Dark Obsession

by Sydney Somers

  “Sure.” He motioned for him to come in.

  Noticing the suitcase and backpack on the bed, Parker shoved his hands in his pockets. “I’ll try not to take too long. I was just hoping that maybe you could tell me again what happened to my mother and sister.”

  Adrian gave him a sympathetic look. “I know you’re probably mourning them all over again, Parker. But you’d be better off remembering your mother before the demon essence changed her.”

  Easier said than done, and that was before Amara had come along.

  Adrian tossed his towel into the bathroom. “I didn’t know Helen well, but I remember her being caring and funny and smart. You couldn’t have asked for a stronger woman when she lost your father. And your sister was just as smart and so gifted.” Adrian sighed, almost as if he were…disappointed?

  “Gifted how?”

  “Some day she might have been a great Destroyer, like her brother and father.”

  “If she’d been initiated, you mean.”

  Adrian gave him a puzzled look. “Of course.” He glanced at the clock, stuffing the last few items on the bed into his suitcase.

  Parker’s attention returned to the backpack. He couldn’t remember seeing Adrian use one before, though it looked familiar to him somehow. “Do you think there is a chance Hurst could have manipulated your memories that day without you knowing it?”

  “I suppose anything is possible.” Adrian shifted, looking anxious. “It would certainly explain a lot, wouldn’t it?” He picked up the backpack, laying it carefully inside the top of his suitcase and zippering it up.

  Realization slammed into Parker. “Would it explain why you have Burke’s backpack and what Vanessa Pembrook was doing leaving your room a few minutes ago?”

  Adrian stiffened, but didn’t turn around.

  “It wasn’t Hurst running the experiments this time, it was you. And you needed his journals. What, was Burke blackmailing you? Is that why you killed him? Or did you have Vanessa do it?”

  “Had Burke done his job and delivered the journals instead of lying about not finding them, he wouldn’t have been expendable.”

  “And you didn’t know he was lying until he screwed up and told Rae and I that he gave them to Hurst.” That was why Burke had disappeared. He knew Adrian would come looking for him.

  And he’d found him apparently since he’d ended up dead in the train station.

  “Battles can’t be won without some casualties.”

  “Battles that involve innocent children?” The guy was off his fucking rocker.

  Adrian gave him a disgusted look. “Do you really think any of the thousands of Shadow Demons that will cross over when the wall comes down are going to care if they’re innocent?”

  Parker shook his head, everything finally clicking into place. “We were so focused on Hurst’s preoccupation with the gatekeeper myth, and all this time it was you who’s been obsessed with it.”

  They’d been so blind to assume Adrian’s refusal to talk about the gatekeeper had been because he wanted to keep them focused on finding the kids.

  “Lawrence gave up, afraid to make the tough choices.”

  “But not you.”

  “We’re at war,” Adrian snapped. “If we’re not ready when the wall comes down, they’ll slaughter us.”

  “That’s your defense for using children as guinea pigs without anyone the wiser, least of all their parents…” Sweet Christ.

  The last minute of conversation replayed in Parker’s head. “This isn’t the first time you’ve tried to replicate Hurst’s results is it? You wanted to use my sister. You said she was gifted.”

  “You don’t understand,” Adrian began, looking flustered.

  “And my mother somehow guessed or found out what you had in mind, didn’t she? Rae didn’t kill my mother, did she? You did. Is that what you had Hurst make Rae forget? Did she walk in and realize what you’d done?”

  Anger seethed inside him, and he lunged for Adrian.

  Still fast, the older man scrambled out of reach, shaking his head. “Helen almost killed Kerri when she lost control without even realizing how valuable she was to us. To all of us.” Adrian’s expression bordered on fanatical. “We need everyone. We need to be ready.”

  “Except you’re assuming the gatekeeper will bring the wall down and not close it permanently.”

  “This isn’t something you can just sit back and hope for the best with.” Adrian’s gaze snapped to the door, terror sucking all the color out of his face. He lunged for the bed, bringing his sword up a second before the door was kicked open.

  Amara.

  Parker palmed the dagger he’d left strapped to his calf before, wanting to hurt Adrian with his fists more than any weapon. For a master demon though, the dagger was better than nothing.

  The Scion strode into the room, looking as serene as Parker remembered. She flicked her gaze in his direction, seeming to dismiss him in a blink.

  Adrian, not being stupid, no matter how mentally unbalanced he seemed, moved closer to Parker.

  The hostile took a menacing step toward them both, though her red-rimmed eyes flashed with interest when she focused on Adrian. So focused the Scion didn’t notice Rae until a kick from behind knocked her forward.

  “Back off.”

  The Scion snarled and whipped around, but Parker didn’t give her the chance to launch a mental assault on Rae. He dropped to sweep his leg beneath her feet and take her down.

  Like a lot of other demons, Amara gave up all pretenses of being human and cursed them in her ancient tongue. She regained her footing quickly, hissing at Adrian, who bolted for the door.

  Only someone definitely mentally unbalanced would have believed they could slip right by a Scion. Amara snatched him by the collar of his shirt and shoved him straight into the wall.

  He crumpled to the floor on impact.

  Rae glanced at him, indecision flashing across her face.

  “He and Vanessa killed your father, Rae.” Parker glanced at the Scion, who strangely enough nodded. “He killed my mother and sister too.”

  Her gaze snapped to his, and he reached for her, tugging her to the opposite side of the room. A kukri and a dagger weren’t going to be enough to vanquish any Scion, least of all one with Amara’s telepathic strength.

  “Why did he want to make it look like demons?”

  Amara smirked. “Now you want to talk to me?”

  “If you really will miss my father’s company, then tell me.”

  “If demons killed your father, then it only reinforces your loyalty to the network, to Adrian.”

  “What did he have on Hurst that forced him to play with Rae’s memories the day he killed my family?”

  She cocked her head. “So full of questions.” She picked Adrian up, giving them a warning look should they be tempted to stop her from leaving with him.

  Her gaze flicked to Rae. “This human swore he would make sure everyone inside and outside the network knew about you. Your father knew how important it was to you to be as normal as everyone else.”

  “Would you have killed him? My father,” Rae clarified.

  The Scion shrugged. “Guess we’ll never know.” She disappeared out the door with Adrian.

  Parker snagged Rae’s hand before she changed her mind and went after Amara. “Sit with me a second.” He slid down the wall, dragging her down with him.

  He wasn’t sure how long they sat that way, her head propped on his shoulder, leaning into each other, offering strength and support and yeah, healing each other.

  “Still no word from Darcy?”

  Rae shook her head at Drew, taking a sip of her wine before setting it on the ledge next to the pool table. Kane’s was almost deserted, only the team lingering.

  “Not in the last three days.” Which worried Rae. “Gage and Jordan should hopefully catch up with her in the morning.”

  “You made the right call letting her go, you know.”

  At least one of the
m sounded confident, and it sure as hell wasn’t her. “Your certainty doesn’t have anything to do with an adorable brown-haired five-year-old that calls you, Dad, does it?”

  “What would make you think that?” He grinned, his expression sobering after a moment. “Darcy told you it was better if she approached Linc alone, and you trusted her judgment.”

  That still didn’t make it the right call. The network seemed to think so to, since she was on probation until everything with her father and Adrian was fully investigated. Didn’t help her case that they’d let a Scion practically waltz right out the door.

  That night Amara had been her last tie to her father, and even if she’d been physically able to take the demon on, Rae wasn’t sure she would have been able to vanquish her for that reason alone.

  Today was a different story, and there wasn’t a doubt in her mind she’d be crossing paths with the Scion again very soon.

  “How’s your arm?”

  “Don’t worry, you’ll be back to kicking my ass in the training room in no time.” He glanced over his shoulder, and Rae followed his gaze to where Blair stood next to Quinn, yawning.

  “I think that’s my cue.” He stood, paused. “You do know that whole eight, eight-and-a-half thing was just a joke, right?”

  Turning her back on him, she grinned. “Night, Drew.”

  Braxton tossed them a wave, and he and Quinn followed the other pair out.

  Rae bent over the pool table, lining up her next shot. The six ball sailed effortlessly into the corner pocket.

  Parker stepped up behind her as she straightened, gripping her hips. “When you mentioned relieving some stress…”

  She smiled. “You thought I was thinking about sex.”

  His mouth brushed her ear. “Chocolate actually.” He didn’t let go when she made her next shot, the playful drag of his fingers over her hips distracting as hell.

  “As much as I love sharing a hotel room with the Hellspawn, I think it might be a good idea if we start looking for a new place.”

  “We?” She chalked the tip of her cue. “I thought we were going to take things slow.”

  “No, you said we were going to take things slow. I didn’t say anything.”

  She shrugged. “You hate my cat.”

  “Hate is an awfully strong word. And we’ve been getting along better.”

  “Really? Didn’t you just tell me he was growling at you in his sleep?”

  He pursed his lips thoughtfully. “Did I say growl? I meant snore.”

  “Nico does not snore.”

  “Fine. I thought he was going to go for my jugular.” He turned her around, trapping her against his chest. “That doesn’t mean I’m not willing to put up with the furball for you.”

  She parted her lips, but he cut her off with an impatient kiss, that turned soft and slow.

  “I think we’ve established that talking about he who shall not be named is a serious buzz kill for me.”

  “You brought him up.” She surveyed the last three balls left on the table.

  Parker nodded to her game. “What do you say we make things interesting?”

  “I’m listening.”

  He hooked his fingers through the belt loops on her jeans. “If you make your next shot, I’ll go along with the whole slow thing.” He almost managed not to shudder when he said it.

  “And if I miss?”

  He leaned in, planting a hand on each side of the table. “Then we move back in together. Deal?” The calculating gleam in his eye would have made her suspicious if she wasn’t a damn good pool player.

  “Okay.”

  Gripping her hips, he turned her around. His mouth found the sensitive spot just below her ear. “No pressure, shortcake.” His hand slid over her ass and then he stepped away from her.

  He didn’t really think that would screw with her concentration, did he?

  She bit her lip as she brought her arm back, and snapped the end of her cue into the white ball.

  The seven ball banked off the side and rolled across the table. It circled the edge and for a second she thought she’d missed before it dropped neatly into the side pocket.

  Parker’s head dropped. “Best two out of three?”

  “You’re hopeless.”

  Taking the cue from her, he yanked her against him, silver flaring in his eyes. He nipped at her bottom lip, then stroked inside with a coaxing sweep of his tongue. “Only when it comes to you.”

  “Are you trying to use flattery to sway me into moving in with you?”

  He nuzzled her throat, his mouth hot on her skin. “Is it working?”

  She grinned against his lips. “Kiss me again and I’ll let you know.”

  About the Author

  A born and raised Maritimer, Sydney Somers fell in love with writing at the age of eight. Since finishing her first book in 2002, Sydney has written over twenty-five romances—one of which will forever remain hidden under her bed.When she’s not tracking down remote controls, chasing after three very energetic children or exterminating rogue dust bunnies, Sydney can be found curled up with a good book or working on her latest work in progress. She loves to hear from readers and invites them to e-mail her (sydney@sydneysomers.com) or drop by her website (www.sydneysomers.com) any time.

  Look for these titles by Sydney Somers

  Now Available:

  Pendragon Gargoyles

  Primal Hunger

  Primal Attraction

  Shadow Destroyers

  Unbreakable

  Stripped Away

  Storm Warning

  Spellbound

  Say You’re Mine

  Don’t Let Go

  Whatever It Takes

  Enslaved

  Waitin’ on a Hero

  Call Me Cupid

  Talons: Caged Desire

  Coming Soon:

  Primal Pleasure

  He’ll stop at nothing to claim her… If she doesn’t kill him first.

  Primal Attraction

  © 2010 Sydney Somers

  Pendragon Gargoyles, Book 2A lethal huntress, Sorcha lives to track and eliminate rogue immortals—until her latest assignment turns out to be a sexy, gargoyle shape-shifter. From the start she’s shaken by the lust his touch awakens inside her. Not only that, but the cat is convinced she’s his mate, and for the first time, she’s unable to kill her target.

  Still mourning the loss of his mate, Cale is stunned to find Sorcha alive. Yet the woman he aches to possess doesn’t recognize him and is after the only thing that will save his brother—a mystical weapon that will lead to Excalibur.

  Determined to protect his family and reclaim his mate, Cale ruthlessly takes advantage of Sorcha’s one weakness—her desire for him. Desire that could unlock their past…or cause him to lose her all over again.

  Warning: Featuring a sarcastic, ass-kicking heroine going toe-to-toe with the stubborn shifter who’s dead set on reclaiming his mate. Also contains graphic violence, death-threat foreplay and scorching sex that will make you roll over and purr.

  Enjoy the following excerpt for Primal Attraction:

  Sorcha arched a brow, her pointed gaze slipping past him to the stack of towels folded neatly on the shelf.He shook his head, too content with thinking about stripping her down and getting her wet—with or without using the shower—to move.

  She simply shrugged when he didn’t reach for a towel to cover up. He wanted her to look, wanted her to know exactly what being this close to her did to him. Most of all, he wanted to see the rise of color in her cheeks as her own arousal increased.

  She crossed her arms, and he’d bet Pendragon’s that it was to hide how hard her nipples were. “It’s sunrise.”

  “And?”

  “Shouldn’t you be a few tons heavier by now?”

  “No.”

  Her brow furrowed. “You’re a gargoyle. All you cats, wolves and dragons turn to stone during the day. Part of Rhiannon’s punishment for letting the big guy down.”

 
“Rhiannon punished every immortal involved in the fight for Camelot. Not just the gargoyles.” The wraith Cale always believed had killed Sorcha had once been a Knight of the Round Table. Not even those most loyal to Arthur had escaped Rhiannon’s fury after her son’s defeat.

  “That still doesn’t explain why you’re not hanging off the edge of a roof somewhere looking all gothic and toothy.”

  “Unless severely wounded, mated gargoyles can control the shift to stone.”

  It took a few seconds for her to catch on. “I am not your…” she broke off, scowling.

  “Mate?” he provided. “Is that what you’re trying not to say?” He closed the distance between them, careful not to move too quickly.

  She looked more bored than threatened by his proximity but for the faint hitch of her breath when his thigh bumped her knees. Innocent enough, the brush of skin against skin twisted his insides up.

  Holding her gaze, he leaned in and breathed deep, letting her scent wrap around him.

  “Contrary to what you might have heard, I’m not big into sniffing.”

  Cale grinned. Whatever had happened since he’d lost her, it hadn’t changed her sarcastic nature. Since she didn’t push him back or ease away from him, he decided to push a little harder. Whatever it took to help her remember.

  He wrapped the ends of her hair around his finger. It wasn’t enough to satisfy the cat’s need to touch her, and it certainly wasn’t enough to satisfy the man’s need to piece together how she’d come back to him, but it was something.

  She glanced at the strands coiled around his thumb. “Are you trying to groom me?”

  “Trying to kiss you actually, just working up the nerve.” He waited for her to tell him to back off, and when she remained silent, he nuzzled her hair. “You’re not armed, are you?”

  “Worried my sword is bigger than yours, tiger?”

  He laughed, the sound of it taking him by surprise. How long had it been since he’d had a reason to really laugh? Too long. “Isn’t there a saying that size doesn’t matter?”