“We work best at night,” Flame assured him. He snapped his fingers as he crossed the threshold and the door reappeared in its original condition, hung in place.
“Cool,” Chloe exclaimed.
Reese dragged on Dagan’s sleeve. “Come on, let’s go in the bathroom so I can clean you up a little.”
She shook and fought the urge to crawl back into a dark hole and hide. She’d been terrified when that thing had grabbed her, locked in her mind and unable to move, until she felt nothing. Every worry and concern had floated away and she couldn’t control it. If Dagan argued with her right now she’d come unglued.
“Get some of this stuff picked up, barricade all the entrances again, and post guards at the windows and doors until Rufus and Flame get back,” he told Chloe.
Chloe saluted. “Right.”
The lights flickered and came back on. “Flame must have fixed the power.”
Reese preceded Dagan into the small bathroom. When he closed the door, he pulled her into his arms.
“It’s okay, we’re okay,” he whispered.
With her face smashed into his chest she mumbled, “You’re not okay, you’re dripping blood all over the floor.” He chuckled and she raised her eyes to his. “I don’t think I can get used to that.”
“What?”
“You running out the door and taking on the whole army.”
“It wasn’t a real army. There were only about fifteen of them and we had finished off more than half before Flame got here.”
“Still, it’s unnerving to see you do it.”
“It’s what I do, Reese.”
She shoved him back. “That doesn’t make it any easier for me.”
He braced his back against the door. “I wish the mind wipe would have worked.”
“Why, so you could be rid of me?” She started going through the cabinet looking for first aid supplies.
“No.” He grabbed her and turned her to face him. “Because I can’t stand to see you upset like this. It would be better if you just forgot me.”
“Sit.”
He sat on the toilet. Reese wet a washrag and dabbed at his face. He hissed when she touched one cut along his jaw.
“Big tough guy. You can rush out to take on a death squad but get wimpy when I try to clean your wounds.”
His eyes were level with her breasts so he leaned forward and nuzzled his face between them, settling his hands on her hips so she couldn’t pull away.
With a small laugh she said, “Stop. Let me finish. You heard Flame. You look like hell.”
“But I would much rather stay here,” he cooed and nuzzled her again.
“I’m sure,” she replied dryly. “Ever the man, no matter what species, but I need to clean these. And shouldn’t you be guarding something?”
“I’m guarding you.”
“You’re pawing me.”
He kissed the valley between her breasts. “Same thing.”
“Not.” She lightly shoved him back. “Now be still so I can do this.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She lifted a brow. “I think this is the first time we haven’t argued about something since we met.”
“Is it?”
She nodded. “I kind of like it.”
“I’m sure it will be short-lived.”
Playfully slapping him on the shoulder, she continued to wash the grime and blood from his face. The smaller cuts had already started healing but the process seemed slower.
“Take your pants off.”
A devilish grin curved his lips. “Be still my heart.”
She rolled her eyes. “Just let me get this mess of a leg bandaged.”
He faked a frown. “Alas, shot down again.”
Her hands flew to her hips. “Dagan.”
“Oh all right.” He stood and lowered his pants.
Doing her best to ignore the fact that he wore no underwear, Reese rinsed out the washrag using warm water then gently cleansed the area.
“Damn.” He hissed.
“Should it hurt like that?”
He threw her that “duh” look. “Reese, though my injuries heal quickly, I still experience pain like any human male.”
“They don’t appear to be healing that quickly though.”
He nodded. “It’s because I’m weakened.”
“What?”
Dagan grabbed her hands between his and rubbed them. “I’m a little weak from using magick and fighting demons.” He smiled. “It will pass.”
“But what if we go another round?” She glared at the door.
“Then I’ll do my job. Besides, your team did a damn good job fighting. I’m undeniably impressed.”
She lowered her eyes and smiled.
“Dagan.” Rufus knocked on the door.
He jumped up and pulled on his pants. When he opened the door, Rufus looked askance at his attire.
“What’s up?”
Rufus motioned for him to come out into the hall.
“I’ll be right back,” he told Reese.
“I got a phone call a minute ago from Gideon.”
That got Dagan’s attention. “What did he say?”
“That activity at Clive Whittaker’s house has increased. They’re not attacking yet, but they’re scoping the place out.”
“Damn.”
“I thought you’d want to know.”
Chloe strolled up to them. “Hey, guys, what’s up?”
Dagan crossed his arms over his chest and in a no-nonsense tone said, “Let’s discuss your abilities and those weapons you just happened to have on your person.”
She crossed her arms too.
“Who are you and what are you doing here?”
Chloe sighed. “My name is Chloestra. I was sent here by my sister at the request of Enki to protect Reese.”
Rufus whistled through his teeth.
“Who’s your sister and what does she have to do with Enki?”
“Ashima.”
“
Shakaah
,” Dagan grimaced.
Rufus looked between the two. “What am I missing?”
“Goddess Ashima.” Dagan frowned in his direction. “You would know her as the Divine Fate.”
Rufus smiled. “Cool.” He shuffled closer to Chloe. “You have one badass spin-kick. Do you have any powers?” He wiggled his eyebrows at her.
She tickled his chin with two fingers. “That’s a private conversation for later, handsome.”
“Knock it off. Rufus, go check things out front.”
Rufus winked at Chloe. “Later.”
After Rufus disappeared around the corner, Dagan grilled Chloe further. “So why would Enki ask Fate to watch over Reese?”
“She didn’t tell me. All I know is that she asked me to do it. I thought it sounded like an interesting gig, so she created a scenario where I could get on Reese’s team. They have memories that say I’ve been on the group for over a year, but the truth is, I arrived two days ago.”
Reese opened the bathroom door. “Hey, are you going to…” She glanced between Dagan and Chloe and their closeness. “Sorry, didn’t mean to interrupt.” She slammed the door.
“You’re in for it now.” Chloe smiled and took off. “See ya.”
Dagan ran his hand through his matted hair. “This is turning into a nightmare, and I don’t dream.” He opened the door. “Reese, I—”
“Don’t,” she snapped. “You don’t owe me anything. I’ll let you finish your clean up so I can go talk to Joe.”
Dagan crashed the door closed. “The hell you will. You’ll hear me out.”
She spun around and jabbed her finger into his chest. “Stop ordering me around like you have the right, because you don’t. No one orders me around.” Her voice rose an octave in pitch.
“Maybe someone should.” His rose as well.
She tried to get around him to leave the room but it was too small and he was too large. “Get out of my way.”
“No.” He pulled her close and crushed her mouth with his. One minute kissing her and the next hoisting her onto the sink to shove his hands under her shirt. He needed to touch her and not just in one spot, he needed to touch all of her, with his hands, his mouth, his tongue.
Reese wrapped her legs around his waist and frantically pulled at his shirt. All concern for his injuries pushed back to make room for the desire clawing at her insides.
Dagan trailed kisses down her neck and bit her shoulder blade. He caressed her breasts. She hadn’t noticed he’d undone her pants until his fingers were playing with her clit and she grew wet.
A loud pounding on the door stopped them both.
“Dagan, I need to talk to you.” Flame.
Dagan removed his hands from her and rested his forehead against hers trying to catch his breath and gain control again. “Give me a minute.”
“Now.”
A growl rumbled deep in Dagan’s throat. He pulled back putting as much distance between them as he could in the small space. “You okay?”
She tugged on her shirt to put it in place. He helped her down and she refastened her pants, and ran her fingers through her tousled hair before nodding.
Disgruntled, Dagan flung opened the door. The grimace he gave his friend was met and countered with a sneer.
“Excuse me,” Reese said as she rushed past them to join the others.
“What the hell?”
“Have you lost your faculties?” Flame said in a loud whisper. “I could feel it happening all the way in the other room.”
Dagan averted his eyes.
“How far has it gone?”
“I’m still able to control it,” Dagan assured him.
“But it gets harder each time, doesn’t it?” He grabbed Dagan’s arm in a vise grip. “Doesn’t it?”
“Yes.”
“What are you going to do?” He paced a short distance away from Dagan. “If the Pantheon finds out, you’ll be punished again. Your second time will be worse. They’ll not go easy on you.”
“I know that,” Dagan barked. “Enlil is not pleased with this development. Shit, I’m not pleased with it, but I can’t ignore it.”
Flame stopped and shot him a pitying look. “I’m sorry. That’s punishment enough already.”
What his friend didn’t know was that it was already too late. He’d lost small increments of control. Touching her, kissing her, tasting her were all things he remembered with distinct clarity and hungered to do again. He yearned to feel silky strands of her hair caress his fingers as he feasted on her delicious mouth.
Dagan leaned against the wall and braced his right foot. “I’m going to need a safe place to put Clive Whittaker. Gideon says the
galla
have found him.”
“I’m sure Rufus can arrange something.”
“I need to see Enki again. He has sent extra protection for Reese and I want to know why.”
“Extra protection?”
“Chloe, the blonde in the other room is Ashima’s sister.”
“Why would he do such a thing?”
Dagan put his foot down and moved away from the wall. “She’s special and that means something. I need to find out what.”
“I won’t tell you this is foolish.” He placed a hand on Dagan’s shoulder. “So I’ll say be cautious. I don’t know what game Enki plays but it may end with you wishing for death.”
They grasped forearms.
Flame grinned. “Death to Kur and all his shit-eating demons.”
“Strength to our warriors for victory over the creature.”
A sweet voice called out. “If you guys are done with all the rah rah crap, daylight is coming.”
Glancing over, Dagan caught the back of Chloe rounding the corner.
He had work to do.
Chapter Eleven
While Dagan, Flame and Rufus patrolled the building and surrounding area disposing of all signs of what had taken place there last night, Reese and the others were in an excited discussion.
Geoffrey said, “I wouldn’t have believed it had I not seen it with my own eyes.”
“Makes you wonder what else is out there.” Roberta cast a long look outside.
Reese placed her hand over Roberta’s. “Let’s take one thing at a time.”
Joe leaned back in his chair and easily stretched his arm across the back of Reese’s chair, shifting his body to get a closer look at the passage she’d been reading.
“It’s best to start at the beginning. Go back as far as necessary until we find the first mention of the creature. We need any information on its origins, weaknesses and the like.”
“I guess the dig is on hold, then,” Chloe said cheerfully.
A steely voice came from behind her. “You won’t be staying.”
Reese stiffened and noticed how close Joe sat to her. She knew it wouldn’t bode well with Dagan.
“What do you mean?”
Although he stood behind her, she knew his appearance must be wild, gauging by the looks on the other’s faces.
“May I have a word?” he ground out.
Uh oh, quietly polite, this couldn’t be good.
She got up and had to shove Joe’s torso with her knee to get him to move. He grinned at her, knowing full well the effect it would have on Dagan. She owed him a kick.
“We were making plans to settle in and get to this research.”