The Council (Darkness #5)

by K. F. Breene

  Cato’s eyes closed slowly. And opened a short time later; the rest of the room silent, waiting. Rudy’s face closed down into barely-contained rage. He probably had a million little “projects” in progress that would now be open to scrutiny. I had a feeling a great many of those projects weren’t in the best interest of anyone but him. Shame.

  “Yes, we need to set things to rights, but that will take time. For now, we must convene.” Cato stood slowly. Those at the table stood with him. Everyone already standing kind of shuffled farther away, giving him room.

  “But what about the growing faction of our kind trying to push into the human world?” an older Council member asked, nearly as old as Cato. “We have one of the leaders below level. Who knows who he’s tied to?”

  Cato paused, gaze settling on the man. “Yes, yes. I had forgotten. We must extract that information. Organize it.”

  The man nodded, crossing his arms over his chest. Rudy gave him a heated glance before he started off after his boss, muttering the whole time. Mage June rose quickly, hurrying after them—it appeared the minions warred with each other for their master’s ear. Which meant Mage June had the opposite view Rudy did.

  Thank God.

  Tim turned to me in barely-contained bewilderment. “Shall we?”

  “Sasha,” Toa said, stepping closer with a harried expression. “Dominicous and I still have work to do. We are trying to open eyes; find out who is loyal to our way of thinking, versus… other factions. Cato as a backer doesn’t make you safe. Not yet. Not until he wakes up from his self-induced, walking coma. Stay vigilant. Keep support around you.”

  I nodded as Dominicous stalked off after Kallias. Toa nodded with me, drifting toward Mage Marius a moment later.

  Stefan’s hand came around my back, guiding me in front of him as the shifters came behind. In the hall the people Stefan had fought were gone. My conquests, however, had been left. A circle of people surrounded each box, laughing and cheering at the guys within.

  “This place is madness,” Tim breathed.

  “Let them out, Sasha. They’ve suffered enough,” Stefan said softly.

  I was already on it. I agreed with Tim wholeheartedly. This place was terrible and I just wanted to go home. But we weren’t home free yet.

  ***

  We all laid low for the rest of the night, each staying to our rooms, no one venturing out into the halls. The trial period of proving ourselves was now over, thank God. Or so the rules stated.

  The next night, I awoke to a soft kiss. Stefan stood beside the bed, dressed and ready to get moving. His dark eyes stared down at me. “We’ve got a backer, of sorts, which means we’re free to leave. Toa thinks you’re still a target—which means we’re taking that pass and getting out of here. I’m going to talk to a few people, including Dominicous. I want everyone to know why we’re leaving.”

  “Can’t we just write a few notes?”

  A smile flickered on his full lips. “Unfortunately, no.”

  He sobered. “I want you to pack everything and get ready. Stay in the room until I come back, okay? I don’t know what’s going on with the Council, but you’re still a target. And possibly hated since Cato has sided with finding humans important. Plus, there is Andris to think about.”

  “Got it. Stay here. Does this mean I can get Charles to serve me breakfast in bed?”

  Stefan frowned at me in warning. “Flashing the hired help? No. He might forget you’re mine and try to jump in. And then I’d have to beat him senseless.” I got a wink.

  I giggled and snuggled under the sheets. “Fine. Come back in for a moment? I’ll be quick…”

  “I should go. Get things ready.”

  “Plllleeeaasssee?” I begged, throwing a pouty face at him. It worked half the time.

  Stefan minutely shook his head, a smile warring on his lips. He half-turned to leave, and then stopped. Fast as lightning, he unbuttoned and stepped out of his jeans and boxer briefs. He had his shirt off a second later, his glorious body cut and defined, perfect right down to the last bump of muscle. His large erection bobbed as he slid into bed, covering my body with his warmth.

  “Someday I’ll learn to say no to you,” he growled, sliding his length against my quickly-dampening sex.

  “What would be the fun in that?” I breathed, leaning my head back against the pillow, savoring the feel of him.

  “Hmm.” He captured my lips as he aligned himself, thrusting forward and filling me in one push.

  “Ohh, goodness.” My legs tightened around him.

  “Just a quickie,” he spoke against my lips, pace fast but steady.

  I didn’t bother to nod, just focused on the warmth pooling in my core. On the tightness spreading through my body. Tingles and shivers worked my ardor higher, his girth filling me, his friction spreading glorious pleasure throughout my body. His kiss got harder and more insistent, his thrusts less controlled. My hips swung up to him. Our bodies crashed together. Waves of delight rocked through me, my breath coming out in fast pants.

  He pushed harder and faster, the bed squeaking below us. The slide of him inside me felt so natural. So good.

  An explosion tore through my body. My limbs quivered and my eyes rolled back in my head. Stefan finished a moment later, shuddering against me.

  “I love you, Sasha,” he whispered into my ear. He kissed me tenderly, connecting eyes for a moment before getting up. “Stay safe and I’ll see you in a few hours.”

  “Thanks.” I stretched languidly, admiring his shiny and cut body. “For the ride.”

  I could hear his chuckle as he left the room.

  ***

  I sighed as I stared down at the not-delicately-packed suitcases stacked near the edge of the bed. We had a wardrobe to go back to; I no longer cared if my clothes got wrinkled. I strolled to the side of the room and pushed aside a heavy curtain. The world waited below me, nothing more than a few twinkling lights in a void of black. I had known the weeks would be hard here, but I had hoped to find a bit more of a toehold. Regardless, I couldn’t say I wasn’t happy to head out.

  Heaving another sigh, I turned back to the center of the room. Then sat on the bed, staring at nothing. Conceivably, I could turn on the TV. Instead, I glanced at one of the packed suitcases, where I stupidly stashed my e-reader.

  Rolling my eyes at myself, I pushed off the bed and bent down. As I was fumbling with the zipper, a hard rap sounded at the door. Leaving my suitcase, I did a quick peep through the peephole just to be sure. Jonas would bitch if I seemed surprised by his presence.

  Blane, one of Tim’s shifters that rarely spoke to me, waited outside. He was kind of a quiet guy, hanging out in the rafters, waiting for Tim to give orders. I opened the door with raised eyebrows. “Hey, Blane, what’s up?”

  “They got Ann,” he gushed immediately. “Charles said not to get you, but we need magic to fight them off!”

  Cold water trickled down my back. “Them, who? Who’s got Ann?”

  Blane shook his head in quick jerks. “A bunch of guys. They want to have fun with her. I tried to fight them off. I got Charles but he said not to get you. But they had more magic than Charles—”

  “Okay,” I said, stepping out of the door. “Where?”

  Blane took off at a jog, going down a floor and cutting toward the back of the complex—a place I hadn’t been before. The hallways were regularly active at first, but as we moved further toward the back, things quieted down. Only a few lovers tucked into the corners and the stray wanderer crossed my sight.

  “Are you sure, Blane?” I couldn’t help the wariness in my voice. I had no doubt that if someone was messing around with an honored guest, they’d do it out of sight, but heading to a place with no help wasn’t the brightest move.

  “Just up here.” Blane breathed out through his mouth, a sign he was worked up. We turned a corner… into an empty hallway. Closed doors lined the dimly-lit hallway.

  “Where?” I asked in a terrified whisper. Fear ran thro
ugh me.

  “Sorry, Sasha,” Blane said, slowing. He came to a stop, staring at me with deep brown eyes. “But I have to look out for number one.”

  He took a step back as he glanced over my shoulder. “Did as you asked. Give me the money.”

  I whirled, ready to fight the rush, only to come up against a block when I tried to access my magic. Three huge men stepped out of a room in quick steps. I turned to run. Blane’s fist barely glanced off of my cheek, making me flinch back. Pain blossomed, sight in my left eye going blurry.

  Another three men ran down the hall behind Blane, straight at us.

  “Where’s the money?” Blane yelled, reaching forward to grab for me. His huge hand wrapped around my upper arm. I ripped it to the side, scrabbling with that block on my magic. It was a link, a few marginal power levels joining together for more power.

  “Right here—”

  Blane pushed into me, his eyes widening in surprise. A wet gurgle sounded at the base of his throat. He coughed, blood splattering me and running down the side of his mouth. Someone else grabbed me as Blane fell away, a knife lodged in the back of his neck.

  “What the hell?” I breathed in a terrified whisper, fumbling at that block with everything I had.

  It wasn’t well constructed. One of these guys was probably the leader holding it, too, and judging by the flat eyes and clunky movements, they were hired help. Also familiar.

  Two of them had been at the Council meeting. They were instructed to remove me.

  I kicked out. My foot connected with testicles. I spun out of his grasp and jabbed at the next big thug of guy, my fist connecting with the man’s neck. The grip on my arm fell away as the man grabbed his throat.

  I got two quick steps toward freedom before someone grabbed my hair and flung me back. I smashed against the wall. Small white lights danced in my vision as a body pushed against me.

  “No!” I cried, struggling. Trying to push him off.

  “Hold her.” I recognized that voice. My heart sank as two of the enormous men moved to the side, holding me between them.

  Rudy walked up quickly. “Get her ready.”

  “I have backing!” I screamed. They held my hands at my sides.

  One of the men clutched my hair and jerked my head back. Exposing my neck. Rudy winked at me as he bent, his hands low on my hips. My skin crawled at his touch. I wiggled and thrashed, trying to get away. Trying to fight. Trying to get at my magic.

  Stupid for not having it at my disposal. I needed to get better control so I could have it available all the time; so I wouldn’t be worried to be overcome, as Toa had said.

  That thought process wasn’t helping me right now.

  “This won’t work—it takes more than one time!” I seethed at Rudy through clenched teeth. “And I won’t drink yours.”

  He licked the base of my neck just over my pulse. My groin tightened up in terror. My body shivering in disgust.

  “My plans are failing around me,” Rudy breathed against my skin. “But if I want to head Andris off, we have no time to lose. We’ll exchange again on the way. Again when we get there.”

  “Get where?” I yanked my head, trying to free it. Trying to keep fighting as a tear of panic dripped down my face.

  His teeth cut into my neck, ripping a sob from my throat. His lips settled onto my skin.

  “Are we late to the party?”

  Rudy jerked back, traces of my blood on his lips. But he hadn’t drawn. Not yet.

  One of the guys holding me flinched toward the voice, giving me a glimpse.

  Jonas stood in the middle of the hallway, arms out wide, crazy eyes pinned to Rudy. Charles pushed around him, strolling down the hall, no humor or twinkle in his eyes. I could hear movement further down the hall, but couldn’t tell who it was.

  “Two of you against six of mine? Is that right?” Rudy’s eyes went back to my neck. He pushed his groin against mine.

  I couldn’t help the whimper.

  “It’s not the number of fighters you should be concerned with, it’s which fighters.” Charles squared off to one of my captors, a viciousness I hadn’t seen before creeping into his eyes. “And we brought some animals, too. They don’t fight fair.”

  A deep roar rent the hallway. The walls shook. The doors jiggled.

  Tim.

  A childlike cry followed right after, and then the growl of a wolf. Ann and John. I had no doubt three more wolves followed. Tim’s whole squad, less the dead man at my feet.

  Rudy jerked toward the sounds, his eyes going wide for a brief moment. The block wobbled. He snatched me off the wall, his hands digging into my arms. To his men he yelled, “Kill them.”

  Charles was already moving, sword spinning so fast I could barely see it. He deftly sliced, his blade cutting through flesh and bone, chopping the sword hand off of his opponent. As Rudy flung me down the hall, my vision jiggling, I saw Jonas lunge forward with a violent growl, grabbing the head of the nearest enemy and wrenching. A disgusting crack signified a broken neck.

  Another roar shook the walls. The huge bear pushed past Jonas and Charles, aiming right for us. The block wobbled again as Rudy tripped, dragging me against the wall with him.

  What the hell was I doing? Waiting to be saved? This wasn’t Sleeping Beauty—I needed to grow a pair!

  Rage surged into my body, replacing my previous terror. I punched Rudy in the nose. My fist screamed in pain. I tried to gouge his eyes and instead scratched down his face. That’ll work.

  One of Rudy’s men flew through the air, smacking the wall headfirst. The bear was once again in pursuit.

  The link wobbled, so much weaker now. Rudy struggled, trying to maintain control of the link. Failing.

  I pushed at the magic and then pulled again and picked. Then I screamed in his face. He ripped me off the wall, backhanding me as another of his men’s yells cut off. My other cheek erupted in pain. My eye felt like it was trying to squeeze out of the socket.

  And then the hand holding me disappeared. I staggered into the wall, my shoulder connecting first and sending waves of agony through my body. Hazy, disorientated, I looked up to find Rudy sprinting down the hall. A mountain lion took up the chase immediately.

  “C’mon, Sasha, I got you. Ann’ll get him.” Charles scooped me up into his arms and started running.

  “I can’t feel Stefan, Charles. We have to find Stefan.”

  Chapter 9

  Bursts of emotion fired in Stefan’s body as he shoved open the door. He looked around the room wildly, feeling Sasha cringe through the blood link. He could feel her panic.

  His gaze fell over the packed suitcases. The made bed. Everything was organized. Even the vase with stationery on the desk had been straightened.

  He squeezed his eyes shut as a sickening wave of violation swept over him. His stomach turned, knowing exactly what was happening.

  Thoughts fleeing, panic creeping into him, he spun quickly for the door. A moving object expanded in his vision right before making contact with his face. The world went black.

  ***

  Consciousness descended slowly. A cloudy haze took over his vision. Stefan’s head throbbed. His brain pushed painfully against the inside of his skull. Coarse material cut into his wrists, stopping blood flow to his fingers.

  He blinked, trying to clear his vision.

  Soft cushioning beneath him barely hinted at the bump and sway of a moving vehicle.

  “Hello.” Andris’ blurred head leaned into view across a smooth surface—a table, it looked like. “You’re joining us.”

  Stefan stretched out his jaw and moved his face around. “What’d you hit me with?”

  “Steel piping. Hurts, doesn’t it? That’s what Dominicous hit me with after you destroyed my demon. And then he drugged me. So, I thought I’d pay you the same courtesy.”

  A plethora of blinking brought Andris into focus, though it didn’t do much for the agonizing pulse of his head. He reached for his magic, only to hit against a bl
ock. He focused on the link, its effects somehow muffled, but not by him.

  “Trying to access your lady love?” Andris smirked and leaned back, crossing an ankle on his knee. “That’s the wonder of the drug. Cuts out a blood link. Well, mostly cuts out a blood link, I should say. Clever. I can only assume that white mage of Dominicous’ thought that up.”

  “Where is she?” Stefan ripped at his hands. His bindings cut into his skin, hot and stinging. Liquid dribbled into his palm. Blood, by the feel of it.

  “Oh, she’s either safe and sound with a council full of people vying for her link, or she’s in Rudy’s hands. Though I wouldn’t be overly concerned about Rudy. He’s great at maneuvering people and edging into power, but his strategy is greatly lacking. No stamina.”

  They sat at a shiny table in a plush motor home—the motor home Andris had been carried to the Council meeting in, actually. A male sat on the couch, staring straight ahead, a sword at close reach. Two more males sat up front, swords and guns both handy. Stefan turned to see behind him. Two more.

  “Afraid I’ll escape?” he growled, testing both the block on his power and the block to his link with Sasha.

  “Just a precaution. Not to mention, we have the extra space. Might as well use it, right? More the merrier.”

  Stefan leaned back against the seat and squeezed his eyes shut for a moment. It didn’t help the pounding in his head. “So, where to? And why me? What do I have that you could possibly need?”

  Andris chuckled softly. “The end of the thorn in my side, Stefan. That’s what you have. You’ll make a strong sacrifice for a demon.”

  The world stilled. “You’ve kidnapped me… to kill me?”

  Andris threaded his fingers together and leaned on the table with a smug grin. “Finally, yes. You’re hard to pin down, I’ll admit. You keep popping up, spoiling my plans, eluding me… So yes, while I was heading to the car, I figured I’d just swoop in and pick you up. Might as well, right? You were right there.”