Sleeping Rose

by Erin West

  The dagger absorbs his powers, merging it with its own and with mine, as his life essence leaves his body forever.

  I lay prone on the ground for a minute with his dead body weighing on top of me. The wound on my side starts to heal, the pain receding. What has my life become? This is the second time I’ve had to take a life in self-defense. This will haunt me like the first.

  I push him off with minimal effort and stand.

  “Rose?” Three voices join together as they call out to me.

  I stand, the dagger still in my right hand. “I’m okay.”

  Their eyes drop down to the dagger. Oren’s widen, and his mouth opens to say something.

  Shit. How do I put the dagger back in my hiding spot?

  The weight disappears from my hand.

  Lightning lights up the sky as a lone man with a commanding presence walks unflinching amongst the battle. His white-blonde hair glows when the lightning strikes. He strides toward me with single-minded purpose.

  I can’t take my eyes off of him. The battle ceases to exist, and it’s just me and him.

  My powers flare to life again, and the burning inside rises to a fever pitch. My body is pulling me to go to him, touch him, kiss him, just be with him. It’s stronger than even my connection with Oren. What does that mean?

  I’ve grown to care so much for these three men, even Eli, as much as I hate to admit it. If I feel this strongly for someone else, does that diminish what I have with them?

  My feet stay planted where I’m standing. I don’t know his motives, and that’s a scary thing, considering what just happened.

  He stops several feet away, turning his head to my right. I turn my head and watch someone sneaking up on me burst into flames. He surveys the area surrounding the house.

  My eyes take a slow perusal of his tall, muscular figure, clad in black pants and shirt.

  The fight is almost over. Drake, Eli, and Oren are fighting the last of the Dark Wizard’s minions, finally defeating them all. They head my direction, keeping their eyes on the new person.

  Eli’s lip snarls up.

  I thought that look was only reserved for me. It’s nice to see it directed toward someone else.

  He straightens his clothes. “What are you doing here? Don’t you have somewhere warmer to be?”

  The blonde man’s voice is gravelly and deep as he chuckles. “I’m here to claim what’s rightfully mine.”

  Eli takes a quick look around. “I don’t see anything that belongs to you.”

  Blondie’s cognac eyes lock on me. “Surely, you’re not that dense, Eli. Step away from the girl.”

  What? He wants me? Why?

  All three of them circle around me, blocking me from his view.

  Drake’s eyes glow. “You’ll have to go through all of us first.”

  The stranger’s smile is breathtaking and scary at the same time. It makes my heart skip a beat, and the breath swooshes out of me. He’s so handsome.

  “With pleasure.” He waves his hand, and all three of my men fly several hundred feet away from us.

  My eyes try to follow each of them to make sure they are safe. When I look at the man in black, he’s standing within touching distance.

  “Come with me.” He holds his hand out.

  Shaking my head, I back away, but he follows me step for step.

  The smile he gives me is different from before. He’s enjoying this. “Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. You don’t want me to hurt them, do you?”

  My feet stop of their own accord. No, I don’t want them hurt. “I’m not going with you. I don’t even know your name.”

  “Bael. And you will. It’s only a matter of time.”

  A shiver courses through me, and he closes the distance between us again. His hands lock onto my waist.

  The burning within me rises to an inferno, and my entire body engulfs in flames, similar to when I trained with Oren. For the second time today, my clothes are incinerated. Damn, this isn’t going to be good.

  Bael doesn’t remove his hands. The flames have no effect on him.

  Who the fuck is this man? Why isn’t he trying to kill me?

  His eyes reflect the fire that is me, and he looks pleased.

  My name is being shouted, and I turn my head to look at Drake, Eli, and Oren as they make their way back to me. Eli streaks toward us, but before any of them can reach us, everything disappears in the blink of an eye.

  Chapter Nineteen

  I blink, and when I open my eyes, I’m in a different place. Holy shit, this place is beautiful. It has rolling hills, vibrant green grass, and the air is fragrant with the smells of lilies and roses.

  A breeze blows through, chilling my body, and I notice that the flames are gone. I’m standing out in the open, naked. Damn. I’m not sure there’s a point in trying to cover up, though.

  I put my hands on my hips. “Can I have your shirt, please?”

  Bael stands in place, inspecting me. “Why would I do that? You look perfect the way you are.”

  Is he hitting on me now? I take a step forward then turn toward him. “Where the fuck are we? Take me back now.”

  He stays quiet for a moment, looking me up and down with a smirk. “Such a dirty little mouth. We are at the entryway of Hreidmar.”

  What the hell is that? I cross my arms over my breasts. “Uh, is that part of Germany?”

  His eyebrow raises. “I hope your humor improves.” He shakes his head.

  My eyes narrow. “I don’t give a fuck what you hope. You need to take me back.”

  He chuckles. “I don’t need to do anything.”

  Arousal floods my center, and my nipples harden. Thank God they’re covered with my arms.

  He turns to walk deeper into the field.

  “Wait.” I reach out and grab his arm, heat radiating from the contact. “Don’t.”

  Flames course out of me, seeking him like a magnet. Why does this keep happening?

  “Fuck.” He lowers his forehead against mine and he grips my biceps.

  The world spins around, and then my vision clears. How does he keep doing that?

  We are in the center of a living room. Everything from the floors to the walls and ceilings is made of wood. There’s a small, stone fireplace that is already lit on the wall farthest from where we’re standing. A brown leather couch sits in the center of the room, right next to us, with a small table in front. The quaint kitchen is to one side and has updated appliances. A sturdy farmhouse-style table for two is below a set of windows looking out over a meadow. The other side appears to be a bedroom with a bathroom.

  “What the hell is going on?” This must be a dream or a nightmare.

  Bael looks at me. “Exactly. Hell.” His eyebrows scrunch together as he frowns. “You know, the place of brimstone and fire.”

  “Why are we here? Why’d you take me away from my…” I don’t even know how to finish that statement.

  His jaw clenches. “Your what?”

  I lift my chin in his direction. I’ll be damned if I let him affect me. “My mates.”

  Laughter barks out of him. “Your mates? Stop trying to get a rise out of me.”

  I’m so tired of dealing with these supernaturals. They piss me off. “Yes, this is all about you. I said that just to annoy you, for whatever reason. It has nothing to do with me not having a choice to be here.”

  He cocks his head to the side. “You think I have a choice of being here?”

  I plop down on the butter-soft couch and sink into the cushions that remind me of that time in Eli’s office. I turn my head toward him. “Well, you did bring us here, so I’d say yes.”

  He strides over to the window. “I go wherever I please, but I must return here.”

  What is that supposed to mean? Not even going to touch that that topic. “So, we’re at Red Mares? Right?”

  Chuckling, he sits down beside me, brushing his leg against my bare thigh. “No, Hreidmar.” He leans toward me. “Better known as the Underworld.”
/>
  Is he serious? “The next thing you’ll tell me is that Satan is real.”

  His eyes light up. Smirking, he leans back against the corner of the couch. “Who else would run this place if he didn’t exist?”

  Okay, I’m done with this conversation. I stand up, crossing the living room to the front door. After opening the door, my feet carry me outside. If we are in the Underworld, how am I supposed to get back?

  I make it ten feet away from the cottage before he appears in front of me.

  He crosses his arms. “Where are you going?”

  Going around him, I get a few more steps. “Away from you.”

  Gray clouds fill the sky. “I’ll be able to find you wherever you go.”

  Why do his words thrill me? I level out my emotions. I’m tired of feeling like I have to understand everything that’s going on with me. I’m embracing the crazy. “That may be so, but I need to get back to Atlanta. Drake and Oren must be worried about me. And Eli. He will need to feed from me soon.”

  Lightning pierces the sky. “You let a half-demon leech drink from you?”

  Did he do that? That is badass. “When you put it that way, it really puts things into perspective.” I tap my finger to my lip. “But yes, I did. It wasn’t my finest moment.”

  His grin appears. “Now, that was amusing.”

  That smile speeds up my heart rate. My arms cross over my chest, and I roll my eyes. “I’m so relieved. Now, it’s time for you to take me back. This isn’t amusing.”

  He holds his hands out but doesn’t touch me. “It’s time to go inside.” He motions to the sky.

  It’s getting dark, but there’s not a star in the sky. The cool, night air caresses my body, like his eyes are. When did this happen? It was bright a few moments ago.

  Taking a step closer, he smiles. “Come back with me now. I might take you back to see your friends one last time.”

  One last time? Hell no, that will not work. My spine stiffens. “No. Not until you promise to take me back.”

  Lightning strikes again. His outstretched hand balls into a fist. “You’re testing my patience.”

  I stand my ground.

  Jaw clenching, he grits out, “Fine. In a few days.”

  I shake my head. “No deal.”

  His nostrils flair. “Are you being serious?”

  “Yes.” I lift my chin.

  Breathing heavy, he frowns. “Fine. Tomorrow.”

  Nodding, I walk back toward the cottage with Bael following behind me and his eyes glued to my ass.

  In the corner of my eye, there’s movement. It’s a dark, long shadow-like object moving in our direction.

  Bael’s eyes dart to it, and lightning strikes the figure. It vanishes in smoke.

  Taking my hand, he drags me back to the cottage at a faster pace. “Come on.”

  My power flares out at the contact, but I pull it back into me.

  Since we aren’t far from the house, we make it without any more altercations.

  I sit back down on the couch, fatigue hitting me hard. The battle, worry for my other men, and being kidnapped to the Underworld is starting to take its toll.

  His gaze softens when he takes in the sudden change of my demeanor. “Are you hungry?”

  I shouldn’t even acknowledge him, but my stomach grumbles loud enough for him to hear.

  His shoulders shake with quiet laughter, and he leans down, pushing a piece of stray hair behind my ear. “Why don’t you go take a shower?”

  Oh, that sounds great. But what will he expect in return? I narrow my eyes at him. “What’s the catch?”

  He walks to the bedroom.

  I’d follow him if I didn’t think he’d get the wrong idea.

  He walks out with a shirt and some boxer shorts. “No catch. This time.” He winks, holding the clothes out.

  I take them from him and saunter to the bathroom. My body feels disgusting after having a dead body on top of me.

  After shutting the door, I put the clothes on top of a long, stone countertop. The stone is black with threads of gold glitter layered throughout. The tub is made of the same rock, with an iridescent glass shower door.

  I open the door to turn the water on and stop. Where’s the shower knob?

  There’s nothing to turn the water on. Is this some kind of joke?

  Turning to the door, I open it again. “Bael, is this a trick?”

  Arms circle around me from behind, and I jump. Why did I think that a door would keep him out? I find myself pressed against his hard body. Oh, my damn. He feels so good. My heart begins to race, and the fire starts to build.

  Staring at my lips, his tone is raspy. “Need help?”

  His question helps me rein the fire in before it erupts from within, but it stokes a different set of flames.

  Hell yeah, I do. At the top of the list is him doing something about the desire blazing through my body. Shit. I better get myself together. Despite my whole being protesting, I step away from him to get some distance. “How do you turn the water on?”

  He clears his throat. “Just step in. The shower will know what to do… unlike you.”

  Laughter bubbles out of me. “Wow, that kinda hurt.”

  “It’s a good thing you’re gorgeous.” He makes himself comfortable against the wall, watching me.

  He’s not too bad himself. Our connection is explosive. But I already have three gorgeous men waiting for me. “All right, a girl needs some privacy.”

  A devilish grin quirks his lips up. “I could join you.”

  I laugh again. “You wish.”

  His chuckle joins mine, echoing around the bathroom before he disappears.

  How I wish he wouldn’t have given me the option.

  I turn back to the shower. He better not be playing a trick on me. I’m going to feel stupid if I walk in there and nothing happens. I lock the door, as if a door would stop him. Drake’s hurt face when he found out I had slept with Oren appears in my mind. I can’t do that to him again.

  When I take hesitant steps into the shower, water pours out of thin air, hitting my body. It smells of jasmine and a hint of vanilla. The dirt melts off my skin and hair. After standing in there for a while, Bael’s gravelly voice coming from outside the shower door startles me.

  “You okay in there?”

  Maybe I’ve been in here longer than I realized. “Yes. I’ll be out in a minute.”

  He chuckles. “Take your time. I’m quite enjoying myself.”

  I swipe my hand across the glass at eye level then glare at him with narrowed eyes. “You need to leave. Please.”

  He vanishes again.

  That was easier than I expected, dealing with him.

  Enjoying the warmth and the water, I stay a few minutes longer. When I step out, I feel like a whole new person. Glancing in the mirror, my blue eyes shine brighter than they have in a while. I put on the clothes. They swallow me whole. Knotting the side of the boxers so they don’t fall off, I look through a drawer and find a comb. I guess this will have to do.

  Damn, that shower was amazing. There are some noises coming from the kitchen, so I head out the door to join Bael.

  He’s leaning over the table, putting a dish with some kind of pasta in the middle.

  He’s fucking hot. My mouth dries, and this makes it that much harder to resist him. “What did you make?”

  He straightens and scans me over from head to toe. “I thought you might enjoy some lasagna.” He lets out a groan. “You look fucking hot in my clothes, but you look even better without them.”

  Giggling, I sit in one of the seats and scoop some onto my plate. “This looks good. Thank you.”

  Joining me at the table, he takes the serving spoon out of my hand and puts some on his plate. “You’re welcome.”

  A comfortable silence descends over us. I wind up eating two plates full of pasta, but I have no regrets. It was delicious and I was starving.

  When he’s done, he sets his fork on the plate. “Why
is the Dark Wizard after you?”

  That’s the million-dollar question. “How do you know he’s after me?”

  He rubs his thumb against his chin. “I keep tabs on anyone with that much power. He doesn’t usually take interest in anyone but himself, so something is unique about you.”

  There’s a loud knock at his door. “Help, is someone home?”

  Oh, no. Someone is hurt. I stand and head to the door.

  Bael appears and puts his fingers to his lips. “Yes, now go away.”

  But I’m injured and need help.” The voice quivers from pain.

  Bael’s jaw clenches. “Go the fuck away.”

  Since he’s distracted, I move around and open the door. As soon as I do, something attacks me and bites into my arm. What the fuck is this creature?

  Roaring, Bael pulls the shadow off of me.

  Blood is dripping from what must be its mouth.

  He throws it against the wall, holding it by its neck. “If you ever come here again, I’ll make sure you’re tortured accordingly. Do you understand?”

  The shadow stiffens. It opens its mouth, showing ugly green teeth. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know it was you, my prince.”

  Thunder roars through the air as Bael’s fist clenches tighter. “Now you know.” A bolt of lightning from his palm slams into the shadow’s face, disintegrating it on the spot. He then turns to me and touches the bite. “Why’d you open the fucking door?”

  “I thought someone was hurt.” I inspect the black liquid oozing from the bite mark. “What the hell was that?”

  He gets up and rummages around the kitchen, pulling out some dark liquid. “That was a lower-caste demon. They are the errand runners for the dark lord and prowl the lower tiers looking for others to feed off of.” He grabs a towel from the kitchen and pours the liquid on it. He uses his free arm to tug me to the couch, then sits down beside me. “Be prepared. This is going to hurt like a bitch.”

  When he puts the towel on my arm, it burns like acid against my skin. “What the fuck? Alcohol has never burned like this before.”

  Sighing, he shakes his head. “This isn’t alcohol. It’s anti-bite venom, and you should be glad I had it. Otherwise, your night would have been far worse.”