Virgo

by Kim Faulks

  “Yes,” the Vampire hissed. “Your Saint is waiting.”

  I opened my eyes to the steady throb of light. But it wasn’t the faded yellow bulb in the distance—it was me. I was the source—the energy—the power.

  Compulsion forced me to step backwards and the Vampire moved with me, closing in as this tomb shuddered and shook.

  Cracks tore along the walls, running like veins as the Vampire gave a hiss and lunged. I clenched my fist and swung, carving the air with a feeble blow as we collided.

  The blow knocked me from my feet. Air was all I saw, not even the light could help me now. I hit the ground, bounced and came to rest in the middle of the tunnel.

  I coughed, wheezed, and tried to draw in a breath, and yet all I could see were stars. I blinked into the dirt as clumps fell around me. The night sky sparkled, until a slash of lightning cast the dark aside.

  And the deep rumble of thunder followed.

  In the brilliance, the Saint reared like God himself to swallow the darkness. He was a glowing ball of brilliance, spearing claws into the dirt to carve his way toward me.

  The Vampire raised his head, took one look above, and then lunged.

  Fangs and claws filled the tunnel as the Heavens opened and the Dragon came crashing down.

  His feet hit the ground either side of my head as he savaged the Vampire with an unmerciful bite, severing the undead in two. Legs fell to the side. The torso was thrown to hit the wall farther down.

  There was a second of shrill silence, until the shadow of a wolf was cast against the wall. More followed him, slinking in. Silver eyes glowed in the distance.

  The Saint straightened his spine, crashing through the open wound that had been a mountain and screamed. Lightning answered, carving down to impale the ground.

  The electric blast was deafening. My ears popped as the thick scent of ozone choked the air and the Dragon lowered his head. Green eyes found me, the blast of radiance rocked me where I lay. Tears filled my eyes. He was here. He was here for me. He cast a glance behind me, the motion unmistakable.

  Hurry, I’ll protect you—I’ll keep you safe.

  I gave a nod, and shoved my elbow into the rubble. The ground seemed to sway. Muffled sounds crowded my head. I shoved until I found my feet and reached out. My fingers skimmed ivory scales.

  He was perfect—just like I knew he would be. I wanted to touch him. I wanted to kiss him. I wanted—even though I hadn't any right to ask—but I wanted something more.

  I turned from him, leaving the tips of my fingers to trail his side until the last moment, and I finally stepped away. Pain was unmerciful—it was more savage than any beast. Yet I turned, and scurried over fallen dirt, finding the remnant of a tunnel amongst the rubble.

  When I couldn’t walk I crawled, ducking my head to slide into the crevices and squeezed my way through—until the tunnel came to an end.

  I pressed my fingers into the cold earth and felt nothing but dirt—nothing but pain.

  “No, this can’t be. No…no…” I raked the dirt until rocks speared underneath.

  I clawed, grasping what I could and yanked.

  My tired muscles pulled, agony sliced my shoulder, and twisted something deep into my spine. “You can’t do this to me. I know she’s there…I know she’s there.”

  I dropped my hand, stumbled backwards and lowered my shoulder. I could do this. I could find her…it was only me—only me. I drove my heels into the ground and charged, hitting the wall with a sickening crunch.

  Something shifted, something scraped against the floor on the other side.

  A flutter in my chest stilled me. I shuffled backwards, taking one more step and lowered my shoulder. The ground disappeared. All I saw were those tubes—all I saw was her face. I screamed my rage into this tomb and rushed forward.

  The brunt lasted a second before I toppled, and then crashed all the way through. Though the mess of overturned machines and smashed monitors I saw her. The incubator was shoved toward the back, and splayed sideways. The flash of her black wing stopped my heart.

  “Doc! Doc! Can you hear me?”

  I wrenched my gaze at the sound as Gabriel barged his way through. He took one wide-eyed look at the mess of a room and settled that chilling gaze on me.

  “Are you hurt?” he murmured, scanning my body.

  Behind him they charged in—Marcus, Abrial, Zadoc, and finally Joslyn. She stared at me, then the room. Her gaze seeking, finding the incubator at the far side of the room.

  “My baby,” she whispered and stumbled forward. “My baby.”

  I lifted a hand to stop her. But my heart was screaming. She shoved past, knocking into overturned tables. Shattered glass crunched under her feet as she raced forward. “My baby!”

  Someone grabbed me as I lunged. “Get off me. I said get off me!”

  I followed her, across the shards. She slipped, fell to the ground. Razored fragments scattered behind her as she shoved herself upwards.

  “Joslyn, wait,” I cried. “Don’t touch her…she…”

  Joslyn turned, her brown eyes burning with rage. “Don’t you dare tell me what to do!”

  The beep of a machine cut through, drawing me back to Thorn. Bits of glass stuck out of Joslyn’s palm, yet she never even noticed, reaching out to touch the plastic dome.

  Her nails clawed the door.

  “Please listen to me.” My voice broke. My hand trembled. “I’m begging you. I don’t know what they have going into her, any movement, any pull on those tubes could cause permanent damage.”

  A tortured cry ripped from her lips. Her hands stilled, fingers splayed against the plastic as she stared inside.

  “Let me see to her,” I begged. “Let me take out the tubes. I promise I’ll hand her straight to you.”

  She turned her head with tears streaming down her face. I’d never seen someone so utterly fragile. “You promise?”

  I nodded, and took one slow step. “I promise…just please, let me do this.”

  One tiny nod gave me the answer I needed. I moved quickly, finding the machines and the tubes and wrenched open the drawer finding scissors and plungers.

  I didn’t dare look at her, not once while my heart howled with rage and pain. I snipped, and eased, making sure the wounds were clean, and stilled at the central line. It wasn’t anything I’d ever seen, instead of blood coming out—there was blood going in…black blood.

  Demon Dragon, hissed the Huntress inside my mind.

  My pulse picked up pace. My hands stilled.

  “What’s wrong?” Joslyn snapped. “Why are you stopping?”

  I hadn’t the heart to say the words. She needed her baby. She needed her like breath itself—like the fire of her soul. She needed her little girl. I pressed against her scales, trailing my fingers along her collarbone and slipped the tube out.

  A tiny cry ripped through the air. Black wings flapped. The matted, bloodied strands of her tail swept across the plastic floor that was her bed.

  And it was only then that I looked at her. It was only then that I really saw.

  Joslyn moved in, grasping her under the arms and pulled her free.

  “Joslyn.” A shattered growl echoed behind us.

  I turned as Zadoc neared.

  This was all I wanted…my Thorn safe.

  I took a step backwards as he came closer. He wrapped his arms around them and buried his head against his mate’s shoulder. Thorn flapped her wings, and cried.

  But I knew who she called. I felt it in my heart.

  They were a family. A beautiful family.

  And I was not welcome.

  24

  Michael

  I yanked the shorts over my hips and charged through the opening. Marcus and Abrial stood to the back. Gabriel to the side. The Vampire turned his head and cut me with a look of despair.

  And then I found her, standing there, staring at Zadoc and Joslyn. I covered the distance in one slow thud of my laden heart.

  Her knees g
ave way; she toppled, until I caught her fall.

  She was nothing in my arms, barely a dream, barely a whisper.

  “I’ve got you Doc,” I murmured and dragged her to my chest. Just as I had before. Her eyes were dull, lifeless. She pressed her face into my chest as I turned.

  “Take me away from here,” she whispered. Her breath was warm against my bare skin. “Someplace far away.”

  I would’ve taken her to Heaven. I would’ve taken her to Hell. I would’ve walked for eternity, just to see the spark of life in her eyes.

  Keys rattled as someone pushed their way through the opening. I clutched her with one hand as Alpha tossed them into the air. He gave me a nod as I caught them and moved to the side. Glass crunched under my feet, but I barely felt the sting before the cuts healed.

  My Dragon raged, filling me with his power.

  I’d never felt so alive, so powerful—I dropped my focus to her—and yet so utterly helpless all at once. I turned right and made my way through the tunnel to the mouth of the mountain.

  Strewn bodies lay all around me as the sticks and the pine needles crunched under my feet. She dug her nails into my shoulder in a desperate attempt to stop from falling apart. Her body shook and shuddered, deep tortured sobs slipped free.

  “She was mine,” Doc whispered. “She was all mine. I fought for her. I protected her.”

  She lifted her head to nail me with a fragile stare. Tears shone like silver in the night as she murmured. “I would’ve died for her.”

  It was all I could do to stop from turning around. There had to be a way to stop her torture. There had to be a way to ease her pain. Family…love…honor. What happened when these three collided?

  You’re left heartbroken, answered the Saint.

  “I know,” I answered and cradled her close. “I know, Doc.”

  I skidded down the mountain holding her close. I wanted to take her into the night sky and fly away. I wanted to hold her in the clouds where the storm called my name. But the rage wasn’t what she needed—she needed to heal.

  And for once she needed to be cared for.

  The hunkering outline of a truck came into view. I scanned the small road, finding a clump farther along. I pressed the remote and the lights flashed on Alpha’s Jeep. She clung tight as I neared.

  “Soon, Doc. Soon you can fall apart—just let me get you home, okay?”

  She shook her head. “No, I don’t want to go—”

  I eased her feet to the ground beside the passenger’s door and leaned in, pressing her spine into the cold metal. My bloodstained fingers skimmed the nape of her neck and moved higher.

  She searched my gaze. “I don’t want to go back there—not now—not for a while. I…I feel…”

  Lost.

  The word echoed from her bottomless eyes. Her breath was warm, teasing, needing as I inched closer.

  “Never with me, Doc,” I murmured stealing her breath. “You’re mine.”

  I dropped my hand to the metal and found the handle, before yanking the door and pulling away.

  Hurt flared in her gaze.

  “Soon, Doc.”

  She moved slowly, curling her body to slip inside before nodding. She was just a mortal—just a damn mortal—fighting beasts like us. I eased the door closed and rounded the front of the car.

  I could feel her slipping, drawing into the cold, dark place where nothing could touch her—not even me.

  “Stay with her. Don’t let her leave—not yet—not while we can…”

  Save her, the Saint answered as I yanked the handle and climbed into the car.

  “Save her,” I murmured, and turned, finding her face turned into the seat toward me.

  “I don’t need saving. I just need to sleep. Take me to your place,” she whispered.

  I gave a nod and turned the key. The night was mine no longer—all I wanted was right here. I reached for her, finding her hand in the soft glow of the dashboard lights as the car pulled out.

  The drive was quiet and solemn. I stole glances at her while I focused on the road, finding my way out of the mountain track and along the highway, heading home.

  “Talk to me.” I squeezed her hand, even the warmth of her skin lied.

  She never answered, only closed her eyes, still her fingers snaked around mine, clasping tight, holding on—for just a moment longer.

  I punched the accelerator and steered the car around the winding roads, heading not for Flinders City but for home.

  What was left of the mountain and its horrors slipped into the rearview mirror—my brother’s family was together, and Doc was safe—that was all that mattered.

  But as I drove I knew in my heart Angel was still trapped there—still reliving the hurt and pain—still longing to hold the Dragon child in her arms.

  An ache flared—a wanting I’d never had before.

  I’d give her that if I could—a child of her own.

  Maybe then that spark would return? Maybe then she wouldn’t be lost?

  Her grip tightened on my hand, as the road faded to a blur, until finally another mountain reared in the distance—one filled with the familiar feeling of comfort and love.

  Home.

  The letter slipped into my thoughts. Truth or family. In the light of all that’d happened, the choice had been easy to make. I tore my gaze from the road to her.

  Wherever she was—whatever she needed—that was my decision.

  Everything else could wait.

  I untangled my fingers and dragged my hands from hers, grasping the wheel as I downshifted the gears. The Jeep responded, revving harder, climbing faster until I slowed the car.

  Tire marks veered off the road into the overgrown trees. I eased the nose of the Jeep through to where the wrought iron gate waited. The white mansion glinted like a bone-white jewel amongst the Heavens.

  “We’re here,” I murmured as I pulled up outside.

  The front door opened, Xael rushed out. Others followed, crowding around the end of the driveway as I cracked open the driver’s door.

  But this was no time for family—everyone who wasn’t Doc could wait.

  I slammed the driver’s door behind me and rounded the front of the car.

  “Michael,” Xael called, taking a step closer.

  I lifted my head giving her all I could. “They’re all safe and alive and coming home soon.”

  A frown marred her face. She opened her mouth and started forward, until I wrenched open the door and slipped the seatbelt from around Doc.

  “We’re here now, Doc. I’ve got you.”

  She turned into me, nails clawed, desperation stained the air. I slid her carefully from the car and then straightened. One jerk of my knee and the door slammed shut. Blood marred Doc’s face. Her lip was swelling. Scratches covered one side of her face.

  I knew there were more injuries hidden under her clothes. I’d clean them all, kiss them all. The sudden inhale dragged my focus from her. My sister stared at the woman in my arms. I saw the same hurt—the same longing.

  Xael’s eyes widened as she stepped backwards letting me pass.

  “Let go now,” I murmured and strode inside.

  The stairs disappeared behind us as I climbed. Her hands trembled against my skin. Her fingers dug into my bicep, gripping tight.

  A wounded cry wrenched from her lips as I turned left and headed for the far end of the first floor. No one would disturb us, not up here and not now.

  I never waited for the crunch of their tires. Never cared about the flash of headlights as the rest of my family returned. I held her tight, opened my bedroom door, and then shoved it closed.

  The slam rocked the air. We needed no lights, no candles. I crossed the darkened room to my bed. I lowered her one foot at a time until she touched the floor.

  She looked so small standing there, so utterly fragile as she turned her head away.

  I skimmed her cheek with the back of my finger and found the ridge of her jaw. “Look at me, Doc.”
<
br />   A quake raced, shuddering her body against mine.

  “You won. You’re alive—you saved her. You did more than any of us ever could.”

  The shudder deepened.

  She was a house of cards ready to fall…all I had to do was catch her heart.

  “You saved Zadoc’s baby. You’re amazing, so totally beautiful, mesmerizing and amazing. Let me show you.”

  I leaned in and pressed my face into her neck. My lips found the corded tendons, and the smooth hollow under her ear. I brushed my lips across her skin, until a different shudder trembled her body.

  “Do you want me to stop?”

  I dropped my hand finding hers. Broken nails grazed my skin as I clasped her fingers dragging them to my lips.

  A hollow ache flared in my chest, squeezing this damn soft heart of mine. I’d let her go, if that was what she wanted. I’d let her go and then I’d tear the Heavens apart.

  It was my hand that trembled. My hand that held hers—for the truth was she wasn’t the weak one here. She wasn’t the most fragile.

  “No,” she answered, turning her gaze to me. “Don’t stop.”

  25

  Doc Angel

  “Does it ever stop?” He whispered in that midnight tone. Emerald eyes flared with turmoil. The Saint reared against the darkness, rising up in the shadows like a phoenix. “This wanting you. Does it ever end?”

  The heavy beat of my heart skipped, and then raced to catch up.

  “’Cause I’m telling you, Doc. I don’t think I can hold back. I want you. I want to fuck you…”

  His hand slid around my thigh and cupped my ass. The hard brunt of our bodies left me breathless. His cock slid between the crevice of my thighs and rubbed against the fabric of my pants as he finished. “I want to make love to you until I forget I exist.”

  He held me tight and thrust against me, stealing my breath…stealing my mind. “Until there's nothing but this…nothing but us.”

  “Yes.” The word slipped free. “Yes.”

  There was a dangerous glint in his eyes. One that made something inside me tremble with both fear and longing. I’d lost myself—with him, and with these immortals. I’d found something I wanted more than fame, wanted more than breaking any evolutionary code.