Page 64 of Ancient Magic

Chapter 12

Micha could sense each tick of the clock, frustration boiling through him as he was forced to waste precious seconds recovering from the explosive blast, followed by the collapse of the temple. The wounds hadn’t been life-threatening, but they’d been numerous, breaking bones and smashing vital organs that had to be restored.

And worse, he’d finally managed to get Skye Claremont in his arms, and they were both too damaged to appreciate the moment.

Later...he promised himself as he shoved upward, knocking aside the crushing pile that buried them in rubble. He no longer doubted that she had been a victim in Lynx’s plot to get his hands on the strange crystal, but until he stopped the demented fairy, he couldn’t allow himself to be distracted.

Not that it was easy, he grimly acknowledged, reaching down to pull Skye to her feet. Even coated in a layer of dust and her golden curls tangled in a messy halo, she was the very essence of temptation. A succulent treat he ached to taste.

Holding her hand in a gentle grip, he swept his gaze down her tiny frame, ignoring the bits of debris and flecks of blood that marred her clothes. He was searching for open wounds that would need immediate healing.

“How badly are you hurt?”

She tugged her hand free, wrinkling her nose as she futilely attempted to wipe away the dirt.

“I’m fine.” She glanced up through her lashes. “Thanks to you.”

Another wave of desire smashed into Micha, wrenching a low growl from his lips. The need to cup her face in his hands and kiss her until they both melted in pleasure was overwhelming. Only the distant sound of croaking frogs and the pungent scent of moss kept him from giving in to his hunger. This wasn’t the time or place.

He stepped back, in dire need of space to clear his mind. “Can you walk?”

“Yeah.”

“Good. We need to get away from here.”

She grabbed the skirt of her dress to climb over the busted cinder blocks before he led her down the pathway, her gaze warily glancing toward the undergrowth that seethed with remnants of magic. He didn’t smother the dangerous traps he’d laid around the area. He’d made assumptions and believed in rumors, and his lack of diligence had come back to bite him on the ass. Until he knew beyond a doubt that the sword and surrounding hex were destroyed, he wasn’t going to take any chances.

They traveled back to the shoreline in silence, both too weary and battered to make small talk. And honestly, he doubted that Skye was in the mood to discuss the past few hours. For now it was enough to put one foot in front of another.

Stepping out of the thick foliage, Micha wasn’t surprised to discover that the airboats had vanished. It’d been less than ten minutes since the explosion, but that was more than enough time for Lynx to disappear. He had to act quick if he was going to pick up their track.

Thankfully, he could already make out the whomping sound of an approaching helicopter.

“They’re gone,” Skye muttered. “I don’t know whether to be happy that I don’t have to spend any more time with Lynx and his goons, or sad that we’re going to have to swim to get back to civilization.”

“No swimming,” he assured her, pointing at the flashing lights growing brighter by the second. “That’s my helicopter.”

She sent him a wary glance. “How did they know you were here?”

“They don’t, but I have guards who monitor this area of my territory. They wouldn’t have been overly concerned by the airboats. The wards I’ve placed around the temple are usually enough to run off any intruders. But they would have been alerted when the temple exploded. Heads would have rolled if they didn’t come to investigate what the hell was going on.”

She breathed a soft sigh of relief. “Thank God. I have to get back to Maya and Peri. They’re probably out of their minds with worry.”

Micha studied her relieved expression. Of course Skye’s first thought would be concern for her friends. Not that she’d been kidnapped and hauled halfway across the country. Or nearly squashed by an enchanted temple.

Was it any wonder he was bewitched?

Such a unique, fascinating creature.

Unfortunately, as much as he admired her tender heart, he was going to have to convince her to keep their location a secret. Along with the fact that Lynx had his hands on the crystal.

“My servants can take you to New Orleans.” He moved to stand directly in front of her as the helicopter swooped downward. The pilot had no doubt caught sight of him standing at the edge of the water and was preparing to land. The blades were already picking up debris and tossing it through the air. “But I’m afraid you’ll have to stay at my lair.”

She frowned, but she didn’t look angry. A better start than he’d expected. “Why?”

“Until we figure out who gave Lynx a key to get past Valen’s security and revealed the location of my private rooms, we can’t trust anyone,” he reminded her. “If they know we’re alive, they’ll realize that they need to destroy any evidence that connects them to the demons. Including the traitor.”

Her frown deepened. “My friends aren’t involved.”

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