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

  After being captured in Poland, she had been shuffled across the continent. When they reached Paris, they had placed a black bag over her head and apparently drugged her. Their intention, to keep the location of their stronghold secret, however the Clans knew the witches resided in tunnels under the grand city of London.

  “Two days. If I had known, I would have come sooner. You must know that your capture was not supported by the council.”

  She had expected as much after overhearing Cater and Samuel’s conversation. Samuel had acted alone, making executive decisions without the approval of the four other council members. But it made no difference. She was imprisoned and the war Carter had hoped would end peacefully would now escalate. Growing more and more violent until the Red Order was no more.

  “I’m terribly sorry.”

  “For not paying me a visit or for my capture?”

  “Both,” he answered.

  In a flash of movement, Sonya was at the bars. Her fingers wrapped around the cool metal rods, her nails extending to claws. Carter jumped back. Fear now radiated from the witch, the heady scent heightened her need for blood, thrilling the demon within her.

  “Save your apologies for someone who may care.”

  She ran her tongue over her teeth. Her fangs throbbed. Her gaze flickered to his pulse. Vampire law forbade the consumptions of Red Order blood, but just a bite—No. Stop!

  She forced herself to step back, prying her fingers one by one from the bars. She had experienced worse hunger. She had gone longer than this without feeding.

  Focus, she told herself. Remain focused. Revenge and justice will be mine. She shuttered as her old mantra began to play like a beloved nursery hymn in her mind.

  “You are sensible man,” she said, turning from the bars. She lowered herself to the dirt floor, pressed her back against the wall, folded her legs Indian style, and willed herself to relax. Bloodlust pumped like poison through her veins. She curled her hands into fists to stop her fingers from twitching.

  “If only Samuel could be sensible.”

  She shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant despite the tension that gripped her. “I’ve come across hundreds of men like Samuel. He is blinded by his hate, he is hungry for revenge, and because of his selfishness your people suffer.” She paused and gave him a quick once over with her eyes. “But you want what is best for them. You care about their well being and their future.”

  “When I became a Councilman, I swore to protect my people.”

  Sonya was about to reply when a shiver of awareness raced down her spine. Her hunger had enhanced her senses; sensitized her hearing, sharpened her vision, and heightened her sense of smell. She took in a deep breath. The scent of dirt and sewage were strong, the sweet fragrance of rain was mild, and the stench of hate misted the air — the Commander was heading their way. But there was something else. Something familiar.

  She shook her head and said, “Before this little stunt, the Red Order only warred with the Mylonas Clan, now every vampire clan will be out for hunter blood.”

  “I don’t believe that. I can’t.” Carter began to pace. “God, this is a mess.” His steps quickened.

  Another, more intense shiver tingled along the column of her spine. Sonya closed her eyes and drew in another breath. A subtle scent of natural male cologne tickled her nose and ignited her desires, just as it had for the past two centuries.

  Sonya swallowed her gasp and struggled to hide her surprised excitement. She would recognize that scent anywhere. She eyed Carter. He was still pacing and paying no attention to her, thank God. She slowly drew her knees up to her chest and lowered her head, covering her face with her hands.

  That delicious scent belonged to only one man. Sir Falcon Kenwrec. He was here. He had come for her.

  Thank you, Silvie.

  “If only I knew exactly what Samuel plans…” Carter stopped and returned his attention to her. Sonya refused to lift her head, though she could sense his eyes on her. “I will get you out of her, Your Majesty. You should not be held in this dank, depressing hole. I will—”

  Carter snapped his mouth shut as the soft thud of boots ricocheted off the cavern walls.

  Sonya held her breath and silently prayed Carter nor would the Commander sense Falcon.

  “Councilman,” the hunter greeted with a salute. The Commander spared a contemptible glance at Sonya. “It is time for the changing of the guard.”

  “And you’ve come to check on the prisoner?” Carter asked, his voice flat and his expression neutral.

  “Yes.” He peered over Carter’s shoulder, squinting into the darkness. “You came alone, sir?”

  “I did. I wanted to question the prisoner in private.”

  “With respect, Councilman, it is unsafe for you to be unguarded in her presence. Royal vamps are incredibly strong, fast, and crafty. Some are even said to have powers of the mind,” the hunter said.

  “I’m aware, Commander,” Carter replied. “I came knowing you would be arriving shortly. Now, will you accompany me to the lift? I would like to discuss some changes I want made in regards to the prisoner.”

  Yes, go. Go! Sonya wanted to scream. Biting her lip, she kept silent. Sonya’s body tensed, preparing to run, to fight, to escape. God, Falcon was here. Ever since she had been captured she had wondered if she would ever see the Black Knight again. Fate in all her glory and wisdom had brought him to her and Sonya would be forever grateful.

  “Sir, I’ve men waiting up top.”

  Leave. Blood filled her mouth as her teeth sliced her lower lip. Still, she did not make a sound.

  “It will only take a few moments,” Carter insisted.

  The commander nodded. Carter did not look at or say another word to her. He turned and led the man down the shadow-dominated hall.

  Chapter Two

  Sonya was nearby. Instinct led Falcon down the corridor. His steps silent yet quick. The further he moved into the darkness her stronger the scent became. Lilacs. Sweet lilacs.

  The rumbling sound of voices filled his ears. He recognized Carter, Falcon had met the councilman at the peace meeting hosted by the Shaw. He also knew the other speaker was the Commander, having followed him down here after slaying all his men.

  “It will only take a few moments,” Carter insisted.

  Falcon waited, his body a mass of tension, he was like a cobra coiled to strike.

  Sonya was just down the hall. He patted his combat pants finding his tool kit. She could be in a cell, chained to the wall, or both. He was prepared and he would be quick, not knowing how much time they would have before the Commander returned. He wanted to be topside before the hunters discovered Sonya was missing.

  The sound of footsteps faded as the witches headed further down the hall. Falcon launched forward, rounding the corner at break neck speed. Using his senses to guide him, he slid to a halt before a cell door.

  Sonya threw herself at the bars.

  Holstering his guns, Falcon pulled his tool kit free and immediately set to work on the lock. The door swung open with ease. He jumped to his feet, reached in, his long fingers wrapped about Sonya’s slender wrist. He pulled her forward. Unable to resist the maddening urge to feel her in his arms, he drew her to him, crushing her against his chest, burying his face in the mess of her silken hair. Inhaling deep, her scent branding his lungs. It felt so damn good to hold her, to feel her against him. Thank God he had found her.

  After a moment, he reluctant stepped back, releasing her. He needed to get her out of her. Falcon scanned her with his gaze from head to the tip of her scuffed boots. With the exception of minor bruises and scrapes, she was healthy.

  Sonya wore the same clothing she had been in the night of her abduction, which had been the night of his king’s coronation ball. Her dark, slim jeans were ripped in patches, her black leather trench coat and knee high laced boots were caked with mud and blood–some her own but most belonged to the hunters she had slain–and her red leather corset was like a seco
nd skin, hugging her narrow waist and ample breasts. Dust streaked her face and her long flaxen hair was tangled. Beneath the dirt she had flawless, creamy skin and delicate features. Her nose was dainty and straight. Her long seductive lashes framed rich golden eyes. Until her, he had never seen eyes that color. She licked her pink sensuous lips and Falcon suppressed a groan as an unexpected surge of lust raced through him.

  She was even more beautiful than he remembered.

  Focus. “Can you run?”

  “Yeah,” she said her voice shaky.

  Sonya swallowed the lump of emotion that choked her. She blinked then blinked again in shock. Falcon was here. Over the past few weeks she had fantasized that the chivalrous, handsome as sin knight would come for her, but she was sensible. She knew if a rescue party had ever come, it would most likely be comprised of soldiers from her Clan. So, why was Falcon here? She shook her head. Escape now. Ask questions later.

  “Good.” He secured his tools back in his pocket.

  The steady, sure thud of boots pricked their ears.

  “Shit,” Falcon hissed.

  “Oh, hell,” Sonya whispered.

  The Commander was heading their way.

  “This hall ends at a set of stairs. They lead to the street.”

  “But—”

  “Go. Run and don’t look back. I’ll be right behind you.”

  Sonya snapped her mouth shut, nodded, and took off as fast as she could. Her legs still felt heavy from the drugs, but they carried her through the darkness. She cleared her mind, focusing solely on her senses and acting on pure instinct.

  The Commander’s bellowed curse echoed down the corridor shortly before an alarm’s screech pierced the air.

  Moonlight draped over the chrome stairs, lighting her way to freedom. The glittering rays glinted off the metal of the various, gruesome torture devices that decorated the walls of the dungeon entry chamber. Had Samuel planned on using those tools on her?

  Rage darkened Sonya’s vision, turning her sparkling golden eyes black. Before she left England, she would claim the bastards’ head.

  Bullets hissed passed her. Sonya kept running, taking the stairs two at a time. Falcon followed, firing his gun into the shadows behind them.

  Topside, she skipped over the fallen guards Falcon had disposed of earlier.

  “Which way?” she demanded, her eyes darting from one end of the alley to the other. The faint sound of a car heading their way rumbled in her ears.

  Falcon remained silent and glanced to the left. At that moment an old jeep rounded the corner, its tires screeching as it fishtailed.

  Falcon slammed fresh clips into his 1911s.

  Sonya whipped around to see another car joining the jeep, they both charged down the ally in pursuit.

  “Go,” Falcon snapped.

  She whirled around and took off down the alley.

  Bullets flew past them; the deafening sound of gunshots vibrated the brick, alley walls and drowned out the peaceful lullaby of the rain.

  “We need to lose them,” Sonya said. Her breathing even, her words a clear whisper.

  “Just a little further,” Falcon assured her.

  He had scoped the area last night and had mapped out their escape route.

  Another blast of bullets were unleashed, one grazed the outside of Falcon’s thigh while another embedded in Sonya’s shoulder. She tensed, preparing for the stinging warmth of poison to spread through her system. After a second of only sharp pain she released a relieved breath. No poison. The hunters were using normal bullets. They wanted to take them alive. She smirked and picked up her pace. She would never be their prisoner again.

  “That wall,” Falcon bit out. “Up and over.”

  Sonya nodded as they drew closer. This ally was a dead end for the hunters in their cars, but jumping a twelve-foot wall was nothing for a skilled vampire.

  Guns let loose again, Sonya clenched her jaw anticipating impact. None came.

  The wall loomed ahead. Falcon went up first. With one powerful jump, he cleared the hurdle. Sonya ran up the side alley wall, gripped the lip, and swung herself over. She heard tires squeal behind them as she gracefully landed on the opposite side.

  Falcon holstered his guns, then bent and snatched a wet duffel bag from behind a dumpster. “Cross the street,” he instructed, pulling a jacket from the bag. He shrugged into the damp material, hiding his weapons.

  Sonya pulled her trench coat closed and took the bag, hoping to disguise her ruined clothes. They walked as calmly and causally as possible across the street and joined the heard of young adults pouring down the pub-laden street.

  Sonya pushed her rain soaked hair out of her face and over her shoulder, hoping to hide her bullet wound. The last thing she wanted was to draw more attention to herself. Already people were mumbling about her torn clothes and remarking on how dirty she was.

  She couldn’t possibly care less what they had to say. But the sound of so many heartbeats sparked her hunger. She felt the sharp edge of bloodlust slice through her as more and more people joined the crowd.

  Falcon took her hand, lacing their fingers and an unexpected heat shot through her body, her hunger for blood replaced by her need for Falcon. She craved his touch.

  They descended the stairs to the underground tube and quickly crossed the platform to the awaiting train.

  “Perfect, our ride is on time.”

  He tugged her forward. Sonya ground her teeth as renewed pain throbbed in her shoulder. It was not healing. Normally an injury such as this would mend in seconds. She was weak and needed to feed, but she would keep that bit of information to herself until they were some place safe. No need to add to their drama filled night.

  They stepped onto the subway car, a handful of people followed. Sonya slipped into a seat with a sigh of relief.

  Every now and then, a fellow passenger would spare the vampire couple a glance, their eyes wide with curiosity and stark with fear. No one dared to speak to them. The humans gathered close together, keeping as far from Falcon and Sonya as possible.

  Sonya smiled to herself as the mortals whispered about her. Yes, she knew she looked like hell. Her hair was knotted and wet. Her clothing soaked, torn, and caked with dirt from the cell. Blood trickled down her back, but her rescuer was fresh and clean, despite his damp hair and clothing.

  Falcon looked as sexy as ever, rustic and hard, the definition of male. She studied his chiselled profile from beneath her lashes. He had a straight, stern jaw line, which was dusted with stubble, full lips, and prominent cheekbones. His silver gaze shifted about the compartment, studying, calculating—always on guard.

  Sonya allowed her gaze to roam over him. The vampire was tall, nearly six and a half feet, and solid. He was complete muscles, complete strength.

  She stifled a sigh when he rolled his wide shoulders, her fingers curled, her nails biting into the bag. She would give anything to feel those muscles move beneath her hands as he…Sonya shook her head.

  Don’t even start, she told herself.

  She knew very well nothing could happen. She was a queen and he a Black Knight, anything other than a professional working relationship between them was forbidden. Yet, she yearned for him and had for nearly two hundred years. If only they could—

  The harsh screech of the train’s wheels as it slowed snapped her out of her depressing thoughts and back to the dangerous present. The doors slid open and Falcon stood.

  “This is our stop.”

  Sonya cursed under her breath, came to her feet, and followed. Humans scurried out of the way as they crossed the packed subway platform and ascended the stairs that led to the street.

  Rain continued to angrily pound down as they walked in silence, both tense, alert, and ready.

  After about two blocks, Falcon led them down an ally way. Once out of site of the public, Sonya asked, “When are we going to meet up with the others?”

  Falcon paused and turned, looking at her for the first time since the t
rain. “Others?”

  “Yes. The rescue and extraction team you came with. The knights and soldiers,” she said.

  His brow furrowed and realization struck her.

  “You came alone.”

  His jaw clenched and he said nothing as he began walking.

  Sonya blinked. Shock rattled her brain. Falcon had come after her. Alone. He had acted on his own, leaving behind his clan and duties. His loyalties. She knew his king would never have allowed him to embark on a mission such as this solo. It was too dangers and Falcon was Hadrian’s second in command, the heir to the Validus Clan.

  Sonya jogged to catch up with him.

  “With Hadrian’s recent return to the throne, he would need your support.”

  Had he just flinched?

  She caught his wrist, pulling him to a stop. Falcon refused to look at her.

  “You shouldn’t have—”

  “Don’t,” he snapped, whirling to face her.

  Ignoring the sharp warning in his voice she continued. “I would have been rescued or I would have broken free eventually.”

  Falcon twisted free of her hold, his gaze turned hard as he stared down at her. “Eventually,” he snarled, the word sounded like a curse as it passed his lips.

  Sonya swallowed hard. Falcon was right. There was no telling what would have happened to her in that dungeon. The Commander had enjoyed tossing threats her way. How long would it have been before he put his words into action? Carter seemed to want to help her but she knew a Red Order witch could not be trusted.

  Falcon growled, “I couldn’t wait for eventually.”

  He advanced, crowding her until her back hit the brick wall of the alley. The roof overhang shielding her from the rain. Her heart began to pound as he closed in. He braced his large hands on either side of her head, careful to hold his body away from hers.

  Her eyes slid closed as her breath escaped her. God, she longed for contact. Needed it. But she forced herself to remain calm, still. She opened her eyes and focused on his chest, unable to meet his gaze. She feared looking at him would make her lose control.

  “You know eventually wasn’t an option,” he said.