Wicked Flames (Solsti Prophecy) (29 page)

“Everything you should need is in there. Towels, shampoo, whatever.” Zinaya picked up a pillow and fluffed it. “Clean clothes are on the chair. There’s a few different sizes, so I hope something fits.”

Gin smoothed a hand over the duvet. “This looks perfect. Thank you so much.”

“Tarsa isn’t known for hospitality. We’re known for our warriors and our hostile marine life. But I want you to know, you’re most welcome here.” Zinaya set down the pillow and paced the small floor. “When I woke this morning, I felt a different kind of energy in the air. Like I knew something momentous was going to happen soon.” She stopped and looked at Gin. “And you arrived.”

“It was kind of a coincidence. Or more like an accident,” Gin said. “I mean, I’m happy to be here. Here, with you. But not…” she paused, throwing her arms wide. “Here, on Torth.” She sat on the edge of the bed and rubbed her eyes. “That came out wrong. It’s a long story.”

The bed dipped as Zinaya sat next to her. “It’s okay. Sounds like you’ve had quite a day.”

“Yeah.” Gin sniffed.
You don’t know the half of it.

“Mathias told us about you and your sisters.”

Gin’s head snapped around to stare at her host. “Are you sure you’re okay with me being here?” she whispered.

“Of course.” Zinaya rested a hand on Gin’s arm. “At first I thought he was joking. You’re not supposed to exist. But rumors have been flying around the realm.”

“What rumors?”

Zinaya gazed out at the grassy field beyond the open front door. “That two Solsti have been found. Three, actually. But only two have been seen on Torth.”

Gin picked at a thread on her jeans. “Yeah, my sisters. Came here and acted all badass. That’s true.”

“They also say that there are only three. Yet the legend tells of four.”

Gin frowned. And knew, with absolute certainty, that there were four. Always had been. She dropped her head into her hands.
What does that even mean and why do I know it?

“I’m sorry, child. You’re tired. We can talk later.” Zinaya stood up.

“I had another sister, but she died.”

Zinaya’s eyes softened. “I’m so sorry.”

“It was a long time ago. I wasn’t quite three years old, and she was a year younger than me. She had a problem with her heart.”

“That’s a terrible thing to go through, no matter how old you are.” Zinaya’s gaze grew distant. “Maybe, this time, only three Solsti are needed.”

I wish I wasn’t needed at all
. “Maybe.”

“I’ll leave you alone now. Rest. That’s an order.” Zinaya smiled and left, closing the door behind her.

Gin flopped back onto the bed, sinking into the softest mattress she’d ever felt. Every muscle melted like liquid weight and she knew she wasn’t getting up any time soon. Thoughts of her younger sister flitted through her mind as she drifted toward sleep. Faded photos of Alina. Her green eyes and blond hair. What would she look like, if she’d been able to grow up? Would she have possessed an affinity to the earth, or some other element like wood or metal? Or had her passing given her an affinity to the stars and celestial forces?

Stars
… Behind Gin’s closed eyes, an image of rural Illinois night sky loomed, thick with constellations. Her mind was drawn to the one that she always found with ease, shining fierce and bold.

Orion.
The Hunter.

C
HAPTER
28

M
ATHIAS
WATCHED
G
IN
AND
Z
INAYA
walk away. Gin hadn’t spared him or Ria a backward glance. After the way she’d ended their last convo, he wasn’t surprised. Would’ve been nice, but he didn’t deserve nice.

He gritted his teeth, barely keeping his emotion in check as the warriors she’d eaten with watched her walk away too. Bastards didn’t even try to mask their appreciation for her sweet ass. Mathias had heard every flirty word and seen every wink they’d lobbed at her during the meal. It’d taken everything in him not to stalk over to her, tuck her against his side and keep her there. But starting tension with his hosts, who happened to be tough-ass fighters, was tops on the shitty idea list.

And, he didn’t have a claim to Gin.

And, she wouldn’t want one if he tried.

He had no right to feel possessive of her. The emotion was new and unfamiliar. But oddly, not unwelcome. He couldn’t explain it. It just seemed to click into place. He blew out a breath as she and Zinaya disappeared into the trees.
She’s safe. That’s what matters
.

During the meal he’d learned which bungalow Gin would sleep in and had passed the info on to Ria. D’Mari had no problem agreeing to post two discreet guards nearby, unbeknownst to Gin, of course. Mathias doubted any other creature could enter Tarsa, but he wasn’t going to assume anything at this point. Too much had already happened.

“Your turn, big brother.” Ria’s words roused him from his grumbled thoughts.

He raised an eyebrow.

“To call the boss.” She stood and stretched. “So, have fun with that. I need to take a walk after that meal.” Smiling, she sauntered over to the table Gin had vacated. “Can any of you show me the way to the beach?”

Shaking his head at his sister, he pulled out his phone and dialed Arawn. One ring, a few hellos with Ana, and his leader’s growl vibrated through the connection.

“Tell me you have good news.”

“We have her. She’s tired but unharmed.”

“Thank fuck. Where?”

“Tarsa.”

D’Mari raised a bottle of rum in offering, and Mathias nodded for him to fill his glass.

One second of silence met his ears before Arawn muttered, “Only you could knock on their bridge and not get killed. What’s your next move?”

Mathias took a swig of rum. “She’s exhausted. We’re going to rest here for a day and go from there.”

“She on board?”

Shit
. She had used her power, and that was a start. “Getting there. And—”

“Get it done, Hunter. That’s an order.” Arawn’s pacing footsteps thudded even through the phone. “What else?”

“She used her power, and we believe it woke up the warriors of Ravenbane.”

“What. The. Fuck.” The incredulity in Arawn’s voice was tempered with belief. The man had seen almost everything in his many centuries of life.

Mathias related the details of the earth shaking and their run to Tarsa. “We’re not sure if Gin’s power triggered them, but it’s a logical guess.”

“The Solsti. And now Ravenbane? Fuck me.” A huffed string of curses echoed through the phone. “If she woke them up, we better hope like hell they’re on our side. Keep me updated.” Arawn ended the call.

D’Mari filled his own glass and took a drink. “Sounds like Arawn’s as brief as always.”

“He carries the weight of the realms on his shoulders.” Mathias propped one ankle on his opposite knee. “Strange things have been happening.”

“I agree. And now you show up with your sister and a Solsti, telling my guards you may be pursued by Ravenbane’s undead?” D’Mari folded his hands behind his head. “I’m ready for that long story now.”

Brooke set her snorkel tube and mask on the deck of her condo’s pool and slid into the warm water. She didn’t plan on using them, but Kai might, if she stayed under long enough. Plus, it made a good story for any residents who might wander in for a swim this evening. She could tell them she and Kai were going on a trip to some island and she wanted to practice snorkeling. Yeah, that would work.

Kai jumped in next to her. They had the place to themselves.

“Ready?” he asked, brown eyes twinkling.

“Yes.” She had practiced enough in her tub. Time for a bigger place. She’d managed to breathe under water for several minutes and had felt like she could keep going, but she had only been sitting. She needed to swim fast and exert her muscles while breathing to see what—if any—her limits were.

“I’ll be right next to you.” Kai winked. “I can hold my breath for a while.”

“Just let me know when you need to come up for air.” She smiled and sank below the surface.
Here we go.

She swam to the bottom of the pool. When she was just above the blue-painted floor, she blew out some—but not all—of the air in her lungs. A trail of bubbles floated upward.

She inhaled, filling her lungs, and made her way to the opposite side of the pool. Kai swam next to her and gave her a high five when they reached the wall.

I’m gonna keep doing this
, she thought to him.

Go for it.
He took off like a cannonball, hurtling through the water to the side from which they’d started.

She smiled and took another breath, following him. She probably couldn’t go as fast as he could, but she didn’t mind. He was a warrior. Speed and strength were his skills. She was a Solsti.

The thought brought a smile to her face as she straight-kicked her legs, propelling her through the depths. She knew her purpose, after years of wondering why she could command water. And now, with the realization that she was related to Ashina and Raniero—

Wait.
She stopped mid-kick, her hair swirling around her face.
Am I part Lash demon?

Bubbles churned as Kai swam across the pool to meet her, pulling her up to the surface. “That’s a good question. But you don’t smell like any Lash I’ve ever met. You and Nicole—and I bet Gin too—your scent is unique. I can tell you’re not human, but that’s all. Remember how everyone on Torth thought you were some type of fae?”

“Yes.” She nodded. “So I don’t smell like a Lash, though I’m descended, indirectly, from two Lash. And I can’t conjure fire. But Nicole and Gin have Ashina’s eyes? I’m so confused.”

“Maybe it’s just magic.” He winked.

“How is it magic that I don’t have your skills?”

“I mean, the force that brought you and your sisters into existence. You’re a unique species. You were created specially. You have talents that no one else has, so you have scents and energy signatures that no one has ever seen.”

“Hmm.” She wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders. “I wonder if that helped draw me to you, that I have Lash demons in my lineage.”

“You were drawn to me because you can’t resist me.” He threaded a hand into her wet hair and tilted her head to kiss her hard.

She wanted to smack him but couldn’t, lost in the delicious hunger of his mouth.
Yes. I couldn’t resist you. Even those times when you weren’t very polite.

Haven’t I made it up to you?
He took her lobe between his teeth. “I can, right now.”

“Not here! Anyone could walk in!” This time she did slap his arm.

She yelped as he pulled her below the surface.

How about here?
His voice was a wicked caress in her mind.
No one will see.

She gasped as his need surged through their bond.
Um…Hey!
She froze, stopping her hands mid-caress through his blond hair.
I’m still breathing.

He shot her a questioning stare.
Why wouldn’t you be?

You distracted me. I wasn’t concentrating on it. But,
she inhaled and exhaled again.
I was still able to do it.

He brought one of her hands to his lips and kissed it.
You’re amazing, baby. There’s no limit to what you can do.

She smiled, her skin tingling from the love she was feeling from him. Despite being under water, his adoration surrounded her like a halo of emotion
. Maybe. But I want to see if doing this,
she waved a hand in a circle,
will make me tire faster. Maybe I can do this but only for a short time.

All right, Sprite. Let’s get you breathless and worn out. That’s my job, after all
.

She spun in his arms and shot away through the water, giggling in her mind. For the next fifteen minutes she swam back and forth. When her legs grew fatigued, she used her arms to move forward. Finally she stopped at the side and broke the surface.

Kai popped up beside her. “I’d say that was a pretty good test.”

She took a long gulp from her water bottle and nodded. “Think I’ll have to do that for real? Against an enemy?”

Kai shrugged. “We should plan on it. You never know.”

“The water’s freezing here in winter. What if I had to do this outside? Dive below the ice?” She shivered just thinking about it.

Kai blew out a breath and bounced a glance to the fluorescent overhead lights. “We need to get you a wetsuit.”

A staccato sound registered in Gin’s ears, disturbing her blissful slumber.
Tap, tap, tap.
“Go away,” she mumbled from beneath the duvet.

The tapping turned into insistent knocking. “I’m sleeping!”

“Gin! Open up or I’m coming in.” Ria’s voice carried through the door.

Wait, why was Ria in her apartment? Had she stayed over? Gin pushed the covers down and glared at the do—

That wasn’t her bedroom door. She gasped as the day’s events rushed back to her mind. Her eyes darted around the beige walls and peaked roof of her little bungalow. Torth. Tarsa.
Demons.

“Come in.” She dropped back onto the mattress as the tug of reality pulled her into full consciousness. Guess it was time to have a heart-to-heart with Ria. She’d have to do it sooner or later.

“It’s locked, Einstein.”

“Can’t you just break it?”

A laugh burst through the warm air. “I can, but I won’t.”

“Ugh.” Gin dragged herself out of bed and opened the door. Ria stood there, all blond bouncy curls, looking ready to take on the world. She held a basket with bread, a carafe of juice, and two glasses.

“Wow, that‘s a case of twenty-four-hour bedhead if I ever saw one,” she murmured as she stared at Gin’s hair.

“What?” Gin raked a hand through her tangled waves and turned to crawl back into bed. “It’s still sunny. Was I out for, like, an hour or two?”

Ria laughed again. “Try a whole day.”

Gin’s jaw dropped. “No way.”

“Way.” Ria walked in, closed the door, and sat on the edge of the bed. She propped one knee on the covers and set the carafe and glasses on the side table. “Here, I snagged you some rolls and mango juice.”

“Not mango rum, right?” Rum for breakfast would take some getting used to. Maybe she wouldn’t try it two days in a row.