Scarred Protector (Midworlder Trilogy Book 2)

by Mundy, Maggie

  “I’d be more than happy, but first I’ve a few questions of my own.” Sayell sipped his wine and nodded his head for him to go on. “Is the rumor true that a female was successfully converted? My other question is why you’re being so polite and didn’t just try to come and take her off my patch?”

  “It’s true, a female has been converted and has given birth to a child. Liliath had hoped to use the woman’s body as a way to come to Earth, but it didn’t happen. With this Evie, we would like to try again. You’re correct, of course, I would have kidnapped her if I could, but Liliath has personally requested I involve you.”

  Charles could hear the anger in Sayell’s voice, as he said the words through gritted teeth. The twitch was back again as well. Charles almost wanted to laugh, but he would be foolish to get on this man’s bad side so soon.

  “Let’s not keep her waiting then.” Charles sent his thoughts out to his second-in-command to say what he was doing. He then stood and guided Sayell toward the large double doors that opened onto the roof. It was dark and the people of the city went about their business unaware of them as they sprouted their wings and took flight into the darkness of the night sky. Charles sent his thoughts out to form the conduit, knowing Sayell would be doing the same. He had never feared this connection before but after what had happened with Evie, he could feel his heart thumping in his chest in case the darkness attacked again. He held himself ready for the fight with his hands fisted. Nothing happened.

  The pain intensified in his temple when he visualized the crystal chamber in his mind. The beautiful lights of the conduit did not impress him with their beauty today. He wanted information and didn’t need distractions. He arrived and felt Sayell’s presence behind him. He didn’t like having his back to anyone and quickly turned, but Sayell simply nodded and raised an eyebrow. This Midworlder’s composure was becoming irritating already.

  “Well that seemed exceptionally normal. I can’t say I sensed anything untoward. Are you sure you didn’t let your imagination run away with you,” Sayell said, and snickered.

  “I believe whatever it was that impeded us was attached to the female. I can’t say for certain, but I think it’s using her somehow.” Charles peered around the chamber.

  This place didn’t impress him. Then again nowhere did these days. Its fancy crystal columns just reminded him of their Homeworld, where he couldn’t live. He sensed the atmosphere change as if the temperature in the room plummeted and the crystals started to shimmer. It had been a long time since he had seen an Elevated back on Homeworld. Even then, it had not been up close. They didn’t mix with anyone much, and especially not with Midworlders. Maybe the boredom of Earth would be solved with this woman after all.

  There was a raised platform on one side of the room with large columns placed in a circle before it. The cavernous crystal ceiling glowed different colors as a shape started to form on the platform. So this was Liliath. Charles had meant to stay calm and in control, but even he found himself holding his breath as he admired the glorious female before him. She oozed power as her body shimmered. He was sure if she wanted she could kill him with a wave of her hand. He knew at that moment he wanted a share of that power. He also knew he would not be willing to share it with Sayell.

  “Come closer, Charles,” Liliath said, as she beckoned to him with her finger.

  Charles thought he heard Sayell mumble something under his breath but couldn’t quite make out what it was. It didn’t matter. He was the one she had requested to meet. Sayell had obviously failed her and she needed a new champion. Charles found himself walking toward her as if he was caught in a tractor beam and would not be able to turn away, even if he tried. She was magnificent and so different from humanity.

  Her body was that of a voluptuous female, but the shimmering dress she wore was like a see-through gold net that gave tantalizing glimpses of what lay beneath. She was naked, and as he stood before her, the pheromones she was sending off hit him, causing his cock to harden. Her lips curled up in a smile, or at least he thought it was a smile. She looked down to the obvious bulge in his pants and then back up. Liliath knew exactly the effect she was having on him. She had no hair on her body as far as he could tell, and her snakelike eyes mesmerized him. He wanted to fuck her so badly. He had a new goal in life.

  “You will leave us, Sayell,” Liliath said, as she waved a dismissive gesture in his direction.

  Charles didn’t need to turn and look to know that Sayell had been a good little Midworlder and done what he was told. He wanted to gloat and laugh, but perhaps now was not the best moment.

  “I know what you want, Charles. I admire ambition. I have my own, which is to come to Earth. I had thought Sayell would be able to help me, but it seems he is having difficulties. What I want from you is to bring this female to me. Your reward will be to rule with me when I come to Earth. There could be additional benefits, such as sharing my bed. Are you willing?”

  Charles couldn’t even manage to get any words out and could only nod in reply. He found his body lifting off of the platform, then being thrown against the wall at its rear. Crystal cords wrapped around his arms and legs, holding him in place, and Liliath moved, or rather glided, toward him. His privates would be right in front of her face, and as he gazed down, he saw her reach out her hands. He held his breath. His pants were undone and pulled down so his cock was right in front of her mouth.

  She didn’t wait before taking him. Her lips surrounded him as she moved her head back and forth, sucking on him. She moved slowly and then increased her speed. Each time he thought he would reach a crescendo, she would slow down again. Her tongue swirled around the end of his cock as she took him further into her throat. The heat of her surrounding him sent his mind into a frenzy.

  He knew as his cock was in her body, she was delving into his mind. He wanted to stop the intrusion but couldn’t keep up his barriers as the smell of her sexual need hit him. Did she need this intimacy to enter his mind? At this point he didn’t care. One of her hands caressed his balls while her finger played with his ass. Her other hand slowly moved up and down his cock as she sucked, and he knew he was lost. He jerked his hips forward, as he exploded into her mouth and a scream left his own. She squeezed his balls tight, digging in her nails as he came, and the pain was wonderful and made him want her even more.

  Liliath moved away, and his body slid down the wall so that her face was before his. He could smell himself on her as he gazed at her moist lips. She moved forward and kissed him so he could taste himself. The kiss was rough, and she bit his tongue and lips, but he didn’t care if his face was streaming with blood. He just wanted more of her. Then she moved away and he fell forward from the wall in a heap on the floor. It seemed that was all he would get today. He wanted so much more but he knew how to play games to get what he wanted.

  “I want you to contact me when you have this woman, Evie. I will try to discover what this darkness was that you felt. Something about it feels familiar. It may even be from Homeworld but has changed somehow during its time on Earth.”

  Charles stood up and rearranged his clothing, but before he could ask any questions, Liliath was gone. Sayell returned and, from the scowl on his face, was not happy. He stood before him with his hands fisted, and for a moment Charles thought he would fight, but then he laughed.

  “It seems we’re both to be her lap dogs then. Be warned, she has no allegiance to anyone but herself and would be happy to see us both dead if we’re no longer useful.”

  “Well, neither of us will get anything from her if we can’t get this Evie up here. Liliath felt a connection with whatever stopped me coming over before. She believes it may have originated on Homeworld. Once we know how to remove it, we’ll be able to get Evie here. I think you and I should have a truce until then and see who she decides to choose later.”

  “Agreed.”

 
Sayell shook his hand, but Charles knew he would have to watch his back. Once they had Evie, Sayell would probably try to kill him. It was what he would do, after all. For now, they had bigger concerns. They needed to return to Earth and work out how they could break into Heath’s estate.

  Chapter 8

  The Darkness Returns

  Evie was slowly getting used to the manor house. Heath had stayed with her all morning until she felt better, then she got the distinct impression he wanted to be away from her. Maybe she was just too sexy to resist. Yeah, right. Men had been falling at her feet for years . . . not.

  She tried to get her brain to put together all the things he said about this world and the one he came from. She hated to admit it, but the crazy fact these people were aliens made her life and her powers and the darkness she felt make sense. She might not be mad after all. Heath still confused her with caring one moment and being distant the next. Not to mention the wild mind sex. She didn’t need confusion right now, she needed him to help her, but it seemed too much to ask.

  The rest of the day had been spent poking into corners of the house and finding books and artwork, which would have been more suited to a gallery than a family home. This wasn’t a family home, though. It was his enclave. Apart from Marge and her husband, they weren’t even human. She made her way around the house, and realized she was being watched by Suzie or one of the others. Heath had gone to his study, making it clear he didn’t want to be disturbed. It didn’t seem to matter whether she had more questions.

  She ended up in the kitchen and helped Marge with the food for the evening meal. This time, most of the people came in two at a time and ate. Obviously, they didn’t want a repeat performance of the morning and her panic attack. Evie took a tray upstairs and ate by herself.

  She finished her food, laid down on the bed, and sighed. The room was ridiculously lavish and not her sort of place at all. If she wasn’t going to die imminently, was this the future? She wanted her bedroom back, though it would not have been safe. If she was going to stay here, she needed more of her own things. More clothes and her laptop and her snake, Cecile. She hadn’t told anyone about the snake yet. Cecile would be fine for a while but would need water soon.

  It was getting dark outside, so she decided it was time to have a bath. That always relaxed her. A pair of silk pajamas was on her pillow with clean underclothes. They were thinking of everything, and she should’ve been grateful, but this just wasn’t her. No matter how comfortable they made it, she felt trapped by this house. In truth, she had been trapped at home anyway.

  She rubbed her temples. The darkness was coming back in her mind, and it was making her head ache. So much for the bonding getting rid of it. Sadness wafted over her at the thought. The feeling of freedom earlier had been temporary. She headed to the bathroom to run a bath and stripped off the beautiful clothes. Naked, she was just her normal self. The bathroom had walls that were painted pink with pretty cream flowers. There was a roll-top bath with legs that looked like a lion’s paws. She shook her head and laughed at the ridiculousness of it all.

  She slipped into the water, and for a moment, the warmth provided comfort. She closed her eyes for a second, and when she reopened them, the room seemed different. Above the water, her skin had goosebumps. She was not alone, and as she gazed down, her feet started to turn black. It was coming back with a vengeance, and she didn’t think she could bear the pain and heat anymore.

  It was an easy decision. In the past she had fought it, but this time she knew she had no right to draw these other people into her darkness. Her legs were almost completely black, and her skull ached as if it would crack open. The solution was all around her. She didn’t bother to take a breath as she sank below the water. What was the point of delaying the inevitable? Heath didn’t really think he could save her anyway. It was a blurry world beneath the water as the lights of the room twinkled above.

  The water was hot, but she felt cold to the core. The darkness was screaming in her mind at what she was doing. Good. It had made her feel scared on so many occasions. If succeeding this time gave it the shits, then so be it. She would be free and dead, and these people could get on with their lives. She couldn’t hold her breath any longer, so she let the water in. It was easier than she thought, and it would all be over soon.

  Arms scooped under her and pulled her from the water. Her lungs went into spasms as her body tried to expel the water. Her lungs ached as she coughed and flailed her arms around, not even knowing who had grabbed her. She didn’t want to go back to dealing with the darkness. She just wanted to die. She heaved up the water onto the floor as someone held her, holding back her hair. When the retching stopped, the shakes started. Her whole body was freezing cold, and her teeth wouldn’t stop chattering. She turned in the arms that held her to see Heath gazing down at her wide-eyed with fear.

  He grabbed a towel off the rail beside the bath and started to wrap her in it. He rubbed, to get some warmth back into her, but she doubted she would ever be warm again.

  “What the hell did you think you were doing?”

  Evie could hear the anger in his voice but didn’t have the strength to retaliate. Plus, when she looked up she could see tears streaming down his face and reached up to wipe them away. No one ever cried for her, and yet this beautiful man was shedding tears. He sat on the bathroom floor in his expensive clothes and rocked her back and forth while she shivered. He bent down and kissed her forehead. “I can’t lose you, Evie. We’ll figure this out.”

  His arms were strong as he picked her up with ease and carried her into the bedroom and over to the bed. She had just had a hot bath, but her body felt like ice, but at least her skin was no longer blackened. She perched on the edge of the bed, the towel wrapped around her and didn’t even have the energy to move.

  Heath stood back and pulled off his frockcoat and threw it on the floor. His shirt was ripped off with buttons flying across the room. Her eyes watered, staring at the magnificence of his body. He closed his eyes for a second, and his glorious wings appeared. They reached above his shoulders and down to his knees, and she could see threads of gold running through them. He reached out and pulled her close to him. Her towel dropped to the floor, so her cold body was pressed against his warm chest. His wings wrapped around them and shuddered. She didn’t know how he was doing it, and she didn’t care, but warm air surrounded her body as if a hair dryer was blowing on her. She rested her head against his chest, and his steady heartbeat comforted her as the tremors eased and the darkness receded.

  She was naked, but she didn’t care. This was the only place in the world she wanted to be right now. His arms were around her waist, and she moved hers so they rested on his lower back. The vibration from his wings tickled her forearms and made her smile. His body was strong, like a rock, and for the first time in so long, she let herself take support from another.

  There was a golden glow surrounding them within the wings, and she peered up at his face. She wanted him to kiss her. He bent his head down but hesitated, and her heart skipped a beat at the thought he would kiss her for real again and not in a dream. His mouth was slightly open, and she could feel his breath against her lips. He closed his eyes, but she kept hers open. This glorious man, who was not of this world and had wings, was gently running his lips from side to side on hers. She couldn’t help herself as a groan left her lips. It had an instant effect on him, as his tongue ran across her lower lip and entered her mouth. His hands moved down over her lower back and pressed her hips to him. He was hard for her, and she ached with need at her core.

  His tongue fought with hers as he explored her mouth. So long she had wanted to be close to someone, and now that she was, that someone was not human. Go figure. With his wings around them, she had to accept him for what he truly was. How long they kissed for, she didn’t know or care, but she didn’t want it to end. When it did they were b
oth breathless.

  “Are you warm enough?”

  Evie nodded and he closed his eyes and his wings disappeared as quickly as they had arrived. Without the wings surrounding them her nakedness seemed so much more apparent. She didn’t miss the look of adoration in his eyes, and it made her feel warm inside.

  “I should let you dress.”

  Heath turned his back to her so she could grab the pajamas that had been left for her. Staring at his back, she saw the tattoos for the first time. They were of wings, and the feathers disappeared down into the band of his pants. If they were like the real wings, then they would at least reach his knees. Somehow she had an idea this tattoo had nothing to do with a tattoo artist. She got into bed and pulled the covers over her as he turned around. Would he join her? She didn’t want to be alone.

  Heath pulled off his shoes and got into bed beside her. He had left his pants on, presumably as a barrier to them taking this any further after the kiss. He lay on his side and stared down at her. Taking one of her hands in his, he kissed her palm and the action sent a shiver up her spine as she closed her eyes. His kiss stopped, and she could feel him run his thumb back and forth across the scars on her wrist. She bit her bottom lip as she gazed up at him, not wanting him to think less of her, which was stupid when they were fighting demons and darkness. He held his wrist out before her. Evie peered at it, and though the scars were not fresh and as angry as hers, they were still there. She took his other hand in hers to find scars on that wrist also. To know he had experienced the same desperation she had, and had wanted to end it all, made her breath catch in her throat as her eyes watered.