by G. K. DeRosa
We were fighting without magic now, which always put me at a disadvantage. Ryder had almost a hundred pounds of pure muscle on me. My only hope of defeating him was my speed and agility. Luckily, I’d gotten pretty quick.
“Nice,” said Ryder as he spun around to attack once again.
I threw out my gloved fist, hitting the side of his jaw and he actually winced. A few drops of blood dribbled down his chin, and a wicked smile curled his lips. “That was a good hit, mini minx. I actually felt that.”
Taking advantage of my lead, I punched him in the gut then went for my signature roundhouse.
Mistake. He saw it coming and grabbed my ankle before it reached his shoulder. Spinning me around, he held onto my foot and twisted. A scream tore out of my throat as he finally released me, and I fell face first into the lush lawn.
“Son of a demon,” I muttered as I spat out the crunchy green blades. Pushing myself up, I curled into a sitting position to examine my ankle. “Were you trying to break it?” I snarled.
He hovered over me, the hint of a smile playing on his lips. “You’ll see that your foot is perfectly fine. I just wanted to teach you a lesson. Don’t be lazy. You use the exact same move on me every time.”
“Because I’m good at it.”
“It won’t matter if your opponent sees it coming.”
Jerk. Wiggling my ankle, I confirmed there was no permanent damage. The intense shot of pain had completely vanished. If I weren’t so pissed at him, I would’ve asked how he did it. It felt like it had been yanked right out of the socket.
Glancing up from my foot, I found his knees at my eyelevel. He wanted to see something new? I’d show him something new. I leapt up, wrapping my arms around his legs using the full brunt of my weight to knock him off his feet.
I caught him completely off guard, and he hit the warm grass with a ground-shaking thud. Before he could bounce back up, I jumped on top of him, pinning him to the lawn with my thighs. Throwing my hands up, I fist pumped the air triumphantly. “Winner!” I shouted as I chucked my gloves to the ground.
Dark eyes glared up at me. “That wasn’t a new move, that was just cheating.”
“Whatever. I got you on your back, and that’s all that matters.” I threw him a huge grin.
“You’re very proud of yourself, aren’t you?”
“I am.”
His hands wrapped around the back of my thighs, and my head spun for a second before my back hit the ground. My jaw hung open as a pair of piercing onyx eyes lingered over me.
“Not fair!” I squealed.
Ryder dropped down lower, his chest pressing into mine with each inhale. A smug grin lit up his face, revealing that devastating dimple. “What’s not fair about it? I saw my opening, and I took it.”
“I’ll never be able to beat you,” I huffed. “No matter how strong I get, you’ll always be stronger.”
“Which is why I’ve told you that you can’t rely on your ability to overpower your opponent—at least not physically.”
“True.” Splaying my hands on his chest, I muttered, “Volarem.”
Ryder’s eyes widened as an invisible energy lifted him off my chest. “Luna!” he shouted. I smirked as I flicked my wrist and sent him soaring backward.
I decided a cool dip in the pool was just what my hotheaded instructor needed. Ryder’s flailing body hit the crystalline water with a monster splash. I darted over to the pool just in time to find him cursing and spluttering water.
I loomed over him with a satisfied grin.
He popped up from beneath the surface and shook his head, sending cool droplets of water in every direction. “You weren’t supposed to be using magic.”
“As I recall, an instructor I once had told me that when faced with a demon baddie, I should use whatever resources I had available.”
A rueful grin spread his lips as he swam to the edge of the pool. “What a moron.”
“He’s okay, sometimes.”
“Just remember that.” His hand shot out of the water and wrapped around my ankle.
I screamed, scrambling for purchase on the slippery deck, but my legs came out from under me. The cool water enveloped me in its crisp embrace as I sank down to the bottom.
I couldn’t remember the last time I’d swam in a pool. Flashes of Drake and I at the mystical Fae meadow filled my mind. The small pond was only a few feet deep, but it had been the last time I’d been swimming. It felt like a lifetime ago, and it had barely been two months. My relationship with the ice prince had been intense but fleeting, much like a powerful blizzard.
A hand reached out for me beneath the clear blue depths, and I wrapped my fingers around it. Ryder pulled me to the surface, his dark brows furrowed as he took a breath. “What were you doing down there for so long? I was getting worried.”
“Sorry, just thinking. The water is so perfect. I got lost in the moment.”
“So throwing you in the pool wasn’t a punishment as it was meant to be?”
“Nope, sorry, sucker.” I threw my head back and floated across the water, all the tension seeping out from my shoulder blades.
A wave crashed over me, and I inhaled a big lungful of pool water. I coughed and spluttered as a big hand bobbed my head underwater. I shot back up and pounced, wrapping my legs around Ryder’s torso to try and drag him down with me. But it was no use. It was like trying to move a boulder.
He laughed as I struggled, bearing all my weight down on his shoulders trying to sink him to no avail. “You might as well give up now, mini minx. There’s no way you’re taking me down.”
His arms snaked around my waist as he tried to pry me off. But I was hanging on like a baby monkey, my thighs tight around his middle. “Luna…” he growled, his tone an octave lower than normal.
I met his eyes, and a flash of citrine streaked through the darkness.
Oh. Uncoiling my legs from his torso, I slid down his chest and met a very hard portion of his anatomy. Oh! “Sorry!” I mumbled as I scrambled off him and put some distance between us.
His cheeks rosied, and he ran a hand through his wild, wet hair. “Don’t be sorry. You didn’t do anything wrong. It’s just my body that doesn’t understand we can’t be together.”
All the fun lightheartedness from a moment ago vanished. My shoulders sagged, my chest caving in on itself. Why did it always come to this with Ryder? I quickly swam past him headed for the stairs.
“Luna?”
I didn’t turn around until I was out of the water, my wet tank top and shorts clinging to my damp body. “I need to change…”
He grunted as he headed toward the edge of the pool and jumped out. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. I didn’t think…” He grabbed some towels from a chest against the back wall of the house. Inching closer, he wrapped the plush cloth around my shoulders. A crisp breeze blew by and my teeth chattered, or maybe it was just Ryder’s proximity. He ran his hands up and down my arms to warm me.
“I’m okay,” I finally said, taking a much-needed step back. “I’m going to head inside and take a hot shower.”
He nodded, his fingers still lingering on my wet skin.
I spun away before it was too late, before I got hopelessly sucked into Ryder once again. Demon be damned. Ducking into the house, a swirl of emotions battered my chest. Ryder had made it so clear that we could never be together and yet… It felt like we were right back where we started.
Chapter 13
I tossed and turned like a madwoman, the neon green glare of the clock on the bedside table taunting me. Two in the morning and my brain still wouldn’t settle. I’d briefly fallen asleep around midnight only to be awoken by vivid nightmares of Luxora. I was in the Underworld, and I was as evil as the warlord herself. Dark energy consumed me, and the ashy taste still lingered in my mouth.
I swallowed a few times, but the sticky dryness prevailed. I needed water. Shoving the comforter back, I slid to the edge of the bed and hopped down. Running my hand along th
e pristine white walls of the hallway, I passed Ryder’s room. His door was open, and I could just make out his steady breathing from beneath the big lump on the bed. I only paused in the doorway for a second, the sound of his breaths oddly comforting. Forcing my feet forward, I found my way to the staircase in the darkness, not wanting to turn the lights on and risk waking him.
Downstairs, I slipped into the kitchen and found the last bottle of water in the refrigerator. If my lockdown continued for much longer, we’d have to make a run into the town square for supplies. Somehow, my magically conjured food never tasted as good as the real stuff.
I gulped down the water, and the ashy taste finally dissipated. Too bad it didn’t erase the vivid memories of my nightmare along with it. It felt so real. The scariest part was how much I’d liked the power. Echoes of the dark energy still rolled over my skin, prickling my flesh.
Shaking my head, I dislodged the dark thoughts from my mind. It’s never happening. I threw the bottle of water in the trash and headed back up the stairs. My legs were heavy and sluggish as I trudged up the steps. I was obviously tired; I just couldn’t get my mind to stop spinning.
I turned the corner into the dark hallway and crashed into a wall. Nope. Not a wall. Warm arms came around my waist to steady me as I pressed into a familiar bare chest.
“Sorry,” we mumbled in unison.
He released me, and I couldn’t keep my eyes from roaming over his perfectly sculpted torso. His muscled chest tapered down into his chiseled abs and the deep V indentation disappeared into the waistband of his tight boxer briefs.
My mouth went dry. Again. Now I regretted not saving some of that water.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
I forced my eyes up to meet his. “Yeah, just couldn’t sleep. Bad nightmare.”
His lips pressed together. “I know a lot about those. You want to talk about it?”
I shook my head, keeping my eyes trained to his so they wouldn’t wander down his swirling tattoos. “Nah, I should probably just try to get back to sleep.”
“Okay.” He moved to the side to let me pass, but my shoulder still brushed by his arm as I did. Tiny sparks of electricity ignited over my flesh everywhere we touched.
My breath hitched, and a low growl rumbled in his massive chest. Every nerve in my body screamed at me to go back, but I forced my legs forward. When I reached my room, I closed the door behind me and leaned against the dark timber. Sucking in a few haggard breaths, I willed my erratic heartbeats to slow.
A faint rustle on the other side of the door sent them racing once more. Pressing my ear against the timber, the unmistakable sound of breathing seeped through the wood.
Sinking down to the plush carpeting, I leaned against the door, the steady whisper of breath calming my heart and mind. After a while, my lids drooped and exhaustion finally won over.
I dreamt again, only this time it was a good dream. Warm arms surrounded me, cocooning me against a firm chest. The hard floor was replaced by a soft bed, and I sank deeper into sleep.
When I awoke the next morning, the scent of sandalwood lingered on my pillow. I buried my nose into it, savoring the musky perfume. The door to my room was ajar, which was weird because I could’ve sworn I’d closed it. Flashes of the night before crossed my mind. Did I fall asleep on the floor? How’d I get into bed?
The clock on the bedside table caught my eye and drew me away from my random thoughts. It was almost ten. I never slept in that late. My stomach grumbled, reminding me we desperately needed to make a trip into town. Scurrying off the bed, I dipped into the bathroom before heading downstairs.
As I descended the steps, the savory scent of crispy bacon and eggs wafted up the hallway. My stomach growled again. I reached the kitchen, and my eyes bugged out. Ryder stood at the stove in a “Kiss the Cook” apron, a pair of bright red lips painted right over the lower portion of his anatomy.
I rolled my eyes as a laugh tumbled out. “You cook?”
“Cook would be an overstatement, but I do know how to fry up some bacon and eggs.”
“You went to the grocery store?”
“Nope. I knocked on Garrix’s neighbors’ door and asked if I could borrow some supplies. A pair of witch sisters by the way—super friendly. They found me completely charming and irresistible.”
“I bet.”
He grabbed some plates from the cabinet and set them down on the marble island. “Sit. Everything’s almost ready.”
I hopped up on the barstool as I watched him serve the fluffy eggs and perfectly crisped bacon. I was beyond impressed.
“Bon appetit.” He placed the dish in front of me, and my mouth watered. Beside the bacon and eggs was a flaky croissant slathered in butter. The delicious scents filled my nostrils as I licked my lips and dug in.
“Oh my God,” I groaned after swallowing the first mouthful. “It’s ah-mazing.”
A broad smile stretched across his face as he sat down beside me. “That was one thing my mom insisted I learned: how to make breakfast for a lady.”
I chuckled. “Figures. She knew you and your love for the ladies well, huh?”
“I did live with her throughout my teenage years.”
I made a gagging sound. “Please don’t ruin my breakfast with images of your female conquests.”
He laughed as he took a big bite of his croissant. “You kind of remind me of her.”
My mouth dropped, and I almost spit out a delicious bite of eggs. “One of your teenage girlfriends?”
“No. My mom.”
“Oh.” My cheeks rosied. “I hope that’s a good thing.” I remembered his mom seeming pretty cool from her short cameo on Hitched.
“It is. She’s my number one lady.” He grinned, his eyes taking on a faraway expression. “She’s been bugging me to go visit for a while now. After I went MIA for those months, she was worried. Luckily, Cillian covered for me, but she knew something was up.”
I nodded, chewing my food slowly. “You should go see her. Maybe it would do you some good.”
“I will, once things settle down.”
The front door swung open, and I nearly jumped out of my seat. Ryder zipped across the room so quickly he was nothing but a dark blur.
“Relax, demon, it’s me.” Garrix filled the doorway in his impeccable navy suit. “Unfortunately, there’s not much time for pleasantries. The Coven Council has requested our appearance once again. They’ve come to a decision.”
I spent the entire morning in the council’s chambers showing off my powers. From opening portals, to skinwalking, to basic spells and defensive magic, they’d made me run the entire gambit. Per Garrix’s instructions, I held back as much as possible. He didn’t want them knowing how strong my abilities actually were. According to him, there was no hiding what I could do, but its actual potency was something I could keep to myself.
The four Coven Council members kept their expressions completely blank as I shot bolts of mystical energy, fire, and even shards of ice from my fingertips. Nothing seemed to impress them or scare them, which I took as a good sign. When the source of my magic began to flicker, I asked for a break.
“How much longer will she be required to put on this magical display?” Garrix asked.
“Until we say,” answered Malaki.
My father narrowed his eyes at his rival. “Serafine, please. As you can see, Luna exhibits all the mystical traits of any other warlock. Further testing is unnecessary. What more do you want to see?”
“I’d like to see her defend herself against an actual attacker,” Malaki interjected.
“Are you volunteering?” I seared him with my best glare. This guy was really starting to piss me off.
A faint chuckle tumbled from Garrix’s lips before he slipped his expressionless mask back on. “If you’d like, you can speak to her combat instructor from Darkhen Academy. He can vouch for her defensive abilities better than anyone else.”
“We’re expected to take the word of a demon?” M
alaki hissed. “A recently relapsed one, nonetheless?”
A wave of murmurs rolled through the council.
“Malaki is right,” said Gwinith. “Seeing her magic in a realistic setting is the only way to truly see what she’s capable of.”
“What are you suggesting exactly?” my father countered.
Malaki whispered to his colleagues. Draven raised a silvery brow, his thin lips pinched.
This couldn’t be good.
Finally, Serafine withdrew from the huddle. “We have a number of demons here at headquarters awaiting their trials. We could use one of them, in a controlled setting of course.”
“Are you serious?” I spat.
“This is completely uncalled for, Serafine. Let me guess, this was another one of Malaki’s brilliant ideas?”
The woman’s lips thinned as she pushed her glasses further up her nose. “It’s nothing more than what you would request if Luna weren’t your daughter.”
Garrix glanced at me, something like regret flashing across his cobalt eyes.
“Fine, let’s just get this over with,” I hissed.
A few minutes later, the council room was transformed into a veritable fighting pit. I stared with my jaw hung open as the floor opened up and a large circular arena appeared ten feet below.
No wonder the council’s platform floated. This way they could adjust their view to the perfect angle to watch these twisted combats.
As I stared down at the battleground, a door opened and a gnarly-looking demon was shoved out. The slam of the metal rang out across the room as it was quickly shut behind him. The Underworlder circled the arena, a mass of snakes coiled atop his head. They writhed and hissed as he glared up at me.
Who the heck was this guy, Medusa’s brother?
“Seriously?” I squeaked.
Garrix took my hand and pulled me into his side. “That’s a gargose demon, and those snakes spit poisonous venom. You must avoid them at all costs.”
“Awesome.”
Serafine rose, the platform now hovering just a few feet over our heads. “It is time to begin.”