Page 98 of Bound By Earth (The Nature Hunters Academy 1)

“We are not leaving this cell until you tell me you will give this achance.”

“You would hold mecaptive?”

“You bet your arse Iwould.”

“I can see why you are so smitten, E,” the same voice spoke again. “She’sstunning.”

“If you want to keep your eyes, I suggest you find something else interesting to look at,” Eliasbarked.

The guy laughed. “Oh man, this is going to be fun. The unflappable Elias Creed has aweakness.”

“Say it, princess,” Elias said, ignoring the other male. “Say you’ll give us achance.”

Tara stared into his eyes and thought about everything he’d told her. There were still so many questions she had, and those wouldn’t be answered if she walked away. “Okay. I’ll give us achance.”

His breath rushed out of him as he spoke. “Thanks, Mother Gaia.” Then he bit her lip again, but it was fast, lasting a second before he pressed his lips to hers. He pushed closer and her mouth opened on a gasp. Elias took full advantage and plunged into her mouth. He kissed her as though his life depended on it. He sucked in, pulling oxygen from her lungs, and then breathed out, filling her with his air. The world had completely disappeared under the ministrations of his mouth and his hands that held her sotightly.

“As much as I do not want to stop you two because, honestly, that is hot, we have a situation outside.” That bloody voice interrupted themagain.

Elias practically ripped his mouth from hers and lowered her to the ground. He turned to face the bars and pushed her behind him at the same time. “This better be life and death, Liam, or so help me I will kick your arse from here to the gates of youracademy.”

“I’d like to see you try, bro. But no worries, since itislife and death, we can save the ass kicking for later. There’s an acolyte outside that says his name is Tucker. He’s demanding that Tara come out in exchange for a blonde beauty namedShelly.”

Tara pushed Elias out of the way and lunged at thebars.

“Tara, don’t,” Elias yelled, but her hands were already wrapping aroundthem.

The pain was immediate and nearly dropped her to her knees. She released them and stumbled back. Elias caught her in his arms, and he hissed as he lifted her damagedhands.

“You’re going to be the death of me,” hehuffed.

“Let go, Elias. I need to see Shelly,” she said as she tried to pull her handsaway.

“Let me heal them and then we can discuss what Liam has toldus.”

“Why are you so calm?” she snapped. “Tucker has my best friend. You just told me that he is on team dark and akiller.”

“He’s not going to hurt her, at least not until he decides we aren’t going to comply and hand youover.”

“Oh, we are going to comply,” Tara toldhim.

He ran his fingers over her palms, and the light and heat once again healed the damaged skin. “Over my dead body,” he said, his voice hard and unbending. Then he pressed a soft kiss to each palm. He released one hand but laced their fingers together with the other. Then he stepped up to the bars and faced the threeguys.

“Tara, this is Liam, Ra, and Aston.” Elias introduced them. Liam winked at her. Ra gave a slight nod, and Aston lifted his eyes briefly to meet hers and then lookedaway.

“Not to be rude, but I don’t care. Get us out of here, Elias, and take me to Tucker andShelly.”

“Damn.” Liam laughed. “She’s feisty. I likeit.”

Ra walked over to the bars and wrapped his hand around one of them. His body tensed as if he were in pain, but he didn’t release his grip. A moment later, the door swung open. Tara saw the lock on the door was completely melted.Whoa.

Elias led her from the cell and out into the corridor. They moved quickly, and Tara had to practically jog to keep up with their longerlegs.

“Does he have anyone else with him?” Eliasasked.

“Two other acolytes,” Liamsaid.

“And an elemental,” Ra spoke for the first time. His voice was deep and rich with an accent she couldn’tplace.

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