Out of the Dark (Forbidden Love)

by Danielle James

  She connected with Chase’s groin hard. He released her from his teeth and doubled over in pain. Not wanting to lose what little advantage she had, Brea kicked with all her might. Her foot connected with his nose, leaving it bloody and broken. His head snapped back and left Brea with a few feet of opportunity. Brea took off in a run, but was immediately stopped by Rhiannon.

  “Fiery one, aren’t you,” she said, restraining Brea by the arm. “Chase, get out of there. You’ve had your snack. We have work to do.”

  Chase stumbled out of the cell and Rhiannon tossed Brea back into it as if she was nothing more than a rag doll. “You sit here and be good, or else I might not stop Chase from having his fun with you next time,” Rhiannon growled at Brea as she locked the cell door.

  Are you alright? The thought broke through the barriers Brea had set in her mind.

  I think so, Brea thought back. They want me to call you to me, but Angel, you have to stay away. It’s a trap!

  Who is it? Can you tell me?

  It’s Rhiannon. And someone named Chase. Angel, she means to kill you for your position. And Chase keeps trying to get in my mind. I’m afraid he will catch me talking to you, she told him.

  Don’t worry about that. The connection between mates is secure. No one, not even a very powerful psychic can hear us. You are injured?

  He bit me, Brea answered, and I’m bleeding.

  Hold your hand over the wound. Stop the bleeding. Your body will heal quickly as long as you don’t lose too much blood. We are coming for you, Love.

  NO! she shouted in her mind. I don’t even know where I am; I won’t put you in danger!

  I can not leave you there.

  Someone’s coming, Brea told him when she heard footsteps approaching.

  Don’t break our link, Angel said. Let me hear what they say.

  I’m scared, Brea admitted.

  I know, Mon Amour. Me too.

  “Are you ready to call him?” Chase growled through the bars.

  “Go to hell,” Brea snapped defiantly.

  “Need more persuasion?”

  “I told you, I don’t know how,” she said.

  “I think you do,” he said, opening the door. “Oh, I think you do know, and you will.” Chase walked over to Brea slowly, purposefully. There was a sadistic gleam in his eyes that made Brea cringe. She could still feel Angel’s presence in her mind, and she could hear him snarling.

  “What are you going to do to me?” Brea asked, fearing she already knew.

  “I’m going to make you forget your mate,” he replied, smiling. Brea shivered.

  Chase grabbed her and ripped the front of her shirt open. He pushed her to the ground, pinning her beneath his weight. He grasped both of her wrists in one hand and held them above her head, taking her breast in his other hand. He squeezed, hard enough to leave bruises. Brea tried to remain calm, but it was impossible.

  “Angel!” she shouted.

  “That’s right,” Chase cooed. “Tell him to meet us at the old theatre one hour before dawn. If he doesn’t show, I will take you. I will force you to suck my cock and then I will have you in every way possible before I let you bleed to death. I will force my cock in every hole you have and I might even make a few new ones. Is that clear?”

  “Ye, Yes,” Brea stammered, tears on her cheeks. She heard Angel’s cry of fury just before she passed out.

  THIRTY THREE

  Angel had never been so furious in all his life. His vision was tainted red with hate and he could taste his anger on his tongue. How dare that man touch his mate? Angel would tear him limb from limb. Then he would stake him out in the sun to rot. Without pause for his friends, Angel headed blindly for the theatre. It would be a decent place to hide someone. There was surely a basement. All he could think of getting to Brea before that son of a bitch could hurt her anymore.

  Angel was running at inhuman speed when he slammed into a wall of muscle. He and the man in his path tumbled to the ground. “Idiot!” Angel growled, getting to his feet.

  “Whoa, where are you going?” Phoenix asked.

  “To get my mate back!” Angel snarled.

  “Well, you are going the wrong way.”

  Angel stopped in his tracks. “How do you know?”

  “Because she’s at the abandoned jail,” Phoenix said a little too smug.

  “You saw her?”

  “No, but I saw several vampires there, one woman giving orders. Oh, and I heard a woman scream your name. The vamps were filing out and getting into cars. Let me guess, someone told you to meet them somewhere else?”

  “Yes. The old theatre. That’s where I was going.”

  “Did you even call your team?” Phoenix asked calmly.

  “No, I just left. I saw him through her eyes, I saw what he is doing to her. I didn’t think, I just acted,” Angel admitted.

  “So you would walk right into their plans? What about Brea? They are leaving her with little supervision. In my opinion, you should get to her while there is a chance. Send your team to the theatre. We will go get your woman.”

  Angel’s cell phone rang at that moment. “Sebastian,” Angel said when he answered.

  “I checked out your man,” Sebastian said. “Seems he’s on the up and up. New England spoke real highly of him. He apparently helped defeat some pretty screwed up people a while back. Here’s the crazy part: he’s a firebird. A living breathing firebird.” Angel looked at Phoenix who could apparently hear the conversation. He was wearing a sardonic grin that said, “I told you so.”

  “Sebastian, Brea is in real trouble,” Angel said. He told Sebastian about the threat made to Brea and about Chase and Rhiannon.

  “Do you know him?” Sebastian asked.

  “Actually, I do. He was human when I met him, though. He wanted to join my human council half a century ago. I could have used his telepathic skills, but he was prone to violence. He had a violent history and I wouldn’t take the chance. So I turned him down. Apparently he found someone to turn him, and now he wants revenge. And Rhiannon wants my position.

  “So here’s what we are going to do. Send everyone except yourself, Antonio, and Gage to the theatre. Tell them not to engage in fighting unless it becomes necessary. You guys meet me on the South side of the abandoned jail house. We are going to get her back. Then I am going to end this threat once and for all.” Angel signed off and snapped his phone shut.

  “So we go then?” Phoenix smiled.

  “Yes. We go. Now.”

  “I do love a good brawl,” Phoenix admitted slyly as the pair took off at a dead sprint.

  “Put me down!” Angel shouted when the jail house came into view. He didn’t know how Phoenix convinced him to fly, but it was not something Angel wanted to do again. Granted, it had been faster than running, but it left Angel a bit sick to his stomach.

  Phoenix laughed and touched down to the ground. “Not a fan of flying, huh?” he laughed.

  “Guess not.”

  “Maybe you should try to contact her again,” Phoenix suggested.

  Brea, are you there Baby, answer me.

  Angel, she answered in his mind. She sounded weak.

  Did that bastard hurt you?

  I’m fine, she said. Angel noticed that she really didn’t answer his question. And what was worse, he knew she was in pain, he could feel it.

  We’re here, he told her.

  Be careful, she cautioned him.

  Baby, I know you’re tired, but you got to help us. How many are there with you?

  The only one I see is Chase. He’s sitting outside my cell staring at me.

  Soon, very soon the others will be here. We are coming to get you.

  I’m not at the theatre, she said.

  Neither am I, Angel answered. It seems I’ve made a new friend.

  Who?

  I’ll explain later. Just for now, trust me.

  I do, she sighed in his mind.

  ******

  Fifteen minutes later, Sebastian, Ga
ge, and Antonio joined Angel and Phoenix a quarter mile from the abandoned jail. Phoenix took flight to get another aerial view of the complex. He was checking for a discreet way inside. If there was a way to get in without alerting the few vampires left to guard Brea, Phoenix would find it.

  “He’s an interesting character, don’t you think?” Sebastian asked.

  “That’s one way of looking at it,” Angel replied, “But I don’t know that interesting is the word I would use.”

  “What words would you use?” Gage smiled.

  “I don’t know, arrogant, self righteous, bull headed know it all.” Angel offered.

  “Yeah, but he’s proven himself to be more help than we could have expected,” Antonio pointed out. “Is Brea doing ok in there?”

  “I think so,” Angel replied. “I can hear her talking with Chase. She’s doing whatever she can to keep him busy. I think she’s hoping he will slip up and give us some information. She’s scared, but she’s holding her own for now.”

  “I hope we get to her in time.”

  “We will. I can do no less for her,” Angel snapped. “I don’t care how many heads have to roll, I will get her out of there alive.”

  Phoenix returned to the small gathering of vampires. “There’s a way in. Around the back and about twenty yards into the field there’s an old utility shed. These places are connected underground. The vampires here probably don’t realize it’s there. If we can get in from there, we might be able to get inside without being seen.”

  “Everybody block your minds,” Angel commanded. “Even you, Phoenix. It’s time to kick some ass.”

  “Whoo hoo! I’m with ya!” Phoenix bellowed.

  “What’s the plan, Boss?” Sebastian asked.

  “First, we get to Brea. Kill anyone who gets in the way. But not Chase. He’s mine.” Everyone nodded in agreement. “Then, we take out Rhiannon. We cannot allow her to continue to be a threat to us. As soon as Brea is safe, we go. Understand?”

  “Take no prisoners,” Gage said solemnly.

  “Exactly.”

  “I might have already set a distraction,” Antonio grinned.

  “How did you get in there?” Angel asked.

  “I didn’t. Remote control,”

  “Well, let’s see it,” Angel demanded.

  Antonio pulled a small RC car remote from his pocket. He fidgeted with the controls until a small radio controlled truck rolled down the hillside and into the gates surrounding the jail. There were wires and knobs attached to it that definitely weren’t from the factory. A small blinking red light on the hood gave proof to Antonio’s plan. “I knew that talent of yours would come in handy,” Gage remarked.

  “Let me just get it behind those containers, and we’ll go,” Antonio said, steering the armed remote control truck where he wanted it. “Ok, let’s go.”

  The five men raced around the perimeter of the complex at blinding speeds. It was only a matter of minutes before they reached the utility shed. With one swift jerk, Angel had the locked door broken away at the hinges and tossed aside. Phoenix had been right. There was a narrow stairway that led down into a tunnel. The clearance was low, and all the men had to hunch over to get through. It was narrow enough that they had to walk single file. It was dark and dank and cold. Phoenix seemed to be the only one not affected by the chill.

  The tunnel stopped abruptly at a heavy metal door. Angel braced himself to ram the door, but was stopped by Antonio placing a hand on his shoulder. “Wait,” he grinned.

  Antonio took his remote in hand and pressed a button. KaBoom! The little truck blew up. The walls shook with the impact. Dust and old broken pieces of pipe rained down on the men.

  “Now!” Angel shouted as he threw his body against the steel door. It left it’s hinges with a crunch, and all five men stepped over it and into the jail. They found themselves in the basement, in some kind of maintenance room.

  Brea! Are you alright? Angel shouted in his mind. At first, she didn’t respond.

  I’m ok, she finally answered. What the hell was that?

  One of Antonio’s toys. He made us a distraction, and I think it worked. We’re coming for you. I can feel you close. Not much longer now.

  Be careful, she warned. Chase has three guards at the door. I can’t see them, but I can hear them talking.

  Ok Babe, just sit tight.

  “She ok?” Phoenix asked.

  “Yeah, let’s get moving,” Angel answered.

  ******

  “What are we doing here?” Detective Corbin asked Ricco. The two were standing just out of sight of the old theatre, along with the rest of Angel’s crew and half the Los Angeles police force.

  “Angel said he was supposed to meet Rhiannon here to get Brea back. But Brea isn’t here. It’s a trap for Angel.”

  “Is my killer here?”

  “No,” Keelie answered. “I don’t smell him. I do, however, smell quite a few others. They mean to kill Angel, and probably Brea as well.”

  “How many?” Ricco asked.

  “At least twenty, but from this distance I can’t be sure,” Keelie replied.

  “So, my men want to know what the plan is,” Samuel said.

  “We are to stay here, just out of sight, until Angel gets here. He’s gone after Brea. When she is safe, they will join us. We are not to do anything unless it becomes necessary.”

  “What about my killer?”

  “He’s with Brea. Angel will take care of him personally,” Ricco said.

  “So what am I supposed to tell my supervisor? Am I supposed to bring him a bucket of ashes and expect him to believe that it really is our perp?” Samuel snapped.

  Ricco laughed. “They don’t turn to ashes,” he explained. “Angel will bring you a beheaded corpse. And don’t forget, Rhiannon is behind all this. She’s here.”

  “I want her alive.”

  “Do you really think that’s possible? There is no way she will come alive. When the fighting starts, tell your men to protect their necks and aim for the heart. Shoot first and ask questions later. I don’t want any more innocent blood spilled,” Ricco said, running his hand through his hair.

  “This is one of the best squad’s in the city,” Samuel assured Ricco. “I have the utmost faith in my men and their abilities.”

  “Hey, look,” Keelie interrupted. “Something’s happening. They are filing out of the theatre. They must know that Angel is with Brea.”

  “Time to go,” Rebel grinned, baring his fangs.

  Detective Corbin lifted his radio to his mouth. “Look alive, men. We’re going in. Be aware of our allies. Orders are: protect your necks and aim for the heart. Shoot to kill. No unfriendly lives.”

  “Ten four,” someone on the other end replied. The police moved in closer, surrounding the building. Someone shouted, and gunfire filled the air.

  ******

  Angel stopped in his tracks. A chill raced down his spine and he knew they knew. “They know we’re here,” he muttered, moving again. With the element of surprise lost, Angel knew that they had to move quickly. They had made it to the main level of the jail house and split up to search for Brea. Angel gave a mental shout to warn Antonio and Gage.

  “How can you guys communicate that way without that jerk hearing you?” Phoenix asked.

  “Gage is a powerful psychic. He has trained us for years to develop a private link. And since Brea is my mate, our connection is always safe,” Angel answered as they rounded a corner.

  “Hello!” Phoenix bellowed. There were three vampires blocking the hall.

  “We knew you would come,” one of them hissed.

  “Where is Brea?” Angel demanded. One of the vampires snarled. Another smiled smugly. The third spoke. “You will not find her,” he growled. “Your journey stops here.”

  Angel growled and leaped forward. He landed hard on the third vampire. He took a blow to his jaw as the pair went down to the floor. Angel could feel the blind rage in his veins. Somewhere behind him, An
gel knew that Phoenix and Sebastian had engaged with the other two. But this one was Angel’s. With all the speed and precision he had gained in his three hundred years, Angel grasped the blade in his belt and thrust it forward. It sank into the vampire’s chest, piercing his heart.

  The vampire screamed in agony. But he wasn’t dying fast enough for Angel’s liking. He curled his lips back and lunged for the vampire’s neck. With one jerk of his head, Angel ripped the man’s throat out.

  Spitting hard, trying to rid himself of the vampire’s vile taste, Angel twisted vamp number three’s head until it snapped and the tissues gave way. With cold hatred, Angel tossed the severed head aside.

  Without missing a beat, Angel stood and turned to help his friends. But it was unnecessary. Sebastian had dispatched his foe efficiently and effectively. Phoenix had his wrapped in his huge arms and was covered in flames. The vampire was screeching and desperately trying to get away, but Phoenix proved stronger. He was burning the man alive. When the screams died, he jerked his arms and the vampire’s head rolled from it’s lifeless body.

  Angel had to admire this man’s strength. His method was odd, but effective just the same. In fact, he thought maybe Phoenix enjoyed torturing the enemy. Vampires were, in fact, extremely flammable. Angel shuddered involuntarily. He vowed to himself to always remain on this man’s good side.

  “Well,” Sebastian said, breaking Angel’s train of thought, “Let’s go.”

  The three moved forward. Angel called out to Gage, and discovered that they had encountered some trouble of their own. But they were handling it well, so Angel tried to contact Brea. He heard her scream both with his ears and his mind. Without explaining to the others, Angel raced in the direction from which the scream came. He slammed into a locked door. It was constructed of iron bars and the hinges were rusted. Angel saw what he had been looking for.

  Chase was standing in the cell with Brea. Her body was limp in his arms, and when he sensed Angel there, he dropped her. Angel’s blood chilled. Brea was limp and bleeding from her neck and shoulders. Angel gathered his strength, prepared himself for the pain, and shoved his body into the bars. The rusted metal gave under his inhuman strength and snapped. He felt a sharp pain in his side and Angel knew he had broken a rib or two. But he paid it no mind. Angel tossed the gate as if it were nothing more than a feather.