Inevitable Darkness

by Cassandra Lawson

“If the demons are tracking him, they could find him when he’s at Connor’s settlement.” Abram realized how stupid his argument sounded, but he decided to let Vexx tell him anyway since he needed to hear it.

  “Yeah, he could be attacked with an army around to defend him,” she stated. “We both know Mitchell is as safe as he can be there. I get what you’re going through. I’d rather have Mitchell with us if he’s attacked. My connection to him is different from yours, but it’s just as strong. I want to fight by his side, but we both need to relax. Using up all your energy worrying won’t help if we need to fight.”

  “You’re right,” Abram agreed. “I know all of this, and it isn’t doing much to ease my worries. Being in love sucks.”

  “Poor grumpy Abram,” Vexx teased. “You put your heart out there, and now you’re afraid it might get broken if Mitchell dies.”

  “Don’t tell me you don’t have the same fears with Jase,” Abram snapped. “You’re not as over what happened last year as you’d like people to believe.”

  “What makes you say that?” she asked.

  “If you were, you’d already have Jase’s mark on you,” he replied.

  Before Vexx could respond, the portal opened, and Mitchell stepped out alone.

  “Is Legion with you?” Abram asked.

  Mitchell shook his head and turned to watch the portal close behind him. “He and Serenity need to stay away from us to avoid attracting more demon attention.”

  Abram nodded. “Is Connor sending help?”

  “The first team should be here in about three days. They’re going to try to get here sooner. Connor needs to prep the other teams, but we’ll have back-up.”

  “My father will send people if we call him,” Vexx told him. “Jase may have more of his people come out here as well. Is there anything else I should tell Jase? He took over guard detail since we’re up.”

  Mitchell shook his head. “There’s nothing else he needs to know for now.”

  Vexx studied him, sensing something was wrong. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine,” Mitchell assured her. “The reality that people I love could die is setting in. I know that’s the case every time someone I love goes out on patrol, so I’m not sure why this is hitting me so hard.”

  “You blame yourself,” Abram told him, slipping an arm around Mitchell’s waist, and pulling him close. “This time, people may be coming after you. Even if they aren’t after you specifically, you’re the one who convinced us to help save Kish.”

  “It was the right thing to do,” Vexx assured him.

  Mitchell sighed. “I know all of that. Guilt doesn’t always make sense. Hopefully, I won’t regret any decisions since I can’t see any way around them.”

  Shadows passed over Vexx’s eyes before she turned away from them. “I need to go see Jase.”

  Mitchell watched her walk away before setting the cooler on the ground, turning into Abram’s arms, and kissing him. “There’s one thing I know I won’t regret.”

  “Yeah?” Abram asked as he stroked Mitchell’s cheek. “What’s that?”

  “You,” Mitchell uttered. “I could never regret you.”

  Abram had never believed words could destroy him and rebuild him in the same breath. “I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure you don’t. I love you so fucking much.”

  Mitchell grinned. “I know, and I love you, too.”

  Chapter 67

  Vexx hurried away from Mitchell and Abram, needing to find Jase. The sense of urgency was like none she’d ever known. She was sure her impulsive witch nature sparked some of that urgency. At the same time, she knew there was more to it. All the regrets she’d had about not letting Jase mark her before seemed to overpower her fear of being marked.

  “What’s wrong?” Jase asked as she rushed toward him.

  “Can you get someone else to take over guard detail?” she asked.

  He nodded and called out, “Zane!”

  Zane was out of his tent in a heartbeat. “What do you need?”

  “Can you take over guard detail?” Jase asked. “Vexx needs me for something.”

  She half-expected Zane to ask for details or tease them. Instead, his gaze locked with hers, and he nodded with a small smile playing on his lips. “Sure. I’ll take over for you. Just give me a second to tell Lexi.”

  He popped back into the tent and explained the situation to Lexi before coming back out and waving them off.

  Jase took her hand and led her away from the others before asking, “Are you okay?”

  “No, but I’m getting there.” Her response made Jase frown. “Sorry about the cryptic reply. I was talking to Abram when Mitchell got back.”

  “Is that what you want to talk to me about?” Jase asked, and she was sure she heard a hint of disappointment in his voice.

  “I do need to talk to you about that, but this is more important.” She suddenly realized how crazy she sounded. “Maybe not more important, but I need to talk to you about this first.”

  “You’re scaring me,” he murmured as one hand moved to the back of her neck. His gaze locked with hers.

  “I want you to mark me,” she told him.

  Several beats of stunned silence passed before he spoke. “You mean when this is all over, right?”

  She could see why he thought she’d try putting it off even after agreeing. “Now,” she whispered. “I love you, Jase, and I don’t want to regret delaying this just because I’m afraid.”

  His eyes darkened with desire, and his grip tightened on the back of her neck. “Are you sure?” he asked in a rough voice. “We don’t have to do this now. The last thing I want is for you to regret anything. I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but I feel like I need to remind you how much this will change your life. I’m not the kind of mate who’ll be satisfied with you visiting me while staying with the cougars. If we take this step, I want you to sleep in my arms and raise our kittens with me. Nothing less will ever be enough for me. Are you ready to commit to all of that?”

  Licking her lips, she nodded, and he needed no further assurances. Jase claimed her mouth in a kiss filled with desperate longing. He held nothing back. As for Vexx, she was just as desperate to have him. Now that she’d stopped fighting the pull between them, need pulsed through her body at the thought of finally being his.

  His tongue explored her mouth as one of his hands slipped under the edge of her shirt to stroke and pinch one of her nipples. Vexx moaned and clutched Jase’s shoulders. She’d fought her need for Jase for over a year, and now that she was finally giving in to it, she felt nearly overwhelmed.

  Vexx pushed up on the edge of Jase’s shirt, and he broke the kiss to strip his shirt over his head before doing the same to hers. Reaching forward, Jase cupped her breasts and stroked the nipples with his thumbs.

  “Gorgeous,” he uttered before leaning in to take one nipple between his lips. He suckled gently as his tongue teased the hard peak.

  “Harder,” she commanded, tugging at his hair so he’d get the point.

  Jase released her nipple and chuckled as he looked up at her. “Demanding little cat, aren’t you?”

  “Remember that if you tease me, I’ll return the favor later.”

  Jase’s eyes darkened at her warning, and his voice was rough when he replied. “Now, that’s an offer I can’t possibly resist.”

  Catching both of her hands, he pinned them behind her back before leaning down to suckle her nipple even more gently.

  “No,” she whimpered.

  Jase alternated between one nipple and the other, teasing her gently until she was throbbing with need and struggling to free her hands. Finally, he bit down on one nipple, and she nearly screamed as pleasure shot straight to her core. Jase released her wrists and dropped to his knees in front of her.

  He stripped her out of her remaining clothes before guiding her down onto the soft bed of meadow grass. As Jase kissed his way down, he stopped to savor every inch of her, leaving
her writhing and begging for more of his touch. When he finally reached her throbbing core, he lifted her legs over his shoulders and settled onto his belly between her legs. His tongue stroked and flicked her clit until she was on the verge of coming. Then, he changed techniques, thrusting his tongue inside of her already pulsing channel as she pleaded with him to take her over the edge.

  Jase seemed determined to continue teasing her. When his tongue finally returned to her clit, he slid two fingers inside of her. It had been a while since she’d been with a male, so she felt stretched by just his two fingers. As Jase’s tongue swirled around her clit in a circular pattern, his fingers worked her slowly, preparing her for his dick.

  As Jase pushed her closer to the edge again, Vexx was too mindless to even beg him to keep going. She was already tightening around his fingers with her impending orgasm. Jase sensed her need, continuing to drive her to the edge. His fingers curled to stroke just the right spot at the front of her channel as the circular motions of his tongue increased in intensity.

  Vexx shoved her fist into her mouth to muffle her screams as she came so hard she felt her climax in every inch of her body. Jase eased her through the last of her spasms as she sagged onto the grass with her eyes closed, feeling boneless and sated.

  With a contented sigh, she opened her eyes and met his heated gaze. The need she saw there caused her blood to heat with lust again.

  “Get on your hands and knees.”

  Chapter 68

  Jase half-expected Vexx to refuse his order, and he wasn’t sure what he’d do if she did. His need for her was so intense, he didn’t feel at all civilized. His lynx demanded he mark his mate, and Jase’s human side was in complete agreement. He needed Vexx to submit to him.

  Vexx hesitated only a moment before complying with his command. When her perfect ass was in the air, Jase growled low in his throat and took his position behind her.

  Leaning forward, Jase’s teeth hovered over the back of Vexx’s neck as doubts suddenly assailed him. “Are you sure?” It was an insane time to ask. His cock was at her entrance as he fisted her hair to keep it to the side so he could finally make her his. She was panting and pushing back against him, yet he still needed the words from her before they continued.

  “If you don’t fuck me and mark me now, I’m going to hurt you,” she growled as she wiggled back against him.

  Jase didn’t hesitate, and he didn’t try for gentle. Marking wasn’t meant to be soft or sweet; it was a primal act. He thrust all the way into her and groaned as she pulsed around his dick. He bit down on the back of her neck, savoring the sensation of her skin breaking beneath his teeth. A dark sense of male pride rushed through him at the realization that Vexx was his and his alone. He’d never share her with anyone.

  His deep thrusts started slow so he could keep his teeth in her neck long enough to make sure the bite would scar. Vexx moaned and rocked back against him as much as she could. When he finally removed his teeth, his gaze locked with the mark.

  “You’re mine,” he growled.

  “No,” she said on a moan. “You’re mine.”

  He chuckled at her saucy response. “You are so very right.”

  He gripped her ass to spread her even wider as he began to slam into her, hard and fast. She pulsed around him with the beginnings of her orgasm, filling him with a jolt of arrogance. He was pleasuring his mate, the female he’d spend the rest of his days with. He would never let anyone take her from him again.

  Gaze locked with the mark again, he continued to thrust into her as she screamed and tightened around him. His dick was straining with his impending orgasm, but he needed her to come first.

  Slowing his strokes, Jase licked two of his fingers before reaching around to touch her clit. She tightened more around his dick as he stroked her. When Vexx finally screamed out with her release, he gripped her hips and thrust into her so hard she nearly fell forward. Her sexy whimpers drove him on as he continued to fuck his mate. When he finally found his release, Jase called out her name, feeling complete in a way he’d never imagined possible.

  Chapter 69

  In the three days since Mitchell had returned to the settlement, they’d moved the camp to the spot Connor recommended, and the cell service hadn’t gone out again since the move. He alternated his time between the coven lands and the camp. His preference would have been to stay at the camp, especially since Abram insisted on staying there, but it was too risky if the demons were tracking him.

  Jase had suggested he remain on the coven land until back-up arrived, but Mitchell’s visions haunted him if he stayed away from the others for too long. The images were fuzzy, but he was certain his friends were in more danger without him.

  Two jeeps pulled up, and Mitchell grinned when he saw who was in them. The first jeep, driven by Ian, also had Simon, Layla, and Shelby in it. The second had Nate, Danny, Quinn, and Rand.

  All were excellent fighters and trusted friends. Shelby usually acted as second-in-command to Connor. With mocha skin, green eyes, and auburn hair, she’d been considered an exotic beauty in the early days of the Moon virus, back when born vampires had been enslaved. She was a tough fighter, and Mitchell knew she liked him because she often threatened to kick his ass if he got hurt on patrol.

  Danny could be a problem with Abram, but Mitchell hoped he’d put the past behind him until the demon threat passed. He was Mitchell’s height with pale skin, dark red hair, and green eyes. Danny had grown up believing all vampires were evil. Even after making vampire friends and fighting alongside them, he’d held on to some of his prejudices. Danny hated Abram for his part in him contracting the new version of the Moon virus.

  Quinn was Jase and Zane’s cousin. Along with being a lynx shapeshifter, she was also a mage, making Mitchell wonder if Connor had selected her, hoping she could fill in for Winter if the need arose. Quinn had wavy brown hair that went to the middle of her back, an athletic build, and the same amber eyes as Zane and Jase. She was also Danny’s mate.

  At well over six-feet tall, Rand was a mountain of muscle with bronze skin, chocolate brown eyes, black hair, and a crooked nose. Mitchell often trained with him. Rand, while a brutal fighter, was one of the nicest people Mitchell knew.

  Nate’s dark blond hair went nearly to his shoulders. His light brown eyes immediately moved to Mitchell, and he flashed him a grin. Nate had been the first person who hadn’t held back while sparring with Mitchell. They’d also had a brief fling.

  “I’m glad you’re here,” Mitchell told them with a grin.

  “You look pretty damn happy for a man being hunted by demons,” Shelby accused with no heat.

  “He’s ready to end this,” Abram added.

  Silence followed Abram’s words. Mitchell could lie to himself and pretend the others hadn’t liked what Abram had said, or he’d shocked them, but he knew the others weren’t happy about Abram’s presence.

  Looking over, Mitchell found Abram grinning. “I guess I win?”

  “Win what?” Danny snarled in response.

  “The most-hated contest,” Abram replied. “Maybe we should get this out of the way now. You don’t need to pretend that you’ll try to save my life. I don’t give a flying fuck if you like me or not. I’m not here to impress you.”

  “Why are you here?” Ian asked in a deathly quiet tone.

  “Enough!” Mitchell put a hand up for emphasis. “We don’t have time for this kind of back and forth, and we sure as hell can’t afford to deal with fighting among ourselves when demons might attack at any time.”

  “Don’t forget the vampire outbreak,” Abram added. “We’ve already dealt with two attacks from them.”

  “How many vampires?” Shelby asked, all business.

  “So far, we’ve come across around fifty,” Mitchell replied.

  “Fifty-seven,” Abram corrected him.

  “Are you sure of that number?” Ian asked Abram.

  “Positive,” Abram replied. “I kept track after each atta
ck. It was easy since none of them got away.”

  Ian nodded, and Mitchell was glad he’d already told Ian about his feelings for Abram—told him a lot of it, anyway. Mitchell needed to have another word with Ian about what was going on.

  “Under normal circumstances, we’d start hunting for the turned vamps and looking for any born vampires, but these aren’t normal circumstances,” Shelby stated.

  Ian nodded. “We’re planning to wait until the other teams arrive to start working on the clean-up. For now, we need you to get us up-to-speed with everything that’s going on.”

  “We need to know about the demons, Kishara, and any visions you’ve had, Mitchell,” Shelby told him. “I know you’re squeamish about discussing your visions, but we have to know everything.”

  “I’ll get the others,” Abram announced before walking off.

  “I’ve never fought a demon before,” Danny mused.

  “Sure, you have,” Nate told him. “You’ve sparred with Mitchell, and I’m sure he’s kicked your ass at least once.”

  Danny chuckled. “I wouldn’t go that far, but you are impressive, Mitchell.”

  “As I understand it, I’m nothing compared to a full-blooded demon,” Mitchell told them.

  “Then we need a good battle plan,” Nate replied.

  Chapter 70

  “I’m glad you’re in the first group,” Mitchell told Nate as he helped him unload gear from one of the jeeps.

  “Me too,” Nate agreed with a smile. “I was at Connor’s settlement when you showed up, so I asked to be assigned to the first team even though I was sure Connor would turn me down.”

  “I’m surprised he didn’t argue against sending you since there are already four of us who need blood regularly,” Mitchell mused. “Now, we have you and Danny, as well.”

  “He did at first, but Ian talked him into letting me come with,” Nate explained.

  “Now, that makes more sense,” Mitchell said with a laugh.

  “Not to me,” Nate replied. “What’s going on that would make Ian want me here?”