Don't Dare the Devil

by Erin Wade

  Eden listened in silence as Darke described the nightmare she was facing. “In my psychiatry class we’re discussing the overly aggressive male—as in rapists. The problem is overproduction of testosterone. One of the solutions the law enforcement community has found successful is chemical castration. There are temporary and permanent forms of it.”

  “How’s it administered?” Darke asked.

  “Injection, gas, or in food. They’ve perfected a variety of ways to introduce the chemical into the body.”

  “What’s the chemical?” Darke asked.

  “It has several names.” Eden hesitated. “Lori probably knows more about the practical applications of it than I do. Do you want to talk to her?”

  “Yes! Yes!” Darke suddenly realized they might have a solution to their problem.

  “Well, if it isn’t the world traveler,” Lori said with a chuckle as she came on the line. “How can I help get you home quickly? Eden is driving me insane.”

  Darke explained her problem in depth, giving Lori details she hadn’t shared with Eden. “My question is what chemical we use to cause permanent sterilization, and can we give it to them in food?”

  “Yes, the results are permanent. Ingestion is just as effective as injection. Put it in their food or water and, bingo, you have one sterile puppy with no physical evidence of the deed. Their testosterone level will drop to zero.”

  “Keep your phone close,” Darke said, her excitement growing. “I might call you throughout the day for more information.”

  She started to end the call but stopped. “Oh, may I speak to Eden again?”

  Chapter 28

  Darke’s enthusiasm grew as she explained her idea to Raven and Sable. “It can work, Raven. It will sterilize the aggressive ones, eliminate their high level of testosterone, and return them to productive citizens.”

  A wicked grin danced on Raven’s lips. “I have an idea. Can we find a way to switch the shots Lycan is giving his followers? Instead of chemically increasing their testosterone levels, they will receive shots that sterilize them.

  “Can your law enforcement friends send us enough of the serum to do the trick?”

  Darke told them she was confident Chief Canton could arrange for the serum to be flown to them in the morning.

  Sable frowned. “You would have to drive to the airport. Remember how dangerous that was?”

  “Yes, but what choice do we have, Mother?”

  “Even if you get the serum, how will you manage to switch it?” Sable said.

  “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it,” Raven said. Her eyes twinkled at the thought of what awaited them. “We can do this. Darke and I can do this.”

  “Yes.” Sable smiled. “You two have always been good together.”

  Darke chanced a glance at Raven. She knew her friend would be beaming from ear to ear.

  “We are good together,” Raven said.

  Eden’s gorgeous face flashed across Darke’s mind as she agreed with Raven.

  Raven calculated the number of Lycanians that would need to be inoculated. “If we give your friends the number of men affected and their average size, they can figure the amount of serum we need.” She handed Darke the sheet of paper.

  “I’ll make the phone call,” Darke said.

  ##

  Lori answered on the second ring, and Darke filled her in on the plan. She agreed to contact Chief Canton to get what Darke needed. “Darke, please call Eden. She’s very concerned about you.”

  “I will. I promise.”

  Darke ended the call and turned to Sable. “Mother, do we have access to a fast, inconspicuous car? Maybe we can get out of here unnoticed in something less ostentatious than the limo.”

  “I still have the little sports car you bought before you left,” Sable replied, “but if they catch you it will be easy to rip apart.”

  Darke glanced at Raven. “They’d have to catch you first.” Raven chuckled. “I’m willing to take my chances in a fast car with you behind the wheel.”

  “Let’s check it out and fill it with gas,” Darke said as she walked toward the door. “I want to be ready to leave as soon as Lori calls me back.”

  ##

  “We will need to spend the night in Chisinau,” Raven said, matching Darke stride for stride as they headed to the garage. “We need to be ready to pick up the serum as soon as it arrives.”

  “Yes, I suppose we should get there sometime during the night,” Darke responded.

  “I’ll take care of hotel reservations,” Raven volunteered. “It’s the least I can do.”

  They examined the car and made certain it was full of gas and ready for the eight-hour trip ahead of them. The moon was rising above the trees when they finished their preparations. “I have all this pent-up energy,” Raven said, her voice soft and smooth like honey. “Do you feel like a run?”

  Darke knew she should say no, knew she should find some other way to work off the adrenaline that was surging through her body. “I’d better not,” she mumbled.

  “Why not?” Raven demanded.

  “You know how our runs always end,” Darke whispered.

  “Yes, we make love. That’s why I suggested it.”

  “Raven, I’m committed to Eden. I would never do anything to hurt her. Please don’t make this any more difficult for me than it already is.”

  “Have you mated?” Raven’s voice was a low growl.

  “Yes.”

  “I see,” Raven whispered. “I always thought you and I would be together. Did you even think about me, Darke?”

  “All the time,” Darke said, sighing. “I never intended to fall in love with her. She was just a job, like a hundred others I’ve handled around the world, but … she’s different.”

  “Tell me about her.”

  “She’s incredibly innocent and young,” Darke began.

  “How young?”

  “Eighteen.”

  Raven gasped. “My God, Darke! When did you become a pedophile?”

  Darke laughed. “She’s a grown woman. She’s in her sophomore year at the university. She’s sweet and thoughtful and head over heels in love with me.”

  “Who wouldn’t be?” Raven huffed. “You’re everyone’s dream come true.”

  “I never intended … I would never intentionally hurt you, Raven. You know I love you too. You and I never made a commitment. We just ran and played and made love. We never—”

  “Just tell me one thing,” Raven said, her predatory grin gleaming in the moonlight. “Do you ever dream about me and the things we did together?”

  “Often,” Darke whispered.

  “Is she human?”

  Darke nodded.

  “Then I’ll wait for you.” Raven leaned in and placed a sweet kiss on Darke’s lips. “Just remember, I’m next in line, and when you mate with me it will be for the rest of your life.”

  Chapter 29

  Darke glanced in the rearview mirror and watched the town disappear. “We made it through your village with no trouble.” She relaxed her shoulders and looked at Raven.

  Raven’s name fit her. Her hair was black as coal except for the natural silver tips that seemed to catch and reflect the sunlight. Her brows were dark and perfectly shaped by nature. Her face was the kind that would launch a thousand ships and start wars. No matter what form she took, she was glorious.

  “I haven’t mentioned this,” Darke said, beginning a conversation she’d rather ignore, “but the real problem started when you turned down Lycan’s proposal, didn’t it?”

  Raven studied Darke’s profile for several minutes before answering. “Yes. He didn’t accept no for an answer.”

  “What happened?”

  “You know the annual games where we celebrate the beginning of breeding season?”

  Darke nodded. “In January, when the young adults first select a mate?”

  “Right. Well, as you know, I have declared myself unavailable,” Raven said. “So, a male has neve
r presented himself to me as a possible mate.

  “At the end of the games, Lycan declared himself as my mate and invited a challenge from anyone who was strong enough to prevent him from mating with me.

  “Of course, no one came forward. I told him I wasn’t available, and he said I had no choice as no one was challenging him for me. So, I challenged him.”

  “That’s a battle that must be fought in wolf form.” Darke scowled. “He’s much larger and stronger than you.”

  Raven sat a bit taller in the seat. “Yes, but I’m smarter and faster. It was a brutal battle. I totally emasculated him. I literally ripped off his … um … testicles and left him to bleed to death in the snow. I ran to the top of Victor’s Rock and howled at the moon, so all the territory would know I was still the alpha and pack leader.

  “I later learned that he changed to human form, and his brothers took him to the hospital where he recovered.”

  “In defending yourself and your right to choose you made a bitter enemy,” Darke noted.

  “Yes, and he began plotting his revenge. I shudder to think what he would do to me if he ever had me at his mercy.”

  Anger flashed through Darke as she considered what Raven’s treatment might be at the hands of Lycan.

  “I will kill him myself,” Darke seethed.

  Raven nudged Darke. “You do care!”

  “Of course I do,” Darke admitted. “You’re very important to me.”

  “But you chose another.”

  “Raven, you promised,” Darke muttered.

  “I have only one thing to say,” Raven replied with a dazzling smile. “All’s fair in love and war.”

  Darke fought to keep her eyes on the road. “Promise me you’ll never hurt Eden in any way.”

  “I would never hurt someone you love,” Raven grumbled. “That would hurt you deeply. I promise I will never hurt your mate.”

  Darke breathed deeply. “And I promise you’re the next in line,” she vowed.

  “I can wait, Darke.”

  They drove on in comfortable silence. Thirty minutes later, Darke’s phone jangled in her pocket. It was Chief Canton, calling to explain his situation to her. Darke listened patiently for a minute before responding.

  “No, I don’t think that’s possible, sir. I have the leader of the village with me. Just a minute.” She glanced at Raven and asked if she had a passport.

  “I do,” Raven replied, a crooked grin on her face.

  “Yes, sir, we can do that. I understand, sir. You’ll need to get credentials for her too. She’s just as capable as I. Yes, sir, I’m certain.”

  “What’s going on?” Raven asked when Darke ended the call.

  “US authorities are concerned that the amount of serum we’re requesting will fall into the wrong hands. They want someone who can guarantee its delivery to my mother. They want me to accompany the shipment from the States.”

  “What do they want us to do?”

  “Tickets are waiting at the airport. They want us to fly to Texas and accompany the shipment back to Moldova. Chief Canton has arranged for a private plane to fly the shipment into the small airport about twenty miles from Mother’s castle. It’s too much to put on a commercial flight.”

  “You mean, I’m going to America?” Raven beamed. “Will I meet your Eden?”

  “Yes … and no.” Darke shot her an angry look. “Authorities will meet us at DFW airport and take us to the private plane. But Eden won’t even know we’re in the country, and I want to keep it that way.”

  Raven chuckled. “You think she’d be jealous of me. She doesn’t know what you are, does she?”

  Darke cringed and stared straight ahead at the road.

  “You haven’t told her that you’re a—”

  Darke cut her off. “The time hasn’t been right,” she said, her tone cold. “I’ll tell her. I just haven’t been able—”

  “You mated with her before you told her about you?” Raven’s voice dripped with disbelief. “Darke, how could you?”

  “I didn’t intend to fall in love with her. It just happened so fast.”

  “What if she’s appalled?” Raven asked. “What if she refuses to live her life with you?”

  “I’ve asked myself those questions a thousand times,” Darke said.

  “Don’t forget,” Raven teased, “I get you on the rebound.”

  Darke laughed. “That’s why I love you too.”

  ##

  As promised, Chief Canton met them at the Texas airport.

  “Looks like you have quite a welcome home party,” Raven said, nudging Darke. “Oh my God, there’s Caz!”

  Raven sprinted to the large wolf and dropped to her knees in front of Caz. Caz nuzzled her face into Raven’s chest as she wrapped her arms around the wolf’s neck. Raven looked up at Darke and smiled. “She acts just like you.”

  Raven stood as Chief Canton and Lori approached, and Darke made the necessary introductions. Panic shot through Darke as she realized that Lori and Caz were not protecting Eden. “You’ve left Eden unprotected? I thought I told—”

  “No, she’s over there.” Lori motioned across the baggage claim area.

  “Oh Lord, is that your woman?” Raven gasped. “She’s breathtaking.”

  Darke was hesitant as she approached Eden. She raised her brow as if asking a question. In seconds Eden was in her arms, smothering her with kisses. “Darke. Oh darling, I’ve missed you.”

  “I told Lori not to—”

  Soft lips silenced her tirade as Eden kissed her harder. Desire swept over Darke like lava from a volcano. She pulled Eden in tighter and marveled at the feel of her lips. Eden’s tongue explored Darke’s lower lip and then edged into her mouth. Darke tried, but failed, to suppress a moan from deep inside.

  She was lost in Eden’s softness, Eden’s warmth, Eden’s scent, Eden’s taste. “Oh Eden, I’m so glad you came,” Darke murmured against lips that enflamed her soul.

  “I might be angry that you even considered coming to the States without seeing me,” Eden whispered. “But I’ll save that for when you return home for good.”

  Darke kissed her again and clutched Eden against her, hating to let her go.

  Chief Canton cleared his throat as the others joined them. “You need to go.”

  Darke didn’t miss Eden’s appraisal of Raven. “Honey, I’d like you to meet my best friend, Raven.”

  Raven held out her hand. As Eden took it, Raven pulled her into a full-frontal hug and then released her. “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” she said, smiling.

  “You’re Darke’s best friend?” Eden scanned Raven from head to toe. “I’d like you better if you weren’t so beautiful.”

  Raven laughed. “As long as we’re being honest, I’d like you better if you weren’t mated to Darke.”

  Chief Canton rolled his eyes. “Darke, you gotta go.”

  “I’ll be back on Sunday,” Darke said as Canton pulled her and Raven toward the waiting car. “I promise. I love you.”

  Raven smiled mischievously and blew a kiss to Eden.

  Chapter 30

  Raven looked around the plane as they taxied down the runway. “This is a big plane for a load of serum,” she commented.

  “It’s more than serum,” Darke said. “There’s enough C-4, Tannerite, and ammunition to level both of our villages.

  “Why so much firepower?”

  “If we’re unable to put our serum plan into place, the chief wants us to kill the rogue wolves.” Darke stared out the window and watched the runway lights recede as the big bird became airborne. “Let’s hope that’s a call you don’t have to make.”

  “Me?” Raven snorted.

  “Yes, you.” Darke placed her hand on Raven’s arm. “Your people. Your call.”

  The plane climbed to cruising altitude and Darke dozed. Air turbulence jostled her awake.

  “How can you sleep?” Raven asked.

  “We haven’t slept in two days,” Darke pointed out. “How
can you be so wide awake?”

  Raven shrugged. “I’m trying to figure out how we can switch the serum for the testosterone. That and how lucky you are to have a woman like Eden.”

  “Don’t think I missed that full-frontal hug you put on her.” Darke furrowed her brow. “What was that all about?”

  “I had to see if she felt as good as she looked,” Raven said, laughing at the look of dismay on her friend’s face. “And she does.”

  “I know,” Darke muttered. “That’s why it’s so difficult to be away from her.”

  Raven switched gears. “Did you call your mother?”

  “Yes. They moved trucks to the airfield during the night, along with a regiment Kristaal will command. Our scientists are standing by to make certain the serum is handled properly.”

  “We need six of your most trusted guards,” Raven said. “Then the eight of us need to fan out through the village and pinpoint the location of the testosterone dispensary.”

  “Sounds like a plan to me,” Darke said, stifling a yawn. “We should get some sleep, or we won’t be of any use to anyone in the morning.”

  ##

  “Darke, wake up,” Raven whispered, her breath warm on Darke’s ear.

  “Eden,” Darke murmured.

  “No, just me. The woman you left behind.”

  Darke’s eyes snapped open, and she looked around to get her bearings.

  “We’re landing,” Raven said.

  Darke watched as the ground came closer. She could make out Kristaal and her mother holding hands as they watched the plane land.

  On the way to the castle, Darke and Raven explained their plan to Sable.

  “I hope you can convince some of Lycan’s men to help you,” Sable said. “They’re all so aggressive. It won’t be easy. Just be careful, please.”

  “Don’t worry, Mother. Raven and I have been in worse situations than this.”

  Sable muffled a laugh. “I don’t even want to hear about it. You two are always into something.”

  “Yeah.” Raven chuckled and leaned close to Darke. “We used to be into each other,” she whispered in Darke’s ear.