Captured In Sin

by Devlin Chase

  “I’d hate to have your boyfriend burst in while we’re getting to know one another.”

  Cat’s eyes were wild as she struggled against his grip, her fingers clawing at the hand over her mouth. But his hold was relentless and he easily pried her fingers loose, using his other hand to pull her hands above her head and pin them against the pillows. His face loomed closer, dark eyes glittering against the paleness of his skin.

  “Say you’ll behave and I’ll let you go.” His mouth twisted into a cruel smile. “But make sure you convince me.”

  Cat nodded frantically, her movements hampered by the pillows and Jacen’s hand. But some of the pressure eased and she breathed heavily through her nose.

  “Now listen carefully sweetheart because I’m only going to tell you this once.” Jacen’s face moved closer, his voice nothing more than breath against her cheek, the scent of spicy oranges heavy in the air around them.

  “If you scream, I will kill you. If you try to run, I will kill you. And if you think you can cause me any harm with that pathetic little gun of yours then I invite you to try and find out exactly what I can do to you in under a minute flat.”

  There was amusement in his voice and it was his playful tone that chilled Cat more than the threat of his words. She nodded quickly, her eyes wide with fear.

  Then his hand was gone and she took in a heaving lungful of air, trying to scramble back and away from him. But her hands were still pinned above her head and she accomplished nothing besides twisting the duvet around her legs.

  Jacen’s eyes locked onto the tanned skin, his gaze roaming over her. The t-shirt she’d slipped into before getting into bed had risen, exposing her panties and a strip of skin along her lean stomach. His grin widened before he sighed.

  “Business first.”

  With a grace that belied his size, he hopped up onto the bed, stretching his long legs out as he pulled Cat into his side, his arms bands of steel around her. The embrace seemed emotionally charged and Cat shuddered despite herself. His warning was still ringing in her ears as she lay next to him, her body as stiff as a board.

  “Before we get down to the nitty gritty of you and me, I want to tell you a little story.”

  The playfulness was back in his voice as Jacen settled against the pillows.

  “Once upon a time, long before the world was born, there lived a family; the first family I guess you could call them. Together they controlled the ether, the place that was without form and void.”

  Cat could sense Jacen’s smile, even in the dark. “And darkness was upon the face of the deep.”

  His breath pulsed across her forehead as he laughed softly. “You gotta love the bible for that one.”

  Cat squirmed as his hold tightened, the laughter ending as abruptly as it had begun.

  “Behave. Or you’ll find out what it feels like to be raped right through those lovely little cotton panties you’re wearing.”

  Cat froze, Jacen’s words hinting at more than a promise. A moment passed, silence heavy in the air until he sighed. “You’re no fun, you know that?”

  Another sigh.

  “Anyway, the patriarch was a stern leader, prone to ensuring that his bidding was always carried out. So he tasked his children with bringing form to the void and carefully observed their every action.”

  Despite her terror, Cat felt herself drawn in by the tale and the deep rumble of Jacen’s voice.

  “Unfortunately, as is the case with so many families, there are those who do without question and those that question before they do. This family was no exception and the father became displeased with the actions of one of his children. But, instead of punishing the one, he punished them all and, in doing so, alienated his entire family.”

  He paused and Cat almost urged him on. As if sensing her growing calm, Jacen’s fingers began making a circling movement on her arm. She tensed slightly but he didn’t seem to notice.

  “Time passed and his children grew ever more resentful until, one day, things came to a head. The children hatched a plan, bringing down the wrath of their father. Two of the children were banished entirely and the rest were sent to the four corners of the earth, each to await their final judgment.”

  He lifted his hand and, curling it around her chin, raised her eyes to meet his. In the meager light coming through the curtain Cat could just make out the glittering darkness of his eyes.

  “And so they have waited, biding their time and trying to figure a way to reunite their family.”

  Jacen’s skin was warm and, despite her horror at being trapped against him, Cat couldn’t help but feel the heat seeping into her skin. She bit the inside of her lip, the pain bringing her fully alert again. She tried to pull out of his embrace, his arms immediately tightening around her.

  “That’s a really nice bedtime story. But what the fuck does it have to do with me?”

  Jacen leaned into her until his nose was just an inch from hers. His eyes bore into her as he grinned, fangs gleaming in the darkness.

  “Such a dirty mouth in such a pretty face. I’m going to enjoy having you around Catherine.”

  His grin widened. “I’ll let you use that dirty pretty mouth on me any time you choose.”

  Cat grimaced and tried to pull back from him, her eyes fixed on the fangs he made no attempt to hide. He laughed, clearly enjoying her discomfort.

  “To answer your question will take more time than we actually have. But, suffice to say, you are the first piece of the puzzle that makes up the plan to unite a broken family.”

  His laugher became mocking as her brow creased; his words heavy with sarcasm. “Don’t think about it too hard sweetheart. Trust me, it’s way over your little human head.”

  Cat bristled, angry despite her fear. “If it’s got nothing to do with me then why tell me?”

  Jacen’s face hardened, all pretense at civility gone. He looked as cold and heartless as she’d expected him to be.

  “It’s got everything to do with you sweetheart but, trust me, you’re not going to like what has to happen to you when you get to play your part in this little game.”

  “Oh God,” Cat’s skin turned icy as her eyes widened with fear. “If you’re going to kill me,” she whispered, “then just get it done already.”

  “I’ve got no intention of killing you sweetheart.” Jacen’s voice had become soft. “I need you too much for that.”

  He seemed to realize his mistake in the same instant Cat did. He had no intention of killing her; his earlier promises were just empty threats. He lunged for her in the same instant she opened her mouth, a shrill keening piercing the air before being shut off by the hand he clamped over her mouth.

  Then everything happened in a flash after that and she caught a glimpse of unadulterated hatred in Jacen’s eyes as he rolled away from her, launching himself off the bed toward Darien who had materialized instantly at the side of the bed.

  Cat shrank back against the headboard as the two warriors slammed into each other, their movements blurry as they attacked each other with a speed she could hardly track. Jacen had the upper hand in terms of size and sheer brute strength; but Darien possessed an agility and grace that left her dumbstruck. She watched in stunned silence as they circled each other, Darien evading every lunge Jacen made, parrying the blows with blocks and twists of his body.

  Furniture crashed to the floor as the battle raged in the confined space of her bedroom and the sound of splintering wood galvanized her into action. Scrambling across the bed she reached the small bedside table and pulled the drawer open, her fingers reaching for the gun with practiced ease. Her calmness surprised her and she could feel no trembling as her hand wrapped around the grip, pulling the weapon free.

  The sound of the gun being cocked was deafening, despite the terrific noise of the two men battling it out at the foot of her bed. Both men froze, hands fisted into clothing and gripping each other’s throats. Fangs were bared and murder gleamed in their eyes. Silence descended
as they eyed her warily, watching as the gun moved to cover both of them in equal measure. Jacen’s eyes flickered briefly in Darien’s direction, noting the intensity with which the other male watched Cat’s every move, and chose that moment to lunge forward, one large hand clamped around Darien’s throat, nails digging into flesh as he hauled him off his feet. With a single roar he threw the other vampire across the room.

  Darien crashed into the bedside table, the wood unable to withstand the force with which he landed, crumpling beneath him.

  A louder bang split the air and Jacen stumbled backward, almost losing his footing as he stared down at his chest, his eyes widening before glaring at Cat.

  “You shot me, you bitch!”

  Darien had untangled himself from the splintered furniture and leapt onto the bed, legs bent in a fighter’s stance as he kept his body between Cat’s and Jacen. But the vampire was more interested in the blood seeping from the wound in his shoulder. His brows were clamped down and his face was tight with anger.

  Not pain, Cat realized with dismay. He didn’t look as though the gunshot had caused him any physical discomfort at all. Instead he just looked royally pissed off.

  She shot him again, her hands shaking so badly now that her aim was completely off. But what she’d intended as a shot to the head became a gut shot that spun the vampire around and slammed him into the wall.

  Darien turned to stare at her and Cat realised that he was still crouched in front of her; she’d shot around him but could have shot him in the back just as easily.

  What the fuck? He mouthed silently, his expression speaking volumes. He shook his head and, after another glare in Cat’s direction, turned his attention back to the other male.

  Jacen was slumped against the wall, still on his feet, with one hand clamped to the heavily bleeding wound in his stomach. The stench of blood hung heavy in the small room and his skin had paled even further. His nostrils were flaring and Cat could imagine that he was scenting his own blood in the air. A quick glance at Darien confirmed her thought; he looked as overwhelmed by the scent as the man he’d just fought, who was now bleeding furiously onto her carpet.

  Her fingers opened and the gun dropped from her hand, landing with a soft thump on the mattress. Darien stepped off the bed and reached back to grab Cat’s arm, still keeping her body out of Jacen’s line of sight.

  “You okay?”

  His voice was ragged with emotion and Cat finally understood the seriousness with which he took his role to protect her. For some reason she was important to him and, as she listened to his harsh breathing, she felt safer than she had all evening.

  “I’m fine.”

  She scooted to the edge of the bed and stood up, never taking her eyes off Jacen, who watched her every move from under lowered brows. “Can we please get out of here? I mean, as in vanish into thin air get out of here?”

  Darien chuckled softly. “I wish it worked that way; I really do.”

  He moved around the bed, reaching her and wrapping his arms protectively around her, turning her so that he could keep an eye on Jacen. His next words were addressed to the taller vampire. His voice was hard, his teeth gritted.

  “If you can get out of here then I suggest you do so. If you’re not gone within the next few seconds I will press the advantage and separate your head from your body.”

  Jacen sneered in response to Darien’s threat, his lips lifting to expose his fangs. But he didn’t make another attempt to attack. Instead he shuffled into the open space at the foot of the bed and closed his eyes.

  As a cold draught of air circulated around the room and toyed with the curtains, Cat turned and stared over her shoulder, watching as her attackers’ body began to shimmer and fade.

  Jacen wasn’t having much luck dematerializing. The ability, one so fundamental to his kind and yet easy enough even for a newly ascended vampire to master, was rapidly deserting him. He knew it wasn’t because of his injuries. Hell, the gunshot wounds were already beginning to heal, the bullet that had lodged in his shoulder already expelled and lying on the carpet. No, it more to do with the fact that he’d been bested by a woman, the only woman he wanted. And she’d shot him. Twice.

  Gathering the fury that pulsed through his body, Jacen focused his thoughts, brining that raw energy into his consciousness and using it in a single-minded blast that tore him instantly from the room.

  Holding Cat in a loose embrace, Darien stared at the spot where Jacen had stood just an instant before. He’d seen the effort that had contorted the other’s face and knew the effort the vampire had expended to dematerialize. It was the only knowledge that gave him hope that they’d make it to his home alive.

  “Let’s get out of here.”

  He turned her toward the closet, the door of which hung from its hinges thanks to the earlier fight.

  “Get your things.”

  “All of this is real, isn’t it?”

  Her trembling voice made him wrap his arms around her once more, even though they could ill-afford the time to linger in the apartment. He rested his chin on top of her head. “Yeah, it’s all real,” he sighed.

  “You need to pack a bag. Now.” He pushed her away gently, needing her to respond to his urgency.

  “Okay.”

  He watched as she pulled a gym bag from the top shelf of the closet and began rummaging in the drawers and shelves, stuffing an assortment of clothing into the bag. Then he headed into the lounge and scanned the room for anything obvious she might need.

  His hands were trembling as he clenched them into fists. He could still feel the icy lump of panic that had lodged in his throat the moment he’d heard her thin scream from where he’d sat in the hallway. He’d immediately known that Jacen was in the apartment and his inability to sense the other had filled him with fear, forcing him into an instinctive jump into Cat’s bedroom that had surprised even himself. And, when he’d seen her wrapped in his arms, her eyes wide and terrified above the hand that was clamped around her mouth…

  He came back to the present as he heard Cat trudge into the lounge, dragging the bulging bag behind her. She looked worn out, rings of fatigue lining her eyes, and he knew it would not be long before she passed out from exhaustion. He needed to get her into his car before that happened. At least she’d put on some clothes; dressed now in a pair of loose drawstring pants and a cropped black t-shirt. As he glanced down he saw that she wore flipflops, her toenails bright pink against the fabric of her pants which pooled around her ankles. Against his will Darien smiled at the sleepy image she presented.

  “Am I going to see this place again?” It sounded like a rhetorical question so he kept his mouth shut. He didn’t want to lie to her and he had no answer. His plans to protect her were up in smoke and he was winging it now.

  “I need to phone Frankie.” Her words were slurred and she looked shell-shocked. Definitely time to get out of here.

  “You can phone him from the car, love. Or even tomorrow.”

  “But he’ll be worried…”

  Darien wrapped an arm around her shoulder and began hustling her toward the door. “I think he’s going to worry even more if you wake him up right now. It’s nearly four in the morning.”

  “Really?” Wow. The night had flown by. But then again, a lot had happened.

  Darien’s arm was warm around her shoulder and she sagged against him, wanting nothing more than to stay where she was until the sun came up.

  She allowed him to lead her from the apartment, dropping her head against his chest as they rode the elevator down to the lobby. He asked her for the remote to open the gate and she handed it over without a word.

  The shakes hit her as they approached his car and his arm tightened, practically lifting her feet off the ground as he half carried her the last few steps. Then he had the door open and was easing her into the passenger seat, his hands gentle as he settled her into the soft leather and pulled the seatbelt across her.

  Teeth chattering, she turned
to thank him but the door closed on a soft clunk and he strode around the front of the car, sliding quickly behind the wheel and bringing the engine to life.

  “We’ll be home soon.” His voice sounded rough and gravelly, barely audible over the roar of the engine as he floored it down the now deserted street.

  Darien allowed silence to envelope them both as he maneuvered the car with easy precision, instinct guiding him home. As they reached Brooklyn he glanced over and saw that Cat had fallen asleep, or rather passed out from exhaustion. Her head was back against the headrest and angled to lean against the window. The long slender length of her neck was revealed and he couldn’t help but stretch out one hand, sliding his fingers against the pulsating warmth. Cat moaned, her neck arching as though she were reaching, for just the most fleeting of moments, for his touch. She settled again when he moved his hand away and Darien smiled, his fangs descending and gleaming in the backlit glow of the dashboard. He knew that she was in shock; anyone would be after having faced a vampire attack But the knowledge did little to quell the emotions stirring within him; emotions he hadn’t felt for so long that he’d thought they’d abandoned him entirely.

  He also knew he was stirring up a hornet’s nest when the others found out he’d brought a human into their home. But what was he supposed to do? It was his job to protect her and the Obscura’s home would be the safest place for her right now.

  He drove through Brooklyn, the Pretoria suburb quiet at this time of night although, even if there had been parties going on you’d be hard-pressed to know where they were. This was where all the embassies were located and here most of the residential properties were surrounded by eight foot walls and solid gates. It was the perfect place to build the Obscura’s residence, shielded as all the homes were from prying eyes on the street.

  If anyone managed to breach the perimeter at night, however, they would find a mansion-sized home, complete with tell-tale lights on in windows that were blocked by heavy curtains. These were false facades, of course, designed to give the impression that the house hid nothing out of the ordinary. The careful placement of well-developed foliage plants took care of the rest, obscuring areas that the mind persistently expected a window to be.