A Wicked Night (Creatures of Darkness 2): A Coraline Conwell Novel (37 page)

She shrugged nonchalantly. “It’s coming easier.”

“I’m sure it is. Especially with Bray.”

She glowered at the crude insinuation. Yet a guilty blush crept into her cheeks.

“Tell me, after you leashed him, how long before he was fully trained?” He didn’t wait for an answer—not that she was even going to acknowledge the ridiculous jab. “Was it before, or after Mace?”

She had predicted Knox’s attitude toward her would plummet to new depths after learning she’d bonded Bray. She just hadn’t expected him to accuse her of bonding Bray
before
Mace, or the unexpected hurt that settled into her heart as a result. Did she actually give a shit what Knox thought of her?

He cocked his head, his expression turning puzzled. Was he reading her emotions? Her blocks were up and fortified. So were his. Nothing passed between them through the bond.

Even so, it was clear he was starving.

Dark smudges cradled his eyes, and she sensed he was weaker than he was letting on. The knowledge did nothing to ease her nerves. At his weakest, he could still crush her bones between two fingers.

He studied her a moment longer, then, as if reaching some sort of conclusion, he said, “I suppose it doesn’t matter. I have my confirmation all the same.”

“Confirmation of what exactly?”

“This game you play is more dangerous than you realize.” The sharp tips of his fangs poked out as he spoke, punctuating his words.

“I’m well aware of how dangerous things are getting, and I think you’re the one who doesn’t get it.”

His brows shot up in an uncharacteristic display of naked shock. “You’re different. Where is the frightened little bird that froze at the first hint of danger? Getting tired of the innocent act?”

“Getting tired of a lot of things. This conversation for starters.” Mustering all her bravado, which was at best a splintered shield of glass poised to break, she started back through the tunnel, intending to return to Bray. Because she had to pass by Knox, she knew she wouldn’t get far, but she just couldn’t stand there and listen to him any longer.

“I propose we get on with it then,” he said. Then from behind her, his arm whipped out to catch her around the waist and yank her back against his chest. Just as quickly, he maneuvered her so that she was gnashed between the cavern wall and his body; a solid mass of muscle that mirrored the stone at her front.

His hot breath wafted over her neck, jacking up her heart rate. “Mace said he’d dreamed of you. I did as well. I’m willing to bet mine weren’t as pleasant as his, but you certainly seemed to enjoy yourself. Makes me wonder how you’d be in reality.”

His fangs pierced the delicate skin of her neck and a nuclear blast of ecstasy shot straight to her core. She was unable to stifle an embarrassing, guttural cry of pleasure. Her sex grew slick with warmth, on the verge of release. In the next instant, an involuntary orgasm ripped through her, shattering her reservations, freeing her inhibitions, filling her with wild voracity. For more.

Her palms lightly filled with magic, but she was too far-gone to make any use of it. Still, Knox noticed. He gripped her wrists and forced her arms up so that her hands rested against the wall on either side of her head.

Nearly incapacitated, her betraying hips took the initiative, working her ass fervently along his crotch.

Every part of him seemed to tense. He pulled away from her neck to rumble in her ear, “Do you mean for me to take you? Or is it your plan to drive me mad?”

She shook her head, desperately trying to dislodge the mud that now blocked access to all manner of rationality. She couldn’t catch her breath. Couldn’t make sense of his words. She wanted…she wanted…

His fangs sunk home again, and whatever she had wanted a moment ago was replaced by a thought-shattering orgasm. Bursts of white sprinkled over her vision and her moan echoed in her ears.

Then everything began to dim, her senses muted, her breaths turned shallow. Her eyelids suddenly felt as if weights had been attached to every lash. Sluggishly, her mind grasped what was happening, but she couldn’t bring herself to care.

Dying from pleasure was probably as good a way to go as any.

“That’s enough,” a harsh voiced called from what seemed like miles away.
Bray?

Knox let out a carnal growl and gripped her possessively, still taking his fill.

Before she passed out, a dark notion skated across her subconscious.

He would never let her go.

Bray settled Cora’s unconscious form on the mattress next to a slumbering Mace and covered her up. As if sensing her presence, Mace sluggishly turned to bring her tightly into the curve of his body. Fierce jealousy shot through Bray and he fought the urge to take her back, but he knew this is what she would want; to wake up next to Mace and know that he was safe—her driving ambition all these weeks.

As much as it pained him, Bray wanted to give her that.

“Bray, my man.” Mace blinked open dreary eyes. “It’s good to see you.”

Bray forced a smile. “It’s good to be seen.”

As if he couldn’t help himself, Mace leaned in and inhaled Cora’s scent. His eyes hooded as though having just taken the most exquisite drug.

Bray looked away, fisting his hands. He’d done the same while carrying her up here.

“She’s out cold,” Mace mused. “I can’t imagine how exhausted she must be.”

“It’s not exhaustion,” Bray said, sounding harsher than he’d intended. At Mace’s look, he explained, “She’s in hypovolemic shock. Between you and Knox, she gave too much too fast.”

Mace tensed, instantly worried and looking ready to open his vein for her. As much as the idea rankled to have another man anywhere near her lips, that softened Bray a fraction.

But not enough to temper his tone. “Don’t bother. I’ve already given her my blood. And I doubt she’d appreciated it if you unnecessarily weakened yourself further. She just needs rest.”

“You what?” Mace glowered. His fangs descended in a possessive show. “You gave her…did you take from her too?”

Bray raised a brow. “You don’t know? I assumed you’d heard us speaking of it on the way here.”

Mace continued his dark stare, but Bray could tell he was trying to recall all that had occurred. “It’s a little fuzzy.”

Bray sighed and pulled up a chair. “We’ve been bonded,” he said, and because the carnal part of him demanded he stake his own claim, he added harshly, “In
all
ways.”

Mace’s expression turned furious. “Bullshit.”

Bray sat back, allowing Mace time to come to terms. A storm of emotions swept his features: anger, disbelief, and then finally hurt.

Reluctantly, Bray assured, “She loves you.” That was obvious. If he’d had any doubts about that, they’d been squashed the moment Cora had burst past those bars and rushed to Mace’s side. Her panic and concern had been palpable. That didn’t mean Bray had to like it. “But I’m in her heart as well, and I plan to stay there.”

“She’s mine,” Mace snapped, looking torn between the desire to jump up and plant a fist in Bray’s face and plastering Cora’s soft, warm flesh against him for as long as it took to solidify his statement.

Bray clenched his jaw. Mace still had the sharp emotions of a young vampire, but Bray found himself puffing up like a lion defending his territory.

“She’s yours,” he allowed. “But she’s also mine.”

“Get out.”

Bray’s lips peeled back, revealing his fangs. “I’ll not leave her. You’d have to drag me out of here.”

They both knew if it came to blows, Bray had the advantage in both age and experience. And that wasn’t even counting Mace’s dilapidated state. That didn’t keep them from glaring at each other for long moments, both sizing the other up.

Bray knew all too well there was a wildness in every vampire that couldn’t always be suppressed, even at his age. Like the dogs of war they were all trained to be, Mace’s instinct was to fight first and think later, to rip his foe apart starting with the throat—no matter that they’d been friends before all this. But, regarding Cora, the damage was done, rendering a brawl, as satisfying as one might be, as pointless as shoving shit down a sewer to eradicate the smell.

And now, according to vampire law, Cora was to be shared among the three of them. The only thing to settle was the specific dynamic of their relationship with her…as well as each other. Boundaries set and agreed upon. In that respect, as unpleasant as this conversation was for the both of them, this was a pivotal moment.

Finally, Mace deflated. “How did it happen?”

Bray was a little surprised by the sudden buckle, but then he studied Mace’s crestfallen expression and understood that the man was truly blindsided, not sure how to react, what to think…how to deal. And though it was clear Mace’s emotions were taking the trip of an abused racket ball, Bray filtered nothing as he recounted everything, starting with his initial capture and ending in his and Cora’s tumultuous escape.

Then, as he delved into the details of his relationship with Cora, he laid it all out flat, straightforward, like a ripped Band-Aid or the violent smashing of an eggshell. And in a way, he himself was blindsided…by the strength of his feelings for her.

“I’ve never met anyone like her,” he finished. “She is…”

“Everything,” Mace finished for him, painfully.

With nothing more considerable to add to that sentiment, Bray just nodded. How had one wisp of a witch become the keystone of his immediate existence? The focus of nearly every thought?

The bond?

Perhaps. However, Bray had heard others speak of the bond and never once mention the utter consuming need to feel, touch, taste, protect, and provide for the one they were bonded to. In fact, some of his fellow vampires had been downright cavalier about the whole thing.

“She feels guilty,” Bray blurted. “I can sense it. I’m sure she hasn’t fully explained things yet for fear of your reaction. Don’t make it worse for her. Don’t punish her for what’s been done. You can’t imagine what she’s been through.”

Mace said nothing for a while. Then, no longer meeting Bray’s gaze, he asked, “How did Knox take this news?”

“He accused her of some illicit plot.”

Mace let out a humorless laugh. “So he took it pretty well, then?”

“If you say so. Didn’t stop him from practically draining her. Boy needs to learn control.”

“He is…harsh with her.”

Molten fire stiffened in Bray’s veins. “How do you mean?”

“He resents the bond between them. Believes she bonded both of us intentionally to use us in a power play of some kind.”

It was true that many centuries ago witches had once bonded vampires to siphon the power of their immortal life forces, but that was before the destructive war between the races, culminating in the drawing of a treaty between the numerous covens and vampire clans of the time. As far as Bray knew, to this day, the treaty stood unbroken. Even if somewhere in the world the scheme was still in practice, Cora wasn’t the type.

“Witches who did that sort of thing were more of the black magic sort,” Bray supplied. “Their souls thought to be tainted, even by their own kind.”

Cora was anything but. No one knew that better than Bray. He had been turned by Trent toward the tail end of the witch/vampire war for the express purpose of bolstering Trent’s dwindling numbers and turning the tide of war. Bray had been unceremoniously dropped ass first into a volatile new world full of mythical creatures and supernatural beings, his only option to adapt or die.

Amazingly, he’d quickly risen in the ranks to become one of Trent’s best generals, had killed many dark witches, and had even been present during the negotiations that had ultimately ended the strife. To top it off, many covens—some of which still remain strong allies—had teamed up with the vampires to eliminate the last of what the witches called
siefur
. Soul Suckers. Apparently the witches had been fighting the
siefur
for years before the vampires had been clued in to their brethren’s captivity.

Knox wouldn’t know what a real
siefur
was like. He’d been turned years later, during the human rebellions that had thrashed much of the world in their wake—those fuckers fight to win. No matter the costs. Bray was surprised the humans hadn’t nuked the entire planet by now.

“I’ve tried to reason with Knox,” Mace said. “He doesn’t want to hear it.”

Knox’s disdain—one might say hate—for witches ran deep and was well known within the clan, even equaled by some. Hell, Bray himself used to have a special dislike for them, having fought against them, but eventually he had come to know a few decent ones who managed to diminish his prejudice. Cora might be the one to snuff it out completely.

——

Cora’s muscles ached in a way that reminded her of the flu, and her head throbbed like the flat end of an anvil that had been struck too many times. She tried to crack her eyes open, but closed them quickly, wanting to pass out for another…hell, forever. Every part of consciousness hurt.

Strong arms cocooned her, made her feel instantly safe.

She smiled. “Bray?”

Fury rolled over her, battering her senses. Mace’s scent triggered her memory. Her eyes flashed open. He was leaning over her, gazing down, his expression a blend between anger and hurt.

Had he been watching her sleep?

“Mace. Hi,” she said lamely, her cheeks heating.

He replied with a curt nod.

She reached up to touch his cheek, but he dodged.

Her heart took a dive. She retracted her hand. “You know.” It wasn’t a question.

“Bray informed me of all that has occurred between you.”

She swallowed. “All?”

He took a moment to answer. “Enough.

Grief filled her. She should have explained things before.

“Do you love him?”

The question threw her for a loop. She hadn’t even fully awakened. She still felt fuzzy and dizzy, and was so not ready for this conversation. “I don’t know how I feel.”

He pulled himself away from her and rolled onto his back.

Garnering her strength, she sat up and tossed her legs over the edge of the bed, facing away from him.

“But you slept with him?”

Her bottom lip quivered and her throat thickened so much she was unable to answer. Her silence said enough. Through the bond, she could feel his devastation. Then he was pulling away. Closing himself off.

The knot that had been growing in her stomach developed splinters.

“I suppose I should have expected something like this from you,” he said.

She stood and whirled on him, fighting a bout of dizziness that nearly knocked her off her feet. “What is that supposed to mean?”

He sighed and shook his head. “Never mind.”

Silence stretched between them as Cora tried to decipher his words.

“Bray asked me not to feed your guilt over this,” Mace continued. He rubbed his chest, directly over his heart. “But I don’t see how I can avoid it.” As it was, he was having a difficult time just looking at her.

“I don’t need you to alleviate my guilt. You have every right to be angry.”

“Do I? You are what you are. I knew it even before I claimed you. Although by then, it was already too late, wasn’t it? We’d been bonded.”

Again his words only brought confusion. She waited for him to explain. Instead, he rolled away from her, facing the wall. “I’m tired. I can’t do this right now.”

“Oh, no. You don’t get to say something like that and then just dismiss me. What are you talking about?”

“Go ask Trent what else your blood tests revealed,” he muttered.

As always, Mace was tight lipped when it came to keeping her informed. She wanted to snap and rage and demand he tell her everything, but she didn’t. A kind of intuitive understanding settled over her. Keeping things from her? That was how Mace held her at a distance. A way, unconsciously done or not, to protect his heart…from her.

Something in her blood test made him wary of opening himself to her fully, even as he proclaimed his love. She feared whatever this new information was, it was going to be a bombshell.

Without another word, she turned and strode from the room.

Downstairs, Bray, Trent, and Knox were seated around the coffee table. She wasn’t sure what they were talking about, but Trent looked livid; Bray, worried. Knox…had a black eye? And still he managed to look cavalier as he leered up at her.

Upon seeing her, Bray stood.

Knox scoffed and made a barking noise, but Bray didn’t seem bothered. His smile was only for her. She swallowed the lump that had been placed in her throat by her interaction with Mace.