Caressed by Shadows (Rulers of Darkness Book 4)

by Amanda J. Greene

“Whatever,” Lynn sighed and handed Jordan a bottle of water. “I saw Ryan.”

  Mattie’s features instantly appeared sober and way too serious. “He didn’t come back here, did he?”

  “No,” Jordan answered. “But it’s not as if he is band from backstage. His mom owns the bar. He can come back here if he wants.”

  “And we can kick his ass if we want,” Mattie added.

  Lynn and Jordan rolled their eyes.

  “Forget about that waste of air,” Lynn said. “Tara was slinging drinks because the bar is slammed and she told me that she’s expecting a V.I.P.”

  Mattie nudged Jordan with her elbow. “I saw him pull up. Gorgeous Escalade and all.”

  “I’m surprised you saw anything with your future husband’s tongue down your throat and his fat head blocking your view.”

  “Already taking guys out to the parking lot?” Jordan teased.

  “In my defense, ladies, all I did was make out with him and then did the proper thing.” She took a drink of her beer. “I gave him my number.”

  “Anyway, Tara said this guy owns a record label and is looking to sign some new talent.”

  Jordan’s anxiety sky rocketed. “You can’t be serious.”

  Lynn placed her hands on her hips. “Yep. So, wipe that sad my-ex-boyfriend-is-a-dirt-bag look off your face and touch up your make up.”

  “And I think we should slut you up a bit,” Mattie said.

  Jordyn looked down at herself. “What’s wrong with my clothes?”

  Lynn and Mattie glanced at each other then looked her up and down.

  “Leggings and a too big sweater?” Lynn asked.

  “Yeah, not sexy,” Mattie said with a shake of her head.

  Jordan frowned. She hadn’t wanted to come to the bar tonight and didn’t really want to perform. She would rather be home, on her couch with a cup of tea and a book. Oh, yeah, that was her definition of an exciting Saturday night. Besides, she had come straight from work and being a yoga instructor meant she could wear comfy clothes.

  “Please tell me you brought some other clothes with you,” Lynn said.

  “Geez, guys. Way to make a girl feel good,” Jordan huffed. “Yeah, I have a pair of jeans and a tank top I wore earlier before work.”

  “Oh, thank god,” Mattie sighed.

  Jordan laughed, “Shut up.”

  As if on cue, the bar quieted with the exception of the classic rock blaring from the jukebox. The girls looked to each other than rushed to the curtain and peeked out. A flurry of movement drew their eyes to the entrance.

  Mattie sighed, Lynn gasped and Jordan felt her jaw hit the floor.

  Two large men walked in, but it was the first that held Jordan captivated.

  Holy…hell.

  Tall, blond and fine. He had to be pushing six and half feet. His shoulders were nearly as board as the entry way and his expensive black suite perfectly displayed every hard line of his body.

  As he strode through the crowed women gaped, others batted their lashes, while some boldly reached for him. The men glanced down at their drinks or their shoes and no one met his gaze. Odd. They acted like a pack of wolves whose alpha had just shown up. He walked with grace, dangerous elegance and wore power like a mantle. Yes, he was an alpha in every sense of the word.

  Jordan felt her breath catch and her pulse jump as he drew closer. He was…divine. Short blond hair complimented his hard angelic features. She desperately wanted to know the color of his eyes, but the bar was too dark. Instinct told her they would be intense and sharp, like the rest of him.

  She blinked and shook her head. Get a grip, she chided.

  Tara hurried from behind the bar to greet the men. After a few words, she smiled and led them to the booth nearest the stage.

  Suddenly her chest grew tight and her mouth went dry. He was the V.I.P. Lynn and Mattie were talking about. He was the record executive.

  Oh, damn. The girls were right. Her frumpy look would not do.

  * * * * *

  Women paraded themselves past their table. Some even tried to start up a conversation, but Gabriel wasn’t in the mood for mindless chit-chat. He gently turned them away. The other vampires in the bar refused to even glance in his direction, which was fine by him.

  “Can I get you something?” a waitress asked. She tossed her long blond hair over her shoulder and popped her hip out. She smiled when he met her gaze, her fresh lip gloss glistened in the dim light.

  “Scotch,” he answered.

  “On the rocks?”

  “Neat.”

  She nodded and turned to Gannon. “And you?”

  Gannon sized the waitress up. “The same,” he replied.

  “I’ll be right back.” She tuned back to Gabriel and gave him a wink before sauntering back to the bar, her hips swaying.

  “She’s good looking,” Gannon said.

  “Not my type,” Gabriel added. Humans were too weak and way too fragile. Their lack of strength was what drew the attention of twisted vampires like Boras. They enjoyed inflicting pain and a vampire wouldn’t bleed or scream nearly as much as mortal.

  The lights of the bar slowly faded. Excitement cut like a whip through the air. People flocked to the dance floor and crowded the stage. The waitress rushed over and delivered their drinks. She had written her number on a napkin and blew Gabriel a kiss.

  “Good turn out,” Gannon noted. “We’ll see if she really can sing.”

  Gabriel took a sip of his Scotch and leaned back in the booth. The red curtain lifted and blue lights danced over the stage. The band began to play and the audience cheered. Ms. Culver’s act was the opener, but from gossip he had heard at the bar, people believed she should be the main event.

  A small woman came from the left side of the stage and the crowd roared.

  Gabriel’s gaze locked on her. Through the darkness, he could see her clearly. The blue hue made her long burgundy hair appear black. Her violet eyes glowed, ethereal. Red lips turned up in a smile as she sweetly waved to familiar faces in the crowed.

  She began to move along with the music as she danced her way to the mic stand. Her dark jeans hugged her curves and rested low on her hips. She ran her hands over her body, drawing his eyes to her scooped neckline of her black tank top. Her breasts were lush for her petite, trim frame. The movement raised the hem of her shirt, revealing a flat a stomach and a crystal belly button ring.

  The band’s tempo kicked up when she grabbed the mic and then…Gabriel stopped breathing. Her voice…was even better than an angel’s. The rhythm and the sound of her words swept over him, through him. Calming him. Beckoning him. Sweetly and seductively chaining him. The audience faded away. His senses solely focused on Ms. Culver.

  The little human held him enthralled. She twirled and danced about the stage, signing within every bit of her heart and soul. Notes high and low, she hit them all effortlessly, the range of her voice was staggering as she switched from song to song, husky one moment and bold the next.

  His body responded to her, hardening, his temperature rising. His demon roared within him, crazed. It wanted to possess her. Take her hard and fast, gentle and slow. His fangs sharpened. He craved to hear her moans and sighs of pleasure, knowing they would be even more hypnotic than her song.

  Fuck, she was tantalizing and she triggered the perfect combination of ravenous lust and profound ease within him.

  Finally, the music ended and she took a bow. The crowd cheered and another smile curled her full lips. She walked off the stage and the curtain fell as the staff hurried to ready the set for the next act.

  Gannon whistled as Gabriel sat, too stunned to even clap.

  “Good God,” Gannon said with a laugh.

  “She’s amazing,” he whispered. Amazing. The word seemed too plain, yet Gabriel could think of nothing better.

  “What?” Gannon asked.

  Gabriel shook his head and stood. “I’ll be back.”

  Gannon took one look at him and smirked. “You
better check yourself. Your eyes are black and your razors are showing.”

  Gabriel ran his tongue over his fangs. The tang of blood heightened his senses.

  “I shouldn’t be long.”

  Gannon downed his Scotch then finished off Gabriel’s glass. He tossed some money on the table. “I hope she’ll take us up on the offer. That girl has some major talent and can go far in the music industry.”

  “Have the car ready. I don’t want to be here a minute longer than necessary,” Gabriel said, then turned and stalked toward the backstage entrance.

  Humans tripped over each other as he passed them. Vampires scurried out of his way. The security guard pulled the curtain aside for him.

  Gabriel used his senses to locate Ms. Culver. Following her light natural jasmine scent he located her at the edge of the stage. She was smiling and when she laughed, the soft sound made him sway.

  “You rocked it,” one of her friend’s exclaimed.

  “Yeah, there is no way that sexy record guy isn’t going to ask for your autograph,” another said with a giggle.

  Gabriel slowed his pace and sank into the shadows.

  “Don’t get my hopes up,” she chided. “Besides, I’d want to research the label first and review the contract first.”

  Sensible, smart, and beautiful. The combination hardly seemed fair, but Gabriel appreciated it.

  “I’ll grab my bag and meet you at the bar,” she said. The girls blew her kisses as she turned and jumped from the stage.

  She landed with grace and Gabriel fell in step behind her, following her to a smoky hall way with poor lighting.

  “Ms. Culver,” he called.

  She stopped, her spine straightened and she slowly turned to face him. Lord, the photo he had didn’t do her justice. She was breathtaking.

  Her eyes widened then narrowed as she studied him. She looked as if she were sizing him up. Gabriel stood rod straight under her gaze.

  “Yes,” she said.

  “My name is Gabriel Erhard. Ms. Peterson may have told you about me.”

  She shook her head. “I’m sorry, no.”

  Gabriel took a step toward her. She didn’t back away. “I own the V record label. I’m in town on business caught a rumor that your act was the one to see.”

  A charming blush rose in her cheeks. “That’s flattering.”

  “I’ll be heading back to Vegas tomorrow.” Gabriel pulled a business card from his suit pocket. “But I’d like to meet with you, Ms. Culver, and discuss your future with the industry.”

  Her fingers trembled betraying her nervousness as she reached for the card. “Thank you.”

  Gabriel nodded. “I look forward to hearing from you.” He turned and began to head back the way he came.

  “Wait,” she called, grabbing ahold his hand.

  He paused. She gasped and recoiled as if he had electrified her. He watched her as she fought to disguise her reaction to him. She desired him. The scent of her need…He had to leave before his own lust took control.

  “I’m free the rest of the night.” She cursed. “I mean, we could talk…If you don’t have other plans.”

  She blushed again. Gabriel smiled. “My evening is free, Ms. Culver.”

  “Please, call me Jordan.”

  He nodded. “I’m staying at the View Point. If you like, we can meet at the restaurant there.”

  She took a step forward and Gabriel forced himself not to shove her against the wall and kiss her until she gasped for air.

  “Okay. I just need to get my things.”

  “I’m heading there now. Would you like me to wait?”

  “No. Go ahead. I have my car here. I’ll meet you in thirty minutes.”

  Gabriel watched her walk down the hall and disappear into a dressing a room. He wanted to follow her. He wanted…nothing. She was a human. So easily breakable.

  He turned and headed for the exit.

  * * * * *

  Jordan combed her fingers through her hair and fell back against the door.

  Her fingers still tingled. His skin had been smooth, hot, electrifying. That one touch had triggered something deep within her. A need and desire she had never known.

  A soft knock sounded on the door. Jordan swept the remaining make-up off the vanity and into her gym bag. She took one last look at her reflection.

  Another knock.

  “I’ll be right out.”

  She had been the first of four acts tonight. The second was already on stage, which meant the others would be filing in to use the dressing rooms.

  Tossing her bag over her shoulder she surveyed the room once more, making sure she left nothing behind. Silently, she bid the room farewell. Tonight was the beginning of her new life.

  Opening the door, she smiled at the man who had been knocking.

  “Jordan Culver?” he asked.

  His voice was hard and had an unnatural lit to it. Alarms sounded in her head. Fear choked her as he smiled, his twisted and scarred lips pulled into a smile. His eyes were black pits in his skull and gruesome fangs extended from his gums.

  Demon. Oh, God. No! They had found her.

  She fell back a step.

  “I’ll take that as a yes.”

  He lunged for her. She fought. Kicking and swinging, she tried to scream, but fear chocked her. The demon laughed as she struggled. She managed to elbow him in the gut and slip through the door. Running down the hall she called out, but the band’s music drowned her cries for help.

  She refused to look back and she prayed she could out run it.

  Jordan darted through the emergency exit. The door knocked her bag from her shoulder, but she didn’t stop to pick it up. Her car keys were in her pocket and she was getting the hell out of here.

  She sprinted across he wet asphalt. Her heart raced as a van pulled up alongside her. Panic threatened to consume her.

  She cut to the left and sprinted down the alley towards the parking lot.

  A large arm wrapped around her middle, pulling her up. Her feet left the ground. She gasped, ready to scream, but a large hand slapped over her mouth. She bit into the meaty palm.

  It dropped her. The air punched from her lungs when she hit the ground.

  “Bitch,” the demon snarled as he turned her over.

  Jordan kicked at him as he pulled her up.

  “You’ll pay for drawing my blood,” he said, holding up his quickly healing hand. “Now, be good.” He swung and everything went dark.

  * * * * *

  “Did she say she would meet you at the restaurant?” Gannon asked.

  “Yeah.”

  “Then shouldn’t we head to the hotel?”

  Gabriel ignored Gannon’s exasperated tone. Tension coiled within him as he waited for what, he didn’t know. His demon prowled within him, testing its chains.

  Something was wrong.

  “Are we going to follow her? You know, Gabriel, your starting to creep me out. All stalker status and shit.”

  The sound of squealing of tires sliced through the air.

  Gabriel’ vampire howled. “No,” he growled.

  Launching himself from the Escalade, he ran across the street. Horns blared as he dodged cars. Gannon yelled after him.

  Gabriel increased his speed, turning into a blur of movement that swept past the humans congregating outside the bar entrance and those having sex in the alley.

  He came to a stop in the rear parking lot. A bag covered with Jordan’s scent was discarded in a puddle.

  Rage boiled like lava beneath his skin, the heat slowly building, rising until his entire body shook with the raw emotion. The sky splintered. Lightning whipped and thunder crashed.

  Gabriel let out a blood crystalizing roar. The ground shook, the glass of the car windows shattered. A symphony of car alarms rang through the air.

  Gannon hesitantly approached and grabbed Jordan’s bag.

  Gabriel’s chest collapsed, his bellow died. He brought shaking hands to his face.

&n
bsp; “Boras. The son of a bitch! He took her. He stole one of my subjects. He took her from my territory.” Gabriel’s vision wavered. The demon was dangerously close to tearing free.

  “We’ll find her. There has to be security cameras inside. I’ll get the tapes,” Gannon said.

  Gabriel held up his hand, motioning for him to wait. He sucked in a breath, then another and another. Fighting to bring himself back under control. Fear spiced the air as the ground continued to tremble beneath his feet. Lighting flashed. Thunder roared.

  Boras. His lips peeled back over his fangs.

  “That fucking slave trader,” he snarled.

  His gut twisted as memories danced from the shadows in his mind. The slave brand on his chest began to burn. Fresh pain as if the iron had just kissed his skin.

  The things they would do to her. She would pray for death, but they would keep her alive. The light would slowly fade from her eyes until she became nothing but a ghost, a shell.

  He closed his eyes, reigning his rage, locking down his emotions and shoving his memories back where they belonged, in the dark. The sky cleared and the earth stilled.

  This had to end. Slavery had to end. The Clans had outlawed the practice centuries before, but the Outcastes were not subject to their ruler. It was time things changed. It was time the Outcastes were united and had a king.

  “Give me your phone,” he demanded.

  Gannon pulled his phone from his pocket and slowly walked over to him. He knew not to make any sudden movements.

  Gabriel called the most powerful vampire in existence, Sire Dimitri Arsov. His call was answered before it even rang.

  His voice roughened, he bit out, “I need a meeting. With all the Clan Chieftains.”

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Snow softly drifted, the chilled air cut by the wind. Moonlight poured into the ballroom, unabated and gave life to the room. The chandelier glittered and the mirrored walls shimmered.

  Falcon took in a deep breath. The cold sting of the air had a calming effect. He paused in the doorway of the balcony. Hadrian stood strong in the storm, his arms wrapped tightly around his mate, Eva.

  Falcon hesitated, loath to interrupt their moment. He turned to leave. He could discuss everything with his king later. Besides, Sonya was probably wondering why he was avoiding her. The truth, he was protecting her. The Validus Counsel had called for a meeting tomorrow night and they would surely interrogate her. They were not a forgiving sort. They would seek to blame her for his faults. He had abandoned his Clan to search for her. He had broken his oath to place his king and Clan first by doing so. Falcon knew he would be reprimanded. How, he didn’t know. He hoped to spare Sonya from his Clan’s vengeance.