Jade frowned when Titus stretched out on the bed next to her without saying a word or trying to even hold her. She slowly turned her head toward him to find him lying on his back, his chest still rising and falling just as quickly as hers but his eyes were closed and relaxed.
She frowned when the minutes ticked by and his breathing evened out as Titus slipped into sleep so easily. She felt the cool air of the dark room chill her heated flesh and gently pulled the cover up and over her in an odd moment of loneliness. Jade spent the next thirty minutes forcing herself to become just as relaxed as he was and fall asleep.
Chapter 3
Dean stared down at the street below watching as Kane exited the building with the beautiful Skye and Aurora in tow. If Aurora wasnt already mated to Michael, hed swear the two Fallen belonged together. The way they loved each other so unconditionally reminded him of things he had long forgotten and it left him with a slight case of melancholy.
Had he ever been like them or had he been born as cold and hard as he felt right now? Dean sighed not wanting to search his own soul in fear of the answer. Hed made up his mind a long time ago to become what he was now in order to protect those with softer hearts and he refused to regret that sacrifice.
He remained still when Skye turned and looked up at him as if sensing he was being watched. It was good that the boys instincts were so sharp he would need them to protect himself and the ones he loved in the coming days. He wished he had the time it would take to make sure Kriss and Skye became closer but his time was running out.
He felt a twinge of guilt and jealousy as he imagined Skye looking at Kriss the same way he looked at Aurora. He closed his eyes trying to stop the intrusive visual of them making love long after he was gone.
Hearing soft footsteps, Dean opened his eyes seeing Kriss in the reflection of the window as he approached from the kitchen and quickly hid his inner turmoil. Kriss hadn't said a word when the two younger Fallen had announced they were going with Kane to visit Michael but he could see the worry in his lovers eyes. He had always been able to read Kriss so well and was glad Kriss did not have the same ability.
Its a good thing Kane is chaperoning them tonight, Kriss mused coming up behind Dean. Do you think he can handle Michael if he begins to lose control?
Dean cocked an eyebrow, not really sure what the answer to that question was. Tell me, do you remember when we went head to head with Kane before Syn intervened and tossed us off the roof of that building like rag dolls? He watched as Krisss lips thinned at the memory.
Yes, Kriss slid his arms around Dean and placed his chin on Deans shoulder. I am aware that Syn probably saved us from a serious hurting that night.
Dean hardened his voice so Kriss would be sure to listen. Then you will agree with me when I tell you that we need to stay out of Michaels way for now. I trust Kane to know what to do and if he needs back up, he can always call on their father. Dean leaned back into Kriss embrace enjoying the moment of peace it gave him.
Hey Kriss, Tabatha called from the kitchen where she was empting the dishwasher. Your kitchen is like an immaculate maze. Where do you keep your salad spoons?
Kriss pressed his lips against the most sensitive part of Deans neck just under his earlobe and tightened his arms as a thank you for letting Tabatha visit for a while. He lifted his eyes back to their refection catching sight of the shiver his lips had caused and took a step back.
Coming, he called out over his shoulder and forced himself to turn and head toward the kitchen.
Dean watched him go with a soft smile on his face but the expression faded as soon as Kriss was out of sight. Gritting his teeth, he looked down at his throbbing arm. It was getting harder and harder to fight the pain but in truth, he was surprised hed lasted this long without giving himself away.
Pushing the sleeve up, Dean frowned at the blackness that had formed there and hissed as the opening stretched and ripped open another inch of his flesh as if wanting him to see what was forming inside him before the edge of the wound narrowed.
If it had been a normal wound, it would have started out as an angry red gash that would probably be showing the final stages of healing by now. But this was no ordinary wound and there was a long black rip where the Demon Blade had penetrated him going in one side of his forearm and out the other.
As he stared down at the ugly wound, he noted that the blackness within was beginning to move around and grow stronger. He was losing the battle and he knew it. The black soul thriving inside him wanted to live but then, so did Dean.
He remembered the way Kriss had screamed at him, yelling about him taking on the Demon Blade and nearly getting himself killed. Kriss was still under the impression that if you were struck by the blade that you would go down in overwhelming pain immediately and he was right but only if the victim was human or at least tainted with human blood.
Hed lied to Kriss assured him that he was immune to the Demon Blade and since he was still standing, Kriss had believed him because he wanted it to be true. It calmed Deans soul just knowing that Kriss could no longer hide the love he had for him. His anger and worry had been a dead giveaway. Now it would all come to a quiet end. It would make Kriss stronger in the long run.
Dean was glad that Kriss had never been exposed to the real dangers of a Demon Blade during the demon wars since he hadn't arrived until the war was practically over. Because of that, Kriss didnt know what happened to a Fallen that had been struck by one he only knew what happened to the human victims.
Many Fallen had died from such an attack during the demon wars and Samuel had thrown the weapon intending for the blade to give Aurora a slow and painful death his final gift to the female Fallen that had betrayed him. The innocent Skye hadn't known the consequences of his actions when he tried to protect Aurora by swinging her around and presenting his own back to the deadly blade.
The boy would have paid the ultimate price and there would have been no coming back from it. He wouldnt regret saving Skye he wouldnt regret any of it.
Dean closed his eyes and jerked the cloth back down his arm to hide the evidence of the demon growing inside him. Hed been one of the few of their kind to survive the wound of a Demon Blade but it was only because of his strength, both physical and mental. He was captain of the royal guard and therefore had been trained to have the strength to withstand anything even the pain and influence of sharing his body with the soul of a demon.
The problem that concerned Dean the most was that the demons born from a Demon Blade were not newborns the weapon actually created tiny dimensional rifts inside the ones the blade was used against. In short, the Demon Blade allowed the souls of ancient demons to cross back over and be reborn into the human realm through the body of its victim.
The survival of a Demon Blade attack depended on whose soul was the strongest the victim or the resurrected demon. His soul had won the last time and the demon had died inside him tainting his own blood with the acidity of it but because of that hed became that much stronger.
Samuel had been one of the originals, among the first demons to take a breath of Earths air. These were powerful demons as they were spawned by the most powerful Fallen mostly royalty as it was the scientists of the royal bloodline that had created the rift between dimensions. Because of this, there was a very good chance the soul growing inside him was also an original.
Samuel had been one of the originals, among the first demons to take a breath of Earths air. These were powerful demons as they were spawned by the most powerful Fallen mostly royalty as it was the scientists of the royal bloodline that had created the rift between dimensions. Because of this, there was a very good chance the soul growing inside him was also an original.
Another pain shot up his arm and Dean grimaced when he felt his skin around the wound move in a sickening manner. It wouldnt be long now and he knew he needed to leave in order to save Kriss the horror of what was about to happen. As it stood now, his chances of surviving this were dwindling by the hour.
With a heavy sigh, Dean walked toward the kitchen and leaned against the doorway just watching Kriss and Tabatha pretend to sword fight with long wooden cooking spoons. The expression didnt show on his face but at the moment he was content. Kriss was stronger now than hed ever seen him and that was what mattered.
Kriss glanced up seeing Dean watching them from the doorway. He winked at Dean and gave him a bright smile before playfully whining, Will you please tell Tabatha to stop teasing me?
Not a chance, Dean said and approached the other Fallen. Ive got something I need to take care of so you and Tabatha have fun.
Locking eyes with Kriss, Dean slowly leaned forward and took possession of his lips in a searing, yet gentle kiss that lasted several seconds. Backing away, he took in Kriss dazed expression and etched it into his memory before nodding at Tabatha and leaving the apartment.
The two of them stood there staring at the place Dean had just been. His actions had startled Kriss to the point that he was speechless and Tabatha had a frown on her face.
What in the world was that? Tabatha asked softly having never seen Dean give such a soft display of affection. She hadn't known he was capable of it.
Kriss shook his head still in shock. I have no idea. He rubbed his arms where cold chills had just appeared like a bad omen and his chest constricted painfully. He started to go after Dean but Tabatha's voice gave him pause.
That was the sweetest thing Ive ever seen him do, Tabatha giggled then sighed. If I didnt know any better Id say you were making Dean a very happy boy. She elbowed him playfully.
Kriss blushed, feeling a little better when the strange sensation vanished. He hoped she was right. Feeling her watching him, he smiled and shrugged, Either that or Dean just didnt want to stick around for the vampire chick flick thats lying on top of the DVD player.
*****
Its huge, Aurora breathed when Kane stopped in front of a large beautiful house directly across the street from an enormous gothic looking church. Michael lives alone in there? Its so big too big for just one person. Isnt he lonely?
She slid a sideways glance at Skye wondering if he was remembering the small huts and tents they used to live in before their world had fallen apart. There had been no concept of a home in the demon world and she knew from Skyes memories that hed only known the cold darkness of a cave. Michaels house may be intimidating in size but she could already feel the warmth radiating from it.
Kane couldnt help but smile at the wonder that lit up Auroras eyes. He tilted his head and looked at the Victorian house as if hed never seen it before and decided that she was right it was kind of awesome looking.
Yes, Michael lives alone, but I lived with him up until a couple weeks ago. So did our brother Damon and a female werecougar named Alicia. Trust me, that house was far from lonely or quiet, he remarked but silently reminded himself that Michael had been living alone for the last forty years so maybe Aurora was on to something there.
Aurora made a slight face hearing Damons name mentioned. She still didnt trust the one named Damon after hearing him say something about having to kill Michael. It didnt matter if he could come back from the dead or not you just didnt talk about killing Michael around her. She found herself silently wishing it had been Damon shed tossed down the stairs instead of Kane.
Kane smirked hearing Auroras thoughts as clearly as if she had spoken them out loud. If she really knew Damon, she would probably rethink the idea of attacking him. Damon didnt care what gender his opponent was and all hell would have broken lose if hed thought Alicia was in danger. Nope Damon would not have been as gentle with her as he had.
Whos Alicia and why did everyone move out? Skye asked trying to keep his own curiosity hidden behind the question.
Kanes smirk widened knowing he was about to make Auroras day with the little story he was about to spin well, the Damon part of it anyway.
Alicia recently became Damons mate and shes one of the only people I know that can keep him in line. Actually, hes too busy watching after her to start trouble of his own. Its a funny story really. They just met a couple weeks ago and the first thing Alicia did was stab Damon in the heart with a stake and leave him for dead. Kane shrugged then tried not to laugh when Aurora turned wide eyes on him.
And now theyre mates, Aurora repeated questionably then bit her lower lip knowing when shed first met Michael shed made love to him then pushed him away from her and ran. But at least she hadn't tried to kill him.
Yes, love at first sight, Kane nodded with a sly smile. They moved into the building you so sweetly refer to as Sanctuary. He skipped the story behind him and Tabatha's meeting since it wasnt much better than Damon and Alicias story. With Tabatha and I being newly mated and Damon being somewhat of a loose cannon, we thought it best that we roommate with them so we could help Alicia keep an eye on him.
Auroras expression became softer, You look after your brothers dont you?
Kane actually felt a little embarrassed knowing the roles had been switched from time to time recently. Damon and Michael havent had the best history together with their sibling rivalry and all and I still fight the darkness myself. But I am the eldest so yeah I do try to look after them when theyre not busy looking after me.
He fleetingly thought about filling her in on the fact that Syn also watched after all of them but refrained. If Aurora held a grudge against Damon for his role in calming Michael down, then she would probably frown on daddy dearest recently killing him for almost leveling the subway.
As they moved toward the Victorian house, Kane narrowed his eyes wondering just how much trouble Michael was going to cause with his new infatuation with demon blood. He inhaled deeply and squared his shoulders deciding there was no time like the present to find out.
Reaching the front door, Kane knocked on the heavy wood and quickly shoved his hands into his pockets letting himself rock back and forth on his heels. This was going to be fun.
Aurora took a step forward then felt Skyes hand on her shoulder and looked up at him. Seeing that look of caution in his eyes, her lips parted remembering his warning about her not jumping Michael's bones the second she saw him. She made a face at Skye and took a step back, quickly rewarded when he removed the restraining hand and grinned.
Michael was standing in the library going through his collection of books. Hed started out only meaning to choose a couple of his favorites for Auroras enjoyment but when he heard a knock on the front door it snapped him out of the daze hed been in and he blinked realizing hed wound up in front of the shelves that housed the books on demons. He pushed the black leather book back in place and looked down.