Bound in Darkness

by Nicole Edwards

  Do you know how many males I’ve been with? Zero, Mirakel. I have never taken a male inside my body.

  There was no denying the rush that had threatened to level him when she’d admitted that. To know she’d never had another male inside her was a temptation unlike anything he’d ever known. The need to claim her had been so potent, the only thing he could do to refrain was to send her away.

  I want to be with you. I want to know what it feels like to have your hands on me, your lips. Your tongue. I want to feel you move inside me.

  Even now, as the words pierced his frontal lobe, Mirakel knew he couldn’t call her to him. It was wrong on so many levels.

  His thumb hovered over send. The text was already written—Come to me, Briony—but sending it would ultimately alter both of them.

  He’d felt her desire, knew she wanted him. Only he wasn’t sure she wanted him the same way. How could she? Briony didn’t know the first thing about him. They’d fed from one another, but that was the extent of their interactions. The brief conversations they’d had were mostly contrived of his attempts to keep away from her.

  It would’ve been so easy to take her up on her offer, to pleasure her body, but Mirakel knew he would want more. And he damn sure wasn’t going to think simply because he’d imprinted that she belonged to him.

  Didn’t work that way.

  The angels had it all figured out. Or, he figured, whoever was in control up there in Heaven. They had predestined souls, and once they came together, they wanted one another. Vampires weren’t that lucky. Nor were Fae, he suspected. The only thing they truly had in common with angels was the fact that they mated only once, loved only one.

  And Kaj had mated with Acadia.

  Mirakel figured this was significant in some way. He was truly happy for the male, but at the same time there was a hint of jealousy. He wanted what Kaj now had. He wanted to claim his female, to ensure all other males understood she belonged to him and him alone.

  With a heavy exhale, he tossed his phone on the bed then dropped back to his pillow, staring up at the dark ceiling. He began running through multiplication tables in an effort to shut off his brain and relax his body. He went so far as to purposely tense and relax every individual muscle from head to toe. By the time he got to his abdominals, he was interrupted by a knock on the door.

  Figuring it was Blāz or Huracān there to gossip like women, Mirakel yanked the sheet over his lower half and shouted a half-hearted, “Come in.”

  The door opened, but it wasn’t either male who had arrived.

  “What are you doing?” he asked Briony, watching as she gently closed the door behind her.

  Her brows lowered in what appeared to be confusion. “You asked me to come.”

  Glancing over at his phone, Mirakel groaned. He snatched it up and what do you know? He’d sent the fucking text.

  Great.

  Just fucking great.

  Briony was watching him as though he was a rabid animal seconds away from breaking its chain. And what do you know? He felt like one, too.

  What was he supposed to do now? Send her away? Tell her it was an accident, that he hadn’t really wanted her here?

  And what sort of asshole would that make him?

  With a sigh, he sat up, ensuring the sheet remained over him, though he wasn’t sure why he bothered. She’d already seen every inch of him.

  Mirakel propped himself against the headboard, then motioned her over. “I’ve decided to feed.”

  She nodded politely, and if he wasn’t mistaken, there was definite disappointment in her eyes.

  When she approached the side of the bed, Mirakel intended to take her hand, to use her wrist. All those good intentions left the building when he inhaled her sweet scent. So, instead of taking her hand so he could pierce her wrist, he tugged her forward, shifted his legs apart, and patted the mattress.

  “Like we did the other day.” Yep, that was his voice all ripped to shreds thanks to the lust coursing through him.

  Briony gracefully joined him, shifting her robes so they settled around her and over his knees.

  Mirakel took deep, calming breaths as he eased her back against him, her back to his chest. He relaxed against the headboard but didn’t do anything more.

  “Is something wrong?”

  “No. Just … stay right there.”

  It took a minute for him to get himself under control, but he managed.

  Mostly.

  Instead of keeping his hands to himself, Mirakel brushed the wisps of her hair away from her neck as he stared down at the delicate column, watching the steady thump of her pulse. What he should’ve done was pierce her flesh and offer her his hands so she could feed from him. What he did was slide one arm around, pulling her head back against his shoulder as he pressed his fingers against her chin, angling her how he wanted her.

  He leaned in, his fangs having emerged long ago. But rather than pierce her vein, Mirakel pressed his lips to her skin.

  Briony moaned softly, relaxing into him.

  Mirakel kissed her, sliding his mouth up and down, toward her ear, along her shoulder.

  “Briony…”

  The hand that wasn’t holding her chin found its way to her chest, then slipped lower, separating the folds of the robe until her breasts were revealed. She had nothing on beneath the burgundy silk, her ivory skin as creamy as he remembered from the first time she’d revealed herself to him.

  As he unwrapped her like a present, Mirakel watched his hand move over her skin. It was as though he was observing someone else cupping her heavy breast, rubbing her nipple between forefinger and thumb. And though that voice in the back of his head was telling him he was going to get burned, he couldn’t seem to stop.

  “Spread your legs,” he urged, sliding his hand down her flat belly to the juncture between her thighs.

  Briony’s knees parted, falling open and exposing her sex. As a Fae, she was completely bare, her skin utterly smooth, no hair anywhere except for on her head. His fingers homed in on their target, sliding through her slick slit. When she bucked her hips, he groaned softly.

  “Move back,” he instructed, shifting so he could get her neck closer to his mouth while his fingers continued to wander.

  Her soft moans had his cock throbbing, but he ignored the damn thing.

  “I’m going to bite you,” he informed her as his fangs trailed down her neck. “And I’m going to make you come with my fingers.”

  “Please…”

  Figuring it was in their best interest for him to be at least somewhat distracted, Mirakel shoved his fangs into her skin, piercing the vein. As he took the first pull on her, he pushed his finger inside her, then retreated, coating the digit in her silky juices before thrusting inside her again.

  Time became irrelevant at that point. He fed from her as he fingered her, spurred on by her softly spoken pleas and the decadent taste of her blood on his tongue.

  Fearful he was going to hurt her, Mirakel finally pulled his fangs from her flesh, sealed the wounds, and then pushed two fingers inside her. He curled them upward, searching for—

  “Mirakel! Oh … yes!”

  Briony’s sex squeezed his fingers as she came in his arms. He let her ride out the waves, his fingers still buried inside her tight sheath. Only when she was breathing normally did he pull them out and bring them to his mouth. His eyes slammed shut as her exquisite taste exploded on his tongue. It was all he could do not to move, not to roll her beneath him and mount her.

  Somehow he refrained, but he did reposition them so that they were flat on the mattress, him spooning her from behind, his arm draped over her, the sheet between them, ensuring he didn’t do exactly what he wanted to do.

  “Don’t go, Briony,” he whispered. “Let me hold you tonight.”

  Her hand covered his arm, squeezed gently. “I don’t want to be anywhere else.”

  As he drifted off, he found himself hoping that was true.

  Chapter Thirty-Five


  Michael didn’t expect the Alpha vampire to emerge from his bedchamber, yet Michael had come here anyway. And here he was, sitting on the strange furniture in what he’d heard them refer to as a living room, waiting to see if by some miracle, the male would come out of his room so they could address the pressing issue before it was too late.

  Patience had never been his strong suit, but Michael had long ago learned to hone it when it came to his warriors. Those males worked on their own timeline, and they cared not whether Michael was appreciative. He sometimes wondered how they could stand to be idle for so long. Heaven knew it wasn’t his favorite thing to do.

  However, it was imperative that he speak with the vampire, find out what his intentions were. Now that Kaj had officially claimed the Fae as his own, decisions had to be made. There was no longer time to sit around and wonder what would happen next. They were running out of time, and if they didn’t prepare, they would be caught unawares once again.

  And not only because he feared Khari was getting restless, the male threatening to emerge regardless of the body he was inhabiting. If that happened while he was still ensconced in the human vessel, things were going to get ugly. However, that was the least of their worries.

  Michael’s true fear lay in what they would encounter in the future. The attack that was imminent was going to make Eevuhl’s breach look like a day at the playground. He only hoped they were prepared and they were able to keep the fight away from the home front. It was the only way they would protect the child that would change everything. And for once, Michael wasn’t referring to Ari’el, though she was most certainly at the top of his priority list.

  Michael recalled Eevuhl’s attack, seeing with his own eyes as Lucifer’s demon charged forth with the intention of taking Obsidian’s daughter. There had been only one thing to do, and Michael had met the onslaught without thought. Nothing would harm the babe. Not as long as Michael’s heart pumped blood in his veins. And if the other warriors had offspring, Michael would protect them the same, until his dying breath. However, as important as she was to him, Ari’el was not the child who would change everything.

  Michael had lost all that mattered to him when his beloved amsouelot was taken from him. Lucifer had betrayed him in the worst possible way, dooming Michael to a hell of his own even though he resided in Heaven. Then Obsidian had come along and given him hope for the first time in forever. And though he would give almost anything to have his beloved Ari’el back in his arms, he knew that would never happen. Lucifer was nothing if not determined and the male would keep her for the simple fact Michael still felt the loss.

  Nothing could be done about that now.

  And here on Earth, there were other things to worry about. Namely the demons that were making a stronger presence with every passing day. The impietans were no longer their main concern. The humans turned into mindless, soulless idiots were but a tiny fissure in the overall crater that was breaking open in the fabric of humanity. The demons had begun taking over human flesh, choking out the souls that were housed there and assuming their lives. And with the vampire numbers dwindling, it was imperative Kaj take a stand and protect his people. The best option Michael could see was to activate the original vampire, to bring Khari back to his former glory, because his power was what they would need in order to succeed.

  A throat clearing had Michael looking up.

  There, standing in the doorway, was the Alpha himself, wearing a pair of jeans he’d clearly tugged on as he’d left his chambers.

  “Michael.”

  “Kaj.” He didn’t bother to get up, preferring to let the sofa hold the burden of his body. At the moment, he didn’t have the strength to do much of anything else.

  “Bring to me the written release of the Fae and I will fulfill my end of the bargain.”

  Michael stared at the male, surprised but not at all disappointed by his decision. He snapped his fingers, produced the scroll with the Heavenly seal.

  “Wasting no time, I see,” Kaj said as he strolled forward to retrieve the sheet of rolled papyrus.

  “There is no time to waste.”

  A light turned on, clearly by the vampire’s will, as he broke the seal and skimmed the document.

  “I have only one other condition.”

  Of course he did. “What’s that?”

  “You’ll make the human immortal. That way Oliver can live out his life here with the angels, with his sister.”

  He hadn’t expected the request, but he wasn’t the least bit surprised. Kaj was a protector of others. It was in his nature.

  “Done.” Michael produced a quill, passed it over.

  Kaj scrawled his name, then handed the paper back.

  After reviewing the signature, Michael nodded. “As of now, the Fae are free.”

  Kaj lifted his eyes. “And their ability to procreate?”

  Michael met the celadon-green stare.

  “You owe them this,” Kaj said stiffly. “They’ve proven their worth to your warriors.”

  Although Kaj’s claiming had altered Acadia, rendering her fertile, the same would not be the case unless the other Fae were to mate with a vampire, so he had to consider it.

  “I shall render them fertile,” he told the vampire, “however, they will no longer be indestructible, merely immortal.”

  Kaj nodded. “I think it’s a fair trade. And when they die?”

  Ah. He should’ve seen that one coming.

  “They must be given the opportunity of Heaven,” Kaj insisted.

  Because he knew he wouldn’t get out of this one without reassurances, Michael nodded. “I’ll ensure they’re allowed in provided they’ve met the same criteria as all others.”

  Kaj seemed satisfied with that.

  “There’s only one thing you’ll have to contend with,” Michael stated.

  “And what’s that?”

  “Those who’ve been cast into shadows, trapped between Heaven and Earth…”

  Kaj’s eyebrows raised.

  “They shall remain in the in-between until Acadia has freed them. All of them.”

  “And how will she do that?” Kaj asked, his tone concerned.

  “Not for me to disclose.”

  “Never is,” Kaj grumbled.

  When no more demands came, Michael pushed to his feet. “Once Khari is resurrected, I will expect you and Obsidian to groom him for his role as Alpha.”

  “I’ve changed my mind about that,” the vampire stated.

  “Oh?”

  “I’ll be maintaining the position as Alpha.”

  “Just so you know, as the father of the female who will mate the original vampire,” Michael clarified, “you will maintain the same abilities as the Alpha. And until the time they produce an heir, should Khari fall, you shall resume the duties as the Alpha.”

  “That changes nothing. I will continue on as the Alpha. And should I fall, Khari can resume the duties.”

  Michael didn’t need to argue, because he trusted Kaj at the helm of the race. He’d always known he would make a phenomenal leader, above and beyond his own father, even. He’d merely wanted the male to choose the position and not vice versa.

  “Very well,” Michael agreed. “You’ll remain Alpha. Khari will lead the Zenith.”

  Once more Kaj shook his head. “Huracān will lead the Zenith. Mirakel is my adighrielin. That’s the way it will remain. Khari will integrate in and we’ll determine where he belongs as time goes by.” Kaj stood tall, squared his shoulders. “And you understand I will not force my daughter into this mating. It shall be her decision.”

  Yep. Just as he’d thought. The male was the right person for the job. Not even an almighty archangel intimidated him.

  “Understood.” Michael was not worried about that. He was privy to what had transpired between Bijou and Oliver—more accurately, Khari, though unbeknownst to her—up to this point.

  “The resurrection will be done here,” Kaj stated. “That way the angels’ healers
can be present should the human male have issues.”

  “That is a reasonable request. Tonight.”

  Kaj shook his head. “I need a day to relay the information to my daughter and my mate, as well as my males. We shall undergo the resurrection on Friday, the thirteenth of March.”

  He had to give the vampire credit; he’d thought this through. Not to mention, he had brass balls to issue so many demands upon an archangel.

  Michael held the male’s stare. “I cannot reiterate the importance of this. Oh, but I should clarify one thing.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Should you fall, Khari will not be the one to rise as Alpha. Your heir will.”

  Kaj frowned. “My heir? Bijou?”

  “Your unborn child.”

  Kaj inhaled sharply, his eyes widening.

  “Fair warning, vampire, your child is going to change our very existence. The offspring of a vampire and a Fae … not something the universe has ever encountered.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “It is not for me to disclose, but it’s the best I can do. He is the reason Khari must rise again. The child will need the protection of the most powerful being in the universe.”

  Kaj stared at him with so much hope in his eyes. “He?”

  Michael nodded. “In the meantime, I shall continue to oversee the trainees. It’s imperative their training commence without haste.” He smiled widely. “Now you should proceed to get your female the food you intended to retrieve for her. I shall see myself out.”

  With a smile, Michael vanished, returning to Heaven.

  He had much to do and not a lot of time to do it.

  “All right, just what the hell is going on?” Blāz prompted when he made a pit stop in the infirmary.

  Not that he wanted to hang out here, but, you know, shit happened.

  And here he was.

  But only because he was curious what was going on with the human, and well, Apollo seemed to be all up in that male’s business.

  “Excuse me?” The healer stepped out from the storage space where they kept all their extra shit.

  “The human,” he clarified. “What’s with the seizures?”