Mystic Flame (Beyond Ontariese 4) (21 page)

“I’ve done nothing wrong.” His chin came up
and he slowly met her gaze.

She paused again, allowing the tension to
build. “You killed three people tonight, Kellan. One of them had
only seen nine solar cycles. The body count will likely increase
before it’s finalized and Malos has the perfect alibi. If you don’t
cooperate, you will pay for this with your life.”

Kellan looked at the other two Mystics. Did
he honestly think either Evan or Tal would help him? Then the boy’s
demeanor changed. It was like watching a snowman melt in the sun,
all the defiance flowed out of him and his entire body seemed to
droop.

“My master promised no harm would come to
me.”

“He lied.” Mistress Alexia pushed off the
chair and towered over him. “All he has to do is keep his mouth
shut and your life ends.”

“I want to speak with him. Even our private
link is being jammed.”

A cunning smile quirked the corner of her
lips, but Kellan was too distracted to notice it. “If you have a
private link to Malos, then Malos himself is blocking you, not
us.”

His dark gaze snapped back to his
interrogator. “He wouldn’t abandon me like that.” He shook his head
hard enough to make his curls bounce. “He wouldn’t.”

“He already has. Help us solidify our case
against him and we will show you mercy. Give us specific names and
dates. Tell us about Malos and his connection to the Rodytes. This
is your only hope, Kellan. And the offer will soon expire.”

Tears welled behind his long lashes, but he
managed to blink them back. “What do you want to know?”

“How does Malos contact the Rodytes?”

“He sends coded messages to his mother and
she passes on the pertinent information to her ex-lover.” His voice
turned flat and defeated as he recited the facts.

“What is the ex-lover’s name?”

“Pakraut.” Kellan hung his head, likely to
hide the tears trailing down his cheeks. “He’s a retired commander
though he’s still influential.”

Tal motioned them out of the antechamber. It
was obvious Kellan would tell them everything they needed to
know.

“Do we need to rerecord our testimonies?”
Evan asked as they stepped out onto the covered gallery. Dawn’s
first glow had just touched the horizon, casting a deep purple haze
over the area. He stood at Dro Tar’s side and Tal turned to face
them.

“How did you know they’d been deleted?” Tal
asked.

“There was no other reason to murder
us.”

Tal nodded in agreement. “Malos is not quite
as smart as he thinks he is. I had redundant backups of the files,
and his minions only found the first two.”

“The real question is why did Malos trust
his future to a teenager? They are notoriously unreliable,” Dro Tar
added.

“Mystic arrogance.” Tal flashed a warm
smile, seeming far less the imperious head master and more like
Trey’s brother. “A phenomenon you’re familiar with if I’m not
mistaken. Malos knew he could withstand our interrogation and he
thought Kellan was beyond our reach.”

“He was,” Evan said. “If Dro Tar hadn’t been
with me, I wouldn’t have been able to touch the boy.”

Tal looked at Dro Tar again, his smoky gaze
motionless. “Most of the time our abilities are a gift, but certain
circumstances make them a hindrance. You two make a good team.”

Dro Tar laughed. “Have you been conspiring
with your brother? He said the very same thing.”

Tal made no further comment on the subject.
He turned to Evan and asked, “Will you be returning to the
Conservatory?”

“I’m not sure. Dro Tar and I haven’t had
much time to discuss our future plans.”

“Well, you are always welcome here, if that
is your wish. Personally, I think you will be more content if you
allow life to take you in a different direction.” Without further
comment, he walked off along the gallery.

Evan turned her to face him, his gaze warm
and searching. “I’ve already broken the rules by bringing you
here.”

“Twice.”

He laughed. “The first time was the head
master’s idea. Regardless, we can’t stay here if we want to stay
together.”

“And do we want to stay together?”

“Absolutely. I am never going to be without
you again.”

His expression was painfully serious, but
she refused to let anything steal the buoyancy from her mood. “Damn
glad to hear it, sir.”

He frowned. “I told you not to call me that
unless you mean it.”

“Fine,
Master
. I think we’ve had
quite enough excitement for tonight. Don’t you agree?”

“I do.” He grinned, assuring her he
understood the significance of the phrase.

Her heart leapt within her breast and heat
pooled between her thighs. She wasn’t sure what the future looked
like, but at least they’d face it together. She raised her arms and
circled his neck, pressing close against his body. “Let’s go back
to my studio. I’m ready to show you why sixty-nine is my favorite
number.”

Dro Tar and Evan stood at the high, arched
window gazing out at the moonlit night. A lavish bedchamber
surrounded them, hinting at passion and intrigue. The simulation
was flawless. Knowing it was a holographic projection didn’t
prevent Dro Tar from being swept away by the setting. Misty clouds
drifted across the moon and she snuggled back against his
chest.

“We were so close,” she said quietly. “I
can’t believe this will all go to waste.”

“You’ll find another programmer. I predict
your fantasy emporium will be hugely successful.”

“Why, thank you, kind sir.” Glancing over
her shoulder, she found his gaze bright with speculation. “What are
you thinking about?”

“The sign out front. If you’re going to
offer a variety of adventures, you might want to reconsider the
name.”

“You don’t like Vampire Adventures?”

“Misadventures, is more like it.” He leaned
down and gave her neck a playful nip. “And you’ll be offering more
than just vampires.”

“Misadventures.” She chuckled. “You’re
right, it suits me better. Misadventures it is.” After pausing for
a thoughtful moment, she said, “I’m still short one
programmer.”

“We’ll get you a new programmer. The
brothers dar Aune have promised to pull some strings if that’s what
it takes.”

“Pull some strings?” She turned in his arms
and smiled up at him. “Listen to you. I didn’t think Mystics ever
got the starch out of their shorts.”

He returned her smile, his gaze warm and
caressing. “I can be quite adaptable.”

His formal response made her laugh. “Of
course you can.”

They’d been inseparable for the past three
weeks, reveling in each shared moment, each new discovery. Their
link allowed them to exchange thoughts and emotions each time their
bodies joined. Dro Tar now had no doubt that she would spend the
rest of her life at Evan’s side. He was her life mate, the other
half of her soul. She trusted him with her life and her pleasure,
and finally her heart. And he trusted her.

Despite her newfound happiness, Dro Tar knew
she wouldn’t be completely satisfied until all the loose ends were
neatly tied, so she chose one task to accomplish each day.

Malos finally buckled when he realized his
apprentice had failed him utterly. The tribunal had concluded two
days before. Malos was sentenced to die and Kellan would be
subjected to mental and physical reconditioning. Dro Tar wasn’t
sure which was worse.

“Gine’s aunt was approved as his caregiver
this afternoon,” she told Evan. “We’re officially off the
hook.”

“I wasn’t opposed to taking care of
him.”

“I said
we
are off the hook.” She
wrapped her arms around his neck and stepped closer. “I want
children—eventually—but I’d like to ease into it. Teenagers are
more of a challenge than I’d care to take on right now.” He nuzzled
her neck and she pushed her fingers into the soft thickness of his
hair. “Have you decided whether or not to accept Trey’s offer? He
won’t wait forever, you know.”

“What Trey wants is both of us, but he’ll
settle for me. He’s made that abundantly clear,” he whispered
against her neck, sending tingles racing down her spine.

She laughed and eased back so she could see
his face. “You make it sound kinky.”

“You know what I mean.” He ignored her
naughty humor, obviously determined to have a serious conversation.
“Why won’t you even consider it? You’re a damn good operative.”

“I’m not saying I’ll never accept another
mission, I’m just ready for my everyday life to be less stressful.
I want to focus on Misadventures for a while, try to build
something that’s unique and fun.”

“And I’m ready for a little less…meditation
and serenity.”

“Then that’s what you should tell Trey.”

He nodded, his expression still too serious
for her liking. “I’ll join one of the director’s teams, but if any
mission requires a couple, or even a female operative, I will only
work with you.”

“Sounds like the perfect compromise.” She
pressed a gentle kiss against Evan’s lips before she asked, “Has
anyone heard from Drakkin?”

“Not yet. The director of the Symposium
isn’t used to checking in with others. Besides only a select few
know the nature of his search.”

“I hope he finds her.” The woman’s image
flickered through Dro Tar’s mind, elegant features and shimmering
lavender eyes. “I’d love to meet Vee’s daughter. She must be
extraordinary.”

“We can only imagine, unless Lord Drakkin
succeeds.” Cupping her cheek with his palm, he brushed her forehead
with his lips. “What’s left on your to-do list for today?”

“Just one thing.” She watched his expression
closely as she whispered, “Announcing to the universe that my life
mate is Evan cet Roumi.”

Warmth and tenderness ignited in his gaze
and his lips parted in a breath-stealing smile. “The bond is
already formed and we need a witness if we’re going to make it
official.”

“True.” She looked at the inviting bed,
anticipation making her heart pound. “I guess the announcement can
wait until morning. I have other plans for tonight.”

Cyndi
Friberg

Beyond Ontariese, Book
Five:
Lord Drakkin promises his dying
friend that he will protect and train Aria. He will unleash her
latent abilities and help her reach her Mystic potential. But first
he must find her.

Drakkin tracks Aria to Earth, but quickly
realizes it’s too dangerous to leave her there. He is shocked by
her resistance and the passion she ignites in him. He is honor
bound to keep his vow, with or without her cooperation.

After years of abuse and isolation, Aria has
found a life of her own. Then Drakkin sweeps in and kidnaps her,
claiming his bizarre behavior is for her own good. Despite the
attraction smoldering between them, she wants nothing to do with
the arrogant Bilarrian. No one will ever control her again, not
even the charismatic stranger who sends her senses reeling every
time they touch.

From Cyndi:
Drakkin and Aria’s story was originally the
second half of
Crossfire
. But numerous emails
requested that I separate and expand the story into its own book.
I’ve always been fascinated by Drakkin, so it didn’t take much to
convince me to delve deeper into his character. I more than doubled
the length of the original story and I hope everyone will be
satisfied with the result. Though
Fire
Pearl
is primarily a scifi romance, it
also has some fun paranormal and mystery elements. So, here is the
new and improved
Fire Pearl.
Enjoy!

Read on for a taste of

Cyndi
Friberg’s
Rebel Angel
series

Rage and Redemption

When the couple gets together, wow. I am
looking forward to seeing what Cyndi Friberg comes up with for her
next story; she is definitely an author to watch.
—
Angel
, Romance Junkies 5 stars!

Proud and rebellious, Gideon is banished from
the Light. His own words define his punishment, transforming
bloodlust into literal hunger. Living by his sword, he wanders the
land of mortals, embittered and alone.

Naomi works in secret, illuminating
manuscripts for the Knights of St. John. Gideon is drawn to her
beauty and fascinated by her innocence. She stirs the shattered
remnants of his nobility, intensifying the conflict already raging
within him.

Gideon is unlike anyone Naomi has ever
encountered before. His passionate kisses and intoxicating caresses
leave her restless and wanting. Still, she senses the bleak
loneliness he tries so hard to deny. Responding to his seduction
with tenderness, she is determined to help him rediscover the
beauty in life.

The battle lines are drawn. Gideon must seek
redemption or Fall. Naomi must lead her
Rebel Angel
back
into the light before the forces of darkness destroy them both.

Note to Reader:
This book contains
detailed descriptions of sizzling passion only suitable for mature
readers.

From Cyndi:
The concept of angels and
demons has always fascinated me. I couldn’t help wondering how the
angels felt when they were ordered to throw one third of their
ranks out of Heaven. Obviously they obeyed, but how did it make
them
feel?
I’ve been a fan of Historical romance for years,
so I chose the Crusades as a backdrop for this exploration. I
originally set out to capture the emotional struggles of an angel
left behind by the rebellion. But, as usual, my muse decided to
twist my concept. I don’t want to say too much, but suddenly my
angel had fangs and I was powerless to stop the influx of
paranormal elements. I hope you’ll find the resulting love story as
entertaining as I did. I learned long ago not to argue with my
muse. Enjoy!