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

by Amanda J. Greene

  Speeding across the desert, he pulled one of Glock free and tossed it to her. Jordan flicked the safety off, checked the clip and cocked it.

  Shots slammed into the back window, cracking the bullet resistant glass. “Who is that?”

  “One guess, Boras’s men.” He cursed. “There had to be a rat. No other explanation. No one knew we were heading this way.”

  “How much further to the compound?”

  “Well, for starters, it’s in the other direction…”

  Jordan muttered a string of curses. “Nice mouth. Were you a pirate in a past life?”

  Cracking jokes at a time like this? Gannon was a different breed of male and it had nothing to do with being a vampire.

  Their accompanying SUV opened fire, picking off the guards on bikes first. The Jeeps charged, automatic weapons blazing.

  Gannon increased their speed and skillfully dodged boulders. “There are canyons up ahead. We can ditch the car and—” His words ended with a violent oath as the SUV began to spin out of control. The Jeep who’d clipped their back end now rammed them, caving in the driver’s side. The vehicle pitched to the side and rolled. Again and again it tumbled until landing upside down in a dry wash.

  “Jordan!” Gannon bellowed. Reaching for her, he slapped her cheek, bring back to her focus. Her vision winked in and out, her head pounded, and the coppery scent of blood dominated her senses.

  “Jordan. Run.” He unclasped her seatbelt and she rolled to the ground with pained moan. “You have to run.” He gave her a shove and she tumbled out the nonexistent window. Glass glittered in her hair, scratches and bruises covered her hands, her arms and face but nothing was broken.

  She crawled away from the wreck as Gannon kicked it way to freedom. She heard the Jeeps slide to a stop, doors opened and slammed shut.

  Damn it, she didn’t have the gun anymore. Where was it?

  A scream wrenched from her throat as she was forcefully pulled up by her hair. “What have we here?”

  Lumbering to his feet, Gannon charged. His claws slashing, tearing. His enemies falling until shots rang out, splintering the peaceful desert night.

  Jordan cried out as he fell to his knees.

  One man broke away from the line of others standing beside the Jeeps. Jordan couldn’t make out his features, blood blurred her vision. Pain lanced her temples.

  “So good of you to be on time,” the figure sneered. “Wallin’s whore had said you would be heading out tonight, destination unknown. The sweet thing planted a tracking device for us.” He shrugged. “If I had known Monique would prove so helpful, I would’ve let her live. Oh well, hind sight, right?” With a tsk he added, “I don’t know what you did to piss her off, but my hats off to you.”

  Monique. This man had killed Monique? Jordan shook her head trying to clear her thoughts, but immediately regretted the move. Jordan had assumed she’d have to fight the pair, but Tana had been alone the other night. She’d attacked alone. Did she know what he friend had done? Had they planned this together?

  Gannon threw his arms wide. “Well, Boras, now you have me.”

  Her heart stopped, her blood turned to ice. No.

  “Yes.” He motioned to his guards and they surrounded Gannon.

  No!

  “I’ll toast to my good fortune this night as I drain my favorite slave dry.”

  “You won’t win this.” Gannon reached inside his torn suit jacket, drew his gun and fired just as a guard unsheathed a dagger and slammed it home.

  Boras and Gannon seized, their bodies shuddered, but only the Black Knight collapsed. Jordan felt the ground quake beneath her feet as he hit the hard, dry earth.

  He can’t be dead. Oh, god, please Gannon. Don’t be dead.

  Her captor’s nose pressed against the hollow of her throat. Acid replaced the ice in her blood as he inhaled deeply of her scent. “You reek of him,” he rasped, his heated breath whispered over her skin.

  She slammed her foot down on his instep, twisted and jammed her elbow up into his nose. The sound of cartilage giving earn the attention of the others. Boras massaged his shoulder, where Gannon’s bullet grazed him.

  “Kill her. We don’t have time for games.”

  The hold on her hair tightened and kicked the back of knee, sending her to the ground. “She’s covered in Erhard’s scent.”

  Boras came forward and Jordan had hold back a gasp. The vampire was…stunning. No, that didn’t fit. He was painfully exquisite. White blond hair swept across his brow and curled at his nape, light blue eyes flickered with shades of black. His features were perfectly chiseled from stone and he was tall. How could so much beauty conceal so much evil?

  “You look familiar, pet.” He bent down and sniffed her. “Yes. I remember you. Jasmin sweet, Number Fifteen. So glad you’ve returned.” He pinched her chin and brushed a kiss against her lips. Jordan twisted out his grip and spat in his face. His eyes went black as coal as he calmly pulled a handkerchief from a pocket. “Klein did love the spirited ones. I prefer my slaves more docile and eager to please.” He straightened. “But if the blood bastard, Erhard, is fucking you then you must be one talented whore.”

  “He’s given her his blood,” the guarded offered. “You can see it in her eyes, she’ll transition.”

  Boras’s gaze flashed with rapacious flames. “Oh, to have the Graces shine upon me so.”

  ***

  Why hadn’t they checked in yet? Gannon and Jordan should’ve reached the compound an hour ago.

  It was still early, the beginning stages of her transformation would be setting in, but nothing enough to limit her abilities to call him, as he’d made her promise she would.

  Gabriel paced, like a caged lion, ready to strike any moment.

  His cell rang, caller ID flashed her name. He sigh of relief eased from his lungs. He swiped his thumb over the touchscreen face and brought it to his ear.

  “Erhard, so good of you to take my call.”

  The words he’d meant to say choked him as realization sank in. Terror wrapped its vile grip around his throat. His woman, his mate captured by his enemies. “She better be alive.”

  “Oh, she is,” Boras evilly laughed. “You needn’t worry about that, but I can’t say the same for your Second. Last I saw, he was riddled with bullets and had a dagger protruding from his back, his life’s blood pooling around him.”

  Gannon dead? Gabriel’s heart turned to stone in his chest. No. He’s lying. The denial sprang from deep within him. Gannon would survive. He had to.

  “I assume he’ll burn when the sun rises along with your other soldiers.”

  No! He refused to believe Gannon was gone. He couldn’t. “Your words may be true, he may have fallen, but he’ll rise again.”

  “Time will tell,” he snapped then calmly added, “Without your Second and without your fledgling, will you do now?”

  Fledgling? Gabriel racked a shaking hand over his grim face. “I really hope she survives the transition. Her body will need to be strong for what I have planned for her.”

  “Don’t you dare touch her!”

  “Oh, there’s your spirt. So glad it’s arrived. This conversation was growing tiresome.” He chuckled. “How rich. You finally cut your vein to elevate some human scum and she’d taken away from you.”

  No one took from him. Never! Gabriel’s fangs gnashed. His voice deepened, his vampire risen, eager to do murder. “Harm her and I will burn this whole world down to find you.”

  Boras fell silent and Gabriel’s ear twitched. Had he heard a pained sigh? Not Jordan’s or Gannon’s….

  “Shall we bargain then? Your life for her health and freedom.”

  The irony of the words struck hard. He’d told her he would make a deal with the Devil to save her. His hand tightened around the phone, his fingers cracked the screen. “Details.”

  “There’s an old, dilapidated outpost about six miles north of the city, do you know it? You have one hour to show. Only you.” The line went dea
d and Gabriel’s stone heart shattered to dust.

  His life for hers. It sounded so simple. He’d be honored to great Death to save Jordan.

  If Gannon was…who would protect her?

  Numb, his mind reeling, he slowly turned to face his guests. Kerstyn’s shaking fingers pressed again her trembling lips. Dimitri’s diamond blue eyes flashed with malice.

  “Gannon….and you mate,” she whispered. “I’m so sorry.”

  He shook his head. No, this wasn’t over. There had to be way he could save them. He wouldn’t fail. He couldn’t. Never again. Meeting Dimitri’s gaze, he said, “I’ll need our help.”

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  What was that divine scent, that warm feeling and bright light?

  Gannon’s soul slammed back into his body with a painful inhale. His eyes snapped open. A blade was buried between his shoulders and…in his heart. He reached back and yanked the dagger free.

  He patted his body, searching for injuries. He’d been shot but his muscles had already expelled the bullets and were on the mend. What the fuck…Why wasn’t he dead? He brushed his hand over his chest in wonder. His heart had been cut in two, ruined, but he still lived. Analyze later, act now.

  Staggering to his feet, he swept the area. The other SUV that had been with him burned in the distance. He was alone in the desert, the lone survivor. Damn. Boras and his men were gone and Jordan was too. Damn again!

  Gannon climbed from the wash and jogged toward the flames. He collected every weapon he could find then tested the discard dirt bikes. His heart sang with triumph when one finally started. His plan: follow the Jeep tracks, kick some ass, and save his queen.

  ***

  Jordan could feel the moon rising. Every second that past the ache in her muscles worsened, the knot in her stomach tightened, and the pounding her head increased.

  Boras wrapped the restraints tighter around her wrists. The rope cut deep into her flesh. She bit the inside of her cheek to stop the sharp yelp of pain that rose from her throat. She refused to give the monster what he wanted.

  “Bad girl.” He clucked his tongue and pulled harder. Blood trickled down her hands to dampen the dirt beneath her. “You killed your guard. If you survive this transition, believe me, you’ll wish you hadn’t.”

  He straightened Jordan caught the faint tremor for pain that flickered over his angelic face. Her eyes fell to his shoulder. He’d changed his shirt since they’d arrived at the out post, but she could see blood welling beneath the black fabric. Gannon’s bullet hadn’t obliterated Boras’s heart, but it have torn his flesh and the wound wasn’t healing.

  “Lights spotted five miles out,” someone called from outside.

  “It would seem your lover has taken the bait.” He stroked pat the top of her head as one would do to a beloved dog. “Wallin, come in here.”

  The vampire pushed open the door. His black, demon eye studied her as if he had x-ray vision. “Oh, she is treasure, isn’t she? You know, I wanted to bid on her but knowing what awaited the winners…”

  “You did your job, you drove the price up. Now, keep our pet company. I’ve a blood bastard’s head to collect and a war to win.” Boras turned to leave. “I’ll be back, pet, don’t you fret.”

  Wallin knelt beside her and brushed her hair away from her neck. “Do touch me!”

  He laughed. “We are going to fun, you and I. While you writhe in agony, your little body fighting the change and you gasp for breath, I’m going watch.” He dropped his hand to rub over his thickening erection. “I can’t wait to hear your screams.”

  “The only screams that you’ll this night are your own,” Jordan rasped.

  ***

  Gabriel slammed the Bentley’s door closed. He drew in a deep breath. Jordan was here. She was alive. Boras hadn’t lied about that. But on his way to the outpost, Gabriel had found the scene of the attack. Gannon’s body was missing and hope unlike he’d ever known rocked him. There was a chance his friend still lived. Gannon was resourceful, a skilled warrior, he’d survive.

  Boras’s men closed in around him as he approached the weathered, forgotten building. Ten against one, he’d had worse odds.

  “Where is she?”

  The leader separated from the circle. “So demanding.”

  “Her freedom and health for my life, right? Well, here I am. Produce the woman.”

  “You didn’t actually think I’d play this fair, did you?” He glanced past Gabriel’s shoulder to the car. “But I see that you did. All alone.”

  “I wouldn’t necessarily say that.”

  Boras swung around to find another Gabriel behind him. “What is this, Erhard?”

  “What? It’s only me.” The twin Gabriel responded in unison and drew their daggers. “You said to only bring myself.”

  With a war cry, Boras and his men attacked.

  Jordan clenched, ignoring the pain. The moon was inches from its peak and she was only a breath away from falling apart. Her head….God, the slicing pain. She shifted on the ground, straining toward the cracks in the walls, seeking the cooling touch of the desert night air. The temperature outside was dropping and her body was burning.

  “So close now,” Wallin mocked.

  The tightness of her muscles snapped and her teeth cut into her lower lip. The brightness of the moon shimmered through the holes in the ceiling. The enraged roar of a vampire rang out and she trembled.

  “Can you hear the battle? Your maker is going to die.”

  Her maker? She fought the pain, focusing on Wallin’s words. He thought Gabriel was her maker, not her mate. She laughed and he sprang to his feet.

  “I think I jest.”

  He untied the bounds from the metal pole she’d been secured. Wrapping the rope around his fist, he dragged her through the dirt and the door into the night. The moon’s rays bathed her burning skin, soothing her pain for just a moment.

  “I want you to see him fall. To see his head roll from his body. Then you’ll scream, so prettily.”

  Jordan struggled against the bindings at her wrists and ankles, drawing more blood. The crimson slickened her wrists. She was able to work one hand free. That’s all I needed. Gabriel, I’m coming for you.

  Mine! The demon snarled as Jordan’s scent grew stronger. He had to get to her.

  Can’t fail her. Can’t! He slashed his blade over the guards’ throat the plunged the other deep into his enemy’s chest. He wrenched the weapon free, tearing heart out with it. The organ slipped from the blade to the ground with wet thump.

  His partner tore the head off another guard with his bare hands. His knives still embedded in the heart and skull of another fallen enemy.

  “Boras!” he snarled. “Face me. Stop hiding behind your guards.”

  “I’ve never hidden behind anyone.” He charged at Gabriel, taking him to the ground. They landed hard, the blades knocked from his hands.

  “Now!” Gabriel shouted and his doppelganger vanished just as the last guard’s headless body fell to the ground.

  Boras sliced at him with his claws, deep gashes streaked his face, his neck, his torso.

  Gabriel defended as best he could, his eyes searching for his enemy’s weakness. He threw elbows and grappled. He’d kill him, he’d destroy all of his enemies, leaving none to ever threat his mate again.

  They rolled through the dirt. Fangs flashing, claws glinted in the moon light, blood was like a fine mist as muscles tore. Gabriel pinned Boras beneath him, his knee hitting the vampire’s shoulder. He howled and the faint scent of poison wafted on the air.

  Gannon’s bullet. He’d used the remaining Red Order Poison as a coating on his bullets. It had grazed him, the poison would remaining on his skin…Gabriel punched Boras’s shoulder again and again, forcing the toxin firmly into his system. The agonized howl was the sweetest music to Gabriel’s ears. The only sound better would be Jordan whispering his name finally held her in arms.

  “You dared to take her from me.” He slammed his fi
st Boras’s face. “You threatened her.” His claws wrapped around Boras’s throat. The vampire beneath him fought as his skin turned ashen. The poison was eating him from the inside out. Gabriel sneered. There was no better revenge than that of wreak havoc on his enemies. He rasped, “Know that blood bastard defeated you.” With a hard twist of his wrists, his claws sank deep into flesh, shredding muscle and tendon. The cracking of vertebra hissed over the now calm desert landscape.

  Gabriel rose to his feet, Boras’s head swings from his fist.

  His chest heaving, he sucked in calming breaths searching for Jordan’s scent, needing it to ground him. To sooth his beast.

  Jasmine floated gently on the breeze, but she was gone. His demon snarled, but he ignored its anger. Dimitri had gotten her to safety.

  “Damn, I was late to the party.”

  He swung around. “Gannon.”

  “One any only.” He waved to the carnage. “Nice job.”

  Gabriel blinked, unbelieving. “You’re alive.”

  Gannon rubbed the nape of his neck. “Yeah…how about that. My heart was destroyed and there was this light—”

  The head bounced over the heard earth like a soccer ball as Gabriel pulled Gannon into a bear hug.

  “Hey man,” his Second laughed. “I’m solid.”

  He pulled away just as Dimitri materialized. “She is safe. I took her to the compound. The doctor is with her now.”

  “Take me to her. Now.”

  “You should probably clean up before you set you. The blood and gore, not sexy.”

  “Agreed,” Dimitri seconded.

  He shook his head. No, he had to be with her. He had to hold her and kiss her and…Shower. Yes, he had to shower he couldn’t go to his mate with the blood of dripping from his claws. He could press her to his chest with gaping wounds. He had to clean up and he needed a few minutes to heal. “Fine. Gannon, take the Bentley back.”