Page 137 of Phoenix Burn

We leaned on the bridge rail until the road was empty of traffic, and then slid down the embankment, and into the water.

35

Sebastian

Silver hair as clothing left much to be desired when one be skulking in shadows.

Fortunately, I also had a cloak. But getting out of Xumi’s main stronghold in Giava still proved to be more difficult than breaking in.

It be only possible because the diva herself be not in residence. Which had taken me a distressing amount of time, and three temporarily comatose guards, to determine.

I’d even descended to the dungeon level. The place be ancient, and the dungeons particularly grim. But there be no sign of Talakai.

He be not here.

But the absence of at least one guard must have been noticed because the energy of those still mobile seemed agitated. Xumi might not be currently present, but she’d left a healthy contingent of her employees in place.

Fortunately, they be not all Dragons. The humanoids I questioned be susceptible to my powers. I’d left them drained, but alive. They wouldn’t recover for days. By then, what they knew wouldn’t matter.

Some of those restlessly prowling be, however, Dragons. And they would require a more physical confrontation if they found me. It be, therefore, important I didn’t permit that to happen.

I’d just made it over the exterior wall and into the alley beyond when I be blindsided by images of a hand groping a breast... So vivid I experienced the fullness of the soft flesh, with the hard, rigid peak obvious through the thin cloth.

Sards.Swamped by images and sensations, I pushed myself into the shadows of the alley. I be conscious of the Dragon guard patrolling just on the other side of the wall, but helpless to do anything about it as my perspective swung from Anna to Matt. Both cranked me to a state of rigidness that be painful.

I could no more stop it than change night to day. Ride it out be all I could do. And as my body clamored for release, I be caught up in the eager thrust of hips, and Matt pushing into her welcoming warmth. The slick slide of flesh, the tightening of muscles beneath liquid velvet.

My hand be but a poor substitute as I panted my way to completion, spraying forceful jets against the wall. I finally let my fingers fall away as my body throbbed in the final throes of ecstasy, and I leaned back against the cold stone—my heart thundering.

Sardding hell, this connection to Anna and Matt be out of control. I be Bellati. We be trained from birth to guide the emotions that genetics has bestowed upon us.

Such a complete and total loss of control be humiliating. And disturbing. And damned dangerous.

My beast clawed at me as I tried to reject it. Rejecther. But I couldn’t have just her. So I be better off fertilizing back alleyways and cultivating life as an unattached warrior.

Fate could go fornicate with someone else.

As I regrew my hair covering and pulled my cloak back over me, there be movement at the alley entrance. I pulled my horn free from its holder. Had I cried out, caught up in the moment? The residents of these underworld cities be experts at appearing to mind their own business, while in reality observing every tiny detail.

I pulled my cloak close to me and reached out with senses still tingling with the aftermath.

And be shocked at what answered me.

“I’ve been traipsing all over, looking for you. And here you are, having a good time.” The voice be both familiar and amused. “Are you decent?” she asked.

“Yes, I’m decent,” I snapped at her. My kind generally didn’t blush, but my embarrassment would have carried clearly to her through my energy. As would my intense excitement over the last few moments.

Sard it all anyway. Like she didn’t have enough of a hold over me.

Cara emerged from the shadows and pushed back her hood. Her bright-blue eyes danced with amusement.

“I take it our two young Shades have been up to something,” she said. Then she tilted her head. “Which was very much against orders, I may add.”

“He’s still alive, if that’s what you be wondering. They left their clothes on. Although I am not sure it be completely effective.” I snapped my mouth shut. Why had I even admitted to this? I be in the grip of Fate—damn her black sardding soul.

“Well, that’s good, anyway.” Her lips curled. “I sent them back to the academy. I’m amazed you were able to sense them from there.”

I straightened. “They be not at the academy.”

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