The kingdom he now ruled was a wasteland of darkness and ice, and a weaker entity may have gone insane from the intense cold and complete absence of light. But he wasn’t a weak entity. He was THE entity; the father of a race whose bloodline would forever remain supreme and have proven to survive the tests of time. He will be ruler of the dimensions again, supreme god of all the worlds, and this young girl was the key to making all of that happen. He vowed to destroy the House of Light, starting with their queen until the realms rained their blood. This young woman will then be his official heir to his throne, and if everything goes well, she will be the mother of a much stronger race, creating a new era for the House of Darkness.
Han takes a stand, stretching his muscles and cracking ice crystals that formed in the process. His dark eyes roam across the vast emptiness that surrounded him. He could hear the mournful cries of some of his children that happened to be incarcerated with him, in their own prisons of icy darkness. Only a few hundred or so managed to remain free, carrying out his bidding on his behalf with the exception of one… Han’s brother El. Han paced anxiously as the mere thought of his brother’s name provoked violent feelings of rage. El was always unpredictable, and guided by his own thirst for power. Han suspected long ago that his brother was busy planning his own attempt at the throne, but because Han was too engulfed with his feud with the House of Light, it was not until he himself was forced into an eternity of isolation that he’d begun to realize his brother’s dealings.
Han closed his eyes and extended his senses into the earth realm, and when the connection was made, he grinned. Yes, she was alive and fully recovered. He will send Kian to assist her and the others to watch over her until it as time. Lucena was not the only entity who wanted her dead, and there were plenty more who wanted her alive, El being one of them. No one was getting in the way of his freedom.
No one.
Dawn
I honestly don’t know or understand how this man does it, but I have come to the conclusion that he is an expert at keeping me alive. I’m stretched out across the back seat, the pain that consumed my body is completely gone. I reach up to touch my neck where that Light Leech latched on and discover that I am completely healed. I bet there isn’t a scar. I sit up quickly. Aiden is focused behind the steering wheel but he sees me through the rearview mirror.
“How are you feeling?” He asks, still watching me through the mirror.
“I feel good-great actually. How did you-“
“I found another siren and she-“
“Oh.” Just the thought of a siren and the possible price he paid made me sick to my stomach. Why do those bitches always demand a price for even a small act of kindness?
“It’s not what you think Dawn. She didn’t ask for a price,” he says quickly, interrupting my thoughts.
“Oh,” is all I can say after a long awkward moment.
The car begins to pull to a stop and I peer out of the window to see that we are pulled in front of a run down hotel on another dimly lit street. Next door to it is a bar, whose patrons are probably passed out drunk at their table, flung over the toilet seeking salvation, or arguing over a drunken game of pool. Trash litters the pavement on both sides of the street, which is another indication that this is the part of town where the unwanteds go. I don’t sense anything that broadcasts “otherness”, but I know things could change.
Before I finish unbuckling myself, Aiden is out of the car, and yanking the door open waiting for me to get out. When I am free of the seat belt, he offers me his hand and gently pulls me out of the car before slamming the door. He examines me intently before I finally say, “I’m ok.” He gives me another quick once over before finally appearing relaxed.
“So why are we here?” I ask, feeling stronger than ever for some reason. I am sensing the dark, familiar presence of an entity I suspect is the source of my power. The surge fuses with my bones and suddenly I am ready for a fight.
“I’m still searching for Derrick,” Aiden declares. “This is the pleasure district, where most siren’s solicit the most suitors. He’s got to be around here somewhere.”
I say nothing more and take refuge in my thoughts. Who is this Derrick character? What would he know about my mother’s disappearance? Who else is after me? I can feel Aiden’s probing stare followed by a gentle nudge against the block I have created around my mind. He always wants to know what I’m thinking, but the intimacy that comes with a telepathic connection is one I like to engage in often. It is one thing when he barges in when my defenses are down, however it is another if I allow him entrance.
“Some day,” he says thoughtfully. “You are going to learn to trust me.”
I raise an eyebrow. “I do trust you Aiden.”
He tightens his jaw but doesn’t say anything. He just walks over in the direction of the dilapidated hotel and I follow, making sure to keep a close enough distance to give him the space he needs, but to also make sure we are not separated under any circumstances. Upon entrance we are greeted by an interior that is the total opposite of what the exterior offers. Surrounded by modern décor with a beige and white color scheme draped in elegance is definitely a surprise. The front desk associate glares at us suspiciously as we approach. My senses key in on the strong “otherness” which surrounds the pretty clerk. Naturally, she bats her eyes at Aiden, and scowls at me all the more confirming we are in the right place: The Pleasure district.
She tosses her long blonde locks over her shoulder and smiles warmly at Aiden before returning another hateful gaze at me. I am really starting to despise all sirens.
“That’ll be extra if she is going to participate. Otherwise, she can take refuge in one of the guestrooms until you’ve…had your fill.” She gives Aiden a full once over, her cerulean blue eyes burning with lust, and I simply shake my head and offer her an eye roll.
“I’m actually here on business. I need to speak with Derrick,” Aiden says evenly.
“There is no one here by that name,” she replies a little too quickly.
Like Aiden, I know she is lying and if she doesn’t give us the answer we are looking for this is going to get very interesting.
“Listen-“ Aiden lowers his gaze to the clerk’s name tag, “-Calista, I don’t believe you. If you do not figure out a way where Derrick is in my presence soon, as the prince of the highest courts of Light I will see to it that this establishment is burned to the ground. Do I make myself clear?”
I watch intensely as her big blue eyes widen in fear and she rushes to the back office to summon help. Aiden leans across the desk while I anxiously await the presence of what I expect to be armed guards ready to escort us out. Instead, Calista walks back in, wearing an all too calm expression.
“He will be down shortly,” she says before turning her back on Aiden and returning to the office and shutting the door.
I never thought I would see the day when I witness Aiden flex his “prince” card. I guess he was left with no other alternative that would leave us in a position where we would not have to fight, because that is what I anticipated: a fight. Or perhaps, that was just my hopeful wishing for a fight. Either way, he has seemed to divert an unnecessary problem for the time being, even though now she probably hates his guts by now. The last thing any of the lower caste entities want is discord from the House of Light.
We stand in the lobby for a good ten minutes before we hear the chime of the elevator doors opening. Two huge shifters dressed in all black suits emerge first, scanning the parameter of the lobby before locking eyes on Aiden. Next, a small but portly man steps out from behind them, and instead of locking eyes on Aiden, his gaze connects with mine. Shifty black eyes stare at me appreciatively, and a part of me shudders inside. He has to be about 5’2” and a good 200 or so pounds of rancid obesity. His pores ooze what is the result of poor hygiene, and his greasy tanned skin makes me wonder how sirens would even tolerate being intimate with a creature that is just so…disgusting. As he and his guards move in
closer, I detect a strong “otherness” about him. Despite his creepy look, I know in battle he is a formidable opponent, which leads me to realize he is a member of one of the lower castes of the House of Darkness: Derrick is a demon.
He doesn’t smile upon approach. He eyes both of us curiously, and I know he is curious as to how we even received wind of his favorite whereabouts. He smooths the lapels of his expensive Tom Ford navy blue suit, before running a stubby hand through his slicked back black hair. So this creature thinks he has going on…interesting.
“I heard you requested my presence,” he says finally, meeting Aiden’s stare.
“I did,” Aiden replies.
“Who are you? What do you want? What does the Prince of the highest court of Light want with a guy like me?”
I find Derrick’s horrible impression of Danny Devito to be irritating at best. I am not suggesting that is what he is doing intentionally, but that is who he reminds me of. The arrogance that he gives off is a stench all on its own, and I hope we can get the information we need from him smoothly without a problem.
“You seem to already know who I am so no introduction is needed,” Aiden said coolly.
Derrick shrugged. “I see you brought the most wanted girl on the planet. Not a wise decision on your part prince.”
“Touch her, you die. It is just that simple,” Aiden growled.
“Don’t make threats you can’t keep prince,” Derrick responded evenly. “I don’t want any problems from the likes of you, however, parading her around is not a wise decision.”
“Is that so? Tell me then since you seem to be an entity of knowledge, you do know who her mother is right?”
Derrick returns his gaze to me and studied me curiously before replying.
“Which one?”
“What the hell do you mean ‘which one’? I only have one mother!” I snap indignantly.
“Kai,” Aiden says evenly. “But please indulge me on whatever tidbit you have at your disposal.”
“That much will cost you,” Derrick smirks. “But as for the name you mentioned, she was kidnapped by Lucina's messenger where she was being held hostage until she escaped. Word on the street is, she is now in one of the prisons being manned by your own House, Prince.”
I am struggling to keep calm, but my palms begin to crackle with white hot heat. Derrick eyed me nervously.
“Tell your girl to calm down.”
“Which one of Lucena's messengers took Kai?” Aiden demanded.
“Oh come on don’t act like you don’t know,” Derrick teased.
“Tell me who it is before I separate your head from its shoulders,” Aiden growls.
Suddenly the two guards who flock Derrick close in on Aiden and I, and without thinking I respond with several hard blasts to their chests. Both of them are sent flying in either direction when Aiden deftly yanks Derrick by the throat and holds him suspended high above the ground.
“Tell me who is responsible for kidnapping Kai,” Aiden demands.
Derrick begins to cough and wheeze in Aiden’s grip. “Bane,” he chokes out. “Bane took her. He works for another entity…who is more power hungry than the queen herself…”
Suddenly panic floods my bloodstream and as Aiden continues to question Derrick about my mother and this Bane character, a familiar presence invades my mental space with so much force my knees buckle and I fall to the floor, gripping my head.
Free me Dawn, his voice screams into my mind. Free me and I will avenge your family. Free me and I will set your mother free…free me…
The pain is too intense for words. All I know is the voice was real, and the power that invaded my psyche stripped me of all of my senses, leaving me temporarily blind and helpless. I hear Aiden screaming in the background and Derrick’s sly chuckle followed by his comment of, “It has begun.” I feel myself being lifted and carried to the car where I am placed in the front seat with the chair being reclined. As the pain begins to ebb, the message is imprinted on my mind and I know what I have to do. I have to set Han free…but how? I listen to Aiden curse as he starts the engine and skirts off. I am not sure how much information Derrick managed to give willingly or if any of what he shared is valid, but I do know how all of this will have to end.
Chapter 20
Dawn
A couple of hours later we are back in the compound. I spent the entire drive recovering from my painful experience, and now as I take a seat at the small folding table/chair set, the reality of Derrick’s statements settling in. Kai is my mother, isn’t she? And, if by some cosmic mishap that I was adopted, why didn’t she tell me? Why wouldn’t my parents tell me that I am not their biological child? Who am I? Within the last few days my life has been an utter disaster: my compound is raided, everyone that ever held any importance to me was killed, and the only mother I’ve ever known being kidnapped. I have almost died, three times to be exact, not to mention my consistency in unpleasant run ins with sirens. I discover the man I’ve been crushing on since puberty is a goddamn prince-Lucena's son-of the House of Light, the same House that has hunted members of my kind since the beginning. I am being stalked by a Berserker. And now, my mom, er Kai, may not be my mother at all and she is being held prisoner by Aiden’s mother. I don’t have any more tears to shed. As a matter of fact, I don’t want to think about any of the madness that surrounds me.
“Dawn?”
I turn around to face the one constant that has done more than keep me alive. He gives me the will to keep going.
“Yeah?”
“You are stronger than this…”
“I know.”
“What happened in the lobby Dawn?”
I notice his expression looked more worried than usual and at this point, there is no point in hiding anything from him. If he is a part of Lucena's plan to destroy me, then that is a risk I am just going to have to take.
“I can’t really explain it Aiden. It was like an overwhelming presence just forced its way into my mind, blotting out everything else. I know who it is now. It’s Han. He was pleading with me to set him free, and I believe he is the source of my power.”
The silence that followed was thick enough to hear a pin drop. I sigh.
“You told me earlier that one day I am going to trust you, because you didn’t believe me when I told you I did. I am opening my mind to you Aidan…at least so you can have a better idea of what’s at stake.”
I don’t bother looking at him because the experience is already going to be intimate enough. I don’t need to be looking into those intense brown eyes of his, and besides, I only need him to know what I felt and what was said. I do not want to inadvertently invite him into the deeper chambers of my mind-some things are just way too embarrassing. I close my eyes and try to relax. I can already feel his gentle probe and once we connect, I shudder from the erotic mental embrace. I hear him gasp in a similar manner…and then I throw everything from Han’s invasion at him.
He winces before dropping to his knees as the full fury of darkness invades his mental space. He clutches his head just as I did. I allow him to hear Han’s message before easing him out. He remains on all fours, breathing heavily, clearly struggling to regain his bearings. I give him some space to get it together prior to helping him to feet. The instant his hands touch mine, he is inside my head again, and the images from both of our hidden memories, and thoughts combine. I see him looming over me when I am an infant, lying helplessly in my crib…and then I see an old image that I used to carry as a teen, of him stealing glimpses of me in the romantic way I would witness adults do in movies; next there is another image-from his mind perhaps- of me laughing at one of his stupid jokes when he tutored me as a kid…next, another image from me, imagining myself as an adult with my arms wrapped around his neck, followed by another image-from his mental rolodex-of him carrying me to his car the day of the raid, followed by my humiliated expression whenever we broached the topic of sex in our conversations. I struggle to pull away but I can’t,
the connection is too strong. We are trapped in this mental transfer of memories for what feels like forever and beyond, and the more I try to pull away, I am hit with another image from his memory.
“Stop…trying to fight it…” he says clenching his teeth. “Let it run its course…”
The connection intensifies and a wave of pleasure slams through me, stripping me of all logic and reason. I want to cum so bad it hurts. This is not supposed to happen. Another image hits me. This time, it is me naked in the shower and Eros facing off with Aiden. I want him to touch me so bad, I start to weep. Literally.
“Dawn, stop calling me like that!” He commands, his obvious erection begging to be released from the dark denim which held it captive.
“I can’t…” I moan.
He is just a foot or so away from me, and if I can just inch myself a little closer, we can both put an end to our suffering…
Finally, the last image that flows from is the memory following Eros’s attempt in the shower, when I crawled into Aiden’s bed and in my sleep induced state asked him to stay.
Stay.
I place both palms flat on the floor and yank myself free from Aiden’s mind. The separation is almost as miserable as the connection itself. The eroticism is completely gone, and although it sucked just a tad to have not indulged in the pleasures of the flesh, I know it would not have been right. Things between Aiden and I are already on the awkward side. I don’t need for matters to become worse.
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