The Necklace Read online

  A thick haze surrounded Coulter’s mind, and it took a moment for Tylan to penetrate through and take control of his thoughts.

  Except for the sounds of footsteps receding in the background, within moments the room was silent.

  Tylan exhaled nosily, bending to remove an errant lock from his brother’s brow. Smiling, he marveled at how young Keanan looked, his face smooth, without its usual lines of worry.

  When will you learn, breha? Tylan wondered more to himself than to Keanan, whom he knew could not hear his mental words.

  When will you let go of the dictates of our father?

  Tylan knew the bulk of his brother’s character came from the unresponsive nature of their sire. Ka’an Kamis had not been very demonstrative with his affections. It was usually a rare moment when he showed any fondness toward his sons. As he and his brother had grown, Tylan begun to shun the cold demeanor of his father, preferring instead the gentle hand of their mother, Syra. Unfortunately, young Keanan had lived in the shadows of Ka’an's dominance.

  Tylan didn’t blame his father, understanding the needs of the crown. He just wished his sire could have found some more moments to lavish on Keanan.

  Banishing the negative thoughts, Tylan placed the middle and ring finger of his right hand on the bridge of his brother’s nose. Using his powers, he penetrated the depths of Keanan’s mind.

  Come back from the darkness, breha. Come back.

  Within seconds, Keanan blinked, looking around in the aquarium in wonder. “What happened?”

  “You interrupted a mating is what happened, breha. You don’t remember?”

  “A mating?” Keanan narrowed his eyes. “With the blonde?”

  “Yes, a mating with the blonde. You should have recognized it when you saw it, breha. Please tell me after this you will be more cautious. I could have killed you.”

  Standing, Tylan reached out a hand to help Keanan from the floor.

  “I’m sorry, brother. I didn’t know. I-I thought you were carrying on with a human. I wanted to stop you before you made a mistake.”

  “I’m hundred fifty years older than you, Keanan. I don’t need to consult you or anyone else about whom and where I fuck.” Tylan smiled unhappily. “Have you no trust in me? No trust in your King?”

  Keanan glanced around the aquarium, the light of the water reflecting his somberness. “I’m sorry. I should have trusted in you.”

  Tylan laughed at his brother’s forlorn tone. “Yes, you should have. But, promise me you will take this to heed. Promise me you will not be so reckless again.”

  “I promise.”

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  The door was closer than ever, beckoning.

  It made her feel whole, complete.

  A part of her wanted to resist, but Marissa calmed her mind.

  She wanted to be closer.

  She needed to be accepted.

  Slowly the warmth of the light surrounded her, gentle, invisible hands pulling her forward.

  Her fingers were almost on the intricate emblem. She could see it clearly now, the golden pattern weaving into an intersecting circle connecting at many different angles. In the center, a small hole formed.

  A large, bright red jewel glistened, shined in her hands. The facets devised just as intricately as the emblem, but the stone had heat. She could feel it pulsing, throbbing.

  It was alive, calling to her.

  Marissa burst from sleep, edgy awareness holding her in a tight grasp. Struggling, she cleared her mind, listening for any sounds out of the ordinary.

  She sat for a few moments longer on the couch before she finally felt capable of moving.

  Dragging herself from the stupor, she made her way on unsteady feet toward the bedroom, collapsing on the flowery pattern of her comforter.

  She wanted to give over to the tears threatening.

  It would have been so much easier to let go, push her face into the pillow and try to forget. Yet Tylan’s face radiated behind her eyes, she could feel his very essence thrumming through her body.

  “Gawd,” she groaned.

  What’s happening to me?

  Marissa wished she could answer the question, but her body ached with a fluid languidness, soft words whispering through her mind.

  Rest sena. Relax and let your tensions ease.

  The compelling voice couldn’t be ignored. In an instant, Marissa fell asleep.

  Moments later, soft fingers threading through her hair woke her. She tried to glance around, but a strong hand prevented her head from moving. Fear grabbed hold of her before a gentle sensation eased into her, immediately bringing peace.

  Turning slowly, looking into the glowing pewter-blue eyes above her, the piercing, tender orbs pinned her in place.

  “No! Please! Please leave me alone. I can’t take any more,” she moaned, trying to move away from Tylan.

  “If I could spare you this pain, my love, I would. But your fate is destined with mine. And I cannot deny that.”

  Tylan’s strange words, the power he seemed to exert over her, wrestled with the rational thoughts in her brain.

  Narrowing her eyes, she looked at him fearfully. “What are you? Some kind of alien or something?”

  “No, I’m not an alien,” Tylan said with a chuckle. “I am Eritrean.”

  “Et-trean? What… What is that?”

  “It’s a people. A place, I guess you could say. It’s here on Earth. But you probably only heard of it through myth and legend. You may not even have heard of it at all. We guard our existence fiercely.”

  Marissa shook her head, finally pushing Tylan’s hand from her hair. Sitting up in bed, she twisted the kinks from her body, drawing her legs toward her chest. A slight ache in her nether region made her moan aloud. A bloom of heat filled her cheeks as memories of their encounter resonated through her body.

  “So, why are you telling me about it then?”

  “There are things you need to know, Marissa.”

  “What things?”

  “I think you know I’m talking about.”

  “No! I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Marissa gritted.

  Tylan sighed loudly, shaking his head. “You know that you are different, Marissa. I don’t need to tell you that. You’ve felt this ever since you were a child.”

  Marissa rolled her eyes away from him, wanting to deny his words, but inside she felt her stomach quiver with unease.

  How does he know these things?

  Tylan smiled slowly, tapping a long finger against her forehead. “Because I’m right here. You can’t lie to yourself or me. I know the truth.”

  Marissa closed her eyes, leaning against the headboard, confusion jumbling her mind. “How can you be in my head like this? This isn’t possible.”

  “So, if it isn’t possible then how I am I doing it? Explain that. Better yet, explain to me how you can do the things you do?”

  “So, what are you telling me?”

  The old mattress creaked as Tylan eased his long frame beside her, sending heat racing through her pores. The electrical currents in the room increased at a continuous pace. She could feel them, buzzing from his body.

  She could also feel the answering tingles leaping from her own.

  This has to be some sort of trick. This cannot be happening.

  “It’s no trick, Marissa.” Tylan paused, peering at her intently. “I cannot make you believe that, and unfortunately, I do not think you are ready for the truth.”

  “I know I’ve changed. Something’s wrong with me. Something’s wrong in my mind,” she whispered.

  Tylan flinched, but said nothing. Instead he laid a calloused palm against her bare knee.

  Jerking from the contact, forgetting she was still dressed in baggy shorts and a sweatshirt, she tried to move away.

  Tylan stayed her movements easily by leaning into her chest. “I know you are frightened of the changes, sena. But trust me, there is nothing wrong with you.”

  Marissa shoo
k her head, refusing to believe or trust in his words. “So, what are you telling me? The things that have been happening to me are normal? You really expect me to believe that?”

  “You’re the only one who doesn’t believe it, Marissa. You’re the one who finds all these convenient ways to push the truth away.”

  “What truth?!” Marissa screamed. “You come into my home reading my mind like somebody from the X-Files, and I’m supposed to believe you, take what you say as gospel. Believe the nonsense you’re spouting? Sorry, Mulder, but I just don’t buy it!”

  Tylan’s silver-blue eyes narrowed, anger radiating from him like a tangible presence in the room. “I would never take you for a fool, but the way you’re acting reminds me of a spoiled and selfish child.”

  “Oh, so now I’m a child, am I?”

  Tylan tilted his head forward, answering without words.

  Marissa heaved at his audacity, squinting her eyes in anger. “Funny. You fuck someone once and they think they own you for life.”

  Tylan reeled back, rising from the bed suddenly, his body hard and imposing.

  Swallowing nervously, Marissa responded by quickly jumping to her feet, placing the breadth of the bed between them.

  Lightning flashed loudly, startlingly. Glancing through the blinds at the gathered clouds turning the sky dark and ominous, dread moved along her spine.

  “I will fuck you multiple times and always know you better than you know yourself. Remember that, leethil,” Tylan gritted, his face tight with obvious anger.

  Marissa bit her lip, afraid though desperately trying not to show it.

  Shrinking away, she backed into the wall, staring at Tylan fearfully.

  “I don’t want to scare you, Marissa. But, you have to face reality…” Tylan paused, his head tipping to the side his eyes taking on a familiar far-off look.

  Marissa knew someone was speaking to him in his mind, bits of the conversation flowing into her brain.

  My Lord, there’s been an emergency at home. Cowan request that you return…

  Scant seconds later, a wall of steel blocked the voice, Tylan’s head snapping forward. “I have to go. There are things that require my attention.” His gaze hardened perceptibly before he added, “I will give you some time to think on the things that I’ve said, Marissa. But … your space is not indefinite.”

  Tylan’s silver-blue gaze glowed brightly, as he walked around the bed. His strides long and quick, he didn’t hesitate to pull her into his arms, smashing his lips against her.

  They kissed endlessly before Tylan finally separated their bodies to stalk from the room.

  * * * *

  “My Lord, I am sorry to disturb you, but the Dissidents have attacked the province of Liacin. They stole guns and launchers. And…” Arvlin stopped, gulping a large breath.

  “Go ahead! Finish!” Tylan ordered.

  “O-over one hundred warriors were killed, my Lord. The city is in ruins. Cowan requests you return to deal with the destruction.”

  “Couna! This couldn’t have occurred at a more inopportune time.”

  He wanted to stay with Marissa. This early in the mating he needed to be close. Fear of herself and their pair bond could make her reckless.

  There was also the issue of the delaphin.

  Indecision weighed down Tylan’s mind, clogging his thoughts. He glanced at the young warrior, sensing his edginess.

  “I will return at once. I must take Keanan with me though. He is still suffering some effects from the mind stasis. He will need to see the Healer. I am calling upon you to protect my Queen. Stay with her and keep her safe.” Grasping the young man’s shoulder, he squeezed hard. “Are you capable of the task?

  “I am capable, my Lord. I will not fail you.”

  “Make sure you don’t. Keep her safe.”

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Marissa awoke from nightmares too horrible to contemplate. They stole her sense of being, leaving her floundering with questions. Thick morning light streamed through the window, surrounding, comforting. The hazy images banished from her mind.

  Blinking, she peered around her room.

  She didn’t even remember going to sleep.

  Turning her head, burrowing further into her pillow, Marissa hissed from the pain in her neck and shoulders. The clock next to her glared 6:45 in neon green, urging her none too gently to get out of bed.

  Walking toward her small utilitarian bathroom, Marissa stopped in front of the mirror; her hand paused above the white tiled sink.

  It had been two days since her bizarre behavior at the aquarium, and two long, agonizing days since she’d seen Tylan. Inside her mind, she still could feel his presence but the actual lack of his presence was more disheartening than she cared to admit. Somehow, the infuriating man had worked his way inside her soul, making him impossible to forget.

  Having a bit of time to consider what had happened between them, Marissa was convinced that he hadn’t really been attracted to her. He’d been engrossed in the vibe, the loneliness and frustration in her body.

  Although she wasn’t a virgin, she might as well have been one for all the experience she’d had. The first truly good-looking man to come along snagged her attention like a nail caught on some clothing. It was no wonder she fell into his hands like an overripe grape.

  Still, his outrageous assertion rankled her senses. She didn’t believe in ghosts, aliens, or any other entities that couldn’t be classified. It went against her grain to even consider the possibility. She couldn’t explain what was happening to her, but that didn’t mean it wasn’t explainable.

  Albeit, Tylan did possess a lot of inhuman-like characteristics.

  The glowing eyes, the animalistic snarls, the ability to provide endless orgasms.

  Marissa shook her head, staring at her reflection. Although she tried not to think of their last conversation, it was difficult to think of anything else. Over and over his words haunted her, running through her mind like a broken, skipping record.

  Life had returned to normal, somewhat. But she still felt like a tornado victim in the calm of the storm, knowing any second the twister might come back.

  Groaning, Marissa stared down the woman in the mirror.

  I can deal with this. “I will deal with this,” she stated a loud, banishing the thoughts of Tylan’s handsome visage, resolving to keep moving on with her life.

  * * * *

  “Sorry, I overslept. Did I miss anything?”

  “Nothing that you really needed to be here for, Mar,” Brian said from his position at the head of the table, his gaze lingering on the crest of her pink-button blouse.

  Swallowing the sudden bad taste in her mouth, Marissa took the seat next to Shannon, whispering, “What’s going on? I didn’t even know we were having a meeting today.”

  “Me neither. You didn’t miss anything though. Litchfield just started talking,” Shannon whispered back.

  Nodding, she grabbed a lock of hair between her fingers, her eyes moving around the table, taking in the anticipated looks of her colleagues.

  “Okay, hoping there are no further interruptions, I’d like to continue with the news I have to tell you.”

  Everyone at the table perked with attention.

  Marissa’s trepidation increased tenfold.

  “Thanks to Dr. Winters, and Dr. Redmond. We have the best classification for the creature since it arrived. We know what it is, even though we don’t officially have a name for it yet. So far, the institute has profited from the unknown nature of this discovery. We’ve had a chance to study it in private, being able to control what information is passed to the media. But, after today, all that’s going to change.” Litchfield smiled with satisfaction, a pleased smirk on his features. “The Hearder Aquarium will be the creature’s permanent home. And we’ll have the distinct luxury, an advantage, of being the only one in the world to house such a marvelous specimen.”

  Stunned silence greeted the end of Brian’s announcement. No
one in the room moved; the air stilled with nervous excitement.

  Marissa wanted to snarl, howl at the tragic turn of events, her fist clenching, the nails cutting into her palms.

  Without thinking, she stood, slamming her balled hands down on the table. “You can’t do that! Nyla can’t stay here! She has a home!” Shannon grabbed hold of Marissa’s hand, stopping her from bounding around the large conference table. “You can’t do this, Litchfield! This is wrong!”

  Brian leaned back in his chair, clasping his fingers in a crown beneath his chin. “Nyla, huh? I know you’ve taken a personal interest in the specimen, Marissa. That’s … wonderful, but I think your interest is too personal. Marc and Jillian will now be the leads on the biological side of the house. If you can keep your attitude in check, you're welcome to back them up.”

  Staring at Brian with malevolence, Marissa puffed aloud. “I am the lead on this case. You can’t switch me out. Dr. Nash…”

  “Dr. Nash is no longer in charge. And you better get used to it. If you can’t, I suggest you find yourself a new job.”

  Heat suffused Marissa’s face, as a strange humming sounded in her ears.

  The wind outside the window began to pick up speed, the leaves from a nearby tree cascading against the glass surface.

  Again she moved toward Brian, intent on wiping the smug expression from his face.

  “Marissa, don’t. He’s not worth it,” Shannon whispered.

  In a daze, Marissa scowled down at her friend.

  Slowly, Shannon’s words penetrated through the fog of anger surrounding her mind, the buzzing in her head ceasing to a dull tone. Absently, Marissa noticed the wind outside settled down as well.

  Gathering the remnants of her pride, she turned and left the conference room without another word.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Marissa walked aimlessly, unsure of a direction or a purpose.

  She couldn’t escape herself, anyway.

  Tears smarted behind her eyes, blurring her vision, as she stumbled, collapsing to her knees on a nearby grassy knoll.

  Leaning forward, placing her forehead against the cool, wet lawn, weeping, her body shook from the force of her emotions.