Page 5 of Sea of Love

Shelton unfolded himself and set her away, and only then did Elettra realize that the tremor ended. They stared at each other for a long moment until Bowers cleared his throat. Shelton muttered something under his breath and moved away from her.

“There will be more earthquakes,” Michael warned, “and they will happen more frequently. These buildings were not made to endure them. We should move outside when they grow stronger.”

“How do you mean to conceal the spear once we have it?” Bowers asked. “I’ve no inclination to be locked up for thievery when the mountain blows.”

“We’ll need to take only the spear tip,” Troy said. “I’ll hide it in this.” He took a net bag filled with walnuts from one of his satchels. “Once we’re out of the temple, Summer will transport all of us to China for the next treasure.”

Elettra’s belly knotted inside her. “Troy, you cannot hold RainLance.”

“I agree,” Bowers said. “As soldiers no one will stop us. Let me or Shelton carry it.”

“None of you should even touch it,” she said as she looked around at them. How could they know so much and so little, all at once? “Did Devalan not explain this to you?”

“He and Caron told us that the crystals are very powerful weapons,” Summer said. “But what harm is there for Troy if he touches it?”

“Your warlock has power over water, like RainLance,” Elettra said, and rose to her feet. “It will know him to be the same.” At Summer’s blank look she made a frustrated gesture. “The crystal will latch onto his mind, and eat it until it is gone. As the four tried to do with Kember.” She saw the disbelief on Shelton’s face and added, “Or so the clan leader told Artephius. I was listening.”

Troy looked up at her and smiled. “Bowers can carry the crystal.”

“No, I will carry it,” Elettra quickly said. “It will know me as…a witch who has few powers,” she finally said, furious with herself for nearly revealing her true nature.

“We have no powers, and no minds for magic,” Shelton said, growling the words. “Bowers or I will carry it.” He must have noticed Elettra glaring at him. “Do you want it to eat your brain, little witch?”

“Little?”

Oh, if only she could reveal her true form, and pound him into the floor planks.

“Thank you for your offer, Mr. Shelton,” Summer said, “but I think we should focus on finding the spear first. We should also change our clothing before we go to the temple. Clean garments are a sign of respect. Elettra, you and I will have this room, and the men will take the other two.” To her mates she said, “We’ll meet you downstairs.”

Elettra didn’t understand why these modern immortals went to such lengths to hide their bodies from each other, but she held her tongue. Once the men left she dropped her mortal guise and used thought-spell to strip and cleanse herself. Catching Summer’s wide-eyed gaze made her chuckle.

“I shock you again. Forgive me, I never bothered with garments in my dreams.” She cupped her breasts. “Am I too large here, or strangely shaped, do you think? Men keep staring at them.”

“That’s not why they’re staring, and no, you’re magnificent,” Summer said, her smile twisting on one side. “I just wish you could teach me that instant undressing and washing trick.”

“You would have to be Fae to think-spell,” Elettra admitted, and changed back into her mortal guise. “I am sorry that I nearly let the feline out of the sack. Captain Banning said I should be on my sentry.”

The emerald witch looked puzzled for a moment before she grinned.

“You mean let the cat out of the bag, and to be on your guard.”

“Exactly so,” Elettra said and thought-spelled herself into her gown. “Why do the Templars have no power? They are immortal like us.”

“They’re made immortal, while we’re born to be,” Summer said as she brought a linen palla to Elettra. “This should be cooler than that woolen veil.” She covered Elettra’s hair with it, and tucked a stray tendril beneath a fold. “You like Shelton very much, don’t you?”

“Not very much. A little. He has fine eyes.” Elettra shook out her skirt. “It matters not. He does not like me.”

Summer pursed her lips. “He shielded you with his own body during the earthquake, and also earlier, when we found the bomb. I’d say he likes you more than a little. Just be careful, Elettra. Shelton is a man of the world, while you…well, you’ve been locked away from it for a long time.”

The emerald witch sounded like a nicer version of Elettra’s mother.

“I am not so young as you think, Summer. I was a woman grown when I went to the king. I know what men desire.” She ducked her head. “It is only that I have never mated. No GemSage male wanted a simpleton like me. So I know little of courtship, and even less of these warrior-priests. They are truly celibate always?”

“Not always. Michael was born Wiccan, but stolen from his family as an infant and then raised by the Templars. When I met him, he was a lot like Shelton. All he had was his duty, but he yearned for more.”

Her eyes went soft.

“He yearned for you,” Elettra guessed.