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

  Chapter Seven

  “God, I’m exhausted,” Sonya sighed, kicking off her heels.

  She shrugged out of Falcon’s jacket and tossed it over the back of the sofa. She need to get out of her blood stained dress and shower, but she only had enough energy to stumble to the bed. Her limbs were heavy and her vision was blurry. Hunger still nagged at her. She would need to feed again soon. She had been too focused on Falcon to take what she needed from Star.

  Shaking her head at her foolish actions, she clumsily climbed onto the bed. She sensed the sun rising higher and higher and with each second, her movements grew slower. She crawled towards the pillows military style, her legs having given out on her. Her body had given out on her and sleep threatened to drag her into its depths.

  Sonya rolled to her back and let out a tired, exasperated sigh. She deplored weakness. It reminded her of the night her human life ended. She had been helpless against the shifters. They had slaughtered her family and left her on the cold winter ground to bleed to death. She would be forever grateful to Dorian for finding her and taking her Gudmund, King of the Voidukas Clan. Gudmun gave her the strength she needed to hunt and kill every last wolf shifter inexistence. She was single handedly responsible for their extinction.

  “The world will never know the wolf shifters. It will be as if they never existed.” The words echoed through her mind as anger boiled her blood. Her chest tightened until her lungs could no longer expand.

  Panic swept through her. No. Not now.

  Sonya’s gaze shot to Falcon. He was laying out their weapons on the kitchen island intending to dismantle and clean them all.

  Her throat constricted as debilitating longing took root in her heart. She squeezed her eyes shut, unable to look at the knight. God, she wanted him, needed him, and the curse mocked her. It fed off her love for him, twisting it and using it against her. The sense of loss overwhelmed her as regret clawed at her soul.

  Biting her lower lip, she held back her agonized cry. She silently prayed the curse’s attack would be quick.

  Please, don’t let him see this, she begged. No one can know, especially not Falcon.

  Her body tensed as crippling pain wracked her. She wouldn’t curl into a ball, she refused to do anything that could draw his attention her way.

  After an eternity, air filled her lungs and the overpowering emotions faded. The curse released her, leaving her heart and soul beaten. Tears of sadness welled in her eyes and slipped down her cheeks. She turned her face towards the pillows.

  Come on, Sonya. Get it together, she coached herself.

  “Your Majesty,” Falcon called.

  Anger flamed to life within her. Using the last of her strength, she pushed herself up. Her claws extended, anchoring herself to the bed.

  “You will never address me as ‘Your Majesty’ again. Are we clear?” she bit out.

  Falcon frowned. He studied her face, his gaze searching hers. After a breathless moment he said, “As you wish.”

  She nodded and relaxed back against the pillows. “What is it?”

  He crossed the room with quick long strides and came to stand beside the bed. He hesitated a moment before he sat on the edge of the mattress at the foot of the bed.

  “What happened at the club—”

  “I swear, knight, if you apologize I will rip your throat out,” she grated.

  “Never will I apologize for what we shared,” he vowed.

  Sonya wished she had the energy to sit up and face him. Her momentary rage had given her strength, but the spark had quickly died.

  “I’ve planned our escape. We should have you home within the week.”

  His words should make her feel happy and excited, but she felt the opposite.

  Fighting back her disappointment, she said, “Good to know. Are we abandoning London tonight?”

  “We’ll leave as soon as I can make arrangements.”

  Sonya yawned in response.

  Falcon stood. “You need your rest.”

  She gave a light laugh. “I need a shower.”

  His wracked his gaze over body. “We should get that dress off you.”

  “So now you want to take off my dress,” she teased.

  Falcon rolled his eyes and went to the bathroom. He returned with a damp cloth and a grabbed a fresh shirt from his duffle bag.

  “Come on, up,” he said, gently helping Sonya to a sitting position.

  He unzipped her dress and she managed to wiggle it down and over her hips. The cool air tightened her bare nipples. Sonya cursed. She had left her bra at the club.

  Falcon examined her wound. “The muscle is no longer torn and your skin is healing nicely.” He brushed his fingers over her shoulder blade. Desire shot through her despite her weakness.

  He was careful to not look at her breasts as he helped her with the shirt.

  Once she was covered, he began wiping the droplets of blood from her hands, arms, and neck.

  No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t keep her eyes open. The warmth and softness of the cloth was relaxing, his touch soothing.

  “Sleep, Sonya. Heal. You will need your strength,” he whispered.

  She surrendered and fell into the realm of dreams.

  Falcon continued to wash away the signs of battle. The warrior queen had ripped the hunters apart and he was proud. If that meant he was twisted, then so be it.

  When he was finished, Falcon drew the crumpled comforter up from the foot of the bed. He tucked Sonya in and her contented sigh warmed his heart. Falcon wished time would stand still. If only they could remain in this peaceful moment a little longer...

  He headed back to the kitchen and threw the bloody cloth in the sink then began cleaning the guns.

  Sonya had spectacular taste in weapons. She had danced about Nick’s hidden warehouse. The hard arm's dealer even cracked a smile as they watched her run about like a child at Disneyland. She had selected two standard issue Glocks after Falcon had convinced her the twin AK47s she desired weren't conducive to a secret life on the run. Neither was the rocket launcher she insisted on buying.

  Falcon shook his head as he recalled how Sonya’s eyes widened with excitement when she learned Nick could get her a tank. What in the world did she need with a tank? Unlike his clan, the Voidukas hadn’t been at war for over a thousand years.

  Guilt sliced through him. He had left his clan and his king when they needed him most. He had sped from the castle without a second thought when he had learned Sonya had been captured. Hadrian needed his support amongst the Validus council. The nobles and the clan were happy to have their king back, but they were wary. Hadrian had lived with only madness as company for three centuries. He had only begun to recover in the last six months.

  Falcon glanced over to the bed. Sonya slept peaceful and serene. Just gazing upon the beautiful, proud warrior queen set his heart racing and his lust raging. He would never forget the “great moment” they had shared. Just as the memories of their secret encounter at Dimitri and Kerstyn’s wedding would always haunt him.

  The question of “what if” would forever circle in his mind. What if he gave up his vows? What if Sonya stepped down from her thrown? What if they cursed caution and surrendered to their mutual desire? This was torture. Why ponder, hope, wish, and pray for something that could never be?

  He was a knight, she a queen. Neither could or would turn their backs on their clans.

  “No one will know.” Her words spoken as a seductive whisper echoed in his thoughts as a constant temptation.

  “I would know,” he grumbled as he cleaned the guns.

  And the knowledge would kill him.

  Clearing his mind, he focused on his task. Once finished with the firearms he moved onto the knives and throwing stars.

  Falcon neatly packed Sonya’s “new toys” and began collecting his things. It was time they left the city.

  He would arrange for a car and they would head out to the countryside. He had planned this exit stra
tegy the moment his lead had brought him to England. Once he finished placing everything he took a shower and was a little bereft when Sonya’s scent rinsed from his body. However, the hot water and steam helped relieve some of his stress and eased the tension knotting his muscles.

  Dried and dressed in a pair of sweats, he padded from the bathroom to the couch. Falcon picked up his cell phone and began to dial. His thumb hovered over the “send’ button. Since he started out on this mission, he hadn’t spoken to a soul back home. He had focused all his energy on hunting down the witches and finding Sonya. Now, the queen was in his care and he needed to bring her home.

  He knew Gwendolyn, Sonya’s heir and second in command, was worried beyond belief while Sonya’s clan waited, wondering if their beloved leader would ever return. So, why was he hesitating? He should call and lay their fears to rest.

  Falcon cursed and tossed the phone to the coffee table. He scrubbed his face with his hands. It was no great mystery why he hesitated. He wanted more time with her.

  When had he become so selfish?

  Simple, when he fell in love with Sonya Reban, queen of the Voidukas Clan.

  Disgusted with himself, he snatched the phone back and quickly dialed. The phone only rang once.

  Falcon cleared his throat and straightened his shoulders. “My King,” he greeted, “I’ve Queen Sonya in custody.”

  Chapter Eight

  Sonya came awake with a jolt, her hand immediately going for her dagger, which was strapped to her thigh. Unsheathing the weapon, she swung her arm out, the blade sliced through the blanket that was tightly wrapped around her. When the metal met flesh a hand clamped hard on her wrist.

  “Good evening,” Falcon greeted with a chuckle. “Please, don’t behead the driver.”

  Sonya twisted her hand free and returned her dagger. “Sorry.”

  “Do you always wake ready for battle?”

  “Don’t you?” She flipped the visor down revealing a tiny mirror. She began smoothing her hair. “It’s a natural reaction.”

  “We all have memories that haunt us.”

  Sonya wiggled free of the blanketed cocoon Falcon had wound around her. She assumed he had bundled her up, to protect her from the sun when he carried her to the car that was now speeding down the high way.

  “The last thing I remember is passing out on a nice, soft bed in a posh hotel. Not to mention, I thought we would leave the city at night fall.”

  Falcon reached into the back to retrieve a plastic grocery bag. He placed it in her lap. Sonya immediately began to rummage through it and gave an appreciative sigh when she discovered a hairbrush and a travel size mouthwash. She liked a good oral cleaning and steam shower after feeding since she loathed the act, but while on the run, she would take what she could get. A quick swish and rinse of Listerine and a sponge bath delivered by the sexiest vampire she’d ever seen.

  “The witches would be expecting us to wait for the sun to set,” Falcon explained.

  Sonya popped the cap on the mouthwash and took a swig. Falcon rolled the window down for her. He was a perfect gentleman. She whipped her mouth with the back of her hand as he put the window back up.

  “Did you roll me up in the comforter and sheets and carry me over your shoulder through the lobby to dump me in this seat?”

  “I covered you with the bedding, taking great care that you would be protected from the sun’s rays, and cradled you in my arms as I took the service elevator down to the underground garage. Then I dumped you in that seat. Perhaps I should I have purchased a car with a trunk so we could play out your kidnapping scenario.”

  Sonya gave a light laugh and straightened the seat. “You could have put a stake through my heart and I wouldn’t have flinched. I was out.”

  “How are you feeling?”

  “Dandy,” she said with a smile and a coy bat of her eyelashes. “And ready to kick some hunter ass.”

  “Hate to break it you, but where we are going, I’m hoping not to run into hunters.”

  She sighed, “Well, you’re going to need to take me to a bar so I can pick a fight. I’ve got energy.”

  She couldn’t stop herself from glancing over at the knight. Falcon’s gaze heated and for a second, Sonya thought he might lean over and kiss her.

  He abruptly returned his eyes to the road and rested his arms against the door, putting as much distance between them as the confined space would allow.

  “Where are we headed?” she asked, her voice cutting through the tension like a battle-axe.

  “For now, Oxford.”

  “I thought the plan was to get as far away from London as possible.”

  “We’ll be switching cars in Oxford and in a few other towns as we make our way to the countryside.”

  “And then?”

  “We’ll find some place to wait out the day. Unless you want me to wrap you in a comforter and throw you in the trunk.”

  Sonya smiled and tucked her hair behind her ears, then chided herself for acting like a lovesick teenager. “Pass, thank you.”

  “Switching up the vehicles should keep the hunters off our trail,” he added.

  “It sounds like you’ve got a plan, but how are we getting back to the continent?”

  “A plane or helicopter, haven’t worked out the details yet. Which reminds me, when we stop for the day, you should call Gwendolyn.”

  Her stomach dropped. “Have you talked to her?”

  “No. I’ve only spoken with my king.”

  Sonya nodded and fell silent. She tugged at her bottom lip with her teeth as she stared unseeing out the window. Falcon was right. She needed to speak with Gwendolyn, but she didn’t know what to tell her. Gwen would never understand why Sonya would knowingly step into the Red Order’s trap. She wasn’t entirely sure why she had gone along with Silvie’s plan. She could have easily avoided the hunters, with or without her entourage in tow.

  Sonya rubbed her brow.

  “Do you not want to speak with her?” Falcon asked.

  She continued to gaze out the window. “It’s not that.”

  “Gwendolyn didn’t know you had left that night until your driver reported the attack.”

  She had no response for his statement.

  “Sonya?”

  She could sense the anger rising within him as she remained quiet. She glanced over at him, reading his body language.

  He gripped the steering wheel, his knuckles white. His jaw was clenched, she could hear the subtle sound of his teeth grinding. Every muscle in his upper body was tense. She didn’t have to meet his gaze to know the swirling silver had hardened to gray.

  The prim and proper knight is silently screaming at me, she thought.

  “You knew that you were going to be ambushed and you told no one.”

  “I couldn’t. Silvie insisted I keep it a secret.”

  Falcon turned into a driveway and slid the car into park. He slowly turned toward her. His eyes were cold, his jaw sternly set. “Silvie warned you?”

  “Yes. She told me the witches were laying in wait. I decided to go alone. I would never knowingly put the lives of my clan members in danger. You should understand that.”

  “I do.”

  Sonya released her seat belt. “Besides, Silvie assured me that I would be rescued and I wouldn't be in captivity for long.”

  With that, she threw open the door and stepped out. The pure alpha male tension radiating from him filled the car and she was feeling claustrophobic.

  Falcon turned off the car and joined her outside. She knew he wanted to press her for more answers, but it would have to wait. She was not interested in talking about how she could have done a million and one things differently.

  Looking about the junkyard, she asked, “What are we doing here?”

  “This is our first stop.”

  “You’re Nicky’s friends?” the woman asked, looking the pair up and down.

  Sonya inwardly groaned when she recognized the woman. Pauline had been a member
of Gudmund’s court and had rebelled when Sonya was named his Second. Pauline felt she should have been selected. Pauline had felt, as the king’s mistress she should be named the next ruler of the Voidukas clan. Gudmund knew better. Pauline had zero leadership qualities and no loyalty.

  “Sonya,” Pauline sneered.

  “Good evening.”

  Falcon turned to Sonya and raised his brows. She shook her head and he shrugged. She would explain later.

  “Isn’t this an interesting scenario? What would a queen,” her gaze roamed over Falcon, licking her lips,” and a Validus Black Knight be doing here in jolly ol’ England?”

  Sonya bit her tongue. It was none of the outcast’s business what they were doing here.

  “We purchased a car through Nick. He told us we can pick it up here,” Falcon said.

  “Aye, he called. It’s the blue one over there.” She pointed across the yard to a beat up BMW that was at least ten years old. “The engine knocks a bit, but it should get you wherever it is you are going.” She twirled the key chain around her finger as she approached Falcon. Pressing against him, she took his hand and placed the keys on his palm. “When you’re done with the ice queen, feel free to come back. I’ll treat you nice.”

  Sonya was already coming forward when Falcon stepped away from Pauline. “Thanks for your help,” he said.

  Sonya’s anger sizzled. Apparently Pauline hadn’t changed in last two and half centuries. She had bounced from bed to bed, attaching herself to whomever had the most power at the time. Perhaps she thought by sinking her claws into Falcon, she could be accepted in the Validus Clan.

  Falcon grabbed a hold of Sonya’s arm and turned her around. She hissed past her fangs, but he ignored her warning and tugged her along. She had plenty of things she’d like to say to Pauline. She had tried to have Sonya assassinated not once but three times before she was finally banished and now she had invited Falcon into her bed. Sonya knew he would never accept her offer, but it still infuriated her.