“You really don’t remember? You were falling in love with Kristian. Shane and I couldn’t get you two out the bed that day before all hell broke loose.”
“I don’t believe what you are saying. and not to jump around a lot, but why did this Simon guy change you? Was he fully demon? Reason I ask is, you rarely run into a hybrid Shadow Demon. They didn’t even have sex outside their race.”
“Simon was lonely. Very lonely. The night I cried over you being dead he said he felt my pain from miles away and came to me. His intensions were to comfort me and make me forget him but things happened, we started seeing each other, and then we had the most incredible sex I ever had. I thought being with Shane was over the top—Simon showed me differently.
In the heat of passion Simon changed me. He wasn’t ashamed of changing, me but he knew his kind wouldn’t really accept me for a while. I accept that and he pays me well now to take care of his property. Just until his kind can accept me as one of them.”
“Is Simon around?”
“No. He’s here and there. If he wants me, he summons me. But besides that, we talk daily and I inform him on my whereabouts.”
“Nice. This is something new to me.”
“Yes it is. So, are you going to get Kristian out of jail now that you are back?”
“Why should I? He killed humans.”
Veronica watched her closely. “Raven, I know that something has happened to you, but you and I both know that Kristian did not kill those people…”
“Raven!” Alec’s voice made her jump. “Come out now!”
“Who is that?”
Raven didn’t answer—she walked to the door were Alec stood. He grasped her arm and pulled her out the café.
“What is it?”
Alec stopped when they were far away from the café.
“I don’t want you talking to that shadow demon. She’s an outcast and she can’t be trusted.”
“I figured that.”
“What did she tell you?”
“Something about knowing me and me being in love with Kristian.”
“Do you believe that you were ever in love with him?”
Raven didn’t know what to think anymore, but she knew that Alec has always been there for her and she loved him dearly. Yes, they’d framed Kristian, but he deserved it.
“I don’t know what she speaks of.”
Alec let out a deep breath then smiled. “Good.”
“How did you know she was talking to me?”
“I know everything about you, Raven. And you know I’m always around. But in this case, I had to drop Erica off here and I felt you here but didn’t see you. When I sensed that half breed I came looking for you.”
“Do you know her?”
Alec turned away from her and shook his head. Was Alec lying to her?
“Now, go back and find the witch and warlock and whatever you do, don’t listen to what that shadow demon says. She would have you thinking things that are not true.”
Raven nodded then made her way back to the café.
* * * *
Nikhil Blackburn, Kristian’s father, paced in front of his wife. Julie watched her mate in distress over their son. Nikhil swept his long, black hair behind his ear, still pacing.
Kristian was due to return home the month before, and he still had not. They had never kept close tabs on Kristian due to many not knowing that he was a prince, and that kept him safe. Kristian did send them his number a few years back, and he picked up when they called him, but now his cell had been disconnected and they didn’t know his whereabouts. Like her husband, she worried where he was.
“It’s been over a hundred years, where is he? I sent message for him many months ago. I want him back here, now!”
Nikhil’s black eyes turned red like molten lava. She knew that her mate was very upset. It was close to time for his coming out party where he would marry the lovely Serenity Zamora. She had been raised to love and honor their son and now her family was ready and here they were without a son to present to her.
A knock came from the door’s entrance. The two guards standing on each side of the double doors looked up to Nikhil. He stopped pacing and raised his hand, letting the guards know to open the door.
Julie drew in a breath as the air around them chilled when the shadow demon walked into the room. He was tall, very tall—he had to be at least six feet two. He had silver eyes that glowed in the darkness of the room. His long silver hair touched the middle of his back. This man was so pale that he looked like death—he was death, as so many called him.
“Donavan Levy,” Nihil spoke first.
Julie sat on her throne, watching, not speaking, as she had learned to do over the years.
“It’s a pleasure that you allow me in your presence, your majesty.”
Donavan knelt down when he reached to Nikhil.
“No need to kneel, Donavan.”
Donavan nodded, then stood.
“I bring you word of your son and the tragedy that’s taking place in the Eastern time zone.”
“What of my son?”
Donavan looked away just for a moment. “He is in Arcadia.”
Julie rose from her chair when she heard that her son was in a filthy prison.
“How long?” Julie asked.
Nikhil turned to her, fangs extended in dominance. Julie knew that when he conducted business she did not speak unless asked a direct question. But at this moment she didn’t care. She wanted to find out about her son. She exhaled and sat back in the chair.
Nikhil turned back to the man.
“What is he in there for, and how long has he been in for?”
“He has been there for ten years, sir. He was accused of killing several humans.”
“My son killing humans? I don’t think so. He would never do anything like that.”
Donavan shook his head. “No, sir, he wouldn’t. I think that Arthas Solomon and his wife were bribed to make Kristian fall.”
Nikhil snarled. “Are you sure of this allegation? Be sure, because I will kill him myself.”
“Yes. That part of the state is out of control. There have been reports that a hybrid Shadow Demon has been made.”
Nikhil shook his head. “Guards, arrange a flight to Meadville and have a meeting set up with Solomon the moment I get there. After that, I will go get my son out of jail. You will join me, Donavan.”
“Yes, sir.”
Donavan turned and walked out of the room.
“Are you sure it’s safe for you to go?” Julie asked her mate.
Nikhil had a lot of hits out on him, that was why he stayed in the comfort of their home. So many wanted power and they felt that if they had Nikhil kidnapped or even killed, they would get just that.
Julie stood when Nikhil walked up to her. “I’m sure. I will bring our son home. Safe and sound.”
Julie leaned in and kissed her husband. “Be safe. Please.”
“I promise you.”
* * * *
Jessica walked into the café to see Raven on the dance floor, dancing in a crowd of people. They were surrounding her, cheering her as she moved. She moved with grace. Each movement looked to be made for Raven’s body. Raven had on a very short black shirt that barely covered her stomach, along with dark blue jeans and a pair of black sandals.
She wondered where Joseph had run off to. He’d said he would meet her here, but he was nowhere in sight. Raven looked past the crowd and waved for her to come join her. Jessica smiled, then walked up to her.
Raven grabbed her hand, and spun her around as the music tempo slowed. Most of the group left the dance floor, leaving a few couples to dance. Raven pulled her close until their bodies touched. Jessica shivered when Raven placed her arms around her. Raven was toned. Looking at her, she seemed like a regular teenager with a regular body but touching her, Jessica could feel just how toned she was.
“Nice,” Raven spoke over the music.
“Yes, it is,” Jess
ica said as they moved to the music.
“You tell me you are fucking dike also,” Anthony Blake said from beside them.
Raven immediately released her and turned to Anthony.
“What did you just say?” Raven asked.
“I asked were you a pussy licker also?”
Raven looked at her for a moment as the music in the jukebox died.
“What if I am? What does that have to do with you?”
“It does, because this freak of nature here is always converting the fine ass females into fucking pussy lickers.”
“Hey,” Raven screamed and pressed her hand to his chest. “Don’t talk about Jessica that way or you will regret it.”
Jessica turned around, looking at the people as they stared at them.
“It’s okay, Raven. They don’t understand.”
Raven shook her head. “It’s not okay, Jessica. You can’t let this asshole walk over you. Now apologize to her.”
Anthony looked around, laughing with others who thought it was funny that Raven was protecting her.
“I guess she has got to you already. So you’re protecting your pussy.”
“Last time I’m going to ask. Say you are sorry.”
Anthony walked up to Raven. “Fuck you, dike.”
He turned and laughed again.
Raven chuckled. “See you at the dentist later.”
“Huh?” Anthony questioned.
Raven lifted an elbow, hitting Anthony in the mouth. Blood gushed from his mouth moments before he placed his hand over it.
“Raven, no!” The cook ran from behind the counter screaming.
Raven turned to the cook.
“You can’t do that to them, Raven.”
“I didn’t even hit him that hard.”
Jessica looked over to Anthony who was surrounded by his football buddies. They were inspecting his mouth.
“Geez man, that bitch knocked two of my teeth out,” Anthony yelled.
“Let’s get you to the hospital,” Veronica told them. “Raven, fighting is unacceptable in here. Do it again and you will get banned.”
Raven rolled her eyes and grasped Jessica’s arm. “Let’s get out of here.”
As they walked out the door, Joseph stopped them. “Hey what’s going on? Are you guys leaving?”
“Yeah, Raven sent Anthony to the emergency room.”
“Really, why? How, even? Anthony is not that small of a man.”
Raven patted Joseph on the cheek. “A lot of people don’t know this, but your elbow is the strongest part of your body. Use it right and it can cause some real damage. Anyhow, I wasn’t going to hurt him. He kept picking on Jessica and I hit him.”
“What did he say to you, sis?”
“You know, the usual. Dike, pussy licker, yada yada yada.”
“I’m sure you that that will be the last time he says it to you. Look, I know I ruined the night—how about a movie at my place?”
Jessica looked at Joseph and they both nodded.
“Cool. I’ll go get a movie and some popcorn—meet me at Shadow Oak Drive.”
“Wait—you moved into the Shadow Oak home?” Joseph asked.
“Yeah, why?”
“Many have tried to get that house. I heard it’s beautiful inside. It was said the owner was put in jail many years ago and the house now sits there, money being drawn out of the owners account every month.”
“Really? I guess he was a billionaire,” Raven said.
“Yeah. Has to be. It’s been over ten years.”
“Well, let’s say that I have connections. I’m going shopping and will meet you guys there in say, an hour?”
“An hour it is,” Jessica agreed.
“Great.”
* * * *
Kristian sat on the couch in Jasmine’s office. He had just gotten to sleep when she woke him and asked him to come with her.
“Kristian,” she said then stopped talking. She fumbled around with a black bag for a moment. “I’m getting you out of here.”
Kristian’s eyes widened. “You…you are what? Why have you decided to help me?”
“A shadow demon by the name of Dominick met me outside. He gave me this interesting story about the maid—your maid, Elisabeth—not being under Alec’s control anymore. She found the missing CD from the café and gave it to Dominick. Dominick said that the bite marks on the girls’ necks didn’t match yours on your mate.” Jasmine sighed. “I believed him.”
“Did he go to the Council?”
“Yes, he said that Arthas did not want to listen to him.”
“I felt that Arthas can’t control this region any longer. He doesn’t care for justice anymore.”
“Here.”
Jasmine handed him a bag. He unzipped it to find several syringes filled with a blue solution. “What’s this?”
“Dominick said that he had been working on a mind solution since you were placed in here. He said that if you inject this and then have Raven take your blood, she could remember. Everything.”
Kristian could not believe he held in his hand the very thing that could give him back his mate.
“How do I know it will work?”
Jasmine shrugged. “I don’t know. You have to go by what Dominick says. I know he’s one of the Council’s scientists, and I’m sure that he knows what he is doing.”
Kristian nodded and zipped up the bag. He would do anything to have Raven in his life again. To touch and hold her once again.
“How are you getting me out of here?”
“I’m not getting you out, you are escaping. If you get caught I had nothing to do with this, do you understand?”
“Clearly.”
“Now here’s the plan, and you will remember this word for word. You were here and getting counseled by me. I turned my back to get paper out of my cabinet and you took the monitor and hit me over the head with it. Then you went over to the box, lowered the powers and escaped. Do you understand?”
“Yes. Can I get my friend out of here?”
“No, you don’t have time.”
“But I promised him.”
“Look, you have about twenty minutes to get as far away from here as possible. That’s enough time to steal my car and get away. That’s all I’m giving you. So if you want to waste moments getting your friend out, that’s fine.” Jasmine gave him another bag. “Here are some clothes, blood and five hundred grand in cash. I want double payment back. You know that I’m not under the Council, so I have to make my own money.”
“I understand.”
“Now, one last thing.” Jasmine sat in her seat and turned away from him. “Hit me with the screen.”
“What?”
She turned to him. “You have to do it, or the story makes no sense. Now hit me before I change my damn mind.”
Jasmine turned away from him again. Kristian stood from his seat, and grabbed the twenty inch monitor.
“Thank you,” he said before hitting her over the head. Jasmine went down to the ground hard.
Kristian grabbed her keys off the desk then walked out of her office and went next door to the electrical room. He searched for a moment until he found the one for force fields. He snatched the right one out of the socket and he felt the energy lessen. He looked for a moment seeing cage door, cell block A. He kept looking until he found Cell block F. That was Shane’s cell. He cut the wire, hoping the door would open.
Kristian placed the bag on his shoulders and ran. As he ran by the cells, the other demons were too tired to notice anything. He went into Shane’s cell.
“Let’s go.”
Shane groaned not coming fully awake.
“No time for sleeping.”
Kristian didn’t know where he got the strength to lift Shane but he did. Maybe the thought of seeing Raven again fueled him.
He hauled Shane over his shoulders and ran. He pushed the front door with his foot. He could smell freedom. At the parking lot he pressed the button on the keychain. Whe
n the lights blinked on the black ford explorer he raced to it. He threw Shane in the passenger seat then jumped in the driver’s seat. He didn’t hesitate; he hit the gas and drove off, away from the hellhole.
Chapter 14
Dominick watched as the men barged into the office. He jumped out of his seat and leaned against the door, listening.
“If you don’t have an appointment, then leave,” Arthas said firmly, then looked up to see Nikhil standing there. “What a great honor to…”
“Save it, Arthas,” Nikhil ordered. “I have word that you put my son in prison for a crime he didn’t commit.”
Son? What son? All Dominick knew about the Blackburns was they had a daughter, not a son? It hit him like a ton of bricks. Kristian was the Blackburn’s son no one knew about.
“Kristian is your son?”
“Yes, he is and I heard that you put him there for two hundred years.”
Oh god, it was Kristian’s father! Dominick had to tell them. Taking a breath, hoping the guards would not kill him, he walked into the room. The guard on the right grabbed Dominick’s arm immediately.
“Such disrespect around here, Solomon. Do your people just come to you when they please?”
“I’m sorry, sir to just walk in but I have something to say.”
Arthas stood. “Shut up, you snake.”
Nikhil turned and hissed at Arthas. “Sit down and shut up.”
Arthas looked at Dominick then back to Nikhil before sitting down.
“Release him,” Nikhil ordered.
Dominick staggered over to Nikhil and knelt.
“I’m sorry to listen in on your conversation, but when I heard you were Kristian’s father, I had to speak up.”
“Speak,” Nikhil pushed.
“Kristian is innocent. He didn’t kill those humans. Someone else did.”
“How do you know this?”
“His mate bore his mark, and it didn’t match the other girls’ marks.”
“His mate? What do you mean?”
“Kristian has a mate. A slayer. Alec Sullivan made Raven inject herself and she forgot who Kristian is. But I know Kristian didn’t kill those girls.”
“Did you bring this to Solomon’s attention?”
Raven's Desires (Night Hunters) Page 20