them.
“Yeah. Time to go. I think I wore out my welcome again.” He reached for Ember’s hand.
Ember swung around to get Synda’s attention. Her friend was gone. She rose and took a few steps in the direction of the back only to be promptly tugged to a stop. Turning on her heel she spun to face Timur. “Where’s Synda?”
“Kirill had her out of here within a few seconds of walking through the door. They are probably on their way home by now.” He shrugged as he pulled her with him.
She grabbed her jacket from the hook on the wall on her way out the exit, and yanked her hand free as the door closed behind them. “What the hell are you, and why exactly are you always shirtless?”
He crossed his arms and stared at her. She could feel an uncomfortable heat creep up her neck. Ember looked around, anywhere but into his vivid green eyes. The plank sidewalk groaned as the wind picked up and whipped through the boards. Snow drifts formed around the pilings. She stuffed her arms into her coat sleeves and quickly zipped up her jacket. When he didn’t say anything she threw her hands in the air before digging into her jeans pocket to pull out the snowmobile key.
“Never mind.” She walked toward her vehicle. Ember never heard him move. He dropped down in-front of her, his wings extended as if he were some kind of angel. She pulled up short and studied the silver appendages that fluttered in the wind.
He closed the space between them and clasped her face within his palms. “I’ll be anything you want me to be.” Timur pressed his mouth to hers, tracing the seam of her lips with his tongue.
Ember grabbed his triceps as he bent her backward over his forearm. She felt his muscles bunch beneath her palms and opened her mouth, giving in to the desires that had been riding her. Twining her tongue with his, she drew him deeper into her mouth. The sweetest flavor of brown sugar raced across her taste buds. She tightened her grip and closed her eyes.
Timur broke the kiss and pulled her upright. She lifted her hand, brushed her lips with her fingers, and opened her eyes. A crooked smile softened the sharp angles of his face. She closed the space between them and swept back a lock of his hair that had fallen forward. He gripped her hand and pulled it down, holding it close to his chest.
Ember held his gaze and whispered, “Why are you doing this to me?”
“Whatever is happening is occurring to both of us. I have to leave for a few weeks, but we can explore this thing between us when I return.” He sighed and tugged the snowmobile key from her other hand. “I need to get you home.”
She shuffled back, putting room between them. “Synda never mentioned you leaving.”
“It was a last minute decision.” The wind howled as the currents grew stronger, blowing his hair into his face. “Come on, before you freeze out here.” He took a few steps forward and tugged on her hand.
Ember planted her feet. “Where are you going?”
“Kirill asked for my help. I need to meet with a coven in the states.”
“Coven, as in witches?” Her curiosity was getting the best of her.
“Yeah.”
She shook her head. “There is so much going on, so many people, things I don’t understand.”
He cocked his head. “You’re human, and few of you are privy to our existence. Your confusion is to be expected.”
Ember exhaled. “You’re right, so I guess I’m coming with you.”
Timur snapped his head up. “Say that again?”
The breeze died down. She smiled at the look of shock on his face. “Don’t look so surprised. What better way to kick-start my education? I mean, this could work in your favor. I’m great company on long trips.” She snatched the key fob out of his lax palm and turned on her heel, tossing the words over her shoulder. “So, when are we leaving?”
He shook his head and followed her. “No, you’re a human and a fragile one at that.”
“Yeah, but I’m also a cop that got caught off-guard by
Kevin J. Anderson, Rebecca Moesta, June Scobee Rodgers
David Sherman & Dan Cragg
From the Notebooks of Dr Brain (v4.0) (html)