Lightness Falling (Lightness Saga Book 2)

by Stacey Marie Brown

  “Please…” I reached around, grabbing his tight round butt, pulling him to me.

  “Hands stay where they are.” He chuckled and locked my fingers around the bar again.

  “Then you better get inside me, now. I’m not kidding, Lorcan,” I practically growled.

  “Oh, someone is getting bossy in bed.” He breathed into my ear, his voice low and husky. “I like it.”

  “Fuck me,” I whispered hoarsely back, rubbing my butt against him. “Is that direct enough for you?”

  “Shit,” Lorcan rumbled as I leaned farther. His hand went to my back, pushing me forward. Then I felt him slide into me. We both let out loud groans, his fingers digging into my hips as he pushed all the way in.

  “Jesus…” He choked, starting to move inside me. We already had sex a lot tonight, but each time felt more unbelievable than the time before, and my climaxes hit new levels till I was no longer in my body. I pushed against the railing, slamming back with as much force as he was giving.

  Bundling my black locks in his fist, he tugged my head back. Fire flared up my veins, responding to the flick of pain, making me crazed. Our movements became deeper and faster.

  Kennedy disappeared, letting Raven out. Forgetting about anything else except the feel of him, the sounds, and smell of us.

  I bent over, which caused Lorcan to swear out a string of obscenities, pounding in deeper. His hand came around, rubbing me. When he hit the spot, sending me soaring over the cliff, I shrieked. The moment I tightened around him, I heard a roar shake the room. He slammed in so hard my eyes watered, my body only clamping down harder on him. He let out another roar, emptying himself in me, hot and claiming.

  This time I felt it, the bond, heating me with warmth and love. It felt so good, like I’d been soaked in warm, silky chocolate. With chili pepper. Smooth, sensuous, and an explosion of passionate heat.

  I panted, my head on my forearms, trying to draw in enough oxygen to not kill any more of my brain cells. My mind had already decided to take a vacation, leaving me with quivering limbs and clouds of bliss in my head.

  It took us both a moment to come back, to regain any sense of reality.

  “Jesus, Ken.” Lorcan inhaled deeply, his hand gliding down my spine. “One of these times I’m actually going to black out.”

  “Me too.” My heart still pounded against my ribs like a racehorse.

  He pulled out, twisting my hips so I would face him, and I frowned.

  “What?” He sank us down into the pillows, tugging me to him.

  “I hate that.”

  “Hate what?” His eyebrows shot up, his arm curling around me.

  I bent my head, embarrassed to admit it. Kennedy was back, but the black Raven was now a part of me too. “I hate when you pull out of me. I feel so empty.”

  A wicked grin grew on his face. “Believe me, I hate it too.” He adjusted me in his arms, kissing my head. “If it was up to me, I never would.”

  A laugh barked out. “And how would that work? Meetings with nobles would be a bit awkward.”

  “Nah, I’d just carry you around... maybe get one of those Babybjörns…”

  “Oh my god. A visual came with that. Stop, now.” I laughed, covering his mouth with mine. He chuckled and turned to me, kissing me again deeply. He pulled back, my fingers clasping the side of his face, my gaze searching his.

  Hell. I had told him I loved him, but in this moment I realized how deeply I did. I was so far gone it should have scared the crap out of me. It didn’t.

  No doubt everyone might have a huge problem with us, but I would fight for us. I felt so happy and content. Whatever came at us, we were in it together.

  I brought him to me, my kisses showing him all I felt. He picked up on my emotions right away, rolling me on my back, returning my kisses. It was passionate and full of words we didn’t need to say. This time when he entered me, it was slow and gentle, our hands, lips, and eyes never leaving each other. He rocked into me, taking his time. My climax was gradual, but when it blurred the edges of my vision, I knew the intensity was going to consume me in an obliterating grip.

  “Raven?” A knock pounded the door.

  Oh. God. Not right now.

  Lorcan didn’t stop, his hips pumping, ramming me into the bed frame.

  My lips parted to talk, but a cry broke over my mouth, my lids shutting.

  “Raven? You okay?” I knew the voice to be Wizard. And I knew Lorcan recognized it too, because his intensity dialed up, the possessiveness of the beast nailing into me.

  “Y-y-yeahhh.”

  “It’s almost eleven thirty; thought you might want to head over with me.”

  “I-I’ll meet…oh god…there.” My nails dug into Lorcan’s back, my head tipping back as I felt myself about to hit the glass roof and shatter.

  “So…ummm. I was wanting to ask you for a while. Do you want to grab dinner with me sometime? Or a coffee? Like a date. A real one. I mean, you don’t have to…but if you want to…”

  Lorcan snarled in my ear, his elbows set along my head, pinning me in place, moving more quickly, staking full claim. The edge was approaching and nothing was going to stop us, even if Wizard walked in. Again, I got a strange thrill at the possibility of being caught.

  “Raven?”

  “Y-y-es... I’m coming!” I cried out, not knowing to whom I was talking, my orgasm tearing through me. Wave after wave rolled within me as Lorcan left his mark, asserting his right to the territory. And I asserted mine right back. My hips continued to buck a few more times before I felt my body loosen around him. Lorcan’s head fell against mine, my muscles going limp.

  “Oh... well… okay... it’s a date then. I’ll see you in the war room?” Wizard’s voice was odd, like he figured out I might not be alone.

  I couldn’t answer, my head and body still in the haze of ecstasy.

  Lorcan’s head tilted toward the door like he was listening, a smile growing on his mouth. “Thought that little fucker would never leave.”

  “That was incredibly risky.”

  “You wanted me to stop?” He lifted his head off mine, a smug grin tipping up the side of his mouth.

  “Noooo.”

  “What I thought.” He shifted some of his weight off me, but still hadn’t broken from me. “Admit it, you liked it. And you really liked it earlier in the hallway…I can tell. Remember.”

  I didn’t answer, but my silence spoke volumes.

  “My dirty li’l bird.” He chuckled, kissing my nose and rolling off me, once again making me feel hollow. He put his feet on the floor, switching the light on the table, gazing over his shoulder at me. “Like you said, it’s frowned upon, but it’s not against the rules to fuck a fae…the man in the hallway seemed overly keen to join us.”

  “Not sure he would have cared if I was there or not.”

  “That Druid girl and the snake shape-shifter are fucking every moment they have free. They did it next to me last night.”

  That was pretty brazen, just like her personality.

  I sat up, scooting around him, grabbing my glasses and the newly cleaned clothes I’d arrived at DLR wearing. Heading for my bag, I snatched the discarded pendant off the floor, my fingers curling around it. The thought of hurting Torin hammered spikes in my heart. I cared about him so much. I simply wasn’t in love with him. But after the same thing happened with Ember, my guilt swirled deep. He was my friend, and I didn’t look forward to the conversation that would accompany my return of his mother’s necklace.

  With a sigh, I tucked it in the side pocket of the backpack they’d given me. I yanked on a sweatshirt long enough to cover me and snatched my toiletries. I didn’t care if I was late; a shower was a must. Sweat, sex, and Lorcan covered me.

  “Doesn’t matter, Ken. I’m already there.” He winked. “If I can’t be in you, I love that I can smell myself all over you.”

  “Do I smell different?” My hand stopped on the doorknob.

  “Any powerful fae would prob
ably know you’re mine.”

  My mouth opened. Now I kind of felt like I’d been peed on. And smelled like it too?

  “Works in reverse too.” He stood, grabbing his jeans on the floor. “We’re bastards, but dwellers are nothing if not equal opportunists.”

  “Well. Good.” I liked knowing any female fae, especially every fae he screwed, would be aware he was no longer theirs to play with. My eyes wandered down his physique, tilting my head. No, we couldn’t use the coed showers. No way. Nope.

  “Dirty bird.” A salacious grin curved Lorcan’s mouth.

  Dammit. I was going to have to be careful what I let him read in my eyes.

  “Go, before I change my mind. You have to get to your meeting. And if I follow you to the showers, it will never happen. I can guarantee you that.” Lorcan slipped on his jeans, hunger building behind his gaze. “I’ll use the fae showers.”

  I nodded, darting out of the room, knowing if I hesitated a moment, I would be pulling him with me, damned the meeting and our mission.

  Time to get your head back on straight, girl. Tonight was crucial. All our work to get here, to take this group down, relied on us being on our game. So many counted on me, but could I kill innocents to keep my kingdom? Could I eventually turn against my own kind? Betray and hurt them? I could see their side as well as the fae’s. Both were wrong and right.

  Whatever lay ahead, I was in too deep to stop it now. I shut off my emotions, the Queen reassuming her role, and focused on the task at hand.

  Franklin, Wizard, Major, Cali, Kenya, and Mayhem were already in the room when I appeared. The fae slaves stood against the wall like statues.

  “Where is your fae?” Franklin asked, taking a sip of his coffee. Wizard shot me a look, his eyebrows furrowing before he turned back to the papers in front of him, a scowl pinching his lips.

  “He will be here shortly.” I swallowed nervously. I grabbed a chair and sat down, looking away from him. There was little doubt he suspected I had been with someone. Probably didn’t take a genius to have Lorcan as the top candidate.

  My entire body felt Lorcan’s approach before he even came into the room. His hair was damp from the shower, like mine. His dark shirt was snug, clinging to his damp chest. He was like a match, heating me the moment he came near. He lined himself next to the other fae, staring off into nothing.

  Cali lifted her eyebrow, her eyes darting between Lorcan and me, a smile inching the side of her mouth. Whatever she saw in our auras before, I didn’t doubt it was even more intense now.

  She wasn’t the only one though. Kenya also glanced at us, a puzzlement crinkling her forehead.

  Oh, nerf herder.

  If powerful fae could see the bond, maybe it was strong enough for Druids to pick up. Sweat dotted the back of my neck as I tried to stay blank, not letting her read anything more. I had to keep my guard up at all times.

  Her eyes stayed locked on me until the sound of other people entering the room pulled them away. I twisted to see Poppy, Fox, and Ophelia come into the room dressed in the same dark outfits as the others in the room. I had dressed in my jeans and black sweater with boots. It was clear I was not considered part of the group yet.

  “All right. We’re all here. I wanted to go through this one last time. Wizard was able to finally pinpoint the exact location of the fae we’ve been watching with the help of Mayhem and Fox. Thank you.” Franklin nodded at the three men. “He’s been sniffing too close to us, but because of our spells guarding the place, he couldn’t enter.” Franklin pulled out a map, circling a spot on a street map. “It’s time the tables turned.”

  My hands twisted in my lap, feeling a sense of dread come over me.

  “Your mission tonight is to capture him.” Franklin stood to full height. “Let me warn you again. He is extremely powerful and dangerous. A shape-shifter.”

  “What kind?” I asked.

  Franklin hesitated, a nerve flicking at his lids. “We’re not sure. He hasn’t shown his true form. Not that we were able to catch.” He turned to Wizard and nodded.

  Wizard pulled up an aerial view of a street in infrared vision. It looked run down and some of the buildings appeared to be destroyed, like they had been bombed or crumbled under a massive weight. Lots of areas over the world looked exactly like this. After the wall between worlds collapsed, magic gushed in like a tsunami, crushing many of the newer or weaker buildings.

  My gaze locked on the heat signature in one of the buildings. In the other there were clusters, but nothing as bright as this one.

  “This is where it is located.” Franklin tapped at the map. “Raven, you will be at the back with your fae, while Mayhem and Fox attack from the front. Poppy, Cali, her fae, and Ophelia will be on the side exits. Major, Kenya, and I, along with their fae will be behind you. Disable him. Control him. Whatever you need to do. Do not go easy, as he will fight the spell. We want to question him, but do what you must in that moment. I’d rather take it dead than let it escape.”

  I nodded, feeling everyone’s eyes drill into me.

  “Do I get a gun?” I shifted in my seat, feeling a spike of anger from Lorcan.

  “You already have your weapon,” Franklin responded. “Don’t worry, we will be behind you. Just worry about the spell you need to perform.”

  They were leaving me unarmed? A nagging sensation tugged at my gut, but I pushed it aside.

  “Are you ready for your mission, Raven?” Franklin folded his arms, staring down at me. “Prove yourself to the cause? To become one of us?”

  “Yes.” My nerves almost strangled the word.

  “No matter what it takes or what happens?” His intensity grew.

  I swallowed.

  “Remember how many lives they have taken, how many families they have ripped apart. They hunted us down, exterminating us like rats. It is your turn to avenge your family’s death.”

  I nodded, not trusting my voice. I understood Franklin’s anger, but I did not agree killing fae righted those wrongs. You can’t blame an entire race for something a select group of them did a long time ago.

  Fifteen minutes later, I sat in back of a van with half of the group, the other half in a van behind us. I was not merely weaponless but also the only one without an ear mic. Franklin said it would distract me if I had voices in my ear while I did the spell. True, but it still left me even more vulnerable. Lorcan sat on the opposite side of me, his eyes finding mine every so often, telling me he would not let anything hurt me. My hands trembled in my lap, but I forced my heartbeat to stay even.

  Both vans drove with the headlights off, slipping through the empty streets. We had only been driving a short distance from the factory when Franklin halted the vehicle and nodded to Mayhem and Poppy. They jumped quietly out the back, opening the doors. The other van came to a stop behind us. I followed Cali and Wolf and climbed out.

  From here on out we could not talk until the attack was in progress. I knew Wizard was watching from the war room, keeping them updated if the fae moved.

  Hand signals combined the two groups in the direction of the house. Mayhem and Fox led the way, followed by Franklin, Major, and Kenya. I was in the middle with Lorcan, the rest of the group behind us.

  The night was so completely still it left me with an unsettled feeling, anxiety spiking up and down my neck like blinking lights. Cold condensation puffed like clouds out of my mouth. I eyed Lorcan in my peripheral vision a few paces behind me. He stared ahead with blankness, but I could feel him, his wariness, rippling around me protectively.

  The unknown was the worst. The little preparation I had for the mission didn’t sit right with me. And the more I let my mind drift over that fact, the greater the warning compressed my spine.

  Franklin motioned for me to follow him through a side gate to the back of a row of derelict houses. Shingles from the roofs lay broken on the ground, the roofs sagging around the windows on the top level. Wood panels boarded the holes where the windows used to be. Dirt and soot from t
he city stained the chipping paint around the doors. I could sense life inside all the houses. Humans. Probably homeless and staying where they could.

  Franklin pointed at the house in the middle, gesturing for his team to get into their positions.

  Terror pummeled my chest like someone played drums with my heart. Nothing about this felt right. The entire mission seemed a strange way to prove myself. I didn’t have to kill the fae, just stun it. It felt too easy. That’s all I had to do to establish myself with them?

  Lorcan stirred behind me, and I turned to look at him over my shoulder. His neck was bunched, his nostrils flaring, taking in long slugs of air.

  Can you smell anything? My eyes stared into his, the link coming more naturally to me than I thought it would.

  Not clearly... too many human feces odors around... but something feels off.

  Yeah… I turned back around, swallowing down the dread coating my insides.

  “Copy,” I heard Franklin mumble behind me into his earpiece, clicking off the safety of his gun.

  The crack of a door being opened echoed through the vacant house. Loud voices and a gunshot jolted my nerves, filling me with trepidation. My fingers rolled into fists, fear sweeping in and out of my lungs. Anxiety grew so huge inside me my heart thumped in my ears, and sweat beaded at my hairline.

  As a Druid and Queen I was supposed to protect, to keep this kind of attack from happening. It felt wrong. I didn’t want to hurt this fae, but I couldn’t afford not to. I felt trapped.

  “He’s coming. Get ready” Franklin yelled at me, the group closing in on the back door. Nausea filled my stomach, my head spinning with fear.

  I heard a roar from inside, but it sounded so familiar I turned to Lorcan behind me. His mouth was shut, his eyes were wide, his expression flicking between disbelief and horror as he took in what was headed our way. Terror engulfed me, partly his, partly mine.

  “Now, Raven!” Franklin’s voice boomed from behind me. My head swung back, the spell sitting on my tongue as the back door splintered, spraying wood chunks. A man’s form flew through the back door to the lawn.