The Shadows Awaken (Guardians of the Night Book 1)

by Robyn Wideman

  36

  JESS AND JADEN

  Jess woke with Cain’s arm still draped over her. She smiled and was careful not to move and disturb him. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d woken up feeling so content. It was a strange feeling. Her world was falling apart; vampires had saved her from being raped and then other vampires had attacked, wanting her dead. Now, here she was sleeping next to a vampire. What fantasy realm had she entered where the tall, dark, incredibly sexy, and sensitive stranger is the bad guy and yet also the good guy? Vampires were supposed to be vile and despicable souls. Cain was anything but. He was kind, caring, and protective. On paper, he looked like everything she’d want in a partner. Minus the pointy teeth.

  “You’re awake now,” said Cain.

  “Yes, how long have you been awake?” asked Jess, starting slightly at the sound of his voice. She’d thought he was still asleep.

  “A while, I didn’t want to wake you. I was enjoying holding you. Last night, I didn’t know if I would ever wake up again. This morning, I found myself holding an angel. I didn’t know if I had died or not.”

  Jess snorted in amusement and gently shoved her elbow into his ribs.

  “Oof.”

  “Did you feel that?”

  “Yes,” said Cain.

  “Then you’re not dead.”

  Cain pulled her closer, “That’s too bad. I was getting used to the idea of you being an angel.”

  Jess rubbed her buttocks against Cain’s groin and gave him a wicked smile over her shoulder. “Trust me, I’m no angel.”

  Cain groaned and Jess felt his body respond, stiffening against her backside. “Now’s not the time for that, I need to talk to Jaden about the attack last night. Come on, you little devil, it’s time to rise.”

  “It feels like you’ve already risen,” said Jess as she rubbed herself against his hardness again to emphasize her point.

  Cain laughed and pushed himself away. “You make it awfully tempting to want to stay in bed and forget about the perils we’re in, but I really need to talk to Jaden.” He pulled back the covers and got out of bed. “Look away. I need to change out of these clothes.”

  “Okay,” said Jess, obediently turning away. She smiled when she found herself looking into a mirror hanging on the wall that afforded her an excellent view of Cain. She studied his chest closely but could see no evidence of nearly having his heart ripped out, other than a faint pink scarring. Her eyes wandered over his taut abdomen and slim hips and she smiled again as he turned slightly, giving her a glimpse of his firm buttocks. He’s absolutely perfect.

  When Cain turned back again to reach for a shirt he’d placed on the bed, he caught Jess was watching him in the mirror. “You’re spying.”

  She felt herself blush. “You saw me naked, it’s only fair.”

  “Hmmph, I was being a gentleman. You are being a devil.”

  “So it is true what they say,” said Jess.

  “What do they say?” asked Cain, confused.

  “The bigger the fangs the bigger the—”

  Cain threw a pillow at her, interrupting her lewd comment. “Cheeky little devil.” He finished dressing and left Jess in his bed.

  …

  Jaden was sitting at the breakfast nook drinking coffee and reading a news story on his laptop when Cain walked into the kitchen. “Good morning, brother,” he said, looking up at Cain. “I’m glad to see you survived the night.”

  “Oh sure, rub it in,” said Cain.

  “I don’t know what you mean.”

  “You know very well I would love to say I told you so, except the fact that you saved my life last night means I would sound ungrateful.”

  “So don’t say it.”

  “I told you so,” said Cain, helping himself to a cup of coffee.

  “What happened to not wanting to sound ungrateful?”

  “I thought about it. I really did. But you’re my brother, you’re supposed to save me every time a gang of ruthless killers interrupts my date.”

  Jaden laughed, relieved that Cain was obviously feeling better.

  “I suppose I owe your timely arrival to Serena.”

  Jaden sipped his coffee and shrugged. It was true.

  “So do you now finally believe that the vampire council is our enemy?” asked Cain.

  “Not all of them.”

  “True, but that doesn’t change the fact that the council attacked us. They will likely send another hunter squad after us. Maybe two this time.”

  “I doubt it. We have bigger problems than a hunter squadron.”

  “There’s something worse than a pack of hunters trying to end our lives? I’m not sure I wanted to hear this, but go on,” he said with a slow nod.

  “Your suspicions of the council were well placed. They are behind all the disappearances. They are also behind all the wars breaking out. They are manipulating the humans into doing their dirty work for them.”

  “What do they hope to accomplish? Destroying the world so they can rule what is left of it? It makes no sense.”

  “Since when does crazy have to make sense? All I know is Serena said the next few days are going to be ‘hell on earth’.”

  “Jesus Christ!” exclaimed Cain. “I understand now.”

  “I’m glad one of us does. Care to enlighten me?”

  “They are starting a world war. I’ll bet you a dollar that the next thing that happens is a whole lot of nuclear sites are mysteriously taken out.”

  “They want a nuclear war?” asked Jaden. Nuclear war was the worst possible outcome. Even vampires could not survive a nuclear blast. And trying to live in a nuclear wasteland didn’t sound particularly fun either.

  “No, a nuclear war is what that they are trying to avoid. Nukes are the weapon vampires fear the most. The fact that humans are too reckless to have that much power is a common rallying point of council members. If the council takes out the nukes and makes it look like someone else did it, the result will be World War III.”

  “What does that prove? Humans will kill each other, but it won’t change anything.”

  “It will destroy the armies, but that is not the point. If they are trying to weaken humans, they need to destroy more than just the weapons. Nuclear power plants, gas plants, hydro dams, communication networks. Hell, they don’t even need to do it themselves. The humans will destroy most of it during the war. All the council has to do is wait and finish what the humans start.”

  “One of the hunters that attacked you called it an apocalypse,” said Jaden.

  Cain nodded. “He wasn’t exaggerating. If I’m right, and your girlfriend is right, then it truly is going to be hell on earth. Did Serena give you any suggestions on how to stop it?” asked Cain.

  “No, she said it’s too late for that. It’s already begun.”

  “This is a disaster,” said Cain.

  “It gets worse.”

  “Worse than an apocalypse?”

  “Vladimir is angry that I killed his hunters. He is sending Nickoli after us.”

  “That son of a bitch. I’d rather take my chances with the apocalypse,” said Cain.

  “You worry about us surviving the apocalypse and I’ll worry about Nickoli.”

  “Fair enough, he’s all yours,” he said. They sat in silence, drinking coffee, each deep in their own thoughts. After a few moments, Cain spoke again, “Well, the good news, if there is any, is that we are relatively safe here. This state has no major military targets. If war does start, we should be safe from bombs. It’s the chaos afterwards that we’ll have to worry about. That and the council coming back to finish what they started.”

  “Oh, I forgot to mention one thing. Your friend Brad is upstate.”

  “I am surprised they haven’t killed him. Tomas was killed months ago. I thought for sure that Brad was next.”

  “Brad is harder to kill than that. But it seems that the council wasn’t satisfied with just killing Tomas. They went after his wife.”

 
“God damn vampires,” Cain swore.

  “Apparently, Brad was expecting it. He had a gargoyle brought to America.”

  “A gargoyle here? And it’s active? That’s interesting.”

  “Yes, it is. Are you up for a road trip?”

  “It’ll be dangerous. But so would sitting here, waiting for Nickoli. Do you know where they are?”

  “No, but I know someone who will. Will your girlfriend come with us?”

  “I’ll find out.”

  …

  “Will you come?”

  The question lingered in the air. Jess had just finished watching the emergency broadcast on the television stating that Russia had attacked America. The country was at war and according to Cain and Jaden, the vampire council was behind it. Jess wasn’t sure if going with Cain would was the right move or not, but she knew she felt safe with him. And if the vampires decided to come after her for witnessing the fight in the coffee shop then she would need protection.

  “I’ll come with you, but I am not leaving without Mandy.”

  “Will she come? How are you going to explain this?”

  Jess laughed in relief. She was worried that Cain would have a problem with her demand. Instead, he was worried about how to get Mandy to go. “I don’t know. It is a long drive upstate, right? I’ll get her in the car first and worry about the explanation later.”

  “Okay. We’ll grab her before we leave the city. First we’ll need some more information. I know who we need to go and see. Let’s go find Jaden. He owes me a dollar.” The special news report had confirmed Cain’s theory. Nuclear sites had been attacked; the war had started. For now, it was just between Russia and America. Europe, China, India, Pakistan, and the Middle East were all involved in one conflict or another. It truly was a world war, yet as each country bombed and attacked the other’s military units, none realized who the true enemy was. “Sometimes being right sucks.”

  37

  ERICA

  Erica walked out onto the balcony. She stepped up to the rail and peered out into the night. The moon was rising, casting a soft light over the sky.

  “Well, Garg, have you had a chance to think about things. Would you be interested in this mansion becoming a shifter sanctuary?”

  Erica glanced up to look at Garg, but he wasn’t there!

  A voice came out from the far corner of the balcony, deep within its shadows, “The idea has merit. I believe it could be a good thing.”

  Erica whirled, startled by the missing gargoyle and the man’s voice. “Garg?” she asked hesitantly.

  “Dante De Bello, at your service, not that I particularly mind being called Garg, it certainly is not the worse nickname given to me over the years,” said Dante from the shadows.

  “Dante,” said Erica, her mind reeling. It was true. Garg truly was Dante and not just a fierce looking sculpture! “I’m glad to finally speak to you.”

  “Technically, you have been speaking to me for a while now, but, yes, I do agree having a conversation, where both of us participate is a nice change,” said Dante. It was nice to speak again after so many years.

  Erica tried to see Dante through the shadows, but all she could make out was a dark form. “So you think a shifter sanctuary is a good idea?”

  “It is, but I have to warn you. I am not some god or perfect being. I will do everything I can to protect the worthy humans living under my roof, and any guests you invite in, but I cannot guarantee their safety, or yours for that matter. I can only do my duty, as best I can,” said Dante.

  “I understand. However, if making this home a sanctuary will save lives, I want to do it. The vampires that want to kill me are already a threat to me. My life is already in danger, bringing in more shifters won’t change that.”

  “It will increase the risk to you. Vampires are not just vicious killers. They’re smart, vicious, killers. They have survived for thousands of years despite their small numbers. They will do everything they can to kill you, once they find out what you intend to do here.”

  “I won’t just hide out here under your protection. I want my life to have purpose. I did not choose to be a vampire target, but I can choose to help others. I can choose to live a good life, regardless of how long or short it is,” said Erica. She had already come to terms with the fact that her life would never be the same again. Now it was about creating a new life, one she could be proud of and be able to look herself in the mirror and say she did the right thing. She would take the additional risk.

  Dante smiled in the shadows. Erica was not shrinking away from danger. She seemed to have grown stronger, since she first walked through his doors. Often, over the years, Dante had seen strong people crumble when faced with the deadly combination of danger and fear. Fear was a destroyer of lives. He had seen the strongest and bravest men reduced to cowards who curled up into a ball, and cried hopelessly, when they realized that they were dealing with vampires.

  “Vampires, and shifters, for that matter, are the world’s greatest predators,” Dante informed the woman, from the dark corner. He looked intently for her reaction. He continued, “For some humans, realizing that they are no longer the top of the food chain, no longer the only feared hunter, walking the earth is almost paralyzing. For others, fear becomes a stimulant. It pushes them to face the danger, before the fear can overcome them.”

  Erica apparently was in the latter group. She was pushing past her fear, making a stand against her unseen enemies. She was exactly the type of human that Dante longed to protect, someone worthy of his sacrifice.

  “It’s your choice, Erica; I shall try to protect you and anyone you invite into this house. I cannot promise any more than that.”

  Erica smiled. Having Dante as her protector was reassuring. Knowing he was there, watching over her, made her feel safe. Even though Dante was warning her, he was not perfect, she felt that he was all the protection she would need. “Thank you, Dante,” she said. “I’ll let Brad know of my decision.” Erica paused, wanting to choose her next words carefully. “Dante, why are you standing in the shadows, I would like to see you. It’s weird talking to a shadow.”

  Dante smiled. “Is talking to a shadow any weirder than talking to a gargoyle?”

  Erica laughed. “No, I suppose it isn’t. I just meant I would like to know what you look like. Are you still stone, or do you change like a shifter?”

  “I’m in my human form right now, I can speak to you when I am stone, but it has been a long time since I felt the air and the night on me as a human, so I chose to change. Yes, I am similar to Jeffery and the other shifters that you have met, in that I can shift at will. The only difference is my power to shift is tied to my duties. Now that I’m protecting you, I have all my powers once more.” Dante paused before continuing. “I’m standing in the shadows as a courtesy to you. I didn’t want to offend you.”

  “Oh, you wouldn’t offend me at all. However you look, I understand, it’s a sacrifice you had to make. I won’t judge your appearance. Please, step out,” insisted Erica.

  Dante stepped out of the shadows so she could see him.

  Erica gasped. Dante was not as she had imagined him at all. His human form contained no demonic features at all. He was standing in front of her as a man. A beautiful, fit, and toned young man with dark hair and sparkling eyes, that shone in the moonlight. His features were angular and strong. As her gaze took him in, one thing became clear. The reason why Dante had been standing in the shadows was not that he has ugly or scary looking, and that she would be frightened. No, the reason Dante had chosen to stand in the shadows was he was as naked as the day he was born. Erica’s eyes admired all of his body, before bringing her eyes back up to his.

  She blushed. “Oh, I misunderstood. I hadn’t realized you meant you would be naked.”

  Dante shrugged. “I wasn’t going to borrow one of your dresses. Would you be more comfortable if I stood in the shadows again?”

  Erica shook her head. “No, we’re both adults. You ha
ve nothing I haven’t seen before.” Erica almost blurted out, that she had never seen such a perfect body before, but commenting in such a way didn’t seem appropriate. Dante was her protector and a gargoyle. The fact she had a completely naked man with a perfect body, on her balcony, would have to be ignored. “But, if you’re going to come into the house, it might be best if we found you some clothes.”

  Dante nodded. “Yes, I would like to see my old home. It seems that when it was moved, they did some significant upgrades. I have been curious as to what other changes have been made. Perhaps Jeffery has some clothes he could lend me for that purpose. Until some more suitable apparel can be procured.”

  “Yes, I can borrow something from Jeffery, but we certainly will have to get you some different clothes. He is quite a big larger than you, well not everywhere. I mean he is thicker. Oh God, I need to shut up,” Erica stammered and stuttered. Apparently Dante’s nakedness was affecting her brain. “Sorry, that came out wrong.”

  Dante smiled. He was amused that his naked body affected her that way. “I know what Jeffery looks like. Yes, clothes of a smaller size are necessary. But are you sure he is thicker?” Dante could not resist teasing Erica. After all, she had flashed him in the past. A little payback was fair.

  Erica’s eyes fell down Dante’s body, taking in his manhood once more. No, she seriously doubted Jeffery was thicker. Not that she would know, or should be looking. Once more she quickly raised her eyes, pretending she has not just been checking him out. “I, I don’t know what you are talking about,” she bluffed.

  Dante smiled. “How about grabbing those clothes now, so you can show me about the house.”

  38

  JESS

  The house they were looking for sat at the end of a cul-de-sac in a suburban area at the outskirts of the city. There were no lights on in the windows, but Jaden knew the house wasn’t empty.

  He drove past, not wanting to park anywhere close to it because his vehicle would be too easy to find. Jaden found a park nearby, parked the car, and then found a mud puddle.