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and simple. Then he grinned at her. She was fairly sure the air was sparkling with

invisible pheromones again. What was so irresistible about his grin anyhow? This was

the wicked one—a little lopsided, the left corner of his mouth tilting up a bit more than the right. His eyes smoldered slightly, as if inviting her into some lush, dark, secret world that her traitorous body seemed to want to go to. Maybe her self- imposed celibacy since the divorce was getting the best of her. Maybe she should invest in one of those vibrating

“Rabbit‟s”. She resisted smiling back.

“Why the south?” she asked again, hoping her voice wasn‟t quivering like some

parts of her body were.

“Forces of nature,” he said, an amused expression crossing his face. “The concept

of the Tarot is a guideline for the laws of nature.
Logical
. The suit of Swords symbolizes the element of fire. Fire protects and provides warmth. The cycle of life flows

clockwise. As the east is symbolic of dawn and beginnings, the south is symbolic of

summer and achievement. So it would be logical to seek the sword in the south, wouldn‟t it?” Michael tilted his head waiting for her answer.

Sophie mulled it over. “Perhaps,” she finally said, “but where in the world would

you start?”

“I‟ve given it some thought. If the theory of a General Lee or another military

leader being a member of the Priory is true, we need to check Civil War sites that are

near lakes probably no farther north than the Chesapeake.

“That‟s not exactly a lake.”

“No, but Charleston has a good harbor that‟s been used for centuries and it saw its

share of battles. I‟ll be through with adjuncting in couple of weeks. We can leave the first part of June.”

Sophie raised her brows. “You really think my involvement is crucial to your

finding the sword?”

“Yes. The Pendragon would not have made his presence known to you otherwise.

I don‟t know what your role is, but you have one.” Michael smiled, the dimple

appearing. “You will help me, right?”

She hesitated and then nodded. “I guess I could. I have some vacation time

coming. But this will be strictly business. No expectations of making it personal.

Separate rooms. Agreed?”

“Agreed,” Michael said solemnly. “I really need your help.” He leaned across

her to open the door, taking care not to brush against her. “I would never force you to do anything you didn‟t want to do.” Then he grinned.

The dimple wasn‟t there. As Sophie stepped out of his car, she had the distinct

impression that he had never forced any woman to do what she didn‟t want to do because

the thought to refuse him probably never entered any woman‟s head.

Blast him. Well, he would find out that she was d ifferent. He would.

SWORD OF FIRE Cynthia Breeding 40

* * * *

The Landon boy had ceased yelling a good twenty minutes ago and, more

recently, had quit fighting the ropes that had him splayed on his stomach and tethered to the bedposts of the elaborately decorated master bedroom in Baylor ‟s suite. Alan and

Toby sat in armchairs near the window, trying to appear nonchalant about what he was

doing, but Morgan licked her lips, eyes gleaming with arousal, as she watched Baylor

thoroughly ream the young man‟s ass.

Baylor particularly enjoyed humiliating Carl. The kid was good-looking with his

long brown hair and green eyes. He worked out religiously at a gym whenever he wasn‟t

gambling and was extremely proud of his virility. He also had a real aversion to gay men which made it all the more pleasurable for Baylor to mortify him. And it served as a

good example to Alan and Toby that Baylor exacted his due when he was not obeyed.

Carl was limp now, the blood from Baylor‟s grinding into him trickling down his

thighs. Baylor snorted in disgust and gave a final, vicious thrust, relieving himself. What enjoyment was there in causing pain if the kid passed out?

He withdrew and reached for the towel on the bed stand to clean himself. “That

little demonstration was because Mr. Landon chose to be in a poker game rather than

tailing Sophie Cameron the second time the dragon appeared. If I had known of his

absence, I‟d have been there myself.” Balor looked around. “Any questions?”

Toby shook his head quickly, his face pale. No doubt he was re membering some

of the special tortures he‟d endured in the past. Caldwell looked at him steadily, his

hatred smoldering just beneath the surface. Baylor almost laughed. Caldwell had taken a branding a few months ago rather than be shagged by a couple of Baylor‟s bodyguards.

In truth, Baylor admired Caldwell‟s standing up to him, although he would never let him

know it. “Well?” he asked.

“Nope.” Caldwell answered. “I think everyone here understands you. I disabled

the doc‟s car and offered to give her a ride home. Your remote webcam is now installed

inside her living room.”

Baylor turned to Toby. “And for once, did you get something right the first

time?”

Toby gulped, but managed not to look away. “Yes, sir. I gave her the dragon

keychain with the GPS chip inside. Anytime she has those keys, we can track her.”

“Good.” Baylor gestured to the bed where Carl was groaning. “See what you

saved yourself from?”

“Yes, sir.”

“And you, my pet.” Baylor walked over to Morgan on the small settee and

fondled her breasts through the thin material of her low-cut blouse. “You looked a bit

gloom when you got here. Are you going to tell me you weren‟t successful?”

“I got in,” she said. “I‟m her girl-Friday now and the audio-bug is under her

desk.”

“Then why so glum? You know I reward you well for doing what you‟re told.”

Morgan tossed her ebony hair back. “That damn bitch has Michael wrapped

around her finger!”

“Forget the damn warlock. I‟ll have Caldwell kill him once we find the sword.”

“No! Don‟t harm Michael! He‟s…” She stopped, her expression telling Baylor

that she knew she had said too much. “Kill the bitch instead.”

SWORD OF FIRE Cynthia Breeding 41

“I might,” Baylor replied, “but I intend to have a little fun with her myself first.

Depending on how pliable she is, I may keep her around.” He brought his hand up to

stroke Morgan‟s face. “I think I‟d enjoy watching you with her…doing it gently, softly, really making her come with your tongue in her. That would please me indeed.”

With a chuckle, he turned to the men. “We‟ve got everything in place. The next

time that dragon is sighted, I am sure Mr. Landon will let me know. Isn‟t that so?” he

asked, not turning to look at man, but he heard the faint “Yes, sir” that he needed.

“Caldwell, ingratiate yourself with that idiot Smith. He‟s bound to have the second riddle somewhere. Work on Sophie Cameron too. You said she likes to fence? Do something

with that.”

Caldwell grinned. “Oh, I intend to.”

“No drugs this time. Even though it was Ramsey who messed up your plans with

Sara, we don‟t know that the warlock didn‟t find out about that little incident.”

“No drugs.”

“Good. Toby, get that story published. I may need for you to go back and get

more details.” Baylor opened the bedstand drawer and pulled out a business card. “This is an editor who owes me a favor. Call him.”

“Yes, Sir.”

“And Morgan. You truly are my eyes and ears in that office. The Cameron

woman might have a copy of the riddle. See if you can find it for me, won‟t you

sweetness?”

“If it‟s there, I‟ll find it.”

“If you do, I might even let you play with your warlock boy.” He watched her

face light up for a mere fraction of a second before she carefully schooled her expression.

Morgan might just make a good pupil of his, after all.

Lucifer‟s horns! He needed some humans he could actually trust…if such thing

could be done. His drug cartels were becoming unruly, fighting amongst themselves and

killing too many people. How many times had he told the warlords that a country would

submit to be running by corruption, if the common folk didn‟t fear for their daily lives?

All the bickering was slowing his profit margin as well. The terrorist training

camps he sponsored were clamoring for more money and more recruits. With all the

attention on securing the borders, even Baylor was having a hard time of it. Once the

sword was his, all that would change. Evil and corruption would rule the world.

Meanwhile, he might just need to have a talk with Lucifer. After all, he was his

brother.

SWORD OF FIRE Cynthia Breeding 42

It had taken every bit of centuries-old willpower to keep from touching Sophie

when he opened her car door, but Michael had managed it. Even now, two nights later,

he could still smell the fresh, herbal cologne she wore and more importantly, the actual scent that was her essence seemed to linger in the air about him.

He couldn‟t remember any woman having such a tenacious hold on him—not the

married one who‟d almost gotten him killed so long ago nor the beauty who had healed

him afterwards. The irony in this situation was that Sophie didn‟t even care. She was

totally oblivious to his usual charm and the few times he‟d tried to mind-touch, her

emotional shields were firmly up. That was unusual in itself.

Michael parked his sports car in the caleche parking lot near the lake and got out.

The Sisterhood Circle was meeting tonight, the first full moon after Beltane and he would be joining them to counter-balance the feminine energy of their magic. He took his white Druid‟s robe out of the trunk and wondered what Sophie would say if she knew what he

really was. By the Goddess, he would love to initiate her into their rites, especially that of Hieros Gamos—the Sacred Marriage that “married” ancient Celtic kings to their lands

through a sexual ritual with a priestess of the Goddess. In times past, on- lookers would then choose partners and couple as well, adding their sexual and spiritual energy to that of the Rite to guarantee bountiful harvests.

Michael had a distinct feeling that sex with Sophie would be a spiritual high as

well as a physical one. He couldn‟t deny that he would love every moment of touching

her, stroking his hands over her, slowly undressing her and savoring the feel of her full breasts in his hands. Her aureoles would ruche as his fingers teased ever closer to the tight little buds that he would suckle, gently at first and then drawing deeper. Nor could he deny how much he would enjoy spreading her legs and burying his face between them.

He could almost taste the slight saltiness of those slick, wet folds. He would leisurely lick and nibble and kiss until she shattered against him.

All of that would be pure, male lust—but once he thrust inside her and felt the

heat of her tightness sheathing him, he knew that the power of his magic would connect

them. It would be Hieros Gamos in its own way.

With a start, he realized Brianna Frazier was standing beside him. Almost

guiltily, he wondered how long she had been standing there. Brianna was their Seer and

his aura must have been flaming red with his lustful thoughts.

“I‟m almost ready,” he said as he slipped the robe over his head.

“I can see that,” she said with an amused smile.

Even in the semi-darkness of dusk, it must have been easy for her to spot the hard

bulge that strained against his jeans. “Sorry…”

She placed a hand lightly on his arm. “Don‟t be. Male sexual energy can be a

potent force for us tonight.”

He looked at her. She was slender, almost fragile, with long pale hair and

porcelain skin. Her face was beautiful in a classic way, gentle and composed. She

SWORD OF FIRE Cynthia Breeding 43

looked more like a madonna—especially since the witches wore pale blue robes—than

someone who would find sex amusing.

Tonight she was wearing verdant green, the color of growth and prosperity. It

was Sara‟s robe and it seemed strange to see Brianna in it. “You‟re officiating?”

She nodded. “The others chose me since Sara is miss—not here.”

“I‟m glad. You are the most neutral and fair-minded of all of them.” He squinted

toward the clump of trees near the lake where the other witches were preparing. “Is

Morgan here?”

“Yes. She has a strange energy radiating from her tonight.”

Michael‟s senses went on alert. “Light or dark?”

Brianna frowned. “You know we practice white magic only.”

“That‟s not what I asked,” Michael said softly. “There‟s something about Morgan

I don‟t trust.”

“She‟s young and she‟s new. Perhaps she‟s just not totally comfortable yet?”

“I don‟t think that‟s it. She disliked Sara, remember?”

“That‟s because you and Sara were such good friends. I think Morgan has a

crush on you.”

“I certainly didn‟t encourage that.”

Brianna replaced her frown with an impish smile. “You are a warlock—women

are supposed to be enchanted by you.”

Too bad Sophie didn‟t know about that theory. It certainly would make things

easier. He sighed. The seduction of Dr. Sophie Cameron was going to take a very long

time and right now, he needed her help in finding the sword.