Electric Heat (25 page)

The door closed behind them, leaving her alone with
Randolph. Something dark moved behind his eyes, an awareness of danger, and a
grudging nod of respect.

“You think I made the wrong choice, too.”

He shrugged as he strode toward the door, uncaring now that
the excitement was over. “I couldn’t say. I would’ve just killed them.”

At one time all she had wanted was to be normal.

To be human.

But at the prospect of losing her pack, she wasn’t sure she
could go through with stripping herself of her creature, not if it meant losing
everything.

* * *

Durant was waiting for her when she reached their room. Repressed
violence hovered around him as she entered. He scanned her from head to toe,
his arms crossed, his muscles bulging as he resisted the urge to reach for her.
“You’ve had an interesting day.”

Raven froze, then cursed, reaching up and using her sleeve
to scrub at the stubborn goo that had given her away. “You heard.”

Exhaustion made every move a chore. She wanted to lean
against him, soak up his strength, but his look didn’t invite her closer.

“You were gone when I came back.” A growl rumbled up his
chest. “You went off alone.”

Restless energy poured from him, the cramped room offering
no outlet to work off his amped up rage. She needed to defuse it before he
exploded. “Only to get food. I got distracted.”

“You nearly got dead.” The growled words were as good as a
shout.

Raven wasn’t in the mood to be lectured. Needing to switch
the subject, she said the first thing that came to mind. “How are your wounds?”

“Fine.” He spoke through clenched teeth, his words
reluctant.

She didn’t believe him one bit and copied his pose by
crossing her arms. “Let me see.”

He didn’t take the change of subject easily, glaring at her
for a full minute before his lips tightened in defeat, and he reached for the
hem of his shirt.

As packed muscles came into view, she wondered if she might
have made a huge tactical error to ask him to strip while they were trapped in
a room.

All alone.

With him half naked.

Muscles rippled as the shirt lifted before finally being
pulled over his head. His dark golden hair fell wildly about his head. A little
dusting of hair rested low on his abdomen, arrowing downward as if in
invitation to delve lower.

It took a full minute of gawking for her brain to catch up
with what she was seeing. Raw, angry lines crossed the front of his chest where
claws had raked him. She somehow found herself in front of him, reaching out to
trace the scars.

Muscles flexed under her touch and goose bumps chased across
his skin. Those large hands of his clenched, but didn’t otherwise move. She
didn’t dare lift her eyes to his, not until she saw everything. Instead, she
circled around to find that his back was much worse.

The injuries were brutal, the blows meant to debilitate and
kill.

One long wound traveled down the length of his spine. The
only thing that saved her sanity was knowing that he was healing. Unable to
stop herself, she leaned forward and pressed a kiss against the wards between
his shoulder blades, giving thanks to them for saving his life.

He stiffened under her touch, stopped breathing and Raven
could have kicked herself for giving in to the impulse. She carefully backed
away, then turned and faced the wall when that didn’t curb the need to touch
him again. “Where’s Dominic?”

“He went to eat with the other shifters. Without his wolf, we
thought it would be safer that he not be left alone for long.”

It made sense. Durant’s clothes rustled as he moved, and she
tensed up like a poker. If he touched her, they were both screwed. “Then why
were you here alone?”

“Waiting for you.”

Raven whirled at his comment to see his upper lip curled in
displeasure, revealing very sharp fangs.

Thank the heavens he’d replaced his shirt. So why was she so
disappointed? She scratched her brow, trying to focus on the conversation and
not recall the way he looked half naked. “I was completely safe.”

Durant raised a brow and purposely looked at the black goo staining
more than fifty percent of her body.

“I just got in the way of a zombie.” His stared at her
unblinking, and she protested the accusation in his eyes. “It had no interest
in me.”

“Obviously.” Sarcasm coated the word. “You just happened to
be in his way.”

Raven shifted uncomfortably, unwilling to lie to him. “Not
exactly, but I couldn’t allow him to roam free. They’ve already infected eight
people.”

His silence was unnerving. “How are we supposed to keep you
safe?”

Raven sighed, and her shoulders slumped. “I don’t need
saving.”

“No, maybe you don’t, but it will take us a while to adjust.
The need to protect you is instinctual. I’ll take you at your word that you’ll
allow us to catch you when you stumble.” Durant gave a charming smile as he
neared, then he lifted a hand to cover his nose. “Can I talk you into taking a
bath first?”

Raven lifted her arm to her face, then jerked back with a
grimace. She smelled as if she’d been dug up and removed from a cemetery a few
weeks after burial.

“Give me your shirt. I’ll clean it while you wash and then
tell you what I’ve learned.”

She expected a teasing glint in his eyes when he talked
about getting her naked, but he was very serious. With a heavy sigh, Raven
headed toward the tiny washroom. “I’m not going to like this, am I?”

Raven stripped off her shirt and thrust it through the gap
in the door. Durant scowled and gingerly picked it up between two fingers before
disappearing with it. Raven scrubbed herself as much as she could in the sink,
wishing for a full shower and maybe some acid to remove a few layers of skin.

“Try this.” Durant edged open the door and shoved a
long-sleeve shirt at her. He didn’t bother to turn his back or offer her any
privacy. She wasn’t fooled, fully aware that he was searching her for injuries,
much like she had done to him not two minutes ago. She lowered the small towel,
discreetly covering the tattoo at her side.

She wasn’t hiding it, not really. He’d already seen the mark
in the shower. That didn’t mean she wanted to discuss it with him, not until
she had time to figure out what it meant first.

Raven angled her body away from his prying eyes as she
buttoned up the shirt. It was a good fit if a little short, flashing a bit of
skin when she moved. “Satisfied?”

He grunted, shooting her a devilish smile. “Not even a
little bit.”

Raven fought a blush and felt the heat rise anyway, which
only made him smile wider. She skirted around him and walked toward the
auditorium where everyone seemed to gather. “Tell me what you found out.”

He sighed, and his playfulness vanished. “The witches were
still divided on the vote.”

“If what they say is true and the Prime only wants me, I
could try and lead him away. It might give everyone else enough time to
escape.”

“No.” His refusal was immediate. Durant placed his hand
against her lower back, two fingers brushed bare skin, and her pulsed jumped
predictably. Her reaction had a calming effect on him, and they stopped outside
the auditorium doors. “We don’t know what he wants. We can’t risk him getting
his hands on you.”

“He’s right.” Heloise emerged from auditorium, exhaustion
lining her face. “If he wants you, it’s in our best interest not to hand you
over. We cannot risk him becoming more powerful.”

There was no concern for her welfare, no compassion at the
core of their decision, only practicality. If the witches believed it would
save them, they would hand her over in a heartbeat.

Durant noticed the absence of concern as well, edging closer
to her. “If you hand her over, you’ll lose your only advantage. He won’t stop until
your whole race is annihilated.”

Heloise no longer tried to deny anything. “We managed to
find and destroy the remaining zombies, but the wards are failing even faster
than we expected. We can’t hold them much longer. We’re going to send the
shifters out first to lay down cover and get out as many children as possible.”

The pronouncement was like a blow to the gut. “They’ll be massacred.”

Heloise gave her an impatient look. “We’re all going to be
slaughtered, but we can try to save the children.”

Raven bit back her sharp retort, because Heloise was right.
“What do you need me to do?”

The woman’s anger eased at her acceptance. She hesitated then
shook her head. “We can’t risk the Prime going after you.”

A plump redheaded woman charged forward. “We should just
hand her over. While the Prime’s distracted, we can all escape.”

Durant stepped forward, and Raven quickly placed a hand on his
arm. He halted on the spot, but it didn’t stop his tongue. “The shifters will
only follow her. Sacrifice her, and they’ll hunt every last one of you down.
I’ll make sure of it.”

The woman blanched, but that wasn’t what Raven noticed the
most. Shadows moved in Heloise’s eyes at the threat. Everything was unraveling
around them, and Raven couldn’t let that happen, or they’d all die in this tomb.

“Stop. Both of you. Neither of you gets to decide what to do
with me. That decision is between me and Heloise.”

The plump witch pursed her lips at the sour taste of being
told what to do by a filthy beast. Durant took it better…that was if you didn’t
notice the way his eyes had turned golden as his animal stared boldly out at
her with disapproval.

Heloise gave her a measured look, then a reluctant nod of
respect. “I stand by my decision. It’s too dangerous for him to get his hands
on you.”

“The shifters are willing to fight, but if they survive,
they want to be released from their contract.” Raven lied through her teeth. The
shifters had said no such thing, but they deserved to be rewarded for their
sacrifice.

Heloise scowled, and a murmur of protest rose among the
other witches. Her reluctance was obvious when she finally spoke through
gritted teeth. “Fine.”

The witches had no choice but agree with the concession, and
they knew it.

Something nagged at Raven. “Why was the Prime so important?”

“He’s the best of us, trained to bind and destroy magic.”

Raven remembered the thread of red encircling his eyes. They
were no longer dealing with the Prime at all. “So binding and destroying magic
is a special trait known only to Primes?”

There was a stretch of silence. Heloise answered first, her
reluctance obvious. “It takes a special talent that only a few people can
master, not to mention a tremendous amount of power and training.”

Raven’s heart dropped, and a sinking sensation ballooned in
her gut. “How do you defeat wild magic?”

“By being stronger.”

Raven cocked her head at the prompt answer. It was a
half-lie. “But won’t the magic jump to the more powerful person?”

Durant stood in front of her, giving the witches his back.
He cupped her chin and lifted her face to his. “We’re not going to gamble that
you’re stronger.”

“It can be bound.”

“What?”

“I think that’s why the Prime is so anxious to get to me.”

Over his shoulder, Heloise jerked at the announcement.

“The Prime is strong, but once he starts consuming magic
from others, he will become invincible. If we act now, I should be able to bind
him.”

“If it doesn’t kill you first.” Durant’s statement was flat,
and the crux of the problem. Binding the soccer mom had nearly wiped her out,
and that had been just a small sample.

What would be left of her after she’d bound the Prime?

 Chapter Twenty-one

H
eloise
marched forward. She tried to push her way past Durant, but he wouldn’t budge.
“Are you sure?”

“I was able to bind one of the infected.”

Everyone appeared stunned. “What did you learn?”

“Those bitten aren’t suitable hosts. The wild magic is
consuming their magic faster than they can gather more. Once it’s taken everything,
it will jump to another host.”

Heloise paled. “After which, rapid aging will kill them
within a matter of hours.”

The future for those who’d been bitten was bleak, unless
they could figure out an alternative. “The cave is an incubation center. If the
Prime just waits, you’ll all be infected or dead soon enough.”

“Releasing the ancient magic would create a scourge over the
earth.”

“I could try to absorb as much magic as possible and fight
the Prime.”

The witches backed away, horrified at the prospect of losing
their powers, even temporarily.

Durant stepped closer until she was pinned between him and
the wall. “You’d burn out.”

“But maybe I could kill the Prime first.”

“Or he’d kill you.”

“If you hadn’t noticed, I have a hard time staying dead.”

Durant wasn’t convinced. “You said it yourself, you’re
changing. We no longer know if that holds true.”

They all doubted that she was strong enough to take the
Prime in a fight and win. The lack of support from one of her own stung. “There
was a reason the zombies weren’t interested in me. I’m not food, and I think
the same thing will happen with the Prime.”

“Explain.” The air around Heloise sharpened at her comment,
her complete attention now riveted on Raven.

“Witches can only manipulate natural energy, bending it to
their will. Kind of like a single-phase energy. I use more of a three-phase
power.”

 “You mean, when you can use it.” Durant narrowed his eyes,
determined to protect her at all cost.

It was a low blow, but she had to admit there was some truth
to it. “Could he want to use me as his familiar?”

Her stomach churned at the thought that the Prime might know
the truth about her, but Durant was already shaking his head. “Familiars are
used to take the brunt of the cost when casters use more power than they’re
capable of handling. Ancient magic doesn’t work the same way. It doesn’t need
familiars. If they burned out, they can just grab another host.”

“There is another way to defeat him.” Everyone whirled to see
Randolph strolling up to them. He flashed her a smile, and she barely managed
not to flinch. She subtly edged in front of Durant.

Randolph’s eyes lit up at the telling move, and it was all
she could do not to wince. “Explain.”

He turned to Heloise and lifted a brow. She didn’t move, but
her brown eyes flashed black, signaling that she was fully prepared to defend
herself.

“Heloise has been keeping secrets.”

Even though Raven didn’t want to take her eyes away from Randolph,
she looked at the witch, and saw a tightening around her lips. Randolph spoke
the truth. She and Heloise weren’t friends, but she’d expected the witch to
work with her to get everyone of this alive.

Apparently she was wrong.

“What did you find?” she asked Randolph.

“A weapons room.”

It was the last thing she’d expected him to say. “What?”

“They’re ceremonial weapons,” Heloise protested “They’re no
use to you against magic.”

Again, not quite a lie, but Raven had enough subterfuge.
“All our lives are at risk, and you’re more worried about keeping your secrets
than keeping people alive.”

The witches remained tightlipped, and any cordiality between
them cracked. Distrust filled the void. Disgusted at their pettiness, she
turned back to Randolph. “Show me.”

“My pleasure.”

Raven cringed at his pleased expression. That could never be
a good sign.

“Don’t do this.” Heloise scurried after them, but she made
no move to interfere, probably knowing it would escalate into a fight she had
no hope of winning.

“You didn’t give us much choice.”

No one else spoke as they hastened lower into the cramped tunnels,
where the passageways were older and significantly narrower. The walls were
rougher, the floor not as well travelled. The air became heavier, and she
wasn’t sure if it was because they were underground or if it was the vast
amount magic that hummed in the air. She suspected the latter. The vibration of
magic was like that of a running refrigerator, you didn’t notice it unless you
really listened. The constant thud of warfare faded, the absence of the relentless
pounding made the silence seem even louder.

They finally came to a stop outside an ancient doorway
blocked by an enormous slab of stone.

Randolph stood to the side, eyes twinkling challengingly at
Raven.

She studied the door, noticing the static wrapped around the
boulder.

Another damned ward.

Raven looked over her shoulder at Heloise. “Open it.”

She pursed her lips then shook her head. “I can’t.”

Raven narrowed her eyes and turned to face the witches.
Heloise raised her hands. “I mean it. I can’t. You must be one of the chosen to
enter into the chamber beyond. It’s a graduation test for all students. Those who
pass are allowed to attempt the training necessary to become a Prime.”

With reluctance, Raven turned to face Randolph. “How did you
know about this room?”

He rocked back and forth on his feet, practically bursting to
tell her. “The children talked about sneaking down here. They said there were
weapons. I came to investigate.”

He was holding something back.

She glanced at the door then back at him. “You couldn’t get
through.”

He stilled, and his smile slipped. “No.”

“And you wanted to see if I could.”

Much to her surprise, he shook his head. “Not at all. I know
you can open it.”

Raven didn’t like the sound of that at all. “I’m not a witch.”

Randolph shrugged. “I don’t think it cares whether you are
or not. I think it measures a person’s power, their intent and allows those who
are pure to enter.”

He had a hell of a lot of power, so his intentions weren’t
pure.

How was she not surprised.

Still not sure she trusted Randolph, Raven glanced at the
witches.

“He speaks the truth.”

Her stomach went tumbling at the answer. She didn’t want to
open that door. She didn’t want to draw more attention to herself. Whatever lay
in the room beyond would change everything. All she wanted to do was save her
people. Was that too much to ask?

“You don’t have to do this.” Durant stepped between her and
the door, as if sensing her reluctance. Trying to spare her.

While sweet, it wasn’t the truth. “Yes, I do.”

He stepped closer and wrapped his arms around her, glaring
at the witches. “Tell me this won’t harm her.”

Raven tried to pull away, but realized that he’d effectively
trapped her against him. She had no doubt he’d physically pick her up and carry
her away if he thought she was in any danger.

Heloise didn’t bat an eyelash. “I can’t promise that.”

Durant’s arms tightened until Raven’s ribs creaked. She
tipped her head up and met his gaze. “I have to do this.”

He pressed his forehead against hers and closed his eyes. “I
know.”

But he didn’t let her go.

“Kiss me.”

Durant stiffened at her demand.

When he opened his eyes, they were pure molten gold. His
leather scent surrounded her, ratcheting up her hunger for just a taste. When
his head lowered, she went up on her toes, expecting to be ravished. Instead,
his mouth barely touched hers, a light brush of lips that beckoned her to lean
in for more. He did it again, tearing a frustrated groan from her, and she
licked her lips to catch another taste.

He straightened, his hands running down her back in a light
caress. Then he stepped back, leaving her unsatisfied and craving more. “What
the hell?”

“Come back to me, and I’ll finish what I started.”

Raven flushed at how much she wanted that and muttered
jackass
under her breath. His grin said he’d heard and enjoyed torturing her, but worry
lingered in the way his eyes remained gold.

Taking a deep breath, Raven walked up to the door.

There was no knob.

Of course not, that would be too easy.

She’d have to go through the ward. After only a slight
hesitation, she lifted her hand to the door. Her fingers slipped through a film
of static, and her palm was slammed against stone like a magnet being pulled
forward. She tugged but to no avail.

She wasn’t going anywhere.

Static ate up her arm, the pain like someone was peeling off
her skin. Her armor hardened all the way up to her elbow, and she was able to
feel the small plates locking into place. The static remained, but became more
of a hum. Then everything went quiet.

She expected cold, hard stone under her touch, and couldn’t
have been more surprised when she encountered something with the consistency of
warm clay. Since she couldn’t go backwards, Raven pushed forward. Her whole
hand disappeared. She was up to her wrist when she met resistance.

Now she was well and truly stuck.

“Um, any suggestions?”

“If it doesn’t accept your magic, you don’t gain entrance.” Despite
all her protests, Heloise looked disappointed at the rejection, while the other
two witches looked smug. “We should return to the others and decide what our
next steps should be.”

Raven heaved a sigh. “I would if I could, but I seemed to be
stuck.”

Everyone stopped.

“What do you mean?” Heloise came closer and studied the
situation, scowling when she saw Raven’s hand was encased in stone. “How much
magic did you use to force your way in?”

Raven nearly gave into the urge to deck her, might have if
she could reach her. “None. It grabbed me and now it won’t let go.”

Heloise was already shaking her head. “Impossible.”

Randolph smirked as he came to stand next to Heloise. “Looks
possible to me.” Then all amusement dropped away as if it never been when he
faced Raven. “Call your energy to you.”

Everything in her rebelled at the suggestion. The fact that
he wanted her to try it guaranteed it was a bad idea. “I don’t think so.”

His eyes frosted to a light green, then he shrugged and
walked away. “Fine, but I’m not the one stuck. How far do you think your kitty
will get when the wards fall?”

Bastard.

“We’ll survive.” Durant’s face was impassive. “Don’t let
them use us to make you do something that doesn’t feel right.”

Raven glanced back at the door. She didn’t feel threatened,
not exactly. The static had retreated, hovering over the door again like a
sentinel, and she had a sneaking suspicion what it wanted.

It didn’t want her power, it wanted her.

It wasn’t until she’d armored herself that her progress was
halted.

Her creature had remained silent and observant since they’d
neared the door. She prodded it, hoping it would take the hint and retreat. The
beast resisted. For the first time, she had the impression it wanted to protect
her.

Trust me.

There was a rumble of displeasure, then the creature slowly
retreated. The armor clicked as it disassembled, melting back into her skin. The
beast crouched, ready to spring at the first sign of trouble, and Raven was
grateful for the support.

Two heartbeats passed before the static spilled out from the
door and crawled up her arm once more. The pain felt like it was eating away
her flesh. Part of her wondered what would happen when it reached her heart,
but she gritted her teeth, locked her knees and bore it.

They needed weapons. Without them, everyone would die.

As if reading her intent, the clay softened under her
fingers, and she pushed forward.