The house is quiet, all lights off, so as I move through the house, I ensure my steps are soundless, padding them with power so none will hear me.
I can’t risk them waking. It would be far too dangerous for me. Slowly, carefully, I reach into my pocket and pull out gloves.
As I’m slipping them onto my hands, I pass another image of a woman in white standing beside a man in blue. They’re younger there, smiling out from the glass. Both with such bright futures.
I creep further inside, stepping into their bedroom. The door creaks ever so slightly as I push it open, and the woman sits up in bed, her bright eyes widening when they land on me.
She screams.
The man stirs and reaches for the gun on his nightstand.
I snap my fingers, and he cries out in pain as the bones in his arm shatter, the sickening crunch loud enough that I hear it from the doorway.
The woman clings to him as he shields her with his body.
They both carry so much life within them, so much hope, and even now in the midst of their fear, I can feel their love.
But all things must come to an end.
33
Rainey
Hot coffee drips from the coffee pot and into the travel mug I placed beneath. I couldn’t sleep last night, plagued with nightmares of boxes and Delaney.
I’m sure it didn’t help that I slept in another room. I tossed and turned all fucking night because in the short period of time since we first slept together—I’ve gotten used to having Elijah beside me.
And I’m kicking myself now for not just giving in and going to him.
“Morning.”
I jump. “Fuck, Elijah.”
“You didn’t hear me?”
I glare at him. “If I had, I wouldn’t have jumped, would I?”
“Rainey—”
“Look,” I say, putting the lid on my travel mug and turning toward him. “I get it, okay? It started happening after I nearly died and your witch friend brought me back. I know it’s not normal, and I promise to figure it out after we get rid of my ghostly tagalongs.” My tone is sharp as I glare across the room at him.
But honestly? I’m not even mad. I’m worried, and I’m craving his touch—his ability to make me feel like everything is going to be okay. Especially when it honestly feels like my entire world is about to burn down and leave nothing but ash.
“You don’t know what’s coming, do you?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Darkness. You won’t survive it.”
“What the fuck does that mean? What darkness?”
“It is going to swallow you whole, Rainey Astor. And it will consume all those who you hold dear.”
Consume all those you hold dear. Elijah and Jane are the two most important people in my life. What if this kills them? Her prediction squeezes my heart, making my chest so damn tight I can barely breathe.
Elijah’s eyes find mine, and he narrows them on my face.
He storms across the room and grips my biceps. Then, he turns, and all but drags me down the hallway.
“What the hell?” I try to yank my arm free, but his hold is solid—even against my hunter abilities.
So there’s another problem that leaves me wondering just what the fuck is happening to me.
He doesn’t speak, doesn’t stop moving until we’re in the bedroom. Then, once the door is shut, he releases me and turns. “Jane is here, and I want to speak in private.”
“Fine. About what?” I snap the words out.
“What is going on with you?”
“You mean other than processing all the shit you kept from me?”
“Yes. I can feel it, Rainey. Your panic, what is it for?”
“Everyone is warning me, Elijah. Aoife, Stella, they both believe you’re going to die if you fight this battle.”
“You never mentioned a warning from Stella.”
“Yeah, well, hers and Aoife’s were pretty much the same damn thing.” I glare up at him as he stares down at me. My anger dissipates.
Do I really want to spend what’s left of my life fighting with Elijah? That answer is an easy no. Because if I only have until tonight, if my life is to end even in a few hours, he is who I want to be with.
With that, I shove my pride down, and I force a soft smile. “I’m sorry, Elijah. I’m just worn out. This whole thing is just—it’s a lot. There’s so much information to keep track of, so many pieces I can’t focus on.”
He steps toward me, cupping my cheek and dropping his forehead to mine. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”
“I know you’re going to try.” I tilt my head up and offer him my lips. The kiss is gentle, Elijah’s tender promise that there will be plenty more in our future.
How ironic is it that I believed I was meant to be alone all my life—only to find my soulmate weeks before I’m destined to die?
He pulls away and presses a kiss to my forehead before releasing me and stepping back. “I’m sorry I kept that information from you, Rainey. I did it to protect you.”
“I know, and I understand.”
“You forgive me then?”
His question is so full of innocence it makes me smile. Mainly because it directly contrasts the badass vampire beneath. “Yes, Elijah. I forgive you.”
“Good.” His hand tightens on my waist, and he pulls me toward him, deepening the kiss. His tongue darts into my mouth, and I groan, desperation for him overshadowing my need to get into the office on time.
The kiss is hot, fevered, and scorches me like the flames of my nightmare. I grip him, fingers digging into the flesh of his arms.
I pull back for just a minute and reach up, threading my fingers in the silky strands of his hair. “I wish we could just pretend the rest of the world didn’t exist.”
“For now, it doesn’t.” He takes my mouth again, and I lose myself in the passion of this moment.
Whatever we’ve feared may arrive today.
There may be no tomorrow.
But right now, none of that matters.
His fingertips graze the skin beneath my shirt as he lifts the cotton up and pulls back long enough to rip it from my head. His strong hands grip my back, spinning me around and tossing me onto the mattress.
My phone starts ringing, but I ignore it, quickly stripping off my boots and jeans as Elijah removes his own. When he stands before me—all naked, inked skin, I reach for him. He moves to the edge of the bed and grips the back of my neck, yanking my mouth to his in a kiss so fucking potent it might as well be a drug.
The ringing starts again, as he shoves me back and grips my leg, putting it on his shoulder as he drives into me.
Elijah is the only good thing to come out of this entire fucking mess. He fills me so completely, loves me so thoroughly, I’m sure I’ll die without him.
Satisfied, happy, and more relaxed than I’ve been in a long damn time, I walk out to the kitchen. Jane is standing in front of the coffee pot, staring at it as though it’s going to make itself.
“Morning,” Elijah greets.
She turns toward us, and the broken expression on her face makes me forget why I was mad in the first place.
“What is it?” I ask, rushing toward her.
“You didn’t answer your phone,” she says. “Did you call Paloma?”
I shake my head. “What is it?”
Jane’s face breaks, and tears stream down her cheeks.
“What the fuck is wrong?” I ask again. “Jane?”
“Ramirez,” she chokes out.
A chill runs up my back, sending ice through my veins and dread straight to my heart. I stare at her, silently begging for her to elaborate.
“What happened? Was there an accident?” Elijah asks.
Jane meets his gaze and shakes her head. “He and his wife—”
“Kamie?”
She nods. “They’re dead, Rainey.”
I shake my head and stumble backward, disbelief, rage, and guilt a
ll but consuming me. “No, that’s not possible.”
She stares at me as more tears stream down her cheeks.
“No.” I look to Elijah for confirmation. “No. I need to see.” I grab my keys off the counter and rush outside. Elijah’s in front of me before I can reach my bike. “I have to go.”
“Let me drive you.”
I don’t argue because, honestly, I can hardly fucking see right now because of the tears in my eyes. Placing his hands on my shoulders, he guides me to his car.
Somehow, I get in.
Somehow, he starts driving.
Somehow, I recall my missed calls.
I reach into my pocket and check the call log. Paloma tried to call me, so I hit her contact info, hoping like hell she’s about to tell me it was a mistake.
There’s no way my partner is dead. I just saw him yesterday.
“Rainey?”
My first name comes out strained, and I know without her confirmation that it was no mistake. “Where?”
“We’re at his place now.”
“Don’t touch a fucking thing before I get there.” I end the call and lean my head back against the seat, closing my eyes and fighting down the grief.
“Address?”
I rattle it off, and Elijah reaches over, his fingers threading through mine.
Minutes pass in silence as I recall all of the times Ramirez was there for me over the last few years.
He was kind to me on my first day at the precinct. Strong handed but understanding.
Then, when I made detective, he’d been there at my graduation. Kamie had baked me a cake to celebrate.
And when I buried my sister, he’d been beside me the entire time.
He was the strength I’d needed when I had none.
And now he’s gone.
Police lights flash red and blue in the mid-morning sun. They hit me with a finalization, and before I know it, I’m racing out of the car, leaving Elijah behind with my captain as she rushes over to us.
I don’t want to wait, don’t want to breathe until I see for myself.
All of that urgency ceases as soon as I step inside. I can feel the dread clinging to the walls, the death—even if I can’t smell it. Blood lines the walls like some twisted finger painting. I follow the crimson lines trailing over the pale paint, the photographs.
On legs that feel heavy as lead, I walk down the hall toward the beat officers standing at the end.
My heart hammers, my stomach churning as I try to prepare myself for what I’m about to see.
One foot at a time.
“Detective, I’m so sorry,” one of the officers gently touches my shoulder. I barely feel the contact.
“Give her a minute,” Captain Reynolds orders. “You don’t have to go in there, Rainey.”
“I need to see.” I reach for the plastic sheeting they’ve hung over the doorway.
She touches my hand. “You really don’t.”
I glare at her. “I want to see my partner.”
After a moment, she removes her hand, and I step into the crime scene.
“Oh no.” The words leave me on a choked sob, and I cover my mouth with shaking hands. Ramirez and his wife are in bed. She’s staring up at the ceiling, blood coating her throat and grey nightgown. Ramirez is on his side, reaching for the firearm on his nightstand.
His fingers were only inches from it.
So fucking close.
The arm is contorted, broken and left at an unnatural angle.
“No, no, no.” I begin to shiver, my blood turning to ice in my veins as I move around to his side of the bed. His eyes are wide open, frozen, unblinking. His throat cut open, blood streaks his chest and falls to a puddle on the carpet.
My legs give out, and I fall to my knees as my vision swims, the tears making it impossible to see as rocks settle in the pit of my stomach.
He was a good man.
The best man.
And he deserved better. So much fucking better.
Just like Delaney.
Just like Minnie.
Just like your parents.
Just like your grandmother.
They all deserved better, a voice coos.
“They deserved better,” I whisper aloud in agreement.
We can make it better.
My tears fall to the floor, broken sobs because another person has been ripped from me. Another soul torn from my life.
They weren’t supernaturals, they had no business being anywhere near this fight. They were murdered for their connection with me and me alone.
Darkness is coming.
You won’t survive.
It will destroy all those you love.
All those you love.
My fault. It’s all my fault.
I loved Ramirez. He was family. I scream, a strangled sob that rips from me of its own accord, my body no longer able to hold the monsoon of pain drowning me, suffocating me.
Call to us.
We can help you.
Jane is next.
Elijah is next.
Your captain is next.
Everyone you’ve ever cared for will die without us.
“Help me,” I choke out. “Please. I can’t lose anyone else.”
Someone appears in front of me. I glance up and meet the black gaze of a woman I recognize as the one in the pictures on Fleur’s walls.
The same one who was covered in ash.
I scramble back and push to my feet.
“All you had to do was ask,” she says with a smile.
“Rainey?”
“See you soon, Rainey,” she whispers and disappears.
I scan the room, searching for her, but she’s gone. Turning in a circle, I see Elijah behind me. His jaw is hard, his eyes brimming with rage.
“Fuck, Rainey. I’m so fucking sorry.”
My throat too swollen to speak, I turn back to Ramirez. Elijah’s arms come around me, and he holds me against his chest.
Turning into him, I accept his embrace as the voices whisper one last thing to me.
It’s time to come home.
34
Elijah
The moment the sun has set, I’m unlocking the tunnel door and stepping to the side so Tarnley can enter the den.
Rainey’s been asleep for the last eight hours—too distraught to move. Jane stands behind me, mouth set in a grim line as she nods at Tarnley.
“Elijah told me what happened to the hunter’s partner. I’m truly sorry.”
“Thank you,” she says tightly.
I shut and bolt the door then turn to my friend. “Thanks for doing this.”
“I told you—whatever you need. You know I don’t offer things like that unless I truly mean it.”
“I know.”
“How’s Rainey?”
“I’m fine, thanks,” she says from the doorway. I glance over at her, surprised to see her out of bed. Her eyes are darker, shadowed, and she’s pulled her hair up into a tight bun at the back of her head. Fully dressed, she looks ready for a fight. And that worries the hell out of me. “How about we put Pandora back into its box?”
“Where is this box?” Tarnley asks, clapping his hands together.
“The study,” I tell him as I make my way past him and Jane, grabbing Rainey’s hand as I reach the hallway. “You okay?”
She nods and threads her fingers through mine.
Ever since we left Ramirez’s house, I haven’t been able to get a read from her. The bond is still there. I can feel all of the pain, the grief, the heartache—but there’s something more lurking beneath the agony. Something darker, asking for vengeance.
And as soon as we figure this shit out, I’ll be the first one signing up to help her get it. I will slaughter countless enemies for the chance to bring her some peace.
I leave Rainey near the door and walk to the panel hiding the box. After using my palm, I unlock it and let it slide away.
The box is just inside, so I step out of the way and
allow Tarnley to get a closer look.
“Well, that’s one hell of a warning,” Tarnley offers as he lifts the box and sets it down on top of the desk. “You didn’t realize you shouldn’t open it based on the carvings?” He gestures to the knots and lines covering the box sides and its lid.
Jane grunts in agreement, and I glare back at her before turning to Tarnley again.
“I didn’t give him much of a chance before I was opening it,” Rainey admits.
Tarnley shrugs and runs both hands over the box. “It’s great craftsmanship.” The whisper of a groan leaves Rainey’s lips, and I turn toward her.
Pupils fully dilated, she’s watching Tarnley as if he’s on the menu. Jealousy unfurls in my belly. Completely unwarranted, but the mated side of me wants her to look at only me that way.
“Get the hell on with it already,” Jane scolds. “I want this to be over.”
I shake my head as Tarnley glances back at her.
“I don’t take orders,” he says—sugar laced with arsenic. “Since it’s currently my ass on the line, I would appreciate you keeping your mouth shut until I have a moment to process the potential consequences for my actions.”
Jane’s face reddens, her eyes practically shooting daggers at the vampire. It would be amusing as hell if my heart weren’t racing so fast I’m sure it’s going to beat right out of my chest.
Tarnley’s fingers brush the sides of the lid where it meets the base of the box. Rainey’s arousal grows with each brief contact.
I meet her gaze, and she presses her thighs together, hunger in her dark eyes.
Warmth spreads over my skin, my heartbeat increasing as the rest of the room fades away, leaving only Rainey and me and this desperate need to bend her over my desk and fuck her senseless.
Sweat beads on my skin.
My vision swims.
Rainey’s mouth falls open.
I clench my fists and hold my breath, trying to focus on Tarnley and the box that now demands none of my attention.
He lifts the lid, and power surges through the room.
Rainey’s need intensifies—I can practically taste her on my tongue, and when she closes her eyes and reaches up to trail fingers over her throat, I lose my fucking mind.
Blood Captive: A Paranormal Vampire Romance (Vampire Huntress Chronicles Book 2) Page 26
