great hiss, or growl. Instead, she whimpered softly, barely able to hold the thermometer between her lips.
She understood his words, yet she was quite sure he hadn’t spoken. Mia’s heart raced at the thought. She was aware of his thoughts. She was also aware of those skillful fingers coaxing out more pleasure, making her belly tremble and her hips thrust. Exeter looked as though he might eat her alive, just as soon as he got his temperature reading.
“Two minutes.” A slick finger probed deeper. He stood beside her and seduced with every touch. “Come for me, Mia.” His hands stroked and then teased, deepening the intensity of her arousal. Exquisite pleasure danced along the edge of her climax. His finger delved deeper and then pulled out—playing with the ring of muscle at her opening—all the while his thumb circled her clitoris.
As her thoughts gradually returned to the world, she opened her eyes. “She obeyed, Exeter.” Reverently, he leaned over and kissed a latent belly quiver.
Righting himself, he tugged on the thermometer. “Let go, Mia.” She had not realized how tightly she clenched the glass tube in her mouth. She relaxed her lips and he removed the instrument, squinting at the glass tube. “One hundred point four. Nearly two full points.”
She wondered if she should tell him about the telepathy. Was it mutual? He had seemed to comply earlier with her rather emphatic order not to stop. But, if this ability was mutual, he wasn’t saying anything either.
“Was that really about my temperature?” Her voice was husky, dry.
Exeter stared at her. She returned his stare—in fact, she squinted. She was hoping to hear his thoughts— find out if there were hidden motives. Nothing.
“Even as your lips quivered and your belly trembled, you remained in control and held her back.”
She thought he looked slightly amused. “I’m going to get you back for this, Exeter.”
His eyes lowered to her corset. “I very much hope so.” She glanced down and noted rosy tips peeking over the lacy edge of her camisole. She swallowed. It was suddenly so obvious; he wasn’t done yet. He dipped his head and ran his tongue over the mound of one breast—then the other.
The small hairs on her neck and arms stood on end—the whistle of the wind outside the compartment windows grew louder—until the wind whooshed and snapped against the side of the railcar. Two intense green lights beamed through the glass and moved through the small room. Whatever it was searched the compartment methodically.
Without a word, he reached up and untied her bindings.
The beams of light moved over scattered garments, stopping momentarily on the open medical bag. Exeter slipped over to the window and turned the latch. A blast of chill night air rushed into the compartment as he lowered the window—papers and clothing fluttered about the small space. He pulled himself through an open section of window.
Mia crouched between the berths and followed the dual shafts of light as they searched in vain. Exeter was gone.
Chapter Nine
EXETER DROPPED DOWN ONTO HIS HAUNCHES and let the bracing cold air revive his sensory faculties. Wispy tendrils under the apparition’s shredded cloak appeared first, then dual beams of green light. He traced the rays under the hood to orbs hidden under the shrouded head. His powers sensed cameras capable of transmitting images, not unlike the holograms Tim Noggy received from his brother.
The swath of light found him soon enough. It seemed to Exeter the staring contest went on interminably. He rose to his full height, only to be struck down by a wave of potent energy—a force that traveled within the energy field of the light rays.
The pair of beams swung back and forth, searching for others. Exeter studied the ephemeral creature. An automaton, of sorts. And very large. Exeter was nearly two inches over six feet, and this creature towered over him. He reached deep and drew in enough potent energy to stop a charging rhinoceros.
The blast sent the ominous visitor sliding back down the roof of the railcar. He walked through shredded tendrils of garment—the substance of which was not made of cloth but particles of matter in constant motion.
The strange golem whirred and clicked as it reassembled itself. This being was no messenger; it was some kind of scout. No doubt this creature had been sent by Prospero to test their strength. Exeter’s pulse quickened. He had a good idea who the technology wizard was interested in, and he wasn’t going to get her.
“I am Exeter.” He peered directly into the beams of light. “And who are you?”
He silently gathered energy into his celiac ganglia and waited. For a moment, the luminous eyes drew him in. He made out a nose, mouth, and chin—even a hint of ear as the creature turned to face him. “Miss Jones.” On several occasions, Exeter had heard the demonstrations of the phonograph—the voices tinged with metal and a crackling hiss—like now.
“I’m afraid Miss Jones was unable to travel. Her pregnancy is nearly full term. I wouldn’t allow—”
The blast hit his solar plexus region and knocked the breath from his diaphragm. Exeter crawled to his knees, gasping for air. Before he could stand, he took a second hit—a blow to his side, which rolled him far down the roof of the passenger car. Finally, air rushed back into his lungs and he rapidly gained enough strength to stagger to his feet. He turned around to face . . . three of the creatures, all identical in shape and size.
“Reinforcements? Rather flattering, wouldn’t you say?” When in doubt, use bravado. A valuable lesson he’d learned from Phaeton. Exeter shot a bolt of powerful energy at the trio and leapt into the air, over the trio of wraiths. He landed several feet behind them.
His attackers turned in unison. He was also aware of yet another presence—something moved behind him. It would appear he was surrounded. Exeter hurled a ball of potent energy at the hooded trio and readied to make another jump. A black shadow emerged from between railcars and leapt past his shoulder.
It was the panther. It was Mia.
Stunned, he watched the cat knock the creature over and rip off the cloak. Claws and fangs slashed into the downed wraith. Exeter let loose a blast of potent force, sending the others sliding across the narrow roofline. He leaned over the cat as she tore off the wraith’s hood, exposing a metal skull and skeletal body.
In answer, the cat raised her head and hissed.
An orb of violet-colored particles swirled larger and larger in his hand. Exeter opened his palm and fired the ball at one of the wraiths trying to crawl away. Mia sprang from one kill to the next, using her teeth and claws to rip off bony limbs, scattering them across the roof.
“Save one for us.” Jersey and Valentine landed on the roof with a thud. Daggers drawn, the mechanized knives unfolded into long swords, crackling with powerful aether.
Exeter nodded toward a wraith staggering upright at the end of the carriage. “You can have him.” While the Nightshades sliced and diced, he and Mia finished off the other.
The fray was over as quickly and unexpectedly as it had begun. Nothing but the wind and chug of the train through the darkness—and the clink of disintegrating body parts. Even after the wraiths had been chopped to bits, they continued to shiver and slither about the roof. He picked up a disembodied arm and tossed it over the side. Easing back onto his haunches, he watched Mia chew on a glowing green eye until the light faded. Tentatively, he reached out for the lens mechanism and her lip curled. Risking his fingers, he opened his palm. Long, ivory fangs glistened in the dark. She dropped the dead orb into his hand. Exeter smiled. “Come, pussy.”
The sleek panther rose, lifted a paw, then hesitated. Jersey and Valentine edged closer, swords drawn. He
