The Necklace Read online

Again, Keanan tried to reason. You will be sorely mad with yourself if you tarry longer. We have work to do, breha.

  A loud boom echoed in his ears. Black dots swirled in his vision. Pain, nausea, and a headache the likes he had never known leveled him. Collapsing into a convulsive fit, chills raced through his body.

  “Oh my God! Mr. Kamis. Are you alright?”

  Keanan felt his body being turned. Suddenly, he peered into the swirling face of Dr. Nash.

  The elderly land dweller looked worried, his face blanched white. Felix Coulter appeared in the haze behind him, also looking concerned.

  Keanan’s last thought before passing out was that he didn’t want to die with that face on his mind.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Marissa was in heaven and hell at the same time, her body continuing to wrench from ceaseless orgasms.

  Every time the tumultuous assault ended she ached to start the process all over.

  Being with Tylan was like being caught in a tornado. If you stopped spinning you’d be dizzy, but if you kept going the strength was too much to bear.

  She didn’t want to stop, but she doubted if her body could continue any longer.

  Marissa figured it would only be a matter of time before she turned to fleshy mush.

  Tossing her head from side to side, she screamed, begging, “Harder. Faster.”

  Tylan growled, low and deep, the sound vibrating against her chest. Marissa knew—deep, deep, deep inside—this man belonged to her. He would fight for her, kill for her, die for her if need be. It was like a voice chanted the mantra inside her head over and over.

  His cock repeatedly plunging inside her pussy, instincts foreign to her mind reared.

  Grabbing his hair, Marissa forced Tylan’s mouth close to her lips.

  “N`e se’an, bracc shyre. Ya duil ith bann. Kea’san ma leek. Yon tuil ith brann, e vi zon.” From the depths of her soul, words she had never uttered before came with ease.

  Tylan’s eyes glowed in the darkness, as a curious humming sounded in her ears. The monitors and gadgets inside the room shutdown without warning, the only light present was from the tanks casting an eerie shade of blue.

  No one will tear me from you. My heart shall dwell in your soul. I belong to you. No other shall break us. My days and nights are yours, forever and ever.

  As the words echoed in her mind, her pussy saturated with heat, moisture. Incredibly, the length and size of Tylan’s cock grew, pulsating to the depths of her core.

  Marissa could feel him, deep and long; but there was no pain, only extreme, undeniable pleasure. She would swear her skin glowed as another incredible rush of power flowed into her body.

  “Open for me, my love. Receive what I am giving you.”

  Flames singed across her skin, the feeling so intense, she screamed, trying to move out of his grasp. Positioned as she was against the hard panels of the door, moving was next to impossible.

  Power, pain, desire, everything rushed through her so fast, she couldn’t decipher one from the other.

  Blessedly, Marissa fainted into the darkness.

  * * * *

  Tylan watched Marissa’s head droop as he cradled her limp body. His nostrils flared, as he inhaled her scent, their scent.

  Feelings moving him so deeply, tears threatened and burned the back of his eyes.

  “Thank the Gods.”

  He hadn’t thought his life was incomplete, but holding his mate in his arms brought clarity to the dimness of his life.

  The Elders always said finding a pair bond could make one feel this way, but he’d scoffed, more willing to rely on himself than the presence of another.

  Now, though, he knew how foolish he’d been.

  Marissa meant more to him than anything or anyone.

  Caressing his fingers through her hair, he marveled at the softness.

  She’s mine, Tylan thought, smiling.

  The core of his power regenerated, revitalizing his being, and dazedly, his eyes traveled to the mess they had made. Clothes were strewn around the room. Keyboards and books had been knocked aside. The place looked like a disaster area.

  Shaking his head in mirth, Tylan headed for the main control panel, still embracing Marissa in his arms.

  The whirring from the machines had brought light to the aquarium, but the rush of electricity from their bodies had shut them off. He didn’t have a clue how to turn the power back on.

  Searching Marissa’s mind, sifting through her thoughts, he tried pressing all the buttons like she had, but nothing happened. After several more seconds without success, Tylan frowned, unsure what to do next.

  He could leave, but his presence had already caused enough commotion. Too many strange episodes might raise suspicions.

  The finding of the delaphin had already set most of the institute on edge. Besides, Arvlin and his brother would probably be looking—

  Keanan

  In his mind’s eye, Tylan could see his brother’s face twisted with agony. Yet, something about the vision didn’t seem right. Keanan was way too hotheaded to lie back and take pain. His brother was the type to fight until his last breath.

  Reaching back through his memories, Tylan frowned as more visions came to him mind.

  Couldn’t you sense a mating when you saw one, fool?

  There was no answer, his brother either unwilling or unable to respond.

  Shaking his head, Tylan contacted Arvlin. Where is Keanan?

  He is inside the building, my Lord.

  Keep watch over him.

  As you will, Sire.

  Glancing down at Marissa, his arms tight around her, Tylan watched her moan softly, bumping her head against his shoulder as sleep turned to waking.

  Blinking several times, her beautiful sky blue eyes out of focus, she murmured, “What are you?”

  “What do you think I am?”

  “I’m not sure. I’m not sure I even want to know,” she sighed, “This is too strange. Could you please let me down? I want to get dressed.”

  Flicking his eyes toward the chaos they’d left on the floor, he arched an eyebrow.

  Marissa stared at him a moment longer, before following his gaze. “What happened to my clothes?”

  Tylan resisted the urge to laugh at her cross expression. “I was a little hasty in my desires.”

  “A little h-hasty?” she sputtered. “What am I supposed to wear? I can’t leave the here naked.”

  Her smooth, oval face creased with lines of worry, making his fingers itch to wipe the look away. “Don’t fret. I will get you something to wear.”

  Mentally, he sent a quick call to Arvlin. My lady is in need of clothing.

  Consider it done, my Lord.

  Tylan nodded slightly, impressed with the young captain’s diligence.

  “Were you just talking to someone?” Marissa asked hesitantly.

  “Yes.”

  “But, he wasn’t in the room?”

  “No.”

  Marissa gulped, and again Tylan resisted the urge to laugh. “Have you always been able to do that?”

  “Yes.”

  “Oh God. W-would you please let me down now.”

  Tylan complied with her request, dropping an arm, allowing her feet to fall.

  Stepping away quickly, Marissa grabbed one of the pieces of shredded clothing off the floor, using it like a misshapen shield to cover her breasts, another going to guard the jewel between her thighs.

  Lust surged through Tylan, his cock palpitating. Looking down at his body, he noticed for the first time he was also in a state of dishabille.

  His button down, black silk shirt hung wide, parted across his chest. The contrast between his skin tone and the bold color of the shirt made it look like he had an open road leading directly to his enlarged penis. He didn’t even remember what had happened to his pants and shoes.

  “Pl-please put some clothes on. It’s hard to think with you … dressed like that.”

  His grin broadened. “You’re luck
y we cannot tarry here any longer. If we had more time I could take every single thought from your mind.” A mental image of the slick, buttoned down Felix Coulter searching through the aquarium appeared behind his eyes. “As it is, your boss and his associates are looking for this room, and I have to go an revive my brother. I’ve stalled them. But once Arvlin arrives with your clothes, we can leave.”

  Marissa blinked, wiping a shaking hand through her hair, twirling a lock of it around her finger. “How have you stalled them?”

  “We don’t have the time for questions now, Marissa. Arvlin will be here any moment.”

  “So, why don’t you stall him, too? I want to know what’s going on.”

  Tylan snorted, walking toward her.

  Her jaw clutched tight, he could hear the snapping of teeth, as a multitude of questions flooded her mind.

  The main one being, how she could resist him if he tried some more shenanigans?

  Guarding his own cognitions, he threw a mental shield in place, though the gesture was one of long-born habit, rather than necessity.

  Marissa wouldn’t know how to control her powers, much less understand them. She might catch glimpses of his thoughts through their pair bond, but without any training she had a better chance reading Ancient Greek.

  Running his gaze from the top of her stunning blonde hair to the tips of her unpainted toenails, he narrowed his eyes, his gyree firmly in place.

  Sighing, he took a slower step closer to her trembling body, frowning when she jumped back.

  “I told you, sena. Now is not the time.”

  Laughing aloud at her astounded expression, Tylan stilled her coming tirade by placing the tip of his finger on her lips. He ached to run his tongue along the flesh, but settled for a light kiss instead.

  Donning his pants, he’d nearly finished re-buttoning his shirt, when a familiar presence reached toward his mind. Within seconds firm knocks sounded on the door to the control room.

  Marissa yelped, running toward a darken corner.

  Shaking his head at her antics, he moved to open the door.

  “Wait, it could be Felix.”

  “It’s Arvlin, leethil,” he replied, looking over his shoulder. “He has your clothes.”

  “Who’s Arv-lin?”

  “My … assistant,” he responded hesitantly, not willing to give her the total truth just yet.

  Nodding, Marissa shrank further into the corner.

  Tylan wanted to smile but controlled the urge. He knew she was embarrassed. He wanted to tell her there was no need for shame.

  Opening the door wide, he ushered Arvlin inside with a regal wave of his arm.

  “Hey, what are you doing? I don’t have any clothes on here.”

  “Relax, ca’hill. Our society is not so inhibited as yours. Believe me, he has seen plenty of naked woman in his lifetime.”

  He rolled his eyes in Arvlin’s direction, glowering at the young warrior’s lustful gaze. Anger and jealously seared through him, and he snapped. I did not summon you to stare at my woman. Where are the clothes?

  The young captain didn’t respond, mentally or verbally. Instead he jumped to attention, removing his eyes from Marissa, while handing him a large white plastic sack bearing the Hearder Institute logo.

  Tylan took the bag quickly, a little perplexed by his covetous emotions.

  His task complete, the tall, black-haired warrior exited through the door as quickly as he had come.

  Tylan frowned at Arvlin’s retreating figure, trying to still the raging emotions inside him.

  He was not a jealous person. Eritreans were not jealous people.

  So, why had he felt the urge to kill the younger man on the spot?

  Looking at Marissa as she stood, plastered to the corner, bent over trying to conceal her lower half with a torn shirt, he smiled, knowing why in an instant.

  Smart, sassy, bold and determined. She was a fitting mate for a King.

  He would never, ever share her with another man.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  “Where are you taking me? My car is this way. Stop it! Stop it right now!”

  Standing outside of the aquarium, Marissa struggled against Tylan’s grip.

  Dressed in blue oversized shorts and a white sweatshirt bearing the Hearder Institute logo, courtesy of the tall, black-haired man, Marissa felt thankful her modesty had been restored.

  “Please let go of me,” she pleaded again, this time she hoped in a stronger, firmer voice.

  “No.”

  “Look … I need to get back home.”

  “And, I will take you home. There are things we need to…” Tylan paused mid-speech, his body freezing like a statue, his entire visage going blank, unreadable.

  Marissa heard voices echoing in her mind. Yet, try as she might, she couldn’t discern the thread of the conversation.

  Grimacing, she watched the cascade of emotions crossing Tylan’s face.

  “Wait here. I must deal with my brother,” he finally said, peering at her with intense eyes. “Don’t move. Wait right here.”

  “But…” Marissa called out after a few seconds, darting around the shrubbery expecting to see his retreating figure. “Good Lord … where did he go?”

  * * * *

  Tylan grasped the cool, silver handle, but paused as a disturbing mental picture flashed behind his eyes.

  “I can see you and I will have a lot of battles ahead of us, Marissa,” Tylan said to himself, smiling in spite of his anger.

  He’d given her strict instructions to stay near the back entrance. But still she fled, disobeying his order.

  Tylan could have stopped her by clouding her mind or taking control of her body.

  With their pair bond in place, either task would be especially easy.

  Considering his options, Tylan watched with his mind’s eye as she unlocked the door to her vehicle, finally deciding to give her a little space.

  Time would cure Marissa of her doubts. Tylan was sure of it.

  But he intended to warn her just the same.

  You cannot outrun who you are, Marissa. And you cannot outrun me.

  Confusion blazed from her eyes. Shaking her head rapidly, the keys in her hand dropped to the ground. She picked them up slowly, looking over her shoulder, before jumping into her little car to speed off.

  Tylan frowned at the vision, sighing in frustration.

  Opening his senses, he widened their mental connection. Although they were eternally bonded, the link could be muted or expanded when needed. Great distance could also hamper, but since Tylan had absolutely no intention of letting Marissa far from his sight that definitely wasn’t going to be a problem.

  Fortunately for her, he needed to deal with reviving Keanan right now.

  Concentrating, he tuned his mate toward the back of his mind, focusing on Arvlin’s position in the aquarium.

  How badly is he hurt?

  I am with him, my Lord. You need to take a look though. He seems to be in some sort of mind stasis. Arvlin paused. I cannot restore him.

  Tylan closed his eyes warily. When would his brother learn to control his recklessness? Someday it would get him into serious trouble.

  He frowned as he stepped through the doors, half of his mind still tracking Marissa’s movements.

  Entering the aquarium, Arvlin noted his presence immediately, rising to greet him with a deferent nod.

  Felix Coulter stood next to him, frantic concern lining his effeminate features. “Mr. Kamis, I’m sorry. I don’t know what happened. He was walking one moment, and then he had an attack or something. The power’s out, but I’ve called the ambulance on my cell phone. Dr. Nash has been trying to revive him,” Felix added, waving his hand like an afterthought.

  “He seemed fine, Mr. Kamis,” Dr. Nash interjected rapidly. “I c-can’t explain what happened. I have some medical background, but not enough training to understand this. I-I have tried everything, but it looks like he’s had some sort of seizure or—or something. He
’s not responding to any sort of simulation.”

  Tylan frowned, looking over Keanan’s pale visage. “An ambulance is not needed, Doctor. I know what’s wrong. If I could have a few…”

  The presence entered Tylan’s mind before the actual voice. “Is there anyway I can be of assistance?”

  “Brian, thank God,” Felix groaned. “Yes, we can definitely use your expertise.”

  Instantly, Tylan’s mind filled with distaste, his eyes rolling toward the gangly, red-haired human, dressed ostentatiously in a bright blue jump suit.

  A low growl, too soft for the humans to hear, sounded from his lips, causing Arvlin to immediately tense, the young warrior obviously preparing for battle.

  Relax, Tylan assured. I will not kill the human, at least not now. Get rid of the others, though. I need to work on Keanan.

  How would you like me to get rid of them? I can think of several pleasurable ways to remove them from the earth. But, I doubt that is what you have in mind, my Lord.

  Tylan guffawed at the younger man’s tone, raising a brow in his direction.

  Arvlin had the good sense to flush, but smiled nonetheless. I apologize, my Lord. I will cloud their minds, but it will be difficult. Most are too focused to completely remove this incident.

  Tylan nodded, glancing around at the assembly of land dwellers.

  Clouding the thoughts of humans was not a hard task, particularly if their minds remained clear and uncluttered. But when the mind in question was wrapped around a particular subject, the task became much more difficult.

  All of the men present had greed and fear in the uppermost region of their brain. Greed from the expected gains of the institute, and fear from how they could profit or lose from the venture.

  Tylan shook his head, straightening his shoulders, perplexed by the dichotomy of human emotions.

  “Gentlemen, I am going to need some time alone with my colleague. If you would please?” Tylan asked, his voice soft, but determined.

  In his mind he added to Arvlin, I will work to help cloud them. Take control of the others, but leave Coulter, Nash, and Litchfield to me. I will handle them myself. Afterwards, find my Lady and protect her. Make sure she does not leave her dwelling.

  The younger man nodded quickly, as the electricity in the air magnified.

  Together, he and Arvlin made quick work of the task, managing the humans.