Aftershocks Read online

  They left the restaurant and she saw him pocket his wallet. “I noticed you paying with a credit card. Is it real?”

  His lips curled in amusement, and her whole body lit up at the sight. Ellie was a sucker for a man with a sense of humour. Put that together with a face to sigh over and a body to kill for and she had to remind herself not to drool.

  “The credit card and the money are real, courtesy of some local gambling and a few spells, thanks to Uncle Arim.”

  “I thought you didn’t like your uncle.”

  “Of course I like him. He’s family.”

  Now she was confused. “But before you said—”

  “Look, he’s a pain in the ass, has a quirky sense of humour and always thinks he knows best. I admit, he’s more than a little annoying.”

  “Really?” she asked dryly, amused that he was describing himself and unaware of it.

  “And he always has the worst timing. When Marcus was courting Tessa, Arim showed up and frightened the poor woman into attacking him.”

  She wondered what that had been like. The few times she’d heard Arim’s name mentioned, it was with awe and usually a warning to steer clear of the powerful Killer of Shadow. Of course, that had come from Jonas, and he had a tendency to over-dramatise most things.

  “How did Tessa do?”

  Cadmus smiled, his grin an obvious indicator he approved of his brother’s wife. “She caused him some damage before he fully phased—completely teleported back into the house,” he explained. “Then Marcus stepped in to protect her.”

  “Typical. You Storm Lords are a pushy bunch. Always taking charge, protecting the little woman.”

  “Little woman?” He laughed. “Tessa’s almost as tall as I am. Trust me, she kowtows to no one, especially not Marcus.”

  The affection he held for his brother and Tessa started another fissure in the ice surrounding her heart. “You really love your brothers, don’t you?”

  He nodded, his expression sobering as he stopped them both on the sidewalk. “I truly do. That’s why I was so angry when I learned you weren’t who I’d thought you were, Ellie. I could never imagine placing my family in danger. I’d give my life for any of them, including my new sisters. Family is everything to me.”

  And the Djinn had killed his father.

  “I understand.” She felt like crying, which made no sense. Grabbing him by the arm, she started them moving again. “Let’s see if we can’t forget the past for just a little while, okay, Cadmus?”

  He nodded, his gaze searching as he met hers.

  “Let’s use the rest of today as our own personal—”

  “There you are.” A large man, taller even than Cadmus, with blue-black hair and brown eyes so dark they looked black loomed dangerously close. “When I’m through with you, the Netharat will look like a pleasant diversion.”

  Ellie took a step back and unconsciously tapped her powers, lending Cadmus aid as she subtly drew off the large man’s negativity.

  “Shit.” Cadmus placed himself between the man and Ellie. “I thought I’d lost you for at least another few months.”

  The stranger smiled, a menacing grin that had her heart racing. His teeth were bright, and the whites of his eyes seemed to almost glow with rage. Her senses screamed Light Bringer, though she’d never before encountered one besides Darius and Cadmus.

  “Ah, Cadmus—” She swallowed the rest of her sentence when the large man turned his gaze on her.

  “Wonderful,” he growled. “Another Djinn.” His attitude grated.

  Despite his obvious threat, she snapped at him. “Look, buddy, I don’t know who you are—”

  “Ellie,” Cadmus warned.

  “—and I don’t much care. We’re in a public forum here, so take your bad mood and your hokey magic and go away. I’m not a Djinn,” she snarled, including Cadmus in her aggravation. He at least had the sense to nod in agreement.

  The stranger seemed to grow taller and stared incredulously from Cadmus to Ellie. “Now you’ve got them fighting your battles for you, too?”

  “I said—” she paused and took a step closer to Mr. Attitude. Cadmus tried to hold her back instead of protecting her from the rude man. “—I’m not a Djinn, so stick that up your tight ass, you Light Bringing piece of—”

  Cadmus interrupted in a loud voice. “Ellie, meet my uncle. Arim, my good friend and Jonas’ cousin, Ellie Markham.”

  Ellie froze. She glanced back and forth between the men. Cadmus had many of Arim’s features, his strong nose and chin, the same almond-shaped eyes, the golden skin. Even the dark hair looked similar, styled the same way. But whereas Cadmus looked charming, rogue-like and clearly sensual, Arim possessed an air of cruel strength and rigidity that screamed ‘hands off’.

  Arim, in turn, studied Ellie with an intensity that made her want to squirm. He said what sounded like a curse in a lyrical, foreign language. Then he bowed, shocking her speechless. “Forgive my rudeness, Ms. Markham. But I’ve had the Dark’s own luck in finding my nephew. Could I perchance ask you to find us a safe haven in which to speak?”

  Cadmus snorted. “He wants to know where we can talk privately.”

  “English is my first language, Cadmus.” She rolled her eyes at him and turned to his uncle. Uncle, my ass. He’s maybe a year or two older than Cadmus, until you look into those ancient eyes of his. Positively scary, in a sexy kind of way. “Sure, Arim. We can go to my place and talk.”

  He smiled. The black eyes that had moments ago been flat and treacherous now looked deep and full of promise. His full lips quirked in a half-grin that made him look both cocky yet seductive. And his body fairly radiated sex. So like Cadmus.

  “Hey, back off, old man,” Cadmus growled, pulling Ellie into his arms. “Just take my arm and you’ll see where to go.”

  Ellie didn’t understand. “But I can show—”

  “He’s not putting his hands on you, at all.” Cadmus glowered, and Ellie had to blink at the complete role reversal between Light Bringers. Now Cadmus seemed as remote as his uncle had been, while Arim screamed temptation.

  “Very well, youngster,” Arim said with a straight face, though Ellie would swear a smile teased at the corner of his mouth.

  Arim reached out to Cadmus and everything blurred. The next thing Ellie heard were loud voices, a doorbell buzzer, and her father’s startled, “What the fuck are you two doing with my daughter?”

  Hell on earth, and all in her little apartment. Was nothing sacred anymore?

  Chapter Four

  Cadmus stared at a male version of Ellie in helpless fascination. Good Light, but Ellie was his spitting image. Ethim had the same high cheekbones, the same stubborn nose and strong chin, identical bright blue eyes, though his glowed with a fierce anger that had Arim braced for attack. The Djinn’s aura was Dark, so much so that Cadmus had no trouble seeing it.

  Yet the Darkness of the man in no way detracted from his physical presence. Ethim il Ruethe looked like a walking piece of art. It was all Cadmus could do not to reach out and touch the man to see if he were real.

  His skin and features were unnaturally attractive. Cadmus had just spent the last few weeks among the Djinn, but he’d never seen a creature so physically striking, save Ellie. Glancing at her, he noted the guarded look in her eyes as she stared at her father.

  Interesting.

  He’d known from her many comments she had no close ties to the man. But watching the two, he thought perhaps her distance was mostly of her own making. Ethim glared at Arim and Cadmus, but his gaze softened with love and worry when he lit on his daughter.

  “I asked what you’re doing here.” Ethim’s tone shifted, seeming to echo throughout the small room, commanding obedience.

  “I don’t think so.” Arim waved his hand, and the compulsion to answer the Djinn faded.

  “Don’t think you can come in here and take charge like you try to do everywhere else. This situation goes beyond the Light Bringers now. At least, it’s beyond yo
u.” Ethim looked past Arim to Cadmus and nodded. “Jonas mentioned some of his troubles, but I have to admit I never thought he’d bring you back here.”

  Cadmus thought it telling Ethim had yet to address his daughter.

  “Why are you here?” she finally asked, her voice flat.

  Ethim drew himself to his formidable height and his features tightened. He pursed full lips and frowned. “I just wanted to see for myself that you were all right. I know you’ve been having trouble with the university and wanted to offer my assistance.”

  Ellie blinked. “You did?”

  “You didn’t think I would notice your troubles? I see everything, Elliara.”

  She blushed and darted a glance at Cadmus, who strove to look uninterested. Elliara? A beautiful name, and one that spoke of Djinn ties, a connection that for some reason she wanted to sever.

  “It’s Ellie, Ethim.”

  He looked like he wanted to argue, but a glance at Arim and Cadmus and he changed the subject. “Are these two bothering you? I’ve found a suitable place where we can stash the Earth Lord until a time where he may be of some use.”

  Arim’s expression darkened. “It’s funny you mention his use. What exactly do you intend for my nephew? The last I knew Jonas was doing us a favour by keeping Cadmus safe. Now, it seems, there’s an agenda we know nothing about.”

  Cadmus shrugged. “Don’t look at me. I have no clue what you’re talking about. I had a slight altercation in Foreia so Jonas whisked me away. If you’d open the doors to Tanselm, we could take care of everything right now,” he challenged his uncle. Oddly enough, he didn’t want Arim to make it that easy.

  For over a year, Cadmus had been dying to return to his homeworld. But being around Ellie again made him long for time with her alone and without distraction. If Arim took him back home, he would have no excuse to stay behind with Ellie.

  “You know you can’t return home without an affai,” Arim explained matter-of-factly. “So work your magic and find her. I have the feeling time is moving us towards something we’re not quite ready for.”

  “I know.” Cadmus had felt a shift in the possibilities of the future for some time. His clairvoyance had deserted him of late, and the only visions he now had involved sex with the alluring blonde next to him. “But I can’t see it, no matter how hard I try.”

  “Would one of you care to explain just what’s going on here?” Ethim asked again, this time with more patience. “If you’d like, we can take this conversation someplace safer. I have space in Foreia that would be perfect for you, Earth Lord, while we—”

  “No,” Ellie blurted, surprising everyone. “Cadmus is fine here, and with everything otherworldly happening around me, I feel safer having him around.”

  She wouldn’t meet Cadmus’ gaze and refused to respond to his mental questions.

  “Safer with him around?” Her father sounded as incredulous as Cadmus felt. But satisfaction danced through his soul. Ellie didn’t want him to leave. Whatever the reason, it didn’t matter.

  She nodded. “I appreciate what you’re trying to do, pushing me out of this. But I’m already a part of it.” She shrugged with a nonchalance that didn’t fool Cadmus in the slightest. “I might as well see this through to the end. You know, make sure the Djinn are taken care of.”

  Ethim beamed, a blazing display of affection that made Cadmus cringe. The Darkness seething in the Djinn was curiously compelling, and he wondered if Ellie found it hard to refuse her father anything.

  “I see. Well then. I’ll leave you two alone. Protected, but alone. Arim? There are things we need to discuss.”

  Arim glanced from Ethim to Cadmus, then focused on Ellie with a puzzled frown. “I suppose, as long as you stay put,” he directed to Cadmus. “We’re not even close to being done our discussion.”

  Cadmus felt threatened by Arim’s steady regard. He prayed his uncle couldn’t see the uncomfortable Darkness seething within him. “Fine, sure. I’ll be right here, protecting Ellie.”

  Arim snorted his disbelief before turning back to Ethim. “How about Shathra in the between?”

  “It’s in Shadow.” Ethim considered. “That will work. Ellie, call if you need me.” He disappeared without a whisper, and Arim soon followed, leaving Ellie and Cadmus alone at last.

  “So,” Cadmus said slowly, taking in her unsteady breath, her wandering gaze that rested briefly on his lips. “You don’t feel safe?”

  “It was the best I could do to get my father out of here. When he gets that look in his eye, you just want to disappear.” She began roving the living room, straightening pillows and magazines that didn’t need straightening.

  “If my presence here makes you uncomfortable, perhaps I should go with Ethim,” he said quietly, wanting her to look at him.

  At his words, she stilled, her back to him. She was so tense, so uneasy, and he didn’t understand what her father had done to make her so unnerved.

  “It’s not my father, it’s you,” she said through her teeth and turned to face him. Her eyes were so bright they glowed, and he took a step back at the sheer vehemence of her tone. Dark, hungry energy slid through the air, caressing and curling around him, drawing him closer to the precipice he didn’t want to cross.

  “I can’t stop thinking about you. You’re all I can see and hear. All I can think about.” Her breath caught, and she glided nearer, stalking him. Her nipples beaded through her T-shirt, and Cadmus swore he could sense her desire as if a living thing. “You’re like a spell that’s taken me over. Magic in my once-normal world.”

  “Ellie,” he said thickly, telling himself over and over that this had to be her decision. The urge to take her, to throw her down on the floor and fuck her until neither of them could walk was overpowering. But he refused to let his cock direct his actions.

  Ellie took the decision out of his hands. Snarling, she closed the distance between them. “You jerk.” Plastering her mouth over his, she stole every thought as his blood rushed below his beltline.

  Moments later, when she finally let him go, he gasped for breath. “Fuck, Ellie.”

  “Yes, fuck Ellie,” she urged, tugging at his shirt and unsnapping his jeans in a flash. Her hands ran over his chest like trails of heat surging through his blood. Mountains of lust erupted, consuming him despite his desire to take things slow.

  Succumbing to his needs, he moved in a frenzy. Cotton and denim flew everywhere until skin met skin, and he sighed into her mouth. The feel of her full breasts pressing his chest made him groan with raw need. She felt it as well, her mind completely open as she broadcasted her wants.

  “I’m going to make you scream,” he whispered in her ear before darting in his tongue to make her shiver. Running his lips down her throat, he sucked at her hammering pulse. She arched closer to him, responding as if made for him. Moving farther down, he kissed and nipped his way to her breasts, bringing them both to their knees as he sucked, biting with enough pressure to make her sigh with pleasure.

  Unable to resist, he stroked down her belly as he toyed with her breasts. The silver ring piercing her navel felt cool against his fingers, and he pulled gently on it before continuing his search lower. Petting the blonde curls between her legs, he thrust a finger through her cleft, deep into her pussy.

  “You’re so wet for me,” he growled and unconsciously thrust his swelling cock against her belly. “So ready for me to fuck you.”

  “Cadmus.” She held him to her breast with shaking hands. “I can’t believe how much I need you.”

  Need you. Not need this. Male satisfaction poured through him, a heady mixture of lust and affection for the woman in his arms that made him want to do more than simply fuck her, more than take her body. He wanted to claim her, to brand her as his own so no one else could touch her without her thinking of him and him alone.

  “Elliara,” he rasped as he began thrusting first one finger, then two inside her. She was more than human, more than a woman. She was a goddess he planned to
worship with reverence. He sucked her nipple deep, gratified by her loud moans and trembling body. “I’m going to love you so hard, so deep, baby.”

  He continued to kiss her, moving back to her luscious mouth. By the Light, his Ellie knew how to kiss. She used her whole mouth, her lips inviting, pouting under his while her tongue ravaged his mouth. Stroking and sliding, she mimicked lovemaking so urgently he was soon lost to finesse.

  With an animalistic growl, he brought them to the floor. Looming over her, he nudged her thighs wide, lowering his cock to the burning entrance of her core. Her wetness covered his tip, and with a loud curse, he plunged deep through the tight, hugging flesh that welcomed his intrusion.

  “Cadmus, oh my God,” she cried, clutching him tightly. She wrapped her ankles around his waist as he thrust like a man possessed. In and out, hard and without cease. He deliberately rotated his pelvis to rub her clit, the slap of his flesh against hers erotic in the extreme.

  Her moans escalated, and he could feel her climbing steadily towards climax. He wanted to hold her there, but he had no room to play. Dark ecstasy wound around and through him, trapping him helplessly in her feminine power. He quickened his movements, pummeling as her cries increased his pleasure.

  “Yes, yes,” she pleaded. Her body clamped down around him, squeezing him into a mind-blowing climax as she found her own.

  Shocks of energy shot through his body, leaving him connected to her mind, body and soul as he emptied inside her womb, filling her with his Light.

  “Ellie,” he groaned as he shuddered, his orgasm so intense he could only ride the wave and pray he had enough strength not to come crashing down when it was over. On and on, he pulsed, and he felt seed trickling down his thighs as he continued to come.

  Some time later, when he could again think, he stared down at the woman who had robbed him of speech.

  “Cadmus,” she sighed. Her eyes were hazy with satisfied contentment. “Am I alive?”

  He chuckled, the vibration of his voice causing him to press deeper inside her. Leaning on his elbows to keep from crushing her, he marvelled at her beauty as he lay buried in her heat. “If you’re not, we’re both in the Next.”