A Battle of Blood and Stone (Chronicles of the Stone Veil 4)

It was all he needed. Carrick drove into her over and over again while Finley wrapped her legs around his waist and held on for the ride. Planting a hand on a cushion and another under her ass, he lifted her hips so he could drive even deeper.

Finley moaned and cursed and pleaded with him to give her more, and he did.

Over and over again until she screamed out his name with her release and he exploded inside of her with such overwhelming force that he went dizzy for a second.

“Oh my God,” Finley moaned, still rocking her hips against his while he stroked shallowly inside of her. “What the hell was that?”

Yeah… that was different.

The most amazing experience with his Eireann he’d ever had.

Dropping her body down to the couch, he brought his weight down on her, keeping himself planted deep. Pressing his lips to hers, he whispered into her mouth. “That was two souls dancing.”

Finley giggled. “You’re such a romantic.”

Carrick’s voice turned rough. “I’m a realist, and you know it. But that’s exactly what it was.”

CHAPTER 9

Finley

After pulling my hair into a high ponytail—which basically makes me look like I have a big horse’s tail attached to the back of my head because of how much hair I have—I give myself a once over in the mirror.

Today’s a big day.

Carrick is off doing something to help me tap into my light powers.

Lucien finally responded. He was busy doing something important in Marrakesh, but he’ll be here tonight. He hadn’t elaborated, and Carrick hadn’t asked because it didn’t matter. As long as he gets here so we could discuss the Blood Stone with him.

But, more importantly, today is a big day because I’m in charge of bringing Boral on board as a full-fledged member of the prophecy fight squad.

I shouldn’t have spent so much time worrying over what to wear to this meeting. My clothes aren’t going to make an impression on Boral one way or the other, yet I don’t want to come across as weak.

Which meant nothing too feminine.

I didn’t want to seem immature—which meant no skinny jeans and Chucks.

Ultimately, I just went with one of my workout ensembles of black leggings, a long-sleeved gray t-shirt, and a zip hoodie over it. It’s my most comfortable clothing, but it’s also what I wear the most now because if I’m not working out in preparation for a fight, I’m waiting for an actual battle.

It’s simply who I am at my core.

Well, that’s not quite true. That’s my prophecy self at my core, but the woman Finley Porter has become is something distinctly different.

In the wee hours of this morning, I was most comfortable in a t-shirt, straddling Carrick’s legs as we talked, and while comfort isn’t the exact word I’d use to describe how it became after, I was most definitely right at home flat on my back with Carrick inside of me.

Carrick has become my home, and I don’t question the beauty of it anymore. I merely accept and enjoy the time we have together.

I wink at myself in the mirror, pointing a finger with a smarmy grin. “You got this, Finley. Let’s go bring Boral onto the team.”

I’m confident as I walk into the kitchen where Boral, Zaid, and Maddox wait for me. While Carrick left me in charge of this—having ultimate trust in me to do what’s right for our cause—he didn’t trust Boral and so Maddox is here as my guardian.

Boral may not be able to reveal any secrets he learns, but he’s still evil and dangerous, and Carrick would never let me be alone with him.

All three turn their heads my way when I walk into the kitchen. It’s become a meeting place, usually where we all take our meals together rather than the formal dining room table.

“Would you like some coffee?” Zaid asks, and I take a moment to revel in the change in his tone with me. Those early days when he could barely stand to be in the same room to now as a friend.

“Actually, no,” I say, moving through the kitchen toward the living area. I issue a simple command. “Follow me, Boral.”

I hear stools scraping on the tile floor, then the fall of heavy steps as all three follow behind. I move through the living area, past the grand piano, and into Carrick’s office. If Maddox and Zaid are worried about me letting Boral this far into Carrick’s home, they say nothing.

But then again, I doubt they would. They know this is my show, and my decision on what to reveal.

“Nice,” Boral murmurs as he surveys the decor and art pieces on the illuminated built-ins.

I ignore him and move to the end of the built-ins, where I reach under the decorative molding to depress the button that reveals the hidden passageway.