Chapter 18

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

T iara was excited as she unlocked another door. She’d never gotten this far inside the compound, though she had spent a long time trying. The guards who usually monitored the elevator weren’t at their posts, making it easy for her to get to the upper levels. She hoped she could see what existed beyond the mountains.

Her arms itched incessantly as she ran, a strange feeling falling over her like a thick blanket. Fear rose in her stomach like butterflies trying to fly through a storm. She turned around, seeing nothing behind her but shadows. Squinting, she strained to see within them. But there were only walls and doors. So many doors!

Calming her breathing, she held her palms out, letting her elemental magic light the way. She and the girls had practiced their magic daily, especially on the terrace. Their magic seemed powerful and more raw on Crelentia. She didn’t know where she was going, but her intuition led her through doors to other tunnels so tall and wide an army of giants could walk through them.

Large cavernous rooms with terraces were on this level. She couldn’t see the top in some places, and she couldn’t see the bottom in others. She was a curious mouse trying to find her way to a secret buried inside a maze. When she finally stopped running, she realized her amulet was ablaze with light. The light twisted and curved, forming a beacon in front of her. It’s amplifying my magic. And it’s showing me which way to go! She smiled, feeling a surge of confidence.

Her heart pounded in sync with the pulse of her amulet as it led her to a broad hall on the other side of a vast chasm. She stood at the edge, peering down into the dark abyss where she could hear water running. Her gaze was drawn back to the hall ahead, where her amulet’s glow brightened, casting a mist of symbols that danced across an elaborate door that looked made for a giant.

Tiara inhaled sharply as she studied the door, feeling the familiar magic tingling beneath her fingertips. The symbols shimmered gold and pink, matching her amulet’s hues. She didn’t give herself time to doubt—she never did when she’d engaged in extreme sports. With a determined breath, she sprinted forward, leaping over the chasm with all her might. The wind rushed past her ears as she seemed to hang in the air for a heart-stopping moment. She hit the far ledge hard, rolling into a controlled tumble before springing to her feet.

Hell yes! With a triumphant grin, she did a happy dance. The jump would have set a record in the mining colony, where people gambled on her successes. Though, looking around, she was thankful there was no audience watching her break all Jaxxon’s rules.

When she reached the door, she gasped. It was etched with the same symbols as her amulet. What does it mean? She raised her brow. Frowning, she tried to figure out the connection.

Standing before the closed door, she looked for a keypad but saw none. She felt around the door for a latch or doorknob but could see nothing. Feeling desperate, she knew she had to get into the room. Standing back, she held her palms out. Her magic shot forth, burning into the emblem marked on the door. The emblem burned an iridescent gold and pink and spun around like a magical lock. And the door opened.

“Whoa! Now that’s magic!” She giggled, peeking her head through the door as she came to a halt. “No way! ”

This is a library—the same library my mom drew in her journals! A library she wrote could only be accessed by the most powerful members of our kind!

“How can this be?” She blinked several times, taking in the library as she combed her memory.

The grandeur of the library was astonishing. It was opulent, with towering ceilings adorned with terraces. She couldn’t imagine how anyone could reach them. Crystalline columns flanked the entryway, and rows of shelves with ample room between them lined the space. It’s as if giants walk these aisles!

Villagio Talarien Laec’tharion Sereanethar. She read the words above the door aloud, “Villagio Library of Celestial Realms.”

Her steps echoed softly around the tranquil library. Tall columns suddenly glowed, illuminating each aisle as she neared. The columns shimmered with gemstones that changed colors like sapphire, emerald, and gold.

Wow! I’ve never seen such a mixture of magic intertwined with technology! She ran her fingers along the columns with awe. With each step she took, the columns ahead her lit up, while those behind extinguished into darkness. The entire library hummed as if whispering promises of secrets yet to be revealed.

The walls shimmered as she turned around the room, her amulet sending a burst of magic. And there, on one shelf, a book glowed pink and gold. Without thinking, she called to the book as it sailed through the air with a rush of wind. She ducked, barely getting out of the way as the large book flew past her, landing with a crash on a worktable nearby.

But upon closer inspection, it wasn’t a book. It’s a map!

Tiara stared with astonishment as her amulet’s light swirled around the map. With each swirl and movement of light, the pictures on the map disappeared. “Oh no! I’ve erased it somehow!” She tried to get the amulet to turn off.

“No, no, no! Stop!” she cried, panic tightening her chest. But nothing worked. The amulet’s swirls of light continued to erase the map until nothing was left but a blank canvas.

Stepping back, Tiara’s head hurt as a ringing began in her ears. And then her legs wobbled as she fell forward onto her knees. Once the feeling cleared, she braced her hands on the worktable as she slowly stood.

She cupped her hands around the amulet. Concentrating, she let the amulet’s magic fill her mind. And then she willed the map to reappear. And there it was. The magical map floated in the air before her. The map was somehow transferred from the canvas to her amulet. But a map to where?

She didn’t understand the strange markings on the map. But her amulet’s light revealed a symbol on the map that sparkled with energy. Tiara knew it was something important. Every bone in her body told her she needed to find the place. And every hair on her neck told her she was not alone.

She turned but saw nothing. Standing quietly, she listened for any sound that might seem abnormal. She laughed out loud. What’s abnormal in a home I know nothing about? In a world where a mystical map appears in a magic library! She was going out of her mind, letting her imagination run wild.

Sitting in a chair, she leaned back and gathered her wits. Looking around the library, the shelves towered so high that she couldn’t see the top. Tall ladders on wheels were in random places around the room. She was curious about what mysteries and stories lay between the pages of the books.

She began walking along the many shelves, reading the spines of the books. Some were very old and written in strange symbols she couldn’t understand. But she could read Crelentian just as she could speak it. The women had surmised that perhaps their moms had spoken it to them when they were babies but stopped at some point. There were so many mysteries about her ancestors.

What were they running from? And why had the Vralgari come to the mining colony? Could they have been coming for me and the girls? She furrowed her brow. Are they looking for the amulet? But why?

She tapped her foot on the floor, trying to get a grip on her imagination. She knew Maya would have laughed if she were here, chastising her for her dramatics. Perhaps everyone is right. I’m a drama queen, always at the center of trouble. I’m drawn to power and danger. She was a high-stakes gambler and an extreme sports enthusiast. She wanted big things, and it called for big risks. But she didn’t ask for any of this. Yet, she wore a magical amulet with power.

As a child, the other girls had ridiculed her for engaging in extreme sports and fighting in the ring. Tiara ran, swam, and climbed from the depths of the mines to the highest peaks in their mining colony. When she pushed herself to the limits, she felt powerful. She felt free. And she was damn good. She was so good that it earned her a modest living.

But Tiara sought real power. And she wanted what power could get her—a luxurious life for her and her friends. The life they’d been denied. And so, she learned to gamble. From the illegal kickboxing rings to the card tables at well-attended clubs, she entered and won. And when she couldn’t win—well, she cheated. She lied. She stole. And Ms. Hazel had always protected her when they came for her. But Ms. Hazel wasn’t here now.

Tiara was on her own. She was now the protector. The one who would fight for those who had little. For women who never had a say in their world. It was why her mother told her to protect the amulet. She’d said the amulet could help reshape her ancestral home. But how?

While roaming the library, she found a section that was spotless. No dust. No tarnished leather furnishing. It was cleaned and restored. Someone worked here. She saw a large desk covered in papers. She also saw a sitting area where someone had set a plate and cup.

Reaching the desk, she moved the papers around to read them. Some were inventory of supply runs. From a glance, it was clear there were never enough food and supplies for the men who lived here. Oh my god! We’ve put an enormous strain on their resources! She had no idea how little the men had. And the fact they shared it all with them without asking for anything in return touched her heart. Computers and other technology were on a wall across from the table. But she didn’t see any way to turn them on.

As she bent over the desk, a figure grabbed her from behind. She screamed as he grabbed both her hands, extending them painfully out in front of her. She was face down on the desk as he straddled her, keeping her in place.

His large body was a wall of muscle as she struggled to throw him off her. She screamed and cursed, but he didn’t move. She yelled for help, which only rewarded her with a chuckle.

“Jaxx? You bastard! Let me up!”

“You’ve been asking for my attention—” He pushed harder against her backside, the swell in his pants noticeable. “Now you have it!”

Her body burned at the sudden thoughts filling her mind with vivid images, ones she’d been dreaming of since that first chance encounter with him. She sucked in a breath, wriggling to get from under him. His dark, smoky sandalwood scent enveloped her.

“If you keep moving like that, you’ll get more than my attention.”

“I—I don’t want your attention!”

“Your scent says otherwise.”

She swore, continuing to writhe against him. Feeling his heat drove her wild as she panted, wondering what he would do next. He grabbed her hair, pulling a strand of curls behind her ear as he leaned even closer, his mouth against her sensitive ear.

“How did you get in here?”

Heartbeat racing, she tried to think of an answer. “I got lost.”

He chuckled again, his lips brushing her ear.

“Please don’t do that...it tickles.” She barely got the words out as she shivered from his touch. Her magic unraveled as light flowed from her palms against the desk, sending the papers flying across the library.

“Hmm, you are very ticklish!” He chuckled against her neck, sending her swearing again as heat engulfed her core. She was so wet, she wished he’d take her right then and there. But he didn’t.

“How did you get into the library? And why?” His tone changed, deadly and commanding.

Sweeping his arm under her, he lifted her off the desk, turning her to face him. Their magic danced before them. Silver and black shadows shimmered like stars around her. Her magic flared—pink and iridescent gold starlight. It danced around his shadows, becoming delicate elemental magic that captivated their attention.

Their eyes met. And then they kissed.

The kiss seemed to last forever as Tiara sank into Jaxxon’s arms. He held her carefully, his tongue delving further and wrapping around hers. His hands roamed over her body while he kissed her. She was swept away as one hand moved over her ass while the other pinched an aching nipple. His hands continued to explore her body as the kiss intensified. And then, suddenly, he stepped back.

“What is this?” A cocky grin spread across his face as her amulet dangled from his hand.

She narrowed her eyes, realizing the sneaky brute had distracted her to get her amulet.

Without answering, she grabbed it back so fast she saw the shock in his eyes as her magic shoved him backward. She ran, knocking over chairs as he pursued her. He was fast, but so was she. He jumped over a table, intercepting her. But she ducked under his arm as he reached for her, and then she knocked another chair in his way. Stumbling over it, he cursed.

“Give me the amulet, Tiara!”

He was gaining on her as she ran around the shelves, trying to reach the door. She thrust a rope of her light magic, sending it spiraling around a tall shelf. Using all her might, she tugged, toppling the shelf. It crashed down on him with a loud thud.

Tiara stopped, nearly gagging as she swallowed air into her lungs. Panting from sheer exhaustion from the chase, she needed time to regain her strength. Jaxxon was buried under the shelf and its many books. And he was moving.

A loud growl erupted as shadows morphed into an enormous battle hammer covered in rippling black and silver symbols. The shadow hammer swung to the left, flipping the shelf over as books flew everywhere. And there stood Jaxxon. He was a mask of angry shadows, reaching her so quickly she couldn’t counter.

She screamed as his shadows pulled her back toward him. She thrust her light magic outward. But her light couldn’t penetrate the depth of his shadows, nearly disappearing within its darkness. He chuckled as she struggled against his magic, as he reeled her back to him.

Suddenly, Jaxxon’s shadows snapped as another set of shadows sliced through them like an axe.

“Is everything okay in here?” asked Zade as he stepped between them. The question was posed to Jaxxon as Tiara stood there shaking.

Jaxxon growled at Zade, who snarled back. But neither man moved as they sized each other up.

Tiara quickly placed the amulet in the front of her pants. Jaxxon would need to strip her naked to get it. And she intended to fight to protect it.

Thankfully, Jaxxon stormed out the door without a fight. But Zade turned his stare to her.

“Look, Jaxx has been giving you time to grieve and get your shit together. But if you continue violating his rules and withholding the security codes, he will come off the command deck and deal with you. And next time, I won’t be here to interrupt!”

Jaxxon stood on the other side of the chasm, watching as Zade made the jump. Tiara looked at him before running and making the jump. Jaxxon turned and headed off into the darkness.

Facing Jaxxon alone had been terrifying yet thrilling. Jaxx is not a man to be fucked with. Yet, fucking him is all I can think about.