In the Light of the Moon (Dark War Chronicles)

by Kessler, A. L.

  Jax noted the wording but shrugged it off. “Then why is she with Lucius?”

  “The other vampire must have taken her there. He tricked her into staying with them and now that he’s dead she can leave. We told you that.”

  Jax’s panther growled as the man mentioned another male in Kass’ life. “Who killed the male?”

  “Lucius.” He shrugged. “Kass would be able to find a proper mate if she returned home.”

  Jax’s heart skipped a beat. A proper mate, him, his panther. He tried to hide the smile the crossed his face. “It’ll be easier for me to get her than any of you guys. I’m already established in the territory.”

  “Good, I’ll let Sarah know that you’ll bring Kass in.”

  Sarah, another female panther. Jax crinkled his nose. “I thought it was your father looking for Kass, not your mother.”

  “Sarah is our sister, our mother was killed over twenty years ago. She is going by my father’s orders, he has other things to worry about back home. Our clan is affected by the war as well, you know.”

  “I didn’t, I don’t have a clan so really the war doesn’t bother me. No one I love is involved with it.” But there was a voice in his mind that whispered Kass was involved, working for Lucius as his killer.

  The male in front of him laughed. “Once we get this sorted, maybe you can join our clan, we need people who aren’t blood. Variety is good.”

  “If Kass is there and safe, that might not be a bad idea.” Jax mumbled, looking away from the male, watching as a human came to the check in desk. “I will try to get her away from the vampires before the next full moon. We will have to teach her control again though, Lucius stripped her of it.”

  The male rubbed his chin. “Interesting.” He held his hand out. “It was good to meet with you Jaxon, I look forward to getting my sister back, safe. Family is all we have.”

  Jax shook the bigger man’s hand and nodded. “I’ll see what I can do for you.” As he watched his client leave the lobby Jax couldn’t shake the feeling of dread that caused his stomach to clench and his panther to pace.

  Running, always running. Trees rushed passed her as her paws moved silently across the forest ground. Her paws pressed into the soft dirt, leaving prints that would be easy to track, but she needed to try and escape. She could hear the snarls and growls of the others behind her, seeking to punish her. The taste of blood from the last deer coated her tongue, soothing the starvation pains in her stomach and calming her anger, putting even her human-self at ease. Her two brothers hunted her to return her to her father so she could receive punishment for eating the last meal on the property. She snarled as one blindsided her, slamming her into a tree.

  Kass opened her eyes to see Lucius’ black ones staring back at her.

  “Stay with me, kitty, you’re hurt bad this time.”

  She raised a hand to her head with a groan. “I’ll heal, let me shift, please?”

  “Not right now, your panther is too angry.” He pulled tight on the bandage around her leg, adding to the pressure on the wounds there. “Had to send Mae back to the mansion because she wanted to feed from you. What the fuck were you thinking, fighting that panther?” The pain grounded her a bit, letting her focus.

  Kass leaned her head to the side as the room spun. She took a few deep breaths as her stomach threatened to empty itself. “Didn’t know he was out there.” Her vision started fading again. “No, no, no.” She grumbled as the blackness pulled her down.

  Human form now, a silver collar around her neck, the pain threaded through her muscles and bones as her father tortured her. He tried to call her beast knowing that it would not come while she was wearing that collar. “Feel it Kassity?” The way he said her name made her sick, drawing it out as if it was foreign. “She wants out to kill me, for the pain that you’re in.”

  She raised her eyes, her jaw clenched as her muscles seized trying to shift. “Can’t say I blame her.” She wouldn’t beg, she never begged him. She endured anything that he threw at her. Her head whipped to the side as the door clicked open and her brothers stalked in, all in panther form. She tugged against the wall, panic climbing through her as she saw the look of malice in their eyes.

  “Kass, Kassity, keep talking.” The way Lucius said her name reminded her of her father.

  She blinked up at him. “Hit my head pretty hard, it’s healing though, pain is fading.”

  “That’s good, tell me what happened, which brother was it?” He tore the rest of her shirt away so he could examine the already healing claw marks there.

  She frowned. “How’d you know that it was one of my brothers?”

  “Who else would attack you? It wasn’t Jax, it’s not his scent.” He traced a hand over the wounds, causing a whimper to come out of her mouth. “No new scars, you’re lucky, he cut you deep. Now, which one?”

  “Garret.” She whispered her eyes shutting of their own accord.

  The soft singing brought her back from the pain, the brush of a cold hand smoothed her sweat soaked hair away from her eyes. She looked up and met Sarah’s brown eyes. When had she come back from school? Kass tried to sit up, but Sarah held her down.

  “You’re hurt again. Picking fights at the clubs?”

  Kass knew this argument and knew how her brothers lied to her sister. “Yeah, you know me, taking on guys twice my size.” She whispered and a pain formed in her chest as she lied to her sister. Never taking a panther form allowed Sarah the freedom Kass wanted. Needed.

  “Well, you’ve got your big sister here now. No more fighting.” Sarah’s smiled, “Mother would never approve of you fighting.”

  But their mothers weren’t the same. Kass rolled over, keeping her head in Sarah’s lap. “Some days I don’t have a choice.” She whispered, closing her eyes.

  Kass jumped when freezing cold water flooded over her. She landed in a crouch, her eyes searching the empty room for her attacker.

  Lucius chuckled at her reaction. “Feeling better then? You were dreaming.”

  “How long have I been out?” She wiped the water from her face and then squeezed it from her hair. “And could you not have found a better way to wake me?”

  “A day, and you were having a nightmare. I know how hard you are to wake from one.” He crossed his arms. “Dreaming about home again?”

  Anger crawled through her. “Yeah, we can thank Garret for that. What is he doing in your territory?”

  “I do not know. Kassity, watch your temper. I need you by my side tonight. We have a meeting with the local wolf pack.” He motioned to her. “Go wash up and meet me in the foyer.”

  Meetings meant trouble, something must have shifted in the war, and yet Lucius remained calm when he mentioned it. She narrowed her eyes at him before wandering into her bathroom, hoping hot water could wash away the nightmares.

  Kass walked in to the foyer, looking around to see if the wolves had arrived yet. Her legs still shook under her, but thanks to being a shifter the pain continued to fade and the damage already started to heal. Her leather pants didn’t irritate the wound on her leg at all, but the black long sleeve shirt bothered her shoulder. The v-neck of it plunged low enough to show off the ample cleavage that she hated.

  Lucius stood behind his human, tying a length of fabric around her eyes, and pulling her hair over the back of it. He kissed the woman’s cheek. “You look beautiful, Tegan.” He murmured. He took Tegan’s hand and led her to his throne, helping the female sit and arrange herself.

  Kass shivered at the sight, she never saw Tegan’s eyes and her hair white hair never shown roots of a different color and Kass believed without a doubt it was a natural occurrence. Lucius turned from his human and looked at Kass.

  “Kitty, you look lovely.” He held his hand out to her. “There are precautions that must be taken tonight.” A silver collar appeared in his other hand.

  She snarled at him as her panther shrank back in her. “No.”

  “Kassity.”

  “
You think something’s going to trigger her and bring her out tonight. Despite the block you’ve placed between us.” She stated, ignoring the warning in his voice. “A silver collar is torture.”

  “It is needed tonight.” He snapped and pulled on his power in her.

  Kass felt like a thread was pulling her towards him, a puppet obeying its master. She snarled as she had no choice but to kneel in front of him.

  He snapped the collar around her neck. “Good kitty.”

  “How come the silver doesn’t burn you?” She whispered, trying to get used to the burning sensation around her neck.

  He chuckled and went to his throne. “That low of silver concentration is made to feel uncomfortable and to keep the beast at bay. I am too old for it to bother me.” He walked over to his throne. “Come, the wolves are here.”

  She pulled herself up from the ground and walked over to him trying not to touch the collar. Kass laid her hand in Lucius glaring at him. “How nice, it means I won’t have a scar to add to my collection.”

  “A strong panther like you having scars? Must do your fair share of fighting.”

  The new, deep male voice made her pause, turning slightly from Lucius until he grabbed her wrist to pull her along.

  Kass smirked as she knelt on the opposite side of Lucius throne. “You have no idea.”

  “Impressive cat you’ve got there.” The male’s blond hair was cut close to his head, his blue eyes wandering over her body as he grinned.

  “You’re here to talk business, Derrik.” Lucius reminded him with a growl, sitting back in his throne. “Something about your wolves being killed?”

  Derrik nodded. “Your last raid really took a toll on my pack. We had three of our security people killed and two of our bartenders.”

  “They were careless, what do you expect?” Lucius shrugged. “It’s part of war, the weak get killed.”

  He took a step forward, his fists clenched. “Part of the war? I loaned you my members as part of the treaty and now I’m short handed a club that you fund.” He snapped. “I need more employees if you’re going to keep sending my men on wild, dangerous goose chases.”

  “That last one was a success, we located the corpse that we think the stone belongs to.” Lucius and Kass both looked over as Tegan stiffened at the mention of this stone. “You want more employees, go hire some. All I did was give your pack the money to start the club. I really want nothing to do with it because it is a place for you and your kind to hide.”

  Derrik shook his head. “You want me to hire humans? You’ve got to be kidding me. Humans don’t belong in our world, it’s dangerous.”

  “What do you suggest then?” Lucius pressed his fingertips together and leaned forward. “That I give you employees? I have a bar to run too.”

  He shrugged. “Just give us some people on loan, at least until I can find other sups to fill in.” His eyes fell on Kass. “Like her.”

  The panther in her stirred, she didn’t want to be part of the wolf’s club, she didn’t want to work under anyone but Lucius. Stupid cat. Kass tried to keep her growl under control while she tried to squish her cat down.

  “Kass is one of my best in bartending and in security, you get her you don’t get anyone else.” Lucius voice was calm.

  She let her eyes slide to him, “You’re giving me to the wolves?”

  “You have a problem with dogs little one?” Derrik asked with a laugh. “Promise we won’t bite.”

  “Kassity, after last night it’s safer that you’re somewhere else anyways. We don’t know how they found your or why they want you back. So you will work for the wolves and fill in for me when I need you. Until the debt is paid and things are better. You understand?” A trundle of power brushed her, threatening her with just a little pain that promised more.

  She swallowed her snarl as a thrill went through her. “Understood.” She looked up at the wolf. “I have nothing against you, my panther just doesn’t like wolves. So speak to her.” The beast stirred in her, pushing against her skin and her bones seemed to creak a little. With a groan she shrank back against Lucius.

  The vampire put a hand on her head and her beast calmed.

  “Some control you have over your kitten. I’ll take her as long as she’s not a ticking time bomb.” Derrik waved his hand. “I don’t need any trouble on my hands.”

  Kass glared at him. “She won’t come out unless provoked or Lucius tells her to come out. Stupid cat won’t listen to me.”

  “Fair enough, you start tomorrow.” Derrik’s gaze shifted to Lucius. “You sure the stone belongs to him?”

  “Sent it away.” Tegan’s voice was so soft that Kass wasn’t even sure the female spoke. “Sent it away.”

  Lucius looked down at the human. “You did what?”

  “Sent it away.”

  Kass noted the fine tremor that shook Tegan’s body and frowned. “Tegan?”

  “Sent it away!” The woman clutched her head and doubled over. “Sent it away!”

  Lucius growled at Derrik. “You are dismissed, I need to handle my human.”

  “Of course. See you tomorrow, Kass.” His eyes were all for Tegan who was rocking back in forth.

  Kass nodded and moved to Tegan’s side. “Tegan, can you hear me?”

  “Sent it away!”

  “Fuck.” Lucius pushed Kass out of the way and put his hands on either side of Tegan’s head and forced the woman to hold still. “Tegan, listen.”

  Kass shivered as his power filled the room and demanded attention from Tegan. Tegan’s head came up a little as her hands rose to remove the fabric.

  “No, not yet.” Lucius voice softened. “Kass is still in the room. What happened, Tegan? Why did you send the stone away?”

  Tegan shook her head. “Pain, pain, oh gods Lucius it hurts.” She laid her hands over his. “Sent it away.”

  “What’s happened?” Kass sat back on her heels. “She shouldn’t be able to deny you an answer.”

  Lucius pulled Tegan into his arms. “A vampire has messed with her mind.”

  Tegan clawed at him. “Sent the stone away.”

  “Do you know where?” He asked, wrapping his arms around her.

  “No.” She pulled back, shaking her head.

  Lucius nodded and looked at Kass. “Come here and I will take the collar off. I’ll deal with this, you get some rest. You have a big day tomorrow at the club.” He stood and held Tegan’s hand to help her up.

  Kass nodded and rose from the floor. Going to him she raised her hair so he could unlatch the collar. “I still can’t believe you’re loaning me out.”

  “Get over it, it’ll be good for you.” He snapped as he pulled the collar off. “Now go.”

  Before she left she glanced back at Lucius and Tegan. He pulled the woman close to him, holding her as if she would break and kissing the top of her head.

  Quinn walked into the meeting room with the vampires. The Circle, head of all vampires, demanded an update on the search for his daughter. They had come to him when they heard the rumors about her and now wanted her for themselves. He should have killed the bitch when he had the chance. Now that he had an update from his sons he had something to give The Circle. The cold room felt more like a clinic than an meeting room, with a screen wall at the other end. There he could see seven human like shapes sitting. The silhouette routine showed how much The Circle didn’t trust him.

  “You call for my aid, yet you hide.” Quinn growled.

  “We hide for your safety.” A male voice sounded. “You have news on your daughter?”

  Quinn watched as the figures remained motionless. “I do. We are in the process of getting her back, but she is under the protection of Lucius. The advantage of this is that she has already been trained to kill.”

  “And the mark? Has it appeared?”

  He shook his head. “If it has, it’s not visible.” He waited as the silence fell over him, making the beast inside him nervous. The war was growing out of hand, but he
knew that if there was anyone to ally with, it was The Circle.

  “We need to know if the mark has appeared. Once you get her, check her for it.”

  “Her mother promised me that it would appear. She just escaped our grasp before it could.”

  “Get her back. If the mark has appeared bring her to us and we can promise to keep you safe.”

  Quinn shivered, knowing what the alternative was. “I have another daughter-“

  “But she does not carry the mark.” The vampire hissed back. “We are interested in only Kassity.”

  “Understood.” He swallowed and then bowed. “Is that all?”

  Something shifted behind the screen; just a subtle movement, but Quinn heard it. “Do not harm any of Lucius’ other people unless they attack you. Get your daughter and get out. We cannot have any attention drawn to us at this time.”

  “Understood.” Quinn turned to leave. He would do anything to protect his sons in this supernatural war. Anything.

  Chapter Five

  Jax looked up at the man who walked up to his table. The crowd of the cafe bustled around them, paying no attention to the two non-humans who joined each other for a cup of coffee. The demon’s eyes glinted in the morning sun as he pulled the chair out and sat, grinning at Jax.

  “You bring me the money?”

  Jax slid an envelope over. “There you go, plus tickets to the concert you requested. You have some strange demands for a demon.”

  “I like to have my fun.” He snorted. “What did you want in return?”

  “I need to know what’s been going on, rumor has it that the wolves lost a few top notch fighters in the last battle against the demons.”

  Kaden nodded and sighed. “Yeah, the alpha lost his brother in it, bloody battle. They were trying to protect something that Lucius wanted. What it was is unknown. But Lucius lost a few of his vampires as well. Heard you’ve been hanging around his territory a lot. Find anything interesting?”

  “No comment. Any news on the fae and others? I heard they were starting to heat things up as well, that the demons were working on getting them to choose their sides.”