Darkness Undone (24 page)

“Reynner?” The familiar deep, commanding voice filled her ears. To know she was speaking to
the
archangel sent goosebumps skittering along her skin.

“Er- no, Michael, it’s me.”

“Eve—is Reynner all right?”

“Yes, he’s fine. I…I er- need your help.”

“What is it?” He was precise and to the point, like before.

Eve rose and padded to the window. Moving the curtains aside, she peered into the quiet streets. Her voice low, she told the archangel her problem. When she came to an end, he said, “I understand. It is a delicate situation.”

“Can you help me?”

“I cannot, but maybe the oracle can. But she’s only there for the next day. Don’t waste time. Take Reynner and go see her.”

Eve winced. “I can’t. He er- doesn't want me involved in this.”

The archangel deliberated a long, silent moment. “I see... So it’s on you then to talk to her.” He paused, and for the tiniest moment, Eve thought she’d heard deeper concern in his voice. Worry for her, not Reynner. “I would go with you, Eve. But things are tense right now and I’m needed here.”

“I understand. I can do this alone.”

“Be careful.”

“I will.”

Michael recited the address then ended the call. Eve didn’t bother to write it down. She knew the place. After all, she’d gone there once, when she’d wanted to get rid of her own curse.

Eve set the cell phone on her dresser, just as the door opened and Reynner walked inside. Guiltily, she rubbed her hands down her shorts.

“Why aren’t you asleep?”

“I've tried, I can't.” Her gaze widened when he started to unbutton his shirt.

“You didn’t think I would share the bed with Aerén now, did you?” He shrugged off the shirt and tossed it onto the armchair.

No, she wasn’t thinking at all as joy swept through her.

“This way, we both can rest,” he said as he sat on the bed and toed off his boots. They landed with a thud on the floor. His brow rose when she remained rooted near the window.

“You plan to stay there all night?” he asked. Rising to his feet, he unbuckled his belt, unzipped and got rid of his leathers.

Dressed, Reynner was gorgeous, but naked, he took her breath away faced with all those lickable golden muscles. Her gaze drifted down to his semi-erect sex and her body melted for him. She wanted to touch him—wanted him to touch her again. Then she met his tender gaze and her chest constricted at the absolute love she saw there.

He loved her.

Reynner held out his hand. Eve was so grateful her wobbly knees carried her across to him and that she didn't collapse into a messy puddle of happiness on the floor.

With an inch separating his nakedness from her, he slid his hands up her body. And in a slow, sensual caress, he pulled off her tank top and tossed it aside. “I don’t want anything between us.”

She couldn’t speak, her nerves stretched too taut. Her nipples pebbled at the heated look in his indigo eyes. But he didn't act on his desires, just hooked his fingers in the elastic waist of her sleep shorts and panties, and made quick work of removing them.

Eve slid to the middle of her bed, and he followed, settling her against him. He pulled the covers to their waist. Eve rolled her eyes as she tugged for more coverage.

“Are you cold?”

She glanced at him. His teasing smile was outright sinful. She scrunched her face, her shyness fading. Then she recalled last night, his nightmares. Anxiety took hold. “Will you sleep?”

“With you near me, it’s doubtful,” he said, his tone wry. “Don’t worry about me, Eve, I’ll be okay.”

No matter. She’d brought him back last night; she’d do so again.

Eve rested her head on his chest and slid her arm over him, just below the cursed star, reminding her of what she had to do. When Reynner pressed his lips to her forehead, she closed her eyes, and for now, savored being in the arms of the man she loved.

***

After a quick shower the following morning, Eve changed and ran a comb through her damp hair. Taking her charm bracelet from the draw, she fastened it around her wrist, her troubled mind on Reynner. It worried her that he hadn't slept at all last night.

As she gathered up their scattered clothes, and his pants that had fallen to the floor, a gleam near it caught her attention. She picked up the tiny, gold half-circle.

Her
earring? A quick look on her dresser and she found its twin still there. Frowning, she ran her finger around the almost-prefect loop. She was so sure she’d lost this at the club.

Guess she was mistaken. She hung Reynner’s pants back on the armchair. He’d already showered and gone off to the kitchen to get started on coffee. Heat spread across her face when she recalled how he’d awakened her earlier. The man was way too inventive.

Heck, she’d gladly wake up like that every day. A smile curved her mouth. But reality forced her to focus. Before that could happen, she had to find a way to leave without Reynner today and go see the oracle.

She rubbed her earring with her thumb and worried over her dilemma. There was no way he’d allow her to go out on her own. She could ask North to accompany her, but he’d probably tell Reynner where she’d been, and chances were, Reynner would know why and that would ruin everything. The man was far too canny and way too protective.

And Aerén, friendly as he was, he would flat-out refuse.

She paced to the door and looped back to the window, recounting the knots on the wooden floors while she tried to figure out the least suspicious way of leaving.

Crap, this was so damn difficult…unless, she told him she wanted to spend some time with her friends before they headed out to look for the artifact this evening, and that she needed to relax after her showing.

She cringed at the pathetic lie. She really didn't want to leave him.

“Why are you hiding in here?”

Her heart jumped and her head snapped to him.

Reynner leaned against the doorframe, his arms crossed over his chest. The heat in his eyes as he ran his gaze over her just about made her melt. Warmth spread across her cheeks. He was such a predatory male. He liked to take charge when they made love. She should have known when he’d first told her to undress in Exilum.

Smiling, he straightened and strolled over to her, his hands sliding into his jeans pockets. He halted, his brow furrowing as he searched in them. Picking up his leathers from the armchair, he rifled through those, too.

“What’s wrong?”

He shook his head as he hunted in his back pockets.

Eve grabbed him, stopping his frantic search. “Reynner, what is it?”

He went still. His gaze dropped to her hand on his arm. He loosened her hold and gently removed the earring she clutched. Then he simply stared at the small piece of metal.

Puzzled, she searched his face. “You want my earring?”

His gaze lifting to hers, he rubbed the back of his neck. For the first time, Eve saw him look uncomfortable. Almost sheepish.

“This was what kept me together,” he said softly, his thumb stroking the metal. “When darkness took me under, when I thought I couldn’t hold my shit together, this piece of metal was all I had to hold onto. A piece of you that kept me sane.”

Eve simply stared at him, his words touching a visceral part of her. He dropped the small hoop back in his pocket and stroked her face with a gentleness she’d never thought possible from such a hard man.

“At the club, when I crashed into you, your earring caught on my shirt. The moment I touched it, I could sense your spirit, your very essence. It drew me and I couldn’t let go. Now that I have you, I don’t really need it, but I want to keep that piece of you…”

Her heart swelled with tenderness.

“It’s my reminder of what I nearly lost with my…” he broke off, searching for a word.

“Pigheadedness?” she teased, trying to get her shaky emotions under control. If she didn’t, she’d start blubbering like an idiot.

Amusement lightened his eyes. Lowering his head, he kissed her. “I prefer inflexibility.”

He swung her into his arms and crossed to the bed. Then he dropped her. A startled shriek escaped her as she fell. Before she got her breath back, he’d settled between her parted legs and caged her with his big body. She wrapped her arms around his neck.

His eyes warm and tender, he brushed away the stray strands of hair spilling over her face. “Do you have any idea what you do to me?”

Hiding her grin, she moved her hand down between their bodies to his groin and the delicious bulge there. She stroked him over his jeans. “I think I do.”

“
Urias
—”

“So you want me naked, huh?”

“Naked, wet, and all over me—” he broke off, his gaze on her charm bracelet.

Grasping her wrist, he studied the ornaments then fingered the heart.

“It was a present from my friends,” she said. “That day we crashed in the club? It was my birthday.”

After a moment of silence, he asked, “Who was there?”

“Hmmm, Eric, Bren, Kat and…”
Crap!

“The artist,” he added, his eyes flickering to hers. She bit her lip. His gaze shuttered, his mouth setting in a tight line.

“Reynner, it meant nothing to me.”

“Yet you wore it?”

One minute he was touching the heart and the next it was in his palm. The thing melted into a tiny blob.

Not wanting to start their life with a quarrel over a piece of jewelry she didn't want in the first place, Eve didn't comment on what he’d done. She simply grasped his hair, wound it around her hand, pulled him close and kissed him.

It took a moment and a little persuasion. Yep, her man possessed that inflexible will.

Meeting his cool blue gaze thankfully still edged with lust, she bit him. With a low growl, he tossed the piece of gold aside and kissed her deeply. Possessively. “You’re mine, Eve. Mine.”

He deftly freed the buttons of her blouse. His head dipping lower, he suckled her nipple through her bra. Her breath caught. Desire spread like wildfire. She unfastened and slid her hand into his jeans—grasped his erection when reality knocked her sideways.

If she gave in now, then she would never be able to find a way to free Reynner. Today was all she had. Michael had said the oracle would be away for a while. No, she couldn’t risk waiting. If the horrid goddess came back and found out the truth about their relationship, there was no telling what she’d do to Reynner.

It got her moving. “Let me up.” She pushed at him, despite her body rebelling at being denied his.

“No.” He sucked on her other nipple.

She grabbed his head to stop his sensual torment before she became lost in him. “Reynner, please.”

Instantly, he stilled. Lifting his head, his gaze dark with need, he searched her face. “What’s wrong?”

“I can't, not right now. I promised my friends I’d spend the morning with them.” Even to her ears it sounded like the flimsy excuse it was. “Kat’s not in a good place with Jake away. I said I’d stop by…”

For a long moment, he stared at her. Without a word, he rolled off her to lie on his back and stare at the ceiling.

“I'm sorry.” She sat up. “More than anything I want to be here with you.”

“There’s no need to apologize, Eve. I'm your mate, not your jailor.” Cool words.

Guilt gnawed at her. She lowered her gaze to her unfastened top, saw the wet patch on her bra where he’d sucked her. Slowly, Eve redid her buttons. She hated that she’d hurt him, but if she stayed, then Inanna would win.

“Reynner, it’s just for a few hours.”

He sat up and zipped himself. Arms braced on his thighs, he turned to her. “Eve, I don’t like you being on your own.”

“I won't be alone. I’ll be with Kataya. And Brenna’s staying the weekend with her. Besides, you said immortals cannot enter human homes if not invited.”

“I know what I said.” He cut her a terse look. Then he exhaled heavily. “All right. I’ll take you there. But under no circumstances do you leave her apartment. Understand?”

Eve nodded and fiddled with a button on her shirt, unable to look at him.

How could she? She was going to break her word the moment she got to Kat’s place.

At Greenwich Village, Eve restlessly paced the floor of her friend’s spacious living room. She hated keeping the truth from Reynner, but if he had an inkling of what she’d planned, he’d stop her. She couldn’t have that. She loved him and would use her last breath to find a way to free him.

He’d kept her earring.

She couldn’t get over that. Smiling, she stopped at the window and glanced at the busy street below, trying to figure out how to borrow Kat’s Fiat.

Cars idled at the red traffic lights as a few early-morning health fanatics jogged past them. The flower seller adjacent to Kataya’s building, wearing a large straw hat to keep the morning heat off him, rearranged the colorful blooms in his stall.

At the draggy slaps of bare feet on the hardwood, Eve turned as Brenna staggered into the lounge half asleep and flopped onto the dark green armchair, her eyes still shut.

“How do you not knock into walls and such?” Eve asked in amusement.

“It takes loads of practice and many learning bruises. Besides, it’s not the first time I’ve spent the night here. Oh, and never rearranging the furniture helps a lot—mornin’, Eve, you're early.”

Kataya snorted, walking into the room, a soda in her hand. “It’s eleven A.M. All of New York is up.”

“It’s Sunday,” Brenna grumbled.

“Then they should be up.” Kataya handed Eve her orange drink. “It’s all I have loaded with sugar. So what happened last night? When you called, you said all was okay?”

“It is, it is…” Eve looked at both of her friends. “He loves me,” she burst out even, unable to contain her joy, even if there was a big fat black cloud hanging over her happiness.

Brenna’s eyes popped open. Then a huge grin spread across her face. “Oh, Evie, to finally see you happy—” She jumped up from the armchair, did a little dance-wiggle, and hugged her. “I’m so thrilled for you. And darn, Reynner is scrumptious—I can still say that, right?” she asked quickly.

Eve laughed. “You can say anything, Bren.”

“Oh, good.” She dropped down on the armchair again.

“I can see by the blush on your face how pleased you are.” Kataya said, studying her with a small smile on her lips. “I'm happy for you. But what about that woman from last night?”

Her happiness dimmed a little. “He explained everything about her. She’s an ex-lover who doesn't want to let him go even though he wants nothing to do with her.”

“And?” Kataya picked up her coffee from the counter that separated the kitchen from the living room and sat down on the green and navy striped futon.

“Later. I promise I’ll tell you all then.” Eve jerked to her feet and rubbed her damp palms down her jeans. “First, I need to borrow your car for an hour.”

“Why? What happened to yours?”

“I couldn’t use it because Reynner dropped me off. But I really need to make a quick trip somewhere and be back before he comes for me.”

Kataya eyed her for a silent, suspicious second. “Why?”

Darn. Eve heaved a sigh. Now wasn’t the time to spill the truth about Reynner. It would take too long to make a skeptic like Kataya believe her. At least Brenna was a little more open-minded. “Please, Kat, lend me your car, it’s really important.”

Her friend studied her for another moment, then nodded. “All right. With all the agitation flying off you, it must be. I’ll take you, as soon as Bren moves her butt off that couch.”

“I'm moving, I'm moving,” Brenna objected, lurching to her feet.

Eve really didn't want to drag her friends into this. But if she said no, they’d both dig their toes in. They could be so stubborn. “Fine.”

***

Ten minutes later, they climbed into the Fiat and buckled in. Kataya raised the air-conditioning to cool the stifling heat trapped inside the car. “All right, where to?” she asked.

Eve hesitated, then said, “Lila Smith.”

“The oracle?” her friends blurted out in unison, turning stunned faces to her.

Eve grimaced. “Yes.”

“Why are we going to see the oracle? Are you trying to get rid of that curse on your hands again?” Kataya demanded as she merged into the traffic.

“No. This isn’t about me.”

“Then who?”

“It’s about…” She sucked in a breath. “Reynner.”

Brenna leaned forward from the backseat. “You mean, he’s cursed with something similar”—she gestured to Eve’s hands—“like
that
?”

“Not exactly.” Dammit, how did she even begin to explain?

At a red light, Kataya halted and both her friends fixed her with curious looks. Eve cleared her throat and said, “We all know that supernatural things happen, right? I mean, we know that since…” She wiggled her scarred fingers in response.

“Yeah. So?” Kataya stepped on the gas when the lights turned green. Though she kept her attention on the road, her sharp gaze cut to Eve once every few seconds.

“So, what if I told you there was more?”

“More?” Brenna asked, coiling a length of Eve’s hair.

“Much more.” Eve sighed. Then she told them what had happened. “The night when Reynner came to David’s show and offered to drive me home, I got sucked into a world I still can’t completely wrap my mind around. But it all comes down to demons existing and Reynner being…an angel.”

Kataya slammed on the brakes. Tires screeched on the tarmac, and the Fiat came to a grinding halt almost rear-ending the car that had stopped in front of them for a red light. Eve grabbed the dashboard.

She burst out laughing. “Yeah, right.”

A little annoyed, Eve sat back and deliberately waved her damaged hand in front of Kataya to remind her of just how different she was.

“Shit,” she muttered, then shut her mouth. At the sounds of irate honking behind them, she ground the gears and took off again.

“Oh my God.” Brenna grabbed Eve’s shoulder, fingers digging through her top and into her flesh. “An angel?”

She bore her friend’s painful grip. “Yes, but not like the celestial ones from Heaven. Reynner’s kind are called Empyreans...” Then Eve told them everything that happened from the night of her birthday until two hours ago.

Both stared at her in utter silence. At least there was no more laughter. Hopefully they were starting to believe her.

“So this angelic realm you speak of is fading and they need your help? Those big, strong angels need you,
a human
, to help save them?” Brenna asked, her expression still a little puzzled.

Eve frowned. “Well, I suppose so, since I seem to be the only one who can call to this artifact.”

Kataya, paler than usual, frowned as she parked her Fiat in front of Lila’s brownstone. “And now we’re here to rid him of a bitch goddess who wants to own him?”

“Yes, that’s what I hope Lila can help me with.” Eve glanced at the house. The place hadn't changed since she’d been here ten years ago. Except for the overgrown pots of vines trailing over the doorway like swaying sentinels.

“But how can she, a human psychic, who couldn’t help you, help an immortal?” Kataya demanded. “Surely he must have tried to break this curse?”

Eve turned back to her friends. “He’s tried, with their oracles and mages, but nothing has worked. And who’s to say Lila can't know something? I have to try.” Besides, Michael had sent her here. And the archangel wouldn’t do anything just for shits and grins.

“Because you want him to stay?” Kataya asked as they all got out.

“No, because I love him. And I want him to have a choice in his life.”

“Aww, that’s so romantic,” Brenna said in a dreamy voice as she shut her door.

Kataya’s head whipped around. “Oh, no, you don’t, Bren. You find a decent
human
man. That’s an order! You see what kind of trouble comes falling at our doorstep when you hang out with”—she cut an incredulous glance to the sky, then shook her head—“angels.”

“Yes, mother.” A quick grin flashed on Brenna’s attractive face. “C’mon, then. Let’s go find out how to get rid of a goddess.”

***

Lila Smith opened the door before Eve even knocked. She looked exactly as Eve remembered with her smooth cocoa skin and friendly dark eyes. And like the last time, she wore a long, flowing dress, but in blue. Her salt and pepper hair she’d pulled back in a single braid.

She smiled in welcome, creating little lines around her eyes.

“Eve. It’s good to see you. I did wonder when you would call again. You are well?”

“Yes, Lila, I am.” It surprised Eve that Lila still remembered her name after all this time. Heck, she’d been fifteen then. “You remember my friends?”

“I do. Come.” She stepped aside and ushered them in, her dark gaze studying Kataya. “Your fate will soon be tested, child. Be strong.”

Before Kataya spewed her irritation on Lila, Brenna stepped in front of her. “I do love those vines outside,” she told Lila. “The flowers are striking.”

“My little hobbies sometimes turn out surprising results.” Lila smiled. “I never expected those flowers to be purple since they only come in white.”

She led them into the living room and turned to Eve. “What can I do for you, my dear?”

“I need your help. No, it’s not about me,” she said quickly when Lila glanced at her scarred hands. Before she could explain about Inanna binding Reynner, Lila grasped her fingers.

Eve sank into an abyss as she stared into those obsidian eyes.

A swirling sensation swamped her at the touch, but she didn’t pick up any thoughts from Lila—a sudden, mind-numbing pain took her hard, stealing her breath. Gasping, Eve snatched her hands and stumbled back, felt as though her entire being were splitting apart. She wrapped her arms around her waist and fought to hold herself together, fought not to curl up on the floor in a ball of pain.

Kataya and Brenna hurried to her, but she held them off. Gasped, “I'm fine—I'm fine. I just need a m-moment…”

“You have chosen a difficult path,” Lila said, softly. “What you seek will come at a price. It is only the beginning.”

Eve struggled to get air into her lungs. “So much pain,” she whispered. “Whose is it?”

Sympathy clouded Lila’s expression. And then the truth hit Eve like a punch in the belly. “Why?”

“You know why. It’s the price he pays for resisting.”

Oh, God—oh dear lord!
She ran out the door and vomited into the vines Brenna admired.

Reynner suffered because of Inanna’s binding? Tears filled her eyes.

Gentle hands stroked her back. A glass of water appeared in front of her. Eve took it. The cool liquid splashed on her trembling fingers. She drank deeply. Brenna took the glass from her.

Lila led her back indoors. “For every curse, every spell ever chanted, there is a counter one. But yours will not be easy.”

Eve faced her. “It doesn’t matter what I have to do. I won't let him suffer because of some selfish goddess.”

Brenna appeared at her side and touched her elbow. “Evie, maybe you should sit.”

“No, I can't sit—” She needed to walk, to work off her anger. Eve brought her determined gaze back to Lila. “Tell me. What must I do?”

“When the time comes, you need to follow your instincts. Your abilities will aid you. But remember, once you start to break the binding, it must be completed or what you fear most will come to pass.”

A shiver of unease slithered over her skin at the oracle’s prediction.

Lila patted Eve's scarred hand. “Do not fear, child, it’s the strength of the heart that matters.”

As Eve climbed into the car and shut the door, she was unable to rid herself of the weight in her chest. If she failed, she would tie Reynner to Inanna for eternity. She knew it without a doubt because that was her greatest fear.

Jesus, she was only human, how the hell could she take on a goddess and win?

***

Kataya parked her car near the flower stall. Someone had taken her parking spot, much to her annoyance. They crossed the busy road back to the apartment.

Eve searched for the new cell Reynner had given her that morning, but it wasn’t in her bag or her pockets, she stopped. “Darn. I think I dropped my phone in the car. Kat, give me your keys. I won't be long.”

“Hang on a sec, hun, I'm coming. You're not supposed to go anywhere alone—remember?” Brenna reminded her.

Eve huffed in exasperation. “It’s just across the street. Kat, you sure you don’t want to come along, too?”

“I'm good, I’ll wait here.” Kataya tossed her the keys.

Brenna tucked her arm through Eve’s and they cut through the cars halted at the red traffic lights. “After all you told us, Evie, it’s better you're careful rather than sorry, right?”

Eve sighed. Her friend was too softhearted for her own good. But…“You’re right, Bren. Let’s just get the phone and leave.”

“Oh, those violets are so pretty. I must order some for my store,” Brenna said, eyeing the flower stall as Eve unlocked the car door. She found her cell on the floorboard.

“You don’t really think you’ll win, do you?” a taunting female voice purred.