The Reign of Darkness

by Britney Jackson

  Rose had meant it as a joke, but as soon as she mentioned the name Erastos, the strange, tiara-wearing vampire froze, her slender shoulders stiffening.

  Kara must have noticed it, too, because at that moment, her intense, blue gaze darted toward the princess—but only briefly. Rose noticed Kara smooth her hand over her shirt—in the exact spot where she usually hid her throwing knives.

  But when Princess Myrinne turned back toward Rose, she looked completely at ease again, as if nothing had ever happened. “He’s my uncle.”

  Rose blinked in shock. “Oh,” she sputtered. It took her a few moments to regain her composure enough to respond. “Then, does that mean he’s…here?”

  Princess Myrinne frowned at the strange question. “His memorial is.”

  “His…memorial?” Rose repeated bewilderedly.

  “He died,” Princess Myrinne told her, “ten thousand years ago.”

  —

  As soon as Princess Myrinne left, Rose shut the door and locked it. She spun around, her back pressed to the door, as she met Kara’s ice-blue gaze. “What the heck?” she hissed. “He died? Ten thousand years ago? What does that mean?”

  Kara tossed the book on the nightstand and raised up to sit on the edge of the bed. Her posture was the epitome of vigilance—her muscles tight, her shoulders rolled back—the exact opposite of the laid-back posture she’d had just a moment before. But Rose knew that this posture—now—was genuine. The lax way that Kara had held herself a moment ago was a lie—and a good one. “One of three things,” Kara said. “Either our princess is a liar, our Erastos is not the real Erastos, or…their Erastos is our Erastos, and they truly believe he’s dead.”

  “So, what you’re saying is,” Rose said, “someone…lied…to someone.”

  Kara laughed at the simplification. “Someone always lies to someone.”

  Rose stepped away from the door, venturing further into the room. “So, how do we find out which someone is the liar, and which someone is the lie-ee?”

  Kara watched as Rose explored the room. “The lie-ee?” she chuckled.

  “The person who had the lying done to them,” Rose explained, kneeling to peer under the needlessly high bed. “It’s not a real word. I just made it up.”

  Kara laughed at her. “You see any monsters under there?”

  Rose looked up, blushing suddenly, as she realized that—with the bed as high as it was—she was currently at eye-level with Kara’s lean, leather-clad thighs. Kara leaned back, her weight resting on her hands, her thighs parted just enough to make this awkward. “Just a few dinosaurs,” Rose mumbled, “and dragons.”

  “Wow,” Kara said with a smirk. “Are they comfortable down there?”

  “With as much space as there is down here,” Rose said, “I’d assume so.”

  Kara tilted her head to the side, her blue and black hair falling over one shoulder. “You going to stay on your knees, or…” she trailed off meaningfully.

  Rose climbed to her feet and shot Kara a reproachful look. “I am totally focused on the matter at hand,” she muttered. She flashed a sassy smile. “I don’t know what’s going on in your mind, but my mind is exactly where it should be.”

  “Is that so?” Kara said with a smile. She leapt to her feet, startling Rose. When Rose stepped back, Kara stepped forward, pursuing her. Her scent swirled around Rose’s head—warm and sweet, wild and strong—and Rose’s body reacted instantly to their closeness. With her brain waves practically melted by the sizzling tension between them, Rose couldn’t seem to put one foot behind the other, and she lost her balance, stumbling backward. Kara was pretty used to Rose’s sexually-affected clumsiness by now and immediately swept her arm around Rose’s waist, catching her. She tilted her face closer, her lips brushing against Rose’s. “Liar.”

  Rose had been desperately trying to remember their conversation, and that jolted her mind back to life. “Oh, yeah. Someone lied. See? I’m focused.”

  It probably would have been more believable if she weren’t so breathless.

  Kara laughed and set Rose back on her feet. “Some things never change.”

  Rose stepped back, trying to ignore the warm rush of desire flooding her body. “This is your area of expertise,” she said, her voice squeaking, “isn’t it?”

  Kara watched Rose with that mischievous smile of hers. “Lying? Or…”

  “Lying! Definitely lying,” Rose interrupted—before Kara could shift the direction of their conversation. Again. “You’ve met Erastos and the princess.”

  Kara crossed her arms, considering the situation with a frown. “Princess Uptight is definitely hiding something,” she said easily. “It was all over her face.”

  “What about Erastos?” Rose asked. “Do you think he’s an impostor?”

  Kara winced at that. “The thing about lying is that,” she said, waving one hand, “for most people, a lie gives itself away in the person’s body language.”

  “Right,” Rose agreed. “Nervousness. Defensiveness. Shifting eyes.”

  Kara nodded. “A good liar knows how to control their body, and more importantly, they know how to control how their emotions affect their body.”

  Rose frowned. “Erastos seems almost emotionless most of the time.”

  “Which would be a good way to hide a lot of lies,” Kara told her.

  “So, if he’s not Erastos, why is he calling himself that?” Rose asked.

  “I don’t know that he’s not Erastos,” Kara reminded Rose. “I don’t even know that he’s lying. As a matter of fact, that’s what I’m trying to tell you.” She shrugged. “Normally, I can tell when someone is lying, but with him, I couldn’t.”

  Rose nodded. “So, we have the Lying-Princess and the Possibly-Lying-Ghost-Guy. Who do you trust when you have two people who look suspicious?”

  “No one,” Kara said easily. “We trust no one. Except each other.”

  “Each other,” Rose agreed. She stepped closer, tracing her gaze over the soft angles of Kara’s face, down to her soft lips, and her thoughts began to blur, her mind filling with those fizzing, aroused bubbles that left her unable to think.

  Kara watched Rose, her intense, blue eyes darkening. “Focused, hmm?”

  “Totally focused,” Rose murmured, as she tilted her face closer to Kara’s.

  Kara stepped forward, her lips curving into a slow, hungry smile. She felt the warm caress of Rose’s breath on her lips, as Kara leaned in for a kiss, as well.

  Rose blinked. She slowly stepped back. “You,” she said breathlessly, “are obviously not focused.” She tapped her finger awkwardly against Kara’s arm—which…instantly sent her thoughts into refrains about how soft Kara’s skin was.

  Amusement sparkled in Kara’s icy blue eyes. “Obviously,” she repeated.

  Rose turned around—because staring at Kara’s gorgeous, lean form was definitely not helping her focus. “We’re surrounded by vampires we don’t know, during a supernatural world war, and all you can think about is…” she trailed off.

  Kara chuckled at her. “Sure. Let’s pretend I’m the only one thinking it.”

  Rose smiled shyly—which was the only confirmation Kara needed. Rose walked over to the stone chests, leaving Kara to laugh behind her. A shiver snaked down her spine, as Kara came up behind her. “They gave us some clean clothes,” she said, as Kara slipped her arms around Rose’s waist, “if you want to change.”

  Kara moved Rose’s hair out of the way and pressed her mouth to Rose’s ear. “Maybe I’ll sleep naked,” she whispered, “see how long you can resist me.”

  Rose shuddered. “If you think I can resist you long enough for either of us to fall asleep,” she said, her eyebrows high, “you’re already overestimating me.”

  “Oh,” Kara said, a surprised smile curving at her lips. “Good to know.”

  Need

  Kara stepped into the noisy tavern, ignoring the looks she got from some of the occupants, as she made her way toward the bar. The human
behind the bar looked up at her, recognition flashing in his light brown eyes. He cast a nervous glance around the crowded tavern, before turning to grab a glass and a bottle of gin. When she hopped onto the stool across from him, he turned toward her. He set the glass in front of her and filled it with gin, as he glanced around anxiously.

  “I told you,” he whispered. “I don’t have any more information for you.”

  With a short laugh, Kara picked up the glass. “Relax, Joseph,” she said, flashing a mischievous smirk, “I’m only here to drink. And check out the ladies.”

  He leaned back on his heels, dragging his hand through his thick, brown hair. “Don’t you think you should at least try not to draw attention to yourself?”

  Kara lifted an eyebrow, and then, she leaned forward, her long, brownish blonde hair falling forward, over her waistcoat. “Don’t you think,” she countered, “the spymaster of our growing, successful spy-network knows what she’s doing?”

  She’d murmured the question so quietly that even he had trouble hearing her—despite being right in front of her—but Joseph still straightened and cast a quick glance around the tavern, checking to see if anyone was listening to them.

  Kara lifted her glass, sipping her drink. “If they were listening, I’d know.”

  Joseph glanced at her and sighed, “Just try not to get yourself arrested.”

  Kara laughed. “Believe me,” she scoffed, flashing her fangs, “I’ll be fine.”

  Joseph straightened, suddenly, his face paling in fear. He’d already known that the spymaster was a vampire, of course. There’d been plenty of rumors, after all. But he’d never seen her fangs. “I,” he sputtered, “should check on the game.”

  Kara watched, as he ran off to check on the men in the back room of the tavern. As soon as he was out of earshot, she chuckled a little to herself—clearly having fun at his expense. She had only been drinking for a few moments, though, when she noticed something out of the corner of her eye. She set her glass—that she’d already emptied—on the bar-counter and glanced curiously at the woman who was currently staring at her. She met the woman’s gaze easily—wide, brown eyes that burned with a mixture of awe and lust. It was a look Kara knew well.

  The woman was affected by Kara’s allure, entranced by her. Which could only mean…she was attracted to women, like Kara. With a soft laugh, Kara stood and reached across the bar-counter, helping herself to some more gin. Then, she picked up her glass and approached the dark-haired woman at the other end of the bar. She set her glass down and climbed onto the barstool, next to the woman.

  The human watched with a dazed expression, as Kara leaned toward her.

  “Hello,” Kara said, flashing a flirty smile at her, “would you like a drink?”

  The woman blinked, coming out of her daze. “You sound like a woman.”

  “Yeah,” Kara snorted, holding back laughter. “Do I not look like one?”

  The woman blushed. “I just meant,” she stammered, waving her hand at Kara’s waistcoat and trousers, “because of your clothes.” Her brown eyes shifted up, and she frowned suspiciously. “No one…says anything to you about…that?”

  Kara snorted, staring down at the glass between her hands. “Not if they know what’s good for them,” she scoffed. She smiled, her intense, ice-blue gaze shifting toward the woman. “What do you like to drink? I’ll order some for you.”

  The woman shook her head. “My husband doesn’t allow me to drink.”

  Kara rolled her eyes. “And where is this husband?” she scoffed, not even bothering to hide her disapproval of the aforementioned spouse. “In the tavern?”

  “He’s in the back room with some other men,” the woman said, “playing a card game called poque. Have you heard of it? It’s French. It involves bluffing.”

  Kara smiled. “I have, actually. I happen to be magnificent at…bluffing.”

  “I’m sure you are,” the woman said. She pursed her lips for a moment—as if she were trying to decide whether she wanted to continue this conversation. Her entire body shifted toward Kara, as she leaned in, and said, “I’m a woman of intuition, and…my intuition says you’re probably magnificent at…many things.”

  Kara smiled. If the human was flirting with her already, Kara knew she’d have no problem with this one—even if her husband was in the next room. “Your intuition, then,” she said, as she leaned closer to the woman, “is very accurate.”

  The woman giggled. “You’re funny,” she said. Her face reddened. “And charming. And beautiful.” She glanced at Kara. “It’d be unwise to continue this.”

  “Continue what?” Kara said, smiling. “We haven’t done anything. Yet.”

  The woman glanced toward the back room. “What are you implying?”

  Kara leaned in closer. “How long does he usually leave you out here?”

  “All night,” the human said. “I’d need to return before the tavern closes.”

  “We wouldn’t even need to leave,” Kara said. “There are beds upstairs.”

  She licked her lips nervously. “Let’s go, then. Before I change my mind.”

  Kara’s eyes widened, as she suddenly noticed a familiar, appealing scent. She turned in her seat, glancing anxiously toward the door. The door opened, at that moment, and just as she’d thought, her beautiful, dangerous ex-girlfriend was standing in the doorway. Alana smiled seductively and mouthed, “Hello, darling.”

  Kara spun back toward the human. “Run. Go to the back room. Now.”

  “What?” the human sputtered. Her brows furrowed. “But I thought…”

  Kara jumped to her feet, pulling the woman along with her. “Please. Go.”

  With a bewildered frown, the human nodded and turned to leave—only to find herself in the grasp of a stunningly beautiful woman with pale blonde hair.

  Alana held her by the arm, her dark blue gaze traveling up and down the woman’s body. “What’s the hurry?” she said, glancing at Kara. “I just got here.”

  Kara crossed her arms, her icy blue eyes narrowing. “Let her go, Alana.”

  Alana cast an amused glance at the human, who was now staring at Alana with that awestruck, lustful expression. “Why?” she laughed. “She doesn’t seem to want to leave.” She offered Kara a seductive smile. “We could always share her.”

  “This is a crowded tavern, Alana,” Kara growled. “Don’t make a scene.”

  Alana sighed in disappointment. She glanced at the human, who was still too lost in the allure to realize the danger. She pushed the woman away. “Run.”

  The woman staggered back, blinking, and then headed to the back room.

  “I expect some gratitude for that,” Alana said, as she stepped past Kara.

  Alana grabbed Kara’s drink from the bar and carried it with her to a table in the darkest corner of the tavern—wordlessly implying that Kara should follow.

  Kara did follow, but she glared murderously at the back of Alana’s head, as she did. “Of course you do,” she snarled, as she watched Alana sit at the table.

  “You know I can hear your thoughts, even if I can’t see you?” Alana said.

  “I know,” Kara said, as she sat in the chair, across from Alana. She leaned forward, flashing a dangerous smile. “As a matter of fact, I was counting on it.”

  Alana rolled her eyes. “You’re lucky I find your violent nature attractive,” she sighed. She lifted her wrist to her mouth, discreetly biting into her own skin. She tilted her wrist, allowing a few drops to fall into the drink. She smiled, as she heard Kara’s breath catch, as she saw the hunger in Kara’s eyes. “What is it, love? Haven’t you fed recently?” She set the drink in front of Kara and licked her wrist.

  “I would have tonight, but you interrupted,” Kara murmured, picking up the glass and sipping it. She shivered a little, as her body reacted to the blood. She shot another murderous glare at Alana. “So, why are you stalking me this time?”

  Alana giggled softly, “Oh, I wasn’t stalking you, darli
ng.” The corners of her full, pink lips lifted into a smile. “You’re not as sneaky as you think you are.”

  Kara lifted her eyebrows, as she finished off her drink. “I’m as sneaky as it gets,” she muttered. She set her empty glass on the table. “You know I am.”

  Alana waved her hand at the tavern-owner. “Your spy gave you away,” she told Kara. “Not intentionally, of course. But his thoughts were easy to read.”

  Kara glanced at Joseph—who was currently talking to the group of well-dressed guests who’d just arrived. “Damn it,” she mumbled under her breath.

  “Perhaps you shouldn’t have face-to-face contact with them,” Alana said.

  Kara’s piercing, blue gaze shifted toward Alana. “What do you mean?”

  “Your spy network is growing, isn’t it?” Alana said. “I hear it’s on its way to becoming the largest in the world. So, put more steps between you and your spies. Limit your direct contact. If you do that, it’ll be harder to link you to them.”

  Kara nodded. “That’s a good point, actually,” she said with a thoughtful frown. She leaned back. “Why are you helping me? What do you get out of it?”

  Alana clasped her hand over her chest. “Kara, I’m hurt. Don’t you know I just want to see you happy?” she asked—in a sickeningly sweet tone. When Kara snorted at that, Alana’s dark blue eyes narrowed. “I do! Do you doubt my love?”

  Kara rolled her eyes. “Yeah,” she said, matter-of-factly. She laughed and shook her head. “What did you do? Come here every night, hoping I’d show up?”

  “I have a room upstairs,” Alana told her. “I’ve been here for a month.”

  “You psychotic bitch,” Kara snarled, her eyes wide with frustration. She raked her fingers through her ash-blonde hair. “Why won’t you leave me alone?”

  “Because I’m your lover,” Alana snapped, “and you’re mine.” She looked down, raking her fingernails over the table. A smug smile pulled at the corners of her lips. “And you’re going to regret being so rude, when I tell you why I’m here.”