Page 100 of Obsidian Dream

“The hunters will contain Ninhursag.You will both need to ensure she doesn’t leave,” Kade softly reminded them.

“Or start a killing spree,” Khalida added.“Your hunters will be held accountable for any collateral damage.Your kind can lose reason when under the spell of bloodlust.”

A slight breeze passed through him, the chill a stark contrast to the sunny day.It was quietly followed by the crunch of sharp teeth into the crisp flesh of an apple.He flicked the earpiece to mute as he turned.

Lucien smirked.“Looks like someone has been keeping a secret.”

Chapter Forty-Four

TALIK

Talik stared at Lucien, careful to keep his expression neutral.

Emerging from the shadows, Lucien’s desert-colored blond hair caught the sunlight, casting him in a halo that did not suit him.His pale-blue eyes, almost white, stared straight through Talik.

Talik forced himself to smile the playboy smile that everyone, except for Khalida, seemed to love.A few inches taller than him, there was something about Lucien that put him at unease.Perhaps it was because it was one of the few times in his life when he was in the presence of a true predator.Someone who wasn’t quite Atlantean, nor human.

White teeth flashed, a bright contrast to his light brown skin, a shade darker than his niece Rieka’s.And Talik thought Khalida and Dante had a complicated family history.

“I prefer you in a suit.”

Talik glanced down at his attire.The black matte uniform had become second nature in the last couple of days, but it wasn’t him.“So do I.”

In the distance, the sound of tourist buses arriving punctuated the silence.A dozen or so human languages echoed through the site, all merging into one, until he couldn’t distinguish the words or dialects.He had hoped it would be a quiet day but should have known better.

Lucien sauntered over to him.Talik peered over his shoulder, noting the browning of the bright green grass as he walked toward him.The grass quickly shriveled into nubs and then disappeared, leaving no trace behind.It looked like a small personal trail of destruction.If Lucien kept it up, he would be far easier to follow.It must be a new trick—Talik hadn’t noticed it earlier.Perhaps it was a side effect of Lucien’s power.Everything in their world came with consequences, especially to those who had unimaginable power and abilities.And as annoying as Lucien was, gifted was putting it mildly.

“How can I help you?”Talik asked with a slight bow.Sarcasm dripped from his every word.

“You don’t appear the kneeling type.”Lucien chuckled.He stopped just out of reach and took another bite of the apple before he threw the core behind him.Suspended for a moment in time and space, the core slowly rotated before picking up speed until it was just a stream of light and disappeared.“Perhaps why I can scent Ninhursag within you?She loves a challenge.”

Talik stiffened.“What do you want?”

“The artifact you are searching for, the O’hurani’s Ša,” Lucien began in a thoughtful tone, “it will be wasted on Ninhursag.”

Talik straightened, his senses on high alert as he surveyed the area.No one else was near them—perhaps Lucien’s doing.He had witnessed firsthand the other being’s ability to stop time with a click of a finger.And all Lucien had to show for the immense use of power had been a bloody tear.