Light in Darkness Page 2

  Tonight, she was done waiting. Her heart would overflow with love and burst if she didn’t speak the words. Her shift was finally over. Overjoyed to see him again, she slipped out of the diner and hurried down the street.

  She felt eyes on her. A shiver travelled down her spine as she picked up her pace.

  Someone grabbed her wrist three blocks from home. She turned and was immediately relieved to find Pete staring down at her. “You need the truth, Ethyl.”

  The strange look in his eyes chilled her blood. She feared her brother for the first time. “What truth?” she whispered harshly

  “Your friend, he’s not right. He’s a demon. He’s using you. Drinking your energy. He’ll throw you away the moment you think you’re safe with him.”

  More hate. For the hundredth time, she prayed her brother could finally see the positive in something. “No, you’re wrong.”

  “He’s probably an incubus, feeding off your lust, off your sex.”

  She shook her head and tore her wrist free. Anger washed through her in a tidal wave. “We’re not sleeping together.”

  Pete’s sneer dropped as his mouth fell open. “You haven’t? You spend all evening, every evening, together!”

  “Talking. Getting acquainted. Discussing books. Eating meals. Being friends. Something you’ve never had great success with.”

  “Then he’s something else. Doesn’t matter. He’s evil, he’s wrong, and worst of all, he’s using you,” Pete insisted.

  Defiant, she crossed her arms over her chest. “Unless you can show me evidence, you’re wasting my time. I need to get home.”

  She turned and started walking.

  Pete called to her retreating back, “He’ll hurt you if you stay with him. He’ll tear your whole world apart when the truth comes out. If you want to stay ignorant to the evils around you, turn away from him. He’ll bring you pain.”

  “I wish you could hear yourself,” she answered loudly, not bothering to turn. “You sound like a raving lunatic.”

  Thankfully, Pete didn’t follow.

  Ethyl’s night brightened when she found Jophiel leaning against her door with a single white calla lily.

  “Good evening, lovely. I thought perhaps we could stay in?” He pulled a takeout bag from behind him. “You seem to love foreign foods. I thought maybe Italian tonight?”

  A smile lit her face, and she hurried to him. He set the bag down and swept her into his arms for a kiss.

  * * * *

  “Dance with me?” Jophiel asked. He went to the stereo and put in a cassette. Mozart filled the room while he walked back to her. Taking her hand, he pulled her into his arms and an easy waltz.

  His pale green eyes held hers. She could get lost there, the one place she felt at peace. “I love you,” she whispered.

  Full lips curved into a radiant smile that blotted out her crummy little duplex. “And I love you, more and more every time I set eyes on you.”

  She remembered her friend telling her about reincarnation, and how true soulmates always found their way back together again. The hope in destiny had resonated with her.

  Smiling up at him, she asked, “Past lives included?”

  He nodded. “Do you remember any of them?”

  “Do you?” she asked with wide eyes.

  “Every detail is etched into my soul.”

  “Why is it hazy for me?”

  “Because death takes your memories. You always get them back, but it takes time.” Tears filled his eyes, and he pressed his forehead to hers. “You are my heart, my soul, and always will be, Ethyl.”

  “You don’t die?”

  “Want to know a secret?” he whispered.

  She nodded.

  Stepping back, he held out his arms. White wings splayed out behind him. A glow started at his heart, radiating out until the room was bathed in light.

  “You are an angel!” Compelled, she walked toward him. Reaching out, she carefully touched the soft white feathers. She could almost feel them wrapped around her. Then he pulled her close and cocooned her in their embrace.

  “You always come for me, don’t you?”

  “Always, my love. Always.”

  “You have my heart, take my body,” she whispered against his lips before kissing him.

  “I’ll cherish you.” He wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her off her feet before carrying her to the bed. Setting her down, he pulled his wings away and they disappeared.

  His fingers caressed her face, delving into her hair as he took her mouth in a kiss. Once she was breathless, he pulled back and swept her shirt over her head.

  “Always so lovely.” He placed his hand over her thumping heart. “You have always been a gorgeous woman, but this is what makes you beautiful, Ethyl.”

  She melted under his touch, and he guided her down, onto the bed, before slowly removing his clothes. His gaze never left hers, even as he pulled her skirt down her legs with her pantyhose and underwear. Then he removed her bra with tender motions.

  Rolling to her side, he pulled her against his long, hard body. She traced her fingers up each ridge of his abdomen before splaying her hand over his heart. “I’ll hold your love forever, Jophiel.”

  “Always, my love.” He kissed her again, his hand caressing over her.

  Every touch sent ripples of pleasure through her. When his fingers slipped between her thighs, her breath caught. Understanding the significance of this moment, she felt a flash of shame.

  “No guilt for the past. You are always mine and I am always yours, but I can’t fault what comes before I finally find you again.”

  “If I’d known, Jophiel, if the memories had been clearer, I would have waited an eternity for you.”

  “Shh, you’re my everything. Now and always, and I can be a very patient man.”

  Like so many half-remembered dreams, she lost herself in his touch, his love, his essence.

  Her hand wrapped around his shaft, and he groaned, pulling back to look into her eyes again before lifting her leg over his hip and sliding slowly into her depths.

  Her heart expanded, filling immediately. Memories rushed back. His hair changed, but never his face, his skin, his stunning eyes. Jophiel was always the same, and always hers.

  As their bodies became one, she realized she’d always belonged in his arms. He lovingly thrust into her, building the pleasure as he worshipped her body with tender exploration.

  His eyes locked on hers as she started to spiral into release. He followed, his seed filling her.

  “Mine, now and always, my love.”

  “Always, Jophiel, always,” she promised.

  * * * *

  There was a bang, then a crash. Ethyl bolted upright.

  Jophiel caught her. “Shh, I’ll see what’s going on.”

  His head tilted as he yanked his pants on. Then his eyes widened before he threw his hand out. An orb of blinding light surrounded her.

  “You lied, Ethyl!” Pete yelled.

  Ethyl shouted, “Tonight was the first time we made love. How dare you!”

  Technically, that was not true. A dozen names spun through her head. Names he’d called her through her many lifetimes. Tears ran down her face. She couldn’t lose him now. They never had enough time.

  A gunshot rang out, then glass splintered. Jophiel caught Pete by the shoulders as his wings expanded. A piece of lead slammed into the windowsill as more shots were fired, all from outside, including the first.

  Terror pushed her into motion. She shot to her knees, but was held back by a wall of warmth. The glow increased.

  “Pete, look at me,” Jophiel commanded.

  He did, his eyes wide. “You’ll ruin Ethyl. They’ll kill my sister for this.”

  “HARP will never lay a hand on Ethyl. I’m sorry to do this.” He placed a hand on Pete’s face and white light erupted through the room before they both disappeared.

  Darkness engulfed her, then the silence bore down. There was a series of flashing l
ights from beyond the window before all went black. Tears filled her eyes. Climbing from the bed, she slipped into the closet to find clothes.

  Jophiel appeared beside her. “I’ve taken his memories for now. The others are far from here. You are safe, but I need you to do something for me, Ethyl. This is very important. Until I can find a way to change Pete’s mind, he can’t know where you are. I need you to take these keys, and drive. There are directions taped to the steering wheel. I’ll join you in a matter of days. First, I need to help Pete see the light.”

  “Will he live?”

  “I will not harm him. I swear to you, I will do everything in my power to bring him back to you. I love you with every ounce of my essence. You must believe me.”

  Tears spilled down her face. “I do. I’ll go. You’ll come for me. You always have.”

  “Be safe, my love, until I come to you once again.” He pressed a gentle kiss to her lips and disappeared.

  * * * *

  A year later, Ethyl bounced Lincoln on her shoulders. Her boy was getting so big already. Tears flowed down her face. She missed Jophiel day and night, but she had a piece of him in her arms.

  Jophiel made love to her once, then disappeared from her life. Leaving her with the most precious gift she’d ever received.

  Never before had Jophiel given her a child. Not once in her many lives. He’d never managed to save her.

  There was a tentative knock on the door. She prayed Jophiel was there to take her away and finally spend an entire lifetime with her before she was taken from him.

  She opened the door to find Pete.

  He’d lost weight and wore a haunted expression on his face. His skin was pale. A blood-tinged tear slipped down his cheek. “He never came, did he?”

  Ethyl shook her head.

  His unnaturally dark eyes landed on her boy, and what little color he had drained from his face. “It can’t be.” His gaze snapped to hers. “It can’t be!”

  “What are you talking about?” she pleaded.

  A tormented look twisted his features as more tears fell down his face. “He fell to save me, but I’m not saved. I’m damned to hell, and there’s no going back.”

  The first rays of dawn rose above the mountains and a pained yelp burst from Pete as smoke rose from his collar. A sob escaped his lips. “There’s one way to give you both a chance. You deserve that, Ethyl. A chance at love.”

  Before she could ask him to explain, he walked into dawn’s early rays. Smoke wafted from his body. She didn’t make two steps before he wailed, “He fell to give me back to you, but it was too late.” The wind blew Pete’s ashes away.

  Her heart was battered, but still beat for her precious son. “One day your daddy will come for us. Even if he has to crawl from the pits of hell, he’ll come for us. Jophiel always does.”

  Chapter 1

  Desire coursed through Victoria’s veins as she found herself moving silently toward Lincoln’s open bathroom window. The call of the running shower was impossible to resist. She pulled the shadows around herself as she stepped behind a tree and peered through the darkness. Water cascaded over Lincoln’s hard body in rivulets.

  A work of art before he started training at Jamie’s gym, now he was a masterpiece. His lean body had filled out, coffee and cream skin an exotic contrast to pale green eyes and a splash of freckles. He’d transformed from beautiful young man to masculine perfection in recent months.

  His big hands caressed over his muscled chest, spreading tantalizing suds. Victoria wanted to stand under the spray and take over washing the man she craved.

  One hand smoothed down his ribbed abdomen as he leaned back against the tiled wall. His fingers wrapped around his thick, hardened length.

  What a gorgeous sight he made, stroking his mouthwatering erection. His head fell back as his eyes slid closed, his stomach and hips worked in carnal synchrony with his powerful strokes.

  Need pounded through Victoria, urging her to slip through the window and take over the slippery dance. Such pleasure she wanted to bring Lincoln.

  Her name left his lips as he spilled his seed. Guilt tempered her desire and she turned to climb over the stone wall separating her property from his.

  Closing her eyes, Victoria leaned against the barrier and breathed deep. The moment she’d become aware of Lincoln as a man played through her head.

  Lightheaded, Victoria stood after sucking silver-poisoned blood out of Slater’s new mate, and giving Jess her own blood to help heal the wound.

  Lincoln caught her before her knees gave out. He gave her a radiant smile that warmed through her soul. His pale green eyes seemed to glow as her weakness dissipated. “You saved Jess,” he murmured.

  She was lost in the beautiful orbs as her strength returned. “Couldn’t let Slater lose the one who makes him happy.”

  “You’re a true friend. You two were—close.” Was that a flash of jealousy in his eyes? “You ensured his happiness.”

  Her eyes widened. The last thing she wanted was for Lincoln to think she still desired Edenton pack’s alpha. Lincoln had the potential to steal her heart. He’d always been shy but when he looked into her eyes, something sparked, igniting a desire she wasn’t expecting.

  She couldn’t resist reassuring him she was single. “Oh, we’re friends, always that, never more.”

  A shrewd look crossed his face, but faded quickly. “You okay now?”

  She thought about it a moment, and realized that yes, her strength was back. Faster than it should have been after giving so much blood. Had he done something? He always seemed human.

  The pulse in his jugular pulled her attention, but she blinked and looked away as a hunger she hadn’t felt in years took over. Not for blood, but for the man Lincoln would become. Before she could give in to temptation she quickly replied, “I need to go. Make sure she’s okay, for me.” Victoria disappeared.

  Sitting by the fire, Declan looked up from his book as she stepped inside her home. Victoria had invited him to move in after being made into a Shadowstalker. She was his self-proclaimed OBA sponsor. OBA stood for Others Blood Anonymous, an inside joke between them. Vampires could become addicted to blood from anything not human. Both their masters had been, and she wanted to prevent him from the same pitfalls she’d encountered in the beginning.

  Humor danced through his emerald eyes. “Watching him again?”

  The guilt deepened. “I shouldn’t.”

  “No. Might I suggest actually talking to him?”

  “So I can corrupt him?” She shook her head. “No, he’s innocent, Dec. And I’m sin incarnate. He’s pure light and I’m shadows and evil.”

  “Evil?” he balked. “Victoria, I’ve seen evil. You may not be a saint, but you’re a generous woman who deserves happiness as much as anyone else.”

  “You don’t know my past. I haven’t always been this… civilized.”

  “Yet, somehow I doubt you were ever as horrible as you try to claim. You want him, go after him.”

  She couldn’t. He was a man, and if he wanted her, he needed to choose that for himself. He had yet to approach her, to say even a single word to her. Perhaps she was only a fantasy to him.

  Her laugh was bitter. “It would be different if he came to me. He may be taunting me, trying to get me to make the first move, but I won’t ruin his innocence. I can’t even begin to count the men I’ve been with over my long life.”

  Declan shifted, sitting forward to give her a stern look. “Sex won’t ruin that young man. Even from a woman with your experience. You clearly feel more than lust. I’ve seen you on the prowl for sex. What you desire from him is far more.”

  “He’s too young.”

  “No, inexperienced perhaps. He’s a man. I’ve seen him watch you. Let him decide what he wants.”

  Looking down, she twisted her hands with a sigh. “He doesn’t know better. Besides, he doesn’t have the confidence to approach me. I certainly won’t prey on his misguided desire. I don’t want to d
iscuss Lincoln.” Hoping to redirect, she smiled at him. “How are Fallon and her babes?”

  A genuine smile spread on Declan’s face. “My daughter is healthy and happy. She’s growing round with two perfect babies. She found an amazing man who wants nothing more than to take care of her. And my son has finally found something real that makes him happy. It’s all I can ask for.”

  Victoria nodded. “They’re lucky to have you.” She felt the pull of hunger and considered going out to drink. There was one person’s company she craved, one she could never set her fangs into. “Have a good evening, Declan. Don’t concern yourself with me.”

  * * * *

  Lincoln felt Victoria creep away as he came down from his climax. Disappointed once again, he slid down the wall and let the warm water wash over him.

  She loved to watch, but never stayed. Was moving next door not enough to signal his interest? He gave her a show nearly every night, and she hadn’t done a thing about it. Maybe he needed to suck it up and approach her.

  A month had passed and he had yet to come face-to-face with the one woman guaranteed to get his blood pumping. She seemed to be avoiding him. Clearly she liked what she saw, but all he’d gained was a familiarity with his body he previously lacked.

  With a groan, he climbed to his feet and shut off the shower, then stepped out to towel off. He felt foolish for the game he insisted on playing. There had to be a better way to get her attention.

  Every time he tried to approach her, his feet froze and his words dried up. With this one exception, starting conversations was no longer a problem for him. Lately, he was comfortable and found himself gaining true friends.

  He hoped to invite her to dinner at his house that night. Not that she could eat. As a vampire, she lived off blood. Still, she went out often, and he was going to invite her to join him and his friends.

  Dacia flat out told him she wouldn’t do it for him. That he was the host, and so he should be the one to call. Or better yet, show up at her door and ask.