Touch of the Fire God [Scions of the Ankh 1] (Siren Publishing Classic) Read online

  Scions of the Ankh 1

  Touch of the Fire God

  Dr. Rene Selkis leads a disciplined life dedicated to her profession. A phone call turns her world upside down, and she learns her childhood benefactor is dead. She is then summoned to Egypt to oversee his affairs.

  The moment her feet hit Egyptian soil, she releases a spell and wakes the sleeping god, Ralabos.

  Intoxicating and stimulating in every way, the sexy Ralabos offers Rene the world and an eternity of pleasure. But this mysterious being garners dark secrets from her past.

  Secrets that can very well cost Rene her life.

  Sensuality Rating: SCORCHING

  Genre: Fantasy

  Length: 41,000 words

  TOUCH OF THE FIRE GOD

  Toni L. Meilleur

  EROTIC ROMANCE

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK

  IMPRINT: Erotic Romance

  ABOUT THE E-BOOK VERSION: Your non-refundable purchase of this e-book allows you to one LEGAL copy for your own personal use. It is ILLEGAL to send your copy to someone who did not pay for it. Distribution of this e-book, in whole or in part, online, offline, in print or in any way or any other method currently known or yet to be invented, is forbidden without the prior written permission of both the publisher and the copyright owner of this book.

  TOUCH OF THE FIRE GOD

  Copyright © 2008 by Toni L. Meilleur

  E-book ISBN: 1-60601-054-9

  First E-book Publication: September 2008

  Cover design by Jinger Heaston

  All cover art and logo copyright © 2008 by Siren Publishing, Inc.

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.

  All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

  PUBLISHER

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  DEDICATION

  To my family, always now and forever the most important part of my life.

  TOUCH OF THE FIRE GOD

  Toni L. Meilleur

  Copyright © 2008

  Chapter 1

  He couldn’t possibly wait for her day after agonizing day, not knowing when she would return. The sorrow in his heart was eating him alive.

  He was practically immortal, but he felt as if he was dying. Without conscious thought, he opened a fissure in the mountain wall big enough to house his large frame. He would wait for her while he slept, anything else would be unbearable. The passage of time without her would be excruciating.

  Silently he chanted, weaving a spell. The moment she set foot on his soil, it would awaken him. He cursed the one that had hurt her, killed her. But he was grateful, at least, for the chance one day, perhaps one century, a millennia even, to have her back.

  He entered the fissure and closed his eyes as he commanded the earth to close him in.

  Powerless to stop him, his closest friend watched in sadness. The world would go on without him, but he would make sure his friend would be ready for the world when he returned to it. While his friend delved into the deep sleep, he himself weaved another spell to protect his friend’s resting place. For when Ralabos awoke to reclaim his bride, there would be hell to pay…

  * * * *

  Rene’s irritation was palpable, and her huge, dark eyes showed it. Nonetheless, she smiled at the little girl before excusing herself to talk to the girl’s father. She pursed her sensuously plump lips; this shouldn’t have happened.

  Her steps were loud in the hall as she made her way to the waiting room. Her jet-black hair, which was bobbed and cut to frame her face, swayed slightly. Her stethoscope swung violently side to side as she approached the room, reflecting the fact that she was pissed. The balding man rose quickly when she entered the room. He continued nervously flipping a coin in between his knuckles.

  “How is she, Dr. Selkis?” he asked, reading her nametag when she stopped her five-foot-five frame about three feet in front of him.

  “She’s resting as comfortably as possible. Your daughter was given a sedative. She experienced mild tachycardia.”

  “What’s that?” His beady eyes grew large.

  “Fast, irregular heartbeat as a result of the venom. We’re going to have to keep her here for at least forty-eight hours for observation.”

  “But she’s going to be fine?” The coin began to travel faster from knuckle to knuckle, his distress as a father apparent. Rene felt some of her irritation slip away. Not all of it, because, after all, it was his fault.

  “Yes, Mr. Drakes, Christine is going to be fine.” She paused, trying to will the condemnation out of her voice before she continued. “Scorpions do not make good pets, Mr. Drakes. Especially in a household with small children.”

  “Well Christine is only with me one weekend out of the month,” he began before he heard the foolishness of his words. “I meant no harm. It’s just that the ladies like seeing the scorpions when ...” He let the sentence trail before he continued. “I’ll get rid of them.”

  Rene shook her head, thinking, How desperate can you be, putting dangerous creatures in your house just to get laid? Men and their mid-life crises.

  “Very good, then, Mr. Drakes. You can see her for a moment. She’ll be groggy from the sedative, so please don’t stay long. “She turned smartly on her heels, wanting to get away from this pitiful man. Let him find his own way.

  A moment later, in the confines of her office, she let out a deep breath. Purposefully, she took in another and exhaled slowly, letting her tension seep out. She kept the office dark, needing to relax for a moment. It pulled at her to see that tiny five-year-old child in such pain. Being a single, childless doctor did not stop her maternal nature from surfacing.

  She spun her chair away from the desk to face the window behind her. Lazily, she wheeled forward and pulled the string that opened the blinds, and oh yes, there was the scenery that had made her choose this office space. Not that there were a lot to choose from in Jordan, Arizona, but this was definitely worth it.

  Some might think her crazy; the land only sported trees, but it was one of the few places that had such an amount of trees in one area. They were trying to build the small town up for tourists.

  She watched the sun as it began to slowly bed itself behind the copse of trees, and she was truly beginning to relax when the shrill tone of the telephone chirped at her. She sighed.

  “A doctor’s work is never done, “she muttered as she hit the speaker button.

  “Dr. Selkis, how may I help you?”

  “Dr. Rene Selkis?” The voice on the other end sounded smooth and deep, with an accent like she’d never heard.

  “That’s correct. How may I help you?” She kept her professional tone, though she kept staring at the sun, smiling at its beauty.

  “I’m calling on the behalf of the estate of Franklin Summit.” The caller paused, as if sensitive of the impact his words might have.

  “His estate?” Rene managed to croak out.

  Franklin Summit, was the only semblance of a parent she’d known her whole life. Rene had been an orphan. One day, Franklin Summit came and took her away. She had no doubt that a lot of money had exchanged hands. Franklin had immediately sent her to the best boarding schools. Consequently, she never really had a home with him. After sh
e finished one school, she was usually off to another, only the best. Franklin had explained to her that she had a benefactor who wanted to see her properly educated and who made sure she had the best out of life.

  Rene thought it strange, but whoever it was didn’t want her personally, just wanted to take care of her. But she ultimately accepted this and decided to take advantage. She always imagined some rich couple patting themselves on the back for taking care of an underprivileged child. Not to mention she probably made one hell of a tax write-off.

  Not that she was ungrateful. She appreciated every opportunity her mysterious benefactors gave her. She had told Franklin she wanted to be a doctor, and she was sent to the best schools. She managed to snag herself a degree in toxicology, as well as arachnology. The two together seemed to make sense.

  Franklin had seen to all her needs, and he was always kind to her, but they were never close. He’d gone off to Egypt when she became self-sufficient. He had a love of Egyptian artifacts. Rene hadn’t seen or heard from him in three years. Still, he was all she had had in the world.

  “Yes,” the voice on the other end of the phone said, interrupting Rene’s memories. Franklin Summit has met with a terrible accident. You were named the beneficiary of his estate in Egypt.”

  “Ah,” Rene began before clearing her throat again. “I see.” She really didn’t see at all. She’d thought he had family other than her.

  “Arrangements have been made for your arrival. You are needed to be here the soonest,” the voice smoothly commanded.

  “I have a practice here I can’t just up and leave it. Just give me a number where you can be reached, and I’ll get back to you.” Rene pulled a fountain pen out of its holder and had it poised over a block of paper.

  “You misunderstand me, Dr. Selkis. The arrangements have been made. I have already sent transportation to retrieve you. Franklin Summit’s estate is very time sensitive to say the least.”

  “What is so important that it can’t wait?” She was irritated again. The caller was taking liberties, and he had no right. “And by the way, to whom am I speaking?”

  The caller paused before continuing, obviously weighing his words carefully.

  “Franklin Summit has no next of kin. You are all that’s listed. I assumed you’d want to make sure he is properly buried, Dr. Selkis. If you don’t arrive soon, his body will be put—”

  “Okay, okay.” Rene cut him off. There was no way she would allow for Franklin’s body to be thrown in a burial yard with no one to do it properly. She owed him that much.

  “What time shall I expect transportation?” She sighed deeply, hoping her passport was in good standing.

  “Six a.m. sharp, tomorrow, and do be prepared to stay a while. There is much to be sorted out with his estate.”

  Then a sharp click echoed in the room, ending the conversation. Rene pressed the speaker button, killing the deafening sound of the dial tone. Hitting the button again, she dialed Dr. Michaels, hoping she could cover the office for her. A general practitioner of medicine as well as a hospice provider, Dr. Michaels covered for her on the rare occasions when her expertise was needed out of state. As she dialed the doctor’s number, it didn’t escape her notice that the caller never identified himself.

  * * * *

  She tossed back and forth, trying to find rest, but her dream wouldn’t let her. He beckoned her. She felt powerless to stop. Rene found herself reaching out to the large hand that extended to her. She was coming home to him. He wanted her. He had waited for her for so long. She couldn’t see his face, but she knew him. Strong arms enveloped her and hugged her tight. Electricity shot through them both at the contact. She felt his desire for her as he pressed against her, hard and impatient. He pulled away to allow only enough room to bend down and claim her mouth. Relentlessly. Thoroughly. Hungrily.

  Her response to him should have frightened her, at the very least surprised her. But he was hers. He belonged to her. Every inch of his bronzed, muscled body was hers.

  “I have waited for you so long,” he said heavily breathing, breaking the kiss to nuzzle her neck, right on that sweet spot, which no man had ever touched but him.

  “Please ...” She heard herself begin to plead. He smiled. She couldn’t see it, but she felt him smile.

  “I am pleased to know your appetite for me has not diminished.” He bent his head to suckle her...

  The alarm went off angrily in her ear. Groggily, blindly, she reached out to click it off. Her whole body ached. She felt unfulfilled. The dream. Damn it! How many times was she going to dream about that man? For weeks now, her nights had been filled with images of a man she had never met. She would know if she did.

  Rene opened one eye and peeked at the clock. It was five a.m. “Transportation,” as the voice said, would arrive in one hour. She decided the first order of business was a cold, cold shower.

  * * * *

  So this is transportation? she thought. A helicopter had landed in her ample backyard. Obviously, the caller had somehow known that she could sustain the landing of a helicopter on her property. She shivered. It occurred to her again that she didn’t know who had called her, and she certainly had no idea where she was going.

  Hell, to make it worse, she had only told Dr. Michaels that she would call her when she got settled. Was she a kidnapping waiting to happen or what?

  She stood, covering her eyes, while the blades of the helicopter whipped up the dust. A rather tall man exited the helicopter and came toward her. The man’s grace was undeniable. As he got closer, she could see that an expensive Brooks Brothers suit accentuated his well-built physique, and his sunglasses did not hide the fact that he was gorgeous.

  Brown, glossy hair blew wildly in the disturbance of the air from the blades. It made him look like a model being photographed for an advertisement featuring sunglasses.

  “Dr. Selkis,” he stated, holding his tanned hand out for her. She took it warily, rethinking the whole trip. “I’m Jonathan Thoth.”

  “Finally, a name,” she breathed to herself, not that it would matter when she was bound and gagged and had no way of getting help. He picked up the suitcases at her feet and motioned for her to follow him.

  She hesitated, but reasoned that this man already had money and that it was a rather elaborate plot to kidnap her. Besides, who would want to kidnap an orphan? She shook her head and followed the rather nice ass in front of her.

  Once settled in the helicopter, she was given a headset with which to communicate. Jonathan set it on the proper channel before he began to talk.

  “As I’ve said before, I’m Jonathan Thoth. It is nice to meet you, Dr. Selkis.” Rene recognized the lilt of his tone as the one from the telephone.

  “You as well. Who are you to Franklin?” She watched as Jonathan Thoth removed his glasses to reveal sexy hazel eyes. For whatever reason, they didn’t send her all atwitter, though by all standards he was good-looking as hell.

  “I like a woman who is direct.” He smiled, and yes, that was dazzling as well. “Franklin and I often exchanged artifacts,” he said into the headset. “Unfortunately, Franklin tried to retrieve an artifact that was not his for the taking, and he died as a result.” This was stated matter-of-factly, though it did seem that Mr. Thoth was genuinely sorry for Franklin’s demise.

  “How did he die exactly?” Rene felt a lump in her throat and willed it away.

  “Mountains of Sinai. He had heard of an artifact rumored to be there. He went after it, though I warned him not to. Egyptian artifacts that are buried are often booby-trapped, as you Americans say.”

  “What was the artifact?” Rene wondered what was so important that Franklin would risk his life to obtain it.

  Yes, he was quite the die-hard when it came to anything truly Egyptian, but she would never have guessed that levelheaded Franklin would be so cavalier with his life. And still Mr. Thoth had not said how he died.

  “A book, recording the arrival of the Egyptian gods and their subs
equent war.” His lips thinned as he replied. This appeared to be quite an unpleasant subject for Jonathan.

  “I don’t believe I’ve ever heard of a war between Egyptian gods,” Rene murmured into the headset.

  “Hence its value,” Thoth quipped. “We’re taking this to the airport, where a private plane will be waiting for us. It’ll take us to our final destination.”

  Rene nodded and decided to again ask the question that he had so deftly avoided. “How did Franklin die?”

  “Scorpion,” Jonathan stated flatly, watching her closely. “He was already dead from the venom when the search party found him. He’d been missing for two days. He insisted on going alone.” Rene could hear the disapproval in his tone and agreed with it.

  “Oh.” Rene knew how painful that must have been, to die by scorpion sting. Franklin would insist on going alone. He had never wanted to acknowledge that he was getting old. He was way too independent. He’d never wanted anyone’s help. He certainly had never needed hers—until now.

  She sat back in the helicopter and closed her eyes. She felt Jonathan’s eyes on her for a second, and then she tumbled into a dreamless sleep.

  He became restless in his earthen tomb. He had found her in his dreams. He had kissed her, made love to her. Time became nothing and then everything. He had no measure of it, no knowledge. But she was coming back to him. His slumber was no longer a void. It began to fill with color, with her. In sleep, he called to her...

  Rene woke with a start to the sound of her name being called. Was it her name? She couldn’t remember, but the voice seemed to call to her. She felt a longing to answer. His voice was filled with such loneliness, such pain.