by L. C. Son
Crap! I can’t hear her thoughts anymore either! She’s closed herself to me—and rightfully so. For a moment, her expression softens as she searches my face and I’m hopeful she can interpret the truth behind my eyes. But that hope is short lived as Claudia ambles behind me and I can sense spitefulness exuding from her pores. Unfortunately, so does Damina. I watch in both remorse and fear as Damina’s flame-filled eyes rest on me and I can almost feel her heat burn at my temples.
Braelyn pushes her way between Claudia and me and knocks her into the other side of the hallway. Claudia’s cries are loud but there’s another sound growing louder from outside the mansion.
The loud sound of a car’s horn sends Damina rushing through the doors in a motion so swift it’s almost too fast for my eyes to comprehend. As much as it burns me that she’s gone—especially due to a misunderstanding—I’m now more angered as to who has come to her aid.
“Braelyn! See if you can find out where she went! Cedric and Lux go and put a call in to one of your contacts at Bessie’s place and see if Javier or Calvin have come for her. She doesn’t know that many folks in New Orleans, so the list of potentials is short,” I bark my orders in such a thunderous flurry almost everyone scatters from my sight.
“Hey Big D!” I hear Mark call up to me from the middle of the foyer. He offers a brief smile as I make my way down the stairs, but as I notice Brian come to his aid to steady him against the wall, my inner-fury returns.
“What is it, Mark?” I work hard so that my words aren’t too curt. The last thing I need is for anything to breakout between me and Brian again. We haven’t spoken more than two words since our last encounter. While he is ever dutiful and helpful to both Jerrica and Damina, I don’t have patience for him tonight. Mark, on the other hand, is another story. I promised his father Abraham I would look after him and this revitalization project is a part of me fulfilling that oath. Besides, knowing he was hurt along with Damina today gives me a measure of empathy.
“Look, I know you are in a hurry to find Damina, but I’m sure we could just track her,” Mark states.
“Are you suggesting we track her scent? Not a bad idea since she’s injured, but you’re in no position to do it unless you wolf-up and I didn’t think you peaked yet for such a transformation.”
“Mark is an alpha, Lord Marchand and thus certainly capable of phasing at will,” Brian adds with a puffed chest to match his usual stoic posture.
“Capable perhaps, but I don’t have the time to try out any of his new tricks tonight.”
“Um—guys—actually I’m not talking about wolf tracking. I’m talking about tracking the Hitch driver who picked her up. I’m pretty sure I saw a Hitch logo on the side of the car she jumped in. If she used the mansion WIFI I’m sure we can find out her destination,” Mark says in his normal breezy cool tone.
“That’s actually a pretty decent idea for a mongrel such as yourself,” Braelyn snips from overhead. “Too bad I’m already light years ahead of you,” she teases while perched on the railing with her laptop.
Mark looks up at Braelyn and the two exchange knowing glances. Great, she is really into him! As much as I would love nothing more than to badger both Mark and Braelyn about their budding affections, I must ignore it. At least for now.
“My lord,” Lux begins as he and Cedric rush from the parlor. “We phoned our contacts at Bessie’s, but no one has seen her and both Calvin and Javier are accounted for.”
“But there is another problem,” Cedric adds.
“What is it?”
“We aren’t entirely certain if it’s related to what took place in the Tremé or not, but a group of Scourge have been sighted not far from here.”
“Where?” Brian says, coming between me and Cedric. While I know he’s itching for revenge, the last thing I need is him putting himself in danger while Jerrica is away in London. Though I’d never admit it, I could use his skills to help me look for Damina.
“Well, I hope it’s nowhere near Saint Roch’s Cemetery because that’s exactly where Damina requested a Hitch.”
Once more, dread and fear flood my soul as I turn back to Cedric and Lux, awaiting their response. But they don’t need to reply—the despondency marred across their faces tell me my fear is well placed.
I’m fully dressed in minutes and in flight to the cemetery with Cedric and Braelyn. Lux follows just behind us along with Mark and Brian. Although I told Mark to stay back at the mansion to nurse his injury, he insisted Damina’s injury was his fault and that since she is Altrinion, it was his duty to protect her. Even though he didn’t take time to phase, he seems to be healing slowly and is rather confident of his ability to help.
Hovering near Saint Roch’s conversations with Jerrica regarding Damina being unaware of her lineage plague my mind and I instruct both Cedric and Braelyn to resist exposing their otherworldly charms. I’ll even have to work hard to keep my own beast at bay. The last thing I need is scaring Damina away or worse. Especially since I’m not sure just how much she saw tonight or how much she knows about who she really is.
“Okay, I’ll do my best D, but perhaps you should’ve given your lady the same instruction! Looks like she’s lighting a fire under the vermin from the looks of it!” Braelyn shouts over her shoulder while pointing below.
She’s right. Damina’s got one Scourge by the throat and the essence of her golden and blue embers shine through her like the Northern Lights. The strength and beauty exuding from her have me awestruck. With her hair glistening in a tidal wave motion and warmth like the sun emanating from her skin, her Altrinion nature is on display for all to see. Despite the sunset long past, the brightness that is Damina is all consuming and magnificent.
My how this woman gives me new reasons to love her more and more each day!
“Braelyn,” I yell to unyielding ears and she passes me and Cedric, making her way into the courtyard first. She quickly puts an end to two small Scourge just as she lands and Cedric follows close behind, slaughtering each vampire without mercy.
Brian, Mark and Lux arrive just as I land atop a large sepulcher and snag the first offending leech I see making his way toward Damina. Holding the creature in my hand, Damina looks up at me and despite chaos raging all around us, she grants me a sweet, albeit brief smile. Her trusting eyes are still fueled by the Altrinion flame, but not laden with the same fury as before.
My heart races at the mere sight of her and she opens a slither of herself to me again and I know her truth. She is happy to see me… still.
If it means I have to bring an end to any and everything that seeks to cause her harm, I will do so. I’d gladly do so a thousand times if it meant she’d look at me like this—forever.
Then it hits me.
That’s what I’m fighting for. I’m fighting for our chance at forever.
Chapter 19
Jackson
Staring at my phone waiting for Damina to call is driving me insane! Moments like these make me long for telepathy! Not just any kind of telepathy—but long range. The kind super intelligent bald men in wheelchairs use to find any mutant in the world. At least then I would know whether Damina is safe or not. From the moment Gregory and Shawn told me of the transcendent occurrence in New Orleans there have been similar hot spots popping up everywhere, making it difficult to narrow her location.
I’ve called Damina more times than I can count and still she hasn’t answered. While my heart tells me she’s okay, I have little trust in my heart as of late. Why should I? It’s led me astray too many times.
That’s why I’m in this mess now.
Now, I’m stuck trying to get the local den council to understand just how grave our situation has become. Though everything inside me tells me to abandon this meeting of the minds and tear through every city until I’ve found Damina, there’s no denying the fact my passive leadership is likely linked to this r
ise in Skull activity and the uprising of supernatural hotspots.
Unfortunately, Isaac’s gritty faux cough breaks my stargazing. “My lord, what exactly do you think we can do? If indeed your betrothed has involved herself with the Marchand family there is very little assistance we can provide,” Isaac says in a tone more challenging than I believe he intends. Thankfully, the stench of fear emitting from him lets me know it’s not outright defiance but cowardice now holding his state.
“I think we must do everything we can to help!” Gregory charges, standing up from the council table, thrusting his chair to the back wall. His patience is certainly waning. Though I’m sure he’s more frustrated, I brought my concerns to the council instead of going straight to Louisiana without their permission.
Alas, for far too long my leadership has been seen as rogue, so I at least wanted to give the council the chance to express their concern. Besides, we are not yet certain that Damina is in New Orleans. We also heard from another source she took a train to Philadelphia from Union Station. There may be some truth to it since there have been a few Altrinion hotspots rising in the East Falls community. I know she has some family in that area so it wouldn’t surprise me. Still, it’s too early to tell.
Shawn jumps up to Gregory’s side and echoes his sentiment and all the members of the council talk at once, arguing their pros and cons.
“Silence!” I shout rising from the table while beckoning my two right hands to keep their cool. “First, let me make it clear that I am not asking for permission. Make no mistake, I will travel through the underbelly of hell itself to reclaim Damina—at all costs! What this is—is a wake-up call. Many of you thought my leadership as docile over the last few years. I’m not saying you were right; but you weren’t completely wrong either. The truth is, we’ve all been too passive. Resting on our laurels. I know my ancestors have long thought the best way to keep peace is to keep silent—but I now understand it is the farthest from the truth. Because whether we like it or not, there is a growing threat which no longer wishes to remain in the shadows. Sure, today it appears to be my brother Keiron and tomorrow the Marchand brothers; but I am convinced, now, more than ever, there are others who seek to break apart even the semblance of peace that remains! It is for this reason I’ve called you here tonight. We cannot—should not grow complacent in this hour!”
“I—um—I agree with Jackson, our Prime Alpha,” Merle says sheepishly as he rises from the table. All goes quiet as he looks around the room. Most are more surprised he’s said anything at all than the fact he now stands in agreement with me.
“Thank you, Merle,” I answer quietly. He’s impressed me more than I thought him capable.
He nods with his eyes and continues, “I’ve also heard of an increase in Scourge sightings and large Skull herds have made their way through almost every major territory on the east coast. It’s apparent, something is coming.”
“If this is true, then I ask you, Jackson, the same question as Isaac. What would you have us do? We’ve long pulled from fighting alongside Beta Primes in protection of Altrinions like your betrothed or otherwise,” adds Sonja of the Havre de Grace den council.
“We must do whatever we must. Ensure our dens are trained in the old way—”
“The old way? Jackie—I mean Jackson, we haven’t employed such archaic measures in centuries,” Sophie begins.
“Then we must return. We must strengthen the borders and staking claim in our territories, forbidding rogue reformations from activity. How long has it been since we demanded a census? A full check in of every den—so that all wolves are accounted for and accountable to a den? It’s our job to be the keepers of checks and balances.”
Loud gasps echo throughout the council and I use the opportunity to take a deep breath. I know I’m pushing it. But I can’t stop now.
“That’s not all. We must seek to barter a truce with the Betas and help them reclaim their status.”
“Now, that’s going too far, Jackson!” Jesse shouts, pushing back from the table. “There’s a reason things are the way they are! Who are we to change the order of things?”
“Is it not our job to keep the order?” I shout back, challenging his haughty posture. The room goes quiet again and I exhale, working hard to regain my composure. I can’t phase here. Sophie keeps her watchful gaze set on me, but I inhale again and work to stifle my growing ire. “Why do you think the Skull have increased in number? Because we are weak. They no longer see us as one unified pack. For too long we have merely survived, only living in a shell of what we call peace. Now is the time to thrive! And the only way we can do this is together! Even if it means reclaiming the manner of the old way, I charge each of us to do what we must and take up our rightful place as the primes we are supposed to be!”
This time, Merle is the first to stand, thrusting his hand together in a series of claps and shouts. It doesn’t take long for Gregory and Shawn to echo his sentiment and the others slowly join them.
As much as I want to relish in this moment of merriment, I cannot. Something has changed. Something is wrong. Dialing her number once more, my heart races as a new warning fills my being and I know I need to talk to her. Now.
Dalcour
How can the one thing you never knew you needed feel so right? Not once since my wretched father forced my innocence from me when I took my first human life did I ever contemplate the revival of my desolately wicked heart. Yet, in this moment it’s the only thing I can think about.
Holding Damina in my arms as she lays asleep on my chest awakens a joy in me, I never thought I’d find again. And it is that joy—the complete joy of having her in my life—that I will never let go. Whether she knows it or not, she is mine. Now that I have her in my arms, I have no intention of ever letting her go.
That’s why seeing the name of her once betrothed on her phone, calling continuously as she curls into my arms kindles a raging fury in me that would burn a hole in my chest if it were not for the calming restraint just the sweetness of her presence brings to my life.
Not only am I in awe that I’ve not answered the phone, threatening him to never call again but I’m surprised at the self-control I’ve demonstrated as her beautifully sculpted body lays pressed against mine. With all her soft places nestled against the strength of me, I marvel that I’ve curbed my lustful appetite if for no other reason than knowing she is worth it.
I’ve waited centuries for a love like this. I can certainly wait until the time is right. Still, I can only hope that time comes sooner rather than later.
Once more, her phone buzzes against the nightstand and my muscles instantly tighten as I peer through her purse and see Jackson’s name pop up on the screen. While I’ve already assigned the keeper of our annals, Nara, to see if there is any supernatural link to this fool, Jackson, knowing he broke Damina’s heart is reason enough for me to loathe him.
She needs to wake up and deal with him before I do.
As my body stiffens beneath her, I hear her take in a deep breath and I watch her smile at the pleasure my fragrance brings to her being. It makes me happy to see just how at home she is in my embrace and it almost douses my fiery and growing irritation with—Jackson.
Slowly, her fingers trace the outline of my abdominals and pectorals and her mouth parts open with desire, sighing with a low churning hum that vibrates through my. It takes everything within me not to succumb to her entreat as I stifle my growing desire.
This is indeed a first.
She really is changing me.
“Damina,” my tone catches on the last vowel of her name as her fingers linger too long at my waistline. If I don’t get her attention now, I know nothing will stop what happens next. Not even Jackson.
“Yes,” she answers softly, moving her hands back up to my chest and my body freezes with pleasurable delight.
The phone rings again and the reminder of the
loophole of her past singes my rage once more.
Repeating her name, she sits up and away from me and I see a slight pinch of annoyance mar her perfect face. “What’s wrong?” Damina asks.
Grabbing her phone from the nightstand, I offer it to her and ask, “Do you think you can answer your phone now?” She looks at the phone and her eyes grow wide as her face reddens at the sight of his name.
Damina rolls her eyes as she props herself up on the bed and exhales deeply. It’s obvious she’s more annoyed at his lingering presence than I thought. She also looks irritated with me as well. “Dalcour are you mad at me because he called?”
Jumping up from her bedside, I mumble, “Please give me the strength!” in Arabic. I need strength not to find this feign, Jackson, and end him. I also need strength to endure being in the same space with Damina without ravishing her body repeatedly.
“Of course not, Damina. But I need to know what you will do about it?” I respond, reining in my rage.
“Dalcour, with everything that has happened tonight, I haven’t given him a second thought,” Damina answers.
“Well, he’s obviously had plenty of time to think of you.”
“What do you want me to do about it? I’ve told you everything from the beginning I’m in a complicated place right now.”
“Complicated, huh?”
“Wow! You’re actually mad at me?”
“No Damina, I’m not mad,” I counter. Everything in me wants to tell her I’m afraid of losing her to the shadows of her past, but I cannot. “But I need to understand where I fit in your world. I’ve made no mystery of my affection for you, but I need to know how long this complication of yours will last.”
“Dalcour, I—”
“… I want to be with you.” Her thoughts are loud as her heart calls to me from across the room and I am instantly at her side. Knowing that she wants to be with me is all I need to know. The truth of her longing for me calls to me like tidal waves rushing an ocean floor. I just need to be patient. She deserves that and so much more.
