She nodded and bit her lip against the pain.
“Good.” He dropped his grip and turned back to the television.
“Leon?” The anger was still there as he turned to her. “Why did you lose your wings?”
An eerie silence settled through the room. Just when she thought he wasn’t going to answer he licked his lips and looked down to his hands. “Angels these days are not who you think they are. They lie to keep control. Most are corrupt in their own ways. I’d had enough of the lies. I tried to kill my superior, as much as one can. You can say he didn’t appreciate the attempt.”
That was twice. First his superior, and then Harvey. To take a life took a lot. She knew. The first time she’d pulled the trigger on a demon it literally made her sick. And that was a demon. But an angel, and his superior, no less. He wasn’t right in the head. For so long she’d held him on a pedestal, and yet, deep down he was just as bad as any demon or psychopath out there.
Trace’s voice broke through in her mind. I know you probably can’t talk to me right now, but just know I’m thinking of you. I miss you, Mel. We’re trying to get there as fast as we can.
Tears came to her eyes at his voice. This world she’d been born into was not as it appeared. The good guys were bad, and the bad guys were good. At least from what she’d experienced. Yeah, the majority of the demons were just that, but Vex and Trace had been the most honest, caring people she’d met. The ones starting all the trouble were Harvey, Leon, and all of the immortals.
“Why are you crying?”
She looked up at Leon. Why couldn’t he understand that she didn’t want to go? Didn’t want to be with him? “Have I ever led you to believe that I loved you? As more than a friend, I mean.”
The question seemed to catch him off-guard. “No.” He stood from the bed and walked over, turning off the television. “Who you are and what you’ve done drew me to you.” He sat on the edge, next to her. “I watched you come home from work every day, exhausted. You’d lie there and tell me stories of the sick kids you’d taken care of and I was in awe of you. Then, when you started going out and killing demons, I couldn’t believe your bravery. You were risking your life to take out evil, regardless of what ran through your blood. The combination of what rested in your soul sucked me in until I was lost. I tried fighting it, but I just can’t anymore, Mel. We belong together. You make me want to be good. I need that.
“Before you came along I was lost. The slippery slope of darkness I was on was sucking me down fast. I’m there again. I need you.” He came to sit by her. “Let go of your mates. I know you love me too. You do, you’re just blinded by Vex and Trace.”
Melody wasn’t sure what to say. If she told him no, then she was sure he was going to snap. But she couldn’t tell him yes. “Leon.”
“Shh.” He pressed his finger against her lips. “Just listen to my voice. Remember what brought us together to begin with. We were so happy then. Close your eyes and picture it.”
She obeyed, and flashes of their meeting, and their first few months projected in her mind. They had been extremely happy. She missed that Leon.
Contact pressed against her lips, and she felt his hand come behind her head. Pulling back from his kiss was automatic, except that his hand was like stone and she couldn’t move anywhere.
“Give in to it, Mel. I know you have love in your heart for me.” His lips eased into hers again, and she was tired of this charade already. She’d told him a million times she wanted to be with her mates. Why wouldn’t he just listen to her?
“Leon.” She said his name aloud. If he was in a moment, it was ruined now. His face only moved back a few inches, but at least it gave her some space. “You have got to stop this. Enough already. The Leon I knew would have never forced himself on a woman, no matter what. Even a kiss taken without consent is not right and you know it. Holding my head still so I can’t move takes away from my will to choose. Even if I wanted to kiss you, I wouldn’t for the mere fact that you’re acting like this.”
His head lowered and a frustrated sound came from his mouth. “I can’t stand it. They’re in your head.” He lunged toward her and she jerked back, but his hands laced around her head, preventing her escape. “It doesn’t matter what I do. Vex and Trace? They’re ingrained in your mind. I just want to…” He was applying so much pressure to her temples that a cry came from her mouth.
“Leon,” she whimpered.
Vex’s yell broke through. Melody! I know he’s hurting you. I can feel it. I’m going as fast as I can, baby. Hold on.
“Maybe I’ll just force him out. It’s that bond you share with both of them. There’s a tie, and if I could just sever it...”
Her hand came up and jerked his hair back. “By what, crushing my skull? Let go of me right now.” A scream filled the room as his finger dug into the pressure point on her cheek, between her jaw and ear.
Suddenly, Leon was all the way across the room. She’d never even seen him move, and yet he was leaning against the far wall staring at her with a shocked expression. Her hands automatically cupped together and she called the light deep within her. It began to glow brightly in her palms.
“You never touch me again. Ever!” She stood on the bed, glaring at him.
“Mel, I swear. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.” He groaned and leaned forward, resting his head in hands. “I can’t think.”
“Vex! Trace!” She screamed their names, feeling the pull to her mates.
We’re here. What’s happening? The worry in Vex’s voice was evident.
What the fuck is he doing to you, Mel? Trace quickly broke in. The back and forth made it hard for her to think.
“Who taught you to do that? That’s for immortals only!” Leon raced forward and she knew the bad Leon was back. “You were talking to them in the restroom. I knew it!” Melody sent the light flying his way, but he swiped it with his hand. “You’re nowhere near strong enough for me, Mel.”
She jumped off the bed and let out a scream. If anything, maybe someone would call the cops … anything to get this guy away from her.
Weight crashed into her body, and the carpet stung against her arms as she slid across the floor. Desperation had her clawing at him with everything she had.
“Enough of this!” The back of his hand connected with the side of her face and stars covered her vision. Still, she tried her best to fight.
The belt was suddenly wrapping around her wrists and ankles and the night air hit her. They were leaving again. Tears streamed down from her face as she fought against him. He threw her into the passenger seat and buckled her in, pulling the safety belt tight. The car sped onto the main road fast and she couldn’t stop crying. Her mates would never find her now. She’d messed up by calling to them in front of Leon. Now the immortal would never leave her by herself.
***
Louisiana had come and gone. Trace and Vex had searched everywhere for signs of Melody. It wasn’t until their second day in the state that they’d finally come across the motel the two had stayed in. With fliers of both of them, the front desk clerk had recognized Leon. It was a small victory, but one that didn’t hold much weight since they had left, and were long gone by now.
The moment they entered the state of Mississippi, Trace knew they weren’t going to find anything there, but it didn’t stop them from looking and stopping at every store and motel along the way. Melody hadn’t spoken to them in days and it was downright sickening. Trace constantly invaded her thoughts, trying to reassure her that they were trying everything they could to find her. He begged her to help them out the moment she could. Yet, nothing came.
Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina pretty much turned out much like the rest of the other states. Nothing. No signs of the two. If they’d come through, they hadn’t stopped, or at least, not with the people who were currently working. It was frustrating as hell.
The glow lighting up the interior of the Maserati was a common sight. It seemed like not an
hour went by that he or Vex didn’t tell her something. As Trace stared into the light in his palms he pushed back the nausea. Whether it was from his body or Melody’s, he wasn’t sure. The fast food was disgusting and he couldn’t force himself to eat another bite of any of it.
“Melody, we’re about to cross into North Carolina.” He sighed. “I miss you. I really feel like we’re going in the right direction, but I don’t know. I wish I could hear your voice. See you.” Trace let the light go out and slammed his fist into the dash. “I fucking can’t take anymore. I’m going to gut that son of a bitch alive when we catch up to him.”
Vex glanced over at him. Dark circles were under his eyes. They hadn’t slept in days. It was nonstop, hitting the stores, motels, asking the bums standing outside. They did everything they could to catch a break.
“Get in line. Leon is mine.”
The tension between them was so thick that Trace knew it wasn’t going to be long before one of them snapped and they, themselves, started fighting. Without Melody, he and Vex were incomplete. It was as simple as that.
“Maybe we’ll get lucky and find them here,” Trace said, low.
“You’ve said that in every state we’ve gone through. At every stop. They’re not even close to us. I can feel how they grow further away. I feel like they’re so fucking out of reach that we’re never going to catch up.”
A growl came from Trace’s mouth. “Then what do you suggest we do?”
Vex rubbed his eyes, and glanced over. “We’re not stopping in this state. I know they’re not here.”
The need to argue was automatic, but Trace bit his tongue. He knew Vex was right. Melody and Leon were not in the state of North Carolina. As they passed exits and signs, Vex’s head snapped in the direction. “We’re getting off the main path. For once, we’re following our damn instincts. If we have the need to stop, then we will, but we’re wasting too much time hitting every town along the way.”
“Agreed.” Trace looked out of the window. “Head west.” He wasn’t sure why, but the direction was calling him, and for once, he was going to listen.
***
For two days they’d been driving around the state of Tennessee. The sickening feeling in Vex’s stomach was overwhelming. Still there was no contact from their mate. The only reason he knew Melody was still alive was because of their connection. Her emotions were all over the place, and it was hard to make it through the day imagining what she was going through.
Rain was pouring down from the cloudy sky. As Vex and Trace ran into the fifth convenience store since they’d entered the state, they headed for the clerk. The picture of Melody was held tightly in his hand and he couldn’t bear to put it down. Not even when he was driving.
“Hi, can I help you?”
The older woman looked at him with light blue eyes. He tried to muster a smile, but knew it wasn’t much of one. “Yes, I’m looking for my wife. She was taken a few weeks ago, and I have reason to believe that they’ve been through this area.” Well, they didn’t really, but he and Trace were hoping. The pull was sure leading them down this path. Everything told Vex he was on the right trail, but it was a slow process of back tracking and staying on the right course.
“Oh yeah.” She went to take the picture, and Vex was hesitant to hand it over. He swallowed hard and let go. “I think I have seen her. Yesterday, actually––she was with a man. Long, dark hair,” she said, motioning with her fingers. “Beautiful man, that’s the only reason I remember. He was pumping gas.”
Trace held up the picture of Leon. “Is this he?”
“Yes!” The woman got quiet as she looked in the direction of the gas pumps. “He was pumping gas into a fancy car. Looked kind of nervous. The woman, though…she was in the front, staring out of the window. She looked so sad. Lost, really. I remember it,” her hand came to her chest, “as it really hit something, inside.” The woman brought her hand to her cheek. “She had bruising or something on her face. At least I think that’s what it was. There was a tint of dark yellow, probably a few days old or so, but I saw it when she turned to look at the man.”
Vex’s heart broke, but he couldn’t stop the rage he felt for the immortal, either. His eyes went to Trace. The eternal’s face was pale as he stared at the clerk.
Leon was going to pay for what he was putting them all through. And he didn’t just mean to make him pay by death. Demons didn’t believe in an easy way out, and that’s what he was deep inside. Leon was going to wish that he never met Melody, or even looked twice in her direction.
“Were they headed north?” Trace asked.
The woman nodded her head. “They headed that way, so yeah, I’d say north.”
Vex took the picture back. “Thank you. You’ve been a great help.” They rushed from the store and jumped back in his Maserati. If they were here only yesterday, then they weren’t as far behind as he’d thought. Leon and Mel must have stopped somewhere for a longer length of time. He wasn’t sure. All he knew was that at some point they’d find them. There was no way he was going to let this man continue to hurt their mate.
The car hit the main road, and Vex looked over at Trace. “How are you? You don’t look so good. Do I need to stop and get you something? Food, or water?”
No, don’t stop,” Trace said, panicked. “I want Melody back. Any delay is going to put them further ahead.”
Vex nodded. He rested his hand at the top of the steering wheel, palm up, and let the golf ball-sized light glow against his skin. “Melody, Trace and I just left a store where a woman recognized you. I’m in Tennessee and still on your trail.” He sighed. “I miss you.” He’d told her a million times already, but he couldn’t stress the words enough. He positively ached for her. It was one thing when she’d distanced herself from them before, but now that she was separated against her will, the longing and anxiety that filled him was a million times more intense.
Vex passed an exit and felt his stomach drop. Instinct made him pull off at the last second. Although he knew he should continue north, the pull to the south suddenly threw him for a loop. “Melody, I don’t know why but I feel the need to go back.” A green road sign listed upcoming towns. Vex looked over them. “Atlanta. God, Mel, are you two going south, now? I don’t know what to do.” He knew he was rambling. He turned to Trace. “What do you feel? Are you getting the pull to the south now, too?”
“I am.” His hand grabbed onto the dash. Vex was sure Trace was going to be sick.
Melody gave no response and he headed in their new path. He let the light disappear and growled, slamming his hand against the steering wheel. There had to be an easier way. They couldn’t just spend the rest of their lives trying to track her down, and praying that someday they’d get lucky. There needed to be a way to get her away from Leon right this second.
Vex pulled off to a rest stop and the moment he stopped, Trace rushed to the restrooms. He’d been fighting the nausea now for days, and Vex couldn’t quite understand it. Apart from being exhausted, he was fine.
He began to pace and look around. All these talents and gifts he’d been given, and not one of them could help him find his mate? It didn’t seem right. She was a part of him: His other half. There had to be a way to summon her to him, or him to her. He could materialize whole buildings or cars, but not his mate to his side?
A little girl ran up to his side and pulled at his jeans. Vex looked down, confused. “Hello, there.” He glanced around, looking for her parents. The dark hair down her back looked so much like Melody’s that it made his heart ache. Even her eyes were the light color of his mate’s.
“Where are you going?” she asked, curious. Her facial expression made him smile.
“I wish I knew. I think I’m lost.”
She twisted her mouth and looked over at the Maserati. “You have a nice car. I think I’ve seen it before.”
“Have you?” That immediately piqued his interest. Leon and Melody were in the exact same car. “Well, thank you. I happ
en to like it.” He raised his eyebrow at her. “Where are your parents?”
The bottom of her lip pouted out, and Vex felt himself panic. He’d never been around children before. If she started crying, he wasn’t sure what he was going to do. “Now, now. No tears. Are they lost? I can help you find them.”
“No. You can’t. You said you were lost too.”
He sighed. “Yeah, but I’ll find my way.”
“I know you will.” A grin instantly came to her face. It was so out of nowhere that it confused him. “You should go to Florida if you’re lost.”
“Florida, huh? What’s there?” Vex leaned back and tried to see his way into the opening in between the restroom areas.
“Melody’s there, silly. West. Palm. Beach.” She clapped after each word. Vex’s eyes came to her slowly.
“I beg your pardon? Did you say, Melody?” Vex crouched down to look at her, again. He let his instincts kick in and suddenly realized this little girl wasn’t what she seemed.
“Yep.” She started clapping, again.
Vex looked deep into her eyes. Before he could see into her thoughts, yelling erupted off in the distance.
“Victoria!” A woman rushed forward from the building. “There you are. I told you not to leave without me.” She grabbed the little girl’s hand and pulled her away.
Vex rushed forward. “Ma’am, please … wait.” He leaned down to the little girl. “How do you know this?”
Victoria’s fingers reached forward and rested on his temple. Flashes displayed before his vision, blocking out everything in front of him. So clearly he could see Melody in a hotel room. There was fighting between her and Leon on several occasions. Not just the one time like he’d thought. Multiple scenes of her tied up in the car. The signs she passed as they flipped around and headed south, instead.
The little girl stepped back, and Vex blinked as the images disappeared. He watched the mother gently grab Victoria’s hand. She looked at Vex nervously, and turned to her daughter. “Vicky, what did I tell you about your gifts?”
Their Dark Hunter (Masters of Darkness) Page 15
