smooth, dark skin. His bright eyes illuminated a deep mesmerizing shade of blue that focused on her, awakening feelings within her body she had been unaware of until now.
He laughed, deep and husky. “Why thank you, I am not but a day over 600.”
It was then she realized the close proximity of their bodies. His grip had loosened on her yet she still sensed his rise of blood temperature. The hard contours of his chest rose and fell against her soft breasts and she couldn’t help noticing—heartbeat. He had no heartbeat.
How could this be?
“I’m not human,” he confessed. “Not anymore, at least. I’m also not this Asiman creature you speak of.” Again speaking as if he could read her thoughts.
Ariya stifled a laugh. Surely he didn’t have the same power of sense that she carried. Just then his enticing lips curled in a smile and she couldn’t help feeling a rush of pleasure float throughout her body. Why was she allowing herself to be distracted by this creature who could have murdered her family?
“Immortal,” she said. “Like me. Wait a minute, but how—” He couldn’t be apart of the elemental creature. That creature looked as if it was made purely from the wind, the elements of nature itself! He couldn’t have been an Asiman either because he said he was once human. Unless, he was the spirit inhabiting a human’s body. Or he was lying. The usual signs in body temperature changes and slight twitches were absent in the man who stood before her.
“No, no. Within these fleshy walls I have always found home,” he said softly. “Back when I was alive and—now.” He angled his head closer to her. His soft breath caressed her skin, rousing her senses. Those eyes, what hold did he have on her that enticed her to get lost in those deep pools? Gently he brushed his knuckles against her cheek as if to calm her. He smiled and she caught sight of the prominent pair of sharp fangs in his opening mouth. Just the reminder needed to bring her back to her senses.
With a flick of her hand, she sent a blast of energy that sent his body crashing into the wall on the other side of the room.
“What are you?” Ariya screamed. If only I could reach inside again, I would know what he was. Yet I can’t risk my life because it would sense me just like it sensed my sisters. There’s something even bigger than him out there.
“Who? Who’s out there?” He said struggling to regain his composure. “And even more importantly, how did you do that?”
“How can you read my thoughts?” she said ignoring him.
Jace staggered to his feet and stepped to the side. In the blink of an eye, he was in front of her. “One of the talents of being a walker of the night. Do you have the same ability?”
“I’m not a demon.”
“Neither am I.” His voice was low and breathy. Her body tingled as he drew closer. At the same time, she was drawn toward him like a magnet undeterred by the strength of gravity.
“What are you doing to me?” she said breathlessly. His arms opened to welcome her in his warm hold. All conscious thought slowly began to slip away from her like a dreamy mist near dawn. Her heartbeat slowed to fall in sync with his breathing. She drifted toward him, ready and waiting to be fully taken and consumed by her desires to have him right then and there.
Ariya suddenly realized she was reacting to him yet again. With this thought in mind she raised the energy within her, moving it in a tangible force to her hands, regardless of her fear of the creature hunting her. With a flash of light, Jace was thrown across the room again, his body slammed against the wall leaving a slight dent behind him.
“What were you doing to me?” Ariya forced herself to breathe and recover from the spell he held over her.
“How—how did you do that?” Jace cautiously moved to his feet. She sensed him keeping still for fear of cracking another wall with his back. Two was enough for one night, he must have figured. Still it
Roxy Sloane
Anna Thayer
Cory Doctorow
Lisa Ladew
Delilah Fawkes
Marysol James
Laina Turner
Cheree Alsop
Suzy Vitello
Brian Moore