The Compass (19 page)

Tears leaked out the side of her eyes. Her hips rose to meet him each time, she flew higher and higher. Her body tightened, coiling like a snake ready to strike. She buried her hands in Finn’s hair, guiding his mouth to hers. It was a desperate kiss; teeth tugging, lips biting—desperate. She thought for sure she would die from the intense pleasure he created in her.

She was close, and his body responded. He began to move faster. He slipped his arms under her shoulders; his hands cradled the back of her head, holding her still as his body slammed into hers over and over. They came to the edge. With one final thrust, he pushed them over. Ali screamed his name as the tidal wave of her release claimed her. Finn followed with his own shout. He held her tight, his body slowing to a gentle rocking movement. Little aftershocks rippled through them. They lay there, intertwined, content.

He was no doubt crushing her but Finn couldn't bring himself to leave her, to separate their bodies. He smiled into her hair as he felt her hands stoke his back. Her fingers were feather light. Her legs had gone lax, and had slid down to rest on the bed. Rising up on his elbows, he gazed down at her. Her eyes were closed and there was a satisfied smile on her lips. The thin sheet of sweat made her body glow. He kissed her shoulder, his own smile growing when she purred.

“That was—wow. I never knew it could be like that.”

Finn chuckled, and then hissed when she wiggled her bottom half; Finn stilled her with the weight of his body, growling at her when she giggled. Those giggles turned into a gasps when his body hardened inside her. Her eyes flew open. “How—”

His smile was wicked as was the look in his eyes. A sharp thrust pushed her up towards the headboard. “I'm an immortal, Ali—there are many things you've yet to see.”

Yep, death by pleasure—what a way to go.

In the dark, suspended world of her prison, Agrona stirred, the spell holding her captive weakened, allowing hope to flare. The joining of the first Fragment, and the warrior linked to her, was a pure form of Light magick. All was not lost.

Chapter Twenty

The sun streamed through the window, casting whimsical shadows on naked skin. Finn watched as Ali slept on her stomach, her face half hidden by her hair. He carefully brushed back the locks. Faint, purple, crescent moons marred the skin beneath her eyes. He frowned and he lightly traced them, the frown turned into a smile when her brow furrowed. Their passion had all but destroyed him, stripping him down to his very soul. Yet, even now, his body burned for hers.

His eyes roamed over her face, taking in every line. He loved how gracefully her brows arched over her eyes—eyes that had the power to bring him to his knees. Ali sighed and rolled onto her back. The sheet pulled away and Finn took pleasure at the sight of her. He felt his body stir. Carefully, he rolled until he covered her. Slowly, he kissed her lips. He caught the next sigh, and kept up his gentle assault. She let out a mewling sound and one eye cracked open. He slipped into her on a moan, arrogantly pleased that she was so ready for him.

Their lovemaking was quiet, and slow. For Ali it was more powerful than the storm they had gone through the first time. This had the power to cleave her right to her heart. They rocked together as if they had done so forever, the rhythm was as old as time, yet at the same time, brand new. Pleasure washed over her, setting free emotions that she had held prisoner in her soul. This man—no longer a stranger, now held them.

Kissing her forehead, her cheeks, then finally her mouth, Finn smiled into her eyes. “Hello.”

Ali hummed and stretched—her body deliriously sore, “Hello yourself.”

Chuckling, Finn rolled away, but dragged her until she was settled on top of him. “I suppose you need to be fed.”

Ali licked her lips. It was crazy, but she already wanted him again. Her body still hadn't recovered, but she wanted him. She felt his chest rumbled with his groan. “Ah lass, we will surely burn ourselves out.”

“But, it would be so worth it.”

Chuckling, Finn gently moved her off of him, and got out of bed.

Ali drank in the sight of Finn’s naked body. Goodness gracious, the man was sheer perfection. He shot her a grin, letting her know he knew exactly what she was thinking. A brow winged up. “What? No woman, in her right mind, would pass up a chance to ogle you.”

Laughing, Finn leaned down and gave her a hard kiss. Then he donned his jeans and t-shirt. “The only woman I want ogling me, is you. I will go prepare something whilst you indulge in a shower.” He kissed her again just because he could. “No dark thoughts, Ali.”

She sighed. Waiting a few more minutes, she got out of bed and headed for the master bath. Holy cow, it was almost the size of her apartment. Oh yeah, she was definitely going to indulge. The hot spray of the shower worked its magic on her aching muscles. She bit her lip when she thought of how some had gotten so sore—Ali pondered her
new
situation. Despite Finn’s order, she couldn’t help but think of the ramifications of what they had done.

There was no way the others wouldn’t be able to see the change. What would they think? Did she even care? Thinking about it, she found she didn’t. Her stomach grumbled reminding her that food was being prepared. Quickly, she finished up her shower, wrapped her hair in a towel, dried off and got dressed. As much as she would love to just concentrate on her and Finn, she still had a job to do. Questions must be asked, and answers had to be found.

*****

“I can’t say anything?” Drake frowned, “Pretty damn unfair if you ask me.”

Tristan sipped at his coffee. “No one is asking you. What happened between Finn and Ali is their business.”

It was like he wasn’t even there. Sighing in exasperation, Finn produced a buffet of food. “Keep your comments to yourself Drake; I’ll not have Ali embarrassed.” Hearing Tristan clear his throat, Finn glanced up to see Ali in the threshold of the kitchen. He saw her hesitation, the saw her take a deep breath, straighten her shoulders and saunter up to where he stood. In front of Tristan and Drake, she went up on her toes and kissed him. Before he could deepen it, she was done, and was filling a plate with food.

“I’m starving, morning guys.” She saw Drake’s mouth open and when Tristan shoved him, she knew he had been about to make a comment. “You were told to behave weren’t you?” His dark expression made her laugh, “Thought so. Oh well, there’ll be plenty of other opportunities.”

At the devilment he heard in her voice, Finn had to ask, “You sound pretty sure of that, love.” He noticed that both Tristan and Drake looked uncomfortable.

“I am. There are five warriors and five Fragments.” She smiled at Drake. “Do the math big guy.” His response was swift.

“No freaking way. Just because you and Finn did the sheet tango, doesn’t mean I’m going to follow suit.”

Not in the least bit embarrassed, Ali bit into a strip of bacon. She took a moment to enjoy the heavenly taste before she shot back. “Careful, you might just have to eat those words.” Laughing at his flustered curses, she turned back to Finn. “I think I need to try to contact the second Fragment. The direction north and a town name is not a whole lot to go—even for me.”

Finn’s denial was immediate, “No, absolutely not.” The words bit out.

Ali straightened her back. “Excuse me?”

Drake laughed and rubbed his hands together. “Now this is good, a lover’s spat.”

In unison, Finn and Ali growled, “Shut up Drake.” The big warrior leaned back in his chair and grinned. Finn jammed his hands on his hips and glared at Ali. “We will head north. From there we should be able to track the Fragment’s energy.”

Her mouth dropped open at his authoritative tone. “
That’s
your plan? Stop and think, Finn. As the compass, I am the one, the only one, who can find them.”

“She’s right, Finn. We wouldn’t be able to find them even if they were right under our noses. Feel the energy, yes, but we’d never be able to locate her.”

Tristan’s confirmation, and Ali’s self-satisfied smile, had him cursing. “There has to be another way.”

Ali touched his arm. “You have your magick back; you’ll make sure I’m safe.”

Dragging her to him, he buried his face in the crook of her neck, breathing in her scent.

If anything happens to you—
he couldn’t finish, instead he just tightened his hold.

Impatient as always, Drake stood and stretched. “If you two are finished with the lovey dovey stuff, are we doing this or what?”

They gathered in the living room. The men chose to stand making Ali feel self conscious. To break the tension, she asked them about the woman in the forest. “Before we start, who was the woman with Lugus?”

She heard Finn heave a sigh, “Her name is Vega. She is a demon of chaos.”

Ali felt her stomach fall—another crazy to add to the list. “The bad guys keep multiplying.”

“We will as well Ali.”

Hearing the conviction in Finn’s voice brought her a little comfort, but she wasn’t convinced. What she had seen in the forest told her that this Vega chick was a nasty piece of work and she could call up and control creatures that spewed from the ground. A shiver ran through her. “Where is Cian? He was in the forest with us, and what about Constantine?”

“We are here, Ali.”

Twisting around, she saw the two of them, looking as relaxed as could be. Well, maybe not Constantine. “Where did you go?”

Cian gave her a rueful smile before answering. “I went to make sure Vega had indeed escaped. I tracked her for a bit, then lost the trail; slippery creature those demons. As for Constantine—you’re going to have to do the asking.” He gave her a wink, and then proceeded to summon up himself a coffee. His quiet counterpart simply stood there, his eyes on her.

Ali tried to hold his gaze but found she couldn’t. The time would come however that she would press him for answers, but not today. “I think it’s time for me to do my thing.” Only this time, she would focus all of her thoughts on the town. There were no answers in the past about this unknown woman.

She moved to sit before the dark fireplace, jumping when the logs caught. She took several deep breaths, felt Finn’s energy pour into her. Everything inside her became still. Her breath became slow and steady. Closing her eyes, she let her mind open, and gave over to what was inside of her. There was a tug—she felt it deep in her soul, and then she took off.

As she moved, she absorbed her surroundings. Hissing whispers invaded her mind, taunting her, threatening her. Ice cold fingers reached in and for a second Ali lost her concentration. Then she felt Finn’s energy, it propelled the cold back while still concealing her. A faint cry came to her on the wind, it was so quiet she was afraid her ears were playing tricks on her, but then it came again. Wasting no time, she locked onto the sound and sped through the air.

You have learned much, daughter.
The sands of time are shifting Alina. He grows impatient and will be more forceful in his attempts to gain you and your sisters. You know what must be done. They are waiting for you—they feel him coming. They do not know what he is yet, not like you.

Hearing Agrona didn’t surprise her as it did before.
I know what I have to do, I’m scared, but I will not let Mikel win. I have too much to lose.
Warmth engulfed her, like a hug. Ali welcomed it.

You are very strong and will grow stronger yet. He does not understand the strength of the human heart. You will fight, Alina, and with the others, you will be victorious. There is no other choice. She waits for you. The second fragment of the Star, her name is Tala. She walks amongst the dead, back and forth. She sees and knows. There are many on the Otherside who wish to be as they once were.

I don’t understand—is she dead, is the second Fragment—Tala, a ghost?
The very thought of that had her second guessing her mission. Thankfully, Agrona provided her with clarification.

No, not death—she is able to shift her being. She needs you, Alina. The warrior of the mind—Tristan—is hers. Be strong. Fight well. The shadows are waiting as well, they sense her turmoil. Use your gifts, feel her cries—feel her rage at what is happening to her. You are the compass—you connect all.
Agrona left in a gentle waft of air.

Ali continued, fortified with new confidence. The cries reached her, but they weren't actual cries, more like shouts. It was as if this woman was telling someone, or something, off. Fatigue was creeping in and she knew she needed to pull back. If she pushed on, there could be serious repercussions. Finn would have a fit if she became ill.

Bringing herself to a stop, she floated down until she hovered a few inches off the ground. From her position, she could the dotted lights of a small town. Using the last of her energy, she sought out the woman. She saw a shack, and inside, a woman was pacing back and forth, a dog—or was it a wolf, paced by her side. Her face was hidden so Ali couldn’t get a clear visual. She was on the outskirts of this town, not far, North East of where she was now. She saw darkness as well. It hovered above the shack, nowhere else, just the tiny house, like a strange cloud. Whatever it was, it didn’t want Tala to leave.

Tala, can you hear me?
Silence met her question. Ali could feel her energy weakening. She tried again.
Tala, please answer me. I’m here to help you.
Feeling the curious touch in her mind, Ali held her breath.

Who are you?

Her voice was strong and sure and tinged with heavy caution. Ali expelled a sigh of relief.
I’m Ali. I don’t have a lot of time. My friends and I—we’re coming to get you.

Caution or no, Tala’s answer was swift.
No, it’s not safe here. It’s too dangerous.

I know, but we need you.
Remembering what Agrona had said, Ali offered another solution.
I will send someone to you then. His name is Tristan, he will bring you to me and I will explain everything.

The silence that followed this time made her wary. Not that Ali could blame Tala for her mistrust. Hell, there were moments when she still felt like she was caught in a dream. She felt her hold slip. Come on Tala, answer me. A few more minutes passed before Tala spoke again.

Something tells me that I can trust you, but I will not trust your warrior.

Ali felt her hopes die.
I know it’s asking a lot, but I swear to you, Tristan can be trusted.

I’m sorry. I just can’t allow him to come here.

Panic set in now. She had to find a way to get Tala to agree to have Tristan go to her.
Tala—

If we must meet, then I will find you.

Hearing the finality in her tone, Ali wanted to leave a way for Tala to stay connected.
Keep this link open, you can follow it. We’ll talk again soon.

I have to go, I’ve used too much energy and it’s too early to sleep.

The connection was closed and then the temperature dropped. The shadow came out of nowhere. It stuck Ali hard and she struggled to remain focused. She felt a searing pain where it had made contact. What the hell was that? She spun around and saw the misshapen figure. Like her, it hovered above the ground. There was no real face, just gaping holes where eyes should be, it had no mouth.