Tamed

Chapter Three

Lily smoothed her face into calm lines as the helicopter set down in the mountains of Idaho. Five other Black Hawks followed suit, and soon the deserted area was crawling with vampire soldiers. Make that vampire, shifter, and witch soldiers.

She bit back a yawn. After Caleb had driven her home on the bike the previous night, and after the amazing kiss that had all but shocked her with an impossible level of passion, she had gone to bed . . . to toss and turn, and not from her usual nightmares. The ones she was beginning to fear.

The kiss had revved her up beyond belief, and even now, she could still taste him. Spice and male. But sleeping with him would be dangerous to her heart, and she had enough concerns.

Caleb was a soldier who moved around. He didn’t want to settle down and would certainly leave after the peace talks.

Falling for him would just leave her alone and sad.

She moved to open the helicopter door, and the pilot, Jase Kayrs, turned around to flash a grin. “Stay put, Prophet. We’re not secure yet.”

“Don’t be bossy,” she said calmly to her friend, one of the many soldiers she counseled for PTSD.

He rolled his copper-colored eyes, making him seem not quite as dangerous as usual. “I’d like to be included in the peace-party talks, Lily. Can you arrange that?”

Probably not a good idea, considering Jase had been kidnapped and tortured by demons for years. The scar on his handsome face showed the suffering he’d endured, although now he was happily mated and seemed to have found peace. Lily smiled. “Your brother put Caleb in charge of deciding who will attend.”

While the prophets would lead the talks, the king had a say in the proceedings.

Jase eyed her. “My brother listens to you.”

“Maybe.” Lily scooted closer to the door just as it opened.

Caleb grasped her hips and set her on the ground, his warm palms leaving heated imprints on her skin. The scents of pine trees and male surrounded her. “Wear this.” He plopped a hard hat on her head.

She frowned and squinted up at him as one of her dangling earrings caught. “You’re not wearing one.”

“My head is harder than yours.” He held out his hand. “Earrings.”

Frowning, she handed them over, surprised when he drew a box from his back pocket. “For you.”

She blinked. Her heart leaped to her throat. She flipped open the lid to reveal stunning solitaire diamonds. “I don’t understand.”

He shrugged. “I saw them, and they reminded me of you. Beautiful, elegant, and simple. Please wear them.”

She blinked and inserted the diamonds as if in a dream. Heat rose into her face. Was Caleb trying to court her? “Thank you, Caleb.”

He nodded. “I meant to attend the surprise party for your birthday last month but got caught in a fight in Iceland.”

Oh. So they were a birthday present. Even so, he’d spent time choosing them—just for her. “It was no big deal, just a little get-together. But as a prophet, you should spend more time counseling and mediating situations than fighting, don’t you think?”

“Absolutely not. I’m meant to fight, not to compromise.”

“Then why are you here? These are going to be peace talks.” Couldn’t he at least hope for peace? She fingered the solid stone in her ear.

“I’m here to protect the king and Janie in what is sure to be a battle.”

“Not little old me?” she asked with what felt like a flirty smile.

“I’ve told the king that you are too much of a security risk, considering the Kurjans have been after you for years.” His jaw seemed to harden.

“I’m attending the talks—we need to find peace.” The man wasn’t going to keep her from doing her job.

He shook his head. “There will be no peace.”

Sorrow filled Lily for the briefest of moments. How could he live every day and not even think there was a chance for peace?

His gaze swept her from head to toe. “You couldn’t wear jeans even to head into the bowels of the earth?”

She glanced down at her deep green skirt and matching blouse. “This is fine for mine shafts.” They might be heading into the earth, but she was on duty and at work. “You could look more like a prophet.” Though the man looked beyond good.

His faded jeans covered muscled thighs, and the worn T-shirt spread across his broad chest hugged impressive strength. “I’m a soldier, not a prophet.”

Actually, he was both. Lily nodded toward the gaping opening in the rock, set into looming mountains so tall snow had already dusted the peaks. Farther down the hillside, where she stood, fall had turned the leaves brilliant colors of red, gold, and orange. The month of change was a perfect time for peace talks. “I take it we’re at the north entrance?”

“Yes.” Caleb pressed a hand to her lower back in a touch that was both reassuring and possessive. “The Realm will have all control of the northern entrance, while the Kurjans control the south, the demons the east, and the witches the west.”

Lily nodded and stepped lightly over a pile of rocks, glad she’d worn her boots. “How far down are we going?”

“The mine was deserted years ago, and after our alterations, reaches about five thousand feet down, made possible by a blend of string theory and quantum physics—magic, in other words. It’s an impossible depth, and we’re combining some dangerous science to pull it off. Are you claustrophobic?”

“No.” But Jase Kayrs was, and this was another reason he couldn’t be allowed to face off with the demons during the peace talks. “Have we agreed upon the number of people present during the talks?” Lily asked.

“Yes. Besides the three prophets and Janie Kayrs, each species gets a dignitary and bodyguard at the table. Or rather, across the fire.” Caleb escorted her into the darkness and snapped a switch to show lights strung along the ceiling. “We have a mine lift here, and there are stairs to the side in case we need that way for an escape, though it’d take an awfully long time to make it out that way.”

Lily swallowed and stepped onto the lift to take a seat and strap herself in. Freshly cut wooden boards surrounded her on three sides and smelled like Christmas. They must’ve used pine trees. “I take it we’ll have soldiers stationed along the way?”

“They’re in place now and will remain so until after the peace talks next week.” Caleb sat and secured his harness in the sturdy seat.

“I feel like I’m about to go on an amusement ride,” Lily said, butterflies in her stomach.

“This is faster.” Caleb reached for a lever.

“Hold it,” a male voice called out before the king leaped onto the lift, a grape energy drink in his hand. He took a seat on Lily’s left and buckled in. “I want to go down with you.”

Lily smiled at the king as her stomach clenched. “Good morning, Dage.”

The king lifted a dark eyebrow over a narrowed silver eye. “Prophet. I’m pleased to see you’re fine after your bar fight last night.”

“That’s kind of you.” Lily kept her voice solicitous and fought the urge to roll her eyes. A lady didn’t roll her eyes.

“Do we need to discuss the danger involved?” Dage asked.

“No.” Lily clasped her hands together, fully aware that even the king put her on a pedestal. The only person who saw her as a woman and not a prophet was currently glaring multicolored eyes at her. “Stop glaring, Caleb.”

He grunted and hit a button that enclosed the lift.

“Who is attending the talks from the Realm?” she asked.

Dage rubbed his chin as an engine roared to life in the background. “Jase really wants to attend.”

“No,” Caleb said, reaching over to double-check Lily’s restraints.

Dage eyed his friend over Lily’s head, and Lily’s foot began to tap. “I’d like to talk about it,” Dage said.

Caleb lifted a massive shoulder. “I understand you’d like to talk, but Jase isn’t attending the peace talks. He’s still rightfully angry at the demons, and they him, so no Jase. If you really want peace, we need to be smart. You and Talen should attend the peace talks from the Realm.”

Lily pursed her lips. “Why Talen and not Conn?” Both men were brothers to the king and deadly soldiers. Either would be an excellent choice, and she wondered how Caleb had chosen between them.

“Janie needs to be there,” Caleb said quietly as the engine sound increased in volume.

“No.” The king’s jaw set in a hard line.

“Yes.” Caleb turned to more fully face Dage over Lily’s head. “The Kurjans and demons have both demanded her presence, and you know it. We’ll keep her safe, but she’s instrumental to the talks.”

Lily nodded. “The war began because everyone was fighting over getting to Janie, and it makes sense that she be present.” Plus, the unknown force that always guided Lily all but screamed that Janie needed to be there.

Caleb cleared his throat. “If Janie’s there, then her father needs to be present. He won’t take no for an answer, I assume.”

“I agree,” Lily said. Talen was Janie’s adopted father, and he’d raised her from the time she was a toddler. No way would he take a shooter’s position outside the talks while she was vulnerable inside. “So Talen it is.”

The scent of rock and earth tickled Lily’s senses, almost competing with the strong scent of male surrounding her. Most immortal species would be uncomfortable sitting between the powerful energies cascading off the two dangerous soldiers. Lily took a deep breath, thankful she’d been a human. If she’d been a witch, she’d be twitchy by now.

Dage nodded and gave a quick head nod. “Talen is a good choice. Are we almost ready to go?”

“Yes,” Caleb said. “Hold on.” A second later, he pushed a lever.

The world dropped out from under Lily. She cried out, her hair swishing up, her body slamming against the restraints. It was an amusement ride! Finally, when she thought she might actually vomit, they began to slow until finally stopping.

They bounced several times, and Lily grabbed the armrests to settle herself. The engine sound disappeared.

Relief lifted Dage’s upper lip as he released his restraints and stood. “They smoothed out the ride nicely.”

It had been rougher than that? Goodness. Lily unbuckled herself and stood, her knees shaking.

Dage nodded. “I want to check out the other entrances and lifts.”

“No,” Caleb said as he stretched his neck. “The other entrances are off-limits, as you know, King.”

The king turned, silver eyes glinting. “You know, Caleb, I don’t think anybody in the universe has told me ‘no’ twice in the span of a couple of heartbeats.”

Caleb grinned. “I do like to be one of the few.”

The door finally slid open.

Lily eyed the underground cavern, her mind reeling. “They don’t call you the Realm Rebel for nothing, do they?” She turned and surveyed the soldier. Yeah. He even looked like a rebel. Something warm unfurled in her abdomen. Something new.

The king stepped off the lift first. “Most rebels die young and horribly, don’t they?” He strode into the cavern, gaze sweeping the area.

Lily stifled a grin and patted down her skirt, stepping carefully onto the smooth stone floor. The obvious affection between the two men was heartwarming to see. Even the deadly needed connection.

She took a deep breath and surveyed the room chiseled so far into the earth. Four entrances, each the same distance from the others, opened onto a room about twenty-five feet wide and long, with an eight-foot rock ceiling. Five rock tables had been formed with seats behind each. A fire, even now crackling, burned in the center of the room, the smoke curling naturally up into a small opening in the rock.

Lily frowned. “How is that possible?”

“Quantum physics—and that’s all the magic that will work this far down in the ground,” Caleb said from behind her.

Lily nodded. “I read the last report you sent out.” Frankly, the room was darn impressive. The quartz rock prevented even the most powerful of immortals from using powers; thus nobody would have an advantage underground. Even the witches and the king were stymied.

“I don’t like that weapons won’t work down here,” Dage said grimly, opening his can of grape drink.

“I know.” Caleb smoothed his hands over the nearest dark table, his voice echoing off the rocks. “But that protects us, as well. The atmospheric pressure we had to create in order to keep from being cooked so close to the earth’s core also prevents the laser guns from firing. Any guns, actually.”

“You trust the Kurjans not to create something new?” Lily asked.

“No,” Caleb said flatly. “But they don’t have time, I think. Plus, each entrance is being fitted with a state-of-the-art detector that instantly freezes the person who tries to bring in a weapon.”

“A metal detector?” Dage asked.

“No. Weapon detector.” Lily turned around to face the king, having read the schematics. “Everything from plastic to metal to silver . . . these things detect it all.” The Realm’s scientists had been working around the clock. “After the peace talks, we’re hoping to leak the designs to the humans to use in their airports.” At least, that was her plan. The queen, a former human, agreed, as well.

Caleb rolled his shoulders, focusing on the king. “You, Janie, and Talen will be here. Two shifters to your left, two prophets to your right, the witches next to them, then two Kurjans, and finally two demons.”

Lily stiffened. “What do you mean, two prophets? Isn’t Guiles coming?”

“Yes. Prophet Guiles will be here,” Caleb said slowly, focusing those odd multicolored eyes on her.

How dare Caleb? He hated being a prophet so much, he wasn’t going to take part in the most important peace talks of their time? Disappointment tasted like ashes. Lily frowned. “I can’t believe you aren’t going to be there.”

“I am going to attend.” Caleb drew in a deep breath, waiting patiently.

Lily gasped. They’d already addressed this. She needed to attend, as well. Just who did he think he was?

Dage grinned. “I’m going to check out the other entrances—from a distance. I promise I won’t step inside.” Taking a deep swig of his drink, he sauntered toward the closest entrance.

A very rare temper tickled the base of Lily’s neck, so she donned her most polite smile. “Prophet Caleb, while I appreciate your desire to keep me safe and away from danger, all three of the prophets are required at the peace talks.”

The grin he flashed warned of an explosion, even so deep into the earth, with rumblings all around them. “Three points here, Prophet Lily. One, you know it pisses me off when you give me that crappy smile. Two, you know it really pisses me off when you call me Prophet. And three, you are not going to be here.”

She reached deep for patience. Even worse, an odd hurt filled her. Though Caleb drove her crazy, he was one of the very few people she’d thought saw the real her. The one with strength and not the fragile lady from centuries ago. “Yes, I am. You’re explosive, Guiles is arrogant, and I’m the peacemaker. What do you think I’ve been doing as a prophet for the last three centuries?”

His broad hands settled on her shoulders, shooting instant heat through her body. “You’ve done an amazing job, especially counseling soldiers in so much pain. There’s no doubt you’re the leading expert in our world on PTSD with your constant schooling as well as personal experience. But this is war.”

“No. This is peace.” That pretty much summed up the differences between them. Caleb looked for the blade, while Lily looked for the sheath. “Why don’t you want me here?” A hurt she wanted to mask slipped out in her tone.

His gaze gentled and he blinked. “I can’t do my job and protect the king if you’re here.”

She frowned. “Why not?”

“Because when you’re in a room, you’re all I see.”

Flutters cascaded down her throat to her heart. The sweetness, the blunt honesty he’d no doubt wanted to hide, shone in his eyes for the briefest of moments. A real vulnerability, and one he had the courage to express.

“Caleb, I—”

“Stop arguing. Lily needs to be here.” Dage finished his stroll around the cavern and ended up back at their lift. “Just like Janie needs to be.” He smacked Caleb on the shoulder hard enough the sound echoed through the room. “Suck it up, and forget personal feelings.”

Caleb frowned and released Lily.

Lily shivered from the sudden coolness. How odd that it was cool. She glanced around the room again. “What if the quantum physics that created this crazy room fail?”

Caleb followed her gaze and shrugged. “We all fry.”