Darkness Binds Page 6

  Before he could blink, he was on his back, her straddling his hips as she took him in. “No more waiting, Brent.”

  The quick fuck on his desk wasn’t enough. She needed more. Later, they could have foreplay, teasing, tasting, whatever. At the moment, she needed Brent.

  He rolled her over, pinning her down, breaking the kiss. Flames flickered in the deep blue of his gaze. “Bite,” he commanded.

  “Again?” she gasped.

  “Yes.”

  “Why?” she whispered.

  “I want the boundaries to come tumbling down. With your teeth in me, we connect on a deeper level. I crave that with you.”

  Her breath hitched. She couldn’t argue with that. His magic humming through her while he moved in and out of her body was more powerful than any other experience.

  She struck. He groaned, then started to move in slow, powerful thrusts that drowned out every thought as he crushed her to the mattress. Moving with him, she let him have control while she drank him down.

  His only thoughts were of passion and desire, fueling her own. She caressed up his body as she pulled on his vein. Their bodies moved as one. She felt him everywhere.

  “Amelia,” he murmured, his breath in her hair.

  Caressing his sides and back, she urged him on as the climax built. They came together. She released her hold on his throat and pierced her tongue to seal his wound with her blood.

  Rolling to her side, he looked into her eyes. She turned toward him and ran her hand up his abdomen to cover his heart. “No going back.”

  Hope and love stared back as his lips curled into a smile. “I’ll hold you to that.”

  “Still afraid I’ll leave you at the first sign of trouble?”

  “Oh, we’re over our heads in trouble.” He flopped back.

  * * * *

  Glamour would be a must. One vampire in that room would want him dead if he had any idea who he really was. And he wished he had killed him, only he hadn’t been there when Toryn and Reance rescued him. Drummond had been in and out of that cavern. Hopefully, Brent could keep up the persona of Brendan anytime they were around the vampires.

  Would Drummond recognize him now? Did they have any idea he’d escaped?

  And now Brent was fairly sure what was happening to those being abducted. They became the blood supply for all the lesser vampires in the cult, living within the confines of the group. Those on their own, or the higher ones would have their own supply, but most of them didn’t.

  The old vampire covens kept blood slaves the same way. However, most of those groups were careful about how they took people, or they were so remote, that it was a well-kept secret.

  Why here? Why now?

  Amelia sat up, facing Brent. The weight of her stare brought his eyes open.

  “What the hell is going on in your head? You’re so cut off right now I’d have to sink my fangs to figure it out.”

  One corner of his mouth pulled up briefly. Then he shook his head. “Sorry. I know who Eamon and Drummond are.”

  “You’ve met the vampires?” Amelia asked.

  “I’ve never spoken to Drummond, but I have seen him. Tales of Eamon scare the abyss out of me, even now. He’s not your average vampire.”

  Her head cocked. “How do you mean?”

  “Neither of them are mundane vampires, or Shadowstalkers. They’re older than that. Both retained some of their magic from their lives.”

  “We don’t retain our magic,” Amelia answered.

  “No, but Eamon is the first vampire, and Drummond was his second in command in life, making him one of the oldest. There are theories.” He sat up and blew out a breath. “Eamon was Crom Cruach’s chosen. His family died around the time he became a vampire. Drummond was one of his first fledglings. He brought many of his military over when he took the throne.”

  Amelia shook her head. “Isn’t Crom Cruach some old Irish god?”

  “More like a demon, or otherworldly entity. He was always powerful, feeding off the sacrifices to him. Eamon’s father had been the first wolf warrior, a battle-hardened druid. His wife was more healer. Their son had both capabilities evenly, which is almost unheard of in druids. Eamon commanded his father’s army, until he finally killed him and took the throne. The stories surrounding his family’s death are shrouded in mystery. Some believe his wife summoned Crom Cruach, which meant she was a powerful sorceress. Something went wrong with the ritual, and instead of housing Crom, he took on some of his essence, creating the first vampire. Eamon kept the worship of Crom Cruach going until Saint Patrick stopped that. His vampires moved around after that.”

  Amelia held up her hand, shaking her head. “So the oldest ones, the ones with the least diluted blood kept their magic or powers?” Amelia asked.

  “Exactly. As more were created, and the blood became diluted, it happened less and less frequently. Though I understand that Eamon and his first round of fledglings can give power with their blood. You may wind up with some if you impressed Eamon half as well as I know you did.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “He may expect you to drink from him or one of fledglings.” And Brent truly hated that idea.

  She nodded, a hint of fear in her eyes.

  Brent continued, “The vampires who held me, they were followers of Eamon. Drummond had come to the cavern many times. His blood bound was the woman who captured me. Inuala. They had hoped that drinking my blood would give the less powerful vampires magic. My blood drove most insane. The more they drank, the crazier they became. They lost their minds as the spirits took over their bodies.”

  “Are you worried I’ll fall prey to the spirits?”

  He shook his head. “No, because I can help rid you of any who sneak in. And I believe I protected you enough when I tore Daloisha from your body.”

  “That’s when I saw the flames flicker in your eyes the first time. Why does that happen?”

  Half a laugh escaped. “Depends. Passion, unleashing my magic, anger. So many things. Why are you changing the subject?”

  “Thinking this through. Everything is related, is it not? The blood cult kept you captive for how many years?”

  “Five? Give or take. Reance kept me in Faery for several years to attempt to help me get a handle on the Faery side of my magic by then.”

  Her head tipped slightly. “What are you then?”

  “A mutt.” He snorted. “My ancestors range from sorcerers, to the most powerful Fae. I have a mixed bag of tricks, though unlike my parents, my strongest abilities are tied in with spirits. My talents seem to amplify each other. Which is why I wasn’t sacrificed to Crom Cruach, and instead used to power the rituals.”

  “Think they could succeed in bringing Crom Cruach back?”

  “Possible, yes. Tomorrow, before you wake, I plan to go to Edenton and see if Tremaine has any hidden information about Crom Cruach, Eamon, or any of the other vampires in Eamon’s care. I’ll see if I can find out more about the cult, and perhaps, we will be a few steps closer to stopping everything once you wake.”

  “Wish I wasn’t limited by the sun in what I can do.”

  “You’re our way in. Without you, we couldn’t get close. Though, tomorrow, he may try to drink from you. You’ll need to shield your thoughts, your memories, from him.”

  “How?” she whispered.

  “We’ll work on that tomorrow. After you wake. Right now, I want to enjoy you, until dawn.”

  She dropped down beside him and kissed his chest while trailing her fingers down his torso. “I plan to enjoy every inch of you.”

  Chapter 8

  Brent woke in Amelia’s embrace. He’d stayed up with her until her body died for the day. Then he slept a few hours.

  Time to get answers. After a shower and food, he drove out to Edenton. Tremaine Gallagher had a stockpile of books, recorded histories, things Brent didn’t have access to. Though Brent did have a few things Tremaine couldn’t get his hands on.

  They were
both collectors of knowledge and often traded when the opportunity came up. He hoped like hell Tremaine had written histories of Crom Cruach, the cult, Eamon. Anything that could help them find some clue of where to find those involved.

  And while he was there, he planned to contact Consuela to see if she had any idea how to contact Gaius. Worst case, maybe Robert would. Though he wasn’t sure how much he wanted to share with the mages just yet. Would they pull them both from the case, knowing Brent’s history?

  Then again, going to see Tremaine meant that Robert would know sooner or later. Shit, maybe going to them from the start was the better choice.

  He drove while he sorted out his options. First stop, A Good Book to see Tremaine. He owned the shop with Liz.

  Luckily, Tremaine was at the counter. One hurdle down. Brent walked over. “Have someone else here to take over? I need to talk to you.”

  “Sure, let me grab Liz.”

  “Does she have little Wilhelm with her?”

  “Mmm, and if she puts him down, he’ll wake up cranky.” Tremaine ducked down the hall.

  Brent followed, but stayed out of the office.

  Tremaine stepped out a few minutes later, followed by Liz.

  She passed with a smile. Wilhelm had a head full of curls of different shades, like his mother. In fact, his tiny hands were wrapped in her hair.

  “Morning, Liz.”

  “Hey, Brent. Don’t get my man in trouble. You won’t like me if you do.”

  “I’m not dragging him into anything. I need information I’m hoping he has.”

  “In that case, me too,” Tremaine answered.

  Chuckling, Brent stepped into the storage room with Tremaine and shut the door. “Happen to have anything on Crom Cruach, or maybe the first vampire?”

  “Eamon Mac Domhnaill?”

  Brent nodded.

  “Not many know the origin story of vampires.”

  “Yeah, well, I heard the stories while I was a blood slave for a cult dedicated to Crom Cruach. I hadn’t laid eyes on Eamon until last night, and then only his shoes, while Amelia had a very interesting conversation with him.”

  Tremaine shook his head. “Why the fuck would you choose to do that? Are you crazy?”

  “Would you rather a bunch of vampires summon something that would destroy this world? I understand what Crom Cruach would do to our planet is even worse than the dreaded Blood Dawn.”

  “Depends on how you look at it, but I see your point. Really think written records will help on this front?”

  “Anything could help. I want to find something to stop Eamon from resummoning Crom Cruach before Amelia gets sucked in too far to pull herself out.”

  “You two form a blood bond?”

  Brent nodded. “Which ups the stakes, considering if Drummond figures out who I am, this whole thing will go sideways.”

  Tremaine rubbed at his face. “You have a couple options. Most permanent would be Fallon’s work, if she can work such a spell. Have her give you the ward to keep a vampire from compelling you, and see if she can extend that to blocking all your thoughts. If not, I’m positive Declan can create a piece of jewelry.”

  “I was planning to stop by both shops before going home. Amelia won’t have time for a tattoo, so I’ll get her jewelry. Besides, she has one of Fallon’s tattoos, and I sensed magic on her belly ring.” Brent rubbed at his neck.

  “Tell me it’s not the age that’s bothering you.”

  “A little, but I’m more concerned with visions I’ve had.”

  Tremaine shook his head. “Get out of that line of thought. The future can change, and she’s made her choice if she traded blood with you. The equation of your ages means nothing in the end.”

  “Hard to forget visions I’ve had most of my life, but I can’t think about the end. I want to enjoy the present.”

  “You deserve to be happy, and fate rarely works the way we expect. Look at Robert, Liz, and me.”

  “Good point,” Brent answered.

  Tremaine smiled. “How about you talk to Fallon or Declan. I need to make a trip out to get the books. I’ll find you when I get back.”

  “Sounds good. And thanks.”

  “I want to know what you know when I hand them over.”

  Brent backed up a step. “You can’t tell Robert. It would take too long for him to find someone else to replace me, and I’m not letting Amelia go alone. You and I both know she won’t stop now that she’s involved.”

  “Good luck with her.”

  “I may need it.”

  Tremaine’s brow pinched. “You saw something really bad, didn’t you?”

  “Yeah. But it doesn’t change what I feel.” He sighed. “I’ll see you later. And thanks.”

  “Anytime. And Robert will never hear a word from me on this. But you should tell him, before he finds out.”

  “The only thing I want to keep hidden is my time in their cult. Robert would pull me out, worried they would figure out who I am. I’m not leaving Amelia unprotected.”

  “How worried should we be?”

  Brent lifted a shoulder. “Between glamour and this enchantment, if it’s possible, I’ll be fine. And I’m going to teach Amelia how to block mind magic. All forms.”

  “Can a vampire?”

  He nodded. “Believe so. Takes practice. Besides, with the blood bond, there is a good chance she got some of my ability. Either way, a strong mental shield can be achieved by even the most mundane human. But honestly, she has something in her blood from before. Something dormant. Probably too far back and forgotten. Doesn’t matter. I can still teach her.”

  “I’ll see you before long.”

  * * * *

  Two hours later, Brent sat in Fallon’s chair. He already had a new ring for him and one for Amelia. Fallon was working Amelia’s name on his inner wrist in the water language his father taught him.

  Tremaine walked in with several tomes. “Happen to read the Irish language? The old version?”

  Brent nodded. “I do, thanks to my mother, an old Irish midwife.” Regret ran through his veins like ice water. There was still so much Amelia didn’t know. Like the fact he had two daughters and had a son that had died around twenty years before. He was a grandfather, though he’d never seen the girl because Tyrell wanted to protect them all from the darkness that hunted his wife’s family.

  His granddaughter would be around Amelia’s age. There was a conversation he dreaded.

  Would his children and grandchild bother her? And did he even want to touch the subject when she couldn’t have kids?

  Tremaine’s head cocked. “Didn’t know that. There isn’t much on record about your family.”

  “For good reason. The Dark Templar would have hunted me down, and every one of my bloodline if they had any idea of what I can do.” He glanced at Fallon, a druid who could weave powerful enchantments into her tattoos. Her artwork happened to be amazing, but he went for something simple that wouldn’t draw too much attention.

  One of Fallon’s scarlet brows arched. “Need some privacy for this?”

  “You’ll keep a secret, won’t you?” Tremaine asked with a smirk.

  “Always. Unless it’s something Brody needs to know,” Fallon answered.

  “The part I’m going to tell Tremaine about my own experience in this cult needs to stay quiet. The rest, well, I’ll need to share it with Robert and Preston.”

  “Trouble’s coming?” she asked.

  “Yeah, and if the cult encroaches on Edenton, it will be best to be prepared, but there are so many Others in Seattle right now, that may not become an issue.”

  “Spill it,” Fallon prompted.

  Tremaine nodded. “Yeah, I want to know how deep you and Amelia will have to dig in.”

  * * * *

  One more stop before Amelia woke for the night. Hundred to one, Zoe was stewing in her kitchen, looking through the notes he wrote yesterday, before kneeling in the presence of an ancient king with a penchant for blood.
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  Not to mention, the slimy fucker seemed to have his eyes on Amelia. And she’d have to play along to a degree, if they were going to learn a damned thing.

  After parking, he sat in the car, staring at the house. Last thing he wanted to do was bring trouble to her and her mate, but he may have no choice if the shit hit the fan.

  He took a deep breath, steeled his courage, and made his way to the door.

  Kellan opened the door with their daughter on his shoulder. “What in the abyss did you send Zoe that has her so worked up?”

  “Let me in and I’ll explain, because the investigation is a thousand times worse than I thought it was.”

  Zoe stormed into the living room and threw the door open. “Inside, and spell the place so no one outside hears.”

  “Nyla’s sleeping,” Kellan cooed, running his fingertips through the curly blond hair.

  Zoe shook her head. “No, that’s not the problem. I’ll remain calm because I know that something needs to be done, and no matter how I spin it, I can’t think of anyone more qualified.”

  Not to mention he was also in more danger than anyone else would be.

  “How worried should I be?” Kellan asked.

  “Toryn would have warned you if he didn’t have faith Amelia and I could get to the bottom of this story. He knows why I have to be involved and why no one can know it’s me.”

  “Then start explaining,” Zoe demanded.

  He did. Everything from the time he was taken, through when Reance broke him free. Then tacked on what had happened at the club the night before and some of the stuff he read before leaving Edenton. He had those books in the car, ready to devour once he got home.

  Zoe leaned forward, her elbows on her knees. “And there is nothing I can do to help?”

  “If we disappear for too long, tell Toryn. You’ll need his help.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “Not just him?”

  “No. He’ll bring reinforcements if needed. He already knows.” Brent had made that call on the way. He figured Reance would want to know, considering both Toryn and Reance had helped him escape Eamon’s vampires two hundred years before.