Shades of Darkness (Guardians of Eternity #16) - Alexandra Ivy Page 0,62

human village to play with the children. They told her about an old gypsy woman who lived in an isolated cottage who would put them in a trance and lead them away from their homes. She’d laughed. Maybe humans were weak enough to be hypnotized, but she wasn’t.

Not until this moment.

“The voice,” she breathed.

He nodded. “A promise.”

“Yes.” Kgosi was right. The mysterious female had offered her a promise. And her greatest desire.

The jinn reached out to touch her cheek. His touch was light, nothing more than a brush of his fingertips, but it sent fire cascading through her body.

“Be careful what you wish for,” he whispered.

His soft words sent a chill down her spine despite the blazing heat that threatened to choke her. With an effort, she asked the question that had plagued her since she’d escaped from the dungeon.

“Can you take me to the voice?”

The fingers drifted downward, resting over her racing heart. “Remember, Brigette, there is more than one way to redeem a soul.”

She gasped in shock. “How did—”

The words were torn from her lips as the sand beneath her feet began to shudder, as if there a massive earthquake threatened to destroy the strange dimension. Fear squeezed her heart, but as she reached out to grab the jinn, the ground split open and she was falling through empty space.

Spinning round and round, Brigette felt her stomach heave. She had no idea where she was or what was going to happen when she finally landed, but she assumed it was going to be awful.

Squeezing her eyes shut in the hopes of blocking out the dizzying sense of vertigo, Brigette was astonished to hear the flap of wings followed by the unmistakable scent of granite.

Levet was falling next to her.

“Argh!” the tiny demon cried out.

Chapter 18

Chaaya snuggled in Basq’s arms, her leg thrown across his hip in a gesture of pure ownership.

Not that she needed further proof. She stretched out her arm, revealing the crimson tattoo that ran the length of her inner forearm. For the hundredth time she waited for the flare of panic. This was the point where she realized that she was permanently tied to this male and freaked out.

Only there was no freak-out. No panic.

Instead a smug sense of satisfaction purred through her. Like she was a cat that had just found the biggest, best bowl of cream.

Recovering from their latest bout of intense sex, Basq trailed lazy fingers over the vivid tattoo.

“You’re marked.”

She turned her head to study his bemused expression. “You sound surprised.”

“I didn’t know since…”

She snorted as he swallowed his impulsive words. “Since I’m a weirdo?”

He chuckled, his hands gliding up her arms and down the curve of her back. “Don’t worry. I have a fondness for weirdos.”

She leaned forward to nip at his lower lip. “Just a fondness?”

“Maybe more than that.” He cupped her ass in his hands and pressed her tight against the thick length of his erection. Chaaya arched her brows in surprise. They’d already made love a dozen times. It was impressive that he was ready to go again. “Do you want me to demonstrate?” he asked.

She did. Already she could feel the intoxicating intensity of his hunger as it pulsed deep inside him. The mating had created more than just a tattoo. The very essence of this male was scorched into her soul.

Unfortunately there was a voice in the back of her head whispering that her duty was waiting for her. And outside the warp, time was ticking away. Who knew what evil might be released if she didn’t stop Brigette?

“Later.” Licking the tip of one fang, Chaaya forced herself to rise to her feet and pull on her clothes. “I need to finish what I started.”

With a fluid motion Basq was on his feet and fully dressed. She raised her brows. He looked perfect. There wasn’t one wrinkle in his black slacks or soft sweater, and not one strand of hair out of place.

Amazing.

“What we started,” he insisted, reaching out to run his fingers down the tattoo on her arm. “Mate.”

She slowly nodded, shivering as the mark tingled beneath his light touch. “I’ve been alone a long time. It’s going to take a while for me to get used to the whole mate thing.”

“I’m patient,” he assured her.

She smiled wryly. “With me you’re going to need the patience of a saint.”

His eyes shimmered with a white fire as his gaze lowered to her lips. “I’m not a saint.”

Chaaya grinned, recalling all the ways he’d proven his