Taking a deep breath, he placed his hands over her chest. “This is going to hurt like hell, Mia.” He commanded the most violent power of the universe to come to him. Currents of electricity came from every direction and charged the atmosphere. Raw power grew all around them, and then it centered inside him. “Come back to me, Mia!” He sent a burst of electrical currents through her heart and her body. The response was instant, and it was violent.
Mia’s body convulsed. Gasping, choking on the air she needed to survive, her eyes flew open and focused on his. She opened her mouth to speak, but she couldn’t say anything.
“Just breathe. Slow and easy. You’re safe. I’m here.”
A few seconds passed. She struggled to steady her breathing. “Joseph.” She lifted her hand and placed it on the side of his face. “Why did you do it?” He felt her need to get up, to help him, to fight by his side.
“Stay still.” She tried to sit up, but he gently held her down. Many of her bones were broken and shattered, and he was afraid he would hurt her. “I could never … oh, Mia. You can never leave me.”
* * *
Mia was in tremendous pain. Though it was hard to focus her thoughts, her mind was deeply merged with his. She knew he was holding the brunt of the pain, but being so deeply merged with him she was seeing deeper into his mind than ever before.
She struggled to keep her eyes open and focused on his face, fighting to maintain consciousness. When his spirit had merged with her spirit to hold onto her and bring her back from death, she’d seen his resolve to save her by taking the poison. She needed know that he was okay. “Why did you take the poison?” She held her hand over the blood seeping from a wound on his cheek.
“I’m in love with you.”
It wasn’t just the poison she’d learned about. She’d also discovered that Joseph believed she belong to Eli. He believed he didn’t have any right to claim her, but he would never give her up. “Why don’t you believe we belong together?” How could he believe she belonged to another man?
“You’re confused. There’s no other woman for me. I’ve no doubt we belong to each other,” he stated with conviction in his voice.
She tried to get up again, but she couldn’t move. “How … oh, shit.” It hurt to talk, but she needed to know if he was okay. She took a few breaths. “How bad are you hurt?”
“Damn it, Mia. It doesn’t matter. Just stay still.”
“Why did you do it?”
“I already told you. I’m in love with you, Mia. Don’t try to talk. You have a few broken ribs.”
She felt the heat of his healing energy flowing through her body. She knew it was too late. She was dying. “It matters to me. I love you, Joseph.” Her hand fell from his face. She tried to lift it again, but the pain was too much. “You matter to me.”
* * *
“Don’t be upset. I am fine. The poison can’t hurt me like it is hurting you. By taking it I will be able to learn more about it. I will have a better chance of healing you. It’s a complicated mixture, but my body is already working out a cure. If this works I will be able to restore your wolf. If it doesn’t we die together.” His gaze jumped to hers. “And none of this is your fault.”
Many powerful emotions slammed into him at once. Terrible anger and hatred. And a love so amazing it had no limits to its depths. He knew she shared the same love for him. “I promise you do not need to worry about me right now. I’m okay, Mia.”
It was a lie. He was far from okay. He was in a terrible place. It was a dangerous place for his kind to linger. Hatred for the vampire that had hurt her and self-hatred because he hadn’t protected her could cause him to spiral out of control. It could cause him to become more beast than man. The dragon within him was already enraged, fighting the poison. It was roaring deep inside him, clawing at his soul, demanding more bloodshed and destruction. It would never be satisfied if Joseph allowed it to have its way. He would become a living force of death and destruction.
A shadow moved overhead. Joseph didn’t turn to look—he knew it was Haden Drake. When Mia’s gaze shifted to the sky, he whispered, “It’s only Haden. He has come to help us.”
She returned her gaze to his. He was deeply merged with her and knew she believed she was dying. She knew her death would cause him pain though they’d been aware all along she would soon die from the cancer. She reached up again to wipe the frown from his face. Forgive me, Joseph.
He forced himself to smile for her. Listen to me. You will not die. And you’ve done nothing to be sorry for. You are true a warrior, Mia. Do not tell me you think a warrior can’t be injured in battle. You’re injured, but you will live. Trust me to take care of you. He was pouring all his power into her, mending her bones and injured organs as he sustained her life and fought to restrain the fury building in him.
Haden approached from behind. “What happened?”
“She was attacked.” Focusing on Mia, Joseph kept his back to Haden. “Stay awake, Mia. You can’t fall asleep yet.”
“You brought her back.”
Anger at the thought Haden might lecture him on breaking demons’ laws rose up in Joseph. Then it occurred to him Haden might want to reverse his healing of Mia, and something far more ugly and violent flooded his emotions. “Stay the fuck away from her!”
“You know better.” Haden didn’t wait for Joseph’s response. He was already on his knees with his hand on Mia’s shoulder, aiding Joseph by pouring his healing power into Mia. “I would not condemn you for doing what I would’ve done. Besides, Caylee would kick my ass if I objected to you doing all you can to save Mia.” He paused. “I’ve learned to pick my battles with Caylee. And a battle over her friendship with Mia is one I would never even dream of engaging in.”
Joseph nodded. He knew Haden would never do anything to harm a woman. Joseph was actually shocked by his sudden outburst toward Haden. “I’ve lost track. Do you know many vampires are still out here?”
“You took out quite a few, but there are many more. They’re gathering, preparing for another attack.” Haden took a deep breath through his nostrils. “What is that?” He frowned. “Wait. You’ve been poisoned.”
“It doesn’t fucking matter.” Joseph still didn’t bother to look at Haden. “She put herself between me and a fucking vampire.”
“You know it’s her way, Joseph. She’s lycan. Just as it is your way to break just about every law our elders have set in place.”
“We are at war. Following ours laws would be a fatal error. Our enemies will never follow the laws. And it isn’t cancer. The religious group that tried to cleanse her kind had her when she was a child.”
“Oh, that explains things. Lately I’ve heard rumors they are still practicing their cleansing rituals. That’s what’s inside you. It’s trying to separate you from your dragon.” Haden shrugged it off. “It’s impossible. You’re too old, too strong.”
“We should’ve tested it long ago when we knew it was being used.”
“No one volunteered. We didn’t know the consequences.”
“Pain. A lot of fucking pain. And she was only child when it started. They butchered her. I don’t know how she survived it.”
“Yes, you do. She’s a strong woman.” Haden stood up and searched the sky. “Do you feel it?”
“Eli’s fucking pack.”
“They’re getting closer. I’ll distract them to give you more time.”
Joseph needed to move her as soon as possible, to take her someplace safe. But because of the extent of her injuries, every second he had to heal her would make moving her less traumatic and painful.
Haden placed his hand on Joseph’s shoulder. “Be strong. This isn’t your fault. She must fight. She’s lycan. Her nature will always demand that she stand and fight.”
“I know. I thought by involving her, keeping her close to me, that I could protect her. But this happened to her while I was with her.”
Haden’s massive black wings shimmered and solidified. He st
epped away from them and created a protective barrier around them as he raised his arms to the heavens. A gust of wind rose from out of nowhere, and the atmosphere exploded. Large hailstones crashed into the pavement and buildings. Vivid blue and yellow lightning forked across dark, billowing clouds gathering overhead.
This isn’t your fault, Joseph. You would’ve done the same for me if a vampire was charging me from behind. Opening her eyes, Mia frowned. But, please, tell me that you killed the bastard.
“I did. Jeremy got away. But the vampire that got you is dead for good.” Even in his mind, her voice was barely audible. He knew she was getting weaker though he was surrounding and filling her with his power, his essence, and healing the most critical of her injuries. “And it’s different. You’re … don’t you understand what you mean to me? You can’t throw your life away for mine. Never again, Mia. Do you hear me? Never put yourself between me and danger again.”
I’m laughing at you right now. I know you can’t tell. But I am. I will always have my sexy man toy’s back. And it’s not any different than you having my back. I can’t believe you have poisoned yourself to save me. You don’t even know it will work. You aren’t sure you’ll even survive it. You can’t tell me that you’re not worth dying for. You can’t tell me that dying for you would be throwing my life away.
“It’s not the same. I know you’re strong, but your life is fragile. Yes, I would die for you, but I didn’t risk my life by taking the poison,” he lied. He didn’t really know. He only knew that if he failed, she would die and he would die. “Since you’ve tried to kill me a few times you know that dying isn’t easy for me. I am immortal. I’ve lived too many lifetimes to remember them all. And I’m not having this argument with you right now. You will never do anything like that again.” He bent down and kissed her, knowing perfectly well there was no stopping her from making the same decision in the future.
I know you’re lying to me. You’ve no idea what the poison will do to you.
“You will stop sneaking and snooping around in my head, or I will be forced to punish you.” He kissed her lips. It was a gentle, tender kiss, a display of affection rather than passion. He needed to be careful because he was fighting the urge to take her breath and give his eternal breath to her even though his rational mind knew it would kill her. “I don’t think there’s a bone left unbroken in your body. There’re more vampires out here. I need to pick you up so we can get out of here before they decide to attack. I will …” He stopped short, fearing that if he told her he would take the pain and hold it she would fight him. “It’s going to hurt.”
Her lips slowly, slightly curved upward. Can’t we just all do the disappearing thing?
“No.” It amazed him she was smiling at him, even joking with him. She was suffering excruciating pain, and still she was trying to use humor to comfort him. He was in awe of her. Never in his life had he known a woman with so much strength and courage. “There’re too many spells surrounding us. You could be killed by them. Once we are inside, Haden will also leave.” It was another lie—he didn’t know what Haden planned to do, but he knew she was worried about him being alone with the vampires.
It’s a good thing you’re not the one sprawled out on the pavement, Joseph.
“Why?”
You weigh a ton. I don’t think I would ever be able to lift you. I’m pretty sure if I tried I would have one hell of a backache.
“It would be interesting. I think we’ll try it sometime just for laughs.” He gently, carefully scooped her up and stood, easily taking her with him. It was a memory that would forever haunt him. Despite his best effort to keep from causing her further injury, he heard her bones cracking.
Knowing his actions were causing her to suffer more pain was more than he could take. He was tempted to stop. He was tempted to wait and fully heal her right there, but he knew he didn’t have time.
No matter what happened, he needed to get her out of the street now. Normally, broken bones were easily healed, but the poison that had created her cancer-like symptoms was complicating the process. He saw Mia bite her lip hard. “I’m sorry, angel.” He knew she could barely breathe with the effort it took to stop from screaming out.
She opened her mouth but couldn’t speak out loud. It’s not your fault. She pressed her face against his chest and closed her eyes. Oh, shit. It really hurts.
Give it all to me. He felt her hot tears on his chest and knew the pain had to be horrible. Being lycan, she normally wouldn’t allow herself to cry or show any sign of distress. Let go of it. Surrender all that you have to me. Knowing she was using him to hide her tears touched him deeply. It humbled him like nothing else could..
* * *
Mia felt Joseph’s lips moving on her head as he whispered a chant of some sort. She knew it was a compulsion. He was attempting to take all her pain. If she allowed it, he would fully carry it for her. She sensed his desperation for her to yield to him and allow him to shield and protect her. If he had been anyone else she would’ve fought it until her death. She would’ve held onto her control over her body and mind. But she didn’t fight it. She trusted him.
She allowed the pain to leave her body as she entered a strange and deep state of mental and physical numbness. She was still awake. But the pain was distant. Reality was distant. It was as if she were in a dream, as if the pain in her body belonged to someone else. And it did. It belonged to him now.
“History is screwed up, Joseph.”
“How?”
“There are many things I thought I knew. You’re a demon. Demons are supposed to be evil, but when I’m in your arms I feel like I’m in the arms of an angel.”
He smiled. “A hot, naughty, fallen angel, right?”
“Very hot and naughtier than most.” She stared up at the stormy night sky as he carried her up the stairs to her apartment above her boutique. “I know you’re dangerous. Sometimes, I think you have too much power. Part of me knows I should be afraid of you. It’s amazing how you control nature.”
“It’s about time you admit that I amaze you.”
“Only a little.”
He laughed. “That’s good news. Now I won’t need to work as hard at it.”
“How do you control the weather?”
“It’s not a matter of how I do it. All of the elements of nature are a part of me.” He gently lowered her onto the bed. “We pull them to us when they are needed or wanted. Sometimes anger or other strong emotions will cause the elements to gather and surround us.”
“There are times I wouldn’t mind controlling a lightning bolt.” She couldn’t help but imagine how wonderful it would be to send one or two after him.
That brought his eyebrows up. “You can have any part of me. When our connection has grown stronger and you learn to trust me fully, I can send the power to you to play with as long as I’m not the target for the lightning.”
She smiled. “I can’t believe you took poison for me.”
She saw the bewilderment in his eyes, but she knew it had nothing to do with the fact she’d discovered he’d taken the poison. He was bewildered because she couldn’t believe he would do it.
With a thought he removed her clothing.
“I was dead. You know that, right?” Mia asked.
“Yes.”
“When I died, I became a part of you, of your soul. I saw everything. You weren’t supposed to bring me back because I am not your other half. There’s another woman for you. I saw it in your mind. You know we aren’t meant to be together. I tried to talk to you. I wanted you to know I was okay. But you didn’t hear me.”
“I heard you.”
“Then why did you do it? Why did you risk damning your soul to bring me back?”
“I couldn’t let you go. You are all that matters to me. Without you I have nothing. You are my soul.”
“But there’s another woman for you,” Mia said. “Your true mate. She’s your other half. She is your soul. Why would you want me if there is
a woman created to be your perfect match?”
“You’re confused,” he lied. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“What will the poison do to you, Joseph?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“It matters to me,” she said. “And I’m going to kick your ass for taking my clothes off.”
“No worries. You’re not in any shape to be kicking anyone’s ass.”
“You should be worried.”
“There’s something you should know,” he said.
His voice was serious enough that she opened her eyes. “What?”
He took a warm, damp sponge and cleaned the dirt and blood from her face. “You fight like a little girl.” His touch was just as gentle as his voice. The combination was sheer, glorious agony.
Exquisite Breath of Darkness Page 14