Damned and Defiant (13 page)

The sun was high in the sky, yet the lighting gave the appearance of twilight or a dark, cloudy day. The ocean had a luminous green color, unlike any sea she’d seen before. The wind howled against the jagged, rock cliffs. Gray purplish clouds churned and coiled like the funnel clouds she’d seen in Texas. Her new home? She had a nagging feeling, like she’d made a wrong turn down a dark, lonely road. Life blood pounded through her veins. Human blood, mortal blood. How different would she be when she was immortal? “Where’s Dante? Shouldn’t I talk to him first?”

“No!” Natesa said sharply then smiled. “I mean, we all know he’s in love with you, but he’ll believe you’re making a sacrifice and not allow you to do it.”

“I understand,” Haley said. “I want to do this. Dante and I can be together. I can be with the horses and far away from my father.”

“Good.” Natesa squeezed Haley’s hand. “You’ll love it on Prygos. It’s beautiful there. I’ve always been immortal, but I hear assimilation isn’t too painful.”

Haley yanked her hand back. “What do you mean?”

“Stop worrying.” Natesa laughed.

A man dressed in a linen tunic tied with a leather strap, greeted Haley at the entrance of the temple and introduced himself as Zorian. Opening the wide door, he grasped her hand, pressed it to his lips and studied her with gray-blue, exotic eyes. The man had perfect features, like a carved Greek statue, a high forehead and a fine, angular nose and chin. Muscles strained his glistening bronze skin. Were all these immortals born this way? If mortals from a thousand years ago had contact with them, she’d understand where tales of the gods were created.

In one hand, Zorian held some sort of rod. Haley couldn’t decide if the three-foot long object was a tool or a weapon. “I’m so glad you decided to join us. I’ll be your trainer once you’re assimilated. I look forward to our sessions.” His fingers sensuously stroked the palm of her hand.

Natesa gently pulled Haley’s hand away from Zorian. “Perhaps her training will begin after we arrive on Prygos,” she said to Zorian with a smile.

“She may not need training as a Drone but if she takes on an alternate animal form, she’ll need direction to acclimate.”

“Animal form? What exactly is going to happen to me during this change?” Haley’s impatience rose and she couldn’t hold back the edge to her voice.

“After the change, your psychic powers will be enhanced,” Natesa said. “And you may choose an alternative form. Most Drones choose animals. On Earth it helps them with their chi collections. They have the strength and skills of powerful animals in the wild.”

“Animals can also move quickly among men unnoticed. As our High Sorceress on Prygos, that may be a useful skill,” Zorian added. “Have you thought about a power animal for yourself, Haley?”

“A power animal? Like a totem? Does Dante have one?” By the way Zorian was talking, they were accepting her as one of their own, and even one in a position of power. Some of that terror she was feeling moments ago faded. Maybe this was her destiny. If only she could’ve talked to Ambros or Sakari or Dante first.

“Yes, it’s something like a totem. Dante chose the coyote after the Native American Trickster folklore.”

“I don’t know. There are many power animals to choose from.”

Zorian laughed. The laughter made him seem more human. Was she making the right decision?

“A bird, a deer, a wolf like Natesa,” Zorian offered and Natesa gave him a sharp look.

“I need time to think,” Haley murmured. “I’ll be the High Sorceress on Prygos? You’re sure my powers will be sufficient.”

Natesa grasped Haley’s arm. “Of course. The demoness wants you here.”

“Wait here a moment while I check with Tarik,” Zorian said. “He may have other Drones in his chamber.” A fearful look passed between Natesa and Zorian. Haley couldn’t decide what it meant.

Zorian disappeared down a long hallway and Natesa attempted to lead her away from sounds of moans and voices. Haley, drawn to the noise, pushed past Natesa and entered a great hall.

She gaped at the magnificence of the room. White marble pillars rose to the cathedral ceiling that glittered with multicolored crystals. The room was illuminated by skylights and dozens of flaming sconces along the walls, their flames reflecting in the white marble floors. A large pool was centered in the room. What stood out the most was the number of naked men and women engaged in sexual encounters of various kinds. One woman at the far end in a lounger seemed to be the center of attention in the bizarre orgy scene. “What the hell is this?” Haley asked Natesa.

“Ah, don’t be concerned with this.”

“I really should see Dante first.”

“Tarik is ready for her now.” Zorian appeared next to them. “Gwyllain, our ruler, likes to have parties. This isn’t something you’ll need to be involved with, Haley, when you’re our High Sorceress. Dante isn’t available and we don’t have time to look for him. Let’s go. It’s either now or never,” Zorian said.

She felt a spurt of courage. This was her destiny. They were giving her a choice, they weren’t forcing her. “Show me the way.”

* * * * *

The hum of electric equipment echoed through the stone walls. The lighting was dimmer, the air cooler and smelled like the sea. Haley rubbed her arms as Natesa opened a door.

“This is Tarik’s control chamber and laboratory,” Natesa said, leading her inside. “He’s Gwyllain’s consort and scientist for Anartia. His work is what made our journey back to our home world possible.” The man standing at a large instrument panel adjusting dials was not what she’d expected a master demon to look like. Although this man was less muscular than Zorian, Haley feared him more. There was something distant and cold in his gray eyes that went beyond a distracted scientist. When they entered, memories of the room flooded back. Three giant crystals pointed down from the ceiling and angled toward a triangular point. Thoughts of pain filled her mind.

Haley’s pulse raced. “I think this was a mistake.” She started backing up toward the door while surrounding herself with white light.

“You’re fine, Haley. You won’t be harmed,” Tarik said, his voice soothing and reassuring.

“You tried to kill me here.”

“I didn’t try to kill you. I needed your excess energy.” He took her by the shoulders and walked her under the crystals. “We’re desperate to leave this dimension. Otherwise, Anartia will be destroyed. We welcome your gifts as new High Sorceress on Prygos. Now stand here beneath these assimilation crystals. This won’t take long.” He placed one of those nebula stones around her neck. “You’ll need to wear this at all times if you travel to Earth. It connects you to Anartia’s core. It’ll provide you with the source of your immortal energy.”

Haley held the stone in her hand, remembering the one that Dante wore just like it. She glanced at Natesa for reassurance. “You’ll be fine. Did you decide on your power animal?”

“I think so. As we walked down to the lower levels it got cooler, and I thought about a snow leopard. They have strong intuitive faculties and heightened senses.”

“Good choice. Leopards are symbols of strength. Hold still.” Tarik walked back over by his control panel.

“Will becoming immortal hurt?” Even if there was pain it would be worth it.

“No pain,” Zorian said, regarding her thoughtfully. “Perhaps discomfort. You may experience more pleasure than you can stand.”

“Pleasure?” Haley wasn’t sure if she heard him correctly.

“Yes,” Natesa confirmed. “You’d feel more comfortable without your clothes.”

Haley chuckled nervously. “I’ll leave them on, thanks.”

“First stage,” Tarik announced as he flicked a switch and turned a dial. Instantly, Haley’s face, cheeks and body burned, then the warmth settled in her groin. Pressing her thighs together, she tried resisting the swell of her clit. Wetness pooled between her legs. Then her nipples hardened and were as sensitive as if a lover had sucked and worked the tips with his teeth until they were raw. Her breath caught. God, she couldn’t believe how turned on she was. Zorian, Natesa and Tarik looked at her with hunger in their eyes as another rush of sexual heat flowed through her.

“Stage two,” Tarik said and Haley noticed the man sported a hard-on beneath his tunic.

Digging her fingers in her thighs kept her from fondling herself in front of her audience. Now she wished she was out of her clothes. She didn’t care who was watching. Heat rose up beneath her T-shirt.

As if Natesa read her mind, she stepped up. “Let me. Believe me you’ll be more comfortable.” She helped Haley take off her boots. At this point, Haley could hardly move. The energy from the crystals made movements difficult, as if moving through molasses. Natesa then slipped off Haley’s jeans, underwear and her T-shirt. It had been a warm day and she hadn’t worn a bra. “Better?”

Haley nodded. She couldn’t speak now. Her body quivered with a surge of sexual energy flowing through her. Legs spread and arms at her sides, she fought the orgasm coiling up through her body.

“She’s an enticing human,” Zorian said to Tarik and Natesa. “When my mistress is gone, this one will be my favorite.”

“What do you mean?” Haley could barely get the words out. Her breath caught and another wave of pure sin engulfed her body. Delicious spasms worked the muscles of her cunt as if she were clamping down on a hard, thick cock. She craved the intimate touch, the pleasure, the heat of a deep fuck. When her clit began to throb, she was tempted to ease the ache there. God, she wanted to come so badly. Her body was shaking now. Her moan was more of a plea to continue than stop.

“Stop fighting,” Tarik ordered. “Enjoy it. Stage three.” He turned the dial again.

Haley cried out. Tarik rubbed his cock. This time she didn’t care if they watched. She had to come. She tried to touch herself but she was frozen beneath the energy field. “Can’t move,” she spat out between clenched teeth. Waves of energy sensually stroked her body, rubbing her breasts, her ass, her pussy. She straddled the edge of a mammoth orgasm that would beat all orgasms, a few more seconds and she’d reach her glorious peak.

A more concentrated stimulation pressed on her like a large vibrator. Any moment now she’d come. A little longer. She closed her eyes, allowing the machine to take her to her sexual release.
Yes, yes, yes! Almost there.

“I forgot to mention, Haley. It’s better if you don’t reach orgasm until after I complete all stages or you could experience intense pain. It shouldn’t kill you if you do but there is some risk.”

Fuck
. “How many more stages to go?” Each word she had to force out.

“Two more. Hang on,” Tarik said.

The lighting in the room dimmed, or was her vision distorted? She wasn’t standing by herself. The energy field from the machine was holding her up.

“Stage four!” Tarik’s hands raced over switches and dials, lights on the panel flashed as Haley hung in her sexual oblivion. The surge was so intense, she felt as if a cock was plunging inside her.

She cried out. Gritting her teeth, she tensed her body to fend off the climax. Damn, she was so close.

She was going to die like this, fighting off an orgasm, never to see Dante again. What an idiot she was to try this without talking to him first.

“Five!”

Haley shrieked as the orgasm slammed into her. Nothing would stop the pulses that rattled through her body. Every nerve sparked to life, every muscle convulsed with intense pleasure, almost painfully, it was so good. The last thought she had was what would Dante think of her now when her eyes rolled to the back of her head and everything went dark.

Chapter Ten

The sound of ocean waves was the strangest thing to wake up to in Arizona. Considering Haley lived alone, feeling someone stroke her hair was even stranger. She opened her eyes and stared into Natesa’s smiling face.

“See? That wasn’t so bad,” Natesa said. “You’re immortal now. How do you feel?”

Immortal?
Now she remembered. “How do I feel? Like I was thrown off a horse.” She was lying on a bed in a private room, not the control chamber, and back in her clothes. A warm breeze poured in through a narrow window, scented with the sea and wildflowers. “Where am I? How long was I out?” Haley tried to sit up.

“You’re in Dante’s room, and you were asleep for a couple hours.”

“What kind of crazy person designs a machine like that?”

Natesa chuckled. “A jealous tyrant of a husband who wanted to get even with his unfaithful wife. The machine creates Drones and collects power. Gwyllain and Tarik are conduits of energy, directing that power to Anartia’s core. This is what keeps Anartia in existence. Dante became immortal through that machine.”

“Where is he?”

“Zorian went to look for him.”

Haley would feel much better after she saw Dante. That familiar tug of longing was still there. Immortality hadn’t taken that away, or the worry she felt, wondering about his response for what she’d done. After the initial shock, he’d be pleased.
Wouldn’t he?

It took all her energy to roll off the bed and stand on shaky legs. The procedure had drained her. She reached for the nebula stone that Tarik had placed around her neck and held it up. “Shouldn’t I feel better if I’m wearing this? Doesn’t it connect me to Anartia’s core?”

“You’re always connected to Anartia when you’re here. You only need the stone to travel through the portal and to remain linked while on Earth,” Natesa said while smoothing Haley’s hair. “I’ll bring some personal care items, clothes, everything you’ll need to make you more comfortable here. Soon your body will recover.”

“Thank you.” Haley relaxed a little and walked to the window. Twilight had descended over the peaceful sea landscape while she’d slept. Hard to imagine it was a miniature universe. A moon, nearly full, cast a milky glow over the white-tipped sea.

“What a view. Is Prygos like this?” She studied the moon, which looked twice the size when viewed from Earth.

“No, there are vast oceans and trees that are taller than four hundred feet. Anartia has no trees.”

Dante barged through the door with Zorian behind him. “What did they do to you, Haley?” Dante’s neck veins bulged, his jaw muscles worked into knots.

Natesa blocked his path. “She’s fine. She wanted to be with you so we helped.”

“What are you trying to do, Natesa?” He grabbed her arm and shoved her aside. Zorian stepped forward and Dante swung around, tilting his head with enough of an angle to encourage a fight. But the violent look in his eyes was enough warning to make Zorian stand down.

Haley had never seen such evil in Dante’s eyes. He was a demon, an immortal, survived by stealing lifeforce energy from humans. She’d never been afraid of him before. Should she be now? Natesa’s promise of immortality with Dante sounded romantic and safe, a way to escape her ugly history and be with the man she loved. The fine details hadn’t occurred to her. Now she was a demon like him too. Not such a minor detail. Wouldn’t she have to steal lifeforce energy as well? She leaned against the cold, stone wall as her stomach plummeted into an abyss.

Natesa jerked her arm away from Dante’s grasp and took a few steps back. “What’s done, is done.”

Haley had expected Dante to be surprised, not furious. “They didn’t force me. This was my choice. I’m coming with you to Prygos.”

“Haley.” The condescending tone in his voice ripped a hole in her chest.

“Come on, Natesa,” Zorian said. “Let them be for now.”

Dante pointed to Natesa. “You! What did I ever do to you?”

“Not to her, to me.” Zorian gave a triumphant smirk.

Dante turned to Zorian, a puzzled look on his face.

“How quickly you forget,” Zorian added.

Dante groaned.

“You used me, seduced me to find out information. Tricked me into believing you wanted me.” Despite Dante’s obvious anger, Zorian took a few steps closer.

Dante drew back, his shoulders slumped. “That was a long time ago. I was wrong. I told you that.”

“What happened?” Haley saw the emotion in Zorian’s eyes. Oh my God, Zorian wanted Dante? She’d had no idea.

Dante let out a breath. “It’s true,” he said to Haley. “I tricked him. I wanted to learn the identity of my wife’s murderer. I thought Zorian knew.” He frowned then turned to Zorian. “This makes no sense. If you wanted revenge, you had plenty of time to seek it. Why now? Why with Haley?”

Natesa and Zorian exchanged worried looks.

“What are you two up to,” Dante added.

“Consider us even,” Zorian answered.

“Get out of my sight,” Dante said through clenched teeth. Zorian glared at him, then Natesa grabbed Zorian’s arm and led him out.

The romantic reunion Haley had fantasized about wasn’t going to happen. Dante rubbed his face and looked at her with sad eyes. “Why Haley, why would you?”

She huffed, getting irritated. “To be with you. Why are you acting like this is such a huge mistake? You chose immortality. You were human once.”

“I had no choice. I was dying.”

Haley rolled her eyes. “Yeah, I heard that story. If you don’t want me here, just tell me. I’ll leave.”

He gave a short, bitter laugh. “You can’t leave now. The portal is closing.”

“So? I made the decision to start a new life, a new adventure. Was it a mistake?” For the first time in her life, Haley had thought she made a smart decision.

“I wish you hadn’t.”

That stung. “Friends have told me I’m a bit flighty, sometimes impulsive. Well, maybe they’re right. I thought you were in love with me. I guess I was wrong.” She swallowed the emotion tightening her throat. This was not the time to cry. “I can fix mistakes.”

Dante laughed bitterly. “And how are you going to do that?”

She pushed at his chest, shoving him out of the way and opened the door. “I’m going home.”

“Haley, you can’t,” he said calmly.

“Watch me.” A growl followed her words. It surprised her but she didn’t mind at all. She relished in the power coming from her words. Never had she felt so strong in her life. She spun around and took one step for the door.

Dante grabbed her arm. “You can’t, you don’t know where—”

The image of the snow leopard formed in her mind. She shifted into her new totem form and growled at him. Dante released her and jumped back. She loped through the open doorway, tripping over her feet, all four of them, and fell face first on the marble floor.
What a strange sensation
. She was too upset to think much of that now.

Scrambling back onto her four feet, she focused on coordinating her movements. All she wanted at that moment was to get out, go back to Earth, get as far away from Dante as possible. She ran through the temple, sensing the grace of her animal form and becoming more coordinated. At the front entrance, Zorian opened the door and allowed her to pass.

“Don’t let her out,” Dante yelled. But Haley, as the snow leopard, leapt down the steps and Dante followed close behind.

Hearing his voice tore at her heart, making her change back to human form. She ran straight toward the cliff without stopping. Natesa said the entrance to the portal was found by jumping off the cliff. She remembered watching the two Drones leaping over it and vanishing. A bit frightening to watch, but she could do it. She was so angry, she didn’t have time to worry about it. And she was immortal. If she was wrong, nothing would happen anyway right?

As she approached the edge she heard Dante yelling for her. “No, Haley, don’t. You don’t know where the portal entrance is. You’ll be severely injured. You could be killed.”

His words sort of registered. He was trying to stop her and would say anything. Thirty yards from the edge. Salty mist sprayed in her face. White-tipped waves rolled against the jagged rocks. Would she touch the water before she passed through the portal? Where exactly did she see those Drones jump? Her steps slowed. Did it matter where along the cliff she jumped? “Killed? How can I be killed if I’m immortal?”

“Haley, oh my God, Haley.” Then arms came around her waist and threw her to the ground.

“Dante. What’re you doing?”

“You’re a new Drone. Your body hasn’t completely acclimated yet.”

She pressed her hand to her heart and felt it racing. “I’m not quite immortal yet?”

“You are immortal. But your abilities are still weak.”

“Thanks.” Saying thanks seemed so inadequate. She stared at him.

The terror faded from his eyes, and he grinned. “Anytime.”

She sat up and avoided his gaze. His disapproval in what she’d done was more than she could bear right now. Wrapping her arms around her knees, she rested her head. “Why didn’t you tell me Gwyllain plans to take you as her mate?”

He dropped down next to her, stretched out on his side as if they were two lovers taking a stroll along a quiet beach and had stopped to rest and get romantic. She bit her lower lip. When would she stop fantasizing like a silly schoolgirl with a crush? The world didn’t work that way. Her problems didn’t go away by becoming immortal.

He chuckled. “Who told you that?”

“Natesa.”

“They wanted you here for a reason and I don’t know why.” His finger drew lazy circles on her arm. “Gwyllain has favorites, many favorites, but she doesn’t take mates. She won’t live long when we arrive in Prygos. If the Drones don’t kill her, Tarik or her husband will.”

“How will we deal with her now?”

“Like the Drones have for centuries,” he said. “Serve her because our existence depends on her. When it doesn’t…”

“I understand, but you could’ve given me the choice.” She didn’t have the nerve to tell him. He didn’t need to know about her awful family life.

“Perhaps. But the journey is still a risk.”

She groaned. “Did I fuck up? Do you not want me to go?”

“God, no. That’s not it. No matter how much I wanted you, I couldn’t ask you to make such a sacrifice.” He pulled her down into his arms and held her so close, she could hardly breathe. “I almost lost you forever.” His mouth came down on hers and captured what breath she had left. Parting her lips, he plunged his tongue inside mingling with hers and kicking her pulse rate higher. As much as she wanted him, she resisted. She had to know what he really wanted, how he truly felt. And she wouldn’t get that if they had sex right now.

He rose up on his elbow and brushed back her hair where the wind had blown it across her face. His thigh pressed between her legs and his hard cock rubbed against her hip. With his long hair hiding most of his face, all she could see was the angled shape of his cheeks and nose. His hands inched down her body, his busy tongue slid to her ear and down her neck, every tantalizing touch inflaming her desire. The need to have him, right there, right now was so intense, so overwhelming, like nothing she’d ever felt before. Was this the demon in her? The sexual drive pulsed through her veins. And the nerve endings across her skin hummed like an electrified fence.

She must find some composure or she’d become lost in the next touch from pure pleasure. “Dante,” she murmured.

The dark lust in Dante’s eyes told her he was feeling the same. “I want you,” he said, a command not a request.

For how long? Right now, or forever?
Then he squeezed her breast and she heard herself moan, “Yes.” Her answer was barely a breath. Haley’s composure shattered. Desire became a craving, a demand, an obsession, a moving, physical, conscious thing. The yearning for pleasure had to be satisfied.

“I have to have you, Dante. Now.” Her words were partly a plea and partly a demand. “Is it like this for you? This need, this hunger for sex? I can’t take it.”

“It’s like this every time with you.”

“My God, Dante,” she whispered. She felt the world tilt but it was her imagination.

“Yes,” he groaned. Urgent hands shoved beneath her T-shirt and grasped her breasts.

“Yes,” she breathed and arched her back. Her nipples hardened as he circled the tip with the flat of each thumb. With one hand, he had the shirt off, then his own shirt, and he was pressing on top of her again, skin to skin, but they still had their jeans on. The hardness of his shaft prodding her swollen clit through the thickness of clothing would drive her mad very shortly.

Spreading her legs, she wrapped them around his waist and pressed her pussy against his groin. He gasped.

She hungered for him more than she could’ve ever imagined. This had nothing to do with mortal or immortal. This had everything to do with two people who were desperate to fill a need. “Dante, I must have all of you this time. Don’t stop.”

“I won’t.” The desperation in his voice was apparent. Haley shivered as every nerve ending awakened. Sensations flowed through her, pushing her toward to that delicious moment where nothing mattered. She’d take him anyway she could. “Dante,” she whispered again.