The Darkest Day

by Britt Bury

  Branches slapped against his forearms and chest as he bolted through the trees. As the soft, mossy earth sloshed beneath his long strides, he reminded himself once more that he didn’t want this woman, this enemy.

  But his whole being was fighting him, his mind whispering that she was his—desiring her more than any other woman he’d ever laid eyes on. To deny her was like denying his lungs air. It hurt. And his body screamed in protest.

  Damn this! Kelvin had fought thousands, maybe millions of men in battle, but how was he supposed to fight himself, his instinct? He shouldn’t care if the woman was grieving but try to understand the purpose behind her fleeing. She’d left him when he told her not to. He should be thinking of how to punish her, not of how she felt.

  Kelvin came to a dead halt when he caught the scent of something unique. Something rare. He breathed deep the creature’s scent. Dread settled heavy on him. Alp.

  He muttered a curse. Izel had been lured by an Alp, the single most difficult creature to kill. Alps could shape-shift into anything or anyone. They could delve into one’s mind, stealing thoughts and memories. For Christ’s sake, they could do it all. Thankfully, there were very few of them. Over the years, many beings had hunted Alps with the goal of extinguishing them completely. They had too much power for a typical immortal’s comfort, and the worst thing about Alps was that they, like most creatures in these parts, fed on blood and flesh.

  With the night air pricking his skin and the darkness blanketing his body, a rush of fury coursed through Kelvin’s veins. The need to protect her, to maim any creature that threatened her, to kill.

  He needed to kill.

  The darkness sank into his pores. The black night seeped deep into his body. He was hit with a jolt of power and it felt so good. Between the inky night and her intoxicating essence, Kelvin grew stronger than he ever had been before. His veins opened, pumping more blood into his muscles. His claws elongated, sharpened. As if readying to slash through any being that kept him from what he wanted. And what he wanted was his green-eyed mortal.

  He’d lived through hundreds of winter solstices. Always soaking up the vitality the long nights gave him; reveling in it. But never had it been like this. He was being completely taken over. As if all his vigor and intensity were meant for her.

  He ran. Only a few yards off, just beyond the trees, and there she was, standing in the middle of a small clearing, bright stars shining upon her. Kelvin crouched in the bushes, scanning the area. She appeared to be alone, but when dealing with an Alp, one never knew for certain.

  Good Christ, she was breathtaking. He knelt, marveling at her beauty. Happy to just watch the moonlight dance over her flawless skin. And he’d said she didn’t interest him. What a stupid man he was. Because here he was, awestruck, his chest actually aching.

  So lovely it pains me.

  She stood perfectly still, seemingly entranced by something on the opposite side of the clearing. He suspected it was the Alp that held her gaze. It could be rifling through her thoughts right now. If only he could get a look at it—what in the bloody hell?

  It was the Mystic, Euan Campbell, in the flesh.

  He emerged from the trees and stepped toward her. She appeared transfixed. After a moment, Kelvin realized it wasn’t the real Euan Campbell. He could scent it. The Alp must have pulled a memory from Izel’s mind and projected what she wanted to see. The fucker was baiting her, luring her in.

  Kelvin clutched his dagger, readying to strike. He’d have to be quick. Having the element of surprise on his side was his greatest tool. Although Alps could dissipate abruptly, their five senses were weak. If Kelvin moved fast enough, the little shite may not even see him coming.

  The creature reached out for Izel. Anger spiked Kelvin.

  He thinks to touch my human? Over my dead body!

  He leaped from the shrubs. Quicker than he’d ever moved before he unsheathed his sword while jabbing his dagger at the Alp’s heart. Just as the blade pierced the creature’s chest, it disappeared.

  Not fast enough.

  Kelvin flung Izel behind him. With his back to her, he held both weapons, slowly circling around her, waiting for the Alp to reappear.

  “What are you doing!” she cried. “That’s my grandfather!” She shoved at his back, trying to get past him.

  “Nay,” he snapped, not allowing her to move. “It’s an Alp. Now stay behind me.” His eyes darted quickly, searching everywhere. The Alp could be anything, be anywhere. Christ, it could be a bloody moth circling them right now.

  “No, it’s him.” She continued to struggle against Kelvin.

  “Izel!” he growled, looking over his shoulder. “Trust me in this.”

  She instantly stilled, all hope leaving her eyes. Turning back and flicking his sword in his hand, Kelvin continued hovering around his woman. Ready. Waiting. The sound of Izel choking back tears made his chest tighten. She had to be so confused, so lost. And God knows she had no reason to trust him.

  Just when Kelvin thought she’d fight him, he instead felt her warm palm rest on his back. He couldn’t risk looking at her. The ragged breaths she took and the way her small hand trembled against his shoulder let him know she was scared. But if he turned back and actually saw fear in her lovely green eyes, he’d undoubtedly drop his sword and draw her into his arms.

  Yes, eyes forward. He needed to stay focused. Although he had given her little reason to believe in him, for whatever reason, in that moment, she chose to. And he would not fail her.

  Kelvin scented her anxiety, yet she remained silent. Suddenly the Alp appeared behind Izel, snatching her waist, pulling her away. She screamed and Kelvin spun, raised his dagger to slash the creature, but stopped midswing when he saw the Alp take his true form. Long, black nails sprouted from saffron-colored hands. Its putrid skin smelled of sulfur. It slid its sharp claws around her neck.

  “Aht, aht, ah Pookah,” the creature tsked while wagging his finger. Izel gasped when the sickly palm on her throat squeezed. Kelvin saw red.

  The Alp’s yellow flesh was littered with rot and open sores. His eyes and fangs were black and oozed a foul-smelling bile. Kelvin was grateful Izel couldn’t see the grotesque creature at her back. He kept his eyes locked on the Alp’s hands. One flick of his wrist and the creature could snap Izel’s neck.

  Kelvin tensed. His muscles flexed, hand gripping his dagger.

  “I know what you’re thinking, Pookah, and I’d advise against it,” it hissed, keeping its hideous eyes on Kelvin. “Mmm, I haven’t scented a human this pure in ages.” The Alp bent its head, running its vile tongue up Izel’s neck. Kelvin heard her bite back a cry of horror before her body noticeably began trembling.

  “Let her go, beast,” he warned, “and I promise I will make your death quick.”

  The Alp smiled, tar dripping from its fangs. “You call me beast?” Tilting its neck, the creature ran its nose along Izel’s cheekbone. “Do you know what kind of company you keep, mortal? That”—it lifted his chin at Kelvin—“is a beast.” It inhaled deeply. “The last being I devoured had fifty percent mortal blood. A rare find, you know?” It nuzzled her ear. “But you, sweetling, I’d wager that you are full human, are you not?”

  Kelvin looked into her beautiful eyes. They were glossed over with tears, and the sight of her terror cut his heart in half. An odd feeling came over him. An emotion he’d never experienced in his long, long life. Fear. Not of the Alp as a foe, but of what the Alp currently threatened.

  Protect her.

  When the creature nestled his face against Izel’s hair and let out a moan, fire surged through Kelvin’s body. He needed to act now. At any moment the Alp would sink his nasty teeth into her sweet skin. Christ Almighty! Kelvin internally roared, wishing he could bellow the words out loud. He couldn’t make a move, couldn’t get close enough without compromising Izel. The Alp was too quick. No one ever got close enough to them.

  Kelvin watched as a calmness washed over Izel. Her face relaxed as she
exhaled slowly. She looked at him, her green eyes glinting. Did she trust him to save her? Did she let go of doubt and put all her faith in him? It was either that, or she had embraced her coming death.

  No! He would not let her die!

  The Alp brushed Izel’s long hair to the side and licked the shell of her ear before burying his face in her scalp again. Kelvin gnashed his teeth in rage, but Izel only smirked and slowly lowered her chin to her chest. Realization hit.

  Don’t you even bloody think it, lass!

  He knew what she was intending. Izel, a human, was going to make a move against the beast at her back. He needed to scream at her, to tell her to trust him, tell her that there wasn’t a being in this realm he’d let harm her. But he couldn’t, not without putting her at more risk.

  Adrenaline burst through Kelvin. Whether he liked it or not, bringing down this beast was going to be a team effort. Giving a slight nod, he gripped his sword. Suddenly a spark danced over Izel’s skin, and for the briefest moment, it appeared to glow. She didn’t seem aware of this phenomenon, and it happened so quickly Kelvin thought he’d imagined it. Without warning, she snapped her head back, smacking the top of her skull on the Alp’s nose. Blood spilled and the creature stumbled backward, roaring in pain. Its hand released her throat and shot to its bleeding face.

  Perfect.

  She dropped to the ground at the same time Kelvin lunged forward, swinging his blades wildly. In one fast, fluid motion, he jammed his dagger into the Alp’s chest, following with a clean swing to his neck. The Alp’s head dropped to the ground, his lifeless body slinking behind it.

  Izel jutted up and began shaking violently. She cringed while wiping her palms down her neck. Kelvin saw her wince when grazing her own throat and wished he could have killed the Alp slowly, making him suffer.

  Sheathing his sword, he rushed to Izel. Without fully understanding where his rage came from, he furiously clasped her small shoulders and jerked her up to face him. “What the hell, woman!” he yelled. “You could have been killed! Should have been! What were you thinking, following a sodding Alp into the woods?” He could feel her slight frame humming with dismay.

  “I thought he was my grandfather!” she screamed back. “How was I supposed to know? And, well… if I hadn’t chased him then he would have killed me anyway and eaten me over our campfire!”

  Kelvin didn’t hear her. He just continued to roar at her. “You never leave me! Do you understand!”

  “Are you joking?” she jostled against his grip. “I don’t want to be anywhere near you! You’re actually yelling at me for almost getting killed. And to think I was going to thank you.”

  Fire rushed through Kelvin as he stared at her. He had never been so livid in his life. How dare she put herself in danger? He looked into her bright eyes.

  She was alive.

  He pressed his forehead against hers and let out a ragged breath. Her struggles ceased; she was obviously shocked by his display of… affection? He didn’t know what to call it, having never shown such a thing before. His ire ebbed quickly, replaced by relief. She was okay. She was safe. And he had slain her captor.

  He pulled her close, but she yanked herself away from him and craned her neck up. Looking him in the eye she opened her mouth wide, obviously intending to yell some more. But before she could, her delicate chin began to quiver.

  “Ah, Christ, lass, donna cry,” Kelvin said, his chest doing that tightening thing again.

  She swiped an arm across her eyes as if determined to do anything but. Instead, she glared at him.

  “Cry?” she said between clenched teeth. “I should slap you!” She jammed one of her delicate fingers into his chest. “I’ve lost my grandpa.” Jab. “Some pig kidnaps me!” Another jab. “And then some monster tries to eat me.” That time she pushed his chest with her whole palm. Kelvin backed up, allowing her to step into him. “I haven’t had real food in days! And now you’re yelling at me. I wouldn’t even be in this mess if it wasn’t for you!” Just when Kelvin thought she’d shove him over, she instead threw her hands up and shook her head. “But what do you care?” she scoffed. “I’m beneath you anyway, right? I’m just a human, after all.”

  A dull knife to the heart would have been preferred over this. Kelvin’s earlier internal question of how badly he had hurt her came to light. His words had obviously cut her deep, and the worst part was he didn’t even mean them. Although he should hate her, he struggled to do so. If the lass sought to torture him back, she was doing a hell of a job. Clenching his jaw, he watched anger overtake her. Watched her face fall with pain because of him. The sight of his enemy riled and hurt should please him, but instead, it was too much to bear.

  Without thinking, he seized her cheeks in his palms and pulled her mouth to his. He didn’t know what this little mortal was doing to him, but he knew he couldn’t have her upset.

  The first touch of her lush lips rocked him. He expected her to shove him away and was surprised when she returned his kiss full force. She rose to her toes and wound her wee fingers in his hair. When she yanked him to her, Kelvin groaned against her parted lips and shoved his tongue inside the wet heat of her mouth.

  Hands on her jaw, he tilted her head, delving deeper, drinking in her sweet taste. He was lost. Frantic for his female. Teeth banging, tongues thrusting, he couldn’t get enough of her. He hazily sensed her uncertainty, but she just clutched him closer, as if afraid he would leave her. With the dark night fueling him, he gave up all logic and decided he would have her. All of her.

  Her passion was unmatched. She lapped at his tongue as if starved for it. He slid his hands from her neck to her hips, pulling her closer. Never leaving her scalding kiss, he ushered her backward. Her back met a large tree. Kelvin placed his hands on the trunk at either side of her head and pressed his body into hers. He was going to devour this female, work her body until she screamed for mercy.

  Izel was completely surrounded by this male, his hard body caging her in. His large biceps next to her face reminded her of his strength. She felt so safe. She briefly caught a glimpse of the brand on his wrist, the brand that represented their contract, her power over him. The idea of being bound to this man, to have it displayed…

  Moaning, she nipped his lower lip. Although she had no idea what she was doing and was operating solely on instinct, nothing had ever felt more right than this Pookah’s heated mouth on hers.

  His kiss was urgent, demanding. He was dangerous, sinful, and delicious. Her body shuddered, wanting more.

  Yes, what he had said hurt her feelings, but she wouldn’t let this moment slip past her. Too many emotions were crashing within her, and somewhere in her groggy mind, she realized she’d almost died without ever being kissed. Not only did she want to be kissed, she wanted to be consumed by Kelvin. Her whole body quaked with desire. The lightest touch had her clawing for more. She arched her back, pressing her breasts into his muscled chest and rocking her hips against him in desperation.

  She heard a low grumble in his throat, and his large hands gripped her ass. He hefted her up and she instinctively wrapped her legs around his lean waist, winding her arms around his neck.

  Bending his knees, he slowly glided down her body. Was he trying to get away? No, please no! But before she could pitifully beg, he flexed his hips, sliding his hard shaft along her sex. She gasped at the feel of him wickedly moving against her. Had anything ever felt so exquisite? When she moaned, he did it again… and again.

  “Kelvin,” she inhaled on a sharp breath. Calling out his name seemed to madden him. He bent his head, grip tightening around her. Through her shirt, he hastily suckled her hard nipple into his mouth. Clasping the little bead between his lips, he licked and teased until it was throbbing under his tongue. With his mouth fixated on one breast, he roughly kneaded the other.

  “God, woman, you drive me mad.” His voice was gravelly, and the feel of his hot breath through the damp cotton made her shiver.

  He trailed his tongue u
p her neck, raining wet flicks along the column of her throat. The stubble on his jaw scratched and tickled, sending shivers down her spine as he worked his mouth on her dewy skin. Their breathing grew hectic, bodies drumming together.

  She felt his hand move between their rocking hips and fumble with his belt. The sound of metal clanging as he unfastened it was like pouring ice water over her head. Realization hit. He intends to have sex with me.

  Izel’s eyes shot open and she pushed at his shoulders. “No. We can’t—”

  Kelvin’s eyes snapped to her face, obviously confused. She shimmied around him, righting her shirt and smoothing her hair. “You’ve gotta be bloody kiddin’ me.”

  Huffing out a breath, she turned and faced him. “Look, just because we kissed doesn’t mean I’m going to sleep with you.”

  Kelvin smirked at her as he refastened his belt. “That was more than a kiss, lass.”

  She glared, trying her damnedest to calm her hectic breathing. “Well, whatever it was, it won’t be happening again.”

  The arrogant Pookah looked her up and down, his gaze lingering on her lips. A presumptuous grin spread across his face. Obviously he was not taking her seriously.

  “I was just confused,” she stated, trying her best to defend herself. “Between the waves of emotions and the near-death experience, I don’t have a handle on—”

  “Whatever you need ta tell yourself, lass,” he smirked.

  Izel had to pick her jaw up off the ground before she could yell, “How dare you! You took advantage of my… my situation.”

  His smile only widened. He kept his eyes on her as he walked to the dead Alp. “Did I now?” He bent and yanked his dagger from the Alp’s chest. “Seems you were the one clawin’ at me like a lusty little minx.” Swiping the flat side of the blade across his jeans-clad thigh, he wiped away the mustard-colored blood before hiding the dagger in his boot.