Dawn of a Dark Knight

by Zoe Forward

He faced her and grated out, “Needs? And you think he can do it for you?”

  His irises swirled furiously with black sludge. She sensed he barely contained a spiraling violence. His gaze scanned her face, but locked on her lips. Without warning, his lips attacked hers.

  The intrinsic power of his body, the viciousness she knew him capable of, and his wildness—they should scare her, but, wow, this guy knew how to use his mouth. And tasted amazing.

  His ferocity took a sharp left turn into sensual. His dominating tongue slowed the pace. A large hand cradled her neck just behind her ears and stroked, sending chills down her spine. His other hand started a slow southward descent. Desire for what this kiss promised ignited every neuron in her body, building sensation until nothing mattered, except that he not stop.

  Somewhere in the recesses of her mind, it registered: He was doing it! Finally kissing her. The wait had been worth it.

  Ashor hadn’t meant to do this. But the primal male in him needed her to know that no one else could come close to this. To the elemental, gods-fated mind-blowing chemistry. She was his, and she dared consider another?

  The rational part of his mind screamed: Stop! According to the gods’ mandate this was wrong.

  He groaned in satisfaction when she arced into his hand on her breast. She fist-locked his hair, pulling him close as if desperate to eliminate every bit of air between them.

  He was on an uncontrolled skid down the slope of crazy desire. With a yank, he separated his lips from hers. The brutal need to mark and possess every inch of her perfect skin had him biting his lip. Stinging pain helped clear his head. A bit.

  Why would the gods fuck him over like this? Deny him this?

  He gazed out the windshield, struggling to put a lid on the crazy. To draw some of the blood from between his legs and back into his body. The feel of her soft fingers on the back of his neck sent shock waves down his spine. He was going to lose this battle. Retreat was his best option. The energy from her body arced toward him and embraced. She tempted and teased. He was going in for another taste, consequences be damned. There was no way she wasn’t going to know exactly to whom her body belonged. How dare she sleep with another man? How could she stand for another to touch her?

  She grasped the solid muscles of his upper arms and leaned toward him.

  The piercing ring of the cell phone shattered the silence.

  Ashor grabbed the phone and barked into it, “What?”

  “It’s Ethan. You close to the airport? Eric phoned and said you found some excitement. We’ve got local authorities beating down on us. I’d say we’ve got about twenty minutes before they ground and search us.”

  “We’ll be there in fifteen.” Ashor awkwardly shifted back into his seat and pulled back onto the road.

  Resting her head on the headrest, with closed eyes she asked, “Where are we headed?”

  “Airport.”

  Her eyes popped open and she sat up straight. “I can’t leave yet. I’ve got to return to the city and find Markus.”

  “Who is Markus? Is this another boyfriend?”

  “If I said yes, would it lead to another delay?” she asked with eyebrows raised in feigned innocence.

  He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. “He the one that got you into this mess?”

  She released her hair and started rebraiding. “Yep. He always thinks his black-market art deals will go differently, but they all end in a mess. Like the other night in Jacksonville. Were you really there?”

  “What? You think I hologrammed myself into your path or something?”

  “I just…I wasn’t sure if I hallucinated you or something.”

  “Let’s just say four new daemons are running around the Middle Realm from my being there.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “I took out four Hashishins. The soul of any human stupid enough to tamper with black magik gets trapped as a daemon in the Middle Realm when killed. That’s the Egyptian equivalent of purgatory. Why do you help this Markus person, if his deals always go poorly?”

  “If he went alone, he’d never have survived this long. He’s my cousin and all the family I’ve got, other than his brother, Kane, which means if he asks, I’ll help when needed.”

  “It’s not safe for you to search for him. I’m sure that Hashishin isn’t the only one interested in getting you back.”

  “You’re probably right.”

  “What were you doing in New York City?”

  “I’ll tell you, if you explain what’s going on with this telepathy thing. Can all you guys talk to each other like this? It’s cool, but it’s going to take some getting used to.”

  After a long moment, he replied, “No. Only with you.”

  “Why me and you? I don’t get it.”

  He shifted in his seat and ran a hand over his face. “It means we’re spiritually bonded.”

  “Bonded? What exactly does that mean?”

  “Connected. This shouldn’t be news to you.”

  To her silent shocked look, he said, “Ask yourself why you entered the Hashishin compound all those years ago to find someone you’d never met. Or explain how you were able to torment me these past few years with those dreams? Don’t get me wrong. They were pretty damn hot. That was a new one in the steam room. Something must have distracted you, because I’m interested to know where it was going.” A smile tugged the corners of his mouth upward.

  “You did not experience those! Not possible.” She flushed beet red and put a hand over her eyes.

  “Sweetheart, that thing you did to me in the beach sequence while dressed in my Roman soldier uniform last month makes me hard every time I think of it.” He suppressed a laugh. “Don’t be embarrassed. They surprised me, but were…” He paused melodramatically to look at her with a suggestive smile. “Inspiring.”

  “Crap.”

  “Tell me what kind of art deal brought you here?”

  She sighed and rested her head on the seat back to stare at the SUV’s suede ceiling.

  “Markus was in New York to acquire an item. He often facilitates the sale of ancient art in off-the-record deals. It didn’t go quite as expected with this seller, not that it ever does with these things Markus arranges. Those guys you killed abducted us right after we met the seller.”

  “What kind of art piece?”

  “It was an amulet. We were taken before the transaction was completed.”

  “What did this amulet look like?”

  “The guy trying to sell it called it the Anukrati amulet. Does that mean anything to you?”

  “Yes.”

  “It does have to do with you guys. I thought so. What is it?”

  “What did it seem like to you?”

  “It had the magi symbol on it and looked ancient, but I don’t know what it was for. Is it like that bracelet the guy at the hospital forced me to take?”

  “No. Did you get the amulet?” Please, say yes.

  “The seller got spooked and took off before we could complete the deal. What’s special about the bracelet then?”

  Should he disclose this? If she was the akhrian, then she would eventually need to know.

  Kira added, “I promise I’ll keep the info to myself.”

  “This is not for public knowledge. Each of us is given a totem like the wristband when the gods do their little induction ceremony. These items aren’t the source of our power, but they play an important role. Way back in the beginning, there were ten such items—one for each magus. Only nine still exist. The tenth has been missing for a long time, but it isn’t the amulet. Each time we reincarnate and reenter this life, we get the totem back. We keep the unclaimed totems safe.”

  “What happened to the tenth?”

  “Our enemies discovered if a totem is destroyed, then we can’t come back. It disappeared centuries ago, and the magi of that time were convinced it was destroyed. I’m not so sure. The gods made them. So, I don’t know that humans can destroy them. I think it w
as hidden.”

  “How many of you are there?”

  “Seven active.”

  “With the wristband, can’t you get a new guy to fill his spot?”

  “We may be able to now.” Because we have you.

  “Why not just get rid of the Hashishins? Wouldn’t it cut down on the workload?”

  Ashor shifted uneasily in his seat. “We’re not supposed to do that. Our purpose is to clean up the messes they release. Daemons. It has to do with balance. Daemons aren’t supposed to be here in this realm.” Though, if he found the current summoner, he’d feel no guilt in terminating the guy’s ass.

  “What’s so special about that amulet?”

  “The gods gave it to us. To aid our healer.”

  At that moment, they turned into the airport and headed for an enclosed hangar.

  “You have a private plane? I wasn’t kidding when I said I can’t leave here yet.”

  He didn’t reply as he pulled the SUV into the hangar. Once out of the car, he grabbed her elbow and dragged her toward the mid-sized jet. Several men crowded around the entry stairs.

  Ashor ordered, “Christian, take care of this.”

  Christian directed a charming smile at the three men in official uniforms. He waved his hand at them and drawled, “Gentlemen, why don’t we step over here. I’m sure we can come to an understanding.” As if entranced, the men followed mutely in the direction of their minivan.

  Ashor noticed Kira leaning in Christian’s direction. Even she can’t resist the gigolo’s charm. Irritated, he grabbed her hand and towed her up the plane’s stairs.

  The interior was luxurious, yet comfortable, in earth tones, leather, and wood. Ethan reclined in one of the oversized leather seats, dozing.

  Eric’s kid, Scott, sat in the back. As usual, his eyes were glued to a laptop screen. Scott’s newest irregular haircut might be the in-thing, according to him, but Ashor thought it was asking too much of his limp blond hair.

  Kira asked, “How do you guys afford this?”

  “Navid had some precog ability that gave us some good investment pointers. He’s the guy that didn’t make it at the hospital.”

  “I am sorry about his death, but isn’t using precog cheating?”

  “Perhaps a bit.” Ashor smiled.

  Christian bounded up the stairs and pulled the hatch closed. He grinned with an air of playful exuberance.

  “We’re good to go. Hey, what happened to the SUV? The rental company will be pissed. We’ll buy them another one, but still a waste of a nice car.”

  “Eric said Ashor ran into a little trouble on his way back,” Ethan grumbled, maintaining his shut-eye.

  “Javen, it’s all yours. Get us out of here,” Ashor yelled toward the cockpit.

  Javen waved and started the engine.

  Christian halted on his way to the bar at the front of the plane. He openly gaped at Ashor, who was shirtless in his leather coat.

  “How did you heal that fast?” His gaze shifted suspiciously to Kira. “She do her thing again?”

  Ashor ignored Christian and said to Kira, “You should sit.”

  “Should I buckle in and review the safety information as well? Or do we have a little stewardess to go through the safety instructions?” she tossed back, obviously nervous.

  “If there’s any safety information that would help if this tin can crashed, I’d be surprised,” Ashor commented dryly.

  “Is that guy at least certified to fly this thing?”

  “Perhaps.”

  “What’s that smell?” Kira looked toward the cockpit. “The pilot is smoking marijuana!”

  “Helps him fly better.” Ashor resisted the urge to smile at her indignant pose.

  “Well, he’s definitely flying high somewhere,” she retorted crossly and plumped into one of the overstuffed chairs. “Can’t someone sober fly this thing?”

  “No. Don’t worry, he’s only crashed once.”

  Ethan grunted, “Twice. Don’t forget that time last year when Nate’s electrical ability went haywire. We had to swim Lake Erie in the middle of winter. Damned miserable experience, to say the least.”

  “Thanks, Eth. Really helpful,” Ashor said, rolling his eyes.

  “You guys might be virtually immortal, but I’m not. I do not want to die in a plane crash.”

  “He’ll get us there. Don’t worry.”

  “There? Where is that, exactly?”

  Ashor suggested softly, “Relax and buckle in. Want a drink? Might help you chill out.”

  Kira shook her head.

  Once in the air, which only took a few minutes, she asked, “Ash, could I make use of the facilities, please? Is there perhaps a shower on board?”

  “It’s toward the back. Be my guest.”

  As soon as she closed the bathroom door, Ethan asked, “Ash? I’ve never heard anyone get away with that.”

  “Start, and I’ll ram my katar up your ass.”

  Ethan pointed at Ashor’s healed injuries. “What’s going on?”

  Christian chimed in, “She’s super hot. Great ass. Is she a free agent?”

  “For gods’ sake, stop thinking with your dick,” Ethan complained.

  Ashor leaned toward Christian and loosed the rein on the territorial anger roaring through him. He placed a restraining hand on Christian’s neck and said in a low, threatening tone, “No.”

  Christian’s eyes widened at the unexpected threat. His hands went up. “Hands will stay off. She’s all yours.”

  Ashor let go and fell into a seat. His eyelids fell closed, and he rested his head against the seatback. “It’s complicated, Eth.”

  “Isn’t it always with women?”

  Ashor released a sigh that communicated irritation, frustration, and a short supply of patience. “She knows nothing about our need for the akhrian. She’s a medical doctor, but obviously has a gift for the type of non-traditional medicine that we need.”

  Christian said, “This is great. Now we can get new recruits. Well, once we get the amulet back, of course. How did you know where she was?”

  Ashor’s mind stalled on the image of her touching another magus in healing, especially Christian. He clenched his jaw as resentment spiked. Darkness swirled in his mind. Swallowing convulsively, he struggled to suppress the murderous urges the kem-seki suggested.

  He had to distance himself from her. She belonged to all of them, not to him exclusively. This extraordinary woman was off limits. Somehow, he must resist the lure of hormones, chemistry, and fated bonding. If he didn’t, the gods’ wrath over rule-breaking might extend to her.

  Chapter Fifteen

  “Terek, he got her. Shaitan got her. I couldn’t fight him.”

  “Mahmud. Your incompetence is disgraceful.”

  “I’m sorry, sir, but Shaitan was guarding her.”

  “Utter that nickname one more time, and I’ll make you the centerpiece of our next gathering. Did you find out anything from Markus Langford?”

  “Not yet. We’ve still got him. We separated the two of them. Nigil wanted to work over the girl at his cousin’s place on Long Island while I worked on Markus in New York. He’s dead. Nigil, that is.”

  “At least he did one smart thing before dying. Did you find out anything from him about the amulet or her?”

  “We only questioned him about the amulet. Both Markus and the girl claimed they never got it.”

  “Find out everything about her from him. Kill him if you must. Kira Hardy has become our top priority.” Terek disconnected the call.

  ****

  Kira gingerly palpated her nose in front of the bathroom mirror. No crunching or cracking. Good. Not broken, although the swelling made her sound stuffed up. If only she had a bit of concealer, then she could mask the bruise over her cheek.

  Lifting her shirt revealed a fairly deep gash in her shoulder that needed sutures, but would heal without. However, the scar would be unattractive.

  The wrist laceration was barely a scratch. Under
the influence of that poison, she’d thought they were sawing her hand off.

  Sliding onto the floor near the metal toilet, Kira propped her head in her hands. What a mess.

  Markus might be dead. Even if he somehow escaped, she’d put both her cousins in jeopardy. Somehow, she had to convince them that these Hashishins were a serious threat. Then, she would go into hiding.

  Doubtless the Hashishins had her on their hit list. She’d be lucky to sense them before the fatal knife strike hit.

  Then there was Ashor. On the one hand, he was a terrifying killer. On the other, the guy quite simply put the sex in sexy. He kicked her body into hormone overdrive, shutting off logic whenever she looked at him. Dangerous.

  Somehow, he had dogged her mind as a fantasy focal point for years, and apparently he knew. God, how mortifying to discover he shared those dreams. Had he actively participated in the dreams? If so, it would explain why recent dreams had progressed into erotic scenarios she had never even contemplated as possible.

  Her eyes itched. With gentle manipulation, she pulled out the contacts. Right now, the grit of the past three days had priority. Pulling herself off the floor, she went to examine the shower. How did one of those brick shithouse warriors fit into this cramped stall? No problem for her, though. Afterwards, she found a comb in one of the drawers beneath the mirror to brush out her wet hair. She left it down instead of rebraiding it. In another drawer, she found a small emergency kit. Using the gauze and tape, she bandaged her hand and shoulder.

  As she exited the bathroom, the three magi conversed quietly with their backs to her. She slipped into the seat next to the blond kid who typed madly on his laptop.

  “Hi. I’m Kira. So, what’s got them worked up?”

  “You.” The kid shoved shaggy yellow bangs out of his eyes to glance briefly in the direction of the low, intense voices.

  “You the IT expert?” she said somewhat jokingly and nodded at the computer. She could tell he wasn’t a magus.

  “Well, you wouldn’t expect those dinosaurs to know much about technology, would you? They’re all into weapons, training, and that ‘energy’ focus thing called seichim, but when it comes to moving into the technological age, forget it.”

  “Are you playing a game or something?”