Could her lunatic friends have really summoned him to this world? Was it possible?
Trying to calm herself, Valynda wasn’t quite sure what one would look like, but certainly not this fine specimen of male attractiveness. It just didn’t seem plausible or right given the effigies and drawings that were strung up all over the island.
At well over six feet in height, he was the last thing she’d ever expect of such a terrifying entity. Dressed in a loose-fitting light blue shirt, he had sun-kissed caramel skin that covered a body taut with rippling muscles. Amber eyes that were searing with their intelligence and torment, as if he had a secret that only he knew. A riot of dark, shoulder-length curls framed a face that had been sculpted to masculine perfection. Indeed, she’d never seen anyone more handsome. There was an air about him of power and charisma unlike anything she’d ever beheld before. Something that made her want to walk into his arms and at the same time turn and run as far away as she could. He was terrifying.
And beguiling.
Because there was no doubt that he was equally as lethal as he was beautiful. And his fashion showed that he didn’t give a fig what others thought of him. Indeed, he had a number of long pheasant feathers attached to his hair that fell over his chest to trail to his waist. Along with a light beard and an earring that gave him the appearance of one of the pirates her father’s stepbrother was so fond of convicting and hanging in cages to rot along the shoreline as a warning to others who dared to venture here to their island home.
Swallowing hard, Valynda shook her head and made a solemn observation she prayed she didn’t live to regret. “You’re japing. You’re not really a ghede.”
He arched a brow as a devilish grin lifted one corner of those delectable lips. A low, musical laugh rumbled from his chest. “I’m not just any ghede, gel. I’m the leader of the dead.”
Now she knew he was messing with her. Surely a psychopomp would have much better things to do than torment her and her friends, given the number of people slain in and around the islands in this day and age. Rolling her eyes, she crossed her arms over her chest. “On with you now. I’ve no time for this.”
“You don’t believe me?” he asked incredulously.
“That a ghede has nothing better to do than scare schoolgirls? Nay, sir, I don’t believe you. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I needs see about my friends.”
As she started to help Margie, he appeared in front of her.
Out of the blue.
Startled and alarmed, Valynda pulled up short. “How did you do that?”
His grin turned teasing. “Told you. I’m Ghede Nibo.” He held a small silver ring toward her. “You’ve intrigued me, Valynda Moore. Check on your friends, and when you’re ready to learn more about me, call my name … without the theatrics.”
An instant later, he was gone and the ring was on her finger.
Suddenly shaking, Valynda stood beneath the light of the full moon in complete shock. Her jaw went slack as she held the ring up to see the skull and crossbones that had been impressed deep into the band. It was beautiful, in a morbid way.
A silver ring of mourning.
“How did he know my name?”
1717 Port Royal
Nibo stared down at the scars on his finger where his old silver mourning ring used to rest. A ring he’d placed on his hand as a memorial for his beautiful Aclima and had once vowed to never remove. He still had no idea what had possessed him to hand it off so recklessly to Valynda the night they’d met. Not after he’d spent centuries guarding it so.
He hadn’t even thought twice about letting her have the one thing he treasured most. …
Strange how he could still feel it there even though he’d given it over so long ago to a mere slip of a woman to hold for safekeeping.
Along with a part of his anatomy he’d deny having if anyone was stupid enough to ask. ’Course it wouldn’t be a lie to deny its existence now, given that Val had possession of that damnable organ he’d never had any use for as it had never done anything other than lead him into the fiery pits of damnation.
Still …
He missed that ring.
Sadly, he missed Valynda more.
Valynda Moore …
The mere thought of her name made him smile.
Andthatinstantly made him sneer in disgust, as he realized what the hell his body had done without consulting him.
Again.
