Page 101 of Protected in Darkness
“I expected you to look like you’d been hit by a truck,” Taayin joked.
Obsidian’s attention was drawn to the steel shutters that began to open, first those on the interior, then those on the exterior side of the windows, the night settling heavily around them.
“What’s on your mind?” he asked, not intending to go into the details of his interactions with Penelope.
Taayin took a seat in the chair opposite the desk. “First, I figured we could discuss what happened this morning.”
As he eased into his chair, Obsidian cocked an eyebrow in inquiry.
“Well, from what I can ascertain,” Taayin explained, “something transpired between you and youramsouelot.”
Another eyebrow launch was all he offered.
Taayin sighed, evidently not impressed with Obsidian’s avoidance tactics and hoping for a response. “A sound reverberated through the entire mansion, followed by an intense wave of sexual energy that consumed every one of us.”
Obsidian frowned. “What in hell are you talking about?”
“Asmia calls itgathenya. I call it brutal.” A mischievous grin formed. “The outcome wasn’t, but still. An all-out orgy ignited throughout the mansion, everyone scattering, finding the closest available orifice in an effort to assuage the painful hunger.”
Relaxing into his chair, Obsidian considered what thelieterrawas saying. “And…?”
“And?” Taayin frowned. “What the hell was it? And why did it happen?”
He had no idea, so he offered up nothing.
Taayin’s blue eyes remained locked on his face. “It seems theamnigh’shaving quite the effect on … all of us.”
“How’s that even possible?”
“You got me. Then again, we’ve never been in the presence of a warrior who’s found hisamsouelot. I assume that wasn’t the first time you got your freak on. Something must’ve happened to inspire the event.”
“What time was it?” he asked.
“Oh, I don’t know. This morning. Maybe six thirty. Seven.”
About the time he’d been talking to Penelope. His thoughts drifted to that moment when he’d been buried deep inside her, the taste of her blood on his tongue when she’d scored her thumb. Something had definitely transpired between them then.
Not that he intended to explain himself to the male. “I have no idea. You’ll have to let me know if it happens again.”
“Great.” Taayin huffed. “Just what we don’t need. Some strange sexual energy plaguing the masses.”
“Yeah, well, at least you’ve got options.”
“I’m not sure theheurospare pleased by this phenomenon. It affected them as well.” Taayin laughed. “Wonder how the human fared.”
Considering Oliver’s inappropriate behavior toward his sister, Obsidian hoped it was painful.
“What else is going on?” he asked, hoping to move on to a more appropriate subject.
“I need to have a few minutes of Penelope’s time,” he said simply. “For her palm print and iris scan.”
“She should be down shortly.”
Getting to his feet, Taayin headed for the door, pausing with his hand on the knob. “I know it’s not my business, but would it be possible to keep me in the loop once … once you’ve determined the timing for thelintamair?”
“It’ll be awhile.”
Taayin turned to face him, confusion wrinkling his brow. “Awhile? But I thought that was the goal. To bring theamsouelotshere, to undergo thelintamair. Ensure their safety. Why—”
