Their Dark Hunter (Masters of Darkness)

by Angelini, Alaska

  Lies about what she did came easily with him. The demon in her couldn’t help but get a little thrill out of the sin. “Of course not.” She hadn’t told him about Vex or what had happened. Something in her wouldn’t let anything about their encounter pass her lips. Probably because she feared he’d never let her leave the house again.

  Melody eased back from him and headed outside. She grabbed her helmet from the top of the seat and slid it on. As she fastened it underneath her chin she saw Harvey pull in through the gate. Damn, she had wanted to get out of here before he’d gotten home. Melody did a fast wave and climbed on her bike. She took off through the gate before it had a chance to close and waited on the traffic to thin out before she hit the main road.

  Melody’s breath caught at the black car sitting along the side road, directly across from the house. God dammit! He knew where she was staying. Well, this wasn’t good. She turned back and saw Harvey getting out of his car. Should she go back in? Hell, no. Her gun was waiting for her, and she was not about to be without one. Let him follow. What was he going to do? Kill her? With the way he responded to her earlier, she doubted it.

  The cars thinned out and Melody took off. Given where he was located he’d have to drive up a ways and make a U-turn at the next light. She definitely had enough time to lose him. Instead of staying on the main route, she shot across the road and started zigzagging down back roads. Before she knew it, Melody was pulling up at the gun store.

  “Jerry!” She couldn’t contain the excitement she felt for losing the master. “You have my gun?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” The older gentleman wore a camo shirt with a pair of blue jeans. He placed the case on the counter and opened it. “Background check came out perfectly clean. Still had all your info from before so we’re good to go.”

  “Excellent.” She took out the small gun and placed it in the holder inside her boot. “I’m gonna need a box of ammo too.”

  He laughed. “Already have it in a bag for you, Ms. Carpenter.”

  Melody took out the money and was so glad that she’d kept the stash in her bag at the mansion. As she paid, she glanced out the door: Still no sign of the black sports car. Good. Melody left the shop and made her way to the church. She walked quietly inside. Just being here made her lightheaded. The demon in her couldn’t stand the holiness. Nausea stayed with her the entire time of her task. Before she knew it, her hair was drenched with sweat and she was walking outside.

  The sun had long since set as she climbed back on her bike. The act of perfecting the bullets had taken forever. She had to empty the gunpowder out and refill it with holy water, so when she shot the bullet, the metal part butted up to the water would be saturated when it entered the demons.

  “Fuck.” Melody breathed in heavily, fighting the queasiness. What she needed was to get off this land. She adjusted the backpack and started the bike. The moment she hit the road, she instantly felt better. She grabbed a quick cheeseburger and ate it in the parking lot. The demons would be hitting the clubs by now. But that’s not where she intended to go. Not yet. There were other places besides Club Street. The gentlemen’s clubs were on the other side of town, and that was her first stop.

  The drive was only five minutes from where she was now. It didn’t take nearly that long with her bike. Melody rolled into the parking lot and looked down at her watch. It was only a little after nine. It wouldn’t really be busy for another three hours or so, but she knew demons ran and worked in this place.

  Cars began to pull in here and there. It wasn’t until a Lexus drove up and parked in front of the entrance that she spotted who she was looking for. Bingo. Melody put the bike in gear and eased forward. The driver pushed open the door, and a passenger followed suit. It was a man and a woman. From the vibes she picked up, she knew they were both demons.

  Melody lifted the visor of her helmet and pulled out her gun. It was imperative they see her face. If she couldn’t face the demons head-on, then she had no business sending them back. In a blast, she projected her demon energy out from her body in waves. The couple turned to her instantly. Two shots were all it took to drop both of them.

  Movement caught her attention out of the corner of her eye. Another demon was rushing at her with lightning speed. The width of his shoulders made him an easy target. Melody’s hand jerked toward him and she pulled the trigger. His body fell inches from her feet. Holy shit. That’d been a close one.

  Yelling erupted in the distance and she knew she needed to get out fast. This gun didn’t have a silencer yet, and Lord only knew how many people had heard the shots.

  Wind whipped past her while she hit the back roads. There was only one more place she needed to go, and just the thought brought a smile to her face. Her master was heavily on her mind, and it was time she paid his club a visit. Maybe she’d even get lucky and see him.

  ***

  “Looks like someone just won the lottery.”

  Trace slid in the seat next to him. Vex contemplated wiping the smile from his face, but decided against it. The music, the atmosphere…he was having a hell of a time sitting upstairs in VIP, watching the college kids begin to crowd his club.

  “You could say I did, in a way.”

  Trace took a drink of his beer and placed it on the table. “Ah, you found the girl? Did you kill her?”

  The worry from Trace did wipe the grin off his face. “Yeah, I found her, but she lives. Why do you care?”

  “Just wondering,” he shrugged. “What are your plans for her? Are you bringing her over to our side?”

  Vex shrugged. “Maybe. I’m still debating.”

  The way Trace searched his face made him laugh. “Stop worrying about everything. Look, I took care of her weapon. She’s not going to shoot up anyone else. Even if she does, she’s my concern, not yours.”

  Trace clenched his jaw, and he ignored him.

  Hell, maybe Vex had lost his mind. If she weren’t his mate, she would have been dead by now. As it was, he was perfectly content playing her game. Demons might pay, but it would teach them to watch their backs better. It was a lesson they needed to learn. In the meantime, he’d work on bringing her around. The woman was too damn wild and reckless. The moment he got her in his clutches again, she was so going to get it. He couldn’t believe he’d lost her earlier when she’d left the mansion. She rode that bike like an irresponsible hooligan.

  A new song began to play, and he didn’t miss Trace leaning closer to him. A sigh came from his mouth as he turned toward him. “What,” he growled.

  “What are you doing, Vex? Couldn’t this get you into trouble? Let me take care of her for you.”

  Could he get in trouble? Absolutely. But that wasn’t even a thought in his mind. “You are not allowed to worry about me or her. I have security beefed up. The moment she’s spotted, she’ll be brought to me and I’ll take it from there. You butt out.” He paused. “Actually, that reminds me. Tell me about the immortal you’re supposed to bring over. How’s that going?”

  Trace rolled his eyes. “We have a date tomorrow. She’s supposed to be here tonight, too.”

  “Ah, nice. Good work. I knew you could weasel your way into her life. You’ll be a master in no time.”

  Vex finished off his drink and placed his palm over the empty cup, watching his glass fill back up. He brought the scotch to his mouth and savored the flavor. It was going to be a great night––he could feel it. Soon, Melody would be his, and the years of being lonely and mundane would vanish into nights of pleasure and heat. Damn, he wanted her so much that he couldn’t stand knowing she was only a few miles down the road, and he was just sitting here, waiting.

  As Vex went over their conversation in his head, he fidgeted in his seat. What was her deal with evil? Yeah, he knew she was half human and maybe that had something to do with it, but the other half of her was demon. Her perception of what he and his men were was right. They did seduce and tempt humans. That was their way. But why did she have such bitterness to
ward it? Had she been tempted and hurt before by one of his men? He ruled a two-hundred-mile radius around Corpus Christi. Unless she’d met one of them from somewhere else, it was almost certain to be one of his men.

  Just the thought of one of his demons touching her soft skin made his blood boil. He’d destroy them if that were the case. No one would place a finger on her and live to tell about it. He’d put them so deep into the underworld that they’d spend eternity trying to claw their way to civilization again.

  “Hey, you okay? Quite the shock waves you’re sending out.” Trace pulled at his dark blue buttoned up shirt.

  “Fine.” If it wasn’t a man in her life…He paused. Was her mother a demon, or her father? Definitely had to be the father. She was mostly good. If a demon mother would have raised her? Lord only knew what destruction she’d be causing. “Trace, do me a favor: Find out who Melody’s parents are. I’m pretty sure her father is a demon. Get me his name.”

  His head tilted, and Vex didn’t miss the way his eyes narrowed. “This chick is really getting in your head. Vex—“

  “Now, Trace,” he snapped. “I am still your master. Remember that. Stop asking questions, and just follow orders. My patience is running thin with you.”

  The tall demon stood from the table and stomped down the stairs. Better. Now he wouldn’t have to worry about someone trying to disturb his thoughts. Loud shots had Vex jumping to his feet. That had to have been right outside. He instantly materialized in the dark alleyway beside the club and began running to the front. It was a hell of a lot faster than going downstairs and through all the crowds of people.

  Melody’s bike flashed by, just as he broke into the light. She was quick enough to flip him the middle finger as she sped by. Son of a bitch! He turned and noticed three of his demons lying in front of his door. People were beginning to crowd around them. Fuck. He needed damage control fast. It was still early, but people were definitely around. The police station was right down the road too. He had to make it quick.

  Trace appeared at the door and he signaled to the demon. “No phones. Erase the memories.” It was a master’s task. But he knew Trace was capable of making them forget everything they’d just seen. They’d be walking around like zombies for the next half hour, but it had to be done. Vex walked up and began placing his hands on the three men. They disappeared and the people stared at him shocked. “Now, Trace!”

  “Hey!” He yelled at them, and they all connected with Trace’s eyes. Black began to swirl and take over the white. “Go home. You’re not feeling well and you need to rest. You were never here, and you didn’t see anything.” The color receded and he turned to Vex. “She strikes again.”

  “Watch the club. I’ll take care of this. If anyone in there asks any questions…”

  “I got this,” Trace said, quietly. “Go.”

  Vex headed to the dark alleyway and disappeared to his penthouse. Did he say it was going to be a good night? Well, there was still time to turn things around. First things first: He had to find her. Would she already be back at the mansion or was she somewhere else?

  The elevator dinged and he stepped in, hitting the garage button. If he wasn’t afraid of someone seeing him he would have just materialized there, but he’d already screwed with these people’s heads so much that it wasn’t worth doing again.

  Lights flashed as he unlocked the Maserati. The sight of the pitchfork made him smile. The car was so him. A weird feeling went through his stomach almost instantly. His mate hated who he was. He didn’t like that fact, but he couldn’t change it either. Could he?

  The engine came to life and he headed out of the garage and toward the mansion. He’d have to park somewhere away from the compound, and walk the rest of the way. If any of those immortals got wind that he was anywhere nearby their residence, all hell would break loose.

  Vex eased onto Shoreline and parked a little farther down from where he had earlier. The dress shoes cut into the back of his heels as he jogged toward the mansion. Lights from cars sped by, and he prayed that if Melody happened to go by, she’d enter from the other direction. Music drifted from the large white house as he approached the gate. He stayed in the shadows as much as he could. Thank god for the darkness.

  The iron was still warm under his palms as he scaled the gate and crouched next to the large bushes. It would have been so much easier to materialize, but if he used that power they’d surely pick up on it.

  Voices caught his attention and Vex moved in the direction.

  “You’re pretty much screwed if you ask me, Leon.”

  A man Vex had never seen before was sitting in a white wicker chair in the middle of the large, landscaped yard. His arms rested on the arm-rests and his head was tilted back as if he were looking at the sky.

  “I know. I can’t help it, Harvey. I’ve known her for three years. We’ve lived together for a while now. From the moment I met her, I knew Mel was special. Yeah, she’s half demon, but you’d never know it. She hates them. I guess it’s because she never knew her dad.” Leon took a drink from his bottled water. “I take that as a blessing. Anyway, when her mom died, one of the last things she told Melody was what her dad was, and that she still loved him. Always had. I guess it really screwed with her head.”

  So that was why his mate had become a hunter. Made sense. Vex grinded his teeth together. Once he found out who the hell this man was, he was going to snap his legs. The demon’s screw up was now affecting his mate coming to him. What happened if Melody never got over her hatred for what he was? Uneasiness settled through him.

  “You say you think you love her. Are you willing to kiss your wings goodbye, forever? Because that’s what will happen if you pursue this.”

  Leon lowered his head. “I told her I was moving out. I was kind of hoping you would let me stay here when she goes back home. Maybe once I decide, things will change, but until then she and I need to distance ourselves. She agrees. It sucks. I would love to be with her, but I don’t think she feels the same way for me as I do for her.”

  “That does suck,” Harvey said, lowly. “But look on the bright side, Leon. If she doesn’t love you that way, then don’t risk slipping even further. Let her go. She’s supposed to be leaving tomorrow, isn’t she? Distance yourself and stay away.”

  Yes, Leon. Keep away from my mate.

  Vex wasn’t sure what to think about the conversation he was eavesdropping on. Sure, he was happy that his mate didn’t have love for Leon in a sexual way, but he still didn’t like the immortal being so close to her. It was only going to cause problems in the future. That much, he was sure of. Once Leon found out about their bond, he was going to go ape-shit. But there was nothing he could do about it. Melody belonged to him, and Vex wasn’t letting anyone or anything come between them being together.

  Chapter Five

  A good hour and a half went by and Vex could feel himself dozing. He was behind the bushes, propped against the white brick in between the gates. If he had to guess, he’d say he was close to the middle of the property, but crawling in the darkness, it was hard to tell. Well, he was centered with the front door so that was a good thing.

  The deep purr of a bike had his eyes flying open. Dirt collected in his fingers as they embedded in the earth. Finally. The gate opened and he watched Melody pull in. The moment she got off the bike, she walked over to the men, who were still bullshitting about sports. Vex thought he was going to lose his mind if he had to listen to another minute of their mindless talk.

  “Mel, how was the movie?”

  “Awesome,” she laughed. She placed her helmet on the ground and sat next to them. “You should have come with me. You would have laughed so hard. It was great.”

  Leon shook his head. “Eh, you know I’m not much of a theater person. I’m glad you had fun. What movie did you watch?”

  The way she paused had Vex smiling.

  “I forget the name. I just picked one that looked good.”

  She was lying. She h
adn’t been to the movies. Ah, his little, lying demon hunter. Vex looked at the men waiting to see if they caught on, but they just nodded. Damn gullible, immortals. They were all so good that they couldn’t even believe that she’d actually lie to them about something as simple as watching a movie. Well, he knew where’d she’d been. She had probably been shooting up more of his demons.

  Harvey stood and yawned. “I should be getting to bed. I have to work in the morning. You both sleep well. Melody, it was a pleasure seeing you again. I know you’re leaving tomorrow so I doubt I’ll see you again for a while. Feel free to come visit us any time.”

  She stood and gave him a hug. “Thank you for your hospitality, Harvey. I really appreciate it.”

  Vex swallowed hard. He wished he knew this side of Melody. With him, she was angry and her hatred was evident. Was he ever going to be able to change that? He sighed and rested back against the warm brick. Damn, she almost made him want to become a better man. He could do it, couldn’t he? He couldn’t stop the whole demon master thing, but maybe he could be nicer or something.

  The sound of the front door shutting brought Vex’s attention back onto Leon and Melody. The immortal looked at her almost lovesick. It was enough to make him roll his eyes.

  “Mel, I hate that you’re going back there. What happens if they find you?”

  The soft lighting around the house illuminated her face, and her smile was beautiful while she stared at him. “No one will find me. It’s fine, Leon. Just relax and focus on what you need to do. You’ve been working so hard to get your wings back. You don’t need my problems interfering with all your hard work.”

  Leon stood from the chair and grabbed her hand. “Mel, we really need to talk.”

  The way she started to fidget was a clear indication that she didn’t want to have this conversation, or at least Vex thought. “We do.”