God Of Fire

The Elementals: God of Fire Marteeka Karland All rights reserved. Copyright ©2005 Marteeka Karland No part of this e...

Author: Karland Marteeka

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The Elementals: God of Fire Marteeka Karland All rights reserved.

Copyright ©2005 Marteeka Karland

No part of this e-book may be reproduced or shared by any electronic or mechanical

means, including but not limited to printing, file sharing, and email, without prior

written permission from Changeling Press LLC.

ISBN(10) 1-59596-215-8

ISBN(13) 978-1-59596-215-7

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Changeling Press LLC

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Editor: Katriena Knights Cover Artist: Bryan Keller

This e-book file contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language which some may find offensive and which is not appropriate for a young audience. Changeling Press E-Books are for sale to adults, only, as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase. Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers.

God of Fire Balance. He must find balance, or Chaos would rule the world once again. Pyros, God of Fire, burned with the need for release. His huge, painful erection grew and pulsed in time with the energy massing beneath the earth’s surface. A trickle of sweat ran slowly down his temple. Where was the harmony and rhythm between fire and earth? Instead, the magma raged, trying to eat its way through the earth to the surface. Power spikes fed his lust to maddening proportions, and Pyros was as close to Chaos as the fire he was supposed to control. Now the heat and energy Pyros controlled threatened to rule him. Did the God of Earth know the danger? In his present state, he could not risk contacting Talon, or any of the other Elementals, lest he move them all one step closer to the edge. As sensitive as they were to one another, the others must know that he burned, his body feeding off the unbelievable energy, the need for release driving him almost insane. He stared at his hand, the flesh no longer golden brown, instead charred obsidian, glossy with sweat. The horrible pain of lust and raging power rose in nauseating proportions, and the scent of sulfur and burned flesh sickened him. The magma made another explosive attempt to break free. Gas pockets rushed through small openings, trying to lead the way, creating larger and larger escape routes through the earth so fire could unleash itself and finally be free of the gods, and rule instead over its master and the other Elementals. Pyros raged as well. He must find his balance. He must not give in to lust and heat, must not allow the energy massing beneath the surface of the earth to take control.

Chapter One Geysers exploded and spewed all over Yellowstone National Park, some with deadly effects. The scientist in her called them geothermal events, but Allison knew it was something more -- a prelude of what was to come. The fire beneath the surface struggled to dominate the earth, disrupting the balance. Angry waves of energy almost overwhelmed her, and she reached out with her being toward the massing force. Immediately, something lashed out at her. A sharp, blinding pain burning through her head, driving her to her knees. It was as if her brain were boiling. Allison screamed but somehow held firm to the flows of fire swelling toward the surface. She “pushed” with all her might, but it wasn’t enough. She couldn’t prevent the explosion. A lifetime of studying this place and volcanology told her the sequence of events was all wrong, but there was no denying what her other senses told her. Yellowstone was going to erupt. Knowing she couldn’t outrun the imminent pyroclastic flows, Allison embraced the power, choosing to die trying to save as many people as she could rather than trying to save only herself. Just as the power rushing through her became too much, he was there, struggling to contain the fire as well. Instinctively, she added her strength to his, redirecting her energy to the greater presence of power. It wasn’t long before she was swamped with the lust and heat she had come to associate with his presence. It started out as a painful, burning blend but settled almost immediately into a sexual urge more powerful than any she had ever experienced. Pushing everything to the back of her mind, she concentrated all her strength on giving as much energy to the man as she could. He snatched it like a lifeline. Relief, lust, curiosity, and desire all warred within him. His presence always eased her burden, but

Marteeka Karland

The Elementals: God of Fire

-5-

she had never known him to struggle, and she had never known so completely that her presence added strength to his. She thought this would be the time that this being of such immense power would assert his dominance over her, but he simply brushed her cheek with a mental touch and continued his efforts to control the fire with her help. It wasn’t long before the magma screamed, sending one last burst of energy in an effort to escape. The energy spike should have killed Allison, but the male presence shielded her from the worst of the rush. Allison was awed by his control over the fire, the most violent of the elements. Once he had full control of her added strength, he scattered the power surges in a thousand directions, dissipating the energy until it was impotent. An enraged bellow echoed in Allison’s head, the last remnants of this uprising of the now contained magma. Breathing a sigh of relief, she sat on the ground and tried to focus on the mysterious being still connected to her. She had felt him with her many times throughout her life, but this was the first time she had felt an almost human side to him. She made him stronger, and she took tremendous pride in that. His presence was soothing, like a balm applied to the sting of so much energy. He also fed the lust within her. She had never needed a man so much in her life! Her pussy dripped and throbbed in time with the pulsing of the magma, and she realized he was connected with the fire on some stronger level than even she was. With the danger gone, his concentration focused on her. The intensity of his attention was disconcerting. She felt naked, exposed, as if he knew her every desire, every need. She couldn’t help but wonder if he would be that attentive a lover. Who are you? His voice in her head startled her. Her response was automatic. My name is Allison. That does not answer my question, my lovely. His gentle reprimand held a hint of humor. I want to know who you are that you have control over fire. I merely settle the energy, push it back. I would not call that control.

Marteeka Karland


-6-

Hmm. Allison could almost see him rubbing his chin in contemplation. We shall see. You will await me at the lake. Will I? And if I refuse? He chuckled. You will not. You are just as curious as I. Touché. Fair is fair. Who are you? Allison could almost see him puff his chest out. I am Pyros, God of Fire. With his last words, Allison felt him slip away. His touch simply melted into oblivion. She was left alone in the midst of the chaos around her. Chaos. She could feel the ancient god everywhere. His presence dominated this area and would until the people realized the threat of fire was gone. Chaos thrived on fear and disorganization. Both were present here in abundance. The result might not be the catastrophic destruction it could have been, but the end result was the same, if on a smaller scale. Chaos would feed off the fear of every living thing and grow stronger until he was finally ready to make another attempt to rule once again. Looking around her, Allison realized she was the only person not moving away from the park. She started to follow everyone else, but she couldn’t. Pyros was right. She was very curious. Stepping away from the throng of people rushing from the park, Allison headed for Yellowstone Lake. Why not? The danger was gone, for the moment. Why not meet this man who had power over the very fires of hell? Allison found the earth had been unsettled significantly during the magma surge. Yellowstone Lake had flooded nearby woodlands. She immediately reached for the fire underneath her. It was restless, but stable. For the moment. Searching the area, she looked for Pyros. She could no longer actively sense his presence, but she knew he was near. She was drawn to him even more than she was drawn to the fire. It wasn’t long before a geyser erupted, steam and water spouting from the earth in a fine spray. When the fog and mist cleared, a man walked toward her.

Marteeka Karland


-7-

He was powerfully built; muscle and sinew in abundance were evident even from a distance. His skin, however, was deep ebony with no variance in skin tone. He was as dark as the blackness of space. His hair was a flaming orange, flowing in waves all around his head in the rush from the geyser. He was gloriously naked, every splendid inch of his body visible as he walked toward her. His cock bobbed gently between his legs -- fully erect -- as dark as the rest of him, nestled in a small nest of dark orange curls. The muscles in his chest and arms bunched as he clenched and unclenched his fists. He was definitely a god. And he definitely put a fire between her legs. As he approached, the same rush of lust Allison had experienced when she’d first felt his presence swamped her senses. She had the almost irresistible urge to fall to her knees and suck his huge, glistening cock down her throat as far as she could until she was rewarded with his seed. Allison shook her head. She absolutely had to be strong. A man like this could devour her spirit and leave nothing of her self behind. “Pyros, I presume.” Her voice shook a little, no matter how much she tried to control it. “Allison.” His voice was hoarse, gruff. “You have a unique gift.” “As do you.” Strong. She had to be strong. Pyros moved his hand as if to caress her cheek. Oh, God! He was going to touch her. But he stopped short of her face. Closing his eyes, he inhaled deeply. “You are not of the fire, yet you are connected to me.” He opened his eyes suddenly, and they glowed, a soft, golden amber. “Why is that?” “I -- I don’t know. This isn’t the first time we’ve touched each other.” Her voice sounded breathless to her own ears. “Why is it that you’re suddenly interested enough to ask?” Pyros grinned. “Because the time was not right. You were not ready.” He held out his hand. “Walk with me, Allison.” Allison knew better than to take his hand. She knew she shouldn’t touch him -she could feel it in her gut -- but she did, anyway.

Marteeka Karland


-8-

Flames! White-hot heat! Her hand tingled and burned where it joined his, the heat flowing up her arm to her breasts. The warmth was intense. Fire! All around her. The sharp scent of ozone mixed with cinnamon and the crackle of flame. “Oh, my God.” Allison’s whimper sounded too much like an invitation to her. She tried to pull away, but where her mind was willing, her flesh was weak. Her body wanted hot, sweaty, knock-her-socks-off sex. With Pyros, God of Fire. Even if it killed her. Pyros growled and pulled Allison into his arms, crushing his mouth down on hers. His tongue invaded, and he was lost in the passion of their joined mouths. The fire swirled around in his mind, leaping toward them, rising to the surface. Embracing them. Had he waited too long? Pyros had never experienced anything like it. The fire, the woman… nothing made any sense except her lips fused to his. Tunneling his fingers into her silky, coalblack hair, he positioned her just where he wanted and settled in to feast. She was sweet heaven after a lifetime of hell. This was what he had been denied all these millennia, what he had denied himself. He had taken many lovers, but no woman -- or man -- had been given the blessing of the fire. Allison had. The air sizzled. His veins flowed with fire. He and Allison drew the anger of fire and turned it into passion, channeling over a hundred and fifty thousand years of chained energy from this place into one explosive kiss. Pyros wanted to take her right there, knew that she would give herself to him willingly, but something held him back. Something wasn’t right. Pulling back from her sharply, Pyros held her hair in a fierce grip. He searched her eyes, her face, for some clue to what was happening. Her wide, sky-blue eyes stared at him in awe.

Marteeka Karland


-9-

“Can you feel the fire?” Allison’s whisper caused chills to dance up and down his spine. Curious, this sensual introduction of cold where before there had been only the burning. “I can always feel the fire, my Allison.” My Allison. Damn, that sounded so right. “Always?” Puzzlement dimmed her beautiful, luminous eyes. “The fire always sings to you? Always dances through you?” She swiped a hand across her forehead. When she pulled it back, it was damp with sweat, and Pyros captured her wrist. “What do you mean ‘dances through you’?” His lust forgotten, he concentrated all his being on the fire. “I thought the fire would consume me for a moment. But it wasn’t angry like it was before. This was something else. Just as primitive, but different…” Her words stopped short, and her eyes grew impossibly wider. Allison jerked back and looked him up and down. Glancing at his own hand, Pyros saw the reason for her distress. His skin was no longer glossy black, but had returned to its normal golden brown. He sighed, relieved. “My skin only changes with extreme moods of the fire. It is part of our connection.” He smiled. “I might be able to control it to a certain degree, but the fire also controls me -to a certain degree.” Allison nodded, still not moving back into his embrace. “I wouldn’t have survived if we hadn’t stopped when we did, Pyros.” “Something wasn’t in harmony. You.” Pyros narrowed his eyes. “You are mine, Allison. You will want me the same way I want you.” He would have it no other way. Best if she realized that now. The God of Fire always got what he wanted. Allison barked a laugh and stepped a little farther away from him. “I will do only what I want to do. If I don’t want you to touch me, Pyros, you won’t. God of Fire or not, I say who touches me.” “You already want me. Why do you fight it? You have to know you can’t win.” He couldn’t help the smirk in his voice. No one could resist fire.

Marteeka Karland


- 10 -

“I can, and I will.” Allison raised her chin a notch and backed away another step. “I’m drawn to you, yes. But beyond making sure this volcano doesn’t erupt, I have no interest in you.” She threw her hands up in exasperation. “I don’t even know you! But you’re insufferably arrogant. I don’t need you barging into my life.” He grinned, advancing on her once again. “Yes you do. And I just bet you like arrogant men more than you’ll admit to.” He inhaled deeply. “I excite you.“ “Quite the opposite. And even one arrogant male is definitely too many.” She stopped her retreat and stood her ground. He had to give her one thing -- she wasn’t easily intimidated. “You could make a man’s blood boil even if you didn’t share the fire. I can sense your passion, Allison. Very soon, it will be mine as well.” His voice was a little huskier than he would have liked, but when a gentle flush crept up her neck and face, he knew he’d had the desired effect. “Go home, Allison. I’ll come to you tonight and we’ll finish what we started.” She jerked her back straight, clenching her fists and gritting her teeth. “And hell might freeze over, too.” Pyros chuckled. “Only if the water goddess is in a foul mood. Until tonight, my Allison.” Summoning the flames that would return him to his home in the underworld, Pyros vanished as the fire died out on the earth. This might turn out to be a good day, after all.

Chapter Two Of all the nerve! He honestly thought she couldn’t resist him, that she would simply fall into bed with him whenever he said. Not bloody likely. She planned her defense on the short drive home and smiled. Allison had learned a long time ago that the only way to fight fire was with fire. Literally. Her connection to Pyros was as an ally, not an enemy. She trusted her instincts. With her gifts, she’d be crazy not to. Each element could be controlled with the proper techniques -- her grandmother had taught her that. Even though she could calm fire with her mind, will, and spirit, Allison preferred runes. After years of study, she’d learned that certain runes, in the right combination, could have significant influences on the elements. Grabbing a stick of dried packed red clay from her desk drawer and dipping it in water, Allison began a complicated series of picture-like scrawls on her doors, around her windows, and anywhere else Pyros might enter her home. As she finished each rune, she blew gently on it before beginning the next. Allison wasn’t sure of Pyros’ abilities, but given the fact that he claimed to be the God of Fire and no other elements, she doubted he could manipulate air and simply appear, or use any of the other elements in similar ways. It took time to finish the runes, but it was the only way she could be sure Pyros would get her message. Allison only did what Allison wanted to do, when she wanted to do it. Smirking as she finished her work, Allison silently congratulated herself. Not only would she show Pyros she controlled her own destiny, she would find out just how powerful he really was.

***

Marteeka Karland


- 12 -

Pyros studied the complicated net of magic effectively sealing him out of Allison’s home. Carefully, he studied each rune. Each was different in strength and complexity. He could unravel them, but would that help or hurt him? She obviously didn’t want him in her home. Squatting beside an oak tree in her back yard, Pyros studied his problem. Allison was determined to fight him. He grinned. He’d always enjoyed a challenge. Had he not known she wanted him as much as he wanted her, Pyros would have simply left. He didn’t force himself on anyone, and he didn’t usually like taking the time to win someone’s affection. Affection was messy. He usually didn’t like messy. But with Allison… Well, he’d love to get really messy with her, on more than one level. Sex? That was obvious, but he wanted the emotional entanglement with her he’d never had with any other man or woman in all his millennia. He wanted Allison as his mate.

*** The fire was restless, but not in the same way it was in the park. It was… sad… desperate. Allison couldn’t blame the element. She felt much the same way, and she wasn’t sure why. Her smugness about keeping Pyros out of her home faded as the night wore on. She had known him only a few minutes, but she’d connected with him like she never had with anyone before. Having him completely out of her senses after such intimate ties during an almost unimaginable crisis left her empty. She needed his presence to assure herself he was actually real. What was the use fighting him? The elements were against that. The fire wanted her with him. She could feel that. She also knew beyond any doubt that he was exactly what he claimed to be -- the God of Fire. All her life she had felt the fire at different times, and always Pyros had been there. She just hadn’t been able to put a name to him.

Marteeka Karland


- 13 -

Since her face-to-face encounter with him, since they had made a physical connection as well as a mental one, the fire had been a constant presence. She’d been in constant, agonizing pain, and unable to function. The only relief she had was when she reached for Pyros, which she had done several times that night. Unfortunately, her rune magic worked in reverse as well -- Pyros couldn’t get to her, but she couldn’t get to him either. Allison punched her pillow. It was three A.M. and she hadn’t slept a wink. Deciding to get a glass of milk, Allison padded to the kitchen. When she got there, she got the surprise of her life. “Hello, little one.” The man’s voice was musical. Dressed in nothing but a pair of jeans, he straightened from where he leaned against her kitchen counter. His arms were crossed over his chest and one hip rested on the Formica. Chiseled cheeks, a sharp, hawk-like nose, and long, dark hair accented a deeply tanned, muscled body and devastating good looks. She had never seen this man before, but she had absolutely no doubt who he was. Chaos! “I don’t want you here.” Allison’s heart raced. Chaos was loose! “I’m not inclined to care what you want… at the moment.” His smile wasn’t the least bit friendly. In fact, it was downright menacing. “What do you want?” “Why, you, little Allison. You hold the key to both fire and earth, though the tie you have with fire is much stronger. With you as my link -- and my mate -- I can finally begin to gain control of all the elements once again.” Allison backed away. This wasn’t good. Not good at all. The clock above the stove ticked away the seconds loudly in the silence. “You can’t use an unwilling link. There must be balance for anyone to control the fire. Besides, I can do nothing with earth. I would be of no use to you there even if I were willing.” Her agitation fed the restlessness of the fire. She could feel the pressure begin to build again.

Marteeka Karland


- 14 -

Chaos laughed. “You don’t have any idea of the true extent of your power. With my help, you could be a goddess.” “Trying to seduce me with power won’t work. I have no desire to be a goddess. I have enough to worry about as it is.” Chaos took a step toward her, advancing slowly. “Nevertheless, you will aid me. I will rule the world -- the universe -- again. If you won’t help me willingly, then I’ll find a way to force your compliance, and I promise it will not be pleasant.” “I will not help you. You cannot force me.” Chaos smirked. “You think to mate with Pyros? Do you think he will ever completely trust you when your connection is not with him alone? Part of you will always reach out to earth.” “What does that have to do with anything? And who says I want Pyros for my mate? I don’t even know him!” Chaos took a step toward her. “His jealousy over you will be his undoing. And the world’s.” Allison backed away. Chaos’s masculine, spicy scent surrounded her, making it difficult to breath. The fire was getting so out of control, she thought she could actually hear the crackle of flame in her mind. Her skin burned and tingled and every sense she had was on the verge of overload. Then there was calm. “There was a reason you weren’t able to keep the throne all those millennia ago, Chaos.” Pyros spoke softly, standing naked at the kitchen door, smoke rising from his skin, once again black in the fire’s rage. How he broke through her magic didn’t concern her at the moment. He was there to save her. That was all that mattered. “You talk too much.” Fireballs shot from Pyros’ eyes, engulfing Chaos in flames. The ancient god’s angry, pain-filled shriek hurt Allison’s ears with its intensity. She fell to her knees and screamed as she watched Chaos burn.

Marteeka Karland


- 15 -

“Damn you, Pyros!” Chaos screeched, his voice no longer a magical seduction, but a rasping, sickening scream. The smell of burning flesh singed Allison’s nose before Chaos dissolved with one last enraged bellow. The silence that followed was just as deafening. The fire still struggled for release, though not as strongly as it had hours before. Reaching out with a gentle touch, Allison tried to calm the raging inferno, only to be overwhelmed with the energy. Taking a deep breath, she tried again. You do not have to do this alone. Pyros’ touch was both mental and physical. His hand on her shoulder served as an anchor in the midst of the troubled sea of fire. Using his strength, she “pushed” subtly, then a little harder. Finally, she pushed with all her might and drew on Pyros’ strength as well. When all that wasn’t enough, she instinctively built layers and layers of sediment and rock between the surface of the earth and the surging magma -- just like earth had been containing fire earlier. It wouldn’t stop the flow, but it would slow it down long enough for the fire to settle. “How did you do that?” The whisper caressed the back of her neck, for once not causing the ever-present rush of lust. He was in awe of her. Pyros gently turned her to face him. “You controlled not only fire, but earth as well. What is your connection to earth?” The last was an almost angry demand. The fire swelled in response. “Pyros, you must calm down. Can’t you feel what you’re doing to the fire?” He grabbed her upper arm almost painfully, pulling her to him. “Can’t you feel what you’re doing to me?” “We have to get this under control, Pyros. The magma is getting hotter, becoming too liquid. If this keeps up, any eruption at Yellowstone could devastate the world. You know that.” “The only thing I know is that I need to be between your legs,” he growled.

Marteeka Karland


- 16 -

Pain and anger and lust and confusion radiated from him, feeding the fire once again. If she couldn’t get him under control, he could very well cause the disaster they had prevented earlier. The only way she knew for sure for either of them to control a surge this large was for them to either be dead calm, or consumed with passion. Calm was definitely out, so Allison did the only thing she could. “God of Fire, you talk too much.” Allison lunged for his mouth as she spoke, and when her lips met his, she poured every emotion she had been holding back from him into her kiss. He would know the depth of her budding feelings for him, would know how much her body longed to be consumed by him, but he would also know the depth of her fear she would lose herself in him. And he would know the extent of her abilities. She told herself that her giving in to the overwhelming urge to simply fuck Pyros until they both were cross-eyed was not for her benefit, but for the good of every living thing on the planet. At least, she told herself that. Pyros’ kiss was filled with anger and jealousy -- she could feel it in the fire. His touch was possessive, demanding. He would accept nothing less than her full surrender to him. Allison let him delve into her mouth with his tongue, let his hands caress her breasts and ass as he tore the clothing from her body. She willingly explored his body, lightly touching his muscled chest and arms, wrapping her fingers around his erect cock when he guided her there, thrusting into her palm. Pyros’ growl was as primitive as the act of sex itself. “You are mine. Mine!” All Allison wanted to do was scream “Yes!” at the top of her lungs. She wanted to be his. She wanted to know that this level of passion and love could really exist for her, but she couldn’t. She’d surrender her body to Pyros -- she had to in order to divert the energy into something they could control -- but she would not let him have her heart.

Marteeka Karland


- 17 -

At least, she told herself that. When Pyros pulled her hand away from him and looked into her eyes, his own glowing softly with lust, she wasn’t so sure she could hold anything back from him. “You wish only to control the fire.” It was a statement, not a question. “What if I do?” She looked away from him, unable to meet his eyes again in case he couldn’t tell from the fire how much was practical and how much was personal. “Allison,” he sighed, “I know you want me. Why can’t you give in to your passion?” “I thought I was.” She tried to lighten the mood, but her giggle was a bit breathless. She was so close to giving him anything he wanted, and she had absolutely no idea why. “Your body is only the beginning, my lovely. You have the gift of fire. We belong together.” “But Chaos was right. I also have the gift of earth, it seems. Does that mean I belong to the God of Earth as well?” She meant it as a joke, but Pyros exploded. “NO! You will not even think of him!” Allison jumped. “Pyros! If you don’t calm down you’re going to give Chaos the means to gain the upper hand. He’ll have control of fire and the whole world will be one step closer to him.” Pyros’ skin started to darken. It wasn’t as black as it had been when she first saw him, nor as dark as when he had confronted Chaos, but she could see it darkening before her eyes. The only question was who was affecting whom. Was the fire controlling him, or was he controlling the fire? “Allison,” he panted, “I cannot control this. I’ve waited all my long existence for a mate, and everything in me is screaming that you are the one.” He backed away from her, taking several deep, calming breaths. “It has nothing to do with destiny or anything like that, but the fact that you can connect with the fire as I can, that we can connect with each other when we both reach for the fire. It’s intoxicating.”

Marteeka Karland


- 18 -

Allison held out her hand. “Take my hand, Pyros. Disperse the energy like you did before.” Centering herself, she concentrated on calm, keeping her thoughts away from their mutual lust, his anger, her fear. She put all her effort into creating a calm place to provide sanctuary for her troubled god. It didn’t take long before Pyros began breathing easier. His coloring returned to normal, and the magma beneath the earth settled somewhat. Taking a deep breath, Allison gently disengaged from both the fire and Pyros. “Are you all right?” she asked him tentatively. He didn’t answer right away. When he did, he wouldn’t meet her eyes. “Yes. I’m sorry for the outburst.” Crossing her arms over her naked breasts, Allison tried not to be embarrassed about her state of undress. “There’s no need to apologize. You have to know I feel the attraction driving us, too.” He turned and stalked away from her. “You will not surrender to me, yet you taunt me with something I know you will not act on. If you feel the attraction, why do you fight me?” “Because I don’t know you,” Allison snapped. “How could you possibly expect me to simply fall into your arms and not hold anything back when I know nothing about you?” Pyros whirled around, pointing a finger at her. “You know more about me than any other being in this universe. I have been with you your whole life. No one has ever helped me control the fire. I’ve always been alone. Now, you’re here. I cannot let you go, Allison.” “Can’t or won’t?” She glared at him, afraid she already knew the answer. “Both.” Wouldn’t you just know it? That was exactly what she thought he’d say.

***

Marteeka Karland


- 19 -

Slinging a pencil across her office, Allison tried to hold onto her composure. She wanted to scream. She wanted to run away. But how did you run from a god? After Pyros left her, she’d kept her concentration centered on the fire. Strangely, she had no desire to explore her new relationship with earth. It felt… Wrong. She never would have tried to add layers of dense rock above the magma if she hadn’t been desperate. Things hadn’t worked exactly like she’d wanted them to, but it was enough. Now, she had this echo inside her head surrounding fire, embracing it, wrapping it in a layer of steadiness and tender restraint that was impossible to ignore. What really disturbed her was the silent presence of another being. It could only be the God of Earth. It was a good thing her grandmother had taught her to embrace her talents. This was enough to make her doubt her sanity. She was still surprised she was able to accept it all. Had she not spent all her adult life studying volcanoes and magma flows, she had no doubt she would be running screaming into the night. But the fire sang to her at times. Not all the time, but when it had something important to tell her. Like now. Something was driving the magma beneath Yellowstone. The volcano was restless. The surprising thing was, it didn’t want the activity. It wanted to sleep. Allison checked the seismographs. There was always some kind of seismic activity going on at Yellowstone, but what was going on now was over the top. “Allison.” Tiana, her partner and friend, knocked on her office door and motioned her to the main lab and the computer that monitored all the park’s geological activity. “It looks like the earthquake swarm is over, but some of the geysers have been affected, including Old Faithful.” “Let me see.” Allison looked at the data and frowned. “Where are the seismographic charts?”

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“On my desk. Just a minute.” Allison studied the video surveillance and the computer data from the geothermal activity around the park. Old Faithful hadn’t spouted in over five hours, and most of the larger geysers had shut down completely. Some of the smaller geysers were decidedly more active, but most of the hot springs had cooled almost twenty degrees. All that gas trapped beneath the earth had to find an outlet. By all indications, the magma was making a slow but steady surge upward. Allison would know more once she looked at the seismic graphs. “We need a look at the magma chamber, Tiana. I want to see if there are any changes in its shape or density. Subtle changes.” “We can look, but I honestly don’t know if you’re going to get a very sensitive estimate. The thing is simply too big and we have to rely on too many local earthquakes. Getting an idea of its size is one thing, but if you’re looking for specific dimensions, you’re not going to get it from the current technology.” “Just get me what you can.” “Okay, give me a minute. I’ll have to do some plotting.” Tiana paused on her way to her office. “What are you thinking, Allison?” “This last earthquake swarm made me nervous. I can’t explain it, Tiana, but I’d be willing to bet there is a lot more going on underneath us than we know.” Tiana tilted her head to one side. “This is one of those mystic things, isn’t it? You’re ‘communing’ with the volcano or something again, aren’t you?” Allison smiled. “You don’t want to know.” Tiana snorted. “If I hadn’t witnessed how right you’ve been in the past when you ‘knew’ something about a volcano, and if I wasn’t your best friend, I’d say you were certifiable. But the fact is, I’ve seen the evidence and, quite frankly, you scare the hell out of me, Allison.” Allison laughed. “Yeah, I’m sure you’re terrified.” “Most definitely.” Tiana pointed a finger at Allison. “You owe me a triple-decker hot fudge brownie bliss, Alli.”

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“I thought you gave up chocolate?” “I did. That should tell you how disturbed I am.” “Yeah, I really had to twist your arm, didn’t I?” “Hell, yes, you had to twist my arm! I’m trying to lose that ten pounds I gained over the winter.” Allison laughed as Tiana disappeared back into her office. She knew from experience that the younger woman wouldn’t emerge until she was absolutely certain of every figure. The woman was a brilliant geologist, and Allison trusted her judgment implicitly. Left alone again, Allison reached for the fire. The swelling magma was under unbelievable pressure. All it would take would be one earthquake opening a tiny fissure and any eruptible magma would explode, causing, at the very least, local devastation. But if the chamber had more liquid rock than they originally thought… That was the real question. How much eruptible magma was down there? The generally accepted study showed the magma chamber to be roughly the shape of a banana with both ends pointing up. The estimated volume of this chamber was approximately 15,000 cubic kilometers, with dimensions of about sixty kilometers long and forty kilometers wide. It always sounded scary when Allison thought about it, but in reality not nearly that much magma was capable of an eruption. Only about ten percent of the volume was thought to be liquid rock. The rest was solid or semi-solid and too viscous to rise to the surface. But that was still a hell of a lot of magma. With any luck, this earthquake swarm was only a result of caldera uplift or subsidence, not a prelude to a full eruption. With any luck. Her mind firmly connected with the fire, Allison studied it carefully. All the excess gases were crowding the magma. The need for release was so great, Allison wasn’t sure why it didn’t simply force its way to the surface. Why was it holding back? It was becoming enraged enough to punch its way through any barrier in its path.

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Allison sighed. She could ask Pyros his opinion -- she could feel him through her connection to the fire -- but she couldn’t afford distractions. Retreating to her office, Allison reflected on her options. The seismic tomography studies were not going to be all that helpful -- she’d known that before she set Tiana to working on them -- but if there was anything to be learned from the recent swarm, Tiana would find it. So, she could either wait until Tiana worked her magic, or she could explore on her own with her psychic abilities. Unfortunately, the fire wasn’t cooperating. It didn’t know what was holding it back, either. Which meant she had to search the earth. The mere thought terrified her. Taking a deep breath, Allison very carefully, very slowly opened her mind to earth. Calm. Determination. Indescribable strength. Layers and layers of soil comprised the first section closest to the extreme heat, acting as an insulator against the stone and sediment. Each upsurge of magma was met with a block and the fire was both frustrated and thankful. Something was driving it, but it only wanted to sleep. Allison sat down behind her desk. She needed to concentrate if she was to figure this out without the notice of the God of Earth. His attention was the last thing she wanted. You already have my attention, Allison. To answer your question, I am helping Pyros and the world in the only way I can. Allison was completely still. The soft, gravelly voice was exactly what she expected from the God of Earth. She had a vision of a massively muscular man with coffee colored skin, and light brown hair and eyes. She got the impression of a gentle giant, but one with an iron will. I don’t understand. Are you the God of Earth?

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You already know the answer to that question. You may call me Talon, but do not waste my time. I have little of it to spare. I did not ask you to grace me with your presence, Allison snapped. Just what she needed -- another arrogant male. You did -- without words. Talon’s deep voice held a hint of impatience. You need to understand what is happening and I have the answers you seek. That you seem to consider my presence in your life an unwanted event only delays the inevitable, and I do not have time to wait on you. Look, Allison huffed, I’m not the bitch you seem to think I am. No, you are the mate of the God of Fire. The sooner you realize that and accept it, the better off you’ll be. The breath left Allison in a rush. How can you possibly know that? I have a connection to him, yes, but I refuse to let that determine my destiny. It does not. Your destiny is what determined your connection to him. That’s the same thing! You’ve had access to him all your life. Can you honestly say he does not complement your gifts? Do you think you can ever be complete without him? The man was a pain in the ass. There was no arguing with him. Besides, that was not a question she wanted to answer, even to herself, just yet. This is getting me nowhere. You said you had all the answers. Spill it. Talon sighed. Chaos needs you. If he is to reassert himself in the world of the Elementals, he must have a mate in control of at least one element. In you, he would have a mate with power in two elements. But any influence I have over the earth is miniscule. Only in comparison with your influence over fire. So, what do I have to do? Right now, you have to accept your place in our world and with Pyros if you are to help restore balance to fire and earth. I believe you will find in Pyros a part of yourself you’ve been missing all your life. The rest is up to Pyros.

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I don’t understand.

You will. Until then… resist Chaos.

That won’t be too hard.

You don’t think so? Allison could almost see the smirk on his face.

He can’t force me to mate with him, no matter what he says. I will not submit myself to

anyone against my will, including Pyros. If I can resist Pyros, I can certainly resist Chaos. Allison knew the words were foolish the moment they left her brain, but she couldn’t take them back. She had only a second to regret her brashness before Talon seized her body in a mental vise. At first, Allison only thought he meant to show her how helpless she was against him, something she already knew. Physically and telepathically, she simply couldn’t match him. What she didn’t expect was the rush of animalistic, sexual need that hit her once he had her full attention. Allison screamed with need. She fisted her hands in an effort not to force them into her panties and find immediate relief. Her skin tingled, her ears roared. Her breasts were swollen and tender, and her cunt was dripping wet and oh, so hot. Instead of the masculine scent she expected in the height of sexual tension, she caught the scent of fresh, cool soil on the air and wanted to dive into it to cool her aching body. She wanted to, even though she knew to dive into Talon’s embrace was to give herself completely. She didn’t want that.

But she couldn’t resist it either.

Talon sighed. You see? It will be harder than you think, my dear. Harder than you

think.

*** Allison thought about “resistance” all the way home. What was it the Borg said on Star Trek? “Resistance is futile.” She fidgeted in her seat and adjusted her grip on the steering wheel. She and Pyros needed to have a talk.

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God! The mere thought of him made her heart race. He was everything she could have ever wanted in a man and more -- he understood her relationship with the fire. In fact, it was that connection that made Pyros the only person in the world who could truly appreciate how the fire affected her. Everything in her knew she and Pyros belonged together. The only question was how could she surrender herself to him without losing herself in the process. Pulling into her driveway, Allison rested her head on the back of her seat. This night would quite probably change her life forever. Strangely, she was excited instead of frightened. “I’ve got to be out of my mind.” Allison chuckled as she climbed the three steps to her front door. It wasn’t the first time she had questioned her sanity, but it was the first time she had been ready to embrace what she had always known, deep down, was her destiny. The fire was her future. And Pyros was a huge part of that future. She locked the door behind her and undressed. Making her way to her bedroom, she lit several candles and found a soft, plush blanket to spread out over the hardwood floor. Her grandmother had taught her the power of the elements -- she only hoped she could control that power within herself enough to keep from being consumed by it. Sitting cross-legged on the blanket she centered herself. If she was to call Pyros to her, she had to be in control when he came.

*** She was an enigma. Every time Pyros thought he had her figured out, Allison did something totally unexpected. She was there, beckoning him to her. Her presence in his mind blanketed him in comforting warmth. Closing his eyes, Pyros inhaled deeply. He could catch her clean, womanly fragrance even in his mind. He wasn’t complete unless she reached out to him. Seeking out one of the tiny candle flames, Pyros entered her home, on her terms. She sat beautifully naked, staring at the exact spot where he materialized from the flame, and straight into his eyes. Her skin was milky white in the soft glow of the

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candles, and all he could think about was that he had to touch her, to see if her skin was as soft as he remembered. He had lived among goddesses at one time, and this woman had the beauty, strength, and intelligence to rival all of them. “We need to talk, Pyros.” “Later.” His voice was husky with need, and he didn’t care if she heard just how much. “Now.”

Chapter Three She was calm. Her eyes never wavered from his. Pyros sighed. Her terms. This had to be on her terms. “Then now it will be.” Naked, he sat facing her, folding his legs in the same manner she had. Allison took a deep breath. “I spoke with Talon. He is of the opinion that you and I are meant to be together.” “We are meant to be together.” “How can you be so sure?” Pyros sighed. “I am one of the Elementals -- two gods and two goddesses who rule the elements. I have been God of Fire, as Talon has been God of Earth, since this world was formed. The goddesses of water and air, however, have changed thousands of times over the eons. Angelina, Goddess of Air, has been with us for many centuries -far longer than any of her predecessors. The Goddess of Water, Jada, has only been among us for a few decades. You see, when a goddess finds her mate, she passes on her gift to another so that she may concentrate on her family, her children. She can continue to guide her element if she wishes, but no one ever has.” He shrugged. “I always figured that was part of what made air and water so constant, so stable. The goddesses know what is most important to them and focus all their effort there, without reservation. Earth and fire are shaped by air and water, after all.” “What about you and Talon?” “Neither of us has ever found a mate. We’ve always been too tied to our elements. I’ve known since the first goddess took a mate, when I watched her and her husband raise a family, grow old, and eventually die, that I could never give up my connection to the fire. It is what sustains me -- makes me the man I am. Even now, knowing that I cannot continue my existence without you, I can’t fathom severing my

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ties to fire, yet I can’t entertain the thought that I’ll have to watch my wife and children grow old and die while I remain.” Allison’s lip twitched, but other than that, she gave away nothing with her expression. “So where does that leave us?” “I’m not sure,” he answered honestly. Now was not the time to hide anything from her. “As long as I retain my hold on fire, as long as I am the God of Fire, I am eternal. Immortal. I have no idea how we will resolve that particular issue, but I can promise that I will love you, and our children, for as long as I live. There will never be another for me. That is something I know in my heart. The fire knows it, as well.” Allison rose and walked across the room, her back to him. She stood at the curtain-framed window beside her bed for several minutes and said nothing. The wait was almost intolerable. What was she thinking? Would she now banish him from her life? He really couldn’t blame her if she did. How would it be to grow older, to change, while your mate did not? “Will we even be able to have children?” Allison still did not face him. “I don’t know. It is not something I’ve ever considered. And I could never be sure that Chaos wouldn’t --” Allison whirled around. “What does Chaos have to do with this?” “Chaos was the first of us. He tried to give order to the universe, to form a world from the intangible void where he had always existed. Chaos may be entropy itself, but he craves stability.” Pyros shrugged. “I guess it is the desire of all gods to create something from nothing, even if it’s only to destroy it later.” “But he couldn’t.” “No. He couldn’t. At least, not by himself. He found a mate, and their love gave order and substance to Chaos. Eurynome was her name. She was sometimes called the Goddess of All Things, and she wandered through space and time, never staying in one place too long. Their love burned hot, and all things in the universe were born of their love. Talon and I were brought here, along with the first goddesses of water and air, by Eurynome to keep the order once she left. She knew Chaos would lose control without

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her, and she was right. It is not in his nature to keep order, and order is exactly what this universe needs. It was left to us, the Elementals, to keep that order. “Chaos loved Eurynome. But he never forgave her for leaving him. Over the eons, it has made him…” Pyros groped for the right word. “Bitter?” Allison said softly. “Yes. When Eurynome was with him, he had the illusion that he was in control. The way he sees it, we were brought here to serve him, but we overthrew him when she left. He seeks to rule the elements once again. If he takes a mate with control in at least one element, he can channel enough of his own power through her to control the other elements. At least that’s what he thinks.” “What do you think?” “I think I do not want to be faced with that possibility.” Allison took a deep breath. “Okay. So what does our having children have to do with Chaos?” “I could never be sure he wouldn’t try to prevent us from having a child, or from trying to stop our union in the first place. He doesn’t have power over the elements, but I don’t know what other power he has. He has always been careful to keep that from us.” He took a deep breath. “You have to know, I would protect you and any child we conceived with my life, with all the power of the fire.” She looked at him almost pleadingly, as if she desperately needed answers to questions she had yet to pose. She looked lost. “Does this mean we don’t have a choice then? If we are doomed from the start --” “It has nothing to do with us.” Pyros stood and took a step toward her, reaching out to her but letting her choose to make any physical contact when she was ready. “We both still have many choices, and I have already made mine. Now you must choose to give me a chance to make you happy or to remain free to choose another. You can also be with Chaos, if that’s your wish.”

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“Chaos made it clear he didn’t care what I wanted. He intends to make me his mate no matter what.” She looked closely into his eyes then. “Is that your intention as well?” “I will only take what you give freely.” “And you will love me?” “Always. For as long as I am permitted to exist in this world or any other.” She closed the distance between them, wrapping her arms around his neck and tilting her lovely face toward his. “I want you, Pyros. I’m not giving you forever, but I will give you this night.” “Then I will show you the pleasure of the fire god and make you want to return tomorrow night.” She laughed then. Genuine joy shone in her eyes where before there had been uncertainty and even a touch of fear. “I think I’ve told you this before, God of Fire. You talk too much.” When their lips met, Pyros felt the flames surge in joy. It wasn’t an out-of-control surge, but rather a deep breath and sigh of relief. A kiss had never felt so good. Allison’s lips molded to his and moved wetly, sinuously, her tongue darting out to duel with his. His fingers tangled in her long, dark hair, the silky curls catching his wrists and binding them together. Her whimper of need and passion was the most beautiful music he’d ever heard in all his long life. And when she clutched at his shoulders, scraped her nails down his back, pulled him closer to her and cradled his cock against her softly rounded belly, he swore sparks flew between the two of them. He expected to be drunk with her, to lose a sense of time and self, but his awareness was heightened beyond believability. He savored every second, every millisecond, she was in his arms, and he swore to himself he would never spend a day away from her. She was his. He was hers.

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From this moment, until the end of time. There would never be another for him, and he didn’t want there to be.

Allison melted into Pyros. She had never felt so right. It was as if her whole life had been leading to this perfect surrender. It wasn’t just the man, but her willingness to accept their unique relationship and give herself to him unconditionally. The fire burned hotly, but naturally. There was no dangerous upsurge or uncontrollable, restless rage as there had been for several days. For the first time since Allison had been aware of the imminent danger brewing beneath the Yellowstone caldera, the power didn’t try to escape. Instead, it now seemed content to feed the lust and sexual hunger brewing between her and Pyros. Her breasts felt heavy and swollen, and she rubbed them against his chest, the downy hair caressing her nipples into sensitive points eager for his touch. She pressed her pussy against his thigh and wrapped one leg around his, riding him, savoring the pleasure his body gave hers. When he broke their kiss, Allison surprised herself with a groan of protest before she squealed in delight when he took a nipple into his mouth. He rolled it gently with his teeth creating almost unbearable delight. She could feel his own pleasure through their mutual connection with the fire, and it astounded her that she could elicit such a response from a god. She clutched his head to her chest, savoring the feel of him feasting on her breasts and caressing her back and buttocks. Allison moaned, her head falling back. He sucked her nipple and nipped it sharply before laving it again with his tongue and moving to the other breast. Over and over he tormented her nipples, and Allison began to fear for her sanity if he didn’t give her some relief from the desire he built so skillfully inside her. With an animalistic growl, Pyros stood and scooped her into his arms. Carrying her to the bed, he tossed her to the mattress on her back and followed her down to delve into her belly button with his tongue. She squealed and arched against him, but

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he held her hips firm against the comforter covering the bed. He nipped and licked her belly and hips, all the while restricting the movements of her lower body and refusing to move any farther. “Pyros.” She knew she was pleading, but didn’t care. She needed relief. He looked up at her then, his eyes feral and intense. “You want me. Say it!” “I want you,” she breathed. Pyros shook his head slowly, smiling. “Not good enough. Convince me.” Allison wanted to scream her frustration. “What do you want from me?” “Everything.” Pyros’ response wasn’t more than a whisper, but Allison heard him loud and clear. All or nothing. She shook her head. “Pyros, I --” “It’s your choice, Allison. It’s always been your choice. Make it.” Blinking back tears, Allison swallowed. “I’m afraid I’ll lose myself in you. I have to be my own person, Pyros.” He smiled. “I’ve already lost myself in you, Allison, and I’ve found a part of me that I never knew existed. Together, we are better than we are apart.” He bent to kiss her belly just above her pubic bone. “Give me a chance to prove it to you.” How could she not? It wasn’t just her body that wanted him -- her soul yearned to be sheltered by him, to draw strength from him and to support him when he needed her. Allison smiled. There was only one answer to give. “Love me, Pyros. Show me how our life together will be.” Pyros grunted. “About damn time.” Allison would have laughed with extreme joy if Pyros hadn’t fused his lips with hers -- her nether lips. The sensation of his tongue and teeth sliding into her, nipping her naked flesh, was breathtaking. She cried out in pleasure and ecstasy as Pyros set her body ablaze. He sucked each lip of her cunt once, creating a soft popping sound as he moved from one to the other, before swiping her pussy from its opening to her clit. The fire built higher.

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Pyros savored the taste of her. He drank from her flesh and reveled in her reaction. She was sweet to the taste and slightly musky to smell -- an elixir from the goddess meant only for him. Her cries inflamed him. The clenching of her thighs and abdominal muscles fueled his desire. Their combined lust created a magnet for all the violent energy of the super volcano. The power flowing through him and Allison was exquisite, and orgasm promised to be nothing short of explosive. He had to have her.

Now.

With one last, wet lick from her clit to her chin, Pyros crawled up Allison’s body

and nestled his cock at the entrance to her cunt. He wanted nothing more than to simply plunge into her and sate himself, but he paused. He wanted her full attention on him. “Damn you, Pyros! Fuck me!”

“Look at me, Allison.”

Her gaze flew to his face, and she gasped.

“Do you feel it? Can you feel the heat embracing us?”

“Yes. Your skin is as dark as it was the first time I saw you.”

He flexed his hips, rubbing his cock against her clit, and Allison cried out again.

“We have the blessing of the fire. It needs us in order to expel the energy of this volcano. We two, you and I, are the only two people in this world capable of accomplishing that link. Do you understand?” Allison hesitated before bringing both hands to cup his face. “Yes.” She smiled. “My connection to you isn’t what controls my destiny. Yellowstone Volcano isn’t what controls my destiny. I am the only one who has that power. I have to choose what to do, who to be with, and I choose you. Not the fire, not the fires beneath the earth that I’ve spent a lifetime studying. You.”

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Pyros nodded. It was all he was capable of. Unimaginable joy surged through him and clogged his throat with tears. She finally got it. She accepted it. With one smooth, hard thrust, Pyros embedded himself in her warmth. The heat that instantly surrounded them was so intense, they both cried out in ecstasy. Pyros actually saw flames silhouetting Allison’s head. The sexual frenzy that followed wasn’t something Pyros was at all prepared for. Allison dug her nails into his flesh as she met his thrusting with her own. Her cries were so violent, they could almost be mistaken for pain if she wasn’t bucking and thrashing and pumping her hips as hard as she could. Eyes closed, she screamed and gripped him firmly with her legs around his waist. When she opened her eyes, the sight almost caused Pyros to lose what was left of his control. They glowed amber with the power of the fire. The energy building in conjunction with their lust was phenomenal. Pyros had never experienced anything like it from the fire before. He couldn’t think. He couldn’t do anything but sate his lust and make sure Allison’s was satisfied in every way. Fucking Allison was the only thing that mattered. With a roar, Pyros pried her legs from around him and pulled them over his shoulders. Kneeling before her, he gripped her thighs and pulled her against him with every thrust he made into her. Over and over he pounded into her. Over and over her cries and screams echoed in his ears, combining with his own to form a wondrous harmony that finally, finally, settled the fire. All the energy that had once threatened the world now expelled itself through their bodies, their lust. Pyros closed his eyes and rode the incredible sexual energy. Each time he buried his cock in her welcoming pussy brought him closer to paradise than he ever thought he’d see again. “Pyros!” Allison screamed and Pyros felt the contractions of her cunt begin to milk his cock as she fell into the first spasms of her orgasm. Pyros opened his eyes, wanting to watch her come apart underneath him, in his arms. What he saw caused him to plunge into his own climax.

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Allison’s skin was as dark as his own. Pyros bellowed and surged into Allison one last time, burying himself as deeply as he could within her. Allison’s screams echoed his own, and together their sweat slick bodies moved almost violently until they were both sated and their skin began to fade back to its normal pigment. “Oh, my God,” Allison whispered. “What just happened?”

“I’m not exactly sure,” Pyros panted, “but it was really cool.”

Allison giggled. Then she laughed, and Pyros joined her. They laughed until

their sides hurt. Pyros held her close, burying his nose in her hair, and inhaled deeply. “You are an extraordinary woman, Allison.” “No more extraordinary than you are, God of Fire.” There was nothing more to say. They lay together, looking into each other’s eyes, until their breathing returned to normal and they both fell into a deep, restful sleep.

Chapter Four Allison smiled sleepily at Pyros over her breakfast. She and Pyros had made love four more times before finally getting out of bed, and she had gotten very little rest. “You could just not go to work today, you know.” Pyros seemed very amused and pleased with himself, if the satisfied grin he sported was any indication. That was okay. She was pretty pleased with herself. She had brought the God of Fire to his knees in ecstasy on more than one occasion the night before. One particular memory came to mind as she ate her banana. Without saying a word, she took the sweet fruit into her mouth before catching his gaze with her own. She winked when he simply stared at her, open-mouthed. Obviously, he was remembering the same event she was. “I wish I could, but Tiana’s expecting me to go over the latest data on the volcano.” She smiled, then laid the rest of her banana on the table. “It’s under control again, you know.” “Yes. Our… sexual frenzy… last night drew the excess energy.”

Allison giggled. “Yeah. I noticed that. It was amazing.”

“Yes. It was.” Pyros had moved behind her, and he lowered his head to kiss her

shoulder. She batted at him playfully. “I was talking about how we drew the volcano’s energy.” “Oh. That too, then.” Pyros continued to nibble on her neck and shoulder. If he kept that up, she wasn’t sure she’d care if Tiana waited on her or not. She was about to say to hell with work and Tiana when the ground started to tremble. It was only a slight rumbling at

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first, then grew more and more violent until she and Pyros both were thrown to the floor, and Allison’s house started to crumble around them. Pieces of the ceiling rained down on them. Glass knickknacks burst as they hit the ground and books fell from their shelves, followed by the shelves themselves. Almost every window exploded, raining more glass on top of them. “Pyros!” “Talon is in distress.” Pyros covered her body with his and rolled them under a table. Instinctively, Allison reached out with her mind. Only this time, it wasn’t the fire she was interested in. “Something is happening to the earth around and underneath the caldera. It’s trying to heave.” Allison had to shout to be heard. “Talon is trying to stop it, but something is blocking him.” Without warning, everything stopped. The silence was deafening. They waited for a few seconds before Pyros moved them from underneath the table. “You can read him that easily?” The question was almost devoid of emotion. Almost. Allison could sense the tension underneath. “Pyros, you know I have a connection of sorts with the earth. I’m getting that information there. Not from Talon.” Pyros blinked several times. “Of course. I -- I’m sorry.” “What’s wrong?” Allison was genuinely worried. There was something… different about Pyros for a second. She could feel it. “I don’t know.” He blinked again and smiled. “Nothing. I need to find Talon. The earth is taking him over and I think he could use our help.”

*** After a couple hours of searching, Allison and Pyros finally found Talon. He sat cross-legged and naked in the center of a rune circle near Yellowstone Lake. Sweat soaked his body and, if the grimace on his face was any indication, he was under tremendous pressure.

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“I can’t hold this form, Pyros.” Talon never opened his eyes. The impressive, bulky muscles all over his body bunched and rippled with strain. “Earth is overpowering me.” “Can you keep an animal form, a creature of earth? If you can, we can still communicate.” “I don’t know. Earth would absorb me if it could. If that happens, I won’t be able to return, much less communicate.” Without warning, fur broke through his skin and his body contorted and reshaped itself into a very large mountain lion. Allison tried to suppress her shock, but witnessing that kind of transformation was difficult to take no matter what she had been exposed to in the past twenty-four hours. Talon spoke to her through the earth, to Pyros through their connection as Elementals. You should leave. I can’t hold the earth much longer. “What do you mean?” Allison could feel the rising tension deep within the earth and the sudden struggle of the fire to remain calm. She began to realize exactly how much peril they were in. I can’t control the earth. Something is driving her and I cannot control her alone. “How can we help you?” Pyros was already stripping and adding runes of his own to Talon’s circle. Allison stared open-mouthed at the pair of them. “What? Haven’t you ever seen a naked man before?” Pyros grinned at her, even though the situation was grave. He never stopped his movements, though. Time was of the essence. Allison knew he understood that as well as she did. “The runes. Why didn’t you tell me you used rune magic?” They both looked at her. “You didn’t ask.” Allison could have sworn she saw a hint of humor in Pyros’ eyes, but Talon gave away nothing in his animal form. “No wonder you were able to break through my wards,” she muttered under her breath.

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Pyros stepped into the circle, sat and crossed his legs. Talon was crouched in the deceptively lazy way all felines do. “I will calm the fire, you work on the earth.” I don’t know if I can. The brief lightening of the mood didn’t last long. Something is turning the earth against herself. For the better part of an hour, Pyros and Talon centered themselves on their elements. Pyros’ skin was pitch black, his flame-colored hair whipping around his face. Talon’s mud-brown fur rippled with his respirations, but he never moved other than that. To the casual observer, it looked like the pair of them were staring at each other. Allison, however, knew the real battle was going on beneath their feet. And it was very heated. The fire tried to do what Pyros coaxed it to, but the earth fought against Talon with an intensity that frightened Allison beyond anything she had ever felt before. The silence around them echoed Allison’s unease. There were no birds or ground squirrels or insects… nothing broke the silence. The lack of any other stimulus grated on Allison’s nerves as much as the silent struggle. It’s not working. Talon sounded desperate, defeated. Take her and get out of here, Pyros. I will hold on as long as I can. “No,” Allison whispered. “I can help.” Allison, I don’t think that’s such a good idea. “Do you have another suggestion?” “She’s right, Talon. With her help, we would have the added power needed to get earth and fire back under control.” Are you sure, Talon? Harnessing sexual energy is… personal. Pyros smiled. “I know, old friend. As the Gods of Fire and Earth, it is our duty to do what is necessary. If she’s willing to help, I can’t refuse to allow it.” Talon shivered in the big body of the mountain lion. I won’t be able to shift until you get the fire to settle under the earth. Once you do that, it should relieve some of the pressure feeding the earth and I’ll be able to assume human form again.

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Allison took a deep breath and disrobed. She was nervous and frightened… and excited. How far would she have to go? How far would she get to go? In a way, she wanted to get to live every woman’s fantasy, but an even bigger part of her knew it didn’t really matter. Pyros was the only man who would ever be able to satisfy her. There was never any doubt. She studied the runes surrounding the two men, adding a few etchings of her own before she stepped inside the circle. What did you do? Talon looked from Allison to Pyros. What did she do? Pyros shook his head, a puzzled look on his face, and shrugged. “I -- what did you do?” Talon’s body began to morph into its usual form, and he repeated himself. “What the hell did you do?” Allison shrugged. “Your runes weren’t complete. You needed water and wind to shape rock and focus fire. Without all the elements working together, no rune is as strong as it can be.” Both men faced her with identical looks of bewilderment and amazement. “What?” Allison raised an eyebrow. “You’ve never seen a naked woman before?” Pyros snorted. Talon looked back to Pyros. “Are you sure you want this one for your mate?” “I wouldn’t have any other.” Allison stepped closer to Pyros and laid a hand on his cheek. “Only to get this thing under control would I do this, Pyros. You are the only man I need.” He grunted. “It’s the only reason I’m agreeing to this. Talon is the closest thing I have to a brother, but I’d be lying if I said I liked this.” Allison took his hand. “Is there another way?” She looked into his eyes and saw his anguish, but also his resolve.

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“No, there isn’t.” He grinned. “Enjoy it, Allison. You’re about to be fucked senseless by both of us. But only this one time.” “Fire and earth are working together, if reluctantly. Each of you can control one of them, but not both. If you can concentrate on creating as much sexual energy as you can, I’ll use it on the runes to focus the power where it needs to be. I should be able to increase the power of the runes one thousand times.” She looked from one man to the other. “Just this once.”

Pyros couldn’t believe he was about to do this, to let Allison do this. Letting Talon anywhere near Allison made his blood boil. But there was absolutely no other way. With Allison as the catalyst, they could easily harness enough power to calm the fire and the earth. The sexual energy she created in him was more power than he’d ever dreamed of wielding. Would she affect Talon the same way? “Only you, Pyros.” Allison guided his lips to hers with her fingertips. “I’ll only ever love you.” Kissing Allison was the closest thing to paradise Pyros had ever felt. Her lips were warm, welcoming, hungry. She reached out for him with her mind, her touch light and feathery. The answering surge from the fire was… eager. When Allison merged her mind with his, Pyros’ power increased exponentially. In that moment, he could have destroyed everything in this plane of existence. There was nothing they couldn’t do together. Pulling her to him, Pyros wrapped his arms firmly around her, holding her at the waist, while he feasted on her. He licked inside her mouth, sucked her lips, nipped her chin. Then he started over again. He was about to lose himself in her sweetness and power when he felt Talon’s hands slip between himself and Allison.

Power of fire and earth coursed through Allison. When Talon wrapped his arms around her middle, earth was almost as strong in her as fire.

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Almost. The combined sensations of Pyros’ hands at the small of her back, Talon’s at her abdomen, and the torsos of both men caressing her chest and back, of being sandwiched between them, were unlike any other. She felt them physically, but also emotionally. Her connections with fire and earth gave her access to their thoughts and feelings. Pyros was inflamed with love, lust, and jealousy. Talon was very sexually aroused, but focused on the primary need -- calming the earth. The combination was distracting. At least it was until Pyros trailed a finger down the crack of her ass. Stabbing her tongue into his mouth, Allison focused on Pyros’ lust. If she was to channel their sexual energy to the earth, she had to concentrate on feeling the incredible pleasure the two men gave her. Their kiss was as explosive as the earth threatened to be. Pyros explored her mouth thoroughly, completely. Allison clung to his shoulders, tangled her fingers in his hair, and scratched his back and chest lightly. Only when she felt Talon’s lips at her shoulder did she break Pyros’ kiss and turn to the other man. Talon met her mouth with his own. Allison still clung to Pyros, but Talon’s solid presence filled her senses just as much. Talon kneaded her breasts, pulling her nipples gently and rolling them between his fingers. As she cried out into his mouth, Allison’s knees gave way and she sagged against Pyros, her breathing coming in shallow pants. “Do you like having both of us touch you?” Talon murmured into her ear. “Will you like it as much when we are both inside you, fucking you until you scream?” Try as she might, Allison couldn’t form a response. The power increased, the sexual tension increased, and Allison was no longer sure she could control the surge enough to direct it. Sinking to her knees, Allison found herself at eye level with two very impressive cocks, one golden brown surrounded in a nest of flame-red curls, the other the color of damp soil with no hair anywhere around it. Without thinking about her actions, Allison took a cock in each hand, testing the weight and texture of each. Opening her mouth,

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she licked the tip of Talon’s before sucking the head of Pyros’ and releasing it with a loud “pop.” Pyros’ groan was music to her ears. He gripped her hair firmly as he guided her back to him, his cock bobbing against her lips until she wrapped her lips around it once again. He guided her up and down his shaft, slowly, gently at first. As the pleasure built, so did the force with which Pyros fucked her mouth. Allison kept her hold on Talon’s cock, but she wasn’t really aware of anything but the one in her mouth and Pyros’ grunts of pleasure. Pausing to catch her breath, Allison pushed Pyros’ pelvis back slightly, freeing his cock from her mouth. She had to attend to Talon. Earth needed just as much attention as fire. Without another thought, she turned her head and enveloped Talon’s huge erection with her mouth. Allison opened her mind to Talon’s. He still struggled with the earth, even as he appreciated the loving Allison gave him. She focused her sexual energy on her runes, then to Talon, giving him what he needed. But it wasn’t enough. None of it was enough. Neither man had control over his element. “Pyros.” Allison whispered his name when she pulled back from Talon. She needed them both inside her. It was the only way they could create enough energy. Pyros growled. “You want us both to fuck you?” He pulled her up roughly by her hair. “Is that what you want?” Allison nodded her head. “Yes. Please.” Pyros pulled her with him to the ground, pushing her to her back. Without preamble, he plunged himself into her until his balls rested against her ass. Shifting his weight slightly so that her legs rested on his bent knees, he slammed into her over and over again. Sweat dripped from his nose and his skin started to darken, but he did not have the power, the energy he needed. The jealousy she’d felt in him earlier was getting the upper hand. She needed him to focus on his lust.

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“Is my cunt hot?” She thrust her hips at him, meeting his vicious thrusts with her own. “Fuck, yes!” “Is it tight enough for you?” “Oh, yesss!” Hooking one leg around his, she pushed with all her might and flipped Pyros to his back, never separating their joined bodies. “You’re going to fuck me, Pyros.” She looked down from her position above him. “You’re going to fuck me until I scream.” Ceasing all movement, Allison locked gazes with Pyros. “But I want Talon to help you. I want to know one time in my life what it feels like to have two men inside me.” Pyros nodded. “If that’s your wish.” “Just this once.” Allison still didn’t move a muscle. “Just this once.” Pyros smiled at her, but she still got the feeling something was wrong. She also got the feeling that the earth was going to give way if she and Talon didn’t do something. Now. Holding her weight on her hands and knees, Allison let Pyros fuck her as he wished. Harder and harder he slammed into her, raising his hips while he held hers still. The pleasure Pyros gave her was astonishing. The sensations building within her were becoming harder to fight off, but she needed to hold on to her control until Talon was ready. Talon touched the entrance to her anus with a finger coated with something cool and slippery. She thought she’d come on the spot. When Pyros slipped a hand between their bodies to find her clit, she cried out and bit her lip to keep from coming. And when Talon’s thick cock began to stretch her ass slowly but persistently, Allison’s pussy clenched spasmodically around both men and she screamed with her first orgasm. Trying to reinforce her runes and add to their power while in the clutches of a climax was nearly impossible, but Allison managed somehow. The runes worked with

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the added strength of their combined sexual energy, and they had the time they needed for Talon to focus on the earth. So Allison simply left it up to him. Giving herself up to the feeling and emotion brewing within her and Pyros, Allison focused on him and on building their sexual energy to the boiling point. “I never thought I could find a man who so totally understands my needs.” “What is it you think you need, hmm?” Pyros’ voice was gravelly and rough in his passion. “Do you need Talon embedded in your ass, or would you rather we switch places? Perhaps you would like him to fuck your pussy while I fuck your mouth?” “Oh, God.” “Does it feel good being stuffed so full of cock, my fire angel?” “Incredible!” “And do you feel the fire responding to us, to our lust?” “I feel its joy and relief. The fire believes in us, in our love.” “And how does fire like earth being a part of us?” Pyros’ question should have raised a red flag for Allison, but she was too caught up in the moment. The feel of both men inside her, surrounding her, enclosing her with their rock hard bodies was the only thing she was capable of processing. She didn’t have time to answer, even if she had been able to. Pyros grabbed her hips and surged upward with all the force of the volcano beneath them. Talon, who had been silently taking his pleasure until now, roared as he surged into her anus almost as violently as Pyros. “Gods, Pyros! She’s tight!” “I can feel you moving inside my mate, Talon. Fuck her! Sate your lust for her now and be done with this!” Pyros’ fierce shout was so filled with lust, Allison almost missed the underlying jealousy and mistrust. She knew she needed to address those issues soon, but now was definitely not the time. As it was, she was becoming as paranoid as Pyros seemed to be. She could have sworn she felt a fourth presence. All she could focus on was the rising need for release.

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When she couldn’t hold on any longer, she screamed a warning to Talon. “I’m coming! Do it now, Talon! End this!” She desperately needed Pyros. She needed him, but not like this. She wanted him to herself, by themselves. No matter how pleasurable it was for her to be so filled by both these men, she didn’t feel anything beyond friendship and respect for Talon. He was not her mate. Pyros was. She accepted that, now. Reveled in it. “Allison, I need your help.” Talon spoke quietly. “I can’t repair the earth barrier around the magma chamber using your runes. They are unfamiliar to me.” Allison almost screamed in frustration. Would she never be alone with Pyros again? Still moving in harmony with Pyros beneath her, in her cunt, and Talon behind her, in her ass, Allison dug deep within herself to focus on her runes one last time. “Do what you need to do with earth.” Allison spoke through gritted teeth. “I’ll guide the runes to aid you.” When Allison opened her mind to the runes, they told her all she needed to know. Water and air had helped to shape the earth, but the barrier between earth and fire needed rebuilding. The runes magnified her power several hundred times, but still it was no easy task to add to the barrier. Talon had to do most of the work, but with their intimate positions and the connection she felt with the earth when she and Talon worked together, Allison could not deny she felt something more than lust for the God of Earth. Not the deep attraction and newly sprung love she had for Pyros, but this man would forever mean a great deal to her. She hadn’t been prepared for that. It took several minutes, but Talon finally got the earth calmed and sedated, the barrier around the magma chamber firmly in place. Pyros worked his magic on the fire with little difficulty, and the three of them were finally able to focus on each other.

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Allison shifted her weight, encouraging both men to roll until Talon was underneath her and Pyros above her. The men never missed a stroke. All three of them moved as one, their connection undeniable. Allison wrapped her legs around Pyros’ waist and used the added leverage to ride him as hard as he rode her. And oh, my, he rode her hard. He was almost vicious in his thrusting. His face, his growls and grunts, everything about him screamed animalistic, inhuman lust. Talon simply held her, moved steadily in her ass and held her open to Pyros. Allison turned her head, her body swimming in sexual arousal. Through the haze fogging her brain, she realized that, though Talon was enjoying himself, something was wrong. “The two of you belong together, Allison,” Talon whispered into her ear. “Always remember that, no matter what.” It was the last thing Allison was able to process before she was overcome with pleasure as Pyros mercilessly pounded her pussy. The added stimulation of Talon gently sliding in and out of her ass pushed her to her second orgasm. She screamed and lifted herself even harder against Pyros, milking his cock, begging for his seed. “Pyros!” Allison screamed again and again as she rode her orgasm. “Mine!” Pyros’ roar was savage. And blackness claimed her.

Chapter Five Allison woke wrapped in strong, masculine arms. She really didn’t want to move, so she simply sighed, snuggled closer to the warm body next to her, and smiled. She inhaled deeply, wanting to savor the moment. Pyros was the most amazing man she had ever met, and that was definitely the most amazing sex she had ever had. She almost laughed when she thought that she had had access to him all her life, and only now did she truly know how much he meant to her. “Pyros is a lucky man. You will make a fine mate, Allison.” That was not Pyros. And it came from the man holding her. She shrieked and wiggled away only to realize she still wasn’t dressed. Taking the quilt with her, she stumbled out of bed. Talon laughed. “It’s not as if I haven’t seen you naked, you know.” She glared at him. “It’s not as if I ever intended you to see me naked again, you know. Where’s Pyros?” Talon’s laughter faded and he looked at her soberly. “I don’t know. I suspect Chaos was witness to our… collaboration… last night.” Allison gasped. “I thought there was someone else there. Watching us. But what does that have to do with Pyros?” Talon lay back on the bed and put his hands behind his head. “Chaos thrives on conflict. I think, since the night Chaos first came to you, he’s been working subtly on Pyros. He seeks to magnify Pyros’ jealousy and use that to achieve his own ends with the fire, which he can not control without help.” “So, when I rejected him, he realized I would never willingly help him, and he did the only other thing open to him.” “Exactly. I think he’s trying to get Pyros to unsettle the fire himself.”

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Allison closed her eyes and reached out to the fire, hoping she’d find Pyros in the process. Nothing. Everything was silent. Calm. “Well.” She shrugged. “Nothing’s happening now. Pyros will be back soon.” “I hope you’re right.” Talon smiled. “Thank you, Allison. Last night was special. You are not my mate, but you will always hold a special place in my heart.” “I was thinking the same thing about you.” Talon cleared his throat, and Allison smiled. Men were the same everywhere, gods or not. They all were uncomfortable sharing their feelings, but that was okay with her. It just made life more interesting. “I have some checking around to do. I’m here if you need me.” “I know. Thanks. I’ll be at the office.” She walked to the bathroom. “I imagine Tiana is about to pull her hair out if she’s seen the seismic reports.” Talon tried to look disinterested, but Allison could see right through him. Men were definitely the same everywhere. “Tiana. She is your assistant?” “Co-worker. I’m a vulcanologist, she’s a seismologist. We work together, but neither of us is of more importance than the other. We simply do different things.” Allison paused before adding, “Would you like to meet her?” “No! Err, no. I have too many things to do and I’m sure she is busy as well.” “Talon.” Allison tried valiantly to suppress the giggles she knew were going to surface. “Are you afraid?” He looked at her sharply. “I most certainly am not! I’m busy.” “Yeah, right.” Talon snorted. Then he turned into that very large mountain lion and slinked away without having to respond. Just like a man.

*** Pyros was furious! He was sure Talon had set up the whole crisis last night just so he could fuck Allison. For that, he would pay with his immortality. Allison was his.

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His! He wanted to roar his rage. Instead, Pyros embraced the flame always surrounding him. Lust and jealousy merged in deadly proportions as he sought Talon in his mind. Stealth was the key. He would let Talon burn himself in the backdraft. Fire would consume earth. The answering surge within the earth was equally determined. Equally deadly. Equally quiet. To everyone except Allison.

*** Uneasy, Allison tapped her pencil on her desk. It was past midnight and she still hadn’t gotten through the data Tiana had given her that morning. She couldn’t concentrate. She was restless. The fire was not.

Strange.

After having the fire in her brain for so long, for it suddenly to sleep was

disconcerting, and Allison couldn’t shake the feeling something was wrong. She reached out for it, opened her mind to everything around her, earth included. The fire told her nothing. But earth breathed a sigh of relief. It thought the worst was over, that fire finally slept. Allison didn’t believe it for a second. All the extra layers of earth surrounding the magma chamber were a strain on Talon. He maintained what she built, and he couldn’t hold it indefinitely. She knew the moment he made the decision to shift the mass and relieve some of the pressure. And she knew it was the wrong decision. “Talon, no!” Allison wasn’t even aware of shouting the words out loud. She just knew that if Talon let his guard down for even a second, he would release the genie from the bottle. Too late. Allison bolted from her office to the seismograph. If the volcano was going to blow, she’d know it there first. All it took was one glance. The steady rhythm of

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harmonic tremor flowed freely from the machine. Magma was on the move. Eruption of the volcano was imminent. She sat down on the floor, hard. Everything she had learned about volcanoes and seismology told her nothing could be done to stop the sequence about to unfold. But she had to try. Taking a few deep breaths, Allison got to her feet and grabbed the phone. When Tiana’s sleepy voice answered on the seventh ring, Allison quickly relayed the information, trusting her friend would know who to notify and would be sure any park employees still on the grounds were evacuated immediately. “What about you, Allison?” “I’m going to try some of the mystical stuff.” “This isn’t time to play games! You’ve got to get out of there before it’s too late.” “No, Tiana. I’ve got to try to stop this.” “You know as well as I do what harmonic tremor means. There is no stopping it!” “I’ve got to try!” Allison heard Tiana’s resigned sigh. “When this is over, you’re going to have to explain this communion you have with the magma.” Allison smiled. “You bet.” “Because if you don’t explain, and do so very thoroughly, I promise I’ll have you committed. After I kick your ass, that is.” Allison snorted. “If we make it through this, I’ll be happy to explain everything you want to know. Just make sure everyone is safe, especially yourself, Tiana. Don’t get caught in the area when this thing blows.” “If you can’t stop this, don’t hang around trying. You get out, too.” “Of course. I may be crazy, but I’m not dumb.” After hanging up, Allison hurried outside and to her truck. She needed to get to the center of the caldera. It took her almost forty-five minutes to arrive at her

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destination, but she needed that time to plan her strategy. The runes she had to use were very complicated and powerful. She couldn’t figure out why Pyros hadn’t warned her, and that made her nervous. The only two conclusions she could draw were that Pyros was either incapacitated or actually feeding the volcano’s anger. Either way, she would need Talon’s help. She and Pyros were tied together through the fire, but Talon obviously knew him better. First things first, however. Before she could figure out what was up with Pyros, she had to start the rune safeguards. She had to calm the fire. Using its own medium seemed the logical choice. Digging through her emergency pack in the back of her truck, she found a roadside flare. Turning out all the lights, she moved away from the vehicle -- darkness was essential for this phase. Taking a deep breath and studying the runes in her head one last time, she broke the flare and started skywriting. Every line, every angle had to be precisely placed. Allison wasn’t sure how much time she had, but there was no way she could risk making mistakes by hurrying her strokes. Besides, if her runes worked, she would have the time she needed to help Talon reinforce the earth around the magma chamber. I will destroy Talon and his precious earth. You do not need to waste your time, my love. Pyros actually sounded pleased with himself. Allison could feel the anger and hatred burning deep within him and it frightened her. This was a man she wanted no part of. Chaos is using his jealousy against him, Allison. This is not Pyros. Talon’s voice was a caress inside her mind, comforting and reassuring. What can I do? Find him. Talon sounded strained. You are the only one he will listen to. He was using everything he had to try to hold back fire with earth. Allison knew it was a losing battle. How can you be so sure he will listen to me? Because he loves you.

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Talon didn’t have to say it. Allison knew it. She had known since she was a little girl that Pyros loved her. Perhaps he had just needed to give her time to grow up and become accustomed to what it meant for a woman to love a man. Always, Pyros had been there, offering her courage to face her destiny. Now, he needed her support. Allison carefully completed her rune skywriting, knowing now it was imperative she use only fire. Anything else could feel to Pyros like a betrayal. The pressure building was incredible. She’d never felt such power in her entire life! Allison knew there was no way she could stop this. She wasn’t exactly sure of the extent of Pyros’ power, but she had no doubt that he was the only one capable of stopping the super volcano at Yellowstone from erupting. Pyros! Allison had to get through to him. Fast. Allison? Pyros sounded confused, dazed. Where are you? I’m in the center of the caldera. I’m trying to stop this. I’m trying to help you. You’re in the center -- he paused. You’ll be killed! Allison could feel him fighting to crawl out of whatever insanity had claimed him. She could also feel his panic. At that moment, Allison realized Pyros couldn’t stop the inevitable disaster. This was really it. Get out of there! Allison, get away from the volcano as quickly as you can. He didn’t have to tell her twice. Allison ran to her truck, quickly started it, and slammed it into gear. She just hoped she had enough time to get clear before the volcano blew.

*** How could he have been so stupid? Pyros had never let his feelings rage out of control that way before. Control and balance were essential for him to keep fire from ruling over him. Control he had back. Balance? When he ceased to trust in Allison’s love, when he stopped trusting his friend of millennia, he lost balance and, for him, balance included stability with the elements and

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with himself. He had to trust those he held dear or there would be chaos in his life. Which was, most likely, the whole problem. Now, Allison was running for her life. There was absolutely nothing he could do to stop the chain of events about to happen. The only thing he could do was try to slow it down. Pyros. The whispered, feminine voice caught him off guard. Angelina? Yes, most precious God of Fire. Her laughter was light and full of affection. The Goddess of Air was always a welcome presence. I’ve really fucked up. So it would seem. The fire rages, even to the heavens. I don’t know what to do. Chaos got the better of me. He’s won. Only this round, Pyros. Chaos needs the love he lost. He will find her, and when he does, he will make this right. But what about Allison? We have to help her. Now. Rest easy, my friend. I will help your Allison. All will be well. Pyros breathed a small sigh of relief. He had never known Angelina to not come through for him. She had been Goddess of Air far longer than her predecessors and her experience alone made her promise possible. What will I do when you find a mate? You’ve been my guardian angel far too long for me to give you up. Pyros could almost see her angelic smile, and he swore he felt her wings brush his cheek. I will always be Goddess of Air. My mate determined that long ago. Pyros was very still. Such was unheard of. I don’t understand. If you’ve found a mate, you will need all your attention to care for your family. You should not be burdened with the rule of an element.

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Angelina laughed again, a musical laugh filled with silver bells and twinkling lights. I have known my mate since I became a goddess. It will take a goddess to handle him. Her words were light, as always, but Pyros could detect the unease within his friend. Perhaps we can talk later. I sense you need to. She sighed. Perhaps. Perhaps not. You are not ready to hear it and I’m not certain I’m ready to tell it. For now, let us help your beloved. I don’t know how much help I can be. I’m having to use all my strength just to give her time to get out. Don’t worry, Pyros. Angelina’s voice calmed him, reminded him she was a truly powerful goddess. I will get your Allison to safety. It would have to be enough. If he could not get to Allison himself, Angelina would be his first choice. She had all the power of the air at her disposal and she wielded it very effectively. Centering himself, Pyros tried to disperse the excess energy through the geyser openings, but too much was building too fast and there was simply no way to release the pressure without causing the volcano to erupt even more quickly. Pushing with all his might, Pyros used sheer force of will to hold back the fire. He was on the verge of losing his strength when he felt a familiar presence add the weight of the earth in aid. Neither communicated with the other. They both knew they needed all their strength, all their concentration, to hold the volcano at bay until Allison was safe. There would be time for words later.

*** Allison jumped out of the truck and ran to the gate closing the park to all traffic. As she opened it, she could hear and feel the earth rumbling as magma moved beneath it. It was getting louder and stronger. She didn’t have much time. She clung to her awareness of Pyros, sensing he was indeed free of Chaos’s influence. Talon was helping him, and they were working together to give her time to

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put distance between herself and Yellowstone. She could feel the fire struggling to be free of them and prayed they would be stronger together than the fire was alone. As she sped into the night, Allison trembled. With nothing to do but drive, her adrenaline high left her and she began to crash. She gripped the steering wheel to keep her hands from shaking and cranked up the heat to keep herself from going into shock. She absolutely could not freak out. “I can take you away from here, Allison. All you have to do is ask.” Chaos! Snapping her gaze to the passenger seat, Allison came face to face with the one person she had hoped to never see again. He was as handsome as ever, but his eyes were cold as ice. He sat there with a casualness that unnerved her. He acted as if there were nothing wrong. As if the whole world weren’t about to be altered in the worst way imaginable. “Why are you doing this?” Allison wanted to scream. She wanted to stop the truck and beat the shit out of him, but she didn’t dare slow down. Every mile she put between herself and Yellowstone was a few more seconds she had to live when the volcano erupted. “I’m not doing anything. Pyros is.” His smirk made her grit her teeth. “But you set him up, magnified his jealousy, and took away his faith in his friends.” Chaos held his hands up as if to deny responsibility. “I merely pointed out that you are a very beautiful woman and that Talon got exactly what he wanted -- a sweet romp in the hay.” “There was no other way! Pyros knew that! We all did!” Chaos shrugged. “Perhaps. Yellowstone was ready to erupt and I did what I had to do to ensure that it did.” “Why, damn you?” Allison was screaming at him now. She couldn’t help it. She was angry and running for her life. She deserved to scream if it helped her sanity. For a second, Chaos looked sad, almost lost. “It’s what I do.”

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“But you don’t have to, Chaos.” The feminine voice whispered on a soft, sweet breath of air. Chaos froze. “Angelina?” Her laughter lightened Allison’s heart. Angelina’s presence was so strong, so soothing, Allison knew the important things would be okay, somehow. “Yes, Chaos. I am here, as I have been for a very long time.” “You have not chosen a mate.” He made it a statement rather than a question. Again, she laughed, the sound as happy as tinkling, silver bells. “Of course I’ve chosen my mate, but that discussion is for another time. This woman doesn’t deserve to be caught in this, and you know it.” “I know that she refused to give me what I want. That is enough for me.” “Is it really? Do you really want her dead simply because she does not want what you offered? Have you truly become so cruel?” Angelina’s voice was still beautiful, carried on the wind as it was, but the underlying disappointment was painfully obvious. “It is not for you to question me, Angelina.” Chaos bit out each word through clenched teeth. “I exist for one reason. Entropy. When Eurynome left, she took order with her. Now there is only… chaos.” There was a whooshing sound and a thin column of light widened into a doorway filled with blinding light that swallowed Chaos. Spots formed in front of Allison’s eyes as it vanished, making it impossible for her to see in the near total darkness. Even the headlamps of her truck were difficult to see. Her eyes needed time to adjust. She had to stop the vehicle for a few seconds until she could see the road. Unfortunately, time was something she didn’t have. “Don’t worry.” Allison knew Angelina was beside her, at the driver’s window, but she couldn’t see the other woman. “I’m here to get you out of this place. Pyros and Talon are holding back the volcano, but they cannot do so indefinitely.”

Marteeka Karland


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“What do you need me to do?” Allison knew she didn’t have a choice but to trust the woman, and something told her Angelina was the only one who could actually get her out of this mess. “Trust me, Allison. I would see Pyros happy, and he can only be happy with you.” “I trust you.” The ground started to shake, violently. Allison looked back the way she’d come. A few seconds later, a column of fire spewed into the air, followed rapidly by a thick plume of ash. The light from the eruption was so great that Allison could see the ash column clearly in the night sky. It was only a matter of minutes before the deadly pyroclastic flow overtook them. Allison looked back to the other woman. She was able to see her clearly now, and Angelina’s beauty was so great, all she wanted to do was stare at her. Her creamy white skin was framed with snow-white wings and equally white hair. She was exceedingly tall and willowy and covered from throat to toe in a layered gossamer gown that outlined her body so that on anyone else, it would be indecent. On her, it was like looking at a work of art. “Take my hand, Allison.” She did. Without hesitation. And the two of them vanished together, becoming the very air surrounding them. Dizziness overtook Allison and her brain shut down. Her last thought before succumbing to the blackness was to wonder if the earth would ever be the same again.

Chapter Six Allison awoke bathed in warmth. She desperately wanted to go back to sleep, but not knowing what was happening at Yellowstone made her force her way to wakefulness. As she slowly became aware of her surroundings, she realized she was stark naked and lying in very masculine arms. The room was stark. White walls. White floor. White bed. Nothing else. Allison wondered where she might be, but then decided it didn’t really matter. She was safe. “Pyros.” “Yes, my love.” His deep rumble beside her ear made the fine hairs stand up all over her body. “Is Angelina here?” “No. She is trying to limit the drift of ash over the world. I doubt there is much she can do, though.” “How bad is it?” Allison wasn’t sure she really wanted to know, but what she wanted wasn’t very important at this moment. Pyros sighed. “Bad. Several vents have opened in the last couple of hours. The eruption shows no signs of slowing down.” “How much eruptible magma is down there, Pyros? How long will this go on?” “Almost two thousand cubic kilometers.” A super eruption! Allison wanted very much to reach out to Pyros’ feelings, but her link to him was through the fire. With the fire so out of control and violent, her mind refused to touch it. It was just as well. She and Pyros could actually get to know each other in a more normal way.

Marteeka Karland


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It didn’t matter. Allison knew what he felt. “This isn’t your fault.” “I wish I could believe that.” He spoke quietly, his voice filled with remorse. “Together, the two of us could have stabilized the fire and prevented all of this. We had it under control, with Talon’s help, but something inside me had to get back at Talon.” “It wasn’t you, Pyros. You know that.” “Well, it seemed like me at the time. It all made perfect sense. Everything I did, everything I felt, seemed logical.” He shrugged. “How could I have been so stupid?” “You know Chaos better than me. You should know what he’s capable of.” “I do.” He paused. “I just can’t believe I couldn’t see past his deception.” “He turned your one weakness against you.” “My love for you?” Allison turned in Pyros’ arms to face him. “No, sweetheart. Our love for each other could never be a weakness. It is our greatest strength. Your only weakness is actually my fault. I didn’t admit my love for you until Chaos already had his plan in motion.” Allison smiled then. “Your one weakness, Pyros, God of Fire, is that you’re just a tiny bit insecure.” Pyros snorted. “I am a god. I have power most mortals can’t even imagine, and you’re telling me I’m insecure?” Allison laughed. “I think we all are when our hearts are involved.” He rolled Allison beneath him, resting his weight on his elbows, his face inches from hers. “So show me how much you love me, Allison, so that I don’t have to worry about it anymore.” “With pleasure.” Allison twined her fingers in his silky hair and pulled him to her. She kissed him with all the passion she had in her, but she took her time. This mating would not be hurried. It would not be to quench the lust of the fire, either. This was for them. Because they loved each other. With a groan, Pyros deepened her kiss. Their tongues slid together easily, danced with grace and wonderful happiness. Teeth and lips nipped and kissed. Allison’s head spun.

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Ducking his head, Pyros captured a nipple between his teeth and rolled it gently while he kneaded the other breast and rubbed his chest against her belly and pelvis. Then he stopped and rested his cheek above her heart. “I’m so sorry for all this, Allison. I put you in danger. I might have destroyed the world, and for what? You were mine all along, and I couldn’t see it.” “Things will right themselves. My grandmother taught me everything has its purpose. This does, too.” Her gentle words seemed to ease him, because he started to lave her other nipple. He still wasn’t at peace, but perhaps that would come with time. Allison arched her back, bringing her breast into fuller contact with his mouth. He took the hint and wrapped his tongue around her nipple. She gasped. Pyros grazed the sides of her breasts with his fingertips until his hands rested on either side of her rib cage. His lips kissed over her skin in feather-light touches until his tongue delved into her navel and swirled around it a couple of times. “Your skin is so soft, Allison, and your scent drives me insane. All I can think about is how much I need to be inside you.” Allison gasped as he touched his tongue to her clit. “Then don’t wait. Make love to me, Pyros.” “I am. I will.” His voice was muffled slightly, and he didn’t seem to be in any particular hurry. “In a minute.” When he plunged his tongue inside her pussy, Allison shrieked. She wrapped her legs around his head and held him to her as she lifted her hips to meet his mouth. He slid one finger, then two inside her cunt, moving them in and out, bringing her intimate juice with him on the out stroke. Swirling his fingers around her anus a few times, he gently inserted a finger. Allison broke out in a fine sweat. The pleasure was so intense, she wasn’t completely sure she wasn’t going to pass out. Pyros circled her clit with his tongue, then sucked it gently and scraped it with his teeth as he fucked her ass with his finger.

Marteeka Karland


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Allison had had all she could stand. She needed him inside her in the worst way. Almost more than she needed to breathe. Unhooking her ankles, she let her legs fall open and pulled him to her by his hair. His chuckle as he slid up her body, resting his pelvis against hers, was strained. “I love you, Allison. I’ve always loved you.” She smiled at him, lifting her hips when she felt his cock against her pubis, inviting him inside without words. “I love you, too. I should have told you sooner.” “You told me when it mattered, and you’re telling me now. It’s more than enough.” He gently slid into her, cupping her buttocks in one hand, cradling her head in the other. He lowered his mouth to hers as he started to move slowly, languidly. Allison wanted to savor this moment, she really did. But she needed him like never before. She needed his passion, his lust. She wanted him as out of control as she felt. Resting her heels on his ass, she urged him on. When he pulled his head back to look at her, she smiled wickedly and stuck a finger in her mouth. Pushing slightly, she encouraged him to roll them over, so that she was on top. She sat up and bounced slightly, riding his cock, her finger still in her mouth. When she pulled her hand back, it was slick with her saliva. Reaching behind her, she found and circled his ass with her wet finger. Pyros’ sharp indrawn breath was all she needed. Pressing carefully, Allison slid the tip of her finger inside Pyros as she fucked him gently. His balls tightened against her arm and she knew she wasn’t causing him any discomfort. “What the fuck are you doing to me?” “Giving you the same pleasure you gave me.” Allison smiled and pushed her finger a little farther until she felt his prostate. Feeling his cock jump inside her, she caressed the tiny organ until Pyros growled and pulled her hand away from him.

Marteeka Karland


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In a move so sudden it took her breath away, he flipped her onto her back once again and pulled one of her legs over his shoulder. “Fuck me, Pyros. Show me how much you want me. Show me how much you love me.” Her voice sounded strained to her, but she smiled when he bared his teeth and began to thrust viciously. The sound of flesh slapping flesh was loud in the stillness, their groans of pleasure the only other sound breaking the silence. Outside the volcano raged and roared. Inside, the God of Fire did the same, only he did so in the height of sexual fulfillment. He did so for the pleasure of his woman. Chaos might have won this round, but there was strength in numbers. The God of Fire was no longer alone.

Marteeka Karland Marteeka makes her home in Kentucky with her brat husband and her darling son. (Or is that the other way around?) Family has always and always will be her passion in life. She works as an Emergency Room Technician and has for the past eight years. She has been writing for most of her life, but has only recently realized her potential when she found erotic romance. This genre opened up a whole new world of possibilities for Marteeka and she is thriving on the endless promise of what is to come. Science Fiction has been her favorite topic since she saw her first episode of Star Trek. Now she combines Sci-Fi with erotic romance and feels she has found her place in the writing world. Marteeka welcomes comments from her readers. You can contact her at [email protected].

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