Dark of Night

by T. F. Walsh

  A loud cheer sounded from the background of Xander’s call. Wyck smiled. Another whoop followed by a gruff curse echoed through the phone line. “Sounds like you guys are having too much fun. Just please try not to break anything, okay?”

  Xander snorted. “I’ll do my best, but with Chay here, I can’t promise.”

  “Brilliant.” Wyck thanked the cute barista who placed a fresh coffee to go cup before him. She hovered a moment and he mouthed the word “later” with a wink.

  “Hey, I need to go,” Xander said. More catcalls sounded. “It’s my turn again.”

  Wyck hung up. He stuffed his remaining things into a messenger bag before shrugging on his coat. After a stop at the register to pay and get the barista’s digits, he walked out into the snowy evening, casting only a cursory glance at the prim woman tucked into a dark corner. Her hair was wound into a severe bun, and her eyes camouflaged behind thick black glasses that reflected the fire’s glow.

  He hesitated outside the entrance and glanced back into the café. Couldn’t be her, could it? The cute barista waved from behind the counter and drew his attention once more. When he looked back toward the dark corner, the mysterious woman was gone. Bugger it.

  Wyck winked at the barista once more before stepping off the curb and into the snowy evening. Yep. Tonight would be satisfying indeed.

  • • •

  Mira bustled around the kitchen, pulling out pots and pans and banging them down on the stove. A brown paper bag crinkled on the counter while she removed eggs, bacon, cheese, and a loaf of bread. She carted gallons of milk and orange juice to the fridge. God, she loved to cook and rarely got the chance. Not so awesome with only one mouth to feed. Now, with three hulking warriors at her mercy, she planned on running with her opportunity. She glanced at the clock. 6:04 in the morning. Time to rise and shine.

  Xander was the first to awaken. He pushed up from his sprawled position on the sofa with a yawn and a stretch then sat up to rake a hand through his mussed black hair.

  “Morning, sunshine,” Mira said, twirling a long serving fork. “Hope you’re hungry. I’m making breakfast.”

  He gave a perfunctory wave on his way to the bathroom, scratching his rear before the door shut behind him. A rumbling wheeze rolled from Chago in an endless rhythm, and Mira smiled.

  Xander’s phone rattled against the counter. She peered down at the caller ID then answered. “Wyck?”

  “Who’s this?” Wyck grunted, his voice thick with sleep. “Oh. Hey, Mira. Is Xander around?”

  “Yeah. Sleeping Beauty just entered the throne room.”

  Wyck’s raspy chuckle made her smile. “Nice.”

  “Where’d you disappear to?” She cracked eggs into a bowl, cradling the phone between her shoulder and cheek.

  “Colorado. Got a lead I had to follow up on.”

  Through the line, Mira heard the distinct rustle of sheets followed by a feminine groan. “So that’s what they’re calling it these days? Must be a hottie for you to trail her across the country.”

  “Nah. Ugly as a board.” A pause, followed by more rustling and muffled voices before he continued. “Hey, can you let Xan know I called and I’ll be back later today?”

  She couldn’t help grimacing when the sounds of kissing and groans filled the line. “Yeah, I’ll tell him.”

  “Thanks, darling.”

  Mira wasn’t sure if the last was directed at her or the woman moaning behind Wyck. She hung up and wrinkled her nose. Men.

  “Who called?” Xander asked as he returned.

  “Wyck.” Mira glanced at him then turned to beat the eggs. “He said to tell you he’d be home this afternoon.”

  “Perfect.” He moved around her to survey the goodies. “You need help?”

  “Nope. I got it, thanks.” She smiled. “I like to cook. It relaxes me.”

  “Really?” He glanced at the frumpy apron wrapping her waist and snuck some grated cheese from her pile. “Okay, Granny.”

  She stuck her tongue out. “Wouldn’t be a bad thing if you guys knew your way around the kitchen too. A lot of women think a man who cooks is sexy as hell.”

  “Right.” He grabbed more cheese then slipped away when she slapped at his hand with the serving fork. “Here I thought they liked a guy who was good with his hands in other places.”

  Mira snorted and Xander leaned back against the counter beside her. The eggs sizzled and popped in the frying pan as she turned to face him. Xander coughed and stared at the blender with sudden fascination. His voice was quiet when he spoke. “He’s a good man.”

  Shit. Mira’s hands trembled as she reached past him to put the bowl in the sink, her stomach toppling to her knees. “What are you talking about?”

  “Kagan.” Xander smiled, watching her. “You won’t find anyone more loyal or trustworthy. He cares for you. A lot. But he’s had many tragedies in his past. The Praetorian Guard slaughtered his entire family while he was away on a mission for the Romans. He never forgave himself and claimed full responsibility for their deaths. It’s one reason he’s so focused on his work now. Avoidance is a powerful motivator.”

  Her heart clenched at the mention of Kagan’s past suffering and betrayal. Mira forced her expression into serene blankness as she adjusted the burners. Her feelings were still too new, too raw for sharing. “Why are you telling me this?”

  “I thought you should know.” He shrugged.

  She frowned and twirled the long fork in front of her. His past explained so much. Yet Kagan hadn’t been the one to tell her. Xander had.

  She’d trusted Kagan with her secrets. Why wouldn’t he trust her with his? Mira trailed her fingers over the tender mark on her neck. He’d called her his Anim Fidelis — his fated one. She’d only recently adjusted to being his lover. Could her battered heart handle his burden as well? More importantly, did she want to try?

  Xander gave her a kind smile and walked to Wyck’s closet to rummage through his clothes. He pulled out a pair of jeans and a black turtleneck sweater and tossed them on the bed before grabbing some briefs and socks from the dresser. Mira caught him as he walked into the bathroom.

  “Hey, Xander?”

  “Yeah?” He peeked his head around the door.

  “Thanks.”

  • • •

  Kagan strode in as Mira served up the food. Once more, he tamped down his desire to touch her. Keep it cool, cazzo. He joined Xander and Chago at the kitchen table and straddled a chair. Soon, Mira placed a heaping plate before him and he dug in. His woman could cook too. He smiled, knowing Mira would skewer him with her long fork if she heard him refer to her in such a way. Too bad. He liked thinking of her as his woman.

  He spoke around a mouthful of eggs. “So what’s the game plan?”

  “We need to find Argus,” Chago said, devouring half a slice of toast.

  “Agreed. And I want to know exactly what this does.” Xander tossed the pendant into the center of the table. “Lucifer was quite interested. Divinity told me it’s from his vaults.”

  Mira joined them and eyed the metal triangle with disdain. “Looks like bad seventies jewelry.”

  Chago snorted then shoved the rest of his toast slice into his mouth.

  Kagan kept his attention on Mira. Cristo! She was lovely in the morning. He shook his head and tried to focus on the task at hand. “After what the relic did yesterday in the minion realm, it obviously has some kind of power. If Lucifer and Argus both want Antares, it’s valuable.”

  “I’m hitting the shower.” Chago chugged the remainder of his orange juice, then rose to put his dishes in the sink. “Thanks for the meal, Mira.”

  “You’re welcome,” she called as he disappeared into the bathroom then turned to Xander. “I can do some research, if you want. I’m no guru, like Wyck, but I’ve done
my share of Internet surfing.”

  “Great.” Xander walked into the kitchen and placed his plate beside Chago’s then returned to the living room and clicked on the TV. “I’m taking Chago to track down the address where Argus is staying.”

  “What’s my assignment?” Kagan called over his shoulder, his gaze still on Mira. How could any woman look so delectable while eating? Her tongue peeked out to lick an errant bit of egg from her lip. It took all his willpower not to drag her from her seat and ravish her on the spot. Oca! He stifled a groan and forced his attention back to his commander.

  “You find out more about Tolbert’s involvement. It’s no coincidence they showed up at the crime scene yesterday,” Xander said. “If the end is near, you can be damn sure they’ve got their dirty little hands in the pie.”

  Kagan picked up the amulet. A vibration of dark power skittered up his fingers and traversed his arm. He dropped it. A wave of perverse pain coiled around him. The embedded ruby twinkled beneath the overhead lights, glowing like a red eye, knowing and malicious.

  “What’s wrong?” Mira said, her gaze darting between his face and the amulet.

  “Nothing.” Kagan rose and walked to the sink. The power waned, and his previous good mood returned. Feeling frisky, he waggled his brows at Mira. “You want help researching?”

  “No, thanks.” She giggled. “I think I can handle the situation.”

  He crouched beside her chair and ran a finger along the side of her lips, catching a drop of strawberry jam. He sucked the sugar from his fingertip. “Yummy.”

  Mira’s pupils dilated and her gaze fell to his mouth, her breath panting and her cheeks flushed. He wanted nothing more than to make love to her right there on the hardwood floor. His cock strained against his button fly, and his mind flooded with memories of her taste and the sound of her groans as she climaxed beneath him. He reached for her and she swayed toward him.

  Chago banged the door against the wall as he came out of the bathroom, breaking the erotic spell.

  Mira pushed away and collected their dishes. Kagan followed her, watching as she set the dishes on the counter and picked up a plate for rinsing. He locked his arms around her and pulled her back against his chest. “I missed you last night.”

  She smiled and continued with the dishes. “That’s nice.”

  Nice? He’d show her nice. He nibbled her earlobe then bit down gently. She leaned over to put a fork in the dishwasher then gasped when her butt brushed his rigid length. How’s that for nice, carissima? He gave a deep chuckle and gathered her close. “I miss you now too.”

  His hand slipped beneath the baggy T-shirt she wore to caress her abdomen. She was so damn soft. She tensed and swatted at his wayward touches. “Kagan, stop! People will see.”

  “I can’t help myself when I’m around you, carissima.” He trailed his lips down the side of her neck to the mark he’d made, savoring the taste of her. His long fingers brushed the underside of her breast, and he smiled. Mira trembled against him, her breath hitching. He pressed her closer and buried his nose in her hair. Her eyes slipped closed. A throat cleared behind them. Mira jumped from his arms to land somewhere near the stove.

  “Sorry to interrupt, but we’ve got work to do,” Xander said as he shrugged into his jacket.

  “Right.” Kagan walked to the living room and pulled his own coat back on then turned to Mira. “You’ll be okay here alone?”

  She nodded, her focus trained on the dishes in the sink, refusing to meet his gaze.

  “Mira, I left a list of information we need on the amulet,” Xander said and smiled. He waved and departed, followed closely by Chago.

  Kagan gripped Mira’s waist once more and spun her to face him. He captured her lips in a searing kiss full of passion and wanting. By the time he lifted his head, she was breathless and bewildered. His fingertips traced her heated cheek. “You’re adorable when you blush. Until later, carissima. Keep the door locked and a phone handy.”

  • • •

  The black sedan drove for an eternity. Dawn came and went.

  Argus watched out the window as the vehicle turned on to a winding drive that led to a glass and steel building tucked in the midst of a wooded preserve. The driver pulled up to the entrance and parked. Argus stuffed the folder inside his coat before his door opened to let him out. The driver’s fear registered as a palpable force. Argus fed on the man’s discomfort like the sugar his body craved.

  Mallory rushed to the guarded front doors and through the security checkpoint inside. The guards ran a quick wand over the outside of Mallory’s impeccable designer suit and granted him access before approaching Argus. They instructed to hold his arms out to the sides and Argus tapped an impatient foot while the guard ran the device over his stout form. A loud beep sounded, and two additional men stepped up to flank him. Fuckin’ cock knockers. Argus sent an annoyed glare in his contact’s direction while he remained stationary, his arms spread wide like an Armani-tailored scarecrow. Mallory smirked and finished a call on his cell phone.

  “He’s with me. I’ll vouch for him.” Mallory waved off the guards and pulled Argus forward by the lapel of his coat. “We don’t have time for this horseshit.”

  They raced to a set of steel elevators, and Mallory punched in a code. The doors opened to a plush, mirrored interior. “Get on!”

  Propelled forward by Mallory’s less-than-friendly shove, Argus stumbled into the compartment. Mallory entered and pushed a button. The car rocketed upward with alarming speed. Argus plastered himself to the wall, feeling the blood drain from his face.

  “Jesus, it’s a frigging elevator, not the guillotine.” Mallory’s mouth turned down and his lip curled. “Don’t be such a pussy.”

  The movement jolted to a stop and Argus sagged. His claws itched to rip into the cocky son of a bitch across from him and annihilate the sunglasses-wearing mofo. So what if he got a little motion sickness? He was a fucking Son of El, goddammit! His position demanded respect. Mallory bustled from the contraption once they arrived, leaving Argus to trail behind with a sneer. Smart move, asswipe.

  He stepped off the elevator, and his feet sank deep into the plush carpet, his gaze snagging on the opulent crystal chandeliers and expensive artwork. Pictures of company executives with celebrities and political bigwigs lined the hall. Whatever Tolbert International was involved in, they sure as hell made a shitload of money.

  Argus caught up to Mallory and stayed close as they weaved their way through a maze of mahogany-paneled corridors to a corner office. His compatriot still had on those damn sunglasses. A sliver of icy dread pricked his gut, but he shrugged off the unwanted emotion with a twitch of his neck. What the fuck did he care about Mallory’s wardrobe? Hell, Argus didn’t give a shit if the guy dressed in high heels and pink leather panties as long as he got his promised reward.

  Mallory knocked twice then opened a thick wooden door with a gleaming metal plaque bearing the title “Director.” Argus stepped into the dark, silent office and waited. A single overhead, recessed light shone down on an imposing figure behind the desk, obscuring the figure’s face in shadows. The only discernible glint was from yet another pair of reflective glasses, once more replaying Argus’s every move like a broken VCR. For fuck’s sake, did every person around here wear those goddamn Top Gun rejects? After a pregnant pause, the Director rose and moved to stand beside Mallory.

  Argus had to crane his neck to see the bastard towering above him. The Director extended a firm, chalk-white hand. “Welcome to Tolbert International, Argus. We’ve been waiting for you.”

  Chapter 16

  She’d been working six hours straight.

  Mira sat back and rubbed her eyes, then uncurled her numb legs from beneath her and stood to wriggle her tingling feet. After rolling her neck and shoulders, she grabbed a soda from the fridge. The sites Xander had given he
r were not exactly public domain, but boy, had she discovered a lot about the amulet. She scooped the tiny talisman off the table and dangled it before her. Hard to believe the ancient thing was powerful enough to shift history.

  A vibration began in her fingertips and raced up her arm. The symbol of Mars glowed from the center of the amulet, the blood red ruby at its base glittering in the late afternoon light. Her mark flared, and a sudden shock of power ripped through her. She sucked in a breath.

  The door opened, and she slammed the talisman down. Xander and Chago entered, and her cheeks heated as guilt flooded her system. The jolt still buzzed within her, begging her to grab the amulet and run. The relic was glowing. Merda!

  The Seal answered Antares’ call, sending rippling waves of pain burning through her shoulder. Mira gritted her teeth. Fucking hell!

  Chago gave her an oblivious wave and Xander smiled in greeting. She stepped away and prayed for the temptation to subside. Mira retreated into the kitchen and the agony lessened.

  “What did you find out?” Xander asked, shrugging out of his coat.

  Mira took a deep breath and smiled, glad for the distraction.

  “Quite a bit.” She waved him over to the computer and pointed out several websites. “I also found reports stating its power culminates during specific astrological alignments.”

  “Such as?” Xander meandered to the kitchen.

  “According to the ancient texts, it’s most effective when Mars is in the first degree of Capricorn and rising in the east, while Saturn is culminating near the mid-heaven.” Xander regarded her like she’d lapsed into Chinese. She rolled her eyes. “Or, in layman’s terms, the day after tomorrow.”

  “Guess we know why Argus wanted this so bad.” He picked up the amulet and stuffed it in his pocket. “I’ll drop this off with Divinity when I check in tonight.”

  Mira stared at him. Remnants of the vibration still zinged in her blood. Kagan had been affected too. She’d seen it in his face. Xander had been holding the trinket for two days, yet he seemed totally unaffected. “How come its power doesn’t affect you?”