Moonlight Captivation [Moon Shadows Book 1] (19 page)

"Go ahead, take what is yours.” Jezebel slinked out from the shadows.

Neman raised his head to meet Jezebel's evil red eyes. As she watched him, her gaze moved to Vanessa.

"I have linked your powers with her life force. If you take your powers back, it will, of course, kill her. Yet, if she keeps them, the power itself will kill her. You know very well that no one not born of a god can take possession of these powers."

It was the only force which kept Jezebel from taking more power, even though she craved it. It would kill her. It was the only wise law the universe ever instilled to keep true evil from ever becoming so powerful, that even the gods themselves might not be able to deal with it.

She stood to the far side of the cavern, watching as he approached Vanessa. With his powers restored, he could have his vengeance on the witch. Yet, if he chose his powers, they could not be restored in time to stop Vanessa and the children from dying. She was going to die either way, unless Jezebel let her go.

"Release her,” he demanded.

"Oh, I think you are in no position to make demands of me, Nanna. But I am not without mercy. I will let her live and give birth to the children, then raise them as my own little demon spawn. With them on my side, I will be unstoppable."

"What is it you want?” He never took his eyes from Jezebel as she stepped forward.

"Surrender yourself to me, Nanna. I will take the rest of your powers and you can live as my pet. You see, no one has to die."

Neman palmed the blade by his side, keeping his face neutral to the tumultuous rage he felt inside. But what choice did he have?

"Why should I believe you will keep your word, Jezebel? What is to stop you from killing us all?"

"Oh, you have my most solemn vow. I will not kill your sons."

He did believe that, as her hunger for power was too great, and after they were born, there would be nothing to stop her from killing Vanessa and him. He laid his sword down beside Vanessa. “As long as she lives and continues to live, I surrender."

Jezebel smiled with satisfaction. “I knew you would see it my way.” Jezebel waved her hand toward Nessa, who began to stir.

Neman forced himself not to look at Vanessa, as he walked around the altar toward Jezebel.

"On your knees, Moon God,” Jezebel snapped, her eyes and features hardening.

He would endure hell itself to ensure his Vanessa lived.

"Whoa, talk about a ten-ton truck, what the...” Vanessa said as he fell to his knees before Jezebel.

"This won't hurt much, Neman,” Jezebel added, reaching out to touch him.

Nessa looked at the glowing jewel in her hand. Glancing around the cavern, she saw Neman on his knees before Jezebel. At first, she was confused—
why is he on his knees?
She sat up, swinging her legs over the stone slab she lay on.
What has the bitch done?
Her hand found something else. Lying beside her was one of Neman's swords. Without hesitation, she grabbed the hilt of the heavy blade and jumped off the slab. Her confusion turned into rage. How dare Jeebel even think of touching her man.

"You put one hand on him and you'll discover the meaning of shish kabob, lady!” Nessa stalked forward with Neman's sword in one hand, the jewel in the other.

"Vanessa, no, stay back!” Neman turned his eyes on her.

Jezebel waved her hand and Nessa was flung backwards, the sword clattering to the other side of the cavern. Nessa still clutched the blue glowing jewel. Winded, she slowly got to her feet.
What is this thing? Does this jewel contain Neman's god powers? Why do I have it?

"Leave her be!” roared Neman.

Nessa thought she should crush it. Maybe if she released the power within, his powers could be restored. Nessa put it between her palms and squeezed hard.

"Vanessa, no!” He was off his knees, racing towards her, but it was too late—the jewel cracked under the pressure of her palms. “It will kill you!"

A bright blue light burst forth. Nessa slammed her eyes shut to keep from being blinded. Holding out the crushed jewel, she felt an immense power surge through her arms and into her body. Gasping, she fell to her knees with the force of it. Her head swam with voices and images. So much information poured forth into her brain, she clutched at her head.

"Vanessa!"

She was barely able to hear Neman's voice above the roar, but he held her in his arms. Nessa's body convulsed. She heard the cackle of laughter coming from Jezebel.

"You see, Neman, you can never win against me!” Jezebel's tormenting laughter echoed throughout the cavern.

"Oh, my sweet love, what were you thinking? Only those born of a god can withstand their power. Don't die on me—I love you too much."

Trying hard to focus, managing to push the noise in her head to the background, Nessa opened her eyes, only to see the pain in his golden ones. Suddenly, everything clicked into place. A powerful knowledge of the universe and how everything worked, flooded her mind, body and precious unborn children.

"Did you say you love me?"

"Yes, sweetness, I love you. You are my
ze ki angu
. I would rather die a thousand deaths, than live without you."

"
Ze ki angu
?"

"Sumerian for ‘my beloved one.’”

She reached out a hand to touch his face. “I like that.” The reflection of a blade behind Neman's head caught her eye. With a surge of anger and power, Nessa threw Neman off and blasted Jezebel right off her feet before she could plunge the sword into Neman's back. Jezebel hit the back of the cavern wall with a loud
thump
. Neman fell back, open-mouthed, his eyes wide in obvious shock at what she had done. Nessa felt alive, empowered and strong. She'd managed to tune down the whispering in her head to hear only two, sweet little voices helping her, guiding her. She suddenly knew what needed to be done.

She grinned at Neman. “Some people are just so rude.” She patted his arm as he stumbled to his feet. “Why don't you go help the others? The bitch and I are going to have a little womanly chat.” Grabbing the top of his battle armor, she yanked him up, then placing a hard kiss on his mouth, before whispering, “I love you too, darling.” She rose to her feet, stalked toward Jezebel and grabbed the struggling demon by her long, black hair before they both vanished.

Shock and confusion affected Neman's mind as he tried to make sense of what occurred. Vanessa didn't die from absorbing his god powers. To him, it could mean only one thing. Vanessa hadn't been born mortal after all. But how did he miss it? And what was she? No, it didn't matter who she was—she mattered the most to Neman, she was the woman he loved.
She is powerful and can take care of herself.
Right now, he needed to get back to the battle. Swiftly finding his way out of the underground labyrinth, he went far enough to teleport directly back to the Sulfur Canyon, retrieving the sword and shield of Anu where he'd left them, then ran back into the thick of the battle.

Derkin still battled with Belshazzar, and the elf held his own with Mark behind him, though Mark's shoulders and back showed deep scratch wounds. The wolves killed quite a few of the Kat demons. Vladimir's bloodied hands suggested he, too, had killed his fair share.

"Forty-two!” Vladimir jumped forward, cutting another demon across the throat, then launched on him, plunging his sword into its heart. “Forty-three!” The blond werewolf by his side snarled and leapt into another demon to duplicate the vampire's score.

Neman's reactions kicked in. he swung his blade and charged forward, slicing into a team of three demons bearing down on a lone werewolf. All three lay in pieces before the werewolf could even react.

A large explosion suddenly ripped through the canyon like an atomic shock wave, stunning everyone, including himself. Blades fell and the fighting ceased in a split second. Every head turned in the direction of the stunning woman walking into their midst. Her feet glided, never touching the ground. Nessa, looking every bit the goddess, strode as casually as if taking a summer stroll in the park, every inch of her vibrating with power.

She possessed his powers, but he didn't care. Just seeing her was enough to make his heart stop.

"There is no more war,” she proclaimed. “The fighting stops, here and now—it's time to take out the trash.” She pointed a finger at Belshazzar. “You and yours be gone.” With a wave of her hand, the Shadow King vanished, along with all his demon warriors. She glanced around at the remainder of Jezebel's army. Her eyes softened and she turned toward Slazzamar.

"Slazzamar, Darren needs you—he was hurt when we were attacked."

He looked at her with a worried expression on his face.

She touched him on the shoulder and he vanished. Her stare turned hard and cold. “Let it be known that if any creature, in any Realm, dares mess with me or any of those I care for, they will be dealt with harshly. Be gone to whence you came."

Every demon, werewolf and vampire vanished, leaving only Mark, Neman and Nessa.

"I thought no one could use powers in this place,” a startled Mark commented. His shoulders sagged under the weight of his injuries.

"Anyone but a god, or in this case, a new goddess,” Neman said, his eyes on Nessa as she approached with a lopsided grin. “The only way you can sustain my powers is if you were born as one of us."

"Yes, well, that's another story. I'll explain later,” Nessa promised, turning to Mark, then laying her hand over his bloodied shoulder.

"Thank you for defending me.” Instantly, the flesh knitted, the wounds disappearing altogether. He sighed in relief as the pain left him. Before he could say anything, he disappeared. She turned her beautiful eyes on Neman. “Shall we go home? We need to talk and I don't want to do it out here."

Neman didn't hesitate, but stepped forward to sweep her up in his arms. In the next instant, they were back in the Ziggurat.

The whole place had been torn apart by Jezebel's and Belshazzar's demons, leaving it in such a mess that it would take months to clean up.

Nessa pulled out of his arms to look around and sighed.

"I guess this'll be my last official use of the powers before I have to hand them over.” With a wave of her hand, the whole place was set right. “I've also replaced the seals on the temple so it will continue to go undetected. This has been a hell of a buzz. Your powers are trippy, Neman,” she said, with a mischievous grin.

"Who are you, Vanessa Myles?” Neman asked calmly.

"Shhhh, they're talking.” She closed her eyes as if listening to something. “Okay, my darlings, back to you, now."

Neman was puzzled.
Who is she talking to?
He couldn't feel the presence of anyone else about. When she suddenly swayed on her feet, Neman dashed to catch her. Instantly, he knew the power vanished.

"Sweetness, are you all right? What happened?"

She opened her eyes, then looked up at him with a smile and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"I was never born of a god or goddess, Neman. I'm still only human."

Neman shook his head. “But that's not possible. My powers should have killed you, and where are they now?"

"I think you forgot two little, but very important people."

She smiled and took hold of his hands, drawing them down to the swell of her lower stomach. Suddenly it all made sense. The babies, his children, were sired of a god.

"The powers were borrowed, but you know they cannot go back to you now. The twins have them, but they have left me with a little gift."

"What gift is that?"

"It seems my babies have no wish to see their mother die."

Neman clued in on what she meant. “You're immortal?"

Nessa grinned. Joy spread through Neman. Without his powers, he could never have given her immortality. His children, still in the womb gave him what he truly desired—Vanessa, for the rest of time.

"A gift most worthy of you, my love.” He placed his hand on her stomach. “Well done, my little doves."

"They heard you.” Nessa snuck her arms up, winding them around his neck.

"Good—I can't imagine living the rest of my existence without you."

"I love you, Neman. How did I get so darn lucky to score every woman's fantasy rolled into one man?” Her eyes shone with love.

Neman chuckled.

"Yes, I know, I'm your hunk-a-licious god."

"He made a joke! Gee, the heavens must be falling in, you made a—"

He crushed her against him, possessing her mouth with his own, knowing, when nothing else could shut her up, this never failed. He pulled back, seeing the carnal look swimming in her eyes. There were still many unanswered questions.

"What did you do to Jezebel?"

By the look on Vanessa's face, he knew she did something naughty.

"Can I tell you later? Right now, let's make the best of this time alone.” She wiggled her eyebrows at him and Neman laughed.

He picked her up in his arms and carried her up the stairs. A feeling of deja vu came over him from the first time he brought her here.

"Hmmm, baby, I loooove the way you look in this thing,” she purred. “But it's bloody difficult to get off!” she protested about his battle regalia. In a flash, the armor and the rest of his clothes were gone, along with her own.

"Hmmm, much better, but there's one more thing."

She nibbled on his throat, and Neman pulled back to regard her. “What be that, my love?"

"Before I get larger than a whale with these twins, you're going to make an honest woman out of me."

Neman chuckled as he walked through the door of their room. Out of habit, he shut the door and flicked the security switch before carrying her to the bed and laying her down gently. He crawled up over her, dipping his head down to absorb the scent of her skin. She still smelled like strawberries and vanilla to him.

"And how do you wish me to do that, my lady?” he teased and began nibbling a path down her throat and over her collarbone.

"Typical man, or god. If it's not that you have to draw them a bloody map, I swear—"

Neman cut her off with another deep probing kiss, his tongue dancing with hers. He sucked and nibbled on her lower lip. When he pulled back, her breath came in short little pants, and her eyes darkened with lust.