After Sunset

by Nicole Renee

  Winny bit her lip as she opened the large golden book with black ink against the off-white pages.

  “I’m going to hide your scent for now until you have gotten used to it.”

  “What if I don’t want to hide it?”

  Amara smiled, having an idea why she wouldn’t want to. “Your energy source is the sun and moon. You pull from everything Abir has created. Think what you want and it will happen.”

  Winny was both overwhelmed and a little bit thrilled. She nodded before placing her hands in her best friend’s.

  “I’m ready.”

  It was evening and Davien had been watching the front of the bookstore all day. He saw the seer go inside and was annoyed because he knew he would be unable enter, especially when she was with Winny. Seers were also known as guardians of the Daughters of Sunrise. She could kill him instantly just for that alone. He felt luck was turning in his direction, however, when he saw the seer woman leave an hour later a wide smile on her face. He was about to step into the street, when he was suddenly blocked by a familiar face.

  “Tove,” he started, only to moan when she stuck him with a strong chemical. He felt himself getting weaker as she pinned him against the wall so it looked as if he was only closing his eyes, and resting his head against the brick.

  She kept her smile in place and stood on her tiptoes before whispering in his ear. “Why didn’t you tell me that Winter Frame was a Daughter of Sunrise? We need to have a more in-depth discussion,” she said sarcastically.

  Suddenly two men appeared beside her and they helped carry him to her truck. When they pulled off, she knew she only had a little bit of time before it wore off. She wasn’t going to let this be the Davien show. No, now was the time for her to rise to the top.

  He moaned in pain. “What do you want, Tove?”

  Sounding bored she stared at her nails. “You see, it took me a second, but I finally figured out why you would have the dark prince’s ear. I thought you agreed to some disgusting ritual or something, but the more I thought about it, I said it had to be an exchange of sorts. I went to Canada for a visit to an old witch and when I explained my encounter with Winter, she told me who the girl could possibly be. That’s when I made the connection. Raven would definitely want Winter dead. If Zahir is in any way interested in her, seeing as how he is the original king, it would only strengthen his rule. Then I remembered you having to complete a special task while we coven leaders were supposed to bow down and worship your feet. I don’t like getting down on my knees.”

  “Not for anything?” he quipped even in pain.

  She snorted before winking at him. “Darling, I only get on my knees for a man when I know he deserves it. Something you will never experience with me.”

  Davien growled when her driver chuckled.

  “I know that since you are Lord Raven’s current lapdog I cannot do any severe harm, so I’ll make this quick. I know you have Winter in your sights and I want in. If I bring her to you, I want equal power as you over the duals.”

  “What makes you think you can get close enough to her?”

  “I already have. And it seems like Ms. Winter has no idea as to who she is. I could grab her, and then you can make sure Raven gets what he wants. You can finally take down Zahir and his Akachi Slade.”

  Davien sat up a bit closing his eyes when he felt the poison leaving his body. “What if I don’t agree?”

  She crossed her legs, showing how far her split when up on her blood orange dress. “I already have a man briefed on the situation. He’s been instructed to release Winter Frame’s true identity to the coven leaders if I don’t make it back home in twenty minutes.”

  Davien’s eyes flashed yellow before he snarled at her. “I don’t like ultimatums.”

  “And I don’t always get satisfying bed partners. But here we are,” she shot back. Suddenly the truck came to a stop in front of Davien’s home.

  She raised a brow at the man. “So. Do we have a deal?” She said before slicing her palm

  with her stiletto matte black nail.

  Davien glared at her before holding out his hand. She quickly sliced his hand before their two bloody palms met. A pact made in blood could never be broken.

  A bright smile suddenly overtook her face. “Great. I’ll see you around partner,” she finished before throwing the door open.

  Once he stepped out of the car, she slammed it shut, and the bodyguard sped off, with her waving at him from the backseat.

  19

  It’d been a full day since he heard from Winny.

  Granted, he had given her a lot to think of, and he shouldn’t want an answer right away, but there was a part of him that was hoping she would give the two of them a shot. He wasn’t lying when he said that he was falling for her. He didn’t care how it looked on the outside. He knew what he wanted, and he knew it was Winter Frame. So, to keep his mind off of her, and her lack of response, he buried himself in work. He made sure that there were guards following Akachi, Javier, and the Glacier family. Walker had called in his own reinforcements, so they had enough trained soldiers to protect his family. He kept an eye out for Davien, but apparently the devious man must’ve crawled under a hole. He couldn’t be found anywhere. Zahir had even called Talon, but she said she hadn’t seen Davien at her bar. The covens were strangely silent, and that wasn’t good.

  Picking up the phone he dialed Javier.

  “Yeah?”

  “Still nothing?”

  Javier sighed as he sat on the barstool near the door. It was a slow night, and he’d been watching the front and back doors all day. “Nada, man. It’s like he and his minions disappeared.”

  “Or closed ranks before they up the ante,” Zahir said wryly.

  “You have to be an optimistic man. He could’ve split. I’m sure you intimidated him.”

  “You’re right. And then fairies came out, we danced in the street to a new bayou hit created by Disney and we all lived happily ever after.”

  “You know what Disney is?

  “The point I’m trying to make,” Zahir said stiffly, “is that could never happen. Good or bad, he’s determined to come out on top. I just need to figure out how to beat him at his own game.”

  “You have so far.”

  “I still feel uneasy. It’s as if he’s waiting for my next move. I don’t like being under close scrutiny,” he admitted.

  “I know, Zahir, but you have to think of the small victories. You’ve got three covens proclaiming their loyalties to you and begging to be given a chance. When is the last time that ever happened?”

  That was true. Akachi called earlier and explained that he and Walker visited the coven leader not too far from the quarter. He explained to Zahir that later, he went to see several other leaders and they wanted out, promising to publicly announce their new allegiance and make their disciples follow them. Akachi knew that would hurt Davien, make him feel ostracized.

  “He hates being the odd man out,” Zahir said as an afterthought. “A public renouncement from his own people will kill him more than anything else.”

  “See? Something is looking up at least.”

  “Still. I want you to be alert, Javier. Start scanning all your patrons. Any trouble you get from them, you have my permission to remove the threat.”

  At Zahir’s words, Javier sat up a bit straighter before a wide grin appeared on his face. “Really? Well in that case-”

  “No. You know what I meant.”

  Javier glanced up when he saw Dash and Alexei come into the bar somber looks on their faces. “I’ll call later, I gotta go.” Hanging up, Javier stood from his bench. “What’s going on boys?” he asked before turning his phone on vibrate.

  “It’s Talon’s bar. There’s been a murder of three duals by her bar. She thinks the creatures are coming from somewhere in her area,” Dash started.

  “She’s closing up until this is resolved,” Alexei finished.

  Javier sighed before grabbing his wallet a
nd keys. “Lead the way. I’ll probably have to let Zahir know about this later.”

  Winny had never felt more alive than in this moment. She looked at everything with new eyes. As she walked down the street, through the busy Friday night crowd, she felt her eyes had somehow become sharper, and everything seemed brand new. She felt completely energized and her thoughts felt calm. She felt like she could fly, and she probably could. Winny made a mental note to check on that later.

  She had already gotten Zahir’s address from Amara before she left, and had been waiting until evening to go outside. She wanted to see the world at night with a new set of eyes. And she was not disappointed. Winny walked until she was near the edge of town. She hailed a taxi and gave the man the address to her destination.

  The man locked eyes with her in the mirror before swallowing. “Are you sure ma’am? That particular house isn’t known for having visitors.”

  She met his worried gaze with an easy smile. “Thank you for the concern, but I know someone there. I’ll be safe.”

  The man pulled away from the curb before nodding. “If you say so, lady.”

  She didn’t say anything else, only rolled down the window and let the wind run over her face. Winny’s eyes stayed open as she took in the long roads and the trees that took up almost every part of the neighborhood. She’d never been this way before, so her admiration was genuine. It wasn’t until fifteen minutes later that the man pulled up at tall wrought iron gates.

  He cut the engine before turning in his seat to face her. “Miss, I’m not permitted to go any further. I was pushing it coming into the private gate.” The older man with kind eyes gave her another glance over. “Are you sure you’ll be alright? I can wait for you if you’d like.”

  Winny was glad that there were still kind people such as him in the world. She pulled out her wallet and gave the man the cab fare plus a hefty tip. “No, sir. I’m fine. Have a good night.”

  Exiting the car she walked up to the tall gates and laughed at how stereotypical his home was. The tall gates, the narrow driveway which led to a wide circular driveway, the water fountain in the front of the home. The three-story mansion looked equal parts intimidating and classy. It represented the man she was looking for clearly.

  Squaring her shoulders she pulled on the gate, surprised to find it open and slid in between it. She walked down the driveway and found her heart racing. She knew his home was heavily guarded so she made sure to stay in the center of the narrow road and walk slowly, so she wasn’t attacked. Nothing could stand in her way.

  Zahir was walking his property, taking in the evening. He had traveled to a lot of places, but nothing was quite astounding as a New Orleans evening. The sky was unusually bright for it to be nightfall, and the stars seemed closer than any other night.

  He was on his third lap around the backyard when Clayton approached him. “Sir, there’s a woman walking down the drive up to the house.”

  Zahir frowned. “Does she look dangerous?”

  “No sir, its-”

  Before Clayton could finish, Zahir smelled her scent.

  Winter.

  He glanced at Clayton, thanked him, and forced himself to slowly walk around the yard and to the front of his house. He sat on the front steps and he found himself entranced with Winny the closer she got. Her hair was loose and hanging down her back. She was clothed in a simple black dress with flats. She was simple in her beauty, and he wouldn’t have it any other way. He could hear her heart racing, but her smile let him know the news wouldn’t be too terrible. The moment she got close enough he stood, towering over her.

  “Hi,” she said quietly.

  He offered her a crooked smile before holding out his hand. “Hello. Would you like to come inside?”

  “I would,” she said, sliding her hand into his.

  He pulled her into his side before guiding her in his home. The dual side of him was pleased that she came into his home. He wanted her aroma everywhere in his home, and he wanted her to smell of him. He closed the door and was going to lead her outback, but she shook her head.

  “Do you have somewhere private where we can talk?”

  He studied her before answering carefully. “We can always go to my room. I have an adjoining sitting room where we could talk.”

  “A sitting room?” she questioned, humor in her voice.

  He snorted before guiding her up the stairs. “Sitting room, suites. Does it matter? It’s another room,” he grumbled.

  She giggled, squeezing his hand.

  When he opened his door, he allowed Winny to enter first and she tried but failed to keep the awe from her voice. The room was huge. As soon as she walked in she noticed the giant four-poster bed that took up a good portion of the room. To the left was a medium-sized dresser and floor-length mirror. It was made of dark cherry wood. In the left corner of the room was a patio door that was open, affording Winny a view of the expansive backyard through the gossamer burgundy curtains. The bed was turned down and Winny could see burgundy silk sheets and a plush looking comforter with gold pillows thrown on top of it. There was a chest that was as wide as the bed and it rested at the foot of the massive piece of furniture. To the right were two doors, one had been left ajar while the other remained closed. From where she stood, she could see a glass shower and claw foot tub.

  “The sitting room is behind that closed door,” he said quietly. Standing directly behind her, he placed his hands on her shoulders as he spoke. “I usually close it because sometimes I may have meetings in that room. It’s the only room in the house-well mine and my brothers-that is soundproofed.”

  Winny suddenly understood. They needed their privacy. The information discussed by the men residing in the mansion could be deadly if released to the wrong people.

  “If it’s making you-”

  “No,” she said, turning in his arms. Winny placed her hands on his waist as she smiled up at him. “I have some important things to share.”

  He nodded before reaching up to brush a stray of hair behind her ear once more. “I’m listening,” he said a smile in his voice.

  She straightened her shoulders. “Good.” Placing her hand on his cheek, she started when his eyes were on her. “You gave me a lot of information. A lot that I am still trying to digest. I feel like the last couple of days have been an alternate universe.”

  Zahir snorted in agreement. Winny has no idea how accurately she described this week.

  “And I still have a lot of questions, but I want you to know that my hesitance for not giving you an answer had nothing to do with you, and everything to do with me. Zahir, you are such a unique man. Then you tell me of this world. The real world. Where there are more than just humans. And this world that you speak of, that you confessed to me, is actually a world you are in control of. As you were explaining this all to me I couldn’t help my old securities from coming back to the surface. What on earth could you ever want with a woman like me?”

  “But-”

  Zahir was ready to argue but Winny only shook her head. “I’m still talking,” she joked. He rolled his eyes but let her finish.

  “Thank you,” she said. “I didn’t think I was good enough. But then I remembered us the other night,” she whispered, watching his eyes darken. “And the impromptu date we had at T’s Joint. It’s fast yeah, but it feels right. So that is my long way of saying to you that yes Zahir Slade. I would very much like us to try. You and me, just us.”

  Zahir’s eyes were flooded with emotion as he stared down at the woman who had consumed his thoughts for a while now. He ran his hands up and down her arms before leaning over and kissing her cheek. There were no words to express his joy at the chance to really be with Winny with a clean slate. He settled on very few words but vowed to himself to show her how he felt over time.

  “I’m so glad. But Winny, you must know that you should never be ashamed of yourself. This is the last time I ever want to hear you doubt yourself. About anything. I am deeply enamored wi
th the woman in front of me. Just as she is. Nothing else will ever compare,” he said, pulling her closer to him.

  Before he could try to kiss her again she placed her hand on his chest. Winny was secretly thrilled to know that Zahir adored her for who she was. Especially after Amara had explained to her the men in the past who took brutal advantage of Daughters of Sunrise whenever they found out their true identities. That was another reason why it was hidden, so she knew to never reveal her true status to anyone. But she knew Zahir deserved to know since he told her all about himself.

  She bit her lip before taking a step back. “You asked me to take you as you are. Now I ask the same.” Winny kept her eyes on him as she raised her hands to the ceiling. She was nervous and knew that her heart was racing, but she knew she had to do this.

  He looked at her in confusion, wondering what she was doing until she spoke one word.

  “Reveal.”

  And suddenly, the Winny before his eyes became something more. Her skin seemed to glisten, and her eyes took on the look of the stars outside. Her smile was bright, but above everything, when he inhaled, he smelled the most delicious fragrance in his life. She smelled of ambrosia, and sweet yet intoxicating wine. Her blood even called to him. It was then, at that moment, that his entire being vibrated with the knowledge of who was in front of him.

  “You’re a Daughter of Sunrise,” he breathed before closing the space between them. He looked into her eyes, stunned beyond belief at the woman he was falling for was from the lineage of Nova.

  “When it was revealed to me who I was, I no longer felt that I wasn’t worthy to be with you. That was my main thought, Zahir. Not about who you were, but how I could be of use to you. And this granted me that wish. To be beside you, and not hold you back. Only now, since I’m new to being a dual I’m going to need your help,” she finished a bit shakily.

  Zahir swallowed before cupping her cheeks in his hand. “Winter Frame. It would be a pleasure and honor to help you navigate our world. Together,” he said firmly.