by Angel Black
Falon: The Ancient Blood Awakens
A War of Blood and Scales Romance
Angel Black
Contents
Chapter 1: A Shattered Reality
Chapter 2: That Night of Rain and Expectations
Chapter 3: The Face of My Seducer
Chapter 4: Breathing Fire
Chapter 5: Regret and Freedom
Chapter 6: Farewell, Brother
Chapter 7: The Crucible
Chapter 8: Here In This Place With You
Chapter 9: Love, followed by Terror
Chapter 10: New Friends, New Questions
Chapter 11: Sex at Night
Chapter 12: When Death Finds You
Chapter 13: Thousand Soldiers Pillaging the Maiden
Chapter 14: Thousand Tears from Parting
Chapter 15: The Screams of the Nobility
Chapter 16: Abandonment Amid the Nadir
Chapter 17: My Childhood Spent in Your Arms
Chapter 18: New Life
Chapter 19: Past Time to Infinity
Chapter 20: Forgive me, I have Cursed You with Long Life
Chapter 21: Peaceful Glory
Chapter 22: Gloria in Excelsis Deo
Chapter 23: World on Fire
Chapter 24: Familiar Enemies
Chapter 25: The First Judgement
Chapter 26: The Roar of Blackfyre and Dragon Screams
Chapter 27: Whales and Sigmas
Chapter 1: A Shattered Reality
He filled her bed sheets with the scent of muscles freshly cleaned in the shower. The scent of a showered male. In the crepuscular time between the day and the night, she could feel his throbbing sex, stretching her from the inside. It was in his arms, while he was plunged inside of her, that she felt more awake and more alive, than ever in the harsh light of the day.
* * *
Alexandra sighed and pressed her fingertips against her eyes, trying to settle the pounding headache that was making itself known. It seemed that, lately, she was getting headaches on a daily basis. Taking a deep breath, Alexandra dropped her hands and reached for a glass of water on her desk. She took a deep sip, letting the cool water trickle down her throat and wake her up a little bit more. The sensation eased the burning dryness in her throat, just a little.
She felt cloistered. The office that had been her second home for years now was smothering her, the open desks of the associate level lawyers like herself all crowded in the center with the paralegals and interns running about, and the large glass walled offices of the junior level partners, surrounded her. Even the dim lighting that she used to find so romantic and charming seemed like it was suffocating her eyes. The building, both within and without, was of the old gothic architecture, with stone gryphons and gargoyles, and even dragons. But where she once admired the architecture, thinking it was something from a crime movie, she now shuddered at its sight.
She turned back to her screen and tried to focus on the words and numbers in the document. They seemed to swim before her eyes, making no sense. This was ridiculous. Alexandra frowned and tried to focus. She was an associate at prestigious law firms—Sachs, Greene, and Goldbergs. She’d spent years studying and learning. Her work was challenging, yes, but there was no way that it should be feeling so impossibly hard. Yet ever since he had come into her nights, penetrating her sanity with his force, her days at the firm drug by.
Alexandra was good at what she did. Being an associate was all she had right now. She’d spent years working in this law firm, proving herself, and she was in no mood to throw it all away. After all, she was driven, talented, and determined to achieve. But lately it felt like, no matter how hard she threw herself into her job, the facts and figures of it all just slipped further and further away. I don’t even know his name. I’m going to throw all this away, because of a man?
She realized what thought had just crept through her mind, and it scared her for a second. Reality, Alexandra, get back to it.
She’d been exhausted lately. Sleep was eluding her and the sleep that she did get was patchy and shallow. She just hadn’t been feeling herself. The ache in her head was getting worse and she was constantly feeling run down. She wasn’t sure what was wrong, but Alexandra was determined to keep going. It would sort itself out and she could always push through it. She’d never been like this before; her last boyfriend had not done this to her, so why should he?
She’d been doing that for the last few weeks, but things just seemed to be getting worse instead of better. But it was almost worth it, those nights, those dawns, and the dusks spent lying with him. He was stronger than a drug.
Lost in thought, Alexandra didn’t hear the footsteps approaching her from behind. The sound of someone clearing their throat made Alexandra jump. She almost dropped the glass that she was holding and felt her cheeks start to flush with embarrassment. I swear to God, if it’s fucking Bob trying to get my number again, I’m going to kill him. You have no chance, Bob! Give it up. He’d been almost relentless, like a gnat, ever since she broke up with Jeremy. She was sure he had Asperger’s syndrome, if not downright autism, which was pitiful but his constant awkwardness was not what she needed right now.
She spun around on her chair, only to find herself face to face with Mr. Anderson.
Rex Anderson was her direct superior, a low level partner at the firm who had been working in this establishment for longer than Alexandra cared to think about. His sharp eyes seemed to stare right through her and Alexandra suddenly felt like a naughty school child under the gaze of a particularly strict teacher. She couldn’t help but stare at his bald spot, right on the crown of his head, whenever he made her nervous. Thankfully, she was seated and couldn’t stare at it right now.
“Mr. Anderson, sir.” Alexandra forced a smile. “Sorry, I didn’t see you there.”
“Yes, I noticed.” A flicker passed through his eyes and he raised an eyebrow at her. “Are you feeling okay, Miss Abernathy? And stop calling me Mr. Anderson. I’m old, but still, I hate that.”
“Oh, yes, I’m fine. And uh… sorry.” Alexandra smiled again, eager to get out from beneath the scrutiny of his gaze. She didn’t usually mind talking to Rex, but he was unusually stern today and Alexandra had the increasing feeling that she was in trouble. She had been doing her best to keep her head down and get through her work lately, but she had a nagging feeling that she hadn’t been as subtle as she had hoped.
“You haven’t been yourself lately.”
Alexandra cursed internally. He had just confirmed it. Still, she kept her smile in place and looked at him with concern. “What do you mean, sir?”
Rex shook his head slowly. “You seem tired, Alexandra. You’re not yourself, in any case. Is there anything I should know about?” Beneath his piercing gaze, Alexandra felt compelled to answer.
Just the greatest sex of my life that is costing me my sanity, my energy, and my ability to focus. Other than that… No. Nope, nothing.
“No, nothing, sir. I suppose I haven’t been sleeping well, lately, but that happens to the best of us.”
Yeah Alexandra, he’ll buy that. Good job. You’re a lawyer and you can’t even lie. But hey, at least you have all that law school debt to work off! Yay, working poor, am I right?
Mr. Anderson didn’t seem to believe her, instead, frowning, his brows tensed, as if working out a puzzle.
Shit, Mr. Anderson, please buy my lie: I’m fine!
“Indeed.” Rex frowned and looked at her carefully. “Take the rest of the day off, Alexandra.” His gaze softened for a moment. “Take the rest of the day off and go see a doct
or. Get this sorted out once and for all.”
Hey, at least he bought it.
“But, sir, I haven’t finished the documents for Mr. Joni’s case.” Alexandra protested.
Rex shrugged. “Someone else can review them. I need you back at the top of your game. Go see the doctor, get your health looked after.” He wasn’t asking and Alexandra knew better than to keep arguing with Rex Anderson.
“Yes, Mr. Anderson.”
Rex sighed at the name she called him, but then nodded, turning and leaving her desk. Alexandra was left alone to pack up her things. With a sigh, she started to get to work grabbing her documents and packing her bag. She was overcome by the sensation that everyone else in the office, at least the basic associates who didn’t have an office—partners such as Mr. Anderson—were glancing at her through the corner of their eyes. She could feel those eyes around her as she packed her stuff, trying to get away from all the open desks with her co-workers seated in them.
How was she supposed to tell the doctor about this man, this God gifted male who was the temptation of all women everywhere? It was this man that was keeping her from her deep, restful sleep; a man of supernatural talents. Alexandra leaned back in her chair and rubbed her temples.
It was impossible to get him out of her head. All she could think about was the rich, clean smell that emanated off him. It was the scent of virility and mating packaged into a hard bodied alpha male. God, what was wrong with her? No one had ever done this to her before.
She didn’t know what a doctor would say about her having deep, craving sex that seemed to totally destroy her whole life. Sorry, Alexandra, but you are nymphomaniac? Alexandra stood up, grabbing her bag.
And then there were the visions of inhuman creatures, people who seemed to walk the line between fantasy and reality. The clash of a fight, a brutal battle that was seared into her brain, hidden only by the lingering fog of sleep deprivation that covered all her thoughts in a haze.
This sexual conquering by this stranger was so sudden and so strange. Alexandra knew that she should want to be rid of him… but something about these nights, these thoughts that seemed to swirl within her… Alexandra wasn’t ready to let them go. She didn’t understand why, but there was something intoxicating about him, about that baritone voice that called to her.
She couldn’t tell the doctor that or he would think she was having a psychotic break or an episode of sexual addiction. Between the strange visions and the man whom she craved, life was getting strange. So Alexandra kept the secret stranger close to her chest and decided that she would tell the doctor about it, but leave out the longing that welled up inside her, leave out the inhuman beings that gave her visions of a brutal battle, and her nighttime hours.
Besides, there was something intimate about it, and Alexandra didn’t want anyone else knowing anyway. Not just yet.
Both the visions, and the man with no name who dominated her and broke her will to mold with his desires, were simply dreams. They were mere dreams that had been haunting her for weeks now, destroying her, and yet she was scared to lose them. Scared to lose them because they seemed more real than her waking days, and she wondered what this meant about her sanity.
Chapter 2: That Night of Rain and Expectations
Alexandra made her way to the bathroom, taking things slowly as she did. She had packed up all of her things for the day and her bag was slung over her shoulder. She decided to go to the washroom and freshen up a little before she headed out. After all, there was no reason to look like hell, even if she felt it right now. She felt so bad, even Bob avoided eye contact with her as she passed him. It was the first time since her break up with Jeremy that Bob had avoided a one on one conversation with her.
She pushed the thoughts of dreams out of her mind and headed to the sink. She sat her bag down on the counter and reached into her bag. Grabbing out a lightly scented wipe, she gently swiped it over her face and her neck. Then she touched up her makeup and ran her fingers through her long, black hair, doing her best to look a little fresher. She washed her hands, adjusted her clothes and took a deep breath.
It was then that one of her friends stepped out of a stall and wandered over to the sinks. Lynn was gorgeous. With blonde hair and a tanned complexion, she always seemed to look fresh and put together, effortlessly. Lynn had no hopes of becoming a partner. As a paralegal, this wasn’t really on the cards anyway. Alexandra thought that her more relaxed attitude to work was enviable, and Lynn had no qualms about admitting that she was all about the fun in life.
She winked and smiled when she saw Alexandra. “Hey, sexy.”
“Hey, Lynn.” Alexandra laughed back, grabbing her bag off the sink. She always knew how to make Alexandra smile.
Lynn paused as she was about to wash her hands. She turned and glanced at Alexandra, looking her up and down with a critical, concerned eye.
“So, what’s up?” Lynn asked, suddenly.
Alexandra was caught off guard. “What do you mean?”
Lynn smiled knowingly. “Well, Alexandra, it’s not like you to just head off in the middle of the way. Why else did you stop in here to freshen up?” Lynn chuckled at Alexandra’s astonished look. “No one’s lipstick ever looks this good in the middle of the day, Alexandra. Not even mine and I pay attention to that sort of thing.”
Alexandra smiled, relieved. At least Lynn hadn’t picked up on her sloppy work lately. She nodded, softly. “I’ve just been feeling a little tired, a little sick.” Alexandra smiled and shrugged. “I know it’s nothing, but I’m going to the doctor anyway, just to be safe.”
Lynn nodded, a light sparkling in her eyes, teasing. “You’ve been careful, haven’t you? After all, those symptoms sound suspiciously like you might be pregnant.” She laughed softly, looking at Alexandra.
Alexandra laughed, shaking her head. “No way. Not in a million years.” She chuckled softly, laughing the question off.
Lynn shrugged, and her eyes softened. “Oh, that’s right! Wait, are you still on a dry spell?”
Alexandra was shocked that she was shocked. Lynn was no nonsense when it came to maintaining one’s appetites. “I haven’t really been with anyone, like that, since Jeremy.”
Lynn started shaking her head. “Yeah, that’s right, Ms. Picky over here. They should make a movie called ‘Thousand first dates’ and base it loosely off your life. Seriously, how many guys have you made up your mind on after the first date? You didn’t even try them out. I mean really try them out!”
Alexandra hoped no one else was in the bathroom, listening. At the same time, this was exactly what Alexandra needed, time off and Lynn’s jokes.
Lynn continued. “You know, I’m just teasing. I know what Jeremy meant to you, and I know you got a chastity belt that only James Bond could unlock, I get it. I’m just worried about you. You don’t come out with me and the girls, although I think you don’t like most of my friends. On second thought, I don’t either, but I love you though! And I miss you. You know I’m always up to grab wine. What do you say? It’ll be like that first month after Jeremy—I’ll be over, we can eat ice cream, drink wine and cry over The Notebook, like we never saw it before.”
Alexandra was that close to agreeing, but she needed some rest. She needed to think. Her life was going to dust, and she wasn’t sure why. She didn’t even really miss Jeremy anymore, so why was she struggling at work like this? Were her dreams really the symptoms of a dry spell? No, tonight could not be a Lynn night. She needed time alone to think and regroup.
“Rain check?” Alexandra offered.
Lynn sucked her teeth. “Bitch…” And then moved in for a hug. “Love you sweetie, hang out soon?”
“Sure. See you around, Lynn.” Alexandra smiled and waited until Lynn had left, before she too, made her way out of the washroom and towards the parking lot. Lynn’s words echoed through her head, but she tried not to dwell on them. Alexandra knew that, when it came down to it, she hadn’t had sex in forever.
We
ll, it felt like forever, but it had been many months, at least, and she definitely hadn’t been feeling sick for as long as that. After all, she probably would have noticed, all things considered. It’s not a very plausible explanation. Alexandra sighed and slid into the driver’s seat of the car.
Her last relationship didn’t end well. In fact, she was glad that she had not gotten pregnant with him. He had seemed like such a great guy at first and their relationship had progressed well, fast, almost like a whirlwind romance. It had been fantastic and it was easy to get caught up in the enjoyment and pleasure of the relationship. He was everything on paper—a successful real estate agent, big family and he adored his mother, Jeremy even volunteered at the animal shelters on the weekends.
Alexandra had been so sure of the relationship, so sure that she wanted to spend the rest of her life with him. It wasn’t long, though, until he had started showing his nasty side, showing his true colors. It started off with gentle hints: when are you going to be made partner? Then it became more abrasive: How did you lose a case like that? Finally, he just became distant. She had been left feeling hurt and abandoned, and then he had taken off anyway with another woman. Ironically, the woman was a high school dropout who lived with her parents. Seemed like Jeremy wasn’t looking for a successful woman, just a woman he could always feel superior too.
What’s done is done, Alexandra.
Alexandra checked the directions to the walk-in clinic and turned on her car, pulling out of the car park. Lynn could joke about pregnancy, but Alexandra had never really been into the thought of children anyway. She was focused on work and the thought of being a mother, while it had never repulsed her, had never really filled her with a great deal of excitement either.