скачать книгу бесплатно
Unable to stop himself, he stood helpless as his gaze once more sought the Amazon. She was still watching him, those inviting lips pursed as if she was lost in thought, trying to decide on the best course of action. A tendril of hair caressed her cheek, and he found himself wondering if her skin was as soft as he remembered. Found himself jealous that his fingers were not what caressed her.
Oh, no. No, no, no. There would be none of that, he reminded himself, determined to repeat the mantra as many times as necessary. His eyelids narrowed to tiny slits, and the spark of hatred he’d felt earlier grew. Intensified. Perhaps it was best that his weapons had been taken from him. He might have killed the Amazon right then for daring to claim desires that belonged only to Susan.
“Should we swim out?” one of the gorgons asked the crowd.
A debate arose.
“Come,” Layel told Zane. He ignored the sense of loss that assaulted him as he once again pivoted. Swimming, he was confident, would prove pointless. Someone powerful wanted them here, so here they would remain. “We have weapons to make.”
Sweat glistened on the other vampire’s face as he nodded. “I cannot relax until I have blades in my hands.”
They moved deeper into the thicket, the dewy foliage about to wrap around them completely. “We will—” Layel hit another invisible wall and cursed.
Snarling, Zane kicked out his leg. “No one should be able to hold us like this.”
“Trapped,” someone said behind them. “The forest is blocked.”
“What should we do?” another demanded. A female.
Layel twisted, saw the two nymphs had followed him, and scrubbed a hand down his face. Valerian, the nymph king, was his only true friend, the man’s followers his allies. These two were more beautiful than most, both boasting pale hair and vivid blue eyes. Features so pure and perfect they far surpassed the radiance of the sun.
“Broderick,” he acknowledged with a nod. “Why aren’t you trying to swim back to Atlantis?”
“Several reasons. The first is that I’m not convinced it will do us any good—and I’d just as soon stay warm and dry if that’s the case. The second is that I trust you more than I trust any of the other creatures here. Where you go, my sister and I will go. Have you any idea what’s going on?”
“All I know is that our way is being blocked, which must mean we are not to leave the beach. Perhaps if we return, whoever has done this to us will finally reveal himself.” Bastard.
“We can hope.” Walking back, side by side, Broderick said, “Word is you were battling dragons again.”
“Yes.”
“Win?”
“Not yet.” But he would.
“They are not bad men.” Valerian had recently allied himself with the dragons to save his mate. Layel had understood the need for such a union, even if he despised it with all of his being. He would have done no less for Susan. “They are respectful of our women, aid us in our defense of our palace, never strike at us in spite. They—”
“Are not up for discussion.” Having reached the edge of the trees, Layel was careful to remain in the shade. He studied the creatures anew. They were divided, whispering in their groups of two.
Or maybe not so divided after all. “There’s only one other avenue of escape. Who’s with me?” The proclamation came from Brand as he stalked toward the water. The others were quick to follow him.
A moment later, there was a splash, then another and another. Every creature save Layel, Zane and the two nymphs entered, swimming for the dome. Even Delilah. Her head bobbed up and down with the waves.
He gritted his teeth. You must stop seeking her out.
“Should we follow them?” Zane asked.
“They’ll return,” he replied confidently. “There are powers at work. Strange powers, strong powers. As I said, we are clearly wanted here. There will be no escaping.”
He watched as arms and legs peeked above the water, some scaled, some lined with horns, some humanlike. Five minutes passed. Ten. Fifteen. Twenty, thirty. No one gained any distance. No matter how hard they fought the ocean, they remained a few feet from the beach.
One by one, they gave up and crawled to shore, exhausted and panting. Delilah was the last to exit, which spoke volumes about her character. Strong, determined, unwilling to admit defeat.
He should not admire her for that.
She was scowling as her gaze latched on to his. She lumbered into a march, her expression darkening the closer she came. All of her war paint had washed away, revealing golden skin tattooed with intricate designs the same luscious shade as her cerulean locks, swirling around her face, upper arms, waist and thighs.
What little clothing she wore clung to her curves.
Soaked tendrils of hair were plastered to her, dripping liquid down her stomach and thighs. His gaze followed several droplets, and his blood heated as if he were baking in the sunlight again. Oh, to lick them up…
Zane tensed and stepped in front of him. “Enemy approaching.”
“Let her come.” If she could. Would the air shield stop her this time?
Curious, Layel kept his hands clenched at his sides. Part of him hoped she would be allowed to reach him. He had tried to ignore the sensual power she wielded, the awareness that sizzled every time he looked at her. He had tried, and he had failed. It was past time the madness ended. Susan deserved better from him. And there was only one way he could think of that would halt his new desires permanently. Death.
As he was not yet ready to die, that left one option. Killing the Amazon. He would not be upset about it, would not miss her. He didn’t even know her.
“Do not touch her. Do not even approach her, no matter what she does or says.”
The command surprised them both, but he did not rescind it. She belonged to him, her last breath his to deliver.
Eyes narrowed, Zane moved out of the way. He stared Delilah down as she stalked past him, still no hint of the air shield in evidence.
She tossed the man a withering glance before once again focusing all her fury on Layel. “A bodyguard,” she said, brows arched. “Afraid of a little girl, vampire? I don’t know why, but I expected better of you.”
That she was now inches from him, practically in his face, her sea-kissed scent tormenting his nose, electrified him. He’d just decided to kill her. Could he, though? he wondered now as his gaze locked with hers. All that violet…a man could get lost. His hands still rested at his sides, the muscles lax. Do it. Strike! Not even a twitch.
“I don’t care what you expected. Your opinion has no value to me.” Cruel, yes, but necessary. If he couldn’t hurt her physically—what’s stopping you? Simply act, move—he would have to hurt her emotionally. Anything to preserve the distance between them.
Her mouth fell open, pain shimmering in her eyes. Pain she quickly masked.
Has to be this way, he reminded himself, since he clearly wasn’t man enough to slay her. “Don’t come near me again, woman. Don’t look at me, don’t even breathe in my direction.”
As he spoke, she ran her tongue over her teeth. “As if I’m the only one doing the looking. But I’ll tell you what, vampire. I’ll stop looking at you, if you’ll stop looking at me.”
His jaw hardened—and he refused to admit what else hardened at the sight of that pink tongue. “Done.” He forced himself into motion, attempting to sidestep her.
She stiffened and jumped back in front of him. “Stay where you are. There are a few more things we need to work out.”
True to his word, he kept his eyes averted from her. “No. Now, out of my way, Amazon.” A mistake, letting her get close to him. Besides being too hot, his skin was suddenly too tight for his bones and his stomach was knotted.
“You’re being very rude,” she said. “I’ve killed men for less.”
“Do you want a prize?” he asked drily. Still, he managed to face the beach. Her sea-salt scent continued to tease him, strong, lovely. Hauntingly familiar.
“I’ll settle for your testicles in my trophy tent.”
That did not amuse him. “Perhaps later. At the moment, I need them.” He headed for Brand, who sat near the water’s edge, knees drawn to his chest. His back was to Layel, his braided blond hair as soaked as Delilah’s. Obviously the air shields were down, not just for Delilah but for everyone, creatures now touching one another.
As if sensing him, Brand hopped to his feet and spun. His lips curved into a grin, animosity flaring as if there had been no break between battles. “I expected you sooner.”
“I live to disappoint you. Ready to die?”
“Come and get me, bloodsucker.”
“My plea—” Layel hit the damned invisible wall again, knocking the breath right out of his lungs.
Brand’s grin became smug. “What’s the matter? Change your mind? Frightened?”
Calm. Do not show emotion.
“You’re the coward, dragon,” Delilah said, suddenly at Layel’s side. Brand’s smugness became fury.
“Can you move past this point?” Layel asked without facing her, trying to quash the pleasure that came with her defense of him.
She bristled at his harsh tone. “Can you?”
“Woman.”
“That is not my name.” She kept her gaze on Layel; he felt the heat of it. A quick glance at her proved he was right, and that her hands remained fisted, as if she expected Brand to attack her at any moment.
“Can you move past this godsdamn point, woman?”
Silence.
He waited. Even Brand waited. Still she did not speak. Had he hurt her again? Did tears swim in her lovely lavender irises? Why did the prospect not please him as much as it should?
“My name is Delilah.”
“I know.”
Her shoulder brushed his arm and he hissed. “Say my name,” she said, suddenly breathless, “and I’ll consider finding out.”
Something about her tone…pure challenge layered the wispy undercurrents, as if she wanted him to deny her. He was not sure what to make of that. “Why do you wish me to do this?”
“I want to hear my name on your tongue.”
“Again, why?”
“Because.” Stubborn as he’d come to realize she was, she said no more.
“Tell me why,” he demanded.
“Just say it!”
“No,” he said, while inside his mind he whispered Delilah, drawing out each syllable. The name was a prayer and a curse, both wonderful and evil. Unable to help himself, he looked down and studied her. So lovely, and yet so dangerous in a way she could not possibly comprehend.
A pause. A deep breath, as though she prayed for patience. “Have it your way, vampire. But if you won’t say my name, at least tell me yours.”
No reason to deny her. She would find out one way or another. “I am Layel.”
Her eyes widened. “The vampire king?”
He nodded curtly. Was that admiration now sparkling in her eyes? Surely not. “Try and step past me. Please,” he added reluctantly. It was easier to beg than to give her what she wanted.
Silent, trembling, she moved closer to Brand. Unhindered, unfettered. Irritation raced through Layel that she could do so and he could not. She did not remain there, however. She returned to Layel’s side.
“Want me to kill the dragon for you while I’m here?” she asked, as casually as if they were discussing the weather.
Brand snorted, not the least bit fearful. Foolish.
Layel gave a clipped shake of his head. “Why?” he demanded of the sky. But if the gods heard him, they gave no indication. As usual.
“Maybe I’ll do it for my own pleasure, then,” she said to Brand, ignoring Layel as her eyes narrowed. “I haven’t forgotten what was done to my sister.”
The dragon scrubbed two fingers along his jaw. “What little was done, she brought upon herself. And anyway, I have a feeling we aren’t meant to harm each other. Why else would our weapons have been taken?”
“I don’t need any weapons to take you down.” Layel stepped in front of Delilah. Not to protect her, he told himself, but to claim Brand’s attention. “Why don’t you try and breach the shield, dragon?”
“No, I don’t think I will,” Brand said. “I’m done with this conversation. Done with you, too, now that my anger has cooled. I’ll leave you at the…tender mercies of the Amazon.” Then he did the unthinkable. He walked away. Walked the hell away.
Layel’s fangs cut into his lower lip, drawing blood. He tried to follow. Couldn’t.
Delilah pivoted, in front of him again, blocking his view of the retreating dragon. “As I was saying, we have some things to discuss, you and I.”
He popped his jaw before forcing his expression to relax. She was still geared for a fight, still seemed to crave one. “Poor baby,” he said, unwilling to give her what she wanted. “Did I hurt your feelings when I abandoned you a moment ago?”
Her cheekbones pinkened, highlighting the freckles atop her dainty nose. Would she have a dimple when she smiled? If she ever smiled, that is. So far, the Amazon had only glared at him.
Susan had had two dimples, and she’d rarely been without a smile. One that had always entranced him. So why did Delilah’s glare affect him just as powerfully?
Layel almost beat himself in the temples to dislodge that torturous thought. He would not compare another woman to Susan. There was no comparison. She had no equal, then or now.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” Delilah asked, now curious rather than upset. “In fact, why are you looking at me at all? You said you would not.”
Because I am a terrible husband. “How was I looking at you?” He stared past her, past the water to the crystal dome that was so close, yet so far away. Like I want to draw you close and push you away at the same time? Like I want to both taste you and kill you? Like you’re dangerous in a way you have no right to be?
“Like I’m a disgusting demon,” she said.
She wasn’t a demon; she was far worse. Admitting it would have given her power over him, though. “Why did you approach me, Amazon? What do you want from me? And understand that I will not fight with you, no matter what you say. Not now. You will stop trying to provoke me.”
“I wasn’t trying to provoke you,” she said, indignant.
“You succeeded nonetheless. I asked you a question. You will answer it.”
At first, she gave no reaction to his words. Then her lips pursed. Those lush, beautiful lips. What would they feel like against his skin? What would—
