Marked for Darkness

by Raven Woodward

  This warded land, far from the city, was for his kind—his clan—while the curse trapped them in their four-legged forms. It kept them in but didn’t keep them out, warding off only humans. The curse lasted through the duration of the final cycle of the moon. Here on Earth, that was only three to four days. In his homeland, that was the equivalent of three months due to the rotation of six moons, which shadowed his planet in darkness for almost half of a year. It was why he chose to stay on Earth most of the time.

  Now, every fiber of his massive form thrummed with the need to tear through the wards that protected the humans from his bloodlust. But not to kill. He had felt the moment his Soul Marked had crossed the state line. Elentis had warned him she was coming, and while he fully intended to send her right back to California as soon as he could, he’d made sure her journey east had been as comfortable as possible.

  His beast wanted to find her. He needed to protect her.

  She was alone in the biggest city in the US, on this day, her twenty-fifth birthday. He couldn’t protect her in his current condition, because he couldn’t risk the beast getting a whiff of her. The consequences of getting too close would be bloody and lethal. Not necessarily for her, but for any male that bore the faintest trace of her scent. Arian’s teeth bared at the thought.

  Now with Oricus back on Earth too, it was only a matter of time before he discovered what Arian had worked so hard to keep hidden.

  The clan of beasts approaching, fanned out in front of him. He sensed at least twenty. When did Oricus create the other ten? Arian snarled at the largest beast whose silver cunning eyes, glittering like the stars above, fixed on him.

  Creating an army, Brother? Arian asked in the only way he could. Were they men, they’d have spoken aloud. But while the curse hung over them, they could communicate only nonverbally to those that had a blood bond. As brothers, and former best friends, they were able to speak into each other’s minds.

  I was just about to ask you the same.

  Even in his mind he could hear his brother’s disdain.

  Several low growls rumbled in the shadows at Arian’s back. Sixteen beasts awaited his kill command. Of his eleven brothers, four had chosen Arian. Had chosen to seek death. Ten others that had been amongst the initial creations in their early days had also chosen to end their immortality. The other two were newer.

  He hadn’t been the one to change them. Arian forbade creating more monsters like himself unnecessarily. But exceptions were made when the choice came down to letting a murderer steal four young lives before they had truly begun, or changing them. Two had not survived the change—but that was not unusual.

  You know I don’t tolerate the change without good reason, he responded, baring his teeth again.

  The smooth, powerful grey body of the creature snorted. And a mortal mate isn’t good reason?

  Pain flared in his chest—an old wound reopened anew. I will regret that decision and the pain it caused you until my last breath.

  And beyond.

  The beast snapped its mighty jaw with a ferocious snarl. And I will find a way to make you pay until you take that final breath.

  More growls rumbled through the forest as both clans dug their claws in and prepared to lunge into action the moment their alphas gave the signal.

  Is that why you’re here, Oricus? To make me pay?

  His brother’s cold laughter rattled around in his mind like sharp blades. Arian shook his head to clear the intrusion.

  You’re outnumbered at last. You may be able to heal if I have my clan rip you to shreds and decorate this forest with your entrails, but it’ll still be fun, don’t you think? Oricus bowed his massive head, never lowering his glowing silver eyes from Arian as every member of his clan lunged forward.

  At the same time, his own pack erupted from the darkness and met the opposition in a blur of snapping jaws and claws glinting in the bright moonlight.

  Arian sprang forward at the same time as Oricus. His blood heated with the excitement of a fight. They collided, his teeth scraping along his brother’s neck, but not puncturing the skin as Oricus’s paws blocked the brunt of Arian’s attack.

  As boys they’d trained in combat together. As men they sparred until only boredom or exhaustion called for an end. As beasts, they were tireless. Brutal.

  Occasionally one of them drew blood, but they never slowed. One of Oricus’s minions tried to pounce on Arian from behind but his second, Elentis, intercepted him, fighting off three of Oricus’ creations by himself. Arian could feel Elentis’s smug satisfaction through the blood link with his younger brother.

  When he lunged again and they connected, grunts and snarls filling the air, Arian felt the cord in his chest snap tight. It dropped him to the ground as pain seared through his large body.

  Soul Marked.

  Wherever she was, she needed him.

  Harlow

  The night air was cool, tinged with the scent of impending rain. She wanted some peace and quiet after the drama at the pub.

  The streets were still teeming with city life when Harlow stepped out onto the sidewalk and headed back toward her hotel.

  The farther she got from the pub, the thicker the air around her became. Slowly the pedestrians milling about thinned until she turned onto the side street before the hotel.

  Silence fell. Heavy, and eerie. Harlow looked around. Not a single person on either side of the street hurried by. No cars turned in her direction.

  It was utterly still.

  The black, starless canvas above drew her gaze, just as a bright star shot across the depthless sky. Harlow made a sound of awe. Shooting stars were not commonly seen in cities with so much light pollution. Her lips pulled into a wide smile. It seemed as though the universe had given her an extra-special birthday present.

  Despite the oddity of being alone on the street, Harlow found herself stopping to make a wish.

  I wish for happiness and adventure this year. I wish for love and passion.

  She wasn’t quite so naive to believe such wishes would come true overnight, but a pang of longing in her heart made her eyes glisten.

  Perhaps it was being alone in a big city and having just met a handsome but strange man that she found herself so desiring an end to her sexless existence.

  Whatever the reason, she hoped that this wish would come true as soon as possible.

  A bright flash of green lit up the end of the street, causing her to shield her eyes. Something—two somethings—heavy and large hit the pavement followed by the unmistakable snarls of an animal.

  Arian

  The mossy forest floor vanished from beneath his paws as his body crashed onto hard, cold pavement. The smells and sounds of the city roared to life. What the fuck just happened? He’d travelled three and a half hours in a split second. Not even he was that fast.

  And the scent of the one who constantly tugged at Arian washed over him. His blood ran hot and a feral snarl ripped from his throat. The massive, lithe body of Oricus stood beside him, his head snapping around to take in their surroundings.

  Fuck.

  If he could smell her, then Oricus could too.

  Arian spotted her in the shadows, pressed up against a brick building as if she could camouflage herself against it. Her wide, piercing blue eyes met his, and the sound of her heart racing reached him.

  Mine, his beast snarled.

  Claim.

  Mark.

  Protect.

  Mate.

  Oricus’s gaze landed on her a split second later, and even his military-trained body tensed. His mind let slip the riot of confusion, then rage. Arian used his hesitation and leapt into action, his jaw latching onto his brother’s neck.

  He threw his entire body weight into the attack, only allowing Oricus a low growl. His neck cracked, and Oricus went limp, falling in a heap on the dirty street.

  His mate screamed, the sound of her fear striking him hard in the chest.
But he couldn’t let Oricus get to her. As it was, he’d heal in less than a day.

  Must protect her.

  Mark her.

  Claim her.

  Yours.

  He ran toward her, his cock already aching at her nearness. He’d toss her onto his back and carry her far away from here. He couldn’t claim her without killing her until his curse lifted in two days’ time, so he’d keep her close until he was back in human form.

  Harlow shrank back against the wall and let loose another high-pitched scream that made him skid to a stop only feet from her. She trembled, but she didn’t hide behind her arms like most humans would.

  Conflicted, he padded closer, slowly, to show that he wouldn’t hurt her. She straightened in response, something like recognition flaring in her eyes as she did. Her gaze traveled up his long, twisting horns, then down to his paws where his claws glinted in the dim fluorescent light.

  He wished he could communicate with her. Tell her he wouldn’t hurt her. He towered over her, even at her full height, making her crane her neck to look up at him.

  His beast took over, bringing his muzzle to her neck. She stiffened. He could sense her fear, and also her resignation. His slick nose brushed the dip between her shoulder and her throat. He inhaled her sweet, intoxicating scent.

  Her swallow was audible, making his dick jump with delight.

  A low growl rumbled in his chest.

  Fuck, she was sexy, especially in her tight black dress.

  He caught another scent. It was male and reeked of lust.

  His next growl was harsh and gravelly.

  She sucked in an alarmed breath.

  Find him.

  Kill him.

  He touched my mate.

  Mentally, he shook himself, trying to tame the beast from its bloodlust. Only centuries of practicing self-control allowed him to peer through the haze of red. He couldn’t logically tear through Manhattan searching for every male that had been near her. That would only lead to being tracked down by some type of animal control.

  No, but he’d wait.

  As a man, this city was his. Every criminal knew his name. He could make people disappear, no questions asked.

  His legacy was one whispered in the shadows. There was no one and nothing beyond his reach.

  And whoever this male was that had lusted after his mate was about to learn that.

  Harlow inched away from him, watching him carefully. Her chest rose and fell with short, labored breaths bordering on panic.

  He moved, blocking her path, then nudged her shoulder. She jumped with a swallowed scream. Arian lowered his body, making his back available to her.

  But he’d made the mistake of bowing his head. He was trying to make his desire clear: for her to climb onto his back.

  Instead she sprinted away, onto the busy street where he could not follow.

  He bared his teeth and roared to the sky.

  Harlow

  Harlow sipped her hot coffee from the only mug she had packed—pink with a faded You’re magical scrawled across the front and a gold unicorn on the back. She didn’t want to venture out after last night. She’d dreamt of the beast that had spared her. And of the other—the one with cunning, silver eyes.

  The same one that matched her painting.

  She glanced sidelong at it as she scrolled down the page on her laptop. Her finger hovered over the touchpad before she finally clicked submit. Another painting for purchase, though she felt as though she’d rather just burn it.

  Both the female ruler and her…guard gave her the creeps.

  To distract herself, she checked her email and texted Lenae, who’d already managed to find another “gorgeous mistake,” as she called him. It made Harlow smile.

  By the time she’d sent a short reply about her hotel room and the fact that she had a date tonight, there was a new email in her inbox. She ignored the chiming of her phone, as no doubt it was Lenae energetically squealing through text messages. The email read:

  Auction sold to buyer AnonymousD329

  Harlow blinked, her throat tightening. Every painting she’d sold online had been purchased by anonymous buyers. She clicked on the link and her eyes bugged out.

  Sold for $8,680.

  Her heart stuttered as she read the amount again and again. At last she signed into the auction site to double-check the numbers. Almost nine grand for one eerie painting.

  She was used to her paintings selling for roughly the cost of rent and utilities each month, but this was easily two thousand dollars more.

  AnonymousD329…

  However, she noticed the shipping instructions were much different this time. Every painting she’d sold online went to some warehouse or other, but this one…was close. New York. A rural address not far from Binghamton.

  Harlow wrote down the address before chugging the last of her coffee, savoring the warmth it tracked from her throat to her belly. She’d continue her search for places in the city available for rent, then figure out the most suitable path to a post office, leaving her just enough time to get ready for her date with Rex.

  Her phone pinged with another message a moment later. Figuring it was best not to leave Lenae without details for too long, Harlow glanced at it. Heat rose up in her cheeks at the newest message.

  It was from Rex.

  Hey just checking that we’re still on for tonight? ;)

  Harlow snorted a laugh at the winking emoji, then typed back: Sure are. See you at 7

  Still smiling, she responded to Lenae’s all-caps intrusive questions, telling her how she met him, what he looks like, and what their plan was for tonight.

  Lenae answered with: You’d better call me the second you leave and tell me how it went. DON’T LEAVE OUT ANY DETAILS!!!

  She agreed, and told her friend she’d message her later. It was nearly thirty minutes after, as Harlow stretched and closed her laptop that her phone pinged again. Her stomach swooped when she saw it was from Rex.

  So whatcha gonna wear?

  It’s a surprise, she typed back.

  His response was immediate: Can’t wait. Just no clown suits. Clowns freak me out.

  Harlow laughed before setting her phone on the bed, then headed for the shower. Rex’s humor was a definite plus, on top of the fact that he was gorgeous. Jackpot.

  After more than a dozen catastrophic dates in her life, she hoped tonight would be perfect.

  She didn’t own many fancy dresses, and she was sure wearing the same one as last night wasn’t “dressing to impress.” She had a thigh-length emerald green dress that was a little more casual than her black number, with three-quarter sleeves, and a wrap-around bodice. It was the perfect blend of comfort and style and with her hair down in loose waves, she definitely felt impressive.

  Her eyes were accentuated with dark makeup, her lips stained red. With a final once-over in the square mirror in the small bathroom, she exhaled her nerves and grabbed her things before heading out the door.

  After giving his address last night via text, Harlow had maintained she was walking to his apartment, given that it was only a few blocks away. Now, shaken by the two beasts in the street, she wished she hadn’t insisted as she stepped out onto the darkened side street.

  Her pace was hurried to get into the light—to join the evening crowds. The sun had descended and only the faintest smear of light glowed on the horizon. The sky above was navy blue. Starless. Though the moon was full, it was mostly covered with clouds.

  She couldn’t help but glance over her shoulder every few paces, but nothing and no one looked out of the ordinary. No giant beasts fell from the sky.

  As she rounded the final corner, her shoulders sagged in relief. Across the street was Rex’s well-kept apartment building.

  All around her the people passing thinned, but Harlow kept her eyes locked on the doors as she stopped at the light, waiting to cross. The familiar sensation of being watched caused her
to shiver.

  Behind her, a low, rumbling growl reverberated all through her body. Her spine straightened, but no one seemed to notice the beastly sound. As though it blended into the dull roar of car engines, footsteps on pavement, and muted chatter.

  But she knew it for what it was.

  Reluctantly, she peered over her shoulder, down the street, but the throng of people milling about kept her from getting a clear view.

  Relax, you’re just on edge. There’s no way a creature that big could hide out in New York City without being seen.

  The light turned and Harlow raced into the street, just as another low, menacing growl reached her ears. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end and she sucked in an involuntary breath.

  Without looking back, she broke into a jog, ignoring the discomfort that came with running in heels.

  The distance between her and the ornate double doors lessened. Fifteen feet.

  Ten.

  A sound like a snarl rose up in the street and tires squealed against the road in protest. Horns blared.

  Holy shit it’s really following me!

  Six feet.

  People around her were beginning to notice that she was clearly running from something. A panic, flaring.

  Hot breath puffed on her right shoulder blade, and Harlow bit back a scream.

  Four feet.

  A sound of desperation escaped her, and a single word ricocheted through her mind.

  Stop.

  Had she thought that? It hadn’t sounded like her. And stopping was the last thing she wanted to do.

  Harlow collided with the doors, a cry of relief rushing from her too-tight lungs. She pushed through them, turning at last and fully expecting the beast to be mere feet from her. The people that passed looked around, but none screamed or ran for their lives like a creature three times the size of a bear was chasing them.

  It was calm. Nothing out of the ordinary.