Cook, Kris - Captivation [Eternally Three 2] (Siren Publishing Menage Amour) Page 4

  This time she didn’t flinch. She closed her eyes. The pain evaporated.

  “Thank you, Gideon.” She pulled the robe tightly around her body, hiding her chest, drew in a deep breath, and turned to face Nash.

  “I liked you better without the robe.” Nash’s gaze filled with sharp heat.

  “Too bad. This isn’t a free peep show.” She turned back to Gideon. “You seem to be a gentleman. What else are you?”

  The man looked at Nash.

  “There’s no sense in waiting for David. She’s seen too much.” Though Nash spoke to Gideon, his eyes never left her. “He’s an angel, a warrior of the Alliance”

  Gideon smiled.

  A real angel? “So, white wings, angel. Leathery wings, demon?”

  “Yes.”

  Angels and demons. Unreal…. How am I gonna get out of this one? “And what is this Alliance you mentioned?”

  The angel’s tone deepened. “The immortals of Light that defend humanity from the Dark.”

  “So you’re the good guys.” She fixed her gaze on Nash. “But you’re definitely not a gentleman or an angel.”

  Nash answered, “No, I’m just the guy who saved your ass.”

  “Did I forget to thank you? Oh right, your payment was feeling me up.”

  “Watch your mouth.” He leaned closer, jaw clenched. His eyes bore into her, the edge of his control clearly nearing. “I’m a jinn, and I know how to discipline sassy little girls like you.”

  “Jinn? Like in the Arabian Nights?”

  “No, and no more questions.”

  She thought about ignoring his order, but merely rolled her eyes. “Whatever.”

  He sent her a hard glare then turned back to Gideon. “Where is the other soldier?”

  “Atticus is flying above, keeping an eye out for darklings. We’re ready to accompany you and the bloodliner to the stronghold on your command.”

  There it was again: bloodliner. What did it mean? Could they have mistaken her for someone else? Nash and Gideon’s conversation suggested that they were part of a military unit, with Nash as the senior officer and all a part of an Alliance of immortals. What did that make David? A general? And was Kro a soldier, too? A pang for Kro pulled at her insides then mixed with anger at his deceits and omissions.

  “Let’s move.” Nash edged closer to her.

  “Where are we going?”

  Nash didn’t answer. He lifted her up in his arms, with one around her back and the other under her knees, and pulled her in tight. Part of her was glad that the cloth of the robe kept him from touching her skin. Yet, a traitorous part of her missed the heat of his skin on her body and wanted to feel the hot strength of his touch again.

  “Sir, did you get that message from Raf just now? The darklings have retreated.”

  “Yes. It might be a ploy, but I doubt it. Just in case, I want you and Atticus to go with us.”

  Eve glared at Nash. “At least tell me how long it will take to get to wherever you’re taking me.”

  He didn’t reply. Instead his body changed before her eyes, becoming green and smoky and almost transparent. He shot them up to the ceiling and through it, as if it were made of air. Her stomach jumped up to her throat, and in the next instant, wind hit her face. They were flying again.

  To her left she saw Gideon. White wings spread out from his back, and he held a long bow and arrow, cocked. To her right, she saw another man flying, his body part flesh, part green smoke. He clutched a sword in one hand and a pistol in the other. Atticus, she guessed. Nash’s arms felt real enough, even though they looked vaporous, like steely bands of hard muscled flesh. She didn’t dare look him in the eyes but buried her face in his neck and let herself melt into his strong body.

  “Where are you taking me?”

  “To David.”

  The last person she wanted to see. However, until she knew exactly what she faced with Irkon and crew, it was probably better to go along for the ride. At least David had kept her safe—so far.

  The Alliance, whatever they actually were, didn’t cause her physical pain. And now that she knew that she was important to David, maybe this time things would be different. She’d have more bargaining power. If not, she’d escaped his clutches before and she would do it again.

  Chapter 3

  The book has a list of the locations of the Alliance’s strongholds and the Dark’s lairs—present and past. Babylon, Atlantis, Pompeii, Camelot, Transylvania, and others, each with their own secret immortal sites. Today, all the major cities have at least two—one from each side.

  The outsiders, the Rogues, have no formal headquarters. They seem to congregate haphazardly.

  Tomorrow, I’m going downtown to our city’s Alliance stronghold.

  Even though Lillian told me to avoid all immortals, going to Zone Three may be the only way to save my sister and me.

  Eric’s Flash Drive: day 32—entry 1

  * * * *

  Kronos tucked his throbbing wings in tight, bulleting to the roof of Zone Three where Nash had taken Eve. The angelic sentries flying above the nightclub waved at him.

  He landed by two large air conditioning units. Every inch of his body hurt from the long flight, but he ignored the pain. He had to get to Eve.

  Two jinn guards on the roof nodded in his direction. He went to the rooftop door and descended the steps to the lower floors.

  He took the stairs two at a time until he came to the landing on the uppermost floor of the building. The door to the left opened to the Alliance’s war room, the one on the right to David’s lush apartment, and the one ahead to the stairs leading to the next floor.

  He blasted through the door ahead and descended to the level that housed the playrooms for tripling. Down he went, taking every flight in a burst of speed too fast for humans to detect. Street level held the public area, dressed as a trendy nightclub with flashing lights, flat screens, sofas, and a dance floor. The crowd undulated with the music, and the heat from their lust drew an ample supply of humans for tripling.

  No sign of Nash, David, or Eve.

  Kronos spotted Mava, one of the Alliance’s in-the-know, standing on the other side of the club. As Eve’s roommate, she’d also been assigned to keep tabs on Eve.

  Understanding most immortals could hear from afar, Mava whispered. “They have her downstairs.” The only door to the lower floors stood behind the bar.

  He nodded.

  “Kronos, tell her that I’m sorry.”

  The club’s fog machines kicked into high gear, and Mava disappeared from his sight.

  Not waiting for the smoke to clear, he pushed past the mortal club-goers and hungry immortals, heading straight for the entryway that led to Eve. Trey, a young warrior jinn, leaned against it with his arms crossed, a muscled blockade for any who might dare to try to go through it uninvited.

  “Move, Trey.” Kronos noticed a long, fresh wound on the angel’s arm. It must’ve come from a darkling sword, as the healing hadn’t been instantaneous.

  “It’s not good. Don’t go down there.”

  Rage rolled up inside him. He felt the heat of it boil his skin. “Get the hell out of my way.”

  “You know the rules. No one goes down there during an intake until David says otherwise. You willing to disobey his orders?”

  “I’ll risk it. Don’t forget I out rank you. Move. That’s an order.”

  “I may be only a fourth blade to your third, but it’s gonna be your funeral, Kronos.” Trey stepped aside.

  Kronos sped down the stairs. The first lower level housed the apartments for those who resided at the stronghold. Eve had shared a room with Mava. It was the third door on the left. The next level contained the barracks for new immortal recruits and the vast weapon cache. The third level held the quarters for mid-level officers that resided on property. Down to the fourth where the senior officer’s apartments were. Then he came to the metal door. No doubt, Eve was behind it.

  Kronos scanned the metal. As he suspecte
d, a shimmering enchantment danced across its surface. He hoped it wasn’t David’s magic.

  Kronos closed his eyes, took out a marble-sized sphere of blue from the energy in his core, and disabled the spell. The door opened with a loud scrapping noise. Thankfully, someone other than the archangel had enchanted it, otherwise the door wouldn’t have budged an inch.

  First, Kronos saw David, Nash, Atticus, Gideon, and Hayden. Next, he detected a woman, but she wasn’t the one he’d come for. Finally, he spotted Eve. She wore a white robe and stood with her arms crossed and her chin tilted stubbornly. A rush of relief blew inside him. She’s safe.

  David’s silent message shot to him. No thanks to you, Kronos.

  I won’t let it happen again.

  The archangel glared at him. No, you won’t. Why are you here?

  Possessiveness welled up inside Kronos. I must protect her.

  Eve spotted him. She wiggled free from David and ran toward him. He expected her to melt into him so he spread his arms wide to receive her.

  Instead, she shoved him. “Why the hell didn’t you tell me the truth?”

  Her fury made him hesitate and clench his jaw. “I couldn’t. I had orders.”

  Her eyes widened. She pounded his chest with her fists. “Damn it, you played me, and I let you. Never again.”

  Her pain stung Kronos to his core. He wanted only to care for her, to protect her. Her words made it clear that she’d never give him another chance.

  “Eve, listen—”

  “No. I won’t.”

  David glared in his direction. “Kronos, bring the woman here.”

  Eve stilled and stared up at him, her eyes hopeful, pleading for an escape.

  Kronos leaned forward and whispered. “Sweetheart, everything will be okay.”

  Betrayal tightened her face. “I don’t believe you.”

  “I know I haven’t earned your trust, but I will.”

  The metal door to the upper floors remained open. If he could get through it and swing it shut before David and the others could react, the spell would reset. It might give him enough time to get her away from Zone Three and to a hiding place for them. He would need help from the only immortals he could turn to. Before Eve, he would never have considered turning to the Rogues, but he’d never met anyone like her before.

  David’s eyes narrowed. “Did you not hear my order, soldier?”

  * * * *

  What can I say about David? Yes, he’s an archangel, but not the kind I learned about when I was little.

  Wings? Yes.

  Halo? Not that I’ve seen.

  Kind? When it serves his purpose, but he can also be cruel.

  What is his real motivation in helping me? I don’t think he’s lying, but I also don’t think he’s telling me everything. Besides, his plan still isn’t working.

  Great sex, guilty sex, useless sex. Still, thanks to David finally finding two immortals that were magically compatible to me, my bloodline power activated. But they weren’t compatible enough to save me. Since then, I’ve tripled with sixteen different immortals with no success. The clock just keeps ticking.

  Why can’t David find the right combination? Am I just a guinea pig for him to experiment with? If I don’t connect soon, I will be dead—or worse.

  Eric’s Flash Drive: day 56—entry 1

  * * * *

  Every bit of fight Eve had evaporated the moment Kro lifted her up in his arms. She’d missed him so deeply it scared her. The desire to tell him burned her insides, but she didn’t dare.

  “Surely you wouldn’t be foolish enough to try to escape with her, Kronos.” A threat peppered David’s tone.

  Was Kro thinking about springing her? A quick read of his face told her that he was. That he would even consider it stunned and thrilled her.

  She studied the room. Cabinets lay against one concrete wall, wires and electrical boxes on another. Several lockers filled the far side of the room, and the only exit with the metal door to the stairs was located opposite the lockers.

  She glanced over at Nash. His eyes narrowed, showing her that he wouldn’t let Kro take her away without a fight. The guy was such a hardass. Still, Kro and Nash seemed pretty equally matched. She wasn’t sure which one of them would win in a knock-down drag-out. Most likely it would end in a tie.

  Upstairs would be more guards to try to get past, and Nash wasn’t the only one interested in keeping her there. David and crew would do whatever it took to stop Kro from leaving with her. The other men all looked like flesh-and-blood males, but she knew better, especially about Nash. She couldn’t let Kro make the attempt. It was time for her to take the wheel.

  “Stop. Put me down.” She needed to be free of Kro’s hold, or the itch she felt with him would soon demand a scratch. “I can walk over to the son-of-a-bitch on my own two legs.”

  Kronos turned to her, his green eyes full of concern and question. Finally, he nodded and lowered her so that her feet touched the floor.

  “Thank you.”

  “Eve, come here,” David ordered.

  Kro stayed beside her, his arm wrapped possessively around her shoulders. Together, they stepped forward.

  David wore narrow glasses. Most likely he donned them for some kind of statement since he surely didn’t need them to see. His steel-gray eyes were studying everyone and everything. His sinewy frame was draped in designer clothes that gave an air of sophistication.

  Gideon, now wingless, stood with his arms behind his back.

  Atticus leaned against the wall. Short dark hair, tan skin, massive muscles, an appearance alluding to an incredible strength.

  David had called the man with the goatee Hayden before Kro showed up. He held a woman with long black hair by the arm who seemed confused. She was a prisoner, just like Eve.

  Glancing at Nash, Eve noticed his earlier expression full of carnality had darkened. Was it because Kro touched her? Whatever it was, Nash’s fixed gaze on her was like an intimate touch. Coupled with Kro’s touch, it became a double-team that ignited something deep inside her. She couldn’t afford the new craving to grow. But they soon proved that her desire was stronger than her will.

  She couldn’t deny that it felt good being held tight against Kronos again. Had she let him down, too? She’d never lied, but she’d also never divulged much to him. Every question he’d shot her way she’d deflected or ignored. But the more time she spent with him, the more her defenses weakened. Her heart urged her to open up, but whenever she thought she might, her mouth clamped shut.

  Three days ago she’d left Zone Three and Kronos to get away from the crazy things she’d seen. At least that’s what she’d told herself. But a part of her had been looking for any reason to leave. Being with Kronos had been too good and too comfortable. She’d known that it would end, like everything else in her life, so why prolong the inevitable?

  She’d left behind no note or message. Not the most courageous way to make an exit, but letting loose ends remain untied had always worked when she needed to leave in a hurry.

  “Come closer,” David ordered.

  Kro removed his arm from her and stepped in front of her protectively. If he meant to be subtle, he’d failed. “Sir, thank you for bringing her back safely. I’m ready to resume my duty guarding her.”

  “Kro, I don’t need to be guarded, and I don’t need someone speaking for me.” She moved around him.

  Kro cupped her chin and turned her face to him. “Eve, there’s more going on here than you know. Please, let me—”

  “I know more than you think.” She shoved his hand from her face. “I got thrown across a room. Remember?”

  “Yes. There’s an explanation for that.”

  “I’m listening.”

  “David ordered me to take an energy-starved ji—um, soldier to you for help.”

  “Help? How does that work?”

  David raised his hands. “Questions and answers can come later. Now is not the time.”

  Nash grabbed Da
vid’s arm. “She deserves the truth. I’ve told her some of it.”

  David’s face burned red. “What exactly did you tell her?”

  “Sir, she’d already seen and heard enough to put two and two together. She’s as sharp as a tack.”

  “Fine. What does she know?”

  “That I’m a jinn and Gideon is an angel.”

  Kronos turned to David. “Sir, permission to reveal the rest.”

  Irritation flashed across his commander’s face, but he didn’t argue. David lowered his hands. “As you wish.”

  “Eve, I’m not human.” Kro reached for her, but she pulled away.

  “No kidding. Tell me why you and I flew across the room with that guy, the energy-starved soldier?”

  “Jared is a jinn. Our immortal’s existence depends on connecting with mortals to maintain our life source.”

  “Finally, the truth.” Eve’s heart pounded hard in her chest. She needed to know all of it. “Is that why you kept me in bed? For power?”

  “Of course not.”

  She rolled her eyes.

  “Truly.” He seemed to be scrambling to tell her. “Power requires a triad, not a coupling.”

  The looks of surprise from Gideon, Atticus, and Hayden told her that Kronos had admitted to something a bit taboo.

  He’d taken her to bed many times, just the two of them. Did that mean he’d done it not for power, but because he felt something for her? The fact he’d been willing to defy his commander to break her free suggested yes.

  That scared the hell out of Eve.

  “One angel, one jinn, and one…” Nash pinned her with a lusty stare that seared her entire body. “…smoking hot human like you, Ms. Rousseau, makes a triad. Mix it together, and you have the recipe for immortal mojo.”

  “Nash, that’s enough.” Kronos’s eyes narrowed. “You don’t touch her. I know too much about you.”

  Eve wondered what Kro knew about Nash. “So are you an angel, Kro?”

  “Yes.”

  “Why else would you fuck me if not for power?” Once she asked the question, she wished she could take it back. She feared the answer.

  “Because I—”

  Nash interrupted. “Eve, I’ve already told you. Stop playing dumb. You’re too smart for that. This angel fucked you alone. Fun, but no energy. A waste. The voltage inside you is something I’d enjoy sampling.”