Page 20 of Taken By Fury
He rubbed his chin. “I am uncertain. Since I have been free, none, but we must ask Greydon when we return.”
“There is a chance a few will be captured, but from what I heard, the ones brought in were ancient, so perhaps the changes only take place in those who are younger.”
“I suppose that is possible.” He planted his elbows on his thighs and stared into the fire. “He’s a god. Zolar can simply use his power to make certain the netting traps whatever it wraps itself around.”
“You would think so, but he doesn’t, and I believe there is something wrong with him.”
He straightened and looked straight at her. “What? Explain.”
“In my time there, Zolar came to me a lot to check on progress. From the first day until before you took me, he has changed. I would go so far as to say he’s aged and seems more frail. When he thought no one was paying attention, he would drop his guard, and I witnessed an old man.”
“How is that possible?”
“I don’t know. Can your gods die?”
He rubbed his chin and seemed to contemplate her words. “Not of old age, but then again, I understand Uuna is weaker than she was before. However, she placed herself in stasis. I can think of no reason Zolar would grow fragile, but I suppose it could be possible.”
He stood and offered his hand. “We should retire so we can get an early start. I need to find what I came for so we can get back and tell Greydon and the others this information.”
She glanced at the tent and swallowed. To go in there with him meant she was vulnerable. “But you never helped me with my magic.” Had that sounded like she was panicking?
“I will still do so, but not tonight. Besides, I cannot take any chances that doing so will drain you. Not out here. Once we finish this mission and are back home, I will help.”
Her mouth was now so dry it felt like she had eaten a pound of sand. There was no way around this, and she was wearing her big girl panties, so she accepted his help and stood. She entered the tent first and selected the sleeping bag to the right. It only took her a minute to remove her boots, which nearly made her moan with pleasure, then climb into her bag. It was going to be a long night, but she was tired and prayed for sleep to come quickly.
CHAPTER9
Zander had no intention of sleeping. Not that he could if he wanted to. The tent was filled with her intoxicating scent, and she smelled like sex in a rain forest. There was no way she could say she wasn’t aroused because she was, and the painful erection in his jeans said he was as well. It didn’t help that at some point, she had rolled herself across the tent and snuggled right into his back. Thank god there was a sleeping bag between them because if he had to feel her breasts pressed up against him, he might actually flip her onto her back and sink into her depths.
While he was busy trying not to have dirty thoughts, she stirred and suddenly pushed herself away. There was a rustle of sleeping bag as she tried to get back to her side of the tent.
“It’s time we got up, anyway.”
“Umm. I don’t know how I… I’m so sorry.”
“You must have gotten chilled.” He was offering her an out because the heat inside this tent––even in these damp conditions––could ignite a forest fire.
“Yes. I got a little cold.” She was out of her bag and the tent before she had even finished her sentence and he had to chuckle.
Tossing his own bag aside, he exited the tent and watched her poke at the fire. “I need a swim.”
She looked up. “Is it safe? It’s barely light.”
“Safe enough. I would suggest that if you also desire a rinsing off, you come with me now.” He started through the brush toward the river. He had intentionally chosen this spot because the water here was calm and would make for good swimming. Further down, it turned much more turbulent.
“What about caimans?” She had followed him. Good.
“The few that are in this pool are very small and won’t bother us.”
“You know this how?”
They had reached the water’s edge, and he pulled off his shirt. “My senses tell me everything that is near us. Besides, they know I am the bigger predator.” Next came his pants, which elicited a gasp from her, but he didn’t turn to look, rather he dove in. The water was a cool balm that caressed its way across hot skin and even softened his erection. That was until he heard a splash and realized she had joined him, which meant she was probably naked.
His cock became rigid as steel.
Son of a bitch.It was his own fault, since he was the one who invited her. “How’s the water?”
“I must say it’s refreshing, but I don’t suppose you can conjure us up some towels?” She dared to swim closer to him. “Also, how do the creatures of this water not think I’m a meal?”
