Page 104 of The Demon's Fire
“Nah!” She blew on her nails. “I think I’ll go panther on their asses.”
“Are those the same ones you used to tent-pole the shifter at the Blood Shed last week?” A chortling Ram looked at the other Firebrands.
“The very same. When I scraped them lovingly along his body parts, he couldn’t help but pop erect. I have that effect on males. But I bring out the big kitty claws for a fight.” She jerked her thumb to the north. “They headed that way.”
Rein stared down at the young warlock. “Feel anything, kid?”
“N-n-nope. Nobody’s using p-p-power near here.”
“Okay. Let’s move.” Rein waved his hand through the air.
Jezzi and Ram took the lead. Since she was a big cat shapeshifter, she was an excellent tracker. Ram, a satyr, was nearly as good.
Jezzi pulled to an abrupt stop. Rein moved alongside her. “What is it?” The panther angled its head toward a scorched bush. “Spread out,frerons. Look for some sign Kole was here. Something burned.” Rein walked ahead, keeping his attention on the ground, studying it for clues.
“This way.” Ram signaled the warriors.
After three more markers, Rein surveyed the horizon. “If we march straight in the direction the scorched bushes indicate, we reach Mount Exile. There’s a river, lots of rock, a waterfall, and the possibility of caves. Kole mentioned he had hidey-hole in a mountain. Do you feel anything, Knox?”
“N-n-no.”
“Let’s jump to the base of Mount Exile. If it’s a wash, we’ll pop back here. I know creating our own portals uses a lot of D-chip juice, but we need fast.”
****
Witha gentle touch, Kole tapped Skyler’s shoulder. When she didn’t wake, he grabbed her and shook hard. “Frisca. You’re dreaming.”
She shot upright, blinking as if adjusting to the surroundings.
He enveloped her in his arms, disliking her fear, her confusion. “You’ve been yelling for me, but you’re safe. You’re in the cave. In bed. I’m with you.”
Skyler trembled in his embrace, wiping sleep from her eyes. “I’m so foggy. How did I get here? I was down the mountain. I remember calling your name from the ledge outside the entrance.” She sat straighter. “Dermott’s leading other demons to us.”
“No, Frisca. It was all a dream. You were asleep.”
“That’s not possible. It was so real.” Her nails dug into Kole’s forearm. “It was real. A bunch of males were with him, around twenty. They spent the night in a camp.”
“It was a dream, Frisca.”
“He was talking to a demon named Mowart.” Skyler snuggled deeper into Kole’s embrace. He listened to the rapid beat of her heart. With her body quivering, he stroked his battle-scarred hand down her spine.
Kole’s eyes narrowed. “I know Mowart. You must have heard his name at the Genesis Rite.”
“The dream was so vivid, Kole. Wait. Are you okay? You slept through a full day and night.”
“I’m fine, but you’re still shaking.” Kole released her, brushing a wispy strand of hair from her forehead. “Hush. You’re safe now.” He lifted her onto his lap, letting her feel his arousal, his arms surrounding her in a tight circle.
He kissed the top of her head, her cheek, her lips. While he licked them with his tongue, she relaxed against him, opening to let him slip inside.
Suddenly, he pulled away from Skyler, his head jerking toward the cavern entrance. He sucked in a sharp breath, jumped up, slammed into his pants, and grabbed a blade.
“What’s wrong?”
“A demon battle horn.” He shoved an oil lamp into her hands. “Go deep into the cave. Extinguish the lantern. Wait for me.”
“I…”
Kole put a finger on her lips, shaking his head. “I’ll come for you. I promise. Remember, I’ve never lost a human chief legal officer.”
