Incubus by Janet Elizabeth Jones Page A

yes. And he’s just announced himself without a bit of fear for his safety. He’s strong, this one.”
    Talisen probed with all her senses, as she had learned to do in her first few weeks as a revenant. “I can’t find him. Can’t get a fix on him.”
    â€œDon’t bother trying. He’s sizing us up,” Ellory added with a snort. “Typical of his generation.”
    She followed his gaze as he eyed the woodland behind them, the boiling clouds above and the rising ocean beyond. The wind fell still, and then everything else did, too.
    Suddenly, Ellory flew backward out of her arms andhit the sand about six feet away. An arm materialized from out of the dark to clasp her around the waist, and a hand caught her under the chin. The Ancient’s touch was gentle, but the fever in his skin stung her. It was the fever of severe hunger.
    She swallowed her scream and fixed her eyes on Ellory, who’d picked himself up and now stood with his exquisite mouth gaping at whoever had hold of her. He recovered his composure in a heartbeat and gave her a reassuring, if pained, look.
    â€œDon’t move, Talisen.”
    She drew a ragged breath. “Not planning on it.”
    She heard the sharp intake of breath from her assailant. He pressed his nose into her hair, and his chest expanded against her shoulder blades as though he were filling his lungs with her scent. A sigh, ending in a moan, filled her ears, made its way into her mind, into her very veins…
    â€œTalisen,” murmured Ellory. “Stay with me.”
    She shook off the lethargy that crowded out her awareness and nodded at him. Maybe you’d better do that dissolving thing to me you’re so good at.
    Ellory drew at his lip with his teeth. But you hate it.
    Turning to sand and slipping through his fingers is a lot better than being sucked dry.
    He shook his head. It’s too risky. He’s volatile. And…well…
    What?
    He knows you’re a revenant.
    Great. Everybody hates revenants. At his age, he’s bound to hate them more. Ellory winced. Actually, at his age, he’s more likely to feel exactly the opposite and think you’re my plaything.
    Talisen frowned at him. You’re not making me feel better.
    The Ancient nuzzled her neck with his stubbly chin.
    Ellory, do it.
    It could backfire on us. I could end up spending the rest of the night sifting bits and pieces of you out of this beach.
    I’ll take my chances on being Humpty Dumpty. Get me out of this. Now.
    Not like that.
    All right. What’s your plan?
    Keep your focus on me. He can mesmerize you, so if he speaks to you, don’t answer him.
    Ellory?
    Yes, love?
    I’m scared.
    I know.
    Ellory sidestepped in a half circle with his hands upturned in a gesture of peace, but Talisen took heart in the raw steel she heard in his voice. “The delicacy you’re holding in your arms is mine, blood and body. Release her.”
    The husky, youthful voice that answered Ellory shattered Talisen’s idea that she was in the grip of an old codger. He sounded like he was barely twenty. “Youdid good work on this one. Revenants make such a sweet feast. Human blood and that of our kind, all in one fountain…”
    The depth of his appreciation, backed by the raw power he exuded, was enough to make Talisen’s head pound. Ellory…
    Ellory stepped closer. The bite in his voice bore a promise of retribution. “She isn’t chattel. She’s my mate. Let her go.”
    The scent on the stranger’s skin flowered on the breeze again, clouding Talisen’s thoughts. Such an old aroma, so provocative. What was it? Patchouli? It was oddly familiar. Who did it remind her of?
    Ellory’s voice broke through her musing. Stop thinking about him. He’s trying to draw you in. Your only protection is our unity. Resist him.
    He smells really good.
    Talisen…please…
    But not as good as you do.
    She