Jewel of Atlantis (5 page)

Tendrils of pleasure curled inside her veins, spread
ing like the fire around them. When she spoke, her voice cracked. “There’s a hatch on the bottom. A door that leads into the forest.”

He paused, considering her words. His frown deepened. “If the demons follow us inside the water—”

“I’ll make sure they do not.”

His mouth opened to ask how, but he shut it with a snap, changing his mind. “All right. We’ll swim.”

He stepped to the pool’s ledge, Jewel still close to his heels. Before he entered, he turned to her and said, “Take off your clothes.”

Her head snapped up, and she met his stare with wide eyes. “The demons will sniff you out soon and you want me to get naked?”

His mouth twisted in one of those wry smiles of his. “Silly girl. Can’t you read my mind?”

“Not always,” she grumbled. Like before, he had erected some sort of wall she couldn’t breach. It had to be him, but how he managed it, she could not fathom.

“Just so you know,
Prudence,
that thick material of yours will weigh you down in the water. Take it off.” As he spoke, he began removing his shirt.

She’d seen him naked a hundred times before, perhaps a thousand, but those visions of him had always been in her mind. Seeing him now, in the flesh, was so much more potent. She forgot her surroundings, forgot the danger, focusing only on the bronzed strength of his muscled, sinewy chest. His abdomen was chiseled into perfect rows of hardness.

“You can look all you want. Later,” he added. “Right
now, Pru, you need to get naked.” He dropped his shirt and withdrew his dagger.

Her gaze still locked on him, she brought her shaky fingers to her waist and tried to untie the satchel.

“No time.” He sliced the ties with his knife. The satchel dropped to the ground with a thwack. In the next instant, he cut the shoulder straps of her robe. The white material swished to the floor, joining the satchel and leaving her in only a thin chemise.

Bending down, Gray grasped the robe and said, “Step out of it.”

The moment she complied, the robe was stuffed inside his bag, followed quickly by her satchel. All the while, he perused her up and down. His eyes were heated. What did he see when he looked at her? She gulped, too afraid to try to probe his mind to discover the truth.

His hands reached toward her and she felt their warmth as they neared her skin. What did he plan to do? He stopped just before contact.

He shook his head, and his gaze grew cold. Empty. “We need to get the hell out of Oz. Can you swim?”

It took a conscious effort to tug herself out of the sensuous spell he’d woven over her, but force herself out she did. “Yes.” Swimming was one of the few memories she possessed of her childhood. Frolicking many hours in sunshine and water. Laughing. Enjoying the day. Over the years, she’d forgotten how to laugh and enjoy, but she’d never forgotten how to swim.

“Just try to keep up with me,” she said, proudly tilting her chin.

His lips twitched. “Can you hold your breath for long periods of time?”

That, she didn’t know. “We’ll just have to see, won’t we?”

“I’ll take that as a no,” he muttered. “Listen, I’ve trained in water. The key is to stay calm, to slowly release the air trapped in your chest. Understand?”

“I will not let you down.” She’d prove herself worthy and strong if it killed her.

Jewel entered the water with Gray right behind her. The wet warmth lapped at her skin, seeping past the thin garment she wore, making her shiver. A cloud of red swirled around Gray, his open wound coloring the water.

“I want you holding on to me at all times once we leave the pool,” he said. “Don’t let go for any reason.”

“I’ll do my best.”

“No, you’ll do it.” His voice whipped out like a king instructing a servant. “I want to know you’re with me every second we’re down there.”

“Yes, sir.”

He shook his head at her impudence. Without another word, she dragged in a breath and dove underwater.

She kicked her way to the bottom. Marina often used this secret doorway to sneak into the city undetected, commit her crimes, feast off unsuspecting creatures, then return. The queen thought she herself was the only one who knew. She should have realized long ago that with Jewel, there were no secrets.

Once they reached the bottom, Jewel grabbed for her
dagger. When her hand encountered only wet cloth, she nearly panicked before she recalled Gray had taken it.

She jerked on his pants to gain his attention. A few bubbles slipped from his mouth as he faced her, and he nodded as she slipped the weapon from his belt. Gliding away from him she inserted the tip into a tiny crevice. Marina used a key, a key Jewel did not possess. She pried at the opening, making it widen slowly.

The water stung her eyes, and lack of air soon caused her lungs to burn. Her dark hair floated into her line of vision like curling ribbons. Gray worked feverishly beside her, his strong hands pushing the slab of rock farther and farther apart.

Both she and Gray had to go up for air before the opening was wide enough for them to slip through. Jewel wanted to swim to the surface one last time and steal another gasp of precious oxygen, but when she pushed up, she saw a horde of demons had entered the room. They spotted her and cried gleefully.

Ice filled her veins, and she sliced her way back to the bottom and pointed up. Gray saw them and tried to wrench her through the opening, but she violently shook her head.
I have to keep them from following us.

He stilled. Had he heard her, or was the block still in place? Gray, deciding to trust her, released her and held his palms up.
Do your thing, baby.

Thank the gods, no block. She closed her eyes, her thoughts directed at the creatures above.
No one is in the water,
her inner voice suggested to them.
You do not see the human; you do not see the girl.

She’d never attempted to direct so many at once,
never tried so valiantly to keep a being from knowing she’d entered its thoughts.

The shouting demons pressed their lips together, going silent. They stared down at the water, shaking their heads, their eyes glazing as they accepted her plea, but they didn’t leave the room. They looked around, confusion flittering over their expressions.

Why wouldn’t they leave?

Jewel’s strength was quickly depleting, and her hold on them began to lessen. Gray must have sensed her need for him because he yanked her through the opening and worked swiftly to close the hatch.

Whether the demons had seen them there at the end or not, Jewel didn’t know, and she no longer had the strength to find out.

She held a firm grip on Gray’s pants. Her lungs burned, and she desperately needed air, and even though her strength was nearly depleted, she kicked her legs and lowered her free arm, trying to increase their speed. A thick fog soon wove its way through her mind.

I can’t…need…to breathe…

Gray wrapped his arms around her, holding her close to him. His eyes met hers and the connection managed to strengthen her. Calm her. She’d been thrashing, she realized, but settled as his hand snaked around her neck.

Slowly he drew her face to his and their lips met.

Open,
he commanded. His voice filled her head, bringing with it a wealth of hope and confidence she eagerly embraced.

She did so without question, parting her lips wide.

He blew air into her mouth, precious air her lungs accepted with relief. The warmth of his breath curled through the rest of her as her black tresses floated around them, a dark cloak that wrapped them in a private haven. Time seemed to slow. She savored his sweet essence.

All too soon, he drifted a few inches away and met her gaze.
Better?

Better.

You can do this. I know you can.

She nodded, praying he spoke true.

J
EWEL’S HEAD BROKE
the water’s surface, her lungs screaming in pain. She gulped in great gasps of oxygen, her arms and legs flailing to keep her afloat. Pitch-black greeted her eyes, an unholy darkness filled only with phantomous shadows. Every inch of her burned for more air, and the burning eased only slightly with each intake. In, out, she breathed, as fast as her lungs would allow.

The choppy, frantic sounds must have disturbed nearby wildlife, because the clatter of snapping limbs, rustling bushes and pitter-pattering hoofbeats rang in her ears.

“Gr—Gray,” she called between pants, swallowing a mouthful of water. The liquid slid down her throat, cool and sweet, but it was too much, too fast. She choked and coughed.

“Don’t,” he said, his voice labored and hoarse as it sliced through the void. “Don’t try to talk. Just breathe. Slowly.”

Where was he? She’d lost her grip on him somewhere along the way. The darkness around them wasn’t thinning and she couldn’t feel him near her. “Tr-trying.”

“You’re talking again. Stop,” he demanded.

“I need you,” she croaked. “Where are you?”

He must have followed the drum of her voice, silently treading through the restless water until he found her. His arm brushed her stomach, and she shivered, resisting the urge to grab onto him and ascertain he truly was there.

“You okay? Since you won’t obey a direct order, you might as well give me the info I crave.”

“Yes.” The sound of lapping water beat between each syllable. “You?”

“I can’t see shit, but I’m fine.” He sounded relieved, concerned and angry all at once. “Think you can make it to shore? Wherever the hell the shore is,” he added darkly.

“Of course.” Determination rode her hard, and she said, “I can make it.” The words were for her benefit rather than his.

She must not have sounded convincing. His arm snaked around her waist, pulling her into the curve of his body. “Just keep breathing, and I’ll do the rest.”

“No, I—”

“Save your strength for an argument you can actually win.”

The feel of him holding her, his strength surrounding her, was a heady thing, but the thought of lying back and allowing him to do all the work… No! She might love the feel of his arms around her, and she might teeter on the brink of total exhaustion, but she kicked and paddled with him, adding to their speed.

“Sometimes,” she said between breaths, “an argument…can be won…without words.”

“Smart ass. Don’t you know you’re making me look bad? I, man, do the rescuing. You, woman, do the eager accepting.”

Jewel grinned, loving the way he teased her. It made her feel normal, accepted. As if she was his friend, not just a woman watching him from afar, wishing she were part of his life. Besides, set apart from the Atlantean races as she was, she’d never had a true friend before. But she’d wanted one. Gods, she’d wanted one. At times, the ache had been so fierce, it had almost been a living entity.

“That is not how our rela—” Sharp pains shot through her calf like a thousand knives cutting through bone. She jerked and cried out.

Gray’s arm tightened around her, and they ceased moving forward, his leg movements the only thing keeping them above water. “What’s wrong?” he demanded, concern in the undercurrents of his voice.

“Just a cramp,” she gritted out, her leg already relaxing.

Expelling a relieved breath, he jolted back into motion, his muscles bunching and straining. “You’re doing great. But listen to me this time, and stay still.” He spit out a mouthful of water. “I’ve done this kind of rescue before, and with a two-hundred-pound man no less. Featherweight that you are, I can get you to shore, no problem.”

“I
will
help.”

“Damn it, Jewel.”

She forced her arms to swim more quickly.

“Stubborn woman,” he muttered. “Have it your way.”

“I will. Thank you.”

His legs kicked out and brushed hers. His free arm pushed at the water and skimmed over hers. Because of the danger, such an innocent contact shouldn’t have affected her, but it did. Currents of something dark and light, hot and sweet, floated through her blood as swiftly and surely as the river flooded around her, giving her added strength.

“Thank you for coming for me,” she said, swallowing more liquid. The words whispered from her, soft and raspy, husky with her gratitude.

“I wish I could say it was my pleasure, but so far the adventure has sucked like a Hoover.”

She laughed heartily.

The water slapped as if he’d whipped his head to face her. She wished there were at least a kernel of light to reveal his actions and features, but the darkness was simply too heavy.

He squeezed her waist. “I didn’t expect you to get that. Do you even know what a Hoover is?”

“Well, yes. I know a lot of things about the surface.”

“You ever traveled there?”

She heard his true question: do Atlantean creatures travel to the surface? “I’ve never been, no. None of us have. It’s forbidden, not to mention impossible. I’ve only seen it in my visions.” Visions of
him.
She’d wondered why she’d been gifted with glimpses of his life, but the answer had never come. Finally she’d stopped wondering and just accepted the fact that he was meant to be part of
her
life. They were connected.

He huffed out a moist breath. “Impossible how?”

“Just impossible,” she hedged. “I admit I’ve always
dreamed of visiting the surface.” She couldn’t hide her edge of wistfulness. “You have so many fascinating things there.”

“Yeah? Like what?” Fatigue was beginning to layer his words, making them drag slightly. “Exactly what does Prudence Merryweather find fascinating? This I’ve got to hear. Wait. The water is becoming more shallow,” he said. “We’re almost to shore. See if your feet touch.”

Her legs sank toward the bottom until her feet hit a soft, mossy foundation. “Yes! I can touch.” Limbs almost too weak to support her, she labored onto the sand, trudging step by step.

Finally she collapsed atop a soft bed of foliage. Water poured from her as she smoothed sopping hair out of her eyes. Gray dropped beside her. The ragged sound of their breathing blended with the gentle rush of the river. Gods, they had made it.

They had escaped the demons.

Several minutes passed in raw silence. She could have closed her eyes and drifted to sleep—
would
have drifted to sleep, if Gray hadn’t picked up their conversation where they’d left off.

“What do you find fascinating about the surface?” He was only a little winded. “This land of yours is amazing. It’s littered with evil incarnate, true, but the sheer beauty of the terrain is awe-inspiring.”

She shivered as a wave of cool air brushed her. “I’d trade every flower and tree for the chance to sit inside a theater and watch a movie. To anchor myself in a hoodless car and soar down the road, the wind in my
hair. To wiggle on a waterbed and smoke a cigarette. To taste a—”

“Whoa, there.” He chuckled, the sound rich and smooth with his amusement. “Back it up a minute. Waterbed? You
live
in water, in case you hadn’t noticed, and you think a waterbed is cool? And why the hell would you want to smoke a cigarette? They taste like a demon smells.”

Her cheeks heated with a blush, and she was suddenly glad for the darkness. Gray hadn’t thought cigarettes tasted so horrible the night she’d seen one of his women smoke one. He’d just finished making love to her, and the two had been lying on a waterbed, the sides lapping around their sweat-soaked limbs. The woman’s pretty features had been totally relaxed, euphoric even, as the smoke wafted around her. Gray had appeared equally sated, not the least disgusted by the supposedly ashy fumes.

“I’m waiting for some type of explanation, Smoky Smokerson.”

“People seem to enjoy them, that’s all. And as for the waterbed, well, I’d like to know how it feels to lie on a bed of liquid and never sink.”

“They’re hell on the back.”

“Who says I’d be sleeping?” she said primly.

He snorted, and she had to curb the urge to kick him. Did he think she couldn’t tempt a man? That she couldn’t seduce one into loving her body madly and passionately?

“My guess,
Prudence,
is that you’d be bundled up in a neck-to-ankle body stocking, complete with chas
tity belt and semiautomatic trained on any man stupid enough to try and get into your panties.”

“That’s not true! I’d have a lover with me. And we’d be naked,” she added with a defensive edge.

“Would you now?” He drawled the words slowly, dragging out each syllable, making her feel achy inside. “And what would the two of you be doing, being naked and all?”

She knew Gray liked to linger over a woman’s body, taking his time and learning every nuance, every scent. Gods knew how many times she’d seen him do it, wishing it were
her
he was pleasuring. She drew on that knowledge now, the only sensual knowledge she possessed.

Trying for a casual tone, she said, “I’d caress my hands over his chest and back, of course, while he kissed me. With tongue. His fingers would slide between my legs, sinking inside me, moving in and out while I arched my hips. And I’d be so, so wet. And when I screamed his name, begging him to fuck me—”

“Did you just drop the
F
bomb?” he asked, incredulous, cutting her off.

“Yes. He’d lick my breasts, sucking my nipples into his mouth, and impale me with his thick, hard penis. I would wrap my legs—”

“That’s enough!” Gray’s body couldn’t take much more. He was rock hard and tense, ready to explode. Just from her words. When had
that
ever happened? He cleared his throat and flopped to his back. “Christ, I get the picture. And I’m seriously considering renaming you Blaze Champagne.”

There, she thought smugly. Now he’d never again call her Prudence or assume she wouldn’t know what to do with a man in bed. “What kind of name is Blaze Champagne?” She already knew the answer. She wanted him to say it, though, to hear the words aloud.

“The naughty kind reserved for porn stars, that’s what. Fuck me, indeed.”

A wide smile lifted her lips. “Have I offended your innocent ears? If so, you can just fuck off,
Mr. Monk.
” Being naughty was more fun than she ever could have imagined. She hadn’t felt so lighthearted in—ever.

“Jesus. Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?”

“My mother’s dead.” She said it simply, merely stating a fact.

“God, Jewel, I’m sorry.” Contrite, he reached out and wrapped his fingers around her forearm, squeezing gently. The heat of his grip banished any lingering cold caused by the wind. “I never would have said that if I’d known.”

“It happened so long ago, I barely remember her.”

“Still, I shouldn’t have said it and I’m sorry.”

His hand left her, and she heard the zip of his bag, a rustle of movement, a crack—almost like glass breaking. A golden glow of light erupted, surrounding them in a luminescent halo. Gray held a long, thin tube, she saw, eyelids closing to half-mast to dim the bright rays.

“What is that?” The object fascinated her, as she’d never seen its like. It looked as if he were holding pure fire in his hands.

“It’s got a technical name, but I just call it a glow stick.” Gray’s gaze met hers, and
he
claimed her fasci
nation. The cloth he’d worn on his head had slipped off, so his pale hair was plastered to his scalp. Streaks of green and black paint remained on his cheeks, but most of it had washed away.

Droplets of water trickled from his forehead to his nose, then onto the leaves. His lashes were black and spiky, his eyes a liquid silver, as mesmerizing as the water itself. Her gaze devoured him.

He smoothed away a dark strand of hair from her cheek. His fingers were callused but, oh, so gentle. The night air should have made her miserable by this point, but the chill barely touched her wet body. A growing sense of warmth and lassitude wove through her, starting exactly where he’d touched her.

As he studied her, his lips dipped into a frown. “Have we met before? I mean, sometimes when I look at you, I’d swear I’ve seen you before.”

She’d dreamed of just such a circumstance, of meeting him; she’d wanted it, craved it, but the answer was an unequivocal no. “I promise you, we have never met in person until this night.”

“Still.” He shrugged away the mystery. “Be honest. Are you really all right?”

“Yes. Promise. How do
you
feel?” She longed to reach out and trace her fingers over his face.

Had the poisons begun weakening him yet?

The question popped into her mind, reminding her that they had not yet escaped all danger. Had the demon and vampire poison already begun to interweave, clashing together, fighting for dominance? Destroying Gray little by little?

Nausea churned in her stomach, rising to fill her throat. She could
not
let this wonderfully alive man die. There had to be a way…something to do…but at the moment, no miraculous answer came to her.

Arms stretching over his head, he twisted each vertebra of his spine. “I’m good to go. Stronger than ever.”

He
did
look healthy and capable, his skin bright with color, his eyes sparkling. Maybe the venoms wouldn’t affect him, she thought hopefully. Maybe she worried for nothing.

“Come on,” he said. “We’ve hung around here too long. We need shelter ASAP.”

He pushed to his feet with the agility of a jungle cat and readjusted his bag over his shoulder, one hand continuing to keep the glow stick elevated, lighting the surrounding area.

She, too, pushed up, her movements a bit slower and less sprightly than his. As she shifted her weight to her feet, her knees shook. Dizziness struck her, and she massaged her fingertips into her temple.

Gray wrapped his arm around her waist, holding her up. “Lean on me.”

“I’ll be fine,” she said, stepping from him. Gods, he’d felt so good, but she would not be a hindrance. He’d had enough of those in his life. At last her vision cleared, and she said, “I can lead us to shelter. Follow me.”