Toma (The Dark Shadows #2)

by Ariel Marie

  “Let me talk to him,” Toma asked, his eyes locked on the necromancer.

  He wondered if this was the necromancer that attacked Anika. He could feel his fangs descend as he stared into the room. They still had no proof of who had attacked her, but taking out one necromancer would make Toma feel slightly better.

  It was time to end this. First they attacked his sister and tried to capture her several times and now they had moved onto his mate. He promised himself that he would get his revenge on whoever had laid a hand on Anika.

  “Fuck no,” Nicu said stalking to the door that led into the necromancer. “You stay out here Toma and calm the fuck down. Ronin, you’re with me.”

  Toma scowled as he watched Ronin and Nicu enter the room. Leaving him with Adrian and Teague was a setup. He could feel the questions coming.

  “Talk Toma,” Adrian said confirming Toma’s suspicion. “We’re not going to sit here and baby sit you and ask you about your fucking feelings since that didn’t seem to work before.”

  Toma glanced at Adrian who stood next to him with his arms folded across his chest. “It’s nothing I can’t handle.”

  “I can’t tell. If I didn’t know any better, I would say you were a vampire who found his mate,” Adrian said staring at Toma. “Holy shit, you found your mate, didn’t you?”

  “That makes sense to me,” Teague chimed in.

  “You’re both crazy,” Toma said not looking at his brothers.

  He chose instead to pay attention to Nicu and Ronin in the other room. Ronin stood in the corner, leaning against the wall as Nicu walked around the necromancer.

  “It makes sense, your temper, the blow ups, the recklessness, your sudden requests for the most violent assignments…” He glanced at Adrian, finding his eyes widened in awe.

  “Who is it?” Teague asked.

  “It doesn’t matter,” Toma said, gripping the windowsill as he focused his attention in the other room. “Leave it alone.”

  “Is it Cesar’s daughter? You two seemed really friendly the night of the ball,” Adrian said trying to dig for more information.

  “She was hot,” Teague said nodding.

  “No, Cassia is not my mate. We are just friends,” Toma snapped. “We need to listen to Nicu,” he said, needing to change the subject.

  He wasn’t going to go any further with this conversation. His brothers didn’t need to know that his mate was a short curvy caramel brown-skinned female who made his dick hard just thinking of her smile.

  “What is your name necromancer?” Nicu asked the necromancer.

  “I’m not telling you anything, vampire,” the necromancer’s voice came out rough as he shifted his shoulders as if testing the handcuffs.

  “We have ways to make you talk, necro, so it’s your choice,” Nicu growled, grabbing the necro by the back of his neck. “But I don’t think you would want us to make you, it won’t be as comfortable.”

  “Fuck you, vampire.”

  15

  ~Anika~

  “I’m going to go ahead and turn in,” Anika said dragging herself off the couch and into the kitchen carrying her plate and empty wine glass.

  “Really? It’s not even that late,” her sister Selena called out from the living room. “You’re getting old!”

  “Whatever!” she shouted back as she rinsed off her dishes and placed them into the dishwasher.

  After a night of watching old action movies, pizza and wine, it was time for Anika to call it a night. She was exhausted. She had been unable to sleep well the last few nights due to her nightmares returning.

  “I have to get up early in the morning,” she explained to her sister as she walked back into the living room. “I promised mom that I would go over to their house.”

  “Ugh, she roped you into coming over there to help her clean out the attic?”

  “Yes, she did. With you going to work tomorrow, she knew I didn’t have anything to do since I’m not back at work yet,” Anika said leaning against the couch.

  “Well good luck with that,” Selena said, a sly look coming across her face. “You could always call Brian and hang out with him.”

  “How many times do I have to tell you that we are just friends,” Anika rolled her eyes.

  Since the night of the Olaru’s ball, Brian had stayed in contact with her. They had spoken on the phone a few times and even went to dinner once, even though he didn’t eat anything being that he was a Vampire. “I don’t want to lead him on.”

  “What are you waiting for? It’s not like you have had a steady boyfriend in at least a year after you broke up with what’s his name,” Selena said waving her hand as if Anika’s ex-boyfriend’s name would just appear out of thin air.

  “It’s complicated,” she started, flopping down onto the couch. “There was someone.”

  “You bitch!” Selena exclaimed, tossing a throw pillow at Anika. “Who is it and why am I just now finding out?”

  “I can’t talk about it now,” she sighed hugging the pillow to her chest while staring up at the ceiling. “It’s not going to work out and I’ll just have to get over it.”

  “Aw, sis,” Selena sighed. “I know over the years, we haven’t been the closest, but just know whenever you are ready to talk about it I’ll be here to listen.”

  “Thanks, Selena,” she said, giving her sister a small smile. “My buzz from the wine is fading. I’m going to jump in the shower so I can get to bed.”

  She bid her sister goodnight and grabbed her toiletries and towel before jumping into the shower that she now shared with her sister.

  Her thoughts drifted to Toma for the millionth time as she lathered up the shampoo in her hair. She wondered who the female was that he had kissed at the ball. The female vampire had to be his mate for him to show public affection. A sad smile graced her lips.

  At least he’s found someone to spend the rest of his life with.

  She shook her head at that thought. Do vampires have weddings? There would be no way that she would be able to attend a wedding where Toma married another woman. She would have to think of a good excuse to give Nadira if it ever came to that.

  Maybe she should listen to her sister and call Brian. She dipped under the shower spray and rinsed her hair. Brian’s a nice guy and all, but he just didn’t do it for her like Toma had.

  But he could take your mind off Toma. A voice said in the back of her mind.

  Her heart still hurt just thinking of the kiss she witnessed between Toma and the mystery woman. Not too long ago, those lips of his graced every inch of her body, fulfilling her every fantasy and bringing her the most orgasms she had ever had. Her body tingled thinking of the last time they were together. A tear slid out of her eye, for there would be no future for them.

  She quickly wiped the tear away and finished her shower. She walked into her room, shutting the door behind her. She stepped over to the window, peeking out of it to see if she could see her around the clock vampire guard.

  Since she moved out of the Olaru mansion, the king had kept his promise of providing a guard to protect her and her sister. Her sister was still oblivious of the protection or even the need for it.

  She peered into the night noticing the same dark colored car that had sat on the opposite side of the street since she moved in with her sister. She wondered who it was tonight. Her guards rotated and the only one she really knew was Idris. He had been her guard when Nadira was attacked and the Olaru’s were concerned about her safety then.

  She moved away from the window, throwing on her nightgown. She sat on the edge of her bed and began braiding her damp hair into two french braids to let it air dry. Her cellphone beeped from it’s place on her nightstand as she was putting the finishing touches on the last braid. She grabbed it and swiped her finger across screen it to read the message. Her heart stuttered as she read the message from a blocked number.

  Where is she?

  She paused for a second, not sure if she should respond. Her hand shook as
she hit the reply button.

  Who is this?

  She responded and waited for a reply. She stood, going over to the window again, not knowing how to flag down her guard. She pulled the curtains closed, blocking any view into her bedroom. Her phone dinged again.

  The person watching you.

  She gasped, running over to the closet to throw on a pair of yoga pants, a t-shirt and tennis shoes. Her phone dinged again causing her to pause. She was afraid to see what it said next. Her hands continued to shake as she picked it up.

  Where do you think you are going?

  How the hell could this person see her? She ran her trembling hands through her hair as she thought of what she should do. Should she try to run out to the car and tell whoever was guarding her tonight? She had her sister to think of, she couldn’t just up and leave Selena alone unprotected.

  She cracked open her bedroom door, not hearing anything come from the living room. She crept into their windowless bathroom shutting the door, not wanting to stay in her room where the person must be able to see her. She dialed the emergency contact number in her phone.

  “Anika?” Nicu’s voice came across loud and clear.

  “Nicu, um,” she said, pausing to blow out a shaky breath.

  “What’s wrong? Are you okay?” he demanded, concern lining his voice.

  “I’m not sure,” she began. “ I’ve gotten a few texts from some anonymous phone number from someone who seems to be able to see me.”

  “What did they say?” he asked. She told him what the texts said. She could hear hollering and scuffling in the background that faded as if he moved away from the noise. “Idris, is on duty tonight. Adrian is calling him now. I want you to stay on the phone with me until he comes into the apartment.”

  “Ok, but what do I tell Selena?” she asked opening the door to the bathroom and creeping to the living room. She could hear her sister’s bedroom television blaring through the door as she walked down the hallway.

  “There are two things we could do, one, you tell her everything tonight,” he said.

  She shook her head, knowing that tonight would not be the best time to tell her sister what had really been going on. She may not take learning about vampires as well as Anika had.

  “What’s the second option?” she asked sitting on the edge of the couch waiting for Idris to knock on the door.

  “Second option, is Idris compels your sister to sleep and he stays in the apartment all night. It won’t harm her in any way and I guarantee she’ll get the best sleep she’s had in a while.”

  “Option two,” she said, wanting to keep her sister safe. “Shouldn’t he be here by now?” she asked, nervousness starting to settle in. Nicu spoke to someone in the distance.

  Her phone beeped again signaling a text message. She glanced down at the phone, her heart pounding in her chest as she read the latest message.

  Your sister is beautiful. I’m sure you wouldn’t want anything to happen to her.

  She bit her lip, not knowing how to respond to the message. This had to be the necromancers.

  What do you want? She typed into her phone hesitating for a second before she sent the message. She paused, waiting to see if the person would respond.

  “Anika?” Nicu’s voice could be heard coming from the ear pierce. She hit the button on her phone to put him on speakerphone so she could wait for the response and speak to him.

  “I’m here,” she said. “What’s wrong?”

  “Idris is not answering his phone. Do not leave the apartment. Back up is on its way,” Nicu instructed. Her phone beeped. She swallowed hard at the message.

  You. The vampires cannot protect you and your sister. Save your sister and come outside to the vampire’s car.

  “Um, okay,” she said to Nicu who was barking orders to someone off the phone. She couldn’t risk her sister’s life. She stared down at her phone as another message came through.

  Your sister is beautiful as she sleeps. She would make a wonderful puppet.

  Her decision was made. She stood up, hitting the end call button on her phone, disconnecting the phone call. She walked over to the door, opened it and stepped outside quietly shutting it behind her.

  16

  ~Toma~

  “Calm the fuck down Toma!” Adrian shouted as he, Teague and Ronin wrestled Toma to the ground.

  The minute that Nicu said that he lost the phone call with Anika and Idris was nowhere to be found, Toma lost it. That fine line between sanity and madness broke instantly. He growled, unable to move because of the three huge vampires holding him in place.

  He could feel his fangs descending and he wanted to kill something. Someone was fucking with his mate and Toma would not hesitate to kill to protect Anika.

  “Let me up!” he roared trying to buck them off of him.

  “Not until you explain what the fuck your problem is,” Nicu shouted back as he paced back and forth pausing to stare at Toma as realization dawned upon his face. “Holy shit,” Nicu breathed staring at Toma.

  Toma’s heart clenched as he realized his oldest brother had figured out his secret.

  “Anika’s your fucking mate isn’t she?” Nicu asked, as the puzzle pieces fell into place.

  Toma bared his fangs trying to loosen the grips of his unit, his brothers and brothers in arms. Ronin looked down at him, pity showing in his eyes. It caused him to fight them even more, trying to get loose. He didn’t want anyone’s pity or sympathy.

  “Let me up dammit!” he shouted.

  They could not keep him from his mate. He had to go to her. He would fight them all to get to her.

  “Admit it!” Nicu snapped.

  Toma growled looking around at his brothers and Ronin. “Anika is my fucking mate! Now. Let. Me. Up!”

  “Let him up,” Nicu commanded, crossing his arms in front of his chest. He warily watched as Toma slowly stood. “How long have you known that Anika was your mate?”

  “Since the first day we met,” Toma answered, bracing himself for the negative comments about him having a human for a mate.

  Adrian, Teague and Nicu may be his brothers and Ronin a close friend, but he wouldn’t hesitate to defend his mate’s honor.

  “You know we all love Anika as if she is a sister already, Toma.” Teague, always the reasonable brother spoke up. “Why didn’t you tell us?”

  “I’ve tried for years to stay away from her,” he admitted shaking his head. “But lately, I haven’t been able too.”

  “Does she know?” Adrian asked.

  “About being my mate?” Toma shook his head. “No, she doesn’t know.”

  “We’ll find her,” Nicu vowed. “Ronin, I want you to take care of our guest in the other room. Make him talk.”

  “That won’t be a problem,” Ronin said nodding his head. A hard glint appeared in Ronin’s eyes that reminded Toma that he was glad Ronin was on their side.

  “Any means necessary,” Nicu ordered. “We’re going after Toma’s mate.”

  * * *

  “What do we tell Selena?” Adrian asked as they pulled up to the apartment complex that Anika shared with her sister.

  “We’ll question her and find out what she knows, if anything, and then erase her memory of us being here tonight.” Nicu said to everyone in the truck. “We’ll have her believe that Anika went out with Nadira to buy us some time.”

  “I don’t see Idris’s car,” Teague spoke up from the back seat.

  “Adrian, Teague. I want you to check the perimeter around the apartment building. Look for any signs of Idris. Toma and I will go up to the apartment,” Nicu instructed as they got out of the SUV.

  They quickly split up with Toma and Nicu making their way to the second floor apartment that Anika shared with her sister. Toma knocked on the door.

  “We’ll find her,” Nicu assured Toma. Footsteps could be heard in the apartment. He could hear someone on the other side of the door looking through the peephole.

  “Who is it?” Se
lena called out from the other side of the door.

  “Toma and Nicu,” Toma answered.

  “Who is it?” she repeated.

  “We’re Nadira’s brothers,” he explained, not wanting to alarm her. She opened the door, looking slightly confused.

  “Nadira is not here, at least I don’t think she’s here,” she said scratching her head. “Where are my manners? Please come in.”

  “Thank you,” Nicu said as they stepped into the small apartment, closing the door behind them.

  “Let me go wake up Anika, maybe she will know where Nadira is.” Selena turned to go down the hallway.

  “That’s not necessary,” Toma said, brushing past Selena to walk down the hallway. He could hear Nicu speaking softly to Selena as he pushed opened the door to what had to be Anika’s room.

  Her smell still lingered in the room. He could even tell that she had just taken a shower. Her bed was slightly rumpled but there didn’t seem to be anything out of the ordinary.

  She got dressed before she disappeared. He realized noticing her nightgown was thrown haphazardly on the floor.

  His chest tightened at the thought that something had happened to his mate. He looked around the room once more before walking back into the living room where Nicu was speaking to Selena in a soft voice. Her eyes were glazed over as Nicu used his vampiric compulsion.

  “When you wake up in the morning, you will have remembered Anika telling you that she was going out with Nadira,” Nicu said to Selena. “Now return to your bed and go to sleep.”

  Toma watched as Selena walked in a trance to her bedroom. “Did she hear or see anything?” he asked.

  “No,” Nicu said shaking his head. “She said that Anika had taken a shower and the last thing she heard before she fell asleep was Anika closing her bedroom door.”

  “Shit,” Toma cursed frustrated that there was no clear-cut answer.

  “Anything in her room?”

  “No signs of a struggle,” Toma said, running his hand through his hair. “She did get dressed before she left though.” A slight knock sounded at the door before it opened with Adrian peeking his head through.