Fire and Fantasy: A Limited Edition Collection of Urban and Epic Fantasy Read online

  “Of course,” Temple replied. His eyes were alight with mischief.

  “Stun knuckles, seriously?” the tinge of jealousy was unmistakable as she released his hand.

  Luke threw the baton back and Temple instinctively reached out and caught it, never taking his eyes from Lourdie’s. The knight gave her his full devilish grin, “Like I said, Ms. Reese, I have all the best toys.”

  She gave him a snarky sideways smirk, but couldn’t help the budding respect that was gaining momentum. There weren’t many people that had the balls to stand up to her, especially when she was on the warpath. He had stood toe to toe with her without even breaking a sweat, “Does it come in purple?”

  The rest of the group laughed in approval.

  Temple smiled, but didn’t answer. He seemed to have come up with an idea instead, “Luke, take the rest of the team and backtrack to our rendezvous coordinates, make sure we didn’t miss any netherwalkers from this nest. I know it’s a long shot, but a new set of eyes might be just what we need down here.”

  “For the dragon you swear is down here?” Luke said sarcastically.

  “Precisely,” Temple shot back.

  Lourdie furrowed her brow but she couldn’t argue. Something did feel a bit off. It was like there was still something hiding in the long forgotten tunnels. There was a presence, very faint, but it was there.

  “Copy that, cousin. See you at zero six hundred.”

  Luke and the others began their ascent as Lourdie and Temple headed further down into the cramped darkness. She gladly welcomed any extra live combat. Lourdie still hoped that somehow Temple would pick up on something in her orb creation that she was missing.

  Temple scoffed suddenly from farther ahead as if he could read her mind. “And no, still nothing, Ms. Reese.”

  “Dammit!” All her hopes of ever being able to teach another hunter to conjure two orbs at once were slowly and methodically slipping away. “Wait.” Lourdie got a slight disorienting sensation as she passed a crumbling brick wall. She waved her flashlight directly over the wall. There was a sliver of a passage way leading to what looked like another even smaller tunnel. “Ever gone that way?”

  “I didn’t even realize that was there,” he drew his hand down his five o’clock shadow in disbelief.

  Lourdie crouched down peering into the space. “It’s awfully cramped and it looks like it goes for miles. I can run recon alone, no biggy.”

  “You’re not getting rid of me that easily, Ms. Reese. I’ll simply cinch in my corset, as it were.” Temple took off his jacket and ammo belt. He strapped a stun rifle to his leg holster, attached his stun baton and flashlight to a utility cuff above his left relic, and finally put on the stun knuckles. All in under five seconds. She wondered what other surprises the utility cuff held.

  “Yeah but do you have silent stingers, Mr. Best Toys?” she scoffed under her breath, coveting his arsenal of ingenious gadgets.

  “Ready?” his eyes smiled mischievously at her again.

  “By all means, ladies first,” Lourdie got to her feet and made a grand gesture towards the sliver.

  “Well, this is cozy,” she said sarcastically as her knee once again scraped against another protrusion.

  “If you’re uncomfortable we could wait for the others. I’m sure Luke would be happy to...” He began to call for back up over their radios knowing it would take Luke over an hour to get back down to them, almost challenging her.

  “Stop. It’s fine. And you’re not getting rid of me that easily either.”

  Temple gave her a devilish smirk. “Just remember, I’m a simple country boy, don’t get any ideas about taking advantage of me,” he continued further into the darkness. “I know how you city girls can be in this type of situation,” he teased.

  “Ha! Don’t flatter yourself, Country Boy.”

  Bodies contorted and muscles stretched and strained under the jagged massive debris jutting out in every direction. Thousand pound death traps of concrete and rebar dipped down, hanging like deadly stalactites. The deeper they went down the ominous passageway the more perilous it became. Their progress was relentlessly slow going.

  Lourdie subconsciously tugged at her bottom lip with her teeth. She had become distracted by the play of light from the flashlight strapped to Temple’s upper arm. His sleeves were pulled up and the tip of a tattoo was visible, almost teasing her. The light flickered off of his muscles as he flexed and maneuvered around each obstacle. Shamefully wondering what other secrets his body held, the hunter in her was seriously regretting her decision to let him go first. Humid air coalesced with his body heat as it radiated towards her. The scent of fine leather mingled with the smell of wet earth all around. With the intimate space and the knight’s sculpture worthy physique, her body was beginning to flush and her breathing had deepened. She bit her lip harder trying to concentrate on something else, anything else. A soft cry left her lips.

  As if he had heard her or felt her body’s reaction to him, Temple stopped and slowly turned towards her. An intensity burned in his eyes as he looked at her, so bright she felt like he could see every inch of her body. Without saying a word, he reached out with his hand and waited for her to come to him.

  At his simple gesture, her skin heated even more. Her body was drawn to his. Mentally it was already moving towards him, though physically she had not moved. Had her expression deceived her private thoughts? Could he feel the sexual tension that was so palpable to her she could taste it on her tongue? What little air there was in the tunnel cooled and shifted. It now flowed towards Temple, nudging her on, beckoning her closer. Butterfly wings fluttered around her heart as she moved forward and took his hand.

  With barely enough room for them to both fit sideways in the long narrow crevice he pulled her towards him. Her heart began to race faster and faster, the beats echoing in her ears. There was loose rubble everywhere covering the ground. She put her other hand out to steady herself as he pulled her even closer. It landed squarely on his chest. His breathing was slow and heavy and his heart too began to race. He seemed to be fighting to contain a low sexually charged rumbling in his throat. Her skin sizzled and her body ached for more contact. The moment stretched out like they were standing still in time. She could feel his heart pounding beneath her palm almost as if it were under her skin.

  Finally, when she was directly in front of him, he grabbed her waist preventing her from going any further. Rough calloused hands surrounded the soft delicate flesh just under her shirt’s edge. Her body was feverish under his touch. He exhaled low and deep. His fingers splayed as his thumbs caressed small circles in her silky skin almost subconsciously. This close, their bodies seemed to react instinctively to each other, molding and curving together like they were meant to be one.

  With soft pink lips parted and heavy lidded eyes, she looked up at the man that had undeniably awoken the woman within her. The woman that wanted to be kissed hard and feverishly by the man before her. The man that challenged and infuriated every fiber of her being and yet ignited her soul.

  Parting his own lips Temple made an unexpected silent shushing gesture. He seemed pained as he closed his eyes. Then with only his eyes he looked up into a space directly above them. Lourdie followed his gaze. He squeezed her waist, tapped her side once with his fingers, and nodded to her in hopes of confirmation.

  Her eyes widened and she tapped her fingers once on his chest in acknowledgement. Her hunter senses returned to the forefront. The hairs on her arms stood on end as she regained her focus. There was a shadowskin above them somewhere, hiding about two stories up. The small area they were in opened up into a brick chamber above them. There was a small ledge Lourdie knew she could get to, but it was over a floor away. The chamber walls were barren, all except for the small ledge and a hole leading into a hiding place. That’s where it was, the dragon. Lourdie scoured the walls looking for something, anything to tie a rope to so Temple could make the climb. There was nothing. It would be impossible for h
im, but she could do it. She would go alone.

  “Grappling hook?” he whispered, barely giving voice to the words.

  Lourdie shook her head and whispered back, “No, too loud.”

  He seemed to be going down a mental checklist of items on his utility cuff before he grumbled under his breath in defeat. Slowly he turned her body around. His strong left arm gently wrapped around her waist and stomach, but she could feel his muscles tensing in frustration at the prospect of not being part of the battle. From behind, his right hand slowly glided down her hip undoing the latch of her weapon’s holster.

  Her eyes rolled closed. Their body contact was still making it difficult for her to concentrate. As he slipped his stun knuckles onto her right hand, her body leaned into his and he clasped her hand. Her breath shuddered as he laid his lips against the bare skin on her shoulder and gently shook his head. He knew he was staying behind. She imagined those lips trailing soft kisses up her neck, his teeth gently tugging on her skin as he made his way towards her mouth. She could almost feel his large strong hands exploring her body as his lips finally found hers. She bit her lip hard as she mentally reprimanded herself.

  Reluctantly, he slowly brought his hands to her waist. He didn’t seem to be in a hurry. He didn’t want to let her go.

  Reminiscent of a cheerleader’s stance, she put her hands over his and prepared for launch.

  Temple leaned in closer and whispered in her ear. ”I don’t like this.” His hot breath sent tingles running up and down her spine. His choice of words contradicted their undeniable attraction. Even front to back, their bodies fit perfectly together.

  She couldn’t help but lean into his body again. He was her magnet.

  A low grumble resonated deep in his throat. “I hate that I can’t follow you up there.”

  “Well I guess you better pay attention in class next week, my itinerary has drastically changed. I could have you jumping up there within a few days,” she whispered back.

  “Ms. Reese, I will be your star pupil come Monday.” He took on a protective tone, “I don’t like this.”

  “You said that already,” she scoffed silently.

  His lips touched the back of her head, “It’s still true. Be bloody careful.”

  Lourdie fought the desire to close her eyes again. She had to focus, “Relax, Country Boy. I do this for a living, remember? On three.”

  Temple gritted his teeth, “On three.” His hands squeezed her waist momentarily then they started their count.

  With all his strength he propelled her up the corner of the two walls as high as he could. Lourdie’s free running did the rest as she ran up the two walls and onto the small ledge. Weapon and stun knuckles were out and ready as she leaped once more and entered the cave.

  “Well, that was an exciting first patrol,” Lourdie said as she uploaded the photo of the tiny dragon to Drew back at the Bellows. She was still debating whether or not to send the image to Marcus. They hadn’t spoken since she arrived in Britain. Lourdie tried not to imagine the curiosity and awe that would light up his inquisitive face as he marveled at the krimdrogo. Do I even want to talk to Marcus? She glanced at the painfully handsome man next to her instead. “You sure know how to show a girl a good time,” she teased Temple as he replaced the manhole cover and they walked casually down the street.

  Temple pointed further down to the main street teaming with nightlife, “The night’s still young. Shall we give dinner a go, City Girl?”

  Lourdie looked down the bustling street and was stunned when she spotted a New York style hot dog stand. Complete with striped umbrellas and all, it was a little piece of home. She put her phone in her pocket and smiled, “You’re on, Country Boy.”

  “I can’t believe you’ve never had a New York dog before.” She was dumbfounded.

  “No, never. This is bloody brilliant! Cheers.”

  “Cheers.”

  They toasted their half-eaten eighth wonders of sauerkraut, sweet grilled onions, and spicy brown mustard, smiling warmly at each other. Being in command of an entire court that constantly demanded his full attention, Lourdie wondered how many of life’s small pleasures the knight was missing out on.

  Temple challenged her to try something new, as well, so he ordered a pint of Guinness for them to share. He had her try a swig with her dog. She had to admit that the flavor sensations mingling together in her mouth were spectacular. Temple too took only one sip to cherish the flavor combination.

  “I’m absolutely gobsmacked,” Lourdie said thoroughly enjoying her butchered British accent.

  “Me too, that was fantastic.” Temple ordered six more New York style hot dogs to go for the rest of the helicopter crew before they made their way back to the rendezvous point.

  “Did you two play nice?” Luke teased from the co-pilot seat.

  “You could say that,” Lourdie replied as she smiled a little too broadly.

  Luke and Bishop seemed to share knowing glances.

  “What?” Lourdie asked.

  “Nothing my dear,” Bishop said kindly. “Shall we take the scenic way home, see how the ol’ girl’s doing?”

  “Aye, to Camelot!” Kern, one of the Scottish Highclere twins from the Bellows, chimed in.

  The boys were still raving about the hot dogs as Bishop took off.

  “This iz damned good dog, Reese,” her second favorite Russian, Pavel, boomed.

  “Mm, this and a pint would be brilliant,” Luke said with his mouth stuffed.

  Temple chuckled silently.

  Kern and the others concurred, “Och, I reckon if I found a wuhman who enjoyed a pint and a dog like this, I’d have to marry the lass.”

  Lourdie couldn’t help the glance she gave Temple.

  He smiled to himself at Kern’s words and became lost in his own thoughts as he looked down at the far away ground. Gazing out the open doorway he closed his eyes as the wind softly swept in. He seemed comforted by Lourdie’s presence and the gentle hum of the Black Bishop’s engine.

  Lourdie had nearly dozed off when her skin started to feel like thousands of tiny insects were crawling all over it, just below the surface. The bugs started to bite and claw as they burrowed deeper. She couldn’t take it anymore. Releasing her seat harness she walked towards the helicopter’s open doorway. The hunter looked down at the hilltop, it beckoned her. Lourdie grabbed both sides of her head from a sudden intense piercing pain. It was an all-consuming gut wrenching pain, like someone was slowly penetrating her skull with red hot knives. The blades slid through skin, bone, nerve endings, and brain matter like butter. She waited for her endorphins to kick in to dull the pain to a tolerable throbbing, but they never came. The stabbing, penetrating agony remained constant. Nothing existed except infinite pain. She remembered falling but not hitting the ground. Was someone holding her? Everything started to get hazy like moving in slow motion through a thick mist. Sounds started to muffle. She was falling down a deep dark hole. Her eyes were getting too heavy to keep open. Trying to focus she saw only him. Temple was above her, cradling her, moving his lips.

  “Lourdes, can you hear me?” Temple’s voice echoed faintly around her. His usual calm controlled facade had faltered. He looked genuinely worried.

  Her eyes closed again. The pain was an unbearable torture. She just wanted it to stop. She would do anything to make it stop.

  “Lourdes,” Temple’s eyes widened in disbelief as Lourdie was able to open her eyes once more. A soft, barely detectable green glow reflected back down at her through his eyes, “Reese! Concentrate. What’s going on?”

  Lourdie pointed out the open door down at Cadbury Hill. It was as if someone else was trying to control of her body. Pulling at her, trying to reach her. Out of the corner of her eye she barely glimpsed the darter hovering near the open doorway, watching. It rushed by and headed down to the hill.

  “Bishop! Get us out of here, now!” Temple demanded, gripping a seat with his free hand as the helicopter rushed away from the hill. “St
ay with me, Lourdes.”

  As they left the sight of Camelot behind, a peaceful nothingness flooded over her body and washed the pain away. No sound, no sensation, everything was just black.

  A small knock at the door, followed by the subsequent creak as it opened, woke her. Abbey blearily made out a small shape in the doorway.

  “Abbey, come quick. It’s Lourdie,” Scarlett said in a shy scared voice.

  The two rushed down the hallway to the castle’s medical center. Scarlett held on tight to Abbey’s hand, trying with all her might to keep up. Just as the two girls rounded the last corridor, Temple emerged from a sterile room carrying Lourdie’s lifeless body.

  Abbey skidded to a stop. “What happened? Is she alright?!” She was frantic. Fear and anguish stabbed at her.

  “She’ll be fine,” Dr. Pillai did his best to calm Abbey’s nerves. “As far as I can tell she passed out from what appears to be extreme exhaustion. Her heart rate and blood pressure are normal. Nothing appears to be wrong. Has she been having trouble sleeping?” the doctor asked scratching his head.

  “Yes, almost every night. I think Lourdie has been worried about her inability to teach dual orb creation--” Abbey shook her head and focused, “She never sleeps. And she’s been having nightmares, too.” Abbey blurted out everything she could think of. She was relieved to finally share the worry she’d been harboring for her mentor.

  “How about her appetite? Is she drinking enough fluids?”

  “She has three squares a day. And, I think she gets enough fluids, although I only ever see her drink her morning coffee, really,” Abbey confessed.

  Dr. Pillai was nodding his head, “I’ll put her on a saline drip. I’m recommending a couple of days bed rest as well. I believe her body may be trying to tell her to slow down.” The doctor gave Temple a few more instructions saying he would be up momentarily. Then he turned to the small girl who was staring up at him intently, “Scarlett, back to bed now. Tell your mother I’ll be home shortly.”