Protector of Midnight

by Debbie Cassidy

  He bunched his huge hands at his side, and even from this distance the dark stain of blood was visible on his knuckles. He wound back his arm and whipped forward smashing his fist into the pillar. He punched it over and over leaving smears of crimson on the rock and then he slumped against it, his forehead pressed to the stone. His back rippled and his shoulders rose and fell rapidly. He pushed off, stepped back and attacked the pillar again.

  This was pain. This was grief. This was his private moment, and I was an intruder, but the urge to walk toward him, to put my hand on his shoulder and somehow sooth his pain was a twisted wave of desire. My mind asserted control over my impulses. The last thing he needed was a reminder of Lilith and, as a cambion, that was exactly what I was. It was time to slip away, back toward the mansion and leave him to this private moment. I took a step back just as Bane finished a round of punch-the-pillar and the snap of a twig rang like a gunshot through the night.

  Chapter 22

  Not me, it wasn’t me. The crack had come from my far left, from another part of the tree line. Bane’s head whipped round and his harsh profile was highlighted in silver.

  A figure stepped out into the clearing. It was Lilith. Her long, dark hair trailed down her back and her body was encased in a thin white nightdress that ended at her knees and left very little to the imagination. She had to be freezing, right? Her nipples were practically poking out through the fabric, but she walked over to Bane, her hips swaying seductively, not a tremor in sight.

  “Oh, come now, Bane. Surely it wasn’t that bad?” she drawled.

  He turned his head away, the muscles in his lower back clenching.

  She reached him and slid her hand up his spine. “We’re nowhere near finished.” She leaned in and ran her tongue up his arm.

  His head snapped up as if she’d applied a shot of electricity to his flesh.

  She clutched his face and forced him to look at her. “See me.” She pressed herself against his side, rolling her hips, so her nightdress rode up. “Want me.”

  Her voice was a seductive purr that ran through me, shooting to my core and rubbing against that nub of desire that I’d kept under lock and key for way too long. I clamped my legs together and bit back a gasp. But Bane’s moan of need would have covered any sound I’d have made.

  “Fuck me, Bane.” Her hand slipped under her dress, and it was obvious what she was doing by the sounds that vibrated in her throat. “Fuck me like you mean it.”

  His jaw flexed beneath her crimson talon fingers. “No.”

  She chuckled sexy and breathy. “No?”

  “No.” He closed his eyes as if holding on to that word.

  Her hand slid from his face. “We have a deal, Bane. Whether you like it or not, for the next few hours you belong to me.” She lowered herself to her knees and undid his trousers before roughly shoving him back against the pillar. “You will want me Bane. You will give me what I want.”

  He was facing me now, back pressed to the stone, eyes still closed. And in the moonlight, his savage face was etched in torment.

  Lilith took him in her mouth, at least that’s what I assumed she was doing, because the back of her head began to move.

  “Please...” Bane’s voice was a strangled rasp.

  It was a plea, but whether for her to continue or stop, I wasn’t sure. Blood was pounding in my ears too hard to think straight.

  Lilith leaned back. “You’re too large.” She sounded annoyed and was about to stand when he grabbed the back of her head.

  “You want me,” he said with a growl. “Then fucking take it.” He yanked her head against this crotch and her gags filled the air.

  I clapped a hand over my mouth. The sounds she was making were horrific, and then she began to gulp and moan as if she was enjoying it? Bane sucked in a breath through clenched teeth. His body jerking as he thrust his crotch into her face. He was fucking her, but probably not the way she’d expected. He slammed his head back against the pillar.

  “Fuck. Fuck you, Lilith. Fuck you.”

  And then he opened his eyes—glowing violet orbs—and looked right at me. My heart stalled in my chest. I was frozen in place for the briefest of moments, and then my pulse kick-started and I turned and ran.

  I was soundless like the wind, leaping over the danger spots as tree trunks whizzed by. I’d always been fast, but never been able to run to my full potential. Here in the forest, for a moment I forgot what I was running from and what I’d just seen. I ran simply for the liberation of it.

  And then I slammed into a wall.

  No. Not a wall. A warm hard body, with fingers that latched on to my upper arms.

  I looked up into dark eyes that seemed to be drinking me in. Movement behind the man caught my eye. Huge black wings.

  A Black Wing. Not Abbadon though. This was someone else.

  “Hello, little not human.” The Black Wing cocked his head. “How are our daggers?”

  The heat from his fingers seeped through the fabric of my shirt to singe my skin, I tried to jerk out of his grasp and he tightened his grip in response.

  “Let go of me.”

  His beautiful mouth curled in a seductive smile. “Or what?”

  I brought my knee up intent on crushing some balls, but he spun me, and pulled me against him, my back to his chest. His arms were bands of iron. There was no point in fighting him but I could siphon and—

  “Don’t even think about it.” His breath was hot against my ear. “Abbadon may have waived your punishment for feeding from him, but try that trick on me, and I will hurt you.”

  I sagged against him. “Who are you and what do you want from me?”

  “I want to know why the daggers chose you. What is so special about you? Aren’t you curious? Don’t you want to know?” His tone had softened, persuasive and seductive.

  My head grew fuzzy. Yes. Of course I wanted to know. I needed to know.

  “Come with me and we can find out together.”

  Go with him...wait. What the heck was I thinking? “No. I’m not going anywhere with you.”

  His grip tightened. “I’m the only one who remembers why we are here. We are at war, little cambion, and you are in possession of something vital. You’re not safe here and you will come with me.”

  My pulse jumped. “No. Abbadon agreed I could stay here. I can take care of myself.”

  “Like you did when the compound was attacked by a Golem?”

  He knew about that. “Wait, did you send it?”

  He snorted in disgust. “Black Wings have no need of arcane magick. We claim what we desire.”

  “Bit arrogant, aren’t we?”

  He shoved me away so hard I lost my balance and hit the ground.

  “You nephs have forgotten the purpose of your creation. You are meant to serve us.” He strode toward me. “Not to question. Now get up and do not fight me.”

  Fuck this. I kicked out, connecting with his knee. The impact was jarring and pain exploded in my knee.

  My cry was short and sharp, cut off by the palm of his hand. He hauled me up, as tears streamed down my cheeks.

  “You will be safe with us.” His tone was softer, almost apologetic. The air stirred behind me and the Black Wing tore his gaze from my face to look over my head.

  “Let her go, Abigor.”

  The voice was huskier and worn, but the tone was familiar.

  Bane.

  Abigor’s face tightened. “She belongs with us, Bane.”

  “No. She belongs to me. This is my land. My place. You do not rule here.” His voice gathered in strength, growing louder.

  Was he getting closer?

  “The daggers belong with us,” Abigor said.

  “And yet you gave them to me for safe keeping. And yet they chose the cambion to bond with. I’m beginning to think you’re hiding something.”

  Abigor’s wings flexed and ice trickled through my veins. He was getting ready to take off, and he still had hold of me. I began to struggle in earn
est. No way was I going with this sadistic Black Wing.

  And then he was rising, taking me with him. I kicked my legs, clawing at his hand. His wings beat hard and the world fell away. No. I didn’t want this, didn’t... My hands grew hot and the blades settled into my palms.

  Abigor’s eyes widened. “Don’t—

  His plea was cut off as something slammed into us. The daggers winked out, and I was falling, slow at first and then faster and faster as gravity took hold and the ground rose up eager to greet me. Jesse’s face flashed before my eyes and her laugh echoed in my ears. Drayton’s smile and Nolan’s mock frown filled my vision.

  I was going to die.

  Chapter 23

  I closed my eyes and braced for the pain of impact, and then arms wound around me and my body jerked as my descent was halted.

  “Harker? Harker, dammit!”

  I opened my eyes and stared into Bane’s violet gaze. How...how was he doing this? The answer rose up behind him in the form of enormous obsidian, bat-like wings. The beat steady and sure.

  “You’re safe now,” he said. Then he cradled me to his chest and rose higher.

  It was like being hugged by a giant, all muscle and heat and security. I buried my head in the crook of his neck and his fingers flexed against the sensitive flesh of my abdomen where my shirt had ridden up.

  We landed a moment later, and he set me gently on my feet. The world swayed. No that was me, but he steadied me with gentle calloused hands.

  “You’re all right now,” he said again. “What were you doing in the forest at night?”

  The question was delivered innocently enough, as if he wasn’t really curious and was just making polite conversation, but there was no mistaking the underlying threat to his words. He’d either seen me and wasn’t sure I’d caught him looking, or he hadn’t, but was wondering if I’d seen him?

  I met his gaze squarely and matched his light tone. “I—I needed some fresh air.”

  He studied me for a long beat, and his left eye twitched. He swallowed and dropped his gaze. “You’re lucky that I had the same inclination.”

  Shit. He knew. It was evident in the sudden tension in his shoulders, in the fact that he would no longer meet my eyes. He knew I’d seen him and he was...ashamed. The knowledge was a blow to my gut. I wanted to reach out and smooth away the tightness around his mouth. To tell him that no, there was no need for him to look away, that it was Lilith that should be ashamed, that she should be the one to hide away for what she was doing to him. But to do so would be to admit I’d witnessed his sexual domination, and that would rip this flimsy charade to shreds. Instead, I curled my fingers into fists, my nails biting into the palms of my hands, and changed the subject.

  “Who was that Black Wing?”

  He slowly raised his head. “Abigor is an authority unto himself, and he would have taken you by force. I’ll speak to Abbadon about this. It won’t happen again.” His jaw tightened and flexed. He meant it. “The same deal applies, Harker. The others mustn’t know.”

  “But they’re Black Wings. What can you do?”

  His lip curled flashing those elongated canines, and my insides twisted and lurched leaving me breathless.

  “I can remind them that my assistance is a privilege not a right.” The shadows in his eyes melted to be replaced by a wicked gleam. “I need to remind them that no one takes what’s mine.” His gaze raked over me sending heat rising from the tips of my toes to bloom on my cheeks. His gaze narrowed speculatively, and he took a step closer to me. “You’re hungry. You need to feed.”

  The dark need stirred. “I’m fine.”

  He took another step until I was pressed up against the door that exited the roost. “No. You’re not. Why do you deny yourself the sustenance you need?”

  He was so close now that I could see the tiny stubble hairs on his jaw. “I don’t need to feed.” Damn it, did I have to squeak?

  “You still fight your nature?” His voice rose in surprise.

  I made an incredulous sound. “Yeah, yes I fight it. I don’t want to have to feed off other people’s energy or their power. I know I have to, but it doesn’t mean I like it. I’m in control and trust me I can wait.”

  His tone softened. “Harker, you are not in control if you have to fight your nature. The more you disassociate yourself from what you are and what you need, the more power you give the darkness within. But once you embrace it, listen to it and give it what it wants, you’ll finally be free.”

  He had no idea what he was talking about. What it was like to be a power sucking monster. At least here I had willing nephs to feed off, and enough scourge for a feast. But back in Sunset, everywhere I’d gone had been an all-you-could-eat buffet that was out of bounds, because one slip, one moment of letting my guard down would have resulted in someone’s death. My shields and my control were what had saved those people and protected me. There was no way I was giving those up for a few inspirational, and yeah, slightly intriguing words.

  He was waiting for a response. I cleared my throat. “I’m good. Thanks.”

  He shook his head, as if washing his hands of me. “If you need to feed, come find me. My power seemed to keep you sustained for longer last time.”

  My eyes widened at the offer. “Um, thanks.” While he was in a good mood. “There is something you can help me with.”

  “You want to go on the run, don’t you?”

  My pulse picked up. “I’m ready. I promise I won’t let you down.”

  His lips twitched and then he unlatched the door behind me. “Sleep well, Harker. You’ll need to be on full form tomorrow if you’re going to be on duty.”

  “Really?”

  He arched a brow. “Go, before I change my mind.”

  I ducked through the doorway and ran down the steps.

  ***

  My bedroom door locked, I stripped down, climbed into bed and closed my eyes. I was going on the scourge run tomorrow. Bane had said yes...he’d said yes after saying no to my patrolling for weeks. A horrific though unfurled in my mind. He knew I’d seen him...was he backing down because he wanted to keep me quiet about what I’d seen? The same deal applies, Harker. The others mustn’t know. I’d assumed he was referring to the Black Wings, but what if he’d been referring to what I’d seen Lilith doing to him? As if summoned by the thought, images of Bane pressed to the stone pillar tumbled through my mind. What kind of deal would have made him agree to this? What could she have possibly done for him to make him agree to be her sexual energy regenerator four times a year? And how could he think I’d say anything to anyone about his private pain.

  There was a knock at my door.

  Oh, shit. Was it Bane?

  “Serenity. It’s me, Drayton. Are you awake?”

  Urgh. No more. I couldn’t deal right now. Burrowing under the duvet, I held my breath. This place and these people who were responsible for the protection of humanity were a mess of wounds and secrets. And with my unknown past, and my auto-aversion to relationships, I’d fit in just fine, but right now I needed to switch off.

  “I know you’re awake, I heard you come in,” Drayton said.

  Darn it.

  I climbed out of bed but couldn’t bring myself to open the door. Lilith’s power over Bane and Drayton’s hold over me earlier was all mingled together in my mind, and I wasn’t sure I’d be able to resist if he tried to get close to me again. If he touched me or looked at me with that ravenous flame in his eyes, I’d buckle. I’d let him take me and I’d be damned.

  I pressed my palms to the door. “Who am I speaking to now? Drayton or the Incubus?”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to...I wasn’t myself.”

  He sounded so torn. My hand dropped to the key in the lock. Wait, what was I doing? I curled my fingers. “Is this to do with Lilith?”

  “She has a destabilizing effect on me. If I’d known she was coming, I’d have made myself scarce.”

  Ryker had said exactly that. “It’s all r
ight. I just need to sleep, okay.”

  “Do you forgive me?”

  What was there to forgive? He was an incubus doing incubus things, why would I expect any different? Besides, if anyone was to blame around here, it was the bitch Lilith. She’d messed with Drayton’s head and wrangled Bane into a box. Even though it looked like Bane had taken control at the end, I couldn’t help but wonder if that had been her ploy all along.

  I pressed my cheek to the wood. “Why does it matter so much to you what I think?”

  “Because I... because we have to work together and for that to be effective you need to be able to trust me.”

  True trust was built with time, but for now I’d just have to have conviction in them all. “It’s fine I’m not mad. I forgive you.”

  His sigh was audible through the wood.

  “Goodnight, Drayton.”

  His footsteps retreated, and I climbed back under the warm duvet. Exhaling, I willed my body to relax and closed my eyes. Tomorrow the scourge would run, and I’d run with the Protectorate.

  Chapter 24

  It was almost nine a.m., the moon was still hanging in the sky and the world was still dark through the kitchen window. It was still super weird laying my head down to the moon and waking up to it every morning. Somewhere in the deep recesses of my memory there was an image of the rising sun, golden and new and bright. There were noon days and twilight walks and sometimes, when I focused real hard, there was a firm hand gripping mine, along with a sense of complete and utter safety. I’d hold that memory in my head real tight, my eyes squeezed shut, and turn my head, desperate to see her face. But the recollection would shatter into a thousand tiny shards. It had been a while since I’d had a reminder of my unknown past. When was the last time I’d had that dream-like recollection? Two years ago? Maybe more? I wolfed down a bacon sandwich I’d thrown together. It was the breakfast of champions. The piled up plates and mugs in the sink indicated that the others had already broken their fasts and were off doing Protectorate things.