Eternal Breath of Darkness

by Candice Stauffer

  He wasn’t sure why he was so obsessed with her. At first he thought it was caused by her attempt to fight him in the alley, but it was more than that. She was different. She was extraordinary. He actually ached to bury his cock deep inside her body. She was meant to be his. No other woman had ever ignited such a violent fire of raw lust inside his soul. No other woman could ever quench the flames. She was the only woman that could ever give him relief. He was so certain of it he planned to share his blood with her to bind their souls together for eternity.

  Unable to resist the need to touch her mind, Paul reached for Caylee’s mind. The image of her naked body wrapped in Haden’s embrace filled him with murderous rage. His eyes snapped open, and he jumped out of the car. There was no way in hell he would allow a demon to go unpunished for defiling, for stealing what was rightfully his. She would also pay for betraying him. He wouldn’t allow her to get away from him. She belonged to him.

  ***

  Wrenching herself out of Haden’s arms, Caylee screamed.

  Heart pounding, Haden’s eyes flew open. Pulling her close, he instantly, brutally pushed Paul out of Caylee’s mind. He placed a wall around her mind, but Paul continued to reach for her, desperately attempting to merge his mind with hers once again.

  “He’s here.” Caylee trembled in his arms. “He’s going to take me from you.”

  “No,” Haden whispered. “He isn’t here, little love. He touched your mind. He can’t take you from me.” Something was terribly wrong with the vampire; it was entirely unnatural for one to provoke a demon in such a blatant manner.

  “He was in my car. I saw him. He’s so mad at me. I don’t understand. Why did he say that I belong to him? He said that I will pay for betraying him.” She whimpered, clutching her head. “He’s calling me to him.” Eyes wide, she shook his head. “Do you hear him? He’s still in my mind. I don’t understand. Why does he want to give me his blood? Why does he want me to be like him?”

  Searching her mind for the vampire’s presence, Haden tilted his head to the side. “You can still hear him?”

  Caylee nodded. “He’s so mad at me.” She paused. “What did I do to him? Why is he so mad at me?”

  “You didn’t do anything wrong, little love. Don’t blame yourself for his insanity. None of it’s your fault.” Finally, Haden found the path Paul was using to enter her mind and was able to block it with minimal effort. Relieved, he took a deep breath and released it with a heavy sigh. “He’s entirely evil. He’s sadistic. There’s no good in him.”

  “How did you do it? He’s gone.” Smiling, she gripped her head. “I don’t hear him at all.” She frowned. “He’s gone, right?”

  “Yes.” Standing up, easily lifting her, he carried her over to the bed.

  “What if he takes me? What if he gives me his blood? He said I will be your enemy. He said you, your kind, will hunt me down to kill me.” Tears welled up in her eyes. “I can’t bear the thought of being like him.”

  If it happened Haden would save her from the curse. He would kill her. But she would never be his enemy. He smiled at her to place her at ease, but he couldn’t hide the cold, dark death in his piercing blue gaze seconds before his eyes turned black. “You will never be like him, little love. I wouldn’t allow it. And you will never be my enemy. You are my life. I will always do whatever it takes to protect you.” He kissed her brow. “There aren’t and never will be any limits to my love and devotion to you.” He gently lowered her onto the bed.

  While the realization of what he was saying was sinking in, she stared up at him. He wouldn’t allow her to suffer the endless demise of the undead. It would destroy Haden, but he would kill her. He would always place her welfare above his own. She should’ve been terrified. He had just told her he could and would take her life. She knew there was no one powerful enough to stop him if he decided to do it. But she wasn’t afraid of him. How could she fear the man that loved her enough to take her life to save her?

  “I have hunted and killed his kind for centuries.” He brought her hand to the warmth of his mouth. “I’m going to destroy him. He will never touch you again.”

  “You plan to go after him tonight.” She grabbed his hand. “Please, don’t do it. He wants to kill you. Stay here with me, Haden.”

  She was worried about him. He smiled. “There’s no reason for you to worry about me.” He took a deep breath and released it with a sigh. “I’m not easily killed, little love.” Gently wiping the tears from her cheeks, he tilted his head to the side and smiled at her. “Trust me to protect you.” Leaning down, he kissed her brow as he pulled a thick blanket over her body. “I need you to have faith in my ability to take care of you.”

  “I do.” She frowned. “But I have a bad feeling. I don’t think you should go after him tonight. He’s waiting for you. He has a plan. A trap. He wants you to rush out after him tonight. He has set a trap for you. I don’t know how I know it, but I do.”

  Haden smiled at her. “A vampire could never construct a trap able to hold me. I am a demon. I need to end the threat he presents to you.” He gazed into her eyes for a moment. “Everything will be okay.” Standing upright, he started to turn away from her.

  “Wait.” Sitting up, she reached for his arm. “Please, don’t leave me here.”

  “You will be safe here.” He hesitated and then sat down next to her. The last thing he wanted to do was leave her. He studied her face; her every feature was so beautifully illuminated by the moonlight seeping through the window. Her eyes were very heavy with fatigue as she gazed up at him. “I won’t be gone long.” Leaning down, he kissed her. It was a quick peck, nothing more. “You will stay here and wait for me.”

  Sitting up, she shook her head. “Oh no, you don’t. You aren’t going out there without me. You can’t go alone, Haden. It’s too dangerous. I’m going with you.”

  “No.” Framing her face in his hands, he slowly leaned down and deeply, passionately kissed her. “You will stay right here and wait for me.”

  “Why won’t you listen to me? I know you’re making a mistake. He plans to kill you tonight.”

  “He can’t,” Haden said. Revealing his growing irritation, he narrowed his gaze on her. “I have destroyed his kind for hundreds of years. Why do you always think the worst of me? It’s way past time for you to have an ounce of faith in me.”

  “I do have faith in you. I just don’t want you to go alone. Take me with you.”

  “Absolutely not. It’s too dangerous.” He kissed her lips gently.

  Too gently. Coldly. She sensed he was struggling to contain his frustration with her, with the situation. She knew he was getting angry, but she couldn’t let him face the vampire alone. She needed to stop him. “If it’s too dangerous, why are you going?” She chewed on her bottom lip. “What if he kills you?”

  “There’s no way I would allow him to kill me.” He laughed aloud, attempting to make a joke of it. “Especially with you in our bed waiting for me to return.”

  Her mouth twitched as she smiled, but then she forced herself to frown.

  Kissing her, he leaned against her, pushing her down onto the bed. “You will stay right here.” He pulled the blankets over her, tucking her in. “Now get some rest.” He turned and away from her.

  “I’m not staying here.” Tossing the blankets off of the bed, she started to get up.

  He turned and locked his cold, black gaze onto hers. “What?” A demon could only take so much. She wouldn’t defy him. Not now. He wouldn’t allow it.

  “I’m not staying here.” She felt an icy breeze sweep by her, and fear enveloping her, she shivered. “I will follow you.” She swallowed hard. “You can’t stop me.” The moment she said the words, she knew she’d made a mistake. Heart racing, she held her breath.

  A muscle twitched in his jaw. He smiled at her, but there was no warmth, no love in it. She quickly realized it wasn’t a smile at all. His lips were curved upright and parted in a silent, threatening snarl.

&
nbsp; Stepping toward her, he glared down at her. “You will do what I tell you to do.” His voice was a deep, menacing whisper.

  Her breath caught in her throat. He was threatening her. But with what? Did he plan to beat her into submission? Teary eyed, she stared up at him for a moment but then looked away from his terrifying gaze.

  Framing her face between his hands, he forced her to meet his gaze. “You will stay right here in this bed,” he commanded between clenched teeth.

  Too afraid to respond, she remained silent. Too afraid to follow the instinct of flight, she remained absolutely still. No. Wait. It wasn’t fear. Her body felt incredibly heavy. She tried to move her legs. Nothing. She tried again. Nothing. He’d done something to her. She tried to lift her arm. Nothing. She couldn’t move. She was paralyzed.

  He smiled at her. “I won’t allow you to place your life in danger.” He saw her fear, he felt it, but it didn’t matter. “I won’t allow you to defy me.” He turned away from her.

  “Please.” Her heart was pounding. “I won’t leave. You’re right. Please, don’t do this to me.” She was only a little relieved when he turned to look at her. He appeared to be deciding whether or not he should release her. “I promise to stay here.” She paused, tears streaming down her face. “Allow me to move.”

  Suspicious, he narrowed his gaze on her. She was giving in to him far too easily.

  “You’re right. I won’t follow you. I promise. Don’t leave me like this, Haden. It’s too much. I can’t stand it.”

  Releasing her, he walked over to her. “I won’t be gone long.” He leaned down and kissed her. “I love you,” he whispered.

  “I love you too.” Stretching her arms, she yawned, purposely exaggerating the sound of it.

  Pulling the blankets over her, he smiled down at her. “Get some sleep. I will be back soon.” He turned and walked out of the room.

  Enraged, Caylee lifted the blanket to her mouth and vigorously wiped his kiss right off her lips. She couldn’t believe he’d taken control of her body. He’d actually paralyzed her. How had he done it? She shook head. It didn’t matter. He would never make her a prisoner in her own body again.

  Stepping outside, Haden hesitated to leave for a few seconds. She’d given into his demands too easily. He almost went back to apologize to her, but he didn’t. He wouldn’t. He hadn’t done anything wrong. There was no doubt in his mind that she’d finally realized he was right. Well, maybe there was a little doubt. But even if she hadn’t realized he was right, it didn’t matter. He refused to feel guilty. Let her be mad at him. Let her think the worst of him. It didn’t matter as long as she was safe.

  Taking the form of the dragon, Haden took to the sky. His heart was heavy. He knew he’d hurt Caylee’s feelings. He’d seen it in her eyes. Worse, he’d scared her by taking away her ability to move. For that he would apologize. Once the vampire was out of the way he would have plenty of time to smooth things over with her. Eventually she would come to terms with the fact that he knew what was best for her.

  It wouldn’t take long to track Paul down. Haden headed toward Caylee’s car. From there he would be able to easily track the vampire.

  * * *

  Knowing she didn’t have much time, Caylee got dressed quickly. Carefully guarding her thoughts, she made her way through the house. When she reached the front, she hesitated for a few seconds. She wanted to make sure Haden was gone. She didn’t want him to stop her. She planned to run as far and as fast from him as possible. She opened the door and stepped outside. Standing on the front porch, she waited for her eyes to grow accustomed to the moonlight. She could hear the terrible howling and shrieking sounds of ghouls in the distance. She didn’t care. She wasn’t staying there. She didn’t understand how Haden could treat her so badly. She would never be bound to another man that thought frightening her and forcing her into submission was acceptable.

  He’d hurt her more than anyone else could’ve hurt her, but she wasn’t going to sit and cry over it. She wasn’t a baby. It was her own fault. He was only able to hurt her so deeply because she was an idiot. She knew better than to allow him to convince her he cared about her. She couldn’t believe that, after all she’d been through, after all she’d learned, she’d actually allowed him to convince her he truly loved her. Taking a deep breath, she stepped off the porch. Prepared to face whatever gruesome fate was awaiting her in the ever-darkening forest, she started to run.

  The physical exertion felt good. Allowing herself to just be mad as hell at Haden felt wonderful. It felt absolutely marvelous. She knew he would eventually come after her. She didn’t know how she would ever be able to escape him for good, but she would find a way. “Arrogant bastard,” she whispered. He was just another cruel, arrogant bastard. She was so mad that she unknowingly opened her mind to Haden.

  Haden had just left her car and was following Paul when Caylee’s anger slammed into him. What’s wrong, Caylee? She was running from him. What are you doing? There was no reason for him to ask. He knew she was doing everything in her power to leave him. He’d seen the look of horror in her eyes the moment she realized he was preventing her from moving. He’d felt the change in her kiss. He’d heard it in her voice. He knew he’d pushed her too far. He’d shattered her fragile trust in him by using his power against her. We need to talk, little love. I know I made mistake. Please don’t run away from me.

  The forest was dense. It was too dark too see much of anything, but she continued to run as quickly as she could. I don’t want to talk to you, Haden. I’m done. We don’t belong together. Being with you today was a mistake. A terrible, horrible mistake. Her heart beat so frantically it felt as if it was going to explode. I will never be with you again. I don’t want you. I don’t need you. I don’t love you. Struggling to catch her breath, she continued to run.

  You’re mad. You don’t mean it. We belong together, and you know it. A warm breeze swept passed her, touching her intimately, as if Haden were there with her, softly caressing her flesh. We can work this out. Stop running away from me.

  She kept running, desperate to escape him.

  Refusing to give up, he continued to toy with her. He flooded her with his desire for her. The love we shared was marvelous. It wasn’t a mistake. He heated her blood with vivid imagery of their lovemaking.

  Infuriated, she stopped running. Sensing he was flying, she lifted her face to the heavens. Stay away from me! And stay the hell out of my head!

  The ground vibrated. Damn it, Caylee, stop being so difficult. I made a mistake. Get over it. His anger and frustration washed over her, momentarily startling her to the point that her breath caught in her throat.

  “Oh that’s it, Haden, be your big, bad demon self and throw a fit! Get as mad as you want! I don’t care! Just leave me the hell alone!” Caylee shouted. She glanced around. She couldn’t see anything. She didn’t know which direction to run, but she needed to get as far away from him as possible. Completely blinded by darkness, she started run again.

  Paul was so close he could’ve reached out and touched her. He was intrigued by the fact that Caylee was running away from Haden. It confirmed Paul’s belief that she belonged to him, that she was his salvation. He was so insanely tempted to do it, but he didn’t. He knew better. Haden was too close. Paul wouldn’t be able to get away with her. It was better to wait for Haden to move deeper into the trap he was preparing. Once Haden was confined in it, Paul would be able to easily take her. Remaining silent, Paul watched Caylee for a few more moments and then he left to finish his trap when he realized Haden was close.

  Irritated, Haden scowled. Perhaps the truth would convince her to behave more sensibly. The vampire is stalking you. He’s waiting for you to get further away from me so he can take you away from me. You need to stop before he succeeds.

  Startled, she tripped and fell, but she stood up and started running again.

  Damn it, Caylee, you need to stop now!

  * * *

  Caylee sensed some
thing stalking her, but it wasn’t the vampire. It was something far more powerful and dangerous. She turned around just in time to see a dragon swoop down from the sky. She took a step back. A black, swirling mist surrounded the dragon. She blinked and the mist was gone, but Haden appeared, his large, muscular frame intimidating as he moved toward her. She glanced from the left to the right, but there was nowhere to run. She backed away a little further.

  Haden stopped. “Don’t move.”

  Wide eyed, she stared up at him, wanting to scream at him, but she couldn’t even breathe. She wanted to run, but she knew he would easily catch her. And then what? Would he hurt her? Or would he simply take control of her body to prevent her from moving?

  He was shattered by the sight of her cowering before him. She truly believed he planned to attack her. “Oh, Caylee, come here.” Stepping nearer, he reached out and wrapped his arms around her. “I’m not going to hurt you.”

  She was so mad. She was so incredibly sick of being bullied by men. “Don’t touch me!” With every ounce of her strength, she shoved him. Of course, making her even madder, he didn’t budge an inch. “Let go of me, Haden!”

  “I can’t,” he whispered. “You’re too close to the edge, little love. Move away from it, and I will let go of you.”

  “Stop telling me what to do. Let go of me now.” Tears streamed down her face, her eyes pleading, begging him to let her go. “Please, Haden, I can’t stand being touched by you.”

  “I was wrong.” He’d intimidated her just as so many other men had intimidated her into submission. He’d wanted to protect her—he’d needed to know she was safe in his home, in his bed. He’d bullied her because he was desperate to stop her from following him, but he should’ve handled it better. “I was wrong, Caylee.”

  She turned her gaze away from his. The ground shifted beneath her left foot. She looked down and realized she was standing on the edge of a cliff. For the first time, she noticed the sound of rushing water below.