Page 6 of Smoke and Flame

She placed a hand on her stomach to suppress the vibrations inside her.She was perplexed how he could make his voice do it.In the Dispatch District, there were plenty of men she’d met with deep, baritone voices, hell, even a few women, but nothing, absolutely no one, pulled it off the way this man did.

“Ahyeee, did you say?”She couldn’t match his tone but was trying to repeat the word.

“Aodh.”He appeared a little pissed that she didn’t get it.He placed one of his large hands around her neck.His thumb rested below her chin at the top of her windpipe for a long time as his thick fingers curled around the back of her neck.“Aodh.”

She listened carefully.It seemed important to him that she got his name right.“A—”

The firm, quick press of his meaty thumb into her throat caused her to croak out a single syllable.There was a pain in the pressure, but it eased just as quickly as the harsh sound erupted.

“Aodh.”

“Aodh.”She repeated his rich, pitchedA-da, this time without his assistance.

A flash of light danced strangely in his eyes.The turquoise-opal flashed from tangerine to canary to moss green before it went out just as quickly.It wasn’t only his eyes.The man had black-inked line tattoos all over his chest and arms, some scale-like design that appeared to radiate similar colors as if markings were responsive to his emotions.

Impossible.The medley of colors made Kai’s skin warm.She moved back.Kai needed space from Aodh.Being close to him caused her mind and body to go haywire, and she couldn’t afford to get lost in his strange allure.Her sister’s life depended on it.

“Aodh, I am Kai.”She figured it made sense to offer her name since she’d been calling the man by his.

“Kai.”He seemed to say her name on an inhale and swallow.His lids lowered for a moment.

Could words be tasted?Savored?Ridiculous.

“Kai.”When he spoke this time, it was guttural but lyrical.

The man had a way of making her name sound like poetry.Erotic poetry.

Squeezing her thighs, she cleared her throat and said, “I’m not sure if you’re the person I was sent to find.”She rushed around the massive form of him to the passenger side as she spoke.“The situation is dire.I need help for my sister.Medical attention of any kind.”Kai yanked open the door so she could check on her only kin.

Morlie now rested half on the bench seat while the other part of her pooled into the floorboard.

Kai reached in and touched her sister’s cheek.She was dry and cold now.

Morlie was losing life.

“Please, Morlie.Hang on.”Kai shook her head.She turned to Aodh and found him right behind her.How did he move so fast, silent?

“Prepare for a burial.She will die now.”

“No!No!No!”She grabbed his arm and felt a piercing pain and heat in her hand as his lines went crimson with an edge of sapphire blue, but she squeezed tighter.“She can’t die.You must do something.Somehow, you and however many others have survived in the Unknown while people are dying by droves in the contained areas within the Wall.There must be a cure or protection for this virus.Dammit, you are going to give it toher,” she commanded.

Everything in her told her not to trifle with this man.That people didn’t demand things from such a scary and imposing individual, but she didn’t care.Couldn’t care.Kai would sacrifice everything to save her younger sister, even if it cost her life.

The rumbling sound was incredible, louder this time, as he leaned down and set his face before hers.

“No one orders, Aodh Brandr, the McKenna.”Heated sulfuric cinnamon perfumed the space in a puff of smoke that clouded the air between them.

Kai coughed.She exhaled as hard as she could to keep it from her lungs.

As it dissipated, he continued, “You have a lot of spirit, little flame.I need this.”

Her brows pinched as she removed her hand.Aodh was already too close, and touching him was doing peculiar things to her.She wasn’t sure how she could help him.But everything in her told her this man could assist her sister and that’s all that mattered.

“Ineedto ensure my sister gets help before it’s too late.Will you help her?”she implored, purposely softening her tone.Directing this man wasn’t moving him along fast enough, she tried another tactic.

“Yes.”He took her by the waist and moved her with ease behind him.Shut off your vehicle.We won’t need it.”

Her bones became liquid with relief.“Thank you.”

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