Damned and Defiant (14 page)

“I know,” he said gently. He rolled onto his back and kicked off his boots, then tore down his jeans and helped her to do the same. Naked now, he pressed her down onto the cool grass. The warm breeze off the sea ignited every nerve ending on her skin. “We won’t ever have to stop again.” His body lowered on top of her. His thighs wedged her legs wider apart and he pressed a finger inside her wet channel. Gasping, she raised her hips, urging him deeper.

“I want your cock.”

“Deep, like this?” He shoved his finger deeper and pressed on a bundle of nerves. The heat of his finger, the scent of him, the breeze over her body propelled her toward a release.

“Yes, but I won’t last.”

He chuckled. His hand slipped from her body and moved over her hips. Haley felt the wetness between her legs and an ache throbbed at her clit. “Touch me,” she breathed.

“Hmmm.” Was all he said. Her body quivered, so close to the brink. If only he’d keep touching her like that she’d come.

“You’re killing me.” She moved her hand up to his chest, feeling every curve and hardness of muscle.

“Can’t now,” he said smiling and stopped touching her. She groaned her disapproval, reaching her hand around his neck and pulling him down to her, and pressed her mouth to his. He resisted at first, but then a moan escaped his lips. He opened to her, his tongue swept across hers, their mouths wide, the kiss deep and hungry.

His mouth trailed kisses down her neck to her breasts where he sucked on them, making her nipples raw and taut. Then he moved farther down over her stomach and swiped over her clit with the tip of his tongue.

An orgasm hovered so close but she wanted more. She raked her fingers in his hair, then tried grabbing his shoulders to pull him up. “I want you inside me.”

He ignored her pleas, then plunged a finger inside as he flicked his tongue over her sensitive bud.

Yes
. “That’s good, but I want your cock.” Hearing his breath catch with desire increased her own.

“Soon,” he said. His warm breath and rough tongue grazed every raw nerve.

She let out a cry as the orgasm shattered her. His lips captured her clit and his finger pumped deeper, prolonging the sensations. Then his finger slipped from her body and she moaned a protest.

Raising her legs, he hooked them over his shoulders, then pressed the tip of his cock at her entrance. Her body heated. Abruptly, he thrust inside her, pumping hard and fierce. The rhythm of his thrusts matched the throbbing from her clit. Her body was still pulsating from the recent orgasm and his thrusts shot her into another one. Her body trembled.

He groaned. “That’s it.” His face tensed as the force of his lust seemed to take control of him, take over both of them.

“You won’t stop this time, will you?” she asked, grabbing hold of his arms. If he pulled away from her this time, she would hunt him down in her snow leopard form.

“No need to hold back.” He closed his eyes and tilted his head back as if enjoying the exquisite pleasure of their bodies, then opened his eyes and gazed down at her with a look that stopped time. His thrusts slowed. He let her legs slide to the ground. Their bodies fit so perfectly together. He knew how to draw pleasure from her. Leaning forward, he kissed her, slow and gentle, then forceful and urgent, drawing every incredible amount of pleasure out of her. She felt his cock harden even more. “I want to feel your pussy tighten around me.” He pumped faster.

“It’s never felt this good,” she said, breathlessly. “I might come again.”

“Mmmm. Go for it. You’re immortal now.”

The ground moved beneath them, rumbled like thunder, coming from beneath the surface. “What was that?” she asked, lifting her head and looking around.

He gave a short laugh. “Don’t worry. Anartia sometimes has minor tremors.” He smoothed his thumb teasingly over her swollen and raw clit. Her body jerked, and she rocked her hips to match his thrusts. She forgot about the tremors. The thrust of his cock and touch of his finger brought her closer. So close.

His breath came fast and she could tell he was straining to hold back. A little longer and she’d find her mark. Then the tremors started again and the vibrations rose up through her body. That was enough to send her over the edge.

“Yes!” she cried out and arched her back off the ground as the orgasm coursed through her. Then Dante gave a shuddering groan and shoved deep into her. The pulses of his cock pressed up against her vaginal walls. The force of their lust made her dizzy. Was the ground still shaking? Or was her body shaking?

He let out a ragged sigh, dropped on the ground next to her and pulled her into his arms.

The ground continued moving. She tried to ignore it.

Haley closed her eyes and curled against Dante’s chest, concentrating on his heartbeat and breathing. Gently, he stroked her hair as the silence grew between them. It wasn’t a comfortable silence and Haley didn’t have to use her psychic skills to sense he had troubled thoughts. “What’s worrying you?” she asked. She pressed her palm over his taut abdomen. The thought of an eternity of intimately touching this man thrilled her.

“I’m still trying to figure out why Natesa or Zorian or both of them wanted you here.” He pulled her closer.

“Does it matter now?”

“I don’t know.” He lifted her chin and looked at her intently. “How could you leave everything you’ve ever known? Your life, your friends, your family?”

“I don’t have a family.” She sat up and faced him.

“Everyone has a family,” he said.

“I don’t.” Crossing her arms over her bare chest didn’t give her the defiant effect she was hoping for.

Dante’s mouth quirked slightly at one side as he glanced at her breasts. “What are you hiding? Do you think you can keep a secret for eternity?”

“Fine. You want to know about me?” She got to her feet, and planted her hands on her hips, ignoring her nudity.

He stood, concern etched in his frown and eyes.

To his credit, he gave her the space she needed. If he touched her, held her, she didn’t know how she’d get this all out. She took a breath. “My father killed my mother with a whisky bottle. He’s been in jail for ten years. I moved to Arizona because I wanted to belong someplace without people knowing about my family. But it didn’t work.” The tears burned in her eyes. She said she wouldn’t cry, dammit. Her emotions were on overdrive. “My father is being released under psychiatric care. So even in Arizona, people will look at me like dirt-road, trailer-park trash. They won’t on Prygos. There I’ll be the High Sorceress. People will like me and respect me for who I am, not look down at me because of my family.”

Dante hugged her. She managed to swallow the tears. She hoped she wouldn’t change into the leopard suddenly. The last time she was upset, she changed before she realized it. These new powers were hard to get used to. She wanted to stay in control.

“You’re not trailer-trash dirt,” Dante said, looking serious.

Haley giggled. “Dirt-road, trailer-park trash,” she corrected.

“That either.”

“That’s not my only reason for making this decision,” she said.

“I know,” he said and kissed her.

The ground shifted again and this time Haley ignored it. She wanted to make sure he wanted her, was in love with her. Eternity on another planet was a big decision and she wouldn’t crowd his space if he didn’t want her. “Be honest, Dante. If you don’t want me—”

“Of course I do. I couldn’t ask you to make that sacrifice before, but you did. I’m glad.” A crack of thunder rolled through the sky.

“Wow, that sounded close.” Haley looked up at the sky. “Storm coming?”

“That wasn’t thunder. Get dressed.”

She scrambled into her clothes. Then the ground pitched, knocking her and Dante off their feet. A crack in the earth zigzagged a dozen yards away. “Oh my God.”

A chunk of land about thirty feet in diameter broke away from the cliff and crashed into the sea. Stumbling back, Haley grabbed onto Dante as they ran up the slope toward the temple. Then the world tilted, as if all of Anartia was a disc and it lurched at a sharp angle. Haley and Dante tumbled downhill toward the cliffs. They were about to plummet over the edge, when the world righted itself. “Get up, run!” Dante yelled.

He grabbed her hand and they raced uphill toward the temple. Water gushed out of the entrance and down the steps like a waterfall. Haley looked at him, confused.

“The pool,” he explained.

They entered. The temple was in chaos. Drones and slaves ran around the great hall, some naked, others partly dressed, shouting and shoving at one another. The large pool was half empty and the marble floor was soaked. The demoness shrieked, spouting orders to no one in particular. Tarik was probably in his control chamber trying to figure out the problem.

“What’s going on?” Haley asked.

“I don’t know but I have to check on D.A. Come with me.” He pulled her along the back hallway, past many of the Drone’s private chambers, including Dante’s. When they reached the lower chambers, Haley smelled an electrical odor coming from the laboratory. “Is something burning in there?”

“I don’t know. We’ll check there next. Maybe Tarik screwed up again.” Dante opened another door farther down the hall. D.A. stood in his stall, unharmed, but he was pacing in the small space, shaking and whinnying. Dante groaned. Hay, feed and water was scattered around the room. Haley ran up to the horse and tried to calm him, but D.A. snorted and pulled away. His eyes rolled, and he was shaking.”

“Hey, boy, it’s me,” she crooned. “Easy now. You’re all right.”

“You’re a demon and immortal now. He’ll detect your energy as he does mine.”

Haley nodded and surrounded herself in white light, drawing the energy within. She took a step up to D.A. “How’s that?” She put her hand out. After a moment, D.A. came up and nuzzled her hand. “Good boy.”

Valdon charged into the room. “What the hell are you doing? Tarik, is getting ready to leave.”

“Leave? We can’t leave,” Dante said. “I have to bring Siren here yet.”

“I’m going with you,” Haley blurted. “I can help with Siren.”

Dante sighed. “I’d rather you stay here with D.A.”

“Alone? What if you don’t get back in time?” The idea of traveling to another world without Dante was beyond terrifying.

Dante rubbed his head. “Tarik won’t leave without me.” But he didn’t sound completely convinced.

“Tarik will wait for a short time but not if it risks Anartia. We’ll have to hurry. I’ll go,” Valdon announced. “You’ll need some muscle with that horse and with loading equipment. You’re right it’s better if Haley stays here. Natesa is here if she needs anything.”

“We won’t be long.” Dante grasped her hand and squeezed.

Haley put her hands on her hips. “Fine, I’ll stay. But don’t you dare let me go to Prygos without you.”

Chapter Eleven

In the corral, Siren tugged, sidestepped and maneuvered every way possible to get away from Valdon. Dante held the reins taut, leading her a distance from the other Drone. This helped to get the horse under control. Somewhat. Making love to Haley earlier had drained him of the demon energy that alarmed his horses, and his depleted energy level made Siren less skittish. He and Haley had drawn chi from each other but she’d received much more. She probably didn’t realize what she was doing. Normally, a new Drone would’ve gone through several sessions with Zorian to hone those skills and learn how to balance a collection from another Drone. Haley hadn’t.

Making love with Haley was dangerous for a mortal, not so for an immortal. They wouldn’t be on Earth long enough for her to be concerned about her new powers. Gwyllain and Tarik wouldn’t be demanding offerings from her either, they wouldn’t need it on Prygos. Thank God. It was rare for a Sha Warrior such as Haley to be assimilated to a Drone. There weren’t many mortals with that much natural chi energy. Training her not to kill her Kithra would’ve been a challenge. Dante didn’t want to see her go through that horror.

“Can you move her now?” Valdon asked about Siren. The horse appeared docile.

“I’ll try.” In soothing tones, Dante tried coaxing Siren toward the corral gate. The horse held her ground. “Nope. She won’t move.”

“I have a solution,” Valdon said.

“What?” Dante snapped. “I’m up for suggestions.”

“Let me draw off some of her chi.”

“No!”

“Then leave her,” Valdon answered. “Tarik won’t wait for us. If we don’t have this beast on your truck in five, I’m gone.”

Dante closed his eyes and groaned. “Do it. But be careful. So help me, if you harm her…”

“Don’t worry. It’ll be like a mild tranquilizer.” Valdon held his hand up and Siren gave a snort, tossing her head. The snorts turned into heavy breaths as if the horse had just finished a hard ride. “Easy, stop fighting me,” Valdon ordered, sounding frustrated.

A mournful cry tore from Siren and the sound bore a hole in Dante’s chest. “Stop. Stop!”

“What in damnation are you boys doing to that horse?” a voice shouted from behind them.

Dante swung around and blinked. “Tucker? I thought you were sick.”

“I ain’t sick, goddammit.” Tucker opened the gate and strode up to them, standing between the horse and Valdon and taking the reins away from Dante. “I’m minus a gallbladder. Didn’t need it anyway.” He did look a little thinner standing beside Siren in his dusty old cowboy boots with a look that reminded Dante of his father about to scold him. Tucker’s weathered face looked a bit drawn but still handsome for a man who could’ve retired a few years ago but didn’t believe in it. “What’s wrong with Siren?”

“We were trying to take her to a show in Tucson, but she’s not cooperating,” Dante said not looking at Tucker.

Tucker laughed. “You ain’t taking that horse on that long of a drive. She doesn’t like change and wouldn’t do well on the trip.” He scratched his head. “Besides, I didn’t hear of any show in Tucson.”

“You were in the hospital, remember?” Dante said, thinking fast.

Tucker frowned and scratched a chin in need of a shave. Siren seemed to calm immediately. Dante sighed. His insides were turning to knots. What was he thinking? How could he be so selfish? With Siren, D.A. and Haley. And now Haley had given up her life and world for him. He needed a kick in the head. He had to fix this. “No, you’re right.” He looked at Valdon. “Siren’s staying here.” The loss cut into his soul as if he was standing at a best friend’s grave site, and he hadn’t even left yet.

Valdon raised an eyebrow. “We’re going then?”

“Yeah.” A cavern split open in Dante’s chest. He knew leaving Siren was the right thing. He doubted she’d adjust on Prygos.

Tucker looked around the corral. “Where’s D.A., in the barn?”

“Tucson. I’m going to get him now,” Dante lied.

Tucker shook his head and frowned. “Get on then. It’s a good thing I’m back.” He looked at Dante with a baffled expression.

Valdon glared at Dante. “This was a big fucking waste of time.”

“Let’s go,” Dante said, refusing to argue.

“Take some hay for the trailer,” Tucker said. “Siren needs to get out of the sun.” He led the horse into the barn.

“I’ll get it,” Valdon said as he ran into the barn. “I’m ready to get the hell out of here.”

Dante caught a movement out of the corner of his eye. The owl.
Damnation.

He was perched on top of the barn. Dante narrowed his eyes at the bird. “What do you want?”

The owl shifted into the old man Bill Sikes. Reclining on the peak of the roof, Bill leaned on one elbow with an I-told-you-so smirk. He wore tan suede pants and a denim shirt. His salt-and-pepper ponytail hung down over one shoulder.

“You’ll lose her, you fool. You’ll lose everything.”

Dante stood taller and raised his chin at a slight angle, hoping Bill wouldn’t notice the doubt in his eyes. Christ, was he doing the right thing? He and Haley had to return to Prygos together. “Is that a warning or a premonition?” he asked.

Bill shook his head. “You are a fool, Akanto. You don’t deserve her.” Bill rattled off a series of words Dante suspected were Navajo curse words.

Haley was safe on Anartia, an immortal now. She’d be fine. “I’ll protect her.”

“What makes you so sure you can?” Bill said under his breath, his expression hardening.

Could Bill be right?
“I won’t let anything happen to her.”

Bill raised his chin. His face calmed and a new level of confidence filled his eyes. “You’re leaving this land, asserting your freedom, your power. The earth speaks to you here. I know you hear her spirit. Will you hear her spirit in this foreign land?”

Dante frowned, considering. He stared at the ground, along the fence, unable to look at Bill. Rising up from the desert ground were clumps of grass and brightly colored wild flowers. Yellow, orange and purple flowers entwined the sage-green foliage. He’d seen those plants, hundreds of times but today he noticed their details, and was impressed by their simple and persistent beauty despite the harshness of the desert. He looked back at Bill, clearing his throat. “I’m not human anymore, I don’t belong,” he stated.

“No? I’ve been watching you, Akanto. Not long ago you wouldn’t think twice about who you collected your chi from. And you wouldn’t think twice about killing animals to obtain their lifeforce. When was the last time you killed?”

“It’s been a while.”

Holding his gaze, Bill grasped a leather medicine pouch hanging from a cord around his neck. “Your perspective has been shifting back to your human side. I first noticed the change over a year ago when you saved my grandson’s woman.”

“Amy.” He remembered. Another Sha Warrior like Haley. He’d had feelings for her, as close to being in love as a demon could be. He moved north to Sedona after he saved her from Anartia and knew she was in love with someone else. He knew it wouldn’t work between them. He shrugged. “There was no reason for her to be sacrificed.”

“Then the next shift occurred when you met Haley. Collecting chi wasn’t quite the same, was it? Your heart wasn’t in it, or maybe it was.” Bill stared at him a long time as if letting the words sink in.

Dante didn’t say anything. “If that’s true, then it’s good she’s coming with me. She wants to go.”

“Is she honoring her true calling, her humanity? Or blinded by love and fear?” Bill sighed as if he was giving up hope. “Are you serving her purpose or yours?”

He felt as if he was standing in darkness waiting for dawn, waiting for an answer to appear. Something deep in his gut said he was wrong in taking Haley, even if she said she wanted to go, even if he couldn’t bear to think being without her. Was there any humanity left in him to make the right decision?

“Ready to go?” Valdon came out of the barn with hay and a bag of food. “Let’s hit the road.”

Dante looked up, but Bill was gone.

I’ll be here.
Bill’s words were inside Dante’s head.

* * * * *

Haley got D.A. settled in with food, water and plenty of hay and decided to let him rest. He probably would need some quiet time before the long journey. Long, short, rough ride or what, she had no idea what to expect. She waited in Dante’s chamber for almost an hour, pacing the room, glancing out the narrow window, hoping to get a glimpse of Dante and Siren.
Where the hell is he?

Distant voices in another part of the temple drew her out of Dante’s chamber and toward the great hall. Natesa padded up behind her. “No, Haley, don’t go in there.”

She ignored Natesa’s warning and walked into the large room. “Why? Maybe Dante’s back.” Her steps hesitated, then she stopped. Dozens of naked men and women filled the room. A number of naked men surrounded Gwyllain, stretched out on an oversized lounge chair. An iridescent sheen glimmering in her long black hair matched the gleam of her bronze skin. The demoness almost glowed. Was it all the energy she was collecting? The woman was strikingly beautiful considering the bad vibe Haley got from her. Some of the men grasped or sucked her voluminous breasts while others stood in a line, stroking their cocks. Natesa had explained the offering of chi, so did Dante, but seeing it somehow excited her, turned her on and at the same time made her skin crawl. Were these strange feelings coming from being immortal? Dante said there’d be changes.

One man climbed up on the lounge chair and mounted the woman. Shoving her thighs apart, his face strained as he pumped into her. The man’s groans and breathing signaled his orgasm, and after a few more thrusts, two men pulled him off. The next man in line, his cock hard and thick from his preparation, continued where the last man left off. She couldn’t take her eyes away from the assembly line orgy.

The smell of sex and bodies pressed in on Haley. Mesmerized and lightheaded, she leaned against a column and continued to watch. Her body trembled, heat radiated to her pussy and nipples. She swallowed but her throat was dry. The craving for sex was intense, but she kept her feet rooted to the floor.

“I guess it takes a while to get used to,” she murmured to Natesa.

“The exchange of chi is what keeps Anartia and our lifeforce in existence. Let’s go a different way.” Natesa grabbed Haley’s arm and dragged her back behind the column. “Our world would collapse, disintegrate without that energy source.”

“All these men are giving an offering? How does she do it?” Haley asked, pointing to the long line of men, eagerly waiting for their turn with the demoness. One man finished, washed up and dressed with the assistance of a young woman. He walked past them on his way out the temple.

“She’s been doing it for a thousand years,” Natesa explained so the others couldn’t hear. “Soon the demoness will get her revenge.”

“I see.” Haley didn’t understand but figured it would eventually make sense. Heat pulsed through her body. She liked the heightened sex drive as an immortal, but it had its down side when a partner wasn’t around.

“Tarik is accepting his offerings in the lower chamber,” the young man explained. He glanced over his shoulder as if he was making sure he couldn’t be heard. “Better not let her see you standing here. She’s in a mood.”

“She’s always in a mood,” Natesa said.

“I heard these are the last offerings,” he whispered. “Not all Drones can return to Prygos. She promised me, but I’m not stupid. I’d rather live a short life as a mortal on Earth, than risk being fuel for Prygos.” He slipped out of the temple, leaving the door open. The man raced down the grassy slope toward the cliffs. A moment later he jumped and vanished.

“Fuel? What’s he talking about?” Haley asked Natesa.

“Not to worry, Haley. It has to do with the transfer of energy. That’s what the Drones are doing to the demoness.”

“Oh.” This was part of the energy exchange when Dante had first made love to her. They hadn’t had time to explain all about her life as an immortal. She’d ask Dante. She had so much to learn.

“What are you two doing?” The demoness shrieked from across the room. The Drone who had been fucking her stopped and turned around to look at them. Gwyllain glared at her current lover. “Don’t stop. Do you think I have time to waste while you take a break?”

The man continued to pump inside her. Haley wondered how he managed to keep his hard-on after the demoness yelled at him. Heat spread across her face.

“We’re sorry, mistress. We didn’t mean to disturb you,” Natesa exclaimed, bowing her head.

“Get down to Tarik’s chamber now. He needs all the offerings right away while he prepares to leave. Tell him to hurry. I’m exhausted and will be taking the rest of my offerings in my chamber.”

“Yes, mistress,” Natesa said as she led Haley through the room.

The demoness shoved the Drone off her. “Enough time. Get in the back of the line, you idiot, and get it hard for me next time. You’re taking much too long to come. Next.”

Haley didn’t need the memories of her previous abduction to remember the demoness was evil. Halfway down to the lower chamber, other images from Ambros’ hypnosis flashed into her mind. Earthquakes, destruction, a great fissure opening up, a tidal wave and flooding. Were these dreams, nightmares, premonitions?