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  Clarissa’s response fueled Mel’s desire and heated his blood. However, it also shocked him to his very core. With a deep growl, the executioner pulled his lips away from hers and stood up, moving quickly a few feet away. His breathing was harsh as he shoved his shaking hands through his hair. Mel flashed his glasses back on and made a show of picking up the backpack. “I,” he cleared his throat trying to regain some semblance of control. “I think we need to head back.”

  Her voice was still tight with desire as she talked. “Head back?” Why can I not think? Concentrate. What did he say? “I have to find Xon. I have to get the stone back.” The guardian climbed shakily to her feet and readjusted the backpack on her shoulders after taking it from him. She wanted to bring the dagger out and try to get a reading. In truth, she could not contemplate the energy she needed to activate her visions with the pangs of pain and passion that so recently coursed through her body. Turning, Clarissa retraced her steps back down the path, silent, thinking, trying to understand what she was feeling and how it fit into her duties as the gems custodian.

  He whirled on her and grabbed her arms, shaking her slightly as fury coated his baritone voice. “Where will you look for him? Are you going to try and trace him? Then what? You knock yourself out from the effort? You know he will come for it. Rather than chase him, let Xon come to us. We can lure him out. We can set the scene as we want it. You need to fight him in familiar territory, which gives you the upper hand. Come on.” Mel gently pulled her along. “You need to rest. You will be of no use to yourself or anyone else if you are worn out.”

  Clarissa followed along meekly, her free hand going slightly to her lips when he was not looking. She still felt the ghost pressure against her skin, felt his mouth as it took possession, his tongue against hers, his taste still invaded her senses. Snarling slightly to herself, she dropped her fingers away from her lips angrily. ‘Yeah! This is just what I need to do! I should waste time on a fantasy of being with this arrogant man? I have a duty to perform not play at schoolgirl crushes.’ She wanted to pull her fingers away from his but she knew that would only make him aware of how he affected her and she was not about to do that. ‘Stone. Stone. I have a duty. I have a responsibility to the Gem of Power. Think of only that. That is my only obligation. Concentrate!’

  She finally spoke, her words were harsher than she meant for them to be. “Mind telling me how we do this? What familiar territory?” She managed to finally pull her hand from his grasp, though more for her own sanity than anything else. The custodian for the gem folded her arms to hide their slight shaking. She stood with her legs askew to maintain her own weak balance. “I would prefer going to him and getting the upper hand in a surprise attack.”

  Mel snarled. “If you think for one minute that Xon will not expect you to come for him immediately, you are deluding yourself. He will draw you in and arrange it so you will not only relinquish the other part but will probably lose your life in the process. I am not about to let that happen. He cannot be allowed access to the powers that the gem offers and I will not permit him to take your life. If we set up the scene and let him know we have it and where, subtly of course, he will come to us. We will wait, gain the upper advantage because he will be eager, anxious and that will cause him to make stupid mistakes.”

  Clarissa sighed as she bit her lower lip and cast her eyes downward. “In truth I am not sure what to do. I am not a strategist. I had hoped to gain the hidden portion of the gem before he reached it.” She looked up, her eyes softer as they gazed at him.

  Azamel gave her a wicked smile. “I am an excellent tactician and at this point you will be safest with me until we are ready to confront him. He cannot touch me nor enter my home as it is in a realm he does not have access to. I suggest we go there where we will be off the grid to him. The frustration will drive Xon to expose himself.”

  The guardian could not help but start to tease him just a little. “Oh? Come over to your place?” Clarissa raised an eyebrow and scowled. She surprised herself with the harshness of the words that followed. “Really? What kind of a girl do you think I am? Wanna try and get me drunk too?” She had to wonder if she pissed him off even more than she had since she met him. ‘Damn it! Why did I have to say that? Why am I so caustic with him.’ Then realization dawned upon her. She knew instantly why she was so astringent toward Azamel. He scared her. The emotions he raised within her made her nervous because she did not want to get involved with anyone, much less someone who would not and could not be a part of her life. It was just another person the custodian would lose and she had lost so many so much already. She turned away from him so he would not see the truth behind her feelings.

  Mel squeezed his eyes shut to control the anger that boiled within him as a result of her words. He sensed the warring emotions inside her. Now was not the time, however, to delve into the internal turmoil that she felt. It was also not the time to explore the protectiveness and frustrations that she stirred in him. Her fighting spirit and the deeply buried hurt inside her awakened affectionate warmth inside his cold, dead heart. It scared him to his very core. This girl affected him like no other and he absolutely detested that fact. He felt like he hated her for it. He wanted to lash out and hurt her, punish her for making him care about another, to be concerned if another lived or died. He had never attached himself to anyone for he was meant to walk alone for eternity. He was required to rid the earth from those who set out to hurt it and its inhabitants. He glared at her. His eyes the color of blood, visible even through the glasses he wore as the demon part of him threatened to rise up from within.

  Clarissa took a deep breath to calm her shaking nerves. “I am sorry. I should not have said that. You are, of course correct. I am sure you are a wonderful strategist and I bow to your expertise as well as thank you for your offer of assistance.”

  Her apology helped to calm Mel’s inner beast and send the creature back to a forced slumber within him. Once the demon was settled, the executioner held his fingers out to her. “I need you to take my hand. We don’t have much time before Xon will catch your essence and come here. We are not prepared for him and must retreat until such time as we can successfully engage him.”

  Clarissa turned to him with a stoicism she barely felt registering on her face. She looked at his outstretched hand. After hesitating slightly, she placed her fingers softly against his. She trusted him and that was very hard for her to do. This woman had trusted no one since her family had been slaughtered in front of her. But Clarissa was desperate to get the stone back and she realized she could not do it alone.

  Azamel wanted to help her, whether for his own selfish needs of trying to obtain the Gem of Power with the gifts it offered for himself or because he really was devoted to containing the demons that were under his jurisdiction. Either way, she knew he was an extremely old creature and they said with age came wisdom. Maybe she would learn some knowledge from him and be able to protect the stone better. Everything else, this receptivity he brought out in her, feelings of desire and concern for him were something she was going to have to ignore in order to do her duty. Her life was all about obligation and she handled the responsibility as efficiently as possible, regardless of the sacrifices she had to make in the process. Clasping her hand lightly to his, she nodded firmly once.

  Mel looked down at their joined hands and lightly rubbed his thumb over her knuckles. Her face showed raw determination as the executioner teleported them both to his home. A fire already crackled in the hearth and a pleasant warmth embraced them. He let go of her hand after giving it a reassuring squeeze.

  “Welcome to my abode, little one.” He gestured to the couch in front of the fire. “Please, make yourself at home. If you would excuse me, I will be but a moment.” Azamel inclined his head towards her before he willed himself to his private chambers, leaving her alone momentarily.

  Grateful to be in the privacy of his room, Mel flashed his clothes away and padded to the bathroom. He welcomed the wa
rmth of the spray as he stepped into the shower. His mind reeled as he leaned his head back and let the water hit his face before the beads cascaded down his body and over his taut muscles. Refreshed and feeling more in control, he rubbed himself dry, the friction ridding him of all vestiges of the battle they fought as well as helped him to regain some semblance of control over his wayward and conflicted emotions.

  As soon as he disappeared, Clarissa let out a breath she had not realized she was holding. She took a moment to look around. The room seemed to be pretty isolated with no windows and one door. There was a long wooden table with eight lavish red and gold chairs. In front of the fireplace, there were two wing-backed blue chairs and a matching blue couch on the opposite side. What disturbed her the most however, were the winged gargoyle skeletons that flanked either side of the fireplace mantle holding scones that provided the light for the area.

  Since Mel seemed intent on leaving her alone for the moment, she allowed the remnants of the pain in her head followed by his kiss which had left her off-guard, unsure, to be investigated more thoroughly. She did not particularly care for those feelings brought about by his closeness.

  Taking a cleansing breath, the guardian was uncertain if she was being watched or not. If she was, Clarissa was unaware of who might be spying on her. However, she had to take the chance and see whatever the dagger would show her, if anything. The guardian needed guidance and she knew the gem only had one motive, keeping the rest of the stone safe. Pulling her backpack off, she laid it by her feet and sat on the couch. Looking around again, feeling a bit safe, she brought forth the power’s receptacle to focus on where the demon named Xon was and what he might be up to.

  As Clarissa clutched the dagger and concentrated, Mel’s abode melted away. It blended into a solid darkness, which then started to become dim outlines of a lush jungle. Dense green, the smell of the wooded pines and oaks permeated her nose. She heard the sounds of pounding feet rustling through the leaves and brush. Muttering soon came into focus as did the demon himself. Xon could not understand why the stone did not work. He wanted to make a camp and examine his prize, try to figure it out.

  The vision then turned to Azamel and her in the jungle as they searched for Xon. She saw him holding her as he tried to get her to focus while she knelt in pain. The past events rolled by as if on a movie screen within her mind. She watched as she surprised him with her question and he looked like he was caught with his hand in the cookie jar. He leaned forward to kiss her. She still remembered what that felt like. However, now she saw it with dispassionate eyes, saw him using that kiss like a ploy, to distract her and it worked. Her vision cleared.

  ‘Gods I am gullible! How he must be laughing at me even now.’

  She put the dagger away as she berated herself for being so stupid, so simplistic. After everything she had been though, knowing she should not trust anyone, she let one kiss from some hot, stubborn man spin her world around so she saw nothing other than him. Mel was using her. He knew all about the stone and he was manipulating her to get it. She had been foolish enough to let him, blinded by her own stupid feelings. ‘Some guardian I made!’ She starred into the fire, trying to decide what to do.

  Chapter Three

  Dressed in all black attire, he materialized behind her. Mel silently watched as she sat on the couch. She was a stranger in his otherwise almost unoccupied dwelling. Softly, so as not to startle her, Azamel spoke. “Is there anything you need? Would you like food or something to drink? I will have my servant, Shara show you to your chambers as soon as they are ready.”

  His scent reached her nose before his voice reached her ears. At the mention of food she realized with the exception of water, she had ingested nothing for over twenty four hours. She should be famished but everything she learned made her too upset to eat. Turning her head back to the fire, unable to look at him knowing what she now knew. “I am fine.”

  Mel frowned at her sudden cold demeanor, not sure what brought it on. Gently probing so to not alert her to the extent of his powers, Azamel realized she was starving yet she refused any sustenance. He waved his hand and the table became laden with delicious dishes which appeared in front of them. “We might be here a while and you need to keep your strength up. Please join me?”

  Clarissa concentrated on the fire, knowing if she looked at him or the sustenance he provided, she would lose all resolve. The smell of the food already enticed her as her stomach betrayed her by growling in anticipation of eating. “How long do you think I will be,” She thought stuck but said, “here?”

  “You are not a prisoner. I only asked you here for your own protection. Xon would not dare come to my home and that will give us time to plan without concern for your safety.” He stood very still, watched her intently as he took a plate and held in towards her.

  She knew how powerful he was and wondered if he could read her thoughts or just heard the sound of her body as it grumbled emptily again. Clarissa kept her mind purposefully blank. Her mental shields, although weak, were up just in case. She still had so much to learn that her family never got the chance to teach her, like this destiny she was now burdened with and failing miserably at. Still, if she were pleasant but watchful, she might be able to use Azamel instead. She knew what he wanted from her now so if she enticed him and was friendly then maybe she would be able to keep him thrown off-guard. Maybe she would succeed in getting the stone returned to her trust while at the same time also prevent Mel from acquiring it. ‘Just think with your head and not your hormones,’ she told herself and turne d to finally face him as she gave a slight incline of her head as she took the plate from his hands. “Thank you.”

  He nodded as he moved to sit at the table, watching her carefully. “You managed to trace the demon and knew where all the traps were set. How did you obtain that information?”

  Clarissa shrugged as she put some food on the plate. “I just did. How did you find me? Know about me? How did you know the stone was in more than one piece?” She turned a stoic look to him. “You seem to know a lot, want to tell me about it?”

  Mel chuckled. “Now, now love. I asked you first. Besides you forget that I not only live with demons, rule demons but I also am one.”

  “I cannot forget something I did not know. Maybe you should tell me more about yourself and I might possibly consider answering your questions.”

  “You should know better than to play that game with me. I thought we moved past this in the jungle? I want to know how to help you. Me and my background have no relevance to this and trust me you really do not want to know. There is only one person that knows everything about me and you are looking at him.” He leaned forward. “You and I both know I do not need to ask you. I can take the information from you without your knowing. I gave you my word that I would help you and that includes not violating your thoughts. Now, can we try this again?”

  “Why should I tell you all my secrets if you’re not going to share? Do you not think that is a bit one sided. If you want to,” Tried to think of a word that might irk him. “Rape my mind and steal my secrets, I am not going to be able to stop you. I know you’re far more powerful than me. I can sense that much of you. Therefore, I am sure I will be unable to do anything to prevent you from forcibly taking from my mind anything you wish to know.”

  Clarissa stood holding the plate with both hands so the shaking she was inwardly feeling would not show. She stood with her chin raised, proud, stubborn and defiant. “The fact that you chose not to have done so yet is gallant, to say the least. But you might wish to remember you came to me. I did not seek out you or your assistance. Although, I appreciate your offer, your motives concern me. As for moving past this in the jungle, the goal was different then. You deal with the demon, I deal with the stone, both happy and both move our separate ways. I failed in getting to the stone first. You offered strategy where I know none. I accepted. But if it is contingent on my telling you about me or the stone then the price for your guidance is too high.”<
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  The guardian wondered what his next move would be. Will he relinquish information for a chance at the stone or just push her away? Her heart beat rapidly as she looked at this sexy man, wanting the help but not willing to show weakness. ‘Gods give me the strength I need to resist him and focus on my duties.’

  “The goal has not changed and I will not violate your mind. I made a promise and my word is my honor.” He turned away from her and towards the fire, his hands clasped behind his back. “You are young and your powers are still growing. I was only suggesting you tell me since I may be able to help you either develop them or add some of mine to help you find Xon easier.” He turned back to face her. “Trust is as hard for me as it is for you.”

  His words shocked her so much she dropped the plate. The little bit of food she had placed on it scattered across the floor. Her mouth went dry, her mind raced. He was someone willing to teach her? Help her? Someone who can add power to her abilities? She did not know what to say. Yet she felt there was an underlying ambition to his offer of assistance like the Gem of Power. Still as promised, he had fought by her side. He had even saved her life. He knew about her but not enough to decipher what powers she controlled. Mel could tell they were raw but then anyone who knew anything about weres knew the young ones were still learning. By were standards, she was still very young in her power abilities.