“Why?” he asked as she headed for a wall with an array of weapons. Some he recognized like the Beretta pistol and M16 rifle, but there were a few guns that appeared custom made and one incredibly cool sword that made his finger itch to touch.
“I don’t need a reason to kick you out but turns out I have one. You compromised my lair, and nowit’sfound me.”
“What found you?”
She cast him a dark look. “What do you think?”
He quickly glanced at the screen again with the man staring seemingly right at the camera.
“That’s the Kukakk? Hate to break it to you, if he came here by chopper, then he didn’t follow me unless he can beam.”
“They don’t beam, but if they shed their body, they can travel faster than light and inhabit new flesh at a location of their choice.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Shoot it.”
“Won’t that just set it free to take over someone else?”
“Yes, which is why you have to leave.”
“It can possess warriors?”
“I don’t know. Unlikely, given you’re protected by the Astraeus, but just in case, seeing as how you’re not a completely horrible person, I’d hate to shoot you.”
“And what about you? If I leave and you kill it, doesn’t it make you the nearest body?”
“It can’t inhabit my flesh.”
“Why?”
“I don’t have time for this,” she snapped. “Get out.”
“I’m not leaving without you.” Then, rather than bicker some more about it, he chose to act rather than ask permission. Forgiveness could come later when she realized he’d saved her. Maybe she’d even be grateful. Ha. He’d be lucky if she didn’t sock him in the face.
Knowing he’d probably end up with a broken nose or black eye didn’t stop him, though. Aquarius grabbed hold of Ishtar—dragging her against his chest, making her gasp in a way he enjoyed all too much—and called to his star god.
Take me home.
CHAPTER 5
Awareness joltedIshtar when Reece yanked her close, startling because she couldn’t recall the last time that had happened—if ever. Before she could shove away, he called upon his star magic. The disorientation as their bodies were disassembled for transit and the breath-sucking cold proved short-lived. When her feet once more touched solid ground, Ishtar opened her eyes to find herself in a room built of stone blocks. Old and yet still solid due to its quality construction. Ringing the room, large carved arches, which acted as portals to various spots on Earth, and, on the floor, thirteen daises, one for each Zodiac.
Ishtar shoved out of Reece’s grasp. “What do you think you’re doing bringing me to the Tower of Babel?”
His brow arched. “Don’t tell me you know about Tower too?”
“I know more than you could possibly imagine,” she snapped.
“And I can’t wait to hear all about it,” he purred, once more having the strangest effect on her. The shiver must be from the sudden beaming. Nothing else.
“Why bother talking when you don’t listen? I told you I didn’t want to leave.”
“And I made an executive decision for your own safety. You’re welcome.” He had the temerity to smile. Cute, but she remained annoyed.
“I didn’t thank you,” she groused.
“Yet you should, for saving your life. After all, I got us away from the body-snatching Kukakk.”
