Stallion of Ash and Flame (Siren Publishing Classic) by Savanna Kougar Page A

revealed. “Why are they setting forest fires?”
    “From what I scanned—” He halted, realizing he’d let something else out about who he was. But she nodded for him to continue. Her eyes were huge, her face markedly pale in the limited illumination of the room. “There are several reasons why. The origin points of the fires are like X marks the spot for a treasure of mineral deposits. Once the arson inspectors do their job and leave, no one is likely to hike into that part of the forest. Plus, it keeps the animal population away. They’re also using the firestorms to prove their dominance in the area over the drug runners and the coyotes bringing in illegals.”
    “My firestorm is bigger and badder than your firestorm?” She sighed her sorrow. “It’s all so horrible.”
    “I have to stop them.”
    His words spilled into the brief silence. He’d spoken because she needed to know. And, he needed her to know.
    “How?” she demanded.
    Rolling on his side toward her, he immersed his gaze in the wary brilliance of hers. Searching, he found her tender heart for him shimmering beneath, despite how she’d been hurt in the past. “Before I decide on a plan, I’ll investigate their operation, look for the weak points. First, we’ll get your amulets back.”
    She sighed, then shook her hair, her attitude dispirited. “What’s the point, now? If the amulets are keys to operate some kind of ancient mining machinery—”
    “Because,” he interrupted, “they could fall into the wrong hands. Underneath us right now, deep in the Earth, are antediluvian machines used to core out giant tunnels. Whoever gets hold of those amulets will gain control of the Anunnaki technology used to mine gold, and they’ll be able to reach those machines.”
    “Do you mean unfriendly alien races or the shadow government bastards here?” Her fiery anger against all the lies told to the general public glittered in her eyes, and could have rivaled the wrath of Pele’s volcanoes.
    “Either one, or both. There are alien races in collusion with the ‘shadow government bastards.’”
    She nodded, the set of her chin resolute. “You said only I can recover the amulets. What do you mean?”
    “The Fystites didn’t physically touch the amulets when they stole them. They used a specialized plasma field. Only you can touch them, Seneca.”
    She shook her head, mystified. “That doesn’t make any sense. Why steal them if no one else can touch them?”
    “They never have to be touched directly. The plasma field can fit like a glove.”
    “Okay, even if I accept that reality, why would the amulets bind to my touch, for lack of a better word?”
    “A safety measure by the Anunnaki, or whoever brought them to the cave. Possibly to make certain they would remain with whoever claimed them.”
    “Well, it didn’t work, did it?” she asked, her tone sour. “Oh, no,” she gasped softly.
    “What?” Trail grasped her upper arm, stroking.
    “One time Rory was studying the amulets. When he reached for one of them, he felt a shock, as if he’d touched a hot wire used for electric fencing. He also said every time he thought about looking at them, he’d feel a sense of dread. I just thought the amulets had picked up someone’s negative emotions.”
    Trail hauled her against him as she trembled violently. “I’m sorry,” he murmured into her hair.
    “Just how are we supposed to get the amulets back?” she asked, her voice muffled by his chest.
    Hearing the slight chatter of her teeth, he embraced her more tightly. She was tough, but not this tough. Life hadn’t prepared her for the worlds he knew about, for the situation they were now in. Hell, she wasn’t prepared for him. Damn, in pawing truth, he hadn’t been prepared for how deeply she affected him. How much he loved her.
    “I do have a plan, using my amazing alien powers,” he crooned teasingly.
    She hesitated, her breath pausing, but not her tremors. “What amazing alien