Marked for Darkness

by Raven Woodward

  “He tried to turn her, but I killed her before she was fully changed.”

  Harlow’s back hit the wall, and she leaned away, startled, when Arian was suddenly standing directly in front of her. He pinned her in with his arms on either side of her.

  “Oricus knew the number one way to get under my skin was to have my mate aroused by my brother. To have her soaked with cum believing she’d been fucked by him.”

  Harlow flinched as though he’d struck her, and Arian’s jaw clenched. He straightened then took a step back, giving her space. She visibly relaxed, though only marginally.

  “So if I’m your mate, or whatever, is that why you gave my sister a job out in California and had your brother babysit me? To protect me from Oricus? Why you bought all of my paintings and then kept them instead of destroying them?”

  Fuck.

  Arian pinched the bridge of his nose. Her questions were suddenly getting too close to the information that he couldn’t share with her. That he didn’t want to burden her with.

  “Yes,” he answered, jaw tight. It was partially true.

  She cocked her head to the side, as though searching for something more. Whether she found it or not, he wasn’t sure. “How do you plan to keep me safe if your brothers want me dead and they’re immortal?”

  He tried to school his features and his tone into neutrality. “Your life is a blink compared to ours. I’ve seen entire civilizations come and go, emperors and kings rise, then fall. I saw every war. Fought in some. What is another sixty to eighty years in the grand scheme of things?”

  Tears filled her eyes, stabbing him in the chest, but he ignored it.

  She pushed past him, making for the bath stairs. He followed her. “I am truly sorry for how things have turned out for you, but you’ll have the rest of your life to learn whatever you want. Paint as much as you want. Whatever I can do to give you an enjoyable life, I will.”

  Her anger stung the air like electricity. Arian’s eyes widened. She lunged for the stairs, just as he leapt for her. His arms found her waist, pulling her to his chest again.

  “Get off me!” Harlow shouted.

  “Calm down before you fry us both,” he growled.

  “Good! It’ll kill me now instead of having to stay here in this stupid house for the rest of my life.” He could hear her anger. Her tears.

  She fought harder. Arian’s beast rose to the surface, swift and hot. Too fast.

  Mate.

  Protect.

  Calm.

  Bite her.

  His canines lengthened and before he could stop himself, he sank his teeth into the soft flesh at her neck.

  A small cry bubbled up from her lips. Then a moan as her hot blood filled his mouth. It was heaven. Sweet, and laced with the magic that radiated from her body.

  She sagged against him and Arian released her, feeling a surge of panic.

  What have I done, what have I done, whathaveIdone?

  “Wha—?” Her voice was syrupy.

  A trickle of blood ran from each of the puncture marks, and Arian ran his tongue over them. His saliva would coagulate the blood, sealing the wound.

  She remained in his arms for several moments. When Harlow’s strength returned to her, she whirled away from him and he forced himself to let her.

  Claim her.

  “Did you just fucking bite me?” She pressed a hand to her neck, expecting it to be stained crimson. Even when only two small drops dotted her palm, she glared at him.

  Fuck her.

  But the beast still lingered on the surface, and Arian heard himself growl once more. Heat poured off him, steam curling up around his body. She froze, eyes wide.

  Mine.

  “You were losing control,” he said huskily. “I couldn’t let you kill yourself.” Her taste remained on his tongue. He wanted more. “Fuck, you taste amazing.” The words slipped out and he immediately wished he could snatch them back when her face contorted with disgust.

  “Oh my god.”

  Mate.

  Mine. He wanted to reach for her. To taste her. To lay her back on the steps and fill her with his cock.

  His form was growing slowly. He had to fight it. “Just listen to me or I might change, okay?”

  She bit her lip to keep it from quivering. Anger and fear warred in her shining blue eyes.

  “Oricus thought you and your sister died in the car accident that killed your parents. He knew about you when you were young, but he held off killing you for some reason. Not even I know why.

  “I’ve been near you before and I don’t know if that was enough, but I think at some point, your magic latched onto me. When you were walking home the night of your birthday, you may have inadvertently summoned me.

  “And when you summoned Oricus too he realized you were alive. But he won’t just kill you if he finds you. You’re leverage: you’re too important to me. But if they capture you, they will keep you from me. And torture is only the beginning of what they’d make you suffer.”

  “I didn’t want this.” Her whispered words would have brought him to his knees if not for the hatred swirling in her eyes. “I don’t want to be your mate.”

  The words stung more than he cared to admit. “I know,” Arian said. He took a step closer, tucking her hair behind an ear. “But neither of us can change things. You have my word not to force you to complete the Mark as long as you promise me something in return.”

  Her chin lifted in a way that made the walls Arian had carefully built around the cold, dead organ formerly known as his heart begin to crumble. “And what is that?” she asked.

  “Try to make the most of your life here with me.” A slow smile curved his lips. “Perhaps one day we might even be friends.”

  Harlow’s defiant expression slipped for a fraction of a second before she recovered. With a shrug she said, “Perhaps one day.”

  Arian chuckled softly to himself.

  Perhaps being around her every day wouldn’t be so bad.

  If he could manage to control his desires to complete the Mark.

  It was a pretty damn big gamble. But he couldn’t keep her locked up and friendless. And he’d have his clan to help protect her for when he needed to get away.

  No one would understand better than they.

  Wrapped in a towel and sponging out the water from her hair, she kept her back to him. “What’s your real name? Elentis said you just go by Arian now.”

  His lungs constricted and a lump formed in his throat. After swallowing it down he said just above a whisper, “Dominicus.”

  For a moment he thought she hadn’t heard him because she perfectly held still. “Thank you,” she said, then walked out.

  Once the beauty was asleep in her own room—which he had Olivia and Kaimon preparing all day—Arian stepped outside to make a call.

  It rang once.

  Twice.

  Then went to voicemail.

  Arian’s muscles tensed. Robotically, he lowered the phone, ending the call.

  He knew that just because Fredrik didn’t answer, didn’t mean something had happened.

  It could be nothing, he assured himself.

  He typed a message instructing Fredrik to call him as soon as he was able, before stowing his phone back in his pocket.

  From across the darkened clearing, a golden-haired beast lumbered through the meadow. Elentis’s silver eyes glowed as they met Arian’s. He inclined his head before Arian communicated his orders through their bond.

  With a final nod the beast turned and sprinted away.

  To the rest of his clan, Arian said, I will not stand for Oricus to make yet another move. It is time we set him back a step or two.

  Their words of acknowledgement rushed in, most with fervent agreement.

  Arian stared out past the borders of the magic that kept his enemies away. Rage churned slowly, burning hot through his veins.

  Above, the stars winked as th
ough they approved of the plan forming in his mind.

  After all, brawn would not out-clever a fox.

  Rex

  His keys jangled and rattled as he slid the correct one into the lock, then turned it. The door clicked open and Rex stepped inside. At his desk, an envelope sat on top of the delivery papers and everything else he needed to look over. Printed in the top left-hand corner were the words NYC DOB Inspections.

  He frowned. Department of Buildings Inspection?

  Rex inspected the letter. Once. Twice. His heart pounded as the words failed to meet the standard for building code and business suspended until further notice glared up at him.

  When had they had an inspection, and how in the hell had they failed it?

  The back door opened, then shut as someone shuffled in. He already knew without turning around who it would be.

  “Hey, good you’re here. After that Harlow chick begged me for your number and then you didn’t come in yesterday, I thought maybe she’d stabbed you and buried your body out in the woods somewhere up north.”

  He didn’t know what she was talking about, and he didn’t care. Rex held up the paper in his shaking fist. “When did we fail an inspection?”

  Hayley didn’t have time to answer before Rex whirled to face her. Heat began to crawl through his veins. His temples gave a sharp stab.

  “Boss, we haven’t had one since last year. Trust me, I’d know if we failed an inspection.”

  “Then what the fuck is this?” He pushed the paper under her face and began to pace. His life had become a nightmare in the past week. Yesterday, despite his incessant migraine, he’d been forced to move all of his belongings out of his apartment. A moving truck drove most of it to his mother’s house in Binghamton, but all the necessities went into his hotel room. He needed to find another apartment to rent, and now all his employees would be out a job until he got this whole mess straightened out.

  And he would.

  Hayley’s pale brows knitted together as she handed the letter back. “We never had an inspection, and we never would have failed. It doesn’t mention why it was a fail, so we can start there.” Her pale green eyes met his. “Don’t worry, we’ll get this figured out in no time.”

  He crumbled the paper and threw it in the wastebasket before storming past her. “It doesn’t matter. We’ll have to send everyone home tonight and every night until we’re allowed to reopen.”

  Hayley followed close behind. “Sure, I’ll stay and let everyone know the bad news. Why don’t you make yourself a drink and just deal with the paperwork? Get the ball rolling on this thing.”

  Rex strode for the back door. “No. I’m leaving. I’ll deal with this tomorrow.”

  He threw open the door before slamming it shut behind him, not caring that he looked like a petulant child. Something wasn’t adding up.

  He just needed to figure out what.

  In his room, Rex sat with a crystal glass propped on his thigh. He swirled the three fingers’ worth of whiskey before taking a long pull, the burn of the alcohol a welcome sensation.

  The chair he sat in was turned to face the window overlooking the sprawling city. Its glittering lights were hypnotic. Who was the person Hayley had mentioned giving his number to?

  Harlow?

  An image flashed in his mind, but it was too quick to process. He didn’t recall anyone with such a name, but there were many people he worked with.

  Yet why did he feel like he was forgetting something. Like a heavy duvet covered the truth he sought, but when he tried to pull it off, he realized the blanket was sewn down. He’d have to cut each stitch to find answers.

  After Rex finished his second glass of whiskey while watching the streets teeming with life, he felt his lids growing heavy. He set the glass down on the table beside him and rose to his feet.

  The pounding in his head became louder as he clumsily pulled off his shoes and just managed to flop onto the bed before blessed sleep encompassed him.

  A man with dark hair, submerged past his chest in a large steamy bath, spoke. The girl sat sideways on his lap. Their words were garbled, but the man washed the girl with a cloth. Her fiery red hair blazed through his memory, dislodging another.

  She leaned into the man’s touch as he washed over her shoulders and down her chest. Her nipples pebbled in response and the man had the audacity to reach lower.

  Anger washed over Rex. Irrational, uncontrollable anger. Where was it coming from? Did he know her?

  Mine.

  She’s mine.

  “Don’t touch her!” Rex shouted, his voice echoing in the vast bathing chamber.

  The man acted as though he didn’t hear. But the girl.

  Harlow.

  Her eyes flashed open and she met his gaze.

  Harlow

  Harlow awoke in the room Arian had prepared for her the previous evening. All of her clothing had been in the massive walk-in closet and in the dresser drawers along with more brand-new clothing all in her size.

  Sunlight peeked through the curtains. Outside, birds chirped and sang a melodious song that matched the light, hopeful feeling in Harlow’s chest. She stretched on the heavenly soft sheets, letting the duvet pool around her waist. After the best sleep of her life and her near outburst of magic in the tub, there wasn’t a single ache in her body. Not even her ankle—which after a quick peek had returned to its normal size and color—gave a twinge.

  As Harlow blinked away the sleep from her eyes, the sound of bacon sizzling made her pause. Her stomach rumbled indignantly, and a low chuckle carried in from the doorway. She jumped, covering herself, even though for the first time in several days she was adequately dressed, in a tank top and shorts lined with lace.

  Arian leaned against the doorframe in just jeans and a T-shirt, his dark hair damp. “Hungry?” he asked with a grin.

  “Yeah.” She still clutched the blanket around her chest, but she couldn’t take her eyes off the way his plain white tee hugged his muscular biceps and torso. Apparently, even after seeing him naked, the effect of his godlike physique hadn’t worn off. Her head cocked to the side. “Not playing the politician today?”

  His grin grew. “I rearranged some things, so I have the day off. Come on, let’s get you fed before your stomach protests any louder.”

  Harlow huffed. “Sure, I’ll meet you out there.”

  Arian’s eyes narrowed. “I’ve seen you naked, Ms. Marks. Your choice of sleepwear is not going to offend anyone in this house.”

  A clang sounded from the kitchen, as if to punctuate that they were not alone. Arian’s gaze cut through the wall with irritation at whoever had made the noise.

  “Yeah, well, I’d rather get dressed thanks.”

  Arian snorted and looked ready to charge into the room and throw her over his shoulder in that caveman way of his. But he didn’t move.

  “Fine,” he relented. “Get dressed and be out in the kitchen in ten minutes or I’ll be forced to drag you out in whatever state of undress you happen to be in.” His green eyes flashed mischievously, and Harlow’s cheeks heated, though she scowled in return.

  For a long moment, she thought Arian meant to watch her undress until at last he extricated himself from the doorway and strode away. Harlow released a sigh of relief as she threw off the blanket, then stalked straight for the door. She pushed it shut gently before heading to her walk-in closet and selecting a pair of skinny jeans and a light, gauzy top in pale blue.

  After dressing quickly, she attempted to tame her mane of red curls before swiping on some mascara and coating her lips with a small amount of gloss. A knock sounded on the door just before she pulled it open.

  But it wasn’t Arian.

  Prodepheus smiled down at her wolfishly. His long black hair was fixed in a knot at the top of his head. Coupled with the knife holsters slung over his torso and the dark, military-looking clothing he wore, Harlow couldn’t help but shrink back slightly.


  “I’m to fetch you, Little Red.”

  She blinked. “Little Red?”

  Prody’s grin spread wider somehow. “So are you coming or do I need to use force?”

  The eagerness in his voice told Harlow he wanted to go with the latter. Probably for making them chase her and her getting away. Yet why hadn’t he just barged in and dragged her out? The way he held onto the doorframe as though physically unable to move beyond his current position gave her an idea.

  She offered a sweet smile as she took a step back. “Oh dear, I don’t think I can make it. Give my regrets to your brother.” Harlow plopped down on the bed and crossed one leg over the other as the muscle in Prodepheus’s jaw jumped. His shoulders flexed.

  “Don’t tempt me, Little Red. If I have to come get you, I won’t make it an enjoyable experience for you.”

  His words all but confirmed her theory: he couldn’t enter. And something about the way Arian had held himself in her doorway made her think he couldn’t either.

  Odd.

  Arian appeared behind his brother, looking far calmer than Harlow had expected. “Being difficult, Ms. Marks?”

  She gave him the same sweet smile. “Not at all. I’m just waiting for your brother to be a gentleman and carry me out of here. I’m so weak from the lack of food.” In truth, she did feel weak, but she was more than capable of walking out of the room.

  Arian stared at her appraisingly. His head tilted in obvious fascination. “So you figured it out then.”

  Her eyelashes fluttered in what she hoped was a display of innocence. “What do you mean, Governor Kalvar? Are you referring to the fact that for some reason, you and your brothers are unable to enter this room?”

  His lips pulled to one side in a slow smile. “Clever girl.” The words from his lips sounded like sensual praise that made images of heaving chests, roaming hands, and sweat-slicked bodies flash in her mind.

  She blinked away the images as Prodepheus stepped back uncomfortably, allowing Arian’s large, impressive body to fill the doorway.

  “For your protection, I cast a spell while you slept that made it so only you could come and go from this room. It required more of your blood, but don’t worry, it looks as though it’s already completely healed.” His gaze landed on her collarbone, and Harlow’s lips parted on a sharp inhale.