Page 14 of The Rowan's Stone
I scoff and blow on my fingers. “Please, this isn’t amateur hour.” I give them a second to digest, then bust out laughing. “Seriously, I don’t know how I managed to stand still. Every voice inside me was screaming to run far away from the gigantic beast getting ready to eat me. I had to lock my knees in place. He’s terrifying.”
They all laugh.
“It took us all a while to get used to him too,” Fallon admits.
Theron steps in front of me. Raising my chin, he scans my features. “You have my cell. If you find anything, call me. I’ll keep you informed and try to return quickly.” He pauses, but with a quick glance at the others, he seems to scrap whatever he was going to say. “Don’t take any unnecessary chances, Arden. I mean it.” He drops a light kiss on my temple.
I’ve been dreading this moment. Theron’s my rock, here for me every day since I arrived, and I’m not sure why, but the thought of him leaving is hitting me hard. He picks up his leather duffle and steps toward his portal, but I’m compelled to stop him. I pull him back to face me and straight into my arms. I hug him fiercely, and after a tense moment, he drops his bag and gathers me tightly into his arms. A few seconds later, I lean back and stare into his violet eyes. “I…will miss you.”
His eyes tried to read mine, but I don’t know how to convey what I’m feeling. It’s so jumbled. “I’ll miss you too, Arden.” He steps back from my embrace, glances at the others, then disappears into his portal.
I look at Daire. “Tell your father I said hello, and let us know how things are going with the uprising.” After years of living with Vargas, I know how quickly an uprising can turn ugly. Demons aren’t known for using diplomacy to end things peacefully. “And text us. Me. I want to know you’re safe. Please.”
Daire’s icy blue eyes darken, and with two blurred steps, he leans down and places a kiss on each cheek. “My fierce Arden, take care of yourself. And don’t worry, I’m quite capable of managing a small uprising.” A small, arrogant smile graces his lips.
When the portal of fire and magic opens, he steps back and leaves.
I bite my lip. The feeling of isolation is stronger without all of them here, and I’ve had enough isolation to last a lifetime or three. I walk over toward the other two.
Fallon and Astor have some type of silent conversation, then Astor puts an arm around me and gives me a squeeze. “Fallon and I would like to take you to dinner. Do you like seafood?”
I glance at Fallon in surprise. “I love seafood. Do I need to get dressed up for this excursion?”
Astor pushes me into the elevator. “First of all, it’s a date. Second, you need to dress more casually. A good pair of jeans, a sweater, and a leather jacket would work. And boots. Meet us downstairs in about ten minutes.”
Amused and excited, I reach my room and dress quickly, then rush back to the lobby. The elevator doors open, and the two men stand silhouetted against the dark backdrop of the club. I never noticed, but they both seem to favor black clothes a lot. Both are now sporting leather jackets, and they eye my attire with satisfaction.
“Are you going to tell me where we’re going?” I ask, pulling on my jacket.
Astor pulls a helmet from his back and approaches me. “Don’t you trust us?” He gives a low laugh.
“Fallon maybe, you…never,” I lie, watching him wince when he feels the sting.
“We’re going to have a little chat later about this new habit of lying you’ve developed, gorgeous. But for now, hold still so I can put this helmet on you,” he demands curtly.
I smirk but hold still and let him place the helmet on my head. “Are we going riding? I haven’t ridden in ages.”
Fallon and Astor chuckle.
“We’re going to ride to the coast and eat the best seafood in the world,” Fallon’s states in his naturally husky voice. “I don’t know if you ride, but we don’t have time to assess your skills. Why don’t you ride with Astor on the way there and with me on the way back?”
My body tingles in anticipation of riding with the two of them. Like any woman in their right mind would turn down the offer. I shrug nonchalantly. “I’ve only been a passenger, so that works.”
Astor leans toward me to tuck the strap into the helmet. “You can’t fool me,” a dark voice whispers. Glancing up, I see his incubus staring back at me. “I can’t wait for you to wrap yourself around me.”
Astor grabs my hand and pulls me toward the garage. I’d only been there once when Theron and I drove out to Witchwood. It’s remarkable how many vehicles are stored in here. Of course, Astor’s motorcycle is modern, sleek, and lethal. I glance over to Fallon and see him slinging his leg over a big black monster of a machine. I don’t know much about motorcycles, but it will be interesting to ride on them both.
Astor slings his leg over, then steadies the bike while I sort of hop up behind him, scooting until I’m in place. It’s a good thing I’ve got long legs.Widening my thighs to accommodate him, I slide in tight and wrap my arms around him. With a roar, the engine starts, rumbling beneath me. My thighs tighten on Astor, and I hear him chuckle.
The roar of Fallon’s machine makes me turn to my left. He rolls up beside us, glances at me on the back, and cocks an eyebrow.
“Stop worrying,” Astor growls back. “I’ll be safe. Dinner says she’s converted.”
Fallon throws his head back and laughs. “You’re on.”
The challenge is thrown, and with a roar and a throttle, we take off like the hounds of hell are chasing us.
9
