West (A Darkness Series Novel)

by Stacey Marie Brown

  “Lars,” Rez spoke.

  “Don’t.” He growled the syllable so low and twisted, it almost didn’t sound like a word. “If you open your mouth, I. Will. Kill. You.” His hands became fists, his shoulders vibrating.

  I had seen Lars pissed before. At me. At Eli. At Ember… Actually, there wasn’t anybody he hadn’t been furious with at one time or another. This was not like those times. The ground trembled with his rage, as did every nerve in my body. Sweat trickled down my face, my teeth gritting as the pressure grew.

  Lars’s skin changed to the palest white, thinning to almost a translucent texture. Bones protruded from the shallow skin, resembling a Day of the Dead skeletal mask. Black pupils dug into me, scouring my body. Then pressure like a sonic boom slammed me to my knees with a groan.

  “You. Dare. Take. What. Is. Mine?” Lars took a step forward, his voice low, but it boomed in the room, slashing at my eardrums. “You go against your King? Disrespect and insult me?”

  “Lars, it wasn’t—” Rez stepped forward.

  “Silence!” Lars yelled, and Rez sailed back into the wall and smacked into the paneling, pinned in place. “I don’t want to hear anything out of your treacherous mouth. Everything I’ve done for you…” He shook his head, his cheekbones protruding garishly from his face. “I gave you a home, a job, a family…a place in my bed.”

  Magic poured in the room, twisting me over my knees. Even Lars’s guards bent to their knees beneath the pressure of his fury.

  “Lars. Please…” Rez cried out, but I couldn’t turn to look at her, Lars’s will kept me locked in place.

  “What?” He opened his arms, stepping closer to her. “Do you not think I have the right?”

  “You have every right.” She struggled to talk. “But I hope you will hear us out first.”

  “Why?” Anger lashed down on the room again. I groaned, my bones close to cracking under the force. “Why should I give you that right? What have you done except betray me? You deserve nothing. I should kill you right here.”

  “Then do what you must, Lars,” Rez ordered. “But know I did love you…even when I knew you would never love me back. I loved what you did for me, how you took care of me, treated me with respect and decency. Something I hadn’t had in a very long time. You are an amazing man, and an even better King. I will always cherish the time we had together. You saved my life. Showed me love and kindness. I am so sorry. I never planned on this.”

  “Do you think flattery will help you?” He gritted his teeth. “You think I will forgive this treason?”

  “No,” she replied, still locked against the wall. “It’s the truth. Go ahead. Kill me if it would appease you.”

  A rattling noise started in the back of Lars’s throat. My mouth opened, air ripping out from my lungs, the pressure bearing on me like a vise, cranking in, squeezing my mind. It grew and sprouted until I felt my body start to bend and twist. Screams and wails tore through the room when the magic swirled into a tornado.

  Crack! The window splintered, and daggers of glass exploded through the room, slicing at my naked body like thousands of tiny warriors. The wind swept into the room and blew the papers and curtains around in lashing circles.

  Lars bellowed, shaking the cottage with its violence. The magic popped like a balloon, the force evaporating, and oxygen zoomed back into my lungs.

  A couple of minutes that felt like years passed before Lars spoke. “My desire to kill you both overrules any logic.” He huffed and turned for the door. “There is still a mission to complete and then you will account for your crimes.

  “Goran, have them outside in ten minutes. I need a moment,” he barked at his rising guard.

  “Yes, my liege.” Goran got to his feet and nodded.

  Lars stalked out the door and slammed it, the frame cracking behind him. Cara would never rent her place out to fae again.

  Goran and the other man quickly righted themselves, glaring at us. “Get up,” Goran snarled. “You heard the King. Ten minutes!” I pushed myself back up on my heels, glaring at him. “I never thought Dark Dwellers were this stupid and suicidal.” Goran’s revulsion toward me combined with rage.

  “Ah. That’s because you never got to know me well enough.” I stood and folded my arms.

  “Did you want to get caught?” Travil sneered at me. “You ignored his calls for four days. What did you think would happen?”

  Damn. I should have known that would bite me in the ass.

  Goran glowered at me. “Normally he’d send someone over to check on you guys, but for some reason he didn’t trust you completely.” Goran stepped up to me. He was an inch shorter but well built. He was meant to be intimidating. Scary.

  I could be scarier.

  “Tell me, dweller, when he assigned you to obtain the spear, when did you figure putting your spear in his woman was what he meant instead?”

  My chin stayed level, my nose flaring, but I stayed silent.

  “I’m not anyone’s.” Rez walked around the bed, the thin sheet barely covering her. “No one owns me.”

  “Really, Rez?” Goran snorted as he turned to look at her. “You are not a fool. You knew what you were signing up for when you moved into his bedroom. You made the choice, and now you are going to have to deal with the consequences.” Goran face me. “Outside in ten.” Goran and Travil trampled out the door and slammed it, splintering another hole in the door.

  Rez and I both stood for a moment before I heard her exhale shakily. I rubbed my face, moving to find my jeans.

  “West?”

  “Are you all right?” I asked evenly.

  “Yes.” She twisted the sheet around her fingers. “What are we going to do?”

  “Go out and face him.” I jostled on my pants, not looking at her. “It’s all we can do.” Out of the corner of my eye I saw her nod, then go hunting for her scattered clothes.

  Our only choice was going forward. Even if death was in my near future, I had no doubt I would do it all over again. I would do anything for her.

  Mine.

  I actually had to push back the urge to grab her, claim her so vigorously and loudly everyone would know she was mine without a doubt. I’d battle all who came to separate us. Permanently.

  It was a fight I would lose. Badly.

  “You didn’t tell him we have it.” Rez slipped on her sweater, her eyes going to the safe.

  “Neither did you.” We both understood the moment we handed it over, we’d lose any power we might hold. It was a tiny bargaining chip, though it wasn’t enough. He could easily take it and kill us anyway.

  I knew what I had to do. What flittered through my mind earlier was the only thing I could do to protect Rez. The exact thing I didn’t want her to know was the one thing the King needed to know.

  I couldn’t do it alone. I snatched an object off the floor, hiding it under my clothes as I headed to the bathroom. Rez stared after me, clearly sensing the abruptness in my movements. I shut the door, needing a moment when she was not next to me.

  This was a long shot, but it was all I could think of to do. I hoped she would forgive me.

  And I hoped they could get here in time.

  Goran and Travil led us like criminals out toward the bluff. The evening sky was clear, which made the air even colder. It gnawed on your bones and slapped your face with painful stings. Darkness slipped quickly over the countryside, no streetlamps or city buildings to dilute the night. The moon was low, the stars only starting to wake up.

  Lars paced back and forth, one hand in his pocket, the other pinching his nose. His eyes were back to normal, but his skin was still stretched and thin. The demon was still very close to the surface.

  I had to give it to him for not killing me already. I can’t say I would have done the same if I found Rez in bed with someone else. The beast snarled at the mere idea, ready to dissect and maim anyone who even thought about it. Shit. He’s going to have to kill me. I won’t be able to handle her going back to him...fucki
ng him...

  Goran halted me in front of the King; Travil stopped Rez next to me.

  “Leave us,” Lars ordered his men, sending them away with a flick of his head. They nodded, let us go, and moved back toward the house where Lars’s car waited.

  Now I wanted that burly blond bastard to stay. Without him and Travil, the ground felt a lot more unstable. I didn’t know why since they would happily throw me over the cliff or bury my ass six feet under, but anything was better than being alone with Lars.

  Lars turned to me, clasping his hands, his voice tight. “Where is the spear, Mr. Moseley?”

  Uhhh... “I don’t have it.” Technically true. It was in the closet where we left it.

  “But you know where it is?” Lars’s lids narrowed.

  “Yes.”

  “You have it.” Lars’s eyes flashed, puncturing my soul, picking out the truth among the weeds of lies. “And you keep it from me as a bargaining tool?” He seethed, his eyes turning black again.

  I had the distinct impression he wasn’t too happy about that. Wonder where I got that idea?

  “Where is it, Mr. Moseley?” The demon king came back to the surface. “You do not insult me, bed my mistress, and squirm out of our deal.”

  “We’re not!” Rez held her hand out. “It’s yours Lars. We were only keeping it safe.”

  “That is not what he was doing.” Lars leaned into my face, his black eyes sparking with rage. “I was going to kill you quickly, but you do not deserve that kindness.”

  Agony squeezed my throat. Lars’s invisible hold on me was like a python, constricting my esophagus in a death grip. I couldn’t gasp for air, even though my mouth opened to try. Pain sliced down my throat and tore at my lungs. I heaved but no sound emerged. Panic gripped my muscles, and I clawed at the nonexistent hand.

  “Noooo… Please stop!” Rez begged. Her pleas were lost on him. His entire focus was on me, drilling pain throughout my body. Dots popped up in my vision, the pain of his power mincing my insides.

  Shit, I really am going to die tonight.

  My ears buzzed, but in the distance I heard someone call through the night. Or was I imagining it?

  “Lars! Stop!” A woman’s voice grew closer, the familiarity ringing in my chest, but my mind did not yet want to believe. It might be a hallucination… I wanted it to be true so badly I was making it so.

  But then the hold around my neck loosened, letting a trickle of air slip into my throat. I gulped it, coughing and gasping with the tiny bit of air that slipped in.

  “Lars. Please. Don’t do this.” Her voice caught the wind and sailed right for us.

  I jerked my head to the side and saw two figures jogging to the edge of the cliffs. Their dark clothes blended with the night. They were so well known to me that my beast leaped up my throat. I wanted to run to them, tackle and hug, like wolf pups. Oh thank the gods. They made it.

  “Don’t hurt them.” The woman ran in front of me, her arms outstretched protectively against both me and Rez.

  Lars halted, his eyes widening. “Ember?” He gaped, his eyes returning to their normal chartreuse. “What are you doing here?”

  “Stopping you.” Ember reached back, gripping my hand. She glanced at me with those two different colored eyes. Her black-and-red hair was pulled back in a ponytail. She wore dark jeans, knee-high black boots, and a puffy black jacket. It was good to see her.

  Lars’s glower narrowed, anger sharpening his teeth. “Get out of the way, Ember.”

  I knew both Eli and Ember could sense me when they got close enough. They could also feel the magic pounding off Lars, both of us a beacon to lead directly to our location.

  “No.” Her shoulders stiffened, leaning forward with determination.

  Eli came to her side, blocking me from Lars. “You’ll have to go through us first,” Eli growled. His bright green eyes glimpsed over at me. He had let his light brown hair grow long again. He wore a similar black winter coat and dark jeans and the same worn motorcycle boots he had for years.

  Thank you, man, I know this was a lot to ask, I sent him through our link.

  Not too much for you, brother. Eli shot me a quick glance over his shoulder. I’m not letting anything happen to you either. I am not losing any more of my family.

  “I said move! That’s an order!” Lars bellowed, his eyes so black all I saw were pits.

  “You do not order me.” Ember took a tiny step closer to Lars. “I am not your employee. You can force me, we all know that, but I hope you won’t. You’re my uncle. I love you.”

  Or her father. The verdict was still out. My gut had little doubt Lars was actually her father. I was sure Ember and Lars felt the same, but without proof, they kept to the Aisling story.

  “West is part of my family too. I am a Dark Dweller as much as I am a demon. I protect my family. Rez is also part of that. I will not let you hurt either of them.” Ember’s long ponytail whipped across her back as the wind tore over the cliff.

  “They have dishonored and insulted me. They must pay for their crimes.” Dark, indignant energy pumped off Lars.

  Rez shifted next to me, her chin tilting higher, not shying away from his threat.

  “I understand that.” Ember took another step toward the demon. “And they will, but not with their lives. That I can’t let you do. I will fight you, Lars, to the death.”

  Eli snarled in front of me, his shoulders curling forward, his fingers twitching. I knew he was fighting the urge to change. His mate merely mentioning the word death aroused his beast.

  “No.” I stepped out of his shadow. This was my battle to fight. “This is not why I asked you to come. This is my problem to face.”

  “You asked them to come?” Rez swung to me.

  “Yes.” I kept my eyes on Lars. “And not to stand behind them. I will take my punishment.”

  Ember’s unnerving eyes, one yellow-green, like her uncle’s, one blue, shot me a warning.

  “This was completely me. Punish me. Kill me.” I stabbed a finger at my chest.

  “What?” Rez floundered with confusion. “Completely you?” She faced forward, walking around Ember to Lars. The demon tracked her, his magic sparked, and his lips hitched in warning.

  Ember reached over, her fingers gripping the King’s hand, speaking his name so softly the wind blew it over the land like dust. Ember’s touch flatlined his mouth, but his muscles were still locked with fury.

  I think she was the only one in the entire universe who could calm him. His love for her transcended his rage and impulses. At least for now.

  “Lars,” Rez stood proudly, “there are not enough apologies in the world to tell you how sorry I am. It doesn’t matter we never really loved each other or I lost you a long time ago to a ghost. But right here and now, I am so sorry for what happened. It was not planned. I did not consider I would ever fall in love with a Dark Dweller, especially West.”

  My body jerked. Love? She loved me?

  “Wait.” I stepped closer to her, Ember still in the middle, holding on to Lars, keeping him grounded. “What do you mean especially me?”

  She tipped her head to the side. “Really? Is this about your ego?”

  “Well…”

  “You idiot. I just said I loved you, and you are preening over your self-importance?” She waggled her head, her hair blowing loosely in the wind. “Seriously, West, it’s no secret you are the biggest player out there. Girls drop at your feet by the dozens. I’ve seen it. So falling for you, admitting it out loud, was never something I thought would happen, nor really wanted. But it did. I did.”

  All I wanted to do was kiss her. To pull her into my arms and let her know she had ruined all other women for me. All I could see, feel, and want was her. But a livid demon stopped me from acting. The more she talked, the more magic spilled from him and was so thick it warped the air around us and halted my words in my throat. At my stunned silence, she bristled and turned back to Lars.

  “Your liege, whatever
you feel you must do, I am at your will.” She bowed her head before the King.

  Lars pulled from Ember’s grasp and moved to Rez. He placed one finger under her chin and lifted her head. “You are right. I never loved you like you deserved, nor did you love me. But you are still mine. There is no greater weakness than a King losing what is rightfully his. I cannot let this go. I am remorseful for that. You have been a great addition to the house, and your loss will be greatly felt.”

  My beast reacted. “No!” I lunged for Lars. Eli was swift to grab me, wrapping his arms around me, and walked me back. “Don’t touch her!”

  “West, stop,” Eli growled.

  “Fuck you,” I lashed out. If it were Ember, there’d be no question. “She’s mine. It’s why I called you.”

  Eli exhaled, running a hand through his hair with frustration. He knew what that meant. What extent he would go to for Ember. Hell, the man already offed himself once for her. Left the pack to follow her across the world.

  What? Ember’s voice came into my head. Her eyes wide, head snapping back and forth between Rez and me, realization dawning. Over time she was getting better at linking with us. Are you telling me the beast claimed Rez? Seriously? Eli, did you know this?

  Eli glanced at the sky, a half-guilty, half-smug smile on his mouth.

  Oh crap on ash bark… Ember let her head fall back.

  When the beast found its equal, its mate, there was nothing it wouldn’t do. At our core we were animals. It was hard to explain the feeling. When I called Rez mine, it didn’t mean I “owned” her, but I would fight to the death for her. The term “mate” almost surpassed “family.” They became family as well and would be protected as fiercely by the clan.

  It was the only card I could play against Lars. I would have preferred the whole clan here, surrounding Rez, protecting her, but in the time frame I had Eli and Ember were my best bet. Ember knew the doorways better than anyone and could get them here fast.

  Eli swung around, still holding me back. “Lars, if you touch her, you will have to contend with me as well.” Ember moved next to Eli as a solitary front. Lars dropped his hand, watching me through his black holes, cold and empty.