Caressed by Shadows (Rulers of Darkness Book 4)

by Amanda J. Greene

  Star’s shivers of pleasure became his own. Arousal hardened his flesh. Falcon shifted, his body on edge. Desire burned up his spine, sending sparks of fire throughout his entire system. His knuckles turned white as he held himself in place.

  God, he had never witnessed something so completely erotic. He had always viewed feeding as an unfortunate, disturbing necessity, but now…the show below could not even begin to compare to what was taking place just a few feet in front of him.

  Star shuddered, her breath coming in harsh gasps. Falcon could sense how close to orgasm she was. Her eyes closed as she surrendered to the pleasure.

  Sonya growled. One of her hands slipped from Star’s shoulder to grip her chin. She pulled the woman’s head further to the side, forcing her fangs in deeper. Star cried out, ecstasy washing over her.

  Sonya released the woman as she climaxed in her arms. Her fangs dripped with crimson. Blood colored her lips.

  Falcon was mesmerized. Desire pounded through his body, heightening his senses. Undeniable need hardened his cock when Sonya’s golden eyes met his once again.

  Star lurched to her feet; dizzy and blissfully disoriented she stumbled forward. In one gracefully fluid movement, Falcon stood. Sexual tension radiated from him as he stalked across the room.

  His gaze remained locked on Sonya. As he tore his jacket off, he drew money from its pocket.

  “Thank you, Star.”

  “Sure thing. Will that be all?” she asked.

  “Leave us,” he ordered, shoving the money into the mortal’s hand.

  Falcon stalked across the room, his eyes molten silver, burning and intense. His fangs grew longer, sharper as he drew near. His wide chest pumped as he filled his lungs with the luscious fragrance of woman, sex, blood and lilacs - oh, sweet lilacs.

  Reaching for the collar of his shirt, Falcon ripped the delicate fabric, leaving the shreds to fall to the ground.

  His fingers tangled in her hair as he titled her head back.

  Her hungry, golden gaze burned, challenging him to sate her. Falcon growled the low menacing sound vibrated the room. He would do more than sate her.

  Falcon claimed her mouth, his kiss fierce and unrelenting. When their lips met, the air sparked with electricity.

  He had suffered for centuries, denying his need to feel her against him, but no longer. Watching her feed from that human, knowing she imagined it was his neck she sank her fangs into was too much. Something inside him had snapped.

  Sonya wrapped her arms around his shoulders. Her greedy hands roamed his naked back, kneading the muscles that bunched and rolled beneath her fingertips. He had such strength; so much power and he overwhelmed her with his size. He forced her down until her back met the red velvet of the settee. Pressing his knee between her thighs, she opened for him, circling her legs around his waist, hooking her stilettos. Her claws extended and she traced their razor tips up and down his back letting this male know he wasn't going anywhere until she was finished with him.

  With a groan, he sank his body into hers and deepened the kiss.

  Sonya tightened her arms around him. Arching her back, she pressed her breasts against his hard chest. Falcon shuttered from the contact, his lips falling from hers.

  “More. Kiss me more, Falcon,” she gasped. “I’ll kill you if you stop.”

  He smiled against her lips. The sweet queen thought to threaten him with death should he stop. “Don’t worry. I’ll give you exactly what you need,” he vowed before taking her mouth again.

  Their kisses were hot, demanding, soul rending, fueled by their long denied passion.

  Falcon wrapped her hair long flaxen hair around one fist before trailing his other hand lightly down the column of her throat. Sonya’s skin was the warmest of silks against his battle-roughened fingers. He cupped a breast, gently squeezing. Her nipples tightened in response, straining against the material of her bra. He slipped his fingers beneath the thin shoulder straps of her dress and drew her top down. Reaching behind her, he unclasped her bra. Tossing the fabric to the floor, he left her lips, kissing and nipping his way down.

  Sonya’s lungs froze as his mouth moved lower and lower. He paused, his lips a fraction of an inch from one of her nipples. His breath fanned across her, causing the delicate pink nub to pucker even more. She impatiently groaned, her claws biting into his shoulders. She tried to pull him to her, tried to force him, but he resisted. She had been with vampires in the past, but none had matched her in strength, but this knight was too strong for her, his body well honed. Perfect.

  She shifted restlessly beneath him, rubbing herself against the rigid length of his erection. With a feral growl, Falcon closed his mouth over her, laving at her with his skilled tongue as his hand kneaded her other breast. He pinched one nipple with this thumb and index, as he grazed the other with his fangs.

  Sonya cried out as pleasure rocked through her. She arched up, demanding more.

  Falcon kissed a path to her other breast, slowly circling her nipple with the tip of his tongue before taking it into his mouth. He suckled her as he moved his free hand lower. His fingers gripped her hip, holding her in place. He leaned back, coming to his knees. Sonya reluctantly dropped her arms, tossing them over her head.

  She devoured him with her gaze. Falcon was all tan muscles. The Black Knight had a body Ares would be jealous of and right now, he belonged to her.

  Sonya knew this was forbidden, but right now, she didn't care. She had craved this man for so long, caution could go to hell.

  His silvery eyes remained on her. He placed his palms on her knees then, in agonizing slowness, ran his hands up the insides of her splayed thighs. Sonya couldn’t breathe, she couldn't think, as he caressed her. She was lost in the emotions he made her feel, in his touch, in his gaze. He dominated her, he ruled her body, and she yearned for more.

  Falcon was just as far gone as Sonya. Every cell in his body cried out for her. The need to claim her was maddening. Every breath he took caused him to shutter, the scent of her arousal and their lust clouded his mind. Her sighs of pleasure drove him to the brink. His cock throbbed and ached.

  She wore the black thong he had purchased for her and he was in no way ashamed that he couldn’t remember which bra she had worn.

  His fangs sharpened, slicing into his bottom lip as he gripped her thighs. God, he knew she would taste divine and the thought of biting her there almost made him come. Would she let him? Yes. Instinctively he knew Sonya would never hold anything from him.

  He traced his index finger over her cleft. Her hips rolled to meet his touch. The fabric was damp.

  He smiled. The queen was more than ready for him. He brushed his fingers over her clitoris, using a teasing circling motion.

  Sonya moaned. Her eyes closed, her claws digging into the settee.

  Falcon continued, increasing the speed and firmness of his touch until her body writhed. Her breaths came in short gasps. He circled her clitoris again, she cried out, load and long. Tossing her head back, she arched toward his touch, her hips frantically rocking against his touch. She came hard as she called his name. Her body shook as the force of her orgasm made her see stars.

  Still riding the waves of her pleasure, she reached down. The tips of her fingers grazed over his abdomen, teasing his navel. She tugged at the button of his jeans, she wanted to touch him, to stroke him and, God, he wanted her to. The sound of his zipper sliding down snapped him back to reality.

  Falcon pushed away violently and was across the room before he could draw a controlled breath. His fingers trembled as he drew his zipper up.

  “What do you think you’re doing?” she purred, seductive and commanding.

  Her voice sent waves of soul rendering lust through him, hardening his cock to a painful degree. He knew the only way to assuage the painful need was to return to her. But claiming her, thrusting into her over and over again until she cried out with ecstasy as he released deep within her was not an option.

  Falcon’s han
ds fisted, his extended claws slicing his palms. Calm. Control. Calm. Control. He repeated again and again until he was finally able to turn and face the woman who plagued his dreams and haunted his every thought.

  She threw her arms wide. “Come back to me,” she beckoned.

  Heaven help him or hell claim him. Either would be welcome at this moment, Falcon thought.

  God, she was lovely. Sonya rested back against the satee, regal and elegantly poised. Her dress bunched about her slender waist, her breasts exposed, their pink tips taunting him. Her golden eyes sparkled with hunger for him. Only him.

  Sheer will power is what kept him from charging at her.

  Falcon closed his eyes. Damn it, he needed to reign in his lust. Sonya made him forget who and what he was. A Black Knight, who valued honor above all else, that is who and what he was, and yet he had almost lost himself with her.

  Opening his eyes, he began to whispered, “Sonya, I―”

  “Don’t,” she growled. “Don’t you dare ruin this.”

  “You know we shouldn’t―”

  “To hell with what we should do. Falcon let me pleasure you as you have me.”

  He couldn’t form the words to deny her, but he did find the strength to shake his head.

  Her brow creased with confusion as an inferno of anger began to build within her gaze. “I don’t understand. Why won’t you let me touch you?”

  “It’s not that.”

  “Then what the hell is it?”

  “I don’t think I could…I know I wouldn’t be able to stop…” His words ended on a curse.

  Her shoulders shook with a dry laugh. “The noble knight is afraid of losing control?”

  “It is possible and it would be something neither of us could come back from,” he snapped.

  “Damn you Falcon! All I said was I wanted to give you pleasure, I didn’t say we were going to have sex.”

  Falcon was instantly at her side. He leaned over her, one large hand cupping her jaw. He captured her gaze. “You know as well as I if we continued it would end with our ruination.”

  “Maybe I want to be ruined,” she hissed.

  He kissed her hard and furious. Their fangs hit as their tongues glided together. Her hands came to his shoulders, her claws cutting into his flesh. Falcon growled against her lips. Falling to his knees, he gripped her waist and drew her to the edge of the settee, fitting himself between her spread thighs, his stiff length pressing against her center.

  His hands massaged up her back to her shoulders. Falcon pushed her away, his fingers gripping the tops of her arms.

  His breathing was sporadic, his eyes black, his fangs ached to pierce the luscious flesh of her breasts as he claimed her body, but it would not happen.

  “No, Sonya, I will not ruin you and you don’t want me to.”

  Fury washed over her and her hand flew, delivering a hard slap across his jaw, snapping his head to the side.

  Falcon abruptly released her and retreated across the room.

  “You will not tell me what I do and/or do not want, knight.” She stood and straightened her dress. “To hell with your honor.”

  Sonya scooped up her shoes. She was terribly tempted to chuck them at his head. Instead, she snatched her bra and threw it in the waste bucket beside the door.

  “We were having a great moment and you had to destroy it by worrying about losing control. Did you ever consider the fact that I’m not some simpering miss who will cry if you step on my toes?” She bent to slip her shoes on. “If you did go off the deep end, I could handle you. Falcon, you would do nothing to me I didn’t want you to do.” Sonya laughed and shook her head. “You must have forgotten. I’m the warrior queen and tonight would’ve only ended in ‘ruination’ if I allowed it.” She threw open the door and glanced over her shoulder at him. “And yes, tonight I would have ruined both of our good names and you would have thought you’d died and gone to heaven.”

  With that, she stepped into the hall and slammed the door shut behind her.

  “Sonya, wait!”

  Wait?

  There was nothing to wait for and she needed to get out. She needed to get away. Away from Falcon. Away from the confusing emotions he made her feel. Away from everything. She ran so fast, she burst through the door in a blur and didn’t stop until she could no longer hear the music on the still night air.

  Thick clouds crowed the sky, threatening rain. The heavens could open and unleash their fury and she would welcome it. Perhaps some cold rain would do her good. Her body still hummed from the pleasure Falcon had given her. She couldn't recall ever experiencing an orgasm so powerful, absolutely life changing. Before tonight, she had imagined what making love with the knight would be like. She never dreamed it would be anything like that and now, she knew exactly what she had been missing for centuries.

  And he had denied her.

  Sonya growled and blindly struck out, her fits colliding with a cement wall causing the facade to crack.

  His kisses had been drugging. His hands and fingers masterful as they caressed her body. Yet, when she had moved him to his back, he pushed her away demanding they stop.

  Damn the knight!

  Was there nothing that could sway him?

  She paused to whip something warm from her cheek. Looking down at her fingers, she exhaled an exasperated sigh and whispered, “Seriously?”

  Falcon and his absurd sense of decorum literally frustrated her to tears.

  Or was she crying because after all this time, she finally knew what she would never have?

  “Look what we’ve got here.”

  The male voice pricked her ears as the stench of witch invaded her nose.

  Perfect, she could use a good slaying.

  “Some vamp trash,” a second added.

  Sonya slowly turned, flexed her hands. She flashed a smile, revealing her fangs, as her eyes grew dark and her claws extended.

  She almost felt bad for unsuspecting hunters. She was no outcast vampire. She was not weak like countless blood bastards whose strength barely surpassed that of a mortal's.

  “I think she wants a fight,” the third announced.

  The group fanned out, blocking her routes of escape.

  Sonya had no intentions of fleeing. Retreat was not in her vocabulary.

  The second hunter spat on the ground then sneered. “I think she wants to lose her pretty demon head.”

  Oh, these poor ignorant witches.

  “Just know, I’ll take little pleasure from ripping you limb from limb.” Her smile widened as a rough, satanic laugh shook her shoulders. “But a little is better than none.”

  They rushed her all at once.

  Sonya slashed with her claws, cutting open one's chest. Blood sprayed, covering the others and sprinkled her shoes.

  They struck out with fists and kicks that she easily dodged. She really wished these hunters could put up more of a fight.

  She laughed as one pulled a while free from his waist. It cracked and snapped as he tried to lasso her, but she was too skilled for them.

  Reaching behind her, she unleashed her knife. With a sweep of her arm, she sliced one witch’s.

  The hunter’s cursed and Sonya laughed. She had been called every profane name in existence a minimum of a thousand times.

  She took a hit to the jaw and another to the sternum. Neither fazed her. The whip, circled behind her. The leather wrapped about her throat. With an unholy growl, Sonya whirled around and drove the blade into his gut. Blood bubbled from his lips as fell. She snatched his whip, the handle still warm from his hold. She cast it out, catching the witch who had spat in her direction earlier. The whip wound about his waist and with a flick of her wrist, she sliced him in half.

  The remaining hunter was now running as fast as he could down the alley. She debated giving chase.

  Until she heard the deep boom of gunshots echoing through the alley. The fifth and final hunter collapsed face first to the cement.

  Falcon steppe
d over the body, tucking the gun in his holster beneath his jacket.

  Sonya’s claws grew even longer as she fantasized slowing drawing them down his bare chest. The demon in her roared with triumph as she scanned the area for any more threats. She had some pent up anger, disappointment, and sexual tension that needed to be worked off. And the vampire who stalked toward her was not going to be of any help.

  Falcon paused and surveyed the scene. “They didn’t stand a chance.”

  “They didn’t seem to know who I was,” she said, her voice unnaturally deep. The vampire remained close to the surface.

  A brow creased with a frown. “Perhaps the last had figured it out.”

  “That or he wasn't yet ready to meet Death.”

  He shrugged, the movement revealed more of his naked chest. Sonya didn't even try to stop the sexually aggressive growl that rumbled her throat.

  Falcon’s gaze snapped to hers. His silver gaze still burned with sexual hunger. He was starved for her body and in dire need of release.

  He shot you down, remember?

  “We should get you some more weapons.”

  “Yeah, this whip is cheap and I wouldn’t want to dull my blade by slicing through bone.”

  He gave a light chuckle as he removed a cell phone from the back pocket of his jeans. His thumb brushed over the screen.

  “I’ll call this in.”

  “To who? The coppers?” she asked with a roll of her eyes.

  “No. We are still in Gabriel’s territory. He has a ‘clean up’ service.”

  Sonya patiently waited while Falcon made his call. When he was finished, he placed the cell phone the back in his pocket and removed his jacket. He draped the heavy leather over her shoulders.

  “Nick Salas is London’s resident vampire arms dealer and his shop is a few blocks away.”

  She slipped her arms into the sleeves before drawing the jacket closed. He didn't have to explain. She had ruined her new dress with witch's blood.