N. Walters: Mark of the Bear

“That’s settled. For now.” Roric stood with Aimee in his arms. “Now we will bid you good night.”

“Roric,” Aimee drew out the syllables in his name. “You’re being rude.”

He shook his head. “No. They are tired after their trip. Is that not so, my brother?”

Marko stood and scooped her into his arms. “That is true, my friend.” Kellsie clung to his neck and smiled. Sometimes living with an ancient warrior wasn’t bad at all.

The women looked at one another and laughed as their men carried them to their respective beds. The night settled around them, quiet except for the sound of sensual cries and the rustle of bed sheets.

Hours later, Kellsie sat in bed unable to sleep. She was too wound up after the trip. She knew she’d be tired tomorrow but she could always nap. She reached over the side of the bed and pulled her book out of her bag, careful not to wake Marko. Her original book had disappeared with the carnival, along with her clothes, so she’d bought a new copy to enjoy while she was here.

She clipped her book light onto the paperback, flicked it on and stared at the cover of Araminta Davidson’s latest book. The cover gave her the shivers. The heroine was running from some kind of demon or creature. She’d put off reading this one simply because it was too close to the nightmare she’d been through.

But this was fiction and she didn’t have to worry about the ending. In a romance there was always a happily ever after. No way was she letting Hades and his minions deprive her of enjoying a book by her favorite author.

Kellsie settled back against the pillow, opened the book and began to read. Beside her, Marko stirred and threw one arm across her stomach. She glanced at him and her heart swelled. His amazing hair was spread across the white pillowcase and the sheet was pushed low, giving her an unobstructed view of his superior back. The bear tattoo seemed to watch her every move.

She smiled and went back to her reading. The more she read, the more she couldn’t believe what was on the page. Oh, the names were different and the situation was slightly different, but there was no mistaking the story. The pages flew by as the story unfolded.

It was about a carnival that was run by the devil. The heroine was enjoying the rides, never knowing she was about to become part of something bigger, something beyond her understanding. When the heroine laid eyes on the carousel for the first time and saw the imprisoned, cursed warriors, goose bumps raced down Kellsie’s back and she slammed the book shut.

It was too real. It was the exact description of the carousel she’d seen and the writer had included all the animals as well. In her book none of them were missing. Not yet. But the heroine was drawn to one of the animals. And Kellsie knew it was one that was still sitting on the real carousel, waiting to be released.

Reaching out, she shook Marko. He came awake in an instant, alert and ready to fight. When he realized there was no immediate threat, he turned to her and cupped her cheek in his hand. “What is it, love? Having trouble sleeping?” His deep brown eyes were filled with concern.

“You’re not going to believe this.” She held up the book. “I think I know who Hades is going to go after next.”