Darkness Unleashed

by Belinda Boring

  “I’m fine, you know.” Pointing the eggs I’d taken from the fridge, he nodded, and I cracked a few extra into the skillet heating on the stove. “It’s good to be me, again.”

  “Do you remember much?” he asked, curiously.

  “I remember everything,” I admitted, removing a spatula from the drawer and lightly lifting our breakfast so it didn’t burn. Sprinkling some cheese and ham over the mixture, I waited long enough to ensure it was cooking properly before turning my attention to him, again. He was still watching me. “What?”

  “I don’t believe you.” It was just like Devlin to speak his mind.

  I leaned back against the counter, my arms folded. “That I remember?”

  “No, that you’re fine. It’s okay to admit that it freaked you out . . . to be angry. Something.” Clearly I’d surprised him with my attitude.

  “Trust me, I feel all those things, but what good is it going to do me to dwell on it? Will it change what happened? Will it reverse time and give me the past few weeks back?” Despite my needing to remain calm, my voice raised and betrayed me.

  “No, but it’s also not good to bury those things and ignore them.”

  “You sound like Mason,” I snorted as a pop from the pan drew my focus away from the conversation.

  “And he would be right.”

  I could feel his stare hot on my back. “I’m processing, okay? I just don’t want this to make me afraid of my own shadow. What kind of life would that be if I let this destroy me? Amber would win and I refuse to let her. She’s taken enough, already. She won’t steal my future because I chose to be a victim.”

  Devlin said nothing for a moment as he evaluated my impassioned speech. “When did you become so strong?” A smile finally broke across his face. His comment made me want to beat him over the head with my spatula.

  “I’ve always been strong, you jerk!” Bursting into laughter, I added, “Remember who’s cooking your breakfast.”

  “You know what I mean, love. I’ve always seen an indomitable spirit within you. I’ve just seen others go through similar things and it crushed them.”

  “All the more reason not to allow myself to wallow.” With the omelet ready, I cut it in two and dished both pieces onto plates. Placing it before him and handing him a fork, I sat down on the opposite side of the counter, facing him.

  “Promise me if you need to talk, you will. To Mason, to me. Hell, even Daniel. Don’t keep this inside.” The warning in his tone told me he wouldn’t let this go until I agreed.

  “You have my word.” Scooping up a fork full of cheesy egg, I nodded. “Seriously, I just need a little time and everyone not to watch me like they think I’m going to unravel before them.”

  “Point taken,” he conceded, finally taking his own bite. “This is good, by the way.”

  “You act like you’re surprised? I’ve cooked for you before.”

  “True, but some . . . how do I put this? Some of it’s been a little hard to swallow.” Devlin laughed, effectively catching the orange I threw at him. “Maybe I should move this until I leave.”

  I glared as he slid the bowl closer to his elbow. “Might be a wise choice if you continue to be a smart ass.”

  “Hey, I’m just being honest.”

  “Well, stop then,” I grumbled. There was nothing wrong with my cooking—Mason even came back for seconds and thirds. Maybe it was his vampire palate that was causing the problem. Taking another bite of my eggs, they suddenly didn’t taste so good; and dropping my fork, I pushed the plate away.

  “You’re fun to tease,” Devlin goaded softly.

  “It’s been a rough couple of weeks.”

  “And finally she admits it.”

  “Enough about me. What about you? It feels like we haven’t talked for forever.” I cringed the second I spoke the words. “Probably because we really haven’t.”

  Devlin reached across the table and grabbed my hand. “I’m doing okay. I’m glad you’re you, again.”

  “Now who’s not being truthful?” I lightly ribbed in return.

  “I’m not lying. I am.” Squeezing my fingers, he dropped my hand and took another forkful of food. “This is delicious.

  I ignored his attempt to distract me. “I’m going to throw your own advice back at you, Devlin. It’s okay to talk about seeing Elynor and how it affected you. As a matter of fact, it’s okay to share how you feel about losing Christina.”

  “Damn, I need to watch what I say,” he kidded in reply. Because I’d seen it so often, I gave him my best stern face. Judging from the growing spread of his smile, he recognized his own signature look and laid his fork down beside his plate. Letting out a heavy sigh, he opened up. “It was hard. Beyond hard. I thought I was finally good with my grief over Elynor, but seeing her there . . . hearing her voice and watching her perform the magic that always seemed to come so naturally to her . . . it stirred up everything. There was a reason why I never asked Vivien to summon her, why I never used the resources available to connect with her after she died. It was because of this.” And with that, he placed his hand over his chest. “It feels like my heart just broke. Like I just lost her, again. It makes it feel brand new.”

  Pain filtered through his eyes and I realized how much helping me had cost him. “I’m so sorry, Devlin.”

  “Why are you sorry? It wasn’t your fault.”

  That may be, but I couldn’t stop from feeling somewhat responsible. “If it wasn’t for me, the spell wouldn’t have been needed and Vivien wouldn’t have summoned her.”

  “If it wasn’t for Amber, you mean. You’re not to blame for her actions, Darcy. You know I don’t blame you.”

  “I just hate that you’re hurting,” I whispered.

  “And it’ll pass. Talking about it makes it easier.” He winked as he reclaimed my hand, holding it tight. “But know this, I’d do it all over again, if it meant that you were safe. You know I made a blood oath to Elynor to protect you. Just because Julian is dead, doesn’t mean I suddenly stopped caring. You’re my family and I’ll do whatever it takes . . . even if it means dredging up painful memories in the process.”

  It was difficult to know how to respond to such devotion. “I’m glad you’re my uncle. I’m grateful you’re in my life.” Even that seemed inadequate. What could you possibly say to someone who was always so willing to sacrifice everything just to make sure you were happy?

  It was the same way with Mason.

  Somehow I’d managed to secure the loyalty and love of two incredible men—two men who left me feeling awestruck and very, very humbled.

  “I don’t plan on going anywhere, love. You’re stuck with me.”

  “And you’re stuck with me and my cooking.” I chuckled in response. “Sure you don’t want to take back your last statement?”

  “Tempting, but no.” Devlin grinned. “As for Christina, it hurts she’s gone, but she did it doing something she loved. Despite the events that led to her eventually becoming an Enforcer, there was nothing more she relished than protecting others. She died doing her duty, attempting to stop someone from hurting someone she considered a dear friend.”

  “But you loved her,” I added, not entirely convinced by his bravado. “You spent time together. You had a history.”

  “And I will mourn her passing,” he whispered softly. “I will miss her for the rest of my days.”

  “But life goes on . . .”

  “But sadly, life goes on.”

  A heavy silence fell over us. “I wish she was still here, though. I was enjoying getting to know her.”

  Devlin’s smile was bittersweet. “I’m sorry you won’t get a chance to, either. Christina was a remarkable woman.” For a moment I thought he was finished, but in an even smaller voice, he continued, “I wish she was with us, too.”

  Tears began welling in my eyes for everything we’d lost, for the pain I knew was still beating within my uncle’s chest. He deserved better than this—a chance to find happiness and keep hi
s true love with him.

  “What’s the look for?” Although he didn’t share the same connection Mason and I had, Devlin had grown uncannily good at reading my mind.

  “Nothing.”

  “No, it was something,” he prodded.

  “Don’t you ever wish you could just settle down? Don’t you ever get lonely?”

  This made him laugh. “How can I be lonely when I’m constantly having to rush to your defense?” He was back to teasing.

  “Well, now that I’m part vampire girl, I can take care of myself, Mr. Evasive.”

  “There’s plenty of time for love.”

  “But . . .” The look on his face silenced me. It was something I hadn’t seen before—a glimpse of longing. A confirmation I’d been right. He was lonely.

  “Ahhh, there’s my girl.” Mason’s appearance prevented me from adding my two-cents worth. It wasn’t just the romantic in me that wanted to see my uncle blissfully enamored; it was my belief that everyone had a special someone out there, waiting to be found. With Christina dead, I didn’t know what this meant for Devlin. I just knew I couldn’t bear to think of him sad.

  “Just in time for some delicious omelet,” Devlin greeted.

  Wrapping his arm around my hips, Mason pulled me in for a kiss before swiping a large piece of omelet off my plate. “Mmmm, my favorite.” The images that flashed through our mental pathway told me it wasn’t the food he was talking about. “Imagine my surprise to wake up and find my wife missing.”

  “Sorry,” I blushed. “I was . . .”

  “Thirsty?” Shrugging, Mason brushed it off like it was nothing. “It’s okay. I’ve found you so I’m happy.”

  “I’ll leave you two alone,” Devlin chimed in, finally standing from the stool. “I actually came over on behalf of Zane. He’d like you to come see him today, Darcy.”

  The summons stirred up a flurry of worry. “He does?”

  “He just wants to see how you are, talk with you. Ask you some questions about what happened. It’s strictly a formality.” Peering into the fruit bowl, Devlin took another apple. Between him visiting and Daniel, we constantly had to replenish our fruit supply. “Plus he’s protective of you. He’s concerned.”

  “Great, another man in my life I need to convince,” I grumbled under my breath.

  “Face it, you’re beloved.” Walking around the counter, Devlin kissed my cheek, slapping Mason’s shoulder as he headed toward the door. “Talk to you both later.”

  Finally alone, I closed my eyes and snuggled into Mason’s arms. “Good morning.”

  “Morning, sweetheart,” he murmured in my ear before kissing it, the sensation sending tingles down my spine.

  “I guess we better get dressed and head over to the Council’s office.”

  “I actually had a different plan for us.”

  “Yeah?” I could only imagine what that was.

  “Let’s go for a quick run.”

  Surprised, there was actually nothing I wanted to do more at that moment.

  “Beat you there,” I hollered as I took off toward the back door, not waiting for him to follow.

  If I’d missed being in control of my body, I missed the connection I shared with my wolf, more. She’d suffered just as much as I had and this was a reunion I didn’t want to delay a second longer.

  Bursting out into the backyard, clothes flying through the air as I hastily discarded them, my wolf heard my call.

  And as I broke through the tree line, my joyous cries quickly turned into jubilant howls as she prepared to come forward.

  Chapter Eleven

  Mason

  Some would say it wasn’t manly for me to stand there with tears in my eyes. As an Alpha, they would say it was up to me to set the example and that crying was for women. They would look at me disapprovingly; maybe even openly chastise me for showing weakness and emotions so openly.

  My response?

  Try watching the woman you love suffer. Watch your mate as she loses contact with her wolf and feels as if a vital part of her is lost. Stand there, helpless, unable to intervene or make things right.

  Then see that precious moment when everything is restored and she knows it.

  Tell me, again, how tears of joy were inappropriate.

  Convince me the pride and love that floods through me is wrong. Most importantly, show me how any man can watch that moment of realization and not be moved by it, not be humbled. In that second, everything becomes clear and perspectives shift.

  There’s a reason why love is one of the most powerful forces in existence. It’s enough to drive a man to his knees with gratitude and reduce him to his simplest form—void of pride and self-indulgence. Free from ego and vanity.

  It taught me that tears weren’t a sign of weakness. They were the result of being given a gift—the reward of seeing Darcy laugh and smile as though she didn’t have a care in the world.

  I didn’t move at first, happy to just stand there and witness as she began shedding her clothes. I couldn’t. I wanted to memorize every detail, needed to bury it deep in my heart to replace the anguish I’d felt. Finally, brushing away the moisture on my cheeks, I sprinted after her.

  Darcy was waiting for me, her hair down around her shoulders, gloriously naked. I say “gloriously” because that’s what she was—the glow seeming to spill out from her setting my body on fire. This was who she was before all the darkness touched her. This was who I would spend the rest of my life defending and protecting.

  She was beautiful, so beautiful.

  “I wanted us to change, together,” she beamed, her eagerness infectious. Kicking off my shoes and socks, removing my own clothing as fast as I could, this would be one of those moments that I’d remember, forever. Being mated was more than simply being married and joined together physically. It was something much more spiritual. Our spirits were intertwined—human and wolf. Darcy’s ability to shift, now, was a victory for both of us.

  I needed her to know that. Taking her hand, I raised it and gently placed it over my chest.

  “What’s going on?” she asked curiously, looking up at me through her eyelashes.

  “I love you so much, sweetheart.” My voice was gravelly, filled with emotion. Beneath her touch my heart raced like I was ready to burst.

  “I know. I love you, too.”

  Sweeping away the hair that fell across the corner of her eye, my fingers traced down the side of her face before resting over her jaw. “I’m proud to be your husband. You honor me.” Even that didn’t seem adequate.

  Darcy laughed softly, stilling when she saw I was being serious. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m more than okay.” Cradling both sides of her face, there was nothing more to say. I needed to show her with the only thing I knew could convey everything.

  That first kiss was barely a caress, as my breath fanned lightly over her lips. Darcy hated it when I treated her like she was fragile, but that wasn’t how I truly saw her. To me, she was my most valuable treasure, someone to be cherished and revered. Pressing my mouth against hers again, the sounds of the forest filling the air, I knew that words would always fail me.

  It would always be my actions that would prove, time and time, again, that she was the center of my universe. Deepening the kiss, flooding her mind with what I was feeling, her arms wrapped around me and she knew. She knew it all and didn’t hold back, either.

  Our mating bond had connected us, but communing this closely, intimately, was what strengthened that forging into an unbreakable promise. It didn’t matter what happened or who came to destroy us. Because of our love, they would never succeed.

  “Wow,” Darcy whispered a little breathless. “Where did that come from? Not that I’m complaining, but just . . . wow.”

  “I was just thinking and one thing led to another,” I grinned, sheepishly. Yeah, weakness or not, there’d never be a time when my girl wouldn’t know how she made me burn.

  “I like the way you think. Feel free to do t
hat any time.” Rising up on her tiptoes, she kissed me, again. “You ready to get wolfy with me?” Her eyes sparkled with excitement.

  “I thought you’d never ask.” Without regret, I let her go and stepped back, giving us both the room needed to shift.

  Not breaking eye contact, Darcy smiled. “Together.”

  “Together.” And in perfect unison, we let go of our control and allowed our wolves to come forward, losing our human forms as skin faded into fur.

  I expected hesitancy on her part, now that the time to change was here—even a sense of fear. She’d changed after the spell, but that had been more out of survival and the need to heal than anything else. It would’ve been understandable to worry whether something was still wrong.

  There was none of that. Demonstrating the deep trust Darcy had for her wolf, she simply gave herself over to the one thing that came as easy as breathing. There was no tensing, no last minute hedging. The last glimpse I had of my incredible mate before my own change dropped me onto four paws, was the look of pure joy as she did the same.

  She was complete, whole.

  As her howls echoed in my ears, I joined in with her gleeful song.

  Everything was exactly as it should be.

  ****

  Freedom.

  That was the thought thrumming through our connection as we ran side by side. We hadn’t stopped in the past ten minutes, even when we caught the scent of deer. It wasn’t about the hunt right now. It was more about the reunion of two souls who’d been kept apart and the fear of never experiencing this precise feeling, ever again.

  We fought and died for the right to claim it. Whether it was done as a human or supernatural creature, it was something we both valued, now more than ever.

  Leaping through the air and playfully nipping when the other failed to keep up, this was the perfect way to spend the morning. As I raced beside Darcy and our bodies gently bumped, weaving in and out between trees, it was easy to forget there was a world out there filled with responsibilities.