He didn’t move, his expression jealous and angry. Annoyed, I nodded to him and headed to the front door.
* * * *
All that week was more of the same. I left Devlin most nights and went to Danial’s, telling Dev that I was trying to keep up with the workload. The truth was that I needed a break of a few hours daily when I did not smell burned flesh and blood. The odor lingered faithfully on Devlin, no matter that he showered each dawn.
Devlin regenerated a little more each day. By the end of the week, he had healed everything except his lost eye, and his privates. In the meantime, he had taken to wearing a black leather eye patch, something that oddly just increased his sex appeal.
“You now look as dangerous as I know you are,” I teased. “It gives me a thrill.”
“Good, because these will take longest,” Devlin replied. “Repeated injuries heal slowly, Love. But in another few weeks, I should be fine.”
“I’m glad,” I said. “I saw your donors leaving at dawn.”
“I don’t usually take from five at a single session,” Devlin said tentatively, as if he wasn’t sure how I’d take it. “But I need a lot of blood. Luckily I have a lot of regulars, as I’m out of prisoners.”
I’d known he would kill all of them, but the offhand way he referred to it took me aback. “Whatever helps you heal quicker,” I said a little too brightly.
Devlin turned to me, his expression one of reluctance. “Vampires can drink from the dead,” he said, “but it’s not often done. The blood congeals quickly, and the taste...I’d liken it to eating rotten or overripe fruit. The sensation is unpleasant. But most of all, with the heart stopped, the blood doesn’t flow, so very little can be sucked out. You can bite repeatedly in several places, but you’re not going to end up with much for your trouble.”
“I’m not judging you for killing people who were torturing you and would have killed me, too,” I said, an edge to my tone. “Please don’t feel badly about what you had to do.”
“On the contrary, I’m feeling much better. I’ll be well enough to meet with Samuel and Perseus,” Devlin said, some of his old arrogance back in his tone. “Don’t worry, Sar.”
I hugged him gently. “I’m not. I’m more concerned that I still can’t hold my only daughter. Serena says that Venus bites her every night without fail.”
“V,” Dev corrected. “I’ve been calling her V for short. But Serena’s right. She won’t let you go if she tastes your blood. It’s better to wait until she’s older. How is she?”
“Healthy and happy,” I assured him. “Now get some rest.”
“How was the doctor visit today?”
“My virus levels are still very elevated. Stephen said they may go even higher.”
Devlin made a disgruntled face. “Then I’ll be good until we know for sure. Is Theo still giving you the cold shoulder?”
“Pretty much,” I admitted. “But he does have Devon there at Danial’s every night to see me.”
“How is Dev Jr.?” Devlin teased. “It’s almost like having a son.”
I rolled my eyes. “Devon is growing fast; he’s got to be twenty pounds or so. And he always bounds up to see me, letting out a little welcoming chirp with his tail held high.”
“But Theo is distant?”
Was he concerned for me, or hopeful that my marriage would breakup? “He acts standoffish. I’m hoping he works it out on his own.” I turned to him. “But I am worried about Lash. I wanted to thank him for saving us. Titus always tells me he’s resting and not to disturb him. The bedroom door is always locked. Was he hurt in the fight?”
Devlin shook his head. “No, his armor was intact. It’s top of the line, Sar, and made to last. Lash is just in his room because it’s going to be winter soon. He hates winter, he always has. He stays inside under blankets as much as possible, going out only when he absolutely has to. He gets cold easily, so I try to send him out with Titus when he has to go somewhere.”
“Titus probably loves that.”
“Northeastern winters are hard on weresnakes. But don’t worry about him,” Devlin assured, reaching up to stroke the underside of my chin. “He’s going to be sleeping or in his room for most of the winter. When spring gets here, he’ll emerge hungry and horny.”
“TMI,” I said, appalled. “Now enough talking. Get some rest.”
* * * *
Finally, that Friday just before I left to go home, I found Lash sitting on the couch reading a book with a few blankets piled over him. It was an old illustrated children’s work called The Fossil Snake, one I remembered from my youth.
“My mom used to read that to me,” I said, sitting down next to him. “I always hoped I’d find a fossil snake myself, but I never did.”
“Are you making reference to my age?” Lash hissed, baring fangs in a smile. “I’m not old enough to be stone quite yet.”
“I don’t think of you as a pet,” I assured him. “Plus you aren’t the length of a pencil—”
“Careful,” Lash hissed meaningfully. “You’ll hurt my pride, making cracks about my length.”
I flushed. “I didn’t mean it like that.”
“I know you didn’t,” he laughed. “Long time no see.”
In spite of his good mood, Lash looked tired. “I’m going to have lunch before I leave for Danial’s,” I said. “Do you want me to heat you up some liquefied steak?”
“Yes, please,” Lash hissed. “But only a little, as I ate already today. But a little would do the trick.”
It had gotten much colder this past week. By the reports, it was going to be an early fall. “Do you want another blanket?” I offered, getting up.
Lash shook his head. “The one below me is heated,” he said, grinning happily. “It’s not my rock in the sun, but it feels pretty damn good.”
“Why don’t you have Devlin install a sun room here, some kind of atrium, with an indoor pond?” I asked, seized with sudden inspiration. “You could sunbathe indoors in the winter.”
Lash raised his eyebrows. “And give any attacker a built-in torture chamber for Dev right inside his home?” He shook his head. “I couldn’t risk it, Sar. Heated blankets are enough.”
I bit my lip, irritated with myself for not thinking of Devlin’s weakness to the sun, especially in light of recent events. “Stay there where you’re warm. I’ll be right back.”
I brought my soup and his concoction into the living room after heating them up in the microwave. “Tell me if it’s not hot enough,” I said, handing him the mug. “I don’t have anyone here to taste it.”
Lash sipped it. “Plenty hot,” he said, wincing a little. “But better too hot than too cold.” He eyed me. “So what’s new?”
“Nothing,” I complained, sipping my soup. “That’s the trouble. Everyone is waiting for my teleportation powers to come back. The vampire virus is still spiking, according to Stephen’s last test.”
“No wonder Dev’s not more cheerful,” Lash hissed, smirking. “He needs to dip his prongs.”
“You’re a piece of work,” I replied, rolling my eyes.
“I try,” Lash hissed, taking another sip. “Some people like my efforts more than others.”
I bit my lip, clutching my mug with both hands. “Thank you,” I said emotionally. “For rescuing me.”
Lash looked up at me, his expression unreadable. “Don’t go out again with him alone,” he hissed softly. “Not without at least two bears, not for any reason. He asks you to ever again, you refuse.”
I nodded “I will. Tell me, why didn’t you tell anyone we’d been kidnapped?”
Lash’s flat eyes bored into mine. “Because Theo would have cared about getting you out, not about saving Dev.”
“But Theo could’ve helped—”
Lash shook his head. “Ulysses is good. This isn’t the first time he’s tried to hurt Dev. I knew Devlin would be well guarded where you were being held. Theo’s strong, but he’s not quiet, at least, not compared to me. He would
have got to you, and then shot his way out. If they found you missing or got wind of an attack, they would have killed Dev immediately, rather than risk him being rescued. I had to save you both.”
It was hard not to feel like my safety had been last on his list. “Why not rescue Devlin and then me?”
“Because I needed your help,” Lash said meaningfully, flashing another smile. “I’m sure you’ve been waiting to hear that.”
I blushed. “You are giving me too much credit. I—”
“No, I’m not,” Lash said simply, fixing me with his eyes. “You covered us. You did it well. And you saved my life.”
“Not that I’m not bursting with your praise,” I said, embarrassed. “But why not go in with one of the bears as your partner? They’ve got to have more training than me.”
“Because I trust you to do what I tell you,” Lash replied. “The bears do have training, and some of that would have made them act and react differently than you did.” He sipped again. “I needed you, not them.”
“Are you going to take me on jobs?” I quipped. “We did make a good team.”
“Don’t let my accolades go to your head,” Lash hissed tersely, looking over the top of his mug at me. “Ulysses isn’t gone for good. He wants Devlin dead. Next time, he might decide you are the best bait to lure Dev to his doom. Be careful.”
“I’ll be careful,” I said, cowed. “And I’ll make sure we don’t go out alone.”
“I’m glad he has you,” Lash hissed softly. “I don’t think he’ll mess up again, Sar.”
Why was he bringing this up now, of all times? “Hopefully not—”
“You’re taking care of him,” Lash interrupted suddenly. He paused, staring at me. “I thought you were another flavor of the month when I met you.” He lifted his lip, his expression disgusted. “I’m sorry for how I acted, back at the beginning.”
“I know you are,” I replied. “It’s okay. It’s in the past.”
Lash looked away. “For a long time I’ve had Dev, and that was enough. But now there’s you, him and V. It’s nice to have relations again.”
“Yes, it is,” I replied.
“That doesn’t mean you can’t kiss me,” Lash added, baring one fang. “In families, it’s expected.”
I leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. “There you go.”
“Fine, be that way,” Lash hissed jokingly. “I guess we have to be in danger for me to get any—”
“You’re going to be wearing my soup,” I warned.
“So long as it’s warm,” he retorted. “And chicken or beef. I don’t wear vegetables.”
I gave him a confused look, he gave me a toothy grin, and then both of us burst out laughing.
* * * *
“Remember you aren’t coming next week on Friday,” Devlin reminded me later that evening. “That’s September 30th, to be exact. Danial, Theo, and I will be in Canada giving your health data to the other Rulers. You are going to stay with the children at Danial’s.” He hugged me. “I’ll miss you next week, after having you so much to myself this week.”
I nodded. “I’ll be with him that whole weekend. It’ll work out well. Danial and I haven’t seen much of each other since Theo and I moved back into our own place. Maybe we can carve pumpkins or something with Theoron and Elle.”
“I heard that the Harvesters had dropped off the face of the earth,” Devlin said pointedly. “I’m not surprised; they had more than a few enemies that were just waiting for them to show up stateside. I am surprised how fast Theo decided it was safe for you he and Devon to return home, given no actual bodies have been found yet.” He handed me my hair clip. “Danial said Theo had moved your things back to your house a few days ago.”
Danial had taken the news of Theo and me returning to my old home okay. But it was in his neutral tone as we said goodbye how much he was hurting. That it was going to be another week before we spent any time together just twisted the knife that was already in his heart.
“How is it, being home?” Devlin asked.
Theo had been ecstatic to be back at my old house. It should have felt good to be home, but to me our old house didn’t feel like home anymore. Jessica and Cavity missed Briar, and spent most of their time hiding. Devon missed Elle and Theoron, and moped sulkily. The dogs missed Ivan and Aran, and sat looking out the windows hopefully. And me...I missed Danial terribly, after having spent the better part of six months living at his home, and sleeping beside him most every night. The winter that was in the first breath of chill winds loomed before me, my heart weighted with sorrow.
I’d cried the first night alone with Theo. He comforted me, blaming it on the blood Danial had given me. But the truth was just that I loved Danial, and I wanted to be with him. All I could think was that he must be terribly lonely, going to his bed alone. Right or wrong, I resented Theo for making me leave him.
“Sar?” Devlin prompted.
“I miss him,” I said hastily. “But we’ll work it out.” I kissed him quickly. “I’ll see you in a week.”
* * * *
That following week, the last of September, dragged interminably. I bore it, reasoning that Theo was right, that Danial’s blood needed time to work itself out of my system and I’d feel better soon. But that didn’t make my feelings of loss any lighter. Theo knew I was hurting, and didn’t push, spending most of each day playing with Devon until his night shift started. I did my e-mail work from home, knowing if I was around Danial that I wouldn’t be leaving him again easily.
Instead of my feelings of withdrawal lessening through the week, they intensified. Two days before the big meeting, I was inside in the shower, sobbing out my frustration and longing. Theo and Devon were out on the lawn playing with the dogs, oblivious.
I got out, wrapped my hair in a towel, and dried off, rubbing at my red eyes. Catching a glimpse of myself in the mirror, I was mortified at how haunted I looked. Determined to bring some normalcy back, I lathered on lotion, conditioned my hair, and shrugged on some jeans.
I rummaged in my bra drawer, pulled out one that Danial had gotten me a year back, and then burst into fresh tears.
I want to be with him. I want that more than anything—!
Suddenly, pitch-black darkness replaced my sunlit bedroom. I blinked, trying to see.
“Sar?” a voice whispered hopefully.
“Danial?” I said, turning.
Cool arms enfolded me. “You have regained your power, my darling,” Danial whispered.
I threw my arms around him and kissed him passionately. Danial picked me up and laid me on his bed, easing off my jeans. His deft hands ran up my bare flesh lightly, then parted my thighs as he maneuvered between them.
“Sar,” he murmured hungrily, then his lips devoured mine, his firm flesh pressing insistently. I yielded instantly with a cry of delight, urging him on with my hands that stroked his body, caressing and squeezing.
Our lust was primal, our breathing ragged panting as we strove together in need, coupling hard and fast. Too soon we crested the wave, each of us crying out our joy in the other, our tremors fading.
Instead of withdrawing or rolling off me, Danial wrapped his body around mine, clutching me hard. “I don’t want you to leave,” he said desperately. “Please don’t leave me, Sar. This last week has been misery.”
“I have to,” I said tearfully. “I don’t want to, Danial, but I have to.”
“Damn Theo!” Danial cursed. “Damn him for always wanting to keep you all to himself.”
“This isn’t about him,” I said gently. “It’s about not being in thrall to your will. The line where you begin and I end is blurring for me, Danial. If I stay, I’ll just lose even more of myself. You don’t want that to happen any more than I do.”
“Don’t stay away,” Danial pleaded. “We can be together without exchanging—”
“I don’t think we can,” I whispered. “When I’m with you, I want all of you, Danial. And I want to give you all of myself and
hold nothing back.” I touched his cheek, wet with tears. “I don’t trust myself to stop you, even when I know I should. The virus is still spiking, and all I want is for you to make love to me again and bite me—”
“And I want to desperately,” Danial finished. He moved me beneath him, shifting so he entered me slightly. “I ache to be within you. Let me. Don’t stop me.”
“Yes,” I sighed. “Please.”
In a smooth motion Danial slipped inside and began thrusting, his lips covering mine as he stroked my sweaty flesh. Again he brought me, my loud screams ecstatic as he swallowed in time to his thrusts, his fangs embedded deep. He shuddered several times, then relaxed against me, spent. I held him to me, listening to him drinking, floating on the pleasure and happiness of his touch.
Danial withdrew, then kissed my neck gently. “Does it hurt, Love?”
I shook my head. “There’s been no pain now for a while.”
Danial touched my lips, then parted them with his finger. “Your teeth aren’t sharp. I don’t think Camlyn knows his ass from a teakettle.”
I laughed aloud, and he hugged me happily, pulling the quilt over us. Almost immediately, I slept.
Danial awoke me. “It’s nearly eight at night, Love. While I want you to stay, I felt it right to wake you and tell you.”
And he likely had a meeting to get to. Grumble. “I should get back. I’ve been gone for hours—”
“Stay with me,” Danial whispered silkily, his fingers slipping across my thigh, then inside to caress.
I tried to wrest back my control. “Theo needs—”
“I need you,” Danial said seductively. “Stay here with me.”
“Danial, I can’t just leave him.”
“Once Theo sees you are serious about staying here, he’ll come back also,” he explained. “It is safest here, Sar. Here Devon has children he can be himself with. Theo is in less danger here. And you and I can be together.”
“Theo and Devon are happy there—”
“But are you?” Danial said pointedly. “Are you happy there with them, apart from me?”
No. The real plain truth was no. I wiped at my eyes angrily. “That’s not fair.”
Dark Solace Page 11
