A Dark Desire

by Natalie Hancock

  “How?” Belia couldn’t speak above a whisper.

  “It is who I am. I see everything, hear everything. Layla, she was taken by the humans hunting us. Her sister and she were only fourteen years old, yet no amount of training prepared any of us for what happened.” Nikalye’s gaze went distant again.

  Belia moved forward, causing his hand to run through her hair as she touched his cheek gently. “What happened?”

  “They killed her sister, mutilated her. I did not see her, nor was I fast enough to save her, but she was always on Layla’s mind. Both when she was alive, and how Layla saw her when she was dead.” Nikalye shook his head. “Layla was with the humans for years before I could get to her. They tortured her badly, cutting her open, injecting her with silver as well as other creatures’ blood.” Nikalye fell silent, staring off into the distance.

  Belia inhaled deeply, reached out and thought better of it. She let her hand drop to her side. “Nikalye?”

  He focused on her again and lifted his hand to her face. “So many scars.” His fingers swept across her skin, tracing patterns across her forehead, around her eyes, across her cheeks and chin and down her neck, stopping where her top did.

  “She…those are the scars you can see?”

  “She has them over her entire body.”

  “Okay…” Belia swallowed heavily, blinking back the tears forming in her eyes. She hated seeing Nikalye in pain. “Okay, so you got her back safely.”

  “Yes. But she wasn’t stable. Nightmares frequently took over her dreams. Hunger took over her senses. She escaped from my watch and went on a rampage that no one will ever forget. So many dead, caused by an innocent dhampir hybrid that hungered for the blood of creatures surrounding her, all because of what the humans did. I got her back once more, but the damage was done. She never forgot what she did.” Nikalye exhaled softly. “I tried my hardest to bring her back.”

  “Did you?” Belia kept her voice low, not wanting him to forget, but when Nikalye frowned, her stomach sank.

  “I…can’t remember.”

  Belia turned his face. “Okay, so these feelings you’re getting, that she’s in danger. Why do you feel that way?”

  “Something dark rose,” Nikalye whispered.

  Belia shivered, casting a quick glance around her. “Something…dark?”

  Nikalye rubbed his forehead. “That’s all I remember.”

  “Okay, so…so this is good.” Belia shifted closer. “You remember this…Layla. If we can find her, then maybe you’ll get your memories back.”

  “What if I am too late to find her?”

  Belia felt her heart break at the sadness she felt and saw in his eyes. She wanted to tell him he wasn’t too late, but not even she could get the words out. “What if you’re not? It’s a risk you have to take.” She inhaled deeply, calming her emotions. “We’ll find Layla, okay?” She waited until Nikalye nodded before smiling. She had no idea how she would help. They were in the middle of the South Pole with no way of getting anywhere. “We’ll sleep on it. Believe it or not, it’s pretty late.”

  Nikalye’s eyes went to the only window in the small home and a smile played across his face. “I am glad one of us knows something around here.”

  “Well, you do have amnesia. And you haven’t lived here for over nineteen years. I don’t even need a clock to tell me when it’s late and when it’s not.” Belia stood. “You can take my bed, I’ll take the settee. You’re much too big to sleep on here.”

  “I couldn’t.”

  “I could. I normally fall asleep on the settee watching TV anyway and I know you’re tired so don’t tell me you’re not. Go.” She pointed to the stairs.

  “You’re a little demanding, aren’t you?”

  Belia blushed, not saying a word. She nudged him off the settee and followed him up the stairs to her room.

  It was small, the double bed taking up most of the space and a chest of draws squeezed next to it.

  Belia grabbed two of the four pillows and the thick blanket that was folded neatly at the bottom of her bed. Hugging them to her chest, she smiled at Nikalye. “Hopefully you’ll find the bed as comfy as I do. I’ll see you…later.” Stop loitering about. Just leave him to sleep and get his energy back.

  From the corner of her eye, Nikalye smiled.

  He took her hand in his and bowed his head to press his lips to the back of her hand.

  Heat swept through her and an ache formed in between her legs. Her mouth opened, her eyebrows rising as Nikalye opened his eyes, his gaze sending electric shooting up her arm and across her entire body. Oh God.

  “Goodnight, Belia.”

  Belia pulled her hand from his grasp and took a step back, still shocked. What just happened? When Nikalye stepped forward, Belia spun on her heel and headed out of the bedroom, shutting the door behind her. She leant back against it, blowing out a long breath. “Holy crap.”

  From behind the closed door, Nikalye chuckled, making Belia jump and head down the stairs quickly before she began to think of obscene thoughts that would surely get her into trouble.

  Chapter Four

  Belia jumped awake, a scream on the tip of her tongue when a hand closed over her mouth. She struggled to get away when Nikalye put his face close to hers, his warm breath playing across her face as he leant down and put his lips to her ear.

  “There are men sneaking around outside.”

  What?

  Nikalye removed his hand so she could speak.

  “What do we do?” She almost jumped at how loud her whisper sounded in the quiet room.

  “You stay here.”

  Before Belia could gather her thoughts, Nikalye shot up and was out of the house before she could blink. “Nikalye!” Belia untangled herself from the blanket and tiptoed to the slightly open door. She squinted through the bright daylight. Nikalye was nowhere to be seen.

  Even if anyone had been outside, they couldn’t do much sneaking. Not in the white snow or the bright sky.

  So where had Nikalye gone? Maybe he’s around the back.

  Belia shifted from foot to foot, waiting for when Nikalye came back into view. Everything was quiet. Even the wind didn’t make a sound.

  A creak broke the silence, echoing from upstairs. Belia jumped and put her hand over her heart while it thumped hard. She pressed herself against the wall, keeping her eyes on the stairs as she moved to the side until her bedroom door came into view.

  The door handle moved down slowly and the door creaked open.

  Someone is here!

  A man appeared, his gaze met hers and when he smiled, his fangs flashed in the darkness.

  Belia sucked in air when he appeared in front of her, leering and reaching out.

  Nikalye grabbed him around the throat and slammed him into the floor. He twisted, catching another vampire’s foot with his own and tripping him. He gazed at her while she cowered in the corner, his eyes sweeping over her before he turned, then grabbed the fallen vampire and threw him across the room, knocking the vampires descending the stairs into the wall with such force, the wood groaned and splintered.

  Nikalye’s hand in hers was warm as he dragged her across the room and up the stairs quickly.

  When a vampire charged out of the bedroom, Nikalye pushed Belia into the wall and punched the vampire in the face.

  Belia’s breathing became heavier as she watched Nikalye advance and grab the vampire’s top before punching him hard and throwing him down the stairs, knocking the others down again.

  Seeing the vampire walk casually out of her room sent a shock through Belia, she stared, open mouthed at him before she pulled her senses together. Is that…it can’t be.

  His blue-white eyes sent shivers running down her spine as he pulled out a silver dagger and advanced on Nikalye as another vampire closed in at the same time.

  “Nikalye!”

  Nikalye spun around and ducked the vampire’s attack, pulling Belia down with him. He kicked out, breaking the vampire’s
knee and knocked him to the floor.

  Belia turned away as the sickening crunch of broken bones made her stomach roll and inhaled hard as the vampire raised his dagger and brought it down on Nikalye.

  He staggered into Belia as she gasped and growled, baring his fangs as he spun around.

  The vampire disappeared before Nikalye could step towards him.

  Belia put her hands over her mouth, her eyes filling with tears as her eyes followed the movement of blood sliding down Nikalye’s bare back.

  He reached up and pulled the dagger from his back. More blood spilled down his back before the wound stitched back together.

  Oh my God. She watched as Nikalye stormed down the stairs and grabbed a vampire from the floor. Before she could even wonder what he was going to do, he bared his fangs and sank them into the vampire’s neck.

  Belia’s heart thumped hard when the vampire’s screams echoed around the house as he struggled against Nikalye. It was no use. The vampire wasn’t going to escape.

  Nikalye dropped him to the floor, licked the blood from his lips and met Belia’s eyes. “Pack your things, we’re leaving.”

  Chapter Five

  Nikalye leant against the door to Belia’s bedroom as she packed her clothes into a suitcase. He kept his distance, aware that she was afraid because of what he did. He hadn’t meant to lose control. He hadn’t meant to put Belia in danger.

  “Nikalye.” Their eyes met. “Stay out of your thoughts. I won’t have you blaming yourself for this.”

  Nikalye smiled. “One would think you could read minds.”

  Belia blushed. “One thinks one has been through this before. You blamed yourself last time. It’s why you built this safe place for me. I haven’t seen any vampires…or other creatures in over nineteen years. Until now.”

  “When I arrived.” Nikalye arched a brow.

  Belia straightened up and crossed her arms. “If anyone wouldn’t put a woman in danger, even a human, it is you. You are too kind hearted. You have amnesia and you don’t remember me, but clearly something inside still told you to protect me when the vampires attacked. What does that tell you?”

  “It tells me that I’m a fool for letting you invite me into your home. I have driven you out.”

  Belia poked him in the chest hard. “The vampires drove me out, not you. Got it?”

  Nikalye smiled and nodded. “Do you have anyone who you trust to help us?”

  Belia took her phone from her pocket and pressed two buttons.

  Nikalye heard it ringing and then a voice on the other end.

  “Doxiak, its Belia. You told me I could use this number in an emergency.”

  “I’m on my way.” The phone beeped and the connection went.

  “Huh, didn’t expect that to happen.”

  “Who was that?”

  Belia shrugged. “No idea. You gave me his number and he told me ‘in case of emergencies’.” She resumed packing her things.

  Nikalye nodded, not questioning it any further. “The vampire who stabbed me, did you get a good look at him?” When Belia stiffened, Nikalye straightened. “Belia?” When she met his eyes, he saw the fear.

  “He’s the vampire who attacked me the first time.”

  Nikalye heard the fear within her words. He strode up to her and pulled her close, keeping eye contact. “I promise I will protect you from harm. I will protect you with my life.”

  “I don’t doubt that. There’s just one problem. He shouldn’t have been able to be here.”

  Nikalye frowned, hearing her swallow. “Why?”

  Belia exhaled softly. “Because when he attacked me the first time, you killed him.”

  Nikalye heard the truth in her words and opened his mouth to speak, when his heightened senses heard the sound of a helicopter outside. “Our ride is fast, it seems.”

  Belia smiled, though it was forced and quickly shut her suitcase.

  Nikalye grabbed it, lifting it with ease and gestured for her to lead the way.

  A vampire stood at the doorway, his gaze sweeping the room. His stood tall, the power he emitted making the hairs on Nikalye’s arms stand on end as the vampire’s bright blue eyes took in the scene before him. His hair was long, pure white, tied in a single ponytail at the back of his head. He glanced up and watched Nikalye and Belia descend the stairs, surprised etched across his features.

  “Nikalye?”

  “Uh…he doesn’t remember anything,” Belia spoke in flawless English.

  Can I speak in different languages? It seemed possible, but he wouldn’t test it yet. He would be marked as a fool.

  “Amnesia?”

  “That’s what I thought.”

  The vampire’s eyes swept over Nikalye. “Let me introduce myself. I am Doxiak Rivorh, just as you can read ones thoughts, see the past, present and future, and have visions, I am a healer, able to control the body.”

  “Visions?” I can see the past, present and future? It couldn’t be possible.

  “You have had none since you awakened?”

  Nikalye shook his head. “I have only been able to read Belia’s thoughts.” Was it possible? Could he truly see the past, present and delve into the future?

  “Hmm…may I try something? To see if your memories can be restored?”

  Nikalye waited for Belia to nod before agreeing himself. His entire body heated when Doxiak placed his fingers either side of his head, the fire travelling through his bloodstream, making its way across his body.

  “It seems Shayla’s darkness is still controlling a part of your mind.”

  Shayla? Darkness? Nikalye had no idea what the healer was talking about.

  “H…he remembers Layla.”

  The image of her face flashed through his mind.

  Doxiak’s eyes widened as he kept watching Nikalye.

  He knows Layla?

  “What do you remember?”

  “I remember who she is, what she looks like, her scent, her power.”

  “And that he feels as though she’s in danger,” Belia added.

  “I can assure you that Layla is very much safe.”

  Relief swept through Nikalye, easing the knot in his stomach. “How do you know Layla?”

  “I am her friend and guardian, just as you are.”

  Guardian? Belia’s thoughts sounded confused as she frowned.

  “Since she was born, we were guards for her and her Father. It has never changed, though she does not think of us as guards, but family.”

  “You…you can read my mind too?”

  Doxiak chuckled. “No, I cannot. But I sense your confusion.”

  “Oh…does she need you to protect her? Or others around her?”

  “Belia.” Nikalye stepped close to her and lifted her face. The anger inside swirled within the depths of her eyes. “Why are you angry?” She tried to turn away, but Nikalye kept his hold on her, preventing her from moving.

  “You said she was taken by the humans and then killed a lot of your own kind. Yet you love her as though she is perfect. I just don’t understand—”

  “Nikalye does not love her in the way you are thinking, I assure you.” Doxiak stood next to Nikalye, gently placing a hand on his shoulder. “I love Layla as much as Nikalye does and she does love us both back, but as I said, she thinks of us as family. Nothing more.”

  Belia exhaled and nodded.

  She didn’t hear the lie within the healer’s words as Nikalye did. Catching his eyes, Doxiak shook his head a fraction.

  “I will take you to a hotel where you can both recover while I sort out transport for you both to go to where Layla is. If she can indeed restore your memories, then it will be worth trying.” Without waiting for Nikalye or Belia to reply, he left the house, towards the helicopter waiting for them.

  Nikalye turned his attention back to Belia. “Everything will soon be back to how it was, and I will remember who attacked us both.”

  Belia swallowed hard. “And I will be forgotten, just like last time.�
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  Nikalye frowned. “Belia, what—”

  “Leave it.” Belia left the house, leaving Nikalye standing in confusion.

  The sooner his memory was restored, the sooner he’d get the answers he wanted.

  Chapter Six

  “Belia, tell me about the attack.”

  Belia turned away from the window to see Nikalye leant against the hotel room wall, his arms crossed across his chest. “Uh…it’s hard to explain really. I don’t know his name, we never got past exchanging them. I was home, with…Mother and Father when he came. He…” Belia frowned, remembering the night. “He seemed really weak, in pain. My Father is…was a doctor and invited him in so he could check him over.” She laughed, though it was forced. There was nothing funny about the situation. “He laughed, told us we were fools and attacked Father, ripping his throat out.” She shut her eyes tight, fighting the fear that came with remembering what happened to her family. “He took his time with Mother, drinking from her neck until she didn’t scream or struggle. I knew then what he was.” She looked at Nikalye. “And I ran. He chased me and bit me repeatedly, savouring the pain I was in. Then you came and…and you saved me.”

  “I killed the vampire?”

  Belia nodded. “Yes. With a sword. I blacked out after that and when I woke, I was in a house I’d never seen. You were there to explain everything after that.” Belia pressed her lips together, rubbing her shoulder gently. It throbbed painfully.

  “You are injured.”

  “It’s nothing, Nikalye. Just a small cut.” She watched him crouch down in front of her and didn’t stop him from unbuttoning her shirt so he could see the wound.

  He inhaled deeply, his eyes growing darker as he stared at her shoulder.

  “Nikalye?” She touched his cheek.

  He jumped up and backed away, banging into the chest of drawers. “I…do not understand.” His words sounded as confused as she felt.