Their Dark Hunter (Masters of Darkness)

by Angelini, Alaska

The bathroom door opened and he slowly rose. “I thought you were gone.”

  Melody was wrapped in a towel and he could feel his body responding to her all over again. If only she’d just crawl back in the bed. They could pretend this fantasy she had of leaving and forgetting about him was just a joke. It really was ridiculous. You couldn’t escape being mates with someone.

  “I was about to go.” A blush came to her cheeks as she looked away.

  “Don’t go.” The words escaped before Vex could stop himself. The last thing he wanted to do was pressure her or scare her away, but he couldn’t help it.

  The blue-green eyes that he’d memorized glanced in his direction. She quickly walked over and picked up her clothes. Dammit.

  “I really should. I told you last night this just isn’t going to work. You’re a demon master, and I don’t want anything to do with evil. Don’t get me wrong, I had a great night, but it has to end here.”

  Vex crawled to the bottom of the bed and reached for her hand. Gently, he pulled her over to him. “What if I tried to change? I mean, I can’t change what I do or the status of who I am, but let’s just say I tried to change how I treated people. Would that make a difference to you?”

  Her eyes narrowed as she looked at him. “You would do that for me?”

  “Melody. Sit.” He eased her down and turned toward her. “Give me time to prove to you what mates are about. The bond we have will never go away. If we’re separated for too long the pain will be agonizing. The discomfort I can deal with. I don’t want to, but if it’s to prove that I’m willing to do whatever is needed to keep you here with me, I’ll do it. I’m not sure what else to do to convince you that we’re meant to be together.”

  She swallowed hard. “You don’t have to convince me, Vex. I feel the link you keep referring to, but we don’t even know each other. Even if you were to change, it doesn’t alter what you are. I know that’s mean to say, but I just can’t spend my life with a demon master. It’s not going to happen.”

  “Because of your father?” He couldn’t stop the anger from overpowering his words.

  “What do you know of him?” Melody stood from the bed and began putting on her clothes. He could have cursed himself for letting his temper get the best of him.

  “Nothing yet, but I’m working to find out who he is.”

  “You are?” Melody collapsed to the bed and lowered her head. “What’s the probability of you finding out his identity?”

  The pain that rushed through his body was not his own. It was common that mates felt each other’s emotions, but the amount she held inside was consuming. Now he knew why the relationships for mates were so perfect. Why couples were able to last for eternity. If they shared everything, inside and out, then there was nothing they couldn’t overcome.

  Hesitantly, he reached over and picked up her hand. “The chances are good. If he were a master, then I would have been the one to take his place. I’ve only been here for twenty or so years, so the timing could possibly work. If he was a regular demon, then he’s still here. And I will find out who he is. If I have to spend the rest of my days, I will unravel the minds of each of my men until I find the answer you seek.”

  “And if I don’t want to know?”

  “Then rest assured, you never will.”

  Melody looked away. “Will you find me when you figure it out? I’m not sure I have an answer on whether or not I want to know who he is, but maybe I will in the future.”

  “Of course.” Vex watched her stand and felt something close to panic set in. “What would I have to do to get you to stay one more day. Just one more.”

  A smile came to her face. “I got a call yesterday. I have to work in a few hours. I’m filling in for a friend. I need to go home and get ready.”

  “Work? Oh, that’s right. You’re a nurse. I forgot you live a mortal life.”

  “I am mortal, Vex. You do realize that, right?”

  The reality had him feeling sick. Unlike him, her time was limited on this earth. The possibilities of something happening hit him hard. Humans died every day from things like sickness or accidents. Her eyes narrowed, as she had to have taken in the horror that masked his features.

  “I have to go.” She stood and slid into her shirt.

  “Your bike is in the parking garage next to my car. Are you sure you can’t stay? I…” He trailed off. The desperation was becoming too much, yet for the life of him he couldn’t stress to her how much he needed to be with her. If she thought it was too much to hear, she would have freaked out at feeling what he did. But knowing how the bond worked, maybe she already did.

  She slid on her shoes and it was all the answer he needed. Vex made some pajama bottoms appear around him and stood. “I’ll walk you out.”

  The way she stared at his chest as he came forward had him pulling her into his arms. Just seeing her reaction to his body set off a need so profound he couldn’t think straight. His lips found hers hungrily and he pinned her against the wall. The fullness of her breast filled his palm and she moaned loudly into his mouth.

  “Stay.”

  “I can’t,” she said in between kissing him.

  Vex molded his hands to her ass and pressed his hard length against her. “You will,” he growled, seductively. “Stay, Melody.”

  She wiggled in his arms, and reluctantly, he let her down. “I’m going to be late if I don’t leave now. I still have a thirty-minute drive just to get home to get my scrubs, and then I have to drive back. Plus, that’s not including everything else I need to do.”

  “You need scrubs … what color?” Vex motioned toward the bed and let them fall onto the blankets. “Red, blue, white, green, one with pretty flowers. How about butterflies?”

  She laughed loud as she took in the collection he’d selected for her.

  “Stay at least until you have to leave. We’ll go eat breakfast and take a walk down by the water. It’ll be nice. You can see I’m not just some evil demon master who’s out to hurt and destroy people.” His hand cupped her face. “I can be good, too.”

  Melody stepped back and walked over to the bed. She picked up the butterfly top and pointed to the pink mixed in the wings. “Can I have pants this color?”

  He smiled and waved his hand, making them appear. “How about shoes?”

  She looked down at her boots. “Uh, yeah. And clean socks, and…undergarments,” she laughed.

  As he materialized them, all he cared about was that she was actually going to give him a few more hours. That had to mean something. Good, let her give him a chance to prove himself. All he wanted was to show her that he wasn’t as bad as she thought he was. If he could plant the smallest seed of doubt, then maybe it would prove to her in the long run that she was meant for him. Then she would stay.

  “I’m just going to go get dressed.” Melody headed into the restroom, just as a knock sounded at his door. Who in the hell was that?

  Vex walked over and felt Trace’s presence before he even got close. There was a weird tingling and sense of anticipation that was so different from what he’d felt for the demon before. He wasn’t sure what it meant, and he was almost afraid to find out.

  ***

  Trace swallowed hard as he paced the small lobby outside the penthouse door. Fuck. He was so in over his head. Everything in him screamed that his mate was inside with Vex, and he wasn’t sure what the hell he was going to do.

  From the moment that Trace had seen her in the video he knew she was meant for him. Now that Vex had found her before he had, he knew he was going to have to stand up and tell him the truth. It was scary as hell, but he couldn’t just stand by and pretend the pull he felt for her didn’t exist. Killer or not.

  Trace lifted his hand to knock and froze as the door opened and Vex glared in his direction. His best bet was to pretend nothing was wrong so he could at least get inside. He pushed into the room and looked around. The first thing he noticed was his master’s abs and defined chest. Fuck. He really neede
d to stop with his want for Vex. He tore his gaze away and took in the room. A sigh of relief left him when he didn’t see Melody. Had he just imagined her presence?

  “So, after you didn’t show back up last night, I shut down the club. You know, I was looking around the database of the list of demons and masters who have, and are, serving in the area.”

  Vex waved his hand to cut him off. “Later.” He grabbed Trace’s arm and led him to the door. Panic set in out of nowhere and Trace dug his heels in the ground. He couldn’t leave until he knew she was here for sure.

  “Whoa, whoa. No way, man. You’re going to want to hear this.” Trace eased out of his loosened grip and walked deeper into the room. “The demons—“

  “So, I was thinking…“ Melody walked out of the bathroom door and paused as her eyes locked with Trace.

  Time literally stood still at their connection. He could have sworn his heart was in his throat as he stared into her shocked gaze. Something wasn’t right. She was too calm, too at home, to be a captive of Vex’s.

  “Oh my…god,” Melody gasped. Her head spun in Vex’s direction, and Trace slowly turned around to see his master seething at him. His own anger at his mate possibly having something going on with Vex sent a volcano of fury exploding inside of him. Especially, since he’d secretly wished for Vex’s affection for as long as he could remember.

  “What the hell is going on here,” Trace snapped.

  “You’re asking me? Your master?” Vex growled. “You bonded to her and you didn’t tell me!” Vex advanced and he threw up his hand. “She’s my mate, what did you expect? When I saw her in the video, I knew she was meant to be with me. She’d just shot Malcolm. All I could think was that I needed to find Melody and make her stop.” Trace ran his hand through his hair. “But you were everywhere looking for her, blocking my path. You’re my master. She’s a killer. I thought if I could find her before you, everything would be okay. What the fuck was I supposed to do, Vex?” Trace could feel his anger explode. “It’s a pretty fucked up situation from where I’m standing. Why don’t you try looking at it from my point of view?”

  Vex slammed him into the wall before he saw it coming. Trace gripped his wrist and felt his own evil illuminate his eyes as he stared down his master.

  “She’s my mate too,” Vex said low. “Do you seriously think she’d be alive right now if she wasn’t?”

  “Stop it, right now!” Melody pulled at Vex’s arm. “What the hell are you doing?” Air was impossible to take in, as Vex’s grip grew tighter. “I’m out of here,” Melody said.

  Instantly, Vex let go.

  Trace couldn’t believe what was happening. Melody was mated to both of them? Vex’s personality changed the moment Melody headed to the door. It was so out of character for Vex.

  Trace watched as he rushed to her side. “No, wait. Okay, that wasn’t a good example of me trying to change. Shit, wait, Melody.”

  Her eyes came back to Trace and she stopped. “You know, if you ask me, I’d say you’re acting like a complete ass, Vex. I understand where Trace is coming from.” She walked around his master and lowered herself to the floor next him. Her eyes were breathtaking up close. Trace wasn’t sure what to say while she studied his face. “I’m Melody,” she said, quietly.

  “Trace.” He stood and glanced toward Vex. His master wasn’t taking their mating well at all.

  “Vex and I were about to go eat some breakfast. Would you like to come?”

  As much as he wanted to, Trace wasn’t about to trample on his master’s toes and piss him off even more. Melody knew they were connected now. That’s all that mattered. He’d try to see her on his own time. Which sucked. They were really going to have to figure out a way to make this work. His best guess was time. Hopefully it would ease the anger his master felt for his secret.

  “I’d love to, but maybe some other time.” He looked up to Vex, his heart aching. “Let me know if you want me to watch over the club for you tonight.”

  Trace went to leave, and Vex grabbed his arm hard as he walked by. “I don’t think so.” Trace’s back hit the wall hard and Vex’s lips were suddenly on his. It was so unexpected that it took a moment before it registered what was actually happening.

  Lust roared through him and Trace grabbed the back of Vex’s neck. They both may have been mated to Melody, but they’d been skirting around this for some time now.

  Vex’s muscles wedged him harder into the wall and the pain was exactly what he needed. “You ever fucking hide anything from me again, so help me.” Vex pushed his mouth back into his, and Trace met it hungrily. It was a promise, an answer sealed with a kiss.

  Trace suddenly realized Melody was still there. Watching. His eyes went to her, nervously. Who knew what she thought seeing them go at each other like that. He’d only just met her.

  The fullness of her lips was parted and her eyes were big. Vex stepped back and took a deep breath. “Well, quite the situation we have going on here, I’d say.”

  Melody slowly looked at him. “Can you both do that again?”

  Trace laughed and the tension he felt was suddenly gone. “You know what. I think I’m going to take that offer of breakfast. I’m seriously starving.”

  A nod was all Vex’s response. He walked into the restroom and shut the door. The shower turned on and he looked over to his mate. “I should have contacted you sooner, but I had a hell of a time tracking you down without Vex being anywhere around. I really thought he’d freak out if he knew we were bonded.”

  She laughed. “Maybe it’s better you didn’t find me. It probably would have gotten you shot.”

  “Speaking of shooting. I’m happy Vex got you to stop. It was getting a bit out of control.”

  Something passed over her face and he knew he’d screwed up the moment he’d brought up the subject. Melody stepped back and shook her head. “You know, I should really go. This has been a really…life changing few hours. Trace, it was a pleasure meeting you. I hate that we haven’t gotten to know each other better, but right now I have thinking to do.” She walked for the door and he rushed forward.

  “Wait, don’t leave. Kill more demons, I don’t care. You just have to know that Vex could get in a lot of trouble if they thought he wasn’t doing his job. I don’t want to see him get taken away. Do you?”

  Melody opened her mouth and the answer didn’t come fast enough. “I asked you a question. Do you want to see him get taken?”

  “No.”

  “Good. I hope not, because I don’t. Now, stay. Please.”

  She looked toward the restroom. “All right. But you have to know I’m not going to stop hunting demons. Not yet.”

  Trace knew the words she spoke were the truth. He could see it written all over her face. “Well, I hope you know what you’re doing.”

  A glare was thrown his way. Although the look was out of anger, he couldn’t deny how much it turned him on to see her all worked up.

  “What do you expect me to do, Trace? I spend one night with Vex, and discover not only do I have two mates, but ones of the same race I live to kill. And what? I’m supposed to magically accept my fate and change overnight. That’s impossible. I don’t care how strong this pull is to be with either of you. What I believe in isn’t so quick to vanish.”

  Trace slowly walked up to her and he could see the anger transition into something entirely different. The arousal that filled his senses wasn’t what he had expected. The demon inside him roared to life, and all he wanted to do was have her. He leaned down and grabbed the back of her thighs, pulling her to straddle his waist. Before he realized what he was doing, Melody was pinned beneath him on Vex’s bed. Sweetness swept across his tongue while she kissed him impatiently.

  “Oh, fuck. I want you.” Trace pushed his hard cock against her pussy and she moaned into his mouth. All he wanted to do was make their clothes disappear and bury his cock deep within her. His only fear was that he’d rush things and end up pushing her away.

 
Melody’s fingers dug into his back, urging him on. At least that’s what he was picking up. He kissed her deeper and slid his hand up her scrub top. The moment he connected with the bra, he paused. Contact, or no contact? Fuck. Why in the hell did he think so much? Trace swallowed hard and went for it. His fingers slid under the bra and her legs wrapped tightly around his waist. Yes. She wanted him, all right.

  “I’m going to fuck you so good,” he whispered against her lips.

  “Yes.“ She pulled back and looked at him. The flush on her cheeks drove him crazy with wanting her even more. It was sheer proof that his mate craved him as much as he did her, and seeing the reality was his undoing. “I can’t believe this is happening, again. I just can’t help it. I want you to fuck me, Trace.”

  Their clothes were gone before she finished her sentence. The sensation of her smooth skin beneath his was almost too much. Trace kissed his lips down her neck and worked even further toward the spot he yearned for the most.

  “God.” Melody arched beneath him and he sucked her tight nipple into his mouth. The wetness his fingers slid through as he rubbed against her folds had his cock throbbing.

  “I’m gone for five minutes and you two can’t keep your hands off each other.” Vex’s voice made Trace freeze. His master walked around the side of the bed and sat on the edge. “Oh, do carry on. I’m interested in seeing what we have to work with here.”

  Trace looked at him confused. He still wasn’t sure about continuing. After all, half an hour ago his master thought Melody only belonged to him, and now here he was practically fucking her in Vex’s bed while he’d been in the shower. It was pretty fucked up, if he thought about it. But dammit, he couldn’t help it. Melody belonged to him just as much as she belonged to Vex.

  “I said continue.”

  The order had him not moving. “Are you ordering me to fuck my mate as my demon master, or are you just ordering me to do it?”

  “I’m your master every minute of your life,” Vex said, moving across the bed. The moment he molded himself behind Trace, the energy coming from him wasn’t negative at all. “Melody may belong to you by bond, but you belong to me just as much. You’re mine, too, Trace. I’ll be your master out of, and behind closed doors.”