Darkness Burning

by Delilah Devlin

  “Are we going to just lie here? Are you so cowardly you won’t fight me like a man?”

  “That’s the key phrase, you know. Like a man. I’m not really. Never have been. I’m demon-spawn. A Born vampire. You, my friend, came into this world a man.”

  “The point of your lesson being?” Nicolas said, gritting his teeth.

  “Chessa is Born. Also, never a woman, although she is human in her heart.”

  “We’re back to the subject of her child.”

  “My daughter.”

  “You can’t be certain it won’t be a son, since I now understand males can be born.”

  “One every generation,” Alex murmured agreeably.

  “Alex, get the fuck off me. This isn’t comfortable.”

  “Because you’re growing aroused? Don’t worry about it. It’s natural. The pressure of another groin pressed to yours. Instinctive, really. Nothing to do with your manliness.”

  “I’m worried about yours.”

  “Don’t be. Also perfectly natural.” Alex couldn’t help teasing him just a bit more. Nicolas’s growing panic nearly had him chortling. “Let me shift a bit.” He lifted his hips, aligning his cock alongside rather than directly on top of Nicolas’s. “Better now?”

  “Alex! Get off!”

  “Not until you give me your word we’ll talk. No more fisticuffs. Civilized conversation.”

  “Not possible,” Nicolas ground out, his face red and contorted with fury. “Chessa is undone. Weeping all the time. Your little package has shaken her.”

  “I gave her a gift. One to replace the hole in her heart. One you could never fill no matter how many decades you tried.”

  Nicolas stopped struggling, and his expression grew stark. “What do you want from us? What must we do for you to go away?”

  “That won’t ever happen,” Alex said slowly, wanting the message to finally sink in. “For better or worse, I’m part of your lives now. Forever.”

  “I don’t accept that.”

  “You think exposing me to the coven, delivering my body, will end this?”

  Nicolas’s lips twisted. “I think it will be one problem removed.”

  “Would you think for a minute with your mind instead of your pride? Who will stand between Chessa and Inanna once the baby is born?”

  The last traces of anger finally faded from Nicolas’s dark eyes. “I would have you take the child…but Chessa would be inconsolable.”

  “Then we must protect her together.”

  Nicolas’s internal struggle played out in the tightening of his mouth, the fierce flex of his grinding jaw. But at last he turned aside. “What do you want from me?”

  Alex shut his eyes, knowing that what he said would be binding. “Your acceptance that I am a part of your lives…the father to her child. And I’ll agree never to seek intimacy with Chessa again.”

  “You saw her tonight, didn’t you?” Nicolas whispered.

  Alex thought it wise not to mention the fact that she’d been nude and that he’d touched and kissed her. He nodded slowly. “I needed to know she was safe for the moment and healthy.”

  “How did she receive you?”

  “She was angry…at first. She refused my offer to help her escape. She won’t abandon you.”

  Nicolas closed his eyes for a moment. “If I were stronger, I’d force her away from me. For now.”

  “But you love her.”

  Nicolas’s stark, haunted eyes said it all.

  Alex let out a slow breath. “You can’t reveal me to Inanna. Not yet.”

  Nicolas gave him a sharp nod. “Agreed.”

  “Not going to ask why?”

  “I had already decided I would protect you. For Chessa’s sake.”

  Alex gave Nicolas a mock scowl. “Then what was all this about, Nic? Missing me?”

  “Like a toothache,” Nicolas said, raising his upper lip to give him a little fang.

  “I’ve worked up quite an appetite,” Alex murmured, not quite done tormenting the man beneath him.

  Nicolas leveled a lethal glare. “Sink anything of yours into me, and you will die.”

  Alex drew a deep breath and closed his eyes. “You smell divine. Are you sure?”

  “Alex…”

  Alex leaned forward and planted a kiss on Nicolas’s forehead, laughing as his face screwed up in disgust. Then Alex rolled to the side, kicked out his legs, and flipped upward on his feet in one fluid movement, ignoring the throb between his legs.

  From Nicolas’s kick, of course.

  Nicolas rose more slowly, his eyebrows lowered in a deadly scowl. “If you ever mention this to anyone…”

  “Embarrassed that I pinned you? Or that you enjoyed it?” Alex ducked beneath the blow Nicolas swung toward his face, then bobbed up, grinning.

  Shaking his head, Nicolas glared. “I have to get back. The sabat members are mingling with the guests. You’d better leave.”

  Alex began rolling down his sleeves, then clicked his tongue in disgust when he found a tear along the seam. “Was I the only topic of interest during the meeting?”

  “A wolf has been hired to track you.”

  “Met her. Delicious woman.”

  Nicolas shook his head. “Do you have a death wish?”

  “Gabi and I go way back.”

  Nicolas’s mouth opened, then snapped shut. “Figures.” He turned toward the house and began walking away.

  Alex’s long strides quickly ate up the distance between them. “Communication between us will be difficult.”

  “Won’t be a problem at all,” Nicolas said, flashing his teeth. “Since we won’t be talking.”

  “If you need help, you’re to contact Simon.”

  Nicolas snorted. “Simon is the last person I would ask for help.”

  “Still upset he kept me a secret from you?”

  “I’m upset that he manipulates all of us. Our friendship is over.”

  “You need all the friends you can get now.”

  Nicolas aimed a sharp glare. “I will protect what’s mine.”

  Alex grinned. “You know if anyone sees us walking back through the garden together, looking mussed, they’re going to jump to some embarrassing conclusions.”

  Nicolas’s smile was tight and didn’t reach his eyes. “I dare them to say a word.”

  They passed the barracks. At the edge of the garden, Alex planned to peel away into the darkness and find a secluded spot to take to the air.

  Instead, a long, feminine scream pierced the quiet. Alex and Nicolas shared a charged glance.

  “Leave now!” Nicolas barked.

  “Not a chance.”

  “Then stay out of sight.”

  They loped toward the garden, slowing as they spied the crowd gathering around the flagstone patio.

  Nicolas shoved his way inside the circle, disappearing as he knelt at the center.

  Alex followed in his wake, feeling certain no one would notice him because all gazes were turned to the body lying crumpled beside the garden bench.

  CHAPTER 13

  Nicolas knelt in the blood that was seeping sluggishly from Erika’s nude body. Horror held him mute and immobile. For all her selfish, hedonistic ways, Erika was still one of them. Family. And a member of the coven’s Security Force, which he’d personally trained.

  The agony of her final moments was etched in her expression—eyes wide with fright, her mouth opening around a silent scream. But still so beautiful. Golden blond hair in disarray, smooth, pale flesh, pink nipples, long, muscular legs…

  The memory of her beauty would be forever marred by the sight of the bloody, ragged hole at the center of her soft belly.

  For a moment, the raised voices around him blended into a hum that seemed to quiet as his focus narrowed on the gaping wound just beneath her ribs.

  Then something brushed against him, and soft sobs beside him drew his gaze upward, breaking through his frozen fascination.

  Madrigal’s shoulders shook with h
er ragged cries as she stood beside him, wringing her hands. “I only left for a moment,” she whispered. “To clean up a bit. We’d shared a host…”

  A glance at Madrigal’s mussed hair and clothing said how well she’d enjoyed her snack. Nicolas wondered with grim amusement how Cecily would react once she realized her girlfriend hadn’t been able to resist Erika’s formidable allure.

  “How could he do this with so many people around?” Madrigal asked, a hint of rising hysteria entering her voice. “How did he get past the guards?”

  “He’s been here all along,” Nicolas said tonelessly, pushing the words past his tightening throat. Then he turned his gaze back to the ground and forced himself to examine Erika—to push past the horror and look for clues.

  The wound below the center of her chest was consistent with the ones he’d already seen in all The Devourer’s recent victims. With his fingers clamped together, the monster plunged his hand through flesh, thrusting deep under the sternum, straight into the chest cavity to rip out the heart.

  A quick, efficient death for human as well as Born. But messy.

  His gaze whipped around the pavement. Splashes of Erika’s blood were being smeared beneath the many feet stepping through the trail. So much for following it to the killer. Again his gaze fell on the body.

  “Get everyone inside,” he said over his shoulder, not caring who might act on his order. He couldn’t drag his gaze from Erika’s mutilated body.

  Apparently, neither could anyone else, because they continued to press closer.

  Nicolas aimed a sharp glance at Pasqual, who hovered at the edge of the growing, murmuring crowd. “Get them into the salon.”

  Pasqual gave a sharp, tight-lipped nod and began to corral the shocked partyers inside.

  Gradually, the crowd thinned. Only members of his merged Security Force remained in the garden, taking positions to cover them, although it was far too late. “I knew he was near,” he whispered to no one in particular, “but I just didn’t think he’d plot something like this…”

  Alex pressed a hand on Nicolas’s bruised shoulder, which made him wince. “Sorry,” Alex said, his voice gruff. He squatted beside Nicolas, his gaze sweeping Erika’s body.

  Right, this was Alex’s case. His alone now that Chessa had left the police force. Temporarily, so she insisted. Nicolas’s stomach churned. “The bastard’s probably inside the house now, laughing up his sleeve at the panic he’s caused.”

  A muscle along Alex’s jaw flexed. “Chessa—”

  “Will be fine for now. He wouldn’t dare try something else so soon. He’ll want our nerves stretched taut, waiting for him to strike again. He thrives on the anticipation.”

  “Why Erika?”

  “Because she made a spectacle of herself tonight. Fucked everything with a dick. Fucked him, too, I’d bet.” Nicolas knelt closer and breathed in the many scents clinging to her skin. Too many blended to be helpful.

  Alex stood and circled Erika’s body. “She was straddling him on the bench when he struck her. She fell backwards. Dead before she hit the ground.”

  Nicolas nodded. Naked with her legs splayed open, she hadn’t tried to break her fall with her arms, which lay across her stomach.

  “So, we’re looking for a man?”

  Again, Nicolas nodded. It was happening again. The dread seeping through him, chilling him to the bone. “We have to wait until he strikes again.”

  “Perhaps someone saw who she was last with.”

  Feeling stupid, like his mind was stuck in slow motion, Nicolas shook himself and came slowly to his feet. There were questions he should ask, people he should examine before they scattered.

  “Nico.” Inanna’s ragged, tear-filled voice came from directly behind him.

  Nicolas turned slowly, lowering his gaze to meet hers. Her eyes shimmered with tears in her ashen face. He opened his arms, and she sobbed, stepping close so he could wrap his arms around her. They’d been here before—sharing their misery, their helplessness over the death of one of their own.

  “She might have been a vapid whore,” Inanna choked out, “but she was one of us. My damu.”

  Nicolas raised his gaze, searching for Alex over the top of Inanna’s head. Alex had backed away, to stand in the shadows cast by a tall oak. His gaze was fixed on Inanna, his expression blank and dull. Something odd was happening here.

  Nicolas kissed the top of Inanna’s head and nodded to Pasqual, who glared daggers his way. “Take her inside. Let no one near her.”

  As Nicolas held open his arms to release her, Inanna snuggled closer, murmuring a protest, clinging to his body still.

  Pasqual bent close and whispered to her, cooing softly, pulling her gently from Nicolas. His last searing glance spoke volumes. Pasqual had thought he alone owned Inanna’s affections since Nicolas’s betrayal. As Pasqual led Inanna inside, he draped his arm possessively around her narrow waist.

  Nicolas strode to Alex, who stood blinking, his face reanimating. Color rose in his cheeks, and his features tightened as he met Nicolas’s gaze.

  “What’s with you?” Nicolas bit out. “Did you just remember my men might recognize you from the other night?”

  Alex shook his head. “Simon cast a spell. Most Revenants won’t give me a second glance.”

  “I wondered how you managed to mingle and not cause someone to question your being here.” Nicolas dragged a hand through his hair. “I’ll get my people to start taking statements concerning anything odd they may have seen, then have the guests removed to New Orleans.”

  “And the sabat?”

  “They’re staying here. Guests of Inanna.”

  Alex grabbed his forearm. “Nicolas, you know Chessa isn’t safe here.”

  Nicolas’s jaw ground closed. “I know it. But do you really think she’ll budge from this house now?”

  “She’s so damn stubborn…” Alex studied Nicolas for a moment; Nicolas’s body slowly stiffened under the scrutiny. He knew he wasn’t going to like what the other vamp had to say.

  “Would you consider removing her against her will?” Alex said slowly.

  Nicolas released a deep, slow breath. “Even if I could spirit her out of the house without anyone noticing, she won’t step through any portal. She won’t leave me.” And I won’t let her, he left unspoken.

  “I have a place,” Alex said quietly. “A bolt-hole. I can take her there and leave her. She’ll be safe, and we can retrieve her later.”

  Nicolas wanted to slam his fist into Alex’s face again. Was Alex using this as a ploy to take her away from him? It’s what he’d been pushing all along. “I don’t like it.”

  “Nic, I give you my word. No harm will come to her, and she’ll be returned—to you—as soon as this is over.”

  “She won’t go.”

  The corners of Alex’s mouth curved. “Then let’s not give her a chance to protest.”

  Nicolas didn’t like it, but as he glanced back at Erika, he knew he didn’t have any real choices. Chessa and the child had to be protected—even against Chessa’s own indomitable will. “You can do it that quickly?”

  “I can. You know there isn’t another option.”

  “If something happens to you, how will I find her?”

  “Simon will know.” At Nicolas’s instant scowl, Alex shrugged. “Dude, you’re gonna have to get over your beef with him. He prepared this escape for me centuries ago. It’s the only thing I’ve got.”

  Nicolas felt a cold, hard knot settle in his stomach. He’d lost one woman he’d loved to the monster when he’d arrogantly believed he could hold back the evil around him. His arrogance had cost Anaïs her life. It had taken centuries to find another woman who moved him as she had. He couldn’t lose Chessa now. Couldn’t risk her life, no matter how much he hated putting her in Alex’s care. Or how much he distrusted Simon. “You’ve already been up to see her,” Nicolas said softly, his shoulders slumping. “You know the way.”

  Alex hesitated, his expression
somber, his eyes reflecting empathy. “Will you come with me? We can see her there and be back in a moment. I’d rather have you at ease with the arrangement.”

  Nicolas didn’t want to be grateful to Alex for a damn thing, but he couldn’t help the relief that washed over him. He led the way inside the house, taking care to avoid the salon, where a loud rumble of voices erupted, swirling around the mansion. He sped up the staircase, down the hallway, and entered their room with Alex on his heels.

  Chessa spun toward the door, her eyes widening when she saw the two of them enter together. “Oh hell no!”

  “You don’t even know the question yet,” Alex said, grinning.

  “What’s going on down there? I heard a scream. No one’s come up to fill me in.”

  “Erika’s dead,” Nicolas stated without inflection.

  Color drained away from her face. Chessa glanced toward Alex. “I’m sorry about your grandmother.”

  Alex shrugged, his expression shuttering. “She wasn’t anything to me.”

  “Was it The Devourer? He’s here?”

  Chessa was quick as ever. Alex’s gaze locked with hers. “He’s among us.”

  “Which is why you can’t stay here any longer,” Nicolas broke in quietly.

  Chessa shook her head, her gaze pleading with his. “You can’t send me away. Not alone. Come with me?”

  Nicolas cupped her cheek. “Alex will take you someplace safe.”

  “Again, hell no!” She clutched his forearms. “I’m not leaving you.”

  “Only until we’ve captured him.”

  “He’ll use one of Simon’s portals, and I’ll be cooling my heels forever before I see you again. I won’t do it.”

  Nicolas let his gaze slide away rather than let her see how much this was killing him. If he showed a moment’s weakness, she’d use any chink in his armor she could find. “We’ve already decided it,” he said, keeping his tone flat.

  Her breath caught, and she lifted one dark eyebrow. “You two are in accord? I thought you said you were gonna kill him the next time you saw him. What the hell happened with that? Wait a second.” She leaned close and drew in a sharp breath. “His scent’s all over you. What have you two been doing?”

  Nicolas felt his face heat and shot Alex a glare.