Moonlight Captivation [Moon Shadows Book 1] (12 page)

"Slazzamar,” growled Neman, scowling in obviously displeasure.

Shock and horror ran through Nessa when she saw who it was the elf had in his arms. “Darren!” She ran forward, dropping to her knees. “What did you do to him?” He was half-naked, barefoot with bloody bite marks on his neck, and he was bruised.

"He'll be all right—I needed to make him sleep.” The elf crooked his head to look at her.

Strangely, she could see worry on the elf's delicate features. “I want water, bandages, antiseptic, and help me get him to a bed,” Nessa snapped, pulling Darren from the elf's arms.

Neman grabbed the elf creature, yanking him back rather roughly. “What have you done, Slazzamar?” Neman demanded, as the fellow in the T-shirt knelt down on the other side of Darren. “Looks like mainly flesh wounds. I keep a first-aid kit in the kitchen."

She nodded at the handsome man with grey eyes and brown hair. He dashed off through one of the doors.

"Neman, help me move him, please."

Neman released Slazzamar, walking over to pick Darren up and carry him through a second door down a short, wide corridor into a room much like his bedroom only more sparse. He laid him down on the bed.

Slazzamar leaned against the door. “We have to talk, Neman."

Neman looked up at Slazzamar's solemn face—something was up with him. He waited until Mark came back through the door. “Stay with them,” he ordered. Mark nodded.

"You, weapons room, now.” He teleported out, and Slazzamar disappeared a few seconds behind him.

"I found him the night the Shadows Warriors came after your Chosen One,” Slazzamar began.

"What game have you been playing, Slazzamar?"

"There is no game anymore, Neman. I can't go back to the Lower or Outer Realms any longer. When Jezebel finds out I've lied though my teeth to get Darren out of there, she'll be after my blood."

"What makes you think I won't be too? You put Vanessa's and her friend's life at risk.” Neman approached him.

Slazzamar stood his ground, unwavering. “I never told anyone I knew where she was. As for Darren, if I hadn't taken him, Belshazzar's Shadow Demons would have killed him."

Neman was suspicious of his motives. “What is it you want, Slazzamar?"

"I've had enough of being everybody's whipping boy. I want out of this game, Neman.” He stepped closer to him. “I will fight for it, if I have to. All I ask for is sanctuary. In return, you have my allegiance, loyalty and every piece of dirt I know on all the Lower Realm rulers."

This was something Neman hadn't expected of Slazzamar. He always knew him to be such a self-absorbed creature, only out to serve his own interests.

"Tell me what you know and I'll consider it.” To Neman, trust was something to be earned, not bartered for.

Slazzamar sighed, walked over and sat down on the stone steps.

"Jezebel and Belshazzar have teamed up against you, and, as far as I know, two other rulers also want to stop the prophecy. They are pulling together every resource they have. This is turning into a full-on war. It's only a matter of time before they attack. In the Outer Realm, although they know of the prophecy, I doubt they will lift a finger to help. They have been battling against the demons long enough and are sitting back to see what happens. I can't get close enough to the elves to find out what they're doing.” The elves were the main guardians, fighting and killing demons, in the Outer Realm. Without their efforts, the Outer Realm would have been overrun.

Neman exhaled slowly, weighing the odds against them. Without his powers and as skilled as he was with his blades, there was no way he could defeat an army that large without help. “Will you fight with us?"

"I will do what I have to do, even if it means death in battle."

Neman wondered what had happened to the half-breed to bring about such a change in him.

"Forgive me, but there is something else you should know, something I have known for a long time now. I discovered it was Jezebel who stole your god powers, Neman. She wears them around her neck in a blue jewel. She meant to kill you that night in your temple after striking a bargain with the king. She used Ningal to lace your wine with the drug they used to subdue you, making her believe she would gain immortality if your powers were stripped."

At first, Neman was stunned by the news that his own wife betrayed him. Neman grabbed the elf by his shirt. He shook Sazzamarwith a deadly rage. “How do you know this?"

"I've fucked Jezebel enough for her to boast to me about how she turned the great Moon God into a mere pittance of a creature."

"I'm going to kill her.” Tossing Slazzamar aside, he started selecting weapons from his collection—his sharpest, deadliest blades.

Slazzamar jumped up, grabbing his arm.

He threw the elf-demon off.

Slazzamar stumbled backwards. “That's exactly what she wants you to do—go charging in half-cocked and vulnerable. Do you want to leave Vanessa unprotected for Jezebel to kill after she's finished you off?"

If he hadn't already fallen in love with Vanessa, he would have ignored the elf's advice and stormed off, but the mere mention of her name calmed him. He looked at Slazzamar. He drew in a deep breath, calming the rage inside.

"Sanctuary is yours. I don't know how much protection I can offer, considering the odds. But why this? Why now?"

Slazzamar cocked his head to the side. “You're not the only one who knows love, Neman."

It was then Neman understood Slazzamar's motives. He'd been bitten by the curse as well.

Mark Remano introduced himself as Neman's right-hand man, the person who managed all of Neman's Ziggurat and demon-hunting affairs. Together, they cleaned Darren up and bandaged the wounds on his neck.

"Why are you wearing a sheet?"

"Because, I'm starting a new fashion trend,” Nessa snapped, a little harder than she intended to. “Sorry,” she mumbled.

"It's okay—you must be in a bit of trouble to have Neman bring you here."

"You could say that."

"Are you and he, um, you know..."

"What, screwing each other's brains out? Gee, what gave it away—that I'm wearing one of his bed sheets?” She wasn't in the mood to play twenty questions. She was too worried about Darren. Slowly, he started to come round.

"Hey, Darren, how are you feeling?” She sat beside him and brushed the hair out of his face.

"Like I was a chew toy for a bunch of twisted demons,” he croaked. “What a nightmare."

"It's okay, you're safe now. I've been out of my mind with worry for you. What the heck happened?"

Darren sat up in a panic. “That lying bastard, you can't let him near you. He's in league with the demon queen. They're going to kill you.” He gripped her shoulders.

"Calm down, Darren. Who is in league with the demon queen?"

"That would be me.” Everyone swiveled around to face him. Slazzamar stood in the doorway, his eyes fixed on Darren.

"You!” Darren's angry tone was unmistakable. He pushed his friend back in a protective gesture, leapt off the bed and placed himself between Slazzamar and the Chosen One. “You can't have her.” Anger flashed in Darren's beautiful hazel eyes.

Despite Jezebel's guards using him as a chew toy, his cheeks were flushed in rage, making Slazzamar want him. Slazzamar gave him a half-smile. “It's not her I want.” He looked past Darren to the other two. “Nessa, Mark, would you give us a moment alone, please?” He saw Vanessa's eyes widen with surprise, glancing between them, as she realized what was going on.

"Oooh, I see.” Diplomatically, Darren's friend got to her feet, grabbing Mark's arm. “Come on, take me to the big guy, will you? God or not, he owes me some clothes."

"You know about that?” Mark was asking Nessa, as they headed for the door.

Slazzamar stepped aside to let them pass, closing the door behind them. He turned to face Darren again.

"You're nothing but a selfish, no good user! How did I ever fall in love with such a two-faced, lying bastard? You might as well cut out my heart, hurting me the way you did,” Darren raged.

"Well that's just too damn bad, Darren!” Slazzamar snapped with such force, it made Darren take a step backwards, his leg hitting the bed, making him fall onto his rear. “What would you have me do? Spare your feelings or let you die? I did what I had to do to save you, and I'm not about to apologize for it.” Darren looked confused, so Slazzamar gave him a few moments to let the information sink in.

Darren looked up at him. “Y-you weren't just using me?"

Slazzamar shook his head. “I love you, as crazy as it is to love a mortal. I would lie, steal and kill for you, and there is nothing I wouldn't do to see you safe, even if it means leaving you here and never seeing you again, I'll do it.” Slazzamar waited for what seemed an eternity for Darren to say something. His heart sank in his chest while he sat there.

Finally, Slazzamar turned his back and made to leave. But before he could reach for the door, Darren gripped his shoulder, spun him around, pulled his head down, and their lips met in a heated kiss. Slazzamar tugged Darren tight against his body.

"I love you too, baby,” Darren whispered as he pulled Slazzamar's head back, looking into his eyes. “I'm sorry for accusing you. My heart, more often than not, rules my head. Can you forgive my stubbornness?"

"Sweet boy, there is nothing to forgive. I remember you once saying we can't change the past, only look forward to a better future."

Darren smiled against his lips. “Well, let's start by making a few pleasurable memories."

Tugging him backwards towards the bed, Slazzamar already knew what Darren wanted. He took hold of his wrists and pushed him down onto the bed, pinning him to it in a dominant move. Darren instantly responded, and the arousal coursing through them heated. It was then that Slazzamar did what he wanted to do, but had been too afraid to until now.

"You are mine, Darren Claymore.” He bit down on Darren's neck, claiming him for eternity.

Nessa grinned and turned away from the door. Mark leaned against the wall, with his arms folded.

"Been eavesdropping, sweetness?” Neman's arms slid around her waist from behind her, his large hands caressing her stomach.

"Jesus, Mary and Joseph!” she exclaimed in fright. “Will you stop jumping out of shadows at me? I was making sure all was well with Darren. Who knew? In love with an elf, or is it demon—oh hell, I don't know. What exactly do you call him anyway?"

"Trouble, most of the time. Stranger things have happened, though. Slazzamar surprised the hell out of me.” Neman chuckled. “Do you know how sexy you look and smell right now?” Growling softly, he bent to lick the shell of her ear, Nessa melting in his arms.

"Not a clue. Why don't you show me?” She tried not to giggle like an idiot as he assaulted the side of her neck with his lips.

"With pleasure, my lady.” He bent, sweeping his arm under her knees to lift her up. His mouth claimed hers in a deep, possessive kiss and he carried her down the corridor, past a stunned-looking Mark.

"Typical—everyone gets laid around here, but me,” he grumbled.

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Vanessa's laughter echoed through the hallways of the Ziggurat. It was strange to have a woman here after thousands of years. Vanessa, Darren and Slazzamar went to the kitchen while Neman and Mark were in the library which doubled as an office. Mark sat at his desk, a wall of computerized equipment before his fingertips and eyes.

"Are you going to tell me what's going on? What this Chosen One business is all about? I only found these.” He tossed Vanessa's Wanted poster onto his desk.

Neman was reading through the reports of the demon activities sent in by his teams from different countries around the world. The activity and sightings of Outer Realm creatures jumped dramatically in the past twenty-four hours.

"Pregnant women are being targeted all over. I've never seen the likes of it. Our resources are stretched with fighting demons and protecting these women. I've had to call in every favor I have just to help keep the demon attacks under control."

"They're looking for Vanessa. She is the Chosen One, anointed by the gods to bear the prince who will heal the rift, which is allowing the demons to leak through into both the Outer and Human Realms."

"That wouldn't be a bad thing. It would sure make our lives easier on the hunting front. I might get to finish my holiday and get laid."

Neman ignored his last comment.

"So she's pregnant with your baby, but you don't have any powers. How will your child have any?"

"He will,” Neman assured him.

He said it in such a matter-of-fact way, Mark paused from his typing, a smirk on his face.

"Why, you old goat. Still got it, eh? I was wondering if you ever got laid, now I know—been holding out for your Chosen One?"

"Shut up, Mark. I need you to go run a few errands. It's too dangerous to let Vanessa out of the Zigg."

Mark sighed and sat back in the black leather office chair. “Are you making me fetch-boy for your woman now?” he asked indignantly.

Even if he was, Neman knew Mark would do anything he asked of him as his loyalty ran deep. “No, Mark, I need you to go to Los Angeles. There's a man there by the name of Thomas Armod. He's a temple priest. Give him the list of domestic things, extra beds, furniture and blankets. He will also be a good resource to bring into the agency. Contact Mona and get her to stock up on extra food and collect Vanessa's belongings and anything she wants from the Los Angeles branch. Then do a weapons run—I want anything and everything available to kill demons."

"What can I do?” Slazzamar leaned against the doorjamb with his arms folded over his chest.

"I have to leave the Zigg. It's time to catch up with some family. As the only non-human with powers, I want you to guard Vanessa and her friend. Nothing is to get past the dimension gate. We have to prepare for every kind of attack and contingency."

"Got ya, boss.” Mark grabbed pen and paper as he headed out.

Neman crossed the library floor to Slazzamar. “I'm trusting you with Vanessa. Don't let me down, Slazzamar.” With that he
popped
out.