Empire of Shadows (Raiders of the Arcana, #1)

by Jacquelyn Benson

“Fight with me,” Bates abruptly ordered. Ellie looked up with surprise. “What?” she blurted. “Fight with me,” he repeated, calling out the words over the relentless cascade. “Tell me why we should keep going.”

“Stay perfectly still, Mr. Bates.” “I’ve had my tongue in your ear,” Adam cheerfully reminded her. “Pretty sure we can drop the ‘mister.’”

“Bates…” Ellie protested. He tossed the other boot at her and she caught it awkwardly as he moved away. “Adam!” He paused, and then turned back to catch her by her belt and haul her closer for a sudden, firm kiss. He smiled at her through the dark. “That sounds nice,” he concluded, and then dropped below the surface.

“Excito,” she blurted. “Excitas, excitat.” “Are you… conjugating the Latin verb for arouse?” Adam warmly demanded from a short distance away. “Awake,” Ellie cut back shortly. “The Latin verb for awake.” “Pretty sure it also means arouse.”