Exquisite Breath of Darkness

by Candice Stauffer

  Joseph was more than alarmed. He was mad as hell. He didn’t want any male touching her. Taking her blood was much more than a simple touch.

  Don’t get all bent out of shape. Would you rather I’d died? It was the only way for me to get away from the vampires. And for you information, Caleb is far more irritating than you and Haden put together.

  Joseph tried to reach for Caleb but found nothing but a black void. Why can’t I reach him? I can’t feel him.

  That’s because the moron is unconscious.

  A moron? Hmm … it sounds as if I have more competition than a wolf.

  Don’t be an idiot. You know there’s no other man for me.

  That’s a relief.

  He told me to leave him out here. He wanted me to just walk away from him and allow him to slow down the vampires and Demetri so I had a better chance of escaping. He’s an idiot. I wouldn’t have anything to do with leaving him to die. Besides, they haven’t found us.

  Sounds like Caleb. He has an odd belief that women were put on the earth to be protected by men.

  And worse, he tried to use a compulsion on me.

  I bet he was shocked when it didn’t work.

  Mia’s laughter filled his mind. He doesn’t know yet.

  Really? Joseph asked.

  Yep. I hit him over the back of the head. Weren’t you listening? He was going to go after the other vampires and Demetri. He didn’t have a chance. He would’ve been killed, or he would’ve given our location away and we would both be dead. I know it doesn’t make sense, but they never pursued us from the waterfall. I thought Demetri saw us. Joseph had no doubt Demetri knew right where Mia and Caleb were hiding. It was trap. Demetri was using Mia as bait. I’m sure he did. It’s a trap, Mia.

  Then stay away.

  Joseph laughed at the thought of doing anything other than rushing into the trap. He didn’t want her to worry. While sharing the information he received from her with Haden, he decided to distract her. Do you have your phone, angel?

  No. Why? You want me to make a call for you?

  No. I forgot mine, and I would love to post a picture of Caleb after my woman knocked him out.

  You’re demented.

  But you love me, right?

  Only you, Joseph. I love only you.

  That is good news. Once he was certain Haden had passed the information to Nikolas, who was now hunting Demetri down, he knew he needed more information about Caleb’s condition. What other injuries does Caleb have?

  He has lost a lot of blood. It was horrible. They were torturing him. They drained his blood to force him to kill me. You know, as much as I don’t like him or any other bloodsucker, I give him credit. He could’ve killed me. I felt the need in him for blood. It was intense. He fought it, and he barely took any blood from me. He took just enough to have the strength to get me out of the cave.

  I’ve known Caleb for a very long time. He’s a very good friend. He’s disciplined, and he’s one of the most honorable vampires I’ve ever known. He has never found his mate. Most of his kind are unable to resist the urge to kill and feed on innocent blood for as long as he has. It’s not easy for them when they’ve been alone for so long.

  He’s too honorable. I still can’t believe he tried to use a compulsion to force me to abandon him to save myself even after I warned him it wouldn’t a good idea to keep trying.

  I can’t even begin imagine what he was thinking.

  Yeah, right. I bet you would’ve tried it too.

  I don’t try. I do. Joseph was almost afraid to ask about Eli. It was silly. Clearly, she was in love with him, but he feared she might also love Eli if she’d been with him long enough to realize she belonged to him. What happened with Eli? How did you get separated from him?

  First, I don’t know why you would ever think I belong to Eli. I don’t. My soul, my spirit, and my body belong to you, Joseph. No other man can stir the need, the desire that you stir in me. I can’t even begin to imagine being with any other man than you.

  Deep inside the dragon, he couldn’t stop the smile from forming on his face. That’s good news. Because there isn’t an ounce of me that you haven’t owned from the day we met.

  I wasn’t done. Don’t interrupt me again. And stop smiling like that. Nothing I’ve said means I like you. You still make me crazy. I just happen to love crazy. I don’t know what happened after he showed up at the boutique. I don’t remember leaving at all. The last thing I remember before waking up in the cave is calling out to you.

  Did Eli do anything to hurt you? Joseph didn’t even try to hide his anger.

  No. Someone restrained me from behind as Eli put a cloth over my face, and something on it caused me to lose consciousness.

  Haden and I are close. Don’t be alarmed—we’re in the form of our dragons.

  Mia stood and lifted her face, and Joseph felt the joy bubbling in her. She was so happy, so excited to see him. I see you.

  Side by side, they swooped down fast and landed. Mia ran to Joseph as he turned from dragon to man and jumped into his arms. It felt good to hold her, to feel her body against his. She wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist. She kissed him, pouring all of her love for him into the kiss. She kissed him as if for the first time, as if she would never be able to kiss him again.

  Haden cleared his throat. “Nikolas has just told me that he has Demetri on the run. We need to go. It’s not safe here.”

  Joseph slowly lowered Mia onto her feet. He took her hand in his because he needed to touch her. “Where is Caleb?”

  She pointed. “I dragged him beneath the trees. He weighs a ton.”

  “You should’ve thought about that before you knocked him out.” Keeping her hand in his, he walked over to Caleb and knelt down to examine him.

  “I really didn’t hit him that hard,” Mia said.

  Haden walked up from behind. “His body is depleted. He needs blood.”

  Mia looked up at Joseph. “I nominate you this time.”

  “He can’t take my blood,” Joseph said. “And he won’t be taking any more from you.”

  Caleb opened his eyes. He blinked a few time, and then he stared up at Mia. “You were supposed to leave.”

  “I’m not alone.”

  Caleb blinked again as his eyes focused on Joseph. “Did you bring an army?”

  “I’m here, and Nikolas is dealing with Demetri,” Haden replied.

  Caleb turned to look at Haden. “I didn’t realize you were here. It’s about time the Drake brothers start fighting together again. I was hoping Nikolas would come out of hiding when Demetri started screwing around with vampires. What the hell is he trying to do with them anyways?”

  Haden smiled. “Nikolas is out and about because his mate is. And we haven’t quite figured out what Demetri is attempting to accomplish.”

  “No way. Are you serious? Nikolas found his mate after all this time?”

  “It’s true.” Haden said. “Unfortunately he refuses to take possession of her.”

  “What?”

  “Nikolas is being overly cautious. He believes he’s too old and too dangerous for her. He believes he might lose control and hurt her.”

  “Your brother thinks he’ll hurt a woman, his woman?” Caleb laughed out loud. “Damn, I’ve missed out on all the good stuff. I bet he’s going absolutely insane. Wait. Since when the hell did Nikolas learn the definition of caution?”

  “Since he learned that Demetri killed his mate,” Haden said.

  “That’s not possible, is it?”

  “Anything is possible. Look at what these vampires we’re fighting are capable of doing.”

  “Zack’s blood has made them nearly as powerful as your kind, and there are dozens of them. Oh, fuck. It’s a trap. Demetri watched us jumped from the falls, but he didn’t pursue us. He wanted you guys to come after Mia. Take her and get out of here,” Caleb said. “While Nikolas is dealing with Demetri, I will do my best to hold the vampires back for as long a
s possible so you have a chance of getting away.”

  “We all stick together,” Haden said.

  “I’m too weak,” Caleb explained. “I would only slow you down. Just get her the hell out of here.”

  “We leave together. I will carry you.” Haden gestured toward the sky. “I will go and scout the area before we leave, but I’m certain taking the sky will be our safest route.” Flames started at his feet and slowly moved to his head. In a matter of seconds Haden’s body was engulfed in black flames, and he disappeared.

  Caleb smiled at Mia as he rubbed the back of his head. “My head is throbbing like a son of a bitch. I can’t believe you knocked me out after I saved you.” He looked at Joseph. “By the way, good luck with her. She’s stubborn as hell.” He shifted his gaze back to Mia. “And mean. Really, really mean.”

  “I saved you first. And I wouldn’t have had to hit your head if you hadn’t tried to use mind control on me to get your way.” She smiled at him. “It doesn’t work on me.”

  Caleb nodded once. “Trust me—I’ve taken note of it.”

  Joseph saw something in Caleb he’d never seen before. Quite possibly the oldest vampire in existence, he was generally moody and quiet. Now, with trouble all around, he was joking. He was laughing. Caleb didn’t joke and sure as hell didn’t laugh.

  Joseph turned to Mia. “How hard did you hit him?”

  “Pretty hard.”

  “It’s true.” Caleb said. “For being so small, she packs a punch. Unfortunately, I didn’t know she wasn’t very susceptible to my charms until my back was turned.”

  “I faked you out,” Mia said.

  “And you did a damn good job of it.”

  Joseph looked at Mia. “You know I’m proud of you, right?”

  Caleb lowered his brow. “You deserve each other.”

  * * *

  Mia turned to face Joseph. “I agree.” His eyes were black but glowing with red, flame-like flecks. He looked ferocious. Beautiful. Perfect in every way. He was her man. The air left her lungs in a rush as he grabbed her and crushed her body against his.

  He framed her face in his hands. “I love you, Mia.”

  Tears burning behind her eyes, she stared into her warrior’s eyes. She couldn’t find her voice.

  “You are and will always be my true, my only mate.”

  She felt twisted in every way possible. What was he saying? Did he know there was no hope? “Joseph, are we going to die today?”

  “No. I know you’re strong. I know you aren’t afraid of fighting. But I’m afraid. I need you to stay merged with me and close to me at all times so I can aid you.”

  Mia nodded. “I promise.” There was no way she would deny him. She held out her hands. “I could use my knife and gun if you could conjure them up for me.”

  “I have much better weapons for you to use. Do you remember when I told you that the elements, the powers of the universe, are a part of me?”

  “I do.”

  “Do you want them? Do you trust me enough to use them?”

  “Yes.”

  He turned her back to him and lifted her arms to the sky. “Reach for it. Take it from me.”

  She glanced over her shoulder. “Are you screwing around with me?”

  “No.” He turned her around and framed her face in his hands. “All that I have, all that I am, belongs to you. You have to believe in me, trust me. Can you do that?”

  She nodded. “I do, Joseph.”

  He lifted her arms. “Reach for what is mine. Command it to come to you.”

  “Oh fuck. What the hell are you doing, Joseph?” Caleb took a few steps back. “You can’t give a woman that kind of power.”

  Mia looked at Caleb. “Why?”

  “Estrogen.” Caleb smiled.

  “Huh?”

  He pointed at his head. “You know it makes a woman unbalanced.”

  “Are you serious?”

  “Crazy. Wacko Nutty.”

  Mia looked up at Joseph. “He’s an asshole.”

  Joseph nodded. “I agree.” He turned her around and lifted her arms. “Just believe.” He bent his head so that she felt his breath on her ear. “All you need to do is believe that what is mine is yours. It’s going to be intense, but it would never hurt you because I would never hurt you. Believe that my heart and soul belong to you just as yours belong to me.”

  “What the fuck, Joseph. She’s going to fucking kill everyone. Including us.”

  Mia closed her eyes. She went to the secret place in her mind where his presence was always the strongest. She felt the power growing around her. It was building into something incredible. It was like when they were making love. Her body, soul, and spirit united with his. They were one.

  She opened her eyes. They were surrounded by fire. It was a cocoon of power. She turned to face Caleb and smiled.

  “Aww, fuck. Call her off.”

  “We need him to fight,” Joseph teased.

  “A li’l bit won’t hurt him too badly, right?”

  “Nah. Not if he’s fast enough to be any good to us when we need him. And it’s probably a good idea for you to try it out before the real bad guys get here. Go ahead.”

  “Joseph, I’m going to kick your mother fucking … aww, fuck.” Caleb dodged a burst of power, got up, and got slammed by another.

  Haden came down fast and landed hard in the form of his dragon. The ground shook beneath his massive weight. “If we stay low, we can get them out of here by way of the sky.”

  Joseph turned to Mia and just stared at her. He’d never been so afraid. He knew Haden intended for them to muscle their way through the vampires and ghouls in the sky. Normally, he would’ve considered it entertainment. But doing something so dangerous with her scared the hell out of him. He didn’t know what to do. Normally he was in control, and his powers and abilities were nearly limitless. His mind worked more efficiently than any supercomputer. But at that moment, he didn’t know what to do.

  Smiling, Mia took the collar of his shirt and pulled him to her level. “Don’t look worried. We both know my time on earth is nearing an end. No matter what happens tonight I’m at peace. You’ve given me more love and happiness than I’ve ever known.”

  “I love you, Mia.” Joseph rested his forehead on hers. “You’re the one.” He kissed her. “No matter what fate has dictated, there’s no other love for me.”

  Standing on the tips of her toes, she wrapped her arms around his neck. “I love you, too, Joseph.”

  He picked her up off her feet and kissed her. “We will survive this night together.”

  “If we head toward the east, there’s a good chance we will be able get them out of here without harm. The numbers are far less. Nikolas and Demetri are fighting near the river.”

  Joseph nodded. He set Mia down, and then he walked several feet away and took the form of the dragon.

  Joseph walked back to Mia and lowered his body. “Caleb, help her get onto my back. And be gentle.”

  Caleb caught her around the waist from behind and, easily taking her with him, jumped onto the dragon’s back. Once she had her balance, he jumped off and then made his way onto Haden’s back.

  “There’s nothing to hold onto, Joseph.”

  “Lay flat,” he said. “I promise you won’t fall. I can hold you to me.”

  She did as he said. “I hope you’re right.”

  “I would never do this if you could fall. Test it out. Try to roll off.”

  He felt her mind struggle to force her body to move. “I can’t move at all.”

  Joseph laughed within himself because rather than relieved she was frustrated. And mad. She was most definitely mad. She liked to be in control, and as long as she couldn’t move she didn’t have any at all.

  “You go first, and I will follow. Remember to stay low,” Haden cautioned. “They’re using powerful web spells. If you get too far above the treetops you’ll fall like a brick.”

  “That sounds painful,” Mia said.

>   “We won’t fall. Close your eyes, Mia.” Joseph stretched his wings. “Take slow and easy breaths. It will not be easy. The speed we will be traveling will make you feel as if you’re choking if you panic. Don’t be afraid. Merge with me, and allow me to regulate your breathing.”

  “I’m not closing my eyes. I want to see everything. And I won’t panic because I trust you. Don’t worry about my breathing—just get us out of this. I have another problem that needs your attention.” She opened her mind fully to share an erotic image of their bodies tangled together, making love, in her mind.

  “Now that is a problem I will enjoy finding ways to solve.” He made sure she felt the heat of his breath on the back of her neck. He made sure she felt his arms surrounding her, holding her close.

  He was so deeply merged with her that he knew Mia felt him gathering strength. He knew she could feel his huge muscles rippling beneath the dragon’s hot scales. Tears were in her eyes, but they had nothing to do with fear. He felt her take a deep breath and hold it. He felt strange emotions in her, but she was shielding them.

  “I wasn’t purposely shielding anything from you. I was trying to work out the details of a memory. I’ve been here with you before. I think it was a childhood dream.”

  “You dreamed of me?” Since he wasn’t her mate, it was odd that she would dream of him before they’d met. It would’ve been expected if she’d been his mate.

  “No, not you. I dreamed of having my very own dragon. He was much better trained than you. And even better, the only time he opened his mouth was to breathe fire.”

  “If you want fire, I’ll give you fire.” Joseph lifted his head and shot out fire as he roared.

  ~ Twenty ~