Life is magic.”
Working his jaw, Elex could find no words for what we stared at. “But it was all a story. Just a story.”
“The Temple of the Lost God exists because these aren’t stories. They’re history, Elex.” I closed my eyes, relishing the love in the air. “This is amazing! It’s the beginning of the mountain coming down, reuniting the two halves of S’Kir. The gate will open again.”
Whirling out of his arms, I danced toward the wall with so many crystals pulsing with stunning colors.
Elex stepped next to me, hovering.
I chided, “Please relax, Elex. Nothing is going to happen.”
He cast his wary gaze at the cavern, muttering under his breath, “Something already has.”
I giggled. Because that was true.
But the magic itch called to me again.
Pulling me in… Daring me closer…
I couldn’t resist a moment longer.
With a careful hand, I reached out and made contact with the pulsing rocks. Oddly soft, gentle, yet firm, the magic instructed…
It is not time yet. But soon.
Elex choked, still under the spell. “My God. Have you always felt the magic like this?”
“Not until just now. It so rarely speaks to me.” Withdrawing my hand, thrill and excitement danced through my veins.
This was what the temple was waiting for and was why they existed at all—the gates, the mountain, the return of the God.
“I have to get back. I have to tell High Master Dorian and the Chiefs of the Temple. Oh, Elex! There’s going to be so much celebration! So much joy and happiness! The God is going to return to us!” I clasped his arms and whirled us through the light of the room. The joy bubbled up from deep inside and exploded out of me—laughing and laughing, the sound bouncing off the walls.
Elex pulled me to a stop, and I giggled from being so dizzy. Holding me still to keep me from falling over for a moment, I leaned into him, still laughing.
Elex’s voice brushed against my skin. “Kimber, the crystals are flashing with your laughter.”
My humor tapered off.
It was plain to see he was right.
My jaw hung wide open.
Elex caught my eye, and in the sparkle of the crystal lights, I saw something there I’d never seen before. And yet, somehow, I knew it had been there all along.
Elex kissed me. His lips were warm and soft, and I wasn’t surprised. I’d imagined they’d be delicious. I joined the kiss, allowing him to possess my mouth, and, in return, I possessed his.
He tasted as sweet as any dessert I’d ever had.
Our embrace didn’t end so much as tapered away, neither of us really wanting to let it go.
“You have to tell the temple,” he said.
“I have to tell the temple,” I parroted.
“I’m going with you.”
“No.”
“I’m going to be with you. Through all of this.” His words were serious, and his eyes were still sparkling with honesty.
“No, Elex, I have to speak to Master Dorian alone. I can’t… The temple won’t allow you in so far.”
“You can’t do this alone.”
“I have to speak to Dorian by myself.”
Torn, his eyes glided over my face. “This power is too much to face by yourself.”
“I don’t have to face this power alone, just Dorian and the council. It’s the way it is. If you wish to help me—”
“I do.”
“—then let me do this.”
Again, his eyes were memorizing. “Wasn’t the kiss enough to convince you I need to help you?”
I grinned. “More than.”
“Then… What?”
“You can help me after. There’ll be so much to do! But the magic told me this is my responsibility, and I’m the only one who can get that deep into the temple.”
“But you will come to me.” A quiet demand.
My lips twitched. “Oh, in oh so many ways.”
Worry drained from his features. “May I act upon the innuendo you’re implying?”
“I’ll be disappointed if you don’t.”
“Then, let’s get you to the temple.” This time, his laugh rang through the cavern as he took my hand in his, pulling me along. “We have a discovery to report.”
Japri, Chile
“Hello, beautiful,” I purred. The pads of my fingers ran over the black paint of my brand new Lamborghini. My attention snapped to my friend. “Adelie, you have outdone yourself this time.”
Her lips twitched. “Your money paid for it.”
“I don’t even care,” I whispered. Then I leaned down and kissed the top of the roof with a gentle caress for my newest baby. “She is flawless.”
“The last time I remember you being this excited after a Rest was when I bought you that gorgeous colt.” She opened the passenger side door, snickering quietly. “Remember that?”
I nodded. “This is just as excellent as that time.”
Adelie lifted a finger into the air, pointing out, “But this one doesn’t poop.”
My laughter could be heard over the jet engines roaring behind us.
The overlords had, indeed, provided us with a private jet—which included private airports. Our flight had been long to South America and mainly boring after I got over the thrill of a plane taking off. Memories were one thing, experiencing it myself was another. It was more fleshed out and vivid compared to stolen experiences from humans.
Adelie slid into the magnificent car wearing an arrogant smile.
I chucked my luggage in the trunk next to hers and closed it.
When I sat in the driver’s seat, I groaned. “Oh, the leather hugs my ass just right.”
My friend snorted. “You need to get laid.”
“Yes, I do.” I sighed in agreement. “But we have plans first.”
Her red brows lifted. “Should I even guess?”
“Clothes and weapons.” I wiggled my shoulders as I started up the engine. And, boy, did my new toy purr for me. Another pleased sigh escaped. “Tell me where to go. I have money burning a hole in my pocket.”
“It’s actually a credit card,” Adelie explained.
Using the heel of my palm, I thumped her on her forehead. “I know. It was a metaphor.”
She stared, and then scowled. My friend grumbled, “I need to drink a human who is younger. It’s been a while since I stole a younger one’s memories.”
I chuckled and peeled out of the small parking lot. “Where am I going?”
Adelie quickly strapped on her seatbelt, then gripped the door as I took a sharp left out of the exit. “Head west…and try not to kill us.”
“When all my dreams are coming true? I wouldn’t dare harm us.”
But a little speed never hurt either.
I opened my new toy up on the highway.
And thoroughly enjoyed Adelie’s frightened screams.
*
Adelie grunted as I tossed another shirt on the pile she was holding for me. Only her eyes and nose could be seen over the garments. Her gaze was narrowed, but she hadn’t commented—it would come.
I lifted a pair of black leather pants and held them against my waist. “How do you think these would look?”
She only continued to glare.
Still not commenting. Yet.
My lips twitched.
I tossed the pants on top of my ever-growing pile.