Caressed by the Edge of Darkness

by Amanda J. Greene

  More. Just a little more.

  “Yes,” she sighed. Had he spoken aloud?

  Her fingers dug into his shoulders and she raised herself out of the water. His breath slammed from his chest when Jordan pressed her wet body against him. Soft, full breasts crushed against his solid pectorals.

  Gabriel’s hands fisted at his sides. He couldn’t touch her. Shouldn’t touch her. He’d lose control. He’d pull her from the tub, pin her to the floor and drive his cock into her. Oh, fuck. His entire frame shook from the thought.

  Jordan deepened the kiss, dancing her tongue along his. Demanding more, she began to rub against him. Her stiffened nipples abraded him despite his shirt. She moaned and he felt the vibration all the way down to his hardened shaft.

  He should stop this. Jordan was: mortal, injured, and weak.

  Gabriel took command of the kiss, twining their tongues together again and again. Licking. Sucking. He’d kiss her until she could only gasp his name, delirious from pleasure.

  Her fingers tunneled through his hair, tugging. “Mmm. More.”

  God, her voice, her lips, her taste—drugging. Maddening.

  “P-Please,” she gasped, mindless.

  Gabriel’s control shattered. More. Yes, he’d give her more. His woman didn’t need to beg. Gabriel released his fists, his fingers greedy for the feel of her silken hair, to feel the weight of her breasts in his palms and to explore the silken heat between her thighs.

  His ears twitched, was that a knock on the bedroom door?

  “My king!” Gannon called.

  Gabriel wrenched away from her. Panting, he shot to his feet. Anger incinerated his lust, but it did nothing to stop his gaze from roaming over her. Jordan’s skin was flushed, glowing. Her pouting, alluring lips were swollen. She gazed up at him, her eyes hooded, their violet depths darkened with desire.

  He spun around before his eyes dropped to her exposed breasts. He ran shaking hands through his hair. “You shouldn’t have done that,” he rasped, his voice rougher than he’d like. God, the little mortal had him trembling in his boots.

  “Gabriel!”

  He snapped, “Fuck, Gannon, I’ll be right there.” Keeping his gaze averted, Gabriel grabbed a towel and thrust it at Jordan. “Here. Dry off.”

  She mumbled a thank you and stood. Gabriel crossed to the counter and snatched the robe. He handed it to her and ground his teeth as he silently waited for her to secure the oversized garment around her waist.

  Without a word, he turned back to her, scooped her up and carried her from the bathroom to the bed. He set her down and quickly backed away, not trusting himself. He was tempted to join her, to reclaim her lips, to bury his cock and fangs deep in her, to show her just how dishonorable he was. He’d told her he was no knight, no savior. And too powerful. Mortals are off limits.

  “You shouldn’t have done that,” he repeated, flashing his fangs.

  Jordan straightened her shoulders and met his hard gaze with challenge. “Why?”

  Gabriel tilted her chin up with an index finger. “I’m a beast, Jordan. A vampire.”

  She swallowed hard, but didn’t glance away. “I know.”

  “You shouldn’t test my control.”

  “You could’ve stopped me.” Her lips curled with a seductive smile that set fire to his blood. “But we both know you liked it.”

  Damn, she was bold. He liked it. None of his lovers would ever dare speak to him that way. Then again, they were all vampires and understood his strength, his capability and respected his title. Her teasing was refreshing, but not welcome.

  “Fact, I could crush you.” He drew his finger from her chin up her jaw line. She shivered when he lightly tickled her ear. Her breath hitched when he skimmed his fingers down her neck. Her pulse leapt beneath his caress. “You’re so very…mortal.”

  Jordan’s vivid gaze shimmered with desire. Her need called to him, her pulse beckoned him to have a taste. His vampire stirred, restless, and his hunger for her sharpened along with his anger. He shouldn’t be here. He should be down in the dungeon interrogating Boras’s guards and slowly killing the Slave Handler. He shouldn’t be kissing the human and he definitely shouldn’t be touching her or threatening her as he was now.

  Dosing the flames she ignited within him, Gabriel dropped his hand and stepped away from the bed. Pinning her with a cold stare he snapped, “Don’t do that again.” He turned his back to her and went for the door. As he stepped out into the hall, Gabriel heard her whisper, “I can’t and won’t make any guarantees.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Gabriel found Gannon waiting for him at the top of the stairs; he leaned against the railing, his arms folded across his chest. Gannon sniffed the air and the corners of his mouth twitched with a smile. “Sorry for interrupting.”

  “You disrupted nothing,” Gabriel said casually, though he felt anything but. Jordan’s last words had him on edge.

  Gannon’s annoying smile widened. “Whatever you say.”

  Refusing to discuss what had and hadn’t happened moments ago with the mortal, Gabriel took control of the conversation. “Have Boras’s men been secured?”

  Gannon nodded. “They’re in the dungeon. I assume we’ll start the questioning at sunset.”

  Gabriel’s eyes narrowed. “Then why are you here?”

  “I ran into Scott in the tunnel.” Gannon dropped his arms to his sides and straightened, all amusement vanished from his eyes. “The doctor said you didn’t allow him to operate. Instead, you took the human from the medical center and brought her to your quarters. Naturally, I called bullshit and he insisted I come see for myself.”

  “And here you are.”

  “No crap. The girl needs medical attention—”

  Gabriel waved a hand dismissively. “Scott did what he could. He cleaned and disinfected her wounds, shot her up with antibiotics and pain killers.”

  Gannon’s brows drew together. “Did what he could?”

  “Jordan has been marked by Death.”

  “What?”

  “Kate saw the shroud,” Gabriel explained. “She’s on the kill list.”

  Gannon collapsed back against the railing and exhaled a curse. “So, what now? Is there anything we can do?”

  Gabriel tugged a hand through his hair. As much as he despised the curse in his blood, he loathed the thought of Jordan’s death even more. He wouldn’t add her name to the record of those he couldn’t save.

  “I’ll share my blood with her until we can find a permanent solution.”

  Gannon blinked. “W-what?”

  Ignoring his Second’s stunned stutter, Gabriel noted, “Her body has already begun to respond. I anticipate she’ll be completely healed by sunset. The effects should last a day or two before she’ll need more. I allowed Scott to draw my blood. He’ll store it and provide the human with a transfusion if necessary.”

  Gannon threw his hands up, palms out. “Whoa. Hold on. You don’t do that. You don’t share your blood.”

  Gabriel arched a questioning brow. Gannon was among the strict few that knew the truth of Queen Kerstyn’s vampire transformation. The story told was that Dimitri had turned his mate, creating his first and only fledgling. Truth, Gabriel was Kerstyn’s maker.

  “You know what I mean,” Gannon snorted. “I understand why you did what you did for Sire Arsov’s woman and I get why you gave your blood to Jordan at the shack. But giving her more…you could’ve asked me or any other—”

  “Mine is the strongest available,” Gabriel harshly interjected. He was stating a simple fact and his hard tone had nothing to do with possessiveness or the strange desire to be the one to provide for Jordan.

  “True, but my blood or Dr. Fredrick’s would suffice.”

  “I’ve made my decision,” Gabriel snapped.

  Gannon’s jaw slacked and his eyes grew wide in obvious shock.

  Gabriel ground his teeth. “Will you stop staring at me as if I just sprouted horns?”

  Snappin
g his mouth shut, Gannon shook his head. “Sorry. It’s just…this is so out of character for you.”

  Gabriel couldn’t deny his Second’s words, Gannon was dead on. He shared his blood with no one. Not even during the throws of sex did he allow his partners to take from him, though blood play was a natural, encouraged, and expected exchange between vampires. He couldn’t stand the feeling of another’s lips against his pulse, their fangs scoring his flesh as Madame Sideth had.

  But Jordan’s mouth against his wrist and his throat hadn’t felt degrading, like he remembered, and her soft sighs of pleasure as she swallowed had him hard as steel. He groaned envisioning her tiny white fangs sinking into his thigh as her hand stroked his cock.

  Gabriel ran a shaking hand over his face. Giving Scott his blood had been the right choice. Until he worked off his lust, regained control of his emotions, and extinguished his obsession, it was best he kept his distance. He’d tasted the passion in her kiss and her words as he left her…Yes, it would be in their best interest if whatever was happening between them ended now. The girl was young, inexperienced, and vulnerable. She was confused. He wouldn’t take advantage of her. Jordan would realize he didn’t possess a soft heart or a kind soul. He was a ruthless man focused on revenge and the destruction of his enemies, but he would keep the vow he’d made to her.

  “For now, Dr. Fredrick will ensure the girl’s condition remains stable.”

  “Do you plan on keeping her?”

  Gabriel scoffed, “Why the hell would I do that?”

  “A: she can’t survive without vampire blood. B: last I checked, blood banks don’t stock type Vamp. C: we can’t send her out with her memories still intact. She already knows too much about our operation.”

  He was thankful Gannon hadn’t listed D: his obsession with her. “I’m aware of the situation and I’m working on it.”

  “I don’t understand how you can be so damn calm and confident.”

  “Kate will reach out to the Shaw. Perhaps they can spare another Priestess to help with the girl’s memories and healing,” Gabriel explained.

  Gannon folded his arms over his chest again and fix his king with a disbelieving stare. “You’re going through a lot of shit trying to save this girl.” He paused as if searching for the right words then sighed. “Saying you don’t like or trust humans is a gross understatement. Seriously, your opinion of them couldn’t be lower, unless you sank to Boras’s level. To you, they are simple minded, weak willed, untrustworthy, greedy, glutinous, conniving, sinful, borderline evil creatures.”

  Gabriel’s jaw clenched. Those words didn’t apply to his mortal. She was intelligent, brave, honest, giving, and kind. With a growl, he grudgingly admitted, “There are a few with redeeming qualities.”

  “And Jordan Culver is among the few?” Gannon shook his head and sighed, “I don’t get you, man.”

  “You’ve never shared my opinion; therefore I don’t expect you to understand.”

  “No, that’s not it.” Gannon’s gaze dropped to the floor as he rubbed his nape. “You’ve been different.”

  Gabriel couldn’t hold back his laugh. “You’re mistaking my recent kindness towards humans with caring.”

  Gannon rolled his eyes. “You can’t deny you haven’t been your usual sociopath self the last couple months.”

  Irritation rising, Gabriel snapped, “This conversation grows tiresome. If you have a point, make it.”

  “I think Jordan is the cause.”

  Gabriel released an exasperated groan. Gannon knew him well. Sometimes a little too well. Jordan was affecting him, but she wasn’t softening his stance against the human race. So what if he’d decided to bring an end to the slave trade amongst his people, he’d considered the idea before. He’d also kicked around the thought of uniting the Outcasts for the past three decades. Since the early eighteen hundreds, Boras had been unsuccessfully working on brining the Outcast faction under one rule. Gabriel had the strength of numbers, the wealth, the power, and support of the Clan Chieftains, which made him the perfect candidate to lead the Outcasts. When Dimitri returned to vampire society to reclaim his throne, he’d come to Gabriel’s territory. It been then that Gabriel

  It was time for change and someone had to start the firefight. Perhaps that had been Dimitri’s plan when he’d asked Gabriel to raid his enemy’s slave warehouse. It had given Gabriel the motivation he needed and his response to discovering Jordan’s photo had been a coincidence, nothing more.

  “The girl has nothing to do with my decision to conduct the raids or start the war.”

  “Yes, but—”

  “She’s no different than any other mortal we’ve rescued,” he said, then frowned. The words lacked conviction. Troubling.

  “Yeah, she’s human like the others,” Gannon scoffed.

  Gabriel understood his meaning and it didn’t settle well with him. He’d gone to extraordinary length to ensure Jordan’s rescue and health. He’d brought her into his home, settled her into his personal living quarters, and tucked her into bed. For fuck sake, he’d cut his vein for her twice, allowed her to drink directly from him. He needed to get rid of her. She was a distraction, a disruption.

  Gannon put his hands up again in mock surrender. “Hey, it’s cool if you have a thing for the girl.”

  “Are you finished?

  “A little crush is harmless, I just hope the feeling is mutual.”

  “I do not have a—”

  “You don’t think placing her in the room next to yours is a bit forward?” Gannon asked, dismissing Gabriel’s dark scowl. “She may turn you down. Or is it for security purposes? You know, keep an eye on her. The girl was raised as a hunter.” Gannon clasped his fingers together and pressed his palms over his chest, his voice grew shrill as he teased, “Oh, good god, she may try to kill you while you sleep. Maybe we should—”

  “Enough! You needn’t worry she’ll break my heart or run a stake through it.”

  When Gannon’s laughter ended he wiped at the corner of his eyes.

  “Is there something else we needed to discuss or are we done here?” Gabriel asked.

  “You’re right, back to business. I was heading your way before I ran into the doctor.” He pulled a small glass vile from his pocket and tossed it to his king. “Look familiar?”

  Rolling the tube over in his palm, Gabriel examined the liquid. “Too familiar.”

  “I found it on Klein.”

  “Red Order poison. Boras is full of surprises.” An evil half smile curled the edge of Gabriel’s lips. If the guards didn’t respond to the usual methods of questioning, he’d coat a blade or two with the poison and start carving. “This should make the interrogations more interesting.”

  “Do you think Boras could’ve teamed up with the Red Order Hunters?”

  “Doubtful. The Vlakhos Clan and the Red Order are in peace negotiations. It’s more likely Boras’s men knocked over a Red Order safe house and stole the poison. However, until we question the guards, there is no telling how much of the poison Boras got his hands on. We should take every precaution.”

  “I’ve already notified the men.”

  Gabriel nodded in approval then asked, “Have we received confirmation for the sit down?”

  “Not to my knowledge. I’ll check with Clare before we start the interrogations. But…do you still want to have the meeting? Most of those on the guest list were attending the auction. Can we trust them?”

  “No.” Gabriel rolled the small bottle of poison between his fingers. “They’d sworn to remain neutral and broke their oath by supporting Boras’s trade.”

  “Will you offer them a chance to atone?”

  “Of course, I’m a fair man,” Gabriel stated. “I will extend the same courtesies and provide the same options I gave the other faction leaders.”

  Gannon chuckled. “Let’s hope they accept.”

  Gabriel shrugged. He couldn’t care less if the vampires agreed to his terms, swore their fealty to him and join
ed the Clan. He existed for vengeance and violence, his only purpose was to destroy his enemies and he had no qualms about adding to the list.

  Gannon stretched his arms over his head, then slowly twisted to the left and right, before releasing a deep sigh and lowering his arms. “Don’t know about you, but I need to hit the pillows. It’s been a rough couple of nights and the sun is draining my reserves.” He turned toward the stairs. “Now that we’ve got the girl, you should be able to catch some z’s.”

  Gabriel snarled a curse then instructed, “Meet me in the dungeon an hour after sunset.”

  Gannon confirmed his attendance between his bouts of laughter as he descended the stairs.

  Turning from the landing, Gabriel forced himself to pass Jordan’s door and enter his own room. God, he needed a drink or ten. He grabbed the glowing decanter and matching crystal tumbler from the wet bar and collapsed into a high backed arm chair before the empty fireplace. He poured himself two fingers of the strongest liquor ever made and took a sip.

  Unlike Jordan’s room, which was lit by the soft glow of candles and heated like a sauna, Gabriel sat in complete darkness, the only source of light was the bottle of Silver Moon now resting on the floor by his feet, and the air was as chilled as a winter storm.

  Unable to stop himself, Gabriel used his senses to probe the adjoining room. Judging by the even flow of her breath and steady heartbeat, she was sleeping easily. Thank the Graces.

  Gabriel took another drink. Fuck, he’d lived nearly thirteen hundred years and tonight ranked high on his crazy crap list. He’d infiltrated is enemy’s stronghold, rescued the girl like he was some fabled prince charming, managed not to kill his enemies—a boastful feat in itself—and now, he had her. Jordan was free and she was here. With him. Goal achieved. This was what he’d wanted, wasn’t it?