Enchantment

by Lawna Mackie

  Well, perhaps this could be payback for him. Maybe he’ll realize how badly he drives me crazy with need for him. This day suddenly got better.

  Smiling, she nodded to both men.

  Stryker and Catz exchanged looks and shook their heads at the same time.

  “Hate to interrupt the two of you, but we really should get started.” Stryker glanced at Kerrigan, and then back to Meeka. “Training,” he reinforced.

  Meeka cleared her throat and began looking around in all directions. “Impressive facility.” She found the jungle on the outskirts most intriguing. Stryker looked at her. “Didn’t sleep much, I see.”

  Meeka looked over her shoulder in Kerrigan’s direction. “I guess I had a lot on my mind.” “Let’s begin with the obstacle course.” Kerrigan shoulder-checked Stryker as he pointed to the left.

  The terrain appeared to be a course, heavily surrounded with branches, leaves, and vines. It would be near impossible to get through.

  “Are you up to making your way through that, Meeka? Perhaps it’s too difficult for you?” Stryker asked with a patronizing smile.

  What a jerk!

  He was purposely egging her on. Hell would literally freeze over before she ever backed down from one of his challenges. “It doesn’t look difficult, at all. It won’t be a problem.” Meeka spoke with a bravado she didn’t feel.

  “The course wraps around the perimeter, and as you can see, you’ll have to use your sword to blaze a trail around the course. You’ll encounter everything along the way, from water to climbing walls.” Kerrigan crossed his arms over his chest. “And since Stryker and I have already warmed up, you go on without us. Let’s see if you’re in as good a shape as you look,” he finished with a hungry grin.

  She shot daggers at him. “If this is all you got, it’s a disappointment.”

  Meeka knew exactly what she was doing as she slowly walked around Kerrigan and stopped a short distance away from him. Gracefully, she tilted her head back ever so slightly and let her hair fall about her body from side to side, swaying with its movement. Her locks tumbled freely to one side while she gathered it up into a ponytail.

  She slowly glided her hands over her legs, purposely dragging her nails over her bare skin. Adding a subtle shoulder roll, Meeka checked her bindings, leaning slightly forward to reveal a hint of cleavage. She giggled artlessly at the dribble of water trickling down her face to rest between her breasts. A shudder raced over her at the icy touch.

  Smirking, she eyed the two men, who gaped at her, jaws slack, eyes wide. With one final glance, she darted toward the overgrown path.

  * * * *

  Kerrigan’s mouth literally watered. He could almost feel his tongue sliding up again her slick skin, lapping the icy drips between her breasts. Her heady feminine scent rendered him motionless and spellbound. Then he realized Stryker was stunned, also. Growling deep in his throat, he shoved him sideways to break his stare.

  “Come on, Kerrigan, get off my back. You couldn’t expect me not to react to her performance. Both of you are going to kill one another if you don’t shag each other soon,” he said in disgust and stalked away.

  Kerrigan feared Stryker was right. How many times could he push his instincts down? The beast inside him wanted her in a way he couldn’t even describe. He was a dragon at heart, and unleashed passion could be deadly. There had been times when the beast reared its head, but in anger. He remembered the deaths of the demons he’d fought and eventually killed.

  In the distance, he watched Meeka’s athletic body slash at the vines and large, broad leaves. Catz was not far behind her, of course, the consummate chaperone.

  Kerrigan strode over to the shower built as part of the special room and stood directly under the nozzle. “Cold water on.”

  * * * *

  Meeka swore under her breath and swiped at the thick vines with her sword. She’d known this would be difficult, but seriously…what did he expect of her?

  Catz growled at her. “Well, what did you expect? And was the display you just made necessary?”

  Meeka all but yelled at her. “Stop acting like my mother!”

  The words no sooner left her mouth and she was ashamed of herself. The silence behind her told her she had hit home like a branding iron to the heart. She stopped slashing and whirled to face Catz. She couldn’t believe what she’d just said. She loved Catz.

  “I’m sorry, Catz. I didn’t mean that.” Meeka sighed in frustration. “I wish I could help. Let’s keep going. We’ll talk about it later.” She continued forging ahead. It was impossible to see anything.

  Whack. Whack. Keep swinging.

  She urged herself forward. An extra-large leaf blocked her vision, along with a tree she had to step over. Meeka ducked under the leaf, braced her arm on the log, and vaulted over. She landed flat on her back with a splat.

  Mud! She was covered with it. Fuming, she looking up at Catz from the stinking mud hole. Catz looked down at her from atop the dry log. “Meeka, are you okay?”

  “No! I’m not okay! Look at me! I’m covered with mud!” She tried to wipe the slimy stuff off her face and arms. “What’s the point of this exercise, anyway?” She sputtered with annoyance. “How can falling in a mud pit possibly teach me anything?”

  “Well, how are you going to get out of the pit?” Catz asked. “You’re going to help me.”

  “Cheating isn’t a good way to succeed. And I am way too fond of being clean. Meeka, what if somebody captured you and decided to keep you in a pit like this? You’d need to get out. I won’t always be there with you.”

  Meeka didn’t like her last statement. Tears came to her eyes. It bothered her more than the thought of being captured, but she couldn’t think about it right then.

  Get out, then ask her what she meant.

  The walls of the pit resembled a climbing wall, but the stones weren’t defined. It was dark, dank, and cold. Meeka wanted out of here. She imagined how terrified she would be if this were a prison.

  The problem was, her feet were muddy and wet, making her slip every time she started to climb the wall. “Catz, my feet are too slippery to climb out of here,” she said in exasperation.

  “Meeka, are you not capable of throwing fire balls and encasing your body with flames? Perhaps you might be able to steady yourself long enough on a rock to allow your powers to dry your feet, before you slip back into the mud each time.”

  “Easier said than done. I’ve never used my abilities unless I was extremely emotional.” “I think you better start practicing.”

  Meeka tried a few times and slipped back into the mud. “Catz, I can’t do this!”

  “Really? The Meeka I know wouldn’t give up. Since when do you give up at anything? Calm yourself, take some deep breaths, and speak to your inner power,” Catz instructed calmly.

  Frustrated, she did as Catz suggested. The first stone was quite large, enough for her to get her feet out of the mud. Precariously balancing on the stone, Meeka closed her eyes, took a breath, and slowed her breathing.

  She called on the heat beginning to fill the center of her stomach. Still calm, Meeka became one with her inner self. A brilliant light flowed through her veins. She asked for the heat to be generated out and through her limbs. Like watching butterflies whimsically fly in the summer sun, the light-turned-to-warmth spread through her limbs while she continued to concentrate.

  Satisfied, Meeka opened her eyes and looked down at her feet, which were now dry. Carefully she placed one foot up on a small piece of rock and reached for another with her hand.

  Meeka scaled to the top edge, grabbed hold of a vine and pulled herself back to the surface. At the top, she lay face-down and let out a sigh of relief.

  “Easy as pie?” Catz sat with her tail swishing back and forth.

  When she finally stumbled out at the other end, Meeka wasn’t sure how long it had taken her to complete the course. She’d climbed up vines, fallen down hills, swam across a river and, of course, escaped a m
ud pit. She couldn’t believe what she had just gone through. It was a full- fledged jungle back there, complete with a river, which you’d never know from where she stood right now. She stared down at her body. She was quite literally plastered with mud and dirt, and her hair must resemble a rat’s nest. So much for using her body as a weapon against Kerrigan.

  Clap. Clap. Clap.

  It was the first noise she’d heard since coming out of the retched jungle. Kerrigan and Stryker strolled towards her.

  “Congrats, Meeka.” Stryker grinned. “We were going to make bets you’d never finish the course. We thought the pit would have finished you before you got too far.”

  “Very funny,” Meeka replied with no humor in her voice. “It took you too long,” Kerrigan stated.

  Meeka snarled at him. “Why don’t you go drown yourself in the river back there?”

  “Well, I’m sure you’re warmed up now, anyway. Are you ready to start with the rest of the training,” Stryker asked.

  Meeka’s temper was revved up again. “Bring it on.”

  “Good. You and I sparred quite a bit yesterday, so today I’d like you to train with Kerrigan, and I’ll guide you along the way to help improve your skills. We’ll start in the center field.” The three of them made their way across the grass with Catz on their heels. “Begin when you are both ready,” Stryker said.

  “I’m ready if pretty boy is,” Meeka taunted.

  Kerrigan was so quick, she didn’t even see it coming as he reached out with one long leg and swept her feet out from under her. With a thump, she landed on her butt.

  “You’re not ready.”

  The fight was on, and Meeka swore silently, she’d pay him back for the underhanded trick.

  They were caught up in a warrior’s dance, thrusting, slashing, blocking, and tumbling. She was holding her own. Kerrigan delivered blow after blow. She should have been knocked her to her knees, but she blocked and struck back.

  Stryker whistled sharply. Gradually, the two came to a halt, laboring for breath.

  “I didn’t think you two were enemies, but the way you’re fighting, I’d guess you were,” Stryker commented, a clear jab at Kerrigan. “Perhaps she could take over your job as the Enforcer.”

  Kerrigan spoke with uneven breaths. “I’m not the one who got my ass kicked yesterday. As I recall, it was you.”

  “Yeah, yeah, laugh it up. We’ll see how you fare with the next portion of our training.” He handed Meeka a cup of water.

  Meeka shrugged at Stryker’s taunt. Pouring the water over her, she shivered at the icy tendrils skidding down her body. The strangled moan from across the field drew her up short.

  Oh, my. What do I look like?

  “Now, Meeka, I want you to use your powers, but instead of fueling them by hatred like yesterday, channel them strategically. Don’t use them to destroy, but use them to defend and block Kerrigan’s advances.”

  She tried not to smirk. She wanted Kerrigan’s advances, but not in the form of fighting. But silliness aside, she didn’t want to use her powers. She’d almost killed Stryker before.

  The others must have seen the apprehension on her face. Catz sauntered up in front of Meeka and sat down.

  “Sit with me for a minute.” Catz patted the ground beside her with a front paw. She sank to her knees in front of Catz.

  Catz spoke in a soft, reassuring voice. “Meeka, you don’t have the ability to harm anyone you care about. Your heart is too pure. It isn’t in you to do such a thing. Yes, you have the ability to destroy, but you would never unleash it unless you or a loved one was in danger. Trust me, Meeka; I would not guide you astray. Trust your heart. In order to wield great power, you must be one with the power.”

  “I wish I could just go back to being the old Meeka.” She instantly realized what she’d said. “Just the old Meeka without the powers.”

  “It is an honor the gods chose to bestow upon you such a gift. I know you will never cause harm without great reason, but you must learn the extent of your powers.”

  Meeka wanted to continue this talk, but not in front of Stryker, and especially not in front of Kerrigan. She reached up and hugged Catz, who purred loudly.

  The tears formed in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. “I do trust you, Catz. If you think I can do this, then I’m going to give it a shot.” Casting a glance at Kerrigan, Meeka felt her heart stutter. “Maybe then he won’t hold back so much.”

  “That’s my girl.”

  * * * *

  Rolling her shoulders, Meeka marveled at the array of colors in the flames she could summon. From red to purple, each had a strength, a weakness, and as the tests progressed, she realized, a meaning. Red, she discovered, meant anger, and was difficult to penetrate. Orange was a cooler flame that came about when she was mildly annoyed. Purple was a playful flame, and would actually chase things if she summoned it. The two colors Meeka couldn’t demonstrate on the training field were the fluorescent pink and blue. Those colors had only shown themselves when she had been alone with Kerrigan. She also realized the sparkles she had started with must have been from her inability to use the flames properly. The one power she hadn’t used yet today was mind control—her most powerful ability.

  Stryker whistled, commanding her attention again. “We have one power left to explore. Your ability to force your will on others.”

  “I don’t like it.” Meeka shifted, unease flaring inside her. It was the one power she tried hardest to ignore, the one that gave her the most nightmares.

  “You must learn it, Meeka; you cannot be afraid of yourself,” Stryker said firmly. “This time, when you and Kerrigan fight, nothing is off limits. I expect you to practice everything you have learned today and also try to control him with your mind.”

  “It won’t be easy,” Kerrigan interjected.

  Before Kerrigan knew what happened, Meeka sent a playful flame sizzling through the air, flipping Kerrigan’s sword out of his hand.

  She laughed at him. “Two can play your game.” She smirked.

  “I don’t play games, little girl,” Kerrigan ground out, reaching down to pick up his sword. “If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen,” Meeka taunted.

  The thrashing erupted once more. Kerrigan was coming on hard—harder than their first practice. He brought his sword up and then crashing down as she blocked his blow. Meeka stumbled a tiny bit backward, but Kerrigan kept advancing with renewed and unforgiving blows.

  She shuddered, unsure, but decided she needed a bit of extra space. Pooling her concentration, she summoned an orange ball of flame and flew it straight for his feet. They tangled his ankles, and Kerrigan lurched forward and fell to the ground. But a brief second later, he had sprung back to his feet.

  “Touché, precious.”

  Putting his advancement aside, she whirled. Her steps sure, her booted foot connected with the thick, hard trunk of a massive tree. Using her momentum, Meeka grabbed the largest hanging vine and kicked off. A smirk crossed her lips when he grunted as her foot hit him squarely in the chest.

  She was unsure of the look in his eyes. Maybe it had been a mistake. She climbed higher up the vine and began to swing through the large area, heading for the jungle. He couldn’t be too far behind her, but perhaps she could lose him in the foliage. Meeka reached the trees and moved deeper into the tropical maze. She was surrounded by dead silence. Nothing moved or stirred, including her. “Maybe this wasn’t your smartest idea, Meeka. Catz isn’t here, and this place is creepy. Head back to the open field; it’s safer.”

  Overwhelmed, out of breath, Meeka slowly crawled her way down a tree. Quietly, she planted her feet on the ground, with her back pressed up again the tree trunk, and slid her hand down the side of her leg until her fingers touched her knife. She laid her head back against the bark and closed her eyes. Her chest burned from the exertion.

  Like a streak of lightning, a long, lethal knife blade appeared at her throat. “Drop the knife, Meeka,” he raspe
d, panting in her ear.

  Her knife slipped to the jungle floor.

  “Don’t move one little hair on your beautiful body.”

  He moved with the grace of a panther, coming around to face her, his knife still poised at her throat. “You broke a warrior’s number-one rule, Meeka. Never let your guard down.” Kerrigan taunted, his breathing ragged, harsh, “You’re just a girl, anyway. You could never be a true warrior.”

  * * * *

  Kerrigan traced the tip of his blade down her slender throat and leisurely into the valley between her lovely breasts.

  He felt the thrust when she entered his mind. She was so compelling. Kerrigan immediately threw up a block to prevent her penetrating further. One by one, she knocked them over, until he couldn’t stop her intrusion.

  Nose to nose with her, lust raced through his veins, mating with fear. His hand started to shake. He was in trouble. She was overpowering his mind, his control. His fingers loosened their grip on the knife, and sweat poured down his face. Desperately, he tried to battle her control as his vision clouded and the knife tumbled from his hand.

  His weapon gone, Kerrigan shifted, pushing against her magic. She inched down the tree, and he growled low when she darted around him. He spun, and his arm slid around her waist, one leg tucking behind her knee. She went sprawling to the ground. Kerrigan followed her down and pinned her to the jungle floor with her arms above her head.

  “You’re a clever little witch, aren’t you? I told you I don’t play games.” His lips descended on hers with brutal force. He was feral with need. His tongue plunged deep inside her mouth, tasting her sweetness. His madness consumed him. The only thing existing at this moment was her soft body stretched out beneath his.

  He had to touch her, to taste the succulent temptation she’d become. She squirmed beneath him, driving him wild. His cock pulsed with pent-up desire in a painful ache. The dragon inside him raged as magic swirled around them.

  His head dipped to the hollows of her neck. His sharp teeth scraped the soft flesh of her neck. She gasped, arching her body off the ground, pressing herself harder into his demanding touch.