ashleighraine.com » Confrontation

Our Books

Confrontation

An excerpt from Lover’s Talisman
2008 (c) Copyright Ashleigh Raine

This book is intended for mature audiences only. If you are not over the age of consent, click the little X on the top right-hand corner of your screen.

Marlin was waiting for Stephan upstairs, outside the boundary of the lower rooms.

“You look like shit.”

“Fuck you.” Stephan glared at his brother and tried to walk around him. He was sore and tired and pissed as all hell and he didn’t need any of Marlin’s shit right now.

Marlin stepped in front of him. Stephan’s first thought was to stride right through his brother, or maybe throw him against the nearest wall, but good sense prevailed for the moment.

“She’s fine. I gave her a little something to help her sleep. I figured that was safer, less explaining to do. Anyway, she’s got a few scrapes on her arms, a bump on her head. I cleaned her up. She also has some reddening on her neck, her lips were swollen and her jeans were undone, but somehow I don’t think the werewolf was responsible for that.”

“Don’t—”

“Look, you know I’m all for getting laid. As often as possible. But I can see it in your eyes, this isn’t about getting your dick wet. Use her, but don’t fall in love—”

Stephan grabbed Marlin by the throat and shoved him up against the wall. It would be too easy to take his rage out on his brother. Marlin didn’t reciprocate, and other than his obvious desire to take a breath, he remained completely still. Stephan lowered him to the ground.

“Don’t fucking tell me what to do with her.” He continued past his brother and opened the door to the stairwell. The adrenaline from the battle had run its course, and now Stephan felt every bruise, every gash, the possible broken ribs and the torn ligaments in his leg. Each step down was a study in torment. Opening the door, he sought out Mariah, who was fast asleep on the couch, her long brown hair tousled around her. The feeling of possession washed through him again, overwhelming his already-exhausted body.

Marlin’s voice echoed behind him. “Remember what happened to Judy. Remember what happened to me.”

Stephan didn’t move, didn’t take his eyes off Mariah’s sleeping form. “It might be too late.”

Within moments Fiero appeared. Stephan stumbled from the doorway, staggering in his attempt to stay upright. He didn’t admit defeat, but he was fucking sore, the deep slashes in his chest burning, blood still trickling from the wounds. Fiero glowered at Stephan as Marlin sat on a recliner.

“It’s worse than the Order thought, isn’t it? Something’s started and you’re right in the middle of it.” Fiero solidified from apparition to flesh and put an arm around Stephan, leading him to the other recliner. He raised his eyebrows when he spotted Mariah asleep on the couch. “I didn’t realize you were offering a discount to frequent visitors here. It was my understanding that this was still a secret hideaway and visitors were to be kept to a minimum—like never.”

“Fuck off. She needs protection, Fiero. Somebody’s after her, somebody with lots of power. They got her roommate and now they want her too. Until I find out what’s going on, this is the only place she’s safe.”

Fiero placed his hands over the wounds on Stephan’s chest. He muttered a few words and green glow lights appeared, blanketing Stephan from head to toe. He remained rigid in the chair, eyes focused only on Mariah.

“Stop the healing before it’s complete. I want these scars. To remember.”

Fiero scowled, halting the lights and calling them back within. Crossing his hands over his chest, he glared, demanding an explanation.

“I wasn’t paying close enough attention and she could have been hurt because of that. These will remind me.” Stephan stood and removed his leather jacket, which had somehow gotten through the brawl unscathed. When he peeled off his ripped shirt, a small cringe was his only allowance to the soreness he still felt. The deep furrows were gone, replaced with red, puckered skin.

He knelt next to Mariah, tracing his fingertips over the welcoming softness of her lips, feeling her warm breath caress his flesh on each exhale. He could easily lose himself in her, sit here for hours and watch her sleep.

Shooting to his feet, he stepped toward Fiero. “Check her out. Make sure she has no other unseen injuries. I have to go out. Marlin, you stay with her until I come back.” With one last glance at Mariah he walked down the hallway toward his room.

Fiero stared after Stephan. “Great. He fucking loves her, doesn’t he?”

Marlin kicked back in the recliner. “I hope not.”

They both studied Mariah, her innocence in sleep a sharp contrast to the havoc she was unknowingly causing.

“Shit…” Fiero mumbled as he approached Mariah. The green lights danced between his fingertips as he chanted the words to release them. They played about the entire length of her body, paused at her abdomen, flared brightly and disappeared.