Possession (15 page)

Chapter 22

Tonia waited her turn in line to congratulate Douglas. When her partner spotted her, she straightened her shoulders and forced a smile making her way toward him. “Well Marshal Douglas, it looks like you’re finally rid of me.”

Douglas shook his head. “Took me long enough to get this promotion.” He offered her a piece of cake. “Teresa made it, it’s my favorite, carrot cake.”

“You deserve the promotion,” she replied patting his arm before reaching for the cake. “So many changes, a new partner and a new Captain too.” She told him referring to their current Captain’s retirement.

A sudden quiet caught their attention, everyone turned to catch a glimpse of the new Captain as the tall man made his way into the room. When Tonia finally caught a glimpse of him, the room swayed and she grabbed the nearest chair to steady herself. The new captain had a deep blue tint to his skin. He was a high-level demon.

That scent, that familiar smell enveloped her. Everything faded and she was in that dark alley, clinging to Alex begging him not to die.  All the while the smell of the demon that had killed him in the air. She'd never forget the smell.

The people murmured and Tonia broke out in a cold sweat. Heart banging in her chest, she rushed to the nearest doorway to get fresh air.

Gulping oxygen into her lungs, she fought not to go back inside to kill the newcomer.

Her gut clenched as she bent over, taking deep breaths to keep from throwing up. She’d finally found him, Alex’s killer. Her heart hammered against her ribs at the knowledge.

The urge to kill made her shake. Fully aware that if she followed her instincts and struck the new captain down, she’d not only put the others in the room into a tailspin, which wasn’t fair to them, but she’d probably be imprisoned. Tonia gripped the railing and closed her eyes. The vibration of her cell phone startled her.

“Tonia?” Fallon’s voice came across urgently. “Can you come home?”

“What’s wrong?” she stuttered, her heart pounding. “Are you all right?”

“I have to speak to you, Julian was here. We have to go to Rome, you and I.”

"All right, I'll be there in an hour or so, I have something to finish. Why do we have to go to Rome?"

"I'll explain when you get here."

She got Douglas’s attention and he came outside. “Why are you out here?” He frowned at her.

“My…er Fallon is not feeling well, I have to go.” She told him. “I have to go check on him. Can you cover for me?”

He nodded, a baffled expression on his face. “Sure, go.” Douglas chuckled making her turn back to face him. “I’m happy you care so much for the man, it’s about time.”

Tonia couldn't say anything to her partner. What did she feel for Fallon? Especially now that he'd changed so much. Hell, she wasn’t sure how much she wanted to admit to herself.

She didn’t bother going back inside, but made her way toward her car, only to come to a stop at spotting the new Captain standing by her car, a cigarette in his mouth.

“Marshal Mohr right?” His black eyes met hers and she somehow knew he was aware of her ability to see him for what he was.

“Sir,” Tonia glanced around, they were alone. “I’m sorry I have to go home, my husband is not feeling well.”

His eyebrows rose. “I wasn’t aware you were married.”

“Just recently,” she told him forcing a smile. “Very recent.”

“Are you returning?” The question’s true meaning came through loud and clear. She took her badge out of her pocket and held it out to him. “No I am not. I cannot work for you.” He took it.

Without speaking, he watched her get in her car, his gaze never wavering from hers.

With one last glance at the demon, she peeled off.
I’ll see you soon and when I do I will kill you.

Blinded with rage, Tonia drove without a destination in mind. Rain drizzled, making the streets reflect the city lights as she continued down a familiar road.

The winding narrow lane gave barely enough room for one car to maneuver through and she pulled over to park. Hands on the steering wheel, she looked toward where her husband lay.

The bastard who'd killed him was the new captain. How could that be?

She climbed out of the car and made her way past several grave markers until reaching his.

“I’m so sorry.” Tonia didn’t care that the ground was wet from a recent drizzle as she sank onto her knees in front of Alex’s grave. Her face in her hands, she sobbed, “Oh God Alex, I’m so sorry. I was face to face with your killer and didn’t do anything. I couldn’t.” She lay down on the moist earth, her fingers digging into the grass as a second wave of pain hit her.

She had nothing now. Everything was lost. Her job, Fallon, and even her freedom—she had to remain with whoever Fallon was now. In an effort to hold on to a semblance of control, she'd turned in her badge. An impulsive move that she wasn't sure served her plans.

Fallon, her life mate.  A man without emotions.  Regret began to form and she wondered what good being bound to him did, especially if he never regained his emotions. Too exhausted to move, she rolled onto her back and stared up at the sky. “I miss you so much Alex. Why did you leave me?”

Sadness won the battle, as she sat up. Cross-legged, her face in her hands, she continued to sob.

Chapter 23

Fallon walked into the kitchen, Wendy was bent over a cookbook, a cup of tea in her hand. She looked up at him a wide smile on her lips. “Hello sunshine,” she called as he made his way to the teapot. “Fresh tea.”

“Hello Wendy,” he replied, then after pouring a cup, he went to the table and sat—ignoring her surprised look.

“What should I get Tonia for a gift?” he asked without preamble and waited for her reply. Her instant thought,
Emotions
.

Wendy tapped her fingernails on the table top in thought. “Flowers for starters would be nice. Jewelry is always good, women love bling.” She pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes at him. “Do you feel anything at all? Do you have feelings for her?”

Fallon gave it some thought. “I am ambivalent about everything right now. I can’t make myself care about anything. I do recall that I cared very much for her.”

“Well I hope Julian is able to fix you,” Wendy told him patting his hand. Then she jumped in her seat and clapped. “You’re going to Italy, that’s the most romantic place. Why don’t you take Tonia for an overnight stay in a winery in Tuscany or something? That would be awesome!”

Wendy smiled triumphantly at him. Her eyes twinkled and Fallon had to admit, he understood why Kieran loved his wife so much, she was so full of life.

He stood and headed back to the garage door. “If Tonia arrives before I do, tell her I’ll be back shortly. And please ask her not to leave.”

“Okay. Where are you going?”

“Florist. Jewelers.”

An hour later, he returned, a bouquet of roses in a vase in one hand, a small jeweler’s bag in the other. Upon hearing guitar music, he put the flowers and bag down on the kitchen table and walked out to the screened in porch. Logan looked up, but didn’t stop playing. “Hey Fallon.”

“I’m going to Rome for an indefinite period of time. Hector will remain behind. If Kieran’s house is completed and they move out, will you please remain here? I’d like you to consider living here permanently. Even after I return.”

Logan shrugged. “Sure. Anything I need to take care of while you’re gone?”

“No, just stay alive and keep my partner alive.”

Logan gave him a thumbs up. “Got that covered.”

Fallon turned and went back to pick up the flowers, heading for the stairway.

In the bedroom, he heard the shower running. She must have gone straight into the bathroom to shower by the trail of dirty clothes she left from the bedroom doorway to the bathroom.

He placed the flowers on a table, the jewelry bag beside it and went to the closet and pulled out his suitcase.

A few moments later, Tonia walked out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around her, she stopped in her tracks at seeing him. She eyed the flowers, and then her gaze flickered to the suitcase.

“This soon?” she asked

“Julian wants me to meet him at the airport tonight,” he replied putting the clothes on the bed next to the suitcase. “You are coming with me.”

“I have something very important to do right now, I can’t go anywhere.” She went to the closet, he followed.

The scent of her washed hair reminded him of their time together in the shower. Aroused, he grabbed her arm and turned her to face him. His mouth crushed hers. She kissed him back, her arms wrapping around his waist. When he cupped her butt and pulled her into his hardness, she moaned.

The need to feel her skin against his tore through him and he released her to remove his clothes. Her darkened green eyes watched as he yanked his pants and briefs down, kicking them away.

She dropped the towel and came to him, pulling him against her. “I need to be with you Fallon.” The breathless request washed over him like a warm cascade and he guided her to the bed. Going to the side away from the suitcase, he fell onto the bed with her. Tonia swept the hair away from his brow, and looked at him, her eyes were swollen, she'd been crying. He started to ask, but she spoke cutting him off.

“Come back to me. I need you to come back, be who you were before.”

A tingle of regret flickered through him, and he did want to grant her wish, but then as quickly, it was gone, apathy taking its place.

“I’ll do what I can to grant your wish,” he replied, kissing a trail down her creamy throat to her breast. When he took her nipple in his mouth, she lifted her pelvis up and he cupped her sex, his finger circling her wetness.

He moved down between her legs and spread her thighs. Fully exposed, her eyes widened when he looked up at her face. “You’re beautiful.”

Flicking her with his tongue, he drove her to lose all control, she bucked and flayed under him as he held her in place. Knowing she was about to climax, he suckled her swollen nub as she screamed in release. He enjoyed the taste of her as she convulsed under his touch. He moved back up to capture her mouth.

Fallon pushed into her, entering her pliant wetness, he became lost in the sensations of her heat surrounding his hardness.

Not able to control his movements for long, he began to thrust into her, his body taking control. Tonia wrapped her legs around his hips pulling him deeper into her heat.

“It feels so good,” Fallon told her in between pants. “So damn good.” He picked up the already frantic pace as he flew over the crest. His release hit him hard as he continued to move in and out of her, not able to stop. Feeling a second wave coming, he grabbed her hips to keep her in place and began to drive anew.

Their lovemaking continued until both crested together, Tonia’s mewls intertwined with his groans. Fallon was finally able to slow and push into her one last time as he came. Totally spent, he crumpled over her.

A sensation, a current of sorts traveled through him and he felt closeness to her, much keener than he’d felt in as many days. Lifting his head, he met her gaze and took her mouth once again. Their tongues played the lazy game of after-sex contentment.

Rolling to his side to relieve her of his weight, he kept her against him, their mouths still exploring one another. Finally she pulled away, the searching look she gave him made him wish, he could give her more than his body. The closeness he felt between them fled.

Fallon smiled, a forced gesture as he slipped from the bed. “I have something for you. Don’t move.” He got up, picked up the jewelers bag and held it to her. “Actually it's for both of us.”

Tonia sat and peered inside, taking out the small green box, she opened it to show the matching set of wedding bands. Two-toned gold with an inset diamond that sparkled under the overhead recessed lighting, the bands were intricately carved with a vine design. She looked at him, and he sensed the reminder the bands brought. She'd been married before, in the traditional manner.

“They’re beautiful.” She looked at them for a bit longer. “I appreciate what you're doing with these, assuring me of your commitment. I’m sorry, but this mating thing doesn't cut it for me. If we are going to spend the rest of our lives together, I'd like to get married. I have to be married to you, in a way that is legal and makes more sense to me than whatever it is Julian did,” she explained.

Fallon didn’t care either way, he’d accepted they would be joined to one another forever, so a marriage ceremony was not a big deal and it didn’t change anything in his view. Nonetheless, he reassured her. “I understand. We can get married. I'd like to do that if it will make you feel better about us. Besides, it’s good to have the paper that makes it legal in human’s eyes.” He watched as she took one of the rings out of the box and then his hand. She slipped the ring onto his finger and studied it.

“It looks good.”

He picked up the other ring and slid it onto her finger, kissing her hand afterwards. Then he leaned over and kissed her again. Regardless of his lack of emotions, he found that he could not be ambivalent about being physical with his wife. Her hand traveled down his chest to his stomach, her fingers swirling over his skin, until she took his shaft in her hand. He hardened again and pushed her back onto the bed, her legs hanging over the side. Standing, he took himself in hand and guided into her.

Later they drank mimosas at the table in the bedroom, while he explained his having to relocate to Rome and why. She listened patiently, not revealing her reason for wanting to remain in Atlanta for the time being.

However, he heard her thoughts and he knew he could not leave her behind. It was too dangerous.

“What is so important that you wish to remain here?” he asked after she told him she’d quit her job.

“I need to take care of selling my condo and other things, I can’t afford to keep it, especially now that I’m unemployed.”

“I’ll have it sold, or pay it off and you can keep it,” he answered noting her raised eyebrows.

“I can’t let you do that,” she replied.

“Of course you can,” he gave her a droll look. “You can't return to live in it, the demons are aware it’s your property and besides we'll be married and live together.” He sensed her inner battle. “And you cannot remain here in the States without me, we can’t be far apart for long.”

“It seems easier since your emotions are so contained. You are so distant,” she replied, her face solemn. “I really have to take care of something.”

“Something or someone? In either case, I can’t let you do anything that will put the Protectors in danger of exposure or allow you to kill a demon just because of what he is.” Her eyes flashed to his face, but she remained silent.

“Get out of my head,” she snapped.

“No.” He locked gazes with her. “There is something you don’t seem to understand. Not all demons are killers, like other beings, most of them live amongst humans and lead productive lives.”

She stood at his last word. “I don’t want to hear it. I don’t agree with that, as far as I'm concerned, they are all spawns of Satan. Everything that comes from Satan is evil.”

He took her arm. “Sit down and listen. Please.”

“I won’t change my mind,” she replied wrapping the towel around herself. “You’re wasting your breath if you're going to try to paint them in a different light.”

Fallon was determined to tell her everything, hopefully she'd not take the news too hard, because once she learned the truth, he had no doubt the guilt would come.

“Those that we call demons are a different species, not too much unlike us." He began locking gazes with her. "You see, the beings we refer to as demons are actually a type of Fae. The Fae are an ancient people who've been on earth longer than humans, most immortals even. A few thousand years ago, the Fae species suffered a great division in their ranks. The classic Fae, those like Wendy, expelled those that began to show blue skin undertones. Because they were addicted to human blood, the blue skinned Fae developed fangs and their behavior grew more aggressive over time.  The normally peaceful species could not abide their lack of morality and depravity so they were banished from ancient Ireland.” Fallon paused. Tonia remained entranced, her eyes locked to his face.  So he continued.

"With the inbreeding between the blue Fae, some of them became even more destructive, with a tendency toward violence and killing. Also they developed a need to ingest blood to live. Those whose blood hunger grew are the violent ones.

However, over the years, not all of those banished succumbed to bloodlust. Most of them pulled away from the violent Fae and continued living the normal Fae life, a peaceful existence.  Many of them have maintained a benign life. It may surprise you to know that many descendants of the blue Fae are married to humans and have no idea of their true nature. Wendy, for instance, was not aware of her Fae blood until we found her.”

Tonia took a deep breath. “So I’ve killed some that may have been harmless?”

“Yes,” Fallon noted her sudden pallor and yet he had to finish. “Uninformed slayers, like you, have left wives without a husband and children without a father and vice versa when females are killed.” Her eyes widened. “That is why we don’t advocate human slayers, most of the factions are brainwashed into the theory that the Fae or 'demons' are evil satanic beings. Don’t get me wrong, a lot of them are aggressive and deadly. Especially the ones that prey on humans, but most are not.”

“The new captain killed my husband,” she told him—glaring. “I refuse to believe he’s benign.”

“Tell me Tonia, how many times have slayers attacked who you perceive as demons without provocation? How often have your friends killed unarmed demons that happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and they had to defend themselves to keep from dying?  Have you considered whether the captain attacked Alex or whether he acted in self-defense?”

Tonia sank back down into the chair. "No, I have not."