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42
Andrea dropped her eyes and stirred the remains of her lunch, no longer hungry. Everyone was looking at her.
She’d just gotten somewhat used to this place; could she handle more adventure? “When would we go?”
Relief surged through him. “I dislike waiting, and the storm season is close. Six days.”
Her soft grunt was her only answer.
“Good. I’ll help with the details,” Keilor offered. He stood and offered Jasmine his hand as Mathin did the same for Andrea.
They toured the market. At Mathin’s insis
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Scent of Danger 43
Andrea’s resolve crumbled at the sight of his sexy smile. Only a few more days and she could do something about the hot buttered rum he made of her insides. “Well...maybe this once.”The smile became dazzling. She felt a little faint. “Just don’t make a habit of it.”He stared at her red, full lips, very tempted to taste them. Had she used cosmetics? They were especially glossy and ripe-looking this evening.“A couple more days,” she warned him, breathless. He had to stop looking at her like that.Her scent curled around him, tried to mesmerize him as it played on his roused
Scent of Danger 44
“A bicycle?” she asked, frowning as they saw a group of riders in the distance. “A horse would be fine, too.”“Livestock from Earth dies here,” he said, grinning. “But a bicycle might be possible. I’ll see about it.”“What do you bring Jasmine?”The question caused him to cock his head in curiosity. “She wants nothing. The Dark Lands are her home now, and she’s severed the ties to her past. Says she’s happier that way.”Andrea thought about that. “What if something happened to Keilor?”
Scent of Danger 45
“You’re not going to tell me, are you?”“It would disturb you.”That did it. She was definitely curious now. “I’m already disturbed.” When his smile turned wicked, she threatened, “I could ask someone.”“No one will tell you.”She refused to believe that. Someone knew. Maybe she could bribe it out of one of his friends with some of the candy she’d made for the twins that afternoon. “Give me a hint.”“I’m older than you are.”
Scent of Danger 46
Raziel shrugged. “She thinks Andrea will appreciate you more if you have to work for her.”The creak of the massive doors opening caused all competing warriors to draw and activate their blades. One never knew what kind of interesting surprises Ellipse might spring at her tournaments.Out of the darkness marched...“Female warriors?” Raziel gasped.Mathin was just as shocked. Men never competed with women. Even with these women in Haunt and full battle gear, the ridiculousness of it held the men frozen in place. How were they supposed to defeat these women without hurting them? Was that part of the
Scent of Danger 47
Andrea nodded tersely in acknowledgment and wiggled her stiff fingers. They were going numb from her tight grip on the chair. Tension coiled in her belly, making her feel sick. This stupid tournament couldn’t get over fast enough for her.Nine men approached the grid structure and swung up on it. The entire thing swayed as they ascended the multilevel platforms.Andrea felt the blood drain from her face as they drew their swords. They were going to fight up there?She must have looked bad, for Jasmine reached over, pried one of her hands free and held it. “Mathin will be all right, Andrea.”Blue light fl
Scent of Danger 48
Never one to let a challenge pass, Mathin froze him with a look. “I’m more than capable, and I’m coming. Did you have something else to say, boy?”It was clear the young man did, but was wise enough to keep his mouth shut.Mathin dismissed him and turned his attention to Keilor. “We’ll leave within the hour. I’ll have Raziel rouse Andrea and her grandmother while I see to the arrangements. Thank you for alerting me.”Andrea wasn’t happy to be dragged out of bed in the middle of the night. Never a morning person, she was downright witchy before the hour of three, but she rallied when she discovered it was an emergency. As servants hurriedly pa
Scent of Danger 49
“You want to go for a walk now?” Andrea demanded, not yet fully awake.Mathin took her hand and led her out of the camp and into the redwoods. Ignoring the knowing looks they gathered, he shifted the thick blanket she had yet to notice over his shoulder and tightened his grip on her hand to prevent her from stumbling. “Walking is good for you.”Someone snickered.Feeling his face heat for the first time in ages, he walked faster. Soon they were out of earshot of even the most sensitive of Haunt.“Why…” Her eyes fell on the blanket as he spread it on the ground. Her mouth fell ope
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With the suddenness of a record being rudely ripped off, the pleasure stopped. Gasping at the searing pain, she struggled, but he had her firmly pinned.“Wait.” His voice was close to the edge and she instinctively stilled, knowing not to push him now.The symbiont moved, glided down her body and flooded her thighs with gentle warmth. In moments, the pain was gone.“Better?” he asked, his body trembling above hers. At her shy nod he began, very slowly, to move.Surge and withdraw. The gentle tempo of the sea. Soon it was not enough.
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