Caressed by the Edge of Darkness (Rulers of Darkness Book 5)

by Amanda J. Greene

  Fight for what? Freedom? She would’ve laughed if she could. Hope was such a dangerous emotion it should be a sin. If she were smart, she’d give Death a kiss when he came to collect, but she would never surrender. She was a warrior. And there was also Erhard. The blond male. Her captor’s enemy. The Outcast blood bastard turned Clan Chieftain and his relentless attacks on the slave traders. He’d been at the boathouse the night they moved her, she’d seen him…hadn’t she?

  Jordan tried to focus, but her head swam as she drifted in and out of consciousness. She attempted to shake herself awake, but her body remained unresponsive, leaving her defenseless against the shadowed memories of her captivity. The horrors she’d witnessed turned to nightmares, attacking every time she fell into the darkness.

  She relived helplessly watching the guards brutally beat, rape, and kill her cellmates, while she remained relatively uninjured, constantly reminded that she was their “golden bitch.” She was the prized slave, the one who would bring Boras unimaginable riches. With enough money he could buy an army to dominate his enemy.

  Still, the guards easily forgot to feed and water their “pet” properly and, when she wasn’t drugged, Jordan had fought them with all the strength that remained in her frail body. Never showing her captors fear. She refused to grant the fuckers the pleasure.

  Her mother and aunt had been pillars of strength, teaching her to never bow. After their deaths, she’d been forced into the system and lived on the streets. If you were weak, you were prey. “Vampires and shape-shifters aren’t the only demons that exist, baby girl,” her aunt would say. “Humans can be just as dangerous. Remember, demons are in us all.”

  Her aunt had been a hunter—dispatching rogue vampires and shape-shifters. Living as a drifter, she traveled from city to city, state to state, killing those that threatened humans. She’d made it her mission to teach Jordan how to defend herself; skills Jordan had used countless times. And after killing two of her vampire guards, they’d begun drugging her, keeping her on the brink of death. Too dazed to cause trouble, but alive enough to garner the interest of buyers. Ending the demon’s lives had given her a tiny taste of revenge and she wanted more. But her actions had also drawn the attention of the head Slave Handler, Ross Klein.

  “I admire your grit,” he had whispered after dosing her for the first time. “No slave has ever killed one let alone two of my men. You’ll pay for your crime. You have my word. When the war is over, you’ll be mine and I’ll teach you your place, human.” He licked her ear. “I’ll break you.”

  Jordan struggled to wake up, but couldn’t stop the memories from crashing over her. The Slave Handler had become fixated on her. He couldn’t torture her physically, so he made her watch as he tormented others. When it came time to brand the new slaves, he’d make sure Jordan had a front row seat. Their cries of agony echoed through her mind. The stench of burning flesh made her heave. But it was witnessing what he did to the women deemed unworthy of the auction block that sent her into a blind rage.

  He’d throw the female into the glass cell beside hers. Pinning Jordan with his black demon gaze, Klein would rape them. The more the women struggled, screamed, and cried the harsher and crueler he became, deriving pleasure from their suffering. He’d sink his fangs into their necks as he came, drinking them until they teetered on the edge of death. Then, he’d use a blade to slit their throats. Dropping their bodies, he left them to bleed out as he straightened his clothes. Fangs dripping, he’d press his palms against the glass divide and say, “They’re all poor substitutes for you.”

  Jordan viciously slammed back to consciousness, her mind beating back the horrific nightmare. Her body violently jerked, the need to kill her enemy thundered through her. She tried to pull away from the guard, but her limbs refused to respond. Her heart began to pound, her lungs burned as they desperately worked to draw in more oxygen. The brightness stung her eyes as she blinked, desperate to bring the auction room into focus. Blacked out mirrors stared at her, concealing the identities of the bidders.

  The guard who held her tightened his grip. An unintelligible mumble escaped her lips.

  She felt the vampire’s eyes on her. Every one of them. God, it was sickening.

  “Hold her steady.”

  Her body stiffened at the sound of Klein’s voice. Blinking, she brought him into focus. He moved to her side. His fingers snaked out and dug into her upper arm.

  “Behave,” Klein hissed. His breath whispered over her ear.

  Bile rose in her throat. She would have puked if it weren’t for the drugs.

  “500,000 dollars,” the hostess called out.

  Focusing on her breathing, Jordan tried to clear her head. She could feel the drug’s effects beginning to fade. They wouldn’t dose her in front of the clients.

  Jordan opened her mouth to scream, but only silence feel from her lips. The exertion caused the world to begin to sway. Her heavy lids drifted shut, the lights becoming unbearably bright again.

  The hostess’s voice grew louder and louder, announcing the bids, the price driving higher and higher. A disturbing sense of pride fluttered in Jordan’s chest when the amount tipped over a million.

  “Purchased!”

  The shrill, excited sing-song lilt of X-Tina’s voice made Jordan’s skin crawl. Did she really have to sound so damn cheerful?

  “To ensure confidentiality, the final paperwork and transactions will be conducted individually. We will go in order of auction number, one through fifteen. An attendant will come to your suite and escort you to the purchasing room.”

  Jordan felt the robe slip over her shoulders. She was shuffled between the guard and Ross as they dressed her. Then, Klein’s bruising hands circled her upper arm once more and she was carried from the platform.

  “Thank you for coming. I hope everyone enjoyed themselves. Please, if you didn’t win or if the selection wasn’t to your liking, join us next month. You can find upcoming auction information in the program provided.”

  The hostess’s voice slowly faded into the background as Jordan was hauled down a flight of stairs, back to the Tasting Den. Her head bounced as the world flash by in a blur of color and movement.

  “Damn, Klein, how much did you give her?” the guard on her left asked. “She’s a lump.” He grunted in response and the other vampire chuckled. “The bidders didn’t seem to mind. Hell, she brought in the largest purse in auction history.”

  Klein growled low. Was he jealous? The thought made her stomach knot. Ross wanted to make her his own. Jordan would die before she ever submitted to that demon.

  The sound of the glass cell door gliding open hissed in her ears.

  “Leave us,” Klein demanded.

  The guard released her arm. Panic spiked her blood. No! She was alone with him and paralyzed.

  Klein’s hand slipped over her throat while the other roughly groped her breasts. “The bidders liked what they saw.” He pressed his hips against hers and groaned. “But no matter how much they pay, they’ll never have you.”

  Jordan struggled against the drug, willing her body to life in vain. She couldn’t even form a fist. God, she wanted to hit the bastard. She wanted to drive a blade through his heart. And she would. Before Death claimed her, she’d send the Slave Handler to Hell.

  Klein licked her cheek. Jordan thought she’d be sick, but the sedative wouldn’t allow her to heave. He whispered, “You’re mine.”

  Rage stole her breath. Swallowing hard, she forced her lips to move. Her voice scratched her throat, “N-Never.”

  Klein chuckled and released his hold. Jordan’s knees buckled and she crashed to the floor. She felt no pain and, for a second, was thankful for the drugs.

  “Ross,” the hostess called as she entered the hall leading to the cells. “Every purchased slave must be bathed and readied. Drug them if necessary. I don’t want any problems.”

  “Sure.”

  The clicking of X-Tina’s stilettoes grew louder as she approached. Ross
nudged Jordan with the tip of his boot, rolling her over to her back. “Can you believe the asshole who bid on her?”

  Jordan squinted up at the vampire pair.

  “1.3 million,” X-Tina whistled, “It’s a record. The boss will be pleased. Boras needs some good news after the boathouse raid.” She sighed, “That was a close call. We almost lost our top shelf inventory.”

  Jordan concentrated, straining to hear their whispers. Squinting, she read their lips.

  The boathouse? The attack? Were they talking about Erhard? The tall, blond, sex god she’d met the night of her abduction. She’d never forget him, always fantasized about him. He’d worn power like a second skin. After they started drugging her, she’d begun to believe he was a character designed by her brain to help process the terrible things that had happened that night. But as she sank deeper into the demon’s realm of darkness, she learned Erhard was more than a record executive looking to sign new talent. He was a vampire. And they had a common enemy.

  “Erhard has united the East Coast under his rule,” X-Tina grumbled. “All that remains for Boras is the North West.”

  Yes! They were discussing Erhard and she’d been right. He was responsible for the attack on the boathouse. Jordan wanted to shout in triumph, instead a pained moan escaped her lips.

  The hostess’s gaze dropped to her and she smiled, revealing her fangs. “But if we keep selling her, Boras will be able to buy allies.”

  “Have you heard the Shaw are withdrawing? They’re returning and gathering for the Sequester. Erhard won’t have the witch’s help any longer.” Klein’s lips contorted with a snarl. “I’ve heard plans that by month’s end we’ll strike Erhard. The bastard won’t see it coming.”

  X-Tina’s eyes leapt with glee. “Good. I hope the cur burns.” Her smile widened. “And we’ll win the war with this bitch.” Her gaze snapped to Ross. “If you can manage to keep her alive. Make sure she is fed and watered. She’s too thin. We can’t afford for her to lose her curves.” Her sharp gaze slipped over Jordan’s body, calculating. “And ease up on the poison. She’s a level above looking like a cracked out whore. My reputation is built on providing the best. Our high end clientele will not be disappointed.”

  “While we kept her at the waystation, she had a forty-eight hour reprieve. That could be why she looks…so haggard. Withdrawal,” Klein mused.

  “Be that as it may, I want her dosage lowered.”

  “She’ll have to be kept in restraints.”

  The hostess shrugged. “As long as they don’t cause too much bruising, that’ll be fine.”

  Jordan could sense Klein’s irritation. He knew the best way to keep Jordan under control was to keep her on the edge of consciousness.

  “What will we do with the bidder?”

  The hostess gave a carefree wave, “Same as before. Collect the money, then kill him.”

  Chapter Five

  Gabriel accessed the small room. The hostess stood just inside the door to the left clutching an iPad to her chest, the two guards that had escorted him to the Purchasing Office, lingered at the threshold. Jordan wasn’t there. Shocker. Her absence only confirmed what he already suspected—they planned to kill him and take his money. A malicious smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. Gabriel had a plan of his own.

  X-Tina smiled. “Mr. Shadow, welcome—”

  He held up his hand. “Where is she?”

  The hostess flinched. “We are having the girl bathed and readied. She will be presented to you once the payment is complete.”

  Lies. Jordan was likely locked in her cell, cold, hungry, and drifting in and out of consciousness. The image stirred his demon and rekindled his anger. Gabriel felt the familiar shift, his eyes darkened to obsidian and his fangs lengthened. The hostess recoiled.

  “Before the bidding, you mentioned a medical examination would be offered,” he said, his voice roughened.

  “Yes, but payment must—”

  He shook his head. “Let me be clear, Madame, there will be no payment until the girl is brought forward and medically inspected.”

  The hostess’s eyes narrowed. She squared her shoulders. “Do you feel the slave was falsely advertised? By my word and that of my sire, Boras, the girl is untried.”

  Gabriel barely managed to maintain control. Boras. Just hearing the vile bastard’s name set him on the edge of madness.

  Kill him, the vampire hissed.

  I swear I will, he growled.

  “Now,” she chimed, “the preferred method of payment is direct transfer.”

  Gabriel clasped his hands behind his back and slowly walked around the room as he regained his indifferent calm. “I don’t doubt she is a virgin, but the fact remains the girl isn’t a fresh captive,” he explained, pausing beside the window.

  Exit strategy. The glass was dual pained, but the snow dusted ground was only two stories below, the frozen lake approximately fifty yards away. All he had to do was make it across the lake with Jordan, meet Gannon and they’d be ghosts. Memories of his own escape centuries ago flashed through his mind like streaks of lightning. Tension coiled around his spine, this night was too similar.

  Shaking his head, he mentally put himself in check, then continued, “It is her health that concerns me. $1.3 million is a sizable investment and I would like to ensure my money is well spent.”

  “Naturally,” she agreed with an easy smile. “Guards, will you please inform the Handler that Number Fifteen’s buyer would like a medical examination conducted?” They nodded and turned to leave.

  Gabriel shook his head. “You don’t understand, I would like the girl and your physician brought to this room.”

  “Here?” She glanced around the confined space.

  “Yes, here. I insist on being present during the physical.”

  Her tone turned hard, “We take pride in our stock and go to great length to ensure their health.”

  Gabriel moved with shocking speed, the hostess swallowed a scream.

  “In the Tasting Den, the girl was sedated to the point that she could scarcely breathe,” he said, his voice eerily calm, his polite façade belying his lethal capability.

  She sputtered, “Yes, Mr. Shadow,” then removed a cell phone from her blazer pocket and pressed speed dial. “Please bring Number Fifteen to the Purchasing Room. The buyer would like to witness the physical examination.” She ended the call without waiting for a response. “Mr. Klein, the Slave Handler, is also our resident physician.”

  Doubtful. “Thank you.”

  She forced a smile. “We strive to please our customers.”

  The soft click of a door sounded down the hall and was quickly followed by the heavy thud of boots. Three new comers would be joining the party. More to fight. More fun to be had.

  Loosening his control on his senses, Gabriel inhaled deeply and was nearly taken to his knees, thunderstruck by the heavenly, exotic scent of blooming jasmine. Jordan. The sublime fragrance grew stronger as the group drew closer. Gabriel willed his body not to react, though need already pulsed through him like an electrical current.

  The guards filed into the cramped room, creating a perimeter, while the vampire that disrobed and held Jordan on the auction platform, escorted her to the center. His arm was wrapped tightly around her waist, her back pressed against his chest. Gabriel’s newly found and maddening sense of protection and possessiveness unleashed his demon.

  Kill, it whispered.

  Gabriel ignored the beast. As much as he desperately wanted to end the vampire’s immortality, he couldn’t kill him. Not here. He’d have to incapacitate the guards and hostess: break their bones, slice an artery, or snap their necks. None of which would kill a vampire but they’d be down for a few days at the most and likely an hour at the least.

  “Thank you for your prompt response, Mr. Klein,” X-Tina greeted. “Mr. Shadow has voiced some concerns regarding the slave’s health.”

  Klein met Gabriel’s gaze with a hard glare. “The girl is fit for pur
chase.”

  Gabriel almost laughed at the vampire’s curt tone. Jordan seemed to be a bit more lucid. Her eyes were clouded. Yet a spark of defiance made her violet gaze glow. There was a pink tint to her cheeks, possible signs of a blush or a recent slap. Her wrists were bound with silk rope.

  “As previously stated, Mr. Shadow, the girl has caused some disturbances,” the hostess replied, noticing how he stared at the restraints.

  How much harm could such a small mortal female cause?

  “Your reasons don’t concern me, the fact that she can’t stand on her own and her eyes are still unfocused is…disturbing.”

  Jordan stirred at the sound of Gabriel’s voice. Her glassy stare locked on him. She tried to twist out of Klein’s hold. His arm tightened around her middle, causing a whimper to escape her lips.

  “Temporary side-effects,” Klein insisted.

  Gabriel bit back a growl, his anger rising, his patients thinning. “When was the last time she’d been dosed?”

  In an effort to abate the tension, the hostess step forward, placing herself between Gabriel and the Slave Handler. “She was sedated just before the auction.”

  Gabriel arched a brow. “Should I be concerned about withdrawals?”

  “She’ll be fine,” Klein snarled.

  “I’ll be the judge of that,” Gabriel snapped.

  “Please, gentlemen,” X-Tina sighed, her exasperation emphasized by the lines on her face. It was clear she wanted to finish the deal, collect his money, and kill him.

  Gabriel smirked as he felt his facial features begin to shift. The magic was fading. Time to exit.

  “Let’s start the physical.” The hostess set her iPad on the desk. She turned and reached for the straps of the skimpy lingerie Jordan still wore.

  Gabriel grabbed the female vampire’s wrist. “That won’t be necessary.” He didn’t give the hostess a chance to scream. As quick as lightning, Gabriel snapped her neck. “I’ll the take the girl as is.”