Bound in Darkness

by Nicole Edwards

  “I’m going to need a distraction if you expect me to work my magic,” Blāz said softly.

  Turning to face him, Mirakel frowned. “What sort of distraction?”

  “I don’t know. Perhaps you could make out with one of the females.”

  “Not gonna happen,” he growled softly.

  He didn’t bother to tell Blāz that it couldn’t happen. Now that he’d imprinted on Briony, the mere thought of another female was enough to turn his stomach. Touching one would likely have him heaving up his evening meal.

  Granted, that would likely be a distraction, but probably not what Blāz had in mind.

  “Okay, fine.” Blāz reached for Mirakel’s hand. “Take these.”

  Something small was passed over.

  “Each one is a camera. We need the best view we can get, so I’d suggest there”—Blāz nodded toward the wall by the bar—“and there”—over to the main door—“and there.” The last motion went to the wall behind Darko. “I’ll put the last one in the cage.”

  Mirakel frowned. “In the cage?”

  “Don’t be a prude. It’s not becoming.” Blāz smirked. “Trust me. I’ve got it covered. Plus, I think it’ll draw Darko’s attention.”

  “What will draw—”

  Before he could get the question out, Blāz snagged the arm of a scantily clad male vampire walking by.

  “You. In the cage. On your knees.”

  The male’s gaze raked over Blāz appreciatively before a smile turned up the corners of his mouth. “It would be my pleasure.”

  “Damn right it will.” When the vampire sauntered off, Blāz turned his attention back to Mirakel. “Just get those cameras in place. When I’m done, I’ll need to beat feet. ASAP.”

  Oh, hell.

  Sometimes you had to take one for the team.

  And that was exactly what this male was about to do, because Blāz damn sure wasn’t going to be on his knees. Not in this nasty fucking place.

  Sure, on the surface it didn’t seem all that bad, but if you looked closely at the Dungeon … yeah, never mind. Blāz had no desire to take a close look at anything. And it wasn’t that he was a germaphobe. No, it was more like he tended not to hang out with the dregs of society, and that was what he saw no matter which direction he looked. Then again, Darko was here and that male was the lowest of scum. Fucking traitor.

  “Did I say you could touch me?” Blāz barked as he peered down at the vampire kneeling a few feet in front of him.

  Those dark brown eyes glittered with interest, but he’d expected no less. It wasn’t difficult to sniff out a submissive vampire. They weren’t all that rare these days. Nor were they any sort of challenge.

  Had it not been for the fact they needed a distraction and right now Darko had his full attention on what Blāz was about to do, he would’ve weaved his way straight for the front door.

  Except they were here on a mission, and if they never had to step foot in this place again, it would be too fucking soon.

  Because he wasn’t an idiot, Blāz slid a piece of metal into the locking mechanism to ensure he didn’t find himself trapped in this shitty titanium-lined box. No doubt one of Darko’s tricks to keep vampires inside if he chose to keep them there.

  Pretending to take a moment to get himself prepared for what was to come, Blāz went for a stroll around the six-by-six cell, scanning the bars, the floor, the single wall on the back. He noticed the perfect spot to set his camera, but he knew he couldn’t simply pin it in place without drawing some unnecessary attention. Instead, he turned around and leaned against the wall.

  “Crawl over here,” he commanded the male.

  On all fours, the vampire cleared the distance between them.

  “Put your hands behind your back,” Blāz instructed the male. “And don’t move them.”

  He got a nod in response.

  Much to his dismay, Blāz noticed they’d garnered a small audience outside the cage. The only reason he didn’t snap at the assholes to mind their own fucking business was because Darko had taken to watching as well, his female standing at his side, her eyes wide with anticipation.

  “Open your mouth wide,” Blāz commanded, leveling the male with a stare as he blocked out the rest of the eyes on them.

  The male’s lips parted, his mouth opening.

  “Wider. What do you think I am?”

  Those dark eyes sparkled in anticipation.

  With a sharp exhale, Blāz made quick work of freeing his cock from his jeans. On a good day, he wasn’t an exhibitionist. However, he couldn’t deny he wasn’t in the market for a blow job. As it was, he didn’t have many options when it came to interactions at the Lair. Not unless he wanted to get horizontal with one of the angels, and truth was, there was only one who interested him.

  “Don’t. Fucking. Move,” Blāz growled as he guided his cock past those wide lips. “And don’t use your fucking teeth.”

  Fuck.

  Those lips wrapped around him tightly, sucking him in deep. The heat alone took him from semi-hard to steel in seconds. It was all Blāz could do to keep himself upright against the wall as he closed his eyes and envisioned another mouth on him. This one belonging to a ridiculously sexy healer. What it was about Apollo, Blāz didn’t know, but from the second he’d been introduced to the male, he’d had some wicked hot fantasies about what it would be like to be pinned down by him. Or being the one doing the pinning. Either way. Blāz didn’t care which. Top, bottom. There was equal pleasure to be had, so he didn’t necessarily have a preference.

  Here, in this seedy brothel disguised as a nightclub, Blāz didn’t have the luxury of preference, so he welcomed those fantasies. Behind his closed eyelids, he could practically see those pale blue irises staring up at him as he thrust his cock deep into that luscious mouth. Thankfully, the mouth currently latched on to him wasn’t all that bad. The male knew how to work him without using his hands, and Blāz was all about helping him along, punishing the male’s throat with hard, forceful thrusts.

  All the while, he pretended Apollo was bringing him to orgasm. Apollo was sucking him harder, deeper, faster, taking everything Blāz wanted to give him and then some.

  It was all he could do to focus, to remember that Mirakel was somewhere in the club putting those damn cameras up. He had no idea how long it would take, but he hoped not too long, because those damn fantasies were pushing him closer and closer to the edge.

  “Take all of me,” Blāz growled as he held himself still, his back settling against the wall so he could slide his hands behind him and work the last camera into the crevice he’d located.

  The male before him pushed up on his knees and leaned forward, taking Blāz to the hilt. When the vampire swallowed around the head, he groaned roughly.

  “Suck me,” he bellowed, finally getting the camera to stay put behind him.

  With his mission accomplished, Blāz held on for a few more minutes, scanning the interior for Mirakel. He finally found the male in the far corner near the door. A curt nod was all he received to let him know he’d completed his tasks as well.

  Because he’d started the show, he figured he had to finish it. So when that head began to bob enthusiastically, Blāz reached down and threaded his hands in the thick black hair. Only he imagined the male was a blond as he began to impale that mouth. And when he came, he bit his lower lip to keep from shouting Apollo’s name. He seriously doubted it would mean a fucking thing to anyone, but still. It was probably best he kept his infatuation to himself.

  Shoving the male away, Blāz quickly tucked his spent cock back in his jeans, righted his shirt, and headed for the door. He heard the click before he reached it, then smiled up at Darko as he pushed the door and it came free.

  Not this time, buddy.

  The look he received could only be described as hatred.

  Thanks for the good time, he mentally shot to Darko. Let’s not do this again, shall we?

  On that note, Blāz followed Mirakel out into
the night. He was eager to get home, because damn it to hell, now he needed a fucking shower.

  “Where’s he going?” Kaj asked when Blāz and Mirakel strolled into the house.

  “Shower,” Mirakel grumbled.

  Ah. Kaj didn’t need more details than that. He knew Blāz, and considering where they’d come from, he had a relatively good idea what had transpired. The same thing that always did when the male got a minute away. Never one to ignore the opportunity to sate an urge, Blāz took the opportunities when they arose.

  “Did you get the cameras installed?” he asked, making sure to specify where his curiosity lie.

  “We did.”

  “Any problems?”

  “None.”

  That was surprising.

  “I did speak with Darko.” Mirakel did not sound pleased by the notion.

  “And?”

  “He’s a bastard.”

  Kaj chuckled. “I agree. Anything noteworthy?”

  Mirakel shook his head. “He asked where you were. Claims the last time you were supposed to stop by, you were a no-show.”

  “Was he bullshitting you?”

  “Not that I could tell.”

  Which meant Darko had no idea Mirakel was the one who’d come and swept Kaj out through an underground tunnel when Darko had laid a trap for Kaj. They’d escaped, and if Darko was to be believed, no one was the wiser.

  “Let’s keep them in the dark, then.” Kaj got to his feet. “I’m heading over to Angel Central for morning meal. Care to come along?”

  “I’m gonna hit the gym.”

  Which translated to: I’m avoiding Briony.

  “I’ll see you tonight, then.”

  Mirakel nodded, then headed toward the stairs to the second floor, probably to change, while Kaj headed for the stairs leading down. He heard sounds coming from the room adjacent to the gym on the underground level, so he stopped and poked his head in. Huracān and Kidel were sparring, the two males looking fierce as they took out some of their aggressions on one another.

  It was nice to see things getting back to the way they’d been. To the days before the world had gone to shit and the shadow beasts had started targeting the race. One of these days, Kaj would ensure those assholes paid for what they’d done. It would take time and effort, but he would declare an all-out war on those fucking demons. If it was the last thing he did.

  Twenty minutes later, after stopping to talk with a couple of the angels in the war room and a couple more who’d been chatting it up in the lower level bar, Kaj made his way into the dining room. The tables were mostly full, the fiestreigh having come in from their patrols for the meal before they hit the hay. He noticed Bijou and Elizabeth at a table near the back of the room, but what surprised him was that Acadia was sitting with them.

  Figuring he could at least greet the females, he strolled over. Bijou was the first to notice him. The smile she offered was forced, indicating she was still upset with him after their last conversation, when she’d asked about moving to the Lair. It wasn’t that he didn’t want his daughter there, because he absolutely did. But right now, until they were able to get the residence fortified to ensure they could withstand any attack, he wasn’t comfortable with her staying there.

  “Ladies,” he said, acknowledging all three with a smile. “Lovely to see you this morning.”

  Elizabeth peered up at him and smiled kindly, but like usual, she didn’t say anything before returning her attention to her meal.

  Unable to help himself, he placed his hand on Acadia’s shoulder and gave a light squeeze. “I’d like to talk after.”

  She nodded in acknowledgement and Kaj took that as his cue to leave. He made his way around the tables, winding his way back to where Eclipse and Orianna were sitting. The male motioned him over, and he gladly accepted, dragging out the chair across from them.

  “Is that…” Kaj leaned forward and studied what was on Orianna’s plate.

  “Cheez-Its,” she said with a chuckle, then lifted the glass of yellow liquid. “And Mountain Dew. Breakfast of champions.”

  “She would eat this every day if I let her,” Eclipse told him.

  “I survived on this before I met him,” Orianna explained. “And Phillip surprised me when he brought in cases of both a couple of days ago. I think he bought out Costco.”

  “Your doing?” Kaj asked Eclipse.

  “Nope. Not me. Phillip has taken a liking to my female.” Eclipse glanced at Orianna, still grinning. “Perhaps I should keep a closer eye on him.”

  Orianna shrugged him off, playing right into his teasing. “Perhaps you should. I happen to be quite fond of him, too.”

  The soft growl Eclipse made was one Kaj was all too familiar with. It was that of an overprotective male. Both vampires and angels were notorious for it.

  “Good morning, sire.”

  Kaj peered up to see Jeffrey standing at his side, a silver-covered plate on a tray.

  Leaning back, he allowed the heurosp to set the items down. Before he disappeared, Jeffrey produced a pitcher of tea and filled the glass that had been set out.

  “Thank you, Jeffrey.”

  “It’s my absolute pleasure, sire.”

  Kaj fought the urge to mouth sire the way Blāz had.

  “You get any vestrahn hired yet?” Eclipse prompted.

  Picking up his fork, Kaj poked at what appeared to be beef stroganoff. “Not yet.”

  “If you don’t mind me asking, what’s the difference between a vestrahn and a heurosp?” Orianna asked.

  “One’s a vampire, the other a human,” Kaj informed her. “Aside from that, they have basically the same duties.”

  “Is there any reason why you’d want to replace what you’ve already got?” she asked.

  “I have no issues with the heurosp. I simply prefer to employ vampires.”

  “That makes sense.”

  He lifted an eyebrow curiously.

  Orianna smiled. “You want to offer jobs to your people. Can’t fault you for that. It’s what makes a good leader. You’re looking out for the little guy.”

  He found it interesting that she could see that much considering what little time he’d spent with her since Eclipse brought her to the mansion. Then again, he’d become relatively close to Eclipse during his stay here, and he figured mates talked about shit like that.

  His gaze swung over to Acadia. At one time, they’d talked about anything and everything. Then again, he’d been laid up in a bed, unable to do anything else. So they had passed the time talking about family, friends. He’d shared more with her than he had any other soul. She was simply easy to talk to, he figured.

  Kaj’s attention returned to the glass Orianna was drinking from.

  “I have to say, it’s a little disconcerting to watch you drink that.”

  Orianna pulled the glass from her mouth, peered at it, and smiled. “I can see that. Doesn’t mean it’s not serious awesomeness.”

  “I’ll have to take your word for it.”

  Because, like plenty of other things he’d seen taking place within these walls, Kaj had no desire to experience it for himself.

  Chapter Nine

  Acadia had been pleasantly surprised by Kaj’s arrival for the morning meal. And while he hadn’t sat with them, it had been a comfort to know he was in the same room. Why? Well, she wasn’t sure she could answer that. For whatever reason, she found herself missing his nearness despite the fact he’d been feeding from her for the past couple of days.

  While she suspected that was his reason for wanting to speak with her, she looked forward to those few stolen moments they could be together.

  Yes, she knew she sounded like a lovesick human, but it couldn’t be helped. There was no denying her feelings for the male even if they’d had a rocky go of it these past couple of months. Perhaps it was due to the fact she’d lived without him for the eighteen months he’d been gone. Having him back, seemingly for good, made her not want to waste another minute.

>   Of course, her pride didn’t quite agree with her. He had hurt her, and a small part of her had a difficult time opening up to him again, fearful he would cause more pain when she wasn’t looking.

  “I’ll see you both this evening,” Acadia said politely to the two females she’d shared her meal with.

  “Have a good day,” Elizabeth stated, her eyes twinkling.

  Acadia was so happy to see that some of the fog had lifted from Elizabeth’s eyes. When Orianna’s mother had come to the mansion, she’d been in a medication-induced fog. The human doctors had done their best to accommodate her pain by plying her with various opioids until Elizabeth could barely function. With Amethyst handling her care now, it seemed the healer had figured out a better way to manage her pain while still allowing her a chance to experience each day with some clarity. And to see Elizabeth joining them for the daily meals was such a delight.

  “Thank you,” Acadia told the female before heading toward the kitchen.

  She found Kaj standing beside the island, chatting it up with Jeffrey and Phillip while the heurosp prepared to clear the dining room once everyone was finished.

  When she stepped into the space, his eyes lifted and settled on her.

  Acadia waited patiently while he finished his conversation, content to simply admire the male. He looked handsome in his black T-shirt and jeans. She half expected to see him wearing something more suitable for a man of his stature. Then again, she knew he hadn’t quite stepped into those shoes he’d been slated to fill, continuing to ride the line between his previous role as the right hand to the Alpha and being the Alpha himself.

  No matter what he wore—a T-shirt and jeans or a three-piece suit—Kaj was the most handsome male she’d ever laid her eyes on. And that was saying something considering the beauty that surrounded her. The angels were designed to be spectacular, there was no doubt about it. Yet the king of vampires stole the show with little effort.