Beyond the Darkness

by Alexandra Ivy

  “Why?”

  “Their powers are supposedly unstable.”

  Salvatore had mentioned his fear of the jinn, but it hadn’t occurred to her that the vampires would be hunting her down as if she were an animal.

  The thought made her heart twist in sympathy.

  Despite the fact that Caine had always kept the jinn at a distance, Harley had always felt an unspoken bond with the beautiful creature.

  They both had their reasons for hiding from the world.

  “What will they do to her if they find her?”

  With an abrupt motion, Darcy set aside her mug and rose to her feet, crossing to grab Harley’s hands.

  “I’m sorry, Harley, I never even thought about that. Was she a friend of yours?”

  “Not exactly a friend. Caine kept her isolated from the rest of us,” Harley corrected. “But I don’t think she would be a threat to anyone. She always seemed so…”

  “What?”

  “Frightened.”

  “Frightened of Caine?”

  Harley shook her head. The few occasions she’d seen the jinn in the company of Caine, she hadn’t picked up any vibes that the pretty demon was scared of Caine. But there had been something that haunted her eyes.

  “No, I don’t think so.” Harley shrugged. “He kept her locked in a private lair, but she wasn’t his prisoner. At least no more than I was.”

  Anger rippled over Darcy’s face at the mention of Caine’s role in protecting the bastard who had stolen them from the nursery. Not to mention putting her sister Regan through hell. Then, with a shake of her head, she returned her attention to the missing jinn.

  “What do you mean?”

  “She left more than once and returned of her own free will.”

  Darcy sucked in a startled breath, her eyes wide. “Then she might be trying to get back to Caine?”

  Harley chewed her bottom lip, debating whether to tell a lie. She didn’t want to be responsible for the death of the poor jinn.

  Then again, she was fairly certain that Darcy would sense any attempt at deception.

  “It’s possible,” she grudgingly admitted. “I think he has a way of keeping her hidden.”

  “I have to tell Styx.” With a brief kiss on Harley’s cheek, Darcy was headed for the door. “He’ll want to track down Caine and find out if he’s seen the jinn.”

  “Darcy, wait.” Harley called.

  Her sister halted in the doorway. “What is it?”

  “Would you ask them not to kill her until they find out for sure whether or not she’s dangerous?”

  “Of course.” Darcy paused, a slow smile curving her lips. “Harley?”

  “Yes?”

  “If they manage to find Caine, do you want him brought back to you? Styx would be happy to tie him up with a bow if you want.”

  Harley rolled her eyes. “Only if Salvatore doesn’t find him first. I’m assuming he already has his pack out looking for Caine.”

  “Ah, you know me so well, il mia amore.” The dark, richly masculine voice filled the room as Salvatore pushed open a French door behind her and stepped in from the garden.

  “I think that’s my cue to make myself scarce.” With a wink toward Harley, Darcy had disappeared down the hallway.

  Harley barely noticed her departure.

  Who could blame her?

  What female on the face of the earth wouldn’t be entranced by Salvatore prowling toward her wearing nothing more than a pair of faded jeans he’d obviously just pulled on after shifting?

  She breathed in his rich, musky scent, allowing her gaze to savor the magnificent sight of his smooth bronzed skin stretched over chiseled muscles, and the spill of raven hair that framed his lean, starkly beautiful face.

  A sexy, dangerous predator that made her heart skip and her blood heat.

  Easily sensing her appreciation for his raw masculinity, Salvatore wrapped her in his arms and studied her upturned face with a promising glow in his eyes.

  “I like the way your sister thinks.”

  “Yeah, that’s kind of obvious.” She wiggled against the hard thrust of his arousal. “Behave yourself.”

  “I’m trying.” He buried his face in the curve of her neck. “Mmmm. Sweet vanilla.”

  Harley’s eyes fluttered closed as a heady rush of pleasure exploded through her, the feel of his teeth nipping at her vulnerable throat nearly sending her over the edge. But with effort, she forced herself to arch away from his exquisite nibbles.

  Salvatore was way too talented in distracting her.

  “So, do you have a hit squad out for Caine?” she demanded.

  His eyes narrowed. “Would it bother you if I did?”

  Would it?

  “I…don’t know.”

  Salvatore scowled, not pleased by her hedging. “The bastard nearly helped to destroy the Weres, not to mention holding you hostage for the past thirty years.”

  Harley grimaced. Hell, she wanted revenge as much as the next person. She’d been used and manipulated and terrified by the damned cur.

  But that was all in the past.

  Nothing mattered now but the future.

  Her future with Salvatore.

  “I could care less about Caine, but he does have a large number of curs who are loyal to him.” She framed his face in her hands. “It’s time for peace, Your Majesty.”

  He heaved a rueful sigh. “There’s no hit squad. I’ve simply made it clear that I would be pleased with anyone who could give me information on the cur’s current location.”

  She snorted, well aware that any pureblood who managed to get their hands on Caine was going to make his life pure misery.

  “You make it sound so very civilized.”

  He arched a raven brow. “You wouldn’t be implying that I’m a savage, would you?”

  Her thumb brushed the sensuous curve of his lower lip. “When you want to be.”

  The gold of his eyes flooded the room as he studied her with smug pleasure.

  “You can be something of a savage yourself, cara.”

  She chuckled. It was true. With Salvatore’s urging, she’d become downright aggressive in bed.

  With stunning results.

  “I haven’t heard you complaining,” she murmured, draping her arms around his neck.

  “Never.” His eyes darkened with a tender emotion he kept hidden from all but her. “You are perfect in every way.”

  “I’m your mate. You have to say that.”

  His hands skimmed up her back, pulling her close as he gazed deep in her eyes.

  “Not just my mate,” he husked. “What we have between us is more than biology or ancient powers, Harley. I adore you. I crave you. And most of all, I love you.”

  Her heart clenched with a joy she’d never dreamed possible. “Forever?”

  “Beyond eternity.” He bent to brush a gentle kiss over her lips.

  Her knees threatened to buckle. Damn him. He knew how emotional she became when he was all sentimental.

  “I love you, too, Salvatore Giuliani,” she husked, her voice thick with tears.

  With a last lingering kiss, Salvatore pulled back, a teasing smile on his lips.

  “Naturally.”

  She punched his arm, but secretly she couldn’t deny a flare of relief. It was going to take time for her to become comfortable with the mushy stuff.

  “Your modesty overwhelms me.”

  He chuckled, his eyes flashing with wicked amusement. “I have a better way to overwhelm you.”

  Amen to that.

  She shivered, but once again she resisted the urge to give into temptation.

  “Do you intend to wait here until Caine is discovered?”

  His smile faded. “I know you wish to spend time with your sister, cara, but the packs are anxious to meet their new queen. We must begin our grand tour soon.”

  Harley wrinkled her nose. “Grand tour?”

  “Our mating has brought back traditions nearly forgotten by the pur
ebloods.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “In the ancient days, the King of Weres would perform the Sylnivia when he became mated.”

  “And just what does this…Sylnivia entail?”

  “Nothing too outlandish.” He shrugged. “We will travel to meet our various packs and receive the blessing of our people.” He paused, the smile slowly returning to his mouth. “It’s supposed to ensure our fertility.”

  Harley abruptly cleared her throat.

  She wouldn’t get a more perfect segue.

  “Actually—” She licked her suddenly dry lips. “I don’t think we’re going to be needing help in the fertility department.”

  Salvatore froze, his hands gripping her with a sudden tension. “Harley?”

  She shifted, feeling awkward beneath the searing intensity of his gaze.

  “When I woke up this morning, I felt weird.” She unconsciously pressed a hand to her stomach. “At first I assumed it had something to do with our bond. It’s been…a little erratic.”

  Looking decidedly shell-shocked, Salvatore obediently nodded.

  “I’m still struggling with my powers,” he muttered absently.

  Harley smiled. That was the understatement of the century. Over the past week, Salvatore had accidentally shorted out the electricity, yanked the bathroom door off its hinges, drained Harley of her power one minute, and the next filled her with such energy she was nearly bouncing off the walls.

  Which, of course, explained why she had first dismissed the bundle of warmth her wolf sensed in her womb.

  As the day passed, however, she could no longer ignore the truth.

  It was the spark of life.

  Actually, her werewolf was whispering that it was several sparks of life.

  Barely more than a few days old, but already growing strong.

  “Yeah, I’ve noticed,” she teased.

  “Harley.” He stopped, clearly struggling to breathe. “Are you saying…?”

  She went on tiptoe to press her lips to his. “You’re going to become a proud papa, Salvatore Giuliani.”

  “Papa.” For a crazed moment he swayed as if he might pass out. Then without warning, he sank to his knees, pressing his face to her flat abdomen. “I knew you were my savior, cara, but now you have given hope to the entire race of werewolves.” Tilting back his head, he gazed at her with such profound respect that Harley had to fight back the urge to weep. “You are a miracle.”

  She gently threaded her fingers through his raven hair. “I think you might have had a little something to do with this particular miracle.”

  His fingers brushed over her stomach, treating her as if she were as fragile as spun glass, even as his face darkened with sudden concern.

  “How are you feeling? Are you sick? We have to get you to a doctor…”

  “Salvatore, I’m fine,” she interrupted, belatedly realizing that her mate’s protective instincts were about to kick into hyperdrive. Frigging hell. She would be smothered if she didn’t nip a few of them in the bud. Firmly she tugged him to his feet and laid her head on his chest, taking comfort in the steady beat of his heart. “Obviously we’ll have to find a doctor who will help me through the pregnancy, but I’m not the first woman to have babies. It’s all perfectly natural.”

  He pulled back to glare at her casual tone. “I don’t care about other women, only you. We’ll travel straight to our lair in Italy tomorrow. I have a number of doctors at my disposal, as well as a full staff of servants to make sure you have nothing to worry about but taking care of yourself.”

  She frowned. “But what about the Sylnivia?”

  He blinked, looking at her as if she’d lost her mind. “Naturally, it will have to be postponed.”

  “There’s no ‘naturally’ about it.” She caught and held his gaze, her expression warning. “I told you I feel fine, Salvatore, and if you try to treat me like a mindless child who can’t decide what’s best for herself, you’re not going to like the consequences.”

  His lips parted, then snapped shut as he studied her stubborn expression. Finally he heaved a sigh of resignation and pressed her head back to his chest.

  “I will try to be reasonable,” he grudgingly promised. “But it’s not going to be easy.”

  “And our grand tour?” she demanded.

  “We will decide on the Sylnivia after you’ve seen a doctor.”

  She knew it was as good as she was going to get. “Fine. We can no doubt find a competent doctor here in Chicago.”

  “I’ll speak to the local pack master.” There was a pause as Salvatore ran his hand gently over her hair. “Harley?”

  She tilted back her head to meet his wary gaze. “Yes?”

  “Are you…”

  She frowned as his words faltered, his expression oddly uncertain. It wasn’t like her arrogant mate to be anything but supremely self-confident.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Are you happy?”

  She frowned at the ridiculous question. Her heart felt as if it might burst with joy.

  “Of course I’m happy.”

  “Not so long ago you accused me of wanting you only for the babies you could give me,” he softly reminded her, his gaze watchful. “I don’t want you thinking I…”

  Harley grabbed his face and yanked it down so she could halt his words with a kiss that was filled with all the love and wonder that flowed through her heart.

  “Salvatore, I said a lot of stupid things over the past few days,” she murmured against his lips. “I was scared and stubborn…”

  “Insanely stubborn,” he clarified.

  “Don’t push your luck, wolfman.” She nipped his bottom lip, chuckling at his low growl of approval. “I was an idiot, but now I can’t imagine anything I want more than to have you as a mate, and our home filled with children.”

  “Wait.” His tension eased from his body, although his expression remained wary. “Just how many children are you talking about?”

  “Five.”

  “Cristo.” He blinked, clearly stunned, then with a loud crack of laughter, he wrapped her in his arms and twirled her around the room. “You’re the most amazing woman.”

  “Amazing or not, I’m going to be sick if you don’t put me down,” she teased.

  Instantly she was back on her feet, Salvatore’s fingers threading through her hair as he kissed her with exquisite tenderness.

  “You do know what this means, don’t you, cara?” he whispered.

  “You’re going to have to learn how to change diapers?”

  He pulled back, the golden eyes flashing with wicked amusement.

  “Si. And also how to appreciate the rare moments when I have my mate’s undivided attention.” His fingers traced a path of fire down her back. “They will soon be few and far between.”

  “Hmmm. Did you have something in mind?”

  His eyes were lit with a golden hunger that sent a shiver of anticipation down her spine.

  “We could always return to our rooms.”

  “But I was just getting ready to watch the movie,” she said, her expression one of faux innocence.

  He glanced toward the screen, his brows lifting in surprise.

  “Terminator?”

  “Hello. Arnold naked.” She gave a startled squeak as Salvatore scooped her off her feet and firmly headed toward the door. “What are you doing?”

  “I have something better for you to look at.”

  She wrapped her arms around his neck. “Are you certain?”

  He smiled with smug assurance. “Nothing but the best for the Queen of Weres.”

  And it was…

  Please turn the page for an exciting sneak peek of

  DEVOURED BY DARKNESS,

  the next installment in Alexandra Ivy’s

  Guardians of Eternity series!

  Laylah was tired.

  She was tired of the dark, cramped tunnels that she’d been running through for the past two days. She was tired of being chased by an enemy she couldn�
��t see. She was tired of her stomach cramping with hunger and her limbs screaming in protest at her relentless pace.

  Reaching a small cavern, she came to an abrupt halt, shoving her fingers through the short, spiky strands of her brilliant red hair, her black eyes searching the shadows of her pursuer.

  Not that she expected to actually catch sight of the frigid pain in her ass.

  Vampires not only possessed supernatural speed and strength, but they could shroud themselves in shadows, making them impossible to sense, even to most demons. It was only because she had the power of jinn blood running through her veins that she could detect the relentless leech following her mad dash through the tunnels.

  What she didn’t know was…

  Why.

  She shivered, her mouth dry. Christ. She’d thought she was being so clever when she’d initially allowed the vamp to catch her scent She’d hoped to lure him, along with the other intruders, away from Caine’s private lair.

  Not that she gave a damn about the cur, but she had hidden her most precious treasure at his estate, and she could not afford to allow any creature with the superior senses of a vampire, or even a full-blooded Were, near her secret. She’d thought the demons would give chase for a few hours and then grow tired of the game, hopefully returning to Hannibal or even St. Louis.

  But her hasty plan had fallen apart right from the start.

  The Were had continued on his path to Caine’s lair, and the vampire had refused to give up, no matter how far or how fast she had run.

  Now she was too weak to call upon her teleporting powers, and too far from Caine to call for his help.

  “Oh, screw it,” she muttered, planting her hands on her hips and tilting her chin in unspoken defiance. “I know you’re following me, vampire. Why don’t you just show yourself?”

  A warning chill thickened the air, prickling painfully over her skin.

  “You think you can give me orders, half-breed?” A dark, sinfully beautiful voice filled the cavern.

  Laylah’s heart missed a beat. Even with her demon blood she wasn’t immune to the ruthless sensuality that was as much a part of a vampire as his lethal fangs.

  “What I think is that I’m done running,” she gritted. So either kill me or go chase someone else.”