Caressed by the Edge of Darkness

by Amanda J. Greene

  As her vision cleared, Jordan swallowed a scream. The hostess lie in a heap on the floor, bodies of guards with their necks twisted and bone extending from distorted limbs were piled high, blocking the door.

  This wasn’t just a fight. She was in the middle of a battle and, thanks to Ross whose arm was like a steal band around her waist, she had the privilege of being front and center.

  The nauseating sound of crushing vertebra drew Jordan’s gaze to the dark figure in the corner. He held a guard off the ground, his large, black leather clad hand wrapped around the weaker vampire’s throat. The guard’s neck snapped, his head lulled to the side when the figure released him.

  Had he done all this?

  Ross slowly retreated until the heel of his boots hit the wall. Jordan could feel the chill of the winter storm seeping past the glass of the window behind them.

  “Who the fuck are you?” Ross demanded.

  The figure slowly turned. His perfectly black tailored suite with matching back shirt and tie were a striking contrast to the white walls. The black paisley bandana concealed his face, the fedora he wore cast shadows over his features. Though she couldn’t see his eyes, she felt his burning gaze.

  Oh, god. Was he the man who’d purchased her?

  The dark male rolled his wide shoulders, ready and waiting for his next opponent. The distant pounding of boots splintered the strained silence that filled the room. Jordan recognized the sound. More guards.

  “Who are you, asshole? Who do you work for?” Ross commanded.

  “Give me the girl.”

  His deep, rough voice brushed over her. Calming. Soothing. Enthralling. Jordan began to tremble.

  Me. He wants me. Fear, hope, and…excitement quickened her pulse. She knew it was foolish to think this new vampire would be any better than the slave traders, but she now had the element of surprise on her side and a chance to escape. Ross would never share that she had killed two of his men. The dark figure was dangerous, but he would underestimate her like all the others. Jordan just needed to survive the moment and Ross was using her as a human shield. If the mysterious vampire attacked, she’d be a goner.

  “You haven’t paid,” Ross sneered. He tightened his grip around her waist.

  Jordan gasped in pain and the dark figure growled low, “Careful.”

  Ross laughed. “Worried I might injure the little mortal?” His hand slipped around her throat, his fingers bruising. “I can break her neck if I want.” Ross nipped at the tip of her ear.

  Jordan cringed and craned her neck, trying to turn away, but he held her firm. Using the only play open to her, Jordan turned toward Ross and sank her teeth into his cheek.

  With a vicious roar, he shoved her away. Jordan fell hard to her knees, landing beside the hostess. She tried to stand, but her legs wouldn’t support her. God damn it, the drugs were still in her system.

  “Bitch!” Ross seethed. Grabbing her by the hair, he drew her up. “You’ll pay for that.”

  Jordan spit his blood in his face and smiled when Ross’s eyes turned pure black with rage.

  “Your death won’t be easy,” he hissed.

  Jordan struggled for freedom, but her limbs remained useless.

  Guards began to bang on the door. It wouldn’t be long until they busted in, sweeping the bodies aside. They would swarm the small office, kill the dark vampire, and Ross would punish her.

  “Enough,” the figure commanded, his voice deathly controlled.

  Jordan was spun around, her back hitting Ross’s chest once more. His arm snaked around her middle, his fingers digging into her hip while his other hand continued to grip her hair.

  The dark figure tore off the bandana, the fabric floated down to cover the face of his last victim. His long, gloved fingers gently pinched the brim of his hat. With a nonchalant air and smooth movement, he flipped the fedora from his head, tumbled it down his arm and carefully sat it on the desk.

  Jordan sucked in a painful breath, her eyes going wide, her mouth falling open, her mind went numb. It couldn’t be him. He couldn’t be here. Not really. She must’ve finally lost it. Her mind must have finally cracked. She blinked once, twice, three times and he remained there, standing just a grasp away.

  He was even more stunning than she remembered. Strands of blond hair fell across his brow and framed the hard, sculpted lines of his face: perfectly square jawline, full lips, and defined cheekbones. Crystal green eyes, threaded with shards of obsidian, locked on her. His gaze was mesmerizing, beautifully dangerous. Entranced, Jordan reached for him. The tips of her fingers tingled. She wanted to touch him. She needed to touch him, to feel him, to make certain he was real, that he wasn’t just a figment of her imagination.

  “Gabriel Erhard,” Ross snarled.

  Gabriel? Yes, yes! This was the man that had come to her show. This was the man who made her heart skip. The man that had offered her a record contract. No, not a man. He was the vampire that attacked Boras’s territories and freed the slaves. He had been at the boathouse. He had been her only hope for escape. And he was here.

  “Give me the girl.”

  The pounding on the door intensified, the guards would be in any moment.

  “All those raids on my warehouses,” Ross chuckled. “All the slaves you released.” His fingers squeezed around her throat. Jordan gasped for air. Her lungs began to burn. She clawed at his hand, her nails scratching, drawing blood. Still, Ross held her. “Have you been searching for her?”

  The black slivers that swirled in Gabriel’s eyes, devoured the gentle green and bled into the white until his gaze was consumed by wrathful darkness. Demon eyes. His lips pulled from his long, razor sharp fangs.

  Ross growled, “She’s mine, Erhard!”

  The door splintered, the bodies of the incapacitated guards were shoved aside as vampires rushed in, filling the room, surrounding Gabriel.

  Ross pressed his lips against her temple and whispered, “You’ll never have her.”

  His grip on her throat eased as he swung her around. Glass shattered and rained down upon them, nicking her cheek, her arms, and legs. They were falling. Jordan managed to suck in enough air to scream.

  They landed with a hard tumble. Snow chilled her skin and the cold instantly seeped into her bones. Ross popped to his feet. Repositioning her, he hooked an arm around her waist again and pinned her to his side. Her body jerked and she felt her ribs crack as he pulled her closer and began to run.

  Guns fired. Shrieks of agony rang out. Then came an unholy roar of a true beast.

  Jordan struggled, squirming desperately to break free of Ross’s grasp.

  “Stop.” He gave her a rough shake. With a pop, her shoulder dislocated. Jordan bit back a cry of pain and continued to fight.

  Ross paused beside the frozen water’s edge. Looking back, he cursed. Gabriel jumped from the window, landing gracefully on his feet. His gaze locked on his target.

  Ross spun around and sprinted across the lake, the ice crunching beneath his heavy boots. Jordan thrashed against his side. She was slowly regaining control of her limbs. Kicking back, she nailed Ross behind the knee. He stumbled, his grip on her loosening. Jordan kicked again. Ross fell hard, the jarring force flung her from his hold. Jordan felt her body fly through the air. She hit the ice, her head smacked. She bounced and slid. Her ears rang and the world around her blurred.

  Fingers wrapped around her wrist. Ross yanked on her injured arm, pulling her up. Pain flared in her skull and a scream tore from her throat when Ross tossed her over his shoulder. Blood trickled down her brow, droplets clung to her lashes.

  Ross began to run even faster. Jordan’s head lulled. Through the blood she could see Gabriel. He was gaining on them.

  “I’ll kill you before he can have you,” Ross hissed.

  Hurdling over fallen trees and jagged rocks, Ross began to weave through the forest. Branches scraped at her arms and legs. She continued to fight. Her wrists still bound, she laced her fingers together and beat at h
is back. Darkness began to settle over her. The chill in her bones spread until her body became completely numb. Pain lanced through her head with every jarring step Ross took. Her ribs cracked and bruised, she could hardly manage to draw a breath to scream.

  Mine.

  Gabriel raced across the ice and darted into the trees.

  Closer.

  Behind them the piercing sound of a siren reverberated through the night as Boras’s men gave chase. Gabriel’s soldiers awaited them in the forest just beyond the lake. Ross hadn’t seemed to notice the two he’d passed.

  Jordan’s scream sliced through him. He could feel her agony and scent her fear. Blood rolled down her brow to drip in a steady stream from her chin. Still, she fought for her freedom. Fought for her life. But how much more could his little human withstand?

  Gabriel’s speed increased with every step. His demon controlling him. His instincts demanding he punish the lesser vampire. He drew his dagger and he swung. Gabriel felt flesh tear and hot blood coat his gloved hand as Ross’s back bowed. Another swipe of the blade and Ross lurched forward, crashing to his knees. Still, he held Jordan. Dragging her down his torso, he wrapped his hands around her throat.

  Gabriel drew his arm back, the bloodied steel glistening in the moonlight. Ready for the kill. His gaze fixed on Ross’s jugular.

  Jordan’s strangled cry snatched his gaze to her. Terror flashed in her eyes.

  Mine. Protect.

  “Come closer and I’ll snap her neck.”

  Gabriel roared, “Release her.”

  Ross laughed, his fingers tightening around Jordan’s throat. “Only when she’s dead.”

  She squeezed her eyes shut, her body tensed, preparing for the end.

  Gabriel moved so fast, he became a flash.

  The sound of cracking bones echoed through the silent, still forest. Ross’s hands slipped from her neck. His body fell backward, Gabriel’s dagger buried between his shoulder blades, his neck broken.

  Jordan swayed forward. Gabriel caught her before she hit the snow. Twisting with her, he sat and brought her across his lap. His arms protectively enveloping her.

  Finally!

  Gabriel gently cradled the back of her head, his other arm wrapped around her lower back, his long fingers gripping her hip. Snow began to drift from the dark, clear sky. Large violet eyes peered up at him, tiny flakes caught on her lashes, dusted along her cheek bones, and settled on her lips. Jordan was beauty, pure and true.

  Releasing a heavy, thankful sigh, he whispered, “You’re safe now.” Closing his eyes, he blocked out the sound of gun fire that echoed in the distance and focused his energy entirely on the woman in his arms, allowing himself to savor this precious, fleeting moment of peace.

  Jordan’s fingers trembled as she reverently caressed the line of his jaw. His eyes snapped open, startled by the riotous heat her bone chilling touch sent pulsing through him.

  “I remember you.” Her teeth chattered and her breath wheezed. “Y-you were there.”

  He smoothed her matted hair away from her face. “We’ve met once before, sweet.”

  Her voice roughened and scratchy, Jordan continued, “Y-yes. At the bar, but I sa-saw you.” Her chest violently constricted and coughs rattled her slight frame.

  Gabriel’s brow furrowed. The pain, blood loss, and trauma must be causing her confusion. She needed medical attention. Now. Scott was waiting with the jets. The former surgeon would be able to help her, if Gabriel could get her to him in time.

  Carefully he shifted her and removed his jacket. Enfolding her in its warmth, he then tore at his shirt. He needed to stop her bleeding. Using his hands and teeth, he shred the material and wrapped the strips around her head then used his tie to secure the makeshift tourniquet. Straining his senses, he listened for the sound of the Hummer’s engine. Turning his head to the East, he scanned the tree line. Gannon wasn’t far.

  “At the b-boathouse.”

  Her words drew his eyes back to her. Had she seen him during the raid? Unlikely. She’d been battling the guards when he arrived. Surely she’d been too preoccupied to notice him.

  Brushing aside her claim, he replied, “Save your strength.”

  “Y-you said m-my name.” Her fingertips lightly skipped over his lips and Gabriel beat back the urge to snatch her hand and press a kiss to each delicate tip. “I saw your lips move.”

  Stunned, unable to respond, Gabriel pulled her closer and began to rock with her. Lulling her. Had she heard his demonic war cry? Had she seen him crazed with the need to find her and maddened by bloodlust? Good god, the poor girl had to think he was a monster after what she’d witnessed.

  Gabriel gently caught her wrist and felt something tug hard in chest when she laced her fingers with his. “Don’t fear me, love. I won’t hurt you.”

  She kissed his leather covered knuckles. He felt something within him spark to life and quickly doused it. Whatever it was, it was foreign and his self-preservation instinct demanded he crush everything he didn’t understand.

  Jordan’s distressed moan spurred him into action. Slipping his hand from her hip, he felt her shoulder, dislocated from Klein’s rough handling. Gabriel cast a lethal glare toward the incapacitated vampire. He’d take immense pleasure in killing the bastard. He knew better than most the kinds of horrors Klein likely meted out to the mortals in his care. A swift death was too good for the Slave Handler and Gabriel had some questions he hoped Klein would be unwilling to answer. During the auction he’d noticed the crest embroidered on the vampire’s coat, the Slave Handler was an officer in Boras’s army. He might be useful.

  Gripping Jordan’s arm, Gabriel murmured a quick apology before popping it back into place. She barely whimpered with pain and he admired her strength.

  “So brave. So strong.” He stroked her shoulder trying to ease some of the discomfort.

  Jordan buried her face in the hollow of his neck, curling her body around him, seeking the heat that radiated from his bare chest. “You’re s-so warm.”

  “Shh, now,” he softly whispered. With smooth movements, Gabriel scooped an arm under her legs and stood.

  She licked her lips, the tip of her tongue accidently flicked over his skin. A tremor of lust swept through him. So not the time for that, asshole.

  She stammered, “Am I dying?”

  Dying? The question bitch slapped him back to reality. No. She can’t die. Not when he’d just found her. He’d get her to Scott and she’d be fine. But what if mortal medicine can’t help her?

  Tightening his arms around her, he carried her through the snow. He pressed his lips to her cold cheek. “Be still, love. I’ve got you.”

  Chapter Six

  Gabriel softly hummed a lullaby to the shivering, injured, unconscious woman he cradled in his arms. His suit jacket was wrapped around her shoulders, concealing the white lingerie she wore which was soaked from blood and melted snow, the delicate material translucent. Her head tucked against his neck, he pressed her tightly against his chest providing what warmth he could. Careful to keep his steps light and his movements smooth, he gracefully trekked through the snow with his precious bundle.

  Gannon gaped, shock rounded his eyes. He’d been staring like a moron since he found the couple. Gabriel’s blond hair was mussed from the chase. His ruthless gaze softened as he stared down at the woman. Tiny flecks of ice threaded her burgundy hair like a halo and caught on her lashes. She was an ethereal beauty in his arms. The scent of blood spiced the winter air and crimson speckled the snow at Gabriel’s feet.

  The vampire king and his bride, Gannon thought as he watched them. A scene straight from a dark fairytale.

  “Collect the Slave Handler,” Gabriel order the men as he brushed past Gannon.

  The soldiers snapped into action, raced into the forest, and promptly returned with Klein’s body.

  Gannon’s surprise doubled when he noted the vampire’s head was twisted unnaturally to the side and the dagger that was buried between his shoulde
r blades and not his heart. “You let him live?”

  Gabriel opened the back door of the Hummer and laid Jordan across the bench seat. “For questioning,” he replied his voice thick and jagged as gravel. “He wears an Officer’s badge.”

  “Sorry I couldn’t get here sooner. Subduing the guards that followed you across the border took longer than expected.”

  Gabriel grunted in response then climbed into the backseat beside the mortal. He reached forward and cranked up the heat. “Let’s hit it.”

  Gannon nodded and shrugged out of his own suit jacket. He tossed it to Gabriel, who promptly draped it over Jordan’s exposed legs. Turning to address the soldiers Gannon commanded, “Roll out.”

  Their men loaded the incapacitated vampire into an awaiting SUV and the convoy pulled into formation: one in front and the other behind the king’s vehicle.

  Gannon slipped behind the Hummer’s steering wheel.

  “Holy f—” Gannon’s curse died as he slapped a hand over his mouth, hiding his fangs. He held his breath, terrified of losing control. The girl’s blood smelled…delicious. The aroma filled the Hummer making the spacious vehicle feel as confining as a coffin. Her blood was everywhere. Crimson darkened her hair, soaked the improvised tourniquet around her head, and smeared Gabriel’s chest. Gannon felt his eyes shift, his vampire rising, responding to the taunting, sweet scent.

  Gabriel’s deep, aggressive growl snapped Gannon from his trance and he slammed the Hummer into gear, plowing through the snow. “She’s bleeding out.”

  Gabriel didn’t respond. With gentle fingers, he brushed aside the snow dampened and blood streaked hair from Jordan’s too pale face. The leather pad of his thumb adoringly stroked her blue hued lips.

  When they reached the highway, Gannon glanced over his shoulder and asked, “Should we take her to a hospital?”

  “We can’t risk running into Boras’s supporters.”