The pale cloth briefs she wore joined it and she was completely bare in front of me. Her hair hung over her shoulder, creating an inky path along her skin. I brushed it away and kissed down the center of her chest and onto her stomach. The muscles beneath my lips trembled with anticipation and Mara's legs parted slightly as if in invitation. I brought my mouth down to the inside of one knee and kissed up the tender skin of her thigh. When I reached the apex of her thighs, I moved my mouth to the other knee and worked up my way up again. By the time my head was tucked comfortably between her legs, they shook on either side of my face.

  The smell of her hot, ready body made my mouth water. My stomach clenched and my shaft ached with the need for her, but I wanted to take my time. My tongue slipped out and gathered my first taste of the silky fluids at her entrance. Mara gasped. Her thighs parted further and I leaned closer, focusing the tip of my tongue on her swollen core. Tracing it, I patiently coaxed it out from beneath its hood, encouraging it to reveal more of the most sensitive tissue so I could introduce her to new sensations of pleasure. My mouth explored her until her entire body trembled and her breath came out in ragged gasps. I didn't want to tip her over the edge too soon. Pressing a final kiss to her delicate folds, I stood and undressed, never taking my eyes from hers.

  Her pupils dilated as she drank me in and a flush spread across her chest. Catching her mouth with mine again, I eased her onto her back and settled onto her. The hardness of my body sought the heat of hers, and Mara's eyelashes fluttered closed as our bodies melded into one. Her tight walls resisted me slightly, but I took my time and gradually sank fully into her. Mara's legs wrapped around my waist and her arms around my neck, pulling me close to kiss me as her body accepted the roll of my hips. Reaching behind me, I eased her legs down so I could roll onto my back and sit up. With Mara's knees on either side of my hips I pressed one hand against her, inviting her upward. The rocking created deep, fulfilling friction between us and soon sweat slicked our skin. Her tongue slid across my shoulder to taste the salt, and my hips tightened to push deeper into her.

  Her hair felt like strands of silk as my fingers slipped into them to cup the back of her head. Cradling it in place, I gazed into her eyes, watching the colors within them change and shift like a pool of oil. Our kisses had reddened her lips and made them even fuller, and the urge to nip at the bottom one was too much to resist. She gasped quietly at the press of my teeth and her body tightened around me. Her arched back pressed her breasts toward me and I took one into my mouth. Her hips rocked harder, a level of desperation building in her movement and the sound pouring from her parted lips. My thumb found the delicate place where our bodies met and slipped over her taut peak. Almost instantly, the room echoed with Mara's cries and she came hard, her body clenching down to draw my climax out of me.

  My fingertips dug into Mara's back as we clung to each other, suspended in the feeling created within ourselves. Energy flowed back and forth between us and a surge of strength tingled to every point of my body. As quickly as it filled me, it drained out, and the mattress caught us as we collapsed together. The blankets were cool against my skin as they settled over us, and as soon as I extinguished the single lamp burning on the table beside us, my eyes closed and sleep took over.

  34

  Mara's fingers linked with mine felt natural as we walked through her underground creation toward the kitchen the next morning. I breathed in the smells of breakfast cooking and she smiled at me. “It seems your friends raided the pantry.”

  “They do know how to make themselves at home.”

  “Good. I want them to be comfortable here. I want you to be comfortable here,” she said.

  “I am. But we can't stay for long. I wish we could, but there's still so much to do.”

  She drew in a breath, and I could see how nervous she was. “Are you sure everyone's going to be alright with me joining you? The group of you is already so established, I don't want to feel like I'm interfering or getting in the way.”

  “You won't be. Besides, we haven't always been this established. That's kind of the point. We're collecting people as we go. Everett and Jocelyn are both very recent additions, and Sabrina came only shortly before them. We're looking for members of our army, and our group will continue to change. We found you for a reason. You are meant to join with us,” I said.

  “And you're sure no one will be uncomfortable?”

  I knew exactly what she was asking, even though she didn't want to put it into words. Before I could answer, we stepped down into the large eating area off the kitchen and Emely came toward us.

  Ignoring me, she gathered Mara in a hug. “Congratulations,” she said.

  Mara looked at her strangely. “For what?”

  “Taking control of your own life. It's not easy feeling like you're constantly controlled by someone or something else. What you did is so brave, because evil is a reward that only corrupts.”

  Riley came out of the kitchen carrying a bowl and grinned at us as she set it on the table. She wrapped her arms around Mara like Emely had. “Welcome to the club,” she said.

  There was a mischievous glint in her eyes as she stepped away and we made our way back toward the kitchen.

  Mara glanced at me. “The club?”

  I smiled at her, and her eyes moved to Emely and then to the kitchen where Riley had gone. Realization settled over her and her cheeks brightened with a flush. She glanced away and then back at me.

  “Is something wrong?” I asked.

  “I'm just not sure how to take all this,” Mara said, eyes flicking over the room.

  “What do you mean?”

  “You've been with all of them?” It was a genuine question, not fueled by jealousy.

  “Not Celeste, Nia, or Jocelyn,” I clarified.

  “But the other three?”

  “Yes,” I said.

  “And they don't mind me joining them?”

  Laughing, I wrapped my arm around her waist and guided her over to the table. “Did it seem like they minded? They're happy to have you as a part of our family.”

  Mara looked away again, but this time a smile curved her lips. She turned back to me and slid her hands up my chest to wrap her arms around my neck and bring me in for a kiss. “Don't get me wrong, I'm very happy with how things have turned out. I'm especially glad to be free of that particular burden. I'm just not used to sex being so celebrated.”

  Pulling her close, I kissed her again. “You'll get used to it. I'll make sure of that.”

  Sabrina came into the room and kissed the side of my neck. “Good morning.” She turned to Mara and hugged her like the other two. “And good morning to you.”

  We all sat down for breakfast and I was surprised to realize I wasn't particularly hungry. After everything we'd gone through the day before I expected to be ravenous, but only a few bites of the food in front of me satisfied me. It seemed Nia's evaluation of the changes taking over my body were accurate.

  “What's the plan for today?” Mathus asked as he filled his plate for the fourth time. “Are we going to try to make our way to the foothills?”

  “Why would you go all the way there?” Mara asked. “I thought your intention was to head to the heart of The Covenant.”

  “It is, but we can't just keep going from camp to camp. We need somewhere to settle. At least for long enough to start training the youngest members of the army. Celeste is still trying to find other teenagers like her to join our forces, and we need somewhere to rest and gather.”

  “You can stay here,” Mara said. “You know there's plenty of space and supplies, and if you need training grounds, the woods are dark and secluded. Very few people come this way. It's the main reason I chose here to build my hiding place.”

  I looked at Celeste. “What do you think? It's really up to you, and if you know where any of the other recruits are.”

  “Actually, I think I've identified a few more.”

  “Let's get cleaned up here and you can show us,” I said.

  When we finished cleaning up breakfast, we went back to the lounge where Mara brought me the night before. Nia pulled out her book and opened it to the map.

  Celeste sat on the floor beside the table and pointed out four distinct locations. “This is where I think people are waiting for me. I feel drawn to each of these locations.”

  “They're all between here and The Covenant headquarters. If we need to go to each of those places to find more members of the army, the best thing to do would be to stay here for now,” Nia said.

  “So, should we leave now to go to the first spot?” Celeste asked.

  “No. I think we need to do some training. Jocelyn isn't experienced with fighting, and while she held her own against the zombies, there's no telling what we're going to face next. We need to prepare her as much as possible. And Everett, you can tell us what you know about this area and about your encounters with The Covenant. Give us as much information as you can that might be able to help us for the next trial,” I said.

  For the next few hours, I sat at the base of a tree and watched Emely put Jocelyn through target practice. The young dwarf was fairly hopeless at first, making me wonder if her surviving the battle against the zombies was more luck and Nia's protection spell than it was anything she did. As she trained, however, her skills improved, and I could see her becoming more confident. Both looked exhausted by the time I climbed to my feet and wrapped an arm around Emely.

  “You should take a break,” I told her. “Why don't you go back inside and rest. Take a nap for a while.”

  She kissed me and headed back to the underground hiding place. Jocelyn trailed after her and I went back to the tree, not wanting to go back inside yet. A few minutes later, Sabrina came out and dropped down beside me. I felt her hair against my skin as her head rested on my shoulder.

  “What are you thinking about?”

  “What's ahead of us. We have to move forward, and it's not just about finding the rest of the members of Celeste’s army. Finding the four she has identified is important, but we can't forget the third trial is coming. It's going to be the hardest one. I don't know what to expect or if there's really any way to prepare for it, but I know this final trap will be the worst.”

  “Do you think there's any way we'll be ready?”

  “Absolutely. I honestly believe if we band together, we have the potential being truly formidable.”

  “But that's not enough.”

  I let out a long breath.

  “It's not that it's not enough, I'm just trying to wrap my head around what this third test could be. The gods said these three followers see this as an opportunity to give of themselves to their faith, but I feel like it's me that's being sacrificed. I'm risking everything, and I might not make it out alive.”

  “And if you do? If the other two trials are any testament and you pull through this final one?” Sabrina asked.

  I met her eyes. “Then I may be unstoppable.”

  35

  The day ended with everyone completely drained. I had joined in the training late in the afternoon and spent hours working with Everett and Celeste to hone their skills while also working on my own powers. By the time we were finished, it took everything in me just to drag myself back through the hollow tree. The water from the enchanted spring washed away the sweat and dirt and started to release the painful tension in my muscles. When she found me face-down in the middle of the woods, my clothing singed and my back aching, Nia had reassured me that the closer I got to being fully immortal, the less pain I would experience and the more stamina I would have. That was reassuring enough to bring me back to my feet and back into the training. This was what needed to be done. We all had to be at our strongest, and push our abilities to their greatest extent, so that we would be ready when the time came to face the enemy again.

  We had been in the magnificent hideaway beneath the woods for three days when I woke to the sound of rain overhead. We had rearranged the beds so that I slept in the same room with Mara, Sabrina, Riley, and Emely. I liked having them all close, and they seemed just as reassured by all of us being together. The women were still sleeping, so I got up as quietly as I could and got dressed. When I was pulling on my boots, Mara opened her eyes and smiled at me.

  “You're up early.”

  “I know. I feel like today might be the day we should head out.”

  “Really? What changed your mind?”

  “I don't know. I just feel like we've been waiting and training long enough. If we keep hesitating until we feel completely ready, I don't think we're ever actually going to leave. We need to feel confident in what we've accomplished so far and know we can't be fully prepared until we have all the members of our army together. That means going out and finding the rest.”

  “And what about the third trial by The Covenant?”

  “If it comes, it comes. I'll face it eventually, and I can't hide from it. I'm going to go wake the others. Get the women up and we'll meet for breakfast.”

  When we gathered in the kitchen for breakfast, everyone seemed both excited and nervous about finally heading out. It would have been nice to be somewhere that felt safe and secure, and all of us were more confident now that the youngest members had been training and practicing, but the longer we waited, the more tension grew. The anticipation was turning from knowing something was coming to being afraid of what was coming, and I knew we couldn't let that take over. We needed to go before any of us became so wrapped up in negative feelings we started losing members.

  "Celeste, which of the four do you want to go after first?"

  The spot the young elf pointed out was close enough to get to by mid-afternoon, so we packed the supplies we'd need for the journey. Mara, Sabrina, and I led the way as we stepped out of the hollow tree and into the wet woods. Oppressive air pressed around us, soaking our clothes. Mud sucked our feet down into the ground and made each step more difficult. I pulled my collar up over my neck and tried to hunker down to keep the rain from running down inside my coat, but the chill reached my skin anyway.

  “What's wrong?” Sabrina asked.

  Looking up, I realized I had no idea how long we had been walking or even where we were. "What do you mean?"

  "You haven't said a word this entire time. You look like you're about a million miles away."

  "Just in my own thoughts." I exhaled through my nose, thinking. I shook the cloud of uncertainty from my mind.

  "Thinking about the trial?"

  My sigh opened my mouth to rain drops stinging on my tongue. "I'm torn. I don't know if I want it to happen sooner or later. Part of me just wants them to attack so we can get it over with, but another part of me wants to take more time to prepare."

  "But?"

  "But I don't feel like there's an actual point where we would feel completely prepared. How exactly do you prepare yourself to face the a potentially brutal death?"

  "They don't want to kill you," Mara said from my other side.

  "What?"

  "The Covenant. They don't want to kill you. Not yet, anyway."

  "What do you mean?"

  "I know what they are doing to you, and it might seem like they are ready to wipe you off the face of the planet right now, but they aren't. This is a game for them. They want to play with you, to torment you. They are not afraid of hurting you. In fact, they are likely looking forward to seeing just how much damage they can cause and get you right up to the point of death. But killing you is off the table."

  "The gods made it seem any of them would kill me if they could."

  "No. Not yet. These three are meant only to push you. They want to see if they can make you give up or if they can capture you. Actually killing you is being reserved for when they can bring you to the Dark Fae God as an offering."

  She was smiling at me like she thought she was being reassuring. I wanted it to make me feel better. It seemed like she meant the revelation as a pep talk, but there was nothing peppy about the way I felt. If anything, it made me angrier. My steps got faster and the impact of my boots on the hard ground shook the muscles of my legs and jarred my joints. I didn't care about the rain. The drops were almost soothing now as they fell on skin heated to boiling by the fury rushing through me. There was no longer a question in my mind about whether I wanted to delay the confrontation with The Covenant. I would happily skip right over the third trial and go right to the final showdown with The Covenant itself. I wanted to rip their hearts out and watch them stop beating in my hand. Then they couldn't hurt anyone else.

  The anger simmered within me, a low flame of emotion that began at my core and moved out. It was building with ravenous intensity and suddenly I felt something hit my back so hard I stumbled forward. Whirling around, I had only a fraction of a second before Mara lunged at me again. This time her body hit mine at just the right angle to make me drop back and land on the ground. She jumped on top of me, her fingernails thrashing and her fists pounding against me.

  "Mara, what the hell are you doing?" I shouted.

  "Mara, get off him!" the women yelled.

  She was unaffected. The words didn't even seem to reach her as she continued to fight me.

  36

  I wouldn't hit back at Mara, so I could only wait until Emely ran forward and helped Sabrina pry her off me so I could climb to my feet. Mara dropped down to the ground and Sabrina's body shifted, becoming a sleek grey and black cat that curled into Mara's lap. She purred loud enough for me to hear her several feet away, and soon Mara's hand moved onto her back. Her fingers stroked through her fur and the wild fury in her eyes began to lessen. Her breathing slowed. Finally, she looked like herself again.

 

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