Eternal Breath of Darkness (15 page)

Phillip turned to Caylee.
“We will deal with your behavior later.”

“And then perhaps we will
deal with your stupidity.”

Glaring, Phillip took a step
in Caylee’s direction,

Haden casually moved nearer
until his arm barely touched her shoulder.
He will not touch you.
It was
a cold, hard fact. Phillip would die if he so much as reached for her. She
maintained eye contact with Phillip for several seconds,

Caylee knew Phillip was
struggling with the urge to strike her. She knew he would die if he did it.
Haden appeared calm, almost uninterested in what was happening, but she knew
his docile appearance was clearly a deception; there was no missing the waves
of dark, violent power silently rolling off him. She was certain the earth
rolled when Haden moved closer to her. She knew in her heart Haden was prepared
to strike with deadly force. She believed Phillip knew it too when he walked
away.

“Breathe.” Haden placed his
hand on the center of Caylee’s back. “Everything is okay.”

“Don’t touch me!” She
whirled around. “Look at what you’ve done!”

“You’re the one who called
him an ignorant ass.”

“I should’ve kept my mouth shut.
I would’ve if you hadn’t been here.” She paused. “You help the kids at the
detention center?”

“You’re wrong.” He started
to place his hand on her shoulder but then stopped. “Regardless of my presence
you would’ve opened your mouth. And yes, I’ve helped the children.” He
shrugged. “C’mon,” he said in a calm voice, offering his hand to her.

Smiling, she nodded. The
sight of him captivated her every thought.

Feeling a sense of certain
victory, he grinned as her fingertips touched his.

“No! Stop it!” She withdrew
her hand and brought it to her side. “Please, just leave.”

“Enough with the nonsense.”
He opened his car door. “Get into the car, Caylee.”

“No.” She backed away from
him. “I can’t leave with you. I won’t.”

Groaning, he shook his head.
“Come here.” Prepared to use force to take her with him, he walked toward her.

“Haden, what are you doing?”
She backed away from him.

He captured her arm. “You’re
not staying here.”

“Stop.” She tried to pull
her arm away. “You’re scaring me.”

“You’re afraid,” he said as
he pulled her toward the car, “but not of me.” He stopped. “Damn it.” She would
have a right to be afraid of him if he forced her to do anything. Leaving with
him had to be her choice. “If this doesn’t end soon the outcome will be
disastrous.” It wasn’t a threat; it was a fact. A fair warning. He wouldn’t
stand back and allow her to be hurt anymore. People were going to start dying.

“Are you threatening me?”

“You know better.”
Reluctantly, he released her arm. “The longer you deny us, the longer you’re in
danger. I will, regardless of the body count, protect you from further harm.”
He opened the car door and got inside.

“Did you get another car?”

“It’s a rental. Mine is
being repaired.” He took a deep breath. “I will be close by. You will stay
merged with me.”

Nodding, she lied her pretty
little ass off. She had no intention of staying merged with him.

* * *

Phillip walked into the house. Emmett was sitting at the kitchen
table, rocking back and forth. “Why is she out there with him?”

Emmett didn’t seem to hear
him. Phillip grabbed Emmett’s arm and yanked it hard. Emmett still didn’t seem
to notice Phillip was there. Phillip slapped him across the face. “What are you
doing?”

Emmett blinked. Placing his
hand over his cheek, he shook his head. “What the hell?”

“What's wrong with you?”

His memory returning, Emmett
shook his head. “The son of a bitch did something to me.” He grabbed his head.
“My head feel like it’s going to burst.”

* * *

Haden watched Caylee walk away. She turned to look at him
.
Assuming
she’d changed her mind, he started to get out of the car, ready to gather her
in his arms and carry her away. With her hand on her hip, she motioned for him
to leave.
For a moment, he almost lost control. Leaving her there was
nearly impossible. It was so terrifying, but he knew there was no other choice.
Stay merged with me, or I will return immediately.

Wiping the tears from her
cheeks, she stared at the door and took a deep breath. Releasing it, she
reached for the doorknob, but before she was able to turn it, Emmett opened the
door.

“What the hell were you
thinking?” Emmett grabbed her arm, pulled her inside the house, and slammed the
door. “What did he say to you?”

Irritated, she jerked her
arm free. “Nothing.”

Phillip turned to Caylee.
“You will never see that man again.”

Shaking her head, she rolled
her eyes. “You can’t tell me what to do.” She went into the kitchen and filled
the sink with soapy water to scrub the burnt skillet.

A few miles away from
Caylee’s house, Haden pulled off the road and drove a few hundred feet down a
dirt road. He needed to stay close to her. There was no way he would be far
away from her at anytime. Deciding it would be great fun to bring Phillip down
financially, he called Joseph.

“Haden, what’s up?”

“I need your assistance with
something.”

“Anything.”

“Do you know Phillip Wicks?”

“The name sounds familiar.
Hold on.” Joseph googled Phillip’s name. “Sure, there’s a lot of information on
the web. He’s an investment adviser. And it appears he’s corrupt as hell. He
has several enemies. He has been under investigation for fraud too.”

“I don’t care about his
trouble. I need you to destroy him.”

“Done.”

* * *

“Damn it, Caylee!” Emmett slammed his fist against the counter.
“Don’t ignore me!” She whirled around and stared at her uncle. Holding her
breath, she tried to recall the question, but she was unable to remember
anything. He appeared angry. She glanced around the room and realized Phillip
was gone. “I have some business to take care of. While I’m gone, you won’t
leave the house.”

“I have plans to see Mia
today.”

“You’re done with Mia.” He
took grabbed her arm and pulled her closer. “You will not see her today or any
other day.”

Nodding, she pulled her arm
away. “All right,” she lied, “I will stay home.” Like hell she wasn’t going into
town to see Mia.

Muttering, Emmett turned and
walked out of the house.

Caylee waited until he drove
away, and then she grabbed her keys and headed out to her car. She’d always
enjoyed the drive to town. It was a good twenty-mile drive along a deserted road
in the middle of nowhere. The wooded scenery was beautiful. It was tranquil.

But she wasn’t enjoying it
at the moment. Instead, ten miles into the journey, the engine started smoking
and making strange knocking noises. She pulled to side of the road, and then
the engine stalled. After making several attempts to start it again, she
eventually drained the battery. Calling Haden wasn’t an option; she was never
going to see him again. So, she tried to call Mia, but because there was no
cell service, every attempt to call failed. With no other option, she started
walking toward town.

~ Ten ~

STOP!
STARTLED BY Haden’s voice, Caylee stumbled, but reaching out for
the trunk of a tree she kept from falling. She took another step but then froze
the instant she heard a low growl.
They can’t touch you.

Slowly, not really wanting
to see what was growling, she turned around. “Oh, no, not again.” Wide eyed,
heart racing, she stared at a dozen or so mangy dog-like creatures. “This is
bad.”

Look all around you. There’s
a hedge surrounding you, protecting you. They can’t get through it. They can’t
touch you.

It’s a mist. A black mist. I
can’t do this.
Her thoughts raced wildly, matching her heartbeat.
I can’t just
stand here.

The odor of your fear
excites them. Take a deep breath. Try to remain calm. They can’t harm you.
Don’t look away from them and don’t run. I can see them through your eyes. I
need you to stay very still to keep the hedge in place.
He
was careful to make sure his voice was calm and reassuring.
I’m coming to
you now.

Oh sure, I’ll be calm. Maybe
I’ll even take a nap. Why not? There’s a black mist protecting me. Odor?
She
frowned.
Are you telling me I stink?

Not at all.
He
laughed.
I’m telling you that you smell yummy.
She looked back at her
car. She could make it, couldn’t she?
No. Don’t try it, little love. And
don’t turn your back to them. I need you to keep your eyes on them so I can see
them.

He was right. She would
never make it in time. She returned her gaze to the creatures. She really wanted
to look away from them.
I can’t do it. I can’t just stand here and watch
them!
Panic was quickly closing in on her. They were so hideous. So
terrifying. She wanted to run. The last thing she wanted to do was stand there
like an idiot staring at them.

I know they look
frightening, but they can’t touch you.
More than anything he wished
he could tell her to look away from them.
I need you to trust me. I need you
to be strong.

Her entire body was
trembling. Her breaths were coming in short, violent gasps. Tears welled up and
streamed down her face.
This is bad—this is really, really bad.
She
tried to take a step back, but her legs felt like rubber.
I can’t do it. I
can’t keep looking at them.

You’re doing it, little
love.

Hyperventilating, she
watched in horror as they crouched low to the ground and bared their teeth. It
appeared they were about to pounce on her, but instead they slowly inched their
way nearer.
Oh, God, hurry, Haden!
She turned her back to the beasts,
too afraid to look at them any longer.

I’m here.
Her
ears popped. Pricking her flesh, the atmosphere suddenly electrified. The air
was alive with danger and violence. A thousand voices shouted at once. With a
terrible, ear-shattering clap of thunder, a strong gust of icy wind blasted
past her. The creatures lunged for her, but they were stopped by the hedge
surrounding her.

Haden began to regain
physical form between Caylee and the ghouls. Opening her eyes, she turned
toward him. Another clap of thunder, and a gust of wind, much stronger, blasted
the creatures. Yelping, they landed several feet away. Haden shimmered in the
form a black, glittery mist, his wings disappearing as he turned toward her.
Extraordinary power flowed from him. Violent. Tremendous. Immovable power.
Unable to process what she was seeing and feeling, she stumbled backward.

Black and silver flames
danced around him, around her. Everything was moving too quickly. She couldn’t
make out his form. “Haden.” Her vision was blurry. She rubbed her eyes. Not yet
fully formed, he reached out for her. Dodging the iridescent image of his hand,
she stepped back. The color drained from her face as she placed her trembling
hand over her heart.

When the reformation of his
flesh was complete, he grabbed her arm to hold her steady. “It’s okay.”

“I thought you killed them
the other night.” Everything seemed to darken. She blinked. “I feel weird.” Her
voice seemed so odd and distant to her. “I can’t … oh, no.” She swayed
back and forth. “I need to sit down.” She tried to back away from him, but
everything swirled around her and went black.

Effortlessly catching her up
in his arms, he cradled her against his chest. An instant before he dissolved
into a mist with Caylee, he glanced over his shoulder and snarled at the
severely injured, dying ghouls. Struck by an invisible, thunderous boom, they
burst into flames.

Haden was beyond caring
about what she wanted. Enough was enough. He knew what was best for her, and it
was time for her to trust him. He was taking her home with him. In the blink of
an eye he was holding her in his bedroom. He slowly carried her over to his bed
and then gently lowered her onto it. Smiling, he stared down at her. She was
going to be mad as hell when she woke up, but he didn’t care. Let her be mad.
She would get over it. She was home now. She was finally right where she
belonged. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he watched her sleep, filling her
with healing energy.

After several moments, she
opened her eyes and she gazed up at him. “I really don’t like those things.
Where do they come from?”

She suddenly realized she
was in an unfamiliar bed. His bed! Panicking, she sat up, determined to get out
of it and leave his house as quickly as possible. But she hesitated. What if
there were more of the creatures outside? “Are there more out there?”

“Not at the moment. You’ve
been through a horrible ordeal. You need to rest for a few minutes, little
love. There’s no reason for you to leave right away.” Leaning his back against
the headboard, he pulled her into his arms. “Come here.”

Making a sound of something
between a moan and whimper, she halfheartedly pushed away from him, but he
gently, with a firm grip, drew her back. “Relax.” He kissed the top of her
head. “You’re safe with me.”

She tilted her head back to
look up at him, but then quickly, needing to escape the hunger in his gaze, she
looked away. “I shouldn’t be … they’re so disgusting, Haden. What are
they?”

“Animals, mostly dogs,
poisoned by the blood of the undead,” he stated, still touching his lips to her
soft, satiny hair, inhaling her scent.

“You knew they were going to
attack me before I did.” She tilted her head back to look up at him again.
“Most of the time it drives me nuts that you know so much.” Grinning, she bit
her lower lip. “But in this case, I’m glad. In fact, it’s your lucky day,
Haden. I’m not going to lecture you about how rude it is to always be mucking
around in my head. I’m not saying it’s not annoying. To tell the truth, it’s
extremely irritating.”

She pulled away from him and
turned her entire body to get a better look at him. “It’s so unfair.” She
scooted toward the foot of the bed. “I would be happier if I could see your
thoughts as easily as you see mine.”

“If you want to see my
thoughts, I could show you.” His voice was deep, raspy.

She stood up and took a few
backward steps away from the bed. “How?”

She didn’t see him move, but
he was standing directly in front of her. “Close your eyes.”

She stared up at him. He was
so close she could feel the warmth of his body. “Are you teasing me?”

He bent his head and kissed
the corner of her mouth. “Not at all,” he whispered. “Close your eyes.”

Smiling shyly, heart racing,
she nodded and closed her eyes. “I’m going to end up regretting this, aren’t
I?”

He laughed softly. She felt
the warmth of his breath, the scintillating moist heat of it across her lips.
Waves of hot lust radiated from him, entering her body as he merged his mind
with hers. Instantly, she felt the warmth and roughness of his hands on her
flesh, all over her body, exploring every inch of it, savoring it, possessing
it. She felt his desire and his need for her combined with his steadfast,
unwavering love for her.

Leaning back, she opened her
eyes and stared up at him. “Why?”

Cradling her face in his
palms, he traced her mouth with his thumb and then drew her nearer to kiss her.
“Kiss me.”

“No.” She pulled away from
him. “I want you to tell me why you want me.” She knew he wanted her to believe
they belonged together and he would stop at nothing to convince her of it. But
why? She was far from the woman she imagined his type to be. She was certain he
could get any woman. Why would he settle for her? He was extraordinarily
fascinating. Mysterious. Dark. And way too sexy. He looked too good, more than
handsome; he was masculine sensuality perfected. His body was a solid,
flawlessly muscled piece of art. He was godlike. He was so powerful in so many
ways. Like an ancient warrior. A gladiator. To most people, he wasn’t simply
intimidating, he was completely unapproachable. And yet, he was gentle with
her. So tender, patient, and kind. Well, when he wasn’t making stupid demands.

He smiled. “I never make
stupid demands.” He arched his brow. “I offer advice based on expert wisdom.”
He shrugged casually. “But anyways, I figured you cast a love spell on me.”

“Really?” Drawing her bottom
lip in her mouth and chewing on it, she frowned. Well, it made sense. Why else
would he long for her? Yep, it had to be a spell. She only wished she knew it,
in case it wore off. It would definitely come in handy in the future.

“No.” He wrapped his hand
around her throat in a bogus threat. “What am I going to do with you? You drive
me crazy, little love, and I am starting to believe you enjoy it. I could never
imagine a more beautiful woman. You’re incredibly desirable. Irresistible. Completely
divine.” Cupping her breasts, he groaned aloud. The sound was so sensual. Deep.
Husky. So full of need.

“Haden.” She knew she should
stop him, but she didn’t want to. “This is a bad idea.” Eyes wide, her breaths
came in short, labored gasps.

“Your body is perfectly,
deliciously proportioned. You’re a goddess.” Reaching behind her, he grabbed
her backside and squeezed. “My goddess. You’re so incredibly sexy.” He bent his
head and kissed her slowly, thoroughly. “Luscious. Addictive.”

Moving even nearer, pressing
her back against the wall, he parted her legs with his thigh. “Hot.” His voice
was a deep growl filled with the lust burning in him. Driving him insane, she
arched her hips toward him and moved against his leg. “You’re so damn hot,
little love.” He bent his head and nibbled on her earlobe. “You’re feisty.
Courageous.” He trailed fiery kisses from her ear, along her jaw and to the
corner of her mouth. “Very sweet. Kind and generous to a fault. But when you’re
riled, you fight fearlessly, with the heart of a lioness. And you’re mine.” He
held her face between his hands, forcing her to meet his gaze. “All mine.”

A blush rising from her neck
to her cheeks, as she studied his gaze. “You’re teasing me.” She nibbled on her
lower lip, struggling to close her eyes, to look away, to do anything to escape
the hunger of his powerful gaze.

“Am I?” He took her hand and
pressed it against his swollen cock. It was a mistake! A terrible fucking
mistake! His body shuddering and heart pounding in his ears, he clenched his
jaw, groaning aloud. He was so damn hard, impossibly swollen. He released her
hand, hoping she would move it. She didn’t. Oh hell, he was so damn sensitive.

Her gaze jumped to her hand,
and she froze. He was huge. She looked up at him, unable to move her hand away
from the fascinating heat of his bulging erection. Even through the material of
his pants, she savored and feared the proof of his desire. Her heart beat
frantically. Tiny beads of sweat formed all over her body. Her most secret
place suffered a peculiar, powerful ache. Knowing and accepting the extent of
his need for her was alarmingly. It was shocking, but it was so wonderful it
caused fascinating sensations to spread throughout her body and over her flesh,
more intense than anything she’d ever experienced.

Turbulent currents raced
through his body, electrifying and scintillating, gliding over his
ultra-sensitive flesh. Standing on the tips of her toes, she leaned closer to
him and feathered kisses along the base of his throat. All the while, her hand
remained over his cock. Motionless. Holding him. Driving him insane. Nearly
pushing him to the brink of detonation. He couldn’t believe how poorly his body
was behaving over a simple touch. Her tiny hand was defying his strength,
completely and utterly annihilating his ironclad stamina. His cock was
impossibly hard. Excruciatingly hard. He needed to move her hand before he
burst in his pants.

Of course, he would be
damned if she didn’t have another idea. She picked that moment to give his
erection an experimental squeeze. His cock jerked. His entire damn body jerked.
His cock throbbed so damn much. It was swollen way beyond the point of pain.
With her palm, she rubbed the full length of him. In sheer, glorious agony, he
gritted his teeth, every muscle in his body tensing, trembling from the effort
it took to not make an embarrassing mess in his pants. Pressing her hand more
firmly, she continued to explore.