The Dove & the Darkness (Ceasefire Series book 5)

by Claire Marta

  “I’ve never been able to control it,” I admit. Peeking up, I meet the watchfulness of his stare. “My mother didn’t know how to either. I’m nothing but its slave.”

  A surprisingly gentle smile softens his face. “In time and with patience, I can teach you how.”

  His words make me smile, warmth spreading through my chest. The cracks are growing and spreading in my defenses. This man. This monster is far more complex than I ever could have imagined. Beneath the hard, ruthless exterior is razor-sharp intelligence.

  “You will?” I can’t keep the hope from my voice.

  “For the duration of your stay with us before you are moved to your buyer’s home.”

  His words douse my sense of growing happiness and the sense of safety cocooning me. I’d almost forgotten why I’m here. That I’m nothing more than a slave. Something to be sold. Fucked and disciplined. Trained like an animal. Why had I thought giving myself to him would make any difference? I’ve just made it easier for him. Succumbed like a domesticated pet at the hands of its owner. He doesn’t care about me. It’s his job to break me.

  Master eats in silence while I sit wallowing in self-pity and building rage. Stomach churning, any more food would make me sick.

  Wiping his hands on a napkin, he scraps back his chair to rise. “You're upset. I’ll brush your hair; you like that.”

  My gaze latches on to his big, beautiful cock, which is already standing to attention. An ache throbs between my legs, body heating with desire. I feel warmth rush into my cheeks.

  “I don’t want you to brush my fucking hair,” I snap, crossing my arms to hide my breasts.

  “Watch your mouth, Little Dove, or you’ll be punished if you have a tantrum. Anger won’t serve you here. Now come sit on the bed.”

  Sullenly, I get up trailing him over to the mattress. I’m angrier at myself for letting my defenses down. Perching on the edge, I keep my back to him. Closing my eyes at the first stroke of the brush, I remain rigid and stiff. Master seems to glean enjoyment out of the simple task. I’m not sure why. A way of soothing me or himself?

  The bristles descend sweeping through my locks from top to bottom. His movements are methodic and rhythmic. “Why are you sulking?”

  “I’m not.”

  Master’s resonating chuckle makes my insides quiver. “I don’t believe you.”

  “I don’t care if you do or not,” I growl back heatedly.

  The brush pauses halfway in its task. “Talk to me, don’t bottle it all up.”

  Twisting to face him, I give him a scowl. “You’re my jailer. Why would I talk to you about how I’m feeling? You’ve taken me from my family and home. Keep me locked up. You think sex, feeding me, and playing with my hair is going to make me open up to you? Why would you even care how I feel? You’re a psychopath.”

  A hand closes around the nape of my neck, gripping it firmly. “Brat.”

  Jerked downward, I find myself on my knees between his spread thighs. Forcing my head lower, he presses my face into his crotch, his hard cock rubbing itself against the bridge of my nose.

  “I warned you what would happen,” he rumbles. “Now make use of yourself and show me how sorry you are for talking to me in that tone. Disobeying will earn you a spanking.”

  Fisting himself in his other hand, he maneuvers me until I’m nuzzling his balls.

  I can’t deny the flutter of excitement low in my belly. The need to please him, even though I shouldn’t.

  Lapping at them with my tongue, I draw one into my mouth to suck on it gently. Master let’s out a sexy grunt. He doesn’t make me feel dirty like the other men had. Instead he draws me in with his soft touch and heated words. I can’t wrap my head around how quickly he’s made me so eager for him.

  Stroking my jaw tenderly, his thumb settles on my lips. “Open.”

  Parting them for him, he hisses out in pleasure directing the tip of his cock inside. Letting my throat relax, I take all of him I can.

  Flexing his hips slowly, he rides my face, grasping my hair in one hand, the other cupping my jaw. Hands resting on his thighs, all I can do is let him use me. Picking up speed with shallow, quick thrusts, he throws back his head cursing under his breath. Suddenly ramming all the way in, he holds my head to his abdomen. Gagging on the thick length of him filling my throat, it’s a second before he allows me up to breath. He then pumps harder, making me choke a few more times before coming. With no other choice, I swallow it down.

  A buzzer sounds out of nowhere, startling us both.

  Releasing his grip on my hair, Master uncoils from his place before me. “I’m being summoned. We’ll finish this later.”

  I give the closed door of thick sturdy wood a fleeting look. Is that the way out?

  Master catches my second of weakness with a narrow-eyed look, deepening his scars. “I need to shower but don’t think you can fly away while I’m distracted, Little Dove.”

  Moving to the wardrobe, he opens it, retrieving something from a shelf. A thin strip of black leather with a padlock and a delicate length of chain.

  I shiver, gaze locked on the collar. A further symbol of my subjugation.

  “I’m not wearing that.”

  Master’s attention sharpens on my features. “You don’t get a choice. I’m going to chain you to my bed while I’m away to assure you don’t get yourself into trouble.”

  “I don’t want to be chained up like an animal,” I protest, my outrage propelling me up from the floor and scurrying into a corner.

  “It’s for your own good.” Stalking across the room, he traps me by the wall, looming and threatening. “No one will enter, but I can’t afford you trying to leave.”

  Cool leather encircles my throat. He gives me no time to get used to the feel as he clicks a small padlock in place at my nape.

  Taking the chain, he feeds the length out until he reaches one side of the mattress, securing it to a ringbolt set into the wall.

  Humiliation burns through me. I’ve gone from one prison to another. This is no better than my cramped cell. It’s just another cage, but this one is more gilded and luxurious. He’s treating me as if I’m some kind of pet.

  “See it’s not so bad.” Cupping my cheek, he caresses the softness before stalking to the bathroom.

  I listen to the shower switch on.

  Tugging on the restraints, my spirits plummet as I find them secure and unmovable.

  I’m trapped.

  Taking a deep breath, I sink down onto the bed. This is the most lucid I’ve been for as long as I can remember. Clear headed and free of the visions that hound me. Master’s company has continued to keep them at bay, yet I’m still to work out why. I doubt it will last when he leaves. My mind will become a dangerous place for my sanity. A minefield.

  I can’t lose myself again. Need to stay focused away from the shadows that wait to smother me.

  Master appears, dressed in a pair of jeans, his massive chest bare and sprinkled with droplets of water. The skeleton mask is already in place covering his scarred features. It’s a reminder of my role here. Of the terrifying Dom who is being paid to break me. I note the ring still worn around his neck like a talisman. He never seems to take it off.

  “Do not try to escape,” he instructs in the cold tone I’ve come to know so well. “If you disobey my commands, you won’t like the results. Do you understand?”

  Hunching my shoulders, I shy away under his stare unable to hide my frightened reaction. “Yes, Master Soren.”

  Instead of leaving as I expect, Master crouches before me. A firm finger under my chin lifts my face to his disguised one. His lips press a fleeting tender kiss to my forehead. “This is what’s best for you. You’re my responsibility, Cassandra, and I will take care of you. You don’t need freedom if I give you everything you need.”

  What happens when my time is up? I’ll be sent back to the cell when his amusement with me wanes. He’ll ship me off to someone else. The realization is bitter. I need to escap
e, but the thought makes my traitorous heart ache.

  24

  Soren

  Last night I was a man not a monster.

  Cassandra had been nectar upon my lips. I don’t know what to do with her now I’ve claimed her innocence. The scent of her skin is still in my nostrils. An image of her blue eyes sedate with lust is burned into my brain. She’d taken flight in my arms, set free with pleasure. I’ve worked hard to feel nothing for so long, and she makes me feel everything. I want her more than just a quick fix. Every minute with her and all I want to do is be inside her, part her thighs, and sink inside her tender flesh. It’s a deep primitive instinct. One I haven’t experienced for a very long time.

  My priorities are being tested. What I know, from practice, should happen next clashes with my desire not to let it happen.

  Stepping into the security room, I find Jasper lounging in a chair. Soft drink in his hand, the pixie raises it to his lips to take a swig of the sugary liquid.

  “Your security was faulty last night,” I snap, the anger I’d experienced on the discovery hours before spiraling up. “A vampire got into the girl’s cell. This was supposed to be something that never happened. You assured me this system was fail safe.”

  Jerking up and spilling some of the contents down his t-shirt, his head whips my way. “I do require sleep, you know. I’m not a robot no matter what people around here think.”

  “Then whoever was manning the cameras should have informed me.”

  Brushing at the damp stain with his fingers, he absently places the can on the control panel he’s positioned in front of. “The vamp you killed was the one left watching them. I got Lucien to clear up your mess by the way. No need to thank me.”

  “I will not tolerate failures, Jasper.”

  Jasper shrugs nonchalantly. “So? The girl got a little shook up. No harm done.”

  Struggling to keep my temper at his casual response, my fingers flex at my sides. “He almost raped her.”

  “Her buyer will probably have a lot worse in store for her. After what Kalia arranged last night, the girl will be ready for it.”

  “What do you mean by that?” I bark.

  The pixie anxiously avoids my gaze. “You’ll have to ask her about that.”

  Teeth together, a nerve works in my jaw. The thought of another male touching Cassandra makes my blood thrum with repressed violence. I’ve fucked her. In my mind, there’s no thought of giving her up. It’s territorial. Wrong. I have a job to fulfill but handing her over to someone else is something I can’t do.

  “Just make sure you use someone more reliable this time. We don’t need anything else escaping down here, do you understand?”

  If he so much as dares to roll his eyes, I’ll snap his neck like a twig. The mood I’m in, I’m ready to fight. He’s wise enough not to give me any sass in return.

  Swiveling in his chair, he resumes staring at the screens. “Yes, Soren.”

  “Good.”

  Leaving him to his duties, I prowl along the corridor. Kalia will be waiting for me. I’ve already given her progress reports of the slaves we’re processing. If it’s a fuck she’s after, then she’s going to be disappointed. I’ve grown bored of her games. Once amusing, now they barely hold my attention. She’ll have to find a new playmate. One of the guards, I’m more than sure, would be eager to accommodate her.

  I find Kalia in her expensively furnished office. Proceeds of a booming business.

  Crystal glass in hand, she’s sipping at the crimson red contents. The second she spots me, her lovely features light up with excitement. “I’ve been summoned to the palace, and you are to accompany me.”

  Steps faltering for barely a second, I disguise my shock. “Why?”

  “Because I’ve given you an order.”

  “I have prisoners to deal with…”

  Impatience flutters over her face, dimming her enthusiasm. “There are plenty of other guards to deal with them. Lucien and Jasper can deal with the shipment of bliss that’s due to go out. I want your presence at my side. You’re the most experienced member on my staff. I want a show of unity at the palace. It will be expected. This is our time to shine, Soren.”

  Her orders irk me, but I won’t risk arguing. It will only make her curious. Something I can’t afford.

  “As you wish.”

  Abandoning the drink on her desk, she trots toward me on ‘fuck me now’ heels. The tight leather, white outfit she’s wearing leaves nothing to the imagination. Hand settling on my abs, she drags her talon like nails up my chest with enough pressure to make it sting. “I thought you’d be pleased. You work so hard, and it’s time we had some kind of reward and recognition.” Her red gaze is heavy and laden with lust.

  Her touch fills me with revulsion. It makes me wonder what I ever saw in her?

  Taking her wrist, I remove it from my body. “I’m content with what I have. I’m not after praise or honor.”

  Lips parting in surprise, she recovers her composure quickly. “What is it you do want, Soren? You were here long before I became Warden. All you do is work, sleep, and fuck. You rarely leave the sanctuary of these walls. You're nothing like the other guards who work here.”

  A firm knock at her door interrupts us. “Mistress Kalia, your transport has arrived.”

  Lucien stands in the doorway, wariness on his handsome face. His attention bounces between us. I’m grateful for the red-headed vampire’s timely disturbance.

  It saves me from having to answer. Not that she’d get a grain of truth. I’ve always been elusive when others have asked me questions. My origins are my own. Only Lucien knows the reality because he wouldn’t leave my side and took a job here with me.

  “Excellent, Lucien you’re in charge until my return. If anything urgent comes up, send for me at the palace. Come, Soren.”

  His blue eyes fix on mine for a moment. I see the unspoken inquiries. He knows full well it’s a place I avoid. My duty and past ties me here. I haven’t left since the day my brother was imprisoned.

  Stowing my smoldering anger, I trail after Kalia as she walks. Her haughtiness grates on my nerves. An inflated ego is something the prison doesn’t need. Centuries of work can not be jeopardized because of self-gain. Wardens have come and gone, but I have always remained.

  Kalia moves with confidence, her hips swaying seductively as we proceed along the twisting corridors. Negotiating a narrow spiral stone staircase, the air becomes less stale.

  Breathing in deeply, the fresh winter air fills my lungs. Feet crossing the threshold of a door, the courtyard has been carved from the very rocks the prison is made from. Flaming torches guide our way sitting in heavy, metal braziers that are constantly tended.

  “I hear you arranged something with the girl I’m training last night,” I enquire conversationally, recalling Jaspers vague words.

  Kalia’s steps falter beside me. “I supposed it was going to get back to you eventually. I organized a little fun with her and the men.”

  Shock keeps me silent for a beat. “What did you do?”

  “Put your training into practice. I can confirm she has taken to sucking cock like a pro.” She smirks.

  My anger ignites. “You had no right. She’s far from ready for….”

  “I am Warden here.” Red eyes flashing warningly, she cuts me off. “I have every right to do as I please, and I decide when she’s ready for more.”

  A hiss draws my gaze to the beasts that await us. The Wyverns lack front paws using their leathery wings like a bat to push their front halves off the floor. Long reptilian body tapers down to two muscular legs followed by a slender tail finishing in an arrow shaped tip.

  Glaring in silent disgust at the woman with me, I watch her move toward one. Skinny tongue flicking out, the one closest tastes the air, green slitted eyes watch as I approach. It’s bright blue scales glow with a radiant light. Unlike dragons, Wyvern aren’t tainted with a toxic greed for gold and treasure. Content to serve, they roost among t
he cliffs of the mountains here. Stepping up on to the fleshiest part of the wing where it joins the body, I sling my leg over the beasts back. The journey will be swift. They are the rulers of the skies. Lethal, dangerous, the Wyverns are known for their stealth and loyalty.

  With a flap of its mighty wings, it launches us into the sky. To my right, Kalia’s mount pursues us.

  Sitting tensely, I rein in the urge to touch the scars under my mask. I haven’t been to the palace in years. Turned my back on the politics and pomp. Being forced to return now sets my teeth on edge.

  I’ve left Cassandra alone not intending to be away from her so long. The knowledge of what she’s endured while I’d been asleep enrages me more. Kalia will pay. She may have interfered with slaves in the past but her touching my little Dove is unforgivable. The length of the chain will allow her to use the bathroom and explore my rooms. No one is permitted in my quarters. Cassandra will be safe there. She’ll have to amuse herself until I can get back. The thought of her visions causing her distress again causes a spike of concern.

  It hasn’t gone unnoticed they’ve grown more severe. Her pain had been like my own when I’d discovered her in a trance when I’d awoken. She’d been trapped in her head. Whimpers of distress escaping her luscious mouth. When she hadn’t responded straight away, unfamiliar helplessness had gripped me. The thought of my little Dove ensnared and rendered powerless by them disturbs me. She’d been in so much pain for someone so young.

  I hadn’t lied to her. With my tutoring, I intend to help quiet her mind and perfect her gifts. Give her the tools to be the mistress of her talents and to thrive with her potential. I’ll indulge in my own playground of pleasures with her.

  Below me, the landscape rushes by. A blur of flickering dots of illuminations in the darkness scattered like fairy lights. Forever a world in eternal night, its people have learned to live in the dark. Where others would wither and die, they have learned to thrive. Once it prospered, but the population isn’t as it used to be. Vast areas remain empty and abandoned.

  The stronghold comes into sight. Lights sparkle, illuminating the imposing grandeur and magnificence. To me it’s nothing but an empty tomb.