Black Dawn (5 page)

Chapter Five

Dar rolled over, realizing who was beside her. The foggy mist in her head was dissipating, and it all came back to her. Yeah. She was no longer in
Sychuria
. Dane’s face formed and she smiled.

Slowly, he drew her near and she didn’t fight. Quickly she came to her senses. “Let me go,” she gritted her teeth, trying to break free from his hold. They’d had sex last night. Only thing was, she didn’t remember any of it. That said a lot for this vampire who appeared to be some sort of a stud.

“
Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning,” he joked. “Why so pissed and so surprised?”

“
Last night, it felt like I was
back
home, in my own bed. It was a most pleasant dream until I woke up to you staring me in the face.”

The edge of Dane’s lips molded into a wicked smile and he held his hands over his heart. “You wound me. Well, you had a shit-eating grin on your face before you went batty.
Memories from last night?”
He grinned at her.

“
Don’t remember anything.” Dar contorted her face and rolled her eyes. She felt her neck for puncture wounds and when she didn’t find any, she decided he needed to come clean.

“
Okay, you know about me—all about me. More than a vampire should know about any fairy. How is it that you’ve not fed from me and how can you
walk
in the daylight? What are you?” She demanded. “And what did you do to me last night? I don’t remember a thing!”

He grinned. “I must have bored you because you were out like a light.” Dane yawned and stretched before running his fingers through his black strands. Guess I must tell you everything now. Only seems fair.”

“
You better.”

“
I don’t take kindly to demands!” He muttered.

“
Stop playing games with me,” she snapped impatiently.

“
Well, baby. I’m not just a vampire. You see, I am also part incubus and
fae
.”

“
You’re such a damned liar.” She wanted to scream. How did a vampire come to have acquired incubus and
fae
origins? It was impossible, or should have been.

“
My mother was part
fae
and succubus, and my father was a full blooded vampire,” he continued with a sigh. “Bet you weren’t expecting that.” He glanced over at her with a very serious look.
 

“
Why do you separate between yourself and vampires? You always say the vampires.”

“
Because, I don’t suck humans dry for their blood. My father did when he walked the earth. There was a time when vampires existed among the humans in silent fervor. We only took what was needed and some like
myself
still do. Unfortunately, the world was overrun by those wanting to dominate.”

“
But
..
I
sensed death on you. You’ve killed before.”

“
Only in self-defense.”
He glanced over at her. “Look. I’m not perfect, nor do I pretend to be. I just merely exist. I deal with obstacles laid in my path. That’s all, my pet.”

“
Why did my King
Zurion
keep this a secret from us?”

“
Because, my darling. Fairies were drawn to the dark side, like your sister. You may choose not to believe me, but that’s probably what happened. The human world is lost, but if the portal between your precious
Sychuria
and this one remain open, vampires will find their way in eventually and all that you know and love will be lost.”

“
How do you survive?”

Dane sighed. “I feed on energy. Some would call me an energy vampire.” He sat up in bed and smiled. We are very rare, due to nearly becoming extinct at the hands of vampires. Our blood is supercharged. Over the centuries, we’ve been hunted just like you fairies.” Dane frowned.
“So, in turn.
I hunt them.”

“
So, you’re basically a vampire hunter,” she nodded, now satisfied with the truth. Which means you can help me stop them. Together we can stop them, I just know we can.”

“
In case you haven’t realized it, we’re outnumbered. Eventually, we’ll be overpowered, which is the reason why I suggested we rest.”

“
But, you have connections, what about Zed.”

“
No one wants to get involved.” Zed would never get involved. He helped us because I’ve made arrangements to pay him.

“
Zed’s an idiot.”

Dane smirked. “Well, that’s the first thing we’ve agreed on since we’ve met.”

“
I think you’re one too.” She mused.

Quickly his smile disappeared and he scowled at her.

 
“
Why do you insist on trying to scare me? You don’t frighten me.”

“
I frightened you in the diner earlier.”

“
You were genuinely pissed, and you changed into something I’ve never seen before. As much as I hate to admit it, I feel safe with you.”

Dane groaned. “Get up, time for us to go.”

“
What?” She asked. “What did I say wrong?”

“
Nothing.”

“
No, apparently I said something wrong?”

“
We’re good.” He assured her. “Listen, we need to move. I spoke to a good friend who’s headed this way. We’ve known one another forever. He knows a lot of info about this coven and he’s going to help us break in and free your sister.”

That was the best news she’d heard in a good while. The thought of actually laying eyes on
Zari
once again warmed her heart. She’d been disappointed at not being able to sense her own flesh and blood. But she’d chalked it up to the human world draining her of her powers.

She smiled before throwing her arms around Dane. She squeezed him tight, and he hugged her back. In the blink of an eye, he pushed her away.

“
Don’t do that,” he warned. He stared at her for a few seconds with a shocked expression. “Come on, we’re wasting time,” he insisted.

Chapter Six

As they came out of the hotel, they were met by a big barrel-shape of a man sporting a long brown beard that stopped just at the top of his large gut. Beneath his black leather jacket, he sported a black shirt with a faded American flag on it.

“Hey Lucas,” Dane walked up to the large man. Quickly they gave each other a brotherly hug and knuckle-punched one another.
“Perfect timing, man.
Where you been?”

Dude, I just got finished riding in from this little town in
Jenkinsburg
. Things are getting pretty damned hairy down there.” The burly man wiped his hand off on his pants and extended his hand to Dar. “Sorry darling, I’m Lucas. Dane must have left his manners in bed.”

“I’m Dar.”

“Dar.
What a name for such a
purty
young
thang
. Melanie is more your speed, don’t you think?”

“Dar is my fairy given name,” she said between gritted teeth. How dare the
flubbery
bastard try and change the name her mother gifted her with?

Dane grinned briefly. “Forgive
her,
she woke up on the wrong side of bed apparently.” He cleared his throat as he shot her an intimidating glare. “Lucas is like a brother to me. Please, show some respect. He meant no harm.”

Lucas cleared his throat. “Yeah, most fairies are dainty in nature, at least the ones I’ve met are. Must admit, totally not the type you usually run with.”

A pang of jealousy incinerated her insides at Lucas’ remark. Exactly what type was Dane used to running with? Suddenly, she became nauseous, and she really didn’t want to know. Just the thought of Dane bedding someone else down chewed holes in her heart. Pushing the thoughts aside, she had to remind herself that he was only a tool.
Nothing more nothing less.
Once this whole adventure was over, she and her sister would return to
Sychuria
.

“I’m sorry, did I say something wrong?” Lucas took out a cigar, bit the tip off and lit it with a big silvery box that reflected in the sunlight. Dar backed away as the scent was carried in her direction by the wind. “I recognize that look anywhere. She’s sporting the same type of look my ex-wife did when she found me in bed with the barmaid. She’s jealous.”

Dane smiled. “Surely you’re not jealous? We’re not an item. Get that through your head now.”

With that, he stalked away with Lucas as the two began talking amongst themselves. She shivered as an emotion she’d never experienced before bubbled within the right side of her chest. Blinking back tears, she placed a hand over the area that beat ever so slightly. Dane’s honesty was brutal, like a swift sword. After all, she was only using him. So why did she feel this way?

He’d ravished her body last night, or so she thought. She struggled to remember, but she couldn’t. She was a virgin. Had he fucked her brutally like he threatened, she should have been sore. The sheets were still a crisp white when she looked this morning. There were no blood marks on them.

* * *

You’re an asshole, Dane. You’re a fucking asshole,
he thought to himself as he and Lucas walked through the sweet-smelling pine trees. The country air was surprisingly sweet with all that was going on with the vampires. Perhaps it was due to the lack of pollution in the earth, with most of the humans becoming extinct.

“
What’s the matter with you?” Dane was so caught up into thinking about
Dar,
he wasn’t paying any attention to Lucas’ theory.

“
Huh? Uh, I’m sorry Lucas. I really don’t remember what the fuck you were saying, man.”

“
Got the
hots
for that little piece of fairy ass, huh?”

Dane’s lips curled into a snarl. “All she is to me is a piece of ass and my future blood-thrall, that’s it. Mind your tongue, man.”

“
Nope, you got it bad buddy, I hate to tell you. How long have you known her?”

“
Met her just last night.”
Dane sucked in a breath, suddenly becoming annoyed with his friend. What the hell was up with the stupid ass questions?

“
Yeah man, you’re losing your touch. Falling for a fairy when you first bed her down?
Must be some damn good pussy.”

“
Watch your mouth Big L.” He turned to his friend. “I never said I fucked her.”

Lucas laughed heartily and patted his old friend on the back.
“Just testing you, bro. C’mon.
Did you or didn’t you fuck the wench?”

“
Seriously Lucas, stop fucking with me, man, and show some respect.” Dane frowned. “What the hell’s up with you, anyway?”

“
Okay, let me know when you
wanna
talk about it.” They stopped just beyond a large boulder, overlooking a lake.

The scenery was
breathtaking,
Dane had to admit to himself. It would be a perfect place to take Dar and
—
He immediately cut his thoughts and turned to face Lucas. Right now, he couldn’t afford to think about her like this.

Later on tonight, once they were alone he promised himself to finish what they’d started hours ago. Dane wasn’t a one-woman man and never had he thought romantic thoughts about anyone.

He growled at the thought of making the little wench paying for stealing his heart. How did he manage to lose himself to her in the first place? This wasn’t
acceptable,
he needed to banish these feelings.

Maybe after he was through with Dar, he’d find a perky little vampire whore who could withstand the full power of vampire hybrid. The thought didn’t entice him any. His cock used to harden at the thought or glimpse of any woman. Now, for the first time in centuries, it didn’t. The only woman that made his cock hard and his heart beat fast was Dar.

Lucas studied him inquisitively. “Look, I know you got some problems of your own. Not trying to pry, but you should know the vampires are cooking up some sort of scheme.”

Dane’s eyes narrowed. “What are they up to now?”

“
Well, word has it that they plan on blocking out the sun forever.”

“
No fucking way. It can’t be done. Not even with the darkest magic. Others have tried centuries ago. It never works.”

“
Yeah, I know. But none of the other vampire lords had a dark fairy in their possession.”

Dane froze. “What the fuck did you say? Who has a dark fairy with them?
Which clan?”

“
The
Ravynshire
coven captured one only a few nights ago,” Lucas confessed. “Word is
,
her night essence can be channeled with the help of dark magic to forever block out the sun, as we know it.”

“
My sister!”
Dar stalked up to the two men.

Dane clenched his fists. “Didn’t I tell you to wait for us? Gods, you’re a hard headed, stubborn little b—
”

“
My sister’s life is at stake and you don’t own me.” She turned to Lucas. “Where is she? Take me to her!”

“
Easier said than done, Pumpkin.
You can bet your sweet winged ass she’s under twenty-four hour lockdown until the ceremony can be completed. There were two men taken into custody.” Lucas looked at her sympathetically. “They didn’t look like they were from around here
.
”

Dar turned to conceal her tears from the men and bit her fist to stifle her sobs.

Dane’s heart ached for her. He wanted nothing more than to reach out and hold her, assuring her everything would be okay. She’d probably knee him in the nuts even if he acted on that impulse. She was gentle and sheltered, but she had fight in her and she was definitely a force to be reckoned with, even for him.

“
Look, I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t like what some of the vampires are doing. But a world filled with darkness, twenty-four seven?
Hell no!”
Lucas shook his head and took off the old tattered brown leather hat, revealing a full head of brown curls.

“
What difference does it make to you?” She was becoming agitated.

“
I was turned in the summer of 1970.
Me
and my best buds were out on a night fishing trip when all hell literally broke lose. I saw the last sunrise and sunset on June 4
^th
, 1970, so it makes a hell of a lot of difference to me, little lady.”

Dar clenched her hands into fists as the need to throttle someone—anyone
—
raged inside her. “Where is she? We’re running out of time! I only have two days left before my King closes the portal from this world and our realm forever.”

“
Well, you’ve heard of that fancy city beyond the limits? From afar, the damned place looks like gloom and doom.
 
At least, that’s the aura it gives off. From what I’ve heard, the streets are full of hustle and bustle, even during daylight hours.”

Dar frowned. “Vampires can’t walk in the daylight.”

“
No,” Dane interjected. “But their fancy technology adapted from the humans provides them with a means for getting around during daylight hours.”

“
Oh hell yes,” Lucas admitted. “The bloodsuckers got these fancy looking cars that operate by
themselves
. That was the best thing since lemon iced tea back in the early nineties.”

“
I’ve heard that on the inside, they got cameras installed, you know like on a screen. They could see where they’re driving. Since the year 2000, they got wise and started manufacturing this special plastic glass. Looks like real glass and it blocks out the sunlight during the day. So they can even look out the windows while they’re driving or from the comfort and safety of their homes.”

Dane nodded in agreement as he watched the expression change on Dar’s face at the description of the vampire’s knowledge. Bless her. She’d definitely been sheltered for the better part of her life. He’d see to it that she’d received the freedom she so craved.

“
Seems really
suspicious ,you
knowing about these things,” Dar rang out. Before she could say anything else, Dane raised a gun and pointed it in his old friend’s direction.

“
Yeah, too suspicious,” Dane quipped. He
squinted
his eyes. “How is it that you’ve come to know about all this technology when you didn’t the last time we met?”

“
Put that thing down, boy.” Lucas laughed. “I’ve known about it for years.”

The two circled each other like sharks in the water. “A few weeks back, you didn’t have a clue when we last spoke,” Dane snarled. “You lie!”

“
How come you didn’t?” Lucas asked. “Boy, you’re seriously slipping. Not on your game at all, anymore are you?” He laughed and folded his arms across his large chest. “You think you got the guts to use that thing on me? What you got there, boy?”

“
Mixture of wood and silver.
Don’t make me use it, man.
Someone’s gotten to you, been lining your pockets, eh?”