Whispers of Darkness (The Deadwood Hunter Series)

by Rachel M Raithby

  “What? I can stay, it’s only Cade.”

  “Out!”

  Caden chuckled as Lincoln left the room with a grumble.

  “What’s up, Lexi?” Caden said when they were alone.

  “Always with the Lexi, it’s so sweet and girly,” she answered, wrinkling her nose.

  “You are sweet,” he said with a smile.

  “Hmm, only letting you get away with calling me, Lexi... Now, about this IV and catheter.”

  “Lex, you’ve only just started to get better.”

  “I can get to the freaking toilet!”

  “Can you?”

  “Better than sitting here like an invalid. Now take it out before I can never look you in the face again!”

  “Okay but you keep the IV. You’re still on antibiotics and you still need fluids until you have more strength.”

  “Deal,” Lexia said, laying back and pulling the covers over her head. “Hurry up and get it over with!”

  Chapter 26

  Lexia started to feel better with each day that passed, but she was still weak and could only manage a little while out of bed. As each day passed she grew more impatient at her slow recovery. Lexia knew it was only a matter of time before they were found and now she had to avoid being cut when fighting. She didn’t realize how much she took her healing ability for granted. When she dived into a fight headfirst she never even noticed the cuts they slashed into her flesh, she only noticed one thing, the power that flowed through her veins and the ease at which that power took life.

  That’s what she hated most about herself, when she was completely lost in the blood lust that took over, nothing mattered, nothing but making sure every one of her enemies lay dead at her feet.

  It had been a week since she’d started to heal again when she woke and sat up in bed, Lincoln still asleep beside her, and her body felt more alert, more alive. Lexia looked down at the IV still in her hand; Caden had been reluctant to take it out, apparently her body burned off the drugs he’d been giving her faster than an ordinary human. She had enough of it though, whatever painkiller he gave her, it was strong and she didn’t need it. Her wounds had all but healed, just scarring and new pink skin covered her shoulder where Caden had ripped her to shreds.

  She looked at Lincoln to make sure he was still sound asleep and then ripped the IV from her hand. It was time she joined back into this fight, time she started to train again. She’d chosen to live, to fight, and sitting around in bed wasn’t going to help them all live through this battle. She had to be strong, she had to be able to run and fight when the Hunters came knocking at the door.

  Slipping out of bed, Lexia ignored the dizziness that took over her and forced her legs to stay upright. She had no clothes here and didn’t want to go rummaging around the drawers of someone else’s home. Whomever’s it was, she knew the house was connected to Lincoln, the pictures that hung on the walls proved that. She knew the little boy in the photos was Lincoln and the man and woman must be his parents but she hadn’t asked, he’d tell her when he was ready.

  Opening the front door she walked out of the house for the first time since being here. There was nothing but forest before her. The house looked to be in the middle of a clear patch, just a few trees scattered the land. With bare feet Lexia stepped down from the porch and started to walk around, taking in her surroundings and the house she’d been stopping in. It was a beautiful house, all wood, which had gone silver-grey with age, a veranda wrapped around the front and right side. She looked up at the little window in the center of the house, nestled in a little apex. She wondered what was in that room, the only room in the house that had had its door shut. She’d not seen anyone go in there and Caden slept downstairs on the sofa so it couldn’t be a spare bedroom.

  Making her way across the clearing Lexia stopped when she thought she was far enough away so as not to wake the men in the house and then she started to move. She stretched and bent her body, mixing some yoga with a few jabs and kicks. Sweat broke out over her skin instantly and her breathing became heavy. Her muscles protested as they were stretched and worked after weeks of doing nothing other than being still. She tucked her knee in to her chest, tried not to cringe as the muscles burned and spun slowly, kicking out, but her leg gave out and she collapsed to the floor.

  “Fuck it!” Lexia muttered, dragging her ass off the floor.

  “You’re going to overdo it.”

  Lexia looked behind her. Caleb stood nearby, leaning against a tree. The early morning sun filtered through the trees behind him catching his grey hairs making his hair sparkle. She stretched down again, pointing her right leg out and stretching over reaching with her left hand, feeling every muscle stretch and burn.

  “Probably but if I don’t push myself, I’ll end up dead, along with the rest of you.”

  “Linc and Cade are hardly harmless,” he answered with a smirk.

  She stretched the opposite way, her left leg stretching far easier than her right. “Neither are my enemies,” she answered, tucking her leg in and jabbing it out.

  “And who might they be? And why would a young thing like you want to be fighting when she has shifters to protect her?”

  Lexia burst out laughing and turned to face him, grasping her foot with her hand and pulling it up to her bum.

  “Linc has told you nothing, ay?”

  “I’m beginning to think so, yes.”

  “Tell me, whose house is this?” Lexia asked, switching feet.

  “Not my place to say,” Caleb answered, looking uneasy.

  Lexia smiled mischievously. “You chicken?”

  Caleb laughed now. “No, I’m not chicken.”

  “Good, let’s make a deal. I get you on your ass, you tell me what you know about this house and what it means to Linc. And don’t go telling me it has nothing to do with him, I can see it in his eyes, that house is connected to him somehow.”

  “You’re covered in sweat from a few workout moves, Lexia. I’m not going to damage you further by fighting.”

  “As I thought... Chicken.” Lexia started to walk towards him, her hands balled into fists. She hated it when people just assumed she was a princess in need of saving. He was probably right, she’d probably end up straining something but she was fed up just laying about, of the hushed whispers and secrets all around her. It was time she got some answers.

  Caleb pushed off the tree, his eyes widening. “Lexia, I’m not fighting you! You’re hardly dressed, Linc would kill me!”

  “I’ve got a T-shirt and shorts on, it’s not like I’m in my underwear.” She spun and kicked out but her head spun and the kick only caught the side of him but still he stumbled.

  “See you’re still not one hundred percent, if you want to spar when your better, we can, but not until Linc says it’s okay.”

  “Jeez, he doesn’t own me and I can fight.” She jabbed out with her hand, caught him in the face.

  His beast flashed into his eyes. “You’re stronger than you look but still I’m not touching my alpha’s mate without permission.”

  His words nearly stopped her. Alpha’s mate? But instead she pushed forward, determined now to put him on his ass. “Alpha’s mate? Interesting!”

  He blocked her jabs; she panted hard, sweat dripping down her face, her feet skimmed the forest floor, nimble and light, towards him as he carried on backing away.

  “Stop being a pussy and fight back!” Lexia yelled, angry now.

  She kicked out but he dodged it. She spun and tried to clasp his body to pull him down, his hands wrapped around her waist.

  “Stop, Lex.”

  “No!” She jabbed backwards with her elbow, he grunted but wouldn’t let go so she brought her head forward and slammed it back into his face.

  He fell back with a growl and Lexia fell forward, her vision blurring, but she spun around anyway, looking for him through blurry eyes.

  “You want to fight? Let’s fight!” Caleb snapped.

  She smiled as her head
stopped spinning and Caleb advanced toward her, cat in his eyes, blood dripping from his nose. He was quick and agile, his jabs were still light, though, and he never aimed for her face. Lexia blocked his advances, tiring by the second.

  Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea…

  “What’s wrong, Lexia? Not up for it?” Caleb laughed as she bent over from a jab to her stomach.

  “I’ve had worse,” she replied, kicking him in the gut.

  He stumbled back a few steps. “Hmm, I’m beginning to see... So tell me Lexia, why has a pretty little thing like you had to learn to fight?”

  She was about to answer as she blocked a jab and landed one on his jaw in return but Lincoln’s growl echoed around them. They both froze, eyes widening, but Lexia recovered first; she’d pissed Lincoln off so many times what did it matter if she added another to the list.

  She jabbed again in his gut, he stumbled with a grunt and then she spun, tucking her leg in and striking him square in his chest. Caleb fell back to the floor stunned. Lexia was about to cheer in her victory but her head spun again and her leg gave out like before and she fell to the floor along with him.

  Ignoring Lincoln as he shouted and started to run to her, Lexia burst out laughing, “Ha I won! Caleb you hit the floor first.”

  She wasn’t sure he’d heard her, his eyes were fixed on Lincoln as he raced with a look of rage on his face.

  “Hey Caleb,” she nudged her foot against his leg, “don’t worry about him, he’ll get over it.”

  Lincoln skidded to a stop besides her. “Lexia!” he growled, but she ignored him, nudging Caleb again.

  “I won,” she smiled, as his face turned to her. But instead of smiling back a look of horror crossed his features. Lexia started to look behind her wondering what had caused that face when she felt his hands gripping her throat, her feet being lifted from the ground.

  A startled yelp left her as Lincoln’s panther ripped from his skin and Caden started to run over. Caleb’s hand started to tighten around her throat cutting off her oxygen as Lincoln advanced.

  “Stop! Stop or I snap her neck!” Caleb bellowed, making Lincoln freeze.

  “No Caleb, no leave her!” Caden called.

  “What the fuck’s going on?” Lexia croaked as she started to fade, her fingers dug into Caleb’s trying to pry them from her throat.

  “You brought a fucking Hunter here! Tainted our land!” Caleb snapped.

  Lincoln hissed, snapping his jaws. “You didn’t tell him what I was?” Lexia whispered as black blobs floated in front of her eyes.

  “Caleb listen, listen this isn’t what you think. She’s not what you think, please just let her go and we’ll explain.” Caden’s urgent voice floated in her mind.

  Lexia started to go slack in Caleb’s arms. Her fingers fell away from his hands as her head twisted up to look into Caleb’s face seeing a mixture of anger, confusion, and pain on his features.

  “I’m good,” she whispered, “I’m your alpha’s mate and I’m good.” Caleb glanced at her, his eyes full of pain. He loosened his hold on her throat and Lexia gasped for breath as he lowered her to the ground.

  Caleb took off into the trees and Lincoln started to chase him. “No Lincoln, no!” Lexia rasped before blacking out.

  When Lexia woke she was back in bed. Freaking bed again! She grumbled in her head as she sat.

  “Hey there,” Linc said from the window.

  “How long was I out?”

  “Not long and your bruises have started to go, too... Guess your super powers are starting to work again.”

  “Caleb come back yet?”

  “No, Caden’s out looking for him.”

  “Linc why didn’t you tell him?”

  Lincoln turned and looked at her, his eyes guarded. “Because I knew how he would react. He’s been out here for years alone because of the Hunters.”

  Lexia sighed, “You shouldn’t have lied. How am I supposed to accept what I am if you’re ashamed of me?”

  He darted forward grabbing her hand. “No, no I’m not ashamed of you, never.”

  “No, well stop lying all the time, stop keeping things from me. I’m not a child, Linc, I can handle the truth.”

  “I know you can, it’s me who struggles. If I don’t tell you things it’s because I’m not ready to face the truth.”

  Lexia pulled Lincoln forward, she’d had enough of all the high emotions lately, of the secrets and worries; it was about time they got a lost in each other for a while.

  “Careful Lex!” he gasped.

  “Oh for god sake!” Lexia sighed, she pulled him harder and flipped him over, pinning him to the bed with her thighs. “Now that’s better.” She smiled, pulling her T-shirt over her head. “It’s been a while.”

  “But Lex-” His words turned into a strangled cry as she rocked hard against him.

  “I won’t break, I need you, and I can tell you need me,” she said, rocking against him again.

  His eyes filled with desire, a small smile playing on his lips. In the next breath Lexia was pinned beneath him, her hands clasped above her head. She gasped as he took her bare nipple into his mouth; there was no playing, no teasing, he took all he wanted and Lexia gave it freely.

  Her hands freed, she roamed his strong shoulders, dragging her nails up the wide V of his back. Pulling his T-shirt over his head she desperately needed to feel his skin, she craved him more then she’d ever craved anything in her life. Memories of the past month flooded her, lonely nights without him, the pain of thinking she’d lost him, failed him. So much was in the balance, so many threats over their heads and she just wanted to forget it all. She didn’t want to fight or worry, she just wanted to feel him, she wanted to get lost in him.

  “Now! I need you now!” she rasped, biting into his muscled shoulder, pulling him tighter against herself, but it just wasn’t enough. She’d never get enough of him, he was an addiction she could never satisfy, never wanted to satisfy. The feelings he made her feel, the swelling of her heart, the ache in her chest, the uncontrollable need to feel him inside of her, it made her crazy, made her forget everything. She never wanted that to go away, that feeling was what kept her alive, what she breathed for, she’d do anything and sacrifice anything for it.

  Her shorts were ripped off, his jeans dragged from him in a frenzied rush and as he thrust into her, rough, hard and perfect, she moaned in pleasure. He stilled, looking down at her with eyes filled with love and fire. She sighed, feeling complete at last. “I’ve missed you.”

  He move inside of her, hard thrusts that rocked through her whole body. She clung to him, moaned and gasped as her blood was filled with the sensation it had missed, that it craved. With each thrust, with each whispered name and endearment, Lexia’s scars were healed, the guilt, the anger, the sorrow, the hopelessness replaced with love and affection. Lincoln didn’t see her as a Hunter, as a weapon, as a monster. He only saw her, he saw Lexia, and with each ripple of pleasure, with each scream of ecstasy, Lexia realized with Lincoln she could be anyone, she could do anything. Together, anything was possible.

  They laid on the bed, a tangle of sweaty limbs and pleasure drugged muscles. The door was still open to the bedroom, having forgotten about privacy in their rush to be one again. Caden walked in, talking, “Hey, I found him... Wow, shit, sorry,” he stammered, turning his back on them.

  Lexia laughed, pulling the covers over them. “You’ve seen it all before, Doc.”

  “Yep and this is way different.”

  “So you found him?” Lincoln interrupted, all business.

  “Yeah but he won’t come back... Maybe you can play the alpha card?” Caden replied, still with his back to him.

  “I’m no fucking alpha!” Lincoln grumbled.

  Lexia climbed from the bed pulling on her T-shirt and swearing at her ripped shorts, “Shit, Linc! Seriously I have hardly any clothes and you rip them.”

  Caden walked to the wardrobe door near him. “Here,” he said, throwing clothes
behind him.

  “Whose are these?” she asked.

  “Those are my mother’s. I brought them back from Rapid City, but there are loads of Lola’s clothes in...” he stopped talking as Lincoln’s growl filled the room.

  “Lola... As in your mum?” she asked, glaring at Lincoln. “Do you know what? I don’t care! I’ll go to talk to Caleb.” She was so mad. Why was she always left in the dark?

  “What? No!” Lincoln gasped, grabbing for her arm.

  “Lincoln... You’ve lied to him! He views you as his alpha and you lied to him! Let me go talk to him, he won’t hurt me again and I can take care of myself.”

  “Can you? You’re not one hundred percent yet!”

  “I’ll put you on your ass in a minute if you don’t let go of me!” She felt the familiar rush through her veins and saw Lincoln’s eyes widen. “Looks like my superpowers are working again.”

  “Hey, stop it you two!” Caden snapped. “I’ll go with her.”

  “Fine!” Lincoln grumbled, “Why do you two always gang up on me?” he huffed, making both Lexia and Caden laugh.

  Lexia paused at the stairs. “When I get back we are going to talk about this house and the reasons behind all your lies.” Lincoln nodded, his sad eyes going to the closed bedroom door no one went in.

  Chapter 27

  Lexia stood at the bottom of the tree looking up at Caleb’s aerie. “I didn’t really think this through did I?” she said, looking at Caden and then glancing at Lincoln pacing by the main house.

  “He has a ladder he could drop down,” Caden said.

  “Nope, time to show Linc I’m not an invalid.”

  “Lex, at least let me give you a boost.”

  “Okay,” she sighed. She might be feeling stronger but she wasn’t stupid, she knew she wasn’t back to full strength yet.

  Caden laced his fingers together and Lexia placed her foot into his hands. Balancing her hand on the tree trunk she pushed off the floor taking hold of a lower branch and jumped. Both hands clasped around the branch, her fingers digging into the bark and as her arms took the weight of her body she bit back a groan, her shoulder protesting.