Rubbing his hands together, Clive said, “I guess I’ll be calling forth the rusty powers to start using them again. I’ll need to be in top form if I’m going to fight demons.”
“Dad,” Reese argued. “I don’t want you fighting anyone.”
“Of course you don’t, sweetheart. Just like I would rather have you staying here with me instead of walking out that door and heading into another attack.”
She started to say something, but he held up his hand. “But, I know you won’t do it. You are your mother’s daughter after all.”
“Hey!”
He turned to Dagan. “My question is, can you protect her enough?”
“If she lets me.”
“Let him,” Clive said.
“Okay, we’re finished here. Don’t get me started about what is strange in this whole situation because there aren’t enough hours in the day to go over all of them,” Reese ranted.
Clive approached Dagan and stuck out his hand to shake. “She’s a handful.”
“You don’t need to tell me. I’ve had the front row show.”
“Stubborn, pigheaded, strong-willed.”
“Yes, I’ve seen all that.”
“They get it from their mother.”
Reese marched over and shoved Dagan away from her father, turned him around and headed for the door. “That’s enough fraternizing. We’ve got things to do.”
Before she left, she hugged her father. “Are you sure you’ll be okay?”
“Better every day.”
“All right, I’ll call you later.”
Before joining Reese in the car, Dagan sought out Gideon to introduce him to Mr. Whittaker and gave him an update. Gideon would position himself inside the house. Now that he knew Mr. Whittaker was
nephili
, they wouldn’t have to hide.
“I want to go back and help with the research,” she said when he slid into the driver’s side of the car.
“Fine, I need to do some surveillance and see if I can get a fix on the
galla
. In a firm tone he added, “I need you to stay put. Stay with the others and don’t go wandering off.”
Anger laced her response. “I don’t go wandering off.”
“Good, because the next step would be chaining you up.”
Appalled she said, “You wouldn’t dare,” and glared at him.
He smiled. “Oh yes, I would and enjoy it.”
Reese’s stomach fluttered. Her indignation was half-hearted. All manner of thoughts crept into her mind about Dagan chaining her and doing who knows what. Her creative imagination could come up with many scenarios and her body ached. Staring at his profile, the strong jaw and sexy lips, she had to stifle the moan that fought to escape.
“You need to stop that.”
Dagan’s husky voice drifted toward her. “Stop what?” She licked her lips.
“Whatever you’re thinking.”
“What?” How could he know she was thinking anything? “Are you reading my mind again?”
“Purebloods have heightened senses.” He whipped his head around to her and his nostrils flared. “All of them.” His eyes angled down to the juncture between her legs. “I can all but taste you.”
She clamped her legs together. “Oh.”
He turned his gaze back to the street. “So stop it or I’m not going to be able to keep myself from pulling this car over and finding a quiet place to do just that.”
Reese felt the heat building. It started at her cheeks which were flaming and inched down to her very core which now seeped. The man had an incredible way of looking at her and making her want to lie down and say “Take me”. That irritated her because he was arrogant, bossy, gorgeous, hot—she really needed to stop.
Thankfully, they arrived back at her office and she jumped out of the car as if she’d been shot from a cannon.
Rufus, keeping watch, opened the door to let her in then went out to speak with Dagan.
“Problem?” Joe asked her when she all but ran into him.
“What—oh—no.” She took a few breaths to slow her heart rate. “How’s the research going?”
“Slow, but we’re doing everything we can.”
“Okay, that’s good.”
Joe looked past her to where Dagan and Rufus were talking. “So how’s your dad?”
“Well, that’s something I need to fill you guys in on, so why don’t we get everyone together and I’ll tell you all at once.”
“Sure.” He rolled his eyes toward her and then back to Dagan.
“Don’t.”
“Don’t what?” he asked innocently.
“Don’t go there.”
He put his hands up in surrender and walked back to the piles of books and people.
“Hey, Reese,” Geoffrey called.
She nodded to him. “Can I get you all to stop for a few minutes? I need to give you some new information.”
Pulling up a nearby empty chair, she sat to calm her nerves before she let them know the truth about her family. Was she jumpy because of this new revelation or because of Dagan? Both.
“What’s up?” Roberta said.
“Okay, I know this is going to be weird so I’m going to say it straight out and we’ll go from there.”
Everyone gave a quick nod.
“We went to see my father to fill him in on recent events and move him to a safe place until this is over. I thought that was going to be the strangest part to this plan.” She leveled her gaze on each face. “You know, telling him what has been happening without him thinking I’m a candidate for the loony bin.”
She slouched back in the chair and closed her eyes for a moment. “Anyway.” She started up again. “It turns out he already knew about Kur and the
galla
.”
“What?” a group voice rang out.
“I know, I know. That’s what I said, but it’s true.” She got up to pace in the tiny area. “It seems that Enki is my grandfather.”
“I need a drink,” Geoffrey said.
“Me too,” chimed in Roberta. “I’ll go find that bottle of Wild Turkey from last Christmas.”
Reese let a soft sigh escape and ran her fingers through her now tousled and somewhat frantic hair. “My grandmother was human but then we have Enki, the water god.”
Chloe smiled. “Interesting.”
“Unexpected,” Rufus said as he strolled up to the gathering.
Dagan wasn’t with him, but he’d told her he would seek out the
galla
. She assumed he had gone to do it. Refocusing on the others and the conversation, Reese tried to keep her thoughts from drifting to the exchange between her and Dagan earlier and how she wanted it, very badly.
Anger rolled off Dagan when he stormed toward Eridu. He held one of his Magnums and pointed it at Leotis. “I’ll let myself in.”
Leotis roared. “Those weapons will not harm me, Time Walker, and you know this.”
“Yes, but it will hurt like a bitch.”
Natalia growled.
“No offense intended, Natalia,” he said, and kept going through the temple doors.
Enki lay spread eagle across the canopy bed in his great room with one slender female sprawled across his chest so he could suck on her breasts and another between his legs sucking his endowment.
“I hate to intrude but I need some answers,” Dagan said angrily.
Enki pushed the woman off his chest so he could lean up on his elbows. “Dagan? Come join us. There is plenty to go around.” He kissed the woman next to him.
“Sorry, no. I need to talk to you about Reese.”
Enki sighed. “Yes, well I guess you ladies need to let me up.” Naked, he scooted off the massive bed. “But don’t go too far because we will pick this up again when he leaves.”
The girls giggled and rushed from the room.
Enki grabbed the sheet and wrapped it around his waist. Coming down the steps he said, “So what is so important that you intrude on my rest period and anger my guards?”
“You didn’t think to mention that Reese was your granddaughter.”
“I did not see that it mattered all that much.”
Fighting the urge to walk over and shake the deity by the throat, Dagan said, “Being the daughter of your son makes her blood very potent. His as well.”
“So you have seen my son?” Enki walked to the food tables and picked a plump grape to toss in his mouth.
“I have.”
“How did he seem to you?”
“A pleasant difference, good humored, but sad.”
Enki turned and started for his throne. “Yes, this sadness because the female died. I never understood it. There are so many others to choose from to be distraught over losing one.”
Dagan wasn’t surprised that Enki would not understand the emotional loss of a loved one.
“Will your magick protect him?”
“Yes, and he has powers as well. He will not be an easy target for Kur.”
“But Reese is not so fortunate.”
“No, she did not inherit powers.” He held up his hand to silence Dagan’s retort. “That is why I used extra power for the protection on Reese and Riley.”
“Even without powers she manages to handle herself,” Dagan mumbled.
“I have been watching her and her sister over the years. They are remarkable women.”
“I’ve not seen the sister, but Reese is…”
“Hard to put into words, is it not?”
“Yes, very hard.”
“I wish to speak to her,” Enki said.
“Reese?”
“Yes. This eve I will come to her house. Make sure she is there. But I want only her, no others. There are things I wish to discuss.”
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea. Safety in numbers would be best. Plus, you on Earth with Kur skulking around?”
“You stay with her to guard against unwelcome surprises. Kur will not sense my presence.” Enki rose and strolled back to the bed. “Tonight.” He stripped off his sheet and called, “Ladies.” The two young women were entering as Dagan whirled around and left.
Chapter Thirteen
Dusk settled as Dagan finished his sweep of the area and ended up at the offices.
“Did you make arrangements?” he asked Rufus.
“Chloe will be staying with Roberta and I’ll be hanging with Joe and Geoffrey.”
Dagan had called Rufus to let him know something would have to be done about protection for the group. They were now targets as well. Kur would use any means to get at Reese.
“I will see what other
doghume
are around and call them in for backup.”
“Good.” Dagan watched Reese say goodnight to the others and tensed when she hugged Joe. “Enki is coming to her house tonight, so I’ll take Reese with me.”
“Figured that.”
He strolled up and took her coat off the chair. Stopping behind her, Dagan shook it out and held it for her to put her arms in.
Surprised, she looked up. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome,” he murmured next to her ear. “Are you ready?”
She nodded. “Goodnight everyone.”
“What’s wrong?” she asked after he’d gotten into the car.
His jaw tightened. “We’ll have a visitor tonight.”
She stiffened. “Visitor?”
“Enki.”
“What? When?”
“Tonight, he will come to your house. It seems he wishes to speak with you.”
She rolled her eyes. “Could this get any weirder?”
“Most likely,” he said and sped away from the building.
“Why is he coming to see me?”
“I have no idea, but he ordered me to be your bodyguard and told me he wanted to speak with you alone.”
When they arrived at her house, she stayed glued to the seat and crossed her arms. “I know, I know. Wait here,” she said in a saccharine sweet voice.
“Exactly.” He got out and stood several yards away from the house. His scan revealed no intruders in the area. “Come on.” He motioned to her.
“Are you sure the Big Bad Wolf isn’t going to jump out and get me?” she mumbled as she hurried by.
He caught up with her and slipped his hand around her waist, pulling her tight against his side. Leaning down and nuzzling her neck, he said, “I didn’t say the wolf wouldn’t get you.” He growled softly before he opened the front door for her to enter.
Shivers raced across her skin, not from the cold.
“Could you—” Before she finished he snapped his fingers and the fire roared to life. “Thanks.”
He grinned. “You’re welcome.”
“I guess I’ll make up some dinner,” she said, walking into the kitchen. She poked her head out from around the corner. “So what does a Sumerian god eat anyway?”
“Same things as you do. Make whatever you want. I’m certain he’s not coming here to eat.”
“Right.” She whipped back into the kitchen.
“I want to take a look around before night falls. Be back in a few minutes.”
She heard the door slam. Reese went to the pantry and pulled out some potatoes and her bat. “Just in case.”
After washing and peeling the potatoes, she put them on the stove to boil and went to get some steaks. She figured broiled steaks, potato salad and fresh vegetables would hit the spot. Her system needed refueling, plus her nerves were jangling at the thought of meeting Enki. She pulled down the whiskey and the wine.