Light in Darkness

by Brandy L Rivers

  “You two have been together intimately though.”

  Slater smirked. “You’re lucky. You found the one who makes you happy early. Neither Victoria nor I had that until recently. I love Victoria as a friend. Always have, and always will. I’ve never been romantically inclined toward her, though we did share passion when we needed a release.”

  Lincoln shook his head.

  “You do know I wouldn’t go back to how it was, don’t you?”

  “You haven’t since Jess. I trust you, and I trust Victoria. I’m just curious. Can’t help it.”

  Slater chuckled. “Don’t blame you. If our positions were reversed, I’d be questioning you.”

  Lincoln let them in. “She said you talked her out of death. Apparently she wanted you to take her life?”

  “Don’t judge her harshly for that. The guilt hit her all at once. She hasn’t been that low in a very long time.”

  “I’m not. Wanted to thank you. She’s worried at the speed of my feelings, but really, they’ve been slowly growing over years. She may not be ready for the truth, but I love her.”

  Slater patted him on the back. “She’s coming around. Love is something she has always wanted but never believed she deserved.”

  “Love she’ll have. I’ll be right back.” He stepped into his room and after a quick shower to rinse off, he changed into a new pair of jeans and a button down shirt. As soon as everyone left, he intended to show Victoria the new tattoo. He hoped she would like it.

  Buttoning up his shirt, he walked back out.

  Slater’s brow cocked seeing the art. “Doesn’t sound like you needed the ward tattoo.”

  “Kind of like your wolves didn’t need it to go up against the Dales?” Lincoln countered.

  One corner of his mouth tipped up. “Okay, when you put it like that, I get it.”

  “I hoped Fallon’s ink would do a few things. Ensure no one can mess with my head since we’re dealing with an assortment of Others who want to tear us apart. Give Victoria some peace of mind that she can’t brainwash me. And have something that symbolizes Victoria and me, together.”

  “May I?” Slater asked.

  Lincoln pulled his shirt to the side to reveal the full piece.

  His head cocked to the side. “Fallon does some amazing work. You really gave it some thought, didn’t you?”

  He nodded. “I figured if I was going to try to convince her I wanted the tattoo for me, and not strictly for her, it should mean something.”

  “You’re going to have to help me figure out a great gift for Jess. You’ve got a knack for thoughtful gifts and gestures. I heard about the dock.”

  Heat rose up Lincoln’s face. “Please tell me Victoria didn’t compare me to you.”

  He laughed. “Pretty sure you wiped out all thought of me. She came to me because she trusts me, and needed to know she wasn’t going to ruin you.”

  “That’s a relief.”

  “She’s falling for you every bit as much as you have for her. Admitting it might take her time, she’s used to shutting everyone out and keeping them at a distance.”

  “She’s not shutting me out. I won’t allow her to.”

  A grin spread on Slater’s face as he nodded. “Come on, let’s get back over there before she decides I’m filling your head with horrible things.”

  “I doubt she’d expect that.”

  * * * *

  Byron paced the living room. Night had finally fallen. He kept thinking he should be out there, doing something, anything to bring down HARP.

  He’d spent all day wracking his head for some way he could help. After Robert went through his memories, he was having nightmares. He wanted to blame the mage, but there was a lot of shit he’d seen and repressed, or had locked away by one of HARP’s headfuck gurus.

  When he’d been recruited, Jones took him on a tour of Seattle’s shadier side, and the outlying areas where monsters preyed on humans. That’s when he decided vampires were evil.

  Now he knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that HARP—specifically Jones—orchestrated every last one of the scenarios used to influence Byron. One giant royal mindfuck.

  Monty came out of his room, freshly showered. He stopped to watch Byron as he paced. “Hey, you okay?”

  Byron shook his head. “HARP really fucked with my head. Everything is a jumbled mess. I keep discovering the truth and it’s breaking me down. How could I be so blind?”

  Monty clasped his shoulder. “You saw me standing over a bloodied corpse. What were you supposed to think? You even tried defending me, but hell, Jones sounded pretty damned convincing. I was questioning what I had done.”

  “What did you do?”

  Monty drew a slow breath and let it out. “I killed him, but he had attacked a woman. When I pulled him away, he shot me. So I bit him. The woman got away right before you arrived.”

  “I think Jones set him up.”

  “Me too. There’s no proof though. I don’t know what to tell you other than it’s a big mess and there is nothing that I can do to change it. I have killed a few people. I wasn’t trained properly, and the man who changed me wanted me to be a monster so they could use me as an example.”

  “Why didn’t I listen to you sooner?”

  “You had a reason not to.” Monty shrugged and went to the refrigerator where he pulled out a bag of blood. “Neither of us are very good at listening to those we should. If I had paid attention to what Victoria told me I wouldn’t be doing this.” He grimaced at the bag bulging with dark viscous liquid. “Being a vampire isn’t like the books. It sucks.” He snorted.

  Byron couldn’t help laughing. “I suppose not. How do we help the Silver Council find HARP?”

  “We’ve done what we can. At this point, we’d get in their way.”

  “I hate being part of the problem. I let fear dictate my choices.”

  “If you think of anything useful, I have Robert’s number. He wants us to call if we remember anything that could help them.”

  “I wish to god I could make sense of the shit floating through my head. There is something there, but I don’t understand most of it.”

  Chapter 22

  Finally dark and everyone had cleared out of Victoria’s home, except Lincoln. Even Declan had gone to spend time with his daughter.

  Children. Something I’ll never have.

  “First, don’t go there,” Lincoln told her sternly as he closed the distance and took her shoulders in his hands. “Second, I don’t need a child, I have you. Third, stop worrying about what we can’t have or do because there’s so much we can.”

  She sucked in a breath and met his unwavering gaze. Smiling back, she couldn’t banish the question. “And if you change your mind?”

  He smiled. “We can adopt if we decide we want a child.”

  Nothing but truth flowed from him. Then she realized she hadn’t actually said that out loud. Her mouth dropped open as she blinked. “You read my mind?”

  Glancing away, he shrugged. “Off and on since we made love. Not everything. Sometimes your thoughts are loud.”

  She grinned at him. “We were talking that way earlier, before you found me.”

  He nodded, his eyes flashing to hers. “Is that common between a vampire and someone else?”

  She shook her head. “No, but it erases a large dose of fear that I might tear away what makes you so special.”

  He moved closer, his hands going to her hips as he backed her against the wall. “You wouldn’t do that, Victoria.”

  “I wish I were as confident as you, but I’m getting there.”

  His lips were on hers then. Her hand wrapped around the back of his neck while the other slipped between them to open his belt.

  He paused, looking down at her, his eyes glowing. “I… um… where?” Lincoln tripped across the words.

  “Here.” She got his cock free, then wound her other arm around his neck before hopping up to hook her legs over his waist.

  Rocking his hips,
his length slid against her folds, driving her crazy. “I… gah… need you so bad.” He shifted and delved into her heat, pushing all the way to the end. “Like this?” he panted, holding himself deep within.

  Nodding, unable to form words, she squeezed him tight. Now she was glad she’d skipped undergarments.

  A ragged groan escaped his lips as he slid from her before gliding back in. His chest rose and fell with heavy breaths as a sweat broke out across his forehead.

  She gasped. “Am I too heavy?”

  He shook his head. “Remember, you’re my first. I don’t know what to do.”

  “Make love to me any way that feels good. If you’d prefer somewhere else, I’m happy to move.”

  “I won’t squish you against the wall?” he panted.

  She shook her head. “No, and if I don’t like something, I promise to tell you.”

  He bit down on his lip as he began to pump into her with powerful thrusts. His eyes held her captivated. Her body undulated against his while his fingers dug into curve of her ass.

  Slowly, his speed increased until she was writhing from the intense pleasure flowing through her. Screaming his name, she came around him, bringing his release.

  Attempting to catch his breath, he stumbled back. His beautiful white wings flared, allowing them to float to the floor. Once there, they wound around them, blanketing her in warmth.

  “Now I really wish we got our clothes off first,” she murmured against his chest, snuggling into his embrace.

  He chuckled. “That was the warmup.”

  “Mmm,” she purred. “Having your wings always out may be impractical.” She giggled.

  “Oh, but I have an idea or two.” He sat her up, unfurling his wings and stripping the dress from her body. “Better than anything I ever fantasized,” he murmured.

  “And all yours,” she answered.

  His hands framed her face as she leaned down for a slow, sensual kiss.

  Hope bloomed, trust along with it, and most of all love. He was the piece she was missing all along.

  * * * *

  A woman was shoved to her knees in front of Jones. The minion dipped his head in submission and stumbled back to his place against the chamber’s entrance.

  Jones walked around the pudgy woman with a messy cap of dirty blond hair. Mascara and eyeliner were streaked down her face. Her khaki’s and shirt were dusty, probably from the nearby excavation. Most satisfying of all, fear rolled off her in waves.

  “Your name?”

  When she didn’t answer he grabbed a handful of her hair, dragged her toward the altar that still held Mena, then flung her to the floor.

  “I asked for your name,” he snarled.

  “Karla.”

  “Do you know why you’re here?”

  She shook her head violently.

  “See my woman on the table?”

  When Karla didn’t look, he grabbed her chin forcing her eyes in Mena’s direction.

  “Look or the pain begins sooner,” he threatened.

  Her eyes blinked open and she shrank back into him. Mena was pale, her throat still ripped open but healing slowly. Her body was burned, her head lay at an unnatural angle.

  Karla sobbed. “What do I have to do with any of this?”

  “Easy. I feed off fear, of which you are a tasty treat. The real reason though is Mena. She feeds off pain. To be specific, your pain.”

  Her head snapped toward him, terror heightening.

  “Mmm, as amazing as you taste, she’s the one who needs to feed.” Placing his foot on her throat to hold her still, he took a blade from his belt and lifted a tab of skin like a zipper. Taking his time, he pulled the skin up her inner forearm.

  Her scream echoed through the room. Sickening pops filled the air as Mena’s spine corrected itself.

  * * * *

  Slater plopped onto a stool at the bar and gave Jess a smile. So far it was pretty dead and he considered talking her into going home with him.

  She made her way down the counter with a grin. “Why hello, sexy.”

  He leaned forward, capturing her hand to bring to his mouth. “Missed you, baby.”

  Turning her hand, she caressed his beard, her eyes going soft as she leaned toward him. “Everything okay?”

  He nodded, but his smile faded. “Things got bad for a bit. Didn’t look good for Victoria. Scared the shit out of me.”

  Jess nodded. “But she’s okay now?”

  Slater let out a laugh. “Surprisingly. Apparently she and Lincoln formed a bond.”

  “Thought vampires didn’t.”

  “It’s really rare and involves a blood exchange normally, which she doesn’t do. This was different, something to do with what Lincoln’s father is.”

  “Interesting.”

  “She’s fine now. He’s fine. I thought Lincoln was going to tear that bastard apart, but Jones jumped into a portal with his woman.”

  “What are they?”

  “No clue. Jophiel said something about part demon and part Other, but not specifics. They got away, but they’ll be back. He also mentioned experiments on Others. The group they’re a part of has been hunting powerful Others for centuries. It’s like a terrorist organization with different cells.”

  Shaking her head, she groaned. “That doesn’t sound good at all. What can we do about it?”

  “We’ll destroy this one, but more will likely come. What do you think? Seen anything we should worry about?”

  She shook her head. “No, not really. I have seen things for most of Edenton’s residents further down the line though, so that should lend hope.”

  He nodded “That is a relief.”

  Her head tilted. “Can I ask you something?”

  He nodded.

  “If Victoria hadn’t let Lincoln in, what would you have done when she was dying?”

  “Force fed her some blood. She’s drank from me twice. We never shared any kind of connection that way. And Jess,” he looked deep into her eyes, “she’s my closest friend besides you. I’ve known her since we were kids. I’ll never betray you.”

  “Never said you would. Was curious if you would have fed her.”

  “Do you not approve?”

  She smiled. “Victoria saved my life, Slater. I wouldn’t hold it against you if you saved hers. In fact, I might kick your ass if you didn’t.”

  He leaned over, closing the distance to kiss her. “This is why I love you. That and so much more.”

  * * * *

  A smile graced Jophiel’s mouth as he looked up at the sign. A Good Book. What he hoped to find, he wasn’t sure. Didn’t stop him from entering the building.

  Wards closed in around him, nearly driving him to his knees.

  Hadraniel patted him on the back. “You really think mages will have the answer to an angel’s problem?”

  He shrugged. “My son seems to think it’s possible. He was willing to give up a night with his soul companion to get me the book. After nearly losing Victoria, I want him to enjoy every moment he can with her.”

  Hadraniel chuckled. “Does that mean you aren’t going to help him learn to fly?”

  “Eventually, but tonight they should be together.”

  He grinned. “They will be for a long time. They’re both stronger now than they were this afternoon. The blood helped, but their abilities will continue to strengthen as their bond does. Maybe one day the sun won’t be uncomfortable for her.”

  A woman with a multi-colored mane looked up. Her brow arched. “I take it you’re Jophiel and Hadraniel.”

  He dipped his head in a nod.

  “Lincoln called to tell me you were coming down. I hope this helps.” She slid an ancient-looking tome across the counter. “It’s all I have. Most of it is written in a script I can’t decipher.”

  “It’s our language,” Jophiel answered. “How did you find it?”

  She shrugged. “Tremaine has contacts all over. He likes to rescue books of a magical nature. Trem says he may have
more in his stash, but locating them will require time.”

  “Thank you, and please, thank him for me as well.”

  She smiled. “Will do. Good luck, and if you need anything else, one of us is always here.”

  “Thank you.”

  Chapter 23

  “What if I was fine in the sun because I had your blood moments before?” Victoria whispered. Her body trembled both in excitement and fear.

  He kissed along her neck, pulling the blanket over them before winding his arm around her waist. “If it gets uncomfortable we’ll close the shutter. And if the special windows don’t help, we’ll keep the shutters closed in the day.”

  “You fill my heart so full it should burst,” she murmured, turning her head to take a kiss.

  He happily indulged. When he broke the kiss, he nodded to the windows. “Sun is rising now.”

  She stiffened, but looked out the window. A small sigh escaped her lips as the sky started to change color. “I don’t recall ever watching the sun rise, though in my youth I often woke before the sun came up.”

  “Too busy with chores to stop and watch?”

  She nodded. “You could say that.” She settled her head on his arm and enjoyed the view. He was warm and enticing curled around her.

  His big hand splayed over her stomach before drifting down between her thighs. She sighed happily, curling one leg over his. His fingers stroked her slick folds. She gasped when he caressed over her clit.

  “You like that?” he whispered.

  She nodded, still watching the beautiful colors in the sky.

  Taking his time, he circled the bead of nerves causing her hips to rock into him. He dipped his fingers into her and groaned. Her breath hitched as he explored.

  “I love the way you feel. I’ll never grow tired of touching your satin skin, exploring every inch, tasting your body, or making love to you. Victoria…”