In the Light of the Moon (Dark War Chronicles)

by Kessler, A. L.

  She snarled at him, and her gaze went to Garret who was stalking her from the bushes. Stephen called his claws to his hand. "You think you're still good enough to take us both."

  She nodded and wiggled her tail. It had been a long time since she and her panther felt this strongly about something and both of their instincts screamed to kill. Garret came at her from the side, but she swatted him down and narrowly avoided Stephen's claws as he brought them down over her.

  Stephen tried to grab the scruff of her neck, but she bit his ankle. Teeth tore into his flesh as she dragged him to the ground. The taste of his blood felt amazing in her mouth as he let out a strangled scream. Garret landed on her, knocking her off her feet, and pinning her down on the ground again. Nipping at her neck he tried to keep her down. She shook off the confusion of the almost friendly nip, and bared teeth at him. She dug her claws into his chest, telling him to back off. He pulled back with a whine and looked up at Stephen.

  "Come on Kass, you're out numbered here, we want you to come home. We don't want to kill you."

  Kill you, not harm you. She didn't like the wording and backed away from the two snarling. With her body low to the ground she watched the two in front of her. She knew at the very least that she could out run them, until she heard the snarl behind her and the female scent grew stronger.

  Sarah tackled her from behind, knocking Kass sideways and trapping her against a rock where all three of them surrounded her. She got up and shook her head, trying to stay steady as they closed in on her. She let out a roar to alert anyone around her that she had lost that she needed help. Where is Lucius, she thought as Stephen avoided her snapping teeth and grabbed the scruff of her neck. A strange stinging sensation went through her fur and growled at Stephan.

  "It's time to come home sister, father has been missing you and we need you to help us with the war." He laughed and dragged her out of the forest. Kass watched as Lucius’ mansion grew further way and her body refused to fight against the male that was carrying her. She didn't think that she had hit her head that heard, her yellow eyes looked up at her half brother's trying to ask the question.

  "I put a sedative in you when I grabbed your scruff. You'll be out in a few minutes. We couldn't risk you trying to wreck the van, even with the silver cage." He gave a chuckle. "We remember how powerful you were, but it does seem that some of that power has faded. Father will be disappointed. He seemed to think that you would have grown stronger once you left us."

  Panic tried to bubble up in her, but the drug kept it squashed down. Her paws twitched as she tried to tell herself to run, but soon she felt her panther retreat. With a flow of fur and skin, her brother was holding her by her hair instead of her scruff. He looked at her. "That was quicker than I thought. You look like hell."

  "How could you do this to me?" She whispered. With everything she could muster she tried to fight but her limbs only twitched.

  He shrugged. "War is war, now rest."

  Kass hissed as her skin brushed against the silver bars when her brother threw her in the back of the cage, but darkness claimed her as they drove and took the pain away.

  Jax downed a drink and motioned for another one. "She ran out again? What the hell is going on with her, this isn't like her."

  "She said something about someone being after her." Derrik shook his head. "You shouldn't be worrying about her." He looked up as the crowd parted.

  Jax turned around to see Lucius making his way through the crowd heading straight for him. Jax downed the drink that Derrik had poured for him. "What brings you here? You're precious killer isn't here."

  "Where the hell is she?" Lucius grabbed Jax's throat and pulled him off the stool.

  Jax laughed and tried to wiggle out of Lucius' grasp. "You almost actually sound worried about her. Don't you think you should go look for her instead of assuming that I know where she is? I haven't seen her since the night we slept together."

  "I smelt her family all over my property, the only way that they would know where she was is if you told them. She is gone, her blood is on the ground and I don't know where the fuck they have taken her."

  Jax stopped struggling when Lucius' grip became tighter. "I swear I had nothing to do with it. I've been here drinking most the night."

  Lucius looked to Derrik who nodded. "Kass ran out when I asked her about why she attacked a customer."

  "Was it another panther?"

  "Nope, some poor guy who tried to make a move on her." Derrik shrugged and motioned to Jax. "He's bound and determined to get drunk to forget about Kass for the night. Don't think he told the clan where she was."

  Lucius let him down and shoved him back towards the bar. "Where were they staying?"

  "At the hotel you found me outside of, but I'm sure they've moved on. I know they were talking about setting up shop in the woods outside the territory of wolves so that they wouldn't have to worry about politics, but that's it." Jax rubbed his throat trying to shake off the pain. "You think they actually got her?"

  Lucius nodded. "Yeah I do, and you're going to go get her back."

  "You want me to go rescue the panther you lost and won't let me mate?" He laughed. "Why don't you just go get her. Certainly you know where the clan lives."

  "I can't step foot in that territory. You can, you don't have any loyalties."

  "I do this, you let me mate her."

  Lucius laughed. "I don't think you're really in a place to negotiate."

  "Oh, I think I am. You want her back but can't go get her. I get her back and I get to mate her." Jax snapped.

  “If she wants you, and if she doesn't then you have to leave her alone." Lucius laughed. "As my killer and without any interference from any of the panthers. Understood?"

  Jax nodded. "Yeah, I guess that sounds fair. Now if you would excuse me, I need to finish my night so I can start my hunt in the morning."

  "I can't believe that I had to come to you for help."

  "I can't believe you lost her. You should have known that she needed protection."

  Lucius ordered a drink. "She can normally protect herself, I shouldn't have given back some of her control. Fuck, her panther should have taken over and torn them apart."

  "If she had complete control she could have as well. She was much stronger with her control."

  "She was much too brash as a young panther."

  "You say that, but you are using her and her power." Jax laughed. "And you think she was too brash."

  Lucius nodded. "Josh pampered her because she had so much control and she was so strong that she thought that she could win against anything and anyone. She got her ass kicked by some wolf because she was trying to steal. That’s when I first started sending her out on jobs. She continued to be cocky and take unnecessary risks, almost getting caught several times. Then her human side got the better of her and she started feeling guilty."

  "That's when she got shot, when she was supposed to die."

  Lucius nodded. "She turned herself in at one of those...safe houses for lycans, so she was registered as a panther. She got shot during one of her missions because she hesitated. That’s when I found out about the clan wanting her back, I took advantage of it.”

  “She was out for a while then and you stripped her control then.” Jax filled in the rest.

  Lucius nodded. “Then I killed Josh.” He shrugged. “And Kass still ended up back with her family.”

  “Until I get her.”

  “That’s right.” Lucius raised his glass. “Forgot to mention, you fail, I will kill you. I like the taste of panther blood.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  The pounding wouldn’t stop even as she placed a hand against her head. She opened her eyes and growled at the bright light that greeted her. She touched her neck, pulling her hand back with a hiss and looking at her blistering fingers. “Silver.”

  “That’s right daughter, silver.” The male voice caused her to spin around. His hair was the same blond she remembered and his e
yes the same blue as hers. “Welcome back to the land of the awake.”

  She rubbed her head. “Why haven’t you killed me yet?”

  “Thought Sarah said she explained this to you. I need your power.” He sat cross-legged in front of her. “I have some people interested in you.”

  She pulled her knees up to her naked chest. “I want clothes.”

  “No. Turn around and let me look at you.” He snapped.

  “Pervert.” She snorted and pulled her knees tighter.

  He scrunched his nose up. “I’m looking for a mark.”

  “A mark?”

  “Yes. I didn’t see one on your chest when you were brought in, but it’s possible for it to be on your back or I’ve even seen one wrapped around a leg before.” He motioned for her to stand. “Just let me look or I’ll drag you off your mat.”

  “What kind of mark?” She slowly stood and turned around for him.

  “One that’s not there.” A growl trickled from between his lips. “Your mother assured me that it would show up eventually.”

  She turned around. “My mother?”

  “Yes. Fuck. I needed that mark to appear. Guess we’ll just have to wait it out.” He snapped.

  “Why would my mother tell you such a thing?”

  He chuckled. “Your mother was an immortal my dear, your mark should appear. Though, since you weren’t really an…expected consequence this might be my punishment.”

  “What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” She sat back down and pulled her legs back up to her chest.

  “Your mother wasn’t my mate, Kassity, and she wasn’t willing to be with me.”

  Kass paled at the news and stared at him. Instead of the normal fear she felt when facing him, anger ran through her and touched her beast. They both wanted to take a chunk out of him.

  “That’s why she gave you to me. Because she knew that the other immortals would abandon her because of you.” He shrugged. “Then she was killed. Head cut off, body burned. Cruel twist of fate.”

  “You had her killed.”

  He nodded. “She was worthless, not like you. You are powerful.”

  “I’m not helping you. I’m Lucius’ killer, not yours.” She snapped. “He’s the one who took me in, he’s the one who nursed me back to health, who fed me, sheltered me-“

  “And stripped you of your control.”

  The reminder hit her hard, but now she understood why Lucius had done that. “It’s so my human side doesn’t get in the way of the kill.”

  “Makes you stronger.” He caught on. “You feel a sense of loyalty to him, don’t you?”

  She remained silent and looked away.

  “Oh, you do.” He laughed. “Where was he when we got you? Obviously not there.” He turned. “I’ll leave you to think about things.” He walked out, shutting the door behind him.

  Jax took a deep breath as he walked up the stairs that led to the wrap around porch. A couple days travel away from Lucius’ territory led him to the Black Moon Clan’s land and he could smell Kassity. He rapped on the door and waited. His ears picked up a scuffle inside before the door swung open. Sarah met his eyes as she tried to run her fingers through her tangled hair.

  “What are you doing back here?”

  “I wanted to see if you guys managed to snag Kass.” He crossed his arms, trying to come across casual. He kept control of his heart and his breathing with practiced techniques.

  “No.” She paused with her fingers and her breath caught while she struggled to get her heart back to normal.

  He nodded. “Good, I want back in.”

  “Oh?” Garret came up from behind Sarah. “You were pretty adamant about keeping her away from us. What changed your mind?”

  He shrugged. “I’m a mercenary, thought my other client could make me a better offer. Turns out he can’t. I go where the money is.”

  “Your services are no longer required.”

  “You have her then?”

  “Yes.”

  Jax took a step forward. “I want to see her.”

  “What?” Sarah asked, her mouth opened in a little surprised ‘o’.

  Garrett laughed. “Sarah, go inside. This could get ugly and we don’t need your weak beast coming out.” The woman turned and disappeared inside. “You aren’t allowed to see her.”

  “I just want to make sure that you have her. I’m sure she’s raging right now and her beast is trying to get out.” He crossed his arms.

  “What’s it to you?”

  “I can calm her beast.”

  “Lies.” Garret snapped. “We have tried all kind of males from clans over seas and none of them even touched her beast, I doubt a rogue could.”

  Jax uncrossed his arms, flexing his hands. “You want to see? Let me visit her.”

  “Fine. Come.” Garret opened the door and Jax caught a brief glimpse of Sarah as she ran down a flight of stairs. Jax traced his fingers over the claw marks in the dry wall. He followed Garret, being careful not to stumble over the shredded carpet on the floor. Garret led Jax down the same stairs Sarah had disappeared down. He tried not to shiver as the cool air caressed his body. His arm brushed against a wall and he hissed. “Silver in the walls? Really?”

  “It keeps an enraged cat from pouncing on the walls. Trust me, it’s saved our hides from Kass many times. Stupid wench.” Garret snapped. “And it helps with Sarah’s inability to learn control. Doesn’t it?”

  Sarah stood at the far side of the room, eyes wide as she nodded. “Kassity is sleeping, I think. It’d be safe for you to go in.”

  “Kassity doesn’t sleep. She’s waiting, Sarah. She’s smarter than that.” Garret shooed the woman away from the door. He pulled a key out of his pocket and unlocked the door, the moment the heavy steel door groaned Kass jumped to her feet and grabbed Garret’s throat.

  She threw Garrett to the ground and headed towards the stairs. Her speed was almost too much for Jax to get in the way of, but he grabbed her wrist at the last second while Garret recovered. He hated the idea of stopping her, but he needed Garrett to believe his reasoning for being here. Her other brother and her dad appeared at the top of the stairs. She whipped around and snarled at Jax. Kass ripped her wrist away from him and crouched ready to take them all on.

  “You can’t fight us all Kass, not with that collar on.” Her dad came down the stairs. Jax looked between him and Kass. “Thank you Jax for stopping her. Even weak she moves like an immortal.” He grabbed Kass’ arm and threw her back in the room.

  Jax watched from behind as Kass stumbled and fell to her knees. His panther stirred inside at the sight of her pale flesh and red hair. The need to protect filled him and Jax moved towards the door. “I wanted to speak to her.”

  “This is your chance then. We’ll leave you for a little while.”

  Jax walked in the room and took a deep breath when the door was shut and the lock clicked into place.

  Kass jumped to her feet and slammed him against the wall with a hand at his throat. “This is your fault.”

  “What?” He asked, trying to pry her hand lose but having no luck and hissing at the contact of silver from the walls.

  Searching his face, she found the genuine surprise there and let him go. “You were working for them. You are the reason they found me.” The anger flowed through her as she paced the room.

  “Who told you that?”

  “Lucius hinted at it, but then my father confirmed it. I can’t believe you would do that to me.”

  He shook his head and sat on the floor, careful of the wall. “I was working for them, but I didn’t know what they wanted with you. I was told a completely different story than what is true. The pay was good and I didn’t expect to… well-“

  “Well what?” She crossed her arms under her naked chest.

  He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “I didn’t expect to fall in love with you. The attractions our panthers have, that’s one thing, but our human selves just click too.”

&n
bsp; She blinked at him and backed away a few steps. She sat on her blankets and pulled her knees up to her chest. Her eyes followed every movement he made while she tried to digest his words. “You love me?”

  “Yes. Had I known what your family wanted from the start I wouldn’t have taken the job. I know I fucked up, but I came to make it right. To get you out of here.”

  “You led them straight to me.” She whispered and glanced up at him. Trying to keep the anger out of her voice, she continued. “After five years of not seeing them, not being traced by them, you led them right to me.”

  “Your family found you through the news article about your death. They told me what territory you were in, I took a job from Lucius to find out more about you. I started hanging around the area, asking questions about the Black Moon Clan, and when I asked about panthers, your name kept coming up. With a warning to stay away from you because only Lucius could control you. ”

  Kass raised a brow. “You’ve been killing for him?”

  “No, he wanted me to track down a stone for him. Something he said that was sent away and that’s all he knew.”

  “You could have at least warned me, or let me run out of the damn house instead of catching my wrist.” She growled and gathered her hair in her hand, exposing her silver collar.

  “Kass, hold still.” His eyes burned into hers as he approached her. He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her. She hated herself as she parted her lips, letting him in and their tongues entwine. Her beast rose inside her, but it was a calm, testing the waters kind of motion. Kass pulled back and look up at him, blinking a couple of times. She stepped away, but her panther snarled inside her at the lose of contact. “Trust me.” He whispered.

  Quinn paced the room as he held the phone to his ear, waiting on hold to talk to the vampire he needed to speak to about Kassity’s mark. Things were not going according to plan, but he hoped putting Jaxon in the room would give her mark a chance to appear. A click on the other end told him someone picked up.

  “Speak.”

  Even over the phone the vampire’s voice sent shivers down his back and cause his own beast to approach with cautiousness. “We captured Kassity, but the mark has yet to appear.”