“What the . . . ?” she said, glancing back to him quickly.
The entire section in front of her had caved in, most likely when they’d been sucked beneath the temple floor.
The limestone began to glow an eerie shade of green, and the entire pile pulsated as if it was being squeezed from the inside out.
The wall began to moan, and as the air shimmered around it, symbols appeared, then disappeared. Weird illuminations that were snatched from the air.
Julian grabbed her arm, and they both ducked as the wall exploded, and the entire chamber was filled with dust and debris.
He pushed her behind him, coughing, as his lungs filled with the ancient crap that floated in the air, and he gritted his teeth as a voice floated toward him.
“Jesus Christ, Castille, this ain’t no nudist resort.”
Declan stepped through an opening the size of a fridge and grinned at the two of them. “For God sakes man, I’d cover up if I were you.” He cleared his throat and nodded. “It’s a little cold in here, no?”
Julian glared at the sorcerer, ignoring the obvious taunt.
Declan reached around and pulled something from the satchel that hung across his shoulder. “Lucky for you I’m always prepared.”
He threw a pair of jeans at him and winked at Jaden. “Damn shifters always losing their clothes.”
Julian pulled the soft denim up over his legs and had just snapped the jeans closed when Nico and Finn slid through the opening.
“What the hell happened?”
Nico’s nostrils flared, and Julian felt a keen sense of pleasure as the jaguar inhaled the remnants of his sexual encounter with Jaden. He watched as the shifter’s gaze moved over Jaden, and a ghost of a smile slid across Julian’s face as Nico turned to him.
“What the hell did you do to her?” he snarled. The jaguar was at Jaden’s side in an instant, and when his hands fell to the bruising along her cheek, Julian’s pleasure melted and disappeared into a black hole of anger.
Jaden’s hand fell to Nico’s, and Julian clenched his teeth together so tightly, his jaw throbbed.
Nico’s massive chest expanded and fell in rapid succession, and his anger was such that his voice shook when he spoke. “I will kill him.”
“It’s all right, Nico. It wasn’t Julian, it was . . .”
An understanding passed between the two of them, one that spoke of a closeness, an intimacy Julian didn’t much care for. It left a knot in his gut, but he backed away. He wanted no claim on the woman, and she could take what comfort she wanted from whomever.
“Your father,” Nico finished.
Jaden nodded tightly and moved away from the shifter. “You know how he likes to play rough.”
An uncomfortable silence fell between them all.
Julian rolled his head, trying unsuccessfully to alleviate the tension that hung on his shoulders.
“Where’d you get those?”
He glanced at Finn. The eagle knight was staring at the artwork etched into the flesh beneath his heart.
His teeth flashed white though the smile never reached his eyes. “You think this is interesting, you should see O’Hara’s.”
Declan made a face. “Unfortunately, the bitch was honing her skills on me. She perfected them by the time she got to you.”
Julian remained silent and watched as the eagle knight ignored them both and moved to kneel in front of the far wall.
Jaden walked toward Finn. “What
do you see? What is this place?”