Dante's Desire (New Immortals Book 2)

by Tia Didmon

  The two came over pointing their weapons away from Jordane.

  Kiki glanced at the large warrior before speaking. “What’s the play?”

  Jenner glanced at the casino then the warehouse behind it. “We will split up. One unit has the casino. The other takes the warehouse.”

  Zane stared at Jordane. “We will take the Casino. Do you have a weapon?”

  Jordane didn’t look at the squad leader. “I am the weapon.”

  Jenner cleared his throat. “Okay, Zane your team has the casino...”

  Jordane held up a hand. “I will send Tovan with them. Kiki can come with us. Both teams must communication with one another.”

  Zane shifted his stance.

  Kiki put a hand on Zane’s arm. “Tactically it’s a good idea. We need Dante found.”

  Zane’s jaw ticked, but he nodded.

  Jordane motioned a warrior over that was as large as him. “Tovan will scout for you and protect your team.”

  Tovan nodded then shimmered before he disappeared.

  Jordane motioned the warehouse. The remaining warriors turned toward it then disappeared.

  Kiki watched them then shook her head. “I gotta learn how to do that.”

  Jordane held out his hand. “I can give you your first lesson now if you wish it.”

  Kiki rolled her shoulders. “I’m good. Let’s get this done.”

  Jordane pointed toward the warehouse. “Follow me.”

  Jenner and Jess fell into formation. She was surprised neither Jenner nor Zane had insisted on taking command. It was clear when Jordane gave an order he expected it followed.

  Jordane did not disappear like his warriors and Jess was sure it was because Kiki had declined his offer and left herself exposed. He pulled the wire gate open as if it were unlocked but the metal lock fell broken on the ground.

  Though Jess couldn’t see them she knew the warriors surrounded their leader, her and Jenner. They approached a large sliding metal door at the entrance of the warehouse. Jordane motioned in both directions. Jess knew at least some warriors split off to investigate.

  They heard shouts from the casino.

  When Kiki turned to go Jordane grabbed her gun, holding her in place. “It is likely that they defend both locations. They have not found Dante so it likely he is here. Do you wish to complete your mission? Do you not trust your squad to facilitate theirs?”

  Kiki gave a curt nod but pulled her weapon unceremonious from his grasp.

  Jess thought she detected a twitch of a smile before Jordane opened the warehouse door and entered.

  Inside was dark. Supplies were piled on crates all over the floor. They heard a groan.

  Jordane moved toward the noise. Jess felt darkness inside her chest. She shook off the strange feeling as they approached the sound.

  “Dante.” Kiki said as she ran to help him get off the ground.

  He was covered in blood and reached for her to assist him.

  Jess put her arms around him. She felt the darkness in her chest expand, her power flared. She pushed him back aggressively. “You’re not Dante.”

  She watched in horror as his face dissolved into a pale white likeness of a man. His eyes were almost reptilian.

  He hissed. “What did you do to me?”

  Jess recognized his voice. “Draven, where is Dante?”

  Jordane grabbed Draven around the neck. “Answer her question traitor or die.”

  Draven’s eyes flickered with fear. His skin sizzled under Jordane’s touch. “He is in the freezer.”

  Tovan materialized beside Jordane. “The squad has killed off the Ladon in the casino. There were few. The weapons the PIA have devised are crude but effective. They are double checking the rest of the facility.”

  Jordane glanced at Kiki. “And the other women?”

  Tovan shook his head.

  “Tell Zane to complete his sweep then return to the warehouse.”

  Kiki grunted. “You aren’t our commander.”

  Tovan’s eyes turned black. “The moment you and your team picked up those weapons Jordane owned you.”

  “Tovan be mindful of how you address her. Besides, the death squad was likely doing as instructed. They do not know what they have committed to,” Jordane chastised.

  Tovan’s eyes resumed their dark brown color. He sized Kiki up as if seeing something he hadn’t before. “I look forward to their education.”.

  Jordane tightened his hold on the whimpering Draven. “Now take us to Dante.”

  Draven pointed to the end of the warehouse. Jordane pushed him forward so he could walk on his own. Red blisters formed around his neck where Jordane’s hand had touched his skin.

  Jess motioned Draven’s neck. “How did you do that?”

  “Fire is one of our weapons. May I ask how you removed his ability to shift. Chameleon’s never resume their natural form unless injured.”

  Jess thought about her power. “I used my TK when I realized it wasn’t Dante. I could feel the darkness in him when my soul reached for his. It sounds crazy, but I thought the word reveal and...”

  “It is not crazy. That is how your ability works. It is a formidable weapon and rare even to our race. You are quite an asset Miss Johnson.”

  Draven stopped in front of a large metal door with locks on the latch. “He is in there.”

  Jess watched in fascination as Jordane laid his hand on the heavy locking mechanism. She saw the faint glow under his palm before he ripped the lock from the door. He pulled it open quickly but stopped, holding his arm up so no one could pass.

  Jess could see Dante slumped in the room. They chained him to the wall with tubes of blood running away from his body. His eyes flamed with fire. “Why are you waiting?”

  Jordane indicated the entrance. “They have lasers crossing the doorway. They are invisible to the human eye. We need to disable them before we can retrieve him.”

  Jess felt the anger at seeing the man she loved chained to a wall like a rabid animal. “Get back” She felt her power rise. Even her hair seemed to crackle with electricity as her ability coursed through her. She waited till Jordane had Jenner, Kiki and Draven behind a stack of plywood before she focused on the door.

  Her power burst out like a clear white bomb. It reminded her of the orb inside Valen’s mind as it exploded outward, electrifying everything in its wake. Sparks spewed from the doorway and the lights above as the room went dark.

  She put her hands on her knees as a wave of exhaustion rolled through her.

  Jordane inspected the door. “We’re clear.”

  They ran in, ripping the needles and attached tubes from Dante’s arms. He stood, pulling Jess to him. “You were quicker than I hoped. The women are not here.”

  Jess hugged him. “I don’t think they will take you anywhere near them. If you could heal them. They might escape.”

  Dante nodded. “Yes, I believe you are right.”

  He grabbed the wall as a wave of dizziness came over him. “I am weak. I require the full power of my demon to get the information I need from Draven.”

  Jess pulled her hair to the side. “Take what you need. The women have been prisoners of the Lestant brothers long enough.

  Jordane turned his back and stepped to the front of the freezer, blocking the couple from Kiki, Jenner and Draven’s view.

  Dante kissed her neck. She had a moment of embarrassment that her body was on fire despite the circumstances.

  Dante shimmered in her mind. I am thankful you want me under any circumstances. I plan to make those ideas in your head a reality as soon as I have you home.

  Jess felt her heart bloom with excitement and love. You should take my blood then. I don’t believe Jordane will guard us for the rest of the night and I need that long for some of those ideas.

  She felt Dante’s amusement as his tongue flicked over the vein at her neck. She moaned as his fangs pierced her delicate skin, grasping his arms as he replaced his strength. It seemed only seconds had p
assed before he licked the punctures. The small marks closed up immediately. “That was quick. Did you get enough?”

  Dante nodded. “You still have my blood in your veins. It heals me faster. Your power sings in your blood, that was an unexpected boost. Thank you, my love.”

  Jess indicated the door. “Draven is outside. We better go back to him. I think Kiki is itching to use her DK10.”

  Dante raised an eyebrow. “The little ninja is blood thirsty, but she is family.”

  Jordane turned at Dante’s comment. His eyes flashed a bright emerald green before residing.

  Dante looked surprised. “Jordane your eyes...”

  Jordane motioned the trio outside. “We shall discuss it at a later date. Draven is still under the effects of your bride’s power. I am not sure how long it will be before his natural ability returns.”

  Dante nodded and exited the freezer with Jordane and Jess behind him. He approached the snarling Draven.

  Kiki had the DK10 aimed at his chest less than a foot away. Draven was dead if he so much as flinched and he knew it.

  Dante took off his tattered suit jacket and threw it on the ground. “This has been a long-time coming Draven.”

  Draven spit at Dante. “You think you have won because you have me? I will die to protect my own. My brother will live on. Our children will destroy you.”

  Dante started to unbutton his shirt. “You are old Draven. Do you remember why the demon kings’ power was split in two.”

  Draven frowned. “So, no single demon had the ability to control another.”

  Dante pulled his shirt from his dress pants. “That’s right. Now that power resides in Valen and I.”

  Draven laughed. “But neither of you can use it unless both your demons are awake and...” He glanced at Jessica in alarm.

  Dante dropped his shirt. “You are correct Dante. Our demons needed to be awake and stable before they could combine their power. That time is now. We can become the demon king for the good of our people. As we are a duo, we cannot abuse the power. Valen will be catatonic while his demon is with us.”

  Draven shook his head. “That is not possible.”

  Dante smiled. “There is nothing my brother and I won’t do to save those women. His bride watches over him now. The healer and the other warriors will protect his body while our demons have a discussion with you.”

  Draven looked sick. “No, you can’t...”

  Dante’s form rippled and bulked. Muscle popped all over his torso before long curved claws burst from his hands. His eyes flamed with a red fire rimmed in yellow and green.

  Kiki gasped and backed up.

  Dante’s skin turned darker as he turned to her. His voice had an undertone of another as he spoke. “You have nothing to fear from me. You are and shall always be part of our family.”

  Kiki nodded but her face was ashen.

  Dante turned to Draven. “You will tell me everything I ask.”

  Draven shook his head. “No...”

  Dante held his hand out and made a fist. Draven screamed clutching his head. “You will tell me now or you will experience unimaginable pain before I crush your skull.”

  Draven held out his hands. “Stop. I will answer your questions.”

  “Where are the women?”

  Draven shook his head. “I don’t know. We move them every two months. Louis took them a week ago to a new location. He won’t give it to me until he has determined my mission a complete success. He already knows I failed.”

  Dante growled. “How unfortunate for you. Tell me how this plan came about.”

  “It was Louis. He wanted her, but she rebuffed him time and time again. She chose another, your father.”

  “My mother was never his.”

  “He orchestrated the attack on the cotillion to see if she would choose him when death was her only other option. She refused to give him what he wanted even then.”

  “You know nothing of brides. A true bride cannot choose another if her husband is alive.”

  “She was a half breed. She should have been happy to have any husband yet she waited for your father.”

  “My mother’s origins were irrelevant to those who loved her and Draven... all loved her.”

  “She was the last living descendant from the ones who orchestrated the destruction of our race and Louis wanted to save her, breed her.” Draven said with disgust.

  “How did you get the warrior to help you?” Dante said in a low hollow voice.

  Draven sucked in a breath. “Wouldn’t you rather hear about Louis’ plans for your mother?”

  “She made her choice. I will not dishonor it by questioning her love for her family. Tell me about the warrior who betrayed his pack.”

  Draven grunted when Dante’s hand squeezed. “He had a mate. We got to her before he could protect her. We held her, tortured her until he did as we told him.”

  Dante growled. “What happened to her?”

  “She gave up when your father killed him. We cut her unborn child from her womb.”

  Jordane stepped forward. His eyes bright green. “What happened to the child?”

  Dante growled low, Jordane nodded and held his advance.

  Draven swallowed. “It was weak. It barely moved though we attempted to feed it. When it was three weeks old it disappeared. We don’t know where it went.”

  Dante looked at Jordane. “What is it?”

  “A were shifts at three weeks old. Without guidance it would likely shift into the first animal it came across.”

  Dante turned to Draven. “Where was the child? What animals were around you?”

  Draven looked surprised. “Not many, a female cat that had given birth to her babies in the barn. A few wolves in the hills. We left the area shortly after that.”

  “Louis said there were other attacks on our people. Explain.”

  Draven smiled. “We orchestrated similar assaults on the Weres. They didn’t trust the warriors after the cotillion so none turned to them when their men died... or their females disappeared.”

  Jordane growled low.

  Dante stepped forward. “You are a traitor. You, your brother and all who follow you will be executed. That is a decree. A promise.”

  Draven sneered. “You’re too late. Even if you get every demon to back you our numbers are greater and they are increasing.”

  Dante flexed his claws, “And so it is war.” He swiped across Draven’s neck, severing the head in one smooth motion. It rolled along the ground as the warriors shimmered before it.

  Jess watched as Dante’s form lost some of its former size. His skin returned to its natural color but his demon was clear in his eyes.

  Jenner blew out a breath. “That was some freaky shit.”

  Jess hesitated to approach Dante.

  He smiled. “I could never hurt you my love. Not in any form.”

  Jess walked over and hugged him. She felt his demon recede but still held the connection in his mind. “Let’s go home.”

  Epilogue

  Jess undid her seatbelt as soon as Jenner pulled the squad car up to the front of the Moretti Mansion. “Thanks Jenner. I can’t thank you enough for getting me back on the job.”

  Jenner shrugged. “Marcus was the one who came up with the idea of busting you down to rookie status but you know it’s only for appearance’s sake right? We know everything you did was to save Maddie.”

  Jessica’s unlatched the door. “I got off easy. The PIA has to set a precedence that agents can’t be blackmailed. I understand that.” She winked at him. “I will even pretend you are making my life hell.”

  Jenner gave her a dirty face. “Between you, Laura and Kiki I’m surprised I am still sane.”

  Jess gave him a look of mock surprise. “What makes you think you are?”

  Jenner rolled his eyes. “Tell Laura I’ll be back later for dinner.”

  “She’s preparing spaghetti. Kiki is coming too.”

  Jenner rubbed his forehead. “Can’t
wait,” he said sarcastically.

  Jess was even laughing as she opened the ornate doors to her decadent mansion.

  The light filtered through the multicolored stained-glass windows. The beautiful craftsmanship refracting the prism of colors in multiple directions. She loved her new home and the best thing about it were the people in it.

  Maddie ran from the kitchen. “Jess!”

  Jess hugged the exuberant little girl as the German Shepard slowly followed behind her. “Hi Chad. Is everything okay?”

  Maddie nodded. “Chad came to visit me but I wanted to play fetch so...”

  Jess laughed. “Honey you know Chad isn’t really a dog.”

  Maddie shook her head. “Actually, when they are in their animal form, they take on the characteristics of their animal. He likes fetch and to play but most of all he loves helping people. I think that’s the same for both forms.”

  “You are a very smart girl. I’m very lucky,” Jess said.

  Maddie looked down at her hand, the color was still a little off and her fingers were not quite fully grown but she had regained full mobility and was practicing eating and writing with her new fingers. “I have a question for you. I asked Dante, and he said I should talk to you.”

  Jess knelt down, looking Maddie in the eyes. “Honey you can ask me anything. You know that.”

  “Dante said you and him are getting married soon and that he’s arranging for my legal adoption.”

  Jess nodded. “He may have forgotten to ask me about the marriage part but yes. I can’t wait to be your legal guardian and either can Dante.”

  Maddie looked at the ground. “Would you be comfortable with me calling you mom...”

  Jess felt her eyes well up. “Baby, I would be so honored. I already feel like you are mine. I fell in love with you the moment I saw you and that has never changed.”

  Maddie hugged her. “Dante said I could call him dad if I wanted. He is up in the studio. He introduced me to his mom.”

  Jess startled. “The Carina portrait is back?”

  Maddie nodded. “She’s really beautiful.”

  Chad came over and licked Maddie’s hand. He winked at Jess as he encouraged her daughter to follow him outside.