Moonlight Captivation [Moon Shadows Book 1] (10 page)

"The only thing an expert is, is a drip under pressure,” she said dryly, unimpressed with his expertise. “So you know who I am then?"

"Oh yes, you are the Chosen One. It was unfortunate the way I came across the information concerning who you were.” He produced a sheet of paper with her picture on it.

She wasn't able to read the strange text on the paper, but her photo horrified her. “Cripes, this is worse than my driver's license. Where did you get this, and what does it say?"

"My dear Miss Myles, this is your wanted poster. My staff found it on a dead demon."

"Oh, not so good then.” She swallowed, a renewed wave of fear hitting her. Neman had told her the truth about evil creatures wanting to kill her.

"This comes from the Lower Realm. I knew I needed to get to you before they did. It was a miracle we found you here in Los Angeles, as I only sent word out to my people this morning, along with your picture. I brought you here for your own protection. The prophecy must be fulfilled as it is written. You and your child are very precious.” The words tumbled out in an excited tone, and he gazed at her stomach. He reached out to touch her and Nessa stepped back.

"Watch it, buddy—hands off the merchandise."

"Sorry. Please come this way and let me make you more comfortable. Are you hungry? I have an excellent chef on staff."

Still a little uncertain, Nessa followed him down the long hallway into a large office. Huge shelving lined one wall from top to bottom, with all sorts of artifacts, books, clay tablets, pieces of statues, painted bowls and a host of other items. A huge mural hung on the back wall, depicting a pyramid structure in the desert sand with a large silver moon shining down on it.

"That is a Ziggurat, the Moon Temple of Ur in Summer,” Thomas explained, since she was staring at it so intently.

"Neman's temple?"

"Neman? Nanna was the Moon God of Ur."

"Yeah, I know, but he calls himself Neman now,” she told him. “Never mind,” she muttered, feeling tired.

"By your accent, I'm guessing you are Australian. This is something I didn't expect.” He offered her a seat.

"Yeah, well, just because we can't find three wise men and a virgin doesn't mean nothing special comes out of my country."

Instead of a laugh, Thomas looked perplexed. “Allow me to explain a few things and clear up all this confusion. I come from a long line of prophets and priests going right back to the time of ancient Sumeria. The first one being Armod, the great prophet and priest. He served in the temples of the Moon and Sun Gods. It has been our duty to protect each prophecy our ancestors wrote down. It has been a long and heavy burden on my family. The Prophecy of the Prince was the last one uttered before Armod's death and the last one to be fulfilled. And now, here you are, the Chosen One. Can you tell me how he came to you? Did you see him? I hear most gods come to people in their dreams,” he said with great reverence.

"Uh, no, it wasn't a dream.” There was no way she was giving details of her sex life to this man. “Have you been eating too many nuts off the crazy tree? Okay, so you're a priest and you want to see your ancestor's legacy through, that I can understand. But what I don't get is why you kidnapped me away from your revered Moon God's own protection?"

"The great god, Nanna? He, himself, protects you?"

"I didn't get pregnant by sitting on a toilet seat, and he's going to be one pissed-off god. Your Nanna is Neman, like I tried to tell you before. He's got a place right here in Los Angeles."

The man went pale and sat down behind his desk. “Oh, I didn't know. Why would he walk among us? A god?” He looked confused. “If this is true, then I have violated the sacred trust of him who I worship. I must return you right away!"

As he got up to reach for a phone, Nessa stood and walked to the distressed man, patting him on the shoulder. “It'll be all right—it's just a little misunderstanding. As soon as Neman knows you had my best interests at heart, I'm sure he won't cut yours out. I'm guessing there's a lot you don't know about Neman, or Nanna. Things have changed a lot in several thousand years. You weren't supposed to know your god changed his name.” Sure, he was missing several fruit loops out of his bowl, but he seemed harmless enough.

The doors to the office burst open and Neman stood there, with a deadly looking, curved sword in his hand and a dark, dangerous scowl on his face. Nessa drew a sharp intake of breath. He looked just like an ancient warrior. Even with black jeans hugging his perfect ass, Neman was a perfect male specimen. His gaze swept over her and then Thomas, who looked shocked by his sudden appearance.

"Wow, you sure know how to make an entrance,” said Nessa.

In a flash, he had Thomas pinned to the wall with the sword at his throat. “Anyone who takes what is mine will pay,” he growled at the poor professor.

Thomas’ eyes bulged. He was clearly frightened by Neman's sheer power and strength.

"Hey, macho man, put him down right now. He didn't mean any harm.” Nessa grabbed at his arm.

Neman dropped the man at his knees and stepped back.

"It's you, the great god Nanna. I beg your forgiveness. I didn't know. I only wanted to protect the Chosen One as it's my duty."

Neman's dark scowl turned into one of surprise. His gaze scanned around the room and he glanced up at the mural of his Ziggurat, then back to Thomas. “You're a temple priest?"

"From the line of Armod, oh great god Nanna."

"I am Neman. No one calls me Nanna anymore.” Neman gazed over at Vanessa. Her smile was one of amusement and she shrugged her shoulders.

"Don't ask me—maybe you two should have a little chat, catch up on ancient history or something. As you can see, I'm fine. What I need is to use the bathroom—this little blighter is playing havoc with my plumbing.” She rubbed her stomach. “Which way?"

Thomas waved a shaky finger in the direction of a door and Nessa skipped off, stopping to plant a kiss on Neman's shocked face before leaving the room.

[Back to Table of Contents]

The demon guards shoved them both to their knees as Jezebel stepped down from her platform.

"I do believe you've been keeping information from me, Slazzamar.” She glided around them. “And what is this, keeping company with mortals now? He'll make a nice meal for my loyal guards,” she said, sparing Darren a glance.

"My Queen, no secrets do I keep from you—what worth is my information if incomplete?” Slazzamar kept his head held high, watching the demon queen closely. “As for the mortal, you know me, I will fuck any lowlife."

"Take the mortal away,” ordered Jezebel.

Slazzamar jumped to his feet, towering over her. The guards gripped his arms and he struggled. “If you harm him, you'll be throwing away a great opportunity."

"Oh? Why do you believe this?"

Slazzamar had one trump card to play to keep Darren alive. “You think I've betrayed you, but you're wrong. This mortal is the Chosen One's dearest friend. If you kill him, you'd be destroying a valuable bargaining chip."

"Slazz, don't you dare,” Darren hissed, an expression of betrayal etched across his handsome features.

Jezebel turned with new interest to look at Darren.

"I can use him to draw her out—there is no doubt she would do anything for her friend,” Slazzamar added.

"You know the Chosen One, mortal?” Jezebel questioned, talking directly to Darren.

Darren glared at Slazzamar. “Unlike some people, I won't betray my friends and those I love,” he snapped, angrily.

The queen ignored him, looking back at Slazzamar. “And you know where she is?"

"I knew where she was, until some of Belshazzar's idiot soldiers turned up and failed to do their job. That's when I found him. My methods may seem unhurried, but I always accomplish my goal. The way to kill someone like the Chosen One is quietly and quickly without barging in and blundering about."

"So aptly named, Slazzamar the Sneak.” Jezebel waved her hand and the guards released him.

"You used me,” he heard Darren say under his breath.

Slazzamar steeled himself, turning his cold eyes on Darren. “I told you I was a demon, Darren."

"Well, this is delightful. It seems I underestimated you again, Slazzamar."

"My Queen, I live to please you,” he purred, hiding the hate for her churning in his gut. “The plan, my Queen, is to draw the Chosen One out so she is vulnerable and unguarded, which was working well until your guards burst in on us. How can I use him now that he knows of my plan? At least he was an enjoyable fuck."

"You fucking bastard!” snarled Darren, trying to launch himself at Slazzamar. The guards held him back easily, while Jezebel laughed.

"You are underhanded and evil, perhaps you should be in my employ, full-time."

"My Queen, as tempting as the offer is, I'm too expensive to keep.” Slazzamar needed to think fast. “If you permit me, perhaps I can still salvage my mission. The mortal still may be of use. A word in private, if I may?"

Jezebel smiled evilly, crooking her long finger for him to follow. “Don't harm the human, too much,” she added to her guards, while Slazzamar followed, fighting not to flinch when he heard Darren's flesh being struck and his resultant grunts of pain.

Slazzamar's brain raced to come up with a believable ploy to get Darren out of this place as quickly as possible. Once alone in Jezebel's chambers, Slazzamar ran his fingers along her arm, keeping up the pretense of still wanting her. She fluttered her eyes at him seductively. Slazzamar felt nothing for her. Once he lusted after her perfectly formed body, but now, she revolted him. “Sometimes, my Queen, being a half-breed has its advantages. I have the power to blindside the human. You will have the Chosen One within the next turn of the moon."

"This would fit in well with my plans. I need not bother with that fool, Belshazzar, but what of Neman? How do you plan to deal with him?"

"The problem with Neman is that he never goes out of his depth when dealing with any of our kind. Once you have the Chosen One, he will blindly stumble into any nest of vipers to save her."

She paced about the chamber, seemingly deep in thought. “I do like the way you think, Slazzamar. Go do this—bring the woman to me and the rest will fall in place like a pack of cards."

Deck of cards, you idiot

"I shall finish what I started and kill the upstart god."

He turned to leave, but Jezebel halted his progress. “If you fail to deliver, Slazzamar, no Realm will be safe for you or anyone you've ever known. I will personally peel the skin from your flesh."

Slazzamar knew Jezebel always followed through on her threats. There was no turning back now. He gave her a self-assured smile.

Darren was face-down on the stone floor. Keeping his pace casual while striding back into the chamber, Slazzamar hauled Darren to his feet. There was blood on his neck and his face was bruised. Still, he struggled in Slazzamar's grasp.

"Get away from me, you traitor!"

Slazzamar used his elfin powers to delve into Darren's mind and force him into a deep sleep.

Darren slumped in his arms while he carried him out of range of Jezebel's throne chamber to a place he could teleport from. He gave the queen a salute, charged his power and
popped
out.

There was no way Neman would take Vanessa back to Los Angeles. He would have Mark bring her belongings to the Zigg when he arrived.

It was an interesting conversation with Thomas Armod once the man got over his initial fear of being in the presence of an actual god. He begged Neman's forgiveness for taking Vanessa. Neman understood and was amazed at the survival of such a legacy. Neman remembered the old temple priest, but was too caught up in his own affairs to notice he was a prophet of both Realms, or he would have certainly paid more attention to the man when he was alive.

Thomas wanted to help and had a small army of men trained to fight demons at his disposal. Most of Neman's agents were spread out around the globe, and a handful were trained to fight non-human creatures. He could probably do with some extra protection for Vanessa. The man would also be a good addition to the Moon Shadow Agency. He would have Mark contact him soon to talk business.

Vanessa was breathtaking in a blue dress, clinging to her curves and highlighting her pale blue eyes. Her slightly tousled brown hair fell down around her back and over her shoulders. Their gazes met, a smile played upon her naturally pink lips, and Neman's cock hardened, painfully. It was time to leave.

"All playing nice, now?” She came back into the room, and both men rose from their seats.

"Come,” Neman ordered, a little more harshly than he intended. He opened his arms to her. She had been out of them for too long.

"Gee, anyone would think I was a pet with the way he orders me about—come, stay, sit, roll over."

Despite her long-winded protests, she went into his arms, her warmth seeping into him as she pressed her body against his side. Anchoring his arm tightly around her waist, Neman summoned his power and in the next instant, they were in the corridor of his Ziggurat.

"Wow, what is this place? I thought you were taking me back to your place in Los Angeles,” she said, still unfazed by being teleported.

"It's not safe for you there any longer. This is my home. I don't live in Los Angeles—it's just one of the few places I use when hunting in the country."

"One of the few. How many places have you got?"

"A half-dozen or so scattered across different countries."

"You have some kind of network set up around the globe?"

"You could say that.” Neman didn't want to talk about his hunting activities, or his agency. What he wanted was Vanessa naked under him. Taking her hand, he tugged her along the illuminated corridors.

"So where is this? Looks like some kind of mausoleum.” She trotted along by his side.

"This is what remains of my Ziggurat."

"You mean like the picture on Armod's wall?"

He let her go as she spun around.

"But why does it feel damp and dark?"

"We are three hundred feet below ground in the Sumerian Dessert."