There’s only one person it could be. Shaking my head, I leave my phone on the sofa and head toward the light switch, but before I can flick it, a dark figure at the window has me halting. But when I blink, it’s gone.
With my thumb, I turn on the overhead light, only to be greeted by the emptiness of my apartment. Once again, the beep of my phone startles me. This time it’s ringing, and I know who it is before I even look at the screen. Picking it up, I stare at the unknown number as it rings. Curiosity gets the better of me, and I swipe my finger over the screen.
“Hello?”
“Ms. Craven, I didn’t get a response. I was” — the deep voice of Kade Montgomery sends a flurry of emotion through me — “concerned.” He hisses the last word, and I gasp. The overpowering tingle that flurries in my belly mimicking a million hummingbirds makes me smile at his worry.
“How did you do that?”
“What?” I can hear the smile on his lips as he voices the word effortlessly.
“Read my mind.”
“Oh, Talia, I can do so much more than just read your mind,” he threatens, but it’s not scary. It’s something else entirely.
“So, you’re telling me you’re across the city reading my mind?”
A soft sigh floats over the line, then he whispers, “Go to bed. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Before I can respond, the line cuts, and I’m left listening to a beeping sound.
Dropping the phone on the sofa, I pad over to the kitchen and turn on the kettle. His voice had goosebumps dotting my skin, and that’s when Rhys’s warning slams into me, leaving me gasping for air.
He promised to take care of you.
Remember, trust him . . .
Did he mean Kade? But how would they even know each other? That doesn’t make sense. None of this does. Perhaps I am losing my mind. Maybe my answers lie with my mother. She said there were things I didn’t know. Should I go home? Will I learn things I don’t want to know?
When the kettle boils, I pour the water into a mug, dunk a tea bag into it, then head over to settle on the sofa once more. I need sleep. Sipping the piping liquid, I savor the burn, and I finish it in no time. I curl up again, settling in for the night, pulling a blanket over me. Allowing sleep to come, my eyes flutter closed, and I wonder if I’ll see my best friend again.
6
Kade
Her voice was raspy. The way it filtered to me over the line was enough to have me wanting to rush back to see her. Which is fucking ridiculous. Rhys visiting her was uncalled for, and normally, I would snuff out a soul for doing something like that, but he’s given her the confidence to trust me. And I hope she takes his advice.
“We’re here, sir.”
“Thank you. I’ll be back in a few minutes.” Before I exit the car, I make sure the sleek, silver blade is nestled in my belt. I don’t need it, but I love making assholes bleed. Perhaps this fucker needs to feel the steel slicing into his flesh. And to kill for her will be a pleasure.
I take in the area, which seems, almost middle-class, but I’ve learned, nothing is what it seems from the outside. Stalking into the apartment block, I find the unit in question, I raise a foot and kick the thin, wooden door off its hinges with a loud, ear-shattering crunch. The piece of shit who hurt Talia is on a sofa with some whore swallowing his dick. As soon as I step into the apartment, he jumps up. The woman, who’s half-naked, squeals in surprise, trying to cover herself.
“Who the fuck are you?” he hisses angrily. As if he can scare me. I chuckle in response. Jesus, he’s a joke. Pulling the blade from its sheath, I smirk when his face balks and fear dances in his beady eyes.
“I’m the person who’s about to watch you bleed out.”
My threat is venomous. He scrambles back, trying to get away from me, which is fruitless, because I’m faster, stronger, and I’ve got the boss man ready for his soul. Gripping his neck, I tug him up and closer to my face.
“You know what I hate more than hearing a worthless piece of shit like you beg? I hate assholes like you who think they can hurt women.” With one swift movement, I slice through the skin of his dick, and the cry that’s ripped from his throat is like music to my ears. His hands clutch at his crotch, but there’s nothing to hold onto. I release the asshole and stalk backward. The woman is now screeching. It’s an ear-piercing sound I want to stop immediately. Pinning my gaze on her, I growl, “Shut up!”
“What the fuck, man?” he roars loudly, still clutching at the blood spraying from between his thighs. “Are you fucking crazy?”
“Oh, I’m not crazy,” I murmur, grabbing the material of his curtain to wipe the blood from my knife. When I turn, I notice him trying to hobble away. No fucking chance, asshole. Rearing back, I release the blade and watch it slice through the air at lightning speed and hit him square in the back. Blood spurts from the wound beautifully. I love the Claret-colored liquid.
When I stalk toward him, I pull my weapon from his back, and he slumps onto the floor, now pooling with the lifeforce I need to survive.
“Thank you, Kade. You’ve done well.” Turning, I find the man I work for. The man who taught Killian and me everything we know. When our father died, he stepped up, and I’ll be forever in his debt.
“I should be the one thanking you, Boss,” I murmur with a slight bow, and when I rise, he’s gone. The soul of the man on the floor is gone.
Glancing around, I notice the woman who was working Trey’s dick earlier. As I make my way toward her, I see the flinch on her face when I reach out and tug her by those long blonde tresses. She reminds me of Presley. Eager to do anything to please a man. “Don’t hurt me, please?” she begs. I love women begging, but filthy scum like this, they’re better off dead. However, I’m not in the mood to waste time here.
“Get out, take your shit, and don’t come back.” She scurries out of the room without looking back. Once I’ve made sure there’s nothing that ties Talia to this place, I flick my hand at the curtains and watch the beautiful flames engulf it.
I bask in the abilities my brother and I hold. The darkness is my ally as I slip back into the car and tell Gordon to drive. I hardly ever call on him to drive me around, but now I need to focus on getting back without having to concentrate on driving. This time, I pull my iPad from the bag beside me, and I tap the emails to the contacts I need to have everything in place for tomorrow.
I told Talia I want to meet with her tomorrow night, which is the best time to show her the truth. I need to make sure everything is ready for what she’s about to learn. However, I’m not sure how much I can tell her before she freaks out. Her abilities are new to her, but somehow, I think she’ll be able to handle it.
She doesn’t realize what she holds. Her power, that light that’s been maturing with her over the years, can be deadly to anyone she comes into contact with. And that’s what her best friend knew. Rhys Parker knew too much for his own good, but I can safely say, it saved Talia. Which makes me wonder why he never told her. The Cravens certainly didn’t think it was necessary to explain to their daughter that she’s special.
I still don’t know why he trusted me. There wouldn’t be any reason for him to if he knew what I am to her, and there’s no doubt the little human knew. Maybe, just maybe, Tali, as he called her, and I will be able to overcome what our past incarnations couldn’t. I just hope she doesn’t fuck it up.
When I was told about my powers the first time, I lashed out. Almost killing my father in the process, but he was strong. It was my brother who couldn’t hold onto the smidgen of light we need to keep us on the straight and narrow. Even though I was the black sheep in the family, it was Killian who embraced the dark immediately. He immersed himself in it, and that’s when we came up with our current arrangement. Yes, I’d done questionable things, but when I found a speck of light, I gripped it. There was no way I wanted to turn out like my brother. As much as I love the kill, the blood and the feed, I want to appear as normal as I can.
My brother turned to t
he other side. He fed for the pleasure. I did it because it was part of who I am. I had to. He lost himself in The Order. He did their bidding, and it didn’t matter what they asked of him. He’s living with the Elders, and I’m here making sure our trustfund is safe.
Tomorrow, I’ll have to tell Talia the story. Our story. Only, this is no fairytale. And she’ll either hate me, or she’ll accept her fate and allow me to be hers. I’d opt for the latter.
You’ll have to kill her. They’ll make sure you do.
The words ring true. I have a couple of months to figure out how I’m going to make this work. If I want to take over the worlds from those who now rule, I’ll need to be ten steps ahead. They can’t find out that I’m connecting with her. And that’s only if she allows me in.
The car pulls up to the waiting jet, and I exit quickly. Shaking Gordon’s hand, I pass him the briefcase with the money, and head out toward the plane. Once I’m onboard and we’re soaring through the air, I calm. My thoughts are erratic, but I pull my phone from the breastpocket of my shirt and open the image I have of Talia and smirk.
I’m coming for you, little fairy, and I’m going to delight in your sweetness. I’m going to revel in taking your heart, mind, and soul. Oh, how I’d love to feast on your blood like it’s a fine wine. Locking the phone, I settle back and close my eyes. Even though I know sleep won’t come, I rest for the flight ahead and picture the pretty brunette.
* * *
The vibration of my phone on the nightstand wakes me, but it’s the person on the other end that causes the knot in my stomach. “Killian,” I grunt out through the phone.
“How is the US treating you, Kade?” His deep voice, so similar to mine, reminds me of why my brother is so deadly. How his powers can bring down nations and have anyone bending to his will. The power of persuasion is something he wields well. Too well, in fact.
“What do you want?” Pushing up, I rise and pad over to the kitchen. My apartment is clean, modern lines of black and white. The colors contrast against each other, and they call to the future that awaits, even though they’re inanimate objects.
“I’ve spoken to Uncle. He mentioned you’re taking care of the Princess?” His question hangs with a threat I hear easily. There’s a vow in his hiss, and my fist clenches at my side.
“I am. There’s nothing for you here, Killian. I suggest you enjoy your time in Europe. As you know, we don’t play well together, and I’m sure you have your hands full?”
“I agree, Kade, we definitely don’t play well together, which is such a shame. Imagine how wonderful it would be if we both got to taste the sweet Princess. Will you tell her you’re half Knight of Hell and half Witch? I wonder how she’ll take to having a Warlock beside her? Remember, brother, you need to kill the Princess to save us both.” His warning doesn’t go unheeded, but it also means nothing to me, because we’re linked. If either of us fails, we both die. He obviously doesn’t know I figured out another way. One where I can unlink our fate.
“I don’t have time for this. I have an early meeting. I suggest you allow me to do my job, and you do yours.” A chuckle, dark and sadistic, comes from my brother.
“Remember, if you can’t drain her, then I’ll be happy to do it for you.” I don’t doubt Killian would revel in hurting someone, because he’s evil. The Montgomery brothers have always been born at opposite ends of the spectrum. I’ve held onto my light, and he’s let his go completely. Granted, I do enjoy what I do, but my brother is something else. He’s sadistic, like Lucifer himself.
“The Montgomery Knights are all that will stand against the Craven Witches. I know what I’m doing. I trust I won’t hear from you again unless it’s work related. Montgomery Limited is the only reason you should be contacting me. Other than that, I don’t want to hear from you, Killian. Presley is here to ensure I finish the job. She’s watching me like a hawk.”
“I’m just reminding you, Brother. Don’t you go running off with a little Witch, Kade. She’s the only way we live on.” Before he can continue, I tap the end key and drop my phone on the counter. Hitting start on the coffee machine, I stalk toward the terrace and push open the doors. It’s a bright morning, which hurts my eyes, but with a quick blink, I’m able to shade myself from the harsh light. The winter sun seems to hurt worse.
I do prefer the night, but living on earth costs. Sacrifices have to be made. My brother’s call has me on edge. The beep alerts me that my coffee is ready, and I return to the kitchen to grab a mug. Once I’ve filled it with strong, black java, I head back to my bedroom and get ready for the day. Once again, I’ll adorn a suit and tie. Professional attire for a CEO; but for me, the real me, it’s far from my usual outfit, which consists of far less material.
Before I head down to my car, I hit the tracker on my phone and find my little fairy already at the office. Hard worker. My obsidian Aston blinks when I press the button on the fob and slip into the driver’s seat.
Today, I’ll set the plan in motion.
The engine purrs to life. My phone buzzes again, and I see the call coming through from the man who’s getting everything ready for tonight. Getting out of the city will be perfect. I don’t need witnesses to what’s going to happen. If for some reason Talia unleashes her power, she’ll hurt innocents. Even though her full abilities aren’t coursing through her veins yet, she’ll be strong.
That thought has me thickening in my slacks. I’ve fucked her kind before. But she’s different. Her blood isn’t purely Witch, and that’s what makes her so special. There’s a line of Fae in her, which gives her so much more than any other Wiccan out there. She and I share so much more than being immortal. The darkness that created Killian and me, that’s inside her too, and I wonder if I can get her to embrace mine. That’s the only way we’ll both live through this godforsaken destiny we’ve been set with, but I won’t give up. A month should be sufficient time to persuade her.
Anticipation races through my veins to finally touch her intimately. To see into her mind and read every part of her beautiful thoughts and desires. I want to know her dreams, fears, and everything she holds close. All that pain and agony she suffers from, that’s what I want to reach for. To taste it.
That’s how I plan to use my powers on Talia. I know it will work. It has to. If she refuses or tries to fight me on it, I’ll just force it from her. Yes, I’d like to make this pleasurable for us both, but I’m not averse to hurting her physically. And I’m not talking about fucking her until she breaks. Although, that sounds like something I’d enjoy too much.
As soon as I pull into the parking lot, I feel her. We haven’t started yet, and I’m already tethered to her. I can sense her moving. Perhaps she’s heading to the kitchen or restroom. There’s someone else in the building. Closing my eyes, I inhale deeply and focus. Presley.
It’s then that the agony consumes me. A pain in my head startles me. Shit. Exiting the car, I take the stairwell and race up to the seventh floor. Without thinking, I barge into the ladies’ to find the blonde hissing something at Talia.
“Get in my fucking office now!” My roar echoes around the room, shattering two mirrors. Presley doesn’t flinch. Instead, she smirks and leaves, stalking by me with a satisfied grin on her face. Tali stares at me for a moment then blinks.
“Th-tha-nk y-you,” she mumbles, clearly shaken.
“I’m sorry about that.” I gesture to the mirrors, but she shakes her head and steps forward. I watch in awe as she picks up a shard and stares at it.
“Things have been happening to me.” Her whisper is so quiet, so sad, that I almost go to her. Almost pull her into my arms and hold her. Fuck.
“I have to go. Get back to your office and call a repairman for this. I’ll come for you at lunchtime.” With that, I spin on my heel and head back toward the elevators. I need to get away from her. She’s so strong, her pull, it’s like a magnet, and I’m the steel. How am I meant to go through this without being consumed by her completely? I’m like a fucking a
ddict because as soon as I step into the steel car, I miss it, her, that essence of her very being.
This is a fuck-up. A big shit storm.
7
Talia
“Hello, Talia.”
When I turn, I find Rebecca strolling into the kitchen as I pour my fourth cup of coffee for the day so far. My mind has been replaying the earlier incident nonstop, and I’ve had trouble focusing on work.
“How are you?” she questions as she joins me in the space close to the coffee machine.
“Good.” I’m still shaken by the incident with Kade and Presley, but I don’t know if I can mention it to this woman. When Kade asked me to go back to my office, that he’d see me at lunch, I obeyed quickly. “I’ve just had a long morning,” I offer with a smile, but I know it doesn’t reach my eyes. The woman before me nods and grins.
“Well, you’ll get used to that. Kade is somewhat of a slave driver. He likes things just right,” she leans in and whispers as if she’s telling me a secret.
“He’ll find out soon enough I’m a hard worker, and I’m very good at making sure things are just right.” A deep chuckle comes from the door. We both turn to find the source, which causes my breathing to halt and a lump to form in my throat. Kade leans on the door frame. His bulk fills the space, and I can’t help my eyes from drinking in his crisp shirt, the sleeves now rolled up to his elbows, granting me a glance at corded forearms that have me licking my lips.
He’s the first man I’ve been this affected by in such a long time, since Rhys. Even just thinking his name brings an ache to my chest. Looking at the god before me, I know I can’t have him. He’s my boss. “I do run a tight ship, but it’s only because I expect the best.” His dark gaze flits between Rebecca and me, then settles on me. “Can I see you in your office please, Ms. Craven?”
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