After Sunset

by Nicole Renee

  Quickly, and before she could process it, he flipped onto his back, causing her to be fully seated astride him. She braced her hands on his chest, and she whimpered when she felt him go even deeper inside of her.

  “Ride me,” he said huskily.

  Winny bit her lip not sure if she could, but the moment his eyes locked her in place, she felt that passion bubbling up once more inside of her.

  Ride him she would.

  21

  Humming to herself, Amara picked at a few rose bushes near her feet. She received the letter from Akachi to meet her at their usual place. It was strange because they typically could only meet twice a week. His brother needed him and since they were duals and royalty she knew she couldn’t press him for more time.

  Still, Akachi was generous with her and she loved how he doted on her and told her that he would love her for all eternity. It was such a novel concept. To be wanted by a man who seemed a god to Amara. They spoke for days on what they would do when his brother no longer needed him, and where they would travel. He told her of the endless sights they could see, and he vowed to take her back to his home. She wanted all of those things, and she wanted it with him. She enjoyed that he never looked at her as if she were an anomaly. Duals knew one another, but because there were very few seers, most second-nature beings were wary of them.

  But to Akachi, it didn’t matter.

  He also told her that he would take her from her vile step-father so he could never say a negative word to her again. He vowed to kill him several times, but she always spoke against it. She secretly preened at the thought. Her own warrior to protect her against the world.

  She heard movement from behind her and jumped to her feet. Putting on a bright smile she turned quickly, only for it to drop, and a look of terror to rest on her face.

  “Father,” she said quietly.

  Imri glared at his step-daughter. “I know who you’ve been meeting with, and it will stop on this day.”

  Gasping for breath, Amara shot out of her bed. She stumbled to her kitchen, dizzy and in need of water. After helping out Javier last night, she decided to come straight home. Often her powers would drain her, and it was one of the reasons why she lived in the last apartment on the top floor. People could sometimes unknowingly drain her essence, and she needed to stay sharp at all times. It was what saved her life multiple times. It was what kept her heart from being crushed. Except for that one time.

  It was the same dream. Well, it wasn’t a dream, but more of a distant bitter memory she couldn’t scrape from her brain. She was in the woods, in a world so long ago and she waited for her love to come and meet her. She had dressed prettily for the time, in a light purple dress and her hair was braided, strategically placed on her head. She heard rustling and grinned, excited to see her lover when she was faced with her evil step-father.

  He knew who she was meeting, and told her it was expressly forbidden. They were seers and she was to marry another one of her kind. Since she never gave him trouble, he gave her a choice. Leave now, create a link so that he never remembers her again, or he would kill him instantly. As much as it devastated her, she chose the former. She hoped that it didn’t work. A seer’s words, once spoken could never be revoked.

  However, when Amara went to the market the next day to check, she found that it had indeed come true. Akachi had no recollection of her.

  She left Jamaica the next morning.

  Since that day, over four hundred years ago, she’d been living a solitary existence. Hopping from one place to the next. Not really establishing roots. Until New Orleans. She’d only been in the place for five years when she got the feeling that she was needed here. And then came Winny. Amara always felt the woman was special, but she never predicted this outcome. It made her happy to be the first seer of this century to awaken a Shahar. And that was what she needed to focus on. Not on some love that died hundreds of years ago.

  So why was she still dreaming about it?

  “Focus, Amara,” she said aloud, determined to keep her mind on what was important.

  Right now, they all needed to be on guard for Raven, Davien, and what they could possibly want.

  As Amara pushed away from the counter to the bathroom, she had a thought. Akachi was the only person she told about Winny being a Daughter of Sunrise. He swore that he wouldn’t tell, and she believed him, but she wondered if Davien knew that.

  What if Davien’s goal isn’t about his rule? What if it’s to get Winny out of the way as well?

  Dashing to the phone, she called Akachi, relieved he picked up on the first ring.

  “Amara, hey I was-”

  “Where are you?”

  “I’m driving out to Baton Rouge. There are some covens that Cassandra, Rinchen’s sister said would be more than willing to pledge their loyalty to Zahir in exchange for protection.

  “Why? And who is Rinchen?”

  “A warlock Davien ordered killed at one of their weird séance meetings. You know how it is.”

  “No, I don’t.” She rolled her eyes at his chuckle.

  “Why’d you ask?”

  “Because I never heard of a Rinchen before. But it doesn’t matter. Look, when you get back, come see me as soon as possible. We need to talk about Winny.”

  “What happened?” he asked, his voice taking on a sharpness.

  “Nothing at the moment.”

  “Where is she?”

  “Right now? She should be with your brother.”

  “Really?” Akachi questioned, excitement in his voice.

  “Yes, really,” she answered drolly. The man loved his gossip.

  “That’s good. I mean-”

  “I know what you mean,” she interrupted. “So come by my home when you get back. Winny should be okay as long as she’s with Zahir.”

  “You can’t tell me over the phone?” he joked.

  “No. I’d rather discussions concerning life or death not be handled over the phone.”

  “Got it.”

  Stretching, Winny flipped onto her right side only to come against a hard wall of muscle. She blinked her eyes open before looking into the amused ones of Zahir Slade.

  “Is this how you wake every morning? If so, I may need to wear a vest. You hit quite hard,” he joked causing her to roll her eyes before snuggling into his chest.

  “Good morning,” she said crankily.

  His eyebrows shot to his head before he gave in and chuckled, running a hand over her naked back. “Morning.”

  After their sex-fest last night, Which included several different positions, and a couple of moves she’d never heard of in her entire life, they took a shower together unable to stand the stickiness before returning to bed. Winny passed out seconds later on Zahir’s wide chest. His stamina was unbelievable and exhausting. But in a good, can’t believe I’ve found you and want to do it again way.

  She was completely sore, and stiff, using muscles she never even pulled from, but she was satisfied. And happy.

  Zahir gently pushed her on her back before leaning over her and kissing her neck. She giggled when he hit a sensitive spot and laughed aloud when he began blowing raspberries on her skin. After begging him several times to stop, he finally pulled away before staring into her pretty amber eyes.

  “You are beautiful in every way, but this morning you look exceptionally radiant,” he confessed. The way his eyes swept over her in equal parts wonder and love touched her lonely heart deeply.

  She ran her hands up and down his back before kissing his chest. “I could say the same about you,” she confessed, marveling at the exposed skin that showed muscles and some cuts on his chest.

  She frowned before running her hands over his left pectoral muscle. “What happened here?” She asked gently.

  He placed his hand over her much smaller one and smiled. His face took on a faraway look as he spoke. “It was an accident, actually. I was a child, playing with my father’s sword in his study. He had giant thick daggers that were
as tall as a child. I was ten at the time pretending to be fighting a mighty warrior. He had been away for most of the morning, so I took his blade and began to swirl it in my hands. It weighed more than I could carry, but I kept it away from my body. That was until I heard him behind me.”

  Zahir could still hear his father’s amused voice.

  “What are you doing Zahir?”

  Gasping at being caught, he swirled with the heavy metal in his hand only to knick at his chest. His eyes widened at the amount of blood pouring out of him before he passed out.

  Winny laughed at the story. She could just imagine a young Zahir terrified of blood coming out of him.

  “It was a lot more than what my child’s mind conjured up, but it did the job. When I came to, my father had already bandaged me up before lecturing me on why it’s important to leave his weapons alone until I was of age. He saw me cutting myself as discipline enough.”

  Winny looked into his eyes and she saw the softness there. She could tell that he loved his father very much. “He sounds like a wonderful man,” Winny said softly.

  “He was,” Zahir confirmed. “And he loved his sons and wife with everything he had. Just as much as he loved the Great One.”

  The two settled into another comfortable silence as Winny traced the numerous faint scars that marred his lower abdomen and shoulders.

  When he spoke again, he gathered her close, wrapping a hand around her waist. “You know, we did this all backward,” he said quietly.

  She frowned before pushing him back and sitting astride him covering the two of them with the sheet. “What are you talking about?” she asked.

  “What are you doing?” he countered, laughing at being under the covers.

  She shrugged before lowering her naked chest to his own and folding her hands under her chin as she stared at him. “I don’t know. I want to talk to you, but I don’t want the sunlight streaming in. It’s better this way,” she admitted.

  He kissed her nose. “That’s what blackout curtains are for. Which I have,” he mocked.

  She pinched his cheek which caused him to grin wider. “Back on topic. What do you

  mean we went backward?”

  “What I said. I met you, you met me. We called a truce, we talked, next thing you know I’m in your bed, then confessing, and then we’re in my bed. I didn’t actually take you on a proper date. I’d like to do that,” he added.

  It was silly, but at first, Winny thought the man was having second thoughts. That they were maybe moving too fast and that they should cool off. But this was a wonderful surprise.

  She pretended to be annoyed. “I know. You’re supposed to be some great rich king, and I haven’t even been courted. You paid for my dinner at T’s Joint, but that’s about it. I even put out and everything,” she pouted.

  Zahir’s eyes widened in disbelief before he grabbed her and began tickling her. She squealed and begged for mercy, giggling at his enraged face.

  When he stopped and she calmed a bit, he kissed her cheek. “Don’t make me feel more terrible than I already do.”

  Winny climbed back on top of him, kissing his lips. “Don’t be a big baby. I would absolutely be honored to go on a date with you. Where are you taking me?” she asked excitement in her voice.

  He smiled at her exuberance. “I want to take you to the jazz club I own.”

  “Big band and swing?”

  Zahir looked horrified at the thought. “No, my love. Smooth jazz. It’s the only type that matters,” he added.

  Winny’s cheeks heated at him calling her love so easily. “When are we going?”

  “Tonight. I’ll come by to pick you up at nine. But first, I must feed you.”

  “You mean we both should eat.”

  He gently slid from under her before standing. Winny watched in fascination at the rippling muscles on the man, heightened only by his dark skin and the sunlight creating a halo from behind. Zahir seemed amused by her perusal before holding out his hand. Winny tucked the sheet around her before taking grasping his hand, allowing him to pull her flush against his body.

  “That’s another thing about dual serpents. We only eat once a month. We may eat two, three times, if we’re starving, but that’s it.”

  Winny’s eyes widened in shock. “Are you serious? You’re not hungry right now?”

  “I could eat. But it’ll be something else entirely,” he said as his eyes heated.

  Winny squeaked, running into the bathroom with Zahir trailing behind her. As he had her pinned against the bathroom wall, she thought that maybe eating later wasn’t a bad idea.

  Daisy giggled when Alexei continued to kiss on her throat. “Alexei stop. My brother-”

  “Is right here thank you very much,” the amused voice said behind the couple.

  It was seven p.m. and Daisy had finally gotten Alexei to take her to this trendy restaurant that she read about earlier this morning at his apartment. She didn’t expect her brother to be in attendance. Daisy gasped before turning in Alexei’s arms and facing her brother, who was looking down at her. But he didn’t look upset. No, he looked-

  Happy?

  “Well I can explain,” she started, taking notice of the red haired woman at her rother’s side.

  “You can?” He said looking thoroughly entertained.

  She glanced up at Alexei who only shrugged. She turned back to her brother glowering.

  “Well, you’re with someone too. And she’s not-”

  “Her brother, Rinchen, was a coven leader. She’s part of this world by proxy. Her name is Cassandra. Cassandra this blonde woman pouting like a child is my sister, and this is her mate, Alexei,” he added cheekily.

  Alexei had the decency to offer a sheepish smile and Daisy looked surprised.

  Cassandra gave a hesitant wave at the two of them. “Hello,” she said softly.

  Daisy gave a distracted greeting before grabbing her brother’s arm. “Excuse us both for a moment, please. Actually, we’ll be in my car,” she added.

  They were all in line at a popular restaurant waiting to be seated. Alexei nodded before gesturing to Cassandra. “We can grab a both together and wait for them?” he suggested easily.

  She smiled before agreeing. Once they were all squared away, the two siblings headed to her car.

  As soon as the doors locked Daisy turned to him. “You knew? For how long?”

  “Quite a while, actually. I was honestly waiting to see how long you would make the poor man wait,” he joked.

  She rolled her eyes before looking away guiltily. “I didn’t know how you’d feel about the whole... It’s just that mother and father—”

  “I’m not them,” he interrupted softly.

  She nodded as blood tears welled in her eyes. She suspected her brother had a differing opinion about relationships than their archaic parents, but she hadn’t wanted to take a chance and ruin what she had with Alexei. “I messed up, huh?”

  “Not really. I’m your brother. I’ll always love and protect you. But Daisy, we need to be on the same page. You marry who you want, I don’t care. But you need to start acting more like an adult woman and not a spoiled brat.”

  “Okay.”

  “You need to be more productive. Do things besides shopping, alright? I can’t have the Slade brothers looking better than us.”

  At that she snorted. “It’s a little bit late for that, but okay,” she grinned.

  He stared at her for a moment before cracking a smile. “Yeah you’re right,” he admitted. “Nevertheless, we need to help them. There is something serious brewing with this Davien character and-”

  Suddenly he stopped talking and the two zeroed in on something behind them. They could feel it, but before they could step out of the car, two large wooden stakes shot through the back into the luxury SUV paralyzing them to their seats. This dual must’ve known they were vampires because they were both staked in the center. In minutes they would start to decompose in place until the stake was removed.r />
  “Daisy. Do you have your phone?” Walker gasped out.

  Moaning against the pain she pulled it from her pocket before tossing it to him. He saw his sister’s breathing start to slow and called Akachi.

  He left a message since it went straight to voicemail. “Daisy and I have been staked...parked not too far from Dumaine Street.” Walker hung up before letting the phone fall from his fingers.

  He knew Alexei would come check on them if they were gone too long and send for Javier. He felt the blood draining out of him and glanced at his sister who was already frozen in place. Before Walker’s eyes closed, he heard his door open. Sunlight streamed inside the car freely. Squinting through the sunny haze, he saw Davien bent over, peering inside. The man looking a bit crazed as he grinned at Walker. He muttered something, but the response feel on deaf ears as Walker felt his shut down at the moment, going into preservation mode. He would have to trust that help would come.

  “You’re killing me, baby,” Zahir confessed as he leaned against the black car and stared at Winny hungrily.

  She laughed before doing a slight twirl in front of him. Winny was wearing a form-fitting pink strapless dress with pink stilettos to match. Her hair was wild and free, how he preferred it, and she was wearing a matte pink lipstick that he couldn’t wait to kiss off of her delectable full lips later. He noticed her neck was bare and made a mental note to do something about it. When she was within arms reached he pulled her against his body and inhaled her scent. His dual side was thrilled that it could still smell a trace of him on her skin.

  She pulled back and ran her hand gently hand over his face. “You don’t look too shabby yourself. I approve of the suit,” she said admiringly.

  He was wearing a black suit with a crisp white shirt. There was no tie and the first two buttons were undone. The shiny shoes, white gold diamond-encrusted watch, and necklace on Zahir’s neck, spoke of a man with means.

  He looked absolutely irresistible to Winny.