Page 36 of Enchanted Hero (The Secret Enchanters #1)

She’d never seen a man run like that, and she’d been a track fan her entire life.

Of course, no one was timing him, but his speed seemed impossible.

Agent Andrews and Dr. Garrison had been furious as they raced after him, sputtering and swearing as he ignored their calls to stop.

She’d tried to follow, but had gotten caught in the crowd as they entered the building.

Without them, she couldn’t access to the stairwell.

That was when she’d gone searching for Alexander on her own. She’d been about to leave the office when her phone buzzed with a special report of the scene unfolding outside.

It was him.

The man from the tornado and the boat. She’d gasped as he nearly plummeted to the ground, exhaled in relief when he grabbed a lifeline.

Although he appeared to have other ways to travel than an ordinary person, her heart thundered for his safety.

She’d breathed a little easier as he grasped the pipe, but then the ledge broke. Her heart pounded.

Did he just fly?

It certainly appeared that way, but that was impossible. Humans couldn’t fly.

A loud crash shattered the air. She jumped, then again as another bang emerged from the direction of the storage room. She’d checked it when she arrived. It had been empty.

Yet it wasn’t empty now, as rustling sounded, then heavy footsteps. She jumped up in an instant, lunging to the exit, as fear overtook curiosity. Yet just before she reached it, the door slammed shut, as if by an invisible hand. Then the deadbolt locked .

She grasped the cool metal, pushed, pulled and twisted, but it wouldn’t budge. She pivoted back to the storage room. Slowly the knob turned, turned, turned. Then… it opened.

Oh. My. Goodness.

Covered from head to toe in black, her hero was unmistakable. Bound by muscle, surrounded by pure power, the towering man stood like a warrior from a fantasy novel. He’d hovered in the air mere moments ago. How could he possibly be here now?

His eyes widened in surprise, yet a blink later, he was completely in control.

As he took a step toward her, she backed up, but there was nowhere to go.

She pressed flush against the cold door as he traversed the room in wide strides.

Then he was towering above her, enveloping her with his power, capturing her without a single touch.

“You’re him.” She pointed a shaking finger. “The man who saved me.”

He didn’t deny it, shifting closer. Under the taut fabric, muscles rippled with strength. “That’s right, Miss Lacey,” a deep voice whispered.

Her heart stumbled. “You know my name?”

“Among other things.”

How could he possibly know her? Her heart thundered in her chest. “You sound like–” She halted, choking back the words. She’d been so shocked at finding him, she’d forgotten her suspicions about who he could be. And now here he was – in Alexander’s office. And Alexander wasn’t.

Or was he?

“Who do I sound like?”

She tried to analyze the voice, but he spoke too lowly. “No one,” she quickly covered. “How did you get here? Weren’t you just ten stories high…” Her voice trailed off.

He inclined his head, didn’t say anything.

“There wasn’t enough time for the elevator.”

He remained silent.

“Or the stairs.”

More silence.

“Which meant you…” She halted, suppressed a shiver. “Teleported.”

He leaned in. Heat washed over her… and an intense sense of familiarity. Could it be?

“That’s impossible,” he whispered.

“You’re impossible,” she breathed.

His expression hardened, yet his gaze never wavered, as he studied her like a predator its prey. “What am I going to do with you, Miss Lacey?”

Her heart sped, stealing the oxygen from her lungs.

She pressed back against the wall, felt for the handle.

She pushed, but it still held fast. “Well, thank you, for saving my life and all. That was nice of you.” She was rambling.

“I’m sure you didn’t expect me to be here, so I’m going to make myself scarce. ”

“I can’t let you do that.”

Loud noises sounded from the hallway, from dozens of emergency workers passing all at once. The masked man stared intently at the door, almost as if he could see right through it. “It’s quiet in Stone’s office,” a voice called. “Why don’t you make your phone call there?”

“Sounds good.”

She sucked in air thickened with danger and deception. If they caught him, it would all be over. “You have to get out of here,” she cried.

“Yes, we do.”

The knob behind her clicked as someone attempted to turn it. Suddenly, strong arms wrapped around her, pulling her flush against a rock-hard body. She struggled, but there was no escape from his powerful grip. Then suddenly…

The world exploded in diamonds.

Everleigh clung to her captor, clutching him like a lifeboat on a stormy sea.

Flashes of light burst all around them, as the room melted in a display of fireworks.

Suddenly, a new reality emerged. Gone was the modern office, the sleek televisions, the state-of-the-art computers, replaced by a grand sitting room reminiscent of a historical romance novel.

The scent of rich wood replaced the sterile office smell, and the chill of the office succumbed to warmth from a crackling fireplace.

“You’re okay,” a deep voice whispered above her. “You’re safe.”

“Where am I?” She tried to move back, even as he held her securely in his arms. “Did I just… did you just… teleport?”

His blue eyes flashed. Then a single word. “Yes.”

“But… but teleportation is impossible.”

“As you said, I am impossible.”

Her attention snagged on the large picture window, and she gasped. Beyond the large portal, majestic mountains soared to the sky, framed by the sea and cliffs . “There aren’t any cliffs like that in Florida.”

“We’re no longer in Florida,” he murmured.

“The United States?”

He shook his head.

“Earth?” she whispered.

Now he laughed, a deep rumble. “Yes, we’re still on Earth, although the other side.”

“But how?” She blinked furiously, as if she could swipe away the new reality. “How is it possible? Do you have some sort of teleporting machine?” The answer was obvious, even before he shook his head once more. “You really have powers?” she whispered. “Are you a warlock?”

He hesitated. “We prefer the term enchanter, but yes.”

“And you can control tornadoes… and fly?” And do who knew what else. Not even her imagination could conjure this. “Why are you telling me?”

He gestured to their surroundings. “It would be a little difficult to deny.”

True. Perhaps before he bent reality, but now there was no way to hide. The slightest tinge of discomfort, vulnerability even, gleamed in his eyes. If the world discovered the truth, this man would be hunted, captured, studied .

She lifted her chin. “I promise I won’t tell anyone. All you’ve done is save people, and now everyone wants you – the people, government, scientists. If they found you, your life would never be the same.”

Unknown emotion flashed. “I appreciate your discretion, but I can’t take any chances. I’m responsible for my people.”

“You’re not the only one?” My goodness. She truly lived in a world with supernatural beings. “What are you?”

His gaze hardened.

“I’m sorry.” Heat raced through her, a deep attraction that didn’t care who or what he was. He was still a man – a powerful one.

“I’m human.” He gave a dark smile. “More or less.”

“And you’re in charge of your people.” Instincts now roared, as a thousand truths converged: Alexander and the masked man both possessed powerful physiques. They both commanded their world. They were both deeply possessive.

His hold tightened. “What are you thinking?”

Wait. Could he– “Can you read minds?”

“Not yours.”

Another coincidence. “I was just thinking…” How could she ask? By chance, are you my colleague? Do you have a second job as a business mogul? Do you freelance as totally human ? “Wait, what do you mean you can’t take any chances?”

“I meant exactly as I said,” he said lowly. “As much as I believe you, I have to make sure you won’t tell anyone.”

The world stopped. “How will you do that?”

He cupped her cheek. Instinctively she leaned into it. “Don’t worry,” he murmured. “I would never hurt you.”

She looked into eyes that seemed more familiar by the second. “That’s what Alexan… he said.”

“I see. And do you believe him?”

Slowly she nodded. No matter what happened, this man was a hero. Yet how would he ensure she didn’t tell anyone? Alexander suggested he might keep her.

She peered closer, even as the mask shielded his secrets. Could she actually know a person who defied physics, a man who could command a tornado, fly, teleport? Or was she seeing a connection where there was none? Alexander was extraordinary, but there were other powerful men in the world.

“You’re delving into danger.”

Her heart skittered. “Danger?”

“Investigating my secrets.” His voice remained low, indistinguishable. “As I said, I will safeguard my people. No one must learn the truth.” He edged closer, and the room seemingly shrunk. “Do you know what would happen if the world suspected you knew?”

They would do anything to discover it. They may even use her as bait to get him. “But I can’t identify you,” she protested, although that may not be true. She may know him very, very well.

“Still, you’re trying to find out more. And no matter what, you know I exist.”

“Everyone knows you exist.” She pointed to the window. “You hovered in front of thousands of people.”

His eyes flashed, sparking the urge to move back. Not because she was afraid of him, but because of the raw power he commanded. She’d witnessed a small part of his abilities –its full extent was unimaginable.

“No one else saw me disappear.” He gestured to the room. “No one else saw this.”

“I don’t even know what this is.” Yet he was right, both about the danger and the interest should people discover he’d teleported her. No doubt Garrison and Andrews would do anything to learn more. Still, she wouldn’t stay quiet while he imprisoned her. “You should take me back.”

His lips quirked up – clearly he found her command amusing. “First, I have to guarantee you won’t tell anyone.”

Oh. My. “How do you plan on doing that?”

He answered her question with one of his own, “How did your friend suggest I ensure you didn’t reveal my secret?”

She swallowed, didn’t give the answer he might already know.

Was she about to become prisoner to the powerful hero?

He was far larger and stronger, with supernatural powers.

He could teleport, control objects and fly.

He could do whatever he wanted. “It doesn’t matter,” she forced out.

“I don’t know who you are, and even if I did, I wouldn’t tell anyone. ”

“Are you sure?”

She notched up her chin. “Absolutely. Despite your domineering behavior, you’re just protecting your people. I have no intention of betraying you, so you can stop trying to intimidate me. You’ve already got me on your side.”

His lips curled up. “Do I intimidate you?”

“Of course not,” she lied. “Completely the other way.”

“You intimidate me?”

She looked heavenward. “As if anything could intimidate you. No, I mean I can take care of myself.”

“You keep saying that, yet you have a habit of putting yourself in danger. If you were mine, I’d put a stop to that.”

If she was his. Heat ignited, streaking fire through her veins. “You have no right to tell me what to do. Why would you even want to?”

“I like saving people, remember? Protecting them.” And yet it seemed like far more than that, as he gazed deeply at her.

Pure desire engulfed her, the need to be even closer.

It was fierce and all-consuming, just like with Alexander.

And suddenly a way to discover the truth emerged, as simple as it was powerful.

She could kiss him.

It was crazy. It was dangerous. And it could reveal whether Alexander and this powerful enchanter were one and the same.

“Don’t try it.”

Everleigh smothered a gasp. He claimed he couldn’t read minds, but right now he looked like a hungry lion about to devour a succulent lamb. “Don’t try what?” she whispered.

“Taking control.”

He swooped down.

Smooth lips took hers, as he stole all control.

Nothing could prepare her for the heat, the perfect connection as he brushed his mouth over hers, holding her close.

Desire ignited, lightning blazing through every cell as she pressed closer to the source of power.

She fought to analyze the kiss in the throes of passion, but a haze entered her mind, far beyond ordinary attraction.

Need forged every movement, possessiveness and desire tangling in feelings that were not all hers. Somehow, she could sense his emotions.

She delved nearer, her focus stolen by the man who captured her, wrought by so much more than physical desire. Their lips parried, diamond mist swirling amidst uncompromising heat. Borders disappeared, as if they were truly one. Pure goodness, strength, power, possessiveness.

Then, it ended.

She gasped heavy breaths of air, as he lurched away from her.

The icy coldness of loss fired as he loomed with unparalleled intensity.

Whether he was Alexander was still uncertain, yet the power that gripped her could be compared to no other.

By his stoic expression, he hadn’t anticipated it either.

She fought for strength. “What just happened?”

For moments, he remained silent, the only response burning in his eyes. When he finally spoke, his voice was deeper than before. “You are not ready to hear that.”

Her heart fluttered, even as she repressed the urge to explore again. Yet it was far too dangerous. A powerful man had taken over her company – she couldn’t let one usurp her as well. “Will you take me back now?”

He hesitated. “For now, yes.”

For now?

“But I’ll be watching you.”

Watching from the shadows or in plain sight? Why had he seemed so surprised after their kiss? He tilted his head, as if hearing something inaudible to ordinary humans. “We have to return. They’re looking for… you.”

Had he been about to say they were looking for both of them?

She would neither to ask nor argue, or give him a chance to change his decision.

Even still, the thought of leaving him, even temporarily, warred within her.

She wanted – no, needed – to spend time with him, discover who he truly was. “Will I see you again?”

He smiled darkly. “I have no plans to let you escape.”

“What do you mea–” The world melted away.