Dark Secrets (Dark Hearts Book 2)

by P. L. Midnight

  I know you will all have questions, but just know that I am with your mother and will do everything in my power to keep her safe, as your Shields will you.

  I wish you a long and happy life.

  Love always,

  Dad

  Do not worry my child, the love you feel for one another is already special. It will be real if you believe in it, and the benefits to your Shields will outweigh everything else. Those that are not already immortal, should have become immortal when you turned eighteen.

  OMG, what had my father done to these poor guys? He took away their freedom of choice in a mate. I couldn’t even look at them. I hung my head in shame. My father was right about one thing, I had so many questions I didn’t even know where to start. What did he mean about when the universe finds out who I am? I don’t even know who I am.

  The tears trickled down my face as I looked at the men that sat across from me. “I don’t know what to say to you. Miles, Victor, I am so sorry that he did this to you.”

  They were both immediately beside me on the couch each holding one of my hands. Victor stroked my hand, making tiny circles against my wrist as he spoke. “He didn’t just do this to us, you are also affected. However, it sounded like he had a very good reason for what he did. It isn’t your fault, printesa. Besides, we really don’t mind as much as you think. I just can’t figure out how your father managed to get that compound into my blood.”

  “Your father’s some kind of super genius. If he believed so strongly that you needed protection, then you must. I don’t think I mind being one of your personal bodyguards if I get you in the bargain, babe.” Miles reassured me as he laced his fingers through mine.

  “That is the chemical in your blood talking, Miles. OMG, none of what we are feeling is even real. It’s just a damn drug.”

  “I agree with your father, I believe what I feel for you is real, printesa. I knew when I first saw you that you’d be mine.” Victor firmly stated. “I believe my heart has been waiting for you all these years without his ridiculous chemical.”

  “I feel the same way about you. I’ve never felt this way about another woman and as I reminded Victor earlier, we are almost fossils. That is a long time to wait for love, but we both know you were worth the wait.”

  “I’ve never had feelings like this for another woman before you,” Victor concurred.

  I pulled my hands from theirs and ran to my room, the pain in my ankle be damned. They didn’t come after me, but I knew they’d be watching to make sure I didn’t try to leave them. How could I leave now without causing more pain for them, or did it just affect me I wondered.

  I was terribly uncomfortable about not seeing the rest of the guys, and I hadn’t been gone that long. Now, I understood why. Everything we’d felt for each other was a lie caused by my own father’s meddling. At that moment, I almost hated what he’d done to protect me. Maybe I could understand if he’d at least told me who I was supposed to be.

  If I was as important as my father seemed to think, surely someone would’ve recognized me by now. I had to be bat shit crazy to believe any of this craziness, but obviously, my father did, as well as the guys downstairs. I had no idea what to do about any of it either. It seemed that I’d damned us all by just being born.

  I decided, I’d be the one to tell each of the others, when they came to visit me. I’d face each of them, let them read the letter and then apologize. It was the least I could do. I didn’t think there was any way of changing the situation. I just hoped that deep inside they wouldn’t resent me for what my father had done. I didn’t think I could bear it if they did.

  It was strange the two guys downstairs didn’t seem to be bothered about their fates. Maybe the chemical in their blood was stronger than the one in mine. I didn’t mind eventually being mated and married to any of them, but all of them was overwhelming. Dad was right, though, I’d never be able to choose between the seven of them. There was something special and magical about each one of them. I knew my life wouldn’t be full without all of them being a part of it.

  My emotions were all over the place. I cried, got mad, cried some more, got hopeful that it would work out, tried to concentrate on how this could be reversed, and then I got frustrated. I realized there was no way out. Without knowing what kind of agent was in our blood, there was no possibility of neutralizing it. Who was I kidding, even if I knew what Dad had put in their blood, I’d never be able to give them up.

  When my brain finally had enough of my conflicting feelings, I cried myself to sleep. I must have slept most of the day for the sun was starting its descent below the horizon when I woke.

  Another thing I noticed upon waking was two warm bodies beside me. Well Victor’s wasn’t exactly warm, but both enclosed me in a cocoon of safety. I seemed to pull strength from their close proximity. I felt much more optimistic, too, with them beside me. I could’ve stayed there snuggled into my guys for the rest of the night.

  I knew we had to get up, because Miles was leaving tonight under the cover of darkness. I didn’t move much for a while, just enjoying the moment. I turned my head slightly to look at each of them while they slept. My thoughts went to the fun we’d had together, well at least until we’d played poker. Who knew they were competitive about everything?

  I’d seen a side of both of them that I hadn’t seen before. Besides being competitive to a fault, they were fun. We’d played chess, actually, they played and I watched hoping there was no repeat of the poker incident. Since they hadn’t finished the game, there was no winner and no bickering.

  We watched a movie together with me sitting between them on the couch. They did more watching than me. I couldn’t concentrate with Victor holding my hand and Miles gently stroking my thigh. I’d become so close to them in such a short period. Even with the chemical in our blood, it didn’t seem possible. I found that I really enjoyed Miles’ company. Since Victor had lost the attitude, he was an enjoyable companion, too. Their chaste touches were causing pleasant sensations to chorus throughout my body. They seemed to touch or brush against me as often as they could manage without being too obvious or going overboard.

  The more I was around them, the more I believed that the letter had spoken the truth. The more I was around the two men at my side, the more I realized that we were parts of a whole. I knew we’d function better when we were all together.

  I thoroughly enjoyed their company. I’d even laughed as Victor shared stories about the trouble the two of them had gotten into over the years. There was a familiarity between them that was comforting and relaxing, especially since they’d promised to stop the sparring when I was around.

  I continued to watch Victor as he slept. His long dark lashes shadowed his pale cheeks. At one time, I was certain his skin had been a beautiful dark olive. He reminded me of a gypsy with his slight Romanian accent and thick ebony hair. I started a bit when Miles moved.

  “Mmm, babe, how long have you been awake?” Miles said in his deep, groggy, morning voice as his hand slipped over to grasp my hand, lacing his big fingers between my smaller ones. I lay between both of their oversized bodies spooning into Miles with my front side facing a sleeping Victor.

  “Shh, I think Victor’s still sleeping. I’ve been awake for a few minutes,” I whispered.

  Victor brushed a curl from my cheek with a tenderness that seemed out of character as he smiled at me, “It’s nice to wake up in bed beside you.”

  “Oh, Victor, I didn’t know you cared.”

  “Really, Miles, you must be kidding.”

  “I am, but seriously, are you ok, babe?”

  “I’m better now that you’re both here. I just don’t know what to say to either of you. I can only apologize again for what my father did to you.”

  “There’s no need to apologize at all. We discussed it, in depth, and don’t mind as much as you think we do. Actually, babe we don’t mind at all.” Miles assured me while his hand released mine and began gently brushing small circles ac
ross my upper thigh, which kicked my libido into high gear.

  “I think we can be happy together, if you’ll give it a try, printesa. We are both willing to try it. We believe the others will be, too, especially after they read the letter and understand the situation. I do wonder who you are though.”

  “I wish I knew. I’d like to talk to the others before you tell them anything about the letter. I want to let them read it. Then, I must apologize to each one of them. They may not be as magnanimous as you’ve both been.

  “I believe you’re wrong, but if that’s what you wish, neither of us will mention it,” Miles said as Victor knotted in agreement.

  We agreed that I’d tell the others, although the guys didn’t feel any apologies would be necessary. Our cuddling became a little more intense as hands gently caressed parts of my body that had never been touched. My upper thigh was thoroughly stroked by Miles, while Victor’s hand gently traced patterns down my stomach just below my belly button, which ignited a fire in my blood as I’d never known. Neither of them went too far with me. It was just a delicate exploration as I hesitantly touched them both, moving my way down both of their firm chests. I could feel that Victor’s chest was smooth, as if he waxed it, under his fine shirt. I longed to run my fingers inside Miles’ shirt and feel the dark curls there, but his sharp intake of breath told me we were moving a little too far.

  Victor decided it was time to get out of bed before things became too overheated, which was probably good since I was hot and confused. I’d never done anything like that with a man, much less two of them at once. It was something I’d never even considered doing before. I was changing, perhaps I was just becoming a woman with room in my heart for more than one man. While we hadn’t actually petted sexually, we had come close. I’d liked it, actually, I’d been embarrassed at first, but the more we touched the more it felt wonderful and right.

  We went downstairs and attempted to make supper together. It ended up being more of a food fight between the guys, with me refereeing. We finally sat down to a highly tossed pizza crust complete with homemade sauce that Victor had made and stored in his pantry and an assortment of fresh toppings. I did draw the line at exceedingly rare hamburger, which Miles suggested.

  It was delicious and the company was stimulating both mentally and physically. I couldn’t remember ever being as content as I was with those two. My only regret was that the others weren’t there to share in the fun.

  When supper was over, we retired to the living room to enjoy the glowing fire crackling in the hearth. It had been a lovely day. I hated for it to end. It had gotten my mind away from the safety of my parents and the whole crazy situation. I’d also stopped worrying about my blood and the effect it had on all of us. In the end, it really didn’t matter why they loved me or why I loved them. It had just happened and none of us seemed to mind at all.

  I realized, as I looked at their handsome faces aglow in the light from the fire that I’d truly fallen in love with not only them, but all seven of my male protectors. I also understood that while they might act like teenage boys at times they were men with strong sexual appetites. I only hoped I’d be able to someday satisfy.

  They’d made me feel like a desirable, cherished woman that day with a few caresses, several tender kisses and the attention they lavished on me. Strange, it didn’t matter to them what kind of clothes I was wearing or how I fixed my silly hair. They loved me, because I was me. Ok, so maybe it was my blood, but I didn’t really care anymore. It was nice to feel loved and to love in return.

  The evening had gone quickly. I felt bad for wasting part of it crying. It was time for Miles to leave since it had grown dark. He was flying home as a nighthawk, but he still needed to mask his departure from any Dark Hearts that might be skulking somewhere nearby. Victor said his goodbyes to Miles and excused himself, allowing us to say our private goodbyes. I thanked him and walked Miles to the back porch to tell him goodbye.

  Miles thanked me for allowing them to spend the day with me, well part of it anyway. Then he pulled me into the shelter of his big, strong arms. He just held me for a while as if he was loath to let me go. I felt safe until his lips descended upon mine, then I felt something altogether different. Desire pooled in my stomach as his gentle kiss turned into a fierce melding of our lips. His tongue licked the seam of my lips, seeking entry, before gently sliding between them. His hands stroked my back as we kissed, then began kneading the muscles of my shoulders both relaxing and inflaming me with a desire for more of my shifter.

  When his tongue began licking and stroking the inside of my mouth I no longer had any thoughts. It was just Miles and I. The world had fallen away around us. His hand reached up to brush the underside of my breast through the soft sweater I now wore. He gently squeezed and I finally got the courage to touch him as I had earlier in bed. I gently rubbed his shoulders and down his arms grasping at him as his hand grazed my nipple.

  He almost immediately but reluctantly broke away. His voice was husky when he spoke, “I’m sorry. I want you so badly, but I know we need to go slowly. I want to make sure you are ok with all of this, babe. If I don’t stop now, I may not be able to do so. I have to go. Go back inside and lock the door before I leave. I want to see you safe inside before I go. I’ll be back soon. I promise. Be safe, my love.”

  “You be safe, too, my Miles.” His hand deliciously, gently stroked across my bottom before patting it as I turned to go inside. He smiled at me and blew me a kiss as soon as I looked outside the window at him. His eyes had gleamed when I’d called him my Miles. I knew I could make him happy. I just hoped I could make them all happy as they made me.

  I’d never felt like I did at that moment as I watched him walk to the far side of the porch. I wanted Miles’ love, just as I wanted it from all of them. I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed him, until he’d started to leave. I’d missed them all. I knew then that my heart would force me to make it work with all of them.

  Miles walked into the shadows on the porch and stripped off his clothing. His perfect, naked silhouette almost instantly transformed into a giant nighthawk. The sound of his enormous wings echoed against the window as he ascended into the dark night sky. I watched until he was out of sight of the lights of the castle.

  I hoped they’d all come to see me soon and often. I already missed Miles. I also realized that I really didn’t know any of my Shields that well. I had a feeling I was in for a few surprises if Miles was any indication, they all might be much different than I expected, even more then I dared hope. Could they all be as perfect as him?

  Chapter Eight

  The next couple of days were uneventful. Most of my time was spent reading in my room or playing solitaire. Victor had made himself scarce, again, since Miles left. Mrs. McClain delivered my meals. She’d returned from her holiday. On the second evening, I asked her, “Do you think it would be alright if I went outside for a short walk?”

  “I’m not sure if the master would like it, miss. You should probably ask him.”

  Master, I thought. You have to be kidding, how feudal was that, but I just said to the sweet housekeeper and cook, “How am I supposed to do that when he’s never around?”

  “He’s in the library most evenings. Before I leave, I take his dinner to him there, most every night.”

  I wondered if he actually ate the food or if it was just to placate the housekeeper, who seemed to care quite a bit about him.

  “Thank you for the information. I’ll go and ask him myself.”

  “I’m not sure if I’d disturb him while he’s reading. He can be a bit moody when he’s bothered.”

  “I understand and I’ll wait until later,” I said and I thought to myself, or not. “Have a nice evening,” I said as she left.

  I’d wait until she was gone. Then I’d march right down there and confront his moody ass. He’d gotten temperamental again. Actually, it wasn’t so much that he was irritable. He just avoided me. I was bored and if he wasn’t going
to provide me with some company, I was going for a walk with or without his permission. My ankle was almost back to normal and the fresh air would do me some good. It wasn’t like I was silly enough to try to leave his protection.

  After she left, the smell of food was too tempting to resist. I ate some of the delicious beef stew, a biscuit and picked at the fresh fruit before leaving the room. I put my coat and hat on for my walk. I wasn’t about to ask any man for permission to do anything. I knew the dangers. I’d be careful. It wasn’t like I was leaving the property or doing anything stupid.

  I didn’t think that it would matter to Victor one way or another as long as I kept hidden in the thickness of the trees. He probably wouldn’t even miss me, if he was that engrossed in his reading. It wasn’t as if he’d seek out my company, anyway.

  It was just after seven o’clock when I went outside. It was a beautiful December night. Snow dotted the ground in spots and my breath danced white in front of me in the cold air. The stars had just begun twinkling in the sky as darkness descended early during an Ohio winter.

  I stayed near the shelter of the trees just in case someone was lurking around. I was out there for a few minutes when I heard footsteps near me. I quickly found one of the many branches that still littered the grounds. An enormous oak tree provided just the shelter I needed as I hid behind it.

  I was certain that it wasn’t Victor since he seldom left the castle. My breath was coming faster and my heart was pounding in my chest, but I wasn’t going to be a victim, not this time. I waited silently as the steps came closer to where I was hiding. I raised the sizable branch and just stood there waiting. One more step and I swung. I hit someone, because I heard swearing and a thud as the person was knocked from their feet.

  I didn’t even stick around to see who it was. I ran as fast as I could through the debris left from the storm. I was still a little sore, but I sprinted for my life. I didn’t hear anyone pursuing me, but I kept running anyway. I was breathing harder than I ever remembered breathing. My heart was pounding in my chest and my side was sore as I sprinted towards the house.