Damned and Defiant by Kathy Kulig Page B

properties but Dante only half listened. He was looking for certain stones, ones that would cause his nebula stone to vibrate. As he rolled the stone in the palm of his hand, a rippling sensation began in the nebula stone against his chest. It wasn’t the strong vibration that signaled the presence of another Drone nearby. Or the signal of heat when the demoness made her summons. The mild vibration was Dante’s clue that these stones or crystals could be assimilated into the temple and their power used for Tarik’s project. “I’ll take all of these that you have.”
    “Really? Great.” She stared at him for a moment as if he were crazy. “May I ask if you’re using these for healing or for another purpose? This is an unusual amount.”
    “Not for healing.”
    She nodded. “Oh, I see.” But she looked confused.
    After Dante paid, he walked across the room, examining another display to avoid any further questions. He was sure she had no idea he was planning to use the stones as a means to propel his alternative universe through the ninth dimension back to its planet of origin.
    Leane wrapped the stones and placed them in a bag while Dante continued to look around and entered another room. He glanced at the closed door to Ambros’ office. Would Haley remember her abduction and near death in Tarik’s lower chamber? At that time, when Dante had rescued her, nearly all her chi energy was drained from Tarik’s experiment. If she did remember, she’d know that Dante was a demon. She’d also know about Anartia.
    The muscles in his neck tightened and a pounding began in his head. Even immortals experienced headaches. If this enlightened man was so brilliant, why didn’t he sense the danger he was putting Haley in by helping her regain her memories? Any mortal who knew of their existence could be a threat to them by interfering with their ability to obtain chi.
    A hand rested on Dante’s arm and he jumped. Leane stood beside him, giving him a sympathetic look. “They shouldn’t be much longer. Can I make you some tea?”
    Dante took in a slow breath. If Haley did remember, he’d explain how she needed to keep that information to herself. “No, thanks on the tea. I’ll look around while I wait.”
    Leane handed him his bag of stones. While Dante admired a piece of Navajo sandpainting on display, his nebula stone began to vibrate. Dante put the bag of crystals down on a table and took a couple steps back but the nebula stone continued to vibrate. All the stones and crystals were in the next room. What was causing his pendant to respond?
    Odd, he thought.
    “Shopping for earthly souvenirs now that we’re leaving this damn planet?” Valdon’s tone was mocking and condescending. Standing beside Valdon, wearing jeans, a Sedona Red Rocks T-shirt and lightweight hiking boots was Natesa looking more like a tourist than a demon from Anartia sent to seduce mortals and collect their lifeforce. Valdon knew how to quickly acclimate new Drones to their surroundings. That was his job. Thank God he’d found Natesa, and she wasn’t roaming around Sedona attacking real tourists in her wolf form.
    Dante hated how Valdon tended to show up unannounced like the Drone was spying on him. Natesa shot Dante a cocky grin and wandered off to admire a wall of necklaces and earrings.
    “I have the crystals the demoness requested. What have you been doing?” Dante asked so the other patrons in the store couldn’t overhear.
    “You found crystals? Where?”
    Dante held up his sack. “Citrine and quartz. The nebula stone detects a clear flow of energy with these.”
    Valdon peered into the bag and gave a snort. “Where are the rest of them?”
    “This is it.”
    Valdon’s eyes widened, then laughed. “That’s it? You’ll annoy Gwyllain with that insulting offer. We stopped by the ranch earlier to take you to our find. We collected a few more than you.”
    “I heard you were there. Stay away from Haley.” Dante didn’t care that