Embrace the Fire

by Spring Stevens

  She was having a busy Friday night. The place was packed, teaming with humans. She worked the tables tirelessly even though Varick knew she had worked at the museum earlier that day. It had been almost twenty-four hours since they went on their date and he wanted to talk to her, needed to hear her voice.

  Hell, he didn’t even care if she was still angry at him or not, as long as she talked to him. Okay, maybe he cared. Maybe he wanted to apologize and make things right with her. He growled. Seemed like he had apologized a lot lately.

  “Varick?” Alexander’s voice brought his thoughts back to the table. “You okay?”

  Varick nodded, grabbed his bottle, and swallowed the remainder of its contents. “I’m good as gold. Right as rain.”

  Alexander shook his head. “Really?”

  “Yeah, really.”

  From the corner of his eye, Varick saw a man grab Angelica’s elbow. She was nodding, listening to the man. She laughed as he stood and walked back to the bar with her. It was obvious the man was flirting with her, hinting at things only Varick had the right to.

  Only, he didn’t have the right.

  The bottle in his hand shattered. He looked down at the broken glass on the table knowing Alexander was staring at him.

  “Varick, get a grip on yourself. There are too many humans here tonight for you to display … ”

  Varick cut him off. “Shut it, Alexander.”

  He heard Alexander’s voice, but the words weren’t registering as he watched the man put his arm around Angelica’s shoulders. She shrugged him off and shook her head. The man wrote something on a napkin and urged her to take it.

  Every sane thought left his mind as Varick stared at the napkin. Utter menace flowed through his muscles, gripping his insides with fury as he watched the man touch her again. Ripping both his arms out of their sockets would not be enough — no, but ripping and slashing and gouging out his eyes just might do it.

  He tightened his control, harnessed his anger, and reminded himself he was a Destroyer. He was to protect humans, not shred them like cheese.

  But he desired just to take a good piece of the man’s skin and stretch it across the Sahara desert, drain every last drop of his blood, and throw his entrails to the vultures.

  He clenched his teeth, his jaw twitching and his neck popping. He looked at her as his thoughts tumbled insanely around his skull, kicking and bucking wildly against his control. When he stood to make good on the silent threats roaring through his mind, Gyth appeared out of nowhere.

  “Sit down.” Gyth ordered. “We have business to discuss.”

  Varick grimaced as the toe of Alexander’s boot contacted his shin. Glancing at Alexander, Varick sat down, kept his mouth shut, and turned his attention to Gyth.

  • • •

  A chill tingled up Angelica’s spine, bringing her head twisting around to stare at the table in the far back corner. Varick’s friends had gathered, he among them. Other than Varick, another caught her eye and held it. He too had long white hair, although it was tinged with red at the ends that fell to his ripped waist. And chains. And leather. Very gothic. She tried to look away, but he held her gaze.

  Her feet moved in his direction, her hip bumping into an empty chair. Her body got warm, not sexually warm but fever warm. Sweat trickled down her nose. The closer she got, the closer she wanted to be.

  A soft smile spread across his full lips. He was archaically beautiful, graceful and either rich or powerful or maybe both. Every slight move he made was so controlled. She shuddered as he ran his gaze over her face and down her throat, and then she was overwhelmed with sadness — not her own but sadness for this beautiful man that she had never met. His gold eyes held a past she dared not know, dared not to endure. And then, as if he had been a dream, his outline shimmered with gold and silver, and he dissolved into thin air.

  Angelica’s heart stopped dead in its tracks. He disappeared!

  She slowly realized she was standing in front of the table where Varick was sitting. Her eyes made contact with his and she stepped away from the table.

  “I’m sorry; I think I need to leave.” Her entire body jerked, as if she had stuck her finger into an electric outlet. “Like now, right now.”

  “You’ll stay,” Varick stood, his chair scraping backwards. “We need to talk.”

  Angelica swallowed hard as she looked into his eyes. Her knees trembled under his fierce angry stare. He reached across the table and took the napkin out of her shirt pocket.

  “Why did you allow that man to give you his number?”

  Still a little dazed and confused, she grabbed the napkin. “He’s a damn good tipper.”

  Varick came around the table and took Angelica’s hand.

  Without hesitation or invitation, Varick pulled her into his arms and kissed her like a man bent on proving that she belonged to him. Angelica leaned forward, losing herself in his raw heat. He felt like silk melted over hard marble. Hot, hard, tall, sexy marble. Roman sculptures had nothing on this man.

  Her lips parted as he pushed into her mouth and skillfully sucked on her tongue. Sweet torment. She groaned as he released her lips. Her brain fired, sent a thousand electrical impulses along her body.

  “We need to talk, right now.”

  She didn’t want to talk. She didn’t want to think. All she could see was Varick naked and ready, ready for her.

  Gathering her wits, she spoke up even though it was barely above a whisper. “My place or yours?”

  “We do this here, now.”

  “Here?” Apparently, he wasn’t thinking what she had in mind.

  Angelica’s body jerked again, her thoughts scattering. Her limbs felt like jello, her brain sluggish. Tilting her head, she marveled at Varick’s beauty. She noticed a thin, red line running down his neck. Before thinking, she reached up and ran her finger down the line. It was dried blood.

  “Varick, you’re bleeding.”

  Varick grinned. “It’s not my blood.”

  She stepped back. “Whose blood is it?”

  “No one important.”

  “How?” She glanced over at Alexander who was grinning like a fool. Her thoughts gathered, collected, jumped back on the track they had derailed. “How did you get someone else’s blood on your neck?”

  “It isn’t important. Just come with me. There are a few things I need to explain to you.” He pulled on her hand, tried to coax her his way.

  “It is important.” She turned to Alexander. “Why the hell are you grinning like that? Is there something funny about him having someone else’s blood on his neck?”

  Alexander didn’t answer. He stood, bowed slightly, and left without a word. She turned to Varick. She wanted answers.

  “Who was the man with white hair? He was standing at your table a few minutes ago.” And then he vanished into thin air.

  “His name is Gyth. He brings us our jobs.”

  “I’m beginning to think you’re hiding something from me.” She pointed at his chest. “Where was your last job?”

  “It doesn’t matter.”

  “Doesn’t matter?” Her temper sky-rocketed. “The hell it don’t. Tell me where your last job was at?”

  “The park, okay?” Varick looked up at the ceiling as if he was praying. “I destroy things for a living. Gyth is more like my boss.”

  “You said you were self-employed.” Her nose twitched. “I walk through the park every day and there hasn’t been a blade of grass moved out of place.” She leaned in, got real close, and whispered. “You’re lying to me.”

  “You promised not to walk through there anymore.” He smoothed a stray strand of her silky hair out of her eyes. “Please, Angelica, don’t argue with me. Not now when I need you so badly.”

  She snorted. “Are you begging?”
>
  “I don’t beg,” he answered as she turned on her heel only to be jerked back around to face him.

  In a voice as sweet as sugar, as heart-breaking as a dove’s lonely cry, he whispered into her ear, “Can’t you see you’re all I need? Tonight, at this moment, I’m lost without you.”

  Angelica closed her eyes as the music disappeared and time itself seemed to stop. Leaning closer to the infuriating man, she slid her arms up to his neck and held on as tightly as she could. His heartbeat thumped in her ear as he kissed her forehead and ran his hands up her spine. It felt so right, so perfect. It was like finding that single strand of sunlight on a cloudy day.

  Varick stood up and took her arm. She tried to pull away as he dragged her through the crowd. She looked to the bartender, but he turned his head as a man sat down at the bar. Varick pulled her through the door at the back of the bar and slammed it behind her.

  “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” she spat out as the door closed and he dragged her down the hallway to the door next to Alera’s office.

  “We need to talk,” he gritted out as he pulled her inside the dark room and made her sit on the couch.

  “Could you turn on a light or something?” she whispered. She heard a distinct locking sound.

  She tried to see him in the dark room and jumped when he ran his fingers down her arm. “I like the dark.”

  “What do you want from me?” she whispered as he crouched in front of her and took her hands in his.

  He worked her thumb into his mouth, sucking on it as she groaned. “I’m about to go through something called the Mating Rite.”

  Angelica’s heart pounded in her head as he kissed her wrists. “What does that have to do with me?”

  “I need your help. Will you aid me in this, Angel?”

  Even in the dark, his gold eyes were bright as diamonds as he ran his hands up her legs, pulled the hem of her dress up to her thighs, and kissed her knees.

  “I wish I had found you before the Mating Rite started boiling in my blood.”

  Angelica knitted her brows together as she spoke. “This is the twenty-first century — why not turn on some lights?”

  He stood and a heartbeat later light flooded the room. Her head spun, she blinked her burning eyes. Placing a hand over her mouth, she felt her stomach lurch.

  “I don’t feel well.” She swallowed hard, her stomach calming.

  Varick kneeled in front of her, ran his fingers over her forehead. “You don’t seem to have a fever. Perhaps, I’m making you nervous.”

  Her stomach flipped, twisted. “I think you’re making me sick.” She slowly breathed in and out. “Every time you get close to me, I feel worse.”

  His eyes lowered, showing only the slightest hint of gold through his white lashes. Her stomach calmed as he ran his hands along her arms. “I haven’t meant to do this to you.”

  “The Mating Rite? What kind of aid do you want?”

  “I would have loved to continue our romance. But now there is no time, and I must have you soon.” His voice was as gentle as light rain as he continued. “I won’t lie to you, nor will I beg you to have me. I am as I am.” He paused as he ran his hands up her legs. “I can feel how much you want me.” Something that sounded like a hiss spread his breath across her exposed thighs. “I can smell your arousal.”

  His groan shattered her defenses. He leaned into her thighs, his face liquid fire to her skin. “I need you.”

  Angelica ran her fingers through his hair, trying to comfort the pain he seemed to be in. “Then tell me, what it is you need me to do.”

  She knew she couldn’t resist the devil who was so manipulating her senses. Lord, she could feel desire rising up her throat, and she’d be damned if she wasn’t going to give in to it. And for the life of her, she didn’t know why, but she wanted him like she had never wanted anyone before.

  His breathing became harsh. “There is this thing inside of me, a terrible beast that wants you.”

  Angelica pulled away and stood up. Stepping away from Varick, she crossed the room and was instantly surrounded by his shadow. She hugged herself and turned to face him. He towered over her. But it wasn’t fear that made her hands tremble — it was the sheer desire for him running through her body. Desire that only he seemed able to inspire.

  “The beast in me is strong. He will surface soon, not because I want him to, because I have no other choice.” Truth that it was, it was all the explanation he had.

  Angelica reached into her pocket and rubbed the surface of the medallion Alera had given her. Varick crossed the room in a blur and pulled her into his arms. His arms were hot, and his breath scorched her as he bent to kiss her lips. She met his lips and melted into his arms. His sweat dripped on her skin as his kiss deepened. God, this felt so right.

  She moaned in his mouth as his tongue caressed hers. Sensation after blissful sensation coursed through her as he ravaged her mouth and ran his fingers up and down her back. Her hands went to his face and traced his jaw line to his temple as he lifted her from the floor. His face was hot as fire, and sweat ran into her mouth as he kissed her.

  His sweat was sweet and hot on her tongue. He tasted like hot honey, and her body screamed to have more. He released her lips and left a trail of kisses down her chin to her neck as he moved to the couch. The heat that was left on her skin burned blissfully as he sat down, putting her in his lap. She sat astride his legs as he cupped her breasts and licked her neck. She fell forward and groaned as his hands pulled her dress up and over her head.

  This is what I want. This is what I need.

  Angelica threw her head back as a gasp of delight escaped her mouth. His tongue danced across her nipples, and surges of need burst from her loins and sent heat up her chest, making her mouth go completely dry. A smile formed on her mouth as sweat beaded her forehead and her eyes hazed.

  “You feel so good under me!” she breathed as he tongued her tight nipple.

  The world was spinning, and it was better than any high she had ever gotten with alcohol. She grabbed his head and pulled him back as she took his lips and bit his tongue. She rubbed her core against his crotch and dug her fingernails into the tender flesh of his shoulders. He arched upwards and growled with pleasure as she bit his lower lip.

  Angelica licked her lips, savoring the iron and sugar in his blood. Her skin felt alive, her head spun, and her heart seemed to swell in her chest. She wanted to taste his skin, his hair, his very being as she ran her tongue down his chin and neck. Varick caught her hair as she bit into his neck and ran her tongue over the bite marks. The muscles under his skin rippled against her bare flesh, creating sparks of fire inside of her.

  Heat consumed her, molded her body to his. The only thought in her mind was him, how much she wanted him.

  “Take me!” She screamed as a shudder wracked her body. “Now!”

  • • •

  Varick strained to keep his beast under control, but Angelica was lost in her passion, and he loved every second of it. When she bit down on his neck again, he caught his breath and held her head to his neck as she licked and sucked on his skin. He could hear her thoughts pounding in his mind as she gave in to the lust taking control of her body.

  Honey. Sweet nectar. I want him. Now! For the love of God, please take me now!

  Varick stood and set her on her feet. With one clawed finger, he ripped her panties and threw them aside. She grabbed his shirt, popping the buttons as he slid his fingers up her back. As she ran her fingers up his chest, a blast of raw heat rolled off her body.

  Varick caught her as her eyes fluttered shut. She went limp in his arms, and he stared down at her in complete disbelief. What the hell had happened? Had he hurt her? He ran his hands over every inch of her body and found no broken bones, no wounds, and sensed no pain coming from her.


  Her unconscious thoughts drifted in and out of his mind as he carried her to the couch. He gritted his teeth and, for the second time, he walked away from her with a massive hard-on. He couldn’t take it much longer. He needed her, and his blood was begging for hers.

  “Damn!” he spat as he took another look at her.

  The grin on his lips spread as he went back to her and picked her up. They shimmered and disappeared as she curled closer to his chest. When they reappeared, he was standing in front of a very large, very old bed.

  He kissed her forehead and laid her across the white satin bedspread. Realizing exactly what he had just done, he cursed. Would she consider this kidnapping? There had to be a few possible ways he could convince her he had driven her here.

  Jackknifing off the bed, he cursed again, not that it helped. He knew he had to tell her the truth, all of the truth. No holding back.

  Varick bared his fangs as Gyth’s voice filled his head. “Come to Tortured Souls. There is much to discuss.”

  He rubbed his temple as he went to his closet. Gyth had always found the worst of times to summon the Destroyers but he didn’t do it very often, which could only mean one thing: shit had hit the fan.

  Chapter 17

  Eighty-seven Destroyers were gathered around the table when Varick appeared out of the mist he had created. The usual banter and non-stop arguments were in full swing as he took his place to the right of Gyth’s head seat. Kreach sat to his immediate right and nodded his hello.

  Varick peered down the table, and a sudden laugh escaped him. What would Angelica say about this? Would she think they looked like a motorcycle convention or a gothic gathering? Or both? What would her quick tongue say? He could hear it now.

  She would slap that pretty hand of hers on her hip and narrow her hazel eyes and say, “You boys trying to express your true feelings or just offend the world with all that dead animal skin?”

  Twenty floors beneath Tortured Souls, the god who commanded the Destroyers appeared at the head of the ancient wooden table and raised his hands to quiet his warriors. “All is one, one is all, for we are the keepers of our brothers.”