by Devlin Chase
They lay like that for a long time until Darien chuckled softly, kissing the top of her head.
“I put some clothes out for you, you know?”
Cat raised her head to stare into his eyes. A smile tugged at the corner of her mouth.
“You did, huh?”
“Hmm,” he nodded. “But I’ve got no idea where they’ve ended up though.”
Cat smiled and licked her lips, a mock frown puckering her brow. “Well, then I guess I’m going to have to stay naked then.”
Darien growled, the rumble spreading out from his chest and filling Cat with anticipation.
“You shouldn’t say things like that.”
Cat rolled over, straddling his thighs and grinning as he stirred beneath her, his erection growing again inside her.
Resting her hands on his chest she leaned down, nuzzling his neck before nipping gently at his skin, her teeth grazing down to his collarbone.
She felt his hands at her hips as he surged up, his back arching off the bed.
“Why? What are you going to do? Spank me?”
This time Darien’s growl was full of wicked intent as he grabbed at her, turning her quickly until she lay flat on her belly, her legs parted as he knelt over her, his hands over hers, pinning her to the bed as he leaned down, his breath tickling her neck.
“Christ woman, I made breakfast for you.”
Cat twisted her head to the side, staring back at him with a smile. She lifted one eyebrow in question.
Darien groaned as he bit down lightly on her shoulder, grazing his fangs gently along her skin until she shivered.
“Oh hell, I’ll make some more later.”
***
Cat was buttoning up one of Darien’s shirts hours later when she heard footsteps in the passage outside the bedroom. Her fingers halted as whoever it was paused outside the door but then moved on along the hallway.
The shirt she’d found in the enormous walk-in closet was far too big for her; she’d had to roll the sleeves up three times just to reach her wrists and it hung down to just above her knees, practically covering her loose drawstring pants. Her hair was damp from another shower and she smiled as she pushed it to the side and leaned down to slide her flipflops onto her feet.
It was her fourth shower since arriving at the house and she had intended getting dressed after the second one. But Darien had walked into the bathroom just moments after she’d climbed out and, well, then she’d gotten all sweaty again. He’d showered with her the third time and she should have known better.
So, when she’d stepped into the shower stall the last time and turned to find him lurking in the doorway she’d closed the glass door with a laugh and insisted that he either find the shirt he’d put out earlier or get her another one to wear.
He’d grinned at her through the glass but had indeed found another shirt. Then he’d opened the shower door, leaned in and kissed her hard on the mouth.
“I’m gonna go make some, er, dinner.”
He laughed at the comical look of surprise on her face.
“Yeah, it really is that late. And yes, time really does fly when you’re having fun.”
He’d left her then, telling her to take as long as she needed and giving her directions to reach the kitchen.
She smoothed down the fabric of the shirt, pulling in a nervous breath before heading for the door. She knew he didn’t live alone although she wasn’t sure how many others shared the house with him. She could vaguely recall at least one angry voice from the night before.
And, of course, there was the ice queen, Marabella. Cat was quite intimidated at meeting her again, although she knew she owed the woman her thanks for the way she’d stepped up against Jacen at the club.
As she stepped across the richly carpeted room she was overcome by the irrational concern that her lover’s housemates might not like her. In fact, if the irate voice from the night before was anything to go by, they most likely disliked her; probably intensely. But there was nothing she could do about that. She was here whether she liked it or not and, while she didn’t think Darien would force her to stay, she was unable to leave until she was either allowed to or forced to do so.
Opening the door she peeked out, seeing a corridor with several closed doors stretching out on either side. At one end she could see the stairs that led to the upper level of the house and she closed the door softly behind her, thankful that she didn’t bump into anyone as she headed up to the kitchen.
Darien’s directions proved easy enough and, while she could sense that the house was immense, the staircase opened up onto the upper level close to the kitchen.
Voices could be heard as she approached the double swing doors, although she couldn’t make out what they were saying. But she tapped on one of the doors before she pushed it open and stepped into the well lit kitchen.
Six pairs of eyes swiveled in her direction, although only one pair welcomed her. Darien moved around the table, his smile reassuring as he wrapped one arm around her, tucking her in close to his side as he kissed her on the forehead.
“Don’t let the others frighten you. They’re as nervous as you are,” he breathed against her ear as he pulled her forward and into the room.
Marabella sat at the closest end of the large table that dominated the room and tonight she was dressed in a silver sheath that clung to every inch of her model-perfect body. Her hair was pulled back in an elegant chignon and Cat caught a glimpse of strappy silver stilettos under the table.
She looked the picture of elegance but the eyes that turned to Cat, while not hostile, were completely neutral, displaying no emotion whatsoever.
“Well, well. Finally, the infamous Catherine De Sano.”
Glancing along the table she found the owner of the voice.
“Riley,” Darien’s voice was low, “behave yourself.”
Riley grinned and raised his hands in a ‘who, me?’ gesture.
Cat could only stare in amazement, as the man reached up and flicked his deep red hair aside. It instantly fell back, a curtain of red that fell straight down his back. When he turned to face her she openly gaped at his emerald eyes.
“You see, D, I told you. It’s always the eyes.”
Darien growled, the sound so low that Cat could barely hear it. But Riley seemed to catch the hint loud and clear as he raised his hands again, this time in a placating gesture.
“Okay, okay. I’ll be nice.”
Riley scraped back his chair and rose to his full height; his black velvet suit contrasting with the sleek fall of his hair. He moved along the table until he stood in front of Cat and extended his hand.
As she took it, she could feel Darien’s arm tighten around her shoulder.
“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Catherine.” Riley’s long fingers curled around her hand and she was struck by the coolness of his touch.
“Hello,” she managed to stutter as her skin chilled in his palm. Mercifully, he released her quickly, as if he knew what his touch was doing to her.
But then his eyes flickered down to his own hand before flashing back up to her face.
“My, my. The Council has been holding out on us, haven’t they Darien?”
His words were spoken so softly but the eyes he turned back to her held a measure of warmth that had been lacking just a moment before. Without another word he turned and walked out of the room.
“Hey, Cat. Nice to meet you at last. I’m Brent.”
The greeting came from the man seated at the far end of the table, one bare foot propped up on the table’s surface. His distressed jeans looked genuinely faded and, together with his t-shirt, complimented his casual good looks. His hair was dirty blond and hung to his shoulders. To Cat he looked like a surfer.
“I am,” he said as he grinned and lifted his hand in a wave.
“You just read my mind?” Cat asked, shocked.
Brent grinned, as if it were nothing. “Sorry, it’s a bad habit and it only works on humans
. I’ll really try not to do it to you anymore…”
He stopped suddenly, his face going slack. Then a blush suffused his cheeks.
“Oh, man, I’m sorry. I don’t think I was supposed to know about that.”
Darien growled again as Cat turned her gaze between the two men. Then Brent’s blush explained itself and she gasped as her own cheeks reddened.
Darien quickly introduced the other two men seated at the table. Angelo San Damiano was rivetingly beautiful and Cat had a funny feeling she’d seen him somewhere before until Darien explained that Angelo was a cover model for women’s romance novels.
While Cat had no real interest in romances she recognized his face from some of the books her work colleagues liked to read. She smiled at him in greeting but all he did was nod in return.
Not much of a talker, Cat thought as Brent laughed from the end of the table. Flashing him a frown that said ‘Stop it!’ Cat smiled again as Brent climbed to his feet and excused himself.
That left the only remaining set of eyes which were still pinned on her with an expression of open hostility.
Conrad Belgac was as brooding in person as Cat had imagined him to be; and all that just from hearing his voice the night before. She’d recognized it the moment he’d said good evening and she could understand the dislike with which he stared at her. She was an unwelcome guest in the house in which he lived.
She watched as he extended one heavily muscled arm across the table toward Riley, who’d returned to the kitchen.
“Keys” he muttered darkly, wiggling his fingers.
Riley leaned back in his chair. “Not a chance.”
“Keys Riley. Now.”
Riley leaned further back. “Over my dead body.”
Conrad stretched forward, his hand almost to the other side of the table. “That can be arranged, cousin.”
The two men eyeballed each other for a moment until Riley sighed, fishing in his pocket for a set of keys, which he tossed into Conrad’s open hand.
“You hurt her and I’ll fucking kill you. Cousin.”
Conrad palmed the keys and stood up, his huge frame dominating the space in the kitchen and making Cat shrink back against Darien’s side.
Without a word he turned and marched out of the room.
As soon as Conrad had left Marabella jumped to her feet.
“Riley. Let’s go.”
She opened a small clutch purse that had been in her lap and pulled out a set of keys.
“We’ll take my car.”
She turned and stepped toward the door, brushing past Catherine before reaching the threshold.
“See you later Cat.”
With that she pushed the door open and stepped through, Riley at her heels.
A threat seemed to hover on the edge of her words and Cat glanced up at Darien; but he was watching Marabella’s retreating form, a frown on his face.
The door opened again and she turned to find an elderly woman smiling at her. She was small and plump and seemed so devastatingly out of place in a house full of vampires who must tower over her by at least a good foot and a half that Cat could only gape at her.
“Hello dear.”
The woman moved forward and reached out to take both of Cat’s hands in her own.
“It’s nice to finally have you here, at last.”
Without any explanation she hustled past them and over to the sink.
“Galena is like a mother to all of us here,” Darien explained as he smiled over at the older woman and Cat got the distinct impression that they’d known each other for a long, long time.
The question was in her eyes as she turned back and he spoke in a low voice.
‘Galena is a Wakeling; one of our kind but I’m afraid she will pass on long before I do.” He sighed softly. “Wakelings are part vampire, part human. They’re our contact with humans and are able to endure the sunlight while we cannot. But it comes at a price as they age much faster than we do.”
Cat watched the elderly woman as she dried off a few mugs at the sink and wondered how old she was. But she didn’t ask, sensing that it pained him to talk about her.
Once the mugs had been placed in a cupboard, Galena turned, a small but happy smile on her face.
“I’ve put dinner for the three of you on the table. The others have already eaten.”
Darien was steering Cat toward a door on the other side of the kitchen when Galena spoke again.
“I thought the Ligata might enjoy some lamb this evening.”
Darien turned sharply. “Galena?” His voice was barely more than a whisper. Cat could see the shock register in his eyes, now accustomed to the electric glow that emanated like a spark behind the vivid blue. Then he blinked and the glow was gone, his face a tense mask.
Galena smiled enigmatically as her eyebrows rose. “Oh, and Council are sending a representative. She will be arriving tomorrow night.”
Darien just stared at her, his jaw tense. She’d known about Catherine; had probably known all along. And she’d never told him.
His face tightened as he turned away, leaving her to smile as the three of them left the kitchen.
Dinner was a subdued affair, although the food was delicious. Both Darien and Angelo were quiet and Cat had no idea what to talk about with two vampires. Chit chat seemed useless and besides, she’d never been very good at it anyway.
So they ate in a silence that hung over the table like a rain cloud on a sunny day. Darien made a few comments, mostly for her benefit, she guessed, and Angelo discussed his last photo shoot which had taken place in a studio at night, thanks to his aversion to sunlight.
Once you got past the gruff exterior he was quite a pleasant person, she realized as he made her laugh on a couple of occasions, even though it was clear that his mind was on matters that probably had nothing to do with her.
He excused himself once he’d finished eating, taking his plate to the kitchen.
Once they were finished Darien cleared the plates and lit two cigarettes, passing one to Cat in a gesture she was becoming used to.
“What’s going on?” Cat asked softly.
Darien turned in her direction but kept his eyes on the table’s surface.
“I’m not really sure. But if the Council is sending someone then I should know soon enough.”
Cat didn’t like the way he said ‘I’ and not ‘we’. Was she being excluded already?
“Who, or what, are the Ligata?”
Now he did look at her and the expression on his face surprised her completely. His eyes had that strange glow in them and he stared at her with such a gentle intensity that she smiled, albeit hesitantly.
“You are,” he said simply.
Cat froze. “Excuse me?”
Darien smiled as he took her hand, his fingers running over her knuckles. His smile was open although she got the distinct feeling that he was as confused as she was.
“The history of my kind goes back over two thousand years and, in the earlier part of our history, there is reference to the Ligata.”
He paused as he put out his cigarette.
“They were supposedly created at the same time as we were; a complimentary but opposite race to ours.”
Again he fell silent and Cat waited, not wanting to push him. When it became clear that he felt uncomfortable talking here in the open she had an idea and put out her own cigarette.
Pushing back her chair she kept hold of Darien’s hand as she walked out of the dining room, turning her head to either side as she looked for the stairs down to the level that she now realized was underground. He seemed to sense what she was looking for and led her around a corner and down the stairs to his room.
Within minutes she was naked and slipping under fresh covers that had miraculously appeared on the bed. Probably Galena, she thought as she lay back against the pillows.
Darien hadn’t moved and still stood at the door.
“Come here,” she smiled.
He approached t
he bed, his hands already at the belt of his jeans. A moment later she was tucked up against his side, his arm protectively around her as she nestled into his chest.
“Tell me about the Ligata.”
Darien tensed for a heartbeat, some inner conflict taking place. Then he sighed and pulled her closer; some decision clearly made in his mind and setting his at ease.
“To tell you about the Ligata I would need to tell you about my race first. They go hand in hand; or at least they used to.
“I could tell you things about my race; talk for hours. But I wouldn’t have been able to tell you all that much about the Ligata; or at least not until a few months ago anyway.”
“When you were assigned to watch me and Frankie?”
He nodded. “The Council didn’t tell us why we were supposed to watch over you, though. I didn’t have a clue about what you and Frankie represent until I got called into a second Council meeting.”
Cat watched as he fiddled with a thread on the duvet, clearly still unsure about how much to reveal. With a deep breath he took her hand in his and turned to face her.
“I got taken to a chamber beneath the Obscura’s mansion where I was introduced to what I think is the real Obsura Council.
They were the ones who explained what we were really going to be doing here in South Africa.
I was sworn to secrecy. So I haven’t even told the others what I’m going to tell you now.”
Oh, this was just too much intrigue and Cat felt her pulse quicken. Darien sensed her excitement and chuckled softly.
“I can tell you love a good story. So here goes. The story of my people in a nutshell and,” he paused, “the history of yours too.”
He spoke hesitantly at first, as if he’d never spoken of his history to anyone before. With a start Cat realized that he probably never had. Not to a human at least.
He talked of the Elementals, ethereal beings who, in their efforts to bring balance to a world they saw destroying itself, had gathered the blood of a sinner and the blood of a virtuous man. This blood had been introduced to many of the wealthy families of Europe; passed into the blood of an infant during childbirth.
