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head in my hands, I rocked back and forth as I tried
to concentrate on my breathing, or counting sheep,
or anything to take my mind off of the pain focused
on exploding my skull.
I was vaguely aware, enough to know Oren
joined me on the floor, even as the pain grew so
intense, I couldn t see anything at all except a bright
white light. The light seemed intent on blinding me
forever.
Great. One moment of unforgettable sex, and
now I m dying. What next?
But instead of the dark and the icy claws of
death I expected, what I got was a furious collection
of images and sounds thrown at me, like watching a
movie in fast forward. A strange, confusing movie,
starring me and Oren.
With each scene, the pain in my head lessened,
until all that remained was a dull throb. I blinked
rapidly, my vision returning to normal. Oren s
worried, yet handsome face was the first thing I saw.
 Melaina?
When the throbbing in my head became no more
than a bad headache, I managed a weak smile.
I remembered everything. And I mean
everything.
 Are you all right?
I nodded, but the motion made my vision swim
and my stomach lurch, so I winced as well.  In spite
of having every experience I ve ever had crammed
into my head as a memory all at once, I m fine.
Oren arched an eyebrow.  You remember?
I nodded again just as Lil burst into the room,
breathless.  The High Priestess said they are close to
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Through Hell and High Water
a spell to banish Asmodeus, but will need a little
more time. We should get out of here before more
demons show up. She stopped, staring at Oren and
I kneeling on the floor.  What s going on?
 It appears that Melaina has her memory back.
After Oren s rather abrupt statement, the eyes
of my Fae friend opened comically wide with
surprise, appearing almost like a wild to attempt to
pop right out of her skull.  What? You remember?
Her gaze flitted between Oren and I frantically.  But
how?
I swallowed hard, the heat of a blush coloring
my cheeks as the memory of our recent lovemaking
experience flooded my thoughts. Quickly, I patted a
hand over my clothing, trying to make sure all parts
were covered. Luckily, that barely there shirt had
fallen over my breasts when I hit the floor.  Let s
just say, Oren and I had a few ideas of our own, and
one of them worked.
Lil eyed me dubiously as Oren helped me back
into a standing position. My head still ached, but the
pain lessened with each passing moment. Instead, it
was being replaced with a new feeling, one that had
my body humming like a charged battery.
Perplexed, I shot a look at Oren, and an odd look
crossed his features as well.  Do you feel that? I
whispered.
 Feel what? Lil s impatience was evident in her
voice.  What s happening?
Ignoring my friend, I concentrated on the rising
sensation inside my body. I d always felt a
connection to the Earth and my surroundings, but
now it was like that bond had been kicked into
overdrive and turned up to eleven somehow. My
nerve endings buzzed, making me hyper aware
of& well, everything.
The sound of the wind blowing outside echoed in
my ears, along with the flowing of water in the small
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Christle Gray
lake nearby. I closed my eyes and let the sensation
fill me. And if I listened closer still, I could even hear
the blood rushing through my own veins with the
swiftness of a raging river.
I breathed deeply, my lungs taking in the sweet
scent of the flowers on Lil s head, along with the
heady scent I d come to associate with Oren. When I
opened my eyes again, I swayed a little on my feet.
Whoa.
The intensity of sensation overload was a bit
overwhelming, but I managed to keep from falling on
my tush.
 Melaina?
Hearing my name in Oren s throaty voice made
me want to jump him all over again, but I refrained,
still enamored by the new feelings flooding my body.
Everything I d ever thought about, dreamed of, or
planned just snapped into place as clear as my own
reflection in a mirror. All the High Priestess had
taught me, everything I d gone through in my life
suddenly made complete sense, along with the
knowledge of what was truly filling me with these
sensations all at once.
Power.
It coursed through me like a swift ocean current,
filling me with more strength than I d ever felt
before. It made me believe I could take on anything
or anyone.
Especially the Demon Lord, Asmodeus.
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Through Hell and High Water
Chapter Seven
As if sensing my revelation, the house shook [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]