Defying the North Wind Read online

  “It will end here, Caecius.”

  “Yes, I think it will.” Caecius spread his arms wide. “But I will not go back to my prison. I love being free. Watching men succumb to their true instincts. I love breathing in their anger. You’ll give in to it soon, Venti. I feel such fury in you.” Caecius’s gaze swung to Rayne. “You want to keep her safe but we both know I’m not the biggest danger to her.” Dark eyes burned into Luca. “You’ll hurt her eventually. You’ll use your fists on her, mar her skin, leave her hurting.”

  Luca watched Rayne’s face pale. No, he wouldn’t believe the Tempest Wind’s lies. Luca controlled his vice, not the other way around.

  And he wouldn’t let Caecius poison Rayne.

  Luca launched forward. He smacked into his foe and they hit the ground, wrestling for dominance. Both their winds roared up, tearing through the bell tower and rocking the bells above. The dull dong of metal against metal echoed around them.

  Suddenly Caecius gave a giant heave and knocked Luca off him. The Tempest Wind jumped to his feet and ran. Straight at Rayne.

  Luca charged after him. No way he’d let the Tempest Wind touch her. He saw Rayne ahead with her legs spread, braced to fight.

  As Luca dived forward, Caecius turned into the wind. Luca’s momentum carried him forward through the streaming particles of the Northeast Wind. Instead of hitting Caecius, Luca slammed into Rayne.

  She fell backward, skidding along the ground. Right toward the gaping opening in the center of the tower.

  Luca reached out, trying to grab her.

  She crashed through the tape and tipped over the edge, her hands scrambling to stop her fall. But she disappeared, her scream slamming into Luca.

  “No!” Luca jumped to his feet and dived over the edge. Turning into the wind, he streamed after her. Caecius’s laughter rang in Luca’s ears.

  He caught her and slowed their descent. Some sort of scaffolding cage intended for the restoration work lay beneath them. They touched down inside it.

  He yanked her to his chest. “I’m sorry. Are you okay?”

  She held onto him, tight. “I’m fine.” Her voice was a little shaky. “Wish I could turn into the wind.”

  He patted his hands down her arms, over her sides. She looked fine, if a little dazed, her only injury a tiny graze on her arm. But she was fine. Dio, blood was pounding through him, leaving him lightheaded. He didn’t think he’d ever forget that moment of watching her fall over the edge.

  Suddenly there was a loud clang above them.

  Yanking her close to his side, they both arched their necks.

  Caecius had slammed the top of the cage down. He balanced on top, watching them with a smile.

  “Well, your little trick to trap me didn’t work so well, did it?” His smile widened. “My trap for you, however, worked perfectly.”

  Trap? Luca frowned, dread blooming in his gut.

  “Women are a distraction, Venti. And your tireless need to do good makes you predictable. I knew exactly what she was the moment I saw her above the flames of your burning hotel.” Caecius banged the cage’s roof. “Enjoy your new home. I’m off to watch Venice descend into chaos.” He bent his knees and using the wind, leaped upward and was gone.

  Luca grabbed the bars of the cage and yanked. Nothing. He put all his enhanced strength behind it. Still nothing.

  “It’s made of silver?” Rayne asked.

  Luca nodded. The only thing that could hold a WindKeeper. Ever since the first Keeper of the Winds had used it to seal a bag containing the Tempest Winds that he’d given to Odysseus on his famous journey.

  They were trapped.

  ***

  Rayne watched Luca prowl, stopping every now and then to kick the bars.

  “I should have sensed the trap.” He cursed. “I know how cunning Caecius can be. I possess all my ancestors’s memories, I’ve seen every horror Caecius and his brethren have inflicted.” Luca gave the bars another swift kick. “I should have seen this!”

  “Settle down, Luca. We’ll work out a way to escape.”

  “It’ll be too late.” He spun, his hands on his hips. She saw the icy blue forming in his eyes. “Caecius is out there, turning Venice into a bloodbath. People will turn on friends, kill loved ones.”

  She moved now and placed a hand on his arm. “We’ll stop him.”

  “It’s my fault.” Luca gripped her arm and tugged her closer. He touched a finger to the small wound on her arm. “I hurt you. I almost killed you.”

  “Luca—”

  “I’m no better than your stepfather. A monster filled with anger.”

  “You’re nothing like my stepfather. Nothing like him.” She stepped into the circle of Luca’s arms, her hand sliding up his strong bicep. “And I’m here to make sure you don’t become a monster.”

  He shrugged her off and stalked away. “I shouldn’t need help.”

  “Why? Because you’re a WindKeeper? Because you’re the oldest brother?”

  He shot her a hot look.

  “Everyone needs help sometimes. Being strong is knowing when to ask for it.” She held out her hand, her palm lit by a lonely shaft of sunlight that managed to find its way down into the tower. “Accepting help doesn’t make you weak. My mother refused to ask for help. Refused to believe that she needed it.”

  Luca closed his eyes. His face was partly hidden in shadow.

  “Let me help you.” Rayne heard the raw emotion in her voice. “Because I’m not going to stand by and do nothing.”

  His eyes opened. They were the rich cobalt blue she was starting to adore. He stared at her for so long, she was afraid to take a breath. Then his hand closed around hers.

  “Honorable and brave.” He reeled her in until their chests bumped.

  She smiled. “Don’t forget strong and smart. She winked at him. “And sexy.”

  His lips quirked. “We need to get out of here.”

  She studied the bars. “Ideas?”

  “I think you’re right. I think it’s time I asked for help.” He looked upward. “My brother, Soren is close, in Como. He’s been searching for his Vento Tempesta, Apeliotus.” Luca fell silent for a moment. “Soren is suffering. Greed is dragging him under.”

  “And he’s the youngest. You’ve always protected him.”

  Luca shot her a look. “How did you know?”

  She smile was a little sad. “Because I have a younger sister. I’ve always tried to shield her from everything, but I failed. Sometimes we have to trust them to stand on their own, and to help us in return.”

  Luca nodded and lifted his hand. The North Wind streamed into the bell tower, it’s icy touch stirring their hair, ruffling their clothes. Then he thrust his arm upward.

  The wind burst away and was gone.

  “It might take him a few hours to get here.” Luca’s jaw tightened. “Enough time for Caecius to wreak a hell of a lot of damage.”

  Rayne wrapped her arms around Luca. “Not your fault, remember? Think of the people we’ll save once we stop him.”

  Luca leaned into her. “I’ll try.”

  She pressed her lips to the side of his neck. “Just try not to think about it for a bit.” She felt him go still.

  “What should I think about?”

  She nipped his jaw. “Me.”

  He leaned down and captured her mouth with his. There was nothing tentative or sweet in his kiss. She wrapped her arms around his neck, rising up on her toes. The kiss turned wild, primal.

  With teeth, tongues and lips, they devoured each other. There was nothing cool, just fire, heat, a frenzy of need.

  Luca lifted her up and took two steps. Her back hit the bars, the shaft of light cutting across her and leaving him in shadow.

  “I want you.” His mouth traveled down her neck, kissing, nipping.

  The sensations drove her crazy. She felt her nipples harden, her panties grow damp. “I want you too.”

 
He growled against her collarbone. Then he was ripping her tank over her head, her bra quickly following. His mouth clamped over one breast.

  Rayne arched her back. Luca’s mouth on her felt so good. She let go of him and raised her arms, curling her hands around the silver bars.

  His hands cupped her buttocks, holding her there like some offering to the gods. He looked up her body, his eyes burning hot. His face was still in shadow and the only color in the darkness was that shaft of sunlight spilling across her skin, turning it stark gold.

  Luca’s lips traveled to her other breast and he gave that one the same attention. Rayne let her head drop back against the bars. She looked upward, to the top of the tower, and wondered how high he would take her. How much he would steal of both her heart and soul.

  He let her legs drop for a moment, only to slick her trousers down and tear her panties away. Then she was naked, while he was fully clothed. She was in the light, while he was still shrouded in the darkness.

  She loved it.

  He lifted her again and now she wrapped naked legs around his lean waist. Felt the large bulge of his erection nestle between her thighs. She moved her hips, teasing them both.

  He growled. “Temptress.”

  “I’m just getting started.” She moved again, loving the way his gaze skimmed up her belly, lingered on her breasts. “If you’re going to drive me wild, I’m going to return the favor.”

  “I think you might just be perfect for me.”

  She blinked but didn’t have time to ponder his words because at that moment he ran one hand down her belly. Her muscles contracted at his touch. He dipped a finger in her navel before tracing the curve of her hip bone.

  Then his fingers sank into the dark curls between her legs. His touch alternated between light and teasing, and a hard flick that barely grazed the tiny knot that wanted more. Soon she was writhing, her hands clamped tight on the bars.

  “Luca!”

  “Don’t let go of the bars.” One thick finger teased her entrance then sank inside her.

  She jerked, her cry echoing around them. Another finger stretched her, then pulled away. She gave another sharp cry.

  “Hold tight.” He disengaged her legs.

  She wasn’t sure what he was doing then suddenly he knelt in front of her, lifting her thighs onto his shoulders. God, she wouldn’t survive this.

  His mouth closed over her. The sensation was electric, streaming through her. His tongue found her clit and he was done teasing.

  He worked her hard. Every muscle in her body contracted to a hard, pleasurable point and exploded. She screamed her release, pleasure crashing over her.

  But he still wasn’t done. She tried to push him away but his mouth stayed on her. Before she could say anything else, she hurtled up again and let out a surprised cry.

  Rayne hung limply against the cage. Her hands still clung to the bars, and she couldn’t find the strength to let go. Luca surged to his feet. He was a huge shadow before her, just his white shirt glowing in the darkness.

  She heard the rattle of a belt buckle and the rasp of a zipper.

  He stepped between her splayed legs, his hands sliding under her and lifting her hips. The light caught him now, illuminating a long, thick cock.

  Rayne swallowed. Oh, she wanted him. “Luca—”

  Without a word, he tilted her hips. The head of his cock nudged her. Then with one strong thrust, he filled her.

  God. She squeezed the bars, fighting against the intense pleasure-pain of having him fill her. Stretch her.

  “Rayne.” His voice was a harsh rasp.

  “Move, Luca.” She let one hand go, and swiped it down the buttons of his shirt. They scattered across the floor and bared his hard chest to her. “Now.”

  He pulled himself out of her, then slammed home. Rayne reared up, cries torn from her throat.

  Chapter Six

  Luca couldn’t think, couldn’t talk. All he could do was feel.

  Rayne’s body was hot and slick around his cock. Dio, she was so tight, so perfect. He cupped her shapely bottom in his hands, kneading her flesh.

  She looked amazing. Her breasts high and full, topped by nipples turned red by his mouth. Her skin gold-kissed by the light. Like she was some goddess of the morning.

  Come to save him, the weak mortal.

  He slid back inside her body and as her cries rang in his ears, he changed his tempo. Quickened. He hammered into her, desperate to find the cascade of pleasure he knew they could discover together.

  Suddenly, she came again, her back arching like a bow.

  Her body clamped down on his and he splintered apart. With a roar, he slammed into her one last time and held her as he came in a potent rush.

  He dropped forward, trapping her between his body and the bars. His head found her shoulder, and he pressed his lips to the racing pulse in her throat. The scent of sex and Rayne filled his senses. A perfect combination. He wanted more of it, much, much more.

  But reality was a nasty prick in his side. They had to get out of here and stop Caecius.

  He reached up and pried her fingers off the bars. She slumped against his chest and he held her close, his face pressed to her hair. “Dio, Rayne. I’ve never felt like this…so…” Complete. Shit, he didn’t want to sound like some poetry-spouting stalker.

  She nuzzled into him. “It’s okay, Luca. I know.”

  Jesus, he didn’t think his legs had the strength to hold them. He pulled her to him, turned until his back was to the bars and slid to the ground, Rayne snuggled in his lap.

  One thought rattled through his head. Did she feel the same as him? With one finger, he tilted her face up. “You said earlier that you didn’t want to be used by a WindKeeper. Didn’t want to be a chattel—”

  “Luca—”

  “Let me finish.” He slid his hands slid into her hair. He wanted the right words, to show her how he felt. Instead, all he could manage was to keep it simple. “You aren’t.”

  Her eyes shimmered. She reached up and kissed him.

  Something broke through the spell that had woven around them. Something carried on the wind.

  Luca pulled back, even though he wanted to keep kissing her. “You need to get dressed. Soren will be here soon.”

  “Jesus!” She scrambled to grab her clothes.

  Luca stood slowly, watching with great disappointment as she covered her naked body. He adjusted his own clothes and a few minutes later, a warm, humid wind spiraled into the tower.

  A tall, lean man materialized on top of the cage in a crouch.

  “Mio fratello.” Luca raised a hand.

  Soren gripped it through the bars, his grasp tight. Damn, Soren looked bad. Grooves dug deep into his cheeks, his gray eyes were dull and even in the few days since Luca had seen him, he’d lost weight.

  “How are you doing?” Luca asked.

  “I’m holding.” Soren flicked a glance at Rayne. “Going to introduce me?”

  “Rayne, this is my brother, Soren.”

  Rayne stepped forward. “Soren Vulturnus Venti, Keeper of the East Wind. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  Soren’s eyes widened and he studied her intently. “You’re Aurae?”

  She nodded.

  “Amazing.” He looked back at Luca. “I’m stunned my do-it-himself big brother is accepting help.”

  Rayne shrugged. “I didn’t give him any choice.”

  The faintest smile crossed Soren’s face. “We need to talk.” The smile vanished. “I take it Caecius trapped you in here.”

  Luca scowled. “You’d guess right.”

  Soren unclipped a slim metal rope from his belt. “How about we get you out?” He clipped the rope to the cage then leaped into the air. The warm, humid East Wind streamed upward, lifting him high as he flew to the top of the tower.

  “He needs help,” Rayne murmured.

  Luca stared after his brother. He knew she didn’t m
ean help to break open the cage. Helplessness was a wicked pain in Luca’s gut. “I can’t help him until I defeat Caecius.”

  “Until we defeat Caecius.”

  There was a groan of metal and the lid flew off the cage. Luca wrapped his arms around her waist. “I haven’t forgotten.”

  He summoned the wind and leaped into the air, holding her tight.

  ***

  Rayne could really get used to this.

  Flying through the air, being the very wind itself, was exhilarating. Maybe it was just the sensation of being one with the Keeper of the North Wind, but something told her she wouldn’t enjoy this quite as much if she wasn’t with him.

  She sensed Soren close by. His wind was hotter, laden with moisture, like it wanted to carry everything it could. It rippled over her senses—edgy, needy. He was close to succumbing to the greed that his wind harbored.

  Then she sensed something else.

  Smoke.

  Ahead, flames rose into the night sky.

  Venice was burning.

  They materialized atop a building on Campo San Polo. The second largest square in the city was filled with a volatile crowd. Some people fought hand-to-hand, others were throwing bottles; bodies littered the ground. At one end of the campo, polizi in riot gear engaged the crowd, lobbing tear gas into the mass of humanity.

  Rayne’s heart gave a solid thump and she pressed a hand to the base of her throat. She’d seen violence up close, saw the horror of it reflected in Skye’s pale eyes every day. But Rayne had never seen anything like this.

  “We have to help,” she choked out.

  “We will.” Luca’s face was set like stone. His tone unforgiving.

  She knew he’d do everything he could to stop the chaos. If she’d learned nothing else about the man, it was that he’d die fighting Caecius if he had to.

  She’d studied Luca, studied all of the WindKeepers, pored over their files. She’d believed Luca to be nothing more than the vice that simmered inside him. But he was so much more. A loving brother, a dedicated WindKeeper, a passionate lover.

  “I can’t stay, Luca.” Soren’s gray eyes were solemn, his veins stark under his skin. “I can hear Apeliotus’s ugly whispers. Promising me things.” Soren pressed a palm to the side of his head. “Things I want so much.”