Zombies, thought Denny. Never had he actually considered the possibility he might be killed by the walking dead. He hoped they choked on his flesh.
But what will happen to Anka?
She’d glowed golden and fierce as she defended the pair of them. But the magic seemed to have taken its toll. She still had a pulse and was breathing, but for how long? If she lived, would these things take her to Helen?
He sat on the floor, cradling the unconscious woman who clutched the orb as the creatures climbed over the fallen to get to them. They closed in, reeking of death and decay.
Suddenly, color danced around them, and Denny felt hope bloom in his chest. As the burst of light faded, his eyes focused on Will, Raine, Bryce, and Storm. His fumbling SOS call had reached them.
“I never thought I’d be so happy to see a rainbow,” he told Will.
With spear, sword, and knives, the four cut through the hoard of undead.
Hella yeah.
If this was two-thirds of the six destined to battle the goddess of death, Denny was betting his money on the Shadow Guardians for sure. He wanted to help them, but his shredded, bleeding arm throbbed, and he wasn’t leaving Anka and her orb unguarded.
After the dust settled, or rather the dusty bodies of the undead, he noted what was left. The limo and the shapeshifting wolf had vanished, but Anka still clutched the orb, eyes closed.
“She okay?” Storm asked.
“Recovering from a mega-watt use of magic, I think. Still, I’d like that healer you mentioned to check her out.”
Storm nodded. “She took out a few dozen, it seems, before we got here.”
“How bad is it?” Will asked, jutting his chin toward Denny’s arm.
“Pretty useless at the moment.”
“We’ll get you patched up.”
“I’d appreciate that.”
“And the orb?” Storm asked.
“Anka still has it.”
“I’ll take you both to Apollo.” Will placed a hand on Denny’s shoulder.
The last thing he heard was Storm sizing up the plane and talking to Raine about stealing it from Helen.
* * *
Denny sat in the recliner he’d moved into his guest bedroom where Anka slept. He hadn’t left her side since the hangar two days ago, even though she mostly rested.
He ran a hand along his healed bicep, still needing to process the last few days. He’d fallen in love with a woman with telekinetic powers, fought a wolf and zombies, thwarted a scheme of evil to retrieve a magical orb, transported via a magic rainbow, and watched a healer magically stitch his muscle back together.
The orb sat on the nightstand, closed within the black box. He wanted to make sure she was reassured of its presence when she awoke.
“Denny?”
He leaned forward. “Hey there, tiger. Can I get you anything?”
Her stomach growled. “I want some of that eggplant parmesan you promised me.” Though her coloring was still pale, she looked infinitely better than when they’d left the hangar.
“Absolutely. I need a day though to pick up the veggies, marinate, and bake it. In the short term, I can make you a cheese quesadilla. Homemade salsa.”
She reached out and took his hand as he started to stand. “Did Storm have any ideas about what to do with the orb?”
He glanced at the black box. “Will brought a dwarf to my house to inspect it. Name was Brok. He said the case is designed to shield the orb from those who can trace magical relics. As long as it’s in the case, it’s not a beacon to Helen.” He wriggled his eyebrows. “Each day that passes without an army of evil arriving on my doorstep makes me more confident he’s right.”
He rubbed his jaw. “Storm asked that I hang on to it. I’m not so keen on the idea, but I get it. In the hands of a hubble—someone who can’t be tempted to use it and won’t take it out of the box.”
“She’s right to choose you. Thank you, Denny. Thank you for everything.”
He swallowed. “Is this goodbye?”
“Do you want it to be?”
“No! Definitely no.” He squeezed her hand and moved to sit on the edge of the bed. “I want this to be the start of something. You’re such an incredible woman. I know you’re accustomed to always being alone but take a chance on me. On us. We’ll go as slow as you need to go.”
* * *
After she showered, Anka arrived in the kitchen to find him cooking. He set the food down on the counter and she devoured the tasty quesadilla, washing it down with sparkling water.
As he cleaned the dishes, she came around behind him and wrapped her arms around his torso.
“Hmm. That’s nice,” his deep voice rumbled as he set aside the pan, dried his hands, and turned in her arms.
She stretched up and kissed him deeply, tasting and exploring his broad mouth. He kissed her back, arms winding around her and lifting her up onto the counter. She wrapped her legs around his waist, pressing their bodies together.
He groaned, lifted her up, and carried her toward the bedroom, where he resumed their kisses. He set her down on her toes but kept his arms firmly around her.
When she couldn’t wait any longer and needed the feel of skin on skin, she took a step back. Using only her mind, her will, she lifted his shirt up and over his head. He obliged, raising his arms, and she took hers off the same way before letting both garments fall to the floor. He watched with fascination. Next, she slid off her pants and underwear while unzipping his.
“Is this okay?” she asked.
He licked his lips. “Woman, this is the most erotic thing I’ve ever seen.”
She chuckled, stepping out and away from her pants as his fell to the floor, boxers and all. She gazed at his smooth, dark skin, exposed with his arousal, reinforcing the words he had just spoken.
Again, with only her mind, she unhooked her bra and slid the straps off her shoulders before letting it fall to the floor.
“You are so beautiful. Let me touch you, taste you.”
“I hope you plan on doing a lot more than just that.”
With a wicked grin, he wrapped his arms around her and lifted her off the floor, devouring her mouth in a heated kiss. She loved feeling his need and desire in the hungry way his lips moved and the roaming of his caressing touches. Never had a man shown her such affection.
When she lay down on the bed, he hovered over her, drinking in the naked sight of her once more.
“Sometimes when I look at you,” he said. “I think I must be dreaming. I fear I’ll wake up and you’ll be gone.”
The feel of his calloused hands gently stroking up her bare skin sent tantalizing waves of warm delight throughout her body.
“I’m not going anywhere, Denny.”
He stroked his hand lower down, circling slowly and languidly. As he watched her expression, she closed her eyes and let out a little moan when his fingers found her moist warmth. She undulated her hips, wanting more, wanting him.
“I need you.”
As a response, Denny took a breast into his mouth. Anka gasped with pleasure as she arched toward him. He worked his tongue and thick fingers mercilessly until she was crying out his name in shuddering ecstasy.
“Yes,” he cooed. “Just like that. Now I need to be inside you. That’s just the first one, gorgeous.”
He stared down at her with heat in his eyes. She gazed back, running a hand along his firm jaw and feeling simultaneously satiated and ready for more.
She floated a condom packet at eye level. He chuckled, the sound reverberating through her.
“Perfect. You’re perfect.” He tore it open and slid it on.
Then she gasped in delight as he slid inside her.
“Let me know if it’s too much. Tell me what you need.”
In response, she angled her hips and pulled him down to her. “I need all of you.”
He groaned in pleasure, tensing. His struggle for control gave her a thrilling satisfaction.
With bodies joined, they alternated speed and intensity—exploring the feel of each other until passion peaked in a firework explosion of tantalizing pleasure that had them both gasping and crying out.
He collapsed on her, panting as he buried his face in her neck and lavished her with kisses. “Good. Hella good.”
* * *
ONE WEEK LATER
Denny and Anka sat on the couch, sipping coffee. She was stretched out with her bare, beautiful legs in his lap. The sun rose, shinning bright and brilliant through one window. He would make breakfast for them soon, but for now he enjoyed their proximity.
“Is it crazy I want you to stay with me? You don’t have to. We’ve moved incredibly fast. You probably want your own space, are accustomed to having it. Tell me what you want. You know I’m all about open communication.”
She had her shop moved and up and running again. She worked there, and he went to his clinic every day. They led very different lives, but that was something to be enjoyed and embraced, not feared.
“Is it crazy I want to stay? I’ve had my own space for twenty-years. I like occupying yours.”
He grinned and placed a hand on her knee, enjoying the warmth of her skin.
“I’ll need my own time, own space. Just sometimes. This is all a big change for me.”
“Me too. I’ve never lived with a woman. Tell me when you need time and space, and I’ll give it to you.”
She sighed contentedly, a sound that sent his heart skipping. “You’re too good to be true. And your eggplant parmesan was delicious.”
“Ah, well. I’m sure you’ll find the flaws if you stick around long enough. I hope they’re not insurmountable next to good company and good cooking.”
“I’m sticking around.”
Expression turning serious, she set her coffee down and leaned forward. “Denny, I’m part of the shadow world. I’m helping the Shadow Guardians. My life will always come with danger.”
His lips quirked. “So I’ve seen first-hand.”
“My staying could put you in danger.”
He nodded slowly. “I’m okay with that. Relationships come with risk—albeit not usually physical danger—but they also nurture strength.”
She gave him a soft smile. “I love you. One day, when the six defeat Helen, we’ll all breathe a little easier.”
The six, Denny thought.
Storm had texted him that their campaign on the island had been successful—he guessed that meant many dead Midgard serpents. Yet, right now, they were four, not six. Sky Thoren still needed to be brought into the fold. And who was the mysterious third man?
“I love you too, Anka. I’m happy you’ll stay.”
<<<THE END>>>
***BRIEF NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR***
I hope you enjoyed Book 2 of The Shadow Guardians Trilogy. You can sign up for my newsletter and get Raven’s Flight, a prequel novella for FREE. In my newsletter, you’ll learn about me, special discounts, and new releases.