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

“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?”

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

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

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.