“My firstborn son, yes. All Talarion firstborns are male.”
I’m trying to wrap my head around this. “You think she’d like lock him up like a little power box and force him to open portals?”
“After she killed me, yes.”
“Sounds like you dodged a bullet there.”
His jaw works to one side, and I can tell he’s getting frustrated. “My energy pulled you here for a reason. I believe it may be to help me defeat Maneshha.”
Shrugging, I reach for my drink, but he slaps a hand over the rim. “It is strong. You should take care.”
Rolling my eyes, I move his hand. “I heard that before. Right before I fell at your feet. What do you plan to do about her?”
“I originally planned to use the last of my energy to banish her to the dark planet, but instead, I will allow you the satisfaction of killing her.”
Okay, I’ll play. Because I’m sick of trying to get it across that I’m not a real assassin. “And if I don’t?”
“You will.”
“You sound so certain.”
I’ve never killed anyone, nor had the smallest desire to do so. Horror movies freak me out. I don’t like blood and guts, which is why I didn’t become a nurse like I wanted to be when I was ten. Strangely, as he says these things about me with so much conviction, I sort of feel as if he’s right. Like, it might happen without any input from me.
His expression grows so intense, it completely captures my attention and I’m instantly enthralled. A sprinkle of stardust glows in his eyes.
“I sense the need for aggression radiating inside your energy. You want many things, namely, to fight. To win. Toconquer. These are the energies of a warrioress. You desire to overtake one who would cause harm. Your instinct is to protect those who would suffer violence. Maneshha already challenged you when she stabbed you and it’s a challenge you can’t turn away from. Your instincts won’t allow it. Deny it and show me what a liar you are.”
Gam tenses as if he’s excited about what he’s saying.
Anger flashes hot and hard, making my hairline burn. Pushing my plate farther away, I lean over the table and meet him in the middle. “Oh, yeah, know-it-all? What else do I desire?”
The knowing, almost predatory grin that transforms his lips into an intensely sexy line that I want to taste.
“A male. A rough, possessive male who cannot keep his hands from your body. A devoted male who would kill anyone who dare send another image of his cock without your permission.” Gam closes the space between us until mere inches separate his face from mine. “You desire to be wanted, fully and completely. And also… to kill the mate of a male whom your friend desires?”
How the hell does he know all this?
The paper, from the Desire Dimension. I’d written that I wanted to know how to fight like Assassin Krunch in case I had to save Arial from her next-door neighbor’s girlfriend. My voice positively shakes when I finally say something.
“How? How do you know that?”
The starlight in his eyes increases. A hard shiver goes through me.
“As I said, we are compatible as mates. The cosmos has brought us together. I can read your energy as clearly as if you were speaking your desires to me. I am learning you as a mate would. If you allowed it, I think you would begin to learn me, as well.”
“That’s ridiculous. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Gam touches a finger to my lips. Sucking in a breath, I go still as he traces the tip along the outline of my mouth. Leaning into the caress, I nearly moan but stop myself. My self-respect didn’t come through the portal with me, I guess. His voice drops low and seductive.
“You will complete what you came here to do. It is your destiny, Fern. Many things are. You’ll see.”
Curse the stupid Desire Dimension. Arial had said to be frivolous, so I was. None of it was supposed to be true. But now I can’t help but feel that Gam is right. I want all of those things. I do want a man to want me. And the part of me that’s morphed into Assassin Krunch surges with the desire to stand up against injustice.
I’m going to face Maneshha. And honestly? I part of me is, crazily, looking forward to it.
Gam’s breath touches my lips. Drawn to him, I ease closer, closer. We’re going to kiss over the top of the dinner table. This is nuts. We’re making a scene. The wives are probably watching us. My breath hitches as I get a full intake of his scent. He smells like sunshine and grass and something I can’t identify.
Do aliens kiss?
