“Wha—oh yeah. Sorry. These nightmares haven’t gone away, but they aren’t nightmares. I’ve seen shit. Lots of shit. I can’t stay quiet. I need to get this off my chest.”
“Okay, dude. When you’re ready, we’re all ears.”
Byron shot to his feet, then swayed.
Robert popped out of his seat and appeared beside him to help. “Easy there. Take a deep breath and relax.”
Byron started nodding his head.
After getting Byron reseated, Preston moved to grab a bottle of water from the fridge. He popped the cap and handed it over. Then he sat, letting Robert take the lead.
Robert said, “Take your time.”
Byron guzzled the water down. “I’ve seen things. Shit that shouldn’t even be possible. Monsters are real.”
“Yeah, they are,” Preston agreed. “Not all Others are monsters, though.”
“Got that. Still, these monsters, they’re not right. They’re bred or something, then sometimes changed into worse. They have a bigfoot or a yeti, maybe. Big hairy thing they somehow made into a vampire. They’ve trained it to… to—shit, I don’t know if I can do this.”
Last thing Robert wanted to do was dive into Byron’s head while he was like this. He walked back to the chair and sat down, willing to be patient.
“They trained it to drain women’s blood after raping them. It’s one of their scare tactics when recruiting. They stage it as one of our first operations to go after ‘radical paranormals.’ One look at the damage the beast caused and it’s easy to shoot them. They have a system. That training is one of the last. They send it after… shit.” He rubbed at both watery eyes. “The victims are teenage girls, sometimes younger. It destroys them.”
Preston shot out of his seat, pacing as he rubbed at his neck. “Fuck. How have we never heard of this?”
“They cover it up. Get rid of all evidence. All that’s ever reported are the missing people. They’re careful to bring them from all over the US.”
Robert nodded. “That can’t be the only type they go after.”
“No, oh no,” Byron’s head whipped back and forth. “For me, they set Monty up. They had a man beat a woman. Monty stopped him and she got away, but he killed the man. Jones showed up. I found him sometime after Jones got there.”
“Yeah. Your brother already told me about that night,” Robert revealed.
“They like to hook people in through family, or losing someone precious, either when they become Other, or when dying by an Other’s hand.”
“Not surprising.”
“The first time they took me hunting we went after a werewolf. He was easily three times the size of a normal wolf, teeth like daggers.”
Robert’s hands fisted. “What did they send it after?”
“Pregnant woman. It ate her baby out of her womb, mauled her.”
“Is that a normal scenario?” Robert asked, heated.
“Yeah, I’ve heard newer recruits talk about similar situations. We aren’t supposed to, but yeah.”
“Because they don’t want everyone to know it’s all a set up,” snapped Preston.
“Do they kill these creatures?” Robert asked more calmly.
“Usually capture to study. And there’s more. They take us on a dozen hunts before sending us on a real mission.”
“Have you ever been on a real mission?”
He shook his head. “Not until Victoria. It’s taken me a year to find her. I got a break when I found the blog.”
“A blog?” Preston asked slowly.
Byron nodded. “Edenton Crier. There’s someone in the town who posts about the goings on. The articles are written to seem comical, but as far as I can tell, it’s all real, but put in a fun light.”
Preston whipped out his phone, probably looking up the website.
They were going to have to take the blog down. There were a lot of good people in Edenton who were hiding from old lives and dark pasts.
“Okay, don’t worry. We can handle this. Tell us what you know.”
Chapter 25
Waking Victoria to tell her about his day was tempting. Showing her what he could do seemed better. So, until she woke, he was eating.
The sun would be up for another hour. Eating in front of her was a little weird still. Except, she could now drink from him without worrying. Didn’t make him feel any less self-conscious.
He hurried through the meal he brought with him from In 2 Deep. When he arrived today, Jess told him to take a few more days off, or until they dealt with HARP. She wasn’t upset, but thought it was better if he focused on what was important as opposed to work.
Her chipper attitude made him wonder what was really going on. She could see the future, and that fact meant she liked to meddle.
What if she’s worried about something happening to Victoria again? Shaking his head, he shoveled the food in faster, needing to see Victoria. He wanted to let her sleep, but needed to be near her, especially if she was in danger.
After cleaning up his mess, he went back to find Victoria stretching her body like a feline. Graceful, beautiful.
“Perfect timing,” she purred as he crossed the distance. He shucked his shirt and her eyes went to his chest. She sat up with an arched brow. “When did you get that?”
“Yesterday, while you slept, before I came for you.”
“How did I not notice last night?”
He grinned, “I kept you busy.”
Her smile spread as she grabbed his hand to pull him to the bed. She traced the outer edge “That’s us as the sun and moon.”
He leaned in to brush his lips over hers. “It is. I thought the symbolism was appropriate.”
She bent down to kiss the ink over his heart. “Very. You’ve proven all my doubts wrong.”
“Took a while. I’m glad I finally got through to you.”
“As am I.”
He traced his thumb over her lip. “Do you wake up differently now?”
She nodded slightly. “I do. Like I’m recharged. Before I didn’t feel like I needed to be rejuvenated, my energy was always an even line. Now I seem to wake up more… powerful?” Her face scrunched. “It’s weird. I was always strong, and it grew over time, but this seems so much more.”
“Is it a bad thing?”
“Surprising, not bad.” She pushed him to his back, opening his pants. “Enough about me. How was your day?”
He grinned, relaxing as he watched. “Interesting. I have something to show you later, if you want.”
Her brow arched as she wrapped her hand around his already hard length with a groan. “My curiosity is piqued.” Slowly, she stroked him, then ran her thumb around his crown.
“Vic, come here. I need you.”
She grinned and threw her leg over his hips. “I like hearing that on your lips.” She rose up and came back down, taking him in.
He sat up, splitting his legs as his hands cupped her full breasts, his thumbs brushing over her nipples. She moaned, arching her back, pressing into his hands.
Those gorgeous dark eyes locked on his as she rode him. Her hands gripped his shoulders, her nails pressed into his flesh.
“No one and nothing will ever stand between us,” he vowed.
Her mouth closed over his and large hands smoothed down her sides to grip her rear guiding her speed, bringing him closer to the edge. “Faster,” she pleaded, letting him take control.
He increased their pace, trying his best to hold back, to wait until she came. Her head fell back and he kissed her jugular.
A tantalizing moan came from her lips. “Lincoln, please, Lincoln. I love you.” She came around him and there was no more holding back as he buried himself deep within her.
She pushed him to his back, following him down. “Better than I dreamed.”
“You dreamed about me?” he murmured.
“I did, all day. First dream I’ve had since before I was changed.”
He rolled so they were side-by-side and stared into he
r dark eyes. “Vampires don’t dream?”
She shook her head. “Shadowstalkers don’t. Not sure about all vampires.”
“You’re something more now, but it doesn’t matter what you are as long as you’re mine.”
“Definitely yours.”
“Want to go down to the lake?”
Her eyes lit up. “The first place we made love.” She licked her lips, nodding. “Let’s go.”
* * * *
Lincoln’s smile was as warm as his touch. Their fingers were intertwined. No one had ever made her feel so connected, so alive. She almost laughed at that. Wasn’t that what was happening to her? Coming back to life?
They passed the tree line. He turned, scooping her into his arms as his wings flared out behind him before lifting them into the air.
A gasp escaped her, and she instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck. Up and up they went, soaring above the trees, then back down where she could reach and drag her fingers through the water.
“Incredible,” she exclaimed, grinning from ear-to-ear as he rose back into the sky.
She squealed in delight as he took her over the forest. He circled back and landed at her new favorite place in the world.
His feet touched the ground and he set her down. “You said you liked to jump from planes, I figured you’d love to fly.”
Throwing her arms around him, she kissed him hard. His wings wrapped around her, the soft feathers making his embrace that much better.
Lacking words, Victoria hoped her love showed through her expression. The way he smiled back at her, that dreamy look in his eyes, seemed to suggest it did.
* * * *
“Why is it we took a plane?” Mena hissed in Jones’ ear.
“I thought you hated traveling through hell,” he whispered back.
“Not when I have a purpose.”
He snorted, sitting back. “Relax. It’s a chartered plane, courtesy of HARP. I’d rather not risk another trip through hell without pure necessity. And the longer we’re gone, the less on guard they’ll be.”
“Sooner we tear the bitch apart, the sooner we can take the other Shadowstalker, and some of the Others who will prove useful.”
“Like who?” he sneered.
“We need to scope out the town and find who we can use. There are druids who can ward both skin and jewelry. There’s a bookstore full of lore. All sorts of Others. And they have some healers living within the town. That woman who enchants clothing for battles and everything else. The town is full of people we can use.”
“The town is full of Others who would sooner see us destroyed. And Nephilim or not, Victoria’s new man won’t let her go so easily.”
She ran a finger over the gash in his cheek. “You said his wing did that?”
He nodded. “Indeed. He’s not as set on peace as his father.” The cut should have healed by now, which led him to believe the boy was more angel than not. Seemed almost contradictory when the boy was set on fighting for a woman.
Her brow cocked. “And if we take Victoria and Jophiel?”
“He’s not one who will step back. He will fight.”
“Why wouldn’t Jophiel all those years ago?”
“To protect the boy’s mother, I assume.”
“Do you have a team together for when we arrive? We’ve already wasted too much time.”
Jones smirked. “Relax. Everything is in place. By tomorrow night we’ll have raided Edenton and annihilated those who threaten us. If there is anyone we can use after that, we will take them.”
* * * *
Robert stepped into Preston’s office as he threw something across the room. Robert’s brow arched when he saw the notebook slam into the wall and fall to the floor.
“I take it you received bad news.”
“They aren’t there.” Preston drew in a heavy breath and let it out through his nose because his jaw was clenched too tight. “Bastards were, and had their kind of feast before leaving.”
“They were in the pyramid?”
“Yup, and so are the fresh remains of a human. I can show you the pictures, but I guarantee you don’t want to see evidence of the torturefest.”
“I trust it was bad. That’s good enough. We have the grounds to kill on sight. Personally, knowing they can take a trip through hell, that seems the best course of action.”
Preston sighed. “We need to find the people above them. Who’s helping them? To get out of Mexico, they’ll need help. I have people checking the airports all over South America, but I don’t have any idea how long it will take them to get where they’re going.”
Robert smoothed his hands over his lapels. “What makes you so certain they didn’t hop back this way through the portals?”
“Would have found evidence if they had. Someone is tracking where they are going. So far, it seems they are heading to Mexico City as fast as they can go.”
“Why haven’t we caught up with them?”
“The pyramid is high in rugged mountains. It’s near impossible to climb. Toryn’s people did it, but they can’t keep up, simple as that.”
“Okay, so we know what to look for, what’s the problem then?”
“I think Julius and Antoine are still calling the shots, but now they go by Jules and Anthony Regle. They own a medical research facility that is privately funded and never releases information about their progress. Sounds like the perfect set up to test Others.”
“You have more, don’t you?”
“Unfortunately. I’m trying to get proof regarding what they’re up to. As soon as I have it, we can figure out a way to take them down.”
Chapter 26
Unable to sleep, Victoria traced the tattoo on Lincoln’s chest. Lincoln was out like a light, and she felt a twinge of guilt for keeping him up the last couple nights. Now that she didn’t have to sleep during the day, they’d have to figure out a better schedule. One that didn’t involve her angel running himself to exhaustion.
He couldn’t be out doing everything he needed all day, then stay up all night, and catch a couple hours of sleep before dawn. She felt selfish for monopolizing all of his time, but he really was hard to resist.
Placing a kiss over his beating heart, she set her mind on sleeping now so she could wake up before sunset to be with him. Laying her head over his chest, she let his heartbeat lure her to sleep.
The thirst, always so strong, pulled her from one victim to the next. She’d gone too long, and it was always worse when she waited more than a few days.
How long has it been? Two weeks? Three?
Her vision had shifted to shades of red, the most vibrant coming from the forest before her. Someone walked toward her. She could see his heart pumping rich blood through his veins.
A hiss escaped as she moved without thought. She could have seduced him, only taken enough to get by, but the thirst was too strong.
“Victoria, is that you?” The deep voice promised power.
That name? Why does that name sound familiar? Doesn’t matter.
She snarled as her arms wound around his chest and her fangs pierced his skin. Loam and pine rolled through her senses, his blood filled her mouth.
“Victoria, what happened to you?” He wrapped her in his embrace, placing his mouth beside her ear. “This isn’t you, Victoria. Fight. Damn it, fight through this.” His knees gave out, and she went with him. “I’m here for you, no matter what. Victoria. Talk to me.” The crack in his voice broke through the haze.
She sat back, her eyes wide. “Clarence? Oh god, I nearly killed you!” She pierced her finger with a tooth and healed her bite wounds. “I’m sorry, so sorry.”
“Shh,” he sat down, pulling her into his lap to rock her. “You’re alive. You’re here. We’re going to be okay.”
Horror and self-disgust rolled through her. “No. Kill me.” She sobbed. “It’s the only way to make me stop. I’m a monster. I have no control. Please, Clarence, please kill me.”
“Never. I’ll help
you. We’ll find a way. Victoria, please, talk to me. Where did you go?”
* * * *
Lincoln jolted awake, but it didn’t stop Victoria’s past from playing through his head. His breath came in great gasps as he hit the button to open the shutter, then picked her up to carry her to the window seat before trying to rouse her.
He hoped the sun shining on her would remind her when and where she was.
Sitting with her cradled in his lap, he murmured, “Wake up, Love. Need you to come back to me. Don’t let the past hold you, the future is so bright.” The lump growing in his throat halted his plea.
He caressed her face, pressing a kiss to her each of her eyelids, then nose, and finally her mouth.
She sat up, a scream on her lips until recognition flashed through her eyes. Fat tears rolled down her face as she stared back at him. “I’m so-sorry. Di-didn’t mean to wa-wake you.”
Drying her face, he shook his head. “Nothing to be sorry for.”
“But I woke you.”
“I don’t mind. I needed you back here with me.”
She fell against him, hugging him tight. “I love you.”
“Love you, too.”
“How did you know I was having a nightmare?”
“I was there. I saw it.”
“Slater brought me back when I thought nothing could.”
“I’m glad he did. I’m grateful he helped you find your way back to yourself.”
“It was hard. It took a long time before I could trust myself around him, or anyone else.”
“He never gave up on you. I won’t ever give up on you.”
“I believe you.”
He couldn’t resist a smile. “Slater’s first name is Clarence?”
A giggle escaped before she pressed her finger against his mouth. “Don’t tell anyone you know that.”
He dipped his head, smiling back. “My lips are sealed.”
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