I huff and start stomping around the room. Now I’m pissed. I don’t know what you’re capable of! I belong to no one. I’m with you because I want to be! I don’t say I’m also with you because we’re now soul bound because you decided that we needed to be, but he knows that already. He’s right. It’s becoming a tired topic. You can’t tell me who to be friends with, Daniel. I’m your soul bound lover, but I am not yours to shape and manipulate. Now let me live my life the way I deem fit. I’m going to find you and that’s that. My commune is interrupted by a long, loud groan coming from outside. I rush to the landing and peer over the edge. Rafe is huddled in a ball, trembling and convulsing.
Sober is standing next to him, his tail wagging cautiously. His head lifts, he turns to me and he barks.
“Yeah, yeah, I’m coming, I’m coming.” What have I done? I think I’m about to find out what it’s like to withdraw from Haloperidol, cold turkey. Why, oh, why do I never listen? Why, oh, why do I leap without thinking? I race down the steps, ready to face the results of my latest impulsive maneuver. I’m creative and always have a lot of ideas. They’re just not always great ideas.
Chapter 13
“C-c-c-c-cold, so c-c-c-c-cold,” Rafe says to me through teeth that are going to rattle out of his jaws if I don’t figure out how to help him. “C-c-can’t stop sh-sh-shaking. C-c-can’t stop.”
“Help! Someone help! I need a doctor!” I shout. I thought maybe some of El Demonio’s staff would be wandering around, but I guess Daniel’s protection spell took care of that. “Shit! What the hell am I going to do?”
“N-n-need t-t-touch. T-t-touch me.”
I place my hands on his t-shirt. The guy is shivering like a rattlesnake tail.
“S-s-skin. N-n-need s-s-skin.”
Rafe looks like he’s in agony. His eyes are squeezed shut. He’s sweating profusely. He’s rocking and rolling on the concrete and stone around the pool. If I don’t come up with something, his skin is going to be scraped from his body, leaving a bloody mass of muscle. I grab Sober’s paw and place it on Rafe’s arm.
“God, n-n-no, M-m-marissa, n-n-not the d-d-dog. S-s-skin. Human s-s-skin.”
I take a deep breath and place my hand on his cheek. He grabs my hand and squeezes it so hard I wonder if the bones are going to be crushed. An erratic, chaotic sensation flows up my arm, like someone is rearranging my thought process, jiggling my insides and wreaking havoc on my nervous system. This is followed by the most intoxicating sense of arousal. And there it is again - it’s like I’ve never been touched in my life, and I’m about to experience the best sex I’ve ever had, or could hope to have, ever. I’m filled with the excitement of the unknown, the forbidden, the promise of love and adoration. I imagine that vast secrets and pools of mystery are about to be revealed.
Rafe’s trembling body starts to soothe. The violent quakes become shudders. The shudders turn into slight trembles. He slowly unfolds and starts to stretch out in the sun. He’s now aroused, too, hard as one of those Hindi lingam stones you see on “travel to far away temples” brochures, and I want to climb on top and slide away, giving myself over to an onslaught of new sensation.
Instead of hurting, my crushed hand is pulsing with pleasure. If an orgasm could be had through the hand, I’m having one. “Rafe,” I say through clenched teeth. I sure wish it didn’t feel so good to be touching him.
His eyes are still closed. “What?’
“Can you let go of me, please?”
“I don’t want to.”
“I’m going to have to insist.”
“I
nsist away. This feels great. This feels better than any sexual encounter I’ve ever had in my life.”
I don’t know what to say to that. I mean, I’m happy for the guy and all, but he’s having that experience with me and I’m not available. Right now I want to be. God help me, I want the man. But I know it’s just an illusion, and I also know what Daniel could do to the guy. Or, rather, I know what he was capable of a week ago. Now, the extent of his powers make me want to shudder and quake. “Come on, Rafe, let go.”
“Nope.”
His hips are rocking slightly, and I swear to God, it feels like those hips are thrusting inside of me. My hips want to pick up the cadence and make sweet music with him. He’s amazingly strong, and he seems to bear down on my hand even harder. I shake my head and roll my eyes. Here goes. In my mind, I pick up a paintbrush and paint my hand with oily lotion. As the slick, fragrant substance I have imagined into form spreads across my palm and fingers, I slowly slide free from his grip.
Rafe moans as if he’s in pleasured agony.
It does feel pretty darn good to slide skin on skin with the guy. Now he’s got just the tip of my finger and the focused sensation in my fingertip is a throbbing, pulsating ache. Gathering my will, I pull away from him. I’m breathing hard. My skin is glowing bright and brilliant. I draw my hand up to my nose and inhale deeply. God, it even smells like sex. I feel ashamed that I’ve let Rafe have this effect on me - me, the soul bound lover to Daniel Navid. Still, he did bind me without my choosing.
Tears leak out of Rafe’s closed eyes. They drip, drip, drip on the hot surface and evaporate within seconds. He opens them and turns his head to lock his soulful, seemingly innocent blue eyes with mine. “Thank you. I’m afraid that’s the first of many episodes I’m going to have.”
“We can’t keep doing it this way.”
“The touch.” He states it flatly. “I know.” He pushes up to sitting. Sober wanders over and licks his face. “Thanks, mutt.” He fingers the dog’s ruff and cocks his head to look at me. His eyes flick to something behind me. I turn to see what he’s looking at, as he bolts to standing, leaps, and shoves me out of the way, just as a flaming arrow zips through the air and lands with a thunk in a tree in the middle of the garden surrounding the pool. After scanning the surroundings, he races over to shield me.