by Janie Marie
“I know what it’s like to look at a good man like David, and fear you will never live up to his hopes for you. He sacrificed years of his time to train and strengthen me against the darkness inside me, and not once did he look down upon me. Arthur did not trust me—he could see my dark thoughts. But David, even with Arthur’s warnings, he never gave up on me. He will not give up on you.”
Jane’s eyes watered, and she had no words to say to him.
He spoke again. “Pushing him away—pushing all of it away—will ruin you. Do not carry on like this. Feeling even the worst of pain and sadness is better than feeling nothing. With pain, you have happiness and love. David, your children, husband, and knights, they cherish every beat of your heart.
“Whatever frightens you, let David stand beside you as you fight against it. He will not think badly of you. He will not be frightened of the evil lurking inside you. Believe me, that man has never gone into a battle afraid. But when he came to me—telling me about you—I saw fear in him for the first time.”
“I know,” she said. “I attacked him and Gareth. I’m a monster.”
The old knight shook his head and chuckled softly. “No, dear girl. He was not frightened of you or the creature that hides within you.” He lifted his hand to turn her chin so she would be forced to meet his gaze. “He feared he would lose you to it. He feared he was not enough to give you power over that darkness. Out of all the monsters he has fought, do not let it be you who takes you from him.”
Dagonet smiled and let go of her chin. “You are everything he has ever dreamed of. He will not disappoint you, and you can do nothing for him to think badly of you. Even your children, though he does not realize it himself, are a blessing to him. He will not let harm come to them. He will give his life if it means keeping them safe for you. Whether you are here matters not; they will be protected. I, myself, will not leave my duty to them—even if Arthur asks me to. So do not worry, you are not the only one taking care of them now.”
“Thank you,” she whispered. “I appreciate you sharing all of this, and your concern.”
“You deserve to have happiness, Jane. And David deserves to be at your side for it.”
Her breath caught in her throat. She needed to leave. His speech and his description of David’s feelings for her were too much to deal with. Whatever Lucifer did to her must have come to an end. He had said it wouldn’t last.
“Again, thank you.” A pathetic excuse for a grateful smile formed on her face. “What you’ve said means a lot to me. But I promise I’ll be fine.”
“All right, Jane,” he said with a sigh. “I am here, though, should you feel the desire to speak to someone who will not judge you. I know the others do not, but it seems like almost everyone is when you feel this way about yourself. But do not doubt David. He may not understand completely, but he would give anything if it meant he could help you.”
She nodded, and he patted her hand before he left the room.
Jane blew out a breath and stood up. For a moment, she stared out the window and thought over what he said. She wanted to believe in his words, but she knew no matter what, eventually, she would lose them all.
Tears slipped from her eyes as she looked down at her home. No more voices called out; they must have gone back to sleep, but she could hear their heartbeats. It both broke her heart as much as it relieved her.
She covered her mouth to suppress her cry, realizing everything that she had done now. To her family, to David and the knights. To herself.
It was too late, though. She could feel the hatred inside, building and burning as her sorrow returned. Lucifer’s magic had worn off, and she knew she was not strong enough to keep any of them safe. No matter what Dagonet said, she could not overcome the fear of destroying them.
Her only hope was to let Lucifer numb her. She would let him take her away. She would become nothing so they could have a chance, so they could have everything. Everything but her.
DAVID COULDN’T SHAKE THE URGE to return to Jane. He had never imagined that when he found his Other, things would turn out the way they were. She was supposed to have power unlike any other made immortal and be able to save the world from darkness, but she was so dark inside. His Jane was alone in her mind with something powerful and evil.
Glancing over his shoulder in the direction of Jane’s home again, he sighed.
“Do not worry, Sir David.” Hades came up beside him. “If there is serious harm upon her, Death will come.”
David eyed the vampire wearing a black cloak. Hades had said it was a gift from Death that protected him from the sun. It covered him well, but David could still make out his pale blue eyes and skin.
Hades continued. “Whatever happened to her recently eludes me, but he has always been able to pull her out of darkness. She may not realize how often he was there with her, and though I know he wishes he had done more, I cannot see anyone else doing what he has for her.”
David’s jaw tightened at this. He felt he should be the only one to bring her out of darkness, not Death.
Of course, David’s rational side knew Death had been the first one with her, and Jane’s well-being was always the angel’s priority. Death would always hold a permanent place in her heart, which he deserved, but none of that stopped David’s irritation with the powerful angel or the relationship they shared.
“I just have a bad feeling about leaving her,” David said.
Hades laughed lightly. “That is not surprising to me. Death can be quite temperamental to be around when he has no choice but to leave her side. And that is unheard of from him until recent years.”
David glanced over at him. “I do not take him as the type to be content or friendly.”
“No. He should be unable to feel any emotion, and he hasn’t for as long as I’ve known him. Do not get me wrong, he has always appeared cruel and arrogant, but it is simply his nature to be uncaring. It is human nature to be offended when someone does not display their concern. If you are not kissing someone’s ass, you are considered unkind. I am sure you can relate. I’ve heard rumors of your unpleasant nature, though if one inquired more to the story, it is clear the matter or persons involved are of no immediate importance to you.”
“It is usually regarding a female, I know,” David muttered.
“Exactly. You have had no interest in one, except for the possibility of meeting your Other. Your lack of enthusiasm for another female results in you being labeled insensitive. It is the same for Death. However, where you are capable of feeling anger or happiness, he does not—and that is purely a result of his making. He takes life because it is his purpose, nothing more. He is neutral. If he were to feel any emotion toward a soul, it would become complicated, wouldn’t you agree?”
“I suppose it would complicate his duty,” David admitted.
“Undoubtedly. That’s what makes his relationship with Jane so strange. When he met her, he changed. It is difficult to distinguish if you do not know him. His behavior seems fiendish, but he is only this way if matters involve her in some way. He and many others do not even realize this. His violent mood swings are all due to her. I, like you, fear little. Yet I feared my master the first time she was harmed. She’s changed him, and he does not do well when he must leave her.”
“Well, she does have a unique charm that draws you in.”
Hades nodded, agreeing. “It’s not only her personality either. She emits a physical pull for some reason.”
“You feel it as well?”
“Not as much as I have in the past—it’s faint now. As though she is not quite there herself.”
“She isn’t,” David whispered.
“I suppose it was only a matter of time before she finally had enough. With him gone, perhaps she becomes unstable as well?”
David grunted. In his opinion, Jane should rely on him for stability. All the other wives did. But she’s not my wife.
“I apologize,” Hades said softly. “I suppose it bothers you
to hear about their attachment to one another.”
David didn’t reply and, after several more minutes, Hades pointed toward a large house at the edge of an empty field. They all nodded and slowed to make their way toward it.
“It’s fine,” David finally said. “I have to accept his presence in her life, along with her family’s. Understanding their relationship helps me cope with the fact I am not significant in her heart.”
“Of course you are,” Hades said quickly. “And Death knows that.” David paused before entering the front door as Hades grinned. “Hang in there, bud. Everything happens for a reason.”
David chuckled, following him into the house. “I truly hope so. Who are we meeting here exactly?”
As the words left his mouth, a feminine voice spoke from the sitting room. “Hello, David. It’s always a pleasure to see you.” A petite, green-eyed brunette came closer. Her dark brown hair was pulled back into a French braid, and the short black hunting dress she wore showed off her fit body.
“Artemis,” David greeted, keeping his tone polite. He didn’t have a problem with the woman, who many still identified as a virgin goddess rather than a vampire, but he felt foolish for not realizing sooner she was the niece Hades had spoken of.
“Oh, boy,” Gawain muttered under his breath before heading to the next room.
David glared at the empty doorway his best friend escaped through.
“It has been too long.” She looked up at him with eager eyes and an enchanting smile. “How have you been?”
David darted his eyes to Hades, and thankfully, he seemed to understand David’s silent plea for help.
“David has found his Other,” Hades blurted out.
“Really?” Artemis asked, a brief hurt look flashing across her face.
David took a step back to gain some breathing room. “Yes,” he said with a smile as he realized that was nothing but the truth. He found his Jane.
Her eyes narrowed at him. “Well, where is she?”
David frowned at the nastiness in her tone and felt an instant urge to defend Jane.
Hades jumped in again, though. “She’s busy.” His harsh tone caused her to quickly shrink back and lower her head. All the friendliness from moments ago was gone. “I’m sure David would like to return to her quickly, so let us go over the information you’ve gathered.”
“Yes, Uncle,” she said softly and left the room without another word.
David sighed and gave Hades a grateful look.
A light laugh slipped out of the vampire’s mouth, and he gave David a slap on the back—his friendly demeanor returned once again. “Even the most chaste and noble women can fall victim to the green-eyed monster.” David chuckled as Hades went on. “I cherish my niece, but she should not behave in such a way. Am I correct in assuming she has no claim over you?”
David quickly stopped his laughing and shook his head. “No, of course not. I mean, there were times when I questioned my Other’s existence, and entertained the idea of settling for someone else, but I just couldn’t. My heart told me she was out there.” He smiled and looked in the direction he knew Jane was until Hades’ loud laugh broke his reverie.
“You’re a good man, Sir David.” Hades’ grin stretched wide over his face. “Come. Let’s get this over with so you can get back to the young beauty.”
David pushed a branch out of his way and glanced around the makeshift camp. Thirty men and at least a dozen women were scattered around the run-down site. Battered tents and smoldering campfires were all they had for shelter besides the abandoned barn they surrounded.
“This is ridiculous.” Gawain squatted next to David. “They could have taken these out themselves.”
David side eyed him and shrugged. “Artemis says their new weaponry has cost her many losses. She’s in over her head. We should be careful.”
“I am always careful,” Gawain said. David gave him a disbelieving look. “All right, not always. But I do not see why we are necessary.”
“She has lost men, Gawain.”
“She will lose her pretty face if she sneers one more time Jane is mentioned in her presence,” Gawain snapped. “I have no problem hitting a woman if she is foolish enough to threaten Jane. It was enough she mocked her absence. I should knock her on her stuck up ass.”
“No, you shouldn’t,” David said, smiling. “But I do not think she means anything by her comments.”
Gawain snorted, shaking his head. “David, you’re a fool. You have been the most sought-after male of our kind. These women are going to flip when they find out about Jane.”
“I do not know why. I have never given any of them false hope.” He didn’t like dealing with women. He was polite until they tried to be more forward.
Gawain chuckled. “Tell that to Artemis and Melody. It doesn’t matter you feel nothing for them. In their minds, they are the best choice for you, and it is only a matter of time before you see that. But as I said—I have no problem hitting a woman who messes with Jane. She’s like the baby sister I always wanted.”
“Shut up, you will not.”
“Yeah, maybe not,” Gawain admitted with a grin. “I’ll sic Elle and Gwen on ‘em.”
They both laughed softly as David received a signal from Arthur in his earpiece. “They spotted Ares and Hermes,” he told Gawain, losing his smile. “We have to move now.”
Gawain nodded and moved into position. While David began to signal they were ready, an arrow suddenly shot into the camp and plunged directly into a man’s chest.
The rogues reacted quickly, unleashing a near instant assault of gunfire. The knights, as well as Artemis’ team of Hades and five other vampires, did not let that stop them from rushing in for the attack.
The rogues fired their weapons recklessly as they darted in various directions. They hissed and snarled like wild animals, not displaying any trace of their humanity. David knew their new instincts had taken over. They were soulless monsters.
David, the knights, and Hades all came in for hand to hand while Artemis and her team stayed back to cut off any fleeing.
Cries of pain sounded in all directions. David blocked all of it out and grabbed a brown-haired male preparing to attack Gawain. David squeezed his throat and slammed him onto the ground. The sickening crack of a spine didn’t bother him, and he swung his sword, removing the man’s head completely.
David didn’t wait before moving to the next. Swinging swiftly, he dismembered another vampire and already had another lying in his wake. He cut them in half.
Blood sprayed across his chest as he ripped his sword from his fifth victim’s throat. The vampire’s head dangled from his neck while he swayed on his feet. David merely shoved the lifeless body to the ground, out of his way.
He would have continued without letting anything stop him, but he had trained himself to recognize distress from his team, which is why he hesitated at the sound of a grunt.
He turned his head and saw Tristan holding his leg as blood spread down his pants. Tristan collapsed with a groan.
“Shit,” David said, rushing to his side.
Tristan nodded over David’s shoulder, not too concerned over his injury. David wasn’t either and turned to grab the approaching man roughly by the hair, completely ripping his head off without a second thought. Blood squirted out of his neck like an out of control hose. He tossed the mutilated head to the side in disgust and turned back to Tristan.
“Silver?” David asked.
Tristan nodded and stopped David from helping him up. “Don’t. I can’t stand. It’s already spreading through my system. It burns, and it’s moving through my bloodstream.” He smiled. “It’s not fatal.”
David nodded and handed Tristan his spare gun. The battle was nearing its end when he spotted Ares running off.
He looked to the trees and found Artemis letting loose arrow after arrow. She had told them she would focus on the females—the men always had a hard time killing women, cursed or not.
“Artemis,” he shouted, getting her attention instantly. “Ares.” She nodded and jumped from her spot on the tree to chase him. That wasn’t what he intended for her to do.
“Dammit, David! She’s going to get herself killed. Go. I’ll be fine.”
David stood and followed her. He could barely make out her silhouette ahead. She was fast, not as fast as himself, but she still had a head start.
The wind blew through his hair and branches smacked his bloody arms as he raced through the trees. He could hear others following. He didn’t know if they were friends or enemies, but his goal was to get to Artemis before she tried to take on her brother; she’d be no match for him.
Her scream had him speeding up, and he burst through the tree line to find her fighting off three rogues. Ares was nowhere to be found.
Artemis was wounded, and David didn’t hesitate to turn his attention to her three attackers. They were unarmed, so it was no effort to slay them.
Swinging his sword, he ran it through the first cursed vampire. He was only wearing a pair of ripped jeans and covered in blood. He was very emaciated; nearly every bone was protruding from his pale skin.
David ignored his strange appearance and ripped the sword from the lifeless vampire’s chest. He turned in time to see Gawain removing the heads of another two who had joined the attack. With a final swing, David decapitated the other two he first spotted. Easy.
He bent down to extend a hand to Artemis. She smiled up at him, too brightly for his liking, and swayed a bit when she got to her feet. She fell toward him, and he caught her around the waist.
“Oh, thank you, David.” She leaned against him. “I do not think I would have survived without your help.”