Taken By Storm

by L. J. Vickery

  ****

  Marduk was ensconced in the hotel, and luckily, Anshar was not when Enlil showed up.

  “Glad to see you’re feeling better.” The thunder god was surprised to see Enlil. He thought Dani meant to keep the reluctant patient down a little longer, the osmium making the god’s healing process more difficult than it normally would have been. Enlil winced as he walked closer, and the thunder god disguised a sympathetic twinge, but thought to poke the hornet’s nest a little. “Have a seat,” Marduk said with a grin.

  “I’ll stand, thanks.” Enlil obviously wanted to wipe the smirk from Marduk’s face. “Tess sent me.” Marduk went upright at full attention.

  “Is everything all right?”

  “She’s concerned about Lenore. Anshar’s mate has disappeared, but I told Tess it was a good bet that the goddess was here with Anshar.”

  Marduk’s brows creased and he shook his head. “We haven’t seen her at all.” He stroked his chin. “But she could be with Dagon. He’s only two floors away. Let me trace by and see if I feel her energy.”

  Marduk wasn’t gone more than a few seconds.

  “No, she’s not there, and, duh, I’m an idiot for not thinking it through. Anshar would have known if she was anywhere near Chicago.”

  “Shit.” Enlil swore. “Her last known location was Plymouth.”

  “Then take a few of the guys and head there next,” Marduk ordered.

  “It’ll be my next stop.” Marduk felt Enlil hesitate before misting out. “Listen. Don’t say anything to Anshar until we know more.”

  “Roger that,” Marduk replied, grimly, not relishing how the sky god would take the news. “I was way ahead of you on that one.”

  ****

  Lenore felt it the minute Enlil popped into Plymouth and hurried over to the bedroom window, watching him—invisible though he was—lingering in a doorway across the street from Dagon’s headquarters.

  Lenore?

  Enlil? Thank God! Lenore sent head-talk out before she remembered that Enlil wouldn’t be able to hear her. That was stupid. At least she hadn’t blown his cover by having Dagon catch her greeting. The asshole was in Chicago and well out of range.

  What she totally didn’t expect, was that Enlil answered back. Where have you been? Tess is worried about you. Shall I tell her you plan to be home soon?

  Lenore’s mouth fell open. Enlil could hear her? Enlil! You do realize that you’re getting my head-speak. She did a quick fist pump. The effects of the collar, and Dagon’s barrier against communication must be wearing off. I’ll bet Dagon doesn’t realize there was a time limit to his shit. She smirked.

  Hah! The joke’s on him. I wonder how we can use this to our advantage. Enlil returned. Come on home, and we’ll figure it out.

  I wish it were that simple. Lenore groused. Dagon has taken away my ability to cross the protection perimeter out of headquarters. I’m stuck in here along with my mother and grandmother.

  Enlil was silent for a moment, and then hit her back with a novel thought. Not so stuck, I’m thinking. It’s pretty funny, but with perimeter security, getting in is almost impossible. Getting out? Not so much.

  Lenore was listening.

  Think of it like a refrigerator or a car trunk; there’s always a safety. Nobody wants to get stuck inside anything. Enlil gave Lenore a chance to digest this. There’s always an egress. Did you try hitchhiking out on one of the PP to see what happens?

  Tried that within the first hour. Lenore snorted, remembering. Knocked me flat on my ass and pissed the guard off so badly he’s now stationed himself outside. It did make life easier not having their chaperon in the house. Give him a little wave for me, will you?

  At least she hadn’t lost her sense of humor. She grinned as Enlil strolled across the street, waving an invisible middle finger solute to the guard, then moved into position to get a better look at the setup. He tried to approach the house from all sides and above. As she suspected, he was totally blocked. He let Lenore know.

  No luck getting in, but that still doesn’t mean you shouldn’t look around for a way out. Listen, I’m headed back to Chicago to talk this over with Marduk and Anshar. Don’t worry. If you can’t find the safety exit, we’ll figure out a way to release you.

  His comment about talking things over with Anshar reminded Lenore… You know, now that I’m thinking about it, the collar effects must have been wearing off for the past couple of days, because despite Dagon’s orders to keep track, I haven’t been all up in Anshar’s head. Either that, or the distance from here to Chicago is a factor. What do you think?

  Enlil grunted. I expect maybe a little of both, but I’m sure you’ll hear him loud and clear once he knows Dagon has you confined. And, roger that, now that you can talk to him, it’s up to you whether you want to give him a heads-up before I get there and be the one who hears the fallout. Other than that, is everything okay?

  Lenore looked over to where her ladies were playing rummy for the umpteenth time. Everything else is just peachy. She might, however, lose her mind if they didn’t get her out of here soon.

  Okay. Enlil jogged back across the street, clearly ready to head for Chicago. Sit tight. I’m off. We’ll figure something out.

  Lenore knew that. At least she thought she did. Her divining lady-folk had already apprised her of the fact that they had scryed the future and assured Lenore that none of them would remain confined. They just didn’t know exactly how long it would take. Timetables were often beyond their “seeing” capabilities.

  Mom and Gram had made several revelations on the first day of her incarceration.

  High on the list of what-the-fucks was that, once she’d told them about Anshar, they admitted to having known she had a kick-ass boyfriend. They’d described him right down to his delicious, yet mysterious scars. Again, they had chosen not to tell her until she revealed it first, because they hadn’t known when it would happen.

  Revelation number two? They knew her “boyfriend” was other-worldly, they were just not sure what world. The two were, of course, hoping for warlock but didn’t act too awfully disappointed when Lenore had told them he was “just a god.”

  “We should have known, since your boss is one too. The pity is, Anshar will have no good spells to help you out,” her mother had reported, “but gods make up for that deficiency with all their wonderful muscle.” The suggestive tone in her voice had not been feigned. “I’ve always wondered how well endowed—”

  “That’s enough, dear,” her grandmother had cut in. “I’m sure Lenore doesn’t want to talk genitalia with her elders.”

  Lenore’s ears had burned and the women couldn’t help but notice.

  “Although I’d say it’s a good bet she’s done a little reconnaissance on the subject.” Was that a giggle from her grandmother?

  “Stop, you two!” Lenore had all she could do to let them continue the conversation.

  Apparently, and mind-fuck number three, they had been fully aware of the family’s blood connection to Dagon and wouldn’t be budged to talk any more about him, which had Lenore very suspicious.

  They did say, and not as an afterthought, that a great evil was coming—something that wasn’t Dagon—and were comforted somewhat when Lenore told them how many gods were at the compound and would have their backs.

  That conversation had happened two days ago, and Lenore had since been going stir crazy. She’d paced the halls, worked out in the gym, and tried hacking Dagon’s computers with no luck. He’d changed all of Lenore’s passwords. Both Mom and Gram had tried to calm her down, but neither had the ability like Grand-gram used to have. At least with the advent of Enlil showing up, Lenore’s boredom had been momentarily alleviated.

  Lenore! There was Anshar’s bellow, as Enlil had figured, right on target. Lenore had chickened out and let the wind god fill her amulet-sharer in on her incarceration.

  I’m going to kill him right now! No! I’m going to drag his ass back to Plymouth and kill him after he se
ts you free. His voice was changing again.

  I’m going to plunge him beneath the seas, tunnel deep into the earth, and bury him alive, where he’ll never see the light of— His voice was cut off. Lenore felt the pinch and knew he’d been sedated by his friends. Again. She was going to have to get to the bottom of this.

  Dagon, in Chicago, would have heard the rant. The bastard was probably snickering at this very moment.

  But something Anshar had said nagged at her. She went over and over his brief tirade in her head. She recounted it to her fellow captives, but to no avail. Whatever it was that tickled at her head, she finally blamed on the mercurial ramp up from under-stimulation to rocket-ship-Anshar and decided to crawl off for an early afternoon nap.

  ****

  In Chicago, Anshar was sleeping off the effects of a sedative, complements of Enlil, who, Marduk thanked the gods, had thought to hit the Blue Hills pharmaceutical closet before heading back to the Windy City and had tapped Anshar before he could change. They were now debating whether the volatile god was better off in Massachusetts, where at least he could sporadically prowl the property in Plymouth and perhaps keep his alter ego at bay, or here with Marduk who could keep him under a twenty-four hour watch.

  In the end, they waited until he was awake enough to mist, and whisked the still groggy Anshar back to the Blue Hills, leaving him under the watchful eyes of Absu and Ninurta who had another shot waiting should the all sky god lose control again.

  ****

  Lenore’s eyes popped open. She’d figured it out…what Anshar had said while spewing invectives. His words had been “beneath the seas, tunnel deep into the earth.” Tunnel deep into the earth! Yes! Lenore would bet her best pair of pink panties that Dagon had not protected the earth beneath the house. All Lenore had to do was find a shovel and, at a likely spot in the stone foundation, dig her way to freedom. She shared the plan with her mother and grandmother, both of whom thought it was worth a try, although they hadn’t seen that particular solution in any of their divinations.

  They were lucky that the guard outside was lazy and had limited his watch to the front of the house. If they could, the inside group would attempt to manage an egress out the back, and he wouldn’t hear a thing. Besides, who would suspect that three women would attempt The Great Escape?

  Chapter Seventeen

  Anshar woke slowly. His senses told him he was home in his own room. Why wasn’t he in Chicago? It took a minute for his brain to catch up. That’s right. Lenore! That bastard cousin of his…and a sedative. Anshar struggled to sit up. He was going to kill Dagon.

  Ninurta was by his side instantly. “Stay calm, my man. I have another sedative here and, if you freak out, I’ll have to use it.”

  Anshar gave him no warning but pounded his fist into Ninurta’s invisible nose, sending his incorporeal form flying across the room.

  “Don’t touch me with one of those fucking shots again!” He tore the blankets away from his body and came to his feet. “Is Lenore still trapped in Plymouth?” His eyes had already darkened.

  His other babysitter, Absu, leaned against the wall, arms folded across his chest. “You can play the part of a madman, and I’ll be forced to see you suffer the consequences of another injection…” he paused, “…or you can come to your senses and we can make plans to rescue your damsel. The decision is entirely yours.”

  It usually drove Anshar nuts that Absu would use the speech of olden days, but this time it had the opposite effect and brought Anshar’s head back to a more reasonable place.

  He eyed the god he’d tossed into the wall. “Sorry, Ninurta. But you should know better than to get close to me when I’m upset.”

  “No damage done.” Ninurta had already picked himself up. He eyeballed the syringe that was now bent and smashed. “It’s a good thing you listened to Absu, or we would have been forced to pound you into insensibility.”

  Anshar acknowledged that with an apologetic nod. “Bring me up to date.” Anshar ran a hand through his hair. Gross. How long had he been out? Information first. Shower a fast second.

  “No word from Plymouth, although we know that both Dagon and that ass-wipe Matthew are still in Chicago. Enlil says only one PP is guarding your girl in Plymouth, so it shouldn’t be too tough to spring her.”

  That was all good news from Ninurta, and Anshar calmed even more. As soon as they left, he’d talk to his mate, and that would make him feel even better.

  Absu continued his report, “Enlil has completed his healing process and will join Marduk in Chicago to continue the search in your absence. Once you have freed Lenore, Marduk wishes for your return.”

  “Sounds like a plan. I’m going to go for a quick shower, then I’ll meet you out front in fifteen minutes. We’ll all head to Plymouth and kick some ass.”

  “You and Absu will have to go,” Ninurta apologized. “Kulla has some notion that Lenore’s relatives will need a place to stay after they’re released. Somewhere that Dagon can’t get them, and he’s reluctant to have what he calls ‘witchy people’ in the main house.”

  “So what’s that got to do with you?” Anshar was lost.

  “He’s got me excavating land next door, within our protective circle, for a guest house.”

  Absu laughed. “Me thinks our divine architect is looking for a task to assuage his boredom.”

  “Whatever!” Anshar wanted to get moving. “Will you come with me?” He looked at Absu.

  “It would be my pleasure to accompany you to the fine colony of Plymouth. I’ll inform Shamash of our impending absence so he can remain aware of our circumstances using his…microwave.” Absu said the word as if it pained him. He ghosted out, and Anshar wasted no time getting to some hot water.

  Lenore, honey. Are you there? Once the water was running over him, he attempted contact. He had been sensing her presence in his head ever since he’d woken up and worked harder at the connection. Sweetheart, I’m back in the Blue Hills and headed your way soon. Can you hear me?

  I…think…going away…working…get out. Dagon can’t hear…more. Collar…wearing off. I…successfully block…

  Anshar actually heard Lenore’s voice in his head. How he’d missed it! You’re coming in a little broken up, but I hear you. That was good news about Dagon. The bastard wouldn’t be privy to Lenore’s head anymore.

  Why…get here now. What’s keeping you?

  Anshar could feel the impatience in her voice and was thrilled she wanted him sooner rather than later. I’m in the shower, sweet cheeks. Making myself presentable for you.

  Want to…with you. How about you…yourself for me.

  What was she asking? Anshar felt his cock swell. He needed some clarification. Did you just ask me to…?

  …touch yourself. Yeah. And I need you to describe it to me in detail. I need some distraction from the dirty job I’m undertaking.

  Anshar knew he should ask “what job,” but his tongue was stuck to the roof of his mouth. His little mate wanted him to masturbate and relay all the details. Could he do that?

  Palm yourself, lover. Lenore demanded, and Anshar sucked in a breath. He couldn’t help himself. He wrapped a fist around his now-tumescent hard-on and began to slowly stroke.

  I’m working it for you, baby, he told her. I’m so hard, and I’m dreaming of being deep within your snatch. His hand moved quicker, up and down. Your sweet little cunt is squeezing me tight, clenching my cock. Anshar had never imagined that he’d be rubbing out an orgasm while talking about it, but it was an incredible turn on.

  That’s it, Anshar. I’m so hot for you. If there weren’t eyes on me right now, I’d be touching my pussy and imagining that it was you.

  I can imagine it, Lenore, and the thought is making my balls tighten up, and I’m going to…I’m going to…ahh. Anshar lost his words with how quickly his orgasm had come upon him. His dick lurched in his hand, and cum burst from his penis, mixing with the water to pour down the drain. Was that a satisfied snicker in his head?


  That didn’t take you long, Anshar. And I could feel every bit of how good it was. Now finish up in the shower and come get me. I want us to enjoy the next one together.

  Anshar got busy with the soap and finished up in record time.

  Twenty minutes later, he and Absu stood invisible in a doorway across the street from the red house.

  Lenore was aware the minute the pair arrived. She’d continued to hear everything going on in Anshar’s head and was heartened to know that he was hearing most of hers. The previous, all blocking thing that Dagon had earlier commanded, Anshar had likened to a radio station with lots of static, making it difficult to hear, but now that he was across the street, she was getting him loud and clear.

  Lenore? Absu and I are outside the house. Have you had any success thinking about escape?

  Yeah. I have. I’ve been working on it while you were in the shower sending me those…special moments. Lenore said it, impishly, on a channel that included Absu so that Anshar’s companion could tease him. She could feel the instant the redness moved up into Anshar’s cheeks.

  Gods, she loved making him blush. She didn’t give him a chance to reply. Hopefully I’ve found a way to defeat the perimeter barrier. I’ll know in a few minutes. My folks and I are attempting to dig through the stone foundation at the back of the house and tunnel up into the yard. All you have to do is keep an eye on the guard once we get close to breaking through.

  Can do. Just keep us up to date on your progress. Anshar must have turned to Absu because Lenore heard him speak to the other god. We could work around the outside ourselves and see if we can hasten their progress, he mused.

  I don’t think we can help, Absu replied. Enlil tried previously to breach the enclosure without success.

  From within, Lenore could feel Anshar’s impatience. She felt, through her connection to him, that he wanted to help, and that it was taking more time than she had originally anticipated to dig free. But they had to move one of the larger foundation stones in order to reach dirt, so he’d just have to tough it out. He was lucky that she’d found a likely area at the back of the house. A stone by the bulkhead appeared not too big for her to wrestle but large enough so that when displaced, she and her mom and gram should all be able to fit through the hole it left.