Yeah, she replied dryly. Thanks for not mentioning. Just for the record, Heavenly Hills, you were just shot up, too.
Hey! You promised never to call me by that ridiculous name again.
Like thats a promise I can really keep.
Bees right, Taliyah said, ignoring them. Everyones already out for our blood. Theyre going to gang up on us big-time, so we have to have our fastest players in the air.
Kaia sputtered. I know youre not suggesting what I think youre suggesting. Im fast. Like, bullet fast.
Yeah, but Gwens faster. So am I, for that matter. So is Neeka. So is Bianka. Hell, Juno and Tedra are faster than all of us combined, Taliyah added, motioning to their other members. Thats why I recruited them. Plus, Juno hasnt played yet, and Tedras already healed from the arrows.
Everyone but Kaia nodded. She pressed her tongue into the roof of her mouth. This almost seemed rehearsed. What was clear, though, was that they didnt want her fighting. Didnt think she could help, only hinder.
Gods, the hurt she experiencedthe humiliationboth nearly knocked her down. Made her want to curl into Striders lap and cry. His strong arms would band around her and he would coo at her, comfort her, then tell her how capable she was.
Or not.
Last time they were together, hed wanted her to train with his friends. Even he doubted her skill.
Stomachclenchingagain
She could have fought her sisters on this. Could have pulled rank and insisted. Instead, she nodded as if she agreed with them. Just as shed done with Strider. One, they would have argued with her and she had no solid legs to stand on. Just wound-ridden ones. Two, as theyd so rudely pointed out, she wasnt at her best. And three, victory was priority one, not her pride.
All right, she said, forcing a confident tone. Bianka, Juno and Tedra. Youre up. If youre okay, Bee. You were shot up pretty badly.
Im fine. She offered Kaia a relieved yet sad smile. She knew the thoughts pouring through Kaias mind. I was carrying a vial of Lysanders blood with me and drained the contents on the way here.
Smart. And hell, why hadnt she thought to ask Strider for a vial of his blood? Not that he would have agreed to give her one. Not after everything shed done to him. Plus, to do so, he would have to care for her. Would have to be more concerned for her health than with remaining at her side.
You guys can decide on the fourth member, she said, knowing they would anyway.
They accepted the decree without a token argument, surprise, surprise, and it was swiftly decided that Gwen would join the fray. Sabins blood had healed her after Tag and she hadnt been hit by an arrow. Neekas deafness could be used against her and Taliyah wasnt quite as equipped for airplay as the youngest Skyhawk.
A shrill whistle blasted and the groups quieted.
Times up, Juliette announced. Take your places, everyone.
Footsteps shuffled. While chosen team members climbed to the top of the trees, Kaia remained on the ground, watching, a painful vise-grip on her heart. A grip that tightened when she caught Juliettes eye and the Harpy grinned with her patented smug satisfaction.
Knew you couldnt cut it, that smile seemed to say.
Kaia tried not to flush or tear up.
Dont pay any attention to that hag, Taliyah said, slapping her on the shoulder. Youre better in every way.
Thanks, Tal.
Neeka dug the hopefully unneeded medical supplies from their backpacks and joined them. None too soon, either.
Juliette raised a gun high in the air, held steady while everyone tensed, waiting, expectant, then squeezed the trigger.
Boom!
High above was an explosion of movement. Leaves rustled and bodies slammed together. Grunts of might, groans of pain and screams of rage rang out, tolling bells of injury and satisfaction. Kaia tried to keep track of her sisters, but the girls were too high up, moving too quickly, disappearing behind leaves and clouds and she soon gave up. She watched the ground, waiting for bodies to fall.
Within minutes, she felt a whoosh of air, tensed when she heard a splat. Tensed even more when she spied a motionlessSongbird a few feet away. Blood pooled around the girl as one of her teammates rushed to administer aid.
Thank the gods. Kaias stomach unclenched, though the burn of acid didnt recede. Would Gwen end up that way? Bianka?
Hands fisting, body trembling, she tore her gaze from the huddle of Songbirds. At the far edge of the clearing, she spotted a shake of leaves and a flash of dark hair. An innocent Harpy, just needing a moment alone? A malicious Harpy bent on attacking someone, even though they stood on neutral ground? A Hunter, who wouldnt care about anything but destroying his target? Or maybe Rhea herself?
Hell, for all Kaia knew, that dark hair belonged to Sabin. Or even Lazarus. The way hed watched her at the bar, the way hed taunted herhe wasnt done with her. That, she knew all too well.
Taking no chances, she leaned over to Taliyah and whispered, Saw something. Gonna check it out.
Her oldest sister didnt switch her attention from the fight. Be careful. Shout if you need me.
She knew her sister well enough to know Taliyah was merely humoring her. If shed thought there was an actual threat, Taliyah the Cold-Hearted would have insisted on coming with her. There was another stab of hurt in Kaias chest, but she shook it off.
She melted into the thick, green foliage. The trees and plants actually seemed to turn away from her now, as if word had spread and they were all afraid of her. Too bad the same couldnt be said for her fellow Harpies.
Staying low, a dagger in each hand, she worked her way around the clearing. Her legs were a bit rubbery, causing her feet to drag. She was louder than shed intended, but there was no help for it. If the intruder didnt notice the clomp of her boots, hed definitely hear the beat of her heart, drumming like a jackhammer set to its fastest setting and slamming against her ribs.
Finally she spotted footprints that didnt belong to a Harpy. These were big, thick and pressed deeply enough that whoever had made them weighed at least two hundred pounds of solid muscle.
That narrowed things down a bit. She was dealing with either a Hunter, Sabin or Lazarus. Her mind buzzed, quickly eliminating suspects. If this were a Hunter, there would be other footprints. After all, Hunters were like cockroaches. Where one hid, a thousand others did, as well. If this were Sabin, she would scent Strider. The two were never far apart.
That left Lazarus the Tampon.
Well, well. Maybe theyd have their knock-down drag-out at last. And wouldnt you know it? Theyd have that knock-down drag-out while she lacked full throttle. Wasnt that just peachy?
A hard weight crashed into her back, throwing her face-first to the ground. That same weight pressed against her so forcefully her wings were smashed into their slits, hindering their movements and decreasing her strength even more. Oxygen gushed from her suddenly dirt-coated mouth, an explosion that left her reeling.
Shed been so determined to sneak up on her prey, shed failed to guard her back properly. She knew better! Damn it, what was wrong with her?
Here was more proof of her weakness. No wonder her sisters hadnt wanted her in the air.
Nothing would prevent her from fighting, though. Her claws emerged, and her fangs sprouted. But just as she attempted to twist and wedge her knee between their bodies, a male voice whispered, Dont. I won, and thats that. Satisfaction and pleasure layered that familiarbelovedvoice.
Strider. Unlike Juliettes satisfaction, his didnt bother her. She actually reveled in it. He was here. He was with her, alive and well. He was also in danger, but at the moment she couldnt make that matter. He was here!
We good? he asked in that same silky whisper. His warm breath caressed her ear and absolute relief washed through her. Until he added, Wait, dont answer. That bastard Lazarus is just ahead, waiting for you. He set a trap.
When she caught her breath, she rasped out, What kind of trap?
The kind with flowers, candlelight and a bejeweled goblet filled with his probably diseased blood.
Her eyes widened. Lazarus was going to try andseduce her? Why? I dont know about diseased, but that blood is probably poisoned. Right? A trick meant to lure her into softening before the bastard went in for the kill.
If were lucky, hell die of disappointment when you fail to show.
Actually, if hes lucky.
Good point. Now I have to decide whether to kill him now or kill him later.
Option two? she asked hopefully.
My thinking exactly. Right now, I have something better to do. Strider eased back a little and she finally twisted, lying on her back. His legs straddled her waist, and his navy eyes glared down at her. Dirt smudged his sun-kissed skin and his pale hair was pink with dried blood and plastered to his face. Dont worry, though. Hell get his.
Are you hurt? If someone had hurt him, she would unleash her Harpy. She wouldnt be able to help herself. She would
Im fine. His expression softened, and gods, he was beautiful. Remember the Hunters who last attacked you? Well, they suffered afterward. Youre welcome.
Her relief intensified, mixing with a sense of pride. This was her man, her warrior. No one was stronger. No one was as vengeful or as capable. Thank you. Now, you have to go, she told him, giving him a little push. Rhea could be nearby, and you are
Nope. He didnt budge. Sabin and the angels are looking for her. So far, they havent found any hint of her presence.
That doesnt mean
Shut it, Kaia, he said, cutting her off a second time. Youre in trouble and only digging the hole deeper. He pushed to his feet only to bend down and grab her wrist, tugging her to her feet in turn, spinning them both around and leading her away from Lazarus.
Leaves and branches slapped at her, and insects buzzed, some daring to bite her.
I cant go too far, she said, huffing from exertion already. Damn. Her side and leg throbbed, the wounds having opened when she fell. Now, blood trickled from each, catching in her boots.
Youll go as far as I tell you, he snapped, unaware of her pain.
Strider, listen to me. My sisters are fighting. I have to
I dont care what theyre doing. You and I are going to talk. Now keep it down while I find a place for us. If you dont, Ill gag you. And Kaia? I really hope I get to gag you.
She pressed her lips together, silent as he urged her deeper and deeper into the forest.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
STRIDER HAULED KAIA through thickening mist and across a rushing river. When hed first come here, the trees had tried to eat him alive and hed had to hack his way to safety every few minutes. Now, those same trees remained perfectly still, not a single leaf dancing in the swirling breeze. What was that about?
The question ceased to matter when he reached the cave hed discovered while tracking Kaia. Would serve her right to be thrown inside, a boulder shoved in front of the only exit. She could spend a few years in solitary confinement, thinking about her mistakes.
He meant to yell at her, he really didfor leaving him behind, for almost walking into that bastard Lazaruss seductive trap, which Strider would punish him for setting, by the waybut as he backed her against the crystal wall, he was given his first full-length glimpse of her since tackling her fine ass to the ground. Her gorgeous red hair was damp at the ends and dripping little water beads onto her bare stomach.
The river had washed away the makeup that always coated her skin, leaving her glimmering like a diamond in blazing sunlight. Not as brightly as before, though. And she was shivering. He frowned. Why was she shivering? It was as hot as hell in here.
That did nothing to diminish her appeal. Nothing could. Maybe because she wore a tiny half top and a pair of shorts. Both were white, now see-through, and he saw. Blushing, beaded nipples, and then, between the long, lithe length of her legs, a delicious patch of red in the center, and if he didnt look away soon his erection would bust through the zipper on his pants.
He studied the rest of her. She was injured, he realized. The angry wounds in her side and on her thigh caused fury to well inside him, replacing the lust. No wonder her skin lacked its most brilliant sheen and her body couldnt stop trembling.
He bit into his wrist and held the wound to her mouth. Drink.
Moaning in ecstasy, she obeyed. Such exquisite suction, he thought, such warmth. Her eyes closed in surrender. When he saw the torn muscle and then the flesh weaving back together, he nodded in satisfaction and removed his arm.
He was the one to groan this time. Of course, lack of injury left her beautiful skin bare and unmarred, allowing him to eat her back up with his eyes. The lust returned full force.
Gazeup Her lips were pouty, moist. Higher. Because, damn. He was throbbing. Her silver-gold eyes were luminous with all kinds of emotion. Upset, relief, arousal of her own, hurt. He wanted to wipe away the bad and magnify the good. And the only way to do that, he told himself, was to have her. Finally. All the way, nothing held back.
Yeah, baby. He liked the thought of that. Felt as if he were thinking clearly for the first time in his life. He needed what she offered. Wanted to stake his claim, warn every other man away.
There would be consequences, he was sure, but he couldnt make that matter. Not here, not now. Shed left him and struck out on her own, and the separation had nearly driven him to the brink of insanity.
He pressed his body against hers and she gasped. Such a lovely sound, needy and wanton.
Thank you, she said, her voice low and sultry. You have no idea how much I needed that.
Welcome.
Do you still want to gag me? Because I recommend using a racket ball and duct tape if you do.
No need for a gag. I can handle you. If he couldnt, well, there was no better way to go.
Her breath hitched. Really? Now her tone was verging on the edge of hope.