ShadowsofNight (19 page)

“Good evening, Marcus and Christian,” Ta’breyian said as he
entered the room.

“Ta’breyian…I’m glad you’re here.” Marcus gripped his hand,
giving it a firm shake.

“I was on my way back from Russia when Roman called.”

“How’s Dane?” Marcus asked.

“Not very happy at the moment.” His expression was grim.

“What’s going on?” Christian asked. He glanced at Ta’breyian
and then at Marcus. Was his brother in trouble?

“Your brother has found a mate. Her name is Jenny Harlon,”
Marcus replied. He turned back to Ta’breyian. “So is everything all right? I
thought Dane had taken her someplace safe.”

Christian was shocked. His brother Dane?
Mated
. That
was surprising news. Dane had always wanted nothing to do with females. The
mating bond had a powerful draw though, there was no question.

“His mate traced in her sleep and couldn’t get back to him.
We found her in the nick of time, before she was raped by Rogues who’d attacked
her in an apartment she used to live in. To make matters worse—Lucia lives.”

“Dane’s creator?” Christian growled.

“Yes, apparently she’s been in hiding these past three
centuries in France. She came out of hiding when she learned Dane had taken a
mate,” Ta’breyian replied, eyeing Marcus.

“Does he need reinforcements?” Marcus asked.

“No need, Dane’s befriended a pack of wolf shifters. I met
their leader, Dmitri. They’re a fierce lot, and quite fond of Dane and his
mate. I think they should be safe for the time being, at least while we deal
with Dorian’s coven.”

“That’s good, one less worry for the moment.” Marcus rubbed
his temple.

“Indeed,” Ta’breyian replied.

“He is well, though?” Christian knew their estrangement was
the reason Dane hadn’t come to him for help.

“Your brother is in good health.” Marcus gave him a knowing
look.

“On the other hand, I just met a beautiful brunette,”
Ta’breyian said. “And
she
didn’t look well.” He glanced at Christian.

“How did you—?”

“Maybe you should keep a better eye on her. It’s not good to
leave your mate in such a delicate state.” Ta’breyian gave him a scolding glare.

“How did you come into contact with my mate? Were you in my
room?” Christian snarled, taking a step forward.

“Easy, Christian,” Marcus warned.

“She wasn’t in her room. I found her leaning against the
banister. She said she needed blood.”

Christian took a deep breath as guilt washed over him for
leaving her when she needed him most. “I have to go.”

“Lena is with her now,” Ta’breyian called after him.

No matter how Emma might feel about him, Christian loved her,
and wouldn’t allow her to suffer if he could help it. He’d take care of her
needs even if being close to her brought him more pain.

Christian materialized outside the bedroom door and rested
his forehead against the wood frame. He felt so utterly conflicted. His
feelings for Emma had grown even stronger since their bonding, and the thought
of losing his mate left him feeling empty.

He opened the door and leaned against the jamb. Minutes
passed in suspended silence as he gathered the resolve to enter the room. Her
scent invaded his nostrils and he couldn’t help breathing it in deeply. His
body immediately responded, blood filling his shaft, causing his length to
strain against the fabric of his trousers.

“Shit, not now.” He cursed under his breath, hating how his lust
betrayed him.

“Christian?” Emma whispered.

“Yeah, it’s me.” He finally entered and closed the door, her
scent growing stronger as he approached the bed. The urge to take her was so
overpowering, he had to bite back a growl building in his throat.

“I’m sorry about earlier. The way I treated you, taking off…all
of it.” She sat up, gazing at him with worry in her eyes.

“Don’t be.” He ran his hand through his hair.

“I don’t understand what you mean by that.”

“What I mean is that I shouldn’t have mated you during your
transition. It wasn’t right,” Christian said with a shake of his head.

“Oh. Well, if it helps, I wouldn’t have wanted to go through
that experience with anyone but you anyway. It’s just that…”

“It’s just what?” He moved closer to the bed.

“My feelings scare me sometimes. I haven’t felt this way
about anyone before. It’s always been really hard for me to trust enough to let
someone in, especially after my parents’ deaths.”

“What do you want deep down, Em? Do you want me or not? Tell
me now, because if you don’t want me, I’ll not force a life with you.” He
closed his eyes.

“I want you,” she whispered.

“Are you sure? Because your actions earlier betray your words.”

“Yes…I need you.” Her voice caught.

He sighed. “That’s not the same. But don’t worry. I’ll take
care of you.” He started to remove his clothes, his body trembling at the
thought of being inside her again.

“You’re still upset.”

How could he not be? She left. Almost got herself killed.
Yeah, he wasn’t happy. He closed his eyes. “I need some time, that’s all…”

“You don’t have to be here right now if you need space.”

“If I wanted space I wouldn’t have come.”

“That’s not what I meant. I just thought…”

“It’s not my wish to give you up, Em.” He sat on the bed
next to her.

“I couldn’t bear it if you did.”

“Ssshh,” he whispered, pulling her against his chest. She
wrapped her arms around him tightly and began to cry. Pain sliced through him,
leaving him starved and desperate for her.

“I didn’t mean to hurt you,” she wept, “I swear it.”

“Don’t cry.” He brushed her hair away from her face. When
their eyes met, he leaned in to give her a gentle kiss.

Once their lips touched, the flood gates opened. He deepened
the kiss. She moaned. Her arms glided up his chest and locked around his neck,
drawing him closer. There was nothing he could do to stop the instincts
erupting through his body.

Their tongues thrust and moved slowly at first, then faster
with each mingling sweep. Pleasure tore through him as he felt her fangs extend
and scrape against his. He eased her down on the bed and climbed on top of her.
Mine
roared possessively through his brain as he covered her with his
powerful frame.

“Yes,” she hissed when he tore the cotton material away to
expose the soft swells of her breasts. He leaned forward, capturing a taut
nipple between his lips, sucking it deep into his mouth. She moaned, arching
toward him. He released it and set upon the other rosy tip, feeling it pebble
into a hard point. He locked her wrists above her head, licking and tasting her
tantalizing flesh.

“I’m taking those off.” His voice was a raspy groan as he
released her wrists. He slid down the length of her body, removed the scrap of
lace between her thighs and pushed her legs open impatiently. He brought her
sex to his lips and licked her cream.

Emma gasped and shivered, her cries of pleasure whipping his
carnal instincts into a fevered frenzy. He slipped two fingers inside her wet
heat with a groan, as his tongue found and circled her clitoris. Her hips
bucked against his mouth, spurring him further. His thick erection pulsed as if
it had a heartbeat of its own.

“Bite me,” she gasped. “I want you to.”

“No, I can’t. You’re too weak for that,” he said against her
weeping flesh. The mere thought of his mate’s blood flowing down his throat
almost made him give in to her request. She fisted her hands in his hair,
holding him captive while he tongued her until he felt her body explode. He
licked greedily, even after her tremors subsided, refusing to release her sex
just yet.

“Oh God, you have to stop! It’s too much!” She writhed
beneath him. He held her thighs open with an iron grip as he continued to lash
her with strong sweeps until he felt another rippling wave pass through her
core. Then he flipped their bodies over so she straddled him.

“You need to feed.” He exposed his neck to her. She leaned
forward.

“I want you inside me first,” she panted into his ear.

He nodded. “Lift up.”

She raised enough for him to kick off his pants. When his
cock sprang free, she gripped the engorged head and rubbed it against her slick
entrance. He groaned loudly, grabbing ahold of her hips. “Easy, baby…” His body
jerked.

“It’s never been easy between us.” She guided him to her
entrance and slowly sank down until he was fully seated inside her. His whole
body shook from the intense pleasure of her clenching channel.

“No, it hasn’t. But you’re so ready for me, aren’t you?” he asked,
thrusting his hips in an upward motion that caused her to cry out.

“I’m always ready for that.”

He lifted his head and kissed her hard as she began to ride
him. Feeling her nails dig into his shoulders, he was overwhelmed with
pleasure. He clasped her hips and pumped over and over again. Her walls began
to tremble and he knew she was close. He felt his balls draw up tight as his
shaft thrust until he found the spot that brought her the most pleasure.

“Now, Em! Drink from me!” he bellowed.

She leaned closer without hesitation, piercing his flesh.

His back bowed and he roared loudly as his seed shot deep
inside her channel. He shuddered with each spasm while her body remained
wrapped around his and he held her close. She continued to drink at his vein as
he lay on his back, enjoying their intimate connection.

A few minutes later she released his neck and her lips came
down on his. The taste of his blood was nothing short of intoxicating. God, she
made him crazy. There were so many different facets to this female that set her
apart from the rest. He hoped their relationship would grow and her fears would
vanish over time. Her breath brushed lightly against his skin as he wrapped his
arms around her in a tight embrace. He stroked the smooth contours of her back,
enjoying the moment. The peacefulness of it.

Something they hadn’t had between them before.

Emma nuzzled his neck, licking the wounds she’d made, and
was surprised to see them close. The afterglow of their lovemaking filled her
with warmth. It was going to take a while to get used to the new and improved
Emma Hayes, but the idea wasn’t as traumatizing anymore.

I want this…

“Do you feel better?” Christian’s deep voice simmered with
barely checked emotions she could tell he was trying to conceal.

“Yes,” she said softly.

“You should rest.” He continued to run his fingers lightly
along her back. His semi-hard erection was still buried inside her warmth.
Neither made an attempt to separate their bodies and she didn’t want to.

It’s was nice to be so close to him. It felt safe. Part of
her wanted to stay right here and forget the events unfolding around them,
forget her painful past and just be here in the moment with this man who held her
heart. And who she had undoubtedly fallen head over heels for. That part made
her nervous.

“I feel like I don’t deserve you. This is such new territory
for me.” She kissed his shoulder and snuggled closer.

There was a heavy sigh, then silence. Her stomach began to
churn with anxiety over his unspoken reservations. But what did she expect,
after everything she’d put the poor guy through?

Her lower lip trembled and the sting of tears had her
blinking quickly to keep them from spilling down her cheeks. Emma didn’t do
vulnerable well. She stole a glance at his face. His eyes were closed and she
could feel his uneven breathing. God, her feelings for this male were
intensifying. Somehow he had unlocked her heart and soul.

“I sense your anxiety, Em. It’s like a thick blanket
surrounding us. What is it?”

He lifted her, pulling out of her warmth and sitting up. The
loss of their connection made her sad. She rolled onto her back. “It’s
nothing.”

“I already told you I wasn’t going to force anything between
us, so there’s no need for you to feel anxious around me.” He pulled away
completely.

“I wasn’t anxious about this or us.” His words stung,
leaving her feeling confused and hurt after what they’d just shared.

“We should take this slow and you really need to consider
what you want.” His cell rang and he found his pants, retrieved it from the
pocket and answered it. “I’ll be there in a few minutes. Let me get dressed.”

“What’s wrong?”

“There’s need for me elsewhere. The blood I’ve given you
should be enough to hold you at least for now. I’ll be back later.” He stabbed
his legs into his pants.

“Wait a minute.”

“Think about what I said.” He disappeared.

“Damn it!”

She fell back against the pillows and realized there was no
more pain.Emma climbed out of bed, feeling relieved the dizziness afflicting
her earlier had passed. In fact, she felt pretty good. More like her old self
again. She got up and dressed in clothes Marcus’ guards had brought back from
the safe house, closed her eyes and traced just outside the bedroom, figuring
it best not to push her luck. She slowly opened her eyes. The soft glow of
lights downstairs on the main floor drew her attention.

When she approached the stairs, the atmosphere changed. Her
senses tingled. There was tension in the air, a lot of it, like a rubber band
stretched too tight and ready to snap.

Emma ran down the stairs to find the main floor empty.
Where
is everyone?
She rounded a corner and traveled down a long corridor. The
sound of many male voices could be heard at the end of the hall, behind a set
of double doors. She paused to listen.

“I sense it’ll not be much longer until Dorian’s forces are
upon us. My thought is that we not wait for them to attack us here. Instead we’ll
strike first.” She heard Marcus’ calm voice, and the sound of a sword being
unsheathed. A sea of angry growls grew in volume as all agreed in unison, like
the sound of a football team preparing to go out on the field.

Emma gulped.
They’re preparing to leave.

She needed a weapon, and hoped Christian wouldn’t keep her
from the fight. She wanted Dorian to die at
her
hand and no one else’s. The
thought elicited a vengeful smile as she slowly moved away from the door. She
turned and fled to her room to wait for an opportunity to speak with Christian.
Hopefully he’d hear her out.