Page 13 of Sea of Love

“Devalan said that in each time Kember placed the crystals out of mortal reach,” Troy said. “The bottom of the bay would be an ideal spot. There’s no way any human of this time could dive down that deep.” Summer met his gaze. “Unless they were mermaids.”

Chapter 7

THE NIGHT AIR and her soaked gown chilled Summer as they walked back to the inn. By the time they reached their room her teeth were chattering.

“You’re practically frozen,” Troy said as he helped her out of the cold, clinging wool. “You should have let me dry you before we left the cistern.”

“If Wickerman used Fae magic to create that water trap, then Elettra should be able to sense it. Put the gown in the basin, and I’ll give it to her to check in the morning.” She sighed as Michael wrapped her in a soft, thick blanket. “That feels better.”

“Into bed with you,” Michael said, and once she had huddled on the pile of blankets on the floor he stripped and stretched out beside her. “She is still too cold,” he said to Troy as he rubbed his hand over her trembling shoulder. “We should warm some wine.”

“No, please,” Summer begged. “That stuff tastes like too-sweet paint thinner.” She snuggled against Michael, then looked up at Troy and smiled. “There’s no better cure for hypothermia than body heat.”

“There is that,” he said. Quickly he undressed and joined them, sandwiching her shivering form between him and Michael. “Better?”

Summer’s eyes drooped as the heat radiating from her mates’ bigger bodies brought on a wave of drowsiness. “The best.”

For some time she dozed, basking in the warmth as her men quietly talked about the implications of the water trap and the mosaic. She loved the way they both stroked her with their hands as they spoke, and knew they did it without thinking. When the three of them were naked and together it was impossible not to touch.

It was odd when neither of them noticed the giant gray owl that flew into the room. It folded its wings as it landed on Summer’s ankles, and arched its head as it glared at her with glittering green eyes.

The Fae dreamer cannot help you with the four. Nor can the Templars. The Goddess calls to you and your sentinels, Daughter.

And we answered. We’re making some progress. We may know where RainLance is now.

They know this. They know you, and everything in your head. It pecked at the blanket. They will use your dreams to lure you to them.

I’m not that easy to bait, Summer said. She reached out and stroked her fingertip over the bird’s hooked beak. Don’t be afraid. You and I and Troy and Michael are four, too. Together we will defeat Wickerman.

The entity squawked and flew out of the room, and Summer opened her eyes to see Michael holding her fingers against his lips.

“You were dreaming,” he said and tucked her hand under his, pressing her palm to his heart.

“The Tablet is worried,” she murmured. “It’s also manifesting as a big, grumpy owl.” She rubbed her eyes. “I tried to reassure it, but it’s acting very oddly, almost as if it’s afraid.”

“It has always known itself to be the most powerful being in the world,” he said, and traced a finger over her brow. “It also knows these crystals can easily destroy it. It is natural to feel nervous and fearful the first time you face a superior opponent.”

Summer studied his calm expression. “You haven’t seemed very flustered.”

“Templars are trained to display only piety or courage, especially in the face of the enemy.” He rolled over onto his back and stared at the ceiling. “I have been afraid since you found that bomb in our gear. Terrified, even.”

“I don’t know why,” Troy said, turning to face them. “We’re sleeping in the shadow of an active volcano about to erupt and bury this city under several million tons of ash and rock. We’ve teamed up with three strangers. Two are our enemy, and one has been asleep for ten thousand years, and thinks human urine makes great laundry soap. We have to stop a monster who could be anyone, and his two accomplices, whom we’ve never seen. They have a magic Fae portal that can transport them anywhere at any point in time. Oh, and billions of lives and the very future of our planet hang in the balance.” As Summer started to reply, he held up one finger. “But we have the grumpy owl.”

A low laugh rumbled from Michael’s broad chest. “My fears have vanished.”

“Hey, don’t forget me,” Summer said and took hold of their hands. “You guys always have me, too.”

Troy traded a look with Michael before he shifted a little closer. “Actually, we haven’t had you since that night we spent in the Woodwing stronghold.”

“Well, I’ve been a little busy, and this is the first time we’ve been alone since that night.” She pressed herself against him. “Do I still feel cold to you?”

“Let me check,” Troy said and slid one hand down her back from her nape to her bottom. “Warm.” He caressed her tight curves, and pushed her closer to his swelling shaft. “Warmer.” He lifted her thigh to drape her leg over his lean hip, and parted her folds with his thick erection. “Oh, that’s hot.” He smiled. “But let’s get a second opinion.”

Summer pouted a little when he drew back and turned her toward Michael. But the big man lifted her so that he could nuzzle her breasts.

“You look a bit flushed, Beauty,” he murmured, watching her face as he plied the flat of his tongue over her throbbing nipples. “It could be a fever.”

“It is,” she said.