Xavier Guardians of the Amphylon

Kat Matthews

Copyright © 2015 Elizabeth Machado writing as Kat Matthews

Smashwords Edition

Published By:

Elizabeth Machado writing as Kat Matthews at Smashwords

All Rights Reserved. This book may not be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission from the author, except for brief quotations embodied in reviews. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. All characters and storylines are the property of the author and your support and respect is appreciated.

This book contains mature content and is intended for adult readers.

This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously.

Cover by Kat Matthews

Dedication

This book is for you mom. You introduced me to my first paranormal romance and I have been hooked ever since. Thank you for having faith in me. Love you always.

Synopsis

Demons from the hell realms are being released upon the earth and only the Immortal Guardians of the Amphylon can banish them.

Xavier is the Prince of the Guardians. Mina is his charge, an unaware prophet who wasn't prepared for the world he pulled her into. Will their forbidden love be a blessing or a curse that an ancient evil will use to destroy and tear the world asunder?

Xavier is the Prince of his people, the Immortal Guardians of the Amphylon, ordered to be the Guardian of a new unaware and uninitiated member with the gift of prophecy. What he hadn’t anticipated was the raw, all-consuming obsession he had to his charge. The Amphylon stepped in and ordered him away for four years for her safety as their unprecedented love was luring the demons straight to them. After two thousand years, no one had ever meant more to him. He fulfilled the Amphylon’s order and now he was coming for his woman. This time, no one, not the Amphylon, nor any creature from the hell realms would keep him from making her his own.

Mina’s life is finally under control. She has a normal home, normal life and a great job as a college professor. Her horrific, violent past was behind her now. Her only regret: Xavier. The gorgeous dark eyed super genius. He was the mysterious best friend in college no one knew much about. He had secrets, and that was something she wanted no part of in her life. To say she was shocked when he showed up out of the blue one day after four years was a massive understatement; and she certainly wasn’t prepared for the unimaginable world he pulled her into nor the desire that flared out of control when they were together.

Little do they know they are both targets of an ancient evil so dark and so vile that it will destroy not only themselves and everyone they care about, but the world. Will their love be a blessing or a curse upon them all, and will the secrets of their past prove too great and tear the world asunder?

Table of Contents

Dedication

Copyright

Synopsis

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Epilogue

From the Author

Bonus Sneak Peek

About the Author

Xavier

Guardians of the Amphylon

Prologue

Xavier’s eyes turned rich with blood and the promise of retribution. Long obsidian tendrils of energy protruded from his shoulder blades forming a sinuous image of wings. Dark indigo lights danced around the enigmatic threads answering to his temper. The ghostly wings reached and stretched as if trying to fly, or worse, trying to reach around to strangle its intended victim. His fangs extended and he salivated over the thought of sinking his teeth deep into the Arch Adenine’s jugular. He’d tear it out and bathe in the elder’s blood.

Your thoughts are not your own brother, Gavril said while struggling to hold his sibling down against the cold, dank floor of the cave. His own wings of energy danced in crystalline azure filigree so brilliant it almost hurt to look upon them. Streaks of scarlet flared in the energy as he struggled to keep his brother down.

Xavier growled then roared with a burst of air. It sent a small plume of dirt into Gavril’s face which masterfully stuck to his sweat soaked skin. The sound was feral and full of deadly promises. He struggled to keep his brother pinned to the ground. Xavier could lose his soul forever if he killed the elder of the Amphylon.

Gavril could not understand the onslaught of rage his brother felt over a small human woman. It was irrational. The Amphylon had decided to separate the woman from Xavier going as far as to threaten that they would take her away and leave her whereabouts unknown if he didn’t turn her care over to another. They added that he was to never try to contact or see her again.

He knew Xavier would be angry they were removing him from his duty of protecting the little one, but he never expected this. In his two thousand plus years, he’d never seen anything such as this behavior from his brother; he was at the point of madness. Was he in thrall? The thought of demons possessing his brother’s soul turned his blood to ice.

If he drained the life from the Arch Adenine a demon would possess part of his soul, it would only take one bite from a true demon from the hell realms to infect his blood and turn him into a true Vampyr. One more warrior would be lost to the earthen realm. He was not going to lose him too. Xavier was all he had left.

"Nu ajută la nimic," It is of no use, Gavril said to him in Romanian. It only furthered his brother’s rage and he struggled to keep him restrained. He slammed him into the ground twice in warning. He’d always been stronger than his younger brother, but he found his strength weakening. Las-o mai domol! Take it easy! Gavril said. He’d never felt such power and resolve in Xavier before.

"Du-te încolo!" Go to Hell! Xavier roared and cursed him in multiple languages, a few he’d never heard before. Xavier was omni-lingual and contained innate capabilities. He was a super genius and had access to the Aecreyon Records, which hold all the knowledge of the universe. Yet, based on his current state of mind, you would never know the being was supernaturally learned.

Xavier roared something in another language Gavril didn’t recognize, flipped his brother off of him and ran at the elder with preternatural speed. Gavril grabbed him around the chest at the last moment and slammed him back down to the ground before he reached the elder. His heart pounded in his chest. That was too damned close!

Get out of here! Gavril roared at the old man. He would have forced him with a mental push, but he was expending all his power and energy on his brother. Besides, Lycomedes had the right to address Xavier. Hell, what did he care if the elder of the Amphylon wanted to pull code and stick around to see if Xavier truly meant that he wanted to rip the old man apart limb from limb?

He pushed the dark thought away, the consequences were unthinkable. The elder backed up near the entrance of the cave. He wiped his white robe indignantly despite his shock and sheer terror of the out of control immortal. Gavril watched through sweat-stung eyes as the old man clasped his shaking hands. Stupid mortal fool.

This whole ordeal had gone to hell and back. When the Amphylon decided to confront him, he expected a fight, a little violence, but not the murderous rage his brother was feeling. Sweat stung Gavril’s eyes as he tried desperately to dominate Xavier using mind control. His brother was thwarting his every attempt.

He accessed those damned records Xavier used and learned everything about counteracting Gavril’s Alaijan, the gift he was born with. Normally, Xavier did not have the ability to activate Alaijan he was not naturally predisposed with. He could learn about various abilities, but he could not use them if he wasn’t born with the supporting energy.

Xavier’s intellectual Alaijan had limits. Yet, here he was, tapping into defense mechanisms, learning the different Alaijan and unlocking the energy to use against him. It shocked the hell out of him. He’d have to talk to him about that new ability once his insane brother had found his damned lost mind. The elder cleared his throat and Gavril tightened his hold on his brother and glared at the old fool as he sputtered.

He cannot be allowed to continue to be the adenine’s guardian Gavril. We forbid it! She is a natural born Arch Adenine who must have the utmost level of protection! We have had visions, she is in terrible danger if she stays with him. She has an important role to play in the future that can affect our existence. We cannot risk it. We need to separate them and it is also forbidden for a Nemuritor Guardian of the Amphylon to become emotionally involved with an Arch Adenine. We have seen it, he threatens to expose her identity to the dark ones and jeopardize…

Xavier’s roar of fury cut off the elder’s lecture. The old man gasped and staggered back when tendrils of Xavier’s black, deadly energy reached for him. They stopped just out of reach of the elder then quickly retreated back to the immortal and stretched like the wings of energy they were. Gavril fought to keep his brother restrained. It was a dangerous struggle and one he wasn’t so sure he was going to win. He was slowly losing his grip. What little mind control he did have over his brother was tenuous at best.

I said get out of here! Unless you want to die this day! Gavril yelled at the obstinate elder.

I have a replacement, Lycomedes said quietly. Gavril glared at the man as sweat dripped down his face. A gush of air escaped between Gavril’s tight lips blowing the drops of sweat off them as he strained to hold his brother back. The mortal didn’t realize how much danger he was in. If he truly knew what his brother had planned for him, the fool would run and never look back.

I’m going to tear them all apart, Xavier hissed in his mind, his brother picked up his thoughts telepathically. No one was going to take Mina away from him. No one! Fuck the Amphylon! He would destroy every last one of them if necessary.

You aren’t… Gavril grunted and nearly lost his grip on his brother when he launched himself towards the elder. He grabbed Xavier at the last second and slammed him into the ground again trying his best to keep him restrained, thinking straight! The dark ones are… he grunted again when Xavier elbowed him in the gut, but Gavril held him down tight. Xavier relaxed for a moment and let out a low feral growl.

I assure you brother, my thoughts are entirely my own. I’m going to kill them. They can’t take her away from me! he roared. Mina. He thought of her thick chestnut hair that hung in her face and her radiant smile, her soft touch and innocent laughter, her gorgeous gypsy green eyes that he always seemed to get lost in. He could still smell her; feel her body pressed up against his own. His love.

Mine! he growled, his fangs lengthening, his murderous eyes pinned on the elder.

Falcon has agreed to assume guardianship over Ms. Deceneus and will be the only Guardian to know her location, Lycomedes began. He stepped aside and let Falcon pass.

Xavier’s head jerked up. Gavril cursed right before he was slammed with an invisible blast of hot energy that came out of Xavier. Black Death! His brother almost reached insurrection! He could’ve fried his ass. Gavril found himself flying through the air.

He slammed into the far wall and roared for Lycomedes to run. The old bastard just stood there in shock. Gavril struggled to gain his ground and raced with preternatural speed. He reached the elder before his brother by sheer dumb luck. He wrapped his arms around the old man and teleported him a short distance to safety.

Xavier was blinded by rage when he saw the tall, multicolor, long haired immortal smirk. He almost reached insurrection and barely contained the energy. The last thing he wanted to do was harm his brother. But damn it! His frate was helping the Amphylon in this vicious conspiracy. He couldn’t stop himself from attacking Falcon though; the grinning bastard was going down. No one was going to touch his woman. He roared and attacked with a burst of speed.

Falcon braced himself but was still shocked by the enormity of the impact. He grunted and lost his breath as Xavier sunk his claws into his flesh to hold onto him. It really shocked the hell out of him that his attack was so vicious. He had to use all his strength to keep Xavier from doing him serious, perhaps even life threatening, harm. He fought off his brother-in-arms with everything he had in him, but the bastard kept punching and raking him viciously with his clawed hands.

Xavier felt only pure blind rage. It was completely territorial and he lost all control and rational thought. He wanted to tear the warrior apart and he was doing a damned good job of it too. He slammed his fist into Falcon’s face and grinned when the bastard’s blood coated his hand. He took the blows Falcon returned and loved the painful feel of it. Bring it on! He was never going to allow anyone to take his place next to his woman.

Falcon knew he was getting one serious beat down. He was returning the attack blow for blow and was damned glad there weren’t any blades involved. He would never survive that, because despite the unjustifiable attack, Xavier was still his Prince and Gavril was his King and their enforcer whether the Amphylon acknowledged their hierarchy or not. He would never take their lives. He would forfeit his own before he did that, their kind needed them to survive and he was loyal, bound by honor and sealed in blood.

Falcon was blindsided by a blow to his head. His body was slammed into the wall of the cave and he endured multiple blows to his stomach and chest. When the Prince punched him so hard his ribs split and broke through the skin, he knew he had to somehow incapacitate his Prince before he was killed. But how? He felt the answer stirring inside of his mind and he let the energy slip silently into his body. His eyes turned a bright golden color and he felt his strength increase tenfold. The good thing about Xavier’s rage was that it was blind.

Xavier? What are you doing? Xavier heard Mina’s frightened voice in his mind. He heard the horror over his actions as if she was watching and it was like dousing him in cold water. His anger fled and guilt suffused.

Mina? he whispered in total confusion. She had no idea about his kind, she had never spoken to him telepathically, he had no link with her, hell, he hadn’t even bled her. He was too afraid to taste her sweet essence on his tongue, afraid of losing control. How did she managed to reach out to him? What had she seen in her mind’s eye? He was so distracted he never saw the change in his opponent and never felt the blow to his head.

********

Wake the fuck up! Falcon roared and slapped Xavier in the face. He’d tried time and time again to rouse the Prince and it scared the shit out of him that he wouldn’t respond. He felt his ears pop and heard the telltale sucking sound and low bass hum that accompanied teleportation. Shit, Falcon whispered. Xavier’s brother returned. He looked up at Gavril whose eyes swirled quickly with blood then cleared again.

It’s not what it looks like, Falcon managed to croak out exhausted from the battle. His chest was heaving and it hurt like Black Death to breathe, I only knocked him out, Falcon said wanting to hold up his hands in surrender but was too weak.

He watched the King clench his teeth. The man was massive. He stood a towering six foot seven and his eyes were so light blue they were almost white. The black pupil in the center was a stark contrast against the pale. They looked disturbingly otherworldly. His straight, long black hair added to the overall effect. He radiated justice and judgment.

It was as if the immortal King could see every sin Falcon had ever committed, and if found guilty, he would act as executioner without pause. He swallowed as the King towered over him, his eerie winged tendrils only the royals had, undulated behind him in menace. Hell, he was so beaten to a pulp he couldn’t put up a fight if he wanted to. Looks like he was going to get a beat down. He sighed in defeat.

I do not know how you even managed to do that much Falcon, but I thank you, Gavril said as the winged energy behind him slowly slid into his body and disappeared. Falcon nodded his head and slumped over in relief unable to hold himself up any longer. Gavril knelt on one knee and bit into his wrist and held it to him. Drink.

Falcon obeyed but he only drank a little. Gavril pulled his wrist away, reached into a black silk bag he’d brought with him and withdrew a few packs of bagged blood. He tossed them to the immortal and Falcon nodded in thanks. Gavril approached his brother and knelt by his side. He had to give him blood as well. He bit his wrist and held it to his nose.

Wake, Gavril commanded. Xavier kept his eyes closed and growled smelling the fresh blood. He gripped Gavril’s arm tightly, sunk his teeth in deep and drank with strong greedy pulls. Gavril clenched his teeth and waited until he was sure he had enough to sustain him. He wrenched his arm away, closed the wound and handed his brother some bags of blood.

Xavier blinked his eyes open and found himself feeding from his brother’s vein. What the hell? His brother pulled his wrist away and threw blood at him; he grabbed one, punctured the bag with his teeth and drank it down. He finished the others then collapsed on the ground breathless and aching.

Is the bastard dead? Xavier asked.

Fuck you Xavier, Falcon said. He groaned and touched the wound on his stomach. His skin was shredded. This fucking hurts, he said. Xavier smiled at the response.

Quit your whining, I can take you out of your misery if you like, Xavier said with a smirk. Falcon glared at him.

I’ll pass, he grumbled.

You aren’t going near her, Xavier warned, his smile gone.

Near her? I already met her in passing. Falcon choked and spit blood to the side.

What! Xavier tried to get up and attack but Gavril had placed a holding prayer on him and was too weak to fight it. He collapsed back down with a grunt. Xavier finally got a good look at Falcon and was shocked at how badly the immortal was injured. He did that. He did that to one of his best friends. He felt sick to his stomach.

Look man, I’m not trying to hit up on your woman, I’m just watching out for her, Falcon said.

You aren’t doing shit! No one is taking my place! No one is hiding her away from me! Xavier roared suddenly uncaring that his friend was suffering.

"Fine! Then go back to her. Just know that the more you’re around her the more the damned demons will be able to find her. They’re already onto her. How many have you disposed of within a fifty mile radius of her home Xavier? More and more are closing in.

They can sense you there, your abnormally strong lust and not to mention the odd energy surrounding you both when you are around her is like ambrosia to them. They are far too curious as to what you are hiding. You did a damned fine job of concealing yourself and her presence for four years, but not anymore. Your feelings are like a damned beacon and the woman is responding to you.

Of course she responds to me damn it, he growled under his breath. He thought of her radiant smile, and then imagined the fear in her eyes if she ever faced one of those creatures. She was completely vulnerable, weak, human and female. "Cacat!" Shit! he cursed. They were right. He was placing her in danger, she was too much of a distraction to him and a beacon to the dark ones. He’d destroyed three Vampyr as of late only thirty miles from her new home. He cursed in Romanian and several other languages and clenched his teeth.

He turned to the side and coughed up blood, stirring up the dirt. It coated his bloody face, stuck to his split and bloody lips and went into his mouth. He coughed and spat. He shook his head and looked around the cave. It was a small, hallow, natural passage carved out of the rock in the mountain. He stared at the dirt walls then looked up at Gavril.

Why the hell are we in a damned cave? Xavier asked. Gavril shrugged.

Ambiance, he said with a smirk. Xavier cursed him again.

Headquarters would’ve been preferable to this. I’ll take a nice warm castle any day. You always have to be so damned dramatic? Xavier asked.

It is a gift, Gavril said with a shrug. He stretched and rolled his shoulders. He shook his head and looked at his brother and sighed. Besides, you would have broken my priceless Ming vases. There is nothing to break here except Falcon’s head, Gavril added. Xavier snorted.

Hey! I resent that, Falcon groaned and coughed up more blood.

Gavril stared at the broken immortal and shook his head. He could tell he did all he could to defend himself without retaliation, he knew he was afraid of hurting the Prince in his defense. Damn Xavier for this. His lip was split wide open. There was a huge gaping gash under his eye and he was bleeding out his nose. Bloody claw marks marred his chest and his damned ribs were poking through his skin. He could tell the immortal was having great difficulty breathing.

You are in great need of medical attention and you need blood Falcon, can you teleport out of here? Gavril asked.

Yeah, just barely, Falcon answered. Just give me a minute and I’m gone. Damn. And to think you’re our medic, he said to Xavier. I thought you docs took some kind of oath. Xavier sneered at him exposing a bloody fang.

Fuck you, Xavier growled.

"Now I know that ain’t it. And not very original I might add. Xavier flipped him off. Falcon shook his head in mock dismay. Guess I’m on my own," he mumbled. Xavier glared at him.

Guess you are, he growled back. Then guilt swamped him again when he thought of the horror he’d heard in Mina’s voice. How could she have seen what he was doing? How did she tune into him at that moment? He never took her blood, how was it possible?

Damn. It was her very first psychic episode, and it involved him. He was shamed over the image she was given as her first gift of sight. He’d turned it into a terrible experience. He stared at his best friend and felt even more guilt. He could’ve killed him.

Andrei will see to your wounds, Xavier said gently. Something passed quickly in Falcon’s eyes, too fast for him to really read into it. Falcon nodded.

It was me, Falcon said. Xavier narrowed his eyes.

What was you?

Mina’s voice in your head. It wasn’t her it was me. I mimicked her, I needed a distraction.

Didn’t know you could do that, Xavier mumbled and was relieved that Mina hadn’t seen him in such a state after all. Falcon shrugged.

Sorry man, I did what I could, Falcon said. Xavier nodded. Gavril looked at his brother and thought about his words before he spoke.

"Xavier, frate, you know it is for the best. We can assign someone else if you cannot tolerate Falcon to such an extent, but it must be done," Gavril said as gently as possible.

A woman.

What? Gavril asked with a frown.

You will assign a woman to her. I cannot tolerate a male near her. I would kill them eventually, he said with dire warning. Gavril stared at him. He wasn’t kidding.

What is this Xavier?

I don’t know. I don’t give a shit, I only know that it will drive me insane with rage if a male is near her and if they hide her from me I will lose all control.

Most odd, Gavril said and then thought on it. He thought on Xavier’s suggestion. There are not that many women with such training. Gavril pinched his nose. I will contact Sienna. She has had some combat training and will be able to shield her presence very well. But if there are Vampyr near…

Then you will contact me! Xavier shouted and then grunted. Bruised ribs. He glared at Falcon who smirked despite the blood running from his mouth and nose.

No. Sienna will contact me or Falcon. You cannot go anywhere near her.

This is bullshit! Xavier growled. Mina was an Arch Adenine. Sooner or later she was going to have to be introduced to the Amphylon and introduced to their world. I warn you now, if you hide her away from me I will personally lay waste to the Amphylon, you would have to kill me to stop me from finding her. I suggest you think carefully before hiding my woman away from me, he said with an ice cold stare.

It would be better if you did not know her whereabouts. Gavril watched his brother’s expression change into one he had never seen before. It turned his blood to ice, at that moment he could almost swear his own brother would gut him to prevent him from hiding the mortal away from him. He pinched the bridge of his nose and squeezed his eyes shut as the searing pain in his head pounded against his skull. A hell of a shit storm was brewing, he was damned sure of it.

Whatever was happening to Xavier was a first and something was not adding up. The Amphylon was taking and inordinate amount of interest in this case suggesting drastic measures be taken to ensure the woman was to be sequestered away to an unknown location and removing his brother from duty. Something struck Gavril as being off. The Amphylon was withholding something from him. He just wasn’t sure what it was. He made the decision not to hide the female from his brother, something beyond his knowledge was playing out and the need to see it through was persuasive.

Fine. I will insist that she is not sent away. She will not be sequestered. However you must stay away from her for six years to ensure her safety, Gavril declared.

Six years! I can’t stay away for six years! he roared and winced. I can’t Gavril. He shook his head. I can’t, he said quietly. Gavril sighed. What was wrong with him?

All this over a mortal female? Gavril stared at him. Already he would have to contend with the Amphylon. They were furious over Xavier’s attraction and strange bond to the adenine. Furious that he blatantly refuted their orders and sought to harm one of their own. The counsel gathered earlier in the day to pass their judgment on Xavier.

They told Xavier what they decreed. His unhinged and insane brother, using his preternatural speed, had grabbed the counsel elder Urick, who announced the decision, and nearly snapped his neck. Gavril was able to subdue his brother and teleport him out of there to a cave nearby. Yeah, there was going to be hell to pay for this. Luckily for Xavier, Gavril was his brother and King. There wasn’t a whole hell of a lot the Amphylon could do since Gavril was their enforcer.

He was ordered to punish his brother, to set an example to the others. He had quietly seethed as he stood listening to what they had in mind for him. Like hell would he inflict the amount of pain the elders insisted on as punishment! That was when the first feeling that something was off hit him.

They wanted him brutally flogged. He was fairly sure his brother would not have killed the elder in the end, he knew he should be punished but what they cast down as penance set off warning bells. He was furious over their harsh sentencing after all they do for the Amphylon, he didn’t give a shit if he was partial to his brother. No he would not punish his brother physically.

Apparently the mental pain and anguish from his isolation from the female seemed punishment enough. Gavril passed his own judgment despite their protests, taking the backlash. Xavier would be held under lock and key and undergo counseling for a year. No one in their right mind pushed him on the issue after he roared at them over their protests regarding the only member of his family he had left.

He was sure there would be more protests later on down the road, he would deal with them as they arose, he didn’t give a shit. Xavier was all he had left in this rotten world. Xavier’s eyes swirled with blood. Gavril sighed.

Four years then, he said defeated, unable to understand this obsession over the adenine. It is all I can give you. Hopefully by then things will have calmed down and the demons will have lost interest. She will still be young, not fully developed enough in her gift and will require training. You know this goes against the counsel elder’s wishes.

I don’t care, Xavier said slowly through clenched teeth.

So be it then, Gavril said with an acquiescent sigh. As I said, her gift of sight has not fully manifested yet she needs guidance, the elders are going to eventually step in to train her. They will not want you there to interfere when that time comes.

I don’t give a shit what they want any longer and I will be there to help her.

Gavril stared at his brother. He knew what he was thinking, he did not want to turn the small adenine over to the elders, he wanted to train her himself. It was wrong, his brother knew it, but at the moment he was going to choose his battles. He would deal with the rest when the time came. God help them all.

Xavier clenched his teeth. He would take care of her when the time came. In the meantime it will be absolute torture until then. Four years. Just the thought of not seeing her was driving him insane, he could not imagine how he would feel after four years. Perhaps the distance and time will ease the pain and ache. He sure as hell hoped so because if not, it was going to be unbearable. Just the thought alone of not see those gypsy green eyes, to not see her blushing face... Gods, it was going to be agony.

He hadn’t taken her to his bed, hell, he never even kissed the impertinent woman, but he needed her. He couldn’t fight the pull, that inborn attraction he did not understand. He needed her like he needed the air to breathe. He didn’t understand it, he found nothing in the Aecreyon Records that he was able to tap into about what he was going through. He knew he was in for a hell of a fight when he finally decided to claim her as his own.

Mina was adamant about keeping him at a distance. She would never give in to his flirting, never give him the time of day. She’d already told him as much and insisted that they remain only friends. He’d gone along with it because he had to. She was young, they were in college and she had to focus all her attention on her studies. He understood that, she truly was young, but she was graduating, and after four years, things were going to be different. He would not back down like he had before, especially when he knew she wanted and desired him.

I will not reveal what I am until she’s ready, he whispered lost in thought.

I hope you know what you are doing Xavier. The dark ones will come in droves if you bleed her and tie an Arch Adenine to you. She will be twice hunted.

Then let them come. I will protect her and destroy any threat to her. In four years, she will be mine.

You will be called to be judged by the Amphylon, Gavril warned.

As if I care. He would suffer and bleed for her, it mattered not. He would accept judgment. But he would not accept isolation from the one thing that seemed to matter most in his life. Xavier growled. You hear that inger? In four years, I am coming for you.

Chapter 1

An outburst of water leapt towards the heavens as it slammed into the massive boulders carefully arranged by the slowly evolving earth. The Potomac Rapids looked more like a scene from the Cambrian Explosion, when much of the world was covered in empiric seas, and most of the major groups of animals first appeared. The unforgiving tumultuous currents rushed in a chaotic dance screaming towards its destination, giving a sense of urgency and an instinctive awareness of unrelenting disregard for humanity.

Mina leaned against the railing of the overlook, long locks of her dark chestnut hair hung softly in her face. Her green eyes glazed over. She was drawn to the hypnotic, inveterate current. She imagined falling into the violent rapids. It was a picture of quiet decent into nothingness, as if she never existed. She was but a drop of water swallowed by the rush, completely unnoticed.

It was the same feeling one got from staring up into the stars and realizing how miniscule you were in the grand scheme of things. A chill ran down her spine. The thought of how insignificant she made herself gave her a strong sense of emptiness and unrest. She twitched her head snapping out of her trance. She gazed across the wide span of rushing water towards the trees lining the embankment far on the other side.

Tourists were lying on the rocks bathing in the warm, late September sunlight. A few people leisurely meandered among the trees. She tilted her head and squinted when an odd, jerking movement caught her eye. It jolted awkwardly behind the people in the shadows. Her stomach jumped with fear in time with the creepy jaunt, maybe it was a person with a limp or someone with a handicap.

She felt a chill run down her spine and she shivered. She swallowed and had a strange, foreboding feeling as she watched the unnatural movement. It was barely visible from where she stood, but surely the people on the other side saw him? But it went completely unnoticed by the Potomac Nomads. Strange. Couldn’t they see it? She felt another chill when it nearly ran into a woman, yet she didn’t even notice the man. No one seemed to notice him.

What the heck?

The dark figure suddenly stopped and stood eerily still and watched the woman who seemed oblivious to its presence. The dark figure’s head slowly turned until it looked straight towards her. Her stomach leapt and her fingers and toes tingled with fear. It couldn’t possibly notice her, not from this distance. Could it?

She blinked her eyes and squinted to bring whatever it was into focus, then, just like that, it was gone. She shook her head, blinked and looked again. Her heart pounded in a staccato rhythm. It was like the damned thing just vanished into thin air! Nothing! Nothing was there, just the casual strolling of people among the trees.

Miss Adamina! A strong, bolstering voice called. Mina yelped and jumped out of her skin, snapping her out of her weak investigation. She froze then closed her eyes when the voice finally registered. It couldn’t be. She straightened her spine and spun around. Her wide eyes met a pair of dark shades and her breath caught in her throat. She stared at the most amazing smile she had seen in four years. She stood for a moment in shock and felt her heart thump hard, just once.

Didn’t mean to startle you. His amused voice was rich like honey. Deep and sexy just as she remembered. Heat rushed through her entire body, a smile crept across her face and she forced herself to calm down in order to find her voice.

Must you insist on addressing me so formally Mr. Dimitri? Mina tried desperately to brush off her shock, but her voice came out in an astonished whisper. Xavier! God, was it really him? Her hands started to tremble with nerves. She was already charmed by his teasing use of her proper, full name. My God she had missed him so much!

She stared at the tall, statuesque man. His hair was tousled and had grown down to his shoulders. Locks of his dark mahogany hair fell in his face and he flicked it to the side. She blinked a couple of times as if entranced. She eyed the rich, dark, colorful hues. The color held such depth and beauty in the sun. How could a man have hair like that? So many dark, rich colors.

And look how shiny! Not to mention how sexy. So not fair. Ok, you’re staring Mina. Wake the heck up! His face was as she remembered, absolutely gorgeous. Hell, it burned with masculine beauty. Really? She thought to herself, burned with masculine beauty? Man that sounded corny even in her head. But so true! She smirked. Stop staring woman!

He took off his sunglasses to look at her. His eyes were such a dark rich brown they were almost black. Strong and demanding. Striking. They possessed the ability to command attention and always seemed to blaze right through her. Mina, always quick to pick up on this, had responded with her usual rebellious sarcasm.

Her will undeterred by anyone attempting to make her feel the least bit diluted. That’s right. Don’t let him get to you, she told herself weakly. But it was him! She always felt diluted around him. Hell she couldn’t help but feel downright watery. Stupid legs. She hitched her chin up a tad for courage and gave him a bright smile.

What chance finding you here! How have you been? Xavier asked in a thick Romanian accent.

They gave each other a welcoming embrace. When his strong arms wrapped around her intimately, she immediately felt the heat from his large, hard body and her own body instantly reacted. It felt like a jolt of hot electricity zapped her from head to toe. What was that? She quickly, albeit reluctantly, withdrew. God he smelled good, just like he always did, clean, warm male with just a slight hint of please let me lick you from head to toe, cologne.

Good! Good thanks, Mina responded not knowing which direction she wanted to take the conversation, she was still in shock seeing him here. Xavier was an old friend from college, very articulate, highly intelligent and unnervingly sexy. Whenever Xavier was around butterflies battled a war in her stomach, at least for the first few minutes until she was able to squash the buggers.

Well I guess it’s not so strange meeting an environmental geologist gazing wondrously at the rapids. Xavier knew full well their meeting was not of chance.

…and botany, uh minor in ecology…oh and you can add biology to that too, Mina teased impudently. Xavier laughed.

Ah yes and your struggle was well worth it. Xavier smiled and nudged at the blushing Mina.

And you, I take it, should now be a world renown geneticist? she teased. Xavier barked out a quick laugh.

World renown…give me time girl, give me time! he said grinning at her. Mina smiled at his confidence. It always inspired her.

What brings you here Xavier?

Well, business actually. I had a meeting nearby. A colleague of mine advised me to visit the park before leaving. So I am following orders. He smiled at the thought, orders he would never turn down.

Well your colleague was right in telling you to visit; I’m surprised you’ve never been here before. I can’t resist this place. The rapids are absolutely breathtaking; there is so much beauty here.

Yes, there is. Xavier gave her a heated smile. Mina felt warmth in her cheeks and shook it off.

What’s with the sexy accent X?

You find me sexy? He grinned from ear to ear. His heart did a funny flip hearing her call him by her personal first letter endearment. He bit his lower lip and watched her carefully while desperately holding onto his restraint. He wanted to throw her over his shoulder and take her to his home and stay in his bedroom a year, at least.

Did she find him sexy? Mina laughed to herself as she watched him chew on that luscious lip of his. She wanted to scream yes in every fashion. Sexy was an understatement for this man and he had to know it. His dark hair, his dark eyes, tanned, chiseled face and sculpted body? Please, complete understatement. Mina rolled her eyes.

Your accent X, what was I thinking giving you a compliment? Not that you don’t already have a big head.

Xavier smiled at her teasing; he had missed her candid nature. Hell he missed every damned thing about her. Not a moment passed that he didn’t think of her. Her gorgeous smile, those luscious, full lips, those spellbinding, green, gypsy eyes of hers. Gods, the woman was a menace to his sanity.

When he first saw her staring across the rapids she literally stole his breath from his body. The sheer need and desire that slammed him was unnerving. She was so damned beautiful, just as he remembered, even more so. When he touched her, held her in his arms and that jolt shocked him to his core, he wanted to throw her over his shoulder and howl like a damned savage.

I was visiting my homeland.

Homeland? Mina laughed out loud over his choice of words. And here I always thought your homeland was ye ole’ Maryland.

Xavier laughed. It would seem, he paused and bit his lip, Mina intently watched, actually I am from Romania.

Really! How the heck did I not know this?

Xavier shrugged. Too busy with those studies of yours, more or less.

She knew there was something hidden in that statement, she suddenly felt ashamed. I should have known where you were from. I guess I never paid much attention to anything other than my work in college, especially to my friends, I’m sorry about that. I guess I missed a lot. I bet the others knew you were from Romania. Mina smiled and looked down, embarrassed and shocked that she was ignorant to such an important fact. She twisted her fingers together.

Xavier’s heart took a funny turn. He didn’t want her to feel uncomfortable. She had worked so hard in college, her strength and sheer resolve caused him to hold her in high approbation.

I do not think the others knew. I’m quite sure I never mentioned it.

Mina smiled but she still felt she missed out on a very important detail. My nose was always stuffed in a book studying. I was so afraid to fail, you know. I should have guessed though, with your dark features, geez and not to mention your last name. You certainly don’t look like the typical Maryland guy.

Oh do tell, Xavier said with a killer grin.

Nope. No more compliments. Your head just might blow up.

Xavier laughed.

"There are some things I do know about you, she teased and kicked at a pebble then looked up at him. It’s interesting that I never heard your accent before. Did you spend much time over there?"

I spent two months over there recently. But was visiting on and off for the past four years. You should have heard me when I had to do some research at a university in Virginia. I adapt to various dialects quite easily, but I have to admit that it was a strange mix, he laughed and smiled at her. I didn’t get a chance to visit Romania when I was in college. Xavier thought about his homeland. He had missed it terribly, nothing could compare to the Carpathian Mountains, except this one woman. He’d missed her more.

So say something to me in Romanian X. You must speak it fluently to have such a strong accent in such a short time.

Of course, he grinned at her, it is my native tongue, yes? he said staring at her lips. He watched her tongue wet her bottom lip and his body tightened. Gods she was beautiful. His need for her was dangerous.

Mina felt her stomach fill with butterflies. Tongue, he said as her complete attention became diverted to said muscle. She watched him wet his lips and she did the same. God Lord in heaven! She shook her head snapping out of it.

Xavier smiled at her and his heart did a curious flip. There was something about speaking to her in his language that sent his heart spiraling.

"Vino aici," he said staring into her gypsy eyes. He gently took her hand and slowly slipped his thumb seductively into her palm. He pulled her to him. Mina’s heart lurched at his sensual touch and his quick answer to her request. She was suddenly embarrassed by the small gesture, her body instantly caught fire once again. The palm of her hand was deliciously warm where his thumb rubbed. She blushed and cursed herself for feeling like a swooning female.

"Atât de frageda, te-asameni

Cu floarea alba de cires,

Si ca un înger dintre oameni

In calea vietii mele iesi."

His voice was like a whisper of warmth flooding her veins. The words dripped like warm honey. She clung helplessly, every word drawing her into his heated spell. She gazed unknowingly into his dark eyes, mesmerized by his sexy voice. Sexy voice, ok snap out of it girl! She was embarrassed again and hoped he didn’t notice that she was ridiculously losing her composure not to mention trembling.

Xavier smiled mischievously. Inside, his own heart was pounding, flames were licking his skin, feelings that were long hidden and controlled, roared for release. There was so much more that he wanted to say. He wanted to tell her who he was, that he was her guardian, an immortal sworn to protect her and hunt the darker creatures of this world. But once again the elders of the Amphylon would not allow it, if he got too close again or disclosed information before it was time, he could lose her