Assassin: Fall of the Golden Valefar (A Paranormal Romance—Book #6 in the Demon Kissed Series)

by H. M. Ward

  Darker immortals had an affinity for places like this. Maybe she was one and just hid it exceptionally well. In all the time he’d known her, Natalia never did anything to tip her hand—assuming she was an immortal. For her to enjoy being at this place, she must be a Valefar, but she didn’t act like it. Natalia rarely lost her temper and he never saw the tell-tale sign—the mixing of blood and fire in her eyes, the signal that she’d lost control. And Eric taunted the hell out her. For the past few years he was nasty to her more often than not, and Natalia would react, but her actions were like that of a child. She threw fits and called him names. She never tried to kill him. Her body never shook with anger so that her eyes pooled with uncontrollable rage.

  Eric was rolling his empty glass in his hand, when the girl on his lap stiffened and stood. His gaze lifted and he saw that Carina was walking toward him. “Eric,” she said tartly. The nameless girl hurried away. “Killed her already?” Carina cocked her blonde head. Her hair was messier than before. No doubt she already sucked out some poor bastard’s soul.

  Eric leaned forward, a grin lighting up his face, as he put his empty glass on the bar. “How much?”

  She didn’t know what he was talking about. The expression on her face faltered. The nonchalant air she carried tripped, face-first. “How much, what?”

  “Name your price, Carina. I want her,” his voice darkened, demanding and deadly. “I want her the way I had Jocelyn. Don’t deny your best patron a little pleasure.” Eric’s heart was beating hard. Jocelyn. Damn, mentioning the girl’s name made him want to do that all over again. The itch in his fingers, the burning to feel—he cut off the thought. Controlling himself was crucial.

  Eric’s infectious smile caught on immediately and Carina purred back at him, “A little pleasure is what this place was made for Eric, but what you’re asking for goes beyond that.” She shook her head, her blonde hair falling over her bare shoulder. She smoothed her hands over the satin corset. Leaning closer to him, she smiled, her red lips inches from his face. “Besides, you couldn’t possibly afford it. Best go find your playthings somewhere else, I think.” Carina turned on her heel, ready to walk away. But Eric recognized that he had her. There was a price.

  Reaching for her waist, he fished his finger through a corset string and tugged slightly, stopping her in her tracks. An old trick, he decided. She looked down at him, an eyebrow arched. Eric asked, “Indulge me, Carina.”

  Ruby lips twisted into a sadistic smile, “Triple your previous payment, and a kiss.” She breathed the last word, her full lips inches from his.

  Eric smirked, “A kiss? You don’t want something… more?” He knew what she wanted—his soul. She could sense it, even though it was tainted and torn.

  Her eyes lingered on his face, her fingers under her chin. Carina sighed, and leaned against the bar, coyly looking at him from under long lashes. She mistook his question, thinking he was mortal. “Would you like more, Eric? You would, wouldn’t you?” She laughed deeply. Mortal men were so easy to ensnare. She could take his money and his soul anytime she wanted. She pressed a finger to Eric’s lips, barely touching him, whispering, “But I know better.”

  Eric watched her closely, his body tense as he tried not to respond to her touch. It sent ripples of rage through his body. Carina mistook his tension for longing. He wondered how she stayed alive this long. Maybe she wasn’t as daft as she seemed.

  Carina, standing straight, leaned her hip against the bar, resting her arm on the shiny top. “Bring me more gold and I’ll give you as many girls as you like. No rules. No promises, Eric. You can do what you like.” He watched her lips move, shocked by her nefarious offer. No wonder Natalia was afraid of her. The woman just sold her for slaughter, but he sensed something darker there, too.

  Eric moved his hand, ready to put it in his pocket to use a Valefar charm to produce more money, but Carina stopped his hand. Eric looked at her, ready to strike. Carina turned, standing in front of him, and rested her other hand on his shoulder. Eric didn’t move. Sliding her hand along his bare skin, she moved behind his shoulder. He could feel her standing there, in his blind spot. The muscles in Eric’s shoulders rippled as he tensed. Leaning forward, Carina slid her slender fingers into his empty pocket. Eric stared straight ahead watching her in the glass, heart pounding in his chest. He would kill her if she attacked. Every muscle in his body tensed as he waited for her to respond.

  Her long dark lashes looked up at his reflection in the mirror. She purred in his ear, “How did you intend to pay for her when your pockets are empty?” Knowingly, she gazed at him as she withdrew her hand.

  Eric was quiet for a moment, unsure if she was calling him out. After all this time, she finally figured out what he was. He’d used spells to hide himself from her, but after Jocelyn, she must have suspected he wasn’t just some random murderer. Her death was too gruesome for that, too elaborately enjoyed for someone who’d never done it before. It wasn’t an act of passionate rage that flew out of control. Damn it. Eric decided to find out exactly what she thought he was. “But, we have ways, don’t we Carina?”

  She shrugged, as if she didn’t know what he was talking about. Eric slipped his hand into his pocket and used the Valefar ability. Within seconds a large gold coin formed. Carina watched him, eyes locked on his face as he did it, examining—waiting for his beautiful face to twist in pain—the price for creating such a large piece of gold would be agonizing, if it was even possible. But Eric was different. The pain price of using Valefar magic was less than that of the curse, which made him barely notice. It was like a fly sitting on his shoulder. He was aware of it, but it didn’t faze him. His power exceeded hers. Unlike Carina, there was no limit to the amount of gold he could create. When Eric pulled the coin from his pocket, he placed it on the dark bar top. The gold glittered in the dim light.

  Plucking up the coin, Carina examined it, “So it would seem. But I have taken every weapon you had and there is no proof of your affiliation.”

  Astute woman. She was asking about his mark. If he was a Valefar, why didn’t she see it when she took his weapons? Surely the brimstone that hid his affiliation—as she called it—was contained in a weapon. That was the way it worked for the rest of the Valefar, but for not Eric. When he left the Underworld, the golden mark on his flesh faded and he didn’t know why. But he wasn’t about to tell her that. Eric leaned in, “I could say the same thing, yet I know what you are—and what you’re capable of—what a kiss means, from a beautiful woman like you.”

  Carina flipped the coin between her fingers, glancing up at Eric from beneath her brow. She didn’t like him, he was sure of it, but at this point she would have to challenge him to leave and he didn’t think she would. Her crimson lips parted slightly as she said, “There are some needs that cannot be sated.”

  “I am well aware,” Eric replied.

  She nodded slowly, accepting his words. Turning to walk away, she continued to examine the coin in her palm. Eric watched her leave, the black robe flowing around her ankles. When she stopped, Carina spoke over her shoulder at him. Her voice was detached, feeling no remorse for the transaction she’d made, “Clean up when you’re done.”

  He eyed her, Eric’s fingers tapping the bar like he couldn’t wait, a wide dark smile stretching across his face, “It’ll be like she never existed.”

  CHATPER EIGHT

  Barefoot, he padded past the guards, feeling Carina’s eyes on his back. She knew he wasn’t mortal anymore and was suspicious of him, thinking he was a Valefar. He didn’t correct her. While it led her closer to realizing who he was, she was still miles away. Ivy was scouring the city looking for him, but the charm he placed on that piece of gold would make Carina’s recollection of his features grow hazy. She wouldn’t remember him until she saw him again. The only way he’d get trapped here is if Mandor happened to walk in while he was here.

  The tension in his legs made Eric want to run. He was practically giddy. This would tell him what she wa
s, and if she was mortal the gold would protect her from Carina. And if she wasn’t, nothing could protect her from Eric. Pulse rushing in his ears, he took slow controlled steps. Passing the guards he said nothing. The tension in his arms made them feel like lead, hanging at his sides. He cracked his knuckles to relieve the sensation and stopped in front of door three. Eric withdrew the key from his pocket and slid it into the lock. His heart was pounding. Beyond a shadow of a doubt, he thought that the bed would be empty. The girl would have freed herself and ran. There was no way that Natalia was a mortal stupid enough to think that she could survive in a place like this. He’d seen the spark in her eyes, the light of keen intelligence that said she was smarter than that.

  But he was wrong.

  When he pushed the door open, and stepped into the room, Eric’s heart sank. Natalia was still lying there, chained—and livid. The bed sheets were bunched under her back as she tried to free herself by twisting out of the cuffs. Her wrists were bloody where the chains cut into her soft flesh. Tears stained her face, distorting her dark make-up. It looked like someone had taken coal and drew lines under her eyes. Eric’s stomach twisted. He hated seeing her like that, and he was the one who did it to her. Damn.

  The anger that coursed when he realized she was just some helpless girl—an incredibly stupid one—faded. He walked toward her. She didn’t look at him. She didn’t think he was coming back. Eric’s voice was soft, softer than it should have been. He wanted to take her and shake some sense into her, but he controlled himself.

  “When are you going to believe me?” he asked sternly, sitting next to her on the bed. He reached for her cuff. Natalia’s arm was limp. The scent of her blood was heavenly, but he ignored it, and freed her chewed up wrist.

  She stared at him, watching his hands move to unchain her. His touch was light and the slope of his shoulders told her a million words Eric would never say. After he freed her ankles, she sat up slowly, rubbing her wrists with Eric’s hand on her back to steady her. Dark hair cascaded down her back. Icy blue eyes met his, “I’ll believe you when you stop coming back for me.”

  “You’re demented, you know that?” he laughed hollowly. She had a death wish, and he… Eric realized how much he wanted her to live. There was no life for her if she chose to hang around him. Intentionally steeling his voice, he growled, “Go find some regular guy to fuck and have babies with—I’m not him.” He glared at her. That had to be the reason. That had to be why she was here. She didn’t see him. She didn’t see what he really was. He was certain she was looking at him like a hero and he wasn’t. He wasn’t. And it didn’t matter what he did, she didn’t see it.

  “You’re wrong,” she said, barely loud enough to hear.

  He laughed callously, wringing his hands before snapping at her, “About what?”

  “About me,” she moved quickly, her fist colliding with his face, sending him flying backwards. Eric’s body hit the floor with a loud thud. She’d never hit him like that before. There was power in that punch, more than a girl her size should have. Before he regained his senses, her foot collided with the side of his head. Eric staggered. The world went black and the last thing he heard was the door lock scraping open and Natalia saying, “And I was wrong about you.”

  CHAPTER NINE

  Carina stood over him, hands on her hips when his eyes flicked open. The last person to hit him like that was Kreturus. When he opened his eyes and saw the owner, he rubbed his hands over his face. She was grinning ear to ear. “Your meal walked out of here about five minutes ago.”

  Eric sat up, shaking off his shock. “She walked out?” She hit him so hard his ears were still ringing. The side of his face felt like it had cracked open. Touching it softly, he winced. There was no blood, but it still throbbed. Eric stood and collected his things, looking around the room, not knowing what to think.

  Carina nodded. The tassels from the belt of her robe were in her fingers. She was stroking the silky strands as she spoke, “Yup, she walked out of here like she owned the place. One of the girls asked her what happened. Her make-up was a mess and her hair, well, she looked horrid. And a paid girl is supposed to stay put. Sasha didn’t answer, she just left. I sent my guards after her…” she glanced at Eric, trying to gauge his reaction. She wondered if the girl meant something to him. If she did, then Carina wanted her.

  Who the hell is Sasha?he thought before realizing that she meant Nat. Damn, she’d hit him hard. Eric hissed at her, “She cost a fucking fortune, Carina. Patrons aren’t supposed to get attacked…”

  “You unchained her,” she retorted dropping her tassel.

  “You trained her to fight back.”

  Her hands were clenched into fists at her sides, “You were supposed to subdue her.”

  “You were supposed to screen your hires. What the fuck is she? I was under the impression that I was with a mortal.” Rage flashed through Eric’s eyes, the rims of his iris burning bright red. Carina saw it happen and swallowed hard. She was afraid of him. Good. He stepped nearer to her.

  Carina stepped back, “She is mortal. She bleeds. She breaks. She breathes. She passed the tests we give to detect Valefar.”

  “Prove it.” Eric’s body was corded tight. His mind was reeling, trying to figure out what happened. That had to be more than a lucky shot. Valefar hadn’t been able to clock him like that, which meant what? Eric’s body was about to explode. He wanted to hit something, break someone. If Carina didn’t prove what she was saying, he knew it would be her.

  “I will. Follow me.” She turned promptly, signaling for the guard to return Eric’s belongings. He pocketed his things, pulled his shirt over his head, and slipped his feet back into his boots, before following Carina across the room. He wove his way between patrons and half naked women, until he walked into an office with Carina. The door slammed shut and he knew there were guards nearby.

  Eric was ready for a fight. He snapped at her, “Well? What the hell is she?”

  “Mortal. We test these things, Eric. She bleeds red. Her blood tastes normal.” Carina fished in her desk and pulled out a file folder. The name SASHA was printed on the side. “Each girl takes a stage-name and is thoroughly checked. They cannot have living relatives in the city, and I place a spell on them so that no one will recognize them should the need arise. But you saw her, didn’t you?” Eric nodded. “It doesn’t work as well on Valefar. Here take it. Look. The girl seemed normal to me, but if she overpowered you…” She thrust the folder at him.

  “She didn’t overpower me… it just seemed to be a helluva lucky shot.” Flicking through her folder, he saw pictures of Natalia wearing nothing. She was all smooth skin and dark hair with endless curves. His fingers pressed to the photograph as if he could touch her. The memory of her warm flesh in his hand stirred within him. Eric snarled, throwing the folder onto the desk, his eyes darting back and forth.

  Carina laughed, “Well, she knocked you out and ran. Eric, there are limits here. Each night only so many girls can die to avoid suspicion. Since the Queen reigns and disapproves of my actions, I don’t wish to anger her, but we still need to live, Eric. I’m sure you don’t expect us to starve.” He shook his head, agreeing with her to see where she was going with this. “Then we’re on the same side. You may feed here, but when we don’t share, there is a higher price. When you take a soul, it means the rest of us can’t. I couldn’t very well say that in the open.”

  Eric didn’t respond. He didn’t care what Carina did here. The people who visited the place were beyond repair anyway—at least he thought they were until Natalia showed up and screwed things up.

  The woman looked up at him, her gaze narrowing. “I suppose you want reparations? And your money back?”

  Eric glared at her. “Keep it. I expect to be back to get what I paid for.” He leaned over the desk toward her, “And should you find her first, you will save her for me. Do you understand? No one else is to touch her. Chain her and call me. Now that you know what I am, I can effonat
e directly into her room. That is the only reparation I want. Are we agreed?”

  Carina’s dark brow rose on her face slightly when Eric said his demands. Arms folded over her chest, she nodded. “Done. No one screws-over my patrons, Eric. If you don’t punish her, I will.”

  Eric grabbed the woman by the throat, his effonation already surging through him, “She’ll go the way of Jocelyn, Carina. And so will you, if you touch her.” He released her, just as her eyes pooled crimson, and he was gone.

  CHAPTER TEN

  Eric had to know what Natalia was, but he knew he had to find her first. Carina would do whatever she wanted when she located the girl. He could see it in her eyes. Either Natalia was an oddity or something that she could use to manipulate Eric. Fuck! Why did these people see that so quickly? He tried to hide his affection for the girl, but that’s all it was—misplaced affection. She resembled someone he’d cared about. Someone he failed to protect. The never-ending nightmare played out, over and over again, in his mind. He wasn’t stupid enough to think of trying to have a relationship with anyone ever again.

  The golden Valefar moved through the dark streets, stalking his prey. Natalia was on foot, wearing next to nothing. How far could she get? Eric moved swiftly through the shadows tracking her, following her light sweet scent until he saw her. The robe had been stripped off her back and she was pinned to the ground. One man sat at her head, holding down her arms and laughing. It was a Valefar from the club. Eric recognized both of them. The other Valefar was trying to pry her legs apart with his hand, and shoving his knee higher and higher. Rage spilled into Eric.

  The Valefar that pinned Natalia’s head looked up and saw Eric’s eyes glowing red in the darkness. “We’ve got company.” The other man—the one of top of Natalia—stopped and turned, looking back at Eric.