The Nephalim bowed his head and directed Darla towards the door.
“Miss Gray.”
Darla stopped at the sound of his voice wondering what other torment he had in store for her. Refusing to face him she remained still, waiting.
“I really do wish things could have been different.”
Knowing that nothing she said would make the slightest difference, she opted for silence.
“Someone will fetch you at dusk,” Beelzebub added signalling her dismissal.
Following the Nephalim from the room she realised he had unwittingly given her a time frame to go by, she had until dusk!
Entering her room, albeit a prison, she found the solitude a welcome relief. Needing to give in to a threatening torrent of tears it took every ounce of effort she possessed to hold her emotions in check while more Nephalim arrived.
One placed a small pedestal table in the corner of the room while another appeared with a chair and finally a third laid a sparkling silver cloche on the table before silently retreating from the room.
Left alone at last hearing the sound of the heavy lock falling securely into place Darla just stared at the table. As if on cue her stomach rumbled loudly once more in protest at its enforced neglect. Stubborn pride was all that restrained her from delving beneath the shiny covering and devour its hidden delights. Groaning in despair she threw herself face down on the bed and finally succumbed to her tears.
* * * *
Quinn rematerialized beside his friend knowing Valmont’s vampire senses would have picked up on his distinct signature the moment his physical body began to reform.
Hidden behind a cluster of rocks high on a rocky outcrop the small group had been studying Beelzebub’s home with military efficiency. The imposing castle sat in a strategically excellent position, centred on a flat plane devoid of all life and vegetation. Any approaching enemy would be detected in ample time, giving fair warning to assemble a strong defence. And if by some miracle an army actually managed to reach the imposing structure, scaling the sheer walls would prove daunting to even the most agile of life forms. Fortunately none of the vulnerable options need apply to Quinn. He could just simply blink directly inside.
“So how goes it with our secret weapon mon ami?” asked Valmont
“He swore to plead our case to Big G then sent me ahead in the event that things don’t go too well with that.”
Quinn’s casual reply may have fooled some but Valmont knew him well enough to detect the edge of danger in his voice. Many years had passed since he had seen the darker side of Quinn but only a fool would dismiss it lightly.
“Let’s hope he presents a good argument, we need all the help we can get if we’re to save Darla. So what was it you said that convinced Michael to help?”
Quinn shrugged. He would rather walk barefoot across broken glass than divulge that little snippet of information to his sadistic friend. No doubt he would find pleasure in riding him on it for the next two hundred years. What was said between him and the angel needed to stay that way.
“Let’s just say that I presented a good case and leave it at that.”
Valmont smiled knowingly. “Very well mon ami. I can understand that it is something you would want to keep to yourself. Humility can do that to a person.”
Quinn turned angrily to rebuke the remark before noticing his friend’s humorous stare. “You would have thought that with age would come enough wisdom to know that this isn’t the best time to fuck with a pissed off demon who’s in desperate need of a good fight.”
“Hey can you two boys quit bitching and tell us the plan, we’re not getting any younger over here,” Larissa hissed at the two of them.
Quinn threw Valmont one last annoyed stare. “Plans the same as before; I blink in, find Darla and hopefully get us both out without detection.”
Valmont looked doubtful “I don’t know… I have a really bad feeling about this. It looks extremely quiet; too quiet. It’s almost as if they are waiting for us.”
Quinn had to agree, but it didn’t change anything. “What choice do we have? If we go in on foot we’ll be detected the second we clear these rocks. If I were to blink you in that would cause the obvious embarrassment for all of you.”
“Not me Mon ami. I always impress the ladies, dressed or not.” The vampire winked mischievously at Larissa.
“Oh please! Drop the testosterone why don’t you. Quinn I hate to admit it but I think your right. You go find our girl and get her out of there ASAP. Those bastards have had her long enough.”
Larissa’s affirmation was all Quinn needed. Stepping away from the others he mentally prepared to blink to the castle. “If I’m not back in one hour get as far away as possible and pray that Michael comes through for us. Agreed?”
Each of his friends nodded in reply before Quinn blinked and instantly dematerialised from sight.
Valmont waited one moment before addressing the others. “One hour and if they’re not back I say we go in after them.”
Larissa smiled dangerously. “Hell yeah! Now you’re speaking my language.”
Stoic as ever Gallion simply nodded.
* * * *
Rematerializing on the upper level of the castle inside a dimly lit alcove Quinn pressed his body back against the stone wall in an attempt to blend with the shadows. To his left was a staircase leading up, first guess would be to one of the four prominent towers that cornered the top level of the castle. Glancing swiftly over his other shoulder he peered down the length of a long corridor. Luck appeared to be on his side.
Four figures stood silently outside one of the doors leading off the hallway. The guard’s distinctly long appendages left no doubt as to what they were. Nephalim! Notoriously loyal to their master, they would fight to the death if necessary. The idea of killing them simply for obeying their orders didn’t sit well with him which left only one alternative, blinking directly into the room.
Darla had to be in there or why else the guards? Blinking twice he vanished from the alcove silently reforming the other side of the door.
A quick scan located Darla, her curled up body lying face down on the bed her shoulders trembling with the muffled sounds of her sobs.
If they’ve harmed her I will kill them all, he silently fumed.
Darla froze her body tensing as she sensed a disturbance behind her. Spinning around to see, her eyes widened with shock to find Quinn standing no more than a couple of feet from where she lay.
“Quinn!” Leaping from the bed she launched herself into his arms not daring to believe he had come.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Startled by the whirlwind of joy that leapt into his arms Quinn struggled to keep the two of them upright. His relief at finding her unharmed along with the exuberance of her greeting stripped away all other worries or care. Clasping her tighter in his arms his lips claimed hers in a savagery of unsuppressed love. Her unbridled response and the erotic sensation of her inquisitive tongue delving the depths of his mouth almost brought him to his knees.
Fighting an overwhelming desire to claim her as his own he released her gently and lowered her to the floor holding her at arm’s length in order to inspect her more thoroughly. “You’re not hurt at all are you? If he has harmed you in any way…” He dragged his eyes from her beautiful face to carefully check every last inch of her.
An exploding blast of pain burst across his face snapping his head to the side with the force of the impact. His mouth dropped open and his eyes widened in surprize.
“Jeez….what the fuck…” he gasped.
Darla showed no sign of remorse for the stinging slap she had just dealt. With her hands on her hips she stood glowering at him. “It’s no more than you deserve you big dolt. How could you be so stupid as to come here alone? Don’t you realise how dangerous it is?”
Oblivious of just how beautiful she looked, all full of fire and anger, whilst worrying about the risk he was in, only made Quinn love her more. He just needed to hold
her for a few more minutes. “I didn’t come alone,” he reassured her, “the others are waiting close by.”
Before he could enfold her in his arms his face exploded into searing white pain for the second time in as many minutes. This time Quinn couldn’t quite contain the low rumbling growl that slipped from his throat. “Son-of-a-bitch! Would you please stop doing that!” His face felt on fire. Flexing his jaw he tried his best to reduce the stinging burn. “Jeez, what the hell is wrong with you?”
“Me? What’s wrong with me?” she whispered incredulously. “I’m not the idiot that towed my friends along to play death gamble at the fallen angel’s castle of doom. What kind of a person does that?”
Quinn held his hands up in a submissive gesture that he hoped would placate her long enough to explain. “Please…babe, just don’t slap me again okay? Hear me out first. I never asked anyone to come with me; it would’ve near on taken an army to keep them away. The fact is we never leave one of our own to crash and burn, and whether you like it or not you’re one of us now.”
Quinn’s words had the desired effect. Darla’s burning rage cooled in an instant and her eye’s misted over, brimming with the threat of unshed tears. ‘We never leave one of our own…’
They had come for her not because they were being paid by C.A.O.S to do a job; they had come because she meant something to them. For the first time since Adam’s death Darla felt like she had something to hold on to.
Startling him for the second time in one day she threw herself into his arms, her body melting against his. Her lips met his with all the passion and longing that she had tried so hard to suppress. The roughness of his jaw moved across her sensitive skin in an agonising sweep of pleasure as he drowned her in kisses. Wrapping her arms around his shoulders, she lifted her body and clasped her legs around his waist in an effort to draw him closer.
Never allowing herself to believe she would ever live to see him again, her senses now drowned in a deluge of overwhelming joy. The gift of being able to hold him, to touch him, to taste him whilst knowing it would be for the last time was sweet torture to a soul that was so starved of love.
Her fingers slipped into the sensual thickness of his hair drawing him closer still, her body moulding itself to his every contour like a second skin. He was in her blood setting her senses ablaze and she burned for him. Never had she experienced such raw intensity of desire. The very essence of her longed for everything his sinfully wicked touch promised.
* * * *
Shocked and surprised by the complete change in her behaviour Quinn slipped his hands beneath the firm curves of her ass and lifted her higher, gaining access to the contours of her neck in a desperate bid to stamp his possession on every last inch of her body. The unexpected passion of her assault had crushed the last of his defences threatening his very sanity for what he felt in his heart. Never had a woman confused and excited him so much in the simple span of a heartbeat, leaving him with no other desire but to lay claim to her soul.
She was his, whether she knew it yet or not, she was his!
His world spiralled out of control when he felt her sleek tongue seeking the pleasure of his mouth, her hands sweeping the muscles of his back and sliding beneath his jacket. Not satisfied with such limited contact he felt her work at removing the offensive obstacle in an effort to get even closer. Clearly not content with being seduced, the fiery woman in his arms now wanted to be the seducer.
Groaning at the reluctance of releasing her just momentarily enough for his jacket to fall to the floor, Quinn was rewarded by the unconscious display of strength in her beautifully sculptured thighs as they gripped his waist with enough force to maintain her weight holding her firmly in place. Never had he imagined such a perfect female especially one who was even now performing a most decadent of acts with her pert little tongue on his defenceless ear. The torturous minx would bring him to his knees soon if he were not careful. Holding her firmly in his arms while her nibble fingers worked beneath the fabric of his shirt he backed up slowly until the backs of his knees touched the bed frame.
Quickly reading the direction of his thoughts she pushed against him, sending them toppling onto the bed behind. Landing with her legs astride his waist, her passion soared and her lips found his once more. Gliding the tips of her fingers across the bared expanse of his waist, Darla felt his muscles jump and tightened in response. Spurred on by his undisguised pleasure she grew braver still. Sliding his top higher, her lips followed in pursuit of her fingers leaving a trail of gentle nips and sultry kisses the delight of which left her groaning in union alongside him. Warmth pooled in the pit of her stomach and her thighs gripped him harder as she rocked her hips gently against his.
Quinn raised his head from the bed in order to watch her mouth on his body. Never had a vision stirred such desire. His eyes fell to the neckline of her dress, the ample mounds vying to escape. Swept up by the erotic display he switched their positions in one simple maneuverer, pinning her beneath him.
No longer able to remain the passive instrument for her exquisite torture he claimed her lips in a velocity of unleashed passion. His hands worked a burning trail of possession to the generous mounds that had so innocently tormented him. Encouraged by her breathless moans his fingers brushed aside the obstructing fabric of her gown and was rewarded by the glorious sight of a firm golden mound. The swollen peak of her nipple too much to resist. Sweeping the taunt bud into his mouth he toyed with it mercilessly his tongue and teeth eliciting further groans of pleasure from her writhing body.
Darla arched in a bid to give him more access, gasping when he attacked her other breast with the same degree of masterful skill. Her hips pushed against his and she felt the evidence of his desire causing her own body to respond as moisture pooled between her thighs. She burned with need for him, her skin tingling beneath his touch, her body craving to take him inside. Quinn was a drug she was unable to purge, essential as the air that she breathed.
“I need you… now!” Her ragged voice was no more than a whisper. Sinking her hands in his hair she dragged his lips to her own in a drowning display of desire.
His hand reached for the hem of her dress. Playing time was over! She would be his. Now and forever! Sliding his hands along the muscular contours of her thigh he slowly and sensuously worked his way higher tormenting her with every stroke.
A loud cough sounded from in the room. “Please don’t let me stop you, things are just getting interesting.”
With unrestrained fury Quinn launched from the bed propelling himself towards the Demon who filled the open doorway. Before he could reach his target Beelzebub raised his hand and Quinn stopped dead in his tracks, suspended in mid-air, frozen in the opening sequence of an attack.
“I am truly sorry that I disturbed your…reunion Miss Gray, you seemed to be rather enjoying it, I think.”
His subtle smirk caused a flush of embarrassment, making her wonder how long he had been watching.
“Had I realised sooner perhaps I could have given you a little more time.” The demon closed his eyes inhaling the scent in the room. When he re-opened them, his strange and exotic pupils had narrowed with intensity. “Although I must say from the scent of your arousal I don’t believe much more time would have been needed. Such passion from a human Miss Gray; I must say I’m impressed.”
Darla ignored his sarcasm and checked that her clothes were in order before moving to stand before Quinn. His face was contorted with anger, frozen in place, all previous signs of passion gone. “What have you done to him?” she whispered, her hand reaching up to gently stroke his face, her thumb tracing the contour of his lower lip.
“Have no fear, he is fine. Just temporarily…paused shall we say? He’s still very much aware of you and fully capable of hearing every word we say.”
The rage on Quinn’s face did nothing to diminish her feelings of love. She knew that with all his lethal ability he would never deliberately cause her harm. Beneath his harsh exterior lay the
heart of a good man.
“Do you fear him?” she asked.
Beelzebub seemed a little taken back by her question. “I’m sorry?”
“Do. You. Fear Quinn?” she repeated enunciating each word.
The demon snorted at the absurdity of the idea. “No, of course not.”
Turning her back on Quinn she defiantly confronted her captor. “Then release him. You have your guards if you fear he will attack,” she said indicating the many Nephalim who stood quietly outside the door.
Beelzebub contemplated for a moment. “Very well.” Raising his hand he released Quinn from whatever invisible force had held him.
The instant he was freed Quinn’s body propelled forward, his muscles already committed to the attack on the demon. Coming up against Darla it took all of his effort and muscular dexterity to deflect the chilling blow that had been intended for Beelzebub. Before he could fully recover and redirect his wrath, Darla slipped soft warm arms around his neck pressing intimately against him in the guise of a lovers embrace.
Her gentle lips found his ear. “Calm yourself Quinn; he has the upper hand for now. I’m begging you do not endanger your life. Ask questions; find out what you can, anything that may help us. Knowledge is our best weapon here not force.” She held his face in her hands, her ice blue stare desperately searching for the reassurance she needed, to be sure he understood.
Even before his imperceptible nod she recognised the signs of his fury ebbing. Bestowing a feather light kiss on his lips she turned to face the demon.
Eyeing the small army of Nephalim waiting just outside the door Quinn knew Darla had read the situation much clearer than he, but still feeling uneasy standing in the presence of a fallen he wasn’t quite ready to release her. His arm slipped around her waist pulling her tight against him, needing the reassurance of knowing that for the time being she was safe in his arms.
Redemption - A Darla Gray Novel Page 25
