The Darkest King

by Gena Showalter

  Icy fingers of dread crept down his spine.

  Then a miracle occurred. She softened against him, easing the suction on his tongue. She stopped biting and started laving. In seconds, sharp desire pummeled him. He felt as if he’d craved her forever, and it only magnified his dread.

  Ding. The elevator doors opened on the seventeenth floor.

  Damn it! Things had just started to get good. The fact that he had to stop... Now his temper flared, a new growl rumbling in his chest. He jerked his head up, grating, “Which room?” They would finish what they’d started, then return to their conversation.

  “Last one on the right,” she told him, more breathless than before.

  William twined their fingers, ushered her into the hallway, and maintained a brisk pace to their destination. She keyed into the room, entering first with an excited spring in her step.

  Either she wanted him, or she wanted him to experienced whatever waited beyond the door. Prepared for anything, he entered on her heels, doing a quick visual sweep. Small room. Beige walls. Generic artwork. King-size bed, plush white comforter. No weapons. Except for the temperature. She’d set the thermostat to Hotter than Hell.

  Sweat beaded on his brow, his insides quickly boiling. Wonderful. A nice William stew.

  Behind him, the exit closed with a soft snick.

  Sunny spun, her mouth opening and closing. “But I... She... I don’t understand.”

  “What don’t you understand?”

  “She’s not here. Why isn’t she here?”

  “She?” Would Sunny reveal her true purpose now or wait until—

  She whirled around, her arm raised, her hand fisted, the gun-ring aimed at his face. Okay. “Now,” it is. “Very well,” she said. “I’ll do this myself.”

  Never, in all the centuries of his life, had a woman pulled a gun on him post-kissing. After screwing him, yes. It’d happened once or maybe a dozen times. He’d lost count, all right? Apparently, he had a terrible bedside manner. Many females had suggested he seek help. And he would, just as soon as he started caring about what other people thought of him.

  “I know who you are,” Sunny snapped. “William of the Dark, also known as the Ever Randy and the Panty Melter. The son of Hades and brother of Lucifer. You’re scum! How many villages did you and your brother pillage over the centuries, hmm? Tell me! And don’t lie. I’ll know.”

  He flinched at “scum.” The little bitch. But, no matter. With her outburst, she’d appeased his pride, explaining her resistance to his charms, her rage and her insults. She’d waged mental war, attempting to undermine his confidence and make him second-guess himself, all to punish him for something she believed he’d done in the past.

  Unfortunately for her, William excelled at mental warfare. He won, always. “How many villages have I pillaged? Again, the number is incalculable.” He leaned to the side, resting his shoulder against the wall. A relaxed pose. “Why? Did I pillage yours?”

  “Yes! No! Argh! Maybe. I lived in the Realm of Mythstica.”

  Finally. Information. “I’ve never visited the Realm of Mythstica.” Where many creatures of myth and legend hailed, like dragons, minotaurs and the mighty Pegasus.

  “Did you ever help your brother plan an attack on a village in Mythstica?” she demanded.

  “No.” Had he helped Lucifer plan other attacks? Yes. Many times. Afterward, he’d regretted them all.

  “But...but... You’re lying to me. You must be lying. I don’t know how, but there’s no other explanation. So tell me why you did it—the truth this time!—or I’m going to shoot you in your pretty face.”

  He patted his stubble-dusted cheeks. “You think I’m pretty?” When she screeched, he decided to move on. “What are you going to shoot me with, hmm?” Trying not to smirk, and failing, he fished the bullets out of his pocket.

  She shocked him. A grin lit her features, making his chest tighten all over again. “You think I’m freesia-ed,” she said, her smirk a rival for his. “But I clocked your every move during our pathetic excuse for a kiss, and I knew the second you removed the bullets. Too bad for you I’ve already reloaded.”

  “Freesia-ed?” William was reluctantly impressed with her bravado, but also furious. She’d dared to threaten him, a prince of darkness? She would learn better. “Shoot me, then.” Bullets only served as an annoyance. Like flies. “Or do you find me too attractive to damage?” How far would she take this?

  If she was, in fact, the one he sought, he needed to know.

  “I’m sure there are some women who find you passable,” she sneered, making it clear she considered those women idiots.

  The insult hit its mark, little snarling sounds leaving him. Guess he cared more about the opinion of others than he’d realized.

  “Ohhhh. That one stung, huh?” Shaking her fist in his direction, she commanded, “Stop acting tough and start talking. What did my people ever do to you and your family?”

  Would she actually pull the trigger? One second he thought, No way; the next he thought, Hell, yes. “Who are your people? What are your people?”

  Ignoring his questions, she snapped, “Why did you pillage any village?”

  That one had an easy answer. “In the past, if someone threatened me, I killed them as well as their entire family and collection of friends, all to prevent others from avenging their deaths.” He offered the admission without shame. Fine! With a hint of shame.

  “We never threatened you. We spent our days helping anyone in need.”

  “For the last time, I did not plan or participate in the destruction of any village in Mythstica.” But Lucifer might have, while wearing William’s face. Son of a bitch! His ex-bro had enjoyed blaming others for his worst deeds. “Did you see me there?”

  “Well. I...” She bowed up. “No,” she grated. “I didn’t. They didn’t.”

  Confusion muddied his thoughts, his brows drawing together. “So why assume I’m lying? Why assume I’m responsible?”

  “Your brother’s war cry. For William!”

  Electrified coils of rage unfurled inside him. I’ll kill him. “He framed me for many things. I never asked him to murder for me. I’ve always taken care of my own killings.”

  “Then why haven’t you killed him?”

  I’m trying! Rather than voice his failure, he hooded his eyelids. Look at me...relax your guard... “If you’re going to shoot my—what did you call it? Oh, yes. My pretty face. If you’re going to shoot regardless of what I say, I have no incentive to share information with you.”

  She smiled the wickedest, evilest smile he’d ever beheld, somehow seeming to shock his deadened heart back to life. “You want incentive?” she purred. “Here it is. Tell me what I want to know, and I’ll kill you quick and painless. Don’t, and I’ll make it hurt in ways you’ve never experienced.”

  Another threat. Unlike others, he did not fear pain. What truly terrified him? Whatever she’d done to his now-pounding heart. “What is it you want to know exactly? Lucifer’s location?”

  She gave a clipped nod. “Yes. But first, we’ll start with the reason you came to the conference. To kill someone, yes, as your dark nature demands?”

  As a matter of fact... “I’m here to find a codebreaker who can work with magical codes. If you’re the one, I’ll kill to protect you. For two weeks. So. I’ll show you a photo, and you’ll tell me if you can translate the symbols into words.”

  A crease formed above the bridge of her nose. “Why such a specific timeline?” Then she shook her head and stomped her foot. “No! You’re lying again. Somehow. The photo is probably laced with poison.”

  Another item to add to her file. Nope, two items. Bad kisser, and suspicious as hell. Two reasons to hard pass. So why was he more attracted to her by the second?

  Lifemate...

  No, no. Can’t be sure.

 
; “All right. New plan,” he grated. “I’ll give you an orgasm or twelve. Sated, you’ll relax. Relaxed, you’ll think clearly. Then you’ll admit I’m the best lover you’ve ever had, and we’ll hash out this village pillaging business like semiadults.” He’d never failed to make a woman climax, and he wouldn’t start today.

  “Let me think about your offer...thinking...nah. I’m not interested in faking it.”

  “Faking? Faking!” He fisted his hands. “I’ve already soaked your thong, guaranteed.”

  Her smirk returned, and oh, it looked as good on her as the evil grin. “Thong? Please. I’m proud to say I wear granny panties exclusively. I’m not putting a piece of cloth up my butt for anyone, and lace itches. I like cotton, and I like coverage.”

  How the hell is she working me into a lather with this granny panty nonsense? “Today’s your lucky day. I’m going to give you a crash course in William 101. You’ll get to know me, and realize I always tell the truth, because I don’t care what anyone thinks about me.” Somehow, he would get through to this woman...and make her desperate for his touch in the process. Because priorities. “I love games of every kind. Video. Wits. Board. Bedroom. I’ve stabbed as many friends as enemies, just for grins and giggles, and I never leave an enemy alive.”

  “Enough!” Again, she shook the gun-ring. This time, the circular scar on her forehead glowed with soft white light. Mesmerizing. He’d thought he’d seen that light once before, long, long ago. But where? And what did it mean? Think! “You assume these details will make me less inclined to shoot you, because I’ll view you as a living being versus a target. But, I’ll never see you as anything more than scum.”

  He flinched again. “Shoot me, then,” he repeated. “Do it!” If she is my lifemate, I am hers. She wouldn’t be able to harm her man. Few immortals could. I am the exception, of course.

  “I will do it. Don’t think I won’t.” The evil smile returned, and she lowered the gun to his shaft. “Still eager to be shot?”

  He rolled his eyes while secretly applauding her spirit. “Like I haven’t been shot in my man-junk before.” Hoping to fluster her, he said, “Ah. I understand the switch. You’re a bad shot, so you need a bigger target. No wonder you selected my cock.”

  “Good point,” she said, returning the barrel to his face. “There’s nothing bigger than your ego.”

  He took a step closer, unafraid. “My time is valuable, and you’re wasting it. Fucking shoot me already, or put the gun away.”

  The F-bomb made her gasp with...wonder? “You can use obscenities in my presence. Obscenities and lies.”

  “Baby, I know all the dirty words.” Should he disarm her now or continue to wait? Dismissing normal sounds—the air vent, a dripping facet, stomping footsteps above—he listened to her heartbeat. Pounding so hard, so fast. Not the heartbeat of a cold-blooded killer.

  Wait.

  The decision solidified as her intoxicating scent rendered him light-headed. He would kiss her instead, teaching her how to kiss him back properly, and she would lower the weapon on her own. Then, he would make her beg for a climax. A climax he might—might!—be inclined to grant, after she’d apologized for her hostility.

  Excitement sparked. I will have this woman.

  “You have nothing else to say to me?” she asked, the words clipped.

  “Take off your clothes, and I’ll tell you anything you want to know.”

  A strange calm descended over her, her aim steadying. Voice flat, she told him, “I warned you and I gave you a chance to talk. Now, you die.”

  Shocked, he stumbled back a step. This woman would shoot anyone...and he liked it. He liked her.

  Want her? No. He needed. Desire clawed at him, and there was no ignoring it, no shoving it aside to deal with later. He hungered. Ravenous.

  Get her into bed. Sort the rest out later. Yes! Another flawless plan.

  He unveiled his most indulgent smile, ready to seduce. Then. That very second. The signature of her magic changed, too, from sweet and innocent to dark and menacing.

  He’d misread this female from the start, hadn’t he?

  “Sunny,” he began.

  “Goodbye, William.” Boom!

  Pain exploded in his beautiful face and quickly spread through the rest of him. His world went black. His knees buckled, and he collapsed, crash-landing with a heavy thud.

  As he lay there, shock reverberated inside his bones. She’d done it; the sexy little bitch had actually pulled the trigger.

  She couldn’t be his lifemate, which meant she wasn’t his codebreaker. Which meant he could do whatever he wished to her. But...

  He wanted to know what she would do next.

  William set aside his fury with her—for the moment—and played dead. At least everything made sense now. Her weird shifter magic. Her sometimes sweet, sometimes evil personality. Her drugging voice. Her sweet, earthy scent. Her propensity for eating leaves. Yeah, he’d caught her munching on foliage in the bar. Her attempt to turn the word freesia into an obscenity. The ability to sift truth from lie. The small round light on her forehead.

  William had just found a unicorn-shifter.

  This was not a good turn. The unicorns of myth: Watch as I spread happiness across the land. The unicorns of reality: I’mma kill you and dance in your blood.

  She had the power to slay gods.

  She might be my lifemate, after all. She just didn’t want him as much as he wanted her.

  Shit. Shit! What am I going to do now?

  4

  “Be my baby tonight. Tomorrow, be absent.”

  Sunny fought to retain her cold, calm bravado, but panic and hysteria fought back. So many things had gone wrong. First, desire had stirred when she kissed William. Genuine desire. Uncontrollable and wild. Their bodies had fit perfectly, like two lost puzzle pieces finally found. His taste drugged, while his ambrosial scent warmed and his wicked touch thrilled. But, though a fire had blazed in her veins for the first time in memory, her thoughts had acted like a bucket of ice water. Prince of darkness. Destroyer of families.

  Her thoughts always doused the flames of her desires, no matter the situation or the male. Her dual nature was simply too strong, her trust issues too deeply ingrained, causing a constant tug-of-war inside her. Over the years, she’d learned to expect an ambush at every turn, which had broken her ability to relax. Yet, for that one brief moment, she’d lost herself in William.

  Then she’d entered an empty hotel room and found no sign of Sable. Had the other unicorn mislead Sunny? Or, had a poacher or collector captured her? Fear had taken hold.

  Then Sunny had entertained doubts about William’s involvement in the slaughter of her village. He’d seemed so surprised by her accusation, and legit angry with his brother.

  In the end, she’d erred on the side of caution and plugged a magic bullet in his face. A bullet designed to slay gods. Now blood and brain matter splattered the walls and the floor, and a metallic scent of death tainted the air.

  Realization set in. She’d just killed William the Ever Randy. Horror Show Sunny rejoiced in a job well done. Roses and Rainbows Sunny grieved. She’d taken a life. What if William had told the truth? What if she’d killed an innocent man?

  Half laugh, half sob bubbled from her. A common reaction to murder, and a testament to her dual nature.

  Buck up, buttercup. Lucifer slayed your family, and you slayed a member of his. You did the right thing. Still, tears singed her eyes and blurred her vision.

  Okay, maybe she wouldn’t buck up just yet.

  “Why’d you have to prick my temper?” she whispered at William. With a sniffle, she trudged to the bathroom, where she collected the supplies she and Sable had brought: plastic tarps, towels and blankets. To start. She also had a bucket filled with air fresheners, bleach and other cleaning products. Crouching beside the body and trying not
to sob again, she fit the towels around him to soak up the blood. Then she draped the plastic over him. Finally, the blankets.

  Though she needed to dispose of the body, clean the room and find Sable, she lingered next to William. “You left me with more questions than answers. What were you, species-wise? How were you able to belt out an obscenity, evincing no reaction to my magic? Only one species can bypass the supernatural filter. The Fae. But there’s no way you’re Fae.” Every Fae possessed an aura tied to the four elements. “And why do you have a magically coded book?”

  Since he was dead and all, she decided to share a secret. “I have a coded book, too. A diary of lists. I kept track of everyone who’s ever wronged me, everyone I’ve ever killed, sexual fantasies, all the things I hope to do before I die and life hacks for living my best life.”

  Wait. Had his chest lifted ever so slightly?

  Heart racing—with hope? Dread? Both?—she pressed two fingers against his throat, feeling for a pulse. Nope. Nothing. Her shoulders rolled in.

  Focus. She’d brought several insulated, waterproof bags, planning to stuff her victims inside and wheel them to her car at the appropriate time. But body dismemberment was a two-person job. The very reason she’d reached out to Sable about the conference in the first place.

  No way around it; she had to find Sable before she worked on William.

  Halfway expecting cops to be congregating in the hallway, questioning guests about the source of the gunshot, Sunny trembled as she opened the door. Shocker! Not one person stood nearby. Of course, the gun-ring wasn’t as loud as, say, a .44, so anyone within earshot might have assumed the pop came from a TV show.

  Head high, expression (hopefully) serene despite her churning stomach, she anchored the Do Not Disturb sign on the knob and exited. After double-checking the lock, she meandered down the hallway. I’m just a normal girl, not a shifter who murdered the most carnally sensual male on earth.