Aeromancist (Seven Forbidden Arts 3)

Tears ran down her cheeks, but she couldn’t wipe them away because Lann pinned her arms at her sides.

“Please, Katherine.” He brought her hand to his lips and kissed the ring he’d slipped onto her finger. “Marry me.”

He was right. He deserved the choice. If the tables were turned, she would’ve wanted the chance to make up her own mind.

“Yes,” she said.

“Because I want you to, or because you want to?”

“I want to.”

He eased his tight hold. “Am I crushing you?”

She laughed. “A little.”

He kissed the top of her head. “I’ll try to give you space to breathe, I promise.”

A squall lifted the end of their coats, isolating them in a whirlpool of invisible molecules. At the same moment, the veil of clouds shifted, creating a hole through which the sun became visible. As the thick layer of gray sky dissipated, the sun split into three, hanging on top of the trees.

She pointed at the sight. “Look!”

“A sun dog,” he said, his face solemn.

The air stilled.

She prayed the phantom sun wasn’t a bad omen.

Chapter 10

The helicopter landed a short while later in the open space of the garden. Joss had commissioned Bono. It was faster by air, and time was of the essence. Lann watched from the front steps, Kat pulled tightly against his side. It was hard for him to leave her, especially now that she’d promised to become his wife. He needed to own that title with a fever he’d never felt. He wanted to make her his in every way possible. As soon as possible. They hadn’t shared the news yet. They’d decided to wait until his return.

Joss embraced Clelia on the steps. He’d put her three steps above him so that they were on eye level. It was time to go. Lann turned Katherine to him and kissed her deeply. While their lips touched, no one else existed. Not even David. He was only aware of the hammering of his heart, and the echo of hers under his palms. He imagined a faint fluttering in her belly where his son was growing. Wind twirled around them, a magical caress. The air dance was becoming stronger with every passing day.

He tore his lips from hers and rested their foreheads together. “I’ll be home before you know it.”

“You better be.” She offered him a sweet smile. “We have a wedding to organize.”

Joss caught his eye. Lann nodded, giving his commander an unspoken vow. He’d make sure no harm came to Clelia.

Joss and Lann loaded their weapons into the aircraft. When they were done, he spared Kat a last glance before he got into the helicopter after Clelia. It was supposed to rain, but he’d call up a clear sky.

“Nice weather,” Bono said, grinning at Lann over his shoulder as he started up the engine.

Lann acknowledged the words with a nod, but his gaze was fixed on the redhead who wore his ring, the woman who carried his baby.

Bono chuckled and shook his head. “Man, I’m never going to jettison like you or Joss. It sure must hurt to crash and burn that hard.”

“Yeah.” Lann snorted. “I hope it hits you right in the balls. That way, when it happens, you’ll swallow your words.”

Bono cleared his throat. “We’ve got a lady on board.”

Clelia only smiled. “One day I’ll remind you of your words, Bono, so don’t swallow them before I get the chance to bask in your defeat.”

His laugh reached Lann through the headphones. “Hold on. I’m taking this baby to the sky.”

They landed at the private airfield in Paris. Using the hangar as base, Lann connected to the secure satellite feed Joss had set up. With the powerful technology, Lann could not only zoom in on the vamp bar, but also penetrate the walls with infra-blue to scan for bodies. Vamps and Piranha shifters didn’t show up with normal infra-red, as their body temperature was too low. The infra-blue was brand new technology. He activated the software that converted the thermal waves into a 3D image on the computer monitor. The bodies in the bar took shape while their facial features became clear.

“That’s David.” Lann pointed the hunter out to Clelia. The shifter was with someone in a back room.

“He knows we’re coming,” Clelia said. “He’s posing as a sitting duck.”

“He also knows we’re watching.” He handed Clelia a revolver loaded with silver bullets, and a box of ammunition.

“I don’t need it,” she said, “not for the lizard shifters.”

“Sure enough, but keep the weapon on you,” Lann said. “The bullets won’t work on David. His sponsor, I’m assuming Godfrey, made him immune by feeding him werewolf meat and blood. Considering how fast he disappears, I’m guessing his rotten flesh must be grafted with vamp too.” Lann regarded her. “Ever faced a vamp before?”

Clelia shook her head.

“They’re frightened of fire. Just throw some or surround yourself if they decide to encroach on us in numbers. Whatever you do, don’t let them out of your sight. They’re fast, and they like to bite.”