Against her better judgment, she slid her fingers up to lace with his. He looked startled. His smile chased the dark shadows beneath his eyes. Just as quickly, it vanished. She raised her gaze, saw his curiosity and worry.
Hed probably never known the gut-wrenching grief, fear and desperation caused by losing everything he cared about. Thinking nothing, not even pure evil, could be as bad. Then finding out what happened before was a spin on a slow carousel compared to the rocketing slide into an oily blackness so deep her soul was a tiny light winking in the vast, empty space.
Her voice rasped like a nail file when she finally spoke.
It was like being sucked into a black depth, feeling evil invade every single pore. Trapped beneath this vile quicksand. No light, no hope, no way out, nothing but the sounds of your own screams echoing back at you, she whispered.
Damian squeezed her fingers, his jaw tensing. For a moment, turmoil flashed in his eyes as if hed had a taste of that particular darkness. Then it vanished.
Care for anything else?
Their grumpy waitress was back. She looked edgy, fidgety. Probably the end of her shift.
Hello? Like I said, need anything else?
Damian barely cast her a cursory glance. Give me the check and leave us alone.
The woman dropped a slip of paper. As she glanced at their linked hands, her mouth drew back in a disapproving sneer. Lips pulled back, revealing
Yellowed, razor-sharp teeth, like a crocodiles.
Startled, Jamie blinked. No, just teeth stained from nicotine. The waitress cast another censuring look as she walked off.
What was this?
Trembling, she withdrew her hand, trying to conceal her reaction. She fished into her pocket and threw a fistful of bills on the table.
My treat. Its getting late. I need to get home. But her legs felt wobbly. Why am I feeling like this? she said, rubbing her legs.
I know why. He glanced around and then reached for her hand. His touch was absolutely gentle. Jamie, its very bad. When Kane infected you, he poisoned you.
Disbelief filled her. His green eyes looked serious, his mouth tightened to a slash. He infected you with his bite, and the porphyry spell. The more dark magick you used, the faster it worked. The reason you feel so lethargic is "
He dragged in a deep breath. Your body is turning to stone. The craving for sugar is the first symptom. Youre eating for quick energy, but it wont last.
Sharp, intense silence dripped between them. The crowd chattering, clinking china, the clopping of horses hooves on the street and the roar of traffic were the only sounds. Then she laughed.
Mark told me you were a liar, but he never said Draicon were great spinners of fantasy.
Anger darkened Damians eyes. Your brother was the liar, little one. A dangerous liar. I know it must have been agonizing and terrifying when you lost him and thats why you ran away.
You killed him, she wanted to scream. Jamie bit her lip. She traced a small pattern in the sugar on the table. Did you hear how he died?"
I know how he died. He wasnt who you think he was, Jamie. When youre ready, Ill tell you what I know. I know it hurts to lose a family member.
You have no idea, she whispered.
A shadow crossed his face. I do, more than you realize. Damians green gaze roved around the room. His jaw tightened. We need to leave. Now. I feel it. Youre not safe here. You need to go home and rest.
Rest. The thought sounded lovely. Jamie got to her feet. Dismay filled her as Damian joined her.
Im coming with you. Consider me your guest. He offered her a roguish smile, filled with dark promise. Smooth, cool sheets, warm bodies curling next to each other as they tangled together in passion
Stop it! Jamie sprinted away, but he easily kept pace.
Havent you ever heard of a hotel? Or if you cant afford one, theres an animal shelter around. They take in strays, she grated out.
Six feet of muscled werewolf stared her down, until she was forced to blink and look away. Youre my mate, Jamie. Pack. Pack bands together. Its how we survive. I wont abandon you so get used to the idea of having me around for good.
Damian held her elbow, a courtly, old-fashioned gesture with a greater intent behind it. Trapped, his prisoner. Too weary to fight, she walked. As they crossed over to Jackson Square and neared the cathedral, he ground to an abrupt halt. A cruel, ruthless smile curved his lips.
Ah, I see an old friend. Stay here, he ordered, guiding her over to a park bench.
Grateful for the reprieve, Jamie sat. Interest sparked as she watched the Draicon stalk over to the doorway near where hed kissed her. The doorway was open. Odd, because that building was empty and
The hell with it. She didnt take orders.
Inside, dust and debris littered the empty room. Damian was standing in the far corner, crowding a short, elderly man in faded khaki trousers and a plaid short-sleeved shirt. She recognized him. The vendor who sometimes set up shop on the street near Café du Monde, sold fresh crayfish and then vanished before the police could order him away or question him about a permit.
Nice man, struggling to make a living after his shrimp boat had been washed away during Katrinas awful storm surge. Originally from Slidell, he
Jamie gasped.
Damian was picking the man up by his throat, shaking him like a rag doll. The vendor uttered a dry squeal. A dagger appeared in Damians hand. Horrified shock slammed into her as the Draicon thrust it into the mans chest. Then Damian flung him, dear God, flung him, across the room. The little crayfish vendors head hit the wall with a sickening crack.
He was dead.
A scream died in her throat. Only a strangled moan arose as Damian turned, saw her and sped to her side. He cupped her cheeks in his hands, searching her face.
Ah, Jamie, I wish you hadnt seen that.
Y-you killed him, she whispered.
Watch, Damian said quietly.
Before her eyes, the crayfish vendors body turned to ash. Gray ash.
He wasnt human. He was a Morph, disguised as a human.
But I knew him! Ive known him for a year now, I used to buy crayfish from him, he lives in Her voice trailed off. Jamie rubbed her arms, suddenly chilled.
The Morphs killed him, and one assumed the mans identity. This is the second one Ive killed today. I think the city is crawling with them, Jamie. Even people you know are really Morphs in disguise. Damian released her.
How do I know you arent one, as well?
He waved his hand and a dagger appeared in his palm. Damian handed it to her, hilt side first. Cut me. I bleed red, same as you. Not acid. The Morphs disguise themselves as humans, but they cant disguise their blood. Thats how I knew the vendor wasnt human. He bled acid.
Hedging, she studied the knife. Calmly, Damian held out his hand. Then she slashed his palm. He didnt even wince. Crimson droplets welled up, bright and viscous. Grimacing, she touched the fluid. Just blood. Fascinated, Jamie watched the wound slowly close.
Damian waved his hand and the dagger vanished. I suppose thats a good sign that you didnt take the knife and thrust it into my heart, he said with a wry smile.
The thought occurred to me, but I think it would take a steel drill bit to pierce your hide. Jamie leaned back against the doorjamb, suddenly weary beyond words.
The thought occurred to me, but I think it would take a steel drill bit to pierce your hide. Jamie leaned back against the doorjamb, suddenly weary beyond words.
His expression changed to concern. Taking her arm, he guided her out of the building. They went to her house, each step feeling as if she slogged through heavy mud. Finally she reached home. She unlocked the gate and he escorted her inside, taking the key and locking the gate. Damian pocketed the key and released her. Exhausted, Jamie headed for the courtyard and sat in one of the faded wicker chairs.
Approval flared on his face as Damian followed. He looked around, his hand resting on the redbrick wall. This is a good house. A safe house.
Jamie shoved out of the chair. Find yourself somewhere else to sleep tonight. Youre a Draicon, the ground should suit you fine. Dont howl at the moon. Youll wake the neighbors.
Howling at the moon is an old wives tale. I only howl when I want sex. So dont be alarmed if you hear me in the night.
Startled, she turned to find him offering a charming smile.
Howl at me all you want, Draicon, but youll have to force me to get me into bed with you again, she snapped.
I wont ever force you. Youll come to me. Soon, you wont be able to resist any more than I will, he said gently.
When wolves fly.
Damian followed her upstairs, but she ignored him. The bedroom door locked behind her. Jamie collapsed on the antique four-poster, clutching her pillow and staring at the yellowed ceiling. A cool night breeze drifted through the French doors open to the garden. She always hated this room with its dreary heaviness, but Mark had liked it so she left it alone.
Her body felt leaden. Was she turning to stone? Impossible. Its a trick to get you to trust him, so he can sleep with you again.
She hugged the pillow to her chest. Tears didnt come. They werent allowed. She hadnt cried since, wow, when?
One single tear, shed from guilt and shame when shed gone to Damians deathbed and saw him lying there. But real, honest, grieving tears?
Since the day her parents died. Since then she hadnt wept. Not even for all shed lost. And doubted she ever would again.
Small sounds barely audible to the human ear alerted Damian. He paused outside Jamies door. Hovering, he waited, instinct screaming to rush inside and hold her in his arms. Shed bite his head off. Tough Jamie didnt want him seeing her break down.
Her breath was hitching in little gasps.
He broke the lock and went inside. Damian switched on a small Tiffany lamp. The soft yellow glow illuminated a crimson room smothered in ponderous furniture. Much too serious for Jamie.
She needed a light, airy room, with sky-blue walls and whimsical furniture.
Approaching the four-poster bed more suitable for a royal monarch, Damian silently assessed his future mate. Asleep, she lay curled on her side toward him, her shoulder-length black hair mussed. Little snuffling noises came from her, but she shed no tears.
Such delicate features, the pointed chin, the impossibly thick lashes, nearly translucent skin and carved cheekbones and full, mobile mouth and pert nose. She looked so damn young.
Sadness had shone in those expressive gray eyes. Jamie might try hiding her emotions, but her eyes were mirrored pools. He saw himself in the reflection, the arrogant, supremely powerful Draicon who had so much to offer, but instead took so much away. More than her innocence. Hed stolen away her dreams of magick and power.
And in doing so, made her turn to dark forces.
Regret arrowed through him. He would make amends, but had to earn her trust first. Her spunk relieved him. Jamie hadnt lost her spirit or courage, two attributes shed need in the coming days.
The house was safest for Jamie. Hed felt the ancient, sturdy power. Someone long ago had put a strong shield on it to guard against anyone performing dark magick. Anyone wishing to hurt Jamie would have to drag her outside the structure.
The bed sank beneath his weight. Just to hold her, touch her, if only for a moment. Instinct lashed him to mate. A purebred Alpha, Damian could only procreate with Jamie. He needed her for his pack in New Mexico, ruling at his side.
But he pushed aside lust, brushing back a lock of hair from her pale face. So cold, damn, her skin was icy.
He stroked her forehead. He would save her, at any cost. She was his, and he always took care of his own.
A grim smile touched his mouth. Even if they didnt want saving.
Damian lay down, curled his big body next to her slender one and draped an arm about her waist. She moved back, snuggling against him as if relishing his heat.
He relished the feel of Jamies slender body. Heaviness flooded his loins. The erection reminded him of the relentless desire chasing him. Damian ruthlessly reined in his control and eased back. She was so slight, yet tough. Tainted from dark magick, yet innocence still clung to her.
Jamie whimpered in her sleep. A single tear leaked out of the corner of one eye. Deeply troubled, Damian chased it away with a kiss. Expecting a salty tang, he recoiled.
Pure, sweet confectioners sugar.
Growing dread gathered in his chest as Damian abruptly sat up. Its happening already. What the hell am I going to do?"
I will not let you die. You cant die like my family did. Ill do anything I can to stop this.
Rising out of bed, he left and quietly shut the bedroom door. Damian realized for the first time that he might be too late.
If he couldnt find the book, hed lose her.
Forever.
Chapter 3
Damian needed answers. His boyhood friend and adopted brother, Raphael Robichaux, could help. He whipped his cell phone out of his pocket, went to punch in Rafes number. His finger hovered above the keypad. Dialing for help. Help that never came for his family.
Oh merde, lets not go there. But it came back, all in a roaring flood. The phone dropped from his numb fingers to the couch.
Twelve years old, delirious with the power of his first change. Determined to hunt in the bayou. His father had ordered him to remain home. It wasnt safe. Morphs were on the hunt.
Damian wasnt afraid. Hell, he could defeat Godzilla himself. Annie begged him to stay. Im scared, Damian. Please dont leave me!
Hed told his little sister shed be fine, tucked her into bed with her favorite stuffed animal. Then escaped to the bayou and run with the night. Powerful. Draicon. Hunter. No Morph can harm me. Superwolf, mon ami.
Shortly after, the screams echoed in his mind.
Morphs had stormed into the mansion. Shifting back, his fear and grief scrambling his powers so he couldnt summon clothing by magick, hed run naked back to his house. Hed hammered his fists on neighbors doors, but theyd ignored his shouts for help. Cutting his feet on stones, praying hed make it, his bloodied feet slipping on the pavement, his breath a hot, stabbing agony. The scent of death had poured into his nostrils when hed bolted through the opened door. His father, on the floor, his body wrapped protectively about Damians pregnant mother. His brothers, dead. Annie, where was Annie?
He found her hiding beneath her bed. Blood splattered the stuffed dog still clutched in her thin arms. Horror and pain glazed her opened eyes. She was four years old. Hed held her broken body in his arms, rocking her and singing her favorite lullaby until he finally gathered strength to bury his family in the dark of night.