Jewel of Atlantis by Gena Showalter Read Free Book Online

below her stomach. The long material hung loosely, both hiding and showcasing her curves as it billowed against her frame. Silky, jet-black hair cascaded down her back, a startling contrast against her virgin-white clothes. Even from here, he could see the creamy, flawless purity of her skin, skin that seemed to glisten like a pearl.
    His stomach tightened—right along with the rest of him. In ever-growing anger at seeing her bound. In arousal at simply seeing her. Her face was as smoothand pure as his mother’s antique cameo. Not classically beautiful, but somehow so exquisite he ached simply from looking at her. Her lips were full and pink, deliciously pouty.
    She was familiar to him, but he didn’t know where he’d seen her before. He only knew that he had seen her at some point in his life. How was that possible?
    A black-robed man knelt in front of her, his head bowed. Too busy scanning the masses for Gray, she ignored him.
    “I’m here,” Gray whispered. “Toward your left.”
    Her chin snapped up and turned in his direction.
    Their gazes collided.
    He sucked in another breath, this one burning his lungs with the force of its sizzle. Her eyes were large, so large they dominated her face, and they were amazingly blue. Startlingly blue. Otherworldly blue. A shade so clear and deep he could easily lose his soul in their depths—and thank her for the loss. They hypnotized him.
    “My God,” he said, unable to hold the words inside.
    Her buttercup lips lifted in a dazzling smile, and that smile rocked him to the core, nearly laying him flat. Her teeth were straight and white. Perfect.
    You’re even more handsome than I realized.
    And she was lovelier than he ever could have guessed.
    He watched as a scaled, yellow arm reached from behind her and nudged her in the shoulder. Her grin quickly faded. I’m sorry. I must finish my day’s work.
    She turned her attention to the kneeling man. Her rosylips moved as she spoke to him, but Gray was too far away to hear what she said.
    She closed her eyes, paused for a long, protracted moment, then spoke some more. The man was jerked up and hauled away, sobbing in relief.
    Gray’s eyes narrowed, and his temper sparked to life. What was going on here? He forced himself to study the little details he had missed in his haste to see Jewel. A trio of demon guards stood behind her. Two small, sharp horns protruded from each of their scalps. Their noses were beaked, and their skin pulsed with a yellowish, scaly hue. Evil red eyes stared out at the crowd. None of them held a weapon, but then, they didn’t need weapons. Gray knew from experience that demons relied on their superior strength and speed, as well as their razor-sharp teeth to defend and attack.
    A wave of shock worked through him as he realized exactly what he was seeing. This is what Jewel had meant when she told him it was only the beginning. She needed him to save her from an army of demons. Sure. No problem. Whatever.
    Shit. “How many are there?”
    She needed no explanation. More than I can count. I can make an escape plan for us, but I must wait until I’m alone.
    Gray wasn’t sure he had enough firepower to beat such a large army. But damn it, he was here, and he wasn’t leaving without Jewel. He also knew he wasn’t going to wait on Jewel to make the escape plan. That happened to be one of his specialties.
    A guard cut her ropes, and she sank into a heap onthe ground. He yearned to race up the steps and sweep her away, but she was quickly scooped up and carried inside the castle.
    “What’s going on? Where are they taking you?”
    Silence.
    “Jewel!” he shouted, and he didn’t care who heard him. “Answer me.”
    Again, silence.
    Damn it! He didn’t like this. Didn’t like not knowing. Didn’t like the feeling of helplessness working its way through him.
    The crowd began to disperse, and he soon found himself alone, staring up at the black castle through slitted eyes. He released a heated sigh.