In the Dark by Lila Rose

by Lila Rose

  He was right, of course. I didn’t like the lesson. I didn’t like he’d just killed the second last of my kind, but he was right.

  Life had changed.

  Isaac had taken control. He was making a stand and chose to be king, and with that type of responsibility came consequences. He would have to take lives when others fucked with his people, and Kalvin was one of them. Through his blindness for MaryJane, Kalvin had signed his own death warrant.

  Footsteps approached. My dad and uncle came into view.

  “What the fuck?” Jack bellowed.

  In a blink, Isaac was in front of Jack, backhanding him to the ground.

  Isaac!

  With swift speed, Isaac had my uncle off the ground, his hand fisted into Jack’s shirt at the front. Jack was smart not to move or talk.

  Never had I seen Isaac so viciously furious.

  “You endangered her,” he snarled in Jack’s face.

  “Sire,” Darik said in a calming tone.

  Isaac ignored him and shook Jack. “How did he become a part of your team? Do you know how to do your job? He could have taken her. He rolled her mind. Made her forget. He. Could. Have. Taken. Her.” Isaac threw Jack backwards. He sailed into the air, thumping to the ground. I thought he would have been knocked out, but he wasn’t. Jack slowly sat up.

  Isaac, you listen to me right now! He spun to me and hissed. Back the hell off right now, Isaac Grey. You have to remember Kalvin was a good actor. Hell, I’d seen him a couple of times and I would never have expected him to be MaryJane’s mate. Do not blame Jack and take it out on him. It was my own stupid fault for letting it happen. I didn’t know our kind were able to do what he did. I sighed. Everything’s okay now. We all just need to calm down.

  “Calm down?” he bit out. “How can I calm when I nearly lost you?” He threw his hands up in the air.

  Isaac, I whispered. You can’t keep acting this way. There is a battle to come and one I will be fighting in. I don’t want you distracted in fear of what could happen to me. I want you to fight the best you can and defeat Gerald once and for all. I need you to fight without worry. I need you to live. The thought of losing you would be too much to bear.

  “Leila,” he breathed. He shook his head. “From this day forward, you will train with our people, as well as Ty’s. We will need your mind and body strong. The battle to come will be hard, but I see no other option but to survive. For you, for family and our people.”

  Agreed.

  “Is it safe to come back now?” Jack asked from where he’d fallen.

  “Yes.” Isaac gave a small nod and turned to him as he walked towards us. “I will ask that your people are questioned. I need to know if Kalvin was working alone or with others.”

  “You can’t—”

  “Done,” Dad blurted. “Jack, you need to give this to him. He saved my daughter, your niece, once again.” He looked to Isaac and said, “Forever I will be grateful.” Then he bowed, showing his support for the future king.

  Later that night, Isaac didn’t go to Boozers. Instead, while Jack, my dad, along with Adan and a few others of Isaac’s people questioned Ty’s team, Isaac came with me to my room. He sat on one side of the bed and I sat on the other. I’d just told him everything Kalvin had said to me and the kiss we’d shared. His eyes flashed with fury, but it went quickly. After all, my mind hadn’t really been my own. Sure, I had an attraction toward Kalvin, but everything inside of me knew Kalvin wasn’t the one for me.

  No one outshone Isaac.

  Instead of speaking of it, I wasn’t sure why, but he seemed to want to change the whole subject.

  “I think your father finally approves of my being around you.” He smiled.

  Laughing, I said, “I think so, too.”

  Isaac sighed, his smile turning sad. “Will we ever get back to what we had been before?”

  Gazing down at my bedspread, I shrugged.

  “Do you think me a monster after what I did to Kalvin?” he whispered.

  My surprised gaze met his concerned one. “No, never. You’re right, people need a lesson. You are the next king and you can’t let people walk all over you.” I laughed humourlessly. “I could ask the same question to you, Isaac. Do you think I’m a monster after taking the lives I have?”

  “No. You have done it to protect. Your compassion and heart are something I admire, Leila. Among a lot of other qualities.”

  “Isaac, do you know what Kalvin was talking about? Why he would accuse me of killing his family when I’ve never met them?” I paused, but he said nothing. “Do you know of this other prophecy?”

  “I’m unsure if what I know is true.”

  “What do you know?”

  He quickly reached out and took my hand in his, moving closer to me on the bed. I jumped with how fast he’d moved. “I think what Kalvin accused you of and the prophecy are rolled into one.”

  “You mean the prophecy is about me?”

  “Leila.” He sighed. “I need more time.” He shook his head. “No, not exactly. In order to tell you the truth, I would like to suggest you wait for the answer. Wait just a little longer, because I don’t think you’re ready for it.”

  “Of course I am. If it’s about me, I need to know.”

  “I understand your need to know. I do. However, I’m asking you to trust me once again. I know I don’t deserve it, but please give me a little time to tell you. Instead, you need to prepare for the battle, make it your number one priority.”

  “Isaac,” I whined.

  “Please, Leila. Please, I beg you to give me time.” Let me show you how to trust me and love me first.

  Watching his thumb rub over my hand, I knew I wasn’t supposed to hear the last part, which whispered through my mind.

  Trust, I already did. Of course I did. He stuffed up big time, causing me to hurt, but like so many, he did it because he loved me.

  Love… I was already in love with him.

  So what was a little more time?

  And grovelling.

  Smiling to myself, I nodded while meeting his gaze. “Okay, we prepare for Gerald and soon you will tell me everything you know.”

  His smile was gracious and mischievous at the same time. He was happy. I was giving my trust to him, yet he was playing at something and his next words told me what. “Yes, Leila, soon. For now, we must practice making your mind impenetrable from any form of attack.”

  Rolling my eyes, I asked what I already knew. “And how do you propose we do that?”

  “Why, we must kiss.”

  How did I know he was going to say that? “How would that help?”

  “You seem to let your guard down when intimate.”

  “But, it could have been because Kalvin was the same as me. Maybe our species aren’t able to keep each other out.”

  “I had come to that conclusion.” He sighed. “The real reason why I want my lips upon yours, why I need my touch upon you, is simple. I do not like the thought of anyone else tasting what belongs to me.”

  “I could say the same for you.”

  “Instead of fighting, I would have welcomed you into open arms to wipe away her touch. Your anger, which was justified,” he quickly added, “overwhelmed you, preventing you from even thinking as us vampires do.”

  “Which is?” I asked, inching closer. Our noses brushed together.

  His eyes flared with heat. “You belong to me and me alone, Leila. If anyone touches you, I must, after killing them, erase any scent they have placed upon you.”

  “Then do it,” I whispered. I was on my back in a second with Isaac looming over me. His long dark hair floated down around his shoulders and face. He studied me. I smiled up at him. His eyes widened and then—God, he was gorgeous—he smiled back before his lips touched mine.

  I’ve missed this. Missed you. I said through our connection.

  You do not know how much I have missed you. My heart stopped beating while you were not around. My life was dull when I didn’t see your
smile.

  Our arms and legs tangled as our mouths melted into each other. He rolled us, so I was on top. I moved against his body, my legs straddling his waist.

  He growled against my mouth. I whimpered against his.

  Is it always like this?

  No, never. Only with you.

  Isaac moved a hand from my butt up and slid it under my tee. When he brushed it over my breast, I gasped as my body shivered.

  Yes!

  Leila. He groaned.

  A knock on the door brought us apart and panting. We should have heard whoever approached, but we’d been too caught up with each other.

  “It’s Ty,” Isaac growled.

  A giggle left me. He didn’t like we were interrupted, but maybe it was for the best. We needed this, us to work, so maybe it was good to slow down.

  Even though it would be one of the hardest things I did, it was probably for the best. Though admittedly, right then, I wanted to scream at Ty to rack-off and tear Isaac’s clothes from his body.

  A mew of complaint left me as Isaac lifted me off his body. “One second,” he called to Ty in an annoyed tone, and I swore if Ty hadn’t listened and walked in anyway, Isaac would have taken Ty’s life.

  Isaac took my hand in his and helped me stand. Without thinking, our bodies sought out one another until they aligned with our fronts touching. Our arms wound around each other. Staring up at him, my heart beat wildly with his and then he said quietly, “It has always been hard to restrain myself when I am around you. So in a way, I am grateful for the interruption because I would like to deem myself worthy of you and not take advantage of the situation by getting carried away.”

  Jesus. He definitely had a way with words.

  Words, which tugged at my heart.

  Sighing, I pushed my forehead against his chest. “I agree, but…” I gave a dramatic huff.

  He chuckled. “I know. However, when the time comes, it will be worth the wait.” His hand tugged on my hair until I looked up at him. “I’m very fortunate tonight to gain you back in my arms. To have the heat between us lit once again. I will never endanger what we have again, Leila. This, I promise.”

  Tears filled my eyes. “Can we send Ty away?”

  His laugh was joyous. “I’m afraid not. And unfortunately, we will be very busy. I have people to lead and you have training. Nevertheless, every night I wish for us to connect in here,”—he touched my temple—“keep our link open, so never will I be far from you.”

  “I will,” I whispered.

  He kissed me one last time before he tore himself away from my grabby hands. He laughed to the door. There he composed himself and opened it, glaring at Ty.

  Dismissing Ty altogether, he glanced back to me before saying, “I’ll have guards posted. Stay safe, Leila.”

  Snorting, I rolled my eyes and saluted him, “Yes, Captain.”

  He went to pass by Ty, until Ty caught his attention. “Isaac, I have an understanding Leila will be t-training with both our sides.”

  “Yes.”

  “Thank you for trusting the rest of us after Kalvin did what he d-did.”

  Isaac shrugged. “If you were to harm Leila, you would have done it already.”

  Ty smirked. “True.”

  “Besides, Darik has already informed me the rest of Jack’s team is legit.” Ty nodded. “For Leila, we have come to a truce with Jack and his team. However, if one was to stab us in the back, there will be a swift punishment.”

  Ty stiffened. “It won’t happen again. I trust my team with my life.”

  Isaac’s eyes narrowed. “Would you have trusted Kalvin with your life?” he snarled.

  “No,” Ty snapped. “He was new, sent to us. But the rest of us are dependable.”

  “We will see.” My man glared.

  Clearing my throat, I said, “Okay, boys. Enough testosterone. Isaac, I’ll see you soon, and Ty, come on in if you want to talk.”

  Isaac smirked, winked and walked down the hallway without another word. Ty watched Isaac’s outline leave before he came into my room. I patted the bed and sat near the pillows. Ty sat next to me.

  “What’s up?”

  He snorted. “I can’t believe what happened. I never thought Kalvin would have turned on you. Not when he spoke of his loss.”

  “He seemed to blame me for it.”

  Ty’s head jerked back. His sightless eyes met mine and they were wide. “What? Why?”

  Shrugging, I said, “I’m not sure. As soon as I find out, I’ll let you know.” I leaned in and nudged his shoulder with mine. “Thanks for coming to check on me though.”

  He nudged me back and smiled. “Always. You’ve come to be an annoying little sister to me.”

  Laughing, I teased, “And you’re a pain-in-the-butt brother.”

  “So,” he started.

  “So what?”

  “I know you haven’t had time to scratch yourself, but have you thought about joining us?”

  I licked my dry lips and bit a nail before answering, “Not really.” Looking to him, I asked, “Are you happy doing what you do?”

  He nodded. “Yeah, I really am. We’re like cops, but for the supernatural. We don’t hunt anyone we don’t have hard facts on, Leila. We don’t just kill random supernaturals for the fun of it.”

  “I’m getting that. How’s it been working with Jack?”

  Ty laughed. “He’s tough, but I know if he puts us through hell, he’ll be there with us doing the same. He’s a great teacher.”

  Who would have thought my uncle would have high praise on him?

  “You seem like such a tight-knit group. I’m not sure I’d fit in.” I wasn’t sure I wanted to either. There were other possibilities I had to think of.

  “You would. Everyone is easy to get along with.”

  “Can I think about it a little longer?”

  “Course you can. In the meantime, you get to hang with us while we kick your arse.”

  Rolling my eyes, I shoved him. “Like that could happen.”

  He chuckled. “The good part about it, we won’t get in the shit about it from Isaac.” He searched my face for something.

  “Just ask.”

  “Are you sure you’d be happy with him?”

  “If you start to offer yourself up for the taking, I think I’ll be sick.”

  His nose screwed up. “Jesus, no.” He shuddered. “No offence, but that’s just wrong on so many levels.”

  “Good.” I laughed. “But yeah, I’m happy. I know Isaac would bend over backward to make sure I was.”

  “He would.” He pretended to gag. “I guess he’s an okay guy.”

  Shaking my head, I smiled and said, “One day, the two of you will be friends.”

  He laughed loud and long. “When hell freezes over.”

  Problem was, hell could be coming sooner than we thought.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  A month had passed with no sign of Gerald. College seemed nothing compared to what was really going on in the world. Therefore, two weeks earlier, I decided to leave. Instead, I was joining Isaac’s team. My uncle, Dad and Ty had tried to persuade me to reconsider nearly every day, but I didn’t want to be a hunter.

  Now that Isaac had taken the step closer to become his people’s leader, I knew the battle had just started. Gerald would be only one enemy against Isaac. I felt my help would be more beneficial with Isaac and his people than with the hunters.

  However, even though all the training and meetings continued, some harder than most, everyday stuff still happened. Which was how I was in the local store food shopping.

  Jezanna strolled down the aisle with me. She was telling me about how Caelen had been so great after they’d lost Gregory. It didn’t seem as though it had been a month already. It still felt fresh. Sometimes I could see Isaac staring off in the distance and I knew, like I had many times, he was thinking about the man who took them in after their parents were slaughtered. It would still live with them for a long time t
o come.

  She placed my favourite cereal into the trolley when she paused her talk and whispered out the corner of her mouth, “Why do I get the feeling people are staring at us?”

  Shrugging, I leaned over to grab some Pop-Tarts off the bottom shelf. As I stood, I said, “It happens all the time when I’m around.”

  Her hand went to the trolley and my step forward halted. I let out an “Oof,” when my stomach crashed into it. When a vampire wanted you to stop, you did.

  “Leila, this is not normal. I’ve been here with you before and there was a mixture of males and females looking at us. Now, it’s mainly men.”

  Glancing around, I stiffened. She was right. Down both ends of the aisle, even scattered through, there were men of different ages looking at us. Actually, their gaze would flick quickly from the shelves to us and back again. But they were definitely watching us.

  “What’s going on? Do I have something on my face?” I asked.

  Jezanna shook her head. She was as tense as I was feeling. “Leila, what did Xavier say this morning as he drove us here?” She’d been on her phone and probably only heard a murmur of it; Xavier had been quiet saying it.

  “He said I smelt different.” A lot of people had been saying the same thing to me for a while now. I thought nothing of it, only them being strange because I hadn’t even changed my shampoo or body wash.

  “Your birthday, Leila, when is it?”

  A pretend offended scoff escaped my mouth. “I’m upset you don’t know already, no matter how busy we’ve been.”

  She spun to me, her eyes wide and worried. “Your birthday, Leila?”

  “It’s coming up in a couple of months. Why?”

  Shaking her head, she mumbled to herself, “It’s too soon then. It’s too soon.”

  Grabbing her arm, I gave her a shake. “Jezza, what are you talking about?”

  “Your uncle loaned me a book. A book the hunters from the beginning of time put together. In it is information about every supernatural species. Leila, it was only a few days ago I read about your kind.”