Part 7 (1/2)

More d.a.m.n mysteries.

After breakfast, a long walk, and some alone time in her bungalow, she was still ready to climb the walls. Deciding she'd better figure out a way to eliminate her frustration, she spent the rest of the day working out her tension with Olivia, who was more than happy to oblige her with a little sparring.

Such an una.s.suming, pet.i.te woman, Olivia would be the type of person to surprise the h.e.l.l out of someone who didn't know better. No more than five foot two and a hundred or so pounds, Olivia looked like she couldn't even lift a grocery bag. At five foot six and with a lot more muscle, one would think Gina could kick Olivia's a.s.s.

Gina knew better than to ever underestimate an opponent.

They started on the sand by the beach, bowing as they faced each other. Every muscle in Gina's body screamed with taut tension and she needed a release. s.e.xual release would have been better, but this was a pretty good second.

Olivia launched first, but Gina was ready, warding off Olivia's high kick with her forearm. She pivoted and kicked Olivia soundly in the stomach, sending her to the ground, but Olivia twisted and scissored Gina's legs between hers, and Gina went down.

They both leaped up and the battle was on again, a mix of chops and kicks that Gina knew would leave her bruised and sore.

It was fabulous. Gina had to struggle mightily to fend off Olivia's every move. The woman was relentless, coming at her with everything she had. If they had weapons in their hands they could both do some serious damage.

Olivia was good. Very good. More than a match for Gina, a black belt. By the time they'd sparred for about an hour, Gina was wringing wet and ready for a cool swim.

'You're not quitting on me, are you?' Olivia asked as Gina stepped out of the unofficial battle ring.

'Are you kidding? You kicked my b.u.t.t. I'm wiped out.'

Trace, Jake, Ryder, and Shay had taken a seat on a small hill above the sand and watched them. 'Yeah,' Trace said. 'Don't quit now, Gina. This was just getting interesting.'

'Feel free to take her on if you're so inclined,' Gina said, bending over and resting her hands above her knees, trying to catch her breath.

'h.e.l.l, no,' Trace said. 'I'm not dumb enough to let Olivia kick my a.s.s.'

Gina laughed. Guess that meant she was was dumb enough. That's okay. She'd enjoyed the h.e.l.l out of the sparring match. When she looked up to shoot a smart retort in Trace's direction, Derek stood above them, leaning against a tree, his arms crossed over his chest. dumb enough. That's okay. She'd enjoyed the h.e.l.l out of the sparring match. When she looked up to shoot a smart retort in Trace's direction, Derek stood above them, leaning against a tree, his arms crossed over his chest.

And she once again found herself at a loss for words. How long had he been up there watching?

Furthermore, what difference did it make if he was?

Maybe he should get down here and let her take out her frustrations on him instead. Except the thought of jumping on him had nothing to do with martial arts and everything to do with straddling him and rubbing the ache between her legs against his shaft until she burst with a mind-numbing climax.

Dammit. He was slowly killing her and he didn't even know it, because she was too stupid to just tell him how she felt.

Deciding to ignore him, she turned back to Olivia and bowed her head. 'You are one h.e.l.l of a formidable opponent. I don't know where you got your training, but I'd love to visit your dojo sometime.'

Olivia bowed in return. 'You held your own quite well. I'm impressed. And you're more than welcome to visit anytime.'

'I'm going to change and go for a swim,' Gina said. 'Anyone want to join me?' When she looked up to the hill, Derek was gone.

'Some of them are very good.'

The Master inhaled the darkness, breathing in the cool, fresh scent of earth and dank moisture. 'You worry too much.'

The other shot him a look. 'With good reason. Louis recruits only the best.'

'Bah. Louis thinks he is so smart bringing these people here.'

'I'm worried.'

He looked to the other, shaking his head. 'Why are you worrying about this? They are of no threat to us. Our numbers grow every day. We hold the power. It is Louis's and the Realm's fear that makes them do this.'

'You know who these people are, don't you?'

'Yes, I know perfectly well who they are, what their connection is to us.'

'Yet you don't fear them.'

'No, I don't fear them. They are tiny pests and we are the great beasts who will crush them under our feet.'

The other shook his head. 'I hope you're right. I will leave you in charge of this.'

'You go about your business. I can handle this. There is much at stake here and I have plans to make.'

'A reunion for you.'

'Yes.' The Master's teeth gleamed in the darkness. 'It has been a very long time. I am anxious for this meeting to take place. But first there is the business of eliminating these humans.'

He walked through the darkness with a smile on his face, confident of his supremacy, a.s.sured of the final outcome. 'They don't even know we're here. Even Louis, the great and powerful Louis, doesn't know we're here.

'The killing will be so easy.'

Chapter Six.

O nce darkness descended, the torches were lit and everyone geared up for the start of the game. nce darkness descended, the torches were lit and everyone geared up for the start of the game.

Despite the hokiness and the camera lights s.h.i.+ning in her face and the whole Hollywood-like atmosphere of this s.h.i.+ndig, Gina was still excited. After last night's practice, she knew she could do well at this. All she had to do was stay focused, keep her eyes sharp, and stay on the lookout for demons.

'Remember,' Derek said, giving all of them a last-minute reminder of the rules, 'anyone who's marked by a demon is out of the game for the night and must report back to base immediately. Listen up for commands. We'll track your shots and kills. Good luck, and stay alert.'

Each team once again prepared to enter the jungle on opposite sides. Derek stood on the sand in between them, and when he signaled them to go, they moved out in a hurry. This time, cameras followed them, filming everything.

Gina and her team stayed together for the initial trek into the jungle. G.o.d, it was humid tonight. Her clothes clung to her skin and she was sopping wet already. There was no breeze, and the only sound was their footsteps as they crunched over leaves and twigs.

Trace took the lead again, stepping slowly through the dense part of the jungle. Thick palm bushes flanked either side of the marked path. Gina expected a demon to pounce out at them any second. Her muscles tensed, finger at the ready on the trigger of her weapon.

When they entered the part of the jungle where the torches grew more spa.r.s.e, it was time to split up and go hunting.

'Everyone ready?' Trace asked.

'Ready as we'll ever be,' Gina answered.