In the Light of the Moon (Dark War Chronicles)

by Kessler, A. L.

  “She’s no use to us without the mark.” The voice snarled.

  “She still moves and fights like an immortal. That is what you need, is it not?”

  A beat of silence and Quinn thought his logic sunk into the vampire. “What are you doing with her now?”

  “Trying one more thing to see if the mark appears. If it does not appear we will work on breaking her until she works for us. I know her past. I know the key to turning her into a mindless killer now.” Thanks to his little chat with her all he needed to do was for her beast to take control. If Lucius could do it, so could Quinn.

  “And you think that will work?” The vampire asked.

  “I have no doubt. Lucius already did most the work for us. I just need to continue it. You will have your panther killer. Mark or no mark.”

  A dark laugh came across the phone. “For your sake you better hope that mark appears. If it doesn’t it will be your life that I take.”

  Quinn swallowed when the phone disconnected. Closing his eyes he wondered how else to get the mark to appear. Kassity’s mother promised him it would. It’s a shame he ordered her beheaded. His kind was dwindling down thanks to the old ways of the Black Moon Clan. Only the strong were allowed to survive, which made the clan weak. He needed this alliance to work out with the Circle, and his youngest daughter was the only way.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Jax watched as she eyed him, his panther paced within him as he waited for some type of answer. He had known this job would go bad, but surprise filled him when she had let him kiss her. She pulled him close and gave him another chaste kiss.

  “Get me out of here and I’ll forgive you.” She promised when she met his eyes.

  He gazed into her green eyes and nodded. “That’s what I’m here for. Since you know Lucius is an ass and wouldn’t come get you.”

  “Couldn’t.” She corrected.

  Jax raised a brow. “Couldn’t? I found you easily enough, he could have just popped in here and gotten you.” He knew the anger sounded in his voice. Never would he understand the loyalty Kass felt for the vampire.

  “We’re in a different vampire’s territory. If Lucius were to come here it would increase problems in the war.” She met his eyes. “That’s why he sent you here. You are his way of coming to get me.”

  He shook his head. “How did you know that he sent me?”

  “Simple, you wouldn’t have known otherwise. Lucius would have acted on the knowledge that you led my family to me and killed you.”

  He heard the anger in her voice, but knew apologizing wouldn’t help it. Not right now. Fixing this would.

  When he didn’t respond Kass pulled her hair to the side and exposed the collar. “We need to get this off.”

  He motioned for her to turn around and then examined the mechanism that was holding it shut. It was the same type of latch as a dog collar. “Why couldn’t you take it off?”

  “Too much pain.” She grumbled. “High concentration of silver on the latch itself, and nothing to cut the silver threaded leather with.”

  The thought hadn’t crossed his mind, and here he was planning on just taking it off. He called claws to his hands and hooked one under the leather. “This might hurt a bit.” He jerked his hand so that the claw cut through the leather. She hissed, but the collar fell from her neck as planned.

  He kissed the back of her neck over the red burn mark from the collar. “Think it’ll heal?”

  “It always does. Must be my immortal blood.” She said.

  Jax searched her eyes and her face to see if she was joking. A ghost of a smile tried to cross her face but it disappeared. “Immortal blood?”

  “Don’t ask.” She grumbled and moved to the door. “The question is, best way to get out of here, panther or human?”

  Jax shrugged. “Which form is the strongest right now?”

  “The panther wants blood.” She looked at him, her eyes flashing yellow. He tried to keep the concern off his face and his panther paused at the idea of her panther craving blood. He nodded. “Then we shift and run. If we get separated we meet at the edge of the property?”

  She nodded and shifted, before he could step in front of her she pounced, tearing down the door. He shifted right behind her and ran out after her.

  Kass sniffed the air and snarled, running up the stairs. Jax followed her, struggling to keep up with her, even with his long strides. Moving as a black blur though the house, she paused in the living room and sniffed at all the torn furniture. He nudged her trying to get her going, thinking they shouldn’t trust their luck and just get out of the house. After a playful snap at his paw she took a couple steps towards the door. Out of nowhere a panther leapt over Jax and tumbled with Kass, breaking down the front door and taking the two of them outside.

  Jax moved to go after Kass, but Quinn appeared in his way. “Down kitty. She fights her brothers and win she gains her freedom.”

  Jax snarled at him as Sarah appeared behind him. Her eyes locked with his and she tried to go towards him. Her father stopped her. Her yellow eyes flashed in fear and panic as she wrapped her arms around herself.

  “Change back.” Her father demanded.

  Jax shook his head and crouched. Crawling towards Quinn as his tail swishing from side to side, he realized that his panther also wanted blood. He pounced on the still human male, only to be thrown off and into the wall. He shook his head and lunged at the now shifted male. Their legs and paws locked in a struggle as Jax tried to swipe at the other man’s jaw. Behind Quinn, Sarah stood frozen as her body rippled while she fought the change.

  Jax took note and prayed that she wouldn’t join the fight. He turned back to the male in front of him and forced him backwards. Jax swiped at his stomach as the other cat pushed him away.

  Both of them turned at the sound of Sarah’s cries as she shifted. Jax felt for her as her bones cracked and skin melted and reformed in an uncontrolled shift. She ran off and her father tried to follow, but Jax locked his jaw around the panther’s leg. He pulled back with a snarl, his panther pushing against his human mind as he tasted blood. Jax tried to push him down as Quinn came after him.

  Jax launched himself at the bigger cat, and let his panther in control as he heard Kass’ roar. The instinct to protect her crashed over him as he tore out the other male’s throat and then sprinted off to the woods.

  Kass snarled when she landed on her side in the weeds making up the front yard. Jumping to her feet she crouched and faced her brother. His taller and sleeker form told her that it was Garret, but where one was the other was never far. Sniffing the air, she knew that Steven wasn’t close and she could only assume that he was waiting to ambush her in the woods that over ran the property. Garret snarled at her, bringing her attention back to him.

  Her tail twitched as she waited for him to approach. She knew that he weighed more than her and a straight on attack wouldn’t help. She needed to be patient as she watched him starting to circle around her, but she mirrored his movements to keep him in her view. She and her panther wanted the same thing. Him dead. Lunging forward he went at her with his front paws, balanced on his hind legs. She rose to meet him, their paws clashing with each other. Backing away from the useless locking blows, Kass changed her attack. Her claws caught him across the face, knocking him down on all fours and away from her.

  Kass crouched low waiting for him to try again. She just needed a couple good shots and then she could tears his throat out. The animal in her pushed against her human mind. It wanted the kill now. Snorting at her brother she lunged at him, only to be tackled from the side. Kass rolled towards the forest and jumped back to her paws. She didn’t look back as she took off into the forest needing to separate the boys again. She bounded through her old pathway, breaking through the bushes and fallen branches covering it. Her animal instinct said stay and fight, but she knew she couldn’t win two on one. Garret caught up to her. He came up next to her and snapped his jaw at her paws. She lost her footing a lit
tle and slid to the side. He grabbed her neck, pulling at the tuff of skin, trying to get her to submit. Rolling, she took out his legs and they tumbled down a hill together. She landed on top and pinned him to the ground. Blood trickled from him as her claws bit into his skin. His teeth snapping at her throat, Kass reared backwards to avoid his teeth, causing her to lose her grip on him. She let out a roar as his claws swiped across her jaw. Red in her vision told her he’s attack did damage. She pounced at him and they locked in the air again. Batting fruitlessly at each other until she struck downwards, her claws catching one of his eyes. He stumbled backwards with a roar, scrubbing at his wound with the back of a paw.

  Kass took a deep breath and let her animal instinct take over. Her panther gladly took control as she lunged forward and her teeth locked on Garrett’s exposed neck, with a jerk of her head a chunk tore out of his throat, blood staining the ground and his massive body falling.

  She licked her lips to clear the blood off her muzzle. With a sniff of the air she knew that Stephan was close. Crunching of branches told her it was time to move. She could still survive if she could take him out. She climbed a tree and laid on a branch. The wind brought his scent closer to her and she reminded herself to wait. Steadying her breathing, she watched as her half brother padded under the branch. He sniffed the ground and looked around. She launched herself off the branch and fell on top of him. They tumbled with their paws flying in a poor attempt to push the other off.

  His claws caught her across the stomach, tearing her flesh and fur. She roared at the pain, but caught his paw in her mouth. With a jerk of her head she tore into it. He shoved her away and they both landed on their feet. Taking advantage of his unbalance she tackled him. He shoved her face away with his good paw, but she swiped at his throat with her claws and struggled to keep him pinned. Teeth poised to bite, her brother snarled up at her and went for her throat.

  Kass met him so their jaws clashed together and she kept him at bay. He flipped her over and his weight slammed her against the ground. Panic started to fill her as his bigger form held her. He snarled, baring teeth. As he went to strike he was taken out from the side.

  Kass flipped back over to see Jax in panther form tearing out Stephan’s throat. She laid low as he approached her. Her was panther hesitant with the understanding that Jax was the reason they were here. Instinct said to attack him, but the mating said to submit. Jax lowered himself onto his belly and kept his head low as he crawled to her. When she didn’t run he rose and nuzzled her neck. His tongue lapped at the wound on her face to clean it. Her human mind came to the surface and she rubbed against him.

  Jax’s human form took over his panther form almost like liquid. Kass envied the ease and control he had over his panther. He looked her over, examining her wounds. “Shift back.”

  Kass tried to shake the fuzziness from her mind at his words, she still sensed danger and knew there were two panthers still out there. He had betrayed her, smelt of both of them. She snarled until he touched her head. “I killed your father.”

  Her beast calmed and she was able to pull it back in. She groaned in pain as her body shifted and she fell to a heap in the ground.

  “Smell like him and Sarah.” She whispered and pushed herself up with her arms. She studied the ground for a moment waiting for it to stop spinning and for the blurriness to go away. “Feel like I had a forced shift.”

  He touched her chin, urging her to look up. “That’s normally how a new shifter feels. What is wrong with you?”

  “Nothing, dear god nothing. I just want to go…home.” She frowned at how foreign but right the word sounded. “What happened with Sarah, did you see her?”

  He nodded and tried to steady her by pulling her to his chest. She placed her head against him. “She shifted and ran. She was more…animal than human.”

  “She won’t shift back.”

  “Is there any reason to? She knew that I could take your father, and knew that you’d kill your brothers. She’ll be happier that way.” He kissed her head and picked her up. “I have clothes for us in my truck. I’ll take you back to my place for the night.”

  “Lucius. Need to get back to him.” She could feel her eyes closing and she jolted to keep them open.

  He looked down at her. “Lucius knows that I came for you. He would expect you to stay.”

  The reminder hit her hard and she struggled with the idea of Lucius being all right with her staying. She curled up, laying her ear against his chest and listening to his heartbeat. Her panther was curled up inside her content at the safe feeling that Jax gave off.

  “He said that we can mate…if you want.”

  Her eyes fluttered shut and darkness claimed her before she could answer.

  Kass woke with something soft underneath her and something warm pulled over her body. She pulled it closer and snuggled into the padding she was laying on. The scent caught her off guard. Jaxon. She sat up and flinched as wounds pulled in different spots. Her skin stretched over her stiff bones as she moved, trying to stretch her muscles. Leaning against the wall, Jaxon met her eyes when she finally looked up.

  “Morning, sleeping beauty.” He cracked a smirk at her as he pushed off the wall and went to her. “How do you feel?”

  She shrugged and found even that hurt. “I’m exhausted and I feel like a young shifter again. My body protested against both shifts.”

  “You sure nothing is wrong with you?” He asked and studied her eyes. Cupping his hands behind her head he pulled her in for a chaste kiss.

  “Fine. I think it’s the control that Lucius gave back that’s messing with me. I have to relearn every stinking thing.” She groaned. “Good thing I took the fast track before.”

  Jax’s eyebrows drew together. “How are you going to handle the full moon?”

  “I’ve got it covered. Don’t worry.” She didn’t want to talk to him about that. She rubbed her eyes and stood. “Where are we?”

  “My place, I didn’t want to take you back to Lucius in the shape you were in.”

  He didn’t have to say it, she knew that he thought she had been too weak to face Lucius. “Thank you.” He stood and took her hand, stopping her from walking out the door. “Kass?”

  She turned to him, waiting for him to continue.

  “Please, just stay a little longer, let me hold you without having to share you with him. Just for a little while?”

  She saw the plea in his eyes and it melted her heart. Her mate. The man who killed to keep her safe. Sure he betrayed her, but he proved himself the night before. She entwined her fingers with his and let him draw her back onto the bed. He wrapped his arms around her, tucking her into his body.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Kass took a deep breath before she walked into Derrik’s office. Sitting at his desk he didn’t budge when she walked in.

  “I’m surprised you showed.” He shuffled a couple of papers. “Heard you went AWOL.”

  She snorted. “I didn’t go AWOL, I got kidnapped, there’s a difference.”

  “You know you’re going to be locked up for the night?”

  Flashes of the government place came to her mind, but she bit her lip and nodded. “Yes. Lucius doesn’t know I’m here.”

  “You just like to make my life hell, don’t you, kitty?” He chuckled and stood from his desk. “Come on, let’s get you prepared for tonight.” He led her through the empty club to that back door that he had skipped during the tour. Taking out a key card he swiped it and the door opened. He waved a hand. “Ladies first.”

  Kass took a deep breath and descended the stairs. The door clicked behind them, but she forced herself to keep going down. The darkness pressed against her and her breath shortened. She felt panic rise in her and her panther started to stir. Shakes started to rack her body and her stomach started to churn as she reached the bottom of the stairs.

  A strong hand clasped her shoulder. “It’s okay, relax. The room you’ll be in tonight is built of iron and concrete, you�
�ll shift, be in the room all night, and shift back. This isn’t the government place.” He followed it up with a laugh. “I’m not going to leave you here for days.”

  She cringed. “Right.”

  “Oh shit. You spent time there?”

  “Don’t want to talk about it. You promise you’ll come in the morning?” She tried to shake off the fear of going in there. The idea that Lucius wouldn’t agree with this stuck in the back of her mind and the fact that she hadn’t told Jax where she would be tonight all made her nerves stand on edge.

  He nodded. “I won’t leave you in here Kitty.” He went and took the pad lock off the door and opened it. “I’ll even bring you breakfast. We have a recovery room too, for the morning after.” He swung the door open.

  There she faced the empty room and took a deep breath before she walked in. When the door shut the chaos began. Pain tore through her body as her panther panicked and she shifted in an explosion of fur and skin, her human consciousness dragged down to the dark depth.

  Jax came storming into the main room at Lucius’ until his petite human stepped in front of him. He had searched all over the woods for Kass. He never caught scent of her and now his panther was panicking.

  “Lucius isn’t seeing anyone-“ He shoved her aside.

  She growled at him and caught his wrist. “He’s really in a mood.”

  “I don’t give a shit. Kass is missing.” He snapped at her. “So go tell your master that I demand to see him. I’ll be waiting here.” He threw himself into a chair by the fire. He could tell by her hesitation that she debated on arguing or going to get Lucius. In the end she spun on her heels and walked out of the room.

  It wasn’t long before Lucius came in. His eyes had bled to black. “She’s not here.”

  “She is safe though?” Jax asked. “She was in my arms and now she disappeared. I was hoping she was here and would give me an answer.”