Through These Wicked Nights (Guardians of the Night Book 2)

by Pixie Lynn Whitfield

  To save her from Seth? How? Why? She grabbed her pillow and stuffed it to her face to silence the frustrated scream. Just more questions needing more answers! With an angry huff, she flung the pillow across the room. It slammed into a hanging picture of a black cat she’d thought was cute. Unfortunately, the picture fell from its spot after being abused by the pillow, and the glass in the frame shattered across the wood floor. It only caused a string of swear words to leave her mouth before she obligingly climbed out of bed to clean it up.

  The shutters beeped and buzzed when they opened. She’d grown used to them by now. Every morning at five-thirty: close. Every evening at seven-thirty: open. It was kind of nice, but growing more dangerous with each passing day. The Hunters outside would notice before long. They would need to move again soon. Probably back underground like before.

  She took a glance outside after dressing and saw it was just as chaotic as it has been. Trucks lined the streets along the blocks and Hunters marched down sidewalks with guns at their sides. Some were dressed in military gear, others in regular street gear. Her intensified vision could see other weapons attached to belt loops—silver stakes and blow torches. Silver stakes? Her eyes almost rolled out of their sockets at the most horrible clichés. Still though, they were silver, and if stabbed through the heart or head, it would kill a vampire. Stabbed anywhere else, it would severely disable them. The poison could lead to death without treatment. It was torture for their kind.

  Citizens were being ordered inside for the night with megaphones. Apparently there were nationwide curfews now. This could be an advantage for the team. At least now they may not have to worry about harming an innocent human during a mission.

  “It gets worse every day that passes, huh?”

  She jumped, startled, and whirled around away from the window. Draven stood in the doorway with his arms crossed over his chest, casually leaning against the frame. She hadn’t heard him open it.

  “I thought I locked that,” she replied with a frown.

  He shrugged and stepped inside.

  “You did. But I know the code.”

  She gaped at him.

  “What are you…stalking me now?”

  He laughed and shook his head.

  “No.”

  She couldn’t help but return his smile anyway.

  “Well, I guess you’re lucky I was dressed before you barged in here then.”

  “Or maybe unlucky.”

  Her eyes darted to his and she began to stutter, trying to find a response. She didn’t understand him lately. Sometimes warm and so close, but other times distant and cold.

  “Sorry, that was inappropriate,” he said after an awkward silence.

  “We’re all ready when you are. Full dark is almost here. Do you think it’s best to go on foot?” He quickly changed the subject. She looked toward the window again.

  “Yes. That’s the best plan. We can’t take vehicles anymore. They have too many stop points and checks. And now citizens have a curfew.”

  Draven nodded in understanding and began to head back toward the door. He stopped about halfway across the room and turned to face her. His expression was different; he looked like he was thinking hard about something with his lips pressed into a thin, concentrated line, and his narrowed bright blue-gold eyes. She stared back.

  “What is it?” she asked, nervous under his gaze.

  Without warning, he was in front of her. He surprised her when his hands wrapped tightly around her waist and pulled her against his body. The rich, cherry aroma that was a part of his scent intensified. She felt her heart swell when his tender lips touch hers, and within seconds an involuntary moan escaped. It caused his hands to snake their way up into her hair, and her hands to wind around his neck in hopes of never having to let go of the moment.

  He nipped at her bottom lip. Their fangs bumped into each other. They both let out short laughs and pulled apart, but remained intertwined with their foreheads touching.

  “I had to do that before we went out there. Now if I die, I can die happy.”

  She smiled.

  “We’re Bond Mates, remember? You die, I die. But that’s not going to happen. So let’s go kick some ass.”

  Twenty

  “You go ahead, I’ll be at the doors in a minute,” Zarah said when she and Draven stepped from her room and into the hallway. He glanced at her questioningly and she flashed a reassuring smile before turning to walk in the opposite direction.

  She wore casual dark skinny jeans and a black tucked in long-sleeved V-neck cotton shirt. Her waist was weighed down by a leather gun holster, holding two handguns and a large, silver dagger. She’d pulled her long hair up into a messy bun, and as always had on her favorite boots.

  Before leaving, Zarah had something she wanted to do.

  “Aren’t you supposed to be going out on your little mission?” Seth mocked, standing in the doorway of his apartment after she’d knocked. She pursed her lips in thought and nodded.

  “Yeah. I had to stop by and tell you something first though.”

  “Oh yeah? What’s that? You change your mind since kissing Draven?”

  Zarah froze. He must’ve seen the shock across her features because he laughed.

  “I told you, I can read emotions and thoughts. Not too well from you, but when it’s projected intensely, I can faintly pick it up.”

  “Oh. Right,” she started, fumbling for words. Her feet shuffled nervously. She thought of the dream and took a tiny step backward. Seth frowned down at her.

  “But no, that’s not it,” she added.

  Seth blinked at her, waiting patiently.

  “I came to tell you that I talked to my father. He told me things. He told me…” She couldn’t finish and shook her head, glaring at her feet.

  “I’m going to tell Draven the truth tonight about his history. He needs to know. That’s it.”

  Zarah tried to turn away quickly, to leave before he could say anything or to protest, but she hadn’t made a step before his arm lashed out and took a grip around her wrist to pull her back.

  “Your father told you what?” he demanded in a low voice.

  “Don’t worry about it.”

  She struggled against his grip to no avail.

  “Let me go,” she growled.

  “Tell me and I will.”

  “Let’s just say that next time you want to attempt to murder me, you better make it a fair fight.” Her words came out through clenched teeth as she flashed her fangs and bright, angry eyes up at him. His hand dropped her arm in surprise and she turned, running down the hall toward the entrance without another word.

  They were all ready and waiting for her when she arrived. Draven looked at her questioningly but she turned her gaze away in shame. Thomas stood by Alyssa holding her hand. They smiled at her.

  “Hey, Alyssa, glad you could come.” Zarah approached and wrapped her arms around the blonde vampire in a warm embrace. She really needed to bond more with her. After all, they were technically sisters now that her brother had committed. He’d made his official Bonding Pact the night after she’d cured him. It cured Alyssa. Now her red eyes were gone, replaced by their once beautiful emerald green and sparks of bronze.

  “Of course. I wouldn’t miss the opportunity of a fight,” Alyssa replied with a playful smirk, winking. Zarah laughed and pulled back, looking over the others. Cherise and Ray were among them. They hung to the back of the crowd of heavily-armed Guardians. She pushed through the buzzing crowd toward them.

  “Are you sure you don’t want to stay here? I promise if we find your nephew, he will come back with us,” she asked Cherise. The exotic vampire’s dark gaze met hers. Both Hiders had healed overnight.

  “I’m sure about this. I trust you and your group, but we want to go. Keenan may not trust you,” she answered. Zarah nodded in understanding. She noticed the two had been provided casual clothes—pants and plain black shirts—with holsters and weapons around their waists. It was a re
lief and she only hoped they would be able to defend themselves well if a situation arose.

  Zarah let out a quick whistle to get everyone’s attention before motioning to the door. They’d discussed a brief plan before about the mission, but she knew it wasn’t well thought-out. Cherise and Ray would lead them along the darkest route to their raided home, and from there, they’d have to do a ground search without being seen by the Hunters. Simple enough. She hoped.

  The Fallen weren’t going. She could be thankful for that. After the dream and confrontation with Seth, she didn’t want to look at them for a few hours at least. It was bad enough living under the same roof. She wasn’t sure if Seth had been trying to kill her that night, but it seemed that’s what her father had been trying to say. It hurt to think about that kind of betrayal. But there was no time to sit around and demand answers to never-ending questions. Cam provided a few at least.

  As she watched everyone proceed out the doors with quiet grace, she caught sight of Draven again. He was definitely going to find out the truth. He needed it.

  He seemed to sense her stare and glanced sideways at her.

  “Are you okay?” His voice came out in a worried whisper. They were behind most of group, Thomas and Alyssa in front of them, Cherise and Ray holding up the end of the line, and were outside. The frosty air stung her face. They skimmed along the wall of the building, keeping their eyes on the surroundings and guns drawn and ready if needed.

  “I’m fine,” Zarah whispered back. After that, the group remained silent, careful.

  Trucks rumbled by in the street. Hunters stomped along the sidewalk several yards away looking for signs of movement. Anytime one passed, the group became still until the area was clear again for another few minutes.

  After an agonizing, tense, hour of walking, stopping, walking, they’d arrived on the street of the Hiders’ residence. The gasps behind her said something wasn’t right. She looked back at Cherise briefly to see horror etched in her normally calm features before following her gaze to the end of the road at a lot where a house once stood.

  She’d imagined it used to be beautiful.

  But now it sat in ruins—charred and ash.

  Twenty One

  Debris crunched under Zarah’s feet while they explored the ruins of the old home. She kept glancing over her shoulder for any sign of other movement. Draven stayed close by, his gun at his side. It had taken some time to calm Cherise down enough to get to the destroyed house. Ray walked with her around the perimeter some distance away as they called her nephew’s name in hissing whispers toward the cluster of trees at the property line. Zarah’s sympathy sparked.

  “I don’t think Keenan or the other one is here,” she muttered to Draven.

  He started to say something but was interrupted when shouts came from the road. They all turned in the direction to see a group of Hunters running their way.

  “Oh hell,” Thomas growled.

  “What do we do?” Jerry asked, standing on top of a charred wooden beam a few feet away. His silver eyes flashed with the anticipation of an oncoming fight.

  Zarah looked around at her group. With the exception of Cherise and Ray, she knew they were all different. They’d all changed into something new in the last few months thanks to her blood. She was surprised the two Hiders hadn’t noted their unusual differences.

  The Hunters were yelling at them to drop their weapons and aiming large guns at them. They wore heavy masks to cover their faces and military camouflage. These weren’t volunteer hunters. They’d been commissioned to the task by the nation’s leader to eradicate the vampire species and control the new order of the country.

  “We fight,” Zarah replied with a throaty rumble. She took a fierce stance and withdrew both of her pistols. The others followed suit. She caught some of them smiling, ready.

  “By the order of the President, you are to surrender!” One of the Hunters shouted. They’d stopped at what had once been the house entrance, and it’d become a staring contest between all of them.

  “We will not harm you unless we have to, humans. We would like to arrange a peaceful negotiation with your president.” Zarah did the speaking. She tried to keep her voice calm.

  “It’s not going to happen, monster,” another Hunter spat. Zarah clenched her jaw, but refrained from attacking until necessary.

  One of the Guardians moved, causing busted concrete to shift and tumble. A Hunter started to direct his gun in the direction of the movement. Before something could be done to stop them from firing onto the group, there was a blinding flash and two Hunters gasped. Blood flowed from their throats, shots rang out, and the group ducked to avoid being hit. Zarah looked around in confusion. Cherise screamed.

  Another flash and the last two hunters fell in a bloody heap with their partners. The metallic-sweet scent of the humans’ blood permeated the air around them. Zarah felt her fangs extend in brief excitement before she turned to Draven with a frown.

  “What the hell just happened?”

  He shrugged and began counting the group members. No one had moved from their spots, but now they had four dead Hunters on the sidewalk in front of them.

  A throat cleared nearby, which quickly grabbed their attention again. A chorus of safety switches clicked off from the weapons and pointed in the direction of the noise. Zarah’s eyes widened at the sight that greeted her.

  “I just figured you could use a little help. You’re welcome.”

  Ethan stood at the corner of the burned home with a smirk and hands raised in defense, blood still at one corner of his mouth.

  Thomas let out a string of curses behind her.

  “Now, Thomas, that’s completely uncalled for. Such tacky language.” He tsked.

  “Tell me why I shouldn’t shoot you,” Zarah said, aiming her gun at the vampire. Ethan used to be Rogue. In fact, he was the first Rogue that cured since her—after forcefully taking her blood during her captivity a few months ago. He was also the one who had initially turned her brother Rogue, and the first intelligent one—with thanks to another of Nathanial’s experiments because of Thomas’ blood.

  “You shouldn’t shoot me because I’m one of you now, and because I just saved your ass. Right?” He cut through her thoughts. She felt the heat rise.

  “You all know each other?” Cherise suddenly asked as she interrupted the conversation. Zarah hadn’t heard her approach, and turned to face the woman with clear surprise.

  “What do you mean?”

  “He’s the other Hider that was staying with us.” She took a second to offer a sad smile to Ethan.

  Zarah blinked. She could not be serious. After an awkward silence though, she saw it wasn’t a joke and let out a frustrated sigh. When she holstered her weapons, Thomas let out a gasp.

  “Sis, you can’t be serious? Shoot him or I will!”

  “No. He’s coming with us…unfortunately. I’ll discuss it with you later. For now, this is the decision.” Her words weren’t enthusiastic at all, and her eyes remained on Ethan. His smile grew when she spoke, which made her frown and disgust deepen.

  “It’s best you stay on my good side, or I will shoot either way,” she warned Ethan darkly. He quickly nodded with a mock salute.

  “Keenan?” Cherise asked with worry. Her attention was nowhere in particular, but Zarah assumed she was asking the new vampire.

  “I’m sorry, Cherise. I haven’t seen him. We ran out of the house together that night and were separated when we went into the woods. I figured he’d stay close, but there’s been no sign or smell anywhere.”

  Cherise nodded and slumped her shoulders.

  “We should go. I think I hear more trucks,” Draven whispered near Zarah’s ear. She jumped at his touch, a small shiver tracing down her back, before agreeing.

  She turned to Cherise. Words couldn’t form. How could she explain that they would not be continuing the search for the nephew until another night.

  Thankfully she didn’t need to. Their eyes met
and tears formed in her eyes as she silently understood what Zarah was about to tell her.

  “It’s fine. I understand that we should be getting back. Thank you anyway,” Cherise whispered. She nodded and watched Ray lead her toward the back with his arms wrapped around her shoulders in comfort.

  “Ethan, you’re in the back with us,” Zarah instructed, using her gun to motion him toward where her and Draven stood. He shrugged and approached them.

  “Do you have any weapons on you?” Draven eyed him suspiciously.

  “Only these.” Ethan flashed his fangs with a charming smile. Zarah rolled her eyes. Thomas and Alyssa stepped over fallen glass to them. The others began to descend the broken, burned house as they started back to The Compound.

  “You have blood on your lip,” Thomas sneered in disgust. He took Alyssa’s hand and they walked away. Zarah sighed. She planned to talk to him when they were back. Ethan used the sleeve of his jacket to wipe away the red drops.

  Zarah kept her focus on him, unblinking, the entire trek back. Ethan was going to be a problem. Her gut screamed at her how wrong this was to have him there. At the same time, she hoped she could use his presence as an advantage.

  Twenty Two

  “Are you out of your mind?”

  Thomas was in a near shout, his fangs extended in anger. Zarah stood in the middle of her room calmly staring at him, quiet while he paced and yelled.

  When he stopped in front of her, his eyes blazed dark. She didn’t blame him for being mad. Ethan was situated down the hall in his own room, and worse, it happened to be next door to her brother. It was the only empty one left though without having to move and rearrange others.

  “We didn’t have much of a choice,” she started.

  “Oh, I think I could have easily shot him and taken care of that dilemma,” he interrupted. She sighed and rolled her eyes.