Caressed by Shadows (Rulers of Darkness Book 4) Read online

  That night at Dimitri and Kerstyn’s wedding had been a mistake. He thanked the great power above that he had come to his senses before they made love. Sonya had been ready for him. Hot and wet. And he had been a breath away from claiming her. No matter how hard he wished or prayed to forget their brief interlude, the memories would not leave him. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw her. Thoughts of her plagued his every waking hour while memories of their stolen moments together haunted his dreams.

  I can never have her.

  It was forbidden by vampire law for a Black Knight and a member of the noble house to be together. He recalled with perfect clarity her words that night after he pulled away, “You know we must banish these feelings.” Gazing up at him, she added. “Lust hinders proper thoughts.”

  His mind agreed, but his body rebelled, compelling him forward. Before he could think of what he was doing, he stood before her, a mere embrace apart.

  “We cannot happen,” he said. “This cannot happen.”

  “No,” she sighed on a breath, her heated gaze meeting his.

  He cupped her face, his thumbs lightly caressing her cheeks.

  “You would be stripped of your title and banished as an outcaste,” he said, his voice low and rough.

  “And you would be sentenced to death.”

  The sharp clicks of a woman’s high heels sliced through his trance.

  Falcon did not need to turn around. The delicate scent of lilacs teased his senses. He bit out another curse. His hands fisted at his sides. His ears twitched as the footsteps grew louder, closer. His entire body clenched, his blood hummed, and his pulse doubled. After two centuries, his response to her was the same.

  Falcon braced himself and stepped out of the sunlight.

  “Sir Kenwrec.”

  Her voice was so sweet, so damn alluring. Lust curled around his spine then shot through his body, weakening his knees and causing his fingers to tingle with the need to touch her.

  “I apologize for intruding.”

  Falcon swallowed hard, his throat suddenly painfully dry. “No,” he rasped. He took in a breath, desperately trying to fortify himself, then turned to face her.

  Sonya stood just outside the entrance of the library. Her long blonde hair tumbled in curls over her shoulders; her pure gold eyes sparkled despite the shadows that crowded the doorway. She wore a simple white blouse, charcoal gray pencil skirt, and sexy stilettos.

  “Then let me apologize for what happened at the meeting.” Her pink lips curled into a smile. “I didn’t mean to hit you with my hair. I just felt like tossing it over my shoulder. You know, being dramatic.”

  Falcon could not hold back his smile. “Your action caused no pain or offense.”

  She nodded and came into the room, careful to avoid the windows. Though Sonya was exceptionally strong for her age, she was unable to withstand the sunlight. Her perfect, satin skin would blister and burn before disintegrating into ash.

  “Were you having a difficult time sleeping?” she asked, moving along the bookshelves that lined the walls.

  It was common knowledge that the power of the sun drained vampires, causing them to become severely drowsy, the younger the vampire, the stronger the sun’s pull. But, Falcon had never been like others.

  “I needed a quite place to…reflect,” he replied.

  “Hmm, how vague.” She scanned the shelves. “I’m in search of a distraction. The peace meeting was…” She shrugged. “I’m drained but can’t seem to quiet my mind.” She glanced about then dropped her voice to a whisper, “I have a feeling that something is going to happen.”

  He frowned. “You believe the war will escalate?”

  “It might. The Red Council is divided, two want peace, two crave more bloodshed and the last is indifferent,” she explained.

  “Time will tell.”

  She paused then huffed dejectedly. “Naturally, I spot a book on my to-read list and it’s out of reach.”

  Falcon turned to follow her gaze. “Would you like me to get it for you?”

  “If you don’t mind.”

  He crossed the library and stepped past her, taking great care to not make contact.

  “Top shelf. Red spine,” she said.

  “An Audrey Hepburn biography?”

  Sonya nodded. “I have a fascination with old Hollywood.”

  Falcon shook his head. Classic films and Rat Pack music were his guilty pleasures.

  “You should see my movie collection. It’s insane.”

  Happiness sparkled in her eyes as she began to list off her favorite films and actors. Her lips curled in a heart wrenching sweet smile that brightened the room. And damn, those dimples.

  Sonya was more than beautiful; she was breathtaking, genuine, honest, and real. She was sophisticated, intelligent, fun loving, and deadly. She was a warrior queen.

  Falcon stood captivated, her smile broadened as she spoke of Gene Kelly causing her dimples to deepen and her eyes to glow with delight. Without thinking of his actions, he dropped the book and reached out, his fingers gently touching her face. Her skin was smooth and warm.

  Her enchanting voice caught and her eyes widened, but she did not pull away.

  Falcon caressed her cheek and then lightly traced her jaw. The subtle fragrance of lilacs intensified, mixing with the delicious scent of her arousal. She took a hesitant step closer.

  His fingers brushed over her lower lip. A jolt of excitement rocked her, stealing her breath. Falcon’s hand fell to grasp her upper arm. He pulled her against him, he moaned as she sighed when their bodies made contact. It felt so right. Just like that night they had almost made love.

  Framing her face with his hands, Falcon tilted her head back. Sonya’s eyes were heavy lidded, clouded with lust and long denied hunger. She craved just as he craved.

  Sonya’s hands slid up his chest, the heat of her palms burned through his shirt, branding him. Heat slammed into him. A low growl rumbled his throat as Sonya arched into him, pressing herself tightly against his arousal. His cock throbbed and ached.

  “Falcon,” she whispered, his name a gentle plea.

  She wanted him to kiss her. Needed him to kiss her. Falcon lowered his head, reckless exhilaration pumping through his veins.

  “A kiss,” he rasped. “Nothing more. We can do no—”

  Sonya silenced him by pressing her fingers to his lips. “Come to my room. No one will know.”

  Falcon swayed. Her invitation was like a right hook to the jaw. God. Yes. He would do anything to have her. His body raged with need. His cock strained against her, his fangs burst from their sheaths. To taste her, fully in every way would be…indescribable. His instincts flared to life, demanding he act on his need. That he claim her. The demon inside him roared its approval, hungry to feel this luscious blonde beneath him.

  He would never know how he managed to step back. Devine intervention was the only explanation, he thought as his hands fell to his sides. His fingers trembled as he desperately fought to deaden his senses, shutting her out.

  “No.” He was shocked by the steadiness of his voice and mortified by how harsh that simple word had sounded.

  For a moment anger flashed in Sonya’s eyes, disappointment came next, then understanding and finally, acceptance. Their circumstance had not changed. She was still queen and he was still a Black Knight, an impossible match.

  She bent and picked up the book he had dropped, careful to keep her fingers out of the sunlight. Clutching the book to her chest, Sonya straightened and fixed him with a hard stare.

  “I admire your sense of honor and your will power is…” She sighed. “I wish I had your strength.”

  “Your Majesty, I—”

  Sonya shook her head. “Don’t start with that. It’s just the two of us.” She took a step towards him. Falcon held his ground. Sonya’s grip on the book tightened, her knuckles turning white. “I’m aware of the consequences…” Her voice cracked. “I’m well versed in vampire law as are you, but one
night Falcon. No one ever has to know. We could—”

  “No, Sonya. I can’t.”

  Her chin titled up, her jaw clenched. “I’m not the kind of woman to beg. I will not ask you again, but I would like to know why. There is no risk of discovery, and yet you still refuse us. Is it your duty as a knight?”

  Falcon cringed. He wished he could hide behind his sworn vows, use his honor as a shield, but he could not speak falsely.

  Silence stretched between them as he struggled to find the words. He needed to make her understand what was holding him back. He knew one night with her, if ever discovered, meant his demise. But like any true warrior, he held no fear of death.

  “No. I refuse because one night wouldn’t be enough.”

  Chapter One

  London, England

  Present Day

  Rain ran in rivulets down his face, the droplets caught on his lashes like tiny crystals, a delicate contrast to the harsh gunmetal grey of his eyes.

  Falcon observed the group of Red Order Hunters that gathered in the ally below. Shadows clung to him, concealing him in their darkness. His prey’s laughter sailed on the wind, their merriment grating his nerves.

  Poor bastards, they were peacefully oblivious to the specter of death that stalked them.

  The hunters had taken from him, stolen what he loved most in this world. Sonya Rebane, the queen of the Voidukas Clan.

  Three weeks. Sonya had endured imprisonment for three weeks and if she had one bruise or a single scratch to mare her smooth skin, he would roast every last Red Order hunter.

  His fangs burned as his vision darkened, his gray eyes turning as black as the pits of hell.

  Tonight, he would save her. Tonight, he would have Sonya in his arms.

  The gentle hum of a car’s engine drifting on the air disrupted his thoughts.

  Glancing up at the night sky, Falcon judged it to be about eleven-thirty. It was time for the changing of the guard. He watched as the hunters piled out of the old black van. They fell in line behind their commander, a tall, slender, balding man. He would open the secret door and go down into the dark pit where the cells were located, and where Sonya was being held. The commander was the only hunter permitted to check on the prisoners. Once finished, he would return to the group, close the wall, and take the van back to the soldier’s quarters. They were the only hunters that did not reside underground like the rest of the Red Order.

  Falcon moved to the edge of the roof. Tension coiled through his body. Crouching down, he balanced on the balls of his feet. Lightning cut across the sky, the flash causing the chrome of his holstered twin 1911s to sparkle in the darkness.

  The witches turned to face the wall. Their commander reached out and pressed a single faded brick. The stone moved revealing a soft glowing blue screen. Falcon’s breath froze in his lungs as he watched the commander flatten his hand on the screen.

  Just a few more seconds, he thought. Anticipation knotted his gut.

  The sound of scrapping bricks kissed his ears as he watched the wall shift, the bricks drew back revealing the secret entrance and a set of stairs covered in shadows.

  His nostrils flared and his lungs expanded as he sucked in a deep breath. The unmistakable, unforgettable scent of fresh lilacs mingled with the putrid smell of waste and dirt.

  Sonya was down there.

  His fangs burst from their sheaths, long and sharp. His black eyes burned with rage. His Sonya. They had his Sonya and he was going take her back.

  Falcon stood, freed his weapons and stepped off the roof. Landing silently on the concrete below, he stalked toward his prey.

  * * * * *

  “You have brought ruin upon us.”

  “No. I’ve brought salvation.”

  The hushed voices stung her ears as she slowly came to consciousness. Sonya suppressed a pained moan as the aching of her battered body slammed into her like a speeding semi.

  The witches had drugged her and dumped her someplace cold, damp—she took in a deep breath — and dirty. No, dirty did not even begin to describe her foul surroundings. The stench of sewage, sweat, and decay bombarded her senses; the rancid odor nearly choking her.

  “What do you hope to gain from kidnapping a royal?”

  Sonya’s ears twitched. She recognized that voice.

  “An end to this war, Carter. Just like you want.”

  Rage sparked an inferno inside her. Samuel.

  “I want peace, but what you’ve done…” Carter’s words ended with an exasperated groan.

  “You are a dreamer,” Samuel spat. “There can never be peace between the witches and the vampires.”

  A long moment of heavy silence passed as Sonya lay unmoving.

  “The Shaw—”

  “Are traitors,” Samuel snapped. “They are witches who happily consort with the leaches. They will pay for their mistake.”

  Sonya forced her heart to remain still as she fought her way out the drug-induced haze.

  “This one,” Samuel grunted, his tone laden with disgust. “Has some special connection with the Shaw, which is why I’ve kept her alive.”

  Carter cursed. “You’re going to ransom the queen?”

  “I plan to offer them a trade.”

  “And what do you expect in exchange?”

  Samuel hummed as he thought. “I’ve not decided yet. Either a spell, effectively wiping this planet clean of all vampires or I may demand our tribe be given our magic back.”

  Sonya bit back a harsh laugh. Her suspicions had been confirmed. She had thought Samuel was an idiot from the first time she saw him at the peace summit the Shaw had held. Now, she also knew he was delusional.

  “Our powers are gone,” Carter replied. “Our ancestors traded our magic for strength, so that we would be able to fight the vampires. You know as well as I that magic always has a price.”

  “Magic runs in their veins,” Samuel protested, kicking dirt in Sonya’s directions, she felt the dust settle over her. Tiny pebbles hit her back. “They’ve strength and magic.”

  “And you know the price they paid. Every vampire was once human. They were normal people, living their lives until evil touched them.” Samuel scoffed but Carter continued, “The strongest vampires are those that ruthlessly struggled to maintain their mortal lives. The harder they fought, the stronger their curse became and thus the more powerful their demon.”

  “How dare you victimize those creatures! They are murderers.”

  “Not all are cold blooded killers,” Carter protested. “Queen Sonya—”

  “Is a cold blood killer. Or have you forgotten how she received the title of Warrior Queen? There was a time when werewolves existed, but she killed them all. Hunted them down and slaughtered them.”

  “That was hundreds of years ago. People change.”

  “For the love of God, Carter, these things are not people.”

  Sonya could sense Samuel’s enraged gaze upon her. It burned into her back like hell fire.

  “Do you think it would hesitate before killing you?” Samuel demanded.

  Carter remained silent. Sonya could feel the tension that coiled through his body.

  “Come. It is almost midnight. The changing of the guard will happen soon and I think it would be best if we let the Commander handle the leech.”

  Samuel’s steps reverberated down the hall, but Carter remained.

  Sonya gently tilted her head, not wanting to call attention to herself. Her eyelids were slow to lift. She studied the Red Order Council member. He was dressed in faded black jeans, a white button up, and wore polished combat boots. His head hung low as he massaged his brow

  A strange emotion flickered to life within her. She frowned. Could she possibly be feeling sympathy for her enemy? When she had first met Carter, approximately a week before her abduction, she had experienced this same sensation. He, along with Samuel and three other Red Order council members, had been whom the Shaw had summoned to the peace meeting. Carter had pushed for a treat
y between the Red Order hunters and the vampires while Samuel outright refused to see reason. At that time, she had hoped against her better judgment that peace could be obtained. Now, she lay in a rank cell, her body bruised and her bloodlust rising. Hunger lurked in her mind like a shadow.

  She had not fed in nearly two months. Her injuries and blood loss were not helping matters. Without feeding, her body was slow to heal and her psyche fragile. Bloodlust could easily lead to madness, turning a calm, controlled, and level headed vampire like herself into a glutinous fiend.

  She ignored the dry burn of her throat and the hard knot forming in her belly. Sighing, she pushed herself up. Her head throbbed, her vision blurred and her arms nearly gave out. She cursed the hunters. They must have used the vampire equivalent of an elephant tranquilizer on her. Her body felt like dead weight, her bones weak, and her muscles useless. She gritted her teeth and forced through the numbing effect. She had experienced worse. Much worse.

  “Your Majesty,” Carter gasped.

  Sonya pushed her tangled hair away from her face and leaned back against the wall, the chill of the stone seeped into her bones. The cooling effects helped to dispel her numbness.

  Damn it, Silvie, she thought.

  The Shaw priestess had assured her that she wouldn’t have to spend much time in captivity. Sonya was beginning to think her definition of “not much time” and Silvie’s varied. And Sonya cursed herself. She had been the idiot who knowingly walked into her enemy’s trap. She smirked as she wondered how Samuel would react if he knew that tiny bit of information. She had known the Red Order planned to ambush and capture her, Silvie had warned her. Samuel may have a plan to strike at the Shaw, but her allies were prepared.

  It would seem Samuel had conveniently forgotten that there are those amongst the Shaw who possess the gift of foresight.

  “Queen Sonya,” Carter said, drawing her gaze to him. “I’ve only just learned that you were here.”

  “And how long have I been here?” she asked.