The Fury (8 page)

She reached up and got a bottle of Johnnie Walker Black out of the cabinet. She had a feeling the caffeine jolt would not be nearly enough to help her through the rest of this evening. After pulling two mugs down, she turned toward the refrigerator and stopped. Dagan stood in the doorway looking drop dead gorgeous, and her mouth went dry. Heat fused her body.

It would be a long night.

“Do you drink whiskey?” she asked, pulling her gaze from him.

“I’ll drink any form of spirit you care to offer, Reese.”

Yep, a long night indeed.

She filled the mugs with coffee and added two dollops of whiskey. Leaving the Johnnie Walker Black on the counter, she walked over, handed Dagan his cup and pushed past him to the living room. After snuggling into her favorite chair before the roaring fire she said “Okay, I want to know what the hell is going on. Who were those…things, and what do they want with me? And,” she pointed a finger at him, “I’ll warn you not to lie. I’m already pissed.”

He cocked his head. “I’ll tell you the truth,” he said most earnestly.

With everything she’d seen tonight, she hoped he would. “Fine, begin then.”

Dagan didn’t speak at first. Instead, he chugged the coffee. Reese stared at the corded muscles in his neck and the bobbing Adam’s apple as he swallowed. Even the simplest thing like taking a drink suffused her with hot, wicked imaginings. It was almost as if she knew him and yet she didn’t. Like they were supposed to be here together, doing what?

His incredible eyes captured her attention. She took a shot of coffee which burned going down but settled nicely in her already tense stomach.

“You are descended from gods. Your bloodline is rich in heritage and power,” he said.

“Gods? I’m descended from gods?”

“Yes.”

“You’re crazy. What gods?”

“A Pantheon of ancient gods known by many names in many cultures.”

“Naturally,” she replied dryly.

“Why do you think Sumerian and Babylonian mythology interests you so?” His right brow rose. “Because you’re descended from those on high.”

Certain now that he was a nutcase, Reese decided to get rid of him before something else happened. Besides, she knew the truth behind why she immersed herself in work, to keep her sanity, to keep from falling apart.

She had been swept away by his masculinity. That definitely couldn’t happen again.

“You’re directly descended from Enki, the water god, which is why Kur wants you so badly. Enki is his most hated enemy.”

“I know the stories of the water god.”

He inclined his head.

“How do you know this anyway?” She gestured skyward with her hands. “That was centuries ago. How can you possibly tell me that I’m descended from Enki?”

Dagan’s eyes narrowed with intensity radiating from them. “I smell it in your blood, in your body’s essence. It’s what led me to you, and what draws Kur.”

“This is absurd.” She rose from the chair and went to the front door. “You need to go.”

She felt his body before he said anything. “No. This fight isn’t over.”

“How do I know you didn’t stage the whole thing? You could have arranged this charade to throw me off guard and gain my confidence.”

“Then what?” he asked quietly.

“Then—I don’t know what,” she stammered. “Dammit.” She pulled away from him. “Who are you?”

She moved to stand before the fire then sat, deflated, on the floor. Suddenly, she felt very cold. “You asked about my family earlier.”

He inclined his head but his eyes never left hers.

“Are they in danger?”

“Yes.” He crouched beside her and picked up a lock of her hair to roll between his fingers. “I had Rufus send someone to keep an eye on your father’s house and one of our operatives in Europe will be keeping watch over your sister.”

He grasped her forearms so that she looked into his eyes. “They are very good at what they do, Reese. Your family will be protected.”

She felt the tears welling but tried hard not to let them fall. One slipped out of the corner of her eye and cascaded down her cheek. “Thank you.”

He helped her rise.

“I just find it hard to believe.”

“Believe what you want or not, but tell me you didn’t see the
galla
on your front porch. That you didn’t feel the blood of the creature try to burn through your skin.”

“Point taken.” She offered him a slight smile, which was all her ragged nerves could handle at the moment.

“Now, go change so we can leave.”

“Where are we going?” she asked as she removed her arms from his grasp.

“It’s a bar on the east side.”

“A bar?”

“Well, more of a nightclub really. You’ll like it.”

She doubted it. The woman in her scolded, the bookworm in her laughed. Still, she hadn’t been dancing in a long time and it did sound intriguing. Who’d of thought you’d find a god in a nightclub? Better yet, who’d of thought gods really existed on this planet?

Reese flipped on the light in her bedroom and went through her walk-in closet to find something suitable to wear. The walls on either side were lined with racks of garments. They were divided by season then grouped for either work or casual. She passed over numerous business suits, ones she wore to make a good impression for the museums and collectors she dealt with. They were too straight-laced and not the kind of thing you wore to a nightclub. As she kept digging, she happened across a little black dress that she hadn’t worn in forever. It would be the right thing to wear on a night like this unless they had trouble. The shoes would be a problem if she needed to run for her life.

With a sad sigh, she moved on down the row hoping to find something more suitable in case she met with unexpected trouble.

On the other side of the closet, she found a pair of black stretch jeans. “That’ll do. Now what to wear with it?”

She slid hangers, discarding choices until she rested on a baby blue blouse that wrapped around her waist and dipped in a V between her breasts.

After plugging in the curling iron, she gathered her make up and went into the bathroom to fix her face. The deep blue and silver eyeshadow made her eyes shine and she lined them heavily. With a Kleenex, she dabbed and smudged the liner to give it a smoky look. Next, she blended the two tones of blusher into her skin. Last, she used a lip liner and rose-colored lipstick.

Perfect.

Her mood had brightened. Using the curling iron, she gave her hair a little lift and added extra-hold hairspray to guarantee it would keep for a while. She tugged and hefted the tight jeans over her hips. Well-placed soft cups molded her breasts and lifted them slightly. She circled her waist with the bottom of the blouse and tied a neat knot at her side before repositioning the slit. Teardrop diamond earrings made her ears sparkle. She finished off with a matching diamond pendant and her favorite Passion perfume. Black Timberland boots completed her ensemble, and fit the bill for both the weather conditions outside and a fast escape should it be called for.

Reese questioned her motive for the transformation. She could reason that it wasn’t a giant leap, but she’d be lying. The feminine part of her wanted to get a rise out of Dagan and she couldn’t wait to see the look on his face.

After Reese left the room, Dagan willed himself a change of clothes. He traded his duster for a bomber jacket but kept his boots. They were his favorites and he wanted to be comfortable tonight just in case they ran into more trouble. Amazingly enough, the sword that Pyre had made for him fit securely across his back and the loose-fitting jacket accommodated the weapon. His cell phone rang.

“Yeah.”

“You going out?” Rufus asked.

“We’re going to find Nazi. Did you handle the other things I asked?”

“Yes, it’s done. I have Gideon watching Clive Whittaker and Angelique keeping an eye on the sister in France.”

“Good.”

“What are you doing with Reese?”

“I’m taking her with me. I don’t trust her to stay put.”

Amused, Rufus said, “Yeah, I’m sure that’s the only reason.”

“Stay close in case I need you to get Reese to safety, smartass.”

“I’m your shadow,” he said and hung up.

He bent to strap the dagger to his knee when Reese sauntered into the room.

“So you’re going in armed?”

When he glanced up, his stomach plummeted. The black jeans fit her like a second skin, leaving little to the imagination. Her eyes were mesmerizing the way she had them done up, and if he didn’t know any better, he’d swear the color changed. Her earrings glittered in the light and drew your attention to the column of her neck and the too much bare skin everywhere.
Damn
. She smiled and he lost all thought.

“Did you suddenly go mute?”

“What?”

“I said you’re going armed?”

“Uh, yes. I never go anywhere unarmed.” He adjusted his dagger. “It comes with the territory.”

“Right.”

She rifled through the small black purse she carried. At the door she turned. “Shall we?”

“I am not pleased with this news.” Kur declared, his features spread tight with rage.

“He had another with him this time. We were not expecting it,” the
galla
hissed.

Strolling by the table on which lay various knifes, swords and other sharp instruments, Kur glanced toward the covered alcove and winked at the bound and gagged Ereshkigal. Smiling, he picked up a twelve-inch long short-handled knife admiring the way it gleamed in the firelight. With practiced precision Kur swung around, beheading the
galla
from behind.

Ereshkigal screamed but the sound was muffled by the gag. The other
galla
dropped to their knees just as Feral strolled in with an amused grin on his face.

“I see you’ve gotten their report.”

“Yes, and a sorry one it is.”

The captain walked through the dark dust on the floor. “What are your instructions?”

Kur set the knife back on the table. “I think this merits some personal attention. I will go myself.”

Feral bowed. “As you command. We will be close.”

Waving his hand Kur said, “Leave me.”

The rest of the
galla
who had been kneeling rose and hurried out of the room followed by their leader. Kur turned his attention to Ereshkigal.

“Alone at last, my queen.” He snapped his fingers and classical music blared throughout the room.

She scrambled on tiptoes, trying to back away from him. Kur chuckled. “I have special plans for you. Something we both will enjoy.”

He walked over to the table where various instruments used for pleasure and pain glowed in the dim candlelight, like a soft spring day. He picked up a pair of tongs then went to the fire and pulled out a long needle with a half-inch circumference. The tip glowed red hot and sizzled when he blew it softly.

Kur swaggered back over to where Ereshkigal hung. After ripping the white shirt down the front to expose her nipples, he leaned forward and sucked one rosy tip into his mouth. He ran his tongue across it, pleased to see it harden and thrust out.

“That’s it. I grow hard already.”

He tugged the nipple with his teeth then bit it. She whined.

“That didn’t hurt. I’m going to pierce your nipples today. Soon, you will wear rings through them that dangle and tease me. I will suck and pull on the rings while I’m fucking you. You will scream with ecstasy at my hands.”

Tears fell from her eyes and she shook her head, silently pleading with him not to do what he’d promised.

“Don’t worry, Ereshkigal, my sweet. It will be over before you know it.”

He used the tongs to grab the nipple and pull it out before thrusting the searing tip of the needle through. She’d passed out before both breasts were finished. He gently washed her with cool water and antiseptic herbs. Two pure silver rings adorned with rubies and diamonds were slipped through the holes.

“Perfect.”

Kur kissed each breast, but couldn’t stop there. With reverent awe, he uncovered the rest of his wife’s body. He kissed the valley between her breasts then continued down her flat stomach to the juncture between her thighs. He inhaled.

“So sweet,” he murmured. Opening the soft folds, he proceeded to lave her slit. She awoke bucking against his mouth. This made him smile. “Soon, I will take you in every way possible and you will worship me and the things my cock will do to you.”

He stood, unzipped his pants and released the aforementioned appendage. Turning sideways, he held his cock out to its full length for her to see. “This is all for you.”

She fought the chains that held her. Kur laughed as he left the room planning the next move against Reese Whittaker and anticipating the power her life force would provide.

Chapter Six

Dagan and Reese drove through the dark night in relative silence and in a sleek, silver-toned Porsche.